Page:Surprizing adventures, of Jack Oakum, & Tom Splicewell.pdf/12

12 him; I dare say it is his own hand writing, and his own dictating too. However this I may say to his credit, that his stile and behaviour are both honest towards me; nor he hath neither troubled me with compliments in the one, or ceremonies in the other.'—So, turning to the sailor, he said to him who gave him the letter, 'Well friend, as this is the first offence, (upon the account of your kind letter here) you may let your friend know, that I will pardon him this time; but let him take care that he never transgresses so again.'——An't please you Sir, (quoth Jack) I dare say he never will; and if you will take care that he shall not be hanged this time, I'm sure Tom's a very honest fellow, and will be very thankful to you.—Well, said his Majesty, you may assure yourself that he shall not die for this time, and you may let him know that I shall save his life, for the sake of your letter here.'—'Aye, Sir, said the sailor, but how may a body be sure that you will not forget it?’—‘Why replyed the King, you may take my word for