eld out his hand mechanically and gazed at his tenant
unbelievingly, while the major said--

"Glad to see ye, cap'n, I guess. Wanted to for a long time. Couldn't
come to terms with old Thompson. Won't you step in and take a cocktail
or a gin-sling? I'd like to have a private talk--this way."

The landlord of the _Roving Bess_ Tavern led the captain to what was
once his own cabin, and begged him to be seated on his own locker at the
head of his own table. He accepted these civilities, staring round him
in mute wonder all the time, as if he thought it was a dream, out of
which he should wake in due course, while, from all parts of the tavern,
came sounds of mirth, and clatter of knives and forks and dishes, and
odours of gin-slings and bear-steaks and pork-pies.

"Jist sit there a minute," said the Yankee, "till I see to your friends
bein' fixed off comfortable; of course, Mr Collins may stay, for he
knows all about it."

When he was gone, the captain rose and looked into his old berth. It
had been converted into a pantry, so he shut the door quickly and
returned to his seat.

"Tom," said he, in a low whisper, as if he feared to break the spell,
"how _did_ they get her up here!"

"She's never been moved since you left her," answered Tom, laughing;
"the town has gradually surrounded her, as you see, and crept out upon
the shore, filling up the sea with rubbish, till it has left her nearly
a quarter of a mile inland."

The captain's eyes opened wider than ever, but before he could find
words again to speak, Major Whitlaw returned.

"They're all square now, gentlemen, so, if you please, we'll proceed to
business. I suppose your friend has told you how the land lies?"

"He certainly has," replied the captain, who accepted the phrase
literally.

"Wall, I reckon your property's riz since ye wor here; now, if you give
me leave to make the alterations I want to, I'll give you 1000 dollars a
month, payable in advance."

"You'd better tell Captain Bunting what the alterations you refer to
are," suggested Tom Collins, who saw that the captain's state of mind
rendered him totally incapable of transacting business.

"That's soon done. I'll give it ye slick off. I want to cut away the
companion-hatch and run up a regular stair to the deck; then it's
advisable to cut away at least half o' the main deck to heighten the
gamin' saloon. But I guess the main point is to knock out half-a-dozen
windows in the hold, for