"And the contents of that pot will put you right altogether," said Skilligalee, pointing to the caldron that was simmering over the fire. "Beg pardon, majesty," he added, turning towards the queen, and pouring forth another dram.
Aischa drank the contents of the horn-cup without winking; and Skilligalee proceeded to do the honours of the bottle to the rest of the company.
Having served the king, Eva, and Morcar, he approached the Traveller, who had sat a silent spectator of all that passed.
"Now, friend, your turn is come."
"Thank you," said the man, drily; and having tossed off the liquor, he muttered, grinding his teeth savagely, "And some one else's turn must come too, sooner or later."
"Always brooding upon the same thing," exclaimed the laughing, light-hearted Skilligalee.
"And if you had been served by a villain as I was," returned the Traveller, brutally, "you would long for the time to come to settle up accounts with him. Thank my stars! we shall be in London to-morrow, and then—then——"
The remainder of the man's words were lost in mutterings, which, to judge by the terrific workings of his countenance, the violence with which he ground his teeth, and the convulsive rage indicated by the manner in which he clenched his fist, must have been a direful portent.
But a few words which he had uttered, struck sudden dismay to the heart of the Rattlesnake.
"Are you going to London?" she whispered, in a tone of alarm, to Skilligalee, who had now resumed his seat by her side.