that I should be flayed like a wild cat; and threaten all kinds of vengeance, if I didn't receive them?"
"I don't know about that," returned the captain. "But when our people's frills is out, they 're starched up pretty stiff, I tell you!"
With that, he fell into the rear to walk with Mark, while Martin and Elijah Pogram went on to the National.
"We've come back alive, you see!" said Mark.
"It ain't the thing I did expect," the captain grumbled. "A man ain't got no right to be a public man, unless he meets the public views. Our fashionable people wouldn't have attended his le-vee, if they had know'd it."
Nothing mollified the captain, who persisted in taking it very ill that they had not both died in Eden. The boarders at the National felt strongly on the subject too; but it happened by good fortune that they had not much time to think about this grievance, for it was suddenly determined to pounce upon the Honourable Elijah Pogram, and give him a le-vee forthwith.
As the general evening meal of the house was over before the arrival of the boat, Martin, Mark, and Pogram, were taking tea and fixings at the public table by themselves, when the deputation entered, to announce this honour: consisting of six gentlemen boarders, and a very shrill boy.
"Sir!" said the spokesman.
"Mr. Pogram!" cried the shrill boy.
The spokesman thus reminded of the shrill boy's presence, introduced him. "Doctor Ginery Dunkle, Sir. A gentleman of great poetical elements. He has recently jined us here, Sir, and is an acquisition to us, Sir, I do assure you. Yes, Sir. Mr. Jodd, Sir. Mr. Izzard, Sir. Mr. Julius Bib, Sir."
"Julius Washington Merryweather Bib," said the gentleman himself to himself
"I beg your pardon, Sir. Ex-cuse me. Mr. Julius Washington Merryweather Bib, Sir; a gentleman in the lumber line, Sir, and much esteemed. Colonel Groper, Sir. Pro-fessor Piper, Sir. My own name, Sir, is Oscar Buffum."
Each man took one slide forward as he was named butted at the Honourable Elijah Pogram with his head; shook hands, and slid back again. The introductions being completed, the spokesman resumed.
"Sir!"
"Mr. Pogram!" cried the shrill boy.
"Perhaps," said the spokesman, with a hopeless look, "you will be so good, Doctor Ginery Dunkle, as to charge yourself with the execution of our little office, Sir?"
As there was nothing the shrill boy desired more, he immediately stepped forward.
"Mr. Pogram! Sir! A handful Of your fellow citizens, Sir, hearing Of your arrival at the National Hotel; and feeling the patriotic character Of your public services; wish, Sir, to have the gratification Of beholding you; and mixing with you, Sir; and unbending with you. Sir, in those moments which—"
