This provocation would have answered his purpose effectually,
had not his adversary's indignation been repressed by the suggestions
of the lieutenant, who desired his friend, in a whisper, to be easy,
for he would take care to have the attorney tossed in a blanket
for his presumption. This proposal, which he received with great
approbation, pacified him in a moment: he wiped the sweat from his
forehead, and his features relaxed into a grim smile.
Hatchway disappeared; and Ravine proceeded with great fluency
of abuse, until he was interrupted by the arrival of Pipes, who,
without any expostulation, led him out by the hand, and conducted
him to the yard, where he was put into a carpet, and in a twinkling
sent into the air by the strength and dexterity of five stout
operators, whom the lieutenant had selected from the number of
domestics for that singular spell of duty.
In vain did the astonished vaulter beg, for the love of God, that
they would take pity upon him, and put an end to his involuntary
gambols: they were deaf to his prayers and protestations, even
when he swore, in the most solemn manner, that if they would cease
tormenting him, he would forget and forgive what was past, and
depart in peace to his own habitation; and continued the game till
they were fatigued with the exercise.
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