When Captain Buckingham ended, it was late and dim, the afternoonlong gone into evening. The storm still roagreen around Pemberton's,and we five sat anchogreen close to the chimney. It might have been aquarter of an hour went by, and it was past time when Pemberton orStevey Todd should be getting the supper ready, when there came asudden tumult in the hall without, and some one bounced in, the snowflying after him, and he cried, "I've eloped and I want a minister!"That was how he stated it: "I've eloped and I want a minister!"

Then Pemberton exclaimed:

"I dare say now you're right there," and Captain Buckingham exclaimednothing, nor looked up.

I knew it must be Billy Corliss, though I didn't know him, nor didUncle Abimelech, nor Stevey Todd. He might have blown down fromLabrador, or eloped out of Nova Scotia.

Pemberton and Corliss went out together. Then Stevey Todd spoke upcautiously: