aid a voice behind the Dominie. It
was that of old Tom, who had just come from the cabin. The Dominie
turned round, and perceived old Tom.

"This is old Tom, sir," said I to the Dominie, who stared with
astonishment.

"Art thou, indeed? Jacob, thou didst not tell me that he had been
curtailed of his fair proportions, and I was surprised. Art thou then
Dux?" continued the Dominie, addressing old Tom.

"Yes," interrupted young Tom, who had come from forward, "he is _ducks_,
because he waddles on his short stumps; and I won't say who be goose.
Eh, father?"

"Take care you don't _buy goose_, for your imperance, sir," cried old
Tom.

"A forward boy," exclaimed the Dominie.

"Yes," replied Tom "I'm generally forward."

"Art thou forward in thy learning? Canst thou tell me Latin for goose?"

"To be sure," replied Tom; "Brandy."

"Brandy!" exclaimed the Dominie. "Nay, child, it is _anser_."

"Then I was right," replied Tom. "You had your _answer_!"

"The boy is apt." _Cluck cluck_.

"He is apt to be devilish saucy, old gentleman; but never mind that,
there's no harm in him."

"This, then, is young Tom, I presume, Jacob?" said the Dominie,
referring to me.

"Yes, sir," replied I. "You have seen old Tom, and young Tom, and you
have only to see Tommy."

"Want to see Tommy, sir?" cried Tom. "Here, Tommy, Tommy!"

But Tommy, who was rather busy with a bone forward, did not immediately
answer to his call, and the Dominie turned round to survey the river.
The scene was busy, barges and boats passing in every direction, others
lying on shore, with waggons taking out the coals and other cargoes, men
at work, shouting or laughing with each other. "`_Populus in fluviis_,'
as Virgil hath it. Grand indeed is the vast river, `_Labitur et labetur
in omne volubilis aevum_,' as the generations of men are swept into
eternity," said the Dominie, musing aloud. But Tommy had now made his
appearance, and Tom, in his mischief, had laid hold of the tail of the
Dominie's coat, and shown it to the dog. The dog, accustomed to seize a
rope when it was shown to him, immediately seized the Dominie's coat,
making three desperate tugs at it. The Dominie, who was in one of his
reveries, and probably thought it was I who wished to direct his
attention elsewhere, each time waved his hand, without turning round, as
much as to say, "I am busy now."

"Haul and hold," cried Tom to the dog, splitting his sides, and the
tears runni