This tells of the farther progress of _Treasure Island_, of the price paid for it, and of the modest hopes with which it was launched. "The poet" is Mr. Gosse. The project of a highway story, _Jerry Abershaw_, remained a favourite one with Stevenson until it was superseded three or four years later by another, that of the _Great North Road_, which in its turn had to be abandoned, from lack of health and leisure, after some six or eight chapters had been written. _Braemar, September 1881._ MY DEAR HENLEY,--Thanks for your last. The £100 fell through, or dwindled at least into somewhere about £30. However, that I've taken as a mouthful, so you may look out for _The Sea Cook, or Treasure Island: A Tale of the Buccaneers_, in Young Folks. (The terms are £2, 10s. a page of 4500 words; that's not noble, is it? But I have my copyright safe. I don't get illustrated--a blessing; that's the price I have to pay for my copyright.) I'll make this boys' book business pay; but I have to make a beginning. When I'm done with Young Folks, I'll try Routledge or some one. I feel pretty sure the _Sea Cook_ will do to reprint, and bring something decent at that. Japp is a good soul. The poet was very gay and pleasant. He told me much: he is simply the most active young man in England, and one of the most intelligent. "He shall o'er Europe, shall o'er earth extend."[41] He is now extending over adjacent parts of Scotland. I propose to follow up _The Sea Cook_ at proper intervals by _Jerry Abershaw: A Tale of Putney Heath_ (which or its site I must visit): _The Leading Light: A Tale of the Coast_, _The Squaw Men: or the Wild West_, and other instructive and entertaining work. _Jerry Abershaw_ should be good, eh? I love writing boys' books. This first is only an experiment; wait till you see what I can make 'em with my hand in. I'll be the Harrison Ainsworth of the future; and a chalk better by St. Christopher; or at least as good. You'll see that even by _The Sea Cook_. Jerry Abershaw--O what a title! Jerry Abershaw: d--n it, sir, it's a poem. The two most lovely words in English; and what a sentiment! Hark you, how the hoofs ring! Is this a blacksmith's? No, it's a wayside inn. Jerry Abershaw. "It was a clear, frosty evening, not 100 miles from Putney," etc. Jerry Abershaw. Jerry Abershaw. Jerry Abershaw. _The Sea Cook_ is now in its sixteenth chapter, and bids for well up in the thirties. Each three chapters is worth £2, 10s. So we've £12, 10s. already. Don't read Marryat's _Pirate_ anyhow; it is written in sand with a salt-spoon: arid, feeble, vain, tottering production. But then we're not always all there. _He_ was _all_ somewhere else that trip. It's _damnable_, Henley. I don't go much on _The Sea Cook_; but, Lord, it's a little fruitier than the _Pirate_ by Cap'n. Marryat. Since this was written _The Cook_ is in his nineteenth chapter. Yo-heave ho! R. L. S. TO W. E. HENLEY