"Soh!" he exclaimed, "there is refreshment in that! It is my custom to expel these night-cap vapours with the good salt water breeze: that is a commodity that may reach the province without paying duty to his Lordship! a cheap physic, a cheap physic, masters. Now what scent art thou upon, Nichol Upstake? Perry Cadger, man of sarsnet and grogram, I guess thy errand." "In truth, Robert Swale," said Upstake---- "No Robert Swale, nor Master Robert Swale," testily interrupted the owner of the cabin: "none of your worshipful phrase for me! Thou art but a shallow hypocrite to affect this reverence. Rob of the Bowl is the best I get from you when your longings are satisfied; ay, and it is said with a curl of your lip; and you make merry over my unworthiness with your pot-fellows. So, be honest, and give me plain Rob; I seek no flattery." "You do us wrong, good Master Rob," interposed Peregrine Cadger---- "To your needs," said Rob, sternly: "Speak in the way of your trade! You have no voice, nor I ear for aught else." "Then, in brief," said Nichol Upstake, "I would fain know if you could supply me with Antigua to-day, or aqua vitae, I care not which?" "If such a thing might be, where wouldst thou take it, Nichol?" inquired Rob. "To Warrington on the Cliffs." "Ay, to Warrington on the Cliffs; good!--and warily to be borne? no hawk's eye upon thy path?" "It shall be by night, if you like it," said the dealer. "Well, well!" replied the Cripple; "I can give you a little of both, master: a flagon or so; some three or four. My hut is small, and hath a scant cellar. But the money in hand, Nichol Upstake! Good gold--full weight--and a fair price, too, mark you! I must have a trifle above my last market--ten shillings the gallon on the brandy, and two more for the Antigua. Leave thy kegs, and see me again at sunset. The money in hand! the money in hand! there is no trust in my commonwealth." "It shall be so," said Nichol. "And now, Master Cadger, what wilt? You have a scheme to cozen dame and wench with gewgaws; I see it in thine eye: and you will swear upon book and cross, if need be, they have stood you a wondrous hard purchase, even at the full three hundred per cent. excess you purpose to exact above the cost; and all the while it has come out of Rob's warehouse as cheap as beggars' alms: Ha, ha, ha! This world thrives on honesty! it grows fat on virtue! knavery only starves! Your rogue in rags, what hath he but his deserts! Let him repent and turn virtuous, like you and me, Perry, and his torn cloak and threadbare doublet shall be fenced and lined to defy all weathers. Hark ye, master, I have camblets, satins, and velvets, cambric, and lawn for thee--choice commodities all. Thou shalt see them in the hut." "How came you by so rich an inventory, Rob?" The Cripple turned a fierce eye upon the mercer, and with one glance conveyed his meaning, as he touched the handle of his dagger and said in a low tone,