"Oh, come in, my good fellow. No, no, don't shut the door in the dear doggie's face."
So in went Creggan and in went Oscar.
"I say," said Captain Leeward, a most pleasant-faced man, "I must ask you to bring this beautiful animal with you. I have a lovely black Newfoundland, and they will be excellent companions."
Had anyone handed Creggan a cheque for £10,000, he could not have been more delighted than he was at this moment.
Then in stalked the very dog the captain had mentioned. Creggan had never seen so noble a fellow before.
He appeared a little surprised at seeing another dog in the room, but as soon as Oscar went up and licked his ear—a dog's kiss—he took to him at once, and before Creggan left they both lay asleep together before the fire.
"I've heard all about you from Captain Flint himself—rather a tartar sometimes, but possessed of a right good heart. You must stay to supper, and we'll swap yarns, you know.
"By the way," he added, "do you know that your bold messmate, Dr. Grant, has been appointed to this ship?"
"I didn't know, but I feel so pleased!"
A very delightful evening Creggan spent, till nine o'clock, then he begged leave to go.