I have been out with such a load before, and I would as soon go with a cargo of wild beasts." Reuben felt a sudden chill, as he thought how narrow had been his escape of forming one of a similar party.

However, he stepped on board, and went up to the mate, who was superintending the cargo.
"Do you want a carpenter for the voyage out ?" "A carpenter!" the mate repeated.

"Well yes, we do want a carpenter.

The man who was to have gone has been taken ill.

But you are too young for the berth.