This conversation went on, every one speaking at once; but no one being able to think of any plausible message to send to Captain Corbet which should be true, and at the same time not disclose the actual facts. At last they concluded that it was impossible to make up such a message; and as the time was passing, they determined to send for him at all hazards. But who would go? Pat at once offered, much to the relief of all the others, who wanted to be on the spot when Captain Corbet arrived. Pat, however, was very good-natured, and didn’t at all mind the long walk, but promised to be back in an hour, along with Captain Corbet. “Don’t tell him about the schooner, unless you have to,” said Bruce. “Sure an what’ll I tell him, thin?” “O, tell him anything at all, so long as it’s the truth, and no humbug, you know. Just tell him in a general way something or other.” “Somethin or other in a gineral way?” repeated Pat. “Yes, something that’ll make him come down, you know; and don’t tell him about the schooner, unless you have to.” “Deed, thin, an I won’t. I’ll tell him somethin in gineral, an nothin in particular.” “But no humbug, you know.” “No--surely not; it’s mesilf that won’t.” And with these words Pat took himself off. XXIV. _Argument between Pat and Captain Corbet.--Meeting between Captain Corbet and the Antelope.--Pat alone with the Baby.--Corbet becomes an Exile, and vanishes into a Fog Bank._ PAT walked briskly, and in due time arrived at Captain Corbet’s house. He knocked at the door. “Come in,” said a voice. He entered, and found himself face to face with the one whom he wished to see. The aged navigator was seated near a cradle, gently tilting the rocker with his foot, and thus giving to it an easy and agreeable motion. There was a smile of peace on Corbet’s mild countenance, which deepened into a smile of welcome as he recognized Pat. “Why, how d’ye dew?” he exclaimed. “Railly, I’m delighted to see you. Take a cheer.” “Thank ye, kindly,” said Pat; “but it’s a hurry I’m in, and I’ve jist brought a message for you from the b’ys.” “The boys?” “Yis. They want you at the wharf.” “Me?” “Yis; it’s dyin to see you they are.” “The boys--dyin to see me at the wharf?” repeated Captain Corbet, slowly. “It’s that same they are doin, and they sint me to bring you down.” “Wal, that’s a pity, now,” said Captain Corbet. “I’m railly pained. I wish I could go. But you see the old ’oman’s out; gone to see a nevey of hern that’s jest took down with the influenzy, an I’m alone, an’ got to take car’ of the babby.” “Ah, sure now an ye must go,” said Pat, entreatingly. “Look at me; sure an didn’t I run all the way up from the wharf for ye.” “Wal, railly now, I’d do anythin to oblige the boys, but you see thar’s the babby, a delicate creatur, an’ the old ’oman away. But what do the boys want to see me for?” “Sure, an it’s for matthers av the greatest importance intoirely, so it is.”