He was instantly
seized with an agony of fear, which divested him of his reason:
nevertheless, he, as it were mechanically, raised his trusty
supporter in his own defence, and, the apparition advancing towards
him, aimed it at this dreadful annoyance with such a convulsive
exertion of strength, that had not the blow chanced to light upon
one of the horns Mr. Pipes would have had no cause to value himself
upon his invention. Misapplied as it was, he did not fail to stagger
at the shock; and, dreading another such salutation, closed with
the commodore, and having tripped up his heels, retreated with
great expedition.
It was then that Peregrine, pretending to recollect himself a
little, ran, with all the marks of disturbance and affright, and
called up the servants to the assistance of their master, whom
they found in a cold sweat upon the floor, his features betokening
horror and confusion. Hatchway raised him up, and having comforted
him with a cup of Nantz, began to inquire into the cause of his
disorder: but he could not extract one word of answer from his
friend, who, after a considerable pause, during which he seemed
to be wrapt in profound contemplation, pronounced aloud, "By the
Lord! Jack, you may say what you wool; but I'll be d-- if it was
not Davy Jones himself.
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