384 MR. sponge's sporting tour. 



" New- Year's Day," replied Bouncey, " and. ought to be properly 

 observed." 



" Presently, fiz — z, — pop, — bang ! Fiz — z, — pop, — bang ! went 

 the bottles ; and as the hissing beverage foamed over the bottle- 

 necks, glasses were sought and held out to catch the creaming con- 

 tents. 



" Here's a (hiccup) happy new year to us all ! " exclaimed Sir 

 Harry, drinking off his wine. 



" H-o-o-ray ! " exclaimed the company in irregular order, as they 

 drank off theirs. 



" "We'll drink Mr. Watchorn and the Nonsuch hounds ! " ex- 

 claimed Bob Spangles, as Watchorn, having drained off his tumbler, 

 replaced it on the sideboard. 



" With all the honors 1 " exclaimed Captain Cutitfat, filling his 

 glass and rising to give the time ; " Watchorn, your good health ! " 

 " Watchorn, your good health ! " " Watchorn, your good health ! " 

 sounded from all parts, which Watchorn kept acknowledging, and 

 looking about for the means to return the compliment, his friends being 

 more intent upon drinking his health than upon supplying him with 

 wine. At last he caught the third of a bottle of " chumpine," and 

 emptying it into his tumbler, held it up while he thus addressed 

 them : 



" Gen'lemen all ! " said he, " I thank you most 'ticklarly for this 

 mark of your 'tention (applause) ; it's most gratifyin' to my feelins 

 to be thus remembered (applause). I could say a great deal more, 

 but the liquor won't wait." So saying, he drained off his glass while 

 the wine effervesced. 



" Well, and what d'ye (hiccup) of the weather now ? " asked Sir 

 Harry, as his huntsman again deposited his tumbler on the side- 

 board. 



" 'Pon my soul ! Sir 'Arry," replied Watchorn, quite briskly, 

 " I really think we might ' unt — we might try, at all events. The 

 day seems changed, some'ow," added he, staring vacantly out of the 

 window on the bright sunny landscape, with the leafless trees dancing 

 before his eyes. 



" /think so," said Sir Harry. " What do you think Mr. Sponge ? " 

 added he, appealing to our hero. 



" Half an hour may make a great difference," observed Mr. Sponge. 

 " The sun will then be at its best." 



" We'll try, at all events," observed Sir Harry. 



" That's right," exclaimed George Cheek, waving a scarlet bandana 

 over his head. 



" I shall expect you to ride up to the 'ounds, young gent," ob- 

 served Watchorn, darting an angry look at the speaker. 



" Won't I, old boy ! " exclaimed George ; " ride over you, if you 

 don't get out of the way." 



