sion, and the goods of the defaulter were sold by him to an extemporised assembly of purchasers on any day that suited the general convenience. The clerk so far submitted to legal restrictions that he did not run goods up but down; he began with an absurdly high figure, instead of one preposterously low.
When the cart and its contents and followers arrived at the Ray, the horse was taken out, and the vehicle was run against a rick of hay, into which the shafts were deeply thrust, so as to keep the cart upright, that it might serve as a rostrum for the auctioneer.
"We'll go and take stock first," said the clerk; "we've to raise twenty-five pounds for the debt and twenty shillings my costs. What is there to sell?"
"Wait a bit, gaffer," said the cattle jobber; "you're a trifle too quick. The old lady must demand the money first."
"I'm agoing to do so, Mr. Mellonie," said Mrs. De Witt; "you teach your grandmother to shell shrimps." Then, looking round on about twenty persons who had assembled, she said, "Follow me. Stay! here comes more. Oh! it is Elijah Rebow and his men come to see fair play. Come by water have you, Elijah? We are not going to sell anything of yours, you needn't fear."
She shouldered her umbrella like an oar, and strode to the house door. Mrs. Sharland was there, white and trembling.
"Have you got my money?" asked Mrs. De Witt.
"Oh, mistress," exclaimed the unfortunate widow, "do have pity and patience. Mehalah has just gone to get it."
"Gone to get it?" echoed Mrs. De Witt. "Why, where in the name of wonder does she expect to get it?"
"She has gone to Parson Tyll to borrow it."
"Then she won't get it," said the drover. "There's no money to be wrung out of empty breeches pockets."
"Let me into the house," said Mrs. De Witt. "Let us all see what you have got. There's a clock. Drag it out, and stick it up under the tree near the cart. That is worth a few pounds. And take that chair."
"It is my chair. I sit in it, and I have the ague so bad."
"Take the chair," persisted Mrs, De Witt, and Rebow's
