One of the conductors of this novice held a rusty
blunderbuss pointed towards his ear, and the other a very ancient
sabre, with which he carved imaginary offenders as he came along in a
sanguinary and anatomical manner.
As this silent group advanced, Mr Tappertit fixed his hat upon his head.
The novice then laid his hand upon his breast and bent before him. When
he had humbled himself sufficiently, the captain ordered the bandage to
be removed, and proceeded to eye him over.
'Ha!' said the captain, thoughtfully, when he had concluded this ordeal.
'Proceed.'
The long comrade read aloud as follows:--'Mark Gilbert. Age, nineteen.
Bound to Thomas Curzon, hosier, Golden Fleece, Aldgate. Loves Curzon's
daughter. Cannot say that Curzon's daughter loves him. Should think it
probable. Curzon pulled his ears last Tuesday week.'
'How!' cried the captain, starting.
'For looking at his daughter, please you,' said the novice.
'Write Curzon down, Denounced,' said the captain. 'Put a black cross
against the name of Curzon.'
'So please you,' said the novice, 'that's not the worst--he calls his
'prentice idle dog, and stops his beer unless he works to his liking. He
gives Dutch cheese, too, eating Cheshire, sir, himself; and Sundays out,
are only once a month.
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