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lavengro-第155部分

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but amongst the Methodist preachers I should conceive that the 

success would not be great。'



The man in black sat quite still。



'Especially amongst those who have wives;' I added。



The man in black stretched his hand towards his gin and water。



'However;' said I; 'we shall see what the grand movement will bring 

about; and the results of the lessons in elocution。'



The man in black lifted the glass up to his mouth; and; in doing 

so; let the spoon fall。



'But what has this to do with the main question?' said I; 'I am 

waiting here to fight against the Pope。'



'Come; Hunter;' said the companion of the man in the snuff coloured 

coat; 'get up; and fight for the Pope。'



'I don't care for the young fellow;' said the man in the snuff…

coloured coat。



'I know you don't;' said the other; 'so get up; and serve him out。'



'I could serve out three like him;' said the man in the snuff…

coloured coat。



'So much the better for you;' said the other; 'the present work 

will be all the easier for you; get up; and serve him out at once。'



The man in the snuff…coloured coat did not stir。



'Who shows the white feather now?' said the simple…looking man。



'He! he! he!' tittered the man in black。



'Who told you to interfere?' said the Radical; turning ferociously 

towards the simple…looking man; 'say another word and I'll … '  

'And you!' said he; addressing himself to the man in black; 'a 

pretty fellow you to turn against me; after I had taken your part。  

I tell you what; you may fight for yourself。  I'll see you and your 

Pope in the pit of Eldon before I fight for either of you; so make 

the most of it。'



'Then you won't fight?' said I。



'Not for the Pope;' said the Radical; 'I'll see the Pope … '



'Dear me!' said I; 'not fight for the Pope; whose religion you 

would turn to; if you were inclined for any。  I see how it is; you 

are not fond of fighting; but I'll give you another chance … you 

were abusing the Church of England just now:  I'll fight for it … 

will you fight against it?'



'Come; Hunter;' said the other; 'get up; and fight against the 

Church of England。'



'I have no particular quarrel against the Church of England;' said 

the man in the snuff…coloured coat; 'my quarrel is with the 

aristocracy。  If I said anything against the Church; it was merely 

for a bit of corollary; as Master William Cobbett would say; the 

quarrel with the Church belongs to this fellow in black; so let him 

carry it on。  However;' he continued suddenly; 'I won't slink from 

the matter either; it shall never be said by the fine fellows on 

the quay of New York that I wouldn't fight against the Church of 

England。  So down with the beggarly aristocracy; the Church; and 

the Pope to the bottom of the pit of Eldon; and may the Pope fall 

first; and the others upon him。'



Thereupon; dashing his hat on the table; he placed himself in an 

attitude of offence and rushed forward。  He was; as I have said 

before; a powerful fellow; and might have proved a dangerous 

antagonist; more especially to myself; who; after my recent 

encounter with the Flaming Tinman; and my wrestlings with the evil 

one; was in anything but fighting order。  Any collision; however; 

was prevented by the landlord; who; suddenly appearing; thrust 

himself between us。  'There shall be no fighting here;' said he; 

'no one shall fight in this house; except it be with myself; so if 

you two have anything to say to each other; you had better go into 

the field behind the house。  But; you fool;' said he; pushing 

Hunter violently on the breast; 'do you know whom you are going to 

tackle with? … this is the young chap that beat Blazing Bosville; 

only as late as yesterday; in Mumpers' Dingle。  Grey Moll told me 

all about it last night; when she came for some brandy for her 

husband; who; she said; had been half killed; and she described the 

young man to me so closely that I knew him at once; that is; as 

soon as I saw how his left hand was bruised; for she told me he was 

a left…hand hitter。  Aren't it all true; young man?  Aren't you he 

that beat Flaming Bosville; in Mumpers' Dingle?'  'I never beat 

Flaming Bosville;' said I; 'he beat himself。  Had he not struck his 

hand against a tree; I shouldn't be here at the present moment。'  

'Hear; hear!' said the landlord; 'now that's just as it should be; 

I like a modest man; for; as the parson says; nothing sits better 

upon a young man than modesty。  I remember; when I was young; 

fighting with Tom of Hopton; the best man that ever pulled off coat 

in England。  I remember; too; that I won the battle; for I happened 

to hit Tom of Hopton in the mark; as he was coming in; so that he 

lost his wind; and falling squelch on the ground; do ye see; he 

lost the battle; though I am free to confess that he was a better 

man than myself; indeed; the best man that ever fought in England; 

yet still; I won the battle; as every customer of mine; and 

everybody within twelve miles round; has heard over and over again。  

Now; Mr。 Hunter; I have one thing to say; if you choose to go into 

the field behind the house; and fight the young man; you can。  I'll 

back him for ten pounds; but no fighting in my kitchen … because 

why?  I keeps a decent kind of an establishment。'



'I have no wish to fight the young man;' said Hunter; 'more 

especially as he has nothing to say for the aristocracy。  If he 

chose to fight for them; indeed … but he won't; I know; for I see 

he's a decent; respectable young man; and; after all; fighting is a 

blackguard way of settling a dispute; so I have no wish to fight; 

however; there is one thing I'll do;' said he; uplifting his fist; 

'I'll fight this fellow in black here for half a crown; or for 

nothing; if he pleases; it was he that got up the last dispute 

between me and the young man; with his Pope and his nonsense; so I 

will fight him for anything he pleases; and perhaps the young man 

will be my second; whilst you … '



'Come; Doctor;' said the landlord; 'or whatsoever you be; will you 

go into the field with Hunter?  I'll second you; only you must back 

yourself。  I'll lay five pounds on Hunter; if you are inclined to 

back yourself; and will help you to win it as far; do you see; as a 

second can; because why?  I always likes to do the fair thing。'



'Oh; I have no wish to fight;' said the man in black; hastily; 

'fighting is not my trade。  If I have given any offence; I beg 

anybody's pardon。'



'Landlord;' said I; 'what have I to pay?



'Nothing at all;' said the landlord; 'glad to see you。  This is the 

first time that you have been at my house; and I never charge new 

customers; at least customers such as you; anything for the first 

draught。  You'll come again; I daresay; shall always be glad to see 

you。  I won't take it;' said he; as I put sixpence on the table; 'I 

won't take it。'



'Yes; you shall;' said I; 'but 
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