One fine summer evening Flashman had been regaling himself on gin-punch, at Brownsover; and, having exceeded his usual limits, started home uproarious.

He fell in with a friend or two coming back from bathing, proposed a glass of beer, to which they assented, the weather being hot, and they thirsty souls, and unaware of the quantity of drink which Flashman had already on board.

The short result was, that Flashey became beastly drunk.

They tried to get him along, but couldn't; so they chartered a hurdle and two men to carry him.

One of the masters came upon them, and they naturally enough fled.