MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 121 



two assistants, each at 50 per annum, while his allow- 

 ance for his horse goes as his bribe to his superintendent. 

 How then is he to live, unless we pay him ? We give 

 him about 20 a year, and this is absolutely necessary to 

 secure that his services shall not be against us." 



To continue the story. Mr. S. appeared with his 

 prisoner at the bureau of the police-office, and found 

 himself immediately charged by him with an attempt at 

 murder, while he denied, at the same time, all knowledge 

 of the transaction regarding the cotton, which he was 

 ready to swear he had never seen or touched 1 



The tables thus seemed suddenly turned against th 

 Yorkshireman. But while he, the young gentleman, 

 was drawing up his protest and charge, the police- 

 officer gave a sign to Mr. S. to follow him to the next 

 room. 



"Pray, Mr. S., u-as your pistol loaded ? " 



" It was, and no mistake ! ' 



" Then draw the bullet instantly, or you will find your- 

 self in a scrape." 



Mr. S. tried to do so in vain, but the policeman effec- 

 tually aided him. They returned to the room, and the 

 charge was presented. 



"I see," said the officer, "that you charge this highly 

 respectable foreigner with a threat to shoot you 1 Pooh ! 

 pooh 1 It was all a joke ! " 



" Joke ! I wish you had only seen him ! Joke 1 " 



" But are you sure there were bullets in his pistol ? 

 Mr. S., please inform 1 me as to this fact." 



