“‘It’s a sweet thing,’ sais he. ‘Have you ever “made profession,” Mr. Slick?’
“‘Come,’ sais I to myself, ‘this is cuttin’ it rather too fat. I must put a stop to this. This ain’t a subject for conversation with such a cheatin’, cantin’, hippocrytical skunk as this is. Yes,’ sais I, ‘long ago. My profession is that of a clockmaker, and I make no pretension to nothin’ else. But come, let’s water our hosses here and liquor ourselves.’
“And we dismounted, and gave ‘em a drop to wet their mouths.
“‘Now,’ sais I, a-takin’ out of a pocket-pistol that I generally travelled with, ‘I think I’ll take a drop of grog;’ and arter helpin’ myself, I gives the silver cover of the flask a dip in the brook, (for a clean rinse is better than a dirty wipe, any time), and sais I, ‘Will you have a little of the “outpourin’ of the spirit?” What do you say, Elder?’
“‘Thank you,’ sais he, ‘friend Slick. I never touch liquor, it’s agin our rules.’
“And he stooped down and filled it with water, and took a mouthful, and then makin’ a face like a frog afore he goes to sing, and swellin’ his cheeks out like a Scotch bagpiper, he spit it all out. Sais he, ‘That is so warm, it makes me sick; and as I ain’t otherwise well, from the celestial exhaustion of a protracted meetin’, I believe I will take a little drop, as medicine.’
“Confound him! if he’d a said he’d only leave a little drop, it would a been more like the thing; for he e’en a’most emptied the whole into the cup, and drank it off clean, without winkin’.
“‘It’s a “very refreshin’ time,”’ sais I, ‘ain’t’ it?’ But he didn’t make no answer. Sais I, ‘that’s a likely beast of yourn, Elder,’ and I opened her mouth, and took a look at her, and no easy matter nother, I tell you, for she held on like a bear trap, with her jaws. “‘She won’t suit you,’ sais he, “with a smile, ‘Mr. Slick.’
“‘I guess not,’ sais I.
“‘But she’ll jist suit the French,’ sais he.