of Grace must have been sad enough I
suspect, she talked cheerfully, endeavouring to distract my mother's
mind from the thoughts of the past as well as the approaching parting
from me. I came in occasionally and found the two sitting as I have
described, but I was generally on board the brig with Uncle Jack,
assisting in fitting her out, and thus got initiated into many of my
duties before I ever went to sea. The captain often came on board
during the evening to see how we were getting on, but during the day he
was mostly engaged in looking out for freight in addition to the cargo
he intended to ship on his own account. He was just the man the crew
were willing to serve under, his countenance exhibiting sense and
determination, and a kindly spirit beaming from his eyes; his hair
grizzled rather by weather than by years; his figure, of moderate
height, broad and well knit, betokening strength and activity.

We were to sail for Singapore, after which we were to proceed eastward
to trade with the various islands in that direction.

We expected to have the "Lily" ready for sea in about a week, when just
before this time Captain Bingley, who had been long absent in command of
the ship "Iris" of some four hundred tons, returned home. I was at my
mother's one evening when Uncle Jack, with Grace Bingley, came in. She
looked, I thought, somewhat out of spirits. My mother thought so too,
and asked her the cause. She hesitated for a moment as if to master her
feelings, and then said--

"It is, I have no doubt, for the best, and father wishes it. Mother and
I are to accompany him on his next voyage round Cape Horn and up the
western coast of America, then across the Pacific to Java, and so round
the world. I cannot refuse to go, and of course we should both like to
see strange lands, as well as being with father, but I had hoped to be
able to remain with you, Mary, and you know how happy I should have been
in doing so."

My poor mother looked much distressed. "Of course, if your father
wishes you to go you have no choice, but I shall miss you greatly." She
could scarcely restrain her tears as she spoke.

Uncle Jack became very grave as he heard what Grace said.

"You sail round the world! Has your father positively determined on
this?" he asked.

I guessed his thoughts; he was ready enough to encounter all the risks
and perils of the sea himself, but he was very unwilling that Grace
should be exposed to them. W