atswain, two engineers, an ice-master, eight sailors,
two stokers, in all eighteen men, including Dr. Clawbonny of this
city, who will join you at the proper time.

Those who are shipped on board of the _Forward_ must be Englishmen,
independent, with no family ties, single and temperate; for the use of
spirits, and even of beer, will be strictly forbidden on shipboard:
the men must be ready to undertake and endure everything.

In your selection you will prefer those of a sanguine temperament, and
so inclined to maintain a higher degree of animal heat.

You will offer the crew five times their usual pay, to be increased
one tenth at the end of each year. At the end of the voyage each one
shall receive five hundred pounds, and you yourself two thousand. The
requisite sum shall be deposited with the above-named Messrs. Marcuart
& Co.

The voyage will be long and difficult, but one sure to bring renown.
You need not hesitate, then, Mr. Shandon.

Send your answer to the initials K. Z., at Gottenburg, Sweden, _poste
restante_.

[Illustration]

P. S. On the 15th of February next you will receive a large Danish
dog, with hanging lips, of a dark tawny color, with black stripes
running crosswise. You will find place for him on board, and you will
feed him on barley bread mixed with a broth of lard. You will
acknowledge the receipt of this dog by a letter to the same initials
at Leghorn, Italy.

The captain of the _Forward_ will appear and make himself known at the
proper time. As you are about setting sail you will receive new
instructions.

K. Z.,
_Captain of the Forward_.

CHAPTER III.
DR. CLAWBONNY.

Richard Shandon was a good sailor; for a long time he had commanded
whalers in the Arctic seas, with a well-deserved reputation throughout
all Lancaster. Such a letter was well calculated to astonish him; he
was astonished, it is true, but with the calmness of a man who is
accustomed to surprises.

He suited all the required conditions; no wife, child, nor relatives.
He was as independent as man could be. There being no one whose
opinion he needed to consult, he betook himself to Messrs. Marcuart &
Co.

"If the money is there," he said to himself, "the rest is all right."

At the banking-house he was received with the respect due to a man who
has sixteen thousand pounds deposited to his credit; having made that
point sure, Shandon asked for a sheet of white paper, and in his large
sailor's handwriting