'Here!' he said, stretching out his hand and taking it back; 'never mind
the bill, or what it says, or what it don't say. You don't know anything
about it, master,--no more do I,--no more does he,' glancing at Dennis.
'None of us know what it means, or where it comes from: there's an end
of that. Now I want to make one against the Catholics, I'm a No-Popery
man, and ready to be sworn in. That's what I've come here for.'
'Put him down on the roll, Muster Gashford,' said Dennis approvingly.
'That's the way to go to work--right to the end at once, and no
palaver.'
'What's the use of shooting wide of the mark, eh, old boy!' cried Hugh.
'My sentiments all over!' rejoined the hangman. 'This is the sort of
chap for my division, Muster Gashford. Down with him, sir. Put him on
the roll. I'd stand godfather to him, if he was to be christened in a
bonfire, made of the ruins of the Bank of England.'
With these and other expressions of confidence of the like flattering
kind, Mr Dennis gave him a hearty slap on the back, which Hugh was not
slow to return.
'No Popery, brother!' cried the hangman.
'No Property, brother!' responded Hugh.
'Popery, Popery,' said the secretary with his usual mildness.
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