The Ruffler sighed; the listeners sighed in sympathy; a general depression fell

Upon the company for a moment, for even hardened outcasts like these are not

Wholly dead to sentiment, but are able to feel a fleeting sense of loss and

Affliction at wide intervals and under peculiarly favoring circumstances — as

In cases like to this, for instance, when genius and culture depart and leave no

Heir.

However, a deep drink all round soon restored the spirits of the mourners.

'Have any other of our friends fared hardly?' asked Hobbs.

'Some — yes. Particularly new-comers — such as small husbandmen turned

Shiftless and hungry upon the world because their farms were taken from

Them to be changed to sheep-ranges. They begged, and were whipped at the

cart's tail, naked from the girdle up, till the blood ran; then set in the stocks to

Be pelted; they begged again, were whipped again, and deprived of an ear;

they begged a third time — poor devils, what else could they do? — and were

Branded on the cheek with a red-hot iron, then sold for slaves; they ran away,

were hunted down, and hanged. 'Tis a brief tale, and quickly told. Others of

Us have fared less hardly. Stand forth, Yokel, Burns, and Hodge — show your

adornments!'

These stood up and stripped away some of their rags, exposing their backs,

Crisscrossed with ropy old welts left by the lash; one turned up his hair and