ent
determination.

Their deliberations ended by each of them proclaiming a resolve,--almost
sealing it with a vow,--that they would enter into some more profitable,
though perhaps less pretentious, employment than that of either
soldiering or sailoring; that they would toil--with their hands, if need
be--until they should accumulate a sufficient sum to return and recover
the ancestral estate from the grasp of the avaricious usurper. They did
not know how it was to be done; but, young, strong, and hopeful, they
believed it might be done,--with time, patience, and industry to aid
them in the execution.

"Where shall we go?" inquired Richard, the younger of the two. "To
America, where every poor man appears to prosper? With a thousand each
to begin the world with, we might do well there. What say you, Ralph?"

"America is a country where men seem to thrive best who have _nothing_
to begin the world with. You mean North America,--the United States,--I
suppose?"

"I do."

"I don't much like the United States as a home,--not because it is a
republic, for I believe that is the only just form of government,
whatever our aristocratic friends may say. I object to it simply because
I wish to go south,--to some part of the tropical world, where one may
equally be in the way of acquiring a fortune."

"Is there such a place?"

"There is."

"Where, brother?"

"Peru. Anywhere along the Sierra of the Andes from Chili to the Isthmus
of Panama. As Cornish men we should adopt the specialty of our province,
and become miners. The Andes mountains will give us that opportunity,
where, instead of gray tin, we may delve for yellow gold. What say you
to South America?"

"I like the thought of South America,--nothing would please me better
than going there. But I must confess, brother, I have no inclination for
the occupation you speak of. I had rather be a merchant than a miner."

"Don't let that _penchant_ prevent you from selecting Peru as the scene
of mercantile transactions. There are many Englishmen who have made
fortunes in the Peruvian trade. You may hope to follow their example. We
may choose different occupations and still be near each other. One
thousand pounds each may give both of us a start,--you as a merchant of
goods, I as a digger for gold. Peru is the place for either business.
Decide, Dick! Shall we sail for the scenes rendered celebrated by
Pizarro?"

"If you will it--I'm agreed."

"Thither then let us go."