or I'll be the gory death o' you!"

Not a little perturbed by these ferocious expressions, I advanced
slowly and very unwillingly into the firelight and, halting well out
of his reach, spoke in tone as conciliatory as possible.

"Pray pardon my intrusion, but--"

"Your what?" he demanded, while his quick, bright eyes roved over my
shrinking person.

"Intrusion," I repeated, "and now, if you will kindly allow--"

"Intrusion," quoth he, mouthing the word, "intrusion! Why, here's one
as don't come my way often! Intrusion! 'T is a good word and rhymes
wi' confusion, don't it?"

"It does!" said I, wondering at his manner.

"And 'oo might you be--and what?" he questioned, beckoning me nearer
with a motion of the kettle.

"One who has lost his way--"

"In silver buttons an' a jerry 'at--hum! You're a young nob, you are,
a swell, a tippy, a go--that's what you are! Wherefore and therefore I
ask what you might be a-doing in this here wood at midnight's lone
hour?"

"I am lost--"