"The meaning of the magistrate's gesture," continued the padre, "is as follows. My good youth, if I declare you innocent and free, you are a seaman on board the Beaver and go to the northwest coast, to shovel coals and have yourself bullied by that Complete Swine Captain David Home.
"Or if I get the doctor here to take you on the permanent staff of the Fort, you come under the spiritual ministrations of the Holy Beaver, which stirs up mud with its tail instead of using it as a trowel and building dams to keep out Satan withal.
"And if I commit you to take your trial as a mouse in the Public Mousetrap, which is very bad for mice——"
"That's what he done!" cried Storm indignantly.
"But for the wunk," explained the padre, "yes; albeit, dear Brethren-in-the-singular, you will take to the woods, and presently get yourself devoured by a very fierce bear——"
"A real bear," said Rain very gravely.
"Because you don't know how to shoot."
"I do!" cried Storm.
"Not to hit, my son."
"I see." Storm showed dismay, and relapsed into gloomy attention.