n the course of his
professional career he had visited the sea-coasts of nearly every part
of the world, besides taking journeys inland from them, while he made
his observations on what he saw, he possessed a large fund of
information. What was also of great consequence, he had a considerable
talent for describing what he had seen. Besides possessing these
qualifications, being the life and spirit of every juvenile party, and
the promoter of all sports and pastimes in-doors and out of doors, he
was a welcome guest, both, with old and young, at every friend's house
which he could find time to visit. More than all this, he was a
religious, honourable, generous-hearted man. He could not, therefore,
fail to be a most desirable travelling companion for his young friends.
He had been several times to sea with their father, who was himself a
captain in the navy, and who had the greatest confidence in him.

"What is all this, my dear fellow, the boys are saying about Russia?"
asked Captain Markham as he entered the room.

"Why, that I have bethought me of paying a visit this summer to the land
of the Czar; that I want companions; that I like young ones, who will
follow my ways better than old ones, who won't; that I enjoy fresh ideas
freshly expressed, and am tired of stale platitudes; in short, if you
will entrust your youngsters to me, I will take charge of them, and
point out what is mostly worth seeing and remembering at the places we
visit."

"I cannot refuse you, Fairman," replied Captain Markham. "You offer is
a very kind one, and the boys cannot fail to benefit by the excursion."

"Do not talk about that," said Cousin Giles, interrupting him. "Fred
must undertake to keep a log, and note down all our adventures."

Fred, though somewhat diffident of his powers of composition, promised
to do his best, and Mrs Markham begged that Harry might keep another
note-book for her especial edification.

"All I bargain for," she added, "is to have descriptions of scenes
written down as soon as visited, and ideas as soon as they occur."

"By all means, freshness is what we want," said Cousin Giles. "A short
sketch made on the spot is worth a volume of after-recollections."

Thus the matter was speedily arranged. Before he left the house, their
kind friend gave the young travellers a list of the things they would
require. He would allow them only a small portmanteau apiece, which
they could carry in their hands. He to