his up there, chuck that over with the rest, and let the gull have the opening and examination of the contents."
There was nothing for it but compliance, if Elijah wished to speak on the object of his visit. The old man was in an excited condition which would not allow him to compose his mind till his caprices were attended to, and his orders carried out. Rebow accordingly went upstairs and emptied the room of all evidences of its having been occupied. There was a discharge of boots, brush, clothes, pipes, into the garden, at which Pettican rubbed his hands and clucked like a fowl.
Rebow returned to the parlour, and the old shipbuilder was profuse in his thanks. "Now," said he, "run the flag up. You haven't done that yet. Then come and have a glass of spirits. There is some of the whisky left, not many bottles, but there is some, and not locked up, for Admonition thought she had me safe when she hoisted my crutches up the mast-head. Go now and let the bunting float as of old in my halcyon days." This was also done; the wind took, unfurled, and flapped the Union Jack, and the old man crowed with delight, and swung his arms.
"That is right. I haven't seen it fly for many months; not since I was married. Now that girl, I forget her name, oh! I have it here—Mehalah—will see it, and come to the rescue. Do you know her?
"What, Glory?"
"That ain't her name. Her name is—is—Mehalah."
"We call her Glory. She is the girl. I know her," he laughed and his eyes glittered. He set his teeth.
Charles Pettican looked at him, and thought he had never seen a more forbidding countenance. He was frightened, and asked hastily, "Who are you?"
"I am Elijah Rebow, of Red Hall."
"I don't know you or the place."
"I am in Salcot and Virley. You know it by name."
"Oh! perhaps I do. My memory is not what it once was. I get so put out by my wife's whimsies that I can't collect my faculties all at once. I think I may have heard of you, but I haven't met you before."
