Part 22 (2/2)
Buzzard also now entered from his warm nest in the kitchen, so intoxicated that he vented his enthusiasm in song, which in this case seemed apt:
_”The man that is drunk is as great as a king.”_
”Another champion of the King's law!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Charles, not without a shadow of contempt in his voice, once more a.s.suming an att.i.tude of defence.
”Oh, Charles!” pleaded Nell, again catching his arm.
”_Posse_, arrest that vagabond,” commanded the constable, from a point of safety behind the table.
”Aye, aye, sir,” replied the obedient Buzzard. ”On what charge--hic?”
”He's a law-breaker and a robber!” yelled the watchful landlord.
”He called the law a drunken idiot. Hic--hic!” woefully wailed Swallow.
”Odsbud, that's treason! Arrest him, _posse_--hic!”
”Knave, I arrest--hic!” a.s.serted Buzzard.
The _posse_ started boldly enough for his game, but was suddenly brought to a stand-still in his reeling course by the sharp point of the rapier playing about his legs. He made several indignant efforts to overcome the obstacle. The point of the blade was none too gentle with him, even as he beat a retreat; and his enthusiasm waned.
”Arrest him yourself--hic!” he exclaimed.
Swallow's face grew red with rage. To have his orders disobeyed fired him with much more indignation of soul than the escape of the ruffian, who was simply defrauding the landlord of a dinner. He turned hotly upon the insubordinate _posse_, crying:
”I'll arrest you, you Buzzard--hic!”
”I'll arrest you, you Swallow--hic!” with equal dignity retorted Buzzard.
”I'm his Majesty's constable--hic!” hissed Swallow, from lips charged with air, bellows-like.
”I'm his Majesty's _posse_--hic!” hissed Buzzard in reply.
The two drunken representatives of the law seized each other angrily.
The landlord, in despair, endeavoured hopelessly to separate them.
”A wrangle of the generals,” laughed Charles. ”Now is our time.” He looked about quickly for an exit.
”Body o' me! The vagabonds'll escape,” shouted the landlord.
”Fly, fly!” said Nell. ”This way, Charles.”
She ran hastily toward the steps leading to the entry-way; the King a.s.sisted her.
”Stop, thief! Stop, thief!” screamed the landlord. ”The bill! The bill!”
”Send it to the d.u.c.h.ess!” replied Nell, gaily, as she and the Merry Monarch darted into the night.
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