sir," observed Mudge; "and perhaps the
difficulties we have to go through may not be so great as you
anticipate. However, I have been thinking over the matter, and if you
will allow me and one other person to set out, with Pullingo as a guide,
supposing we can induce him to accompany us, we will explore the route,
while you remain encamped in some eligible position near water with the
rest of the party, where you can obtain abundance of game. Doyle is a
capital shot, and sure amply to supply your larder. We, having
ascertained the best road to take, will return for you; and perhaps on
the other side of the range we may fall in with settlers, from whom we
may obtain horses on which Mrs Rayner and your daughter could perform
the rest of the journey. Two or three men can often make their way
easily in a region through which a larger party would find it difficult
if not impossible to proceed."

"I am indeed most grateful to you for your offer," said my father; "but
whom do you propose taking with you? I confess that, for the sake of my
wife and daughter, I am unwilling to weaken our party, in case the
natives should visit our camp, and, seeing only a few men, might be
tempted to molest us."

As soon as I had heard Mudge's proposal, I determined if I could to
accompany him. "Let me go," I exclaimed. "I can endure as much fatigue
as any one; and though I can use my rifle to some effect, the blacks,
looking upon me only as a boy, would not consider that I added to the
strength of the party: and thus you will retain five men besides
yourself, while I think I shall be of as much assistance to Mudge as any
one else."

"I shall be very happy to have you, Godfrey," said Mudge, "if your
father approves of your going; indeed, I had thought of proposing that
you should accompany me. What do you say, Captain Rayner? I will
defend him with my life, should he be exposed to danger--not that I
think we shall have to encounter any. And we may depend, I think, on
our guns for supplying ourselves with food."

My father considered the matter, and, greatly to my satisfaction,
finally agreed to let me accompany Mudge. He explained the plan to my
mother the next morning, observing: "We allowed Godfrey to go to sea,
and surely he will have to encounter no greater danger by accompanying
so sensible and determined a fellow as Mudge, than he would have had to
run constantly while performing the duties of his profession."

The matter