Now
you have grown, and are getting a big one, you ought to think of letting
him be an expense to you, and you keep him. That's what I'm going to do
as soon as ever I get old enough."

"That's right," said Will, looking at his companion thoughtfully. "I
say, is your father going to open a mine down here?"

"I don't know quite for certain," said Dick; "but I think he's going to
try and find something fresh, and work that."

"What--some new metal?"

"I don't know," said Dick, "and I don't think he quite knows yet. It
all depends upon what he can find good enough."

"I wish I could find something very valuable," said Will
thoughtfully--"something that I could show him; and then he might give
me work in it, so that I could be independent."

"Well, let's try and find something good. I'll go with you," said Dick.

"When?"

"Not now. Oh! I say, I must get back; I am so precious hungry."

It was quite time; but they had not far to go, though when Dick did
enter the room it was to find his father and Arthur half through their
meal.

"Three quarters of an hour late, Dick," said his father. "I waited half
an hour for you before I sat down. Where have you been?"

"To look at the sea, father; and up on the cliff to see how the wind
blew--how strong, I mean."

"Sit down," said his father rather sternly. "I like punctuality, and
would rather know when you are going out."

"Yes, father," said Dick, "I'll try and remember. I'm very sorry."

Mr Temple did not answer, but raised the newspaper he was reading, and
this covered his face.

Evidently Arthur thought it covered his ears as well, for he said rather
importantly:--

"I was here punctually to the moment."

"Arthur," said his father quietly, "you had better go on with your
breakfast, and not talk so much."

Arthur coloured, and the breakfast was eaten during the rest of the time
in silence--a state of affairs of which Dick took advantage, for the sea
air had a wonderful effect upon his food-assimilating powers, and his
performance on this particular morning made his brother leave off to
stare.

"My, Dick!" he exclaimed at last as that gentleman made an attack upon a
second fried sole, one of several brought in by the trawl-boat on the
previous night, "I say, how you are eating!"

"Yes," said Dick, grinning, "I'm a growing boy."

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

UNCLE ABRAM COMES AS AN AMBASSADOR, AND GAINS HIS ENDS.

"I wanted to make our expedition,