CHAPTER SIX.
IN WHICH THE READER WILL PERCEIVE THAT IN SOME CASES MADNESS IS CATCHING.
Mr.Clarke having made an end of his narrative, the surgeon thanked him for the entertainment he had received; and Mr.Ferret shrugged up his shoulders in silent disapprobation.

As for Captain Crowe, who used at such pauses to pour in a broadside of dismembered remarks, linked together like chain-shot, he spoke not a syllable for some time; but, lighting a fresh pipe at the candle, began to roll such voluminous clouds of smoke as in an instant filled the whole apartment, and rendered himself invisible to the whole company.

Though he thus shrouded himself from their view, he did not long remain concealed from their hearing.
They first heard a strange dissonant cackle, which the doctor knew to be a sea-laugh, and this was followed by an eager exclamation of "Rare pastime, strike my yards and topmasts!--I've a good mind--why shouldn't-- many a losing voyage I've--smite my taffrel but I wool"-- By this time he had relaxed so much in his fumigation, that the tip of his nose and one eye reappeared; and as he had drawn his wig forwards, so as to cover his whole forehead, the figure that now saluted their eyes was much more ferocious and terrible than the fire-breathing chimera of the ancients.

Notwithstanding this dreadful appearance, there was no indignation in his heart, but, on the contrary, an agreeable curiosity, which he was determined to gratify.
Addressing himself to Mr.Fillet, "Pr'ythee, doctor," said he, "canst tell, whether a man, without being rated a lord or a baron, or what d'ye call um, d'ye see, may n't take to the highway in the way of a frolic, d'ye see ?--Adad! for my own part, brother, I'm resolved as how to cruise a bit in the way of an arrant--if so be as I can't at once be commander, mayhap I may be bore upon the books as a petty officer or the like, d'ye see." "Now, the Lord forbid!" cried Clarke, with tears in his eyes, "I'd rather see you dead than brought to such a dilemma." "Mayhap thou wouldst," answered the uncle; "for then, my lad, there would be some picking--aha! dost thou tip me the traveller, my boy ?" Tom assured him he scorned any such mercenary views.

"I am only concerned," said he, "that you should take any step that might tend to the disgrace of yourself or your family; and I say again I had rather die than live to see you reckoned any otherwise than compos."-- "Die and be d--ned! you shambling half-timber'd son of a----," cried the choleric Crowe; "dost talk to me of keeping a reckoning and compass ?--I could keep a reckoning, and box my compass long enough before thy keelstone was laid--Sam Crowe is not come here to ask thy counsel how to steer his course." "Lord! sir," resumed the nephew, "consider what people will say--all the world will think you mad." "Set thy heart at ease, Tom," cried the seaman, "I'll have a trip to and again in this here channel.