would be rendered miserable."

"My dear sir, we are in the hands of God; and (short-sighted as we are)
in running away from danger, as often run into it. What we call an
accident, the fall of a brick or a stone, the upsetting of a vehicle,
any thing trivial or seemingly improbable, may summon us away when we
least expect it: 'In the midst of life we are in death,' and that death
I may meet by staying in this country, which I might have avoided by
going on this expedition. Difficulties may arise, and some danger there
may be, I admit; but when prepared to encounter both, we are more safe
than when, in fancied security, we are taken unawares. Do not, I entreat
you, sir, refuse me this favor; I have considered well, and shall be
most unhappy if I am not permitted to obtain the information for you
which you have so much at heart. Let my travels be of some advantage to
you as well as to myself. Do not refuse, I entreat you."

"You are a good boy, Alexander, and your kindness makes me still more
unwilling to part with you. I hardly know what to say. Let us drop the
subject for the present; we will talk of it to-morrow or next day. I
must have time for reflection."

Alexander Wilmot did not fail to renew his entreaties on the following
day, but could not gain Sir Charles's consent. He was not, however,
discouraged. He had taken from the library all the works he could find
relative to Southern Africa, and continually enforcing his arguments by
quotations from various authors, all tending to prove that he might
travel through the country without much risk, if he took proper
precautions, his grand-uncle's objections grew daily more feeble, and at
last Sir Charles gave his unwilling consent. In the meantime, the books
which Alexander had read had produced a great effect upon him. When he