Singapore I mean to
traverse most of the islands along the equator, staying longest at such
of them as give me plenty of specimens. Then I shall go on and on to
New Guinea, collecting all the time, spending perhaps four or five years
out there before I return; that is, if the Malays and Papuans will be
kind enough to leave me alone and not throw spears at me."

"You will go where all the most beautiful birds are plentiful, uncle?"
I said.

"Yes, my boy, collecting all the time."

"Shall you go alone, uncle?" I ventured to say after a pause.

"Yes, my boy, quite alone, except that I shall engage one or two native
servants at the places where I stay, and perhaps I shall buy a boat for
my own special use to cruise from island to island. Why, what are you
sighing about, boy?"

"I was thinking about your going out there, uncle, all alone."

"Well, my boy, do you suppose I shall be frightened?"

"No, uncle, of course not; but won't you be dull?"

"I shall be too busy to be dull, my boy. The only likely time for me to
be dull is of an evening, and then I shall go to sleep."

He went on with his work until it grew dark, and then at his request I
lit the lamp, placed it down close to his writing, and remained standing
there by his elbow wanting to speak but not daring to do so, till he
suddenly turned round and looked me in the face.

"Why, Nat, my boy, what's the matter? Are you unwell?"

"No, uncle," I said slowly.

"What then? Is anything wrong?"

"I--I was thinking about when you are gone, uncle."

"Ah! yes, my boy; you'll have to go back to school then and work away at
your ciphering and French. I shall often think about you, Nat, when I
am busy over the birds I have shot, skinning and preserving them; and
when I come back, Nat, you must help me again."

"When you come back?" I said dolefully.

"Yes, my lad. Let me see--you are fourteen now. In four or five years
you will have grown quite a man. Perhaps you will not care to help me
then."

"Oh, uncle!" I cried; for I could keep it back no longer. It had been
the one great thought of my mind night and day for weeks now, and if my
prayer were not gratified the whole of my future seemed to be too blank
and miserable to be borne.

"Why, what is it, my boy?" he said. "Nat, my lad, don't be afraid to
speak out. Is anything wrong?"

"Yes, uncle," I panted; for my words seemed to choke me.

"Speak out then, my boy, what is it?"

"You--you a