rvice), but was without the means of fitting
himself out, without leaving his wife and family penniless. He
therefore came to request Mr Easy to lend him a few hundred pounds,
until he should be able, by his prize-money, to repay them. Mr Easy
was not a man to refuse such a request, and, always having plenty of
spare cash at his banker's, he drew a cheque for a thousand pounds,
which he gave to Captain Wilson, requesting that he would only repay it
at his convenience. Captain Wilson wrote an acknowledgment of the debt,
promising to pay upon his first prize-money, which receipt, however
binding it may be to a man of honour, was, in point of law, about as
valuable as if he had agreed to pay as soon "as the cows came home."
The affair had been just concluded, and Captain Wilson had returned into
the parlour with Mr Easy, when Jack returned from his expedition.

Jack greeted Captain Wilson, whom he had long known; but, as we before
observed, he suffered so much pain, that he soon retired with Dr
Middleton, and went to bed.

During a week there is room for much reflection, even in a lad of
fourteen, although at that age we are not much inclined to think. But
Jack was in bed; his eyes were so swollen with the stings of the bees
that he could neither read nor otherwise amuse himself; and he preferred
his own thoughts to the gabble of Sarah, who attended him. So Jack
thought, and the result of his cogitations we shall soon bring forward.

It was on the eighth day that Jack left his bed and came down into the
drawing-room. He then detailed to his father the adventures which had
taken place, which had obliged him to take to his bed.

"You see, Jack," replied his father, "it's just what I told you: the
world is so utterly demoralised by what is called social compact, and
the phalanx supporting it by contributing a portion of their unjust
possessions for the security of the remainder, is so powerful, that any
one who opposes it, must expect to pass the life of a martyr; but
martyrs are always required previous to any truth, however sublime,
being received, and, like Abraham, whom I have always considered as a
great philosopher, I am willing to sacrifice my only son in so noble a
cause."

"That's all very good on your part, father, but we must argue the point
a little. If you are as great a philosopher as Abraham, I am not quite
so dutiful a son as Isaac, whose blind obedience, in my opinion, is very
contrary to your rig