Chapter 2 Chapter Two An Unexpected Letter

Here is the text of a letter Richard Sandon received eight months ago: "AT Bourdin, August 2, 1859 Mr Richard Sandon Liverpool gentlemen: The purpose of this letter is to inform you of the payment of £16,000 in the hands of M.M. Maccouart and C0, bankers in Liverpool.Enclosing a draft signed by me, I kindly request you to repay the above-mentioned £16,000 to the so-called Mr. M.M. Maccourt. It's okay that you don't know me.I know you, and that's what matters. I put you on a long and dangerous expedition aboard the 'Forward' as first mate. If not, that's okay.If it works, you will be paid 12,500 francs, which will be increased by one-tenth during the whole expedition when it is due each year.

The 'Forward' doesn't exist, you have to make it man-made, not later than April 1860 at the latest.A detailed design drawing with an estimate is attached to the letter.Please strictly follow the drawings.The boat is built in MM and C0 workshops, they will bill you. I especially recommend the crew of the 'Forward' to you: its members are the captain, me, the first mate, you, the second mate, a boatswain, two mechanics, a pilot, Eight sailors, two stokers, eighteen in all, including the town doctor Crawford, who will report to you in due course. Those who join the expedition on the 'Forward' should preferably be British, have freedom, have no family, be celibate, do not drink, because alcohol and beer are not allowed on board, and be prepared to do and endure everything.When you choose a person, you'd better choose the kind of sanguine, so that they have the reproductive desire of animals at a higher level.

You pay them five times their usual salary, plus a tenth of their annual labor fee.After the expedition, pay each person 12,500 francs and keep 5 francs for yourself.The money will go through the hands of M.M. Macouart and C0, as mentioned above. The expedition will be long and difficult, but also glorious.Don't hesitate, Mr. Sandon. Please send your reply to: Pick up at the office, Gottberg (Sweden), initial letter K. Z. . And: On February 15th you will get a strong Dane with a drooping mouth, black fur and black stripes.You put it on board and feed it a soup of barley bread and oil.Your dog is from Livorno (Italy) with the same abbreviation above.

The captain of the 'Forward' would call himself home and introduce himself when the time came.When you set off, you'll get new instructions. Captain of the 'Forward' KZ