d Mr Trevannion. "Captain
Paul, of the Chester Lass, is very ill, and not likely to be out of bed
for some time; and even if he were well, I have no opinion of him in an
affair of this moment. If, as Captain Irving says, he can fill the Amy,
her cargo will be worth three times that of the Chester Lass; but, of
course, the destination of the Sparrow-Hawk must be a secret, and I do
not know whom to intrust her to. We require some one in whom we can put
confidence."

"I agree with you, Sir," replied I; "and, if you have no objection, I
think that the best plan will be for me to go myself; I shall be back
again in ten weeks at the furthest."

"Well, as you will now have a strong interest in it, I really think so
too. In fact, I don't know whom else we can trust."

"I agree with you, Sir, and I will go myself, and I think the sooner the
better; but I do not know whether we can obtain all the goods requisite
immediately."

"We can have them in five or six days," replied Mr Trevannion; "I sent
Humphrey out to make inquiry."

"At all events, I must look to them myself; and there are many other
things to manage, so I had better wish you a good morning now, Mr
Trevannion, and in the evening I will call again, and let you know what
I have done."

"Do so," said he, and I then took my leave.

I certainly was very much astonished as well as much pleased at Mr
Trevannion's liberality relative to the partnership, and I could now
look forward to competency in a few years at the furthest. Certainly,
if Mr Trevannion had been hasty in his conduct towards me he had made
most noble reparation. I first returned to the lodgings and told
Captain Levee and Philip what had passed; they immediately proposed that
we should all go together on board the Sparrow-Hawk, that I might make
my arrangements, and that they might persuade some of the men to join
the Arrow. I first picked out the men I wished to sail with me; and
then they talked over the rest, who that evening went on shore for their
wages, and the next morning joined the Arrow, as Captain Levee was
anxious to get round to the Nore. The day after the men joined, the
Arrow sailed, which I was not sorry for, as it left me more at leisure
to expedite my own affairs. Philip promised to be my correspondent, and
I bade them both farewell with regret. I called in the evening, as I
had promised, upon Mr Trevannion, and he then gave me the deed of
partnership, signed and dated the