ALL ABOARD

A STORY FOR GIRLS

BY FANNIE E. NEWBERRY

_Author of "The Odd One, " "Not for Profit, " "Bubbles, " "Joyce'sInvestments, " "Sara a Princess, " etc. , etc. _

 "Our Faith, a star, shone o'er a rocky height; The billows rose, and she was quenched in night. "

NEW YORK:

A. L. BURT COMPANY, PUBLISHERS. 

COPYRIGHT, 1898. 

By A. I. BRADLEY & CO

IN MEMORY

OF A HAPPY VISIT, LET ME DEDICATE TO YOU, MY COUSINS

H. S. AND W. FASSETT, THIS LITTLE BOOK

WITH MY AFFECTIONATE REGARDS

CONTENTS. 

CHAP. 

 I. Debby has a Caller II. The Leave-taking III. New Surroundings IV. Introductions V. "On the Bay of Biscay, O!" VI. Portuguese Towns and Heroes VII. Kite-flying and Gibraltar VIII. Nightmare and Gossip IX. A Game of Gromets X. Mrs. Windemere's Dinner XI. A Sunday at Sea XII. The Story of a Wreck XIII. Algiers and Andy XIV. Guesswork XV. Tropical Evenings XVI. Danger XVII. Lady Moreham Speaks XVIII. Last Days Together XIX. Old Ties and New XX. In Old Bombay XXI. Friends Ashore XXII. In Elephanta's Caves

"ALL ABOARD!"

CHAPTER I. 

DEBBY HAS A CALLER. 

"And they're twins, you say?"

"Yes'm, two of 'em, and as putty as twin blooms on a stalk, 'm. "

The second speaker was a large, corpulent woman, with a voluminouswhite apron tied about her voluminous waist. She stood deferentiallybefore the prospective roomer who had asked the question, to whom shewas showing the accommodations of her house, with interpolations of aprivate nature, on a subject too near her heart, to-day, to be ignoredeven with strangers. As she stood nodding her head with an emphasisthat threatened to dislodge the smart cap with purple ribbons, whichshe had rather hastily assumed when summoned to the door, the callermentally decided that here was a good soul, indeed, but ratherloquacious to be the sole guardian of two girls "putty as twin blooms. "

She, herself, was tall and slender, and wore her rich street costumewith an easy elegance, as if fine clothing were too much a matter ofcourse to excite her interest. But upon her face were lines whichshowed that, at some time, she had looked long and deeply into thehollow eyes of trouble, possibly despair. Even the smile now curvingher well-turned lips lacked the joyousness of youth, though in yearsshe seemed well on the sunny side of early middle age. She wasevidently in no hurry this morning, and finding her possible landladyso ready to talk, bent an attentive ear that was most flattering to thegood creature. 

"I knew, " she said, sinking into a rattan chair tied up with blueribbons, like an over-dressed baby, "that these rooms had an air whichsuggested youth and beauty. I don't wonder your heart is sore to losethem. "

"Ah, it's broke it is, 'm!" the voice breaking in sympathy, "for I'velooked upon 'em as my own, entirely, and it's nigh to eighteen year, now. Their mother, just a slip of a girl herself, 'm, had only timefor a long look at her babbies before she begun to sink, and when shesee, herself, 'twas the end, she whispered, 'Debby'--I was right overher, 'm, leaving the babbies to anybody, for little they were to methen, beside the dear young mistress--so she says, says she, 'Debby!'and I says, very soft-like, 'Yes, Miss Helen, '--'cause, mind you, I'dbeen her maid afore she was merrit at all, and I allays forgot when Iwasn't thinkin', and give her the old name--and I says, 'Yes, MissHelen?' And then she smiles up at me just as bright as on her wellestdays, 'm, and says, 'Call 'em Faith and Hope, ' Debby; that's what theywould be to me if--and not rightly onderstandin' of her, I breaks in, 'Faith and Hope? Call _what_ faith and hope?' For, thinkses I, 'shemay be luny with the fever. ' But no, she says faint-like, but clearand sound as a bell, 'Call my babies so. Let their names be Faith andHope, and when their poor father comes home, say it was my wish, and hemust not grieve too much, for he will have Faith and Hope always withhim. ' And then the poor dear sinks off again and never rightly comesto, till she's clean gone. "

"And their father was on a voyage, then?"

"Yes 'm, second mate of the 'International. ' He's cap'n now, 'm, withan interest in the steamship, and they do say they ain't many that's sodreadfully much finer in the big P. & O. Lines--leastwise so I've heerdtell, 'm, and I guess they ain't no mistake about it, nuther. "

"And you have mothered his babies all these years?"

"I have, 'm, yes. In course when it come time for their schoolin' Ihad to let 'em go. 'Twas then Cap'n Hosmer was going to give up thishouse, 'cause 'twa'n't no use a-keepin' it while they was off, but thetmade me put my wits to work, and I planned a plan as I ain't seen fitto find no fault with to this day. I ups and merries John Gunter, what's been a-hangin' around a year or more, and I says, 'We'll takethe house off your hands, Cap'n. I've made up a notion to keeplodgers, and then that'll give my girls a place to come to, and git fedup, a holidays--don't you see, sir? And at that he laughs and says, says he--for he's a man what's sound and sweet clear through, like ahard cabbage, 'm, no rotten nowhere--and he says: 'A good plan, Debby, and I'll rent your two best rooms for my daughters now, and pay a yearin advance, ' and so 'twas done, 'm. And so's went the last five year, them a-coming and going, jest like the sunshine in Aprile, but now--"

Again the always husky voice broke, and the white apron was turned intoa handkerchief for the nonce. 

"Now you are going to lose them, you say?"

"Yes'm. They're to ship with their father for the long cruise--thatis, I s'pose I oughter say they're a-goin with him on the long v'yageto Ingy. "

"I presume he gets lonely for them too, poor man!"

"In course he do, 'm--I sees thet plain--and I can't really say a word, only--hist! I believes it's 'em, now. If that ain't my Miss Hope'srush through the hall then I'll--"

An unmistakable breeze and clatter, in which fresh young voices couldbe plainly heard, sounded without, and, as both women faced the door, it was flung somewhat violently open, and a young creature appeared inits frame who seemed the incarnation of joy and brightness. Involuntarily the lady murmured "Hope!" for the young girl's greatbrown eyes were alight with fun, and her red-brown hair seemed to laughsympathetically in every curly lock and tangle, while her parted lipsshowed teeth like bits of alabaster polished to splendor. 

She had scarcely entered when there seemed to be two of her, for hersister, close behind, was so perfect a counterpart that no one, unlessa keen observer, could detect a difference. The stranger was a keenobserver and noticed that, while eyes, teeth, hair, and rich complexionwere identical, also the height and build, the expression was quitedifferent. Where the first-comer was alert, bird-like, and possiblyinclining to sharpness, the second was more dreamy, peaceful, and slow. She had called the one "Hope, " and saw, with quick pleasure, that shewas right, for as the girl stopped suddenly, abashed at finding astranger in the room, Mrs. Gunter said apologetically--

"I was jest takin' this lady through, Miss Hope. She thowt as shemight be a-wantin' of these after you an' Miss Faith was a-gone, maybe. Mrs. Rollston it is. "

Each young girl acknowledged the introduction with a pleasant littlenod, and a murmured, "Happy to meet you, Mrs. Rollston, " so preciselysimilar in voice and manner that she could not help an amused smile;yet, even here she could detect that same subtle difference in theexpression. Hope's nod was accompanied by a blithe glance, keen, yetinviting, Faith's with a softly-inquiring, yet half-indifferent look, as if some undercurrent of thought were still unstirred. She felt thatHope appropriated her friendliness as a matter of course, while Faith, though not repelling it, maintained a fine reserve which might, ormight not, vanish like hoar-frost in the first sun-ray of affection. She said gently, "Your kind Mrs. Gunter has been telling me somethingof your plans. It takes a great deal out of a house when young peopleleave it. "

"Dear old Deb! She doesn't realize what a lot of care it will take offher shoulders, though, " cried Hope, quickly. "It will give her hoursand hours for Gyp and the lodgers. You see, "--laughing and dimplingtill Mrs. Rollston longed to kiss her, --"I put the dog first. "

"Which does not hurt my feelings yet, whatever it may do later, "returned that lady in kind. "And when do you sail, may I ask?"

"To-morrow morning. I'm so glad we're to start by daylight. We'regoing to take Debby out, and send her back in the pilot boat, aren'twe, Faith?"

"You nearly promised, you know, Debby, " put in the one addressed, seeing dissent in her eye. 

"But not quite, honey. I allays feels it's a temptin' of Proverdancefor such a shaped woman as I be to set foot on things what goesa-rockin' around on the water. I like to feel good solid earth underthem feet!" and she peered quizzically over her round person at herhuge carpet slippers, and shook her head with a chuckle of amusement. "I've watched them frisky little steam critters 'fore now, and they'remost dujeous like to a babby jest a-larnin' to walk, or a tipsy mana-tryin' to steer straight when he sees double. No, thankee kindly, but I guess I'll say good-by ashore, where I can cry it out comfortableafter you're gone. "

"Foolish old Debby!" laughed Hope, while Faith looked with a sweetregret at her dear old nurse, but did not speak. 

"Do you know, " said the stranger, who was about leaving, her businesshaving been long finished, "I am wondering how it happened that thesenames were bestowed just as they are. Can you tell me, Mrs. Gunter?It would seem as if the babies must have shown their dispositions whenvery young--or was it a happy chance?"

Deborah laughed with unction. It was a story she was fond of telling. They had just descended the stairs and she opened a door into asnug-looking sitting-room off the hall as she said--

"Well, jest set you down again for a minute, 'm, if you please, andI'll tell you. I ain't good for much at standin' long--too many poundsto hold up. Here, 'm, this is the best chair--now I'll tell ye. Factis, I was in a real pupplex over them names for a time. First, I wasa-goin' to wait till their fayther got home, but they kept a-growin' sofast thet it didn't seem right not to have 'em named. I was realworrited for a spell till, all at once, I found out that they wasnamed--yes, and I'd done it myself! 'Twas like this: When they'd beginto be a stir in the crib, and I was right busy, I'd say to my shadder, 'I hope it isn't this one, 'cause she wouldn't keep still a blessedminute'; or I'd say, 'I've faith to b'lieve it's that one, for she'llcoo and play with her toes till I gets ready. ' 'Twas allays jestso--'I hope, ' or 'I've faith, ' every time. And soon as it come to me, why, I jest named the obstreperous one Hope and the quiet oneFaith--don't you see?"

"I do. It was bright of you, too. It really means that the names cameby nature, so fit like a glove, of course. But I must be off at once. Thank you for a pleasant morning, Mrs. Gunter! I will bring my husbandaround to-morrow for his approval, if he can spare the time. At anyrate, I think I am not too hasty in saying we will take the rooms. Wewill, if you please, pay by the week in advance, as he is only here onbusiness, and our departure may, necessarily, be sudden. Good-morning. "

She departed, followed by the smiles and curtesies of Mrs. Gunter, butnot till the latter had found time to whisper huskily, "Aren't theysweet girls, 'm, and do you wonder it breaks me in pieces to lose 'm?"to which she responded heartily, "Indeed, I can fully understand your grief. They are delightful, andsingularly alike. If I were to describe each in a word, I should sayHope is radiant, Faith lovely, and both are charming!"

CHAPTER II. 

THE LEAVE-TAKING. 

There were lively times in the Portsea lodging-house, next morning. The many last small tasks that crowd upon the out-going voyager hadkept even Hope too busy to talk much, and she at length stoppedbreathlessly, to cry, as she jammed her dressing-sacque and tooth-brushinto an already over-crowded bag, "Dear me! Faith, have you a spot for my hair-brush? It won't fold upnor crush down, and this crocodile is just gorged. I don't know that Ican ever snap his jaws to in the world!"

Faith looked and smiled an assent. 

"Toss it over! If your alligator-grip is full I can find room in thistelescope, but I hope it won't break my scent bottle. "

"Oh, alligator--yes, but what's the difference? The creatures lookalike in the pictures, I'm sure. That's a darling! Now, if I can everfind the eye for this hook--oh, thank you! How calm you are. Why, myhands fairly shake with nervousness. Now I believe I'm ready. "

"I too, " returned Faith, taking up her gloves and smiling at Deborah, who just then opened the door, displaying eyes swollen with weeping andcap awry, and who observed sobbingly, "The new lady--Mrs. Rollston--is below, and asked if you was gone. Ithowt as likely she was a-wantin' to see you again, if you don't mind, though she didn't really ask for you. Will you be pleased to comedown?"

"Yes indeed!" cried Hope. "Where _did_ I put that umbrella? Oh, Iremember! It's tied to the steamer trunk. We may as well take ourluggage all down, as we go so soon. "

"Yes, " said Faith, who had already lifted the telescope and a linenrug-holder, embroidered with her initials, and calmly sailed out, whileHope buzzed aimlessly about, picking up sundry small belongings, duringwhich time Debby shouldered her heavier packages and followed. Thegirls allowed no dissimilarity in their costumes, to the smallestdetail, but for convenience' sake had selected their traps and luggageas unlike as possible. When Hope reached the drawing-room Mrs. Rollston was making to Faith a half-apology for her early visit. 

"I knew, if I could time my call exactly right, I would not bother you. There is always a breathing-space while waiting for the cab, and--"

"And you have exactly hit it!" broke in Hope, coming forward to giveher greeting, as Faith turned away. "We are pleased to meet you again. "

"Thank you. I find myself, in my idle time here, waiting upon myhusband's business, taking more interest than is perhaps strictlyallowable in you both. Can you pardon me?"

"Freely, " said Faith, "and we return it. Hope and I had a smartdiscussion over you, last night. She says you are an American. "

"Does she?" turning swiftly to the sister. "What makes you think so, Miss Hope?"

"Your manner, your dress, and your accent, " was the prompt reply thoughthe girl flushed a little in embarrassment. 

"But how do you young English girls so well understand these points ofdifference when--"

"Oh, but we're not English girls!" cried Hope. 

"That is, not entirely, " qualified Faith. "Our mother was English--"

"But our father's American!" Hope finished the sentence with atriumphant air, and her visitor laughed. 

"You seem proud of it, too, " she said. 

"I am. Faith does not care so much, but I'm very glad it is so. Wewent across with father and Debby once, and stayed a year. It was sucha pleasant time! Father's people live in an old town they callLynn--such a pretty, shady place, with a drowsy air that wakes intoreal life two or three times a day, when the factory people streamthrough the streets--for you see they make shoes there. "

"Do they?" asked the lady with a peculiar smile, as if this were notgreat news to her. 

"Yes. Uncle Albert's house, where we lived, was almost hidden beneathgreat elm trees, and he and Aunt Clarice were so good to us. "

"And we kept bees, " put in Faith, looking exactly like her twin in hersudden animation. "I used to help uncle swarm them myself. "

"And we went down to Boston every few weeks, " Hope crowded in again, "and that was fine. I love Boston. Its narrow, crooked streets makeme think of our own Portsmouth, here, but with a difference. And oh!the gardens, and the Common, and the Museum--"

"The cab's at the dure, " announced Debby in an abused voice, feelingthat this lively talk was scarce seemly in view of the near separationto follow. Debby cherished grief, and felt it a Christian duty to makemuch of it, perhaps because her sunny nature would of itself throw itoff too lightly. 

At her word all was quickly changed. The two girls forgot the strangewoman to hug the dear old nurse, and finally were escorted by both tothe cab door, Hope crying heartily, Faith showing only misty eyes andquivering lips, but looking paler than her sister. 

It had been arranged that Captain Hosmer, whose business had kept himwith his steamer overnight, should meet his daughters at the pier, andthe cabman had his directions, so whipped up and was off without delay, leaving poor Debby almost a senseless heap upon the door-step--anold-fashioned green door on a retired street in the more ancient partof the suburb--while Mrs. Rollston, in some dismay, bent over her. 

But before the house disappeared from view Faith's straining eyes sawthe two slowly mounting the steps together and turned in great contentto say, "I'm glad that friendly lady is to be at Debby's. She has justhelped the poor dear up the steps as kindly as possible. Poor Debby!She will miss us. "

"Yes. " Hope's quick tears were already somewhat stayed, and she nowlooked brightly out, as they clattered across the bridge into the townof Portsmouth proper and began to circle swiftly through the narrowstreets. 

"But she will feel better in a day or two. And oh! Faith, I can't helpbeing glad that we are going, can you? We leave Debby, but we go withfather, and such a fine voyage is enough to make any one happy. Oughtwe to feel all sorry?"

"No, indeed! Why should we? As you say, we are to go with our father. That alone is a great delight. "

"And, by the way, that lady never told us whether she was American, ornot, did she?"

"Sure enough! Well, we may never see her again, so what does itmatter? I hope we will, though, for I liked her. "

"And so did I, " was Hope's emphatic rejoinder. 

Captain Hosmer opened the cab door for them himself, and gave them thegaze of wondering approval which he reserved for these fair daughters. To him their growth, development, and beauty seemed something magical, incomprehensible. He had left them in the lank, homely, tooth-sheddingperiod, at the time he placed them in school, and when he returned tosee them graduated, here were two blooming maidens on the veryborderland of charming womanhood. The usual love and pride of a fatherwas in him a rapture made up of the love given to his very own, andalso of the admiration that a man, little thrown among women, is apt tofeel for those of his fireside. Then, too, these were the relics of awife most fondly cherished, and he constantly saw in them traits andexpressions which brought her to mind, and filled his heart withtenderness. 

They, in turn, fairly adored the tall, brawny man, whose whole bearingbespoke self-restraint, and the calm exercise of authority, and if hisattitude towards them was both chivalrous and tender, theirs to him wasfondly admiring and respectful. 

"I've been waiting for you ten minutes, " he said, flinging his cigaraway. Then he beckoned to a sailor who, cap in hand, stood by, andgiving him a low order, led the girls off at a brisk pace, saying, "Jack will see to your luggage; I've something to show you before weleave. "

With one on either arm he walked them rapidly among the bales, boxes, cordage, wagons, lumber, and people crowding the wharf, then turnedabruptly townwards, entered a short, lane-like street, and finallystopped at a low, quaint-looking old shop, leaning in a tired manneragainst a larger building beyond, thus throwing its doors and windowsinto such oblique angles that Hope declared it made her feel dizzy. Alittle dark man--doubtless to match the little dark house--bowed withmuch suavity in the doorway, as if expecting them, and the captain atonce addressed him. 

"Here we are, Beppo! Bring them along, and be quick about it. " But, though his words were commanding, his eyes twinkled at the man, who, ducking his black head once more, disappeared within. 

The girls peered into the doorway, from which issued a by-no-meansagreeable odor, and their father asked, laughingly. 

"Shall we go in?"

"I think not, " said Faith, holding her handkerchief to her daintylittle nose, "but what are those queer--why!" She jumped and caught ather father, for some one had seemed to ask in a gruff voice, right ather ear, "What d'ye want?"

Her father laughed outright. 

"Scared you, eh? Look out, Hope!" for the latter had stepped inside. 

She answered merrily. 

"Oh, Faith, come! What you heard was a parrot. And there are a lot ofbirds--oh! and cats--such queer ones. Do come and see. "

But at this minute, from some inner apartment Beppo reappeared, a cagein either hand. In one perched a parrot of gorgeous plumage, in theother crouched a beautiful Angora cat, large and tawny, its great brushof a tail curled disconsolately about its ears. 

"What a lovely kitten!" cried Faith, "and so frightened. Poor, poorPussy!"

"And such a saucy parrot!" chimed in Hope. "Isn't it handsome, though?"

"He talka--oh, mocha he talka, " observed Beppo, holding the cages onhigh with a prideful air. "An' he pussa ver' fine, yes. "

"Well, girls, which do you like the better?" said the captain. "I knowit's the thing to give presents to out-going travelers, and I want todo everything shipshape. But flowers are a nuisance the second dayout, and fruit a drug, so I thought a pet was the thing. It's only todecide which it shall be. "

"Oh, if we can't have both, do let's take the parrot; don't you say so, Faith?"

"Why, if you wish it, of course, dear, but"--her gaze restedlingeringly upon the other cage. 

"But you want the Persian cat, I see, daughter, " put in the captain. "Well, well, let's have both, Beppo. We'll find some place to stow'em, no doubt. Have you somebody by to carry them to the steamer?"

"Me go, " cried the man, grinning broadly in delight over this trade, "me vife she stay--me go. "

"But couldn't I carry the poor kitten in my arms, she seems to feelbeing a prisoner so?" asked Faith, distressed for the pet she lovedalready. 

"He might scratch you, " said the captain, but Beppo shook his head. 

"Noa, noa, he gooda; but he getta waya. Dis safa. Betta go cagea. "

"Drat the cage!" shouted a hoarse voice, and Faith nearly fell overbackwards, while Hope danced up and down in merry laughter. 

"It's my parrot! Oh, father, _does_ he swear? What will we do withhim?"

The captain was silently shaking with merriment, but drew himselftogether and turned sternly to the man. "Beppo, you declared that wasa refined, clean-talking bird--now, didn't you? I told you it was fora young lady. "

The man's face fell and he broke into profuse apologies, which grewmore unintelligible as they increased in vehemence. Out of it all theymanaged to gather that this was the parrot's worst expression, and onlylately learned of a "badda carpentiera, " who had found difficulty infashioning the wooden cage he was making, and had used "badda wodda" inconsequence. Hope could scarcely wait till he had finished to cry, anxiously, "But, father, it isn't a real swear-word, now, is it? And anyhow wecan teach him to do better. Do, _do_ let me have him!"

Her father gave her a merry glance. 

"They say some women really like to hear a man use strongexpressions--now, it can't be you are like that--or is it that you wantsomebody to reform, eh? However, if you can stand it I can--sailorshave to get used to such things. I can't say I've ever found it reallynecessary to swear though, as some of them maintain. I can do aconsiderable amount of ordering in the worst storm going, and rememberto rule my tongue as well as my crew. In fact, I won't have anythingof the kind aboard, so, my dear, if your bird begins by breaking myrules, what then?"

"I shall teach him better. Parrots say what they are taught, and if hedoes not hear it, he won't talk it. "

"Well, then, if you'll take him in hand--come on, Beppo, we must bemoving, " and the little procession began its march. 

Faith drew a long breath of relief. 

"Well, " she remarked, with a dainty lifting of the brows that alwaysmade the captain think of his girl-wife, so long lost to him, "I'mdecidedly grateful that my cat cannot talk. He won't be able todisgrace us, at least. "

CHAPTER III. 

NEW SURROUNDINGS. 

"Oh, Hope, I wish they wouldn't! Doesn't it seem too hard? Those poormothers and sisters--"

"And sweethearts, " added Hope under her breath, watching with greateyes. "I don't mind so much those that make so much noise about it, like that big woman by the post, but this little group over here; theydo feel awfully, and my heart aches for them. "

The girls were standing on the deck of the "International, " watchingthe last adieux on shore. A small squad of British soldiery were aboutembarking, and the home friends were gathered on the wharf, waiting fora last glimpse of their beloved boys. The "big woman" Hope mentionedhad made such violent demonstrations, insisting upon following herred-cheeked son about and weeping on his shoulder, that he had fledbefore the laughter of his brothers-in-arms, and hidden in some nook onboard, leaving her to find solace in a vile-looking black pipe, whichshe was just lighting with an equanimity that did not suggest anentirely heart-broken condition. The group mentioned consisting of theintelligent-looking young officer in charge of the squad, and threewomen, who were evidently mother, sister, and friend. 

They visited in low tones till the last minute, but at the finalseparation the poor mother turned from her red-coat's embrace, nearlyfainting in her daughter's arms, and the poor fellow, looking back atthe three pale faces, had staggered a little in his own walk, as ifovercome by emotion, as he rallied his men for embarkation. Just asthe gang-plank slid inside upon its rollers, however, somethinghappened which brought back the ever-ready laughter to the girls' lips. A young exquisite, with a monocle who had been hovering around oneparty, in which were two or three pretty girls whose sly fun at hisexpense he was too dense to appreciate, thought it would be a cunningthing to fling after them the handkerchief he had pretended to drenchwith regretful tears; but being very close to the edge of the wharf hemiscalculated his balance, and would have toppled into the water, butthat a burly tar, standing close by, caught him by his waistband anddragged him back to safety, swearing a round oath at him for hisfoolishness. 

The poor little dandy's natty straw hat and monocle were lost, though, but worse yet was the shout of laughter that arose from ship and shore, at his expense, mingled with cheers for the big sailor. Crestfallenenough, he was glad to sink back into the crowd and becomeinconspicuous, for once. But no one on the steamer gave him furtherattention, for, as they swung out into deep water with that majesticmotion in which a great vessel seems to courtesy to the deep, there wastoo much of great interest to look at. 

The girls had thoroughly examined their fine stateroom, which openedfrom their father's cabin, a day or so before, and now, having hastilydeposited the cat, parrot, and luggage within in its doors, wereprepared to spend this first hour of their journey in making good useof their eyes. It happened to be a fine day, clear and mild, withlittle air stirring, and even the most tearful of the passengers soonbegan to feel the influence of the fine air and lively scenes aboutthem. 

As they passed Fort Monckton some regimental band was practising amartial air, which came in softened strains across the water, and itseemed as if Spithead roadway were fairly alive with craft of everydescription, from a gun-ship seeking dry dock for repairs, to a slenderracing wherry, whose one occupant, bareheaded and armed, flung up anoar in greeting, as the stately "International" steamed by. 

Hope turned almost reluctantly from all this life and movement to watchthe fertile shores of the Isle of Wight, but Faith fell at once undertheir spell, and could scarcely be persuaded to talk, so busy were hereyes noting the rich verdure and picturesqueness of the wooded scene. As they neared Cowes she pointed to a massive tower, which loomed upamid the thick verdure, and observed, "See, Hope, there's Osborne House, one of our queen's castles, isn't itbeautiful?"

"Yes, " said Hope, "and there's a sloop flying an American flag--see?Ah! it's saluting--now watch our colors, Faith; isn't that pretty? Andaren't you glad we sail under both? There's a book named 'Under TwoFlags, ' and I've wondered what it is about. Our father's steamer sailsunder both the American and British, and I'm so proud of both I want tohuzza every time I see them!"

The breeze was freshening by this, so that they felt the need of morewraps, and decided to go below for them. As they slowly paced acrossthe broad deck their eyes roved from group to group, and they beganalready to decide which would, and would not, be desirableacquaintances. In turn, many eyes followed them, and they caught suchexpressions as--"Did you ever see such a resemblance? How beautifulthey are, and how exactly alike, " and the whisper, "Who are they?"passed from lip to lip, for, having roamed all over this great oceanhotel more than once, when "visiting papa, " the twins now went aboutwith an assurance few passengers had yet attained to. 

Besides the sight of two mere girls apparently unattended, is a mostunusual thing abroad, and so our sisters seemed, this morning, fortheir father was too busy with his many duties to attend upon them whenhe knew they were perfectly at home, here. As they entered theirpretty cabin, for so the English oftenest designate a first-classstateroom, a pitiful "miew, " long drawn out, and at once answered by ahoarse "Shut up!" greeted their ears. The poor kitten was evidentlysuffering, and the naughty parrot scolding her for complaining. 

"It's a wicked shame to keep my fine Angora in that cage!" cried Faith, with unusual spirit, "And you must teach that rude fellow not to scoldat her. "

Hope smiled good-naturedly. 

"How can I help his talking, dear? But why can't we let kitty out, now? Shut the door and have her get used to it here, first. Howpretty this room is! Wasn't it lovely of father to fit it up freshlyfor us?"

"Of course it was!" cried a well-known bass voice, and a blue-cappedhead appeared at the inner door. "Going to let Puss out, girlies?"asked the captain. "Wait, I'll assist you. "

He was soon down upon his knees fumbling with the cage, the girlswatching him in eager anticipation; and this seems an excellentopportunity to describe the pretty apartment. It was about twelve feetsquare, and its two narrow white bedsteads were set side by sidebeneath the starboard portholes, and safely screwed to the floor, leaving a narrow space beyond, which gave opportunity to reach theconvenient wardrobe there. In one corner, at the foot of the beds, wasthe stationary wash-stand with cleated shelves above, and a cunningpigeon-hole arrangement for shoes below--"Anything but footless bootsclattering around in a gale!" said Captain Hosmer. In the other cornerwas a dear little toilet-stand, built in securely, and fitted belowwith triangular drawers, which shut fast with a click, and were openedwith a spring. Its top was beveled out into fanciful squares androunds, into which deep trays for toilet articles were secured, and, above, a mirror of goodly size was also screwed to place. Betweenthese was the door that led to a narrow corridor leading directly tothe deck in one direction, to one of the saloons in the other. 

Along the wall space, opposite the wardrobe, were light racks forbooks, wraps, and knick-knacks, and below a long seat, or lounge, covered in white dimity, with its flounce reaching to the floor. Thetop to this could be raised, and the space beneath made a most handyplace for the bestowal of cloaks and gowns. All the decorating ofwalls and panels was in white and pale green, pricked out with gold;and a small door close beside the bed-heads opened into the captain'scabin. 

This was a foot or two larger, and of irregular shape, its deck-wallforming a swell, in which were three broad windows which gave a view ofthe sea for a full half-circle of the horizon. It also overlooked theforward deck, the watchful lookout on the bridge, the busy sailors attheir tasks, and gave glimpses of the steerage at long range. It wasrichly paneled in leather, with much gilding, the draperies were ofcrimson damask, and the seat which followed the window's swell wascushioned in crimson plush, all of which gave it a snug, shut-in look. A large table with a constant litter of maps, charts, sextants, log-books, pipes, and tobacco jars, occupied the center, andcomfortable chairs were placed around in careless order. There were afew books in some wall-shelves, a violin case in one corner--whichinstrument the captain loved to practise on, though he was noproficient--and one or two pretty India cabinets of lacquered work, containing odd specimens, and fine curios from many countries. 

His sleeping apartment, off at one side, which filled in the irregulartriangle left from the rounded end, was a mere closet with a narrowbunk, "hard as iron, " as Faith often disconsolately remarked, and afolding bath. The captain asked no personal luxuries, yet no fatherever lived who was more lavish in bestowing every refinement of daintyliving upon his daughters. 

The girls liked to speak of his cabin as the "library, " and mostly didso, much to its owner's amusement, who seldom read any book except thelog, or the daily writings of the weather on sea and sky. 

"There!" he said, as he succeeded in loosening the cage door. "Nowcome out, Mr. Puss, and make friends. What are you going to name him, Faith?"

"What would you, father? It ought to be a Persian name, oughtn't it?"

"That might do--if you don't get too much of a jaw-breaker, child. Remember, I'm not learned. "

"The idea! When you can rattle off those Indian names that I cannotunderstand at all, Just as if they were everyday Hatties and Kittiesand Pollys. "

He smiled. 

"Oh, of course. I'm used to them. But Persian's another thing, Isuppose. Come, kitty, don't be afraid--whew!" for, in spite ofcoaxing, the frightened creature made a dash past him, as he would havestroked its silky coat, and disappeared under the white valance of thenearest bed. 

Instantly Faith was on her knees, diving after, but nearly fell overwith laughter when Mr. Parrot called out promptly, in a shocked voice, "Oh, for shame!"

Amid the laughter the captain remarked quickly, "I have it! Who wasthat Persian poet you were reading about the other night, in Portsea, Faith? Why not name him that? Don't you remember, he was said to berather a shy, retiring man. Now, kitty, here, seems to have the samedisposition. "

Faith was now scrambling out, warm and tumbled, Puss safe in her arms, but only half yielding to restraint, and, smiling at her father's funnyglance, she answered, gasping a little with her exertions, "It was Hafiz, papa. I had thought of Ali Baba, but that alwayssuggests the forty thieves, you know, and I wouldn't like my prettyAngora to be accused of stealing even cream--father, do you supposehe's hungry?"

"Bless us! Just as likely as not. Wait, I'll send Joey for some milkat once, " touching an electric button just above the seat. "I see Mr. Parrot has his dinner in his cage. Well, shall it be Hafiz?"

"I believe that will do, " returned Faith slowly, "and what will youname your bird, Hope?"

"Oh, I'm not going so far for a name as all that, only to America, andI shall call him Texas. "

Her father, smiling at her ideas of distance, joined Faith in hersurprised question, "But why?"

"Why? Because I've always thought, from things I've read about Texas, that it's a jolly, wide-awake state, but not over-refined, perhaps. Ithas always seemed to me they did rather dreadful things there, but inan off-hand, good-natured sort of way, that made them seem more funnythan really bad. I don't think I can make it quite plain to you, butthat's the way my parrot acts. He is not so wicked as he seems, and Ishall certainly call him Texas. "

At this instant the boy, who had been electrically summoned, appeared. He was a Japanese, with a good face, now in a broad smile as hereceived his orders, and the quick glance by which he took in thepretty room and its lively occupants was alert and well pleased. Hehad waited upon the captain for years, spoke perfect English, and wasthe most faithful and good-tempered of lackeys. He soon reappearedwith some rich-looking milk, which poor Hafiz eagerly began to lap, sosoon as Faith had poured some into a saucer, and for the first time asoft purring sounded from his white-collared throat. 

"There!" said his little mistress, watching him in great satisfaction, "he really was half starved. Now, don't you see how like our Persianpoet he is, father? You remember Hafiz liked to sing of allcomfortable things--good living, and so on. Here is my Hafiz doing thesame thing. "

"Only his language is not entirely comprehensible, " laughed her sister. 

"Could you have understood the real poet any better?" was the archresponse, and Hope had to acknowledge that, for all practical purposes, the Angora Hafiz was as intelligible as his namesake. 

CHAPTER IV. 

INTRODUCTIONS. 

When they went back upon deck Faith had the pacified Hafiz in her arms, and was inclined to sympathize with her sister, who could not carryTexas about in that manner. But Hope needed no consolation. "PossiblyI cannot, yet, " she allowed, "but wait a while. I intend to tameTexas, and then I shall have him to perch on my wrist like a falcon. And, just now, I don't know that I care to be hampered by any sort of ababy, " laughing mischievously, for Faith looked quite motherly, withthe kitten wrapped in a fold of her cape. 

They had come above to see the lighthouse and Hurst Castle, at theopening into the Channel, which seemed to be held out from the mainlandby a long, thin arm of soil. The Channel here narrows to about a milein width, and these objects loom up conspicuously to the starboard ofthe outbound steamer. As they stood watching from the hurricane deck, to which they had ascended, and admiring not only the bright scenebefore them, but also the splendor and cleanliness of their father'sship, a boyish voice was heard to exclaim, "Well, I've explored as far as they'll let me, and I say she's a dandy!I believe she'll compare pretty well with the P. & O. Liners, afterall, don't you, Bess?" And up through the companionway came a head ina yachting-cap, followed by a slender boy in gray, with a frank, buthomely visage. 

He gave the girls a keen glance, which they more modestly returned, andthey privately decided, after a second look, that his eyes were fineand his smile a pleasant one, if he was slightly snub-nosed andfreckled. 

Just behind him came the "Bess" of his question, a rather delicateyoung lady in appearance, possibly in her early twenties, the boy beingat least four years younger. She was not pretty, but as her eyeslighted upon the sisters, she too smiled so pleasantly, they were atonce drawn to her, and returned the wordless greeting with more thancivility. Then Hope broke out, impulsively, "We are watching the lighthouse. Doesn't it loom up well? Almost asif we were going to run into it. "

"True enough, " returned "Bess, " as both drew nearer, and the boy added, to Faith, "You've got an Angora, haven't you? We left one at home, didn't we, Bess? He's a splendid fellow, Chimmie Fadden is!"

"Chimmie Fadden? What a funny name!" laughed the twins in chorus. 

"It's out of a story, " he explained, "a Van Bibber story, and reallymeans Jimmy, you know, but that's the way the boy pronounced ithimself. He acts timid, " this in reference to Hafiz, who burrowedunder Faith's arm, resenting his advances. 

"Yes, he doesn't like it on board, at all. It's all too strange, yet. Father gave him to me just before we started, and he hasn't become usedto anything--not even me. "

"And I've a parrot, " put in Hope. "_He_ takes it out in scolding. Ishall not dare have him on deck until he gets over his sulks, and willtalk nice things. So far, he is a bit rude and outspoken for politesociety. "

Their light talk and laughter seemed to break all ice between them, ifthere had been any to break, and the young lady asked, "Do you go far? I noticed you on the forward deck. It is seldom onesees two people so exactly alike. Can even your own mother tell youapart?"

"Our mother we have never known, she died when we were so little, " saidFaith gently, "but Debby, our nurse, always knew, and so does father. Very few others do, though. "

"Is your father with you?"

"Oh, yes, indeed!" laughed Hope. "We couldn't very well do withouthim--"

"Oh, I know, I know. He's the _captain_! Isn't he now?" cried theboy. "I heard the head steward saying something to another officerabout the captain's daughters. Haven't I made a good guess?"

"You certainly have, " said Faith. 

"Then your name is Hosmer, " added the boy, triumphantly. "I've beenover nearly the whole steamer, and she's fine! And I know our captainquite well, and like him first-rate, already. "

"Oh, you do?" laughed his sister. "Well, now you have ferreted out whothese young ladies are, I think we ought to introduce ourselves. Thisis my brother, Dwight Vanderhoff, of New York City, America, and I amhis sister Elizabeth, generally shortened to Bess. We are going withour mother and uncle, Mr. Dwight Lawrence, for whom this youngster isnamed, to India, and intend to make an extended tour. We have been onthe Continent and in the British Isles for three or four months, andhaven't lost any of our Yankee enthusiasm and curiosity yet, as yousee. "

"And we're American, too!" cried Hope. 

"And English, " added Faith. 

"Why, how is that?"

The latter explained. 

"Well, if that isn't jolly!" said Dwight. "To be sure, this steamer'sthe 'International, ' and sails under both flags. I noticed our old'star-spangled' along with the Union Jack, and wondered. Do you see, Bess?"

"Of course I see, and am delighted. I shall consider it a good omenfor our voyage. "

"Especially as she carries Faith and Hope with her, " remarked thelatter, with a merry glance at her sister. 

"Certainly, " returned Bess obliviously, but Dwight broke in, "Wait! You mean something special by that; I see it in your eyes. Letme guess again. Faith and hope--faith and hope--I once knew a girlnamed Faith--say! I'll bet a cooky those are your names. Aren't they, now?"

"Right again!" laughed Hope, while he jumped about, clapping his handsin ecstasy. 

"Hear that, Bess Vanderhoff? Uncle always said I was a regular Yankeefor guessing, and that shows it. But those are stunning names fortwins--"

"Dwight, Dwight! What an expression to describe those lovely words. "

"Well, it was rather off, Bess. I beg your pardon, Miss Faith andMiss--but which is which, and how will I know if you tell me? It's aregular Chinese puzzle, for you are precisely the same until you speak, and then there's a difference. For you, " he pointed towards Hope, "look somehow--well, jollier, I guess it is. "

"Don't be personal, Dwight, " admonished his sister. 

"But it's a personal subject, sis, how can I help it? May I make onemore try at it?"

"As many as you like, " laughed Hope. 

"Well, then, if you're named as you ought to be you are Hope, becauseyou look it, and she--"

He was interrupted by a little cry from Faith, who had been watchingthe scenery more closely than the others. They followed her gaze andwere silenced a while by the impressive scene, for the Channel wasopening broadly before them, its cold green waves curling intofoam-tipped breakers, while the Needles, those natural turrets of thedeep, rose in stately fashion from the waters, seemingly in their verypath, as if here the bold voyager must needs be challenged beforeventuring further. The narrow Solent was passed and a wider roadwaywas to be theirs for many a day. But after a little, Dwight'sirrepressible spirits broke out afresh, and he returned to the charge, evidently determined to be at no loss when addressing these girls, whomhe secretly chose as companions for Bess and himself out of the wholepassenger list. He finished his guess concerning Hope, and once moreproved his right to American citizenship. 

"But why do I look my name?" she asked curiously. 

"Can't tell; you just do, that's all. I'm a guesser, but I can'texplain why, at all. 

"You may know me by my cat--Hafiz the poet, at your service, " said hersister merrily. 

"But when you don't have the cat, Miss Faith? One of you ought to tieon a pink ribbon somewhere, and one a blue. "

"Yes, and then we'd be like the old woman with her eggs, " put in Bess. "It would be sink or swim--pink or blue--but which? I think I'd ratherlearn you by closer observation, and you mustn't mind if I stare a gooddeal for a time. 

"Oh, no, people always do stare, " said Hope nonchalantly, which was, indeed, the truth. The sisters had become so used to this attention inpublic that they were able to appear unconscious of it always, whetherreally so or not. For, being sensible girls, they did not attributethis at all to their fair, fresh faces, but to the resemblance betweenthem, enough of a novelty in this world of diversities to be alwaysobservable. 

They were well out into the Channel when summoned to luncheon, and onlywaited long enough for a good look back at the beautifully woodedshores before they went below. The first meal at sea is always aninteresting one. It is a matter of great moment to many in what partof the saloon they will be assigned a place, and of course the specialhonor of sitting at the captain's table is desired by all, thoughattained by few. 

As they were descending towards the cabin, to join their father, Faith, ever thoughtful of others, said in a low voice. 

"Don't you wish we could have the Vanderhoff party at our table, Hope?"

"True enough. It would be fine! Let's ask father. "

"But you know he leaves all that to Mr. Malcolm, and I don't believe weought to meddle. "

Mr. Malcolm was the head steward, and it was an excellent rule ofCaptain Hosmer's to interfere as little as possible with the specialprerogatives of his officers, who in turn always tried their best toplease him. Mr. Malcolm knew his duties thoroughly, and did them. 

This the girls knew, hence the disclaimer from thoughtful Faith, "Oh dear! It would be so pleasant. And father ought to have a sayabout his own table--"

"But you know he's always consulted, dear, and by this time everythingis planned. "

"Well, we might be consulted, too. "

"Why, Hope! When he has planned everything to make it pleasant for us. "

Hope's pout died out into a shamefaced smile. 

"There, there! Consider it unsaid, Miss Wisdom. Guess I canappreciate the dear man, myself--and there he is looking for us now. "

Quite over her pet, she ran to meet him, and his tender smile met theirupturned faces. 

"Ah, girlies, I was just coming for you. I'll see you in to the tableand join you presently. Just now I'm busy, but Malcolm and Joey willlook after you. I didn't forget that my little girls were along whenwe fixed up the table-list, and you'll see they are not all ponderouselderly people with titles, this time. Come on!"

The sisters exchanged glances, and Hope in a spasm of repentance, murmured, "Oh papa, you're too good to us!" which he only half caughtas Faith just then remarked, "But Hafiz--I'll have to--"

"Here, Jack, "--to a passing attendant, --"take this kitten to my cabin, and see that the door is shut into the large stateroom, off. Hafiz andTexas are better apart until time has cemented their friendship, " headded, with a twinkle, turning again to his daughters. "Now hurry!"and he raced them merrily down the companion-way, and through the aftersaloon, to the great apartment set out with table after table, in abewildering vista of white linen, glittering silver, and shiningcrystal. 

As they stepped to their places Hope nearly gave a hop of pleasure, foron one side were Bess and Dwight, with a tall lady whom Bess greatlyresembled, and a rather magnificent gentleman, whose whole air bespokeone used to power, to luxury, and to travel. 

The others consisted of two or three officers, an outgoing Indianofficial who wrote Sir before his name, a famous traveler, a ministerfrom America, and a Russian writer of note. The ladies were fewer, there being only three besides Mrs. Vanderhoff. One was the wife ofthe English baronet, and the other two seemed traveling together, butin what relation was not apparent. One was past middle life, andfine-looking, with snowy hair, brilliant eyes, and a polished speechand manner. The other was, as the sisters rather hastily decided, notprepossessing in appearance, having a reserved and haughty manner. Sheseldom spoke, and was either preoccupied, or indifferent. 

The captain, with a courteous general greeting, introduced hisdaughters, then seated them, one on either side of his own place, when, with a word to Joey, whose manner was eagerly attentive, he hastenedback to his post, leaving them to their own devices. Bess at oncepresented them to her mother and uncle, the latter in turn mentioningthe names of the Indian official, Sir Wilbur Lawton, his wife and thetraveler, whose famous cognomen may not be written here. Then heglanced half inquiringly at the two ladies, who were evidentlystrangers to him, when she of the white hair said gracefully, "And let me present to all, my friend, Lady Moreham. "

Then, as her companion did not return the favor, she added, "And I amMrs. Poinsett. "

The younger people were too well trained to monopolize conversation, but listened with pleasure to the talk between the gentlemen concerninghunting of "big game" in India, with which both the traveler and SirWilbur seemed well acquainted, Mr. Lawrence asking intelligentquestions, and the Russian whose name was almost unpronounceable, putting in a broken sentence, or two, now and then. The ladies mostlylistened, also, but occasionally the two who were companions conversedin low tones. Lady Lawton, who was extremely fleshy, devoted herselfexclusively to her luncheon. 

The twins, meanwhile, made their observations with the promptitude ofyouth. They liked Mrs. Vanderhoff, whose manner was quiet andsensible, in accord with her dress and appearance, and they alsofancied Mrs. Poinsett, but the one called Lady Moreham they decided wasdisagreeable, and too proud of her rank to be sociable. They were gladshe sat at the further end of the table, and Hope remarked, as she bentforward for the pepper-box. "There's a regular specimen of yourBritish aristocracy, Faith Hosmer. You must feel proud of it!"

But Faith only smiled, as she murmured in return, "Judge not!" then, with her charming smile, answered Mr. Lawrence's question with a "No, sir, it is our first trip to India. We have often been to Cowes, orPlymouth, with father, but never far from English shores, except once, when we spent a year in Massachusetts, at the time he was mate of the'Glasgow. '"

"Ah, in what part? Boston, I presume?"

"Yes, sir, Boston, Lynn, Salem; but we lived at Lynn. "

Here Bess broke in to briefly explain the double nationality claimed bythe girls, and for a rather embarrassing minute the attention of thetable seemed concentrated upon them. Amid the fusillade of questionand comment Hope noticed Lady Moreham's eyes suddenly flash andsoften--she could almost have thought there were tears in them, indeed. But why? At any rate, she began to think there might be some redeemingtraits, even in this "specimen of British aristocracy. "

CHAPTER V. 

"ON THE BAY OF BISCAY, O!"

The meal was scarcely over, when there was a perceptible change in themovement of the steamship, for, no longer sheltered by the Isle ofWight, they soon discovered that what they had always heard of thebroad English Channel is true, and found it one of the roughest sheetsof water known. Faith soon began to look "white around the gills, " asMr. Malcolm teasingly informed her, and when she said she "thought shewould go and look after Hafiz, " Hope rallied and ridiculed her, wellbacked by Dwight, who was a born sailor; but Bess evidently sympathizedwith her, and began herself to look wan. 

Faith had gone indoors--they were on the forward deck upon which thecaptain's cabin, or "library, " opened, and Hope had been watching herzig-zag progress across it, laughing merrily, when, with the suddennessof a lightning-stroke, everything grew black and began to spin aroundher. She looked helplessly at Dwight, whose grinning face was likethat of a whirling dervish, made a little lurch forward, and would havefallen, but that watchful Mr. Malcolm caught her just in time. He atonce sent a boy for the stewardess, and they soon had thehalf-unconscious girl safe inside her own stateroom door, where Faithlooked up drowsily from her little bed to remark, "Why, what's the matter? Did she get hurt?"

"Oh, no, only faint, " returned the woman smiling broadly, while sheunfastened Hope's gown and assisted her upon the other bed. "There'sthe pair of you. "

"Two fools!" remarked the parrot, with such appropriateness that evenHope had to join feebly in the woman's jolly laughter, while Faithplucked up strength to gibe a little in return for her sister's attackon deck. 

"There, now, all you've got to do is to lie still, " said thestewardess, as she turned away. "Why, you little kitten! Where didyou come from?" for Hafiz, curled down snugly by Faith, had justattracted her notice. "Is he yours, Miss Faith?"

"Yes, Martha. Papa gave him to me, and do let papa know, please, howsick we are, so that he can look in on us when he has time, " she added, for, unaccustomed to illness, she felt they were almost in danger oftheir lives, now. 

When, however, a little later, their father peered in with a laughingface to rally them, and declared in cheery tones that they were "justgetting their sea-legs, and would be good sailors in a day or two, "they took heart, and both soon drowsed off into hazy slumber. Butneither wanted any dinner that night, and did not attempt much exertionuntil late the next day. Hope awoke, feeling much brighter, and feltthat the motion was not so distressing as yesterday. She looked acrossat Faith, who lay with closed eyes, pale indeed, but peaceful. 

"Are you awake?" she whispered. 

"Yes, " returned her sister, opening her eyes only to close them atonce. "I'm awake, but it's the queerest thing. So long as I keep myeyes closed I'm quite comfortable, but when I open them I feel as if Iwere in a high swing just ready to tumble out; and when Texas gets topitching around in his cage, and hanging fairly upside down, andwhirling around like a crazy thing, it makes me a great deal worse. "

Hope laughed. 

"Poor Texas! I don't think he's very happy himself. I wonder, arebirds ever seasick, really? I've heard they often mope and die onshipboard, but is it seasickness?"

"I'm sure I don't know--but let's not talk about it! What time do yousuppose it is, Hope?"

"Oh, somewhere along in the afternoon. Somebody says there's no timeat sea--it's all now. Heigh-ho! I've half a mind to get up anddress--why-y, what's that?"

Sure enough! Even Faith opened her eyes wide to stare upward, forthere was something sliding through one of the portholes above theirheads, and dropping softly downwards--a small package done up incrinkly pink paper, and tied neatly about with blue lutestring. 

"It's father!" cried Hope, as she scrambled to her knees to peer out, but she could see nobody on the narrow guards without. 

Meanwhile Faith grasped the little packet and began to untie it, forgetting her illness in her eagerness. 

The paper, when opened, disclosed two sea biscuits--the square, thinkind, like a soda cracker--and upon each was painted a tiny marine viewin water-colors, while beneath was a couplet done in fancifullettering. One read, "Hope for a season bade the world farewell, And Freedom shrieked--as Kosciusko fell, "

while the other bore the legend, "Our Faith, a star, shone o'er a rocky height; The billows rose, and she was quenched in night. "

"How absurd! How funny! Who did it?" they cried in concert, forgetting all ill feelings as they laughed till the tears came. 

"It never was father, " said Hope, when she could get her voice. "Thedear man couldn't repeat a line of poetry to save his life. That oneabout Kosciusko used to be in one of our school speakers, don't youknow?"

"Yes, it's Campbell's. " Faith always remembered more accurately thanher sister, while the latter learned more readily. "But who would everthink of applying it so oddly? The play on our names is bright enough, but--I'll tell you, I'll tell you! It was that boy--Dwight Vanderhoff. I just believe it! He is clever, I'm sure, and his uncle could helphim. "

"As likely as not--or Mr. Malcolm--but no, I don't believe he would. He is full of fun, but dignified too, and he never forgets we are thecaptain's daughters. It must be that boy! Martha Jordan says hehasn't been ill a minute, and that he knows everybody on shipboard, already, and they all like him. "

The stewardess was fond of the girls, and in her frequent visits hadbrought them every bit of news she could pick up, to lighten theirconfinement. She appeared while they were conjecturing, and said, "Aha! Well, aren't you?"

"Almost, " said Faith, as both began telling the story of their package. 

Martha appeared much interested, but there was a look on her honestface that seemed to say she was not so densely ignorant of the matteras she pretended to be, and, while she assisted them into their long, flannel-lined ulsters and close caps, for a visit to the upper deck, where she declared the fresh wind would blow their last qualms away, they tried to learn just what she did know, but without success. Giving it up, finally, Hope proposed that they wear the sea-biscuit asornaments, and see who should look most conscious when they drew near. 

"A good idea! And where is that box of ribbons? Let's find a pink andblue, if we can. "

"Tell me where you put it and I'll look, " said Martha, much amused, and, when found, she punched a hole through one corner of the pastysquares, and tied each to a button of the ulsters. Hope's was pink, and Faith's blue. 

Thus equipped, she started them up the companion-way, and seeing theywere reasonably firm on their feet, went about her business, chucklingto herself as if greatly enjoying something. As they appeared above, they received a merry greeting from their father, who sat chatting withMr. Lawrence to leeward of a smokestack, which gave a grateful warmth, as the day was a typical November one, gray and chill. 

Both gentlemen sprang up to offer chairs, and congratulate them upontheir courage in venturing out, and they were barely seated, when upcame Dwight, trying to keep under a most amazing grin that persisted instretching his mouth from ear to ear. 

"Well, this is good!" he cried, shaking hands with a nourish. "I knew, if you'd just make a try at it, you'd be all right. If everybody wouldstick it out and stay on deck, as I do, there'd be no such thing asseasickness. "

"Oh, the conceit of him!" laughed his uncle. "Stick it out, indeed!Why, you don't know what it means, you healthy young rascal. You havethe stomach of a goat!"

To divert attention, possibly, Dwight suddenly turned to the girls, andinspected them with apparent curiosity. 

"You seem to be decorated, this afternoon, " he remarked in anon-committal tone, "and got on your pink and blue ribbons, I declare!"

His gaze rested on the sea-biscuit, and he lowered his eyelids to hidethe laugh behind them. 

"You didn't know we had decorations on this ship?" asked Hopeteasingly. "Only a few get them. They are for good conduct undertrying conditions. We have been ill, but not disagreeably ill. There's a difference. "

The gentlemen were looking at the painted squares, now, and her fathersaid, "What's that nonsense, my dear? What are they, anyhow?"

"Just something the stormy petrels dropped through our porthole, " saidFaith, gravely taking up the tale. "Aren't they pretty?"

"H'm! Quite so. " Mr. Lawrence was also indulging in a long look. "Did a merman paint them for you? And what sea-king got up thatpoetry? It seems well selected, if not entirely original. " He glancedat his nephew quizzically, and added, "I suppose the other name of thatFreedom who shrieked was Dwight, wasn't it? Pretty well, sir, prettywell! I recognize the work. Your style is original, Mr. ArtistVanderhoff. "

"And didn't you help him one bit, Mr. Lawrence?" asked Faith. 

"Did not even know of it, Miss Hosmer. "

"Then I call it a mighty smart performance!" cried Hope in a tone offinality which brought a hearty laugh from the group. 

"Clever enough!" decided the captain, as he spelled out the twistedlines, and chuckled over them. "You're quite an artist, young man. Iremember, a few years back, I had a whole crew of the long-hairedprofession aboard, and a jolly, turbulent set they were. Theydecorated the ship from stem to gudgeon in all sorts of unexpectedplaces, and almost disorganized my Lascars, snatching them off duty topose as models. I had to threaten to driven 'em below at the rope'send, and batten down the hatches, to bring them to reason. But theymade fun for us the whole voyage, and I was sorry to see the last ofthem at Gibraltar. "

The steamer was now in the broad Bay of Biscay, which washes the boldshores of France and Spain, and the water had that compact hue of darkazure, with occasional greenish lights, that tells of deep soundings. 

As they forged ahead, to the steady drum-beat of the engines, the broadswirl of water, churned into foam by the great propellers at the stern, marked their path as far back as the eye could reach. The weather wasfitful, and the sky cleared somewhat toward sunset, but its light wascold, and threatening clouds hung close upon its edge. The treacherousweather predicted of the bay might be upon them soon, though as yet ithad been "all plain sailing, " as the captain observed. 

"It's either here, or on the Indian seas, " he said laughingly. "Somewhere, we'll have to take it! It is not often we get throughwithout a little shaking up, somewhere. 'Twould scarcely be possiblein so long a voyage. "

"About how long does it take you?" asked Mr. Lawrence, lazily watchingthe line of faint silvery blue, streaking the horizon. 

"Oh, I usually make it inside of thirty days, when our stops aren't toolong, " returned the captain. "Of course the P. & O. Liners, beingmail-carriers, do it in much less time. But they're built for speed, and make fewer stops. Then, we tramp steamers always give them theright of way in harbor--hello!"

He rose to his feet, his keen eyes looking off to starboard, while atthe same instant came a cry from the lookout, "Sail to starboard, aft!"

The others, following the captain's gaze, saw something like a faintsmudge growing on the horizon's line against the faintly tinted hue, and, even as they watched, it deepened to a waving plume. 

"Come!" said he, and they followed him to the bridge, where, givingeach a turn at the glass, they watched the plume until a shape wasattached to it, and it grew into a graceful steamship, its funnelsbelching black, and its sails gleaming like shadowy shapes of vaportill they grew near enough to become defined, and materialized bynearness. 

"It's one of the liners now--a P. & O!" cried the captain with someexcitement. "Isn't she a lady, though? Watch her gait! She's assteady and swift as the stars in their courses. You'll see her colorssoon. "

He sang out an order or two, then turned to answer Faith who, with hereyes fixed on the rapidly nearing steamer, asked dreamily, "What does P. & O. Stand for, papa?"

"Why, don't you know? For goodness' sake, child, what an odd questionfor a seaman's daughter to ask!"

"But I surely don't know. I never heard anything but P. & O. And Inever even thought to ask before. "

"Well, it's Peninsular and Oriental, of course--there, see her colors?Those four triangles in blue, white, yellow, and red, at her masthead. Watch while we salute her!"

The beautiful courtesy was given and exchanged, the great steamerpassing at so close range that they could see the clustered groups uponher immense decks, note the fluttering handkerchiefs, and hear theircheers, in response to those from the "International, " ringing faint, yet clear, across the watery space between. 

"That's the 'London, '" said the captain dropping his glass after along, admiring gaze, "and, by the way, the old 'London, ' a fine, staunch vessel, was wrecked in this very bay years ago. "

They watched the leviathan, with its hundreds of passengers, a longtime, but at length its greater speed carried it from view in thedarkening night, and they were presently reminded, by the signal, thatit was time to dress for dinner. 

The "International" would have seemed odd, in many respects, to oneused only to the trans-Atlantic steamers, for, though entirelyofficered by English-speaking whites, its crew consisted largely ofMalays and Lascars, while the waiters were mostly Japanese andBengalese, wearing a costume compounded of their native gowns and thewhite aprons of European waiters. The maids, under Mrs. Jordan, werealso East Indian women, and they were very picturesque in their saris, or head coverings, of gay colors, with brilliant teeth gleaming out oftheir swarthy faces, and eyes like beads for blackness. Even the boyswho answered bell-calls and polished the brasses and the shoes, werefrom Soudan or Bombay, and the stokers down in the engine-room wereSeedees, black as the coals they kept flinging into those yawning redmouths, which made one think of an opening into the great pit of Hades. 

These Seedees are as near a salamander as a human being can be, perhaps, and certainly they will endure heat that would soon kill awhite man. Sometimes, in those southern seas, the temperature of thefurnace-room is something unthinkable, yet they endure it; though, assoon as their relief appears, they will fling their steaming, andalmost naked, bodies into the scuppers, to let the rush of water washthem into coolness, once more. It was understood that the girls werenot to visit any of the lower regions of the ship, without the companyof some officer, but Mr. Malcolm was very accommodating, so, matronizedby Mrs. Vanderhoff, her party and the twins managed to peep into nearlyevery hole and corner before the voyage was over. Even where they didnot care to go Dwight would penetrate, if by crawling or climbing hecould reach the spot. 

Before bedtime the steamer had changed its course to westward, and asit encountered a stiff head wind its progress was labored and slow. Most of the passengers early "sought the seclusion that the cabingrants, " as Dwight mockingly observed, but, sheltered in the snugpilot-house, our girls, with himself and Bess, rode out the "storm, " asFaith called it (though the gray old steersman laughed at the idea), until a late hour. All day there had been a flock of sea-gullsfollowing them, and, attracted by the light, they sometimes dashedagainst the windows, startling the girls and delighting Dwight. Theywill follow a steamer much as a fly does a horse, always keeping atjust about such a distance, though one would think, in theirsky-circling and ocean-dipping, they must lose time occasionally. Asthese birds of the sea glide down a billow, then skim lightly up again, it would seem they must sometimes be caught in the swirl of foam andborne under, but no! Every time, no matter with what fusilade of spraythe wave breaks, Mr. Seagull rises, lightly triumphant, with not somuch as a silver feather wetted by salt water!

The night grew very dark, and the sea was turbulent. The latesupper--a fourth meal always served on board the "International"--wassomething of a scramble, but our young people enjoyed it, as few of theolder passengers were present, and though an occasional fit ofsqueamishness disturbed both twins, while Bess had to disappearsuddenly, Dwight ate calmly on of everything offered, with anequanimity that tickled Joey, and excited the envy of all. The saloonslooked deserted, and only a few mustered for a short look at the lighton Finisterre. After seeing it, our girls decided bed was a goodplace, but Faith thought she had scarcely dropped asleep, though hourshad fled, when something seemed to shake her into consciousness, andHope's agitated voice whispered, "Oh, what is that?"

It was a hoarse, awful, prolonged bellow, as of some giant ox in soredistress, and when it would stop, occasionally, faint and far wouldcome another bellow, mellowed by distance, but sounding unspeakablyeerie and frightsome. A bell, too, seemed to be tolling a knell forsomething, and there was a constant rush of feet on deck, mingled withtrumpeted orders and the rattle of cordage. Yet the steamer did notseem to be pitching about at all, as it was when they retired. Couldthey be going down, and were those awful noises calls for help? Andwhere could they be to have answers coming over the waves like that?

"Oh dear!" sighed Hope. "What can it all mean? Do see if papa is inhis cabin; you're on that side. "

"Of course he isn't!" answered her sister, more calmly. "When there'sdanger he's always at his post. And do you suppose, if there was realdanger for us, that he wouldn't come and let us know? I can trust myfather!"

"Well, so can I, " snapped Hope, so disgusted at this superior tone shehalf forgot her fright. "But it might be that he couldn't get to us, Faith Hosmer! He might be washed overboard. "

Something in the idea of her big, cool father being washed off thedecks of this staunch ship somehow amused Faith, who really was notmuch alarmed, and she could not help laughing, which gave fresh offenseto her sister, who, breaking into tears, exclaimed, "You're a heartlessgirl, and ought to be ashamed!"

"Why, Hope!" A soft arm stole around her neck and a little figure"cuddled" close. "You're all wrought up, but really I don't think it'sso bad. See how quiet the ship is. I presume we're caught in a fog, or something. Just as likely as not we're off the light, yet, and thatis a bell-buoy, or something. "

"Dear! I'd like to call a bell-boy, and ask, " giggled Hope, a bithysterical. "Hark! there's papa now. "

In an instant the two girls were on their feet peering into the"library. "

"Oh, papa, what is it?" cried Hope. 

"What's what, my dear?" coming nearer, and showing himself wrapped intarpaulins from head to heels. "D'ye mean that old tooter?" laughinglightly. "Nothing at all, except that we're in a fog and the horn'sgot a chill. Now turn in, quick, before you get one, too, and go tosleep, dearies; your father's watching. "

"Hope, " said her sister, after they had lain still a while. "I thinkthat's a beautiful thought! 'Your father's watching. ' It means twofathers for us, dear, and One of them cannot make a mistake, even in afog. Good night and pleasant dreams. I'm going to sleep. "

They kissed and curled down contentedly, sleeping like babies allnight. Father was watching!

CHAPTER VI. 

PORTUGUESE TOWNS AND HEROES. 

The fog had delayed them some hours, but when the girls awoke, late thenext morning, there was not a vestige of it left, save an extrabrilliance in the clear air, while the engines were pounding away in abrave effort to bring them into Lisbon by the schedule. As noonapproached, and the pale tan of the coast line grew upon them, all wasanimation on board, for any landing when voyaging by sea, is an event, and especially so when the stay is to be of several hours duration. 

Our twins dragged out their flat steamer trunks from under their beds, and pulled out their prettiest street costumes, glad to discard theuseful ulster for a light jacket and hat. They were told the weatherwould be mild on shore, though it was November, and they were delightedto feel themselves really "dressed up" again, as Hope remarked. 

"Do you know, " put in her sister ruminantly, "there's ever so muchdifference between being dressed up and well dressed. Now there's Mrs. Vanderhoff; she never is really dressed up, but I have not yet seen herwhen she was not well dressed for the occasion. "

"Faith, if you get to moralizing I shall go distracted! Where _did_ weput our jeweled hat pins? I've looked and looked, and--oh, there theyare right under my nose. Goodness! is that a rap?--Ah, is it you, MissBess? Come right in. How fine you look in your shore clothes!"

"Shore clothes? That's good! Country people talk about store clothesat home, but I never heard of shore clothes, before. "

"Well, it's my invention--an inspiration of the moment. I'll make youa present of it. Do you know, Faith, we'll have to buy some newhandkerchiefs, or have ours laundered in some way. I never used somany in my life. "

"You might do as the Carrollton girls, from Chicago, did when they wereabroad, last year, " remarked Bess with a laugh. "There were so many ofthem that the laundry bills were dreadful, so they concluded to washout their own handkerchiefs. Of course they had no way of ironingthem, so, while they were still very wet, they would plaster them upagainst the window-panes in the sun, to dry. They said the embroideredones would come out beautifully, just as if nicely pressed on the wrongside. It got so they would look at the window panes the first thing, when they reached a hotel, or pension, to see if they were large enoughfor drying-boards. And when they visited the Tuileries, as they allstood in silence, gazing at the great fountain, the lovely flowers, andthe lawn of velvet, Minnie suddenly broke out, 'What a beautiful placeto dry our handkerchiefs, girls!'"

"How ridiculous!" cried Faith. "I hope no such practical thought willmar the romance of our visit to Lisbon, to-day. "

"Oh, nothing could take your romance away, " said Hope. "A little morepracticality wouldn't hurt you. But come, I'm ready. Let's go up andsee the blessed land, even if it is only Portuguese soil. "

Thus talking and laughing they hastened deckwards, and many eyes turnedupon them with pleasure as they appeared, so bright and rosy, andunconscious of anything but the enjoyment in hand. Even Lady Moreham'sface relaxed, and her eyes followed them with a wistful expression, asshe remarked, _sotto voce_, "How sweetly they look!"

"Sweet, you mean, " hinted Mrs. Poinsett at her elbow, with adeferential air, yet decided tone. 

The other turned with a quick, impatient sigh, and half-resentfulmanner, but in a moment moved closer and said humbly, "Thank you for the correction! Do not let my smallest errors escapeyou. "

Mrs. Poinsett bent her dignified head. 

"I obey you, my lady, though it is hard for both of us. "

"Yes, everything is hard, but no matter. "

And now all eyes were gazing shorewards, for Lisbon presents abeautiful appearance when approached from the water, rising, as shedoes, in terraces which overlook the noble Tagus, and are in turnoverlooked by the Sierras, ending in the Peak of Lisbon, at its mouth. Arriving thus, one does not see the filth and squalor, the tumble-downbuildings, unpaved streets, or many poor mean houses tucked in amongthe grander ones. Lisbon has sometimes been called "The Sultana of theWest, " and the comparison is apt enough, for like many a sultana herfirst appearance is conspicuously beautiful, but she will not bear tooclose inspection. Her jewels are often mere colored glass, herembroideries tawdry, and her garments not over clean. 

But in the brilliant sunshine of this glowing noon Portugal's capitalsat throned in majesty, and the passengers were enthusiastic in theirpraises. 

"Come!" cried Dwight, appearing like a bombshell in their midst. "Areyou ready, girls? We're going ashore together, and while the captainruns about on his affairs, uncle and mother are going to trot us aroundwherever we want to go. Then, by and by, we're to meet him in thePlace of Commerce, and go for dinner at the Braganza. He and unclehave fixed it all up. Hip, hooray! Won't it be jolly to be on landagain?"

But it proved slow work making their way in, for the river's mouth, which broadens into a noble harbor, was choked with the shipping ofmany lands, which had doubtless been detained by the fog of last night. As the young people leaned over the guard rail, it was great fun towatch the crowd of clumsy little native boats, laden with fruit andwine, which were hovering about the steamer, and getting in the way ofeverybody, while crying their wares. Many of these boatmen seemed asdark in complexion as any East Indian on board, and nearly all woreear-rings, generally of silver, in the dingy lobes of their ears. Theyseemed noisy and quarrelsome, and often shrieked what seemed liketerrible imprecations at each other, shaking their fists and scowlingdarkly, only to be laughing carelessly the next minute, as if nothingmattered. Dwight was about motioning one man to fling him up a bunchof figs, in exchange for the silver coin in his fingers, when his unclecalled them to the other side of the deck, which was just as well, forit would have had to be a splendid toss and catch had he secured them. 

Mr. Lawrence wanted to point out the difference between a clumsy coastlugger just putting out to sea, and a clean little clipper-builtEnglish yacht coming in. He said, "It is a difference that you will see in almost everything here. ThePortuguese do not know the meaning of the word thrift, as we understandit, and if cleanliness is not next to godliness with them, it certainlyis next to royalty, for it never descends to the common people. "

When, at last, they went on shore and left the wharves behind, most ofthe bustle died away, and they could see that Mr. Lawrence had onlytold the truth, in the easy way in which all business seemed to bemanaged. 

But they found much to admire and enjoy in the odd costumes and peoplethey were constantly meeting; more, as Hope rather contemptuouslyremarked, than in the buildings, which were "just like houses anywhere. "

She was right enough, for this is largely true on the seaward side ofLisbon. Her quaintness, and squalor also, lie further inland, wherethe old quarters are to be found. 

"So you don't think Lisbon has many novelties, Miss Hosmer?" laughedMr. Lawrence, who thought there was more fun in the young people thanin scenes that were not new to him. "Just wait a bit! We are comingto something now. "

He led the way into a pleasant enclosure, or placa, as they call itthere, saying carelessly, "Let's cross to the other side. "

They started briskly enough, but in a minute Hope flung out a hand asif for support. 

"Oh, I can't stand up another minute!" she cried. "It makes meseasick. "

But Dwight caught her arm and laughingly urged her on, stumbling andprotesting, for this is known as Rolling Motion Square, and is paved ingray-blue stone to represent billows in motion. So complete is theeffect that those who are still giddy from ocean travel find it a trialto walk across it. 

"Dwight, " called his mother admonishingly, "you will weary the patienceof these young ladies. Come and help your mother a minute, can't you?"

"Of course I can, mommy, provided Miss Hope will release me, but she isclinging awfully tight just now!"

Amid the laughter his uncle sent him forward with a push, and offeredhis own arm. 

"Get out, you rascal! We're nearly across, Miss Hosmer, and I'm veryglad of an opportunity to monopolize you for a little. I see you arenot greatly impressed with Portugal; you don't like it so wellas--well, Lynn, for instance?"

"Now you are laughing at me, but indeed I do not! Do you know, Mr. Lawrence, I have always wished we girls were Americans in realearnest--to live there, you understand. I love England, too, but whileI was with Uncle Albert at Lynn, he used to talk to me a great dealabout that grand United States and it seems to me a wonderful land. Faith was not so strong as I, and used to stay in more--you see, unclewas not really in the busy part, but well out where it was more likethe country--and she did not go about with him as I did. Once he tookme to Plymouth, and when he showed me that rock with the railing aroundit, and told me about those Pilgrim fathers braving the sea andsavages, just to worship God as they thought was right, it seemed to meas if my whole soul bowed down in reverence! From that minute I was anAmerican girl--a New England girl--and I have kept true to my father'scountry ever since. "

"I think, " said Mr. Lawrence, thoughtfully, "that there is something inthe foundation of our New England which gives it an interest beyondthat of almost any region known, and it certainly appeals to any naturewhich has an enthusiasm for the heroic and noble. Many countries havebeen acquired through bloodshed, by conquest and because of greed andglory, but a country whose foundations were laid in the rights ofconscience only, whose progenitors took God alone for their Leader, andhis rules and service for their code--who came in peace and poverty, demanding nothing but the right to live and die true men--ah! no wonderNew England is proud of her forefathers. "

"What Portuguese hero are you lecturing about now, uncle?" called backDwight, saucily, but was at once suppressed by his mother. Hopeanswered lightly, "We have found better heroes than those old Portuguese fighters, wethink; haven't we, Mr. Lawrence?"

"Yes. Still, there is one man whom I greatly admire, of this nation, and I think we will visit his statue next. What do you know about Luizde Camoes, or, as we write it, Camoens, Dwight?"

"Gracious! Nothing at all; never heard of him. Was he a fighter?"

"Hardly. At any rate he did his fighting in a noble way--rather likeheaping coals of fire I should say. He was a writer. "

"Oh, tell us about him, uncle. "

"What! A lecture? But that is not admissible in polite society. "

"Now, don't tease. You know we are all dying to hear about him. Proceed!"

"Dying?" put in Mrs. Vanderhoff. "How extravagantly you talk, my son. "

"Well, crazy, then. "

She laughed hopelessly. 

"Go on, pray, " she said to her brother. "He simply leaps from thefrying-pan into the fire. "

"De Camoens, " he said, "was by no means without faults, but he wasgifted, generous, forgiving, and brave. He was foolish enough to lovea lady too near the throne, and on that account was banished, andendured many hardships for years. Yet he did not let this dampen hislove of country, and his loyalty to the government. Though an exile, he wrote a romantic epic extolling the deeds of his countrymen in allages, which has become a great classic, and has made both them andhimself immortal. I call that a generous deed! He died poor andunnoticed, but now his people make an idol of him, and his statue isone of the sights of Lisbon. "

"Did he live here?" asked Faith. "That is, when he was not in exile?"

"Yes, this was his home. "

"And his poem was the Lusiad, " added Mrs. Vanderhoff. 

"Why, I've heard of that!" cried Dwight. "We had something about it inour Rhetoric. "

"And here, " said Mr. Lawrence, pointing down a street into which theyhad turned, "you catch your first glimpse of his statue. Poor fellow!I wonder if he knows of the tardy recognition, wherever he is now?"

They stood some time before this monument to an unfortunate genius, then started on a lively exploration of the streets and shops, whichwas perhaps more interesting to the ladies than to their escort. Atany rate it was with something like a sigh of relief that he at lengthglanced at his watch, and declared it was time to meet the captain inthe Place of Commerce, close by. 

This is a conspicuous square in Lisbon, and they had already visitedsome of its arcaded shops, but without taking special note of itsattractions. Now they had leisure to stroll about and admire the finepublic buildings, and the exquisite flowers and foliage. Quitesuddenly they came upon the captain who was, to the great astonishmentof his daughters, walking leisurely about in company with Lady Morehamand Mrs. Poinsett. They all stopped to exchange greetings, and finallywandered over to the open side of the square, where is a fine view ofthe Tagus, with its varied shipping and busy shores. As they wereturning to make their way to the hotel for dinner, Faith found herselfbeside the English lady, who said in a gentle voice, which seemed oddlyout of place with her reserved, almost haughty, manner, "Have you enjoyed the afternoon, my child?"

"Very much, thank you, " said Faith. "There are so many queer-lookingpeople, and it is diverting to visit all these open booths, and try tounderstand their jargon and make them understand ours. I feel in adream sometimes. "

"Then you have not traveled largely?"

"Very little, my lady. "

"I heard you and your sister speak of being in the United States sometime, did I not?"

"Oh yes, a year. Our father was born there. "

"And you were in Boston?"

"Yes, many times. "

"Did you ever go to any of the suburbs--Brookline, for instance?"

"I was there twice. We had friends living there. Isn't it a charmingplace? It made me think of some of our prettiest English towns. "

"Oh, it is better--that is, I have heard it spoken of as a littleparadise. Did you go about considerable?"

Faith glanced at her, surprised by several things. First, there was awistful note in her voice which seemed singular when speaking of a townnever visited; second, with all her precise use of language, once in awhile this woman of the highest aristocracy made an odd slip in agrammatical way. She was a somewhat puzzling compound. Faith answered, "A little. We rode up on Corey's Hill, of course, and around by thereservoir, and out towards Jamaica Pond--but you do not know, perhaps--"

"Go on, pray! I like to hear it. " The woman's manner was almostbreathless with eagerness, and Faith, wondering still more, continued. "I enjoyed as much as anything just wandering around alone, and lookingat the lovely homes. I never was quite sure when I was in a realstreet, or in a private way, till I saw the signs up, and I used towonder why these beautiful little lanes were labeled, 'Dangerous, ' tilluncle told me it was because they were private property, and the townwould not be responsible for accidents that might happen there. Myfriend lived in a park, with several houses set down at random, andpretty drives through it, and another little girl I visited lived wellup the hill, and when she wanted to come down town in winter she justtucked herself up on a little sled, and coasted all the way. I thoughtthat must be great fun!"

Lady Moreham's eyes were all alight. 

"I love to hear you tell about it!" she said. "Some other time we willtalk some more. Your father is beckoning you to hurry, now, and thereis my friend waiting for me impatiently. But did you ever hear ofHale's story, The Man Without a Country? Hale is an American writer. "

"I have heard of him, but have not read that story, " returned the girl. 

"It is a sad one--a very sad one! Good-by. Thank you for a pleasantstroll. I will see you again. "

She passed swiftly ahead, to join Mrs. Poinsett, and Faith turned asideto her own party, but when they joked her on making a conquest of thetitled lady she only smiled dreamily, and saw an eager face, filledwith almost girlish life, begging for childish particulars about amodest place in far-away New England. 

It was after sunset when, their excellent dinner over, they returned onboard the dear old steamer, which seemed really like home as Joeysmiled a welcome, Mr. Malcolm called a greeting down from the guards, and two or three of the babies ran from their ayahs' sides, along thedeck, to meet them. Even the Bengali boy grinned, as he cleared awaysome paper bags and fruit skins, and a little Mohammedan, who had beenmaking a perch to which Texas could be chained when on deck, came withdeep salaams to beg that they would step and see if it weresatisfactory. They expressed themselves much pleased, but Faithpointed to the long chain attached, and said. 

"I don't like that! It makes me think of dungeons and criminals. "

"But we'd lose him without it, " urged Hope. 

"I suppose so. I'm glad, though, my pet is a cat, and does not needchains or cages, I'm going to tell the babies a story in the littlesaloon, Hope, if you want me. They like it before they have to go tobed. "

An hour or so later the girls were resting idly in their own stateroom, when Faith asked, suddenly. "What do you think of my lady? Do youlike her any better?"

"You mean Lady Moreham? Yes, I think I do. What was she saying toyou, anyhow, in the placa?"

"Not much. Simply asking questions. I did the talking. "

"I thought at first she was horrid--proud and cross, youknow, "--continued Hope, who was lolling indolently on thedimity-covered seat, in a loose gown, "but I'm not so certain of it, now. There's something about her--I wonder if father ever knew herbefore? He seems friendly with her, don't you think?"

"Oh, he's friendly with everybody; it's his business to be. And, ofcourse, she is an important personage. But she kept me talking aboutBrookline, to-day--you remember the pretty place just out from Bostondon't you?--and it seemed odd she should care about it. And did younotice, yesterday, whenever we spoke of--"

"Yes, I did. You can't mention America but she wakes up. Other timesshe doesn't even seem to hear. Perhaps she has been there, after all. "

"Possibly. I wonder what she is going out to India for?"

"Oh, to join her husband, probably. That's what all the ladies go for, isn't it?"

A tap at the door and their father's voice. 

"Asleep, girlies?"

"Oh no, papa, " cried Hope, throwing the door open. "We are up yet, andas wide awake as hawks. "

"All right! Get into your ulsters, and come up to the pilot-house. There's a fresh breeze springing up from N. N. E. That will send usspinning on our way, when we can catch it. As soon as we get a goodoffing, you'll see as pretty a sight as you need ever expect to--theold 'International' under full canvas making her eighteen knots an hourfor Gibraltar--lively now!"

In a moment they were beside him, hastening to the elevated turret, with its outlook in every direction, and presently the girls wereenchanted to watch the lively rattling of ropes and shrouds, the rapidunfurling of the great sails, that snapped to place as if clappinggiant hands in joy. When these caught the breeze and braced themselvesto duty, there was a sort of thrill along the good ship, as if she hadresponded with one quick heart-beat. Then, fair, still, magnificent, she glided away, leaving the twinkling lights of city and harbor tofade out in distance--first those low on the water, then the streetlights on the terraces, and lastly one lone gleam in a distant towerthat, like a friendly eye, still gazed after them when, far out in theopen, they sailed smoothly on, the fires banked, and Steam gracefullyyielding place to his older brother, Wind. 

CHAPTER VII. 

KITE-FLYING AND GIBRALTAR. 

When they awoke, next morning, the engines were at work again, andtheir heavy thud, thud, was mingled with the swash of water, as theBengali boys washed down decks, while a rattling of spars and creakingof cordage showed that sails were being set, or lowered. 

Hope, always wide awake at once, sprang from her little white couch tofind that it was difficult to keep her footing on the sliding plane ofher stateroom floor, but slipping into gown and ulster as quickly aspossible, and bracing herself with extended hands through the narrowpassageway to the deck, she was soon outside, gasping a little in thefresh wind that met her full in the face and caught her breath away. For the ship was now headed for the Straits, and steaming almost in theteeth of the brisk northeaster. 

There was not a hint of land, as far as the eye could see, and thewaters, of a deep, cold blue, were white-capped to the horizon's edge. She felt dizzy, and most uncertain on her feet, but not six feetdistant was a heap of low camp-chairs, huddled together out of the wayof the still dripping deck planks. If she could reach one and get toleeward of that capstan--but what should she hold on to meanwhile?

And, even as she asked herself the question, the goodly steamer, happening to dip her lowest courtesy to a rude in-coming wave of giantproportions, shipped its combing crest, that poured through thelatticed guard-rail and swirled across the deck, with a force, thatsent poor Hope a drenched, doubled-up little heap of helplessness, pounding right into the midst of the chair-stack. 

Before she had time to cry out, however, she was caught up, and herfather's voice, hoarse and frightened, asked quickly, "Are you hurt, love?--Are you hurt?"

As she looked up into his anxious face, pale beneath the sun-bronze, Hope fully realized how deeply her father loved her, and answered in amuch subdued voice, "No, papa--not much. I think I've barked my knees and bumped my head, but I guess that's all--except the wetting!" shivering a little. 

"Yes, you mustn't take cold. I'll help you right back, and send Marthato you. You'd better crawl into your little nest again as soon asyou're thoroughly dry, and don't venture outside again until I come andget you, my storm-bird. "

"Father, " she said, as he was about leaving her at the cabin door, "doyou _never_ sleep? I left you up at midnight, and I find you up atdawn. "

"Sleep? Oh, yes, sometimes. That's the last thing a captain thinksof, though. If I should sleep too much it might mean an eternal sleepfor my passengers and crew. Now hurry into bed and get warm, chicken. I'll see that you have some hot chocolate at once. "

It was nearly two hours later, and Hope had quite slept off the effectsof her wetting, when the two girls ventured forth again, but now themotion was still and even, and the old ship steady as a house floor, for they were under the lee of Cape Trafalgar, making swift time forTarifa and the Straits. 

As the girls sat lazily, after their morning's outlook, in the pleasantsaloon, amid a group of ladies and children, listening to the cheerfulchatter going on about them, and laughing at the antics of the littletots playing about in charge of their gaily-turbaned Indian ayahs, ornurses, Dwight came in, all excitement, and cried, "Come, girls, we're going to have an exhibition. Loo Wing has made anelegant kite--regular Chinese one, you know--and we're going to fly itfrom the after-deck. Hurry up!"

They hastily followed his rush around the guards, and after themtrailed all the children old enough to run alone, and many of themothers, for anything new is welcome at sea. On the after-deck theyfound the captain, Mr. Lawrence, Mr. Malcolm, and other passengers, assisting the cook's boy, Loo Wing, inputting the last touches to asingular erection of red, yellow, and purple, made of crinkled paper, which looked like a hybrid creature, half bird, half dragon. 

Loo Wing had it in hand, and Mr. Lawrence was adjusting its immenselylong tail, while the captain was paying out twine from a stick. 

"Oh, uncle!" called Dwight in an agonized voice, "you know I was tostart it. Loo Wing promised I should. "

"Well, well, who said you weren't? We're only making ready. But becareful and not let it get tangled in the rigging, " was quicklyreturned. 

"No, indeed!" cried the boy, trembling with excitement, as he receivedfrom the smiling oriental the gaudy thing, and started for the taffraileager to see it off on its aerial journey. 

But he was in too great a hurry, and despite warning cries from CaptainHosmer, Loo Wing, and the Bengali boy, who was supposed to be polishingthe brass rod of the taffrail, he sent the kite up just in season for acontrary puff of wind to catch its extended wings, and blow it squarelyinto the topmost shrouds and ratlines of the mizzen-mast, where, entangled in the network of ropes, it fluttered helplessly. 

Poor Dwight was almost beyond speaking in his despair, when the littleBengali, with a swift, beseeching look at his captain, sprang forwardand ran up the rope-ladder with the lithe, quick motion of a monkey. 

"Oh, don't let him!" cried Faith, but her father only laughed. 

"He's used to it, don't worry!" he said, and thus assured, they watchedthe brown lad's dizzy climb until the kite was reached. Here, hangingon by his toes, apparently, to the cross-bar, he bent over and loosenedthe erratic flyer. Then, holding it far out, he looked down forfurther orders. 

"Shall he let her go, Master Dwight?" said the captain. "It's yourkite to command. Here's the twine, and hang tight, if he does, for'twill give you a strong pull. "

"Yes, let her fly!" cried Dwight, excitedly, bracing himself and gazingupwards. 

The little Indian waited for a favorable instant, then with a prolonged"Hi-yi!" that drew the attention of all on board, gave it a light tossto leeward, which sent it off like a bird, indeed. Luckily, it had notbeen torn by its temporary delay, and now, caught aft by the wind, itsailed up and away with a force that fairly dragged Dwight across thedeck until, laughing heartily, the captain eased him by a grasp on thetwine, until he could "get another cinch, " as the lad explained, andpay it out more rapidly. 

It really made a beautiful appearance against the blue sky, with itsgay colors and extended wings, and Loo Wing clapped his hands indelight, while the passengers cheered lustily. They watched it till itwas a mere speck in the canopy, and Dwight greatly amused the littleones by sending up "letters, " or bits of white paper, on the twine. But after an hour or two of this fun, the captain sang out, "Better tie your bird to the taffrail and take a look for'ards prettysoon. 'Twill pay for the trouble. "

They acted upon his advice, making a rush for the forward deck, and sawthat it was well worth a longer journey than from end to end of a greatsteamer. 

They were nearing the Straits; already Tarifa's white fortress wassmiling in friendly fashion across the narrowing waters, while, on theother hand, the hazy spurs of Atlas outlined the African coast. And asthey gazed delightedly, with much laughter over the roughening waves, which made it necessary for them to wedge themselves into convenientnooks in order to stand upright, they saw great Gibraltar looming upsomber, massive, and gray-blue, with the frown of a giant defying theuniverse. 

No wonder the ancients thought these opposite heights, so impregnable, so sentinel-like, were gates set by the gods to define earth's outerboundaries, beyond which the most daring mariner must never sail. 

As our friends watched the broad slope of Calpe, lying in the fullsunshine of a brilliant noon, its ledges bristling with bastions andcannon, above the little town which seems to nestle beneath incontented safety, Faith turned to her sister with kindling eyes. 

"Now, aren't you proud of our mother, England? Where in all the worldis there such another fortress commanding the entrance to two oceans, and looking down upon two continents, I'd like to know?"

Hope looked up in amazement. 

"Well, Faith, I never heard you soar into such eloquence, before. Youhave subjugated me! What shall I do? Sing 'God save the Queen, ' orshout 'For England and St. George'? I'm at your service. But then, "she added mischievously, "I don't think it was such a wonderful thingfor its garrison to hold out over three years, as our history tells usthey did, for what could all the warships France and Spain might bring, ever accomplish against that solid rock?"

"Ah! but it was a gallant resistance, just the same!" cried Mr. Lawrence, as he joined them. "There has, perhaps, never been such afierce and prolonged bombardment as that, and Europe looked on withwonder, as every resource of two great nations was brought to bearagainst that garrison of seven thousand men, who could not be starved, nor conquered. It looked black for them, sometimes, but Britishendurance and red-hot shot won the day, and the carnage on board thoseill-fated vessels during the last of the fierce engagement was beyondanything recorded in history. They simply _had_ to give it up!"

As they now slowly steamed up the beautiful bay it was almost likesailing over a mill-pond, after the past roughness, for it lay stillbeneath the vertical sun, and was thronged with shipping of everydescription and nationality. Presently there came a reverberation thatseemed to ricochet from rock and wave, and a little girl cried blankly, "Oh dear! Are they firing at us?"

But an officer called out, "No, it's a Russian corvette, saluting. See its dragon flag of blackand yellow? Now--watch!"

He pointed shorewards just as a puff of white smoke issued from aninnocent-looking clump of trees on the rocky hillside, which precededthe sound of an answering boom from the iron lips of the fortress. This was repeated many times, the hoarse cannon barks alternatingbetween gun-ship and shore, in an awe-inspiring exchange of courtesies. As the girls grew used to the thunderous sounds they delighted tospeculate from which bastion, or ledge, or flowering bush, would comethat little puff of smoke, to be followed by the lightning and thunderof man's invention, scarcely less terrible than those of nature's cloudcontests. 

"I'm glad to have seen it, " said Faith somewhat tremulously, when thesalvo was over. "It gives one some idea of what it might be if thatfortress were really firing for business. Just think how dreadful!"

"But do tell me, " cried her sister, "how can trees and shrubs grow soluxuriantly on that rocky soil, and what keeps the houses from blowingoff some of those steep cliffs? Do you know, I never supposed therewere any houses, before. I thought, from the pictures, that the rockwent straight up out of the water, with the fort stuck on top, like athimble on a big chocolate caramel. But here's a regular town. "

Mr. Lawrence laughed. 

"It's odd, the ideas we get of places till we see them! To be sure, the rock is nearly perpendicular to the north and east, but here, asyou see, it makes a long slope to the water's edge, and the cliff isbroken into many elevations. Of course, you'll go ashore and take acloser look at it all?"

"Yes, father's going with us. We'll be here quite a while to take oncoal, and he wants us to see the galleries, and the signal-station. "

"And I want to see the tailless monkeys, " added Dwight, as he joinedthem. "We'll have a procession to brag of, for nearly everybody'sgoing ashore. Mr. Malcolm's to lead the van with the children, hesays, and Mrs. Campbell is to close up the rear of his section, whilemother follows with ours. They've been laughing about it over there. Ah, there's Bess beckoning! Be sure and join us, girls. "

"Yes, when father comes. Goody! here he is. We're all ready, papa. "

"So am I, but you'll have to wait till I've attended to my papers--butit won't take long. Just follow on. "

The passengers were soon streaming shorewards over the long pier, andsniffing with delight the fresh odor of flowers that filled the air, which, to Hope, was a continual wonder, for she could not yet acceptthe fact of lovely English gardens on this gray old rock. 

A walk through the paved streets, with their home-like dwellings, stores, churches, and official buildings only increased this wonder, and her stock of adjectives was soon exhausted. Mr. Malcolm, naturally, led them first to the market, where business called him, andhere the girls were specially interested in the flowers, some of thebooths being fancifully arranged with a bewildering display. 

The people they met seemed of every complexion and country, from groupsof tourists in the latest fashion to a couple of long-robed Parsees, with their funny little caps perched above their black polls. Bessindicated another passer-by, and said in a low tone, "What an old maidof a man!" and certainly, with his straight gown, and a high comb stuckup in his back hair which was coiled into a tight knot, thedark-skinned fellow did strongly suggest a typical spinster. 

Even Hope looked pleased, and Faith's eyes glittered as a small companyof British soldiery, from the barracks, in red coats and white helmets, and with fresh young faces, came clattering down the street, andreturned the greetings of the gentlemen, and smiles of the ladies, withtheir military salute, and a second glance in the direction of theirpretty young countrywomen. 

Some of the party, who were not good climbers, had been accommodatedwith donkeys at the hotel, before starting for the galleries, but manywalked, and it was a long and somewhat straggling procession. 

The galleries mentioned are long passageways, cut through the solidrock, and pierced with portholes at regular intervals, so that thegun-muzzles, which peer through them, can command town, bay, andneutral ground. Faith, whose reverence for this old citadel grew everyminute, felt that the clatter of the donkey's heels, the gay callingback and forth, and the cries of the children ought, in these dimtunnels, to be hushed into awed silence. But no one else seemed soimpressed, though the men made measurements and discussed the labor andexpense of such enginery, as if it were a great achievement. 

As they emerged she found herself close by Lady Moreham, also walking, who remarked carelessly, "You look solemn, Miss Hosmer. "

"Do I? I think all this strength and power are wonderful, don't you, my lady?"

"Yes, and awful! It oppresses me. When England lays her hand onanything it is a heavy hand. The victim must yield, or die. "

"And yet, surely our people are comfortable and wisely ruled? We are ahappy nation. "

"Perhaps--of course. I was speaking of her in the abstract, merely. But is it not true that the marked characteristic of all Englishmen istyranny? Don't they rule wherever they go? Aren't they always andeverywhere the dominant class--the oppressors? Watch the Britishtourist in any far country. Does he ever conform to its customs in theleast? No, he forces them to come to his ways. You will see this inevery port we enter, every hotel we visit. English ideas governeverything. "

"But why shouldn't they?" asked Faith, feeling as if rather beyond herdepth, but bound to be loyal to her country. "If they have conqueredthese people, haven't they the right to make laws for them?"

"Oh, laws! Yes. But not to strip them of all originality, allindependent thought and manner. They need not change their tastes, their habits, their traditions--but there! what does a girl like youknow, or care, about all this, to be sure? Your wings have never feltthe cold shears of British superiority, nor your heart been wounded bythe sneers and scorn of her aristocracy. "

She smiled bitterly, and Faith was puzzled to know what she could meanwhen she, herself, was a distinguished member of the class she seemedto take issue with. 

They were separated then, and Faith borne on by the younger ones, butas she looked out over the bay, with its forest of shipping, and downat the terraced streets just below, she thought it a strange thing thatso favored a woman should rail at her own country and kinsmen. Itoppressed her loyal little heart, for she had begun to like the titledlady, and hated to find so grave a flaw in her nature. 

The signal house, perched like an eagle's nest on its rocky spur, proved intensely interesting, though it was difficult to remember whatall the instruments were for, while the signal flags and their manycombinations were a complete mystery. Perhaps they enjoyed all themore the visit to the tailless monkeys, that Dwight insisted uponlater, where they did not expect to be learned, but only to look andlaugh to their young hearts' content. 

Dwight was anxious to own one, but his uncle resisted his entreaties, declaring that monkeys--with, or without tails--would be a drug in themarket long before they returned to New York. 

It was late afternoon when they steamed out of the New Mole, and asthey looked back upon the precipitous eastern face of Gibraltar, andwatched the signal station, which now seemed sitting on a mereknife-edge of rock, and the roads winding up like paths for birds tolight on, it did not seem as if they could have found them so roomywhen on the spot. In dreamy mood Faith watched the surf, ceaselesslybeating itself against that massive wall, only to fall back bruised andbroken. It saddened her, and she was not surprised, after the firstshock of it, to see that Lady Moreham, standing near by, was gazingalso, with tear-filled eyes. 

As Faith discovered her emotion, the lady, believing herselfunobserved, turned with a gesture that was eloquent of despair, andFaith heard her murmuring, "It is like my life--oh! pitiless, pitiless. "

Half frightened, the girl slipped behind an intervening barrier, andstole away. 

"Poor lady!" she thought, almost in tears herself. "I would not haveher know I heard for anything. What can make her so unhappy? Sheseems to have no friends, no country. I do not believe it is pride, either, nor any feeling of rank and exclusiveness that keeps her soshut in, else why should she be so pleasant to me? It is some greatmisery, I'm sure. God help, and pity her!"

CHAPTER VIII. 

NIGHTMARE AND GOSSIP. 

I think it must have been half nightmare, or perhaps too much frozenpudding at dinner, after the long warm tramp up Gibraltar's steepsides; at any rate it all happened just as I tell you. Hope retiredsomewhat earlier than the rest, leaving Faith in the saloon, where thepassengers were enjoying an impromptu concert given by a Romany man andhis two daughters, who had come on board at Gibraltar to exhibit theirskill with mandolin, tambourine, voice, and guitar. 

It grew a bit monotonous and shrill, after the novelty wore off, and asHope had become interested in a book some one had lent her, which toldabout the old pirates of Algiers and their traffic in Christian slaves, she stole away to her stateroom, slipped into a loose gown, and turningon the electric light at her bedhead, settled down for an enjoyableevening. 

It proved to be a blood-curdling narrative, filled with the accounts ofhelpless crews butchered by pirates and their passengers, men, women, and children carried off in chains, to be sold as slaves in the wickedold Algerian city. Yet, though so thrilling, she was very tired, andin time it was difficult to keep her place and realize just what it wasall about. Half mechanically, at last, she turned off the light andlay back on her pillow where, in less time than it takes to tell it, she was sound asleep. Still, however, the pirates of her book mingledwith her dreams, which were so horrible she struggled intowakefulness--to find herself drenched with perspiration while shiveringwith horror. Anxious for companionship to counteract the effect ofthese evil visions, she reached out an arm to the other little bed andwhispered, "Faith!"

With a shock she discovered that the bed was smooth and empty; it hadnot been occupied. At the same instant she became aware of whisperingvoices just without the porthole above her bed, and a sentence or twoproved they were not English-speaking voices, either, but those oforientals, of whom, as you know, there were many on shipboard. Atfirst she could not understand a word, they spoke so low and rapidly, but presently she heard with clearness the sentence, "But ee mus' be kill eef she do care! It can no be help, now. "

Then more whispers, and then again, distinctly, one urging the other toattend to the matter at once, the quicker the better, "foh eet gottabe, " and a word or two about the "Capitan Sahib, " which she could notcatch. 

But, in her abnormal, excited state, she had heard enough. Tremblingfrom the tragedies of sleep, she thought she had fallen into thegreater ones of reality. These men were going to kill somebody--and"she" was to feel dreadfully about it. It must be that the "CapitanSahib" was to fall a victim to their mutinous designs!

Almost paralyzed with horror she lay still an instant, incapable ofmovement, then there was a rushing back of suspended animation as shefelt that Faith might already have suffered, that her father's life wasnow in danger and there was not an instant to lose. Upon her promptaction might depend his life, and the safety of all on board. 

Casting off her own terror with the resolve of desperation, she sprangup and sped into the cabin. It was dark and empty. She passed throughit into the little stateroom, and with a whispered, "Papa! Papa!" feltalong the bunk. It too was empty and untumbled. 

Oh, was she too late?

Still under the mental influence that made her believe hours must havepassed during her dreamings, she felt it must be nearing morningnow--that it was the depth of the night, in those darkest watches whenall evil deeds are done, and she was stiff and cold with terror. Sheslipped out upon the deck, lying still and shadowy under its awnings, sped across it like a shadow herself, and so on and up to the bridge. 

Her father, calmly talking with one of his officers, saw the swift, silent rush, and the next instant heard an agonized, "O father!father!" as the poor child threw herself into his arms, Then, clingingtightly, she broke out again before he could speak. 

"Oh, save sister! Be quick and save her!"

"Save her? What--where--what ails you, child? What has happened?"

"And save yourself! Get the men together--the white men--"

"My child, are you asleep? What is the matter--where have you been?Why, you are shaking like a leaf!"

He drew her to one side, and the officer discreetly vanished. Hopebegged again, "Save her, oh, save Faith!"

"Faith? Aren't you Faith? I thought you were. Is this my dauntlessHope, then? Why, how strange! Tell me everything. "

"It's those awful Lascars, papa. I've always been afraid of them, theylook so big and black. They're planning to kill somebody--to killyou--and Faith is gone already. "

"Gone? What nonsense is this? She's in the cabin, likely. You musthave a nightmare, Hope!"

"But isn't it most morning, papa?"

"Not anywhere near it--nor midnight either. Faith is somewhere about, and as for killing--absurd! This isn't one bit like you, child. Haven't you been dreaming?"

She told him then of her horrible awakening, and repeated the talk shehad heard below the porthole. 

"Humph!" he said. "You're mistaken in their designs, but theycertainly had no business in that part of the ship. I must see aboutthat. Come; I'll take you in and hunt up sister. " This was said in arather loud voice, made stern by his surprise and annoyance. In amoment it softened. "There, there, don't tremble so, my child; it'sall right, and everybody is safe enough. "

He led her into the cabin, quickly flooded it with electric light, and, summoning a boy, sent him for Mrs. Jordan, who soon appeared. Brieflymentioning that his daughter had a slight chill and he would leave herto look after the child, he started off. Hope was scarcely tucked upagain when her sister came in, looking rather conscious, and blushing alittle. 

"Are you ill, dear?" she cried. "Papa said you had a nightmare and achill. He is quite upset, and a little cross. "

"Oh, where have you been?" returned Hope reproachfully. "I was sofrightened when I found you gone. "

"Gone? Why, I haven't been in, yet. You went to bed so early, Hope!It's only about half-past ten. I've been walking the deck--it's alovely night, as soft and warm as can be. "

"With Dwight?" asked Hope languidly, for in Martha Jordan's practisedhands she was growing warm and drowsy again. 

"N-no, not Dwight, " answered Faith hesitantly. "I'll tell you about itsoon. Here comes papa. "

She opened the door into his cabin, and gave a cry of horrifiedsurprise. "Oh, oh! how did it happen?"

"What?" shrieked Hope, all nerves again. 

"There! Be quiet now, " said her father, and entered quickly, carryinga limp little bundle of fawn and white. 

"Hafiz! It's Hafiz! What has happened? Is he dead?"

"I'm afraid he is. Your Lascars turned out to be our Mohammedans, Huriand his brother, two as faithful creatures as I have on board. Itseems Hafiz, for some reason, found himself weary of first-cabinpassage, so made his way into the fo'castle, where a dog belonging toone of the men took after him, and hurt him badly. Huri found him andsaw he must be finished, but hated to do it, and, with his brother, wasdiscussing the matter while looking for you girls. Faith, where haveyou been this last hour or so?"

The girl's eyes were flooded with tears for her lost pet, andinvoluntarily his face softened as he turned to her. She flushed alittle, but answered at once, "On the upper deck, sir. "

"Ah! that was you then? I saw the couple promenading there. Well, well, you'd better keep with your sister after this, and look afteryour own passengers, " with a glance at the dead cat, "instead of mine, eh? Now, now, Hope, don't cry so!" for, quite worn out by all thisexcitement, the girl was sobbing in a somewhat hysterical manner. 

"Yes, that's enough!" cried Martha in her hearty way. "No use cryingover spilled milk, nor dead pets--even when they're Persian cats. You'll find there are one or two more in the world, I guess. Now justcuddle down there and keep still, or we'll have to give you a dose ofsomething to quiet you, and it's bitter stuff to take, I can tell you. Perhaps, if you'll just curl in beside her, Miss Faith, she'll easedown sooner. "

The stewardess was right, for when Hope felt her twin's tender armsabout her she soon grew quiet, and as soon as they were alone whisperedwith much interest, "But who was with you on deck, Faith?"

"Well I'll tell you, and it's nothing to make such a fuss over, either. Do you remember that young officer we saw bidding his mother and sistergood-by at Portsmouth--the ones that were so quiet about it?"

"Oh, yes; and his sweetheart too. "

"No, that was his cousin, who lives with them. I got acquainted withhim to-night, and he is a real gentleman. We were walking up and down, and he was telling me about his people, and his service in India. Heis to be a sort of traveling officer to take out recruits, you see. He's delighted with the appointment, but his father was lost in amonsoon on the Indian Ocean, a few years ago, and it nearly killed hismother to let him go--she is sort of superstitious about it. Don't youremember how she fainted?"

"Yes, indeed. Poor lady! And he is nice, is he?"

"Yes and intelligent, but bashful. He said he had often watched us, and can never tell us apart, but he thinks he'll be able to, afterthis. "

"Oh, he does?" giggled Hope. "I'll wager I could fool him any day, ifI tried. Well, you gave me a nice fright while you were having such agood time, " and thereupon she told her tale as you have just heard it, and so short a step is it from tragedy to comedy, especially in youth, that they both laughed over it until they fell asleep. 

Meanwhile, on deck, a watchful father saw a young man standing near thegunwale in idle contemplation of the horizon, and accosted him with apleasant word to which the other responded with readiness, though hismanner was somewhat diffident. The two talked some time, the older manbecoming more and more interested in a youth who, with a real manlinessof character, was yet as bashful as a schoolboy. Before theconversation ended Captain Hosmer was convinced there was not only "noharm in the fellow, " but that he was a young man worth cultivating, and, as he finally left him, chuckled to himself. 

"Ah! these girls. They require an awful sight of looking after, butsometimes their instincts are as good as our judgments. Faith is alittle woman with her mother's own purity. How she used to worry forfear I should grow hard and wicked in my rough life. Ah! my Helen, wherever you are, to-night, know that I am trying to keep myselfsteering straight for the Port that you have reached--and, God helpingme, I will bring the babies safe along, too!"

He bowed his head on his hands a minute, and the old steersman, watching him, thought, with affectionate sympathy. 

"The capt'n's tired to-night, and no wonder. Wish he'd turn in and geta good rest for once, Never saw a man so faithful, bless him! Gladhe's got them nice little girls to make him brace up thesedays--sometimes I think as he's getting old too fast. "

The next morning the twins were late in rising only to find it asummer's day, apparently, so balmy indeed that the deck seemed to beblossoming out into a flower-bed, as group after group of ladiesappeared in gay lawns and organdies, while all the Mohammedan helperswere busy stretching double awnings where there had been single ones, or none at all, and rigging up the punkahs in the saloons. These oddfans, which England has borrowed, name and all, from her East Indiancolonies, were, on the "International, " tricolored (red, white, andblue) strips of cloth, stretched over light wire frames of arectangular shape, which were attached to the ceiling and also, bymeans of a long rope, to a black-eyed Bengali boy who sat just outsidethe door, on deck, and kept them waving by a slow, constant jerk andpull, which was so regular that Faith declared the boy slept half thetime, and possibly she was right. The ocean lay peacefully about them, its color almost an indigo, so deeply blue was it in the shadow of thevessel, but out a little way silvered by the vertical sun, which shonewith a blinding splendor that made colored eye-glasses a relief to thedazzled vision. 

It is in such weather that mischief breeds on shipboard, and gossip isrife. The idle passengers, by this time mostly on speaking terms, begin to let the common metal of their real make-up show through thenickel-plating of the first interchange of courtesies. 

There was a group whom our special friends had not yet mingled withquite freely, though always meeting them in pleasant fashion, but aseverybody clustered sociably on the forward deck, this morning, anxiousto catch the ship's own breeze, if no other, they might naturallybecome better acquainted. Of these only a few affect our littlehistory, therefore need description; first, a mother and two daughtersgoing out to the husband and father in India. Mrs. Windemere was alittle woman with an habitually scared expression and retiring manner, but her daughters, both well towards thirty, must have taken after thefather, for they were domineering with her and self-assertiveeverywhere. They claimed relationship with some person who bore atitle, and were given to talking a good deal about their aristocraticrelatives, and they dressed conspicuously, demanded constant attentionfrom any gentlemen present, and were full of news and rumors. 

With them was a young woman of like age, whom they familiarly calledZaidee, who had spent much time in India, and had caught its languor, possibly. She was more agreeable in manner and pretended indifferenceto all that the "girls, " as she called them, were interested in;dressed quietly, but in excellent taste, and talked in her dreamy, drawling voice in a way that seemed to interest all who listened, especially the gentlemen, who were usually grouped around her chairwhenever she appeared on deck. There were plenty of these, from Indianofficials of rank to subalterns and young gentlemen of fortune, eitherwith or without tutors, but who seemed much more interested inflirtations than scenery. 

English girls do not, as a rule, assume the airs of womanhood so earlyas do many American maidens--to their credit be it said--and neitherHope nor Faith had ever thought of considering themselves young ladies. Though nearing eighteen their gowns were still of ankle length andtheir hair in simple braids, while, as we have seen, they enjoyedfrolicking with Dwight as if not a day older. Elizabeth Vanderhoff, too, though two years older, was still a girl at heart, and had not yetdiscovered that no company was complete without its young men. 

The officer who had been walking with Faith, last night, was also aboyish fellow, fair and fresh of face and had been more attracted toour girls and their frolics than to the older young ladies, with moresocial airs and graces. Though Faith had felt somewhat confused, lastnight, at her father's raillery, her meeting and talk with the modestyoung fellow was innocent enough, in intention, had there been no oneto misconstrue it, but in a carping world we must learn to avoid eventhe appearance of evil. 

It happened that the little disturbance caused by Hope's bad dreams hadnot been quite unnoted, and was to bring rather disagreeableconsequences, as we shall see. But, this morning, there was no hint oftrouble in the air and, gathered under the deck awnings, the passengerspresented a scene pretty and peaceful enough. 

Faith, industriously inclined, was at work on a piece of embroidery, Hope had the piratical book in her hand, but was leaning idly back, watching Mrs. Vanderhoff, who was playing with one of the little tots, and visiting in desultory fashion with Bess, who was trying a newstitch in crochet and interposed a count, or two, between syllables. The Windemere family, all with their work, except Mrs. Campbell, whonever seemed to have anything to do, were at a little distance--the twoyoung ladies talking to the distinguished traveler previouslymentioned, who seemed a trifle bored, and Mrs. Campbell being talked toby a couple of government attachés, whose boyish laughter rang outfrequently. 

Presently, the officer of Faith's acquaintance, whose name wasCarnegie, came towards the former group and bashfully bade her agood-morning which she brightly returned, hastening to present him toher sister and friends. Soon they were all in animated chat, and theyoung attachés in Mrs. Campbell's vicinity began to look that way withsomewhat longing glances. 

At length one of them, with some light excuse, sauntered away from herside, made a slow tour of the deck, and finally drew near our threegirls; saying in passing. 

"I've been looking for you, Carnegie. "

The other, not having noticed the by-play, turned with a smile, andreplied, "Have you? I've been down among my men most of the morning. One ofthe poor fellows is ill. Not seasick, you understand, but a fever, I'mafraid. " Then as the schemer came to a stop he said bashfully, "May Ipresent Mr. Donelson, ladies?" and introductions followed. 

Naturally Mr. Donelson was pleased at his success, and flung a laughingglance of triumph back at his comrade, who still sat at the lady'sfeet, though he, too, was beginning to fidget and look about for a wayof escape. Mrs. Campbell had seen all with eyes that seemed to noticenothing, and was indignant enough, for she was inordinately vain, anddesired attention even from boys, if no other was forthcoming. To haveany one preferred before her was gall to her foolish pride. Besidesthe traveler, whom she was inclined to make a hero of, had seen, too, and though pretending still to talk to the Misses Laura and JanetWindemere, his eyes were twinkling with appreciation. 

Mrs. Campbell was not a malicious woman, unless thwarted in her ownplans; then she could be absolutely pitiless, and cared for neithertruth nor justice in carrying out her spiteful revenges. Ridicule wassomething she could not endure, and to feel herself slighted made afury of her. Yet her outward self-control was perfect. Now, with adreamy look in her large blue-gray orbs, she gazed out to seaward, andremarked as if in a ruminant mood, "I think, take them all together, we have a rather stupid set ofpassengers, this trip, don't you, Mr. Allyne?"

"I don't know, " returned the attaché, "are they? Fact is, I haven'tmade much headway with the ladies yet, but the men are jolly enough inthe smoking-room--without being too jolly, you understand. "

"Oh, of course; they are mostly gentlemen, I presume. Indeed I'vescarcely noticed them, myself"--"Ah! Mrs. Campbell!"--"with a fewexceptions of course, " giving him an effective glance. "But the girlsare not much to boast of. That Miss Vanderhoff is positively homely. "

"Do you think so? I know she has no special beauty to attract one, butshe looks bright and good-tempered, I'm sure, and I like her voice, don't you?"

"Not too well. Those American voices are not to my taste. Theythreaten my ear-drums. "

"Do you call hers sharp, though, Mrs. Campbell? It's clear, I know, and decided, but----"

She waved the subject aside, as if it were not worth discussing longer, and asked, "What do you think of the twinnies?"

Her tone, though laughingly contemptuous, was gentleness itself, andyoung Allyne looked up, rather puzzled. 

"Why, they seem nice, sweet girls; don't you think so?"

"One can't always tell by looks, " was the ambiguous reply, and then shebegan to laugh, as if in great amusement over some recollection. 

Meanwhile the Windemere girls and the traveler had turned and werelistening, as Mrs. Campbell meant they should. 

"What pleases you, Zaidee?" asked Laura, the older, settling hereyeglasses anew, the better to gaze at her friend. 

"Oh, an amusing incident that occurred last night. I happened to see apart, and easily drew the rest out of Mr. Frazer by adroit questioning, for, I assure you, it made me curious. "

Mr. Frazer was the purser, and the one who had stood talking withCaptain Hosmer when Hope ran out to him, the night before. 

"What is it?" asked both girls in a breath, and the traveler added, with a laugh, "Yes, indeed, if any one knows anything funny on shipboard it is abounden duty to tell it. "

"Well, I hardly know whether you could call this funny, ortragic--perhaps serio-comic is the word, " returned Mrs. Campbell in hersmooth little drawl, with its expression of amused indifference, whichalways stimulated the interest of the listener. "It was exciting, anyhow. Somewhere well along towards midnight, last evening, a certainyoung lady--a mere girl indeed--was promenading the deck with a strangeyoung man, when her sister, probably knowing the girl's propensities, rose from her bed, rushed out to her father, who was at his post, "--shecast an eye upward towards the bridge--"and begged of him to 'savesister, ' upon which, rather sternly, he marched her back to her cabinand, hunting up the other one, took her from her escort and led herinside also, where I imagine there was a scene. At any rate thestewardess was busy in there for some time, and when I asked what hadhappened, she said, 'Only hysterics, ma'am; they're common enough. 'But as I happened to know where she was, and what had just happened, Idid not treat the matter so lightly. Of course it was an exaggerationof the other girl, but it showed that some people who seem veryinnocent will bear looking after. Too bad that pretty girls must spoileverything by being vain and--well, careless! But the two I mentionare very unconventional. "

The Windemeres, mother and daughters, listened with groans of horror, the attaché with a troubled look, and the traveler with a gravity thatwas almost stern. Quite unnoted by the absorbed group, another alsoheard, for Lady Moreham, seemingly absorbed in a book and hidden bysome projection of the deck, had dropped the volume and was scowlingsavagely. She was not taken with these young women, for at first theyhad distinctly snubbed her, and later, having learned her title, had sosuddenly changed to fawning and flattery that she was thoroughlydisgusted. 

After an instant the traveler spoke abruptly, "Do you say you heard and saw this _yourself_, Mrs. Campbell?"

"A part of it--yes, sir. " How small a part she did not mention. "Therest was made comprehensible by Mr. Frazer's explanation. "

"I cannot believe that one of the ship's officers would speak ill ofthe captain's daughters, madam--and that you refer to them we allunderstand. "

"Speak ill? Oh, he did not--and who has, indeed? Ill? What can youmean? I merely mentioned it as a funny, melodramatic sort ofperformance, just like a foolish little girl. Of course there wasnothing really out of the way, only a bit of imprudence--and without amother, or chaperone, what can one expect?"

"You speak of what I was about to mention; they have no mother. Thatis enough to make any older woman feel it her motherly duty to guardand counsel them, I'm sure, " was the calm reply. "We all must agree onthat. "

"Yes, indeed!" ventured Mrs. Windemere in her small voice. "Poor youngthings. "

"I don't think they seem to need your pity, mother!" cried Janetsharply, looking across at the merry group, in which were the Hosmersisters. "Not in that way, at any rate. "

"And, " added Mrs. Campbell with an exaggerated drawl, "we who are notof an age to look upon them in a motherly light may not appreciate allthose feelings. They amuse me, to be sure, but I had scarcely thoughtof adopting them. "

"Nor their father, either?" put in the attaché clumsily, hoping toraise a laugh and dispel the thunder in the air. But he only drew thelightning upon himself. She gave him one look that silenced him, and, lifting the fan in her lap, said languidly, "How very warm it is! Strange how little the most of us understand thenecessity of fitting our conversation to the weather, if we would beagreeable. Discussions and personalities, if ever allowable, are onlysuited to a zero temperature. Have you noticed the flying-fish, thismorning? How delightful it must be to plunge into that cool waterto-day! I wonder if they fly out into the heat just for the fun ofcooling off afterwards?"

"Quite a suggestion, Mrs. Campbell!" laughed the traveler. "I believeI'll try it, " and, bowing lightly, with a flash of the eyes that mether own in quick defiance, he turned away. 

As he passed around the bulkhead screening Lady Moreham, she rose andsaid in a low voice, "I want to thank you! Many a life has been ruined by baseinsinuations. A vain woman's tongue is a merciless weapon. I like thelittle sisters, and believe them pure-hearted children. It was wicked!"

He bowed. 

"I agree with you, my lady. But you see they are monopolizing theattention to-day, which is a social crime!" and, with a sarcasticsmile, he passed on. 

Meanwhile, undreaming of this "capful of wind" that might become atornado, our girls thoroughly enjoyed themselves in a lively, whollyunsentimental way, pleased with the company and their own happy youth;and not suspecting that in this same soft, silky atmosphere whichbreeds both the exquisite Paradise-bird and the deadly cobra, might befound, not only friendliness, but also that "envy, malice, anduncharitableness" which the honest-hearted are least able to guardagainst, in their utter lack of comprehension. 

CHAPTER IX. 

A GAME OF GROMETS. 

"Who wants to pitch gromets?" cried Dwight. (He pronounced it as ifspelled "gruments, " as most sea-going men do spell it, we believe, butlet us follow the dictionary!) "Mr. Malcolm's offered a prize for theone that lands it square in the bucket the most times, and Uncle Dwightsays he'll give a consolation prize to the poor wretch who doesn't hitit once. "

"What's gromets?" asked young Donelson, springing up. 

"Oh, don't you know?" said Hope. "Father used to play it with us whenwe were little--you know what the gromets themselves are, don't you?"

"Haven't an idea?"

"Why, rope rings--Dwight, Dwight! Isn't that one sticking out of yourpocket? See how firm and neat it is!"

"Well, it's just pitching those into a bucket, set a long way off. Ifyou can make it go into the bucket plump, it counts you 10; lodginganywhere on the edge or bail is 2, and inside the chalk ring drawnaround the bucket is 1--at least, that's our game. "

"And outside?"

"Of the ring? Oh, nothing at all; and five throws outside will put outtill next innings. Each side has a certain number of trials, you see. "

"Why, that's something like quoits. "

"Well, so it is--sea quoits. "

"That's easy, I'm sure. "

"Oh is it? Wait till you try it!"

"You, see there's a special twist"--began Faith, but her sister stoppedher. 

"No, no, don't tell. Let him try it first; it's easy, you know!" and, laughing mischievously, she ran after Dwight. 

Pretty soon two tawny boys appeared, one with an ordinary fire-bucket, such as are seen hung everywhere on shipboard, and the other with acluster of rope rings hung on one arm. Behind them came Hope, with Mr. Malcolm and Dwight in tow, the former carrying a small blackboard; allin great good-humor over something. 

"I am requested to announce, " called out the steward in a high"lecture-hall voice, " as Dwight named it, "that all those present whowish to pitch gromets are invited to join the game. Each side willselect a captain; Huri and Tegeloo, here, will pick up the rings thatgo astray; I will chalk up the tally on this blackboard, and after thegame is over the persons showing the biggest and smallest scores shallbe given prizes by the captains of the winning and losing teams. Speakup for your captains, please!"

"Why not have the twin sisters?" called out Mr. Lawrence, and at thesame instant a voice proposed, "Mrs. Campbell for one!"

But this suggestion was drowned in a shout of applause. 

"Yes, yes, let it be the twins--the captain's daughters!" and so it wasdecided. 

Blushing and beautiful, the girls stood up opposite each other, andbegan calling up their teams. 

"Mrs. Vanderhoff, " cried Hope. 

"Lady Moreham, " said Faith. 

"Mrs. Poinsett. "

"Mrs. Windemere. "

"Miss Vanderhoff. 

"Miss Windemere. "

"Oh but see--see here!" laughingly protested Mr. Lawrence. "Is thisfair play to us men? I want to join this game somehow, if--"

"Mr. Lawrence!" shouted Hope archly, showing her pretty teeth anddimples. 

"Mr. Traveler!" quickly added Faith, only of course she gave the man'sown distinguished name. 

And so they proceeded, while, quite without intention but with no lessoffense, Mrs. Campbell and the young attaché were not called until thevery last. 

He sprang up eagerly enough, but she barely glanced around. 

"Thanks, " she drawled, "but it is too warm to play; don't you think so, Mr. Allyne?"

Now, the young fellow did not think so, by any means, but he felt itwould be rude to leave the lady alone, and besides he would make an oddone on Faith's side. So he sank back into his chair again with areluctant, "Much obliged, but I'll look on a while, " and the gameproceeded without them. 

It was rather warm work, but luckily a breeze had arisen which somewhatcooled their flushed cheeks. Presently the captain strolled along andstood near, to watch the players, laughing silently as he noted theawkward work they made of it. 

"Why don't you join us, Captain?" cried Mrs. Vanderhoff. "Come, Hope, call up your father, " but Faith returned quickly, "No, indeed! Papa can bucket it every time. It wouldn't be fair toour side at all. "

"No, Captain, " called Mr. Lawrence, who could not get the twist of thewrist that makes the square toss, and was in convulsions over his ownawkwardness, "don't you come and show us up to ignominy by contrast. Your daughters are proficient enough to prove what their teacher maybe, and I hate to be so outdone. "

"I'm catching on, though, uncle Dwight--don't you see?" cried hisnephew, and amid a shout of laughter Mr. Malcolm released the boy'sgromet from the bucket-bail, remarking, "Catching on's the word, sir!"as he marked up a large 2 opposite the lad's name. 

It was funny to watch the different ones, and Huri's eyes danced withenjoyment as he ran after the wilder tosses with swift feet. TimidMrs. Windemere would advance to position, look all about in dazedfashion, gather her skirts closely as if about to breast a hurricane, then with a long breath would shut her eyes tightly, and surgeforward--when the gromet would either drop ignobly at her feet, or gomadly flying off to right or left, perhaps hitting poor little Tegelooon the nose. Mr. Donelson assumed an airy indifference and a carelesstoss, and lo! the contrary thing went whirling between his feet, aft. Lady Moreham actually burst into laughter as, after careful aim in ajudicial manner Mrs. Poinsett set hers spinning--and knocked CaptainHosmer's cap off, while all were convulsed as she, herself, after slowand accurate aiming, sent the ring square against poor Texas, chainedto his perch, knocking him down and causing his hoarse and naughtycomment, "You old fool!" in quick return. 

So it went merrily on, the girls, Dwight, and the traveler makingseveral half-scores, and the rest occasionally tallying. Mrs. Windemere had never succeeded in getting even the direction, when, after several throws, she took her position once more, protesting itwas of no use, she did her side more harm than good. 

"And remember, if you fail this time you'll be put out!" shouted Laura, somewhat cruelly. 

The little lady looked distressed, but Faith leaned over and whisperedquickly, "Did you ever make tatting, Mrs. Windemere?"

"Why, yes, of course I have, " surprisedly, wondering what tatting couldhave to do with the present game. 

"Make believe you're throwing your shuttle and then let the gromet fly. Be quick and firm!" she added, pretending to fix a loose pin at thelady's throat. "Remember!"

Mrs. Windemere turned towards the goal with a helpless air, but obeyed, and heard a sort of gasp, then a shout that rent the air. She openedher eyes and looked around dazedly. Her gromet was in the bucket, andamid the wild cheering Mr. Malcolm was chalking up a 10 nearly a footlong. This gave the score to Faith's side and Mrs. Windemere wasdeclared the prize winner. 

Mr. Allyne could not resist the excitement and hurried up with hiscongratulations, while even Mrs. Campbell smiled and grew betternatured as she, too, came forward and with graceful tact, of which shewas a mistress, caught a ribbon from her waist, wound it about one ofthe gromets, and setting it lightly upon the victor's head led her to achair. 

"Behold our queen!" she shouted merrily, and all joined in the huzzasthat followed, while little Mrs. Windemere, who had never received somuch notice in her whole life, actually had to wipe the springing tearsfrom her eyes. 

Then Mr. Malcolm appeared with the prize, and what do you suppose itwas? A lively young porker, nestled down in a lidded basket streamingwith gay ribbons!

Amid shouts of laughter Faith gravely presented the prize, alwaysreferring to it delicately as "our hampered friend, " in supposedreference to the basket, or perhaps, as Mr. Lawrence slyly remarked, "to the other quarters of the beast. " She solemnly informed the winnerthat from time immemorial live prisoners had been considered speciallyacceptable gifts along the Mediterranean shores, and suggested that, ifshe should not know what to do with hers, she might be magnanimous, make a feast, and call her neighbors in, at which there was greatcheering and clapping. 

"Dear me!" said Mrs. Windemere, taking the piggy-wiggy, who reallybehaved quite well, only squealing occasionally by way of emphasis, "Inever made a speech in my life, but I'm ever so much obliged, and Ishould be delighted to give you all a feast of roast pig, if ourcaptain will furnish the cook and the extras. "

"The ship, with all its men and stores, is at your disposal, madam, "said Captain Hosmer, doffing his cap with a low bow. 

"Then, " cried the little lady, rising to the occasion, and lookingreally pretty with her pink cheeks and brightening eyes, "I invite youall, victors and vanquished, players and non-combatants, to dine onroast pig with Captain Hosmer and myself, to-night at seven o'clock. "

"We accept!" came in a tremendous shout from deck-house to bow. 

"And may Heaven have mercy on our digestions!" added Mrs. Campbell, rolling up her eyes in horror. "Roast pig in this weather!"

But Laura turned to her younger sister with enthusiasm. 

"Do look at ma! Did you ever see her so bright and jolly? She looksdownright pretty. She can hold her own better than I thought shecould. "

"You are seeing her under altogether new conditions, you know, " saidMrs. Campbell sweetly, as she stepped off with light tread andnon-committal face towards a merrily-laughing group, further on. 

"Now, what did she mean by that?" asked Janet in a puzzled tone. "I dowish Zaidee wouldn't be so mysterious!"

"Mysterious?" snapped Laura, who was quicker than her sister. "Why notwish she needn't be so hateful?"

Yet she followed the woman, who could always lead in spite of herpeculiar disposition, because of innate charm and tact. 

They found the merriment to be over the fact that Mr. Lawrence had thesmallest score, and must accept his own prize, already in the hands ofMr. Malcolm. 

"Oh, that's too bad!" he cried, weary from his exertions and merriment. "Why rub it in so hard? Is it not enough to be beaten by theseyoungsters--must I also be made the laughing-stock of passengers andcrew? Ah! 'tis indeed a cruelty to load a falling man!"

"Well, uncle, if you're going to quote Wolsey, keep on, " laughed hisniece mischievously. "'I charge thee fling away ambition!' You seeyou have soared too high, my lord. "

"_Et tu Brute_?" He turned upon her quickly. "Well, well, 'completemy shame. ' Where is the prize orator, anyhow?"

"Here, here!" called Hope, coming rapidly forward from a conferencewith Mr. Malcolm; and amidst a sudden hush she said in a gentle, serious tone, as if reluctantly discharging an imperative duty, "The prize we have to offer you needs no explanation. As it isfamiliar to you I will only say it appropriately illustrates one wordyou have amply understood to-day, and that word is--_whipped_!"

She held aloft one of those clock-work toys one may pick up in Germany, or Switzerland--a severe dame in a flapping cap, with a youngsteracross her knee whom she vigorously belabors with a neat little bundleof switches. Mr. Lawrence took it with meek 'Thank you, ' and amidstthe laughter, explained, "I bought the thing as an object-lesson for a friend at home who, doesnot believe in corporal punishment for her spoiled child, and to-daythought I would divert it to the purpose of a consolation prize forsome of you fellows who couldn't pitch gromets. Like most people whodig a pit for others I have fallen into it myself! And now--may I givethis to one of the babies? I never want to see it again. "

"I think you may, " laughed Hope, and a little curly-pate close by wasmade happy with the toy, which seemed destined to manifold uses. 

CHAPTER X. 

MRS. WINDEMERE'S DINNER. 

"Well, it is almost time for the Lamb dinner, " remarked Mr. Lawrence, late that afternoon, to the group about him under the awning of theafter-deck, from which they were watching the sunset, some lounging inthe easy steamer-chairs, others in the hammocks which had beenstretched in every available space, and still others, among whom wasDwight, resting full length on the large Persian rug, which had beenlaid in the center of the deck planks. For the heat, and still, easymotion made every one lazy. 

Upon hearing this remark the boy looked up. 

"Lamb dinner? I thought it was pig this morning. It hasn't changedinto sheep, I hope?"

"And must I really explain my observation to a lad about entering theHigh School?" cried his uncle reproachfully. "I'll warrant Bessknows--and somebody else, too!" catching the gleam in Hope's eye. 

"Oh, yes, I understand, in a way, " returned Bess. "Let's see, CharlesLamb, the writer, was very fond of roast pig, wasn't he?"

"Was he, Miss Hope?"

"Yes, sir, and wrote an essay upon it which has become a classic. "

"Oh, of course! I'd almost forgotten that, " put in Bess, hastily. 

"And I'm free to confess I never knew it, " added her brother. "Factis, I begin to think I didn't learn much in school, anyhow--that is, much that I've needed since. I've picked up more about geography andhistory on this trip than all I ever learned there. "

"No, no, not quite that, my boy! You simply have digested what thenyou only swallowed. Don't you know what Channing says--'It is notenough to cram ourselves with a great load of collections--we must chewthem over again'? The fact is, nothing can ever be quite learned untilit is experienced. I may be taught from a book that water expands infreezing, but I cannot realize that fact till I, sometime, leave waterin a pitcher and find it broken next morning. Then I know, in a waynever to be forgotten, about this scientific truth. So it is ingeography; we have always taken in certain facts regarding the relativepositions of land and water, mountain and plain, but if we hadattempted to go anywhere, with absolutely no guide but memory, nine outof ten of us would be lost on the first stage of the journey. You arenow simply assimilating what you learned at school, and making thefacts, which you took on trust then, part and parcel of your actualexperience now. It seems to me one of the best ways to study geographyat home is to travel on paper. That comes nearest the real thing. Mapout a route, buy your tickets (in imagination), take your conveyance, and on the way see everything possible to be gleaned from those eyeswhich have gone before, and left a record of their impressions. Tryand think if you would see in the same way, and what else might beobserved by quick eyes, natural to occur in that part of the globe. Ifone has imagination he may almost believe, in time, that he has reallyvisited the places so studied. 

"I knew a young fellow, once, who lived in an insignificant town inVermont, and had never been fifty miles from home, yet who kept up suchjourneys for years, and many a time, in talking with him, I, the realtraveler, would learn facts about certain localities where I had been, from him who never set foot near them. Just to prove him, once, Isaid, 'Are you acquainted with Salt Lake City?' 'Pretty well, ' heanswered modestly. Having spent a summer or two there, myself, Ithought I would try and trip him up, so said, carelessly, 'When I stoodin front of Brigham Young's Square and looked at that great town on myleft'--but there he interrupted me, quick as a flash, 'You mean lookeddown upon the town at your right, don't you? Brigham's Square is onwhat is called the North Bench, and standing before it you mustoverlook the larger part of the city lying upon your right. ' Of coursethis was correct, and I had to acknowledge that he really knew as muchabout many localities as I, who had visited them. But he was unusual. "

"Well, " said Dwight slowly, "what I have to complain of about travelersis that they don't tell the little things--the details, you know. Isuppose it seems silly to them to say whether they went on board asteamer in a boat, or across a gangway, or up a flight of steps, or todescribe just how a car looks when they travel by rail, but I used towish they would. And when I write my book of travels I'm going to!"

"I would, " said his sister encouragingly. 

"Well, you wait! But say, uncle, there are some books in your libraryat home that you used to have when you were a boy, I reckon, for thepictures look about a century old, but I used to like to read them everso much, and since I came abroad I've been finding out how well theydescribe the things that happen to a traveler even to-day. Forinstance, when you and I went from Cadiz to Ronda by diligence. "

"Oh, you mean the Rollo books--Rollo's Tour in Europe?" laughed Mr. Lawrence. "How I did pore over those when I was a little boy! Yes, they do go into details, that's a fact. Somebody's advice to Rolloalways to follow the crowd when bewildered at some great railwayterminus often occurs to me, still, and is acted upon with perfectsuccess. "

"But don't you think travelers who write for publication sometimes drawthe long bow a bit?" asked Lieutenant Carnegie in his diffident way. 

"Oh, never!" cried a voice from the guardrail, and the Traveler held upa beseeching hand as he came forward. "Don't take away our reputationfor veracity, I pray you! With the public's confidence lost to us whatcould we do? We are all truthful--even to Du Chaillu and Gulliver. "

Every one laughed, and the young man, blushing a little, returned, "Well, I was thinking especially of one or two I've read, lately. Forinstance, thirty miles a day is quite a tramp for an ordinary man ongood level roads, without luggage; and when a traveler tells me hemakes sixty over hills, or marshes, weighted down with camp supplies, who wasn't brought up a soldier, either, why, I just begin to compareit with my own experiences and say--"

"Here _lies_ a great man, don't you?" put in Dwight. 

"Well, yes, that's about it. "

"Oh, but you must remember that often he can only judge of the distancemade by his feelings, " laughed the Traveler. "It seems sixty miles, anyhow. "

"I don't doubt that, " cried Carnegie, showing handsome teeth in asmile. "I thought there must be some way of getting around it. But ifhe had said thirty-five miles I'd have believed him, and thought him amighty good tramper into the bargain. "

"Yet many who have never tramped under knapsack, blankets, andtent-cloth would say, 'That's nothing!' and our poor voyager, whoreally had made a record, would be consigned to oblivion. In all art, even that of writing facts, one must exaggerate a little in order tomake the effect life-size--so to say. "

"That's true enough, " said Mrs. Vanderhoff. "It is so easy to sitstill and pass judgment upon those who exert themselves. When I hear aperson criticising a painting, a story, a building, a song who couldnot draw a straight line, write a sentence correctly, build a cob-houseon just proportions, nor keep the key through 'Yankee Doodle, ' I longto insist upon his making a practical trial in such things beforedaring to make a criticism. Yet it is a fact that artistic people ofevery grade and type have to writhe under the criticisms ofignoramuses, who could not accomplish the piece of work they scathinglydenounce if their lives depended upon it. I pick up a book and flingit aside with the comment, 'It's not worth reading!' or I look over agreat vessel like this and say, 'How clumsily built!' but what if Iwere doomed to write a similar book, to plan a great steamer--justthink of the results! I would never criticise again. "

"It would be a pretty good scheme, " laughed Mr. Lawrence. "Make thesebilious critics prove their right to the title by doing the work. Icould really enjoy their agonies on occasion. "

"But would you have no criticisms, then?" asked Mrs. Campbell. "Wouldnot that mean stagnation in effort? There must be something to spurone on to better work, mustn't there?"

"I doubt if unintelligent criticism often does prove an incentive, "said the Traveler. "'Let me be judged by my peers' is a universalsentiment with the conscientious in any employment. "

"Yes, Rachel, " put in Mr. Lawrence, smiling at his sister, "if CaptainHosmer should criticise the ship we would build we might endure it, butif--well, Mr. Donelson, for instance, ventured to elevate his nose wewould naturally think he knew nothing about it, and would not even tryto please him. "

"How _could_ he elevate his nose?" asked Mrs. Campbell innocently, in awhisper that sent the Windemere girls off into giggles, for Mr. Donelson's nose was not only long but slightly hooked, besides. Evidently Mrs. Campbell had not quite forgiven the attaché for hisdesertion of the morning. 

"But if I'm not mistaken we're all competent to judge of a good dinner, if we couldn't cook one, " laughed the young man in return, not havingcaught her comment, and he pointed to Tegeloo who, smiling andimportant, was bowing before Mrs. Windemere. 

"Dinner is served to madam!" he announced with a flourish and an oddaccent, while, at the same instant, Captain Hosmer gallantly offeredhis arm. 

"May I have the pleasure? Our dinner is waiting, I believe, Mrs. Windemere, " and amid much merriment and excitement, the other gentlemenquickly sought partners and followed. 

By a previous understanding with Mr. Malcolm, Mrs. Windemere and partywere offered the places of the four young people at the captain'stable, and they "went down a peg, " as Dwight put it, to another, entirely filled with the younger portion of the guests. If there was alittle more learning and elegance, perhaps, at the former, there was avast amount of fun and nonsense at the latter. Every one in the saloonwas supplied with at least one thin slice from the prize pig which, roasted whole and holding an ear of corn in its teeth, was gailydecorated with the flags of England and the United States. It was heldhigh for inspection before the carving began, and many a joke ranaround, from table to table, upon the fine appearance of his porcinemajesty. 

At some of the tables wine flowed freely, and a few of the young mensoon ordered it at the one where our girls were seated. It is morecommonly used at meals abroad than with middle-class Americans at home, and nearly all partook. Neither Bess nor Dwight, however, would takeit and, seeing this, Faith and Hope, caring little about it, alsodeclined, though they had never been taught conscientious scruplesregarding its use. No special comment was made upon this, but whenChester Carnegie also turned down his glass the young attachés began arunning fire of jests at his expense; Mr. Allyne especially, who soonshowed the influence of his champagne, leading off with some sharplypersonal remarks. 

The lieutenant said as little as possible in return, but occasionally awitty reply would turn the laugh against his opponent, who grewdisagreeable and really quarrelsome, as the wine affected him more andmore. 

Seeing this, Carnegie attempted to ignore the whole matter, and turningto Faith, who sat next him, began talking in a lowered tone, hopingAllyne would understand that he was now going too far and so drop thesubject. 

But a man in liquor is an irresponsible being, and Allyne, under thepolish of education and training, possessed the nature of a bully--hewas tyrannical and contentious. Choosing now to assume that Carnegie'spartial turning away and low-voiced conversation were intended toinsult him, he straightened up, and looking fiercely across the table, with eyes already watery from the heady fumes of the strong wine, tapped sharply with his glass and said in too loud a tone for theplace, "Carnegie, I was talking to you. "

The lieutenant turned his head a trifle, and bowed coolly. 

"Excuse me till later, please; I am engaged with Miss Hosmer atpresent. "

The other laughed out in a disagreeable manner. While alone with Mrs. Campbell, that afternoon, he had easily extracted the name of the youngman with whom one of the twins (neither knew which one) had beenpromenading the deck, the evening before, and now, mingled with hisrising wrath towards him, was the confused memory of the woman's subtleinsinuations. 

When sober, Mr. Allyne was usually a gentleman, but in his cups hebecame little short of a ruffian in manner. He laughed significantly. 

"Engaged with, or to?" he asked with insolence. "It had better be tofrom reports, I should say!"

Instantly the lieutenant, pale as death, was on his feet, while Faith, gasping a little, leaned back in her chair, as white and almostfainting. Hope and Dwight, round-eyed and not half comprehending, stared amazedly, while Donelson, realizing that his companion was quitebeside himself, also sprang up and laying a firm hand on Allyne's arm, turned beseechingly. 

"Don't, Carnegie--for heaven's sake don't make a scene! I'll get himaway. He'll be in the dust for this, to-morrow. Come, Tom, you mustgo with me instantly. "

They were attracting attention. Captain Hosmer's eyes were fixedsternly upon them, for though he had not heard a word he could see thatsomething was wrong, and Faith's white face startled him. He feltthere was some disturbance which frightened her, but perhapsfortunately, never dreamed she could be at all concerned in the matter. The Traveler, however, who held the key to the situation, and hadcaught a sentence or two, on his part, looked sternly at Mrs. Campbellwho, suave and unruffled, was monopolizing Mr. Lawrence and evidentlyamusing him, too. 

There might have been worse trouble but for young Carnegie'smoderation. The instant Donelson's plea was made he realized that forFaith's sake, if not Allyne's, he must be cautious, so said only, "Ileave him to you now, Mr. Donelson, " and seated himself, while theattaché, partly by force and partly by coaxing, succeeded in draggingthe foolish fellow from the room without further display. 

"What was the matter with that young sprout of an attaché?" asked thecaptain later in the evening, as he and his daughters met for a quietlittle visit in the library. "Too much champagne?"

Hope looked quickly at her sister, whose face was turned away, and asshe did not respond, answered lightly, "I believe so. He wasquarrelsome, and Mr. Donelson wanted to get him away before he--beforehe made trouble. "

"H'm! With whom was he quarreling?"

Faith, back in the shadow, was still unresponsive, and Hope thinkingshe ought to be the one to answer, let some indignation creep into herown voice as she said, "Oh, that Mr. Carnegie. "

"What, Carnegie? I had taken him for a decent, modest sort of fellow. But any one who will get into a drunken brawl before ladies--"

Faith turned quickly. She was quite white. 

"Father, Mr. Carnegie had not been drinking. He did not touch the wineand--and I'm the only one to blame. " She burst into tears and, hidingher face in both hands, started to run into her own stateroom, but herfather caught her and, with a tender arm about her waist, drew her downupon his knee. 

"I don't understand you, daughter, " he said in a voice of yearningtenderness, for whenever his children were in trouble, it always seemedto him that his fair young wife stood at his elbow inciting him togentleness. "I don't understand, but I must. Why should two headyyoung fools quarrel over my little girl? She is no coquette, I'm sure. "

"Papa, " put in Hope, for her sister was sobbing helplessly upon hisshoulder, "Faith is not to blame, and I don't half understand it, myself, but I'll tell you just what happened--" and she did, much as ithas been repeated here. 

Her father listened with a darkening face. 

"Some cursed gossip!" he muttered as she finished, while Faith managedto murmur, "I didn't mean any harm, papa. I talked to him just as we do toDwight, and he told me about his home, and what he is going to do inIndia. You might have heard every word, papa!"

"Of course, of course, I understand. Only, I ought to have warned you;a steamer is a perfect hot-bed of gossip on a long voyage like this. But how did that scapegrace get hold of--wait! Hasn't he been withthat little Mrs. Campbell most of the day?"

"Yes, he has, " said Hope. "They wouldn't play gromets with us, youremember; she said it was too warm. "

"Too warm, indeed! I'd like to consign such mischief-makers to ahotter place. Well, well, don't worry now. I begin to comprehend itall. "

"But how should Mrs. Campbell know, papa?"

"Because she was pacing the deck herself, or sitting in a corner. Isaw her under a smokestack with that Russian--no fit companion either. Had to leave his own country because of his record. She's a nice oneto talk--but that's the very kind. Now, see here! After this yougirls keep close company, and stay in tow of Mrs. Vanderhoff, or LadyMoreham, and then you'll be all right. You'll mind now?"

"Yes we will, father, but tell me something. Did you know Lady Morehambefore this trip? I thought--" He turned a quizzical look upon Hope'seager face, and laughed a little. 

"Better think more about things that concern yourself, little one, andnot be speculating about my passengers, or you'll get to be anotherMrs. Campbell, " and, kissing both girls, he gently seated Faith in hislarge chair and hurried out. 

CHAPTER XI. 

A SUNDAY AT SEA. 

There is something in a Sunday at sea, in calm weather which mustimpress the most thoughtless. The clean, well-regulated ship seems totake on an air of extra self-respect, the men, in fresh attire, go morequietly about their duties, the well-dressed passengers are less noisyand demonstrative, even the steerage puts on a slightly brighter lookon Sunday morning, and for the time being the seeming calmness andcontent give one a delightful sense of rest. 

Captain Hosmer, like most good sailors, had a deep reverence for hisMaker, and for that religion, "pure and undefiled, " which inspirationteaches. No one living the precarious life of the seaman can well helpan abiding sense of personal dependence upon some Power greater thanthe most furious forces of the deep, and when this dependence becomeschildlike and sincere, rather than a mere superstition born of terror, it gives a man that spirit Christ so lovingly inculcated, in which thesoul rests, secure and still, within the bosom of the Father. 

Though Captain Hosmer had some of the roughnesses born of anadventurous life, he was at heart a sincere believer, and in joy ordanger turned instinctively to his Maker in gratitude, or supplication. Though not brought up an Episcopalian, he followed the practicecustomary on board British vessels, and held service, reading from thePrayer-book every Sunday morning. 

To-day, the passengers gathered in the handsome saloon were glad to seethe doors flung wide and the punkahs vigorously waving, for it was verywarm. Scarcely a person was absent; even Mr. Allyne, looking a bitpale and reserved, sat back in one corner, half screened by hiscompanion, and near the open doors and windows, clustered the servantsand such part of the crew as were off duty, their dark faces andturbaned heads forming an artistic contrast to the whiter-skinned racewho sat within. 

At the precise hour named, the captain, exquisitely trim in his darkuniform, with his kindly, weatherbeaten, but clean-shaven face, tookhis place by one of the tables and looking gently around with his keen, pleasant eyes, began the slow, impressive reading of the specialprayers assigned to the seamen's service. Faith and Hope had neverseen him in this role before, and the former felt her eyes fill, whilethe latter suddenly put out a hand and clasped her twin's in a littleecstasy of admiring appreciation. Neither had even looked towardsyoung Allyne, nor Chester Carnegie. The latter, grave and attentive, sat near one of the open doors and followed the service without aglance about him. It was an hour of gentle solemnity, which affectedeven the lightest heart. 

Allyne had wakened wretched, with a headache, only to be told by hisfriend of the grave misdemeanors of last night. 

"And, " added Donelson, "the captain came to ask me about it later, butyou were asleep, so we let you alone. "

"Heavens! Did I make such a beast of myself, Jack? You certainlyexaggerate. "

"Not a particle. Believe me, it's serious. The little girls werewhite as paper, and Carnegie looked like the marble gladiator. I tellyou, you're in a pickle. "

Allyne groaned and turned over in his bunk. 

"Why didn't you stop me in time?" he questioned fiercely, with an oath. 

"Oh, you needn't swear at me, Tom Allyne! I'm not your keeper. Whenyou know what champagne does for you, why don't you stop yourself intime?"

"Why don't I? Because then I don't know enough to stop, idiot! Thefirst glass goes to my head, I tell you. "

"Then you'd better not touch the first glass, " returned Donelsonairily, as he vigorously plied his military brushes to his sleek brownpoll. "It's a misfortune to be so weak in the upper story, Tom. "

"Humph! I'd rather be weak in liquor than when sober, " was mutteredfrom the bunk. 

Donelson turned quickly. 

"See here, young man, if you want to quarrel with your best friend, allright! I've stood by you so far, and dragged you out of the deepestdanger, but if you get too abusive--good-by! You may shift foryourself. 

"Well then, shut up and let me think, can't you? I know you're allright, Jack, but my head aches terribly, and this muss nearly drives memad. Why can't you be sympathetic and advise me, instead of harrowingme up so mercilessly. "

The other laughed. 

"Well, by gracious! I do feel for you, Tom. But what can I do aboutit?"

"Well, go and bring Carnegie here, for the first thing, can't you?"

"Bring Carnegie to you? I like that! Why, man alive, do you realizethat under that bashful girl-look of his there is a spirit thatwouldn't flinch at anything where honor is concerned? Watch his squarejaw and the set of his lips. Bring him to you! You'll have to go toCarnegie, and eat some humble-pie into the bargain, Tom. "

"I don't believe it. "

"All right! Perhaps I lie. Just the same, I'll not do any sucherrand, even for you, that's certain. I know my man, if you don't. And, now, I'm going to the barber-shop, and you can have all the timethere is to think it over. "

So the situation rested when the parties concerned met under the sameroof to listen to, possibly in some cases, to join in solemn prayer toGod. It was a few minutes after the service when the two young menmost concerned met face to face in one of the dim and narrowpassageways connecting the saloons. Allyne stopped and Carnegie, afteran instant's hesitation, did likewise. 

"I understand, " began the former trying to laugh, "that you and I had alittle falling out, last night. "

"You and I? Not at all, " was the prompt answer. "Your quarrel is notwith me; you simply insulted Miss Hosmer who, fortunately, has a fatherto protect her. Make your peace with him. "

Allyne flushed darkly. 

"You don't mince your words, sir. "

"I have no reason to--nor is there any reason for our talking the thingover. It is not my privilege to take it up, as I see plainly now; butif you are a man you will go straight to Captain Hosmer and apologize. "

"Oh, I will? It's very easy to tell another man to put his head intothe lion's mouth, isn't it? If he does not know the whole, what's theuse of rousing him up? Better let it drop. "

"That's where you'll make a huge mistake. I believe he knows all aboutit. "

"Has he told you so?"

"Certainly not. We haven't discussed the matter. My belief comes fromanother source. "

"Oh, Miss--"

"Don't finish! We'll have no names mentioned, if you please. You havesimply misunderstood the character of one or two people to an almostinexcusable extent. Settle your quarrel with him, then, if you wishit, and I'll ignore my part in it entirely. But if you act the cad--"

"Well, what then?"

"Then the matter is not ended. "

"Indeed!" began Allyne, with a sneer, but a second look into theother's face, as he braced himself against the wall, even in the halfdarkness, convinced him that it would be better to let the affair dropfor the present, at least, as he could now note well not only thesquare jaw to which his friend had referred, but also a flash of theblue eyes that looked dangerous. 

He turned away abruptly and with a "Very well, " hurried onwards. Butas he went slowly out, crossed the forward deck, mounted thecompanionway to the upper deck, and continued still upwards to thebridge, where he could see the captain standing, the glass at his eyes, his thoughts were busy, and they were not pleasant thoughts, you may besure. 

Captain Hosmer seemed too absorbed in something he was examiningthrough his binocular to notice him, however, and just as Allyne, somewhat reluctantly, spoke his name, the watch sang out, "Sail on the port bow, sir. "

"Is she anchored, or drifting, Ferris?" called back the captain. 

"Drifting, I think, sir. Should judge it's a wreck. "

"We must alter our course and make for her then, " he said, turning tothe steersman. Then, with a swift look at Allyne who stood a stepbelow waiting, "Anything particular, sir?"

"Only a word to explain--"

"Last night? Well, " sternly, "what excuse have you to make?"

Allyne shrugged his shoulders. 

"I was not myself, sir. Your champagne was too heady. "

"H'm! 'Twas made for men, I reckon. You did not exactly act the partof one, it seems to me. Her Majesty's officials ought to have at leastthe manners of a gentleman. "

"You are hard on me, Captain Hosmer!"

"A man is apt to be hard where his daughters are lightly treated. "

"I came to apologize. Do you wish me to see the young ladies inperson?"

"By no means! Keep as far from them as possible is all I ask. Theyhave their friends. "

He turned quickly to an officer awaiting commands, and paid no furtherattention as Allyne moodily withdrew. The young man saw that the menwere about to launch one of the boats, and that some of the crew werenow making ready to raise the dingey to position on the davits, whileothers were hastening to take their seats within it. The passengers, getting wind of some excitement, were hurrying sternwards, and hepushed along with them, glad to forget his sore feelings for a minute. 

Carnegie, followed by Dwight, pushed past him, alert and eager, and hesaw the twins with a group of ladies, watching with all their eyes. Even his own chum, Donelson, was chatting at ease with two East Indianofficials, absorbed and forgetful. Tom Allyne felt decidedly left out, and it was not a pleasant sensation to one who had been accustomed toconsidering himself a good fellow and desirable companion. 

He leaned against the bulwark, a lonely figure in the midst of all thislively bustle, and wished impotently that he could have let well enoughalone--and by well enough he doubtless meant both the champagne andMrs. Campbell--thus preserving the pleasant relations of yesterday. Asteamship soon becomes the world itself to its passengers, and thelittle events of each day assume an exaggerated importance. To be atodds with one's fellows on board means a rather desolate position forthe young person fond of society, and this one moodily wished themiserable voyage over as he blinked in the sunshine, with his back tothe rest. 

The dingey, with its human freight, was smoothly lowered to the water'sedge, and rowed swiftly away, the captain, standing straight and tallin the stern, turning back to touch his cap with a smile, as the cheersresounded, but his eyes were upon two young faces who forgot to wavehandkerchiefs, even, so absorbed were they to catch his slightestglance. The boat looked a slender thing to breast the might of thatgreat sea, if only half aroused, and though it was far from heavyto-day an occasional puff of wind sent the waves up in little swirls offoam, and seemed ready to drown it in spray. As the fires were bankedto stay the ship's course, the swarthy Seedees swarmed out for a breathof air, and all who could find a glass, among crew or passengers, werelooking towards one spot. They could distinguish the floating hulkwith the naked eye, but only those with powerful lenses could saypositively that there seemed no life about it. After watching thedingey until it melted into the outlines of the larger hull, theyformed into groups beneath the awnings, to speculate upon this wreckand to hear yarns of others, each more thrilling than the last, tillthe sisters began to fear they should never see their father safe again. 

Allyne, happening to turn from his sullen survey, saw that theWindemere girls, Mrs. Campbell, and two or three of the men were seatedclose by. As he turned, Mrs. Campbell said pleasantly, but withsomething of sarcasm in her tone, "Aren't you well, Mr. Allyne? This is the first time I've seen youto-day. "

"Yes, thank you, I'm well except for a headache. "

"Headache? Indeed!" She laughed lightly, and her manner made him wince. 

"You seem to find it amusing, " he said resentfully. 

She laughed outright. 

"Why, you're really _cross_! Is that the way a generous dinner affectsyou? Now, roast pig never goes to my head at all--does, it Janet?"

Her mocking angered him in his present mood, but he had learned cautionfrom last night and, simply bowing, walked off without a reply. Underhis breath, however, he anathematized a woman who could so easily leada man into trouble, only to make merry over his discomfiture. 

CHAPTER XII. 

THE STORY OF A WRECK. 

The day which had begun in Sabbath stillness, so far as wind andweather were concerned, was destined to end in a far different manner. The dingey had scarcely reached the drifting vessel when the wind beganto freshen into a decided blow. Clouds rolled up from the southwest, and it grew rapidly darker. Many of the passengers retired to theirstaterooms, but the twins, consumed with anxiety for their father, would not leave the deck, and Lady Moreham, Mr. Lawrence, Bessie, andDwight remained with them, the other ladies being obliged to retire. 

Presently, as the group watched, talking in subdued tones, amid theincreasing noise of the coming storm, the watch sang out the glad newsof the captain's boat in sight, and the girls, straining their gazeacross the hillocks of gray-black waters beneath the angry sky, couldsee the tiny thing approaching. Sometimes it seemed fairly swallowedin the trough of the sea, again it rose on the crest, only apparentlyto topple into oblivion the next instant--yet in spite of wind and wavemaking its sure and steady way to the great home ship, and safety. 

At length it was alongside, and, amid ringing cheers, the captain cameaboard, wet to the skin, and waving back the eager girls, whose eyeswere wet with tears of relief. 

"Don't touch me, daughters; I'll give you a chill. And the first thingnecessary is to see to our rescued man. Come to me presently. "

They had just a glimpse of this person as he was carried forward byfour men, but that glimpse was one never to be forgotten. The haggardface, with the dark skin drawn like a mummy's across the prominentbones, the lips stiff and blackened, between which the teeth shonewhitely, the eyes sunken and but half closed, gave it a horribleappearance. 

"Oh!" whispered Faith in distressed tones, "Isn't he already dead?"

"Not quite, " was the response. "We'll bring him around, I reckon, butit was a close call. "

When all duties were discharged and the captain, in dry clothing, satbefore a substantial supper in his own cabin, Joey was sent for thegirls, who gladly joined him without loss of time. 

"Sit down, " he cried gaily, between big mouth-fills. "I know you arequivering with curiosity--I can see it sticking out all over you. Justlet me fill up this gaping void a little, and then I'll tell you astory that will make your two eyes like stars start from their spheres, and all the rest of it. But now I must eat. "

They waited patiently, and presently, leaning comfortably back, withhis third cup of coffee in his hand, he told them what follows:

"We thought, when we reached the sunken, dismasted hull, that of courseshe was abandoned, but concluded to board her, and see if there wasanything of value inside. We made her out to be a tartan, probablywith an Arab, or African, crew and it was evident she had been througha heavy storm, for her masts were washed clean overboard, and herbulwarks stove in. We could not distinguish a soul aboard, and if shehad carried boats they were gone, but as we went down into the hatchwaywe came upon a sight that I wouldn't care for you to see. It was adark 'tween-decks cabin, and the stench, as we descended, was simplyhorrible! At my first step I stumbled over something that sent ashudder through me, and when I lighted a match and looked around thesight made me crawl. Two poor wretches lay there, both dead, as wethought, but after giving them a thorough examination I decided therewas a spark left in this poor fellow, at least, and after working overhim a while we were sure of it. The other could not be revived, so weweighted his feet, and let him slide the plank to his watery grave. But that wasn't all--however I guess I won't tell any more. It'sdownright gruesome, and I've got to go up and take a lookout, for we'relikely to have a wild night. "

"Oh yes, yes, father!" they begged. "Don't leave us cut off short likethis. We want to hear it all. "

"Well, we managed to find a lantern, so that we could go on with ourinvestigations. Evidently, there had been foul play of some kind, forthe cabin plainly showed signs of a fierce scrimmage. There was bloodon the walls and floor; one or two rusty weapons lay about, and on onewas human hair. I shouldn't have thought to look further, but a cryfrom Tower called me into the bit of an after-cabin, fitted up withbunks, and there lying flat, face downwards and head towards the door, as if she had fallen while running out, was an Arab woman. "

"And she was dead?" whispered Hope hoarsely. 

"Yes, and in the bunk was her baby, a little thing not many months old. I tell you, it was pitiful!"

"Oh!" breathed Faith, "do you suppose it was left to starve?"

"I'm afraid so. I think the mother heard the fighting and started torun out, leaving her child safely hidden, when her husband wasattacked, but was felled by a blow on the head. We saw the marks. "

"Horrible!" Hope covered her eyes, and the captain sprang up. 

"I ought not to have told you. It was bad enough to see it myself, hardened as I am. Now I must go. Do you want one of the women to comeand stay with you?"

"No, " said both, and he hurried out, but at the door was arrested byHope. 

"One question more--did you bury them too, papa?"

"Yes. "

"In the same way?"

"Yes. "

She drew a long, sighing breath as he disappeared, and turning claspedFaith close with a sob of overwrought feeling. The sisters could nottalk much over the hideous tale. The night was shutting down wild andstormy, and the labored motion of the good steamship already showedthat she was meeting heavier seas than they had yet encountered. Yet, singularly, neither felt seasick, as yet. The intense anxiety untiltheir father's return, and the deep interest in his narration since, had driven all physical feeling from their minds. 

But, after a little, Faith said in a hushed voice, "I'm going to bed, Hope. I couldn't talk to anybody in the saloon, and it's too wild tobe on deck, so I might as well. 

"I'll go too, " said Hope, "but let's just take a look out, at least. "

She suddenly turned off the electric switch leaving the cabin in totaldarkness, then drew her sister to the broad swell of windows lookingout upon the forward deck. It was bare enough tonight. All theawnings were closely furled and the chairs stowed away in snug stacks, while not a figure could be seen where all had been light, warmth andcheer, a few hours earlier. Only one or two of the incandescent lightswere on, and beyond that feeble glow there seemed a great void ofdarkness and storm. The gloom shut in the steamer's world as with athick curtain; not a star was visible, but now and then a white swirlof foam gleamed for a second through the murk, and then, with acreaking and groaning as if in pain, the good ship lurched, trembled, and as the wave broke with an indescribable noise, steadied herselfonce more, to plunge onward as fast as steam could force her in theteeth of wind and wave. 

Some days later, when the almost perished man had regainedconsciousness and a modicum of strength, the girls were told the restof his story, which I will give you here. 

He was first-mate of the "Shiraz, " a tartan, which, to be explicit, isa small coasting vessel peculiar to the Mediterranean Sea, usedprincipally for conveying stock, and sometimes other merchandise. This, headed for the Balearics, had shipped a crew at Algiers, thecaptain being forced to take what he could pick up in a hurry. He wasa Corsican, and seems to have been a cruel man, though his mate loyallymade the best of him, and insisted he was a good captain. 

But, be that as it might, some failure in rations and water made thecrew surly and ready to break out into open grumbling upon anypretense, so that, when they encountered a fierce squall, and sprung aleak, it was almost impossible to keep them at the pumps, until terrorof their own lives forced them to yield to discipline. 

But, though they finally succeeded in stopping the leak, this was notaccomplished until the mainsail had been carried away by the heavy sea, and other injuries sustained. It was a terrible time for all, and thecrew, exhausted and overworked on insufficient food, were only held totheir tasks by the captain and mates standing over them with loadedfirearms. 

In some unknown way one of them discovered a hogshead of arrack, theEast Indian whisky, and, unseen by the officers, they tapped it andsecretly helped themselves. 

The fiery, stuff changed them from men into demons, and that night theymutinied. The second mate, who was upon deck, attempted to check theirrush, but was felled with a cutlass and kicked overboard. Next, theymade for the cabin, where the captain and mate were sitting, while theformer's wife and child were asleep in the adjoining apartment. 

There was a sharp, desperate encounter in the small space, in whichthey were quickly over-powered. But when the mate was struck senselesshe rolled under the large table, and must have escaped further notice, for after despatching the captain and his screaming wife, the mutineersevidently took at once to the boats, and left the dismasted hulk tofounder with its gruesome freight. 

But the storm was over by that time, and it had drifted for two daysand nights, at least, by the mate's reckoning, during which he had lainunconscious, wondrously preserved from death. 

What was the fate of the seamen thus deserting no one could tell, butwith men insensate from arrack, even should they have escaped immediatedanger from the sea, they could hardly make port safely in a small openboat. 

It was more than probable that the mate was the only one left of theill-fated crew. Captain Hosmer was unable to take the tartan in tow onaccount of the storm, but marked its location to report it at Algiers, that wreckers might be sent to save the cargo and sink the hulk that itshould no longer be a menace and danger to every passing craft. 

"How delightful this is!" murmured Faith early next morning, afterhours of storm-tossed uneasiness and dread. "Did you ever hear suchawful noises as we had all night? I'm almost afraid to look, for feareverything is broken in here. "

Hope, wide awake in an instant, returned, "It is astonishingly still now, isn't it? I wonder what it means. Even the engines have stopped--don't you hear?"

"How can I hear stillness?" laughed Faith. "I do perceive that they'vestopped, though. Yes, we must have come safely into portsomewhere--why, I wonder if it is Algiers?"

Hope rose up on one elbow, in some excitement, then gave a cry. 

"Why, look at the cage--and where is Texas?" and Faith, rising also, saw that the bottom had dropped out of the parrot's home and lay, withits contents, but not its inmate, upon the floor amid some broken glassand crockery. 

"The storm has done it! Where can Texas be? Oh, I hope he is notkilled--"

"Good-morning!" croaked a voice at their very ears, and there, on thethick nickel rim surrounding one of the portholes just above theirheads, perched Texas, dignified and imperturbable as ever. 

Both girls broke into laughter, and tried to coax him down, butunvailingly. He sat in a solemn quiet such as he seldom showed in hiscage, and clung to his slippery place with an air that said, "I haveknown trouble and insecurity enough. Now that I have a foothold, pooras it is, I mean to keep it, " and though he returned to their coaxingcivil enough responses, he could not be tempted even to perch uponHope's white wrist, which was usually a proud privilege to his birdship. 

"Well, " she said, giving it up, "I mean to see what has happened andwhere we are at, as those American newspapers put it. We must be safesomewhere, for they are washing down decks just as usual. "

"I wonder if father slept a wink all night, " said Faith. "If he didn'tthen he is probably resting now, so we must be careful not to disturbhim. "

"That's true. I'll be like a mouse!" Hope was hurrying into a pink_robe de chambre_, which the girls best liked to call a pajama, and nowslipped her feet into a pair of little Turkish slippers, all toe andsole, and opening the communicating door, peered into the library. Itwas empty, but her father's tarpaulins, in a heap on the floor, justoutside his stateroom door, showed he was within, so she moved verysoftly across to the broad outlook of windows. 

In a minute she went flying back in silent swiftness. "Come, Faith, "she whispered excitedly, "it's the finest thing you ever saw!"

Soon both pajamaed figures were looking with great eyes at the novelscene before them. They found themselves anchored in some large harboramid a forest of shipping, much of it the oddest they had ever seen. Instead of the straight, strong masts they were accustomed to, herewere those that shot up so tall and slender they seemed to bend over oftheir own weight, like a young sapling. To these rapier-like mastswere fastened sails of quaint square shape and dingy hues, or of sharptriangular form, which they learned afterwards were the lateen sailsthey had read of, but never seen. The prows of these small vesselswere all so oddly curved and shaped, while the figureheads suggestednightmare fancies of the brain. Off a little way rose a fine walledcity that seemed made all of marble, at first glance. Just now, inthis early light, it was coldly white like a cemetery, but presentlythe sun shot his first warm beam over the horizon's edge, and lo! atransformation. The towering whiteness now blushed into rosy hues, theblack-green of the foliage lightened to a delicate tint, while bits ofgay colors here and there suggested parks and gardens filled withbloom. The cemetery had become a Palace Beautiful. 

The girls gazed a long time, then, a bit chilled, for the night's galehad greatly cooled the air, they crept back, to sleep a while longer, in spite of the well-meant advice of Texas. "Get up, lazyheads!"austerely flung down from the porthole. 

CHAPTER XIII. 

ALGIERS AND ANDY. 

It was several hours later before they went ashore, the special partythat the girls were in being led by Mr. Lawrence, and consisting of thefour young people. Mrs. Vanderhoff had been quite upset by the storm, and was not equal to any exertion yet, which was, indeed, the conditionof several of the passengers. 

Even Mr. Lawrence looked pale, and laughingly owned to "being a littleshaky in his gait. " But he thought himself equal to a jaunt in thecity, especially such an odd, quaint one as Algiers. 

Captain Hosmer took them ashore in his own gig, but left them on thequay, for he was full of business. He said they might take their time, as he did not expect to get up steam again much before night, andslipped a coin into each of the girl's hands, telling them to use it"for fun. " Then, explaining that by the time they were ready to boardher again the steamer would doubtless be in her slip, and thus easilyreached, he lifted his cap and was off. 

"How strange it all is!" cried Bess, with a slow delighted survey. "This street we are in might be a part of New York, or of London, sofar as buildings go, but the old Egyptian fashions and people, the openbooths, and the queer old street venders are all mixed through it, somehow, until it seems as unreal as a dream. 

"Yes, " laughed Hope; "it makes me think of a girl dressed in a Parisgown, but wearing a mishmak, like our ayahs on the ship. "

"It's the new grafted upon the old, " observed Mr. Lawrence, "and we arenow coming to what is all old. "

He led the way into a narrow lane-like street, which seemed mostly asuccession of rude steps, leading upwards. 

Here they had to move one side and hug the wall, to make way for adonkey-train, with heavily laden panniers, which was being goaded alongby dark-skinned boys, who, as Dwight remarked, seemed to wear all theirclothes on their heads, where the heavy turban was coiled by the yard, while thence to the waist was scarcely any covering. Their black eyesgleamed good-naturedly, however, and when Mr. Lawrence flung a handfulof small coin among them they scrambled vivaciously, salaamed to himand to the girls, and showed every white tooth with pleasure at the"backsheesh. "

"Dear me! It seems to be all climb here, " remarked Faith wearily, after an hour or two of the rough native streets, which divide the oldtown and make it like a different place, as compared with the new. 

"Yes, it's climbing, either way you take it, " said Dwight. "You can'teven have the fun of sliding down-hill after getting up, for thesesteps are so rough you've got to pick your way every instant, or take atumble. Now, what is that? Did you ever see anything so queer? Why, _what_ is it?"

Even Mr. Lawrence was nonplussed for a moment, but presently broke intolaughter, in which he was quickly joined by the rest, for the queerfigure approaching turned out to be a vender of monkeys, and he hadcertainly chosen a most novel device for carrying his lively burden. Atall branch of considerable size had been freshly cut from an olivetree, and its leaves still hung, coldly-gray, and only half wilted, from the twigs. 

Among this foliage were clustered a dozen or more of the littlecreatures, each fastened by one leg to prevent escape. This tree-likebranch was carried straight upward, like a flag-staff, by a stalwartMohammedan who, with his burnous wrapped about him, in all the dignityof a Roman senator, stalked steadily ahead, once in a while breakinginto an odd cry that told his wares, but, as Mr. Lawrence suggested, sounded more like the slogan of a Scottish chieftain going into battle. Altogether, he was an odd and striking spectacle. 

They stopped the man to parley with him, and in a mixture of French andArabic he managed to inform Mr. Lawrence that his monkeys were welltrained and tamed, and that they came from the Vallée des Singes, [1]not far away. 

"Oh!" breathed Faith in an aside to her sister, as the men wereconferring, "aren't they the cunningest things? And so little! Hope, I've a great mind to buy one in place of poor Hafiz. Don't you thinkit would be fun?"

"Y-yes, of course. But aren't they dreadfully mischievous?"

"All the more fun, then! I certainly am going to buy one. Father saidthe money he gave us was to be spent for fun, and there's nothingfunnier than a monkey. "

Faith looked and felt like a naughty child. It was seldom she assertedherself against the known inclinations of others, and when she did shecould be really obstinate. Hope's objections only increased her desireto purchase. 

"Mr. Lawrence, " she cried eagerly, "do ask him the price of this weething on the lowest branch--the one that has such a forsaken look. Myheart aches for him!"

"But I thought you wanted a funny one, Faith, " put in her sister. "Now, this looks much jollier; see how he jumps about and grimaces. "

But Faith's tender heart was touched by the mournful look of thesmaller creature, and she felt, somehow, that she could better justifyher purchase if compassion helped to sway her, for, though no onereally opposed her, she felt denial in the air, and was quite certainshe might meet it from her father upon her return to the ship with thisnew pet. So she went on rapidly, "Yes, I want this one. With goodcare and petting he will grow happier, I'm sure. Then he really looksas if he had a conscience. "

Mr. Lawrence laughed. 

"Be not deceived by that long visage, Miss Hosmer. I have a forebodingthat he will prove a terror. Time will tell. "

Dwight was of course wild to invest, also, but his uncle said, "No, my boy! One monkey is a good many. Wait and see how this willturn out. There's no end to the opportunities for monkey deals in thispart of the world. They are a drug on the market. "

Meanwhile, the stately vender set his tree against a wall and begangravely untying the wizened little specimen from his branch, thenhanded him into the eagerly outstretched hands of Faith with a superbsmile, as if he were some great potentate conferring a priceless boonupon a beloved subject. Not that he was anything but the poorestfellah, [2] with scarce a sou to his credit, but this is Orientalmannerism, and most impressive mannerism it is, too. 

He then raised his finger and addressed a regular harangue to thecreature, who, with tail curled about Faith's wrist, sat gravely uponhis two palms and listened. The tiny beast was so moveless, soattentive, and so solemn, its master so earnest and impressive that alllooked on wonderingly until, having finished his remarks, the Arab gavea last shake of his dingy finger monkeywards, salaamed low to theparty, then shouldering his burden stalked on once more, the littlecaptive looking after him for a minute, and then wrinkling up his mummyvisage to give a weak, babyish cry. 

"Oh, dear! He's going to be homesick, " groaned Faith, almost repentingof her bargain. "See him cry after the man! What shall I do with him?"

"Let me take him, " urged Dwight. "I'll button him up in my jacket andhe'll forget and go to sleep, and then, when he wakes, he'll be allright. "

"Do you think so? Well, here he is--but tie the string tight tosomething, so that you won't lose him, please. "

"Of course--to my buttonhole, here. There Mr. Monkey, you can'tcomplain of that for a nest--see here! Don't scratch so, you littlevarmint! You'll tear my shirt front to smithereens. "

For a time there certainly was danger of such a catastrophe, but bysoothing and petting the tiny thing was at length appeased, and settleddown to slumber, while Dwight, in great content over his odd burden, trudged along with the rest, wishing more than ever that the littletreasure were his very own. 

They had a delightful stroll of three hours up and down the queerscrambling streets of the old town, stopping now and then to buy fruit, or curios, of the merchants in the open booths, sitting cross-leggedand solemn over their long pipes, and seeming so utterly indifferent topurchasers, until they were in danger of losing them, when they woke toeager gesticulation and gabble. 

Occasionally, they peered into the doors of the native schools, wherethe scholars squatted on shelves about the dim room, and were graduatedas to size, the largest sitting nearest the ceiling. 

"For all the world, " whispered Hope, "like a cupboard full of chinapitchers!"

Next to this, perhaps, would be a group that only needed framing tomake a picture, where two grave men, each wrapped in his burnous, satTurk-fashion, playing checkers before a low doorway, while back in theshadow an indistinct figure, in flowing white drapery, touched thestrings of some instrument which sent out a sound of thin tinkling, that could scarcely be called music because so tuneless and monotonous. 

In places the streets were so very narrow, dark, and filthy, and thefew figures slid away into the windowless house walls in so ghostlike afashion, that the girls hesitated a little before following their guide. 

"I feel a good deal as if I were going through a graveyard, " whisperedBess once, "only it's one where the inmates sometimes walk!"

"Yes, " said Mr. Lawrence, and told her how a French author who haswritten well and largely of this odd corner of the earth, called thesesteep dark streets, "mysterious staircases leading to silence, " whichgreatly impressed them all as entirely descriptive of their weirdness. 

Hunger at length drove them back to the fine new town, with its broad, well-paved streets, gas and electric lights, gay awnings, and beautifulparks and squares where grew a very luxury of blossoms. They were allquite ready for rest and dinner, and felt they had found both in thegreat dining-room of an elegant hotel, where the only foreign thingswere the punkahs and the turbaned waiters, for the tables, glitteringin silver and crystal, the richly frescoed walls, the surroundinggalleries lined with blooming plants, the military band playing there, and the many uniformed officers among the guests at table, suggestedonly French dominion and Parisian luxury and fashion. Indeed, as Mr. Lawrence explained, Algeria is a French colony, and its fortified wallsare manned and guarded by French soldiers, only. 

The dinner was exquisitely cooked and served, and all were enjoying itas only youth and good digestion, stimulated by exercise, can, whensomething happened--Mr. Monkey awoke. Dwight felt his wriggles, buthoped he would calm down again after a little, as he had before. Therest of the party, absorbed in their dinner, had nearly forgotten thestranger, and Bess, when she saw an uneasy movement or two on herbrother's part, thought he had taken too large and hot a mouthful ofthe red curry, and gave him a protesting glance for his greediness. 

The next instant there was a worse convulsion, and just under hisnecktie suddenly appeared a tiny apish head. Before any one could domore than gasp the whole monkey was out of prison, and, with a leap toDwight's shoulder, began taking observations; then seeing the food onhis plate made a dive for it. 

Both Dwight and Mr. Lawrence interfered to stop him, but the creaturewas brought up short by his bit of rope, fastened to the lad'sbuttonhole, and began crying loudly as he hung suspended by one leg foran instant. 

With a scarlet face Dwight jerked him upright, and tried to slip himinto a pocket; but by this time Mr. Monkey's ire was up, and he scornedto be thus concealed. People all about were looking and laughing, while the head-waiter was bearing down upon them with a threateningeye. Faith, conscience-stricken, and too well aware that she ought tobear the brunt other new pet's misbehavior, rather than Dwight, lookedon miserably, as red as he, while Hope giggled wildly, and Bess lookedutterly disgusted. 

Dwight made another clutch at the creature, which evaded him and, witha rapid movement, wound the rope around his neck so tightly that hechoked, and began to turn black in the face. Mr. Lawrence, who, thoughmortified by the sensation they were creating, could not restrain hislaughter, now sprang to his nephew's aid, and was about to cut thestrangling cord when another flashing movement unwound it, and left thelad's windpipe intact. 

Thoroughly angry now, Dwight caught the apish thing, and, boxing itsears till it howled, stuffed it into his pocket and hurried from theroom, his dinner forgotten in his chagrin. 

"Oh, oh!" moaned Faith, cowering disconsolately over her plate, "whatcan I do, Mr. Lawrence? Poor Dwight! It's all my fault. And he was_so_ hungry. Can't we give it to somebody, or--or wring its neck, ifit must be? It's too bad!"

"Well, it is a somewhat upsetting episode, " he agreed, still shakinginwardly, "but it may serve one good purpose. Dwight will cease histeasing to own one of the pesky things, I imagine. And don't worryover his dinner, Miss Faith. He's eaten enough already to keep himfrom starvation, I'm sure, and I'll see that he returns to finish afterthe guests have thinned somewhat. Poor boy! He's had monkey enoughfor to-day, I'll warrant. "

They soon left the table, for Faith could not eat another mouthful, andall felt anxious to know how the battle had ended. They at lengthfound Dwight sitting dejectedly in one of the veranda chairs, his hairtumbled, coat torn, and necktie awry, and his face as long as his arm. The monkey, quite as solemn, was tied to a post, and sat pensivelyholding its chops in its skinny palms and eyeing its new master withgreat disfavor. 

"So you've conquered?" laughed Mr. Lawrence, while Faith began humblyto beg pardon, but was quickly interrupted. 

"What for?" asked Dwight brusquely. "You couldn't help it because he'sa fool, could you?"

"No, no, Dwight--not that! Only a monkey, " cried Hope, delighting inthe scene. "You and Faith both wanted a funny one, you know, andyou've got it, so what's the use of fretting? I'll tell you--let'sgive him to the next beggar that follows us, shall we, Faith?

"No, " said the girl with sudden resolution, "I'll take care of him, myself. "

She stepped close to the troubled mite and untying the rope, gentlylifted it to her arms, softly stroking it and speaking in a low, cooingvoice. Both touch and glance proved magnetic, and soon it had curleddown in the shelter of her arms and gave no more trouble. 

After Dwight had finished his interrupted repast Mr. Lawrence saidthere was one more place, not far distant, that he wanted themparticularly to visit, and all somewhat reluctantly followed him into achurch that, though handsome, looked too thoroughly English to seeminteresting amid old-world quaintness. But they were to findthemselves mistaken. It proved to be, indeed, an English chapel, butit was still more--a memorial to all English-speaking people who oncesuffered martyrdom in this city, when it boasted its thousands ofChristian slaves brought from doomed vessels by the dreaded Corsairs;also of those who have died more happily, as free men, in later years. 

As they strolled quietly about the interesting building, beneath thestained-glass windows, reading these various records, which areinscribed on precious marbles in high colors, that make a dado aroundthe walls, Hope gave a little cry and eagerly beckoned Dwight, who hadfallen behind. He came at once, and both read with intensesatisfaction a glowing tribute to a certain American consul from ourown United States, who once "rendered eminent services to the Britishnation"--so read the inscription--by friendly help to the BritishConsul, who was held in chains by the Dey, and his family expelled tolonely and terrified isolation far in the interior. A grateful nationhad erected the tablet. 

"Good!" whispered Dwight, then as if to relieve their excited feelings, the two gravely shook hands. 

"What means this ceremony?" asked Mr. Lawrence with amusement, as helooked on surprisedly, and Dwight, pointing to the mural tablet, answered with dignity, "We were just showing our pride in our two countries, uncle, " and inspite of the disarray caused by his little unpleasantness with themonkey, Dwight at that moment looked so noble that his uncle could nothelp a quick, "Bless you, my boy!" as he laid a hand lovingly upon thelad's shoulder. 

When on board the "International" once more, our friends separated forneeded rest, and the sisters entered the library, to find their fatherbusy over a wilderness of papers spread out upon the large table in thecenter. But he took leisure to give them a hearty greeting, and criedmerrily, "You never can guess what I found for you in Algiers!"

"Nor you what I found in Algiers, " returned Faith quickly, keeping afirm hold on the little captive, who was now hidden beneath her lacescarf. 

"You found? Have you been buying me a present, girlie?" laughed herfather with eager interest. 

"Why, n--no, not exactly, " stammered Faith, somewhat taken aback, andgrowing decidedly warm in her efforts to keep the beast quiet. "OnlyI--"

"What's the matter with your hands? Can't you keep 'em still underthat gauze thing?" asked her father suspiciously, while Hope, expectantand amused, looked on with dancing eyes. 

"Yes only--oh! Hope, I can't hold him, he scratches so--a-auch!" andin spite of herself she dropped the spunky mite which, like a streak oflightning, dashed across the room and up Captain Hosmer's leg, into hiscoat pocket. The yard of twine, still attached to him, hung outside, and the astonished man, seeing only the streak and the string, sprangup with a shout of dismay. 

"A snake!" he cried. "A _snake_! What are you doing with a snake?"

Hope, in a paroxysm, fell back upon the window seat, Faith, betweenlaughter and dismay, tried to explain, and poor little Monsieur Siege, nearly scared out of his wits, darted from the inhospitable pocket upthe chair-back, then leaped to the top of the window, where, feelingsecure, he hung himself up to the curtain-rod by his tail, andproceeded to scold, like a perfect virago. 

The captain looked at him, glanced down at his pocket saw the "snake"had gone, but thumping it once or twice to make sure turned upon Faith, his face red and puckered, yet with a gleam of fun in his eye thatdetracted from the fierceness of his mien. 

"You little greenhorn! Have you been buying a nasty monkey?" hethundered. 

"Oh, papa! I'm sorry if you're not pleased. I thought, now poor Hafizis dead--and Hope has Texas--oh see, see! Ha, ha! I _must_ laugh. Isn't that the cutest thing you ever saw?"

For the shriveled witch, taking in the whole scene, had drawn himselfup as nearly like the captain as possible and with one wee fist doubledup, was thumping his own little hams, an exact imitation of the man'sgesture. In spite of himself, Captain Hosmer burst into laughter, Hopefairly rolled, and Faith, relieved and delighted, let the merry pealsring out, till Tegeloo, busy with some duty just outside, shook hislittle fat sides, and showed all his ivories in sympathy. 

Faith and her pet had won the day, and when her father broke out, "Where did you get such a Handy-Andy?" she cried quickly, "There, you've named him, father, you've named him! I have beenwondering what to call him, and that's just the thing. Handy-Andy heshall be. "

And Handy-Andy he was, but this soon became shortened to Andy alone, and by that name we will speak of his monkeyship in future. 

[1] Vale of Monkeys. 

[2] Egyptian peasant. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

GUESSWORK. 

"But, " said the captain, at length, "you haven't guessed yet what Ihave for you. "

"Sure enough!" cried Hope, suddenly sitting upright. "Is it a sari foreach, or a fez, or--"

"Or a pajama?" laughed Faith. 

"No, you are miles away! It's something that is precious, that you canshare equally, and that did not cost me a penny. There! I've givenyou pointers enough for the dullest guesser. "

"And only made it harder!" said Hope. 

"Let's see, it's precious, and to be shared, and cost nothing? Ididn't suppose one could even pick up a pebble, in Algiers, without itscosting. "

"Well, this is not a pebble, " returned the father. 

"Oh, may we ask questions?" cried Faith. "Like the game of 'TwentyQuestions, ' you know?" and, at his nod, she continued excitedly, "Is itanimal, vegetable, or mineral?"

"Well, one might almost say all three, " said their father slowly, "forits principal ingredient is certainly vegetable, yet with it is astrong impress of what may be made from a mineral, and neither would beof the least use, but for the animal, which combines the two, to makethem what they are. "

"Dear! dear! It grows harder and harder, " groaned Hope. "Is itsprincipal element fire, air, earth, or water?"

"Well, you've rather caught me there, " laughed the father. "Let mesee--there may be fire of a certain kind in it, though it's not yetvisible; of course it is permeated with air, like everything else, and, judging from its appearance, I should think there was considerableearth about it--" laughing amusedly--"but water? Well, no--it hascrossed water, no doubt, but--"

"Papa, it's a book!" Hope burst out with conviction. "The paper isvegetable, the ink mineral, and the fire is--is--well, genius, youknow, and--wait! I'll ask another question; can it be opened and shut?"

"It can be open--yes. But shut? I hardly see how--"

"Why, surely, papa, you can shut a book, " put in Faith. 

"But it isn't a book, " returned the captain blandly, at which bothstared in dumb amazement. 

"Not a _book_? Oh dear!" they sighed in concert. 

Their father laughed outright. 

"Why don't you ask some more questions?" he cried teasingly. 

"Oh, because it seems as if every one mixed us up worse. I was so_sure_ it was a book, " groaned Hope, quite crestfallen. 

"Well then, is it useful or ornamental?"

"Now, that's a poser!" He ruminated a minute, then said, "It's useful, certainly, but not just what you'd call ornamental. One wouldn't saveit for an ornament--not this one, anyway, but simply for its contents--"

"I have it, I have it!" Faith actually jumped up and down. 

"It's a letter! It's a letter from Debby! Now, isn't it? Your'contents' gave it away. Say I'm right, father--come, now!"

"Well, you are. You've guessed it, that's certain. "

"Humph!" sneered Hope, distinctly miffed, "who couldn't, after you'dfairly told it? I knew all the time it was a book, or a letter, orsomething. "

"You should have said so sooner, Miss Hindsight, " laughed her father. "But I confess you came pretty close to it, my dear. And here it is. From Debby, surely, because from Portsmouth, but this elegant modernwriting is never hers in the world. She has evidently engaged somefriend to write that address, and it's a neat one. "

"Father, you said there was earth about it; how can that be?" broke inHope, scarcely mollified, as yet. 

He held it up, and pointed to its worn condition, and two or threeblack thumb-marks. 

"Isn't there earth for you?" he laughed. "What is earth but soil?"

"Oh--h!" cried Hope, "is that fair--to play upon words so?"

"Let's call it square anyhow, sweetheart, and you read it aloud tosister and me, won't you?"

Hope could do no less than comply, and the bulky missive was receivedby the listeners with as much respectful enjoyment as if it had been aneat-appearing, well-worded epistle, instead of the rambling, disjointed, much-soiled, and oddly-expressed letter that it was. Thegood woman began and ended every paragraph with lamentations andlongings over her darlings, and the lines between told of her 'good'and 'bad' lodgers, as she distinctly divided them, her few pleasurejaunts, and some of the gossip of the neighborhood, only a few words ofwhich concern this little history. 

"You'll recklict, " she wrote, "the leddy what come jest a dey or toobefore yoo saled? Well, shees heer yit and I like 'er best ov al. Sheain't to say real lively, yoo no, but shese good compny, and ken talkgood on most enny sub-jick, and she ain't abuv spending a 'our with oldDebby now'n then either. She is thee wun what is riting yure names onthis verry letter--ain't it good ov 'er?"

"Who is this lodger?" asked the captain. "I don't remember seeing her. "

The girls looked at each other inquiringly. 

"Don't you remember, Hope?"

"I didn't suppose you'd forget, Faith!" were their simultaneousremarks, as each began to laugh. 

"No, " said Hope then, "I can't remember at all; but I know she waslooking at our rooms just the day before we sailed, and we thought hervery ladylike and pleasant. Don't you know how interested she seemedin our voyage, and how we thought her an American, then recalledafterwards that we had not found out whether she was or not?"

"Yes, it does come back to me, " said Faith, and the talk drifted intoother home matters, not essential here. 

The next day was more sultry than any they had yet experienced, and thedecks were filled with loungers. Hope and Bess, however, were deeplyoccupied over some new stitch in embroidery, that one was teaching theother, and Faith, who had been romping with the little ones till warmand weary, thought, while resting in a deep steamer-chair by herself, that she would give dear old Debby's letter a second reading. As shedrew it from her pocket for that purpose, and removed the envelope, alittle puff of wind caught the latter from her lap, and sent it lightlyskimming down the deck. Faith, quite unheeding, read on, smiling overher nurse's peculiar spelling, and the envelope sped along its wayunchecked, an unconscious instrument of fate. As if heaven-directed, it presently swerved a trifle from its first course, fluttered to andfro an instant, then neared a woman, who sat listlessly by herself, herarms resting upon those of her chair and her eyes, dark and sad, fastened upon the far horizon. There was a tense quiet in her attitudethat seemed to cover something most unlike quietude within. 

A slight noise at her side broke the spell of her gloomy musing and, glancing down, she saw the bit of stiff paper lying motionless besideher, and thinking it something she might herself have dropped, reachedidly down and picked it up. 

But at the first glance she was as one electrified. Sitting upright, pallid and eager, she gazed at the superscription, her face growingradiant with hope and joy. At length she rose and, turning about, looked forward along the deck, gay with its groups in light clothing, its covering awnings, and its little children with their picturesqueIndian ayahs. 

A short way off sat Faith, smiling over her letter, and to her wentLady Moreham, a soft expression upon her face that made it lovely. 

"My dear, " she said, as the girl looked up brightly, "is this yours?"

Faith glanced at the envelope, which the speaker did not offer torelinquish. 

"Why, yes. Did I drop it? Oh, it blew away. Thank you for returningit. "

As she spoke she rose, with instinctive courtesy, and offered herchair, bringing another from a little distance for herself. LadyMoreham accepted it with an absent manner, and, sinking into it, saidquickly, with agitation in her tones, "I must ask you a question or two, but not out of curiosity, believeme. Was this address written by some one you know--a friend?"

Faith smiled. 

"Yes and no, my lady. We have met the one who wrote it--Hope andI--but neither of us can recall her name;" and thereupon she toldsomething of her old nurse, and the coming of the new lodger, justbefore their departure on this journey. 

Lady Moreham listened with breathless interest, her eyes intent uponthe envelope, which she still held. As Faith touched lightly upon theappearance of the stranger, she said briefly. 

"Tell me more, please. Describe everything about her. Was she tall, or short? What colored hair and eyes? What sort of voice?"

"A flutey voice, like some birds I've listened to, " returned the girlruminantly, "but with something a bit odd and different in her speechthat made us think her an American, and Hope even spoke of it; but justthen the carriage came to take us to the wharf, and she forgot toanswer. "

"Yes, yes, " cried the other eagerly, "and she was tall and slender?"

"Very, and a fine figure, we thought. She had light brown hair, andher eyes--"

"Yes, her eyes--" Lady Moreham was bending forward with bated breath, and Faith watched her wonderingly as she continued, "When she looked atyou, listening to what you had to say, was there any peculiarity?"

"Only that they were not of the same size nor color, " laughed the girl, "and she had a way of dropping her head a little, and looking upsidewise like a bird. "

"True, true!" breathed the lady, "and as you say one eye was brown andone blue. "

Faith nodded acquiescence, but smiled to herself, knowing she had saidnothing of the kind. 

"But you cannot remember her name?"

"No, neither of us. We only saw her for a few minutes, once or twice, you see. "

A little cloud fell over the lady's face, and after a perplexed gaze, in which her eyes, fixed upon Faith, seemed to look through and beyondher, she rose abruptly, said in her usual reserved manner, "Thank youfor your information, " and walked away. 

Faith, looking after her wonderingly, saw young Allyne standing near, his eyes turned wistfully upon herself. She flushed a little, and sodid he; then, with an impulsive movement, he made a step forward. 

"Miss Hosmer, " he began quickly, "I've wanted to say a word to yoursister for some time, but no opportunity has offered. Perhaps it willbe just as well to say it to you?"

Faith bowed, not comprehending, and he went on rapidly, as if to hurryover a disagreeable duty, "I feel that I was inexcusable, the other evening, in my reference toyour sister, and I can't understand myself at all. I suppose shedoesn't care what I think of her--good, bad, or indifferent--but I wantyou, at least, to know that I do think her one of the sweetest, mostmodest, girls I ever saw--too reserved and quiet, indeed, if she has aflaw!"

Faith's drooped eyes were dancing. She knew the young man believedhimself to be speaking to Hope, about herself, and that, to be quitefair, she ought to undeceive him at once. But a spirit of mischief hadtaken possession of her and she felt he deserved some punishment. Besides, it is so rare a chance when one can talk oneself over with aperson who has not learned one's identity! So she answered brusquely, in Hope's own manner, "I couldn't understand it, either, and it will be hard to make mysister listen. She is a bit inflexible, at times. If you knew herbetter you could never have hurt her so. She is not a flirt, by anymeans!"

"I know it!" groaned Allyne, thoroughly shamed and penitent. "I knewit then, but--I may as well own up--it was the champagne. "

"More shame to you!" declared Faith with unusual decision. "That is noexcuse at all, for if it makes you do and say things to regret later. Why don't you simply let it alone?"

He looked at her with a derisive laugh. 

"Why don't I?" he began, then catching her earnest expression, checkedhimself. "That's good logic, I suppose, " he added. 

"More--it's good sense, " she argued. "I love oranges, for instance, but they make me ill. Do you suppose I go on eating them? That wouldbe too foolish! Yet men are supposed to have more strength andself-control than women. "

The attaché drew up a chair and dropped into it, not loth to linger, even to be lectured. 

"I don't think men have more of such strength though, " he said. "Theirsuperiority is physical, not mental. "

"They ought to be ashamed to own it!" cried Faith. "The two should gotogether. "

"Well, we are ashamed--_I_ am ashamed!" smiling upon her. "Yet we arewilling to give you girls all the credit you like for your decision ofcharacter, only caring to retain just a little vanity on account of ourown endurance in other ways. And you'll have to own there isn't one ofyou who likes a Molly Coddle!"

"Is it being a Molly Coddle to be strong and true to yourself?"

"Oh, well, you put it nicely, but just look at the fellows who will sitby and never join in the wine and the fun--aren't they a ratherfeeble-looking set?"

"Is my father feeble?" asked Faith, turning such a sweetly arch andtender face upon him that the young man felt his heart thump. 

"Well no--hardly!" he laughed. 

"Yet he knows enough to leave all liquor alone, and believes himselfthe stronger for it. And don't you, yourself, feel a bit safer onboard this steamer, to know he can perfectly control himself?"

Allyne tapped his chair arm and ruminated. 

"_He_ certainly is no Molly Coddle!" he observed, finally, with a vividremembrance of the captain's stern visage and curt manner upon acertain uncomfortable occasion. "I think I never looked at the matterquite in this light before, Miss Hosmer. Nearly every one I meet takeswine, and I've been disgusted with myself that I couldn't keep my headso long as others did when drinking. It never occurred to me to keepmy head by not drinking at all! That's worth considering. Thank youfor a kind word and good thought!"

"You are welcome!" smiled the girl rising. "And I'll leave you todigest it while I go and read to Mrs. Blakely. "

"Mrs. Blakely! That old lady with the green goggles?"

"Yes. "

"What, in goodness' name do you find to admire in her? I thought shewas a cranky old invalid. "

"Well, she is not very young, nor handsome, nor pleasant, and she hastrouble with her eyes--but that's just why I do read to her. Now, nicestrong people with good eyes, and manners--like yourself, for instance, don't need such attention. You can amuse yourselves;" and with alaughing glance, and little mocking courtesy, she slipped away. 

He looked after her with admiring eyes. 

"She hit me there!" he owned inwardly. "But even her scorn ispleasant. Gad! I can congratulate myself that she isn't the one Iinsulted. She would never have forgiven me--that's certain! As it is, this little girl may intercede with her sister and make it easierthere. I'm glad I had the sand to speak out, anyhow!"

He had been seated some time, lost in thoughts that could not harm him, when Hope came tripping by, intent on finding Dwight, with whom she hadsome scheme on hand, her eyes dancing with fun and expectation. Allyne, looking up, thought his _vis-a-vis_ of a short time since wasback again, the arch, laughing expression with which she had left himnot yet cold on her face. "I have thought it all out, " he saidquickly, "and you are right. I mean to try it, at least. "

Hope stopped, with a cold stare of astonishment. 

"Try it?" she repeated blankly. 

"Yes, " his face falling like the barometer before a storm. "Surely, you have not forgotten! I'll try going without entirely, if you tellme to. It is best, and you are right. But, if I do, may I not countupon your friendship to help me? And you surely will make it rightwith your sister, also? Though I may value yours the most, I can neverfeel right until that is straightened out. "

Hope saw there was something she did not comprehend, but from formerexperiences concluded she could pretty accurately conjecture what hadgone before. In some way this bold offender had seen and talked toFaith, won her soft heart to pardon, and was now suing for her ownforgiveness, with the belief that she and Faith had talked it over, andonly thus could her full friendship be secured. She would lead him onto fuller confession before committing herself. It would serve himrightly for his insolence! Because her sister was soft-hearted was noreason she should be, and when he offended one he must learn that heoffended both. 

"I don't know that I can make it right with her, " she said guardedly. "Why should I try?"

"Oh, but you seemed so forgiving a moment since, " he urged. "Youhaven't repented of it so soon, I'm sure. "

"I did, did I?" thought Hope, still more puzzled but bound not to showit--then aloud, "But girls sometimes change their minds. "

"In a half hour? Then, where is that decision you boast of? No, ifyou are weak enough to do that, there is no use in my trying. "

"Trying what?" wondered Hope, and said vaguely, "The two cases arescarcely similar. "

"Perhaps not, but how could you consistently call me weak to yield towine, if you are to be helpful and kind one minute, and scornful thenext? You said you would help me to win over Miss Faith, and I thoughtyou also tacitly promised me help in another way. Are you going backon everything, now?"

"No, indeed!" cried Hope, fully comprehending at last. ("So he talkedFaith over, thinking it was I--and she let him think so--sly puss! Ididn't believe it was in her!") Then aloud, "I will do what I can, ofcourse, but Faith, though seeming so gentle, has a strain ofobstinacy--"

"Yes, you hinted at that before. "

("Indeed!" laughed the girl inside, "how well she did it!")

"But she is so fond of you, and I long to be friends with both. "

"Yes?" interpolated Hope, with an indifferent accent. 

"Yes, " strongly; "but if I can't have her friendship, I still plead foryours. You can help me--you have helped me already. "

"But if she won't listen to me?" queried the girl, keeping her amusedeyes lowered. 

"Then give it up, and I will bear her displeasure; but don't double itby adding your own. "

"Then, possibly, I had better not say anything--"

"And keep the matter to ourselves?" eagerly. 

"Why, y-yes, for the present, at least. "

"All right! I'm willing. Only you'll ignore me when she's by, I'mafraid. "

Hope turned suddenly away, almost unable to control her laughter. 

"I ought to ignore you always, " she said, "but--"

"But you won't, I'm sure! And, in time, even she will see how I haveimproved, and relent towards me. "

"Do you think so?" asked Hope in a smothered tone. 

"Indeed I do! She is too sweet and fine a girl to hold resentment, I'msure. I'll win her over yet!"

"Well, you might try, " said the naughty girl in a tone of doubtfulassent, "but my sister is not one to be trifled with, and you were wiseto come to me. If you ever do speak to her, I wouldn't advise you torepeat this conversation--" and, chuckling amusedly, Hope sped on herway, leaving Allyne in great contentment of mind. He looked after herwith a smile. 

"It was lucky I tackled the right one!" he muttered. "The other islovely; I suppose, but I like a little more force and fire. In spiteof their resemblance it's easy enough to tell them apart when one isreally interested. Well, I must keep my promise, now, and behavemyself--that is clear!"

CHAPTER XV. 

TROPICAL EVENINGS. 

Our voyagers thought they had already known something of torrid heat, butthe next few days was to show that, as yet, they had only begun toappreciate it; for there is but one hotter zone on earth than this inwhich the Red Sea lies, and that contains the Persian Gulf and Senegambia. 

As they steamed into the Suez Canal, upon leaving uninteresting PortSaid, every one was brought to the decks by curiosity and interest. Thisworld-renowned ditch, which has revolutionized the commerce and travel ofthe whole earth, begins with much breadth and promise, but soon narrowsdown to a watery roadway, scarcely wider than a city street, wheremeeting vessels cannot pass, except as one hugs the siding, and at nightthe "International" was obliged to "tie up, " as the captain expressed it, that there need be no danger of collisions. 

Its great propelling screw churned the narrow stream into waves that woreaway the sandy banks on either side, and the cries of the flamingoes, storks, and pelicans, inhabiting the marshes, were constantly in the earsof the deck loungers. 

Dwight, perhaps, was the one who wrested the most fun from the situation, for while the rest soon grew weary of the monotony, and lethargic withthe heat, groaning aloud every time they had to seek the siding in orderto let some great train of laden boats go by, he found fresh enjoyment inevery stop, and in blouse and knickerbockers, with bare feet, paddledabout on the moist banks, making friends with the half-clothedcamel-drivers, whose patient beasts knelt so obediently to be loaded withthe silt deposits taken from the bed of the canal, and collecting itemsof interest in regard to this artery of commerce which might have madeeven its founder open his eyes. The girls profited by his researches, and it was, indeed, a common thing for any passenger, when askingquestions about "De Lessep's Ditch, " to hear, "Oh, ask Dwight! He knowsit all. "

Both here, and on the Red Sea, into which they entered on the thirdmorning, the staterooms and cabins, in spite of waving punkahs, werealmost intolerable, and nobody could get up life enough to do more thanlounge feebly on the upper decks in their lightest clothing, reading thelightest literature. At night, mattresses were laid on deck, and most ofthe men slept there, while our twin sisters gladly took to their father'scabin floor and a folded comforter, with the great windows wide to catchevery breath of air. 

Hemmed in upon these sluggish waters, swept by no wide sea breeze, butonly by an occasional sluggish puff from the sun-dried deserts of theshore, they realized fully what torrid heat means. This long stretch ofsouthern travel is perhaps the most wearisome part of the long journey, yet there were sometimes scenes and sights of the dark hours that almostcompensated. One night, there was a phosphorescent and electricaldisplay that could never be forgotten. The sultry air was surchargedwith the magic fluid, which made itself evident in most unexpected waysand places. Points of dull iron about the steamer would suddenly breakinto a soft glow, like an astral lamp silently lighted by unseen hands;certain fabrics crackled fiercely at the touch, and soft waves of lightflitted over exposed surfaces, only half perceived till gone. The slowmoving waves of the sea glowed and sparkled in phosphorescent fire, andthe sky was a constantly changing curtain, upon which were thrown lightsand shadows, rays and wrinkles of every hue. Far above, in the deepblue-black of the wonderful canopy, blazed the brilliant Southernconstellations--the Cross gleaming in white splendor midway betweenhorizon and zenith. 

The girls, grouped with others, watched well into the nights, that weretoo hot for sleep, and in these still, solemn watches small resentmentswere forgotten, and friendships that could not be bounded by an oceanvoyage, grew apace. 

While the younger passengers enjoyed with little care, the older, findingdeeper significance in Nature's wonders, also watched and waited. Beforethey had left the Canal, however, Lady Moreham, with Faith's forgottenenvelope in her pocket, sought Captain Hosmer on one of those breathlessevenings when he fretted from inaction, and asked abruptly, "Captain, do you remember Clara?"

"Your sister? Certainly. She was a little girl when we were young folkstogether. "

"Yes, but only four years younger, after all, and the dearest child! Wecorresponded for years until--my trouble. "

The captain eyed her with an amused smile. 

"It seems a little strange to hear you call it that!"

"But what else was it? The bitterest trouble!"

"So it seems--yes. But how did you so completely lose sight of yourfamily?"

"I stopped writing. They had no address. There were only Jane and Claraleft, and Jane was absorbed in her own family. I sometimes think Claramight have understood and helped me; she was different from the rest andso fond of me. "

"It was a foolish thing to cut yourself off so thoroughly, my friend. "

"You don't need to tell me that--but neither can you ever understand howmy pride was wounded, and how mortifying it was, after all my boasts ofthe glories in store for us, to have to confess what I was subjected to, that I might be fit to live among their high-mightinesses!"

"It certainly was hard, but was it right to let them think that, perhaps, you had become too proud to associate with your own family?"

"Oh, I know, I know, it was a horrid thing to do, and I have been wellpunished for it, but I felt, in my resentful shame, that I wanted to flyfrom every one who had ever known me. It was so belittling--sodespicable! Some trials make us nobler, and awaken the sympathy of ourfriends; other excite only ridicule. Mine were utterly ridiculous andcommon to others though bitter to me. But I have suffered through mypride--oh, how I have suffered!"

"You were always given to exaggerating things Anna--beg pardon! Lady----"

"No, no, use the old name--I like it! Aren't you the one friend left me?I want no titles from you. They are worse than nonsense between suchlife-long friends. And what a 'sounding brass' any title of mine mustseem to you, anyhow! But we're wandering from the subject. My sisterClara wrote a peculiar hand, plain, large, and straight up and down, yetrather handsome. I've never seen writing just like it--until a few daysago--and after turning the matter over and over to no purpose, Iconcluded to come to you. An envelope addressed to the Misses Hosmer, and postmarked Portsmouth, England was blown along the deck to my side, lately, and when I absently picked it up it was, apparently, to see mysister's writing before me. I asked your daughter Faith who wrote thataddress, and she said a lodger of her old nurse's, but could not tell thename--had forgotten it. But she described my sister, Clara Leroy, asperfectly as I could. What does it mean? More than that, she said sheand Hope both thought her an American. Is it possible my own Clara maybe hunting me up in England? It seems too good to believe!"

"It is strange!" assented the captain, with some excitement. "And tothink my girls have forgotten her name--what a pity! But they mustremember it. I'll set their wits at work. Your sister! Why, this islike a story. "

"It is better than that; it means life and hope to me. Oh, if I amdeceiving myself!" sighed the lady. "That is what has made me hesitateabout speaking to you--I was so afraid it was only my imagination, and Icould not bear to think of disappointment. But the more I study thewriting the surer I am. Every time I look at that envelope I feel surerand safer! You don't know how it braces me to bear with Duncan'sstrangeness. "

"Why 'strangeness'? I thought we had agreed that his letters have simplybeen lost, and, if he is in India, he will be as glad to see you as youhim, didn't we?"

"Oh, if I could be certain of that!"

"I shouldn't allow myself to think anything else. "

"It is so easy to talk when it is not our own trouble!"

The captain smiled patiently. 

"Did you keep that envelope?"

"Yes. Faith didn't seem to notice. "

"That is right. And I'll think it over. We can mail a letter atIsmailia, but no answer could reach you until we get to Bombay. Isuppose we might wire, but we only stop, there--dear me! I keepforgetting we have no address except Debby's, and she would go all topieces over a telegram. Do you know whether Clara's still single?"

"No, I don't. "

"Sort of a wild-goose chase, at the best! It will have to be a letter, Iguess. "

"How a small difficulty looms into a fate in a case like this! I mustcling to this clue, though, till convinced it is a false one; I cannotgive it up so lightly. "

"Of course not. And I'll think up something--trust me. Why don't youwrite yourself, Anna? Make it a note that would mean something to Clara, and nothing to others, and I'll send it to Debby, putting in a linemyself. That will be best, and then we need not say anything to thegirls, as you are so anxious to keep it all from them. "

She bent her head in meditation. 

"I was, at first, because I did not know them; now I do not so much care. They are lovely girls, my friend, and so sensible! There comes Hopenow--I recognize her laugh. Well, help me in this, and you will butforge another link in the long chain of favors I owe you. Good-night!"

"None o' that, now! I don't keep a log-book on little kindnesses--justpass 'em along down the line, say I. And don't you give up the ship, mylady! That's good sailor-like advice! Good-night to you, and good luck!"

The proposed plan was carried out, and the double enclosure quietlymailed at the Arabic town upon Lake Timseh, which looked so fresh andgreen to the wearied eyes of our friends, after the dismal marshes andclayey banks of the canal. But all beauty has its blemishes, and theother name for this lake suggests the blemish on Ismailia's shores. Itis "Crocodile Pool, " and our young people spent their time mainly inwatching a couple of these monster saurians as they stolidly followed thesteamer, through the whole day, eagerly snapping up the refuse of thecaboose in their great ugly-looking jaws. 

Without event, or incident, they steamed through Bab-el-Mandib, by thelighthouse on Perim, and eastward across the Gulf of Aden. As for thetown of that name, on its northern shore, opinions were divided. Faithshuddered at its desolation, Hope thought it bold and striking, while Mr. Lawrence said that, "If Dante had seen it he would have been saved a dealof trouble, for he could simply have described its rocky wilds for hisInferno!" All blessed the fresher atmosphere and brisker breezes of theIndian Ocean, which, if warm, are bearable, and awoke from the lethargyof a sultriness which was like that of an overheated, airless room, tolife and interest, once more. 

It was nearing night, after a day of intense calm, with the mercury closeupon the century mark, and the passengers, eager for air, crowded theupper decks. The captain stood long, with glass in hand, scanning thehorizon, and made his dinner a short affair. 

"Do you know, " said Faith, glancing up at the twilight sky, "there's astrange feeling in the atmosphere, to-night? I can't tell what it is, but, though it is so sultry that I can scarcely breathe, at times a coldshiver runs down my spine, and I believe it is dread, or fear. "

"Goodness!" said Hope, turning to look at her, "you're not going to havea fever, are you?"

"I hope not, " said Chester Carnegie, with a laugh, "for I've felt thesame. "

"Sympathetic suggestion possibly, " mused Mr. Lawrence, with an absentair, as he leaned over the guard-rail. 

"Well, I feel oppressed, too, " observed Bess, looking moodily seawards. "I wouldn't wonder if something is brooding over us. A big storm, or--"

"More sharks, " suggested Dwight. 

"I always supposed they were under us--that is, the sea kind, " put in Mr. Allyne, appearing out of the dusk, accompanied by his friend. "Of coursethere are land sharks, but--"

"Not on this ship!" cried Hope promptly. 

"Glad to have my fears relieved, " flashing a glance at her. 

"And, if you'll let me, I was going to say storm, or pestilence, "continued Bess in a resigned tone. 

"Well, I stopped worrying over that when my sick man kindly refrainedfrom developing smallpox, or ship fever, " said Carnegie, sinking downupon a cushion between Bess and Faith. "I was anxious for a day or two, though, and so was our surgeon. "

"And he is quite well again?" asked Mrs. Vanderhoff. 

"Convalescing, thank you. We consider him entirely out of--Ah! that wasvivid. "

He referred to a flash of lightning that seemed to rend the heavens, followed by a terrific report that made the girls cower close together. 

"There _is_ going to be a storm, " exclaimed Mr. Lawrence, coining closeto the group. "I would not wonder if it is a fierce one, too. There hasbeen a strangeness in the air for the past half hour, as the girls haveremarked. Shall we go inside?"

"Oh, not yet, " said Mrs. Vanderhoff, "What a delicious little breeze!"

She turned to catch it full in the face, and gasped as she pointed to thehorizon. At the same instant the lookout sounded a warning, echoed by aquick command from the bridge, and instantly all was activity on board. Mr. Malcolm, as he hurried past the group, called out, "Run for the saloon! It's a cyclone, " and there was an immediatestampede below, while the Hindu boys ran nimbly about the decks, stowingaway chairs and furling awnings. 

Our girls sought shelter with the rest, in the main saloon, and amid itsbrilliant lights and merry company could scarcely believe in that oneswift, southward glance at the strange fast-coming gloom, under which thewaves were beginning to seethe, in the distance. There had been oneappalling cloud driving upwards in their very faces, with pall-blackcenters, and edges of cold gray that seemed to curl and writhe like giantlips, intense with scorn and rage. 

But sound remained to them, if sight was removed. As they heard theshriek of the fierce, whirling blasts, the rush and hiss of astonishedwaves whipped into terrible activity, the creaking of beams and timberssuddenly strained to their utmost capacity, the flap and rattle of sailsfurled with lightning rapidity, and, above all else, the increasing roar, indescribably awful, that was mingled of electricity set free into widespaces and vapor pent into dire cloud-shapes driven by mighty winds, whose form no man can imagine, whose might only God can guess, they grewsilent and gathered in groups, awestricken and still. 

At this intense moment, when even the men looked pallid in the arc-light, Dwight suddenly pointed down the saloon, and broke into a hystericalgiggle that seemed almost blasphemous at such a time. The next to catchit up was Hope, and in an instant the gale of laughter within almostequalled the gale of wind without. For, running nimbly down the longroom, came a tiny figure. Sometimes it was on two legs and sometimes onthree, the fourth extremity being occupied with a small hand-glass, whichit clutched in its left forepaw. 

On its head, set disreputably awry, was a fine flower-laden bonnet, alittle evening affair, belonging to Mrs. Campbell, and around its necktrailed a long sash-ribbon of Laura Windemere's. Out from the Frenchroses of the stylish hat peered the solemn old-man face of Andy, themonkey, and he was making as fast for his beloved mistress as three feetcould carry him. 

Evidently the little wretch had broken bounds and helped himself from theneighboring staterooms. Faith, red and confused, made a dive for him, and caught off the bonnet, but with a shrill cry he clung to thehandglass, and ran up to the top of a cabinet, where he calmly wound thelong ribbon around his swart body, and, after scolding the assembledcompany for a moment or so, proceeded to admire himself in the glass, with all the vanity of a Broadway belle. 

At just this instant the storm burst with awful fury, and the great shipcareened until it was impossible to keep one's footing. Faith, watchingthe mischievous monkey, as she stood in the center of the floor, wastaken unaware and flung with violence to one side, where she might havebeen cruelly hurt against the hard wall, but for the amazing quickness ofChester Carnegie, who flung himself between just in time to save her fromthe blow. In the instant that he held her thus a blinding glare seemedto wrap them in white fire, and with it a crashing peal of thunderstunned them into deafness, then all was utter darkness. 

For a second it seemed to each that earth and sea stood still, andneither quite knew if life were still left to them, but the next instanta cry rent the air--a cry frightful enough on land, doubly horrible onthe wide ocean--the cry of "_Fire!_"

CHAPTER XVI. 

DANGER. 

"Silence!" came in deep tones from the doorway, and before the firstparalysis of the dread alarm had time to become a panic, the captain'sirresistible voice caught their attention. He held a lantern aloftand, after just one shriek of terror, the women, mostly prostrate onthe floor, turned to listen, while the men braced themselves to conquertheir weakness. 

"Silence!" said the captain, steadying himself between the lintels ofthe door, while the great steamer plunged, rolled, and pitched, like athing gone mad. "The ship has been struck by lightning, and the lightsput out. We are in the midst of a cloud charged with electricity, andmust stand the darkness for a little. The fire was discovered at once, and will soon be subdued. If we can stand a few seconds of this wewill be safe. Keep where you are, and hug the floor, It's the safestplace, now. "

Above the roar of the storm his voice sounded calm and steady, the onlyfamiliar thing in this swift upheaval. Poor little Andy, who had beenclinging by tail and claws to his perch, not even dropping thehandglass, seemed to think help had come with the man he had grown veryfond of by this, so he quickly scrambled down and fled to the bigpocket of Captain Hosmer's reefer, a movement almost unnoted by the manin his preoccupation. For, practised in self-control as he was, ourbrave captain knew this was a crucial instant and it needed all hisreserve strength to meet it. 

They were wrapped in dangers, and all the elements, except earth, werewarring against them. The cyclone on the Indian Ocean is a terribledestroyer, and the best-built vessel stands little chance of escapewhen meeting its fury. 

The group within the radius of his lantern's light were obedient, though, and he had a swift vision of Carnegie gently steadying Faithinto a seat, and another less welcome one of Allyne bracing Hope, whowas on her knees against the wall. 

It was but instantaneous, like every change of that eventful night. The next, he had handed the lantern to Mr. Malcolm with a word ofsuggestion, and was off to other duties. Crash after crash showed howthe good ship was yielding to the tempest's fury; and the wild tramp ofexcited feet outside, and above, made the huddled women shudder in faceof the desperate fear that a fire upon the sea always awakens. But ithad to be borne in inaction, for to move about in this furious pitchingand swaying was utterly impossible to the unpractised. 

Only low moans and sobs broke the silence which succeeded to thistempestuous outburst, till suddenly a shrieking figure came tumblinginto the room and, with hair unbound and garments disarranged, fairlyrolled into their midst. 

"Oh, save me! Save me!" she shrieked wildly. "We're all going to thebottom! We're all burning up! Save me!"

It was Mrs. Campbell, the dignified, the indifferent. She had retiredwith a headache, only to be awakened by this crashing, and the cry offire, and she seemed utterly beside herself with terror. A beautifulwoman by day, when carefully gowned and controlled, she was a veritablehag just now! It seemed as if terror and dismay let loose herunbeautiful soul to dominate her well-kept body. She looked older, bya score of years, and was as unlike her usual elegant self as possible. 

Faith shrank a little. 

"Oh!" she murmured, "Speak to her, Mr. Carnegie--help her--make herkeep still. If we must die, let us go decently, at least. "

Almost involuntarily he grasped her hand in appreciation. 

"Yes, " he returned, "but I could do no good with her. She does notlike me. I do not believe we will be lost. I trust in your father, and in the Father of us all. Besides, the worst is over. It is stillto what it was a moment since. "

"But the fire?" she whispered, with a shiver. 

"That must be conquered!" He spoke with decision. "So far it is onlyamong some loose shavings in the carpenter's quarters, and they willsoon extinguish it. Do not worry about that. "

Meanwhile, Mr. Lawrence had seized the shrieking woman in time to saveher from a fall, and quickly pressed her back into a nest of pillows ona wide divan which, being screwed to position, was a safe resting-place. 

"Be silent, madam!" he said authoritatively. "Hysterics will onlyhinder matters. The ship is in safe hands, and we can help most bykeeping still right here, and leaving the officers free to work for usoutside. " Then, raising his voice, he began in deep tones thatglorious psalm of faith and trust, which has comforted so many in likedistress. 

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will we not fear though the earth be removed, and though themountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the watersthereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with theswelling thereof. There is a river, the streams whereof shall makeglad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the MostHigh. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shallhelp her and that right early. "

As the strong, beautiful words fell from the heights of a soul liftedabove fear by faith, the cries ceased, and a hush fell upon all. ThenCarnegie's young voice joined in and Faith's trembled after, untilnearly all were repeating, in slow, reverent voices the words of David. Even Mrs. Campbell, though cowering and shivering, ceased from louderlamentations. 

As Hope's voice caught up the Word, Allyne turned and looked into herwhite young face, suffering and terrified, yet self-controlled, thensecretly clutching a fold of her gown, as she sat on the floor besidehim in such a position that he could wedge her into a safe corner, hetoo joined in the solemn recitation, thinking inside his perturbed soul, "If we go down into the deep I will cling to her pure skirts; then if Icannot save her life, possibly she can save my soul!"

Evidently, there was need of regenerating grace here; but even hispuerile thought may prove it had already begun. A longing for purityand salvation, however dully expressed, is a longing for Christ, andthe hitherto self-satisfied existence of this favored young man wasbeing crossed by contrary streams and currents that had changed itscontented flow, and stirred up deeper soil than had ever, hitherto, been reached. 

Out of unpromising material--even the dust of the earth--God knew howto create man "but little lower than the angels. " Out of a natureseemingly given over to selfishness and sensuality he sometimes forgeslofty souls, which can do and dare for righteousness' sake. 

One can scarcely give the details of such an hour as followed thatfierce storm-burst. It was soon discovered that the lightning hadstruck in more than one part of the ship, killing one or two animals, and setting fires in three places. Everything was intensely dry afterthe scorching suns of the past week, and the mischief might be great. But Captain Hosmer governed his crew more through their respect for himas a man than their fear of him as an officer, and not one, in all thisfright and turmoil, thought of disobeying his voice. Calm and steadyhimself, he steadied others; having always put responsibility, withoutinterference, upon his inferior officers, they now assumed suchresponsibility with an intelligent sense of its meaning, and each stoodto his place as firmly as the captain, himself. 

The fire brigade was promptly at work, by detachments, in all threeplaces, with bucket and hose; the engineers, though lightnings playedfiercely about their ironwork and electrical apparatus, stood manfullyby, knowing they were looking death in the face, but exemplifyingPaul's command, "Quit ye like men; be strong. "

Even the passengers needed only the restraint of voice and gesture. Nothreats, nor bars, except for a moment among the steerage people, hadbeen necessary. The discipline was perfect. 

After a short space, that could not be measured by the clock so intenseand strained had it been, there was a lessening of the envelopingflashes, instantaneous thunder, and crashing timbers, and, though thewind was blowing fiercely and the vessel lurching and shivering beneaththeir feet, they could feel an appreciable lifting of the tension. Theworst was over. 

But the exciting sounds of the fire fighters did not cease, and thewhisper ran around that, though one of the outbursts had been subdued, the others were in a lower part of the vessel, one especially beingmost difficult to get at, and that the constant sound of chopping, nowaudible since the fiercer snapping of masts and spars had ceased, wascaused by cutting away certain portions of the woodwork necessarybefore it could be reached by the firemen. If it should take long toreach it, what would be the result?

Mr. Carnegie, at this, started up, and seemed about to go outside, whenFaith's soft voice arrested him. 

"Father wished us all to stay here, " she said reproachfully. 

He turned back, with a movement full of agonized uncertainty. 

"I know, " he murmured, "but--"

He stood irresolute, with his perplexed face turning from the outerdoor to her own up-looking eyes. 

"And if he needs you he certainly will let you know, " she added, withsome asperity. 

He smiled, and reseated himself beside her. 

"You are right, as usual, Miss Faith. He certainly knows--"

"Knows what?" she asked at length, as his sentence remained unfinished. 

"Knows that I am here and ready, " he returned, with a smile, but shenoticed that his eyes often sought the door, and his manner was that ofone alert for action. 

The women, who had children asleep in the staterooms, had run to themwith the first alarm, and these, with the ayahs and babies, now begancreeping back into the saloon, longing for fellowship in this tryinghour; while, the first dire shock over, the men of cool thoughtfulness, like the Traveler, Mr. Lawrence, Carnegie, and a few others, beganmaking all of them as comfortable as possible, forming them intocompact groups, guarded from the danger of breaking furniture, woodwork, and glass, by their own watchfulness, as they made a cordonaround them. Many were unable to lift their heads from illness, andothers went from hysterics into fainting fits. 

These required most of the attention of Martha Jordan and her women, but Dwight, soon rallying from his first fright, and always both nimbleand steady of foot, proved of real assistance, fetching and carryingequal to Tegeloo, who went through his duties with the calm stoicism ofthe Oriental in the face of death. After a little, Faith and Hope alsojoined in the "Relief Corps, " as he named it, while Bess fought her ownsickness bravely that she might care for her mother, whose heart actionwas imperfect. To their great delight the electric lights suddenlyblazed out again, greatly relieving the distress of the situation, forits horrors had been doubled by darkness. At the same instant thecaptain appeared among them and amid a clamor of questions, requests, and suggestions, held up a hand for silence, and called loudly, "Listen, please! You have all behaved so well in this trial that Iwant to trust you in full, and ask your further help and forbearance. The storm is not over, and the fire is not out, but I believe we shallweather both in safety. In case we cannot extinguish the fires, theboats are ready to be lowered at a minute's notice, and all can getsafely off. You shall know in time. Meanwhile, get together whateveryou most want to save, and I will send you life-preservers to put on. Let the men go for the valuables, when possible, and the women all stayhere. It is the safest place for them. There's no occasion for apanic, and I don't expect any. If our staunch old ship can stand thestrain of these last few minutes so well she isn't going back on usnow, I'll swear!"

His voice broke a trifle, and he turned to his daughters, who were nowclose together, their arms about each other. 

"What shall I send from the cabin to you, girlies?" he whispered. "Tegeloo shall bring you your treasures here. "

"There's poor Texas, if he isn't killed already, " said Hope. 

"And Andy, " added Faith, when suddenly out popped the monkey's headfrom the reefer pocket, and, looking-glass still in hand, he scrambleddown into Faith's lap. 

"Why--why!" cried the astonished captain, "Was it Andy? I thoughtsomething wriggled once or twice, but concluded 'twas only imagination. Well, I declare! Whose glass is that?"

"I don't know, papa. He had on Mrs. Campbell's dress hat, andsomebody's sash, but--"

A sudden distraction came in the shape of Janet Windemere, who burstinto their midst all excitement, followed by Mrs. Windemere, pallid andweeping silently, as she wrung her hands in despair. 

"Captain--Captain Hosmer!" cried the former in a rasping voice. "Wehave been robbed! We've been getting our things together, and ourmoney's gone!"

"Robbed?" muttered the captain dazedly, then with indignation he brokeout, "I don't believe it! My men are all honest, and have been workinglike Trojans, to the last man-Jack of them. There's some mistake--youmust have mislaid it. "

"No, we always kept it in mother's dressing-case, but Laura carelesslyleft it open and the whole glass is gone. It must have been somebodythat knew, for we never told a soul--"

"Knew what?" asked the man in a resigned tone. "What has yourlooking-glass and your mother's dressing-case got to do with yourmoney, anyhow? I thought you said that was stolen. "

"Of course. You see, for safety we put our money and letter of creditinside the back of the hand-mirror, and--"

He turned and flashed a look from Andy, serenely admiring himself, tohis daughter. 

"Oh, oh!" she cried distressfully, "is this it?"

She tried to snatch the thing from Andy's hand, but he held on with adetermined clutch and howled, even threatening her with his teeth. Itwas the prettiest toy he had seen for many a day!

"Yes, that's it. You wretched little beast! See! He's spoiledLaura's ribbon too. "

"See here, sir!" said the captain indignantly, as he boxed thecreature's ears. "You'll have to learn better manners, if you stayaboard this craft. Thieves aren't allowed. "

Poor Andy, perforce, yielded to higher authority, and crawled under thesoft arm of his mistress, crying like a baby, while the captain handedthe glass to Mrs. Windemere, saying brusquely, "Better find a new place for your money now, and secure it about yourperson somewhere--you may need it. "

"Oh, Captain, are we going to the bottom?" she moaned. 

"If I thought we were would I tell you to secure your money?" heanswered crisply. Then, turning to his daughters, "I'll send you yourulsters and life-preservers--and Texas; but let the trinkets go. Theyonly weight one down, and they look pretty small to-night! You'll taketo the boats if the rest do, and then I'll give you my papers. "

"Why give them to us, papa?" asked Hope, innocently. 

He looked at her with a strange expression, but did not answer. Instead, he turned to an officer who had entered and, after one glance, said quickly, "Yes, I'm coming. Don't speak!" and hurried after him, but as hepassed Carnegie a look passed between them, and the young officer atonce arose and followed him outside. 

Hope turned to her sister, white to the lips. 

"What did he mean, Faith? Why are we to take those papers?"

"I don't understand--exactly. "

"But you think--"

"I think he means to stay by his ship. "

Faith spoke low and tremulously. 

"To the death?" whispered Hope in awe-stricken accents. 

"Yes. "

They gazed into each other's eyes, and drew closer. Hope clutchedFaith's hand, and the complaining monkey gave a last babyish littlecry, and snuggled down in the warmth of their nestling forms, hissorrows quickly forgotten in slumber. He was safe so long as hismistress held him. Suddenly a thought came to Faith. She looked downat the mite, then upwards, and her eyes were like radiant stars in herpale young face. 

"See!" she said, "he feels safe with me, and does not mind the storm;father feels safe with his ship; you and I with our father, and all ofus with God. It is a chain of safety. Let's give up worrying and stayby papa, trusting in Jesus. If it is best to save us, He will do so;if not, we will go to sleep just this way--together, and in His arms!"

"Yes, " assented Hope softly, pressing lovingly to the side of her twin. "Yes, all together, and in His arms!"

So mischievous Andy redeemed his naughtiness by teaching a timelylesson of peaceful trust. 

CHAPTER XVII. 

LADY MOREHAM SPEAKS. 

Tegeloo brought Texas, with the ulsters, and told how he had found thebird cowering in its battered cage, which had been tossed headlong intothe middle of the cabin, where it, fortunately, lodged between thebedsteads, being wedged in so closely as to escape further harm. Thepoor parrot looked sick enough, and was so subdued he came at once toHope's wrist, with none of his usual feints and caprices, nestling upto her in a satisfied manner, as he plaintively muttered, "Poor Texas!Poor little Texas!" in response to her caresses. 

Then, after a little, came a new phrase his mistress had long beentrying to teach him, but which, with the obstinacy of his kind, hewould never repeat. It came very softly now, as he tilted about on herwhite wrist, and cocked his head around with a sidelong, upward glance, "_Dear_ Hope!"

"Oh, hear!" she cried delighted. "Isn't that sweet of him? DearTexas! Hope's pretty Texas! Was he nearly frightened to death in thestorm?"

She forgot terror and surrounding discomforts for one minute, the nexther heart stood still, as two sailors entered with a quantity oflife-preservers, and amid rising clamor and confusion, the passengersbegan their preparations for departure by the boats. The storm's furyseemed to have spent itself, and the fiercer noises outside were nolonger audible, only that steady chopping--chopping, that no one reallyunderstood. Perhaps this only intensified the heart-broken sobbings ofthe women and children, and the occasional groanings of strong men, whocould no longer control their sense of helpless misery. Hope, sprangto her feet, her nerves giving way at last. "Oh, this is awful!" shemuttered, turning her head wildly to left and right, like a creaturesuddenly caged. "I begin to feel the fire, Faith--don't you? It isstifling me!"

She was on the point of breaking into a hysterical shriek when a handwas laid upon her arm, and Lady Moreham said quickly, "No, my child! It is only the closeness after a storm; not the fire. That is far away, and still smothered between walls in the hold. Itmay never break out, if they can get at it before it burns through tothe air. They are working manfully, and will do everything to save us, and your brave father is at their head. "

"Oh, if I could see papa! If I could be sure he is safe! He neverthinks of himself where there is danger. "

She was trembling all over, and Faith, catching her excitement, pressedcloser, wide-eyed and shivering. Lady Moreham saw that, though theyhad been brave as mature women, so far, they were breaking down underthe strain, unsupported by any older and stronger relative. Theatmosphere was enervating here, and emotion is contagious. Glancingquickly around, she formed her resolution, and throwing an arm aroundeach, said gently, "Come! I have often heard you speak of the library. We can go thereand be more quiet, and it will give us a better lookout on the forwarddeck. Won't you invite me to go there with you?"

"But papa--if he should look for us here?"

"I will send him a message. Ah, here's Mr. Allyne--have you come totell us something?" for there was a desperate look in the young man's'face that startled her. 

"No, only--good-by! They need more help below, and I am going down. You have these young ladies in charge, Madam?"

"Yes. And tell their father he will find the three of us in his owncabin when he needs us. " Her eyes, sharp and imperative, questionedhim--"Is there great danger?" But she did not speak. 

He bowed gravely, and said, as if in response to her request. "I willtell him. " Then, as Hope followed the lady, he gently intercepted her. "Please shake hands once more, " he said, and with out a word she laidher icy palm to his. 

He bowed over it respectfully. 

"God bless you for the good, pure girl you are! Good-by. "

He hurried out and Hope, dazed and dumb, followed the others. Theyfound the little room, where they had passed so many homelike hours, sadly demoralized. One of the great windows was shivered to splinters, and through it projected a heavy spar, now safely wedged from furtherharm, and as they gazed out through the other great panes, it was upona scene of intense desolation. The deck was quite empty, all the crewbeing busy below, but it was one mass of broken timbers, fallen sails, and all the debris of a half-wrecked vessel. But as the fresh air mettheir faces, it braced them to new courage, and each looked curiouslyabout. 

Above, the sky was already clearing and the ragged-edged clouds wererolling northwards, leaving clear spaces which rapidly enlarged. Thesea, black and turbulent, still rolled heavily, but with diminishingmotion, and its spray made everything damp about them. Turning on thelights, Lady Moreham said briskly, "We must have a blanket, orsomething, to shut out the storm. Where will I find one?"

"Right in our room--I'll get it, " said Faith, feeling safer and betteralready in the home-like place, and soon the open window was wellcovered, the chairs wiped out and drawn close together, and Hope sankinto one, Texas still clutching her wrist, with a long sigh ofsatisfaction. 

"It _seems_ safer here, anyhow!" she murmured. "If papa could only bewith us!"

The lady smiled. 

"And I was just thinking how glad I was that he is not here, but that Icould be so certain he was just where he ought to be to insure thesafety of us all. How proud you must be of him, tonight! He is atrue, brave man, and I am proud to call him my friend. Did you know wewere schoolmates together?"

Hope looked up quickly, interested in spite of herself. 

"That is it, then? I felt sure there was something, but he alwaysavoided our questions. Was it when you were a young lady. "

"No, a little girl. We lived in the same neighborhood. "

"You did? Why--but papa lived in America, near Boston. "

"So did I. "

"Then you _are_ American!" cried the girl, triumphantly. 

The lady laughed a little. 

"Have you guessed it? Yes, I was born on a small hill farm inMassachusetts, and when a wee child used to trudge, barefooted, acrossour pasture-lot to a little unpainted schoolhouse, on the cross-roads. "

"_You_, Lady Moreham?" breathed Faith in amazement. 

"Ah, yes, it was I, " sighed the lady. "So memory tells me, at least, but I can scarcely believe that the happy, care-free little creature, who chased butterflies, and gathered the trailing arbutus in Spring, and waded through the gorgeous October leaves in Fall, was my wearyself. "

"And you really liked being--being--"

My lady laughed out at Hope's embarrassment in framing her question. 

"Oh! Didn't I like it? I had two sisters and a brother. One sisterwas a baby, and when the rest of us had done our 'stints' for the day, we used to take her out with us in her little four-wheeled wagon fatherhad made her, and play by the hour--oh, so happily! I used to play atbeing queen, I remember, and make crowns out of burdock burs, stucktogether, setting them on very softly over my curls in the coronationscene, because they pricked me so. But in spite of the hurt I wouldpersist in wearing them. I sometimes wonder, is all that we do inchildhood but a foreshadowing of what is to follow? My crowns havealways cut me cruelly, but pride has kept me wearing them. "

She drew herself up quickly, as if she had been thinking aloud, andadded, "Your grandfather's farm adjoined ours, and your father and I wereplaymates, and great friends. We were seldom separated till later, when I was a strong, rosy-cheeked girl of sixteen and he a strappingyoung lad, with a hankering for the sea. Well, we went our ways--he tosail as cabin-boy in a merchantman, I to journey up to Boston and seekservice with some nice family. "

"Service!" murmured Hope, involuntarily. 

"It sounds queer, doesn't it? Yes, that was what I expected to do, andI was proud to be able to help at home, for the little farm was notproductive, and the 'lien' on it was heavy. But I did not 'work out, 'after all--in that way--my sister, who was now married and living inLynn, found a place for me in the factory there. Like Hannah, I oftenwas seen sitting at the window binding shoes. "

"Oh! In Lynn. No wonder you were so interested when we talked aboutit. "

"You noticed, did you, Brighteyes? Well, there I worked for two years, and there I--married. "

She stopped as if done with the subject, and the girls, half-forgetfulof their peril, looked at her in blank disappointment. It is a longstep from a dingy shoe-factory in a New England town to a lordlycountry-seat in Old England, and both had fondly hoped to have itbridged while this communicative mood was on. But the lips had closedsternly, and Lady Moreham, seemingly quite forgetful of her youngauditors, was gazing far away. Faith ventured, at length, to jog herconsciousness. 

"You asked me, once, a good deal about Brookline--were you there too?"

The lady nodded, then turned and looked at her with a quizzical glance. 

"Ah, child, never be so curious to hear a sad story! Every one hasgriefs enough to bear without appropriating other people's. Yes, wedid live in Brookline for several happy years--my husband and I. Ourhome was the porter's lodge of one of those fine places you used toadmire. We were both young, hopeful, and strong. He was welleducated, but could not endure clerkly confinement, and thought himselffortunate to be so well housed and have such healthy work. He was bornin England, and we used to laugh together because, in some vague way, which we scarcely cared to fully understand, my husband was distantlyrelated to the nobility. That was the phrase--'related to thenobility'--how we used to make fun of it, and pretend to trace out theconnection! Once, at Christmas, I presented him with a family tree, and a peerage-book. The latter was something I had written up myself, and _such_ nonsense, but it made us fun for many weeks. We could laughat anything in those days. Duncan really had no more idea ofinheriting a title and estate at that time than I, a farm-bred girl, had myself. He was a thorough American, who loved his country, andbecause his parents had died and left him alone in the world, he wasall the more helpful and self-reliant. How his eyes used to twinklewhen we sat on our little porch, at evening, as he would say with aflourish, 'Yes, this is all well enough, Anna, but wait till you seeour ancestral halls across the sea!' and then his laugh would ring outlike the boy he was. But it is the unexpected that always happens. Ifwe had counted on any such thing--"

"And after all it came true?" broke in Hope eagerly. 

"Yes, it came true. " Lady Moreham's voice sank to a sorrowful strain. "I shall never forget the day the news came! We had eaten our littlesupper--just the two of us, for we had no children, --and Duncan, afterhis custom, unfolded his newspaper to read, while I took the dishesfrom the table and washed them at the little white sink near by. Iused to hear if there was any news worth the telling, and when he brokeout excitedly, 'Why, Anna, listen to this!' I only turned silently, expecting to hear of some wonderful new invention, for that was a fewyears ago when the marvels of electricity were developing so rapidly, and Duncan was deeply interested in them. Instead, he read anadvertisement, inserted by a London law firm, where his own nameappeared with the usual promise that he would hear of something to hisadvantage, if he would write to their address. 

"I went over to him and sat on the arm of his chair, as we discussedit, full of wonder and conjectures, and more in earnest over the fun ofit than any possible advantage it might bring--for God knows, we werehappy enough! We only wanted to be let alone. "

She spoke with extreme bitterness, and the girls looked at her, astonished. It was difficult to believe any one could prefer plaincomfort in a porter's lodge to a title and estates. 

"But you wrote?" questioned Faith, eager to hear the whole. 

"Of course. We were as foolish as all the rest of the world! Wethought happiness and gold and honor the three Graces, instead ofFaith, Hope, and Charity, " smiling into the girls' excited faces. 

"And isn't happiness?"--began Hope, but she shook her head. 

"Not worldly happiness--no. It is too brief, too treacherous. If onelearns to depend upon that, one is doomed to perpetual disappointment. I have long understood that contentment is better than what we callhappiness--much better. Yes, we wrote, laughing together over thepossibility that our ancestral home might be seeking us, but believingnothing of the kind. How we did joke over our united efforts atcomposing it! He was the scholar, but I suggested all sorts oflong-stilted sentences to him, which he modified to suit himself. Heused to think me bright in those days. When it was signed, addressed, and sealed, we looked into each other's eyes. 

"'I wonder if we'll ever regret this?' said Duncan, serious for thefirst time. He was always more grave than I, and used often to curb myhigh spirits--who would think it now?

"'Fiddle-faddle! Regret a pot of money, or a Queen's commission asField-marshal?' I asked flippantly. 

"'Yet the pot of money might not make us really better off, and theQueen's commission might take me away from you, ' he said, and stoopedto kiss me. 

"I don't know what came over me, then. A sudden fear seemed tocontract my heart. I caught him about the neck, declaring we could notbe happier than we were. 

"'Throw the letter into the fire, Duncan!' I cried. 'It may separateus, and I'd rather have you than all the world besides!' He held meclose a minute, then laughed a little. 

"What geese we are! How could anything separate us, if we don't letit? You know very well any advantage would cease to be one the minuteit came between us. We will send the letter, but we will use our ownjudgment about whatever it brings us. '

"So it was sent, and--what is that? Tegeloo, what is it? are we totake to the boats, after all? Why are they shouting so?"

She rose, and the girls after her. Tegeloo, seemingly deprived ofspeech, was motioning wildly at the door leading to the saloon. Theydashed past him into the roomful of people cheering, shouting, crying, praying, and kissing, in a perfect frenzy of relief. 

Some one, with a face far blacker than the Hindu boy's, caught eachgirl by the hand. 

"Girlies, " cried a well-known voice. "We are safe--the fire is out!"Then turning quickly, "Friends, let's sing 'Old Hundred, '--hearty now!"

The words were scarcely out of his mouth, when, as with one impulse, all broke into the grand old measure. Nobody pitched the tune, norstarted it--it started itself! Mrs. Campbell sang it on her knees, with streaming eyes and hair, the captain and his daughters sang itlocked in each other's arms, and the Traveler, seeing Lady Moreham leftmomently alone, clasped her hand in brotherly fashion, and joined hisfine bass to her uncultivated treble, never thinking of discords. Somay the Redeemed some day sing the Doxology in Heavenly courts, safenot only from death, but better still, safe from the life we know ofhere!

When the "Amen, " had died into silence the captain said, happily, "Now, good people, get yourselves to bed as quick as you can. Thestorm is over, the fire is out, and though the poor old girl is sobattered up she's lost her beauty, her heart's still in the rightplace--her engines are working all right, in spite of the cyclone! Nowhustle, every one of you--breakfast won't be served till teno'clock--and Heaven bless and keep us all!"

CHAPTER XVIII. 

LAST DAYS TOGETHER. 

There was something indescribably disheartening in the looks of thedismasted "International" as the twins came forth, refreshed by severalhours of welcome slumber, after the long agony of the past night. Thecarpenters were already hard at work cutting away the sad remnants ofthe graceful, tapering mizzen-mast, which had been one of the beautiesof the comely steamer, and a considerable space had been cleared forthe passengers over which awnings were stretched; but the approach toit was somewhat choked and difficult. 

Faith was first to reach the deck, and as she approached, young Allynestepped forward from behind a rubbish heap, and said eagerly, "I'm glad to see you out, at last! It's a beautiful morning after thestorm. Let me pilot you across these chips to that nice chair. "

"Thank you, " was Faith's rather stiff response. But he would not giveher time to be cool and unfriendly. 

"Would you ever believe it could have been so dreadful last night?" herattled on. "But you were very brave, Miss Hosmer!"

"Was I?" asked Faith, almost overpowered by his friendliness. 

"Yes, you and your sister both were, for the matter of that--and by theway, how is Texas this morning?"

Faith's eyes began to dance. She mistrusted he had taken her for hersister again and, following his glance, became sure of it; for Hope wasnow approaching, along with Dwight, and the instant Tom Allyne's eyesfell upon her he felt intuitively that she was the girl he had beenreally waiting for, and his quick, annoyed glance proved the fact toFaith. She did not feel so chagrined over it as she might, had shegreatly cared for his liking, and answered briskly, "You mean Andy, don't you? Texas is the parrot, and belongs to Hope. There she comes now--shall we go to her?"

Nothing loth, Mr. Allyne followed her lead, and, as he stood talkingwith the two, made a closer survey than ever before, resolving that hewould not make this mistake again. Had he ever made it before? Thequestion, suddenly occurring to his inner consciousness, ratherstartled him. He would not mind pouring his thoughts out to Hope, whowas so frank and jolly, but he felt rather afraid of this other girl, whom he had once offended. Yet, the longer he compared the two, as hestood opposite in merry conversation, addressing first one, then theother, the more certain he felt that Hope was not the girl in whom hehad confided a few evenings since. And if not, what a donkey he hadmade of himself!

He tried to remember just what had passed, and grew silent anduncomfortable as he made the effort. How was it Dwight never mixed thetwo? He began to feel that keen, observing eyes were pretty goodthings to have. He should certainly cultivate his own, in future! Asthis undercurrent of musings reached definite conclusion, he broke out, boyishly, "I'll know you apart after this, or know the reason why!"

"And how?" asked Dwight. 

"Well, how do you, my boy?" was the quick counter-question. 

Thus caught, the boy flushed and grinned broadly. 

"Oh, I don't have to tell, " he objected, with a shake of the head. 

They all naturally began to insist, however, and he at length yielded, with the outburst, "Well, if it makes anybody mad, I can't help it. "

"Of course not!" laughed Allyne. "Personal remarks are bound to makesomebody mad, but that's just what makes them spicy. Proceed, youngman, proceed!"

"Well then, " slowly, "just watch the two for a minute, and make themlaugh--" Of course, at this, they with the others standing near, didbreak into laughter--"there! Can't you see? Hope shows all her teeth, and a big dimple in the corner of her mouth; Faith smiles just enoughto show a little of hers, and there isn't any dimple. So, when I'm notsure, I just say something funny, and if the mouth is big and dimpled, I know it's Hope without any mistake. Now, I knew you'd be mad, butwhat on earth ails Faith? _She_ looks madder than you do?"

It was a fact. Hope had drawn herself up, not half pleased to have thesize of her mouth--which was a sensitive feature--so questioned; butFaith had turned entirely away with sudden coolness, miffed because shedid not look jolly, and display a dimple like the special one, thepossession of which she had always envied her sister. It was anexhibition of female weakness entirely unexpected by Tom Allyne, andfor some reason pleased him wonderfully. He turned from one to theother, full of hypocritical glee, though the face he then bent uponDwight was severe in the extreme. 

"See here, sir! Don't you know better than to say such things? Why, you as much as insinuate that one or the other of these young ladieshas a blemish! Now that--"

"See here!" broke out poor Dwight, not entirely sure who was mostabusing him, "who set me up to saying what I did, anyhow? I think it'sdownright mean for you all to turn on a fellow so! You all promisednot to be mad, and now see you!"

"You are right, " said Faith, turning quickly. "I am ashamed of myselffor minding such a trifle! But I do sometimes get tired of beingreminded that Hope is so much nicer and jollier than I. "

"And I that Faith is so much more refined and ladylike!" added theother. Then both broke into laughter, Hope's white teeth and deepdimple showing plainly, and Faith's half-sad sweetness veiling hermerriment to a tamer expression. 

"It would spoil everything if you were either of you one whitdifferent, " cried Allyne, with fervor. "And, Dwight, I want to thankyou for letting me into your little secret. I can never be deceivedagain. "

"Are you certain of that?" asked Mr. Carnegie, as he joined the group. "I wish I could be so sure! But come, let's drop personalities. I'vebeen sent to ask you to join a reading-club--"

"A reading-club?" shouted everybody. 

"Yes. It is Mrs. Poinsett's hour to read to Lady Moreham, and shekindly suggested our joining them. Would you like to?"

"Lady Moreham? How wonderful!" murmured Allyne, and the sistersexchanged meaning glances. 

But Dwight looked dubious. 

"I'd rather hear one of Quint's yarns, " he remarked, frankly. 

Quint was a good-natured sailor, with a broad saber cut on one cheekthat would have ruined his looks for some, but made him only the moreinteresting to Dwight. Besides, he had a capacity for reeling offyarns, that was irresistible, and even Hope's charms paled before hisrarer attractions. 

The boy now went below to find the man, and the girls started withCarnegie for the main saloon. After a few steps the latter looked backover his shoulder, and saw Allyne gazing somewhat moodily after them. 

"Aren't you coming?" he asked pleasantly, turning back. 

"Am I wanted?" was returned quickly. 

"Of course, if you like to go, " laughed the young officer, and Allynestrode forward. 

Their loitering had widened the space between them and the girls, andsuddenly Tom Allyne began, in a low voice, "Carnegie, I haven't had an opportunity before, so now I make haste tosay that I thank you for showing me that a fellow need not be of thenamby-pamby kind because he lets the stuff alone. I used to think thatboys with any spirit must drink and carouse, occasionally, but I'velearned better now. I watched you last night. "

The other turned with a rapid movement. 

"Watched me?"

"Yes, you were cool and brave. When the captain needed volunteers youworked like a Trojan, and never flinched. And I believe you knew thespecial danger too, as well as----"

"Sh-h!" Carnegie glanced about with an alarmed air. "Did you knowtoo?"

"I began to suspect soon after we went to work, and a low word of thecaptain to his mate, which I, too, caught, convinced me. You see, wewere packed close in there! It wasn't any too safe. "

Chester Carnegie's eyes were upon him. 

"And you praise me for bravery when you were there and knew it all?" hesaid. "I begin to think somebody else is no coward, either, Allyne!"

He held out his hand, and they clasped silently. Then the latter said, in a deprecating tone, "Personal fear is not my weakness. I wonder, Carnegie, if thesepassengers will ever know how close that fire came to your consignmentof ammunition, last night. "

"No, never! How did you suspect my share in the matter?"

"You were the first to offer your services. You persisted in workingat a spot from which the rest of us had been warned, and the captainallowed it. I knew there must be method in your madness. "

"You were right; it was a personal duty, and I could not have doneotherwise. But you had no such motive, Allyne, and yet, understandingthe danger, as you evidently did, you stood to your work as close to meas you could get. I like a brave man!"

"Well, if it has wiped out old scores, Carnegie--"

"It has. But come--they are beckoning. I'll tell you something, however. After it was over, last night, and the captain and I werecongratulating ourselves, he remarked, with a jerk of his thumb towardyour grimy self, 'That young man's head is too cool to be muddled upwith the devil's brew. I'm sorry about that!'"

The last words were whispered hurriedly, and there was no time torespond, but Allyne's face shone as the ladies greeted them, with merryreproaches for their laggardness, and soon all were seated, quietlylistening to Mrs. Poinsett, who was an excellent reader. Faith was notso good a listener, that morning, however. It was an exquisite day, after the storm. The air was of a crystal purity and deliciouscoolness, the sea, rough enough to attract the gaze, yet not so roughas to distract the nerves, and the sky's soft blue was occasionallyflecked with small, faint cloudlets, that seemed like distant flocks ofsheep, grazing in heavenly meadows. Only the battered ship beneaththem recalled the fury of last night's stormburst. But as the memoryof those anxious hours swept over her she looked at Lady Moreham, andwondered that she should so have opened her heart in that time ofwaiting, for just now she seemed as stately and unapproachable as ever. 

Then, too, it was so tantalizing that her story should have been brokenoff in the middle, and left there. Would they ever hear its close? Itdid not seem likely. Moved out of herself by the nearness of death, the titled dame had reverted to childish days, speaking her thoughtsaloud. Probably nothing would induce her to speak again. 

"However, " thought Faith, "father knows and perhaps he'll tell us someday, when he gets a minute's leisure--that is, if he can be convincedthat she would not care. What an honorable man he is! We would neverhave known a lisp from his lips. "

But it was a busy time with the captain. Only a day or so out fromBombay, now, he was straining every nerve to restore the vessel tosomething like her normal condition before they should enter port, andit seemed to his daughters that they could scarcely get a dailygreeting from him, even, in his intense absorption. But they couldwait, for, once on shore, he would have more leisure, as the steamerwould be laid up for repairs, and the really saddening thought, now, was that so soon these friends of a month must all separate, to gotheir various ways. 

The Vanderhoff party intended soon to start for Poonah, Mr. Carnegiemust take his men to Lucknow, the two attachés were to remain for thepresent at the Secretariat, the Windemeres would meet friends atMagpore, while the Traveler declared vaguely and laughingly that hewould be "off to the jungles, " in a day or two. Lady Moreham saidlittle of her plans. 

"I shall let circumstances govern me, " she answered courteously to allquestions, and no one ventured to interrogate her further. 

CHAPTER XIX. 

OLD TIES AND NEW. 

The next two days were glowing, as to weather, and filled withintensest life. There were trunks to pack, loaned articles to hunt up, or return, neglected stitches to take, and a vast amount of friendlyvisiting to be crowded in. 

On shipboard one fully appreciates the old adage that "Blessingsbrighten as they take their flight. " Even the tiresome becomeinteresting when we feel we may never see them again, while thehobbies, or crankiness of the singular become entirely bearable, whenthey are about to be lost sight of forever. As death brings out thevirtues, and veils the defects, of our friends, so does the nearnessof, possibly, eternal separation produce the same effect, on shipboard. We love those who have become dear to us with an almost clingingtenderness, and we grow tolerant to affectionateness even of those notspecially agreeable. 

Faith forgot that Dwight had sometimes been rude and Bess contrary;both girls now thoroughly realized that beneath her coolness andseeming superiority Lady Moreham carried a crushed and tender heart, and Hope knew that she should miss even Mrs. Windemere's pathetic, patient little voice. 

As they finally steamed by the lighthouse, and fixed eager eyes uponthe city of their destination, many of these were dimmed with regretand sadness. Even Mrs. Campbell, who had been very quiet of late, looked sober as she leaned against the bulwark, handsomer than ever inher plain traveling suit of tan, and Carnegie, between Lady Moreham andFaith, felt his heart fail him as he thought of the lonely, busy lifebefore him for the next two years. And then? He turned to the girlwith a smile that concealed only partially the quiver of his lips. 

"Do you know, it is just thirty days since I first saw you, and it isdifficult to believe that I have not known you always. I remember, youand Miss Hope were standing together, on deck, and I thought howmarvelously alike you were, but I have never once mistaken one for theother--never!"

She glanced up, half timidly. 

"I remember you said you should know us apart, but when I told Hope, she thought she could deceive you at any time. "

"Well, she knows better now!" he returned meaningly. 

"Why? Did she ever try it?"

"Yes, once. " He laughed enjoyably. 

"She did. And she never told me!"

"Certainly not, for she failed entirely. I thought she would want tokeep it to herself, so I never betrayed her. "

"That was nice of you, Mr. Carnegie!"

"Only commonly decent, it seems to me. And, you see, I have told now. "

"Told what?" asked Hope, approaching, with something very like a scowlon her bright face. "I do wish, Faith, that you'd look better afterthat Andy of yours! I happened to drop my best veil within his reach, and before I could stop him he had torn it to shreds. Texas doesn'tact that way. "

"You shall have mine, " said Faith, promptly. "Poor Andy! I can't helpliking him all the more, because everybody is down on him. My veil isjust like yours, dear, so take it, and I'll go without. I don't caremuch for veils, anyhow, and we can be different in so little a thing asthat, I'm sure. "

Hope gave her an odd look. 

"If that was the only thing we are different in!" she said instantly. "I'll never be so good as you, no matter how hard I try. And it's nomatter about the veil at all! Do you know, it is exactly a month sincewe left home? It seems years when I think of Debby and the oldschool-days, yet the hours have seemed to fly sometimes, too. "

"That's the odd thing about voyaging, " observed the Traveler, as hejoined them. "It sends our past out of our minds with its novelties, making it seem far away, yet there are few lagging hours, and Timenever stands still. "

"Is that always true?" asked Lady Moreham, turning quickly. "I havenot found it so. "

He looked at her with a kindly smile. It had become subtly understoodamong a few that this aristocratic lady had a past, and not a happypast. 

"I think it as true as any general statement, " he responded. "But Ican also understand that insistent memories could never take such astrong hold of one as during the enforced leisure of long trips byland, or water. It would be a severe punishment for the remorseful, tocondemn them to a voyage around the Horn in an old-fashioned sailingvessel. I think they would be ready for confession and hanging by thetime they landed! But there's compensation in every situation, and theunhappy traveler, while remembering too much, perhaps, will also learnto readjust himself, and so make the future easier. Reflection is agood thing only when it lights up the future as well as the past. "

The lady smiled, with more lightness than was her wont, and let a handdrop gently upon the shoulder of the girl beside her. "With Faith toguide?" she asked; then, looking at the other sister, "And Hope tocheer?" Then, more seriously, "It is a good thought, but one that hasonly come to me lately. "

A rattle of boyish feet, and Dwight was among them. 

"Most there, aren't we?" he cried with boyish eagerness. Then, growingsober, "But what's the reason nice things always have a bad side, too?It's just horrid to have to leave you all! Why, I felt like cryingeven to say good-by to Quint, Huri, and Tegeloo. "

"But you're not to start the good-byes up here yet, " put in Carnegie, hurriedly. "We shall not really separate for a day or two, and there'sno use in prolonging the agony. "

He spoke with feeling, and a glance passed between the elders. 

A moment later, as the young people strolled onwards together, at thecall of Bess, to watch the state barge of some native prince as itsailed slowly by, its dusky crew shouting greetings. Lady Moreham, looking after them, said, slowly, "How lovely youth is when it is lovely!"

"True, my lady, and there we see it at its best. Those girls arecharming, and it need surprise no one if these fine young fellows seekthem out, and hate to be separated. Carnegie seems of fine grain, andlittle Miss Faith is as modest as a violet. She is your favorite, Iimagine?"

"Oh, I would not say that! I find myself very much attracted to both, but there is something about Faith--a sympathy and tenderness, perhaps, --that is soothing when one's heart is sore. Hope iswonderfully entertaining, and brightens you up, but Faith seems tounderstand without telling, and somehow makes you feel happier--more atpeace with yourself. I wish they were both my own!"

He let his mild gaze rest upon her. 

"Lady Moreham, I am not an inquisitive man, but several times I havebeen on the point of asking you a question. " He could see that sheshrank, but continued obliviously, "Have you any kinsman by the name ofDuncan Glendower Moreham, from Kent, England?"

She turned with a gasp, white to the lips. 

"Why?" she whispered with an effort, "Why?"

"Because, " he returned, not looking at her, "I traveled and hunted withhim one whole season, two years ago. I sometimes exchange letters withhim, and have his address now. He seemed to me a restless, wretchedman, trying to drown some mental suffering in physical activity. Hegave no title with his name, and, like the rest of us, lived in themost absolute simplicity, but I noticed the crest on his linen, and insome books. I knew him to be an English peer. "

With a visible effort the woman controlled herself. 

"Yes, " she said in a voice strange in her own ears, "Yes, I know him. Would--would you give me his address?"

He took out a card from his vest pocket, wrote a line or two, andhanded it to her in silence. As she read it her face grew almostradiant with surprised delight. 

"_Here_?" she murmured. "So near?"

She seemed incapable of further speech, and, seeing it, the gentlemansaid quickly, "You will pardon my officiousness. He is here in India, not many milesout from Bombay, and I shall see him very soon. Am I to mention you?I might--" he hesitated for the right words--"I could only say thepleasantest things of you, and the most general, but I am his friend, whom he claims to like and respect. If I am meddling with what is noneof my business--"

"No, no, you are all that is helpful and kind! Let me think--no, Iwon't think--I have thought too much, and sometimes first impulses arebest. I will trust you fully. You have tact, you know the world. Ifeel that you have guessed out a great deal of what it is hard to bringmyself to talk about. But this much I will say--the man you mentionwas--no, is--my husband! For the rest, go to my good friend, thecaptain; he will tell you all. Good-by, and thank you from my heart!"

They clasped hands silently--the two strangers whose life-threads hadbeen permitted to cross, just now, for some divine purpose, then thewoman, stirred to the depths, went to her stateroom, and the man stoodstill for a time, looking out to sea. "Life is a wonder, " he mused, "asuccession of surprises. When Duncan brought his men to the relief ofa stranger, set upon and nearly overwhelmed by an angry Chinese mob, that day in Muen Yan's district, he did not imagine what might come ofit to his own advantage. I felt, from the minute I heard LadyMoreham's name, that I had gotten hold of the other end of Duncan'smystery, and I have not watched her so closely for nothing, all thisvoyage. My misguided friend and his over-proud wife will meet morehappily than they parted, or I am much mistaken. I must wire him theminute I touch land. "

Just down the deck the girls were laughing merrily, as Hope, teasedinto it by her sister, who was curious to know why she had failed inpersonating herself, told the story with keen enjoyment of her owndiscomfiture. 

"It was away back, " she began, "as much as three weeks ago, and Faithhad been real mean and shut herself up with a book. In fact, nobodyseemed real nice and ready for fun, and I couldn't find Dwight to planthings, so I sat moping on deck when I saw Mr. Carnegie coming along, looking almost as glum as I, and the thought crossed my mind that wemight mutually cheer each other--and then, like a flash, I determinedto pretend to be Faith. I looked up in a sweet, meek way with asmile--"

"Like this--" interpolated Carnegie, with a smirk that sent them allinto convulsions. 

"I couldn't look like that if I tried!" indignantly. "And you mustn'tinterrupt. "

"I was only illustrating. Picture stories always take better withchildren. But beg pardon! Go on. "

"Humph! Well, he took my bait with alacrity, " giving the young man adefiant look, "so I began to talk to him as soon as he had got settledin his chair. I asked him whether he preferred Longfellow, orTennyson, " with a laughing glance at her discomfited sister, who had alittle weakness for displaying her knowledge of poetry. "I didn't darego into any of those other fellows, like--oh, Keats, say, or--or--wellany of 'em--but I knew about the 'Building of the Ship, ' and there'slots of guessing about Browning anyhow, so I thought I might steerclear of snags, if I managed well. Mr. Carnegie seemed ready enough totalk about them both, but oh! what a dance he did lead me! He calledme Miss Faith, right enough, but when he asked me to repeat again, inthat charming manner I knew so well, those fine lines from Jean Ingelowthat I had given him yesterday, I began to tremble. He seemedastonished when I asked vaguely--'What lines?' and remarked that he hadnever supposed me forgetful before. Then he began talking about Ibsen, and I gave up. 'Oh! for goodness' sake, stop!' I cried, 'I'm not Faithat all. ' 'I knew it, ' he said calmly, 'and thought I could soon makeyou own up. Now, aren't you ashamed of yourself?' And I was!"

"And yet tried the same game on me!" commented Allyne in a low tone, but with reproachful emphasis. 

She turned a laughing face upon him. 

"Oh, no, that was different. You deceived yourself. Would you have mego about setting everybody straight?"

"Not at all. All I ask is that you will set me straight. "

"Indeed!" cried Hope, "but that is asking a good deal. "

CHAPTER XX. 

IN OLD BOMBAY. 

"I never expected it to look like this, " remarked Faith in adissatisfied tone, as they entered the carriage for their firstexplorations in Bombay, a day or so later. 

She spoke to the air, perhaps, but her father answered the comment. 

"Isn't it fine enough to please you, daughter?" as he took his seatopposite the two girls in a handsome victoria, that would not havedisgraced the most aristocratic drive in London. 

"Fine enough? It's too fine!" put in Hope with emphasis. "It's asEnglishy as Portsmouth itself, so far. We expected to see coolies, andpalanquins, and bungalows, and cobras, and--"

"Well, you need not hanker long after the last-named, " laughed herfather, "for there is a snake-charmer this minute, and I don't doubt hehas a fine collection about him somewhere. "

"In his boots, perhaps, " suggested Faith slily, as they all turned togaze at the dark-skinned fellow in dingy white turban and loin-cloth, who squatted on the sidewalk before one of those high modern buildingswhich had excited Faith's comment, a long pipe at his lips and a basketat his side, from which peeped an ugly flat head with darting tongue. 

"Ugh!" she shuddered, turning another way, "I don't care for yourcobras, Hope, and everybody knows that bungalows aren't to be found incity streets. But as for the coolies and palanquins, of course--"

"You have them both!" laughed the captain, pointing down the narrowerstreet into which they had just entered. 

All laughed with him, while the black bearers trotted by, as suddenly, from between the curtains of this box-like carriage, out popped atennis cap, while a well-known voice shouted a boyish "Hello!" as ahand was waved in greeting. 

"It's Dwight--Hello! Hello!" Hope shouted back, waving her whiteparasol vigorously. "Isn't he the greatest boy?"

"I wonder if he'll turn up on that bullock cart, too. He seemsomnipresent!" laughed the captain, as they whirled by. "When are theyoff for Poonah?"

"I suppose to-day, but perhaps not till night, " returned Faith. 

"Did you ever see anything like that? If you call this Englishy, Hope. "

"No, I don't. Things are beginning to look quite Indiany, since weleft those fine new streets, I confess. "

They were now slowly threading their way among the teeming crowds of anarrow place where it seemed as if the odd-looking houses upon eachside had emptied all their occupants out before their doors. Men buthalf-clothed spread out their wares, or plied their trades, in fullview of all, and children with no clothes at all paddled their bareblack feet in the gutters, or sat cross-legged, rolling marbles overthe paving stones. Presently, Faith pointed with a significant smile, and as they drove slowly by a teeming doorway, each gazed withastonished curiosity at the characteristic scene. 

The central figure was a man in the barber's hands, who was just thencalmly lathering his customer's face in the full gaze of all, whileclose by a straight, lithe, young Indian woman, with a bright-eyed babysitting astride her hips, stopped to sell the two a handful of figs, from the fruit-tray balanced lightly above the gay cotton sariconfining her dark locks. 

"The men seem to have the best time of it here, " remarked the girl inlow tones. "The idea of that poor girl carrying so much about withher. I should think her baby was enough!"

"Yes, but that is better than being harnessed up with a donkey, " saidher father, bending forward to give the driver some instructions. 

Faith looked at him with an astonished gaze. 

"I never heard you speak of marriage like that before, " she saidreproachfully. 

"Marriage?" He looked at her with a dazed expression, then broke intoa hearty laugh. "So you thought my donkey was a husband? A queermistake that! No, I meant the real thing--the four-legged donkey--andI literally mean that poor women are often used with donkeys to do thesame kind of work. "

"Shameful!" cried Hope indignantly. 

"That is by no means the worst that woman has to bear in this country. I thank God my daughters came to a Christian land. A girl is of littleaccount here, except to bear burdens, or wait on her lord and master. And when her husband dies she is to be deeply pitied. Married when buta small child, she goes into her husband's family to be cared for byhis people, until old enough to be his wife in reality. Sometimes sheis well treated, sometimes not. If he does not happen to fancy her asshe grows older, her lot is little better than that of a slave, and sheis beaten and abused by the other more favored women. But this isbliss compared with her condition should her husband die. Then, allher ornaments, which she loves as little children love glittering toys, are torn off, her head is shaved, she is made to look as hideous aspossible, and cannot take part in any enjoyments or festivitieswhatever, but must run away and hide from every man, even her nearestof kin. But she is not only barred from every pleasure, but from allaffection, as well. Her lord's death is laid at her door, and hisfamily take every occasion to load her with reproaches, because if shehad not been wicked in some other existence he would not have been lostto her now. It is not much wonder that the poor things used to beready to die with him on the funeral pyre, for when they decided to dothat, they were loaded with jewels and praises, everybody flatteredthem and told them that, because of their devotion, not only thehusband, but all his relatives, would have better places in Paradise, and reign forever. So, intoxicated with all this notice, and delightedwith her splendid attire, the benighted little creature, who never getsbeyond childhood in intellect, felt she would rather have a short lifeand a merry one, and so often committed Suttee. "

"And don't they do so now?" asked Hope. 

"No, it is abolished by law--British law. 

"But they burn their dead yet, don't they?" was Faith's question, asshe listened with sympathetic shivers. 

"Yes. Some day, when I get time we will go to the Ganges and see someof their strange burial ceremonies--that is, if you can stand it, daughter. "

"Oh yes, but I do think there are some dreadful things in this world, papa!"

"True, darling, and there would have been more dreadful, if the blessedSon of God had not come to teach us better ways. Man, left to himself, is always a savage. God and good women, both, have helped him to bebetter. "

He spoke reverently, touching the visor of his cap involuntarily. Whenhe thought of good women, memory always recalled the wife he had loved, and his soul blessed her memory. 

They had now left the new town far behind them, and were slowly passingbetween expressionless house walls, with soiled awnings stretched abovethe lane-like street. The whole population seemed to live out ofdoors, and the cooking, hammering, tailoring, baby-tending, andlounging, was all done at so close range that the horses could scarcelykeep from stepping on the merchants, and the carriage was in danger ofmaking a wreck of his stock of goods. The houses, which seemed only toserve as backgrounds to all this teeming life, were of all colors--red, green, orange, and blue--and between the queer, many-shaped roof-topswaved the feathery crowns of date trees, the glossy foliage of the fig, and the stately fronds of the palm--but these were of scanter growthjust here, though what there were, swarmed with kites, crows, parakeets, and even squirrels, while dogs "by the million, " as Hoperemarked, and cattle, and monkeys, and goats, were on every spot wherebabies and larger children had left an inch of room. 

As they penetrated further into the native portion of the city, CaptainHosmer called the girls' attention to the many shrines, where some onewas always standing with clasped hands and bent head, engaged inprayers to Parvati, perhaps, or Vishnu--for the image in the shrinediffered--and to the peculiar reverence which every Hindu shows to thecow, a sacred animal to them. The gentle creature seems actually oneof the family, possibly prized even more than the children, for itfurnishes them with food, drink and fuel and receives in return thefirst notice and care. 

"The orthodox Hindu will feed his cow before he does himself, " said thecaptain. "And as he does so, he will repeat a little invocation, andwhen he meets one on the road he will touch her sleek side and then hisown forehead, that so her blessings may be upon his head. "

"And let his daughters be treated worse than dogs, " breathed Hope indeep disgust. 

"Father, " said Faith with sudden fervor. "I am ashamed of myself thatI ever begrudged the little bit of missionary money I used to give atSunday-school. If I could have realized how much these people need tobe taught better, I would have given four times as much, and weightedit with prayers. Why, I think it is awful!"

"And yet this land is far advanced in decency and civilization comparedwith many, " was the reply. "With the missionary, the trained nurse, and the railroad, India is in a fair way to become thoroughlyenlightened before a half-century has rolled away. The trouble is thatshe clings so to her own cherished ideas of caste, and of worship. Personally the Hindostanee is a good fellow--gentle, charitable, and aloyal friend--but he is so priest-ridden, and so filled withsuperstitions and notions, that it is almost impossible to get anysense, far less any Christianity, into his pate. I have a largerespect for those who stay here year by year, braving a climate that isenough to take all the life out of the strongest, and laboring withthis prejudiced people, just because it is their duty. Folks oughtn'tto begrudge them a few pennies, saved from candy or ribbons, my dear. "

"No, " said Faith, leaning back and closing her eyes a moment. "What aglare it is!" she murmured wearily. "The sun is so hot, and the lightso white and blinding; then the houses are so dreadfully blue and pink, and the crows and people so black, and the dogs so greedy, andeverything so noisy, it makes my head ache!"

"It _is_ wearing, daughter, and one can't stand too much of it atonce. " He gave another order, and they presently came into a widerstreet, that was almost like a viaduct for shelter, as awnings werestretched above it the whole length. There was scarcely any life here, and the high stone walls of wealthy homes shut them in, with only anoccasional balcony, or latticed window, to break the monotony of theirblank surfaces. 

"Here live the native families of the highest caste, " explained thecaptain, "and inside are beautiful courts, with flowers and fountains, where they lounge and live, as the lower classes do in the streets. But it is cooler here, if not so lively. "

"Delicious!" murmured Faith enjoyingly, still resting her eyes wherethere was little to see. 

They turned from this shaded way into one of the new streets and, asthe carriage suddenly stopped with an exclamation from her father, shelooked up to see Huri, Tegeloo, and a half-dozen other Mohammedans ofthe "International, " bowing to the ground before them, their whiteteeth showing in their fine dark faces, full of joy and devotion. OnTegeloo's wrist perched Texas, while a little black head popped up froma fold of Huri's mantle, and both bird and monkey began a noisygreeting in their own tongues--which meant a vociferous "Hello!" fromthe former and a chuckling cry from the latter. Warned by pastexperience the girls had left their pets on shipboard, in care of thesefaithful servants, who now were evidently giving them an airing. 

"How nice of you, Tegeloo!" cried Hope, stroking the parrot, whogrunted with satisfaction, and informed her many times that he wasstill, "Poor Texas, pretty Texas!" nipping her finger gently as hesidled and snuggled, while Andy leaped to Faith's lap, and was sodetermined to stay that he had to be removed by force, soft-heartedFaith looking back at the crying baby with the expression of a motherbereft of her child. 

"Andy got swell-head!" laughed Huri, as he stroked him into submission, "Andy like to ride in big carriage. He no walk!" at which resentfulAndy gave him a sounding slap that promptly ended his comments. 

CHAPTER XXI. 

FRIENDS ASHORE. 

As the Hosmers returned to the hotel, each noted a handsome carriagebefore the door, with liveried outriders, and while themselvesalighting young Allyne and his friend, Mr. Donelson, came down thesteps to reach it, but, seeing our party, made haste to intercept them. 

"We've just been to call on you, " cried the former, his face radiant atthe fortunate meeting, "and were about departing utterly crestfallen. Do you notice our style?" with a merry glance at the grand equipage. 

"Notice it! It fills all the horizon, " laughed Hope, with reddeningcheeks. "We supposed that the Governor-General, at the very least, hadcome to bid us welcome, and inquire after our health. Of course wecould not admit the idea that he had come here for any other purpose. "

"Well, we may not be the Governor-General--who, by the way, might notfeel like a journey from Calcutta just for a friendly call even upontwo charming young ladies, " observed Mr. Donelson, "but I haven't adoubt you'll find us quite as interesting!"

"And a great deal younger, " added Allyne suggestively. 

"Oh! such conceit, " cried Faith, as they bubbled over with laughter. 

"And we're much obliged for your valuable information, " added Hope, rather taken aback at her own blunder. 

"About the location of the Residency, or our relative ages?" askedAllyne. 

"We make no charge for either!" continued Donelson, airily. 

"Better come back inside then, gentlemen, " proposed the captain. "It'sa bit warm here. "

But they felt they must get back for dinner, now, though it evidentlycost Allyne something to decline. 

"We will sometime meet again?" he questioned, as he clasped Hope's handand looked beseechingly into her eyes. 

"Possibly, " she returned, flushing slightly, then with a mischievousglance, "But are you certain which of us you are speaking to? Have youlearned to distinguish us yet?"

"I have--perfectly!" was the tart response. "When the rose gives me ataste of its thorns it is you; Miss Faith is never sarcastic. "

"Indeed!"

"But, "--quickly--"I like thorns! They give zest to the loveliest rose. "

"Come, " admonished her father in a dry tone, "this glare and glitterwill give you a headache. It isn't healthy. "

The girls somewhat slowly followed him in. The young men rode away. In the heart of one was a deadly fear that, by one hour's foolishness, he might have forfeited some privileges which had become most preciousin his sight of late. The other broke into his musings with a ruthlessword, "The captain does not specially favor us, Tom. "

"I am sure he treated us politely, " was returned with some resentment. 

"Yes, too politely. I wouldn't get foolish in that direction, my boy;it won't work. "

Tom Allyne did not answer, and his face was sober. But presently itsexpression lightened. He recalled what Carnegie had said of thecaptain's comment, after that dreadful night of fire and flood, andtook courage. 

"I've got to prove myself a man first, " he told himself, "and it won'tbe an easy thing to do, with my surroundings. Is she worth it?" Then, as the color flamed into his cheeks, "Heaven help me to be worthy ofher! And remember that you are worth saving, or you wouldn't have beengiven this chance, Tom Allyne!"

It was late the next afternoon when, trying to keep cool in their shadybalcony in sheer white gowns of India lawn, another guest wasannounced, and to the surprise of both Mr. Carnegie entered, with theTraveler. 

"Why, we thought you had gone on!" said Faith, with a flush, doubtlessproduced by the heat, which was great. 

"I expected to, " returned Carnegie, as the others exchanged greetings, the captain appearing in a duck coat and trousers which quitetransformed him, "but found a day's reprieve awaiting me, which haslengthened out, as my men have had to undergo some formalities ofregistration here. I have been too busy to see you sooner, though itwas hard to keep away. I met old Quint on the street to-day, andreally longed to shake hands with him, just because he was from the'International. ' How attached I did get to that dear old steamer!"

"Yes, these attachments to steamers are really wonderful!" observed theTraveler with a dry air that sent the captain and Hope off into a pealof merriment, while the other young people looked very sheepish. ButCarnegie soon rallied. 

"I think they are, myself!" he allowed with frankness. "And I don'tpropose to let the attachment die out in my case, either, " he addedboldly. "Captain Hosmer, may I write to you and your daughtersoccasionally?"

The captain gave him a keen glance, which presently broadened into asmile. 

"I shall be happy to hear from you, " he said heartily, "but I am not avery good correspondent, myself. I usually get Faith, here, to answermy letters. Of course she may not make them so interesting as Ishould, but, barring a little too much tendency to long words andpoetical quotations, she does very well. Yes, indeed, let us hearoccasionally, Mr. Carnegie. I shall be interested to learn how yousucceed in your new work. "

Though all were smiling at the captain's raillery, Carnegie turned anearnest face upon him. 

"I have some idea that I may go back with you. You will have to behere much longer than you had intended, won't you?"

"Considerably longer, yes. All right, if you can. The old'International' will give you a welcome. "

The two callers lingered almost beyond the limits of etiquette, andwhen they separated it was with an "Au revoir" from the young officer. 

"I won't say good-by, " he declared; "I shall see you again. "

It was a day or so later. The Hosmers had taken the little steamlaunch for a trip to the island of Elephanta, containing the famouscaves of the same name. It was a glorious morning, and the short tripover the dancing, dazzling waves to the pretty islet, with its steepbanks and waving palms, was a delightful one. As they landed, thecaptain pointed out the mangrove swamps, and the rich growth of wildindigo and Karunda bushes, while Hope went wild over the splendidbutterflies, which settled down in showers before them, transformingthe green bushes into great nosegays of purple, crimson, and orangebloom. Only, these blossoms constantly changed and shifted, withfeathery, fluttering movements and kaleidoscopic changes. 

Birds were many and brilliant, also, and to add to this animal life ahorde of dark-skinned little Hindu boys started up at every turn, clamoring to sell the party all sorts of odd collections, from jungleflowers to the gilded wood lice, the name of which condemns them, though they are really beautiful insects, until death robs them oftheir glow, and makes them as repulsive as others of their kin. 

"Haven't I heard that snakes abound here?" asked Faith timorously, asthey ascended the stone steps leading up the hill from the swamplandbelow. "Don't they kill a good many every year?"

Her father smiled knowingly, and, as they reached the top, turned to anEnglish soldier in charge, and said laughingly, "My daughter, here, imagines you keep snakes on hand--the idea!"

The other seemed to find some fun in the remark, and grinned broadly. 

"The young ladies need have no fear, " he returned politely, as hetouched his white helmet. 

But, as the girls passed on, he detained the Captain with a wink. "Isee you know, " he whispered, "but don't be worried. We've just beenthe rounds and killed three, and I don't believe any more will troubleus to-day. Just keep your eyes open, though, for they make theninety-sixth this season. We'll soon get it up to the century mark;but it isn't like it used to be, when four and five hundred made theyearly score. " His tone was positively regretful, though he referredto the cobra, deadliest of serpents, and the curse of every bright bitof glade and forest in India. It crawls out from its holes in thecaverns of this island of Elephanta, and, with the miasma just asdeadly that rises from the swamps, makes any residence upon itslovely-seeming hillsides a constant menace. But where will not peoplestay if prompted by self-interest? The dwellers on the sides ofVesuvius do not lie awake to wait for its eruption, and the dwellers onElephanta do not step any more gingerly in their bare feet because atany moment a sting may end their career. 

If "Death stalketh abroad at noonday, " we always imagine he is on hisway to some other fireside; ours is not to be invaded. 

But the captain needed no warning. He had seen to it that the girlswere thickly shod for their tramp, and he himself carried a cane with aheavy silver top, while his eyes, trained to close observation, seldommissed seeing what they were looking for. He soon overtook the girls, and preceded them down the stone steps into the cavern, upon which mostof these poisonous reptiles are encountered in that special vicinity. 

If one _will_ visit a region devoted to a god whose power isrepresented by a hooded serpent, he should not complain at meeting thereal thing, occasionally. Elephanta is dedicated to Shiva, theDestroyer, her attributes being imaged in the person of the cobra. 

"Ugh! How gloomy!" muttered Hope, as they descended into the damp, cool cavern, keeping close to her father, but letting her roving eyestake in the mass of carving on every side. 

"What does it all mean, papa?" asked Faith, also drawing closer. 

"It is grand, and horrible!"

"Dose be gods, " replied the native guide, giving her a reproachfullook. "It is one s'rine to deir memory. "

"Dear me! I wouldn't want to remember them, " she went on quaintly, notnoticing his look. "I am only afraid I shall, in my dreams. How canany people believe that supreme power can take such shapes as these?"

Her father looked thoughtful. 

"Yet, after all, it is not so strange. When I think of the cruelforces in nature man had to overcome in early days, with his constantterror of the many he could not in the least understand--likeelectricity, or wind, even--and his danger from savage beasts anddeadly reptiles, is it any wonder he got hold of but one idea, --that ofpower? It took a Saviour to fully teach him love and salvation. Eventhe prophets and priests couldn't make him fully understand. No, Idon't wonder the ancients tried to propitiate all these harmful forcesand begged for their mercy--poor wretches!"

As he spoke, in a low tone, they were passing slowly around the gloomyplace at the heels of the guide, and shudderingly gazing at the hideousrepresentations of a barbaric faith which seemed starting out of theshadows under the upheld torches. At first they could scarcelyseparate the crowding figures, so intermingled were they, butpresently, as their eyes became more accustomed to the weird lights andshades, they could separate them into distinct groups and figures. 

Before one gigantic, but peculiar form, which is the central one inthat cavern, they lingered long, while the guide explained that thisimage is an attempt to show how perfectly the highest of their gods, Brahma, unites both sexes, in character and personality. One sidegives the image of a man, rugged and muscular, the other, that of awoman, softly molded, and with long braids of hair. 

Into the midst of their still and thoughtful survey broke the noise offrivolous talk and laughter, and another party were heard at theopening. They did not at once enter. They seemed far more occupied inmaking arrangements for some prospective merry-making than in any studyof these curious relics. The girls could hear talk of champagne-cupand curry, and suddenly a voice sounded which made them look at eachother. 

"That is Mrs. Campbell, " said Hope. "What is she doing here?"

CHAPTER XXII. 

IN ELEPHANTA'S CAVES. 

As she spoke some of the party began to descend. A man's voice, with adrawling accent, made some remark about its being "a beastly hole, " andanother, of a heartier bass tone added, "You've hit it, Campbell. It is a 'beastly hole, ' and the beasts arecobras, at your service. They kill a dozen or so a day, here. "

"Heavens!" screamed a woman, "and you expect us to go down to certaindeath there? How ungallant!"--and amid such laughter and persiflagehalf a dozen men and women descended. 

"But really, are there snakes?" asked Mrs. Campbell's languid tones, curiously like her husband's, without his coarseness--for this heavy, beefy, blear-eyed man was undoubtedly the husband whom she had nevercared to mention on shipboard. --"You know I am deathly afraid of them. I should faint if I saw one. "

Her voice showed real agitation, but her husband laughed uproariously. Evidently he was under the influence of liquor. The girls, after oneglance at him, shrank back into the shadow, hoping they would not berecognized by the wife. For the first time in their acquaintance ofthe woman, they pitied her. To be that man's daily companion was adegradation. 

Just as Mrs. Campbell's dainty foot touched the stone floor of thecavern, the captain saw a gliding motion in the uncertain light, and, with the readiness of the man used to coping with danger, he sprangforward and struck at something dark and slender, that might have beenbut a crevice in the uneven floor. But it was no crevice. A hissingsound issued from the silent, creeping thing, and with shrieks ofconsternation the women fled back up the stairway, while Mr. Campbelland the other man leaped to one corner, to get beyond the reach of itsfangs. 

"Stay where you are!" shouted the captain to his daughters. "I'llnever let it get away;" and they could hear the whistle of his laboredbreathing, and the loud whacking of his stick, as they cowered behindthe guide, white with terror. 

It was over in a moment, and the reptile, inert and helpless, wasstretched half-way across the entrance room. The captain stood uprightand wiped his forehead. 

"Come, girlies, " he said, trying to speak cheerily, "let's get out ofhere. We've seen enough, I guess!"

Nothing loth, they quickly followed him up the steps while thetrembling men and the guide gathered carefully around the now harmlessreptile. Amid the consternation of the ladies above, who had widelyscattered in their terror, the three were about departing unnoticed, when Mrs. Campbell recognized them and called out, "Is that you, Captain Hosmer--and did you kill that horrid snake. Imight have known it! You have a way of being on hand when you areneeded. "

He lifted his cap, and, as the girls hesitated, she came up to themwith a really sweet look on her face. 

"Don't hurry away, girls! You don't know how good it seems to see youagain. I have been almost homesick ever since we landed. You know theWindemeres have gone on, but I found Mr. Campbell here waiting for me. We--"

She was interrupted by a coarse laugh, and her husband appeared, ascending the steps. Turning to him, she said in a dignified tone, "Rufus, these are Captain Hosmer and his daughters, of the'International. ' I want you to meet them, then we will try andpersuade them to eat tiffin with us, provided we can think of eatingafter such an adventure!"

As she spoke he came fully into view, and suddenly flirted out one handfrom behind his coat, paying no heed to her remark. To her horror, shesaw it was the dead snake he was thus playing with, and, knowing him ofold, she turned pale. 

"Rufus!" she cried warningly, backing up a step. 

He gave a tantalizing laugh, and gave the repulsive thing anotherflirt, which brought it near her face. With a shriek of dismay shebroke into a run, feeling, as she did so, that she had made a greatmistake. He started after her, every step taking them further from thegroup, where she might have had protection from his vicious teasing. 

"Stop!" thundered the captain, seeing the woman's wild face, "Stop, oryou'll do her a mischief, " but, laughing so loudly that he could hearnothing else, the brute kept on. 

Mrs. Campbell, wildly excited, could not keep up this pace long, and asshe faltered, in hopes to dodge and turn back, he drew nearer and gavethe snake a fling. It whizzed about her head, and she gave an awfulshriek of horror as she felt its slimy folds about her neck. It wastoo much! Never a strong woman, and morbidly afraid of these cobras, living or dead, she sank down in a faint, just before her amazedhusband, who nearly stumbled over her inert body. 

"Bless us! If she hasn't fainted, " he muttered stupidly, as he bentover her, too muddled to understand all he had done. 

The captain reached them before he had done more than stupidly gaze ather, and unceremoniously flinging him one side, said, "Give her air, you brute! It's lucky for you if you haven't killed her!"

He laid her back on the grass, flinging the snake far away, and theexcited women gathered around. Just at this instant the launch soundedits summons for departure, and Captain Hosmer knew, if he would meet animportant engagement at noon, he must not let her sail without him. Meanwhile, the drunken husband was bridling and threatening, claimingthat the man had insulted him--yes, "actually had the audacity to layhands on him, begad!" The captain did not notice him any more than ifhe had been a puppy snarling at his heels. 

"We'll have to go, " he said to one of the women, who looked moresensible than the rest. "A little water will revive her, but anothersuch fright may be the death of her, with her heart giving out likethat. You look after her, and get her home--" He stopped. "Poorcreature! Where on earth is there a home for her?" With a sternvisage he offered an arm to each of his daughters. 

"We'll have to hurry, girlies. We must leave her to her friends. Butmind me! Before I ever let one of you marry a drinking man I'll shutyou up in the hold of the old 'International, ' and batten down thehatches! Do you hear?"

Neither attempted to answer, but Hope looked sober as he helped themaboard the launch, which was all steamed up ready for the start. Thefirst person they saw was the Traveler. 

"Well met!" he cried gaily, as they shook hands with the cordiality ofold friends. "You've been visiting false gods, I see. "

"Yes, and where have you strayed from?" returned the captain, trying tothrow off disagreeable impressions. 

The Traveler mentioned a resort further on, at which the launch alsostopped for passengers, and Hope, rallying a little, remarked, "It's odd enough! We supposed almost everybody was going on fromBombay, and we would be the only ones left, but they all seem tolinger, and appear in the most unexpected places. "

"That's a way we have in Bombay, " laughed the gentleman. "But I reallyhave a good reason--a delay in the preparation of my outfit. I left mycard for you this morning, with my final farewell pencilled upon it, for I expect to leave before dark. Meanwhile, have you seen LadyMoreham?"

"No, not since we landed. She is one who has seemed to drop out ofsight most unaccountably. "

"I did not suppose you had, for she and Mrs. Poinsett left veryhurriedly last night. "

"Indeed! For where?"

"Delhi, at first. The fact is, she joins her husband there--a friendof my own, by the way. A telegram from him hastened her going, and oneof my reasons for calling was to give you her adieux, and all sorts ofkind messages. I also left a letter from her to the Misses Hosmer atyour rooms. "

"A letter for us--how charming!" cried Faith, while Hope noddedvigorously. 

But the captain, with a glance at his daughters, said lightly, "And nothing for me?"

"I think she hoped to see you, Captain, but doubtless her letterexplains everything. Did you know the old Madam is dead?"

"No! You don't say so. And is that why Lord Duncan--"

The Traveler shook his head. "I am a good deal in the dark about theparticulars, but I learned something of the drift of affairs from thehusband's own lips. I know he repented deeply of yielding suchimplicit obedience to that proud old woman's wishes. But she ruled allof her kin with a rod of iron. And to such a nature as Lady Moreham'sthe constant restraint, the sarcastic comments, and the vigilanttraining to which she was subjected, must have been terribly irksome. I can at least vaguely understand it, and I have her permission to askyou for her side of the affair. "

"Yes, " assented the captain. "Well, well I am glad the embargo isremoved. It was that separation that the old dame insisted upon, whichbroke her heart. It was bad enough to be so completely cut off fromall her own family, but when her husband, himself, consented that sheshould be banished for a season, to be properly molded and made over byMrs. Poinsett, while he traveled in foreign lands, it was the lasthold. She never could grip her anchor to any faith in God or man, fora time, and I think she hated everybody--at any rate everybody in thearistocracy. "

"And we thought her proud of her rank!" murmured Faith. "Do youremember that first day when we called her 'a specimen of Britisharistocracy, ' Hope?"

"I remember when _I_ did, " was the honest answer. "It was a foolishthing to say, and I have regretted it ever since. "

"We can never judge with absolute correctness, " mused the Traveler, with his kindly smile. 

"But papa, hasn't she any home relatives left to her--not even asister?" asked Faith, and unconsciously her arm stole about the waistof her beloved twin. 

"I hope she has, " was the answer, as the rugged sailor's face turnedfondly towards the two. "I have a notion that her letter will explainhow, all unconsciously, my little girls have been a link between herand her dear old home. "

"We?" cried both, "how wonderful! How could we? Do tell us!"

"Let the letter tell, " said the captain, and the Traveler remarked in areverent tone, as he gazed thoughtfully over the beautiful sheet ofwater, "We journey side by side, and our lives meet and separate withoutapparent thought, or design. It is God who writes the completed story, and seals the sequel with His own 'AMEN. '"

THE END.