Page:Aurora Australis.djvu/150

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AURORA AUSTRALIS.

what is there in this thing in the which I can make more gold.

And one who was called a broker, which being interpreted meaneth gambler, answered, A business man cannot afford to be sentimental; for which saying no interpretation can be found.

¶ And the heart of Shackleton was heavy, and was sunk even unto his shoes, when there arose a great and mighty man who did build ships for the Great King, and who wrought cunningly in iron, with which he made the ships so strong that they could not be broken, and he did speak in this wise saying;

My son, though my house in which I do dwell, lieth a long journey to the north of the chief city of the Great King, even the city of London, yet hath it come to my ears of the work which ye would perform, and it seemeth good in mine eyes.

It hath also been told unto me that because thy purse is not too heavy, thy way is not clear before thee.

Behold! I have here great stores of gold and of silver, and because thy design hath found favour with me, take of my wealth suflicient for thy needs.

¶ Then indeed was Shackleton a happy man, and he straightway cast about him for a ship which should