somethin' to spare. Besides, the boat ort to be lighter
to row well. So, as passengers don't count along of able-bodied seamen,
I move we just get rid of the major on economical principles. All in
favor say "Ay;" and they all said "ay" except the major, an' he just
turned as white as a sheet.' An' then my great-uncle asked him if he'd
got anything to say why the resolution o' that meetin' shouldn't be
carried out. Well, the major just grinned kind o' uggly, an' said that
'he liked to see things done methodistically, if it were a little
irregular, an' he'd give his 'pinion after the rest.' So my uncle went
on, an' said, 'All contrary say, "No."' Well, no one said 'no;' an' then
my great-uncle said, 'Well, major, nothin' remains but to carry out our
resolution; so please to vacate this boat; although, seein' as it's not
dinner time for some hours yet, there's no need of hurry, unless you
wish to have it over with.'

"'But,' says the major, 'your action is altogether unparlymentary. You
haven't heard a word from _my_ friends.'

"'Friends! there ain't any one here on your side o' the question.'

"'You're mistaken, my friend,' said the major; an' he drew from his belt
a long Indian dagger that had been hid under his coat; 'there's one, any
how.'

"'That ain't much account against a boat-hook,' said one of the men, as
he took one with a sharp spike from beneath the gunwale.

"'Lay that down, you beggar!' cried the little red-coat; and he pulled
out of each side-pocket a four-barreled pistol,--for there were no
revolvers in them days,--and the man laid down the boat-hook as quick as
a flash. 'Now, men,' said the little ossifer, 'you'll see that we number
at least ten, and there's only six of you. Ah, here's to make us a
little more ekil;' and he just fired at a noddy that was flying over,
and dropped him right into the stern-sheets. 'That'll help out our
rations some,' says he; 'and besides, you don't see what I'm sittin'
on;' and, sure enough, he had histed into the boat a basket of port an'
a whole case of cap'n's biscuit. 'Now,' says he, 'reconsider your
vardick.'

"An' they all voted down the first resolution, and he gave them a bottle
of port to mix with their water every day, and when they were drinking
the last bottle, they made Silly Bes, and got ashore all right; but my
uncle always said that his calculations was right, and that it showed
great weakness on the part of the men not to carry them out."

"Well, Hu