However, so long as the French possess such a power for mischief, I congratulate you more than ever on having escaped them.

At the same time I am disappointed at not being able to land at St.Pierre, and should like to know where you are going to take me next." "I declare! In my hurry to get out of that trap, I forgot all about you wanting to land," exclaimed White, "and now there isn't a place from which you can get to St.Johns short of Port aux Basques, which is about one hundred and fifty miles west of here." "How may I reach St.Johns from there ?" "By the railway across the island, of which Port aux Basques is the terminus.

A steamer from Sidney, on Cape Breton, connects with a train there every other day." "Very good; Port aux Basques it is," agreed Cabot, "and I shan't be sorry after all for a chance to cross the island by train and see what its interior looks like." So our young engineer continued his involuntary voyage, and devoted his time to acquiring all sorts of information about the great northern island, as well as to the study of navigation.

In this latter line of research he even succeeded in producing a favorable impression upon David Gidge, who finally admitted that it wasn't always safe to judge a man from his appearance, and that this young feller had more in him than showed at first sight.
While thus creating a favorable impression for himself, Cabot grew much interested in the young skipper of the schooner.

He was surprised to find one in his position so gentlemanly a chap, as well as so generally well informed, and wondered where he had picked it all up.
"Are there good schools at Pretty Harbour ?" he asked, with a view to solving this problem.
"There is one, but it is only fairly good," answered White.
"Did you go to it ?" "Oh, no," laughed the other.