"It cannot be, or Barry Tuxford would not have a hand in it. He's far too cute to tackle anything that is worked out, or likely to be, while he is in it." "He asked you to take a friend. Suppose I join you?" "You!" exclaimed Harry, delighted. "You don't mean it, that would be too much of a good thing. The 'Golden Land' is not the sort of steamer you would care to travel in; there's none of the luxuries of a liner on her. She's a cargo boat." "We were at the same school and that was good enough for us. Why should the same steamer not be equally suitable? I am looking forward to roughing it, and may as well commence with the 'Golden Land.' At any rate, it is worth risking in order to have your company." "Of course, if you really mean it, I shall be very pleased, and the passage can easily be fixed up." "When does she sail?" asked Jack. "At the end of the month if she has a full cargo, which she is almost sure to have." Jack thought of Lewes Races and his mount on Topsy Turvy. If the "Golden Land" did not sail until then he would not miss the chance of winning again. "I am going to ride in a race at Lewes, one of Sir Lester Dyke's horses, and you must come down and see it. There may be a chance of winning a few pounds to help us on our way." "I have seen your name in the paper," said Harry, "and often envied you. I wish I could ride well. It will be very useful to you in the colonies. I am afraid my funds will not allow of my travelling to Lewes." "I'll see to that. If we go out to seek our fortunes together we will have one common purse." Harry Marton shook his head as he replied-- "That will not be fair, for I have very little to put into it." "Our combined capital will not be burdensome, but such as it is we ought to share it," replied Jack laughing. "Well, I will leave it to you, only mind, I insist upon a correct account being kept so that I can repay you if I overdraw." "Agreed," said Jack, smiling. "We will be as accurate as a bank." "If you have really made up your mind we may as well walk round to the shipping office, and see whether we can go by the 'Golden Land.'" The Captain of the "Golden Land" chanced to be in the office when they entered, and the manager introduced them. Captain Seagrave was a bluff hearty sailor of the old school, not given to oily words or polished language, but an able skipper, and his employers knew it would be hard to find a better man for their work. He had made many voyages to Australia and other countries, and risked his life in ships that were anything but seaworthy. He eyed the two young men curiously, and a humorous smile spread over his face. He hardly thought them the class of passenger for a rough and tumble trip to Fremantle in the "Golden Land." At the same time, he saw a prospect, in their company, of the monotony of the voyage being broken. In reply to the manager he said--