49 



"Oh! he'll sarve hissel' out, in all probability," replied Tom; 

 carelessly adding, " these boastin' chaps always do." 



" Couldn't we contrive something," asked Mr. Waffles, " to draw 

 him out ? " 



Torn was silent. He was a hunting huntsman, not a riding one. 



" Have a glass of something," said Mr. Waffles, again appealing 

 to the Fox's head. 



" Thank you, sir, I've had a glass," replied Tom, sinking the se- 

 cond one. 



" What will you have ? " asked Mr. Waffles. 



" Port, if you please," replied Tom. 



" Here it is," rejoined Mr. Waffles, again handing him the mea- 

 sure. 



Up went the cup, over went the contents ; but Tom set it down 

 with a less satisfied face than before. He had had enough. The 

 left leg prop, too, gave way, and he was nearly toppling on the table. 



Having got a chair for the dilapidated old man, they again es- 

 sayed to get him into their line with better success than before. 

 Having plied him well with port, they now plied him well with the 

 stranger, and what with the one and the other, and a glass or two of 

 brandy-and-water, Tom became very tractable, and it was ultimately 

 arranged that they should have a drag over the very stiffest parts of 

 the country, wherein all who liked should take part, but that Mr. 

 Caingey Thornton and Mr. Spareneck should be especially deputed 

 to wait upon Mr. Sponge, and lead him into mischief. Of course it 

 was to be a " profound secret," and equally, of course, it stood a good 

 chance of being kept, seeing how many were in it, the additional 

 number it would have to be communicated to before it could be 

 carried out, and the happy state old Tom was in for arranging mat- 

 ters. Nevertheless, our friends at the "Imperial" congratulated 

 themselves on their success ; and after a few minutes spent in dis- 

 cussing old Tom on his withdrawal, the party broke up, to array 

 themselves in the splendid dress uniform of the " Hunt," to meet 

 again at Miss Jumpheavy's ball. 

 3 



