nquished; and our party, feeling fatigued by
their excursion, repaired homeward, where for the present we shall leave
them to their quiet and repose.

CHAPTER XXII

"I hate that drum's discordant sound,
Still rolling round and round and round,"

--298~~~ Exclaimed Dashall, as he advanced from the breakfast table
towards the window, when a pleasing and singular street-exhibition
presented itself, which had attracted around a numerous audience, of all
ages and conditions.

An itinerant purveyor of novelties was in the act of showing forth to an
admiring crowd, the docility of a tame hare. On a table in the street,
on which was placed a drum, the little animal stood, in an erect
posture, and with surprising tractableness obeyed the commands of its
exhibiter, delivered in very broken English, with which, nevertheless,
it seemed perfectly conversant.

"Vat mattiere now, dat you be so solky, and no take notice of your goot
friends?--Come, Sare, shew your politesse, and salute de genteelmens
at de window, who so kind as come to look at you.--Make way dere, goot
peoples and leetel childer, dat de genteelmens sail see,--dat vill do.
Now, sare, begin;--do your beisance all round."

The animal, without any apparent instruction to whom to give the
precedency of obeisance, immediately faced "de genteelmens at de
window," and saluted them with a conge of particular respect; which
being acknowledged with a motion of the hand by Dashall, the intelligent
animal expressed its sense of his complacency, by a second obeisance,
more profound than the first.

The spectators applauded, and the performer testified its gratitude by a
bow, all round.

"Dat all goot. Now, sare, tree role on de drom for _le Roi
d'Angletterre:--Vive le Roi d'Anglettere!_"

This command the animal very promptly obeyed, by substituting its fore
feet for sticks, and giving three prolonged rolls of the drum, each in
distinct succession.

"Now den for Messieurs."

~~299~~~ With equal alacrity this hint was attended to, and as _le Roi
d'Angletterre_ had three, so de genteelmens at de window were honoured
with two rolls of the drum.

The like compliment was paid to all de Englise peoples; and the minor
salute of one roll was given to the surrounding spectators.

The indefatigable drummer was next required to give a token of regard
for the Cook; but this he declined to do, and the order, though
frequently given, was as frequently