was him. And he seemed to
feel it, and know it too, for there was a kind of look o' triumph about
him, as if he had conquered the Evil One, and was considerable well
satisfied with himself.

"'H'are you,' sais I, 'Elder, to-day? Which way are you from?"

"'From the General Christian Assembly, sais he, 'to Goose Creek. We had
a "_most refreshin' time on't_." There was a great "_outpourin' of the
spirit_."'

"'Well, that's awful,' says I, 'too. The magistrates ought to see to
that; it ain't right, when folks assemble that way to worship, to be
a-sellin' of rum; and gin, and brandy, and spirits, is it?'

"'I don't mean that,' sais he, 'although, p'rhaps, there was too much of
that wicked traffic too, I mean the preachin'. It was very peeowerful;
there was "_many sinners saved_."

"'I guess there was plenty of room for it,' sais I, 'onless that
neighbourhood has much improved since I knowed it last.'

"'It's a sweet thing,' sais he. 'Have you ever "_made profession_," Mr.
Slick?'

"'Come,' sais I to myself, 'this is cuttin' it rather too fat. I must
put a stop to this. This ain't a subject for conversation with such a
cheatin', cantin', hippocrytical skunk as this is. Yes,' sais I, 'long
ago. My profession is that of a clockmaker, and I make no pretension
to nothin' else. But come, let's water our hosses here and liquor
ourselves.'

"And we dismounted, and gave 'em a drop to wet their mouths.

"'Now,' sais I, a-takin' out of a pocket-pistol that I generally
travelled with, 'I think I'll take a drop of grog;' and arter helpin'
myself, I gives the silver cover of the flask a dip in the brook, (for
a clean rinse is better than a dirty wipe, any time), and sais I, 'Will
you have a little of the "_outpourin' of the spirit?_" What do you say,
Elder?'

"'Thank you,' sais he, 'friend Slick. I never touch liquor, it's agin
our rules.'

"And he stooped down and filled it with water, and took a mouthful, and
then makin' a face like a frog afore he goes to sing, and swellin' his
cheeks out like a Scotch bagpiper, he spit it all out. Sais he, 'That
is so warm, it makes me sick; and as I ain't otherwise well, from the
celestial exhaustion of a protracted meetin', I believe I will take a
little drop, as medicine.'

"Confound him! if he'd a said he'd only leave a little drop, it would a
been more like the thing; for he e'en a'most emptied the whole into the
cup, and drank it off clean, without winkin'.

"'It's a "_very re