"Hyay! war is much feared."
"Feared! what audacity!—how dare they fear?"
"Hyay! sir, I do not fear either at thirty leagues' distance; but once I heard from the cellar how they were bombarding the streets, and I found nothing agreeable in it."
Master Janos found still greater reason for suspicion. He resolved to make him drink, and he would probably come on the traces of some dangerous plot.
How much does a nailsmith's stomach require? At the second pitcher his head sank slowly back, and his tongue moved with difficulty.
"Now for it!" thought Master Janos, filling his glass. "Eljen! liberty!" he exclaimed, waiting for the nailsmith to strike glasses.
The latter was not long in responding to the invitation, and echoed the "Eljen!" as far as his thickening tongue permitted.
"Now it is your turn to give a toast," said the vice-jailer, slily eyeing his victim.
"Indeed, I am not used to give toasts, sir; I only drink them."
"Come, don't play the egotist, but drink to whoever you consider the greatest man in the world!"