Where are you going, my dear boy?" inquired Dr Middleton.

"To Portsmouth, doctor."

"And pray what for, if not an impertinent question?"

Jack then gave Dr Middleton an insight into his plan, and requested
that he would allow him to do so, as there was plenty of ready-money.

"But the expense will be enormous."

"It will be heavy, sir, I grant; but I have calculated it pretty nearly,
and I shall not spend at the rate of more than my income. Besides, as
letter of marque, I shall have the right of capture; in fact, I mean to
take out a privateer's regular licence."

"But not to remain there and cruise?"

"No, upon my honour; I am too anxious to get home again. You must not
refuse me, my dear guardian."

"As a lady is in the case, I will not, my dear boy; but be careful what
you are about."

"Never fear, sir, I will be back in four months, at the furthest; but I
must now set off and ascertain if the vessel answers the description
given in the advertisement."

Jack threw himself into the chariot. Mesty mounted into the rumble, and
in two hours they were at Portsmouth; went to the agent, viewed the
vessel, which proved to be a very fine fast-sailing craft, well found,
with six brass carronades on each side. The cabins were handsome,
fitted up with bird's-eye maple and gilt mouldings.

This will do, thought Jack; a couple of long brass nines, forty men and
six boys, and she will be just the thing we require. So Mesty and Jack
went on shore again, and returned to Forest Hill to dinner, when he
desired Mr Hanson to set off for Portsmouth, and bid at the sale for
the vessel, as he wished to purchase her. This was Monday, and on
Wednesday Mr Hanson purchased her, as she stood, for 1750 pounds, which
was considered about half her value.

Dr Middleton had, in the meantime, been thinking very seriously of
Jack's project. He could see no objection to it, provided that he was
steady and prudent, but in both these qualities Jack had not exactly
been tried. He therefore determined to look out for some steady naval
lieutenant, and make it a _sine qua non_ that our hero should be
accompanied by him, and that he should go out as sailing-master. Now
that the vessel was purchased, he informed Jack of his wish; indeed, as
Dr Middleton observed, his duty as guardian demanded this precaution,
and our hero, who felt very grateful to Dr Middleton, immediately
acquiesced.

"And, by-the-bye, doctor, see that he is a good n