AN UNEXPECTED LETTER
The letter received by Richard Shandon, eight months before, ran as
follows:--
"ABERDEEN,
"August 2nd, 1859.
"To Mr. Richard Shandon,
"Liverpool.
"SIR,--I beg to advise you that the sum of sixteen thousand pounds
sterling has been placed in the hands of Messrs. Marcuart and Co.,
bankers, of Liverpool. I join herewith a series of cheques, signed
by me, which will allow you to draw upon the said Messrs. Marcuart
for the above-mentioned sum. You do not know me, but that is of no
consequence. I know you: that is sufficient. I offer you the place
of second on board the brig _Forward_ for a voyage that may be long
and perilous. If you agree to my conditions you will receive a salary
of 500 pounds, and all through the voyage it will be augmented
one-tenth at the end of each year. The _Forward_ is not yet in
existence. You must have it built so as to be ready for sea at the
beginning of April, 1860, at the latest. Herewith is a detailed plan
and estimate. You will take care that it is scrupulously followed.
The ship is to be built by Messrs. Scott and Co., who will settle
with you. I particularly recommend you the choice of the _Forward's_
crew; it will be composed of a captain, myself, of a second, you,
of a third officer, a boatswain, two engineers, an ice pilot, eight
sailors, and two others, eighteen men in all, comprising Dr. Clawbonny,
of this town, who will introduce himself to you when necessary. The
_Forward's_ crew must be composed of Englishmen without incumbrance;
they should be all bachelors and sober--for no spirits, nor even beer,
will be allowed on board--ready to undertake anything, and to bear
with anything. You will give the preference to men of a sanguine
constitution, as they carry a greater amount of animal heat. Offer
them five times the usual pay, with an increase of one-tenth for each
year of service. At the end of the voyage five hundred pounds will
be placed at the disposition of each, and two thousand at yours. These
funds will be placed with Messrs. Marcuart and Co. The voyage will
be long and difficult, but honourable, so you need not hesitate to
accept my conditions. Be good enough to send your answer to K. Z.,
Poste Restante, Goteborg, Sweden.
"P.S.--On the 15th of February next you will receive a large Danish
dog, with hanging lips, and tawny coat with black stripes. You will
take it on board and have it fed with oaten bread, mixed with tallow
grease. You will acknowledge the reception of the said dog to me under
the same initials as above, Poste Restante, Leghorn, Italy.
"The captain of the _Forward_ will introduce himself to you when
necessary. When you are ready to start you will receive further
instructions.
"THE CAPTAIN OF THE 'FORWARD,'
"K. Z."