He is,
moreover, exceedingly afflicted with goblins that disturb his rest,
and keep such a racket in his house, that you would think (God
bless us!) all the devils in hell had broke loose upon him. It was
no longer ago than last year about this time, that he was tormented
the livelong night by the mischievous spirits that got into his
chamber, and played a thousand pranks about his hammock, for there is
not one bed within his walls. Well, sir, he rang his bell, called
up all his servants, got lights, and made a thorough search; but the
devil a goblin was to be found. He had no sooner turned in again,
and the rest of the family gone to sleep, than the foul fiends
began their game anew. The commodore got up in the dark, drew his
cutlass, and attacked them both so manfully, that in five minutes
everything in the apartment went to pieces, The lieutenant, hearing
the noise, came to his assistance. Tom Pipes, being told what was
the matter, lighted his match, and going down to the yard, fired
all the patereroes as signals of distress. Well, to be sure the
whole parish was in a pucker: some thought the French had landed;
others imagined the commodore's house was beset by thieves; for my
own part, I called up two dragoons that are quartered upon me, and
they swore, with deadly oaths, it was a gang of smugglers engaged
with a party of their regiment that lies in the next village; and
mounting their horses like lusty fellows, rode up into the country
as fast as their beasts could carry them.
Pages:
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34