t put up with the insults I suffered,
but told him in a peremptory tone, "He was an uncivil fellow for making
so free with his betters." Then the wit going toward him, asked him what
he had got in his knapsack? "Is it oatmeal or brimstone, Sawney?"
said he, seizing him by the chin, which he shook, to the inexpressible
diversion of all present. My companion, feeling himself assaulted in
such an opprobrious manner, disengaged himself in a trice, and lent his
antagonist such a box on the ear as made him stagger to the other side
of the room; and, in a moment, a ring was formed for the combatants.
Seeing Strap beginning to strip, and my blood being heated with
indignation, which banished all other thoughts, I undressed myself
to the skin in an instant, and declared, that as the affront that
occasioned the quarrel was offered to me, I would fight it out myself;
upon which one or two cried out, "That's a brave Scotch boy; you shall
have fair play." His assurance gave me fresh spirits, and, going up to
my adversary, who by his pale countenance did not seem much inclined to
the battle, I struck him so hard on the stomach, that he reeled over
a bench, and fell to the ground. Then I attempted to keep him down, in
order to improve my success, according to the manner of my own country,
but was restrained by the spectators, one of whom endeavoured to raise
up my opponent, but in vain; for he protested he would not fight, for he
was not quite recovered of a late illness. I was very well pleased with
this excuse, and immediately dressed myself, having acquired the good
opinion of the company for my bravery, as well as of my comrade Strap,
who shook me by the hand, and wished me joy of the victory.

After having drunk our pot, and dried our clothes, we inquired of the
landlord if he knew Mr. Cringer, the member of parliament, and were
amazed at his replying in the negative; for we imagined he must be
altogether as conspicuous here as in the borough he represented; but
he told us we might possibly hear of him as we passed along. We betook
ourselves therefore to the street, where seeing a footman standing
at the door, we made up to him, and asked if he knew where our patron
lived? This member of the particoloured fraternity, surveying us both
very minutely, said he knew Mr. Cringer very well, and bade us turn down
the first street on our left, then turn to the right, and then to the
left again, after which perambulation we would observe a