d, neat
handed bar maid, who was leaning against the table, and talking
to the others as they entered.

CHAPTER XII

THE CAPTAIN'S NOTIONS

The old lady dropped her work, the barmaid turned round with a
start and little ejaculation, and the foreman stared with all his
eyes for a moment, and then, jumping up, exclaimed--

"Bless us, if it isn't Muster Drysdale and Muster Brown, of
Ambrose's. Why what's the matter, sir? Muster Brown, you be all
covered wi' blood, sir."

"Oh dear me! poor young gentlemen!" cried the hostess;--"Here,
Patty, run and tell Dick to go for the doctor, and get the best
room--"

"No, please don't; it's nothing at all," interrupted Tom,
laughing;--"a basin of cold water and a towel, if you please,
Miss Patty, and I shall be quite presentable in a minute. I'm
very sorry to have frightened you all."

Drysdale joined in the assurances that it was nothing but a
little of his friend's "claret," which he would be all the better
for losing, and watched with an envious eye the interest depicted
in Patty's pretty face, as she hurried in with a basin of fresh
pumped water, and held the towel. Tom bathed his face, and very
soon was as respectable a member of society as usual, save for a
slight swelling on one side of his nose.

Drysdale meantime--seated on the table--had been explaining the
circumstances to the landlady and the foreman. "And now, ma'am,"
said he as Tom joined them, and seated himself on a vacant chair,
"I'm sure you must draw famous ale."

"Indeed, sir, I think Dick--that's my ostler, sir--is as good a
brewer as is in the town. We always brew at home, sir, and I hope
always shall."

"Quite right, ma'am, quite right," said Drysdale; "and I don't
think we can do better than follow Jem here. Let us have a jug of
the same ale as he is drinking. And you'll take a glass with us,
Jem? or will you have spirits?"

Jem was for another glass of ale, and bore witness to its being
the best in Oxford, and Patty drew the ale, and supplied two more
long glasses. Drysdale, with apologies, produced his cigar case;
and Jem, under the influence of the ale and a first-rate Havannah
(for which he deserted his pipe, though he did not enjoy it half
as much), volunteered to go and rouse the yard and conduct them
safely back to college. This offer was of course, politely
declined and then, Jem's hour for bed having come, he being a
methodical man, as became his position, departed, and left our
t