if he is at a distance from any town where he can obtain medical

attendance, and surrounded only by ignorant natives. I was myself at one

time down with fever for six weeks in a native hut, and during that time I

would have given pretty nearly all that I was worth for the sight of a

white face and the sound of an English voice. As to the fact that it is

possible that the lad might catch fever, or be killed in an affray with

natives, that must, of course, be faced; but as a sailor he runs the risk

of shipwreck, or of being washed overboard, or killed by a falling spar.

Everything considered, I think the idea of his going with you is a good

one. I don't suppose that many guardians would be of the same opinion, but

I have been so many years knocking about in one part of the world or

another, that I don't look at things in the same light as men who have

never been out of England."

 

"I am glad you see it in that way, sir. I own that it would be a great

satisfaction to have him with me. He certainly would be a cheery

companion, and I should say that he is as hard as nails, and can stand as

much fatigue and hardship as myself. Besides, there is no doubt that in

case of any trouble two men are better than one."

 

"I cannot advance any money out of the thousand pounds that will come to

him when he is of age. By your father's will it was ordered that, in the

event of his own death before that time, the interest was to accumulate.

Your father foresaw that, like you, probably Bertie would take to the sea,

and as the amount would be fully two thousand pounds by the time he comes

of age, it would enable him to buy a share in any ship that he might, when

he passed his last examination, command; but I will myself draw a cheque

for a hundred pounds, which will help towards meeting expenses. I feel

myself to some extent responsible for this expedition. I somewhat regret

now having ever spoken to you on the subject, for I cannot conceal from

myself that the chance of your making a discovery, where the Spaniards,

with all their power of putting pressure on the natives for the past two

or three hundred years, have failed, is so slight as to be scarcely worth

consideration.

 

"I tell you frankly that I broached the subject chiefly because I thought

it was much better for you to be doing something than kicking your heels

about London, and mooning over this affair with Miss Fortescue. There is

nothing worse for a young man than living in London with just enough to

keep him comfortably without the necessity of working. Therefore I thought

you would be far better travelling and hunting for treasure in Peru, than

staying here. Even if you fail, as I feel is almost certain, in the object

for which you go out, you will have plenty to occupy your thoughts, and

not be dwelling continually upon an attachment which in all probability

will not turn out satisfactorily. I do not suppose that you are likely to

forget Miss Fortescue, but by the time you return you will have accustomed

yourself to the thought that it is useless to cry for the moon, and that,