He was a short, thick-set, red-faced man, with whiskers running all round in a “sea dog” sort of fashion, checked shirt, and canvas trousers, which bore numerous marks made by tar. His waistcoat was unbuttoned, so as to give free play to the organs of his manly chest. He had no coat, and, for that matter, no boots. In point of fact, he was in his stocking feet. His grizzled hair and beard showed him to belong to the elderly class of mankind; but his stout, sturdy frame and bluff countenance exhibited no decay of strength. “Lost yer way?” said he, as he caught sight of them. “Wal, come in, any how. We’ll talk it over. Walk in, all on ye, the whole fifty of ye, for that matter. Ole Bennie Grigg can find room for ye. Walk in, walk in.” “But where are we?” asked the doctor. “What place is this?” “What place? Haw, haw, haw! What! don’t you even know the place? Haw, haw, haw! Why, this here place is Scott’s Bay!” XVII. _Old Bennie and Mrs. Bennie.--Old-fashioned Hospitality.--What old Bennie was able to spread before his famished Guests.--A Night on a Hay-mow.--A secluded Village.--A Morning Walk.--Behind Time.--Hurrah, Boys!_ SCOTT’S BAY! The emotions of the doctor and all his party, on hearing that name, can better be imagined than described. At first they could scarcely believe it; but finally, seeing that they knew nothing at all about it, and that Bennie Grigg, as he called himself, might be supposed to know where he was living, they were forced to admit the truth of the amazing statement. But Bennie gave them no time for wonder. He forced them all to come in, and ushered them into a large room, where a bright wood fire was blazing upon an ample hearth. Here his wife received the unexpected guests. She was a quiet, quaint, comfortable body, fit helpmeet for Bennie, and received them in the most cordial maimer. With the true spirit of hospitality, Bennie forbore from asking any question, but devoted his whole energies towards making his guests comfortable. He pulled forward an old-fashioned settee, drew forth the quaint, old, high-backed chairs, and soon had a circle of seats arranged around the fire, where all could be accommodated. After this his wife spread the cloth over a large table, and began to make preparations for a repast. “You’ll be fairly starving?” said Bennie to the doctor, interrogatively. The doctor acknowledged that they were hungry, but begged Bennie not to put himself out. Bread, and butter, and milk were all that they wanted. At this Bennie laughed, and Mrs. Bennie laughed also, and the latter busied herself in getting ready the repast. While Mrs. Bennie was thus employed, Mr. Bennie assisted her, and, at the same time, urged his guests to make themselves comfortable. So they talked with one another around the fire, and at length relapsed into silence. The fact is, they were all awfully hungry. At last the table was spread. And such a spread!