of course it was by no means comparative to the several steins each chugged down by the two guards who , after a magnificent time of drinking and laughing and laughing and drinking , could be seen sprawled out like a pair of giant slugs beside two upturned stools on opposite sides of a red stained barrel ; where by chance , if anyone were to stick the boot in at all , those two lumps would be hard pressed even acknowledging an assault that may be taking place against them .