conscience, at last
succeeded not only in filling Mr. Blane's mind with the idea of Donald
being sent out in some sense as his representative, but in so doing it
that the worthy shipmaster quite supposed he had conceived the notion
himself.

Accordingly, a few days later Mr. Blane called Donald into his own
room, and began asking him some questions that made the boy's eyes
glitter with hope.

The sagacious dominie, knowing Mr. Blane, had counselled Donald not to
let on in any way how eagerly he desired to go to Darien, but to seem
simply willing to do whatever he was told. He therefore put a strong
curb upon himself, and responded respectfully to what was asked of him.

"Ye've got a great liking for the sea, they tell me, lad," began Mr.
Blane, with a keen glance at the bright face and sturdy figure.

[Illustration: "'YE'VE A GREAT LIKING FOR THE SEA. THEY TELL ME, LAD,'
BEGAN MR. BLANE."]

"Oh, yes, sir," answered Donald emphatically.

"And wad ye care to go away altogether on a ship?" asked his uncle.

"Ay, that I would, sir," was the hearty reply; and then, in a sly,
apologetic tone, "But of course I'd like to come back again."

Mr. Blane smiled grimly. He quite understood the boy's eagerness to be
rid of the restraints of school and of town life, and did not take at
all amiss the readiness he expressed to leave the roof that had
sheltered him so comfortably, and fare forth into unknown difficulties
and dangers.

"And what wad ye say to going with Mr. Paterson away out to America, if
he'll let you?" was the next question; and Donald could feel his
uncle's deep-set eyes piercing him like arrows.

But he controlled himself wonderfully, and in a quiet, steady voice,
that touched no chord of opposition, said, "I wad like it verra weel,
if _you_ will let me go, sir."

Mr. Blane was better pleased by this response than he showed, and,
after a brief silence, he got up, saying, "Well, well, we'll think
about it--we'll think about it. Ye're owre young, maybe, to be leavin'
your friends to gang among strangers; but ye're a likely lad, and it
may go towards making a man of you. Say naething about it--do you
hear?--for the present--not a word."

Donald promptly promised, and left his uncle with a heart full of hope.
Only to the dominie did he mention the interview, and then for nearly a
week he was kept on tenterhooks of anxiety.

In the meantime Mr. Blane conferred with Mr. Paterson, and having been
assur