t go out with him, and
hould the candle while he's doin' it: be quick now, and I'll give you
glasses a-piece when you come in."

"Let them put him up quickly; but I say, you Caliban," added the
stranger, addressing Smith, "don't be rash about him except you can bear
fire and brimstone; get him, at all events, a good feed of oats. Poor
Satan!" he continued, patting the horse's head, which was now within the
door, "you've had a hard night of it, my poor Satan, as well as myself.
That's my dark spirit--my brave chuck, that fears neither man nor
devil."

This language was by no means calculated to allay the suspicions of
those who were present, particularly of Nancy and her two nieces. Ned
sat in astonishment, with the pipe in his hand, which he had, in the
surprise of the moment, taken from his mouth, his eyes fixed upon the
stranger, and his mouth open. The latter noticed him, and stretching
over the heads of the circle, tapped him on the shoulder with his
whip:--

"I have a few words to say to you, sir," he said.

"To me, your honor!" exclaimed Ned, without stirring, however.

"Yes," replied the other, "but you seem to be fastened to your seat:
come this way."

"By all manner of manes, sir," said Ned, starting up, and going over to
the dresser, against which the stranger stood.

When the latter had got him there, he very coolly walked up, and secured
Ned's comfortable seat on the hob, at the same time observing--

"You hadn't the manners to ask me to sit down; but I always make it a
point of conscience to take care of myself, landlord."

There was not a man about the fire who did not stand up, as if struck
with a sudden recollection, and offer him a seat.

"No," said he, "thank you, my good fellows, I am very well as it is: I
suppose, mistress, you are the landlady," addressing Nancy; "if you
be, I'll thank you to bring me a gill of your best whiskey,--your best,
mind. Let it be as strong as an evil spirit let loose, and as hot as
fire; for it can't be a jot too ardent such a night as this, for a being
that rides the devil."

Nancy started up instinctively, exclaiming, "Indeed, plase your honor's
reverence, I am the landlady, as you say, sir, sure enough; but, the
Lawk save and guard us! won't a gallon of raw whiskey be too much for
one man to drink?"

"A gallon! I only said a gill, my good hostess; bring me a gill--but I
forget--I believe you have no such measure in this country; bring me a
pint, then."