Part 9 (2/2)

”I failed for a moment to draw the tusk, but I drew forth a prolonged roar, that can by no means be conceived or described. The Irishman struggled. I held on tight to his head with my knees. The chair tottered on its legs. Letting go the hair of his head, I clapped my left hand to my right, and with both arms redoubled the strain. The roar rose into a terrible yowl. There was a crash like the rending of a forest tree. I dropped the instrument, sprang up, turned the chair on the top of the man, and cramming it down on him rushed to the door, which I threw open, and then faced about.

”There was a huge iron pestle lying on a table near my hand. Seizing it, I swayed it gently to and fro, ready to knock him down with it if he should rush at me, or to turn and fly, as should seem most advisable. I was terribly excited, and a good deal alarmed as to the possible consequences, but managed with much difficulty to look collected.

”The big chair was hurled into a corner as he rose sputtering from the floor, and holding his jaws with both hands.

”`Och! ye spalpeen, is that the way ye trait people?'

”`Yes,' I replied in a voice of forced calmness, `we usually put a restraint on strong men like you, when they're likely to be violent.'

”I saw the corners of his eyes wrinkle a little, and felt more confidence.

”`Arrah, but it's the jawbone ye've took out, ye goormacalluchscrowl!'

”`No, it isn't, it's only the tooth,' I replied, going forward and picking it up from the floor.

”The amazement of the man is not to be described. I gave him a tumbler of water, and, pointing to a basin, told him to wash out his mouth, which he did, looking at me all the time, however, and following me with his astonished eyes, as I moved about the room. He seemed to have been bereft of the power of speech; for all that he could say after that was, `Och! av yer small yer cliver!'

”On leaving he asked what was to pay. I said that I'd ask nothing, as he had stood it so well; and he left me with the same look of astonishment in his eyes and words of commendation on his lips.”

”Well, that _was_ a tremendous experience to begin with,” said Mr Durant, laughing; ”and so it made you a doctor?”

”It helped. When my father came home I presented him with the tooth, and from that day to this I have been hard at work; but I feel a little seedy just now from over-study, so I have resolved to try to get a berth as surgeon on board a s.h.i.+p bound for India, Australia, China, or South America, and, as you are a s.h.i.+powner and old friend, I thought it just possible you might be not only willing but able to help me to what I want.”

”And you thought right, Stanney, my boy,” said the old gentleman heartily; ”I have a s.h.i.+p going to sail for India in a few weeks, and we have not yet appointed a surgeon. You shall have that berth if it suits you.”

At this point they were interrupted by the entrance of a servant maid with the announcement that there was a man in the lobby who wished to see Mr Durant.

”I'll be back shortly,” said the old gentleman to Stanley as he rose; ”go to the drawing-room, girls, and give Mr Hall some music. You'll find that my Katie sings and plays very sweetly, although she won't let me say so. f.a.n.n.y joins her with a fine contralto, I believe, and Queeker, too, he sings--a--a what is it, Queeker?--a ba.s.s or a baritone--eh?”

Without waiting for a reply, Mr Durant left the room, and found Morley Jones standing in the lobby, hat in hand.

The old gentleman's expression changed instantly, and he said with much severity--

”Well, Mr Jones, what do _you_ want?”

Morley begged the favour of a private interview for a few minutes.

After a moment's hesitation, Mr Durant led him into his study.

”Another loan, I suppose?” said the old gentleman, as he lit the gas.

”I had expected to have called to pay the last loan, sir,” replied Mr Jones somewhat boldly, ”but one can't force the market. I have my sloop down here loaded with herrings, and if I chose to sell at a loss, could pay my debt to you twice over; but surely it can scarcely be expected of me to do that. I hear there is a rise in France just now, and mean to run over there with them. I shall be sure to dispose of 'em to advantage. On my return, I'll pay your loan with interest.”

Morley Jones paused, and Mr Durant looked at him attentively for a few seconds.

”Is this all you came to tell me?”

”Why, no sir, not exactly,” replied Jones, a little disconcerted by the stern manner of the old gentleman. ”The sloop is not quite filled up, she could stow a few more casks, but I have been cleaned out, and unless I can get the loan of forty or fifty pounds--”

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