and plenty of
dollars to keep the pot boiling at home. It's the last voyage I intend
to make; for thirty years knocking about at sea is enough for any man."

"Many say that, captain; but when the time comes they generally find a
reason for making one voyage more, to help them to start with a better
capital. But as you have got your young ones aboard, you will have
their company to cheer you."

As the old pilot stepped along the deck he shook hands with two young
people, a boy and a girl, who were standing near the gangway.

"Good-bye, Walter; good-bye, Miss Alice; look after father, and obey
him, and God will bless you. If we are all spared, I hope to see you,
Walter, grown into a tall young man; and you, Miss Alice, I suppose I
shan't know you again. Good-bye; Heaven protect you." Saying this, the
old pilot lowered himself into his boat alongside, and pulled away for
his cutter, which lay hove-to at a little distance.

The _Champion_ was a South Sea whaler of about four hundred tons burden;
with a crew, including Mr Andrew Lawrie, the surgeon, of fifty officers
and men. The chief object of the voyage was the capture of the sperm
whale,--which creature is found in various parts of the Pacific Ocean;
but as the war in which England had been engaged since the commencement
of the century was not over, she carried eight guns, which would serve
to defend her both against civilised enemies and the savage inhabitants
of the islands she was likely to visit. The usual license for carrying
guns, or "Letters of Marque," had been obtained for her by the owners;
she was thus able not only to defend herself, but to attack and capture,
if she could, any vessels of the enemy she might meet with. Captain
Tredeagle, being a peace-loving man, had no intention of exercising this
privilege,--his only wish being to dispose of the ventures he carried,
and to obtain by honest exertions a full cargo of sperm oil.

Walter and Alice waved their hands to the old pilot, as his little
vessel, close-hauled, stood away towards the mouth of the river. It
seemed to them that in parting from him the last link which bound them
to their native land was severed. They left many friends behind them;
but it was their father's wish that they should accompany him, and they
eagerly looked forward to the pleasure of seeing the beautiful islands
they were likely to visit, and witnessing the strange sights they
expected to meet with during the voyage.