r."

"Happy to make the young gentleman's acquaintance," said the Captain,
putting out his hand and giving Stephen a grip which nearly wrung his
fingers off; "hope we shall get on well together. I came up here, Mr
Kempson, to say that the ship is ready to take in cargo as soon as you
are ready to ship it."

"We may say to-morrow, then, and Mr Battiscombe, with young Willoughby
to assist him, will go on board and take charge of the cargo."

As the Captain had some further business to transact with Mr Kempson,
Stephen took his leave, and hurried out to tell Roger, who was just
leaving the counting-house for the day.

"What, are we really to be off soon!" exclaimed the latter. "I can
scarcely believe the good news you tell me. I little thought when I got
off my high stool, that it was the last time I was to mount it, for I
suppose that the _Dolphin_ will sail as soon as the cargo is received on
board."

"Little doubt about that," said Stephen. "The sooner we see to getting
our outfits the better."

"I have brought a good store of things from home," said Roger.

"You have outgrown a good lot of them, I should think," remarked
Stephen; "and we will at once pay a visit to Mr Tape, who will know
more or less what you require."

"But how are they to be paid for?" asked Roger.

"Mr Kempson will settle that," said Stephen.

"He is very kind and generous, and I am grateful to him," said Roger.

They at once carried out their intentions.

The following morning by daybreak they went on board the _Dolphin_. As
none of the cargo had arrived, they had time to look over the ship, and
to take a glance round the cabin which was to be their home for some
months to come. It was fitted up with several berths, besides a state
cabin intended for the Captain's use. There were arms of various sorts,
such as musketoons, pistols, pikes, and hangers, fixed against the
after-bulkhead, and there was a table in the centre, surrounded by
strong wooden chairs. There was not much in the way of ornament,
everything seemed intended for use.

While they were there the Captain, who had come on board, entered the
cabin. "Glad to see you so soon, young gentlemen," he observed; "it is
the early bird that gets the worm," as they say. "I thought that we
should very likely have to wait for you, but now when the cargo comes
down we may begin stowing away at once."

In a short time a number of trucks arrived on the wharf, bringing bales
a