to place the boy in a first-class school in
one of the large cities after the voyage is ended I shall do so," said
the Major. "It is only fair, though, that he should have a chance to
see and learn something of the world first. After all, there is
nothing equal to travel as an educator. I honestly believe that the
war did more in four years towards educating this nation by stirring
its people up and moving large bodies of them to sections remote from
their homes than all our colleges have in fifty."

"But you mean that Winn shall go to college, of course?" said Mrs.
Caspar, a little anxiously.

"If he wants to, and shows a real liking for study," was the reply;
"but not unless he does. College is by no means the only place where a
boy can receive a liberal education. He may acquire just as good a one
in practical life if he is thoroughly interested in what he is doing
and has an ambition to excel. I believe Winn to be both ambitious and
persevering; but he is impulsive, easily influenced, and impatient of
control. He has no idea of that implicit obedience to orders that is
at the foundation of success in civil life as well as in the army; and,
above all, he is possessed of such an inordinate self-conceit that if
it is not speedily curbed by one or more severe lessons, it may lead
him into serious trouble."

"Oh, John!" expostulated the mother. "Do you realize that you are
saying these horrid things about our own boy--our Winn?"

"Indeed I do, dear," answered the Major, smiling; "and it is because he
is our boy, whom I love better than myself, that I am analyzing his
character so carefully. He has the making of a splendid fellow in him,
together with certain traits that might easily prove his ruin."

"Well," replied Mrs. Caspar, in a resigned tone, "perhaps it will do
him good to go away and be alone with you for a while. It is very hard
to realize, though, that my little Winn is sixteen years old and almost
a man. But, John, you won't let him run any risks, or get into any
danger, will you?"

"Not knowingly, my dear, you may rest assured," answered the Major.
But he smiled as he thought how impossible it was to keep boys from
running risks and getting into all sorts of dangerous positions.

So it was decided that Winn should form one of the crew of the
_Venture_ whenever the raft should be ready to start on its long
voyage; and ever since learning tins decision the boy had been in a
fever of impatien