two o'clock in the morning
Mr. Banter desired me to hold my sword a foot or two higher , that he might have the better opportunity of exerting himself . The painter told him , if he performed well , he would recommend him as a vaulter to the proprietors of Sadler 's Wells ; and Bragwell crying , `` Leap for the King ! '' applied the point of his sword to the player 's posteriors with such success , that he sprang over in a trice , and , finding the door unguarded , vanished in a twinkling ; glad , no doubt , of having paid his share of the reckoning so easily . It being now near two o'clock in the morning , we discharged the bill , and sallied out into the street . The painter slunk away without taking his leave . Billy Chatter , being unable to speak or stand , was sent to a bagnio ; and Banter and I accompanied Bragwell to Moll King 's coffee-house , where after he had kicked half a dozen hungry whores , we left him asleep on a bench , and directed our course towards Charing-cross , near which place both he and I lodged . The natural dryness of my companion being overcome by liquor , he honoured me by the way with many compliments and professions , of friendship , for which I made suitable acknowledgments , and told him I thought myself happy in having , by my behaviour , removed the unfavourable opinion he entertained of me at first sight .