To this end, he sat down
on the ground before the door, and putting his staff across his knees in
case of alarm or surprise, summoned Grip to dinner.
This call, the bird obeyed with great alacrity; crying, as he sidled
up to his master, 'I'm a devil, I'm a Polly, I'm a kettle, I'm a
Protestant, No Popery!' Having learnt this latter sentiment from the
gentry among whom he had lived of late, he delivered it with uncommon
emphasis.
'Well said, Grip!' cried his master, as he fed him with the daintiest
bits. 'Well said, old boy!'
'Never say die, bow wow wow, keep up your spirits, Grip Grip Grip,
Holloa! We'll all have tea, I'm a Protestant kettle, No Popery!' cried
the raven.
'Gordon for ever, Grip!' cried Barnaby.
The raven, placing his head upon the ground, looked at his master
sideways, as though he would have said, 'Say that again!' Perfectly
understanding his desire, Barnaby repeated the phrase a great many
times. The bird listened with profound attention; sometimes repeating
the popular cry in a low voice, as if to compare the two, and try if it
would at all help him to this new accomplishment; sometimes flapping
his wings, or barking; and sometimes in a kind of desperation drawing a
multitude of corks, with extraordinary viciousness.
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