kely to be tried. Many people fancy
they show their spirit by losing their temper; in reality they always
give an opponent an advantage over them, and the negroes are quick
enough to perceive that. Do not imagine them fools because they do not
understand your language. Indeed, I might say, as a golden rule, never
hold too cheap the person with whom you are bargaining or an enemy with
whom you are engaged in fighting. You will, of course, be very exact in
all your accounts, and endeavour to obtain such information as you
possibly can from all directions likely to prove of further use to the
firm. Now, my dear boy, farewell. I pray that you and Harry may be
protected from the dangers to which you will be exposed."

The worthy man said much more to the same purpose. The "Arrow" had, in
the meantime, hauled out into the stream, and Harry and I went on board
that evening, as she was to sail at daybreak, the tide being fair, the
next morning. Mrs Bracewell and Mary accompanied us, very naturally
wishing to see the last of us; and just as we were setting out, Lucy
Crank arrived, greatly to Harry's satisfaction.

"Papa did not object to my going, and I thought that Mrs Bracewell and
Mary would require some one to cheer them up," she said.

Mrs Bracewell smiled, for Lucy did not look as if she was very well
capable of doing that. She had evidently been crying, although she had
done her best to dry her tears.

Just as we were at the water's edge, Mr Swab joined us, remarking as he
did so, "My partners are not able to come. I wanted to have a few more
words with Captain Magor, so that I shall have the satisfaction of
escorting you ladies back." I suspected that, in the kindness of his
heart, the latter was his chief object.

"Thank you," said Mrs Bracewell; "we shall be glad of your protection.
We wish to see Harry's and Mr Westerton's cabin, and the brig, now that
she is ready for sea, so that we may picture them to ourselves when they
are far away."

The evening was serene, the water smooth as glass, the slight breeze
blowing down the river, being insufficient to enable us to stem the
flood tide, which had then begun to make up, or we should at once have
sailed. Boats were plying backwards and forwards between the shore and
the various vessels which lay in that much-frequented river. Some, like
the "Arrow," ready for sea; others only just arrived, or taking cargo on
board from lighters. They were either bound