ting Eric ready for the voyage,
and for the long sojourn in the distant colony. Many were the trunks
of clothing, books, and other things that had to be packed with
greatest care, and their number would have been doubled if the major
had not protested against taking the jams, jellies, pickles, medicines,
and other domestic comforts that the loving old couple wanted Eric to
take with him, because they felt sure he could get nothing so good out
in Halifax.

All too quickly for them the day came when they were to say good-bye to
their grandson, and the parting was a very tearful and trying one.
Full of joy as Eric felt, he could not keep back the tears when his
white-haired grandmother hugged him again and again to her heart,
exclaiming fervently,--

"God bless and keep my boy! May his almighty arms be underneath and
round about you, my darling. Put your trust in him, Eric, no matter
what may happen."

And the bluff old squire himself was suspiciously moist about the eyes
as the carriage drove away and Eric was really off to Chatham in charge
of Major Maunsell, with whom he had by this time got to be on the best
of terms.

At Chatham they found their ship in the final stage of preparation for
the voyage. They were to sail in the _Francis_, a fine, fast gun-brig
of about three hundred tons, which had in her hold a very valuable
cargo, consisting of the Duke of Kent's library, together with a
quantity of very costly furniture, precious wines, and other luxuries
intended to make as comfortable as possible the lot of his royal
highness in the garrison at Halifax. The major and Eric were assigned
a roomy cabin to themselves, in which they at once proceeded to make
themselves at home.

During the few days that intervened before the sailing of the
_Francis_, Eric's enjoyment of the novel scenes around him could hardly
be put into words. All he knew about the sea was what he had learned
from a summer now and then at a watering-place; and the great gathering
of big ships at Chatham; the unceasing bustle as some came in from long
voyages and others went forth to take their places upon distant
stations; the countless sailors and dock-hands swarming like ants
hither and thither; the important-looking officers strutting about in
gold-laced coats, and calling out their commands in such hoarse tones
that Eric felt tempted to ask if they all had very bad colds; the
shrill sound of the boatswains' whistles that seemed to have