rent of six
sons,--all of whom, with the exception of the eldest, who inherited the
estate, had to seek their fortune in the world. My father was his
fourth son. Having gone through a medical course at the University of
Edinburgh, where he gained not only a knowledge of his profession, but
of science generally, he entered the Royal Navy as an assistant-surgeon,
and was ultimately promoted to the rank of surgeon. Among his many
other talents, he possessed that of acquiring foreign languages, and he
spoke French and Spanish remarkably well; though at the time he learned
the latter--from a wounded Spanish prisoner, whose life was saved by his
skill--he little thought how useful it would prove to him. After
visiting many parts of the world, adding greatly to his store of
information, he was appointed to the _Zebra_ sloop-of-war of eighteen
guns, which soon after sailed for the Pacific.

Among the youngsters on board was a midshipman named Richard Duffield,--
generally known, however, as Dicky Duff. He was the orphan son of an
old messmate, who had been killed in action. The brave lieutenant's
last thoughts, as he lay mortally wounded in the cockpit, the guns still
thundering overhead, were about his son.

"The boy's mother is dead, and when I am gone he'll not have a friend in
the world. Doctor, will you look after him? I know you will!"

"Don't let any doubt about that trouble you. I'll act a father's part
towards your boy as well as I am able," was the answer.

My father faithfully fulfilled his promise; and when the boy was old
enough, he got him placed on the quarter-deck, and generally managed to
take him to sea with himself. Richard Duffield was grateful for the
kindness shown him, and became much attached to his protector, with whom
he had many tastes in common.

My father, whenever he had an opportunity, was in the habit of going on
shore with his gun, to obtain specimens of the birds and beasts of the
country; while he also frequently brought off a bag of game for the
benefit of the commander and his own messmates. On such occasions he
was generally accompanied by Dicky Duff, who had become as good a
sportsman as himself.

On one occasion, when the _Zebra_ was off the coast of Guatemala in
Central America, my father, having obtained a boat from the commander,
left the ship, taking with him Dicky Duff, and their constant attendant,
Paul Lobo, an African seaman, and a crew of six men. No inhabitants