self, hat and whip in hand, waving the brush
proudly over his head.

'Ah, that's (hiccup) right, old feller,' exclaimed Sir Harry, again
advancing with extended hand to meet him, adding, 'you'd (hiccup) all you
wanted for your (hiccup) horse: mutton broth--I mean barley-water,
foot-bath, everything right. Let me introduce my (hiccup) brother-in-law,
Bob Spangles, my (hiccup) friend Captain Ladofwax, Captain Quod, Captain
(hiccup) Bouncey, Captain (hiccup) Seedeybuck, and my (hiccup)
brother-in-law, Mr. Spangles, as lushy a cove as ever was seen; ar'n't you,
old boy?' added he, grasping the latter by the arm.

All these gentlemen severally bobbed their heads as Sir Harry called them
over, and then resumed their respective occupations--eating, drinking, and
smoking.

These were some of the debauched gentlemen Mr. Sponge had seen before
Nonsuch House in the morning. They were all captains, or captains by
courtesy. Ladofwax had been a painter and glazier in the Borough, where he
made the acquaintance of Captain Quod, while that gentleman was an inmate
of Captain Hudson's strong house. Captain Bouncey was the too well-known
betting-office keeper; and Seedeybuck was such a constant customer of Mr.
Commissioner Fonblanque's court, that that worthy legal luminary, on
discharging him for the fifth time, said to him, with a very significant
shake of the head, 'You'd better not come here again, sir.' Seedeybuck,
being of the same opinion, had since fastened himself on to Sir Harry
Scattercash, who found him in meat, drink, washing, and lodging. They were
all attired in red coats, of one sort or another, though some of which were
of a very antediluvian, and others of a very dressing-gown cut. Bouncey's
had a hare on the button, and Seedeybuck's coat sat on him like a sack.
Still a scarlet coat is a scarlet coat in the eyes of some, and the coats
were not a bit more unsportsmanlike than the men. To Mr. Sponge's
astonishment, instead of breaking out in inquiries as to where they had run
to, the time, the distance, who was up, who was down, and so on, they began
recommending the victuals and drink; and this, notwithstanding Mr. Sponge
kept flourishing the brush.

'We've had a rare run,' said he, addressing himself to Sir Harry.

'Have you (hiccup)? I'm glad of it (hiccup). Pray have something to
(hiccup) after it; you _must_ be (hiccup).'

'Let me help you to some of this cold round of beef?' exclaimed Captain
Bouncey, brandishi