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skin is! What a lava is bubbling in their veins! They are not men, they are lions; and they roar to lusty purpose.'
"'You must have tried a good many, I suppose?'
"'Scores of them; I enlisted for that, and I must say I did enjoy myself. Why, Viscount, your implement would only tickle me agreeably, if you could only keep it stiff long enough.'
"Then pointing to a broad flask that stood on the table,—'Why, that bottle there could, I think, be easily thrust in me, and only give me pleasure.'
"'Will you try?' said many voices.
"'Why not?'
"'No, you had better not,' quoth Dr. Charles, who had crept by my side.
"'Why, what is there to be afraid of?'
"'It is a crime against nature,' said the physician smiling.
"'In fact, it would be worse than buggery, it would be bottlery,' quoth Briancourt.
"For all answer the Spahi threw himself face upwards on the ledge of the couch, with
