made up my mind some time since, and was but considering how and when I
could best put the matter before my parents, and wondering whether they
would give their consent to my embarking on such an enterprise. And I
would give much, Harry, my friend, if I could persuade you to accompany
me. Has not the prospect of adventure, glory, and perchance great
wealth, any attraction for you?"

"Ay, that has it," asserted Harry; "but you seem to forget that, if I go
with you, I must leave my sister behind; and what would become of her,
poor maid? I have no other relations to whom she could go, or who would
care for her; and I cannot leave her behind, all alone."

Roger broke into a peal of merry laughter.

"Why, lad," said he, "you are forever making difficulties where none
exist! Now list to me, for I have a proposal to make you. If I can
persuade my father and mother to let me go, they will then, as you say,
be alone, seeing that I am their only child; but if your sister were to
go to them, it would in part reconcile them to my absence, while at the
same time the arrangement would provide a home for your sister, and a
way out of your difficulty. What do you say to my idea?"

"That it is a good one," agreed Harry; "and I thank you, Roger, for the
thought, which truly had occurred to me also, but I did not like to be
the first to mention it. My sister has ever loved your mother, and I
think your mother has some little affection for the maid; and I am sure,
therefore, that she would be happy with your folk."

"Let us then consider the matter as settled, so far as we are concerned,
Harry," said Roger; "and let us pledge each other to sail together; to
stand by each other through thick and thin, through fair and foul; to
share all dangers; and to divide equally all plunder that we may obtain
from the rascally Dons. Then I will away to consult my folk; and you
shall come too, Harry, and add your persuasions to mine. You shall
entreat them, with me, to let me go, promising them that, if they will
part with me, your sister shall keep them company till we return. And I
am sure that if we both plead hard enough, Harry, lad, we shall in the
end succeed in obtaining from them a promise to let me go at the very
first opportunity."

"Very well, Roger," assented Harry; "this shall be the first action in
which I will stand by you according to our pledge; and I will come with
you and add my entreaties to yours that your people sho