ADVENTURES. 155 



but shall slumber pleasantly where I am, until Leis- 

 ter heave up alongside, on his return from Loch 

 Luichart. 



Swivel. The ravens will assail thee, Bill, an thou 

 sleepest ; moreover, there be wild cats in the neigh- 

 bourhood, and weasels without count. See, what is 

 this ? no other than a huge viper. 



May. Say you, Doctor, a viper ! a hydra ! Egad 'tis 

 time to shove off where is the legless ruffian, that we 

 may smite him ? 



Swivel. Here, Bill, coiled up like a Kussian knout, 

 and hissing on us with head erect, after the fashion of 

 a tea-kettle. He will escape an you be not quick at 

 marring him. 



May. No fear ; I shall stay his careering stylishly, 

 or the cunning is out of my right hand. Marry ! I have 

 hit him on the sconce, and ta'en the edge out of his 

 fangs ; but I must now impede his motion with a tail- 

 cut, else will he, as you say, bid us good-morrow 

 among the brackens. How lovest thou this, thou worm 

 of Acheron ? methinks thy vertebral screw is somewhat 

 damaged ! Oh ! thou ugly, flat-pated fiend, toad-hued, 

 abominable reptile, still wouldest thou exalt thee with 

 grim malicious visage and horrid crest ! Abate thee, 

 Master Spitfire, and bite the sod ! 



Swivel. What bloody fractions, Bill, thou hast 

 parcelled him into ! Where is thy heart, man ? Be- 

 shrew thee for want of charity ! 



May. Bah ! Doctor, 'twas in sheer charity I so 



