Chapter 59 - Page 2

Everybody had some plunder from the cellar; half-a-dozen flasks and bottles were offered directly. He selected the largest, and putting it to his mouth, sent the wine gurgling down his throat. Having emptied it, he threw it down, and stretched out his hand for another, which he emptied likewise, at a draught. Another was given him, and this he half emptied too. Reserving what remained to finish with, he asked, a€˜Have you got anything to eat, any of you? Ia€™m as ravenous as a hungry wolf. Which of you was in the lardera€"come?a€™

a€˜I was, brother,a€™ said Dennis, pulling off his hat, and fumbling in the crown. a€˜Therea€™s a matter of cold venison pasty somewhere or another here, if thata€™ll do.a€™

a€˜Do!a€™ cried Hugh, seating himself on the pathway. a€˜Bring it out! Quick! Show a light here, and gather round! Let me sup in state, my lads! Ha ha ha!a€™

Entering into his boisterous humour, for they all had drunk deeply, and were as wild as he, they crowded about him, while two of their number who had torches, held them up, one on either side of him, that his banquet might not be despatched in the dark. Mr Dennis, having by this time succeeded in extricating from his hat a great mass of pasty, which had been wedged in so tightly that it was not easily got out, put it before him; and Hugh, having borrowed a notched and jagged knife from one of the company, fell to work upon it vigorously.

a€˜I should recommend you to swallow a little fire every day, about an hour afore dinner, brother,a€™ said Dennis, after a pause. a€˜It seems to agree with you, and to stimulate your appetite.a€™

Hugh looked at him, and at the blackened faces by which he was surrounded, and, stopping for a moment to flourish his knife above his head, answered with a roar of laughter.

a€˜Keep order, there, will you?a€™ said Simon Tappertit.

a€˜Why, isna€™t a man allowed to regale himself, noble captain,a€™ retorted his lieutenant, parting the men who stood between them, with his knife, that he might see him,a€"a€™to regale himself a little bit after such work as mine? What a hard captain! What a strict captain! What a tyrannical captain! Ha ha ha!a€™

a€˜I wish one of you fellers would hold a bottle to his mouth to keep him quiet,a€™ said Simon, a€˜unless you want the military to be down upon us.a€™

a€˜And what if they are down upon us!a€™ retorted Hugh. a€˜Who cares? Whoa€™s afraid? Let a€™em come, I say, let a€™em come. The more, the merrier. Give me bold Barnaby at my side, and we two will settle the