"Yes, sir," replied Mr. Jinks, "close to the caitiff's head!" "Jinks! I admire you!" "It was nothing--nothing, sir!" "Yes it was. It equals the most splendid achievements of antiquity." And Ralph chuckled. "He deserved it, sir," said Mr. Jinks, with modest dignity. "Yes--you had your revenge." "I will have more." "Why, are you not satisfied?" "No!" "You will still pursue with your dreadful enmity the unfortunate O'Brallaghan?" "Yes, sir!" "Well, I'll assist you." "It is my own quarrel. The house of Jinks, sir, can right its own wrongs." "No doubt; but remember one circumstance. I myself hate O'Brallaghan with undying enmity." "How is that, sir?" "Can't you guess?" "No." "Why, he had the audacity to sell my plum-colored coat and and the rest of my suit to this Mr. Verty." "Oh--yes." "Abominable conduct! only because I did not call at the very moment to try on the suit. He would 'make me another,' forsooth, 'in the twinkle of an eye;' and then he began to pour out his disagreeable blarney. Odious fellow!" And Ralph turned aside his head to laugh. "Leave him to me," said Mr. Jinks, arranging his sword with grace and dignity at his side; "if you wish to assist me, however, you may, sir. Let us now enter this tavern, and partake of rum and crackers." "By all means--there is just time." "How, sir?" asked Mr. Jinks, as they moved toward the tavern. "I have just ordered my horse." "To ride?" "Yes." Jinks sighed. "I must purchase a steed myself," he said. "Yes?" rejoined Ralph. "Yes. To make my visit to the perfidious Sallianna." Ralph laughed. "I thought you had abandoned her?" "Never!" "You wish to go and see her?" "I will go this day!" "Good! take half of my horse." "Half?" "Ride behind." "Hum!" "Come, my dear fellow, don't be bashful. He's a beautiful steed--look there, through the window." "I see him--but think of the figure we would cut." "Two sons of Aymon!" laughed Ralph. "I understand: of Jupiter Ammon," said Jinks; "but my legs, sir--my legs?" "What of 'em?" "They require stirrups." "All fancy--your legs, my dear Jinks, are charming. I consider them the chief ornament you possess." "Really, you begin to persuade me," observed Mr. Jinks, becoming gradually tractable under the effect of the rum which he had been sipping for some minutes, and gazing complacently at his grasshopper continuations in their scarlet stockings. "Of course," Ralph replied, "so let us set out at once." "Yes, yes! revenge at once!" And the great Jinks wiped his mouth with the back of his hands;--brought his sword-belt into position, and assuming a manner of mingled dignity and ferocity, issued forth with Ralph. The latter gentleman, laughing guardedly, mounted into the saddle, and then rode to the spot at which Jinks awaited him. "Come," he said, "there's no time to be lost;--recollect, your rival has gone before!"