smoked, in which conduct he was closely imitated by a clan of
fellows who constantly attended him. After spending several hours
at the public-house I departed, not forgetting to pay for the two
bottles of ale. The landlord, before I went, shaking me by the
hand, declared that he had now made up his mind to stick to his
religion at all hazards, the more especially as he was convinced he
should derive no good by giving it up.



CHAPTER XIV



Preparations for the Fair--The Last Lesson--The Verb Siriel.


It might be about five in the evening, when I reached the gypsy
encampment. Here I found Mr. Petulengro, Tawno Chikno, Sylvester,
and others in a great bustle, clipping and trimming certain ponies
and old horses which they had brought with them. On inquiring of
Jasper the reason of their being so engaged, he informed me that
they were getting the horses ready for a fair, which was to be held
on the morrow, at a place some miles distant, at which they should
endeavour to dispose of them, adding--"Perhaps, brother, you will
go with us, provided you have nothing better to do?" Not having
any particular engagement, I assured him that I should have great
pleasure in being of the party. It was agreed that we should start
early on the following morning. Thereupon I descended into the
dingle. Belle was sitting before the fire, at which the kettle was