e plane of existence to another, that he should fail at once to recognize the full magnitude of that ch

to pay for the meanest night's lodging. And, contrasting the careless ease of a few days since with my present lamentable situation, I fell into a gloomy meditation; and the longer I thought it over, the more dejected I became.

h, though I had been dimly conscious of it for some time, I had before paid no attention. Now, however, I r

companions, for he occupied the head of the table, and I noticed that when ever he spoke

ppin' wi' the pain of it. Come, sirs,' says I, 'who'll give me a black eye; a fiver's all I ask.' Well, up comes a young buck, ready an' willin'. 'Tom,' says 'e, 'I'll take two flaps at that figger-head o' yourn for seven guineas, come, what d'ye say?' I says, 'done,' says I. So my fine gentleman lays by 'is 'at an' cane, strips off 'is right-'and glove, an' 'eavin' back lets fly at me. Bang com

headed man solemnly emptied his tankard, which was the signal for two or three of those nearest to vie fo

and watery as to give one the idea that it was very much overworked, "now, Tom," said he, setting down the refill

us," chime

ed me on the back 'e did, wi' 'is merry own 'and, an' likewise gave me this 'ere pin," saying which, he pointed to a flaming diamond horseshoe which he wore stuck through his neckerchief. The stones were extremely large and handsome, looking very much out of place on the fellow's rough person, and seemed in some part to bear out his story. Though, indeed, as regarded his association with the Prince Regent, whose tastes were at all times peculiar (to say

erd of Ted Jarraway of Swansea bein' knocked out in

o his tankard, "I 'aven't 'eard of no

rybody's heerd o' Buck Vibbot, 'im

ut Ted Jarraway to sleep, I should answer you, Sir Maurice Vibart, com

is mention of my cousin's

and all eyes were turned towards the speaker, a small, red-headed fellow, with a truculent eye. "Com

e of the logs upon the hearth. Then, all at once, Cragg's pipe shivered to fragments on the floor and he leapt to his feet. In one stride, as it seemed, he reached the sp

a fightin' cove myself, and I don't want no trouble-all I asks is, what about Buck Vibart put

in the air, "I says as 'e done it-on a foul!" And he

ul?" cried three

l!" repea

eaded man, "'t were said as i

nother blow of his fist, "an' wot's more, if Buck Vibart sto

o say as he's wonderful quick wi' his 'ma

d put 'im to sleep any time an' anywhere, an' I'd like-ah! I'd like to see the chap as says contrairy!" And here the pugilist scowled round upon his hearers (more e

g, "ah! I'd like to see t

said the one-eyed man soothing

they would,"

leege the gentleman?" inq

ever was born-wish I m

Tom!" purred the one-eyed

an' I'm proud of it. I'd fight any man as ever wore breeches-why, burn m

hen one comes to think of it, is a very handsome sum

guinea-a golden guinea to the man as could stand on 'is pins an' fight me f

And, setting down my empty tankard, I crosse

you," said I,

ord, backing from me until he was stayed by the table, where he stood, staring at me. And once again there fel

h an effort, "you?" and, as he spoke,

t for me was certain, seeing that his back was towards the others, though what he intended to convey I could form no idea, so I assume

me with the stern of his pipe, "'e be a fin

hisself to grow whisker

't got so much as our ol

they whiskers a-peepin' at me over 'is cravat or do my eyes deceive me?

t time, painfully conscious of my bare lips and chin. It was, therefore, with an eff

r that matter, except the humorous gentleman with the watery eye, who can name his own price." The fel

ious for a man to fight; well-I'm your man," and with the w

e the fact that the prospect before me was anything but agreeable; indeed my heart was thumping in a m

ck eye or so, and general pounding from the fellow's knotted fists, was daunting in the extreme. Still, the chance of earning a guinea,

a very altered tone, "sir, yo

lad to get it

rry for it-me 'aving the greatest respec' for-you know who-you understand

id I, "nor do I think it at all necessary; al

f the company, "knock 'i

an' finish 'im," and here came the c

Cragg, shaking his hea

refer, we might manage it very well in

place-plenty of room and nice and soft to fall on. If you would only put off your fightin' till to-morrow, we might cry it through

s over the better, show us your barn." So the landlord called for lanthorns and le

good place and ver

brought off in 'ere; the time Jem Belcher beat 'The Young Ruffian' the Prince o'

e barn. Surprise gave place to noisy astonishment when, after much running to and fro, it was further learned that he had vanished altogether. The inn itself, the stables, and even th

om, and, refusing the officious aid of the One-Eyed Man, put on my coat, readjuste

guinea, ten shillings, or even five, I should be very glad of the chance to earn it." But, seeing how each, wil