ouncement of the sudden death
of his own father! No information was given beyond the usual and formal
statement, with the simple addition of the words "deeply regretted."

We need not say that this was a terrible shock to the poor wanderer--a
shock which was rendered all the more severe when he reflected that he
had parted from his father in anger. In his weak condition, Will could
not bear up under the blow, and, for some days, he lay in such a
depressed state of mind and body that his comrades began to fear for his
life. But after that he rallied, and a sudden improvement took place in
his health.

One day he called his companions round him, and said:--

"Friends, I have resolved to leave you, and return to Europe. You know
my reasons. I am not a companion, but only a drag upon you; besides, my
mother is left unprotected. You will excuse me if I decline to enter
into a discussion on this point. I have not strength for it, and my
resolve is fixed."

Will paused, and Larry O'Hale, with a leer on his countenance, asked by
what road he meant to travel.

"Across the Andes to the northern coast of South America," answered
Will, smiling.

"An' you as waik as wather, with legs like the pins of a
wather-wagtail!"

"That will soon mend," said Will, jumping up and pulling on his clothes;
"get ready to go out hunting with me, Larry, if you have a mind to!"

Despite the remonstrances of his friend, Will Osten went out with his
gun, trembling with weakness at every step. He was soon induced to
return to the cottage, but his resolve was fixed. Next day he went out
again, and, finally, in the course of a week or two, had recovered so
much of his old vigour that he felt able to set out on his journey. Of
course there were many disputings and arguings as to who should go with
him, but it was finally agree that Larry and Bunco should be his
companions. Indeed these two would take no denial, and vowed that, if
he declined to accept of them as comrades, they would follow him as a
rear-guard! Muggins and Old Peter decided that they would return to
Tacames, and make their way thence to California.

Just before parting, Larry took Muggins aside and said, in as dismal a
tone as his jovial spirit was capable of, "It's little I thought, mate,
that you an' me would come for to part in this way, but ov coorse, I
couldn't leave Mr Osten in such a fix, so, d'ye see, I must say
farewell; but kape yer weather eye open, ould boy