[Illustration: "My dear boy, you have done splendidly!">[
"Then you intend to develop it, sir?" cried Cabot.
"Certainly, provided we can acquire your claim to the property, and engage a certain Mr. Cabot Grant to act as our assistant Labrador manager."
"Do you think me capable of filling so responsible a position, sir?"
"I am convinced of it," replied Mr. Hepburn, smiling.
"And may I find places for White, and David Gidge, and Captain Phinney, and——"
"One of the duties of your new position will be the selection of your subordinates," interrupted the other, "and I should hope you would give preference to those whose fidelity you have already tested."
Within an hour after this happy conclusion of the interview, Cabot had wired White Baldwin the full amount of the missionary's draft and invited him to come as quickly as possible to New York. He had also written to Captain Phinney asking him to resign at once his position as second mate, in order that he might assume command of a steamer shortly to be put on a run between New York and Labrador.
With these pleasant duties performed, our young engineer prepared to accept President Hepburn's invitation to a dinner that was to be given in his honour, and with which the happiest day of his life was to be concluded.