Scotland mighty among the nations had failed utterly.

Creeping cautiously along the coast, the two ships made their slow way
northward, and, after passing through many a peril, at length reached
New York, with the rotten rigging dropping from the masts, the pumps
going steadily to keep the leaky hulks afloat, and scarce two days'
scant supply of food and water. With inexpressible joy the wearied
voyagers hastened to land, Donalblane of course accompanying Mr.
Paterson.

Although for a quarter of a century in possession of the British, New
York was still for the most part a Dutch town, and the keen-eyed Scotch
boy saw much that was novel and interesting in the quaint ways of the
people and the odd appearance of the houses. He was quick to notice
the aspect of comfort and neatness that marked the place, and made so
pleasing a contrast to the squalor and misery of the settlement at
Darien.

"Oh, but it's verra bonnie here!" he said to Mr. Paterson as, strolling
through the streets in the cool of the evening, he saw the prosperous
burghers with their plump wives and rosy children sitting out at the
front of their houses, so evidently enjoying life in their simple,
sober way.

"Do you think you'd like to stay here, then?" Mr. Paterson asked, with
a kindly twinkle in his eye. "I dare say it could be managed. One of
these well-to-do merchants might be glad to take you as an apprentice."

Donald smiled and shook his head. There was indeed something
attractive in the idea, but he did not feel free to entertain it.

"Wad ye be thinkin' of staying yer ain sel'?" he inquired in turn.

"Oh, no, Donald," replied Mr. Paterson with a deep sigh. "I must
return to Scotland to give an account of my stewardship."

"Then if ye're going back, I'm going wi' ye," responded the lad in a
tone of absolute decision; and Mr. Paterson, patting him affectionately
on the shoulder, said in a voice whose unwonted tremor showed how
strongly he felt--

"You're a good boy, Donald, leal and true, and I believe that in the
providence of God you will come to greatness yet."

The survivors of the unfortunate Darien expedition were so kindly
treated at New York that quite a number of them were glad to settle
permanently in the prosperous colony; but Mr. Paterson impatiently
awaited the opportunity to get back to Scotland.

During the delay Donalblane had an adventure that caused him to retain
a vivid remembrance of the place for the remaind