Ornamented with model ships of every form and rig; all of a warlike character. Here and there are hung up arms, chiefly those used at sea, with Parrots and curious birds, shells and other productions of foreign climes, all indicating that the owner and his friends are familiar with distant lands, in fact, all maritime contributions. The room is filled with sailors and their women, profusely decorated with gold, reckless of expenditure, playing at dice for gold pieces, and displaying masses of gold and silver articles, chalices and cups, the fruit of plunder by land and sea. Their bold dashing air shows a character not likely to hesitate about what they would attack, and themselves ready to take their own part, or that of England, against the world. They call for wines of the most expensive sorts like men habituated to wealth. The two spies at a table, served with a flagon of wine and cups of silver, by the landlord. The foreigner is much surprised at the scene.
1st Sailor. Mine Host there! Some Hippocras for the ladies! and—and—more Gascony!
2nd Sailor (saucily). Bear a hand, Joe Jolly! or Jolly Joe! another measure of that old Sack. You’re an old sack yourself. Ho! here he comes, rolling like a dismasted ship in the trough of the sea (laughter). Ha! Ha! Ha!
Enter Host, scowling fiercely and holding out in his right hand menacingly a great tankard of Wine.
Host. I say, Cut-throat! Belay your damned tongue! Don’t you think to make a butt of me for your gibes, or I’ll give you this (holding out the tankard) on your head!
The sailor laughs and holds out by the muzzle his heavy pistol as if to show its weight.
2nd Sailor. If you did, Joe, I would, and that quickly too, make a butt of yours. Look you! Butt to Butt. This has cracked many a skull as thick as Joe Jolly’s.
All (interfering). Avast there! Enough of that messmates! Here, Jolly, drink with me! Here, Joe (says another party), drink with us! Hurrah! old chap!
English Spy (to his companion). I made our appointment here, Brother, to give you an idea of what is going on in the world—a mighty revolution—which I think neither His Majesty of Spain nor His Holiness yet comprehends, and to show you the character of our people. You will thus understand with whom you have to deal.
Foreign Spy. They surprise and almost frighten me with their fierce demeanour and warlike defiant air.