ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 12? 



otherwise they are fools, silly, simpering, and inani- 

 mate. But here, heaven be thanked, Bill! is a 

 turf-hovel and inhabited, I presume. Let us arouse 

 the slumbering Celts, and make enquiries as to the 

 inn. (Knocking.) Ho! good folks, hollo! 



May. Hit harder, Doctor ; apply the butt-end of 

 thy rod to this make-shift of a door. Hear you that 

 flourish of nose-trumpets! What a snorting these 

 sleepy-pates make! Hollo! bestir ye! (Knocks.) 



Swivel. Thou hast thunder in thy fists, Bill, like 

 old Jupiter; but these worthy souls seem charm- 

 bound, quite entranced hollo! you, hollo! 



May. Ha ! they move and hold consultation. Can 

 you direct us to King's-house, honest folks? (No 

 answer.) Hollo! you inside ! have you tongue-pieces 

 or ear caverns? speak for the sake of mercy we are 

 lost wayfarers, tired as tinkers' mules, and hungry 

 as trapped weasels. (Another whispering.) 



Swivel. They take us for burglars or cut-throats. 

 We are now in Glencoe, methinks, and the massacre 

 is not out of memory ! 



May. Give them a touch of Gaelic, Doctor ; quote 

 Ossian, or shout a war-cry. 



Swivel. Alas! Bill, I am a poor scholar, and know 

 not the lingo. Up, knaves, and shew face instanter! 

 Uncourteous hounds ! why lag ye on your straw, 

 while two wandering knights of the angle crave 

 their way to the hostelry ? Up, ye lazy loons! 



(Voice from within.) Her nain sel pe comin what 

 does she want with Alister MactonaP ? 



