Page:Adventures of Roderick Random.pdf/95

 dinner, I desired, in my turn, to know the particulars of his peregrination, and he satisfied me in a few words, by giving me to understand, that he had lived a year at Paris with his master, who had acquired the language to perfection, made a tour of France and Holland during which excursion, he was so unfortunate as to meet with three of his own countrymen on their travels, in whose company he committed such excesses, that his constitution failed, and he fell into a consumption; that, by the advice of physicians, he went to Montpellier, and recovered so well in six weeks, that he returned to RhemisRheims [sic], where he had not continued about a month, when he was seized with a looseness, that carried him off in ten days, to the unspeakable sorrow of Strap, who had been very happy in his service, and given such satisfaction, that his master on his death-bed recommended him to several persons of distinction, for his diligence, sobriety, and affection. and left him by will all the moveables he had in France, to the value of three hundred pounds, which I now, said he, in the sight of God and, surrender to your absolute disposal; are my keys, take them I beseech you, and God give you joy of the possession.— positively refused this extravagant offer of  friend and put him in mind of my being  soldier; at which he stared crying. Odso! true, we must procure your discharge; I