ADVENTURES. 165 



take a scalp, Bill, or sever a windpipe, or brew 

 broth of vipers ? Art up to all the sleights and 

 trickeries ? Stars ! I have a perilous neighbourhood, 

 and walk on thorns. Where gettest thou thy lack of 

 clemency, Bill ? Is't framed or natural ? purchased or 

 gifted ? Hath it limits ? or is it in extension infinite ? 

 But come at length off thine eyebrows is the grim 

 resolve ; thou art driven to be compunctious. 



May. Not a whit ; to appease thee, however, I 

 am content to forego the committal of an act so 

 thoroughly barbarous as the neck-screwing of a 

 young heron. Now may we recross, an it please* 

 you. 



Swivel. With much good- will. 



SIDE OF THE HERON LOCH. 



Swivel. Array thee in haste, Bill ; I espy yonder 

 our morning friend the keeper bearing down upon 

 us in company with two other mongrels of like stamp 

 or calling. 



May. E'en let them pass 



Swivel. If so they list, but such is not their design, 

 Mark you how the rascals will make law for us- 

 without warrant or commission. Their whole aim 

 is to usurp our angling-rods, but they may save their 

 cunning, else have I, Nathan Swiveltop, lost stance 

 for my wits. 



