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the handle of an old mop to rest it on, and was looking very earnestly for the vein; but the arm was one of the fatest, and nothing of a vein was to be seen. At this he seemed a little puzzled for a moment; but being of a disposition that would stop at no difficulty, he presently put on a famous knowing look, and made up his mind about what he was to do.

"Now, grasp you the mop firm, and turn your head away, if it please you, my lord," said the young chirurgeon, pressing of the thumb of his left hand down nigh unto the bend of the arm, and in the right hand having the lancet very close upon it. The other did as he was desired, but not without looking a little paler than he was awhile since. "I charge you to look not this way till I give the word; then shall I have breathed your vein for you in such delicate fashion as you can have no experience of." At this he made a sudden plunge of the lancet into the flesh, at which the captain winced; but, to the astonishment of the apprentice, no blood flowed.

"Hast done it ?-methought I felt the prick," said his patient quickly.

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Nay, 'twas only my thumb nail, which be rather of the sharpest; and like enough you felt it as I pressed down to feel the vein,” replied Harry Daring, in no way put out. "For is it not writ in Aristotle that there be two kinds of veins; as

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hocus pocus,' an easy vein-'presto prestissimus,' an obstinate vein and the latter kind have you, without doubt, for it lieth not easy to be got at, if it please your lordship." Then he made another plunge deeper than at first, at which the captain did wince again; but, to the exceeding puzzlement of the youthful chirurgeon, not a drop of blood did make its appearance.

"Surely thou hast cut me!" exclaimed his patient with some sort of earnestness.

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"A murrain on my nail for its sharpness!" cried the boy, still not inclined to relinquish his purpose. "But rest you easy, and turn your head this way on no account, lest something wrong come of it; for truly is it said by Esculapius, Hoppeti kicketi corum, hic, hæc, hoc cum tickle me,' the which doth mean he that looketh when he be told not mayhap shall spy what he shall not be pleased to see.'" Then he made another plunge deeper than ever, at which the captain cried out lustily.

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By Gog and Magog!" angrily exclaimed the mischievous apprentice, throwing down the lancet upon finding he was not a whit more successful with it than at first; and quickly taking off the bandage-" Thou hast no more blood in thee than I could get out of a pickled herring."

It would be impossible properly to describe the rage of Captain Swagger upon turning round and finding a huge gash in his arm, and the vein

not a bleeding. His bushy mustachios seemed to curl up with very indignation, and his face, which had got exceeding pale, now was in a monstrous fiery wrath.

"A thousand furies!" shouted he, starting up of a sudden. "Hast dared to cut me in this

manner?"

"In truth, I have cut thee to the bone!" said the other as seriously as you please. "And if thou hast ever a vein in thy arm of other sort than I can find in a cabbage-leaf, then know I nought of the matter."

"Slave!-hast done this and expect to live? Dost know who I be fellow?" thundered out the captain, in an increasing passion at the other's coolness.

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Mayhap thou art a brazier, and carryest thy stock in trade in thy countenance, for in truth it be exceeding brazen,” replied the boy, in no way daunted at his patient's fierce looks.

“'Sblood !—I will crop thy ears for thee on the instant!" bawled Captain Swagger, as he drew forth his tremendous rapier.

"What!—dost draw on me?" cried the apprentice, making to the door as if about to run for his life; but he was never in a humour for turning tail, for he was back again as quickly as he went, armed with the party-coloured pole that standeth ever at such shops as his master's. "Now God

defend the right!—and look to thyself, old Brazennose!" added he.

"Villain! Dost fight a gentleman with such a heathenish weapon as a barber's pole ?" exclaimed the captain in a monstrous astonishment. "Down with it, fellow, or I will mince thee into nothing."

"Nay, if thou likest not a barber's weapon, thou shouldst not draw upon a barber," quietly replied Harry Daring, as he boldly made up to him. "And now for thy ribs !"

Would I had Dan Homer's pen to describe the famous combat that took place betwixt these two heroes; for of mine own cunning can I never give the reader an idea of it which shall come sufficiently nigh unto the reality: yet what my poor skill can effect he must needs put up with. First then, there was the redoubtable Captain Swagger, foaming with wrath, flourishing of his formidable rapier, and skipping here and there and every where with a wonderful agility, to escape the blows that were quickly aimed at him. To him came Harry Daring, a very hero among apprentices, who crept cautiously along, holding of his pole with both hands a little in advance of him, with an excellent brave countenance, and ever and anon giving a poke at his opponent wherever he saw a place unguarded. At it they went as if for the very life. The captain retreating with a marvellously imposing front; and the apprentice

following him round the shop, as if valorously resolved to conquer or to die. The one slashed about him his huge sword in a truly dangerous fashion; but the other came to the poke with his barber's pole in so decided a manner, that his enemy seemed to like the appearance of it less and less every moment.

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Oh, that I could but get but one cut at thee!" cried the captain. "I would pay thee handsomely for the villainous hurt thou hast given me on my right side."

"Take that on thy left-then one side shall not grumble at t'other," replied the apprentice, hitting him another desperate poke where he had said.

"Villain, thou wilt break my ribs!" thundered out his antagonist, evidently in as great pain as rage.

"Then art thou but an ass for not having them made stronger," answered the other. "But look at thy toes, I prythee !" and then down came the end of the pole right upon his foot, so heavily that he bawled out with the pain, and began to limp about after such a sort as would have been piteous to look upon, had not the absoluteness of his rage made of him so droll a figure.

"I tell thee, fellow, I will have my action of battery against thee!" exclaimed Captain Swagger, making such desperate exertions to ward off

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