As Rip approached, the men suddenly set aside their play, and stared at him with such fixed, harsh eyes that his heart turned over and his knees knocked together. His guide now emptied the contents of the stout keg into several flagons and made sings to Rip to pour drinks out for the assembled company. He did so in fear and trembling. The men drank the liquor in an eerie silence and then went back to their game.