handed fellows, Jim and Joe, what do they know of the value of those dogs? You will promise me, Mehalah, to be gentle with them. Put them in the foot of a pair of stockings and wrap the legs round them, and then perhaps they will travel. I wouldn't have them lose any more of their precious persons,—no, not for worlds,—not for worlds."
"I will take heed, mother."
"And mind and stuff my old nightcap,—the dirty one, I mean—and my bedsocks into the toad-jug, then it won't break. You'll promise me that, won't you? If that were injured, I'd as soon die as see it."
"I will use the utmost precaution with it."
"Then there are the soup plates, of Lowestoft. I had them of my father, and he had them of his grandmother; there's a dozen of them, and not a chip or a crack. True beauties as ever you saw, I think you'd best put them in the folds of some of my linen. Put them between the sheets, wide apart, in the spruce hutch."
"All right, mother; now hold hard, here we are."
The boat grated on the bottom, and then it was drawn up by a firm hand. Mehalah looked round and started. Elijah and two other men were there. Ehjah had stepped into the water, and pulled the boat ashore.
"Here we are. Glory!" he said, "waiting ready for you. The sheriff's officer with his warrant, all ready. You haven't kept us waiting long."
"What is that? What is that?" screamed Mrs. Sharland.
"Step out. Glory! step out, mistress!" said Elijah.
"What is the meaning of this?" asked Mehalah, a cloud suddenly darkening her sky and quenching the joy of her heart.
"I've a warrant against you, madam," said the man who stood by Rebow. "Please to read it." He held it out.
"What is this?" screamed Mrs. Sharland, rising in the boat and staggering forwards. Mehalah helped her on shore.
"This is what it is," answered Rebow. "You and Glory there are my tenants for the Ray. The farm is mine, with the marshes and the saltings. I gave eight
