orn to help
me to my heart's desire. And it seemed to him that in this enterprise
of his uncle's lurked my chance of seeing a little of the world.

Captain Amber, who loved Lancelot better than any being in the world
save one, promised that if I were willing, and seemed a lad of spirit, I
should go along with Lancelot and himself to help build the colony at
the butt end of the world. As the ship was to sail from Sendennis--that
being Captain Amber's native place--he promised Lancelot that he would
seek me out, and see if I pleased him, and if the plan pleased me. And
I, on fire with the thought of getting away from Sendennis and feeling
the width of the world--all I wanted to know was how soon we might be
starting.

'A fortnight is our longest delay,' the Captain said; 'we sail sooner if
we can. Report yourself to me to-morrow morning between eleven and noon.
You will find me at the Noble Rose. You know where that is, I suppose?'

Now, as the Noble Rose was the first inn in Sendennis, and one that the
town was proud of, I naturally knew of its whereabouts, though I was not
so well acquainted with it as with a certain other and more ill-favoured
hostelry that shall be nameless. The Noble Rose was in favour with the
country gentry and the gentlemen of the Chisholm Hunt, and it would
scarcely have welcomed a tradesman's son within its walls as readily as
the rapscallion Skull and Spectacles did. But I felt that I should be
welcomed anywhere as the friend of Captain Marmaduke Amber, for as a
friend I already began to regard him. So I assured him that I would duly
present myself to him at the Noble Rose on the morrow, between eleven of
the clock and noon.

'That's right, lad,' he said; and then, turning to my mother, he took
her worn hand in his strong one, and, to my surprise and pleasure,
kissed it with a reverential courtesy, as if she had been a Court lady.

As Captain Marmaduke turned to go I caught at his hand.

'Where is Lancelot?' I asked; 'is he here in Sendennis?' For in the
midst of all the joy and wonder of this sea business my heart was on
fire to see that face again.

Captain Marmaduke laughed.

'If he were in Sendennis at this hour he would be here, I make no doubt.
He is in London, looking after one or two matters which methought he
could manage better than I could. But he will be here in good time, and
it is time for me to be off. Remember, my lad, to-morrow,' and with a
bow for my mother and a bear