n than modesty. I remember, when I was young, fighting
with Tom, of Hopton, the best man that ever pulled off coat in England.
I remember, too, that I won the battle; for I happened to hit Tom, of
Hopton, in the mark, as he was coming in, so that he lost his wind, and
falling squelch on the ground, do ye see, he lost the battle, though I am
free to confess that he was a better man than myself; indeed, the best
man that ever fought in England; yet still I won the battle, as every
customer of mine, and everybody within twelve miles round, has heard over
and over again. Now, Mr. Hunter, I have one thing to say, if you choose
to go into the field behind the house, and fight the young man, you can.
I'll back him for ten pounds; but no fighting in my kitchen--because why?
I keeps a decent kind of an establishment."

"I have no wish to fight the young man," said Hunter; "more especially as
he has nothing to say for the aristocracy. If he chose to fight for
them, indeed--but he won't, I know; for I see he's a decent, respectable
young man; and, after all, fighting is a blackguard way of settling a
dispute; so I have no wish to fight; however, there is one thing I'll
do," said he, uplifting his fist; "I'll fight this fellow in black here
for half-a-crown, or for nothing, if he pleases; it was he that got up
the last dispute between me and the young man, with his Pope and his
nonsense; so I will fight him for anything he pleases, and perhaps the
young man will be my second; whilst you--"

"Come, Doctor," said the landlord, "or whatsoever you be, will you go
into the field with Hunter? I'll second you, only you must back
yourself. I'll lay five pounds on Hunter, if you are inclined to back
yourself; and will help you to win it as far, do you see, as a second
can; because why? I always likes to do the fair thing."

"Oh! I have no wish to fight," said the man in black, hastily; "fighting
is not my trade. If I have given any offence, I beg anybody's pardon."

"Landlord," said I, "what have I to pay?"

"Nothing at all," said the landlord, "glad to see you. This is the first
time that you have been at my house, and I never charge new customers, at
least customers such as you, anything for the first draught. You'll come
again, I dare say; shall always be glad to see you. I won't take it,"
said he, as I put sixpence on the table; "I won't take it."

"Yes, you shall," said I; "but not in payment for anything I have had
mys