The pros and cons of the matter were not lengthy.  If Alister enlisted in any regiment, the two advantages of good behaviour and good education would tell towards his advancement more rapidly and more certainly than perhaps in any other line of life.  If he enlisted into a scientific corps, the chance of being almost immediately employed as a clerk was good, very much of the work would be interesting to an educated and practical man; the “marching, pipe-claying and starching,” of which Dennis sang, was a secondary part of “R.E.” duties at any time, and there were special opportunities of employment in foreign countries for superior men.  Alister was not at all likely to remain long a private, and it was quite “on the cards” that he might get a commission while he was still young.  So much for “peace time.”  But if—­in the event of—­and supposing (here the young engineer made a rapid diversion into the politics of the day) there was a chance of “active service”—­the Royal Engineers not only offered far more than drill and barrack duties in time of peace, but no branch of the army gave nobler opportunities for distinguished service in time of war.  At this point he spoke with such obvious relish, that I saw Dennis was ready to take the Queen’s Shilling on the spot.  Alister’s eyes gave a flash or two, but on the whole he “kept a calm sough,” and put the other side of the question.

He said a good deal, but the matter really lay in small compass.  The profession of arms is not highly paid.  It was true that the pay was poor enough as a seaman, and the life far harder, but then he was only bound for each voyage.  At other times he was his own master, and having “gained an insight into” trading from his late captain, he saw indefinite possibilities before him.  Alister seemed to have great faith in openings, opportunities, chances, &c., and he said frankly that he looked upon his acquired seamanship simply as a means of paying his passage to any part of the habitable globe where fortunes could be made.

“Then why not stick together?” cried Dennis.  “Make your way up to Halifax with us, Alister dear.  Maybe you’ll find your cousin at home this time, and if not, at the worst, there’s the captain of our old ship promised ye employment.  Who knows but we’ll all go home in her together?  Ah, let’s keep the Shamrock whole if we can.”

“But you see, Dennis,” said the lieutenant, “Alister would regard a voyage to England as a step backward, as far as his objects are concerned.”

Dennis always maintained that you could never contrive to agree with Alister so closely that he would not find room to differ from you.