Page:Monthly scrap book, for May.pdf/10

10 THE MONTHLY raw recruit, in one promiscuous crowd, where they fought pele mele, tearing open their closing wounds, to the great delight of the spectators, who termed this a battle royal, and expressed great satisfaction in this humane and rational amusement.

The dead, the dying, and the wounded, were now removed from the scene of action; and those who had set them on, forgetful of all their sufferings, exhibited an apathy similar to the general at the siege of Frederickshall, who, after a bullet from an unknown hand had levelled his hot-brained master, Charles XII., coolly said, 'My lads, the play is over, let us go to supper!'

An emigration now took place, from the malt-barn to Jonathan's dining-room; and, as if their ferocious spirits were not yet satiated, they determined to imitate the rudest barbarians, by feasting on the victims of the day.

The feast of sculls (as it might be termed) was spread, the victims were devoured, and their bones lay scattered around. All discussion of the performed, had been suspended by the pleasures of mastication. Now that the table was cleared, and a bowl of rum punch smoking before them, many were the betts to be decided, and difficult to be adjusted were the claims for martial honour. Among these last, the most dubious were, those of the black champion and the speckled warrior.

The point seemed to turn upon these two things, which of the two gave the last stroke, or fell first on the floor; and here there was a considerable difference of opinion. A great majority affirmed,