What I had called for now came in, but I noticed that Creach did no more than touch his lips to his glass, upon which one of the company rallied him, and I heard him say he did not choose to drink more.
"Why is that, sir?" I said, pretending to be somewhat gone in liquor.
"I try to avoid giving offence," he said, very pointedly, "and sometimes if I am warmed with liquor I am apt to blunder out something which might not please."
"Oh, I am not particular as to my company, Mr. Creach," I said, hoping he might take me up on the name, but he made no move. "I am a peaceable man myself, and promise you not to take offence at anything, provided you apologize immediately afterwards. Now, here's a health I cannot let pass--to my host of last night, Rory McDonald Fortymenruck!"
I began again at once. "Here's to the Prince and his better fortunes, and a curse on any one who plays him false!"
I was thinking out something, more pointed, when he stopped me by asking why I did not propose the health of my cousin, Allan McDonald Knock.
Here was an opening as good as another, and I took it.
"Then, sir, I do not drink to him, because he lies under grave imputations."
"And pray, sir, what may they be?" he asked.
"Oh, I only have them on hearsay," I said, drawing him on.
"Only that he is a coward and an informer, and, of course, a scoundrel, whose health any gentleman would refuse to drink," I answered, mighty cool.
"What!" said he; "do you really believe him a coward?"
"Then, sir," said he, "if you will send him a challenge I will bear it, and if he will not fight you, I will."
"Oh, do not trouble yourself. If you are anxious for fighting, you have a sword by your side, and so have I. Why lose any time? Out with you at once, and I will give you all the fighting you can stomach between this and doomsday," and I made as if I would rise.
As a matter of fact, I would not then have fought with the reptile for worlds, but since I could not lay hands on him, it was some little satisfaction to outface him before his company, and I made no objections when the others interfered, but only thought that Mr. Creach had added a long bit to his reckoning when he asked me to drink to the health of Allan Knock in the inn at Portree.