irritable nerves of uncle; who, with the most admirable
expression of splenetic surprize in his countenance, sent his man
to silence these dreadful blasts, and desire the musicians to
practise in some other place, as they had no right to stand there
and disturb all the lodgers in the house. Those sable performers,
far from taking the hint, and withdrawing, treated the messenger
with great insolence; bidding him carry his compliments to their
master, colonel Rigworm, who would give him a proper answer, and
a good drubbing into the bargain; in the mean time they continued
their noise, and even endeavoured to make it more disagreeable;
laughing between whiles, at the thoughts of being able to torment
their betters with impunity. Our 'squire, incensed at the
additional insult, immediately dispatched the servant, with his
compliments to colonel Rigworm, requesting that he would order
his blacks to be quiet, as the noise they made was altogether
intolerable -- To this message, the Creole colonel replied, that
his horns had a right to sound on a common staircase; that there
they should play for his diversion; and that those who did not
like the noise, might look for lodgings elsewhere. Mr Bramble no
sooner received this reply, than his eyes began to glisten, his
face grew pale, and his teeth chattered. After a moment's pause,
he slipt on his shoes, without speaking a word, or seeming to
feel any further disturbance from the gout in his toes. Then
snatching his cane, he opened the door and proceeded to the
place where the black trumpeters were posted. There, without
further hesitation, he began to belabour them both; and exerted
himself with such astonishing vigour and agility, that both their
heads and horns were broken in a twinkling, and they ran howling
down stairs to their master's parlour-door. The squire, following
them half way, called aloud, that the colonel might hear him,