He agreed to dine with me at the cook's shop which I
frequented; and on our way thither carried me to 'Change, where I
was in hopes of finding Mr. Jackson (for that was the name of the
person who had broke his appointment), I sought him there to no
purpose, and on our way towards the other end of the town imparted
to my companion his behaviour towards me; upon which he gave me
to understand, that he was no stranger to the name of Bean Jackson
(so he was called at the Navy Office), although he did not know him
personally; that he had the character of a good-natured careless
fellow, who made no scruple of borrowing from any that would lend;
that most people who knew him believed he had a good principle
at bottom, but his extravagance was such, he would probably never
have it in his power to manifest the honesty of his intention. This
made me sweat for my five shillings, which I nevertheless did not
altogether despair of recovering, provided I could find out the
debtor.
This young man likewise added another circumstance of Squire
Jackson's history, which was, that being destitute of all means to
equip himself for sea, when he received his last warrant, he had
been recommended to a person who lent him a little money, after
he had signed a will entitling that person to lift his wages when
they should become due, as also to inherit his effects in case of
his death.
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