, and a deep voice said in a
kindly tone, "Beginning to feel a little homesick already, lad?"

Looking up quickly, Donald found beside him the master-spirit of the
enterprise, William Paterson, to whom he had been once introduced in
his uncle's office.

"Na, na, sir!" was his prompt, respectful reply; "I'm wearying to be
off. Will the ships be ganging soon, sir?" and he fixed his big grey
eyes upon Mr. Paterson's face.

"Oh! is that the way the wind lies?" was the response, as the great man
smiled approvingly at the boy, for he was much pleased with his spirit.
"You are eager for adventure, eh? Well, my lad, you are likely to have
your fill of it." And his handsome countenance clouded as he spoke,
for the execution of his scheme had been marked by many disappointments
which boded no good for its ultimate success. By his frank, honest way
and earnest efforts to do what was best for the interests of the
expedition, not for the profit of those supplying the outfit, he had
aroused the hostility of many who had not hesitated to plot against
him, with the result that latterly he had been practically set aside,
and had been compelled to witness gross imposition and fraud which he
was powerless to prevent. No wonder, then, that his downcast face
presented a striking contrast to that of the enthusiastic boy as they
stood on the deck together; and, influenced by the other's contagious
confidence, he brightened a little before continuing. "We can hardly
fail to have adventures, for it is a new world we are going to, where
savages, and, worse than savages, the cruel, grasping Spaniards, are
already, and we shall have to reckon with them before we can succeed in
our scheme. But with the providence of God protecting us, we shall
succeed," and his voice took on a triumphant tone that revealed his
faith in the Divine approval of his project. "Be careful what friends
you make on board here," he added, once more laying his hand upon the
boy's shoulder. "There are many to be shunned, and remember that, for
your uncle's sake and your own, I shall always be glad to be of such
service to you as may be in my power." And ere Donald could get out
his thanks, Mr. Paterson hastened away to speak to one who had just
come on board.

The interview had been a short one, but it made a deep impression upon
Donald. That the great man of whom his uncle and the dominie always
spoke in such terms of admiration should address him so graciousl