asked Anne . `` He 's a bachelor . But if he had a wife I reckon she could n't make him break that vow . That family of Elliotts has always been more stubborn than natteral . Marshall 's brother Alexander had a dog he set great store by , and when it died the man actilly wanted to have it buried in the graveyard , ` along with the other Christians , ' he said . Course , he was n't allowed to ; so he buried it just outside the graveyard fence , and never darkened the church door again . But Sundays he 'd drive his family to church and sit by that dog 's grave and read his Bible all the time service was going on . They say when he was dying he asked his wife to bury him beside the dog ; she was a meek little soul but she fired up at THAT . She said SHE was n't going to be buried beside no dog , and if he 'd rather have his last resting place beside the dog than beside her , jest to say so . Alexander Elliott was a stubborn mule , but he was fond of his wife , so he give in and said , ` Well , durn it , bury me where you please . But when Gabriel 's trump blows I expect my dog to rise with the rest of us , for he had as much soul as any durned Elliott or Crawford or MacAllister that ever strutted . ' Them was HIS parting words . As for Marshall , we 're all used to him , but he must strike strangers as right down peculiar-looking . I 've known him ever since he was ten -- he 's about fifty now -- and I like him . Him and me was out cod-fishing today . That 's about all I 'm good for now -- catching trout and cod occasional . But ` twere n't always so -- not by no manner of means . I used to do other things , as you 'd admit if you saw my life-book . '' Anne was just going to ask what his life-book was when the First Mate created a diversion by springing upon Captain Jim 's knee . He was a gorgeous beastie , with a face as round as a full moon , vivid green eyes , and immense , white , double paws .
Captain XXXXX stroked his velvet back gently .
Alexander Anne Christians Elliotts Gabriel Jim MacAllister beastie cod-fishing right