have, aunt," cried Tim, laughing.

"Then you have no sticking-plaster."

"That we have, aunt, and bits of linen rag, and needles and thread. You
gave them to me," said Rifle. "I think we have everything we ought to
carry."

"No," said the captain; "there is something else."

"They've forgotten the tea," cried Hetty, merrily.

"No. Got more than we want," cried Rifle.

"Sugar, then," said Ida. "No; I mean salt."

"Wrong again, girls," cried Norman. "We've got plenty of everything,
and only want to start off--How long can you do without us, father?"

"Oh," said the captain, good-humouredly, "you are an idle lot. I don't
want you. Say six months."

"Edward, my dear!" exclaimed Mrs Bedford, in alarm.

"Well then, say a fortnight. Fourteen days, boys, and if you are not
back then, we shall be uneasy, and come in search of you."

"Come now, father," cried Rifle, laughing. "I say, I do wish you
would."

"Nothing I should enjoy better, my boy," said the captain. "This place
makes me feel full of desire adventure."

"Then come," cried Norman. "It would be grand. You come too, Uncle
Jack;" but that gentleman shook his head as did his brother.

"And pray who is to protect your mother and sisters and aunt, eh?" said
the captain. "No; go and have your jaunt, and as soon as you cross the
range mark down any good site for stations."

"Oh, Edward dear," cried Mrs Bedford, "you will not go farther into the
wilderness?"

"No," he said, smiling; "but it would be pleasant to be able to tell
some other adventurer where to go."

"I know what they've forgotten," said Ida, mischievously, and on
purpose--"soap."

"Wrong again, Miss Clever," cried Norman. "We've got everything but
sailing orders. Good-bye all."

"You will take care, my dears," cried Mrs Bedford, who looked pale and
anxious.

"Every care possible, mother dear," cried the lad, affectionately; "and
if Tim and Rifle don't behave themselves, I'll give 'em ramrod and kicks
till they do.--Now, father, Tam o' Shanter's looking back again. Shall
we start?"

"You've forgotten something important."

"No, father, we haven't, indeed."

"You talked about sailing orders, and you are going to start off into
the wilds where there isn't a track. Pray, where is your compass?"

"There he is, father," cried Rifle, merrily; "yonder in white drawers."

"A very valuable one, but you can't go without one that you can put in
your pocket. What did we say