"An axe in your hand is what you're fit for, Bos."

"There's a many things I can turn my hand to, Mr. Jerry. You couldn't
give a fellow such a thing as a nobbler, Mr. Jerry, could you? I'd
offer money for it, only I know it would be taken amiss. It's that
hot that a fellow's very in'ards get parched up."

Upon this Jerry slowly rose, and going to a cupboard, brought forth a
modicum of spirits, which he called Battle-Axe, but which was
supposed to be brandy. This Boscobel swallowed at a gulp, and then
washed it down with a little water.

"Come, Jerry," said the old man, somewhat relenting in his wrath,
"you might as well give us a drop, as it's going about." The two
brothers, who had now been thoroughly aroused from their sleep, and
who had heard the enticing sound of the spirit bottle, joined the
party, and so they drank all round.

"Heathcote's in an awful state about them fires, ain't he?" asked
Jerry.

Boscobel, who had squatted down on the veranda, and was now lighting
his pipe, bobbed his head.

"I wish he was clean burned out--over head and ears," said Jerry.

Boscobel bobbed his head again, sucking with great energy at the
closely staffed pipe.

"If he treated me like he does you fellows," continued Jerry, "he