Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-01-02
CHAPTER III.
AT THE RED LION.

at which our pedestrian had thus decided
70 pass the night the sign Of a rampant
lion swung, which the proprietor was
careful to renew every year with fresh red
paint. For those were brisk days of war
on the continent and the seas; the armies
of England were in Spain, and her nayies
were on the ocean, fighting the French,
and the war spirit was wild through the
land. The national emblem, therefore,
hung out in front of an inn, was sure to
attract custom; and none knew this bet
ter than Richard Ryder, the host of this
tavern, who had long kept it.
1t was stoutly framed cottage build
ing that had weathered the storms of a
century, and is probably still sffording
entertainment for man and beast. There
were accommodations for no more than
half dozen guests, for the main de-
pendence of the place was its tap-room,
where sailors and rustics were wont to
gather at night, hear the Gazette from
London read, talk over the war news,
and drink the landlords old ale. One
room Of the building requires special
mention; it was the cosy little parlor in
the south end, which was fitted up and
furnished in much better style than other
apartments of the house, for the use of
officers of the great war-ships that fire.
quently lay over night at the good anchor
age grounds outside and the gentry Of the
neighborhood. Many q jovial evening
was spent in this parlor, and the landlord
was particular to keep in his cellar store
of choice old wine for this class of Gus
toners.
Next adjoining the parlor, with door
communicating, was the large tap-room
which was free to the public; then the
dining-room and the few chambers. The
house fronted toward the main high
way, but the parlor could be entered at
the rear by steps from the beach. With
in the memory of men who often came
to the Red Lion the sea at high tide was
thirty yards from the rear of the inn; now
the water had so encroached upon the
land that the spray of the waves in rough
weather dashed against the windows, and
a row-boat from the bay had been known
to come right up to these rear steps and
disembark its load.
The daylight hours of that third day of
September had been mild and pleasant,
but at nightfall came chilly wind from
the sea, and the landlord had fire built
in the great chimney.
Dick Ryder, as he was familiarly
called, was short and stout. usually
good-natured, but with reserve of spirit
within him, for he had been soldier in
his early years, and had seen some SER
vice in the Low Countries. He bore the
signs of good living upon his face and
person, and the mere sight of him, it was
said, was tirst-class Recommendation OF
his inn,
In the tap-room we now find the host
and half dozen idlers; the hostler, the
stable-boy, and four farmers lads come
in to look and hear the news.
The light of the fire fell on the pol
ished cans and brown mugs of the bar
the heavy, dark colored frames of the
windows, and the rather dull faces and
coarse frocks of the laborers, and gave
picturesque effect to the interior of the
tap.
Ryder leaned on the counter and wal
crowd that brought grist to the mill, anG
he wasted no politeness on them.
"Oi see big ship outside the night,
ventured one of the rusties.
20, aye" said another. What they
calls un frigate, OF say. Leastaways. O,
counted matter O. fifteen ports this way
Come, Barney, quit now," the land.
fools. She's a thirty gun ship; that
easy to see. Haven't you seen boat OF
the bayP"
There was a chorus of negatives.
"When the frigate came in and an
chored, about the middle of the after
noon, hoped some of the gentlemen
would come off to spend the evening here
They may yet
Heavy footballs were heard on the step
outside, the door was thrown open, and I
man whom nobody could mistake fo
aught but a sailor strobe in. He had OF
a tarpaulin, or rough pilot coat, and th,
wide flowing trowsers of the tar; his fac,
was red and tanned with the suns O
maay latitudes; his voice was deep ant
| grutf, but by no means unpleasant.
There was nothing in his dress to indi
cate that he had any rank aboard ship
yet close observer, closer observe
than any present, would have notice,
something in his air and speech whicl
could only come from habitual authority
Good evening, shipmates all, he said
looking about the room. Landlord
ahoy there! I've had no good ale sine
we anchored at the Downs, month ago
Give me tankard; and you. ye lubbers
step up here and drink the health o
good King George, and confusion to tn
French"
This was an invitation that nobody wa
slow to accept. The sailor threw down
| golden guinea. telling Mr.. Ryder that h
need not make the change just yet, as h
might want more entertainment, an
taking the large mug that had been file
for him he went across the room, took
large armchair, and tilted it comfortable
back against the wall The others dram
what had been set out for them, and re
turned to their places about the apart
ment. The sailor threw open his coat
laid his great stiff hat on the floor. an
prepared to take his ease. 1t was oh
served, but without any comment, that b
did not act as though he was dry; b
leisurely slipped his ale, and his eye
twinkled under his shaggy brows as the
examined the room and the face of ever
person in it.
You're from the frigate, expectP
| queried Ryder.
/ Right, mate; the Hero, thirty-twe
and as good a ship as flies the BIRTHS
colors.
Wont any Of the gentlemen be off to
night2"
Eff you mean won't they visit you,
fancy not. I'm one of the boats Gre
that brought the Captain ashore half
mile above here, just around that gret
cliff. He's got some kind Of lark to Sc
to inland-none O. my business, 20
know--and the crew are waiting for hin
He may come back in an hour, and b