bravery, audacity, and skill put an instant
in doubt, even by you! The captain who chose you for his mate is a
man who knows what he's about, I can tell you."

"But that's nothing to do with it," said Shandon, impatient.

"What is it, then? Don't keep me in suspense another minute."

"You don't give me time to speak. Tell me, if you please, doctor,
how it comes that you are to take part in the expedition of the
_Forward_."

"Read this letter, this worthy letter, the letter of a brave
captain--very laconic, but quite sufficient."

Saying which the doctor held out the following letter to Shandon:--

"INVERNESS,

"Jan. 22nd, 1860.

"To Dr. Clawbonny.

"If Dr. Clawbonny wishes to embark on board the _Forward_ for a long
cruise, he may introduce himself to the commander, Richard Shandon,
who has received orders concerning him.

"THE CAPTAIN OF THE 'FORWARD,'

"K. Z."

"This letter reached me this morning, and here I am, ready to embark."

"But, doctor, do you know where we are going to?"

"I haven't the slightest idea, and I do not care so that it is somewhere.
They pretend that I am learned; they are mistaken, commander. I know
nothing, and if I have published a few books that don't sell badly,
I ought not to have done it; the public is silly for buying them.
I know nothing, I tell you. I am only an ignorant man. When I have
the offer of completing, or rather of going over again, my knowledge
of medicine, surgery, history, geography, botany, mineralogy,
conchology, geodesy, chemistry, natural philosophy, mechanics, and
hydrography, why I accept, of course."

"Then," said Shandon, disappointed, "you do not know where the
_Forward_ is bound for?"

"Yes, I do; it is bound for where there is something to learn, to
discover, and to compare--where we shall meet with other customs,
other countries, other nations, to study in the exercise of their
functions; it is going, in short, where I have never been."

"But I want to know something more definite than that," cried Shandon.

"Well, I have heard that we are bound for the Northern Seas."

"At least," asked Shandon, "you know the captain?"

"Not the least bit in the world! But he is an honest fellow, you may
believe me."

The commander and the doctor disembarked at Birkenhead; the former
told the doctor all he knew about t