ets like a felon, as a spectacle to the multitude; obliged to dance
attendance in your passage, and afterwards branded with the name of
notorious criminal.--I now demand to see the information in consequence
of which I was detained in prison, the copy of the warrant of commitment
or detainer, and the face of the person by whom I was accused. I insist
upon a compliance with these demands, as the privileges of a British
subject; and if it is refused, I shall seek redress before a higher
tribunal."

The justice seemed to be not a little disturbed at this peremptory
declaration; which, however, had no other effect upon his wife, but that
of enraging her choler, and inflaming her countenance. "Sirrah! sirrah!"
cried she, "do you dares to insult a worshipful magistrate on the bench?
--Can you deny that you are a vagram, and a dilatory sort of a person?
Han't the man with the satchel made an affidavy of it?--If I was my
husband, I'd lay you fast by the heels for your resumption, and ferk you
with a priminery into the bargain, unless you could give a better account
of yourself--I would."

Gobble, encouraged by this fillip, resumed his petulance, and proceeded
in this manner:--"Hark ye, friend, I might, as Mrs. Gobble very justly
observes, trounce you for your audacious behaviour; but I scorn to take
such advantages. Howsomever, I shall make you give an account of
yourself and your companions; for I believes as how you are in a gang,
and all in a story, and perhaps you may be found one day in a cord.--What
are you, friend? What is your station and degree?"--"I am a gentleman,"
replied the knight.--"Ay, that is English for a sorry fellow," said the
justice. "Every idle vagabond, who has neither home nor habitation,
trade nor profession, designs himself a gentleman. But I must know how
you live?"--"Upon my means."--"What are your means?"--"My estate."
"Whence does it arise?"--"From inheritance."--"Your estate lies in brass,
and that you have inherited from nature; but do you inherit lands and
tenements?"--"Yes."--"But they are neither here nor there, I doubt.
Come, come, friend, I shall bring you about presently." Here the
examination was interrupted by the arrival of Mr. Fillet the surgeon, who
chancing to pass, and seeing a crowd about the door, went in to satisfy
his curiosity.

CHAPTER TWELVE

WHICH SHOWS THERE ARE MORE WAYS TO KILL A DOG THAN HANGING.

Mr. Fillet no sooner appeared in the judgment-chamber