This, however, his generosity will not allow him to stand
upon; and, seeing how time is precious, and the weather warm, he
hopes his friends will excuse the presence of the animals, take his
word of honour in consideration of the sight of the wench.
"Now, gentlemen," he says, "the throws are soon to commence, and all
what ain't put down the tin better attend that ar' needful
arrangement, quicker!"
As the general concludes this very significant invitation, Dan
Bengal, Anthony Romescos, and Nath Nimrod, enter together. Their
presence creates some little commotion, for Romescos is known to be
turbulent, and very uncertain when liquor flows freely, which is the
case at present.
"I say, general!-old hoss! I takes all the chances what's left,"
Romescos shouts at the top of his voice. His eyes glare with
anxiety,--his red, savage face, doubly sun-scorched, glows out as he
elbows his way through the crowd up to the desk, where sits a
corpulent clerk. "Beg your pardon, gentlemen: not so fast, if you
please!" he says, entering names in his ledger, receiving money,
"doing the polite of the establishment."
Romescos's coat and nether clothing are torn in several places, a
hunting-belt girdles his waist; a bowie-knife (Sheffield make)
protrudes from his breast-pocket, his hair hangs in jagged tufts
over the collar of his coat, which, with the rough moccasons on his
feet, give him an air of fierce desperaton and recklessness. His
presence is evidently viewed with suspicion; he is a curious object
which the crowd are willing to give ample space to.
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