D'Artagnan, the King Maker — page 34: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The Petrel Changes Hands. 25 without giving the speeches in detail of the command- ers on both sides. He gave with rude eloquence the addresses of the captains, the monks, the goose-pluckers (tax-gatherers), and other enemies of the blotted-out community, and the replies of the injured settlers. “It seems to me,” said the captain of fortune; “that your last reply, though unspoken, was the most effec- tive; you removed the bone of contention from the hungry curs—that was pleasurable! Down with those worriers!” and he tossed off the heel of liquor. “This is what causes you innkeepers and salt makers to adore authority!” “And the Portuguese to adore the Spanish!”’ “Portuguese or Catalan, we all hate the oppressor, from the hireling who snatches the reals, to him on high who battens on the same.” “You have mistaken your calling. You are an im- prudent fellow, and no true host, who should be of no nation and censure none. It is all very well for your namesake on high to sift out those who would pass through his gate, but Pedro, the earthly, should not challenge his guests. It is time,’ pursued he, with em- phasis, “that a man undestined to a landlord’s apron, should retire to study a better course! What do you say, since I am one who rides straight at the Turk’s head, to taking the vacation you lusted for? Let to me your inn for a month—say, for ten philips of gold; or, since you do not dote on the king’s head on a coin, let it be gold moidores of the ancient Portuguese mon- archs.”’ “Let my house? Accept ten philips?” “Unclipped, unsweated!”’ Pedro plucked at his bristly chin, considering. But his slave, with the well-treated slave’s familiarity, and perhaps because she was consulted by her master, had no such hesitation or incredulity. She flopped down on her knees between the fire and the offerer of this mag- nificent hire, and proceeded to pull off the traveler’s boots, saying, without looking up: “Acree to the lord and master, Pedro.” “Of course, I agree! The house is a dead horse!” CORNICE OOOKS (€(0) im