water-jugs. "They've given you a decent fire for a wonder," said
Jack, stirring up the red hot turf which blazed in the grate. "All
right as a trivet," said I. "And look alive like a good fellow,"
said Jack. We had scowled at each other in the morning as very young
men do when they are strangers; and now, after a few hours, we were
intimate friends.

I immediately turned to my work, and was gratified to find that all
my things were laid out ready for dressing; my portmanteau had of
course come open, as my keys were in my pocket, and therefore some of
the excellent servants of the house had been able to save me all the
trouble of unpacking. There was my shirt hanging before the fire; my
black clothes were spread upon the bed, my socks and collar and
handkerchief beside them; my brushes were on the toilet table, and
everything prepared exactly as though my own man had been there. How
nice!

I immediately went to work at getting off my spurs and boots, and
then proceeded to loosen the buttons at my knees. In doing this I
sat down in the arm-chair which had been drawn up for me, opposite
the fire. But what was the object on which my eyes then fell;--the
objects I should rather say!

Immediately in front of my chair was placed, just ready for may feet,
an enormous pair of shooting-boots--half-boots made to lace up round
the ankles, with thick double leather soles, and each bearing half a
stone of iron in the shape of nails and heel-pieces. I had
superintended the making of these shoes in Burlington Arcade with the
greatest diligence. I was never a good shot; and, like some other
sportsmen, intended to make up for my deficiency in performance by