to
see Florida. I have heard something about the country--that there is no
end of game and sport of all sorts to be had in it."

"Bless my heart, I never thought of that!" exclaimed my father. "Well,
as it may be some time before you can possibly obtain employment,
perhaps you could not do better than accompany me. There will be the
additional expense; but your uncle generously offers to pay the cost of
my voyage, and I shall see what funds I can raise. We'll leave old
Molly in charge of the place till we return, so that there will not be
the expense of housekeeping. As my brother urges me to come without
delay, we will forthwith set about our preparations. I have been too
long in a marching regiment to require many hours for getting ready."

I was delighted that my father had agreed to my proposal, and that he
could not think of any other way to dispose of me. We talked the matter
over until we settled that we should start for Dublin the next day if
possible, and thence crossing to Liverpool, look out there for a vessel
bound for one of the southern ports of the United States,--either
Charleston or Savannah.

As soon as we had finished our talk, I jumped up and set about getting
our traps in order.

"You're the boy not to let the grass grow under your feet," observed my
father, well pleased at my alacrity.

Our first care was to look over our guns and sporting gear; the next, to
put up such clothing as we thought we should require. My father then
sent off for his agent; and I, meantime, wrote by his direction several
letters of business.

While I was thus engaged, Tim Flanagan--an old follower of my father,
who had served in his regiment, and on getting his discharge had come to
live with us, uniting the offices of butler, groom, and general
factotum--made his appearance, I having told him to come in as soon as
his work was over.

"Tim, I'm thinking of running across to America for a few weeks, or
months it may be, with Maurice here. I have not quite made up my mind
how to find you employment. In the meantime, Molly will look after the
house, and Dan Rafferty will mind the farm."

"Sure, if your honour's going to foreign lands, you wouldn't be afther
leavin' me behind?" interrupted Tim. "An' the young masther going away
too! Though there might be work enough for me, I had much rather be
followin' you, capt'n, whether it's fighting or hunting you'd be afther.
It isn't wages I want; so just let it b