thus wholly relieved of the support of the boy, whose labor, hard as it was for the youth, was not worth much to him, and Billy went on board of the Young America, delighted both with the idea of going to sea, and of getting away from his cruel and exacting uncle. Though Billy had a great deal of spirit and energy, he was very kind and obliging to all his shipmates, and soon became a great favorite among them. As his education had been neglected, he could not compete with his fellow-students yet, though he was making rapid progress in his studies. His story was well known in the ship, and it excited the sympathy of all the good-hearted boys on board, and these included many of the wild and rude ones. If any one wanted to "pick" upon Billy, he had a dozen champions always at hand to take his part. He was very active and daring, and seemed to have been born for a sailor. His station in making and furling sail was on the main royal, for though he was nearly sixteen, he was one of the "lightest weights" on board. Though he never had any money, except the small sums given him by the principal, who was not a strong advocate of pocket-money for boys, he shared the luxuries of the steerage as fairly as though he had purchased his portion. Perhaps it was a freak on the part of a few of the boys to vote for him, which had become contagious. At any rate, on the next ballot, Billy Bobstay had a clean majority of all the votes, and the result was hailed with lusty cheers by the crew. "I can't go," said Billy, when his shipmates began to congratulate him. "Why not?" asked one. "I haven't any money," replied Billy, frankly and innocently. "Besides, I don't want to take this chance when so many of the others wish to go." "You shall have the money, my dear Billy," said Scott. "But who pays the bills for this little excursion?" No one knew; nothing had been said on this subject; and a messenger was sent to the principal to ascertain his purpose in this important particular. "The expenses of all will be paid to Moscow; beyond that the party will pay their own expenses," replied Mr. Lowington. "If, however, when they return, I think it proper to reimburse them, I shall do so. Of course any one may decline the privilege extended to him. It is not forced upon him." "Of course I can't go, then," said Billy Bobstay, decidedly. "I haven't a dollar, nor a ruble, nor a copeck." "Don't you decline yet, Bubby," interposed Scott. "Yes, I shall. It wouldn't be fair for me not to do so." "Don't you do it. We'll raise the money for you," persisted Scott. "But I don't want to take any other fellow's chance. I am much obliged to those that voted for me, but I can't go." "Steady, now, my darling baby," continued Scott. "I want you to go, so as to help me, for I have a big job on my hands." "I tell you I can't go. It's no use to think of it." "Then you won't help me?" added Scott, in sad tones. "I shall be glad to help you. What can I do?"