"It is just making a flying passage across the continent, the way
a good man goes through the world, doing all the good he can.
_Transire beneficiendo_--that is our motto."

This ended the discussion, if a conversation can be so called,
where all who take part in it are of the same opinion.
Preparations commenced the same day, but as secretly as possible
to prevent the Indians getting scent of it.

The day of departure was fixed for the 14th of October. The sailors
were all so eager to join the expedition that Glenarvan found the only
way to prevent jealousy among them was to draw lots who should go.
This was accordingly done, and fortune favored the chief officer,
Tom Austin, Wilson, a strong, jovial young fellow, and Mulrady, so good
a boxer that he might have entered the lists with Tom Sayers himself.

Glenarvan displayed the greatest activity about the preparations,
for he was anxious to be ready by the appointed day.
John Mangles was equally busy in coaling the vessel, that she
might weigh anchor at the same time. There was quite a rivalry
between Glenarvan and the young captain about getting first
to the Argentine coast.

Both were ready on the 14th. The whole search party assembled
in the saloon to bid farewell to those who remained behind.
The DUNCAN was just about to get under way, and already
the vibration of the screw began to agitate the limpid waters of
Talcahuano, Glenarvan, Paganel, McNabbs, Robert Grant, Tom Austin, Wilson,
and Mulrady, stood armed with carbines and Colt's revolvers.