tel as I had arranged, and tell him I have decided to accept his
offer. I would go down to-night if it were not so late; for now that
I've made up my mind I should feel pretty bad if meanwhile he happened
to meet someone else who had not so many scruples as myself, and who
needed a job badly enough to accept the opening on the spot, without
taking time to think it over.

"However, I don't think Drake will interview anybody else until he has
had my answer, for he certainly seemed anxious enough to secure my
particular services; so I'll hope for the best and leave things in the
hands of fate. And now, Dick," he went on, passing his hand across his
forehead, "I've had a long tiring day, and have a rather bad headache
into the bargain; so, if you don't mind, I think I'll toddle up to bed
and get to sleep; for I want to be up early in the morning. Good night,
old man!"

"Good night, Murray, my hearty!" replied his friend. "I hope you'll
sleep well, and have pleasant dreams. You ought to, after this piece of
good luck. By the way, when does Drake want you to go aboard?"

"Oh, to be sure; I quite forgot to mention that. He told me that if I
decided to join him he would require me to be on board as soon as I
possibly could. Indeed, he hinted that if I could make it convenient to
turn up tomorrow evening and sleep aboard the ship, he would be more
than pleased. You see, he has his cargo pretty nearly loaded, and hopes
to be able to get away at midday the day after to-morrow; so the sooner
I am on board the sooner I shall be able to take some of the worry and
trouble and work off his shoulders."

"Great Scot!" exclaimed Dick, jumping up, "he wants you to join as soon
as that! Why, I fully expected that you wouldn't be leaving under a
week at the least. So to-night will be your last sleep in the old bed,
for some months to come, at any rate--for I want you to make this place
your home again as soon as ever you return. Make the most of it,
therefore. You don't know where you may have to lie, in what queer
places you may have to sleep, before you get back. Well, I suppose I'll
see you in the morning at breakfast; and at any rate you'll be back here
after you've interviewed Drake, in order to pack your traps, say
good-bye, and so on?"

"Yes, you'll see me at breakfast, Dick; and I shall be back as soon as
possible after I have seen the skipper, to pack and to say good-bye. By
gad, Dick!" he went on, with a little