- end_line
- 4946
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T20:48:15.149Z
- extracted_by
- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 4892
- text
- exactly, the apparently defunct Long Ghost—who lay so still that I a
little suspected the genuineness of his sleep—was rolled about as an
illustration of the virtues of the vial’s contents. The idea tickled
everybody mightily; and throwing themselves down, the magic draught was
passed from hand to hand. Thinking that, as a matter of course, they
must at once become insensible, each man, upon taking his sip, fell
back, and closed his eyes.
There was little fear of the result, since the narcotic was equally
distributed. But, curious to see how it would operate, I raised myself
gently after a while, and looked around. It was about noon, and
perfectly still; and as we all daily took the siesta, I was not much
surprised to find everyone quiet. Still, in one or two instances, I
thought I detected a little peeping.
Presently, I heard a footstep, and saw Doctor Johnson approaching.
And perplexed enough did he look at the sight of his prostrate file of
patients, plunged, apparently, in such unaccountable slumbers.
“Daniel,” he cried, at last, punching in the side with his cane the
individual thus designated—“Daniel, my good fellow, get up! do you
hear?”
But Black Dan was immovable; and he poked the next sleeper.
“Joseph, Joseph! come, wake up! it’s me, Doctor Johnson.”
But Jingling Joe, with mouth open, and eyes shut, was not to be
started.
“Bless my soul!” he exclaimed, with uplifted hands and cane, “what’s
got into ’em? I say, men”—he shouted, running up and down—“come to
life, men! what under the sun’s the matter with you?” and he struck the
stocks, and bawled with increased vigour.
At last he paused, folded his hands over the head of his cane, and
steadfastly gazed upon us. The notes of the nasal orchestra were rising
and falling upon his ear, and a new idea suggested itself.
“Yes, yes; the rascals must have been getting boozy. Well, it’s none of
my business—I’ll be off;” and off he went.
No sooner was he out of sight, than nearly all started to their feet,
and a hearty laugh ensued.
Like myself, most of them had been watching the event from under a sly
eyelid. By this time, too, Doctor Long Ghost was as wide awake as
anybody. What were his reasons for taking laudanum,—if, indeed, he took
any whatever,—is best known to himself; and, as it is neither mine nor
the reader’s business, we will say no more about it.
- title
- Chunk 3