At the same time he rebuked his
servant severely for having transgressed his commands, and ordered him
instantly to assist in ejecting the hungry and weary cattle of Harry
Wakefield, which were just beginning to enjoy a meal of unusual
plenty, and to introduce those of his comrade, whom the English drover
now began to consider as a rival.
The feelings which arose in Wakefield's mind, would have induced him
to resist Mr. Ireby's decision; but every Englishman has a tolerably
accurate sense of law and justice, and John Fleecebumpkin, the
bailiff, having acknowledged that he had exceeded his commission,
Wakefield saw nothing else for it than to collect his hungry and
disappointed charge, and drive them on to seek quarters elsewhere.
Robin Oig saw what had happened with regret, and hastened to offer
to his English friend to share with him the disputed possession. But
Wakefield's pride was severely hurt, and he answered disdainfully,
"Take it all man--take it all--never make two bites of a cherry--thou
canst talk over the gentry, and blear a plain man's eye--Out upon you,
man--I would not kiss any man's dirty latchets for leave to bake in
his oven."
Robin Oig, sorry but not surprised at his comrade's displeasure,
hastened to entreat his friend to wait but an hour till he had gone
to the Squire's house to receive payment for the cattle he had sold,
and he would come back and help him to drive the cattle into some
convenient place of rest, and explain to him the whole mistake they
had both of them fallen into.
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