146 TKAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



that is on the point of sailing?" inquired he, in a 

 trembling, anxious voice. 



The seaman looked hard in the young man's face, 

 and answered in the affirmative. The stranger's eye 

 sparkled. 



" Can I have a passage for myself, a friend, and 

 two children ? " demanded he. 



The sailor hesitated before he replied, and again 

 scanned his interlocutor from head to foot with his 

 keen grey eyes. There was something inconsistent, 

 not to say suspicious, in the whole appearance of the 

 stranger. His cloak was stained and shabby, and his 

 words humble ; but there was a fire in his eye that 

 flashed forth seemingly in spite of himself, and his 

 voice had that particular tone which the habit of 

 command alone gives. The result of the sailor's 

 scrutiny was apparently unfavourable, and he shook 

 his head negatively. The young man gasped for 

 breath, and drew a well -filled purse from his 

 bosom. 



" I will pay beforehand/' said he ; "I will pay 

 whatever you ask." 



The American started ; the contrast was too great 

 between the heavy purse and large offers and the 

 beggarly exterior of the applicant. He shook his 

 head more decidedly than before. The stranger bit 

 his lip till the blood came, his breast heaved, his 

 whole manner was that of one who abandons himself 

 to despair. The sailor felt a touch of compassion. 



