"Seize him, boys!" said she, in a very loud whisper. Over went the sheet, down came old Josh, co-blim! Before he could say "lor' a massy," he was dragged to the mill-race, tied hand and foot, blindfolded, his coat taken off, and he was ca-soused into the cold water! Fury! how the old fellow begged for his life!
"O, lor' a massy, don't drown me boys! I—a, I—" ca-souse he went again.
"Give him another duck," says one—and in he'd go again.
"Now, we'll learn you to carry tales," says another.
"And tell lies on me and Miller's wife," says Bob Tape—ca-souse he went.
"O, lor' a mas—mas—e, do—do—don't drown me, Bob; I'll—I'll promise never to—" in they put him again; the water was as cold as ice.
"Will you promise never to take or carry a story again?"
"I d—d—d—do promise, if—yo—yo—yo—you—don't—duc—" and in he went again.
"Do you promise to mind your own business and let others alone, Uncle Josh?"
"Ye—ye—yes, I d—do, I—I—I'll promise anything—bo—boys, only let me go," says Uncle Josh.