that I very well knew the gentleman who came in, who owed me a grudge for the same reason, my winning his money; that though losers have a right to speak, they have no right to defame, that it was a common thing for those who lose by gaming to think with prejudice to the winner; that a gambler was not my known character; that it was dangerous to attack a man’s reputation without good proof, and that his proof would never stand good before an equitable magistrate, for that it was impossible for that person, or any other to prove that I had pack’d the cards, that time or any other; that a blow from a strange man, nay from any man, was an unaccountable outrage, and that though I was reduced by a train of misfortunes, to such a pitch as to apply for service, yet that I was far from deserving such ill usage, in the attack on my person, on the one hand, and on my reputation on the other. He heard all this with patience and only replyed, damn him, let him begone, I shall get nothing by suing a beggar; I was glad to take his advice, so taking my leave of my own friend I left the place, and you may be assured, fellow-prisoners, with abundance of alacrity,—for I thought of one thing and he of another,—I thought of the gallows, which I knew I deserved, though not from him, and he only thought of a bite. This affair made me more cautious of getting myself recommended to any man, but what could I do without money, all I had to do was to apply to my reputed father, which I did on the instant, not without apprehension of being known by some of his customers, who frequented the house, I went at night, and was received like the prodigal son, with this difference, that I neither wanted the best robe, a ring on my finger, or the fatted calf,—my exigence was of quite another nature; I wanted the _universal pass_, and I did not well know how to ask it; however I told him of my resolution to travel, if I had his permission, which if I gained, I knew the needful would not be wanting. I was happy enough to prevail, he complied, and after a fond parting and a great deal of good advice he gave me twenty guineas, little knowing that I had been used to larger sums. He then went with me himself to his wine merchant, who dealt largely at the Mediterranean, for which place a ship lay ready. I thought I should never get safe out of the kingdom, but setting sail we soon arrived at Leghorn. I had letters of credit, for small sums to be given me by gales as I called for them, and taking a lodging at a Cabaretto, and some refreshment, I went to bed, where I slept serenely, as I slept secure from all the terrors which had long banished the sweet and healing deity from my eyes. CHAP. XI. _Conclusion of the life of_ Tom Traveller.