ads!" was the order. "It will matter but little, I suspect, after
all."

Among other things thrown overboard was the captain's chest; the mate
saw it just as it reached the foaming sea, too late to save it. He said
nothing to the captain: he believed that the ship herself would be lost,
but his prognostications proved wrong; the good ship drove over the
bank, weathered out the gale, jury-masts were got up, and she not only
got into the Irish Channel, but safe up the Mersey, without any help
whatever.

Great was the grief of good Captain Scarsdale, when, on recovering from
his hurts, he discovered that his chest and its valuable contents had
been hove overboard. As has been said, he was a mild-tempered man, so
he did not storm and rage, but as the profits of the voyage had been
considerable, he resolved to devote them to establishing the claims of
the young foundling. He had never told Rolf Morton what those claims
were. He knew that they would only tend to unsettle the mind of the
boy, and make him less contented with his lot, should he fail to obtain
his rights. Rolf had no more notion, therefore, than the world in
general, who he was, and he believed the story which had at first been
told by the men, that he was the son of a gentleman and lady who had
perished on board a ship which had foundered on its way to South
America.

As soon as Captain Scarsdale had settled his affairs in Liverpool, he
hastened to Edinburgh, where he had a relative, a writer to the
"Signet." He laid the boy's case before him.

"My good Andrew, don't waste your money in making the attempt till you
have surer grounds to go on than you now have," was the answer.
"Possession is nine parts of the law. I have no more doubt than you
have as to the claims of this boy; but can you prove them without
documents or evidence of any sort? Can you expect to overcome a
powerful and unscrupulous opponent? You have perfect trust in
Providence, Andrew--so have I, lawyer though I am; and be assured that
in God's good time justice will be awarded to all parties concerned."

This was not exactly like legal advice in general; but Andrew Scarsdale
at once saw its wisdom, and agreed to abide by it. Proceeding to
Aberdeen, he was at once offered the charge of a Greenland whaler. He
accepted the offer, taking Rolf Morton with him. He touched at Lerwick
both on his outward and homeward voyage. While on shore on the first
occasion, he heard that a smal