Mezzoni the Brigand — page 121: what you’re looking at

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

' MEZZONI THE BRIGAND. } 113 It was nearly dark when the two robbers, with Walter and the stewardess, sat down to their supper. Waiter said, banteringly, as the meal progressed, that when they brought him in they did not search him very closely, for he then had a pocket flask of brandy on his person, and that he had it still. These mountaineers have a passion for brandy, a liquor which they rarely see and seldom taste, so when they heard this they were eager for a draught imme- diately. The Levanter said that he didn’t mind sharing it with them, now their members were so small, but thought that he had the first right, so un- corking the flask he put it to his own lips first, and showed evident signs of relish at the taste of the liquor. With a caution as to moderation he passed it to his next neighbor. Walter watched them keenly. The robber who had received the flask from him took two or three hearty swallows, and so did his companion. The woman looked as though she would like to do the same if she were allowed to, and at Walter’s suggestion she took a couple of swallows clear, from the flask. There was but very little left when it was handed back to Walter, and he took, or pretended to take, another ample drink. “Talk about wine, that’s the stuff for me,” said one of themen. ‘Warms you up so,”’ added the other. ‘But it bites a little,’’ said the woman, who had, like the others, taken a stiff portion. ‘Any left?’’ asked the robber next to Walter. ‘CA drop.” ‘‘Let’s have it.’’ “Divide it fairly between you two,”’ said Walter. They swallowed the balance eagerly, while the comicboo Ss) com