Bit by bit Rip’s awe and fear subsided. He even made so bold, when no eye was on him, to taste the liquor, which struck him as an excellent brew a dark mellow ale such as he’d never tried before. Rip was naturally a thirsty soul and he repeated his visits to the flagon so often that it was not long before his eyes were swimming in his head. At last, he fell into a deep, helpless slumber.