the occasion seemed to warrant to have it opened
directly.

'Who hast thou got here?' said the gentleman angrily, as the man threw
the gate wide open, and pulled off his hat, 'who are these? Eh? art a
beggar, woman?'

The widow answered with a curtsey, that they were poor travellers.

'Vagrants,' said the gentleman, 'vagrants and vagabonds. Thee wish to be
made acquainted with the cage, dost thee--the cage, the stocks, and the
whipping-post? Where dost come from?'

She told him in a timid manner,--for he was very loud, hoarse, and
red-faced,--and besought him not to be angry, for they meant no harm,
and would go upon their way that moment.

'Don't be too sure of that,' replied the gentleman, 'we don't allow
vagrants to roam about this place. I know what thou want'st---stray
linen drying on hedges, and stray poultry, eh? What hast got in that
basket, lazy hound?'

'Grip, Grip, Grip--Grip the clever, Grip the wicked, Grip the
knowing--Grip, Grip, Grip,' cried the raven, whom Barnaby had shut up
on the approach of this stern personage. 'I'm a devil I'm a devil I'm a
devil, Never say die Hurrah Bow wow wow, Polly put the kettle on we'll
all have tea.'

'Take the vermin out, scoundrel,' said the gentleman, 'and let me see
him.'

Barnaby, thus condescendingly addressed, produced his bird, but not
without much fear and trembling, and set him down upon the ground; which
he had no sooner done than Grip drew fifty corks at least, and then
began to dance; at the same time eyeing the gentleman with surprising
insolence of manner, and screwing his head so much on one side that he
appeared desirous of screwing it off upon the spot.

The cork-drawing seemed to make a greater impression on the gentleman's
mind, than the raven's power of speech, and was indeed particularly
adapted to his habits and capacity. He desired to have that done again,
but despite his being very peremptory, and notwithstanding that Barnaby
coaxed to the utmost, Grip turned a deaf ear to the request, and
preserved a dead silence.

'Bring him along,' said the gentleman, pointing to the house. But Grip,
who had watched the action, anticipated his master, by hopping on before
them;--constantly flapping his wings, and screaming 'cook!' meanwhile,
as a hint perhaps that there was company coming, and a small collation
would be acceptable.

Barnaby and his mother walked on, on either side of the gentleman on
horseback, who surveyed each of them from time