It was a good deal worse than that; and an angry and disappointed pair were they when the cork and the truth came out.
"Thar's jest a good smell!"
That was old Peter's remark; and it sounded as if words failed him to add to it, but Burgin's wrath exploded in a torrent of bitter abuse of the man or men who had emptied that demijohn. He gave old Peter a capital chance to turn upon him morosely with,—
"Look a-yer, my chap, is this 'ere your boat?"
"No: I didn't say it was, did I?"
"Is that there your jug? I don't know if I keer to sit and hear one of my neighbors—and he's a good feller too, he is—abused all night, jest bekase I've been and let an entire stranger make a fool of me."
"Do you mean me?"
"Well, ef I didn't I wouldn't say it. Don't you git mad, now. It won't pay ye. Jest let's take a turn 'round the village."
"You kin go ef you want ter. I'll wait for ye. 'Pears like I didn't feel much like doin' any trampin' 'round."
"Stay thar, then. But mind you don't try on any runnin' away with my boat."