that no time was to be lost, as the sickly season was
coming on, and it was very unhealthy at that time.

As I folded up the letter, Mr. Trevannion said,

"Now, here is an invoice of the whole cargo sent home by the Chester
Lass. I reckon it worth about 7,000_l._"

I looked over the invoice, and agreed with Mr. Trevannion, that it was
well worth that, if not more.

"This is most important, you will acknowledge, Musgrave," said Mr.
Trevannion; "but before I go any further, I trust that, now the only
difficulty is got over, you will not refuse to be my partner; the only
difference I intend to make is, that I now offer you one-fourth
instead of one-eighth. Silence gives consent," continued Mr.
Trevannion, as I did not immediately reply.

"I was so astonished at your munificent offer, Sir, that I could not
well speak."

"Then it's agreed; so say no more about it," said Mr. Trevannion,
taking me by the hand, and pressing it warmly--"and now to business.
My idea is, to sent out the Sparrow-Hawk, being so fast a sailer. Of
course, as a privateer, she has done her work; and as the government
wish the complement of the Arrow to be increased, I think we cannot do
better than to fill her up with some of the Sparrow-Hawk's men,
leaving about twenty-five on board of her, and sending her out as soon
as possible to the coast, with the articles which Captain Irving
requests."

"I agree with you, Sir, that it will be the best plan."

"But whom to send is the difficulty," said Mr. Trevannion. "Captain
Paul, of the Chester Lass, is very ill, and not likely to be out of
bed for some time; and even if he were well, I have no opinion of him
in an affair of this moment. If, as Captain Irving says, he can fill
the Amy, her cargo will be worth three times that of the Chester Lass;
but, of course, the destination of the Sparrow-Hawk must be a secret,
and I do not know whom to intrust her to. We require some one in whom
we can put confidence."

"I agree with you, Sir," replied I; "and, if you have no objection, I
think that the best plan will be for me to go myself; I shall be back
again in ten weeks at the furthest."

"Well, as you will now have a strong interest in it, I really think so
too. In fact, I don't know whom else we can trust."

"I agree with you, Sir, and I will go myself, and I think the sooner
the better; but I do not know whether we can obtain all the goods
requisite immediately."

"We can have them in five or six