Captain Daniel rose, his honest face flushing with pleasure. “Faith, Mr. Jones,” he cried, when John Paul had finished one of his elaborate bows, “this is well met, indeed. I have been longing these many years for a chance to press your hand, and in the names of those who are dead and gone to express my gratitude.”
“I have my reward now, captain,” replied John Paul; “a sight of you is to have Richard's whole life revealed. And what says Mr. Congreve?
“'For blessings ever wait on virtuous deeds,
And tho' a late, a sure reward succeeds.'
“Tho' I would not have you believe that my deed was virtuous. And you, who know Richard, may form some notion of the pleasure I had out of his companionship.”
I hastened to present my friend to the other gentlemen, who welcomed him with warmth, though they could not keep their amusement wholly out of their faces.
“Mr. Jones is now the possessor of an estate in Virginia, sirs,” I explained.
“And do you find it more to your taste than seafaring, Mr. Jones?” inquired Mr. Chase.
This brought forth a most vehement protest, and another quotation.
“Why, sir,” he cried, “to be
'Fixed like a plant on his peculiar spot,
To draw nutrition, propagate, and rot,'