I'd show them who was husky and chesty, who had the vitality and the constitution, the stomach and the head, who could make most of a swine of himself and show it least.

These unlicked cubs who thought they could out-drink ME! You see, it was an endurance test, and no man likes to give another best.
Faugh! it was steam beer.

I had learned more expensive brews.

Not for years had I drunk steam beer; but when I had, I had drunk with men, and I guessed I could show these youngsters some ability in beer-guzzling.

And the drinking began, and I had to drink with the best of them.