d by a moderate crew?"

"Oh, I should think it would be splendid, uncle; and she'd sail very
fast."

"That depends on her build and the way she is sailed, my boy. But
that's what I am thinking of having, Pickle."

"But with a good crew, uncle."

"Yes; I want the best schooner and the best crew that are to be had, my
boy."

"But it will cost a lot of money, uncle."

"Yes, Pickle; but I am proud to say that the Government has not been
mean in that respect, and if what they have granted me is not enough, I
shall put as many hundreds as are required out of my own pocket to make
up the deficiency, so that in all probability I shan't have a penny to
leave you, Pickle, when I die."

"When you die!" cried the boy scornfully. "Who wants you to die? And
who wants you to leave me any money? I say, Uncle Paul, who's talking
nonsense now?"

"How dare you, sir!"

"Then you shouldn't say such things, uncle. Talking about dying! There
will be plenty of time to talk about that in a hundred years."

"Well, that's a very generous allowance, Pickle, and if we get such a
schooner as I want, with a clever crew, and you work hard with me, why,
we ought to make a good many discoveries by that time. A hundred years
hence," continued Uncle Paul thoughtfully, as he apparently brought his
telescope to bear upon a sloop of war whose white sails began to be
tinged with orange as the sun sank low; but all the time he was peering
out through the corners of his eyes to note the effect of his words upon
his nephew. "But let me see--a hundred years' time. Why, how much
older will you be then, Pickle?"

"Why, just the same as you would, uncle; a hundred years older than I am
now. Pooh! You are making fun of me. But I say, uncle, be serious.
How are you going to manage to get your schooner?"

"Set to work, and lose no time, my boy. But I am rather puzzled at the
present moment, and I am afraid--"

Uncle Paul lowered the glass as he spoke, and turned his eyes
thoughtfully upon his nephew, who had uttered a low peculiar sound.

"Of being sea-sick, uncle?" Uncle Paul smiled.

"I suppose that's what you call retaliation, young gentleman. Well, no,
sir, I'm not afraid of that--at least, not much. I remember the first
time I crossed the Channel that I was very ill, and every time I have
been at sea since I have always felt that it would be unwise to boast;
but I think both you and I can make our voyage without being troubled in