following season. In case he could
dispose of her cargo, he would insist that transportation and a
guide--at least as far as Indian Harbour--should form part of the
bargain. From Indian Harbour they would surely find some way of
continuing the journey. He might even reach home by Christmas!
Wouldn't it be great if he could, and if, at the same time, he could
carry with him enough money to relieve all present anxieties? Perhaps
he might even be able to take his mother and Cola to St. Johns for a
long visit. Of course Cabot would accompany them, for with the
warships all gone south for the winter there would be no danger of
arrest, and then he would find out what a splendid city the capital of
Newfoundland really was. Oh! if they could only start at once; but of
course there were certain preliminaries to be settled first, and the
sooner they got at them the better.

Thus thinking, White took advantage of a pause in the conversation to
remark: "What a very fortunate thing it is that you who want to
purchase provisions and we who have them for sale should come together
in this remarkable fashion."

"It is so fortunate and so remarkable that I must regard it as a
distinct leading of the Divine Providence that knows our every need and
guides our halting footsteps," replied the missionary.

"And do you think," continued the young trader anxiously, "that you
want our entire cargo?"

"I am sure of it; and even then we may be put on short rations before
the winter is ended, for there are many to be fed."

With this opening the conversation drifted so easily into business
details that, before the occupants of the cabin turned in for the
night, everything had been arranged. White had been somewhat
disappointed when the missionary said that, having no funds in St.
Johns, he would be obliged to give a sight draft on New York in payment
for the goods. This slight annoyance was, however, speedily smoothed
away by Cabot, who offered to cash the draft immediately upon their
arrival in St. Johns, where, he said, he had ample funds for the
purpose. It was also agreed that our lads should be provided with fur
clothing, snowshoes, a dog sledge, and a guide as far as Indian
Harbour. In addition to taking the cargo of the "Sea Bee," the
missionary proposed to purchase the schooner itself, at a sum much less
than her real value, but one that constituted a very fair offer under
the circumstances.

White hesitated over this pro