We and the World: A Book for Boys. Part I

, three,

planning our future we planned to stick together, "Like t

e help of his relative, so he did not care to make the return voyage. The captain did not offer the berth to me, but he was very kind, and returned my money, and gave us a writte

flowers growing wild; and though we were not botanical, like Charlie, we had made ourselves very hot with gathering nosegays by the time that Dennis summoned us to sit down and talk seriously over our affairs. Our place of council was by the side of a lake, which reflected a sky more blue than I had ever seen. It stretched out of sight, and all about it were pines-pines. It was very lovely, and ver

een more than half inclined to give old Barney and the hooker the slip, and take his luck with the outward bound. And now he was here, and no blame for it, why would he hurry home? The race of the O'Moores was not likely to become extinct for the loss of him, at the worst; and the Squire wouldn't grudge him a few months' diversion and a peep at the wide world. Far from

ing only too thankful for such companions in my wanderings. I said so, and added th

ad never told us his history, and of course we had not asked for it; but on this occasion some of it crept out. His father had been the minister of a country parish in Scotland, but he had died young, and Alister had been reared in povert

he described as "a guid man, and verra canny, but hard on the failings of the young." What youthful failings in our comrade had helped to

r the sting of this man's reproaches that th

tial tones; and then he added, with a flash

r black hair was in a loose knot on her back, she wore a curious skull-cap of black cloth embroidered with beads, a short cloth skirt, a pair of old trousers tucked into leather socks, a small blanket with striped ends folded cunningly over her shoulders, and on her breast a gold cross about twice as

ving the tabby-coloured arums he said, "I'll ask her what

said Alister

American Ind

hes that drew from Alister in his broadest accent, "The lad's a pairrfect libberrteen!"

in a language still dark to Alister and me, but not so to Dennis, who, to our amazement, replied in the same, and a dialogue so spirited ensued, that they both seemed to be talking at once. Alister's face was a study when Dennis put out his hand towards the squaw's gold cross, and all but touched it, and then (both chattering faster than ever) unbuttoned his throat and drew out his crucifix to

lister's mind, but his respect for the fruits of education was stronger even than his sense of propriety. He forgot to sc

ission somewhere near here. She's a good Catholic to

o speak with other to

" said Dennis. "Sh-sh! No kindness whatever. I wish w

vert his gold ring into the currency of the colony. We would not let him pawn his watch, which he was most anxious to do, though Alister and I pointed out how invaluab

Moore, I said, "I knew it was French when I got nearer, but I never learnt French, though

nce," replied A

l French be to

den, and it may carry ye

nformation which was postponed till we found out what was amiss with the Scotch leaf of our shamrock. For there were deep furrows on Alister's brow, but far deeper was the despondency of his soul. He was in the lowest pos

notion that he would be "a burden and a curse" to "the two of us," and that it would have been small wonder had the sailors cast him forth into the Atlantic, like the Prophet Jonah, as being certain to draw ill-luck on his companions, were trying enough; but it was no joke that misfortune had precisely the opposite effect upon Dennis. If there was a bit of chaff left unchaffed in all Ireland, from Malin Head to Barley Cove, I believe it

was practically what it meant, when we knew that Alister Auchterlay's cousin had gone to the State

Demerara, and I'd forgotten him

man her. The Water-Lily had been pointed out to me from a distance, and we might go and see her to-morrow morning if we liked. With the prospect of living for at least a month on our slender stocking, the idea of immediate employment was very welcome, to say nothing of the attraction of further adventures. Alister began to cheer

e enough, I dare say; and as it had honestly been our endeavour to learn all we could, and shirk nothing, and as the captain's paper spoke well of us, I think the mate got a very good bargain-for we were green enough to take lower wages than the customary rate on the strength of a long string of special reasons which he made us swallow. This probably helped towards his giving in about Dennis. The matter about Dennis was that he looked too much of the fine gentleman still, though his homespun suit ha

rigging, taking off, putting on, and mending chafing gear every bit of our time, Sunday included. The carpenter used horrible language, but for his vexation I could have forgiven him if he had expressed it mor

" for Dennis to do dirty work in; Alister was employed as sail-maker, and then, like the carpenter, was cheated of his rest. As

s, I'm tinking," said Alfonso, showing all his whi

ent, anyhow!" At which allusion to our uns

) we had chiefly to thank Dennis. Our coal-black comrade loved jokes much, but his own dignity just a little more; and th

ld keep the Water-Lily afloat to the end of her