I look back to it, even now, as to the very beau ideal of a dinner! Its fault was in the quantity, and not in quality.
I gazed greedily about for more.

Just then, I caught a glimpse of a face that seemed looking at me with melancholy reproach.

The truth flashed upon me in a flood of horrible remorse.

Rushing upon Noah like a tiger, I seized him by the throat, and cried, in a voice of despair: "Cannibal! what hast thou done ?" "Loosen your grip, Sir John--we do not relish these hugs at Stunin'tun." "Wretch! thou hast made me the participator of thy crime! We have eaten Brigadier Downright." "Loosen, Sir John, or human natur' will rebel." "Monster! give up thy unholy repast--dost not see a million reproaches in the eyes of the innocent victim of thy insatiable appetites ?" "Cast off, Sir John, cast off, while we are friends, I care not if I have swallowed all the brigadiers in Leaplow--off hands!" "Never, monster! until thou disgorgest thy unholy meal!" Noah could endure no more; but, seizing me by the throat, on the retaliating principle, I soon had some such sensations as one would be apt to feel if his gullet were in a vice.

I shall not attempt to describe very minutely the miracle that followed.