's face was a study, as he glanced at Jack, and then turned to
gaze imploringly at his master as if he were a judge about to utter
words upon which his life depended.

"That will do, Edward, you may leave the room."

A look of despair came across the man's face, as in true servant fashion
he turned to obey orders, and went straight to the door.

"Stop," said Sir John. "That way of obeying orders has quite convinced
me that you will be our man. You shall see about your outfit at once."

"And go, Sir John?" faltered the man, as if he could not believe his
luck.

"Yes."

"Hoo--"

He was going to add "ray!" but he recollected himself, and went quickly
and promptly out of the room.

"The very fellow, Meadows," said the doctor.

"Yes," said Sir John. "He'll do."

"Then one knot is solved," cried the doctor. "I had come in to consult
you upon that very point."

"A man?"

"Yes; and here he is ready-made and proved."

"Not yet."

"Oh," said the doctor, "I'll answer for that."

CHAPTER FIVE.

THE "SILVER STAR."

A busy fortnight followed, during which Jack Meadows accompanied his
father and the doctor up to town pretty well every day, to visit
tailors, hatters, hosiers, gunsmiths, fishing-tackle-makers,
naturalists, provision dealers, and help to spend money at a liberal
rate upon the many necessaries for a long voyage. To do the lad
justice, he tried hard to hide his distaste for all that was being done,
and assumed an interest in the various purchases, making Sir John appear
pleased, while Doctor Instow patted his shoulder, and told him that he
looked brighter already. But when alone at night his depression came
back, and there were moments when, tired out, he told himself that he
could not bear it all, and that he must tell his father the next morning
that it was impossible--he could not go.

But when the morning; came he said nothing, for on rising the matter did
not look so black and gloomy by daylight, after a night's rest; and he
felt that it would be too cowardly to make such a declaration, when his
father was doing everything and going to so great an expense entirely
for his sake.

"Because he thinks me weak and ill," he said to himself; "and nothing
will persuade him that I am not."

That very morning, after a good sound night's rest, the boy woke with
the sun shining brightly into his bedroom, and he got up thinking he had
over-slept himself, but on looking round he found that his