Mary kindly explained that the Pacific Ocean was very large, and contained a great many islands, and that the spot where Father Mullaly was cooked was some thousands of miles from Japan. At breakfast the day before the time fixed for Frank's departure, Mr. Bassett told his son that he must make the most of his journey, enjoy it as much as possible, and bring back a store of useful knowledge. "To accomplish this," he added, "several things will be necessary; let us see what they are." "Careful observation is one requisite," said Frank, "and a good memory is another." "Constant remembrance of home," Mrs. Bassett suggested, and Mary nodded in assent to her mother's proposition. "Courage and perseverance," Frank added. "A list of the things you are going to buy," Mary remarked. "A light trunk and a cheerful disposition," said Doctor Bronson, who had entered the room just as this turn of the conversation set in. "One thing more," Mr. Bassett added. "I can't think of it," replied Frank; "what is it?" "Money." "Oh yes, of course; one couldn't very well go travelling without money. I'm old enough to know that, and to know it is very bad to be away from one's friends without money." The Doctor said it reminded him of a man who asked another for ten cents to pay his ferriage across the Mississippi River, and explained that he hadn't a single penny. The other man answered, "It's no use throwing ten cents away on you in that fashion. If you haven't any money, you are just as well off on this side of the river as on the other." "You will need money," said Mr. Bassett, "and here is something that will get it." He handed Frank a double sheet of paper with some printed and written matter on the first page, and some printed lists on the third and fourth pages. The second page was blank; the first page read as follows: LETTER OF CREDIT. NEW YORK, _June_ 18_th_, 1878. TO OUR CORRESPONDENTS: We have the pleasure of introducing to you Mr. FRANK BASSETT, the bearer of this letter, whose signature you will find in the margin. We beg you to honor his drafts to the amount of two hundred pounds sterling, upon our London house, all deductions and commissions being at his expense. We have the honor to remain, Gentlemen, Very truly yours, BLANK & CO. The printed matter on the third and fourth pages was a list of banking-houses in all the principal cities of the world. Frank observed that every country was included, and there was not a city of any prominence that was not named in the list, and on the same line with the list was the name of a banking-house. The paper was passed around the table and examined, and finally returned to Frank's hand. Mr. Bassett then explained to his son the uses of the document.