t at the same table with
them, 'it does me good to think of. There was a opportunity! But it
led to nothing. For my part, I don't know what would. There's no spirit
among the people in these here times. Bring something to eat and drink
here. I'm disgusted with humanity.'

'On what account?' asked Mr Tappertit, who had been quenching his fiery
face in a half-gallon can. 'Don't you consider this a good beginning,
mister?'

'Give me security that it an't a ending,' rejoined the hangman. 'When
that soldier went down, we might have made London ours; but no;--we
stand, and gape, and look on--the justice (I wish he had had a bullet in
each eye, as he would have had, if we'd gone to work my way) says,
"My lads, if you'll give me your word to disperse, I'll order off the
military," our people sets up a hurrah, throws up the game with the
winning cards in their hands, and skulks away like a pack of tame curs
as they are. Ah,' said the hangman, in a tone of deep disgust, 'it makes
me blush for my feller creeturs. I wish I had been born a ox, I do!'

'You'd have been quite as agreeable a character if you had been, I
think,' returned Simon Tappertit, going out in a lofty manner.

'Don't be too sure of that,' rejoined the hangman, calling after him;
'if I was a horned animal at the present moment, with the smallest
grain of sense, I'd toss every man in this company, excepting them two,'
meaning Hugh and Barnaby, 'for his manner of conducting himself this
day.'

With which mournful review of their proceedings, Mr Dennis sought
consolation in cold boiled beef and beer; but without at all relaxing
the grim and dissatisfied expression of his face, the gloom of which was
rather deepened than dissipated by their grateful influence.

The company who were thus libelled might have retaliated by strong
words, if not by blows, but they were dispirited and worn out. The
greater part of them had fasted since morning; all had suffered
extremely from the excessive heat; and between the day's shouting,
exertion, and excitement, many had quite lost their voices, and so much
of their strength that they could hardly stand. Then they were uncertain
what to do next, fearful of the consequences of what they had done
already, and sensible that after all they had carried no point, but had
indeed left matters worse than they had found them. Of those who had
come to The Boot, many dropped off within an hour; such of them as were
really honest and since