372 MR. sponge's sporting tour. 



" Ord rot ye ! you're awake," muttered Facey to himself, well 

 knowing that no one could sleep after such a " Jim-Crow-ing " and 

 " Swiss-boy-ing " as he had given him. He, therefore, resumed his 

 battery, thumping as though he would knock the partition in. 



" Halloo ! " at last exclaimed Mr. Sponge, " who's there ? n 



" Well, old Sivin-Pund-Ten, how goes it ? " asked Facey, in a 

 tone of the keenest irony. 



" You be ! " growled Mr. Sponge, in disgust. 



" Breakfast in half an hour ! " resumed Facey. " Pigs'-puddin's 

 and sarsingers — all 'ot — pipin' 'ot ! " continued our host. 



" Wish you were pipin' 'ot," growled Mr. Sponge, as he jerked 

 himself out of his little berth. 



Though Facey pumped him pretty hard during this second pig 

 repast, he could make nothing out of Sponge with regard to his 

 movements — our friend parrying all his inquiries with his " Mogg," 

 and assurances that he could amuse himself. In vain Facey repre- 

 sented that his Oncle Gilroy would be expecting them ; that Mr. 

 Hobler was ready for him to ride over on : Sponge wasn't inclined to 

 shoot, but begged Facey wouldn't stay at home on his account. The 

 fact was, Sponge meditated a bolt, and was in close confab with 

 Leather, in the Rose and Crown stables, arranging matters, when 

 the sound of his name in the yard caused him to look out, when — 

 oh, welcome sight ! — a Puddingpote Bower messenger put Sir Harry's 

 note in his hand, which had at length arrived at Jog's through their 

 very miscellaneous transit, called a post. Sponge, in the joy of his 

 heart, actually gave the lad a shilling ! He now felt like a new man. 

 He didn't care a rap for Facey, and, ordering Leather to give him 

 the hack and follow with the hunters, he presently cantered out of 

 town as sprucely as if all was on the square. 



When, however, Facey found how matters stood, he determined 

 to stop Sponge's things, which Leather resisted ; and, Facey showing 

 fight, Leather butted him with his head, sending him backwards 

 down stairs and putting his shoulder out. Leather then marched off 

 with the kit, amid the honours of war. 



