Page:Adventures of Roderick Random.pdf/81

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a view to offer him my assistance, when I discovered he had was my long-lost uncle and benefactor Lieutenant Bowling.——Good Heaven! what were the agitations of my soul, between the joy of finding again such a valuable friend and the sorrow of seeing him in such a low condition! I stood motionless some time; at length, recovering the use speech. I exclaimed, Gracious God!——Mr. Bowling!——My uncle no sooner hears his name mentioned, than he started up, crying with some surprise, Did you call me, brother? I told him, I had something extraordinary to communicate; and desired him to give me a few minutes hearing in another room; but he would not consent. I could no longer refrain from telling him I was his own nephew, Roderick Random. He soon recalling my features, came and shook me by the hand, and said, My lad, I am sorry to see you under such colours, as it is not in my power to change them for the better. With these words, I could perceive a tear trickle down his furrowed cheeks, which affected me so much, that I wept bitterly.—I then gave him a detail of all my adventures, which affected him much, and told him that Captain Oakham was still alive, and that he might return to England without danger or molestation. He was pleased with this information of which he could not avail himself, for want of money to pay his passage

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