Chapter 8 - Page 2

throwing off his outer coat, he stood composed in all his dignity, and eyed his follower over.

a€˜What news to-night?a€™ he asked, when he had looked into his very soul.

a€˜Nothing particular,a€™ replied the other, stretching himselfa€"and he was so long already that it was quite alarming to see him do ita€" a€˜how come you to be so late?a€™

a€˜No matter,a€™ was all the captain deigned to say in answer. a€˜Is the room prepared?a€™

a€˜It is,a€™ replied the follower.

a€˜The comradea€"is he here?a€™

a€˜Yes. And a sprinkling of the othersa€"you hear a€™em?a€™

a€˜Playing skittles!a€™ said the captain moodily. a€˜Light-hearted revellers!a€™

There was no doubt respecting the particular amusement in which these heedless spirits were indulging, for even in the close and stifling atmosphere of the vault, the noise sounded like distant thunder. It certainly appeared, at first sight, a singular spot to choose, for that or any other purpose of relaxation, if the other cellars answered to the one in which this brief colloquy took place; for the floors were of sodden earth, the walls and roof of damp bare brick tapestried with the tracks of snails and slugs; the air was sickening, tainted, and offensive. It seemed, from one strong flavour which was uppermost among the various odours of the place, that it had, at no very distant period, been used as a storehouse for cheeses; a circumstance which, while it accounted for the greasy moisture that hung about it, was agreeably suggestive of rats. It was naturally damp besides, and little trees of fungus sprung from every mouldering corner.

The proprietor of this charming retreat, and owner of the ragged head before mentioneda€"for he wore an old tie-wig as bare and frowzy as a stunted hearth-brooma€"had by this time joined them; and stood a little apart, rubbing his hands, wagging his hoary bristled chin, and smiling in silence. His eyes were closed; but had they been wide open, it would have been easy to tell, from the attentive expression of the face he turned towards thema€"pale and unwholesome as might be expected in one of his underground existencea€"and from a certain anxious raising and quivering of the lids, that he was blind.

a€˜Even Stagg hath been asleep,a€™ said the long comrade, nodding towards this person.

a€˜Sound, captain, sound!a€™ cried the blind man; a€˜what does my noble captain drinka€"is it brandy, rum, usquebaugh? Is it soaked gunpowder, or blazing oil? Give it a name, heart of oak, and wea€™d get it for you, if it was wine from a