About midnight
In the achievement of this enterprise , they met with more opposition than they expected ; they were encountered with arguments which they could not well withstand ; the noses of some , and eyes of others , in a very little time bore the marks of obstinate disputation . Their conductor having at length engaged the whole body in a fray with another squadron which was pretty much in the same condition , he very fairly gave them the slip , and slyly retreated to his apartment , foreseeing that his companions would soon be favoured with the notice of their superiors : nor was he deceived in his prognostic ; the proctor , going his round , chanced to fall in with this tumultuous uproar , and , interposing his authority , found means to quiet the disturbance . He took cognizance of their names , and dismissed the rioters to their respective chambers , not a little scandalized at the behaviour of some among them , whose business and duty it was to set far other examples for the youth under their care and direction . About midnight , Pipes , who had orders to attend at a distance , and keep an eye upon Jolter , brought home that unfortunate governor upon his back , Peregrine having beforehand secured his admittance into the college ; and among other bruises , he was found to have received a couple of contusions on his face , which next morning appeared in a black circle that surrounded each eye . This was a mortifying circumstance to a man of his character and deportment , especially as he had received a message from the proctor , who desired to see him forthwith . With great humility and contrition he begged the advice of his pupil , who being used to amuse himself with painting , assured Mr. Jolter that he would cover those signs of disgrace with a slight coat of flesh-colour so dexterously , that it would be almost impossible to distinguish the artificial from the natural skin . The rueful governor , rather than expose such opprobrious tokens to the observation and censure of the magistrate , submitted to the expedient .