, and caught the old pony, and the two
friends were soon on their way towards the common, through lanes
at the back of the village.

The wind had sunk to sleep as the shadows lengthened. There was
no sound abroad except that of Nibble's hoofs on the turf,--not
even the hum of insects; for the few persevering gnats, who were
still dancing about in the slanting glints of sunshine that
struck here and there across the lanes, had left off humming.
Nothing living met them except an occasional stag-beetle,
steering clumsily down the lane, and seeming like a heavy
coaster, to have as much to do as he could fairly manage in
keeping clear of them. They walked on in silence for some time,
which was broken at last by East.

"I haven't had time to tell you about my future prospects."

"How do you mean? Has anything happened?"

"Yes. I got a letter two days ago from New Zealand, where I find
I am a considerable landowner. A cousin of mine has died out
there and has left me his property."

"W ell, you're not going to leave England, surely?"

"Yes, I am. The doctors say the voyage will do me good, and the
climate is just the one to suit me. What's the good of my staying
here? I shan't be fit for service again for years. I shall go on
half-pay, and become an enterprising agriculturist at the
Antipodes. I have spoken to the sergeant, and arranged that he
and his wife shall go with me; so, as soon as I can get his
discharge, and he has done honeymooning, we shall start. I wish
you would come with us."

Tom could scarcely believe his ears; but soon found that East was
in earnest, and had an answer to all his remonstrances. Indeed,
he had very little to say against the plan, for it jumped with
his own humour; and he could not help admitting that, under the
circumstances, it was a wise one, and that, with Harry Winburn
for his head man, East couldn't do better than carry it out.

"I knew you would soon come around to it," said the Captain;
"what could I do dawdling about at home, with just enough money
to keep me and get me into mischief? There I shall have a
position and an object; and one may be of some use, and make
one's mark in a new country. And we'll get a snug berth ready for
you by the time you're starved out of the old country. England
isn't the place for poor men with any go in them."

"I believe you're right, Harry," said Tom, mournfully.

"I know I am. And in a few years, when we've made our fortunes,
we'll come