Page:Adventures of Roderick Random.pdf/37

 sat till late in the evening; and as he lived at Wapping I desired him to take share of my bed.

Next day we returned to the Navy-Office where, after being called before the Board, and questioned about my nativity and education they ordered a letter to be made out for me which upon paying half-a-crown to the clerk. I received, and delivered into the hands of the clerk at Surgeons hall together with a Shilling for his trouble in registering my name.—By this time my whole stock as diminished to two Shillings and I not the least prospect of relief. In this state of perplexity I consulted Strap. who assured me he would pawn every thing he had in the world even to his before I should want, but this I absolutely rejected telling him, I would a thousand times rather  a soldier. At the word soldier, he grew pale as death, and begged I think no more of that .—To render him easy I promised I would not do any thing without his consent.—By the assistance of this faithful adherent, who gave me almost all the money he earned, I was enabled to raise half-a-guinea against the day of examination. I went with a trembling heart to Surgeons Rh