s a stiff job, Mr Troubridge, for two
people--for the young lady won't count nothin' to speak of--to work a
ship the size of the _Mercury_, and you'd find me most uncommon useful,
I assure ye, sir. I'm an A.B., and knows my business as well as e'er a
man--"

"Yes," I agreed, "that is perfectly true, Saunders, for I have noticed
you more often than perhaps you think. But have you considered the
tremendous amount of hard work that would fall to your share in such an
adventure as you speak of? And hard work is not the only thing that has
to be considered; a voyage of the kind that you are talking about is
certain to involve a considerable element of danger. Are you--"

"I don't care that for danger or hardship," interrupted Saunders,
snapping his fingers emphatically. "Only say that I may jine in the
picnic, and you shan't have no cause to regret it, sir."

"What say you, Gurney?" I asked. "You have a right to a voice in this
matter; and you probably know Saunders a good deal better than I do."

"I say let him come by all means, Mr Troubridge," answered Gurney. "He
is a good man, and will be worth his weight in gold to us."

"So I think," agreed I. "But," turning to Saunders, "are you prepared
to start with us now, this instant? For I cannot consent to incur the
risk and delay that would be involved in a return to the settlement."

"There's no call for me to go back, sir," answered the man eagerly.
"I've nobody to say goodbye to. And as to `dunnage', why, I dare say I
can make out pretty well durin' the v'yage by helpin' myself from the
chests I shall find in the fo'c's'le."

"Very well, then," said I, "you may come, Saunders, and welcome. Now,
Miss Hartley, step in, please, and sit down while Gurney and I shove
off. In with that box though, Gurney; we must not leave that behind.
Go aft, Saunders, and help with an oar; but remember, everything must be
done in absolute silence."

The boat, which was already afloat for three parts of her length, was
easily launched, and in another minute I was seated in the stern-sheets
beside Grace Hartley, while Gurney and Saunders were gently and silently
paddling toward the spot where the rest of the boats were moored. We
ranged quietly up alongside the longboat, and I got hold of her painter
and hauled up the anchor, which I placed in the bottom of the jollyboat.
Whereupon the two men at the oars once more gave way gently, and we
were soon slowly heading for the sh