"That sounds very much better," answered Leicester, who, to tell the truth, was almost as much taken with the name as anything else; "but I don't particularly admire the rig." "Umph!" ejaculated Mr Roberts, pursing up his lips and referring to the index once more. "Um, um, _Maid of the Mist_--_Lizzie_--_Highland Lass_--_Enterprise_--ah! yes; perhaps this will do. `_Enterprise_-- brig; seven years old, oak-built, iron-fastened, 350 tons register, will carry 600 tons dead-weight; well found. Price 2200 pounds. Requires a few trifling repairs amounting to possibly 500 pounds.' How does that strike you?" "Not very favourably," was the reply. "Well, let's try again," remarked the ship-broker. "I _know_ I can suit you." Another reference to the index, then a sudden sharp closing of the book, with the muttered ejaculation, "The very thing! What a donkey I am not to have thought of her before." Then a single stroke on the bell, followed by the reappearance of the substantial-looking clerk. "Bring me in the inventory of the _Aurora_, if you please; that paper that was left here by Mr Sutton yesterday." The document was brought in, and Mr Roberts at once handed it over to his client with the remark-- "There, my dear sir, just run your eye over that; if the _Aurora_ won't suit you, _nothing_ will. She is a capital little ship; I know her well. Her owner, poor fellow--who is captain of her also--had the misfortune to lose his wife last voyage--washed overboard somehow in a gale of wind--and it has so upset him that he has resolved to cut the sea altogether and everything connected with it. He is even willing to sell at a great sacrifice, so as to get rid of the ship as soon as possible. Great bargain, captain; most extraordinary bargain; never get another such a chance." "That looks much more promising," said George, returning the paper. "Where is she, and when can I see her?" "London Docks--see her in an hour--I'll take you down on board at once," was the reply. And merely stopping to change his coat, and give some instructions to his clerks, Mr Roberts invited George to follow him; and, getting into the street, they hailed the first hackney-coach which passed, and in a few minutes were jolting along on their way to the London Docks. Dismissing the coach at the dock gates, Mr Roberts inquired of the gate-keeper where the _Aurora_ was to be found. "Inside ship, fourth berth, north side," answered the man, pointing out the direction they were to take.