The Adventures of Dick Maitland | Page 7

or drive a horse, and I can shoot straight;
consequently if I possessed sufficient influence I might be able to get a
job as groom, stableman, or even under-gamekeeper. But none of those
things is good enough for me; I am capable of better things than
grooming horses, cleaning harness, or looking after pheasants; I want
employment that will bring me in good money, and I mean to have it
too."
"That's right, Dick; that's the way to talk," returned Humphreys
approvingly. "Modesty is all right, a very desirable and admirable
quality in every young man's character, and one which is seen far too
seldom nowadays. Modesty, however, is one thing, and
self-depreciation quite another. It is a mistake for anyone to underrate
his own value, and, as you very truly say, you are capable of doing
much better work than that needed in either of the occupations that you
have named; therefore you are justified in insisting upon having it. A
man has a perfect right to the very best and most profitable work he is
capable of doing; but he must get it for himself; it is no use for him to
sit down supinely and demand that Providence shall put it into his
hands. The man who is worth his salt will get up and `hustle'--as the
Americans tersely express it--and not rest until he has secured what he
wants. Now, you, my boy, are very heavily handicapped. You have
neither money nor influence to help you to what you want, therefore
you will have to depend upon `hustle' and grit alone; also you have no

time to waste in looking about in this country for the kind of thing you
want, which, even with all the `hustle' and grit imaginable, may take
you months, or even years, to find. No, as you said at the beginning of
this conversation, you must go somewhere abroad to get what you want;
and in a foreign land you may find even such despised
accomplishments as riding, swimming, and straight shooting of the
utmost value to you. But in my opinion your mainstay must be the
medical and surgical knowledge which you have acquired. Now,
whereabout on the face of this old globe of ours are you likely to be
able to employ your knowledge to the best and most profitable account?
It should be where wealth is abundant, and where medical and surgical
skill is pretty frequently in demand, also where there is plenty of scope
for a young fellow who, like yourself, is imbued with the spirit of
adventure. Now, let me consider for a moment--where is the country
which most nearly answers to these conditions? What do you say to
South Africa? It is the land of gold and diamonds; it is not, I believe,
overrun with medical men; and as to adventure--" Humphreys shrugged
his shoulders and spread his hands abroad expressively.
Dick's eyes sparkled and his face lit up with enthusiasm.
"South Africa is the place for me, without a doubt," he exclaimed with
animation. "It is, as you say, rich; it is also a land of unbounded
possibilities; and-- But how am I to get there? The passage money
amounts to something considerable, and I have no money to spare for
that sort of thing; also, as I have said, I will not take a penny from the
Mater."
"What about borrowing?" suggested Humphreys. "As you know, Dick,
I am not a rich man, but I have no doubt I could manage to--"
"No!" interrupted Dick emphatically; "a thousand times no. It is like
you, Doctor, to offer to help me out of your own exceedingly limited
means, and I am more grateful to you than I have words to express; but
I simply will not avail myself of your kindness, or that of anybody else
indeed, for I should be starting with a millstone of debt hanging round
my neck. No, I have thought of a better way than that; I will work my
passage out."

"Work your passage out!" ejaculated the Doctor, staggered, in spite of
his whole-hearted belief in the virtues of self-help, at this bold
suggestion on Dick's part. "In what capacity, pray?"
"Oh, as anything!" returned Dick buoyantly; "as ordinary seaman,
cook's mate, stoker--what does it matter? I will find a way, never fear.
I'll take a trot round the docks to-morrow, and it will be strange indeed
if I cannot somewhere find a market for my labour. Why, even the
elementary knowledge of nautical matters that I have acquired in
sailing my little single-handed cutter during holiday time will be of
service to me. I can steer, I can box the compass, I know the name of
every sail on a full-rigged ship; and I will guarantee that before I