5. CHAP. V.
From the reception at the levee,
which the Captain thought favorable, he
began to entertain more confidence in the
advancement of Teague; and, under this
impression, thought it now adviseable to
begin to take some pains with his bodily
appearance, and by the next interview,
produce him to the best advantage.
To conduct this by system, the first
thing was to heave him down, as it were,
and scrape off his barnacles. This was
done by ordering into an apartment of
the kitchen, at the Indian Queen, a tub
of warm water. His overalls being stript
off, and putting his feet and legs in this,
with hickory ashes, and a pint of soft soap,
the hostler was occupied an hour or two,
in the necessary lotion and friction, until
the upper skin began to come off, and the
natural complexion of his flesh appear.
After this being stript altogether, his
whole body underwent the same operation,
the Captain standing by, and ordering
his joints to be stretched, in the manner
of the Turks in their baths. After this, a
clean shirt was put on him, and the usual
attire of a common man.
