ntlemen," said Lanty, "and I see that one of
his wandering fits is comin' on him now."

"What is the reason," said Captain Bredin--for such was the rank of
the person he called Dick--"why is it that there is not a physician in
attendance?"

"He would not let one of the thieves near him," replied Lanty, "for
fraid they'd kill him."

"That is true," observed Val; "he always entertained a strong antipathy
against them, and would consult none."

"Did Solomon M'Slime come?" he inquired.

"Here's a foot on the stairs," said Lanty, "maybe it's he--" and Lanty
was right, for he had scarcely spoken when the worthy attorney entered.

"Solomon, you sleek, hypocritical rascal," said he, "I do not forget
you; read that paper; you will find at the bottom of it these words,
on one side, 'sworn before me, this'--no matter about the day--signed
'Randal Deaker;' and on the other, 'Susanna Bamet.' Solomon, I could not
die happily without this hit at you. Your hypocrisy is known,--ha,
ha, ha! Come, d--n me; I never lived a hypocrite, and I won't die one.
Lanty, you imp, the brandy."

"I'll only give him a little," said the lad, looking and nodding at
them.

"Come, then, 'the Glorious, Pious, and Immortal Memory!'--hip--ah, lay
me down--hi-p-p-p!"

He now closed his eyes for some time, and it was observed that strange
and fearful changes came over his face. Sometimes he laughed,
and sometimes he groaned, and, indeed, no words could express the
indescribable horror which fell upon those present, or, at least, upon
most of them, as the stillness of the room was from time to time broken
by the word--"damnation" pronounced in the low and hollow voice of
approaching death.

Solomon, who had glanced at the affiliating affidavit made by Susanna,
was the first to break the silence.

"In truth, my friends," said he, "I fear it is not good to be here;
and were it not that I am anxious to witness what is rarely seen, a
reprobate and blasphemous death-bed, I would depart even now."

After some time Deaker called out--"Help me up, Lanty; here, help me up,
you whelp."

Lanty immediately did so, and aided him to sit nearly upright in the
bed.

"The tumbler, Lanty--Lanty, my lad, 'let us eat, drink, and be mer--ry,
for to-mor--row we die;' here's the glor--, pio--, and immor--I,
memo--, hi-p, hi-p-p! And now I swore th--at I wo--uld die whistling it,
and by that oath I will." He then looked around, and seemed to recover
himself a little