A Gentleman from Gascony: A Romance of the Huguenots — page 132: what you’re looking at

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

128 A GENTLEMAN FROM GASCONY. sation that they were the soldiers who had been with the sergeant at the Green Dragon. “He can’t escape!” said one. “No, probably not,” replied the other, with a slight — Italian accent; “ but he may let himself float down with the tide and land farther on.” “Impossible! ‘The watch is out, and the banks of the river are alive with torches. Hear them!’ as the sound of shouts and cries was borne on the night air. “By the mass! to hunt a heretic is rare sport.”’ “This particular heretic is a devil incarnate. By hilt and point! as the sergeant says, how he managed his rapier! Sa! sa! sa! And pouf! pouf! It makes my blood run cold to think of it.” “Ha! ha! Not so cold as that of the duke.” “The duke was a lad of mettle, a bully-boy, a night- roamer, who loved a lass and a glass.” “Pardi! He’s gone. May the saints rest his soul! and many a gold piece goes with him! Griffo, here’s some good Malvoisin in this flask. Let’s drink to the confusion of all heretics, and especially this Huguenot equerry !” But the sentiment was destined not to be drunk just then, at all events, for the colloquy of the two soldiers was abruptly interrupted. “With a clink and a clank, With a clink and a clank, Here’s more strength to the Catholic flail !” hiccoughed a coarse voice to the accompaniment of unsteady footsteps and jingling scabbard. “ Here comes the sergeant,” muttered Griffo. “With a skin as full of wine as our Huguenot’s must be of water.” LAA Gomicbooks cc