_gaffing_ and _disputing_) and closed _Nim_’s request to marry his daughter to his son and heir. _Nim_ was now sure he had the game in his hand, and resolved to take the first opportunity to have a tryal of skill with _Roger_. It happened one of the _Verdurer_’s died in the _East-riding_, and another must be chosen to keep the _king’s game_. Tho’ _Roger_’s interest was less in that _Riding_ than in the two other, yet he would not let his _bone go_ without a snap or two. _Nim_ told the deputy there should be no struggle, that not one of the _pack_ would venture to shew his teeth against him, that he would carry it off with a _Tally-hoh_. _Roger_ laugh’d in his sleeve, and knew he had the better interest, (tho’ he did not chuse to talk in dog-language) and very quietly put his own man in the _verdurer_’s place. This was a deadly blow to _Nim_; he saw the substantial farmers were for _Roger_. If he could’n’t carry his point in his own royalty and _Riding_, what must he do in other parts? So he resolved to join with _Roger_ ’till a better time offered, and indeed was quite desperate when he _came to terms_. It was not long ’till an accident fell out that revived his hopes; it happened, critically, that the parson of the _minster_ died by a surfeit of pork; it was a main good parish, with a swinging glebe; he had _prebends_, and _petty canons_ in his disposal, could rule the _vestry_, recommend overseers, and govern quite down to curates, clerks and sextons; which, with his power of _benediction_, made him altogether one of the top men in the _county_. _Nim_ resolved to avail himself of this opportunity, and recommend one to the _deputy_, to come in the place of old _Trulliber_, who should join him against _Roger_.