第1章 LETTER I

PROTESILAUS STUMBLES ON THE THRESHOLD

Glasgow,Monday,June 2,1856.

Our start has not been prosperous.Yesterday evening,on passing Carlisle,a telegraphic message was put into my hand,announcing the fact of the "Foam"having been obliged to put into Holyhead,in consequence of the sudden illness of my Master.As the success of our expedition entirely depends on our getting off before the season is further advanced,you can understand how disagreeable it is to have received this check at its very outset.As yet,of course,I know nothing of the nature of the illness with which he has been seized.However,I have ordered the schooner to proceed at once to Oban,and Ihave sent back the Doctor to Holyhead to overhaul the sick man.It is rather early in the day for him to enter upon the exercise of his functions.