2.  This cruiser I wish to support entirely at my own expense; and, after my decease, the capital sum set aside for the maintenance of the vessel will pass into the hands of the Council. 3.  I should naturally desire to have some voice in the appointment of trustees, and also in the selection of the medical staff; but no doubt my solicitors will arrange that to the satisfaction of all parties.

4.  My niece, Miss Marion Dearsley, is intensely interested in your work, and, as a very large sum of money belonging to that lady remains at my disposal as her trustee, I have, with her approval, transferred to the Mission L30,000 Great Northern Railway ordinary shares, with which we desire to found a maintenance fund for a vessel of 200 tons.  This transaction has been carried out at the urgent desire of my niece.  I am informed that this sailing cruiser must be schooner-rigged on account of her tonnage, which would require an unworkable spread of canvas if she were rigged as a ketch.  These matters I leave entirely to the experts whom I have retained.

5.  Should you agree to my terms, and should you also come to a thoroughly clear understanding with my legal representatives, the building of the vessels may proceed at once.  I will have nothing but the best, and therefore I will ask you to let me act directly and indirectly as superintendent of the construction of the ships.  I have already taken the liberty of engaging a practical and scientific seaman—­a merchant captain—­who will, with your permission, watch over the building of the vessels to the last rivet.

     6.  We learn that Mr. Ferrier has returned.  Could you and he
     make it convenient to come to us from Saturday next until
     Monday?  In that time we may have much useful talk.

     7.  In conclusion, you will perhaps not be displeased if an old
     man, who has not your strong faith, ventures nevertheless to
     ask God’s blessing on you and your Mission.

     With much admiration and regard,
     I am, dear sir,
     Your obedient servant,
     ROBERT CASSALL.

     H. Fullerton, Esq.

Committees of charitable organizations are not usually wanting in complaisance toward gentlemen who can spare lump sums of L130,000; so Mr. Cassall and his lawyers had very much of their own way.  On the day when the last formal business was completed, Fullerton and our young savant, both in a state of bewildered exaltation of spirit, paid their visit to Mr. Cassall.  Ferrier was strangely dumb in presence of Miss Dearsley, but he made up amply for his silence when he was alone with the men.  Robert Cassall observed, however, that the youngster never spoke of himself.  Once or twice the old man delicately referred to certain little matters which had occurred during the January gales—­the amputation, the rescue of Lennard, the rough trips from smack to smack, the swamping