This was a favour which he with great difficulty
obtained: they chid him severely for his imposition; exhorted
him to have more regard for his own conscience, as well as to the
convenience of his guests; and, cautioning him in particular touching
his behaviour to the gentlemen of the army, mounted their horses,
and rode off in great state, leaving him very thankful for having
so successfully appeased the choler of two officers, who wanted
either inclination or ability to pay their bill; for experience had
taught him to be apprehensive of all such travellers, who commonly
lay the landlord under contribution, by way of atonement for
the extravagance of his demands, even after he has professed his
willingness to entertain them on their own terms.
CHAPTER L.
Peregrine moralizes upon their Behaviour, which is condemned by
the Doctor, and defended by the Governor--They arrive in safety
at Lisle, dine at an Ordinary, visit the Citadel--The Physician
quarrels with a North Briton, who is put in Arrest.
These honourable adventurers being gone, Peregrine, who was present
during the transaction, informed himself of the particulars from
the mouth of the innkeeper himself, who took Heaven and the saints
to witness, that he should have been a loser by their custom, even
if the bill had been paid: because he was on his guard against
their objections, and had charged every article at an under price:
but such was the authority of officers in France, that he durst
not dispute the least circumstance of their will; for, had the case
come under the cognizance of the magistrate, he must, in course,
have suffered by the maxims of their government, which never fail
to abet the oppression of the army; and, besides, run the risk of
incurring their future resentment, which would be sufficient to
ruin him from top to bottom.
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