Page:Adventures of Roderick Random.pdf/60

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for him, to make his turn in the bilbose; and this was not the only satisfaction I enjoyed for I was at the request of the Surgeon exempted from all other duty than that of assisting his mates in making and administering medicines to the sick. This good office I owed to the friendship of Mr. Thomson, who had represented me in such a favourable light to the Surgeon that he demanded me of the Lieutenant to supply the place of his third mate, who was lately dead. When I had obtained this favour, my friend Thomson carried me down to the ship's steward, and desired I might be entered in his mess.

After dinner, Thoson led me round the ship, showed me the different parts, described their uses, and as far as he could made me acquainted with the particulars of the discipline and economy practiced on board.—He the demanded of the boatswain an hammock for me, which was slung in a very neat manner by my friend Jack Rattlin; and as I had no bed-clothes procured credit for me with the purser for a mattress and two blankets. Being now assured of my safety, I addressed myself to rest, and slept till eight o'clock, when getting up, and breakfasting with my comrades on biscuit and brandy, the sick were visited and assisted as before.

One day, while I was busied with friend, the doctor chanced to pass by the place where

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