NAMPANG ISLAND. 35

wages to date, and if you spend it without accomplishing
the purpose, you will be penniless while we lie in Hong
Kong.”

Ben thanked his father, ran to his sea-chest to make
such change in his costume as he thought might be neces-
sary, acquainted Mr. Short with the good news, and hurried
ashore, saying as he clambered over the rail :

«T’ll see you when I come back with the money, for I
may want you to help me hire a boat.”

After getting his father’s order cashed, he wasted very:
little time at the consul’s. A power of attorney had been
made out, and was ready for him.

Without stopping to give any details as to his proposed
journey, he hurried back to Pedder’s Wharf.

Mr. Short, having learned from the captain under what
auspices the young sailor would set out, was on shore wait-
ing for his return, and said as Ben came on to the dock:

“T don’t see, lad, that there’s any show of your gettin’
down to the island except ina sampan. It’s hard on to
an hundred an’ fifty miles from here.”

“ Then the sooner I hire one the better, for I want to
be on my way within an hour.”

“Hadn't you better try to pick up some sailors from
here to take down with you?”

“No, sir,” Ben replied, emphatically. “If I accomplish
this I want all the credit, and by taking Americans with
me it would be claimed that they helped engineer the job.
The only question is, how much I shall have to pay for a
boat to carry me down there?”