id mysilf," interposed Mr McCarthy,
exhibiting the articles he wore as he spoke, which, from their repeated
patchings and general state of dilapidation, would certainly have
carried off the prize at a curiosity show. "Sure, and it's walkin' on
my fut I've bin the last foor days entirely."

"You'd have ben a smart coon to have done the contrary, I guess, mister,
anyhow," said the American drily.

"Sure, an' it's the sole of me fut I mane, sorr," explained the first-
mate in Hibernian fashion.

"Jest so," said Mr Lathrope, laughing at the blunder; "and it would
puzzle you to walk different, I kalkerlate, that is onless you tried the
sole of your head!"

"Well, here we are, no matter what distance we have travelled," said Mr
Meldrum, going back to business; while Frank and Kate, who had not been
able to get much conversation together of late, were having a very
interesting little _tete-a-tete_ confabulation in a corner, out of ear-
shot of the rest. "We shall, however, soon have to separate our forces
again, for we must make the next start on our journey by water, which
will now be our travelling medium all the way."

"Be jabers, and it's glad I am to hear that same!" exclaimed Mr
McCarthy, interrupting the speaker in his jubilation at not being forced
to walk any more, a means of locomotion to which, from his long life at
sea, the first-mate was strangely averse.

"As I was saying," continued Mr Meldrum, "we must now make up our minds
for a short separation, the rest of our journey having to be performed
by water. I'll tell you what I think will be the best plan, if you will
listen:-- From here to Betsy Cove, the harbour I have mentioned where
the whalers call every year, is in a bee-line just about thirty-five
miles right ahead across the stretch of sea there; but as we may have to
make a detour in order to avoid reefs and any rocks or islands which may
come within this straight line, we'd better call it fifty miles."

"Better say a hundred, mister, while you're at it," said Mr Lathrope,
with a wink to the others; "you kinder forget the fifteen miles you made
it across the isthmus 'fore we started, hey?"

"There's no fear of my making that mistake here," replied Mr Meldrum.
"This is all plain sailing, with correct latitude and longitude to go
by! It won't be more than fifty, indeed, even if we have to creep round
the coast of the bay all the way, instead of shaping a course right
across it, as I intend doing