ruple about allowing
themselves to be driven in to join the rest of the live-stock, after
which Shanter went up to the captain.

"Get tickpence," he cried, holding out his hand.

The coin was given, and thrust into the black's cheek.

"Just like a monkey at the zoological," said Norman, as he watched the
black, who now went to the wharf, squatted down, and stared at the
stern, sour-looking man--the captain's old servant--who was keeping
guard over the stack of chests, crates, and bales.

The next thing was the arranging for the loan of a wagon from the
landlord, upon the understanding that it was to be sent back as soon as
possible. After which the loading up commenced, the new arrivals
performing all themselves, the inhabitants of the busy place watching,
not the least interested spectator being the black, who seemed to be
wondering why white men took so much trouble and made themselves so hot.

One wagon was already packed by dusk, and in the course of the next day
the other and the carts were piled high, the captain, from his old
sapper-and-miner experience, being full of clever expedients for moving
and raising weights with rollers, levers, block and fall, very much to
the gratification of the dirty-looking man, who smoked and gave it as
his opinion that the squire was downright clever.

"Your father was quite right, boys," said Uncle Jack, as the sheets were
tightened over the last wagon. "We could not stop anywhere near such
neighbours as these."

Then came the time when all was declared ready. Seats had been
contrived behind the wagons; saddles, ordinary and side, unpacked for
the horses; the tent placed in the care which bore the provisions,
everything, in short, thought of by the captain, who had had some little
experience of expeditions in India when with an army; and at last one
morning the horses were put to cart and wagon, one of which was drawn by
three yoke of oxen; every one had his or her duty to perform in
connection with the long caravan, and after farewells had been said to
their late companions on board ship and to the young doctor and the
sugar-planter, all stood waiting for the captain to give the word to
start.

Just then the doctor came up with his friend of the plantation.

"You will not think me impertinent, Captain Bedford, if I say that
Henley here advises that you should keep near to the river valley, just
away from the wood, so as to get good level land for your wagons."

"C