WILY^S STORY 57 



But hold hard there. Who or what art thou, 

 half-bred thing, that durst be shomng thy ill-breed- 

 ing with feigning to sleep, or with eating rabbit, 

 when thou shouldst have listened to the words of 

 thy betters ? Cock-tail, speak. 



" Call me Cock-tail, half-bred, ill-bred, mongrel 

 cur ; but know that I claim kindred with your 

 noble selves." 



All. " Audacious dog-face ! " 



" Honour ye the Cock-tail ! Cock-tail had a 

 grandfather ! " 



All. " Impossible ! Never ! " 



" Listen, then, to facts ; facts are stubborn things, 

 and if my story do not please, it may at least sur- 

 prise you." 



