And then the reird raise, and hadna
these twa gentlemen helped me out of it, murdered I suld hae been,
without remeid. And as it was, just when they got haud of my arm to
have me out of the fray, I got the lick that donnerit me from a left-
handed lighterman."
Master George looked to the apprentices as if to demand the truth of
this story.
"It is just as he says, sir," replied Jenkin; "only I heard nothing
about pigs.--The people said he had broke some crockery, and that--I
beg pardon, sir--nobody could thrive within the kenning of a Scot."
"Well, no matter what they said, you were an honest fellow to help the
weaker side.--And you, sirrah," continued Master George, addressing
his countryman, "will call at my house to-morrow morning, agreeable to
this direction."
"I will wait upon your honour," said the Scot, bowing very low; "that
is, if my honourable master will permit me."
"Thy master?" said George,--"Hast thou any other master save Want,
whose livery you say you wear?"
"Troth, in one sense, if it please your honour, I serve twa masters,"
said Richie; "for both my master and me are slaves to that same
beldam, whom we thought to show our heels to by coming off from
Scotland. So that you see, sir, I hold in a sort of black ward tenure,
as we call it in our country, being the servant of a servant."
"And what is your master's name?" said Master George; and observing
that Richie hesitated, he added, "Nay, do not tell me, if it is a
secret.
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