sit there dumb and moody, and without any personal communication; on
the contrary, Mr. Brock, as an old soldier, entertained his
prisoners with the utmost courtesy, and did all that lay in his
power, by the help of liquor and conversation, to render their
durance tolerable. On the bridegroom his attentions were a good
deal thrown away: Mr. Hayes consented to drink copiously, but could
not be made to talk much; and, in fact, the fright of the seizure,
the fate hanging over him should his parents refuse a ransom, and
the tremendous outlay of money which would take place should they
accede to it, weighed altogether on his mind so much as utterly to
unman it.

As for Mrs. Cat, I don't think she was at all sorry in her heart to
see the old Corporal: for he had been a friend of old times--dear
times to her; she had had from him, too, and felt for him, not a
little kindness; and there was really a very tender, innocent
friendship subsisting between this pair of rascals, who relished
much a night's conversation together.

The Corporal, after treating his prisoners to punch in great
quantities, proposed the amusement of cards: over which Mr. Hayes
had not been occupied more than an hour, when he found himself so
excessively sleepy as to be persuaded to fling himself down on the
bed dressed as he was, and there to snore away until morning.

Mrs. Catherine had no inclination for sleep; and the Corporal,
equally wakeful, plied incessantly the bottle, and held with her a
great deal of conversation. The sleep, which was equivalent to the
absence, of John Hayes took all restraint from their talk. She
explained to Brock the circumstances of her marriage, which we have