irectly," said the boy, and the tears started into his eyes.

"I trust you will not lose me, my dear fellow," replied McElvina, moved
at this proof of affection; "but I must explain to you why I leave you.
In the first place," added he, laughing, "with that mark on your
shoulder, it would be felony without benefit of clergy for you to be
found in my possession; but of that I would run the risk. My serious
reasons are as follow:--If this trip proves fortunate, I shall not
return to Cherbourg. I have business of importance in London, which may
require my presence for some weeks in that metropolis and its vicinity.
I told you before, that I am about to take the command of a very
different vessel from this paltry sloop, and upon a more dangerous
service. In four or five months she will be ready to sail, and during
that time I shall be constantly on the move, and shall hardly know what
to do with you. Now, Willy, you are not aware of the advantages of
education--I am: and as mine was given to me by strangers, so will I in
return bestow as much upon you as I can afford. You must, therefore, go
to school until my return. You will at least acquire the French
language, and you will find that of no little use to you hereafter."

Willy, accustomed to discipline and to breathe the air of passive
obedience, submitted without raising any more objections. Debriseau
joined, and they all three sallied forth to make arrangements for
placing our hero "_en pension_," where they had been recommended.
Having effected this, they agreed to lounge on the _Place d'Armes_ till
sunset, when they took possession of one of the benches. McElvina and
Debriseau lighted their cigars, and puffed away in silence, while Willy
amused himself with watching the promenaders as they passed in review
before him.

They had not remained there many minutes when a poodle-dog, _bien
tondu_, and white as a sheep from the river before the day of shearing,
walked up to them with an air of sagacious curiosity, and looked
McElvina steadfastly in the face. McElvina, taking his cigar from his
mouth, held it to the dog, who ran up to it, as if to smell it; the
lighted end coming in contact with his cold nose, induced the animal to
set up a loud yell, and retreat to his master much faster than he came,
passing first one fore-paw and then the other over his nose, to wipe
away the pain, in such a ridiculous manner as to excite loud merriment,
not only from our party