Pagina 195 di 896

At length the jackal had got together a compact repast for the

lion, and proceeded to offer it to him. The lion took it with

care and caution, made his selections from it, and his remarks

upon it, and the jackal assisted both. When the repast was fully

discussed, the lion put his hands in his waistband again, and lay

down to meditate. The jackal then invigorated himself with a

bumper for his throttle, and a fresh application to his head, and

applied himself to the collection of a second meal; this was

administered to the lion in the same manner, and was not disposed

of until the clocks struck three in the morning.

"And now we have done, Sydney, fill a bumper of punch," said Mr.

Stryver.

The jackal removed the towels from his head, which had been

steaming again, shook himself, yawned, shivered, and complied.

"You were very sound, Sydney, in the matter of those crown

witnesses to-day. Every question told."

"I always am sound; am I not?"