d not like the thought of having to
confront the captain in an office full of clerks. I therefore, losing
courage, turned round and walked on shore again. Still I could not tear
myself from the ship, but continued pacing backwards and forwards, now
taking a look at her lofty masts and spars, now at her hull freshly
painted, now at the men working at the cranes and tackles hoisting in
cargo.

While I was thus engaged a sailor-like man, who I supposed was an
officer, stopped near me.

"Please, sir," I said, "could you tell me where that ship is going to?"

"Yes, my lad. She's bound out by Cape Horn into the Pacific, and up the
west coast of America, and perhaps to go across to Australia, and may be
away for two or three years."

"Thank you, sir," I said. "She's a very fine ship."

"As to that there are many finer, but she's a tidy craft in her way,"
remarked the seaman, turning on his heel.

"Now that is just the sort of voyage I should like to make. To double
great Cape Horn. What a grand idea! And visit the country of the Incas
and Peruvians, and the wonderful coral islands of the Pacific. I am
much inclined to ask Mr Butterfield if he can get me on board her.
Perhaps she's one of his ships, and I shall then very likely come back
as a mate. I might have to remain a long time in the navy before I
became a lieutenant, and after all perhaps one might enjoy a much more
independent life in the merchant service.

"Yes, I'll ask the old gentleman; but then I'm afraid Aunt Deb will
interfere. She doesn't want me to go to sea, and she'll say all sorts
of things to prevent him doing what I wish. There's nothing like
trying, however; and if he agrees, I must get him to obtain Aunt Deb's
consent to my going. I'm sure my father won't make any objection."

Having arrived at this conclusion, I was now eager to get back to have a
talk with Mr Butterfield. I forgot that he was not likely to leave his
office till much later in the day. I had become desperately hungry
also, and as I had come out without any money in my pocket, I was unable
to buy a bun or a roll to appease my appetite. I set off, fancying that
I should have no difficulty in finding my way, but I wandered about for
a couple of hours or more before I succeeded in getting back to Mr
Butterfield's house.

Aunt Deb received me with a frown.

"Now where have you been all this time?" she asked. "I've had luncheon
an hour or so, or more. I suppose the