THE FRUIT IT BEARS. 65 



of going home when my time was up, I 

 went off with him ; and I've seen something 

 since then, I can tell you : and 'tis just like 

 any other trade you're always a-learning ; 

 and that made me say I shouldn't care for a 

 fortnight in the stone jug. Another thing," 

 said he, "look here;" and he pulled open 

 a hole in the ragged trousers he'd now 

 got on, and showed a great sore. "There," 

 said he, "that's bad, but it's earnt me a 

 trifle ; for when I act the sailor, I say how 

 I got it at sea falling off the mast when it 

 was struck with lightning; though, to tell 

 the truth, I got it dancing, when I was 

 about drunk, in a pot-house, and fell on a 

 labourer's pickaxe, that the fellow had put 

 right in the way of honest people. It's 

 rather too sore now," said he, " and a little 

 rest'll do it good ; so if you'll let me ride in 

 the cart, you may commit me, if you like ; 

 only don't make it for too long, nor put me 

 to hard labour." 



Dear, how the squire did laugh at the 

 fellow's impudence ! " I commit you !" says 

 he; "no, that I won't; why you'd spoil a 

 jail, and all in it. But you said I'd done 

 you harm by giving you better clothes ; how 



