 they grew at first very noisy and
vociferous, and afterwards fell both asleep.
    But it was not in the Power of Liquor to compose the Fears of Robin. He
continued still waking in his Chair, with his Eyes fixed stedfastly on the Door
which led into the Apartment of Mr. Jones, till a violent Thundering at his
outward Gate called him from his Seat, and obliged him to open it; which he had
no sooner done, than his Kitchen was immediately full of Gentlemen in red Coats,
who all rushed upon him in as tumultuous a Manner, as if they intended to take
his little Castle by Storm.
    The Landlord was now forced from his Post to furnish his numerous Guests
with Beer, which they called for with great Eagerness; and upon his second or
third Return from the Cellar, he saw Mr. Jones standing before the Fire in the
midst of the Soldiers; for it may easily be believed, that the Arrival of so
much good Company should put an End to any Sleep, unless that from which we are
to be awakened only by the last Trumpet.
    The Company having now pretty well satisfied their Thirst, nothing remained
but to pay the Reckoning, a Circumstance often productive of much Mischief and
Discontent among the inferior Rank of Gentry; who are apt to find great
Difficulty in assessing the Sum, with exact Regard to distributive Justice,
which directs, that every Man shall pay according to the Quantity which he
drinks. This Difficulty occurred upon the present Occasion; and it was the
greater, as some Gentlemen had, in their extreme Hurry, marched off, after their
first Draught, and had entirely forgot to contribute any thing towards the said
Reckoning.
    A violent Dispute now arose, in which every Word may be said to have been
deposed upon Oath; for the Oaths were at least equal to all the other Words
spoken. In this Controversy, the whole Company spoke together, and every Man
seemed wholly bent to extenuate the Sum which fell to his Share; so that the
most probable Conclusion which could be foreseen, was, that a large Portion of
the Reckoning would fall to the Landlord's Share to pay, or (what is much the
same thing) would remain unpaid.
    All this while Mr. Jones was engaged in Conversation with the Serjeant; for
that Officer was entirely unconcerned in the present Dispute, being privileged,
by immemorial Custom, from all Contribution.
    The Dispute now grew so very warm, that it seemed to draw towards a military
Decision, when Jones stepping forward, silenced all their Clamours at once, by
declaring that he would pay the
