“‘Come with me now,’ he said. ‘We will soon settle matters.’
“He had a boat, and we were both rowed off to a strange-looking but strong and sturdy brig.
“Every man on board except this same Humpty Dumpty was French. What cared I? Surely I could hold my own in a fight against a score of little sailors.
“‘You are not a sailor,’ said my new friend, when we were together in his little cabin.
“‘No,’ I said; ‘but I can shoot, and wield an axe, and I can fish.’
“‘You’re my man. But I must explain. We are engaged by a celebrated firm of chemists to go to Greenland waters and fish for sharks. The oil of the livers is not only finer and richer but more abundant than that of the cod, and it is considered an infallible cure for consumption.
“‘You’ll have to rough it,’ he added. “‘Thank God to have the chance.’
“And the bargain was speedily made, and the articles signed.
“I was to join in two days’ time.
“That night it suddenly occurred to me to visit my father’s bank here. I still had his letter, and by its aid could identify myself.