to see you looking so well, Mr Magor," said Mr Swab. "My
partners and I have been talking the matter over; and from the way you
brought the `Arrow' home, and the character you received from her late
master, we are resolved to offer you the command."

"Thank you, sir. I am proud of your approval; and I may venture to say,
as far as navigating a vessel, or handling her in fine weather or foul,
I am as competent as most men. I cannot boast, however, of my abilities
as a trader, as I am no hand at keeping accounts. In that respect, I do
not think that I should do you Justice."

"Well, well, Captain Magor; we cannot always expect to find a man like
Captain Rig, who combined both qualifications. We must therefore send a
supercargo, or perhaps two, to help you; and I hope, with their
assistance, that you will not be compelled to remain long up any of the
rivers, and run the risk of losing your own life or of having your crew
cut off by fever. You must try and be away from the coast before the
sickly season sets in. It is by remaining up the rivers during the
rains and hot weather that so many people die."

"As to the hot weather, I don't know when it is not hot on the coast,"
observed Captain Magor, for so in future I may call him; "but I am ready
to brave any season in your service. And I again thank you, sir, for
the offer you make me, which I gladly accept, provided you supply me
with the assistance you see I require."

"We will try to do that," said Mr Swab. "Now, without loss of time,
look out for a couple of good men as mates, and the best crew you can
obtain, and get the vessel fitted out without delay. I will accompany
you on board and place you in command."

This was said in the outer office, where Henry and I overheard it.

"I wonder to whom they will offer the berths," said Harry to me. "If I
thought that it would advance me in the house, and enable me the sooner
to speak to Mr Crank, I for one should be ready to accept an offer,
although it would be a sore trial to go away. I had never dreamed of
doing so; but yet, if I was asked, I would not refuse, as, of course, it
could not fail to give one a lift; whereas, should I refuse, I should
fall in the estimation of the partners."

The very next day Mr Crank desired Harry and me to come into his inner
room, and he then told us, what we already knew, that the firm intended
to send out two supercargoes, who might assist each other, and asked if
we woul