TOM DRAW'S VISIT TO PINE BROOK. 179 



which dozed upon the rug in amicable vicinity to our old friends 

 the spaniels Dan and Flash. It did not occupy me quite so long 

 to take a survey of these well-remembered articles, as it has 

 done to describe them ; nor, in fact, had that been the case, 

 should I have found the time to reconnoitre them ; for scarcely 

 was I seated by the fire, before the ponderous trampling of Old 

 Tom might be heard on the stair-case, as in vociferous converse 

 with our host he came down from the chamber, wherein, by some 

 strange process of persuasion assuredly peculiar to himself, Harry 

 had forced him to go through the ceremony of ablution, pre- 

 vious to his attack upon the viands, which were in truth not 

 likely to be dealt with more mercifully in consequence of this de- 

 lay. Another moment, and they entered " Arcades ambo " duly 

 rigged for the occasion Harry in his neat claret-colored jocky- 

 coat, white waistcoat, corduroys and gaiters Tom in Canary- 

 colored vest, sky-blue dress coat with huge brass buttons, gray 

 kerseymere unmentionables, with his hair positively brushed, and 

 his broad jolly face clean shaved, and wonderfully redolent of 

 soap and water. The good old souPs face beamed with unfeign- 

 ed delight, and grasping me affectionately by the hand 



" How be you ?'' he exclaimed " How be you, Forester you 

 looks well, anyways." 



"Why, I am well, Tom," responded I, " but I shall be better 

 after I've had that drink that Archer's getting ready yotfre 

 dry, I fancy " 



'* Sartain !" was the expected answer ; and in a moment the 

 pale Amontillado sherry and the bitters were paraded but no 

 such darned washy stutf, as he termed it, would the old Trojan 

 look at, much less taste ; and Harry was compelled to produce 

 the liquor stand, well stored with potent waters, when at the 

 nick of time McTavish entered in full fig for a regular slap-up 

 party, not knowing at all whom he had been asked to meet. 

 Not the least discomposed, however, that capital fellow was in- 

 stantly at home, and as usual, up to every sort of fun. 



" What, Draw," said he, " who the devil thought of seeing 

 you here when did you come down ? Oh ! the dew, certainly," 

 he continued, in reply to Archer, who was pressing a drink on 

 him " the mountain dew for me catch a Highlander at any 

 other dram, when Whasky's to the fore ay, Tom ?" 



" Catch you at any dram, exceptin' that what's strongest. See 

 to him now !" as Mac tossed off his modicum, and smacked his 

 lips approvingly ; " see to him now ! I'd jist as lief drink down 



