“Thank you, Uncle Reuben.  Don’t you be the least distressed.  I can do what is required to be done, and do it in a manner that shall give satisfaction, too,” said Ishmael.

“You! you, my boy! could you do that everlasting big botheration of a job?”

“Yes, and do it well, I hope.”

“Why, I don’t believe the professor himself could!” exclaimed Gray, in incredulous astonishment.

“Nor I, either,” laughed Ishmael; “but I know that I can.”

“But, my boy, it is such a task!”

“I should like it, of all things, Uncle Reuben!  You could not give me a greater treat than the privilege of overhauling all those books and putting them in order and making the catalogue,” said the youth eagerly.

And besides he was going to Claudia’s house!

Reuben looked more and more astonished as Ishmael went on; but Hannah spoke up: 

“You may believe him, Reuben!  He is book-mad; and it is my opinion, that when he gets into that musty old library, among the dusty books, he will fancy himself in heaven.”

Reuben looked from the serious face of Hannah to the smiling eyes of Ishmael, and inquired doubtfully: 

“Is that the truth, my boy?”

“Something very near it, Uncle Reuben,” answered Ishmael.

“Very well, my lad,” exclaimed the greatly relieved overseer, gleefully slapping his knees, “very well! as sure as you are horn, you shall go to your heaven.”

CHAPTER XXXIX.

ISHMAEL IN TANGLEWOOD.

  Into a forest far, they thence him led
  Where stood the mansion in a pleasant glade,
  With great hills round about environed
  And mighty woods which did the valley shade,
  And like a stately theater it made,
  Spreading itself into a spacious plain,
  And in the midst a little river played
  Amongst the pumy stones which seemed to ’plain
  With gentle murmur that his course they did restrain.

  —­Spenser.

The next morning Ishmael Worth went down to the shore, carrying’ a spy-glass to look out for the “Canvas Back.”  There was no certainty about the passing of these sailing packets; a dead calm or a head wind might delay them for days and even weeks; but on this occasion there was no disappointment and no delay, the wind had been fair and the little schooner was seen flying before it up the river.  Ishmael seated himself upon the shore and drew a book from his pocket to study while he waited for the arrival of the schooner.  In less than an hour she dropped anchor opposite the landing, and sent off a large boat laden with boxes, and rowed by four stout seamen.  As they reached the sands Ishmael blew a horn to warn Reuben Gray of their arrival.

Three or four times the boat went back and forth between the schooner and the shore, each time bringing a heavy load.  By the time the last load was brought and deposited upon the beach, Reuben Gray arrived at the spot with his team.  The sailors received a small gratuity from Gray and returned to the schooner, which immediately raised anchor and continued her way up the river.