|
||||||||
Afraid at what - at that lad? why, he looks like a ghost - I would engage to thrash him with one hand. You might beat me with no hands at all, said I, fair damsel, only by looking at me - I never saw such a face and figure, both regal - why, you look like Ingeborg, Queen of Norway; she had twelve brothers, you know, and could lick them all, though they were heroes:- Were once together seen The twelve heroic brothers Of Ingeborg the queen. None of your chaffing, young fellow, said the tall girl, or I will give you what shall make you wipe your face; be civil, or you will rue it. Well, perhaps I was a peg too high, said I; I ask your pardon - heres something a bit lower:- As I was jawing to the gav yeck divvus I met on the drom miro Rommany chi - None of your Rommany chies, young fellow, said the tall girl, looking more menacingly than before, and clenching her fist; you had better be civil, I am none of your chies; and though I keep company with gypsies, or, to speak more proper, half-and-halfs, I would have you to know that I come of Christian blood and parents, and was born in the great house of Long Melford. I have no doubt, said I, that it was a great house; judging from your size I shouldnt wonder if you were born in a church. Stay, Belle, said the man, putting himself before the young virago, who was about to rush upon me, my turn is first - then, advancing to me in a menacing attitude, he said, with a look of deep malignity, "Afraid," was the word, wasnt it? It was, said I, but I think I wronged you; I should have said, aghast; you exhibited every symptom of one labouring under uncontrollable fear. The fellow stared at me with a look of stupid ferocity, and appeared to be hesitating whether to strike or not: ere he could make up his mind, the tall girl started forward, crying, Hes chaffing; let me at him; and before I could put myself on my guard, she struck me a blow on the face which had nearly brought me to the ground. Enough, said I, putting my hand to my cheek; you have now performed your promise, and made me wipe my face: now be pacified, and tell me fairly the grounds of this quarrel. Grounds! said the fellow; didnt you say I was afraid; and if you hadnt, who gave you leave to camp on my ground? Is it your ground? said I. A pretty question, said the fellow; as if all the world didnt know that. Do you know who I am? I guess I do, said I; unless I am much mistaken, you are he whom folks call the "Flaming Tinman." To tell you the truth, Im glad we have met, for I wished to see you. These are your two wives, I suppose; I greet them. Theres no harm done - theres room enough here for all of us - we shall soon be good friends, I daresay; and when we are a little better acquainted, Ill tell you my history. Well, if that doesnt beat all! said the fellow. I dont think hes chaffing now, said the girl, whose anger seemed to have subsided on a sudden; the young man speaks civil enough. |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
Copyright: All texts on Bibliomania are © Bibliomania.com Ltd, and may not be reproduced in any form without our written permission. See our FAQ for more details. | ||||||||