s on the balance. For it
would have been terrible to me to have gone away now just as a new life
of excitement and adventure was opening out.

"Do you really feel that you would like Jacob to go with you?" said my
father at last.

There was a unanimous "Yes!" at this, and my heart gave a jump.

"Well, then," said my father, "he shall go."

That settled the business, except a general shaking of hands, for we
were all delighted, little thinking, in our innocence, of the troubles,
the perils, and the dangers through which we should have to go.

CHAPTER TWO.

A FIERY PLACE.

No time was lost. The agreements were signed, and Uncle Dick packed up
his traps, as he called them, that is to say, his books, clothes, and
models and contrivances, so as to go down at once, take possession of
the works, and get apartments for us.

I should have liked to go with him, but I had to stay for another week,
and then, after a hearty farewell, we others started, my father, mother,
and sister seeing us off by rail; and until I saw the trees, hedges, and
houses seeming to fly by me I could hardly believe that we were really
on our way.

Of course I felt a little low-spirited at leaving home, and I was a
little angry with myself for seeming to be so glad to get away from
those who had been so patient and kind, but I soon found myself arguing
that it would have been just the same if I had left home only to go to
some business place in London. Still I was looking very gloomy when
Uncle Jack clapped me on the shoulder, and asked me if I didn't feel
like beginning to be a man.

"No," I said sadly, as I looked out of the window at the flying
landscape, so that he should not see my face. "I feel more as if I was
beginning to be a great girl."

"Nonsense!" said Uncle Bob; "you're going to be a man now, and help us."

"Am I?" said I sadly.

"To be sure you are. There, put that gloomy face in your pocket and
learn geography."

They both chatted to me, and I felt a little better, but anything but
cheerful, for it was my first time of leaving home. I looked at the
landscape, and the towns and churches we passed, but nothing seemed to
interest me till, well on in my journey, I saw a sort of wooden tower
close to the line, with a wheel standing half out of the top. There was
an engine-house close by--there was no doubt about it, for I could see
the puffs of white steam at the top, and a chimney. There was a great
mound of black