The Merry Past 



He and his servant fared sumptuously, and, with 

 fear and trembling, " mine host of the Garter " 

 carried the mutilated remains to the impatient and 

 vociferating guests of the parlour. Affrighted and 

 astonished, their disappointment and chagrin were 

 soon converted into impotent railing and breathings 

 of revenge. At that period, the transmission of a 

 watch, a glove, a ring, or any article of which the 

 transmitter stood possessed, was considered the gage 

 of defiance, and the colonel soon found his table in 

 the kitchen glittering with mementos of Gallic 

 daring. He allowed the challengers to finish their 

 abbreviated repast, calmly took his modicum of wine, 

 and then, followed by his servant, strode into the 

 apartment. Drawing his sword, and placing on its 

 blade the first article of defiance, at the same moment 

 raising his fine person to its utmost height, and 

 darting an eye of indignation around, as if singling 

 out his victim, he coolly desired its proprietor to 

 redeem it. The effect was prodigious. There was a 

 pause denoting hesitation — a buzz, but nothing 

 palpable ; and after a full minute had elapsed the 

 watch was handed over to his bowing lacquey, and a 

 ring dangled on the still extended weapon ; that, too, 

 became the undisputed property of the domestic ; 

 and so with the rest. " Men but in appearance — 

 soldiers but in name ! " exclaimed Colonel Johnson, 

 as he drew his hand across his blade ere he deposited 

 it in its sheath. " Learn from henceforward how to 

 respect the rights of hospitality. I have been told 

 that cowardice is ever the companion of audacity, 



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