“Perhaps we shall be able to agree after I have seen the vessel,” replied Louis, not ready to commit himself; and the compromise price was double what he thought of paying for such a craft as would suit him. “I hope we shall agree, Mr. Belgrave; but I solemnly assure you that I shall not permit you to pay me the sum she cost me. No, sir! Rather than do that, I will take the schooner out to sea and sink or burn her!” protested the owner of the Oxford very warmly. “Very well, my friend; I will not insist upon your taking more than ten thousand dollars for the vessel,” replied the intending yachtsman, beginning to wonder if his companion was as liberal and disinterested as he assumed to be. “Now, Mr. Belgrave, when will you look at the Oxford? I trust you will make it as soon as possible. I hoped that you would do me the favor to accept the schooner without paying me anything for her; and then I could have taken the train to-night for San Francisco.” “I am very sorry to delay you even a day; but it was quite impossible for me to lose the opportunity to spend five or ten thousand dollars of my income for a craft that would suit me. You know how it is yourself, and you ought to sympathize with me,” added Louis, much amused. “I should like to have my mother see the vessel, for she is to be the companion of my voyages.” “Excellent, my young friend! If there is anything in this world that excites my admiration, it is to see a young man attentive to his mother. Mothers don’t grow on every tree; in fact, I don’t remember any fellow who ever had more than one mother. I like to see a fellow devoted to his mother, and it is a trait in your character, Mr. Belgrave,” rattled the owner of the Oxford. “I think we can go down to Southfield to-morrow; I will call at the hotel, and let you know at what time,” added Louis, rising from his seat. He took his leave of Mr. Fobbington, and returned to the house of Squire Scarburn, where Mrs. Belgrave was staying during the erection of the new house the trustee was building for her and her son. The unfledged yachtsman could not help thinking of his new acquaintance as he walked to the squire’s, but he was not willing to accept him as a friend till he knew more about him. He had a vessel to sell which had answered his purpose as a yacht, and perhaps it would be equally satisfactory to the young millionaire. It was about tea-time, and he found his mother and the trustee in the parlor. During the meal he told them about the gentleman who owned the Oxford, and they asked him a great many questions. Mrs. Belgrave was willing to see the vessel, and would go with him at ten the next day to Southfield. “It seems rather singular to me, my son, that you should want a yacht, when you were brought up away from the salt water,” said Mrs. Belgrave. “I never should have thought of such a thing, if we had not been out so many times with Mr. Woolridge and his family,” replied Louis.