At some distance from them I perceived another person in the same garb, sitting in a pensive solitary manner, entertaining himself with a whiff of tobacco, from the stump of a pipe as black as jet.

The appearance of distress never failed to attract my regard and compassion.

I approached this forlorn tar with a view to offer him my assistance, and, notwithstanding the alteration of dress and disguise of a long beard, I discovered in him my long lost and lamented uncle and benefactor, Lieutenant Bowling! Good Heaven! what were the agitations of my soul, between the joy of finding again such a valuable friend, and the sorrow of seeing him in such a low condition! The tears gushed down my cheeks; I stood motionless and silent for some time.

At length, recovering the use of speech, I exclaimed, "Gracious God! Mr.Bowling!" My uncle no sooner heard his name mentioned, than he started up, crying, with some surprise, "Holla!" and, after having looked at me steadfastly, without being able to recollect me, said, "Did you call me, brother," I told him I had something extraordinary to communicate, and desired him to give me the hearing for a few minutes in another room; but he would by no means consent to this proposal, saying, "Avast there, friend: none of your tricks upon travellers;--if you have anything to say to me, do it above board;--you need not be afraid of being overheard;--here are none who understand our lingo." Though I was loth to discover myself before company, I could no longer refrain from telling him I was his own nephew, Roderick Random.

On this information, he considered me with great earnestness and astonishment, and, recalling my features, which, though enlarged, were not entirely altered since he had seen me, came up, and shook me by the hand very cordially, protesting he was glad to see me well.