260 MR. sponge's spurting tour. 



" There," said Mr. Pacey, producing a fine flash watch from his 

 waistcoat-pocket, and holding it to Jack. 



" The chain's included in the challenge, mind," observed Sponge. 



" In course," said Jack; " it's what the pawnbrokers call a watch 

 with its appurts." (Jack had his watch at his uncle's and knew the 

 terms exactly.) 



" It's a repeater, mind," observed Pacey, taking off the chain. 



" The chain's heavy," said Jack, running it up in his hand ; " and 

 here's a pistol-key and a beautiful pencil-case, with the Pacey crest 

 and- motto," *6b#erved Jack, trying to decipher the latter. " If it 

 had been without the words, whatever they are," said he, giving up 

 the attempt, " it would have been worth more, but the gold's fine and 

 a new stone can easily be put in." -'■-■>- *.v> 



He then pulled an old hunting-card out of his pocket, and 

 proceeded to make sundry calculations and estimates in pencil on the 

 back. 



" Well, now," said he, at length, looking up, " I should say, such 

 a watch as that and appurts," holding them up, " couldn't be bought 

 in a shop under eight and twenty pund." 



" It cost five-and-thirty," observed Mr. Pacey. 



" Did it ! " rejoined Jack; adding, " then you were done." 



Jack then proceeded to do a little more arithmetic, during which 

 process Mr. Pufimgton passed the wine and gave as a toast — " Suc- 

 cess to the handicap." 



" Well," at length, said Jack, having apparently struck a balance, 

 " hands in pocket, gen'lemen; If this is an award, Mr. Pacey's gold 

 watch and appurts gives Mr. Sponge's chestnut horse seventy gold 

 sovereigns. u Show money" whispered Jack to Pacey, adding, " I'll 

 stand the shot." 



" Stop ! " roared Guano, " do either of you sport your hand? " 



" Yes, I do," replied Mr. Pacey, coolly. 



" And I," said Mr. Sponge. 



u Hold hard, then, gen'lemen ! " roared Jack, getting excited, 

 and beginning to foam. " Hold hard, gen'lemen ! " repeated he, just 

 as he was in the habit of roaring at the troublesome customers in 

 Lord Scamperdale's field ; " Mr. Pacey and Mr. Sponge both sport 

 their hands." 



" I'll lay a guinea Pacey doesn't hold money," exclaimed Guano. 



" Done ! " exclaimed Parson Blossomnose. 



" I'll bet it does," observed Charley Slapp. 



" I'll take you," replied Mr. Miller. 



Then the hubbub of betting commenced, and raged with fury for 

 a short time ; some betting sovereigns, some half-sovereigns, others 

 half-crowns and shillings, as to whether the hands of one or both 

 held money. 



Givers and takers being at length accommodated, perfect silence at 



