The Steam-Packet: A Tale of the River and the Ocean — page 208: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE STEAM PACKET. 159 Once more—fill it up—don’t be afraid—your health, gentlemen all. But, by the by, I can’t undertake my last journey upon an empty stomach. Is there nothing decent left in the larder ?” Nicholas Touchet again left the room, making a most piteous face ; and in a very short time the Pole found himself sitting up in the bed before an immense pie, which he attacked with the utmost vigour, washing it down in such a manner that the last glass accompanied the Jast mouthful. Without uttering a word, Lievebewitz then turned round again, and began to snore away most lustily. “* Ah!” ‘said the landlord, in a mournful voice, * I was certain the scoundrel would recover! ”’ “* Let us put our faith in providence,” said the priest with a contrite air: ““ we have still the chance of an indigestion.” But two hours passed away, and Lievebewitz continued to sleep the slumber of health and good digestion. The priest withdrew, pale and angry ;—the notary slunk off after the priest; and the landlord strode up and down the room, tearing his hair. 3 “Do not alarm yourself in that manner, my worthy friend,” said Lievebewitz, who suddenly awoke at about seven o’clock: “I pledge myself to you that I am much better. Indeed, I am saved; so just go and request the gentleman who took away my coat to restore it to me forthwith.” At these words mine host remained for some time stupified with astonishment, as if he had suddenly gazed upon the head of Medusa. “But, sir—the will?” he at length said in a suppliant tone of voice. | “¢ Well—hasn’t the notary got it safe enough in his keeping?” de- manded the Pole. ‘‘Go and fetch me my coat, and I will tell you how to turn the will to your advantage immediately.” The landlord, upen whose soul a gleam of hope shone once more, hastened to the apartment of Captain Pentonville, and finding that gent'eman fast asleep on his couch, searched for the frogged and braided garment; but as it was not there, he proceeded to the chamber in which Mr. Buckram was also wrapt in the arms of Morpheus; and there the visual organs of the host of the Grand Canard lighted upon the coat. Hastily possessing himself of it, without reflecting upon the possibility of causing any dilemma, Nicholas Touchet returned to the Pole’s apartment, and assisted him to perform his toilet. ‘¢ And now, sir,’ said the landlord, “ will you have the kindness to tell me how your will can benefit me?” ‘“‘ Benefit you!” ejaculated the Pole, feigning the most extreme surprise: “ why, will you not receive an immense legacy ?”’ (E(0) Gomichbooks