ere I
gather that there is no time to lose, so with your permission I'll get
to work at once."

"Order all the coal you want, and tell the steward to do the same for
anything he may require in his department. The bills must be sent in to
me."

"Very good, Mr. Wetherell. And what time will you be ready?"

"As soon as you are. Can you get away by three o'clock this afternoon,
think you?"

"Well, it will be a bit of a scramble, but I think we can manage it.
Anyhow, I'll do my best, you may be sure of that, sir."

"I'm sure you will. There is grave need for it. Now we'll go back and
arrange a few matters ashore. My man shall bring our baggage down later
on."

"Very good, sir. I'll have your berths prepared."

With that we descended to the boat again, and were pulled ashore.
Arriving there, Mr. Wetherell asked what we should do first.

"Hadn't we better go up to the town and purchase a few rifles and some
ammunition?" I said. "We can have them sent down direct to the boat."

"A very good suggestion. Let us go at once."

We accordingly set off for George Street--to a shop I remembered having
seen. There we purchased half a dozen Winchester repeaters, with a good
supply of ammunition. They were to be sent down to the yacht without
fail that morning. This done, we stood on the pavement debating what we
should do next. Finally it was decided that Mr. Wetherell and Beckenham
should go home to pack, while I made one or two other small purchases,
and then join them. Accordingly, bidding them good-bye, I went on down
the street, completed my business, and was about to hail a cab and
follow them, when a thought struck me: Why should I not visit Messrs.
Dawson & Gladman, and find out why they were advertising for me? This I
determined to do, and accordingly set off for Castlereagh Street.

In a small room leading off the main passage, three clerks were seated.
To them I addressed myself, asking if I might see the partners.

"Mr. Dawson is the only one in town, sir," said the boy to whom I spoke.
"If you'll give me your name, I'll take it in to him."

"My name is Hatteras," I said. "Mr. Richard Hatteras."

In less than two minutes the clerk returned, and begged me to follow
him, which I did. At the end of a long passage we passed through a
curtained doorway, and I stood in the presence of the chief partner.

"I have great pleasure in making your acquaintance, Mr. Hatteras," he
said, as I came to an anchor in a chair.