Captain, as the minister was helped up to the deck by
the mates.

"The Storm King! Why I was told that it was an English frigate, just
come into port," said the minister in a surprised voice.

"The messenger must have made a mistake," replied the Captain coolly.
"You know that landsmen always do get things mixed.

"Well, as I am here, no matter. Show me the dying man."

"Walk down into the cabin," said the Captain politely.

Entering the cabin which was well lighted, Master Raymond stepped
forward, "I am happy to see you, Master Mather. You remember me, do you
not?"

"Master Raymond, I believe," returned the minister coldly. "Where is the
dying man who requires my spiritual ministrations?"

"Dying!" laughed the Captain. "How strangely that fellow got things
mixed. I said dying to get married--did I not, Master Raymond?"

"Of course you did--that is, after you had explained yourself."

Master Mather's face looked blank, he did not know what to make of it.

"In truth, Master Mather," said the young Englishman, "I was under the
necessity of getting married this evening; and, thinking over the
worshipful ministers of Boston town, I singled you out as the one I
should prefer to officiate on the happy occasion."

"I decline to have anything to do with it," said Master Mather
indignantly, turning on his heel, and going to the door of the cabin.
But here a muscular sailor, with a boarding pike, promptly forbade his
passage by putting the pike across the door way.

"What do you mean by barring my way in this manner?" said the minister
in great wrath to the captain. "Have you no reverence for the law?"

"Not a particle for Boston law," replied Captain Tolley. "The only law
recognized on board the Storm King is the command of its Captain. You
have been brought here to marry these two young friends of mine; and you
will not leave the vessel before you do it--if I have to take you with
us all the way to China."

Master Mather pondered the matter for a moment. "This is too informal,
there are certain preliminaries that are necessary in such cases."

"Advisable--but I am told not absolutely necessary," replied Master
Raymond.

"Wait then for an hour or two; and we shall be on the high seas--and out
of any jurisdiction," added Captain Tolley.

"Who is this maiden? Who gives her away?" asked the minister.

"This maiden is Mistress Dulcibel Burton," said Master Raymond, taking
her by the hand.

"She is an orphan;