the wandering jew, volume 9-第10章

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pound　of　cinnamon；　and　thenfire！　fire！〃　shouted　the　religious　writer；
with　the　most　vociferous　exclamations。

〃Yes；　yes！　fire！〃　repeated　the　chorus！

The　proposition　of　Ninny　Moulin　gave　a　new　impetus　to　the　general　gayety；
the　most　extravagant　remarks　were　mingled　with　the　sound　of　kisses；　taken
or　given　under　the　pretext　that　perhaps　there　would　be　no　to…morrow；　that
one　must　make　the　most　of　the　present；　etc。；　etc。　　Suddenly；　in　one　of
the　moments　of　silence　which　sometimes　occur　in　the　midst　of　the　greatest
tumult；　a　succession　of　slow　and　measured　taps　sounded　above　the　ceiling
of　the　banqueting…room。　　All　remained　silent；　and　listened。




CHAPTER　XXI。

BRANDY　TO　THE　RESCUE。

After　the　lapse　of　some　seconds；　the　singular　rapping　which　had　so　much
surprised　the　guests；　was　again　heard；　but　this　time　louder　and　longer。

〃Waiter！〃　cried　one　of　the　party；　〃what　in　the　devil's　name　is　knocking？〃

The　waiter；　exchanging　with　his　comrades　a　look　of　uneasiness　and　alarm；
stammered　Out　in　reply：　〃Sirit　isit　is〃

〃Well！　I　suppose　it　is　some　crabbed；　cross…grained　lodger；　some　animal；
the　enemy　of　joy；　who　is　pounding　on　the　floor　of　his　room　to　warn　us　to
sing　less　loud；〃　said　Ninny　Moulin。

〃Then；　by　a　general　rule；〃　answered　sententiously　the　pupil　of　the　great
painter；　〃if　lodger　or　landlord　ask　for　silence；　tradition　bids　us　reply
by　an　infernal　uproar；　destined　to　drown　all　his　remonstrances。　　Such；　at
least；〃　added　the　scapegrace；　modestly；　are　the　foreign　relations　that　I
have　always　seen　observed　between　neighboring　powers。〃

This　remark　was　received　with　general　laughter　and　applause。　　During　the
tumult；　Morok　questioned　one　of　the　waiters；　and　then　exclaimed　in　a
shrill　tone；　which　rose　above　the　clamor：　〃I　demand　a　hearing！〃

〃Granted！〃　cried　the　others；　gayly。　　During　the　silence　which　followed
the　exclamation　of　Morok；　the　noise　was　again　heard；　it　was　this　time
quicker　than　before。

〃The　lodger　is　innocent；〃　said　Morok；　with　a　strange　smile；　〃and　would　be
quite　incapable　of　interfering　with　your　enjoyment。〃

〃Then　why　does　he　keep　up　that　knocking？〃　said　Ninny　Moulin；　emptying　his
glass。

〃Like　a　deaf　man　who　has　lost　his　ear…horn？〃　added　the　young　artist。

〃It　is　not　the　lodger　who　is　knocking〃　said　Morok；　in　a　sharp；　quick
tone；　〃for　they　are　nailing　him　down　in　his　coffin。〃　A　sudden　and
mournful　silence　followed　these　words。

〃His　coffin　no；　I　am　wrong；〃　resumed　Morok；　〃her　coffin；　I　should　say；　or
more　properly　their　coffin；　for；　in　these　pressing　times；　they　put　mother
and　child　together。〃

〃A　woman！〃　cried　PLEASURE；　addressing　the　writer；　〃is　it　a　woman　that　is
dead？〃

〃Yes；　ma'am；　a　poor　young　woman　about　twenty　years　of　age；〃　answered　the
waiter　in　a　sorrowful　tone。　　〃Her　little　girl；　that　she　was　nursing；　died
soon　afterall　in　less　than　two　hours。　　My　master　is　very　sorry　that　you
ladies　and　gents　should　be　disturbed　in　this　way；　but　he　could　not
foresee　this　misfortune；　as　yesterday　morning　the　young　woman　was　quite
well；　and　singing　with　all　her　mightno　one　could　have　been　gayer　than
she　was。〃

Upon　these　words；　it　was　as　if　a　funeral　pall　had　been　suddenly　thrown
over　a　scene　lately　so　full　of　joy；　all　the　rubicund　and　jovial　faces
took　an　expression　of　sadness；　no　one　had　the　hardihood　to　make　a　jest　of
mother　and　child；　nailed　down　together　in　the　same　coffin。　　The　silence
became　so　profound；　that　one　could　hear　each　breath　oppressed　by　terror：
the　last　blows　of　the　hammer　seemed　to　strike　painfully　on　every　heart；
it　appeared　as　if　each　sad　feeling；　until　now　repressed；　was　about　to
replace　that　animation　and　gayety；　which　had　been　more　factitious　than
sincere。　　The　moment　was　decisive。　　It　was　necessary　to　strike　an
immediate　blow；　and　to　raise　the　spirits　of　the　guests；　for　many　pretty
rosy　faces　began　to　grow　pale；　many　scarlet　ears　became　suddenly　white；
Ninny　Moulin's　were　of　the　number。

On　the　contrary；　Sleepinbuff　exhibited　an　increase　of　audacity；　he　drew
up　his　figure；　bent　down　from　the　effects　of　exhaustion；　and；　with　a
cheek　slightly　flushed；　he　exclaimed：　〃Well；　waiter？　are　those　bottles　of
brandy　coming？　And　the　punch？　　Devil　and　all！　are　the　dead　to　frighten
the　living？〃

〃He's　right！　Down　with　sorrow；　and　let's　have　the　punch！〃　cried　several
of　the　guests；　who　felt　the　necessity　of　reviving　their　courage。

〃Forward；　punch！〃

〃Begone；　dull　care！〃

〃Jollity　forever！〃

〃Gentlemen；　here　is　the　punch；〃　said　a　waiter；　opening　the　door。　　At
sight　of　the　flaming　beverage；　which　was　to　reanimate　their　enfeebled
spirits；　the　room　rang　with　the　loudest　applause。

The　sun　had　just　set。　　The　room　was　large；　being　capable　of　dining　a
hundred　guests；　and　the　windows　were　few；　narrow；　and　half　veiled　by　red
cotton　curtains。　　Though　it　was　not　yet　night；　some　portions　of　this　vast
saloon　were　almost　entirely　dark。　　Two　waiters　brought　the　monster…punch；
in　an　immense　brass　kettle；　brilliant　as　gold；　suspended　from　an　iron
bar；　and　crowned　with　flames　of　changing　color。　　The　burning　beverage　was
then　placed　upon　the　table；　to　the　great　joy　of　the　guests；　who　began　to
forget　their　past　alarms。

〃Now；〃　said　Jacques　to　Morok；　in　a　taunting　tone；　〃while　the　punch　is
burning；　we　will　have　our　duel。　　The　company　shall　judge。〃　Then；　pointing
to　the　two　bottles　of　brandy；　which　the　waiter　had　brought；　Jacques
added：　〃Choose　your　weapon！〃

〃Do　you　choose；〃　answered　Morok。

〃Well！　here's　your　bottleand　here's　your　glass。　　Ninny　Moulin　shall　be
umpire。〃

〃I　do　not　refuse　to　be　judge　of　the　field；〃　answered　the　religious
writer；　〃only　I　must　warn　you；　comrade；　that　you　are　playing　a　desperate
game；　and　that　just　now；　as　one　of　these　gentlemen　has　said；　the　neck　of
a　bottle　of　brandy　in　one's　mouth；　is　perhaps　more　dangerous　than　the
barrel　of　a　loaded　pistol。〃

〃Give　the　word；　old　fellow！〃　said　Jacques；　interrupting　Ninny　Moulin；　〃or
I　will　give　it　myself。〃

〃Since　you　will　have　it　soso　be　it！〃

〃The　first　who　gives　in　is　conquered；〃　said　Jacques。

〃Agreed！〃　answered　Morok。

〃Come；　gentlemen；　attention！　we　must　follow　every　movement；〃　resumed
Ninny　Moulin。　　〃Let　us　first　see　if　the　bottles　are　of　the　same　size
equality　of　weapons　being　the　foremost　condition。〃

During　these　preparations；　profound　silence　reigned　in　the　room。　　The
courage　of　the　majority　of　those　present；　animated　for　a　moment　by　the
arrival　of　the　punch；　was　soon　again　depressed　by　gloomy　thoughts；　as
they　vaguely　foresaw　the　danger　of　the　contest　between　Morok　and　Jacques。
This　impression　joined　to　the　sad　thoughts　occasioned　by　the　incident　of
the　coffin；　darkened　by　degrees　many　a　countenance。　　Some　of　the　guests；
indeed；　continued　to　make　a　show　of　rejoicing；　but　their　gayety　appeared
forced。　　Under　certain　circumstances；　the　smallest　things　will　have　the
most　powerful　effect。　　We　have　said　that；　after　sunset；　a　portion　of　this
large　room　was　plunged　in　obscurity；　therefore；　the　guests　who　sat　in　the
remote　corners　of　the　apartment；　had　no　other　light　than　the　reflection
of　the　flaming　punch。　　Now　it　is　well　known；　that　the　flame　of　burning
spirit　throws　a　livid；　bluish　tint　over　the　countenance；　it　was　therefore
a　strange；　almost　frightful　spectacle；　to　see　a　number　of　the　guests；　who
happened　to　be　at　a　distance　from　the　windows；　in　this　ghastly　and
fantastic　light。

The　painter；　more　struck　than　all　the　rest　by　this　effect　of　color；
exclaimed：　〃Look！　at　this　end　of　the　table；　we　might　fancy　ourselves
feasting　with　cholera…patients；　we　are　such　fine　blues　and　greens。

This　jest　was　not　much　relished。　　Fortunately；　the　loud　voice　of　Ninny
Moulin　demanded　attention；　and　for　a　moment　turned　the　thoughts　of　the
company。

〃The　lists　are　open；〃　cried　the　religious　writer；　really　more　frightened
than　he　chose　to　appear。　　〃Are　you　ready；　brave　champions？〃　he　added。

〃We　are　ready；〃　said　Morok　and　Jacques。

〃Present！　fire！〃　cried　Ninny　Moulin；　clapping　his　hands。　　And　the　two
drinkers　each　emptied　a　tumbler　full　of　brandy　at　a　draught。

Morok　did　not　even　knit　his　brow；　his　marble　face　remained　impassible；
with　a　steady　hand　he　replaced　his　glass　upon　the　table。　　But　Jacques；　as
he　put　down　his　glass；　could　not　conceal　a　slight　convulsive　trembling；
caused　by　internal　suffering。

〃Bravely　done！〃　cried　Ninny　Moulin。　　〃The　quarter　of　a　bottle　of　brandy
at　a　draughtit　is　glorious！　No　one　else　here　would　be　capable　of　such
prowess。　　And　now；　worthy　champions；　if　you　believe　me；　you　will　stop
where　you　are。〃

〃Give　the　word！〃　answered　Jacques；　intrepidly。　　And；　with　feverish　and
shaking　hand；　he　seized　the　bottle；　then　suddenly；　instead　of　filling　his
glass；　he　said　to　Morok：　〃Bah！　we　want　no　glasses。　　It　is　braver　to　drink
from　the　bottle。　　I　dare　you　to　it！〃

Morok's　only　answer　was　to　shrug　his　shoulders；　and　raise　the　neck　of　the
bottle　to　his　lips。　　Jacques　hastened　to　imitate　him。　　The　thin；
yellowish；　transparent　glass　gave　a　perfect　view　of　the　progressive
diminution　of　the　liquor。　　The　stony　countenance　of　Morok；　and　the　pale
thin　face　of　Jacques；　on　which　already　stood　large　drops　of　cold　sweat；
were　now；　as　well　as　the　features　of　the　other　guests；　illuminated　by　the
bluish　light　of　the　punch；　every　eye　was　fixed　upon　Morok　and　Jacques；
with　that　barbarous　curiosity　which　cruel　spectacles　seem　involuntarily
to　inspire。

Jacques　continued　to　drink；　holding　the　bottle　in　his　left　hand；
suddenly；　he　closed　and　tightened　the　fingers　of　his　right　hand　with　a
convulsive　movement；　his　hair　clung　to　his　icy　forehead；　and　his
countenance　revealed　an　agony　of　pain。　　Yet　he　continued　to　drink；　only；
without　removing　his　lips　from　the　neck　of　the　bottle；　he　lowered　it　for
an　instant；　as　if　to　recover　breath。　　Just　then；　Jacques　met　the　sardonic
look　of　Morok；　who　continued　to　drink　with　his　accustomed　impassibility。
Thinking　that　he　saw　the　expression　of　insulting　triumph　in　Morok's
glance；　Jacques　raised　his　elbow　abruptly；　and　drank　with　avidity　a　few
drops　more。　　But　his　strength　was　exhausted。　　A　quenchless　fire　devoured
his　vitals。　　His　sufferings　were　too　intense；　and　he　could　no　longer　bear
up　against　them。　　His　head　fell　backwards；　his　jaws　closed　convulsively；
he　crushed　the　neck　of　the　bottle　between　his　teeth；　his　neck　grew　rigid；
his　limbs　writhed　with　spasmodic　action；　and　he　became　almost　senseless。

〃Jacques；　my　good　fellow！　it　is　nothing；〃　cried　Morok；　whose　ferocious
glance　now　sparkled　with　diabolical　joy。　　Then；　replacing　his　bottle　on
the　table；　he　rose　to　go　to　the　aid　of　Ninny　Moulin；　who　was　vainly
endeavoring　to　hold　Sleepinbuff。

This　sudden　attack　had　none　of　the　symptoms　of　cholera。　　Yet　terror
seized　upon　all　present；　one　of　the　women　was　taken　with　hysterics；　and
another　uttered　piercing　cries　and　fainted　away。　　Ninny　Moulin；　leaving
Jacques　in　the　hands　of　Morok；　ran　towards　the　door　to　seek　for　help；
when　that　door　was　suddenly　opened；　and　the　religious　writer　drew　back　in
alarm；　at　the　sight　of　the　unexpected　personage　who　appeared　on　the
threshold。




CHAPTER　XXIL

MEMORIES。

The　person　before　whom　Ninny　Moulin　stopped　in　such　extreme　astonishment
was　the　Bacchanal　Queen。

Pale　and　wan；　with；　hair　in　disorder