pleasure of
seeing good honest meat and fat put on their bones in our rich
water-meadows before many months have passed away after their arrival."

Jack had had time to consider the matter, and without hesitation
accepted the offer, believing that in a short conversation with Pearson
he could soon clear up the mystery.

"I should be on my guard," he thought to himself, "more than would
Brinsmead, who does not suspect him, and thus I think I shall better be
able to look after the interests of my master Mr Strelley."

When a person desires to do a thing, it is very easy to find excuses,
and as easy to lull the conscience asleep, and hide the consequences
which may be the result.

It was finally arranged that Jack should start the next morning in
company with the respectable Mr Allan Sanderson, Brinsmead purposing to
follow at a slower pace in the course of the day.

Jack was aroused next morning by the sound of his quondam acquaintance
calling him to "boot and saddle," and to be off. Slipping on his
clothes, he went to the bedside of Will Brinsmead, who was still
sleeping soundly, to tell him that he was summoned to be off.

"Ah, lad, the Scotchmen keep early hours," said Will, sitting up and
rubbing his eyes. "The dawn has scarcely broke, surely. He is right,
though, thou hast a long ride before thee, and it's as well to be off by
times, though it would have been prudent to lay in a store of provender
before you depart; however, two or three hours' ride before breakfast
will do thee no harm, lad. And now, Master Deane, I have a word to say
before you leave me. Thou hast a fair opening, lad, and an important
commission to execute. Take this advice from an old man. Keep your own
counsel on all occasions. Judge which is best for your master's
interests, and let nothing turn you aside from following that out.
Avoid quarrelling with any one, and let no one pick a quarrel with thee.
Mr Sanderson seems a fair-spoken man, but there's one thing I would
have you remember, that he is not Jock McKillock himself. Jock I have
known well-nigh a score of years, and an honest and fair dealer, as I
doubt not thou wilt find, if he is afoot and well again when you get to
the north. And now, fare-thee-well, John Deane, an old man's blessing
go with thee! Thou hast shown thyself to be ready-witted and brave, and
if thou rememberest always that it is better to please God than man,
thou wilt not fail to succeed in thy undertaki