, long time. Come, tell me, did you see
Sir Walter's children, Captain? Oliver, he is the first-born, a noble
boy? Then,--I forget their names; but I know there is neither a Herbert
nor a Robert among them. Alas! there are good reasons why it should so
be. I think Richard Cromwell stood godfather to the eldest."

"Richard Cromwell!" repeated Springall, in a tone of contempt.

"He was wise, though; he felt that he had not his father's talents,
consequently could not maintain his father's power," observed Robin.

"Master Hays," inquired Springall, wisely avoiding any topic likely to
excite political difference, "you are an oracle, and can tell me what
has become of my worthy friend, that most excellent compounder of
confections, Solomon Grundy?"

"Poor Solomon!" replied Robin, "he accompanied the family after Sir
Robert's death,--which was lingering enough, to set forth more brightly
the virtues of both daughter and nephew,--to London, and was choked by
devouring too hastily a French prawn! Poor Solomon! it was as natural
for him so to die as for a soldier to fall on the field of battle."

"So it was," replied the seaman; "but having discussed the events and
the persons with whom we had most to do in past years, let us, before
entering on other subjects, fill a bumper to the health of my long
cherished, and, despite his faults, my trusty beloved friend--the OLD
BUCCANEER! Much has he occupied my thoughts, and it joys me to find him,
and leave him, where an old man ought to be--in the bosom of his true
and beautiful family. We have all faults," continued the officer,
somewhat moved by the good sherris and his own good feeling--"for it's a
well-written log that has no blots; but hang it, as I said before, I
never could spin a yarn like my friend Robin here, either from the
wheel, which I mean to typify the head--or the distaff, which, be it
understood, signifies the heart: So here goes--" and, with a trembling
hand, and a sparkling eye, the generous Springall drained the deep
tankard, to the health of his first sea friend.

"It is not seemly in woman to drink of strong waters or glowing wine,"
said Barbara, whose tearful eyes rested upon the time-worn features of
her father: "but, God knows, my heart is often so full of grateful
thanks, that I lack words to speak my happiness; and I have need of
constant watchfulness to prevent the creature from occupying the place
of the Creator. My father has sometimes hours of bitte