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 into an oath, which is sad enough for me, who am sexton, and so to say in small orders, of the Church of England as by law established."

By the time I had put down the gun and coaxed the candle again to light, Ratsey stepped into the cave. He wore a sou'-wester, and was dripping with wet, but seemed glad to see me and shook me by the hand. He was welcome enough to me also, for he banished the dreadful loneliness, and his coming was as a bit out of my old pleasant life that lay so far away, and seemed to bring me once more within reach of some that were dearest.