unable to travel so far north to inspect the beasts, if he understands
cattle, and is intelligent and trustworthy, would it not be well to let
him come in your place? My respected friend, Jock McKillock, would
rather you looked at the cattle before they are driven south."

"The lad is trustworthy enough," answered Brinsmead, in a low voice, so
that Jack should not be supposed to hear it. "He understands, too, the
points of a beast better than most lads of his age. Though his
shoulders are young, he has got an old head on the top of them; but it's
a long way to send him all alone, and he has yet to learn something more
of the world than he knows at present. An old bird like me is not to be
caught by chaff. He must be a sharp blade to deceive me, you may
suppose, Master Sanderson, whereas he might easily be led in the toils
of the many sharpers and impostors going about in all directions. It
would be wiser not to trust him alone."

"Do not fear that, Master Brinsmead," answered Sanderson, "I am
returning north, and will look after the lad, and guard him from all
dangers such as you hint at. I cannot side with him when he is making
his bargain, and help to beat down Jock McKillock, but I will give him
all the advice in the general way I can, and Jock's an honest chield,
and would not take advantage of him when he puts his trust in his
honour."

Jack all this time could not help overhearing the conversation, and
became more puzzled than ever how to act. A journey to the north for
the purpose of purchasing cattle was exactly after his own taste, but he
could not understand the deception which was being practised upon his
companion. If Pearson was honest, why did he now assume a different
name from that by which he had before been known? Which, also, was his
right name? The minister too, who was his companion, had heard him
called Pearson, and he now announced himself as Allan Sanderson in his
presence, and yet the reverend gentleman made no remark on the subject.

Sanderson continued to urge his point with Brinsmead, and used many
arguments to induce him to allow Jack Deane to proceed north. At last,
not a little to Jack's satisfaction, Brinsmead yielded his consent,
provided Jack would wish to accept the offer.

"What say you, Mr Deane, will you take a trip into the land o' cakes,
and make a purchase of three hundred head of cattle for Mr Strelley?
You will have the driving of the beasts south, and have the