Eugene Aram

Excerpt: ...to denote recognition. This survey was the operation of a moment; for Sir Peter took it upon himself to despatch the landlord into the house, to order forth the unseasonable carouser; and presently the Corporal stalked out, and having solemnly remounted, the whole trio set onward in a brisk trot. As soon as they were without sight of the ale-house, the Corporal brought the aquiline profile of his gaunt steed on a level with his master's horse. "Augh, Sir!" said he, with more than his usual energy of utterance, "I see'd him!" "Him! whom?" "Man with ugly face what drank at Peter Dealtry's, and knew Master Aram, - -knew him in a crack, -sure he's a Tartar!" "What! does your servant recognize one of those suspicious fellows whom Jock warned us against?" cried Sir Peter, pricking up his ears. "So it seems, Sir," said Walter: "he saw him once before, many miles hence; but I fancy he knows nothing really to his prejudice." "Augh!" cried the Corporal; "he's d-d ugly any how!" "That's a tall fellow of yours," said Sir Peter, jerking up his chin with that peculiar motion common to the brief in stature, when they are covetous of elongation. "He looks military: -has he been in the army? Ay, I thought so; one of the King of Prussia's grenadiers, I suppose? Faith, I hear hoofs behind!" "Hem!" cried the Corporal, again coming alongside of his master. "Beg pardon, Sir-served in the 42nd-nothing like regular line-stragglers always cut off-had rather not straggle just now-enemy behind!" Walter looked back, and saw two men approaching them at a hand-gallop. "We are a match at least for them, Sir," said he, to his new acquaintance. "I am devilish glad I met you," was Sir Peter's rather selfish reply. " 'Tis he! 'tis the devil!" grunted the Corporal, as the two men now gained their side and pulled up; and Walter recognised the faces he had marked in the ale-house. "Your servant, gentlemen," quoth the uglier of the two; "you ride fast-" "And...