1829. ] the Cambridge Coachman. 29 
and, in the hurry of their retreat flung-to the door, which was fastened 
by a spring-lock, the key of which, unluckily for mine host, had been 
left by Frank on the outside. 
« The landlord, thus abandoned to his fate, and the only outlet for 
escape cut off, placed himself with his back against a corner, the most 
remote from the point of danger, though, to do him justice, he was not 
half so much afraid as might have been expected. The punch had 
thrown a sort of mist over his perceptive faculties, so dense that he could 
hardly be said to see the peril with any distinctness, and, as he grew more 
familiar with this battery of rolling eyes—for they did not cease their 
- motion for a single instant—the sight struck him as having something so 
exceedingly ludicrous in it, that he burst into a roar of laughter. This, 
however, did not seem to be taken in good part by the gentlemen on the 
wall, who might probably belong to the sect of the crying philosopher. 
First they stretched out the right hand,—then the left ;—then’ one leg, 
—then the other ;—and, lastly, the whole body became animated, when 
each stalked from his panel with as much uniformity of motion as if they 
had been so many soldiers, marching and then halting at the word of 
command. This, which was carrying the joke somewhat beyond mine 
host’s idea of the thing, made him serious enough ; but he recollected 
the good wine and the silver tankard, and kept up a stout heart, with a 
prudent resolution, however, not to stir or speak till he saw what turn 
affairs were like to take. Nor was he long kept in doubt. A grim- 
looking figure, that, from the pre-eminent antiquity of his dress, might 
be presumed to be the founder of the family, stalked solemnly forward 
from the well-kept line, and, making his way directly for the west end 
of the room, without taking the slightest notice of the intruder, knocked 
thrice, at measured intervals, on the back of the fire-place. 
« « What can this mean ?’ said mine host to himself. ‘ Surely he has 
got no acquaintances up the chimney, that he is inviting after this odd 
fashion to come and sup with him! And yet, body o’ me! I scent as 
prime a bit of venison as ever smoked on the table of the Red Lion.’ 
« This conjecture, if not quite right, was yet not altogether wrong. 
At the old gentleman’s summons, a whole posse of serving-men came 
pouring down the chimney, loaded with various dishes, that, to judge 
from the pleasant odour which steamed from them, could not choose be 
other than excellent. Like their masters, the servants were in the cos- 
tume of all ages, from the flat cap in the time of bluff King Hal, to the 
gold-laced cocked-hat of a more modern period—as if each other century, 
or rather each reign, had sent forth its representative to a general con- 
gress. They were preceded by a grave-looking man, who, from the chain 
about his neck and the white rod in his hand, was evidently the steward. 
_ This important personage stopped before his followers with the stately 
_ pace of a captain at the head of his company, and, halting at the large 
J 
“ 
4 
table in the centre of the room, regulated every movement with his wand, 
without so much as uttering a syllable. A tap on the head from this 
emblem of office signified to the person, so touched, that he was to come 
forward with his dish ; a second tap, on the table, indicated the place 
where it was to be deposited; arap over the knuckles, at once marked 
and rebuked the placing of any thing awry; and, in this manner, the 
table was speedily covered with a quiet dexterity that put the attentive 
landlord into no little admiration. Gladly, had that been possible, would 
he have hired one of these silent functionaries to assist in waiting on the 
