"Why, that seems reasonable," said I.
"It are," nodded the man, "and a fine feather bed too! But then, Lord, one good turn deserves another—"
"Meaning?"
"This 'ere bolt."
"Are you the landlord, then?"
"I be; and if you feel inclined for a mug o' good ale say the word."
"Most willingly," said I, "but what of the axle?"
"Plenty o' time for th' axle," nodded the landlord, and setting down his hammer upon a bench hard by, he led the way into the tap. The ale was very strong and good; indeed this lovely county of Kent is justly famous for such. Finding myself very hungry, the landlord forthwith produced a mighty round of beef, upon which we both fell to, and ate with a will. Which done, I pulled out my negro-head pipe, and the landlord fetching himself another, we sat awhile smoking. And presently, learning I was from London, he began plying me with all manner of questions concerning the great city, of which it seemed he could not hear enough, and I, to describe its wonders as well as I might. At length, bethinking him of his axle, he rose with a sigh. Upon my requesting to be shown my room, he lighted a candle, and led the way up a somewhat rickety stair, along a narrow passage, and throwing open a door at the end, I found myself in a fair-sized chamber with a decent white bed, which he introduced to my notice by the one word, "feathers." Hereupon he pinched off the snuff of the candle with an expression of ponderous thought.
"And so the Tower o' London ain't a tower?" he inquired at last.
"No," I answered; "it is composed of several towers surrounded by very strong, battlemented walls."