As for my own part, I saw no resource but the army or navy, between
which I hesitated so long that I found myself reduced to a starving
condition. My spirit began to accommodate itself to my beggarly
fate, and I became so mean as to go down towards Wapping, with an
intention to inquire for an old schoolfellow, who, I understood,
had got the command of a small coasting vessel then in the river,
and implore his assistance. But my destiny prevented this abject
piece of behaviour; for as I crossed Tower Wharf, a squat tawny
fellow with a hanger by his side, and a cudgel in his hand came up
to me, calling, "Yo ho! brother, you must come along with me." As
I did not like his appearance, instead of answering his salutation,
I quickened my pace, in hope of ridding myself of his company; upon
which he whistled aloud, and immediately another sailor appeared
before me, who laid hold of me by the collar, and began to drag me
along. Not being in a humour to relish such treatment, I disengaged
myself of the assailant, and, with one blow of my cudgel, laid
him motionless on the ground; and perceiving myself surrounded in
a trice by ten or a dozen more, exerted myself with such dexterity
and success, that some of my opponents were fain to attack me
with drawn cutlasses; and after an obstinate engagement, in which
I received a large wound on my head, and another on my left cheek,
I was disarmed, taken prisoner, and carried on board a pressing
tender, where, after being pinioned like a malefactor, I was thrust
down into the hold among a parcel of miserable wretches, the sight
of whom well nigh distracted me.
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