"It would be a matter of utter impossibility"--replied Legs, whom the assumptions and dignity of King Pest the First had evidently inspired with some feelings of respect, and who arose and studied himself by the table as he spoke--"it would, please your majesty, be a matter of utter impossibility to stow away in my hold even one-fourth of that same liquor which your majesty has just mentioned. To say nothing of the stuffs placed on board in the forenoon by way of ballast, and not to mention the various ales and liqueurs shipped this evening at different sea-ports, I am, at present, full up to the throat of 'humming-stuff' taken in and duly paid for at the sign of the 'Jolly Tar.' You will, therefore, please your majesty, be so good as take the will for the deed--for by no manner of means either can I or will I swallow another drop--least of all a drop of that villainous bilge-water that answers to the hail of 'Black Strap.'" "Belay that!"--interrupted Tarpaulin, astonished not more at the length of his companion's speech than at the nature of his refusal--"Belay that you lubber!--and I say, Legs, none of your palaver! _My_ hull is still light, although I confess you yourself seem to be a little top-heavy; and as for the matter of your share of the cargo, why rather than raise a squall I would find stowage-room for it myself, but"---- "This proceeding"--interposed the president--"is by no means in accordance with the terms of the mulct or sentence which is in its nature Median, and not to be altered or recalled. The conditions we have imposed must be fulfilled to the letter, and that without a moment's hesitation--in failure of which fulfilment we decree that you do here be tied neck and heels together, and duly drowned as rebels in yon hogshead of October beer!" "A sentence!--a sentence!--a righteous and just sentence!--a glorious decree!--a most worthy and upright, and holy condemnation!"--shouted the Pest Family altogether. The king elevated his forehead into innumerable wrinkles--the gouty little old man puffed like a pair of bellows--the lady of the winding sheet waved her nose to and fro--the gentleman in the cotton drawers pricked up his ears--she of the shroud gasped like a dying fish--and he of the coffin looked stiff and rolled up his eyes.