was satisfactory.

"We expect to rough it," said the professor. "It will not be for long."

Yussuf shrugged his shoulders, and said as he looked hard at Lawrence:

"It may be long, effendi. The winds perhaps light, and there are
storms."

"I am afraid we must risk these troubles; and besides, it is a coasting
trip, and we should be able to run into some port."

Yussuf bowed.

"I thought it my duty to tell his excellency of the state of the boat,"
he said; and then, in an earnest busy way, he asked about the baggage to
go on board, and provisions, promising to bring up a couple of the Greek
sailors to carry down what was necessary.

In the course of the afternoon this was done, the consul visited and
parted from in the most friendly manner, Lawrence's eyes brightening as
the official rested his hand upon his shoulder, and declared in all
sincerity that he could see an improvement in him already.

The landlord endorsed this remark too on parting, and he as well as the
consul assured the little party that, if anything could be done to help
them, a message would receive the most earnest attention.

"You think we shall get into trouble, then?" Lawrence ventured to say,
but shrank back directly he had spoken, with his cheeks flushed and
heart beating, for his long illness had made him effeminate.

"I think it possible," said the landlord smiling; "but I sincerely hope
you will not. In fact, with a man like Yussuf your risks are greatly
reduced. Good-bye, gentlemen, and I shall look forward to seeing you
again on your way back."

"Bravo, Lawrence!" cried the professor, clapping him on the shoulder.
"I had been thinking the same thing; now I am sure of it."

"I don't understand you," said the lad wiping his face, for the
perspiration was standing in a fine dew all over his brow.

"Why, both Mr Thompson and the landlord here said that you were better,
and you have just shown me that you are."

"How, Mr Preston?" said the lad bashfully.

"By the way in which you just now spoke out, my boy," said Mr Burne,
joining in. "Why, you couldn't have spoken like that before we started.
You are not much better now; but when we settled to come on this trip
you were as weak and bashful as a delicate girl. Preston, we shall make
a man of him after all."

They were walking towards the landing-place nearest to where the Greek's
boat lay, and further conversation was stayed by Yussuf coming to them.

"The boatman will