ndition. In short, the poor creature was so harassed with
fear and vexation, that I pitied him extremely, and sent him home in a
chair, contrary to the inclination of everybody present.

This freedom of mine gave umbrage to Bragwell, who testified his
displeasure by swearing a few threats, without making any application;
which, being perceived by Slyboot, who sat by me, he, with a view of
promoting a quarrel, whispered to me, that he thought Bragwell used
me very ill, but every man was the best judge of his own affairs. I
answered aloud, that I would neither suffer Mr. Bragwell nor him to
use me ill with impunity; and that I stood in no need of his counsel
in regard to the regulation of my conduct. He thought proper to ask
a thousand pardons, and assure me he meant no offence; while Bragwell
feigned himself asleep, that he might not be obliged to take notice
of what passed. But the player, who had more animal spirits and less
discretion than Slyboot, unwilling to let the affair rest where he had
dropped it, jogged Mr. Bragwell and told him softly that I had called
him names, and threatened to cudgel him. This particular I understood by
his starting, up and crying, "Blood and wounds, you lie! No man durst
treat me so ignominiously. Mr. Random, did you call me names, and
threaten to drub me?" I denied the imputation, and proposed to punish
the scoundrel who endeavoured to foment disturbance in the company.
Bragwell signified his approbation, and drew his sword; I did the same,
and accosted the actor in these words: "Lookee, Mr. Ranter; I know you
possess all the mimicry and mischievous qualities of an ape, because I
have observed you put them all in practice more than once to-night, on
me and others; now I want to see if you resemble one in nimbleness also;
therefore, I desire you leap over this sword without hesitation." So
saying, I held it parallel to the horizon, at the distance of about
three feet from the floor, and called, "Once-twice-thrice--and away!"
but, instead of complying with my demand, he snatched his hat and
hanger, and, assuming the looks, swagger, and phrase of Pistol, burst
out into the following exclamation, "Ha! must I then perform inglorious
prank of sylvan ape in mountain forest caught! Death rock me asleep,
abridge my doleful days, and lay my head in fury's lap--Have we not
Hiren here?" This buffoonery did not answer his expectation, for, by
this time, the company was bent on seeing him in a new ch