and Mr Roberts at once handed it over to
his client with the remark--

"There, my dear sir, just run your eye over that; if the _Aurora_ won't
suit you, _nothing_ will. She is a capital little ship; I know her
well. Her owner, poor fellow--who is captain of her also--had the
misfortune to lose his wife last voyage--washed overboard somehow in a
gale of wind--and it has so upset him that he has resolved to cut the
sea altogether and everything connected with it. He is even willing to
sell at a great sacrifice, so as to get rid of the ship as soon as
possible. Great bargain, captain; most extraordinary bargain; never get
another such a chance."

"That looks much more promising," said George, returning the paper.
"Where is she, and when can I see her?"

"London Docks--see her in an hour--I'll take you down on board at once,"
was the reply.

And merely stopping to change his coat, and give some instructions to
his clerks, Mr Roberts invited George to follow him; and, getting into
the street, they hailed the first hackney-coach which passed, and in a
few minutes were jolting along on their way to the London Docks.

Dismissing the coach at the dock gates, Mr Roberts inquired of the
gate-keeper where the _Aurora_ was to be found.

"Inside ship, fourth berth, north side," answered the man, pointing out
the direction they were to take.

They soon found the vessel, and George, standing on the edge of the dock
wall, saw before him a pretty little barque of some four hundred and odd
tons, copper-bottomed, with a flush deck fore and aft, a fine set of
spars, and such a shapely hull as set his eyes glistening. He walked
away from her and knelt down so as to take a good look at her "run;"
then went ahead of her to see what her bows were like; and finally, very
much prepossessed in her favour already, went on board, accompanied by
Mr Roberts.

Here they were received by the ship-keeper, who at once led the way into
the cabin. This proved to be an exceedingly snug and comfortable
apartment, not very large, yet roomy enough, and very tastefully fitted
up. Abaft this they found the captain's cabin, a room some twelve feet
long, and the entire width of the ship, well lighted--there being both a
skylight and stern-ports--and fitted up in a style which gave
unmistakable evidence of the refined taste of the former captain's poor
drowned wife. From the cabin they proceeded to the forecastle, and from
thence into the hold, Geo