Argosy, Vol. 123, No. 2 — page 84: what you’re looking at

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

216 almost doubled up with mirth as he slammed the door shut and barred it from within. Furiously I hammered on the door with both fists, and called the tinsmith forth with many a hot challenge to his manhood. But he only brayed asininely behind the door, and advised me to seek the “ crystal- chafer ”’ elsewhere. I decided that dignity would best be served by biding seme later opportunity to cry quits with the tinsmith. It was in high dudgeon, however, that I returned to quarters, determined to relate the matter to Master Bunyan and have his opinion on Master Lapham’s conduct. Hobgoblin I found tinkering the pans. He listened to my recital and then said with great satisfaction: “Tis well, Master Prentice. Now art thou indeed of the craft, duly initiated by the crystal-chafer, which is a common in- strument, but needful in the making of a good apprentice.” As I stared at him, realization dawning of the trick which had been played on me, my face—I am sure—flushing and paling while I was tossed between anger and a desire to laugh, Tinker Bunyan suddenly dropped his pan and brand together with a metallic crash, fell over on his back, and roared like a hilarious Falstaff. By way of relieving mixed feelings, com- bining the desire to do violence ‘while ap- pearing to take his jest in good part, I descended upon Hobgoblin with my whole weight and strength. Next instant we were the center of a mélée of pots and pans, while our roars in horse-play must have sounded throughout the camp. It was Sergeant Okey who, hastening to the scene of disturbance, dragged us apart. Learning what the matter was, Okey wagged a finger at Bunyan and said Teprov- ingly: “It would behoove thee better, Trooper Bunyan, to conduct thee for a space in more seemly manner. Th’art scarce out of the guardhouse, and but for our good captain, the honest Bombard, this night might ha’ seen thee in limbo again. Thy misdoings ha’ come to the ears of Noll himself!” “ Noll?” gasped Bunyan. THE ARGOSY. “Aye, Noll—Oliver Cromwell, sir!” said Sergeant Okey, his right hand executing an involuntary salute. ‘‘ Now that he hath won his way with Parliament, he would root out drunkards, gamblers, and swearers in vain from his army, and thy name as a chief offender hath come to his ears through one, _ Master Slythey, who is this day a Noll’s appointment as a spiritual captaitr to our division. But for honest Captain Bombard, who hath hope for thy redemption, Bun- | yan—” | “Hold!” cried Hobgoblin, flashing a glance at me and starting to his feet. “ Let us ha’ this from the beginning. Master Slythey, ye say? A spiritual captain! But we did see him with our own Sieg uncer arrest!” “Ah, thereby hangs a tale, Master Bun- yan, which did surprise me even as it do you,” said Gossip Okey with much relish. “Twas in this fashion—though I come by the tale second-hand through Captain Giles, who was present and served thee in good manner.”’ Okey, who loved to clatter a tale as well as any good wife in the real, squatted down and wetted his lips, preparing to unfold. When we, too, were settled he began: ‘Twas in this fashion, as I say—it com- ing to the ears of our captain how this Mas- ter Slythey did usurp the law’s authority in that he apprehended a fair lady for witchcraft and did incite the townsfolk to duck her in the pond, our honest Giles had him seized and brought before Noll, inas- much as the matter were. passing serious.” I felt secretly elated that thus Captain Bombard had acted on. the information I gave him, although at the time it was to assist Jack rather than to accuse Slythey. ‘Tis only by hearsay do I know what passed between the man and old Noll,” Okey went on; “but our captain do say that Noll was greatly angered, and but for the preacher’s cloth was half a mind to hang Master Jonas Slythey for usurping authority in these parlous times. ‘“ But this Master Slythey hath a clever wit, like to the serpent’s, and he did some- how worm himself into Noll’s bosom and interest. At least, so saith Giles, but for myself I think that Cromwell is no fool to comiclboool C©@