But how was he disconcerted, when those polite,
candid, reasonable watermen demanded a louis d'or for that service!
Peregrine, with a sarcastic sneer, observed, that he already began
to perceive the justice of his encomiums on the French; and the
disappointed governor could say nothing in his own vindication, but
that they were debauched by their intercourse with the inhabitants
of Dover. His pupil, however, was so much offended at their extortion,
that he absolutely refused to employ them, even when they abated
one half in their demand, and swore he would stay on board till the
packet should be able to enter the harbour, rather than encourage
such imposition.
The master, who in all probability had some sort of fellow-feeling
with the boatmen, in vain represented that he could not with safety
lie-to or anchor upon a lee-shore: our hero, having consulted Pipes,
answered, that he had hired his vessel to transport him to Calais,
and that he would oblige him to perform what he had undertaken.
The skipper, very much mortified at this peremptory reply, which
was not over and above agreeable to Mr.
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