"Oh, the profit were unutterable," replied Lambourne, "especially when

a handsome young merchant bears the pack himself; for the ladies of that

clime are bona-robas, and being themselves somewhat sunburnt, they catch

fire like tinder at a fresh complexion like thine, with a head of hair

inclining to be red."

"I would I might trade thither," said the mercer, chuckling.

"Why, and so thou mayest," said Michael--"that is, if thou art the same

brisk boy who was partner with me at robbing the Abbot's orchard. 'Tis

but a little touch of alchemy to decoct thy house and land into ready

money, and that ready money into a tall ship, with sails, anchors,

cordage, and all things conforming; then clap thy warehouse of goods

under hatches, put fifty good fellows on deck, with myself to command

them, and so hoist topsails, and hey for the New World!"

"Thou hast taught him a secret, kinsman," said Giles Gosling, "to

decoct, an that be the word, his pound into a penny and his webs into a

thread.--Take a fool's advice, neighbour Goldthred. Tempt not the sea,

for she is a devourer. Let cards and cockatrices do their worst, thy

father's bales may bide a banging for a year or two ere thou comest to

the Spital; but the sea hath a bottomless appetite,--she would swallow

the wealth of Lombard Street in a morning, as easily as I would a

poached egg and a cup of clary. And for my kinsman's Eldorado, never

trust me if I do not believe he has found it in the pouches of some such

gulls as thyself.--But take no snuff in the nose about it; fall to and

welcome, for here comes the supper, and I heartily bestow it on all

that will take share, in honour of my hopeful nephew's return, always

trusting that he has come home another man.--In faith, kinsman, thou art

as like my poor sister as ever was son to mother."

"Not quite so like old Benedict Lambourne, her husband, though," said

the mercer, nodding and winking. "Dost thou remember, Mike, what thou

saidst when the schoolmaster's ferule was over thee for striking up thy

father's crutches?--it is a wise child, saidst thou, that knows its own

father. Dr. Bircham laughed till he cried again, and his crying saved

yours."

"Well, he made it up to me many a day after," said Lambourne; "and how

is the worthy pedagogue?"

"Dead," said Giles Gosling, "this many a day since."




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