“Yes; he will have spent all the property by that time, and when that is done, he won’t make much objection to going away. Then I will take care of mother, and see that she does not suffer for anything.” “You are right, Jack. I sympathize with you. I hope you’ll succeed. I only wish I had a mother to look out for,” and Harry’s fine face wore an expression of sadness. “But there’s one thing I can’t help saying, though I don’t want to discourage you.” “What is that, Harry?” “I don’t see how you are going to lay up much money in going before the mast. Your pay must be small.” “It is. I only earn ten dollars a month,” replied Jack. “And out of that you must buy your clothes?” “Yes, that’s true.” “Then how do you expect to better yourself?” asked Harry, looking perplexed. “I’ll tell you, if you won’t say anything about it,” answered Jack, in a lower tone. “Go ahead.” “We are going to Australia, you know. I’ve heard there are good chances of making money there, in mining or herding cattle, and I mean to leave the ship at Melbourne. Of course, I don’t want anything said about it.” “Do you think the captain would try to prevent you, Jack?” “I think he would. He don’t like me, at any rate.” “Why not?” “That is more than I can tell, but I can see that he has a prejudice against me.” The boys were so absorbed in their talk that they did not notice the approach of the captain till his harsh voice was heard. “What are you two boys chattering about?” he demanded, with a frown. Jack turned round startled, but Harry faced the captain calmly, and did not speak. “Will you answer me?” he repeated, raising his voice. “I was talking about home and my mother,” said Jack. “Mighty interesting, upon my word! And what were you talking about?” continued Captain Hill, turning to Harry. “That can be of no interest to you, Captain Hill,” said Harry, coldly. “You appear to forget that I am a passenger.” As he walked away, the captain regarded him with an ominous scowl. He wished that for fifteen minutes Harry had been one of the crew. It was fortunate for Jack that his temper was diverted, for, apparently forgetting the young sailor, he strode on, and Jack managed to slip down to the forecastle. This was not by any means the last conversation Harry had with Jack Pendleton--for this he found to be the young sailor’s name--and they soon became excellent friends. “Jack,” said Harry, one day, “I never should take you to be a sailor if I met you on land.” “Why not?” “Because you talk like a well-educated boy.” “So I am. I was always fond of my books, and stood high in school. But for my stepfather I might be there yet. As it is, my education stopped at the age of thirteen.” “Not necessarily. You have learned a good deal since.” “Yes, but not of books. I hope sometime to be able to continue my studies. At present it is my business to learn seamanship.”