184 THE BARONET 



gamekeeper, and was always' in attendance, the first 

 thing at morning and the last thing at night, answered 

 for himself. 



" Put the chairs and tables out of the way, and go 

 down in the cellar and get some sawdust, and then come 

 and see that Mumford has fair play. Mr. C. will take 

 care of me." 



" Yes, Stephen," replied the butcher, " and then 

 see me give your master a lesson. I'll serve him 

 out." 



Stephen put on one of his arch grins ; he presently 

 returned with the sawdust, which having strewed, he 

 retired to a corner. 



The Baronet leisurely took off his coat and waistcoat ; 

 which having carefully deposited, he divested himself of 

 his cravat, &c. He advanced to meet his antagonist, 

 who stood with his arms up, ready to receive him ; but 

 a ferocious glance of his dark eye seemed to confound or 

 disarm the butcher, who received a blow right through 

 his guard that laid him prostrate. Stephen picked him 

 up. In the next minute, but little daunted, he en- 

 deavoured to close with the Baronet, who exhibited 

 first-rate strength and science in keeping liim at a 

 distance, parrying his blows with his left, and knocking 

 him clean off his legs with his right, till, after six 

 tremendous falls, this terror of the surrounding villages, 

 picking up his clothes, departed. 



Stephen asked him, as he went out, when he was 

 coming to give his master another lesson ; while the 

 Baronet, after a copious ablution, readjusted his dress, 

 and rejoined his com23any, who were iioi at all aware of 



