It was rather early in the day for a drinking bout. But the Canting Crew were not remarkably particular. The chairs were removed, and the jingling of glasses announced the arrival of the preliminaries of the matutine symposion. Poles, canvas, and cords were next brought; and in almost as short a space of time as one scene is substituted for another in a theatrical representation, a tent was erected. Benches, stools, and chairs appeared with equal celerity, and the interior soon presented an appearance like that of a booth at a fair. A keg of brandy was broached, and the health of the new brother quaffed in brimmers. Our highwayman returned thanks. Zoroaster was in the chair, the knight of Malta acting as croupier. A second toast was proposed--the tawny queen. This was drunk with a like enthusiasm, and with a like allowance of the potent spirit; but as bumpers of brandy are not to be repeated with impunity, it became evident to the president of the board that he must not repeat his toasts quite so expeditiously. To create a temporary diversion, therefore, he called for a song. The dulcet notes of the fiddle now broke through the clamor; and, in answer to the call, Jerry Juniper volunteered the following: JERRY JUNIPER'S CHANT In a box[37] of the stone jug[38] I was born, Of a hempen widow[39] the kid forlorn. _Fake away,_ And my father, as I've heard say, _Fake away._ Was a merchant of capers[40] gay, Who cut his last fling with great applause, _Nix my doll pals, fake away._[41] Who cut his last fling with great applause,[42] To the tune of a "hearty choke with caper sauce." _Fake away._ The knucks in quod[43] did my schoolmen play, _Fake away,_ And put me up to the time of day; Until at last there was none so knowing, _Nix my doll pals, fake away._ Until at last there was none so knowing, No such sneaksman[44] or buzgloak[45] going. _Fake away._ Fogles[46] and fawnies[47] soon went their way, _Fake away_, To the spout[48] with the sneezers[49] in grand array. No dummy hunter[50] had forks[51] so fly; _Nix my doll pals, fake away_. No dummy hunter had forks so fly, No knuckler[52] so deftly could fake a cly,[53] _Fake away._ No slour'd hoxter[54] my snipes[55] could stay, _Fake away._ None knap a reader[56] like me in the lay. Soon then I mounted in swell-street high. _Nix my doll pals, fake away._