"You cannot go in that!" said Mr. Esthwaite turning off. "The 'Queen Esther'!—I know her. She's not fit for you; she's a leaky old thing, that that man Hawkins sails on all sorts of petty business; she'll go to pieces some day. She ain't sea-worthy, I don't believe."
"It is not as good a chance as might be, but it is the first that has offered, and the first that is likely to offer for an unknown time," Mr. Amos said, looking again to Eleanor.
"When does she sail?"
"In two days. She is small, and not in first-rate order; but the voyage is not for very long. I think we had better go in her."
"Certainly. How long is the voyage, regularly?"
"A fortnight in a good ship, and a month in a bad one," struck in Mr. Esthwaite. "You'll never get there, if you depend on the 'Queen Esther' to bring you."
"We go to Tonga first," said Mr. Amos. "The 'Queen Esther' sails with stores for the stations at Tonga and the neighbourhood; and will carry us further only by special agreement; but the master is willing, and I came to know your mind about it."
"I will go," said Eleanor. "Tell Mrs. Amos I will meet her on board—when?"
"Day after to-morrow morning."
"Very well. I will be there. Will she take the additional lading of my boxes?"