rse we made a fuss and
protested at the change. But we had not really much practical choice in
the matter, whatever our strict rights were, and on the whole we found
it would be to our advantage to go through with it, especially as we did
secure a better understanding about our wages, and the captain promised
us more rest on Sundays. On one point we still felt anxious--our home
letters; so Dennis wrote to the post-master at Halifax, and arranged for
them to be forwarded to us at the post-office, Georgetown, Demerara. For
Alfonso was right, we were bound for British Guiana, it being however
understood that we three were not under obligation to make the return
voyage in the _Water-Lily_.

An odd incident occurred during our brief stay in New York. It was after
the interview in which we came to terms with the captain, and he had
given us leave for three hours ashore. You can't see very much of a city
when you have no money to spend in it; but we had walked about till we
were very hungry, and yet more thirsty, for it was hot, when we all
three caught sight of a small shop (or store, as Americans would call
it), and we all spoke at once.

"Cooling drinks!" exclaimed Dennis.

"There's cakes yonder," said Alister.

"Michael Macartney," muttered I, for that was the name over the door.

We went in as a customer came out, followed by Michael Macartney's
parting words in a rich brogue that might have been old Biddy's own. I
took a good look at him, which he returned with a civil comment on the
heat, and an inquiry as to what I would take, which Dennis, in the
thirstiness of his throat, answered for me, leaving me a few moments
more of observation. I made a mental calculation, and decided that the
man's age would fit Micky, and in the indescribableness of the colour of
his clothes and his complexion he was undoubtedly like Biddy, but if
they had been born in different worlds the expression of his eyes could
not have been more different. I had the clearest remembrance of hers.
One does not so often look into the eyes of a stranger and see genuine
feeling that one should forget it. For the rest of him, I was glad that
Biddy had allowed that there was no similarity "betwixt us." He had a
low forehead, a broad nose, a very wide mouth, full of very large teeth,
and the humorous twinkle in his eye did not atone for the complete
absence of that steady light of honest tenderness which shone from
Biddy's as freely and fearlessly as the