The scrutiny, though performed with great diligence and minuteness,
was altogether ineffectual; they could obtain no intelligence of
the runaway. Mr. Trunnion was well distracted at the news of his
flight; he raved with great fury at the imprudence of Peregrine,
whom in his first transports he d--d as an ungrateful deserter;
then he cursed Hatchway and Pipes, who he swore had foundered the
lad by their pernicious counsels; and, lastly, transferred his
execrations upon Jolter, because he had not kept a better look-out;
finally, he made an apostrophe to that son of a b-- the gout,
which for the present disabled him from searching for his nephew
in person. That he might not, however, neglect any means in his
power, he immediately despatched expresses to all the sea-port
towns on that coast, that he might be prevented from leaving the
kingdom; and the lieutenant, at his own desire, was sent across
the country, in quest of this young fugitive.
Four days had he unsuccessfully carried on his inquiries with great
accuracy, when, resolving to return by Winchester, where he hoped
to meet with some hints of intelligence by which he might profit in
his future search, he struck off the common road to take the benefit
of a nearer cut; and finding himself benighted near a village, took
up his lodgings at the first inn to which his horse directed him.
Pages:
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207