← catalogue

Elsie Yachting with the Raymonds

by Martha Finley · English · Gutenberg #45944 · 355,876 chars · public domain (US)

The Project Gutenberg eBook of Elsie Yachting with the Raymonds
    
This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and
most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms
of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online
at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States,
you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located
before using this eBook.

Title: Elsie Yachting with the Raymonds

Author: Martha Finley


        
Release date: June 12, 2014 [eBook #45944]
                Most recently updated: October 24, 2024

Language: English

Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/45944

Credits: E-text prepared by David Edwards, MWS, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made available by Internet Archive (https://archive.org)


*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELSIE YACHTING WITH THE RAYMONDS ***

Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
      file which includes the original illustration.
      See 45944-h.htm or 45944-h.zip:
      (https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/45944/pg45944-images.html)
      or
      (https://www.gutenberg.org/files/45944/45944-h.zip)


      Images of the original pages are available through
      Internet Archive. See
      https://archive.org/details/elsieyachtingwit00finl


Transcriber's note:

      Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_).





ELSIE YACHTING WITH THE RAYMONDS


      *      *      *      *      *      *

A LIST OF THE ELSIE BOOKS.

_Arranged in the order of their publication._


  ELSIE DINSMORE.
  ELSIE'S HOLIDAYS AT ROSELANDS.
  ELSIE'S GIRLHOOD.
  ELSIE'S WOMANHOOD.
  ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.

  ELSIE'S CHILDREN.
  ELSIE'S WIDOWHOOD.
  GRANDMOTHER ELSIE.
  ELSIE'S NEW RELATIONS.
  ELSIE AT NANTUCKET.

  THE TWO ELSIES.
  ELSIE'S KITH AND KIN.
  ELSIE'S FRIENDS AT WOODBURN.
  CHRISTMAS WITH GRANDMA ELSIE.
  ELSIE AND THE RAYMONDS.

  ELSIE YACHTING WITH THE RAYMONDS.
  ELSIE'S VACATION.
  ELSIE AT VIAMEDE.
  ELSIE AT ION.

      *      *      *      *      *      *


[Illustration (frontispiece)]


ELSIE YACHTING WITH THE RAYMONDS

by

MARTHA FINLEY

Author of
"Elsie Dinsmore," "Elsie's Womanhood," "Elsie's Kith and
Kin," "Elsie and the Raymonds," "The Mildred
Books," "Wanted--a Pedigree," etc.







New York
Dodd, Mead, And Company
Publishers

Copyright, 1890
By Dodd, Mead, and Co.

All rights reserved.




PREFATORY NOTE.


The Author, having received many letters from young and interested
readers, has decided to acknowledge them in this way, because feeble
health and much work for the publishers make it impossible to write a
separate reply to each gratifying epistle.

She also desires to freely acknowledge indebtedness for much
information regarding Revolutionary times and incidents, to Bancroft
and Lossing; and for the routine at West Point, to an article in
Harper's Magazine for July, 1887, entitled "Cadet Life at West Point,"
by Charles King, U. S. A.

    M. F.




CHAPTER I.


The train, which for some hours had been running very fast and too
noisily to admit of much conversation, suddenly slackened its speed,
and Lulu turned upon her father a bright, eager look, as though some
request were trembling on her tongue.

"Well, daughter, what is it?" he asked, with an indulgent smile, before
she had time to utter a word.

"Oh, Papa!" she began in a quick, excited way, and quite as if she
expected her request would be granted, "I know we're going through New
York State, and I've just been thinking how much I would like to see
Saratoga,--especially the battle-field where the Americans gained that
splendid victory over the British in the Revolutionary War."

"Ah! and would Max like it, too?" the Captain asked, with a smiling
glance at his son, who, sitting directly in front of them, had turned
to listen to their talk just as Lulu began her reply to their father's
query.

"Yes, sir; yes, indeed!" Max answered eagerly, his face growing very
bright. "And you, Papa, would you enjoy it, too?"

"I think I would," said the Captain, "though it would not be for the
first time; but showing the places of interest to two such ardent
young patriots will more than compensate for that.--And there have
been changes since I was there last," he continued, musingly. "Mount
McGregor, for instance, has become a spot of historic interest. We will
visit it."

"Oh, yes! where dear General Grant died," said Lulu. "I would like to
go there."

"So you shall," returned her father. "This is Friday; we shall reach
Saratoga Saturday night, should no accident detain us, spend Sunday
there resting, according to the commandment, then Monday and Tuesday in
sight-seeing."

"How nice, Papa," Lulu said with satisfaction. "I only wish Mamma Vi
and Gracie could be there with us."

"It would double our pleasure," he replied. "I think we must go again
some time, when we can have them along."

"Oh, I am glad to hear you say that, Papa! for I am quite sure I shall
enjoy going twice to so interesting a place," said Lulu.

"I, too," said Max. "I don't know of anything that would please me
better."

"I am glad to hear it, and hope there will be no disappointment to
either of you," their father said.

But the train was speeding on again, too fast and too noisily for
comfortable conversation, and they relapsed into silence, the Captain
returning to his newspaper, Max to a book which he seemed to find very
interesting, while his sister amused herself with her own thoughts.

Lulu was feeling very happy; she had been having so pleasant a summer
out in the West with Papa and Maxie, and was enjoying the homeward
journey,--or rather the trip to the sea-shore, where the rest of
the family were, and where they all expected to remain till the end
of the season,--the prospect of seeing Saratoga and its historical
surroundings, and other places of interest,--a view of which could be
had from the boat as they passed down the Hudson; for she and Max had
both expressed a preference for that mode of travel, and their father
had kindly consented to let them have their wish. She thought herself a
very fortunate little girl, and wished with all her heart that Gracie
could be there with them and share in all their pleasures.

Dear Gracie! they had never been separated for so long a time before,
and Lulu was in such haste for the meeting now that she could almost
be willing to resign the pleasure of a visit to Saratoga that they
might be together the sooner. But no, oh, no, it would never do to miss
a visit there! It would defer their meeting only a day or two, and she
should have all the more to tell; not to Gracie only, but to Evelyn
Leland and Rosie Travilla. Ah, how enjoyable that would be! Oh, how
full of pleasure life was now that Papa was with them all the time, and
they had such a sweet home of their very own!

With that thought she turned toward him, giving him a look of ardent
affection.

He was still reading, but glanced from his paper to her just in time to
catch her loving look.

"My darling!" he said, bending down to speak close to her ear, and
accompanying the words with a smile full of fatherly affection. "I
fear you must be growing very weary with this long journey," he added,
putting an arm about her and drawing her closer to him.

"Oh, no, not so very, Papa!" she answered brightly; "but I'll be ever
so glad when we get to Saratoga. Don't you think it will be quite a
rest to be out of the cars for a day or two?"

"Yes; and I trust you will find them less wearisome after your three
days at Saratoga."

"What time shall we reach there, Papa?" asked Max.

"Not long before your bed-time, I understand," replied the Captain.

"Then we cannot see anything before Monday?"

"You will see something of the town in walking to church day after
to-morrow."

"And we can start out bright and early on Monday to visit places of
interest," added Lulu; "can't we, Papa?"

"Yes, if you will be careful to be ready in good season. We want to see
all we can in the two days of our stay."

"And I don't believe we'll find Lu a hindrance, as some girls would
be," said Max. "She's always prompt when anything is to be done."

"I think that is quite true, Max," their father remarked, looking from
one to the other with a smile that was full of paternal love and pride;
"and of you as well as of your sister."

"If we are, Papa, it is because you have trained us to punctuality and
promptness," returned the lad, regarding his father with eyes full of
admiring filial affection.

"And because you have heeded the lessons I have given you," added the
Captain. "My dear children, when I see that you are doing so, it gives
me a glad and thankful heart."

They reached Saratoga the next evening more than an hour earlier than
they had expected; and as the moon was nearly full, they were, much
to the delight of Max and Lulu, able to wander about the town for an
hour or more after tea, enjoying the sight of the beautiful grounds
and residences, and the crowds of people walking and driving along the
streets, or sitting in the porches. They visited Congress Park also,
drank from its springs, strolled through its porches out into the
grounds, wandered along the walks, and at length entered the pavilion.

Here they sat and rested for awhile; then the Captain, consulting his
watch, said to his children, "It is nine o'clock, my dears; time that
tired travellers were seeking their nests."

He rose as he spoke, and taking Lulu's hand, led the way, Max close in
the rear.

"Yes, Papa, I'm tired enough to be very willing to go to bed," said
Lulu; "but I hope we can come here again on Monday."

"I think it altogether likely we shall be able to do so," he replied.

"If we are up early enough we might run down here for a drink of the
water before breakfast on Monday," said Max. "Can't we, Papa?"

"Yes, all three of us," replied the Captain. "Let us see who will be
ready first."

They passed a quiet, restful Sabbath, very much as it would have been
spent at home; then, on Monday morning, all three were up and dressed
in season for a visit to some of the nearer springs before breakfast.

They went to the Park together, took their drinks, returned after but a
few minutes spent in the garden, breakfasted, and shortly after leaving
the table were in a carriage on their way to Schuylerville.

They visited the battle-ground first, then the place of surrender, with
its interesting monument.

"We will look at the outside first," the Captain said, as they drew
near it. "It is called the finest of its kind, and stands upon the
crowning height of Burgoyne's intrenched camp."

"I wonder how high it is," Max said inquiringly, as they stood at some
distance from the base, he with his head thrown back, his eyes fixed
upon the top of the shaft.

"It is said to be more than four hundred and fifty feet above the level
of the river," replied his father.

"Oh, I wonder if we couldn't see the battle-field from the top!"
exclaimed Lulu, excitedly. "I suppose they'll let us climb up there,
won't they, Papa?"

"Yes, for a consideration," returned the Captain, smiling at her eager
look; "but first let us finish our survey of the outside."

"What kind of stone is this, sir?" asked Max, pointing to the base.

"Light granite," replied his father. "And the shaft is of dark granite,
rough hewn, as you will notice."

"And there are gables," remarked Lulu,--"great high ones."

"Yes; nearly forty feet high, and resting at their bases upon granite
eagles with folded wings. Observe, too, the polished granite columns,
with carved capitals, which all the cornices of doors and windows rest
upon."

"And the niches over the doors," said Max, still gazing upward as they
walked slowly around the shaft, "one empty I see, each of the others
with a statue in it. Oh, they are the generals who commanded our troops
in the battle!"

"Yes," said his father, "Generals Schuyler, Morgan, and Gates,--who
by the way was hardly worthy of the honour, as he gave evidence of
cowardice, remaining two miles away from the field of battle, all ready
for a possible retreat, while Burgoyne was in the thickest of the
fight. The fourth and empty one, do you not see, has the name of Arnold
carved underneath it."

"Oh, yes, Arnold the traitor!" exclaimed Max. "How _could_ he turn
against his country? But, Papa, he did do good service in this battle
and some of the earlier ones, and it's such a pity he turned traitor!"

"Yes, a very great pity!" assented the Captain, heaving an involuntary
sigh. "While detesting his treachery, I have always felt that he has
not received deserved credit for his great services in the earlier part
of the war,--the expedition to Canada, and besides smaller engagements,
the terrible battle of Valcour Island, Lake Champlain, in which he was
defeated only by the great superiority of the enemy in numbers of both
men and vessels. Though beaten, he brought away to Ticonderoga his
remaining vessels and surviving troops. His obstinate resistance so
discouraged the British general, Carleton, that he retired to Montreal
for the winter, which made it possible for the Northern army to spare
three thousand troops to help Washington in striking his great blows at
Princeton and Trenton."

"And after all that, as I remember reading," said Max, "Congress
treated Arnold shamefully, promoting other officers over his head who
neither stood so high in rank nor had done half the service he had. I'm
sure his anger at the injustice was very natural; yet he still fought
bravely for his country,--didn't he, Papa?"

"Yes; and all that occurred some months before this battle of Saratoga,
in which he did such service. Ah, if his career had ended there
and then, what a patriot he would now be considered! It is almost
certain that if he had been properly reinforced by Gates, he would
have inflicted a crushing defeat upon Burgoyne at, or shortly after,
the battle of Freeman's farm. But Gates was very jealous of Arnold,
disliking him as a warm friend of General Schuyler, and the two had a
fierce quarrel between that battle and the one of Saratoga, occasioned
by Gates, prompted by his jealousy, taking some of Arnold's best troops
from his command. Arnold then asked and received permission to return
to Philadelphia; but the other officers, perceiving that another and
decisive battle was about to be fought, persuaded Arnold to remain
and share in it, as they had no confidence in Gates, who was, without
doubt, a coward. He showed himself such by remaining in his tent while
the battle was going on, though Burgoyne was, as I have said, in the
thick of it. It was a great victory that crowned our arms on the 7th of
October, 1777, and was due more to Arnold's efforts than to those of
any other man, though Morgan also did a great deal to win it."

"Wasn't Arnold wounded in this battle, Papa?" asked Max.

"Yes, severely, in the leg which had been hurt at Quebec. It was just
at the close of the battle. He was carried on a litter to Albany,
where he remained, disabled, till the next spring. One must ever
detest treason and a traitor; yet I think it quite possible--even
probable--that if Arnold had always received fair and just treatment,
he would never have attempted to betray his country as he afterward
did. Now we will go inside, and see what we can find of interest there."

The Captain led the way as he spoke.

They lingered awhile in the lower room examining with great interest
the tablets and historical pictures, sculptured in bronze, _alto
rilievo_, which adorned its walls.

"Oh, Papa, see!" cried Lulu; "here is Mrs. Schuyler setting fire to a
field of wheat to keep the British from getting it, I suppose."

"Yes," her father said; "these are Revolutionary scenes."

"Here is George III.," said Max, "consulting with his ministers how he
shall subdue the Americans. Ha, ha! they did their best, but couldn't
succeed. My countrymen of that day would be free."

"As Americans always will, I hope and believe," said Lulu. "I feel sure
your countrywomen will anyhow."

At that her father, giving her a smile of mingled pleasure and
amusement, said, "Now we will go up to the top of the shaft, and take a
bird's-eye view of the surrounding country."

They climbed the winding stairway to its top, and from thence had a
view of not only the battle-field, but of other historic spots also
lying in all directions.

Max and Lulu were deeply interested, and had many questions to ask,
which their father answered with unfailing patience.

But, indeed, ardent patriot that he was, he keenly enjoyed making his
children fully acquainted with the history of their country, and there
was much connected with the surrounding scenes which it was a pleasure
to relate, or remind them of, as having happened there.

From the scenes of the fight and the surrender they drove on to
the Marshall place, the Captain giving the order as they reseated
themselves in the carriage.

"The Marshall place, Papa? What about it?" asked Max and Lulu in a
breath.

"It is a house famous for its connection with the fighting in the
neighbourhood of Saratoga," replied the Captain. "It was there the
Baroness Riedesel took refuge with her children on the 10th of October,
1777, about two o'clock in the afternoon, going there with her three
little girls, trying to get as far from the scene of conflict as she
well could."

"Oh, yes, sir!" said Max. "I remember, now, that there was a Baron
Riedesel in the British army,--a Hessian officer, in command of four
thousand men; wasn't he, Papa?"

"Yes; and his wife seems to have been a lovely woman. She nursed poor
General Frazer in his dying agonies. You may remember that he was
killed by one of Morgan's men in the battle of Bemis Heights, or
Saratoga, fought on the 7th,--or rather, I should say, he was mortally
wounded and carried to the Taylor House, where the Baroness Riedesel
had prepared a dinner for the officers, which was standing partly
served upon the table. He lay there in great agony until the next
morning, and then died."

"Oh, yes, Papa, I remember about him!" said Lulu; "and that he was
buried the same evening in the Great Redoubt, which was a part of the
British intrenchments on the hills near the river."

"Yes, the strongest part," said Max. "I remember reading of it, and
that the Americans opened fire on the procession from the other side of
the river, not understanding what it was; so that while the chaplain
was reading the service at the grave, hostile shots were ploughing up
the ground at his feet, and covering the party with dust."

"Oh, Papa, won't you take us to see his grave?" asked Lulu.

"Yes, daughter, if we have time."

"Here we are, sir. This is the Marshall place," announced the driver,
reining in his horses in front of a modest-looking farm-house; "and
here comes a lad that'll show you round, and tell you the whole story
of what happened in and about here in the time of the Revolution."

The Captain quickly alighted, helped Lulu out, and Max sprang after
them.

The lad had already opened the gate, and lifted his hat with a bow and
smile. "Good-morning!" he said.

Captain Raymond returned the salutation, adding, "I would like very
much to show my children those parts of your house here connected with
Revolutionary memories, if--"

"Oh, yes, sir; yes!" returned the boy, pleasantly. "I'll take you in
and about; it's quite the thing for visitors to Saratoga to come over
here on that errand."

He led the way into the house as he spoke, the Captain, Max, and Lulu
following.

They passed through a hall, and on into the parlour, without meeting
any one.

"This," said the lad, "is the northeast room, where Surgeon Jones was
killed by a cannon-ball; perhaps you may remember about it, sir. The
doctors were at work on him, cutting off a wounded leg, when a ball
came in at that northeast corner and took off his other leg in its way
diagonally across the room. They gave up trying to save him, then, and
left him to die in yon corner," pointing to it as he spoke.

"Poor fellow!" sighed Lulu. "I can't help feeling sorry for him, though
he was an enemy to my country."

"No, Miss, it was a pity, and does make one feel sorry; for I suppose
he really had no choice but to obey the orders of his king," returned
the lad. "Well, the ball passed on, broke through the plank partition
of the hall, and buried itself in the ground outside. They say eleven
cannon-balls passed through the house in just a little while. For my
part, I'd rather have been in a battle than keeping quiet here to be
shot at."

"I certainly would," said the Captain.

"I, too," said Max. "I should say there was very little fun in standing
such a fire with no chance to return it."

"Yes; and our people would never have fired on them if they had known
they were women, children, and wounded men; but you see they--the
Americans--saw people gathering here, and thought the British were
making the place their headquarters. So they trained their artillery on
it, and opened such a fire as presently sent everybody to the cellar.
Will you walk down and look at that, sir?" addressing the Captain.

"If it is convenient," he returned, following with Max and Lulu as
their young guide led the way.

"Quite, sir," he answered; then, as they entered the cellar, "There
have been some changes in the hundred years and more that have passed
since that terrible time," he said. "You see there is but one partition
wall now; there were two then, but one has been torn down, and the
floor cemented. Otherwise the cellars are just as they were at the time
of the fight; only a good deal cleaner, I suspect," he added, with
a smile, "for packed as they were with women, children, and wounded
officers and soldiers, there must have been a good deal of filth about,
as well as bad air."

"They certainly are beautifully clean, light, and sweet now, whatever
they may have been on that October day of 1777," the Captain said,
glancing admiringly at the rows of shining milk-pans showing a tempting
display of thick yellow cream, and the great fruit-bins standing ready
for the coming harvest.

"Yes, sir; to me it seems a rather inviting-looking place at present,"
returned the lad, glancing from side to side with a smile of
satisfaction; "but I've sometimes pictured it to myself as it must have
looked then,--crowded, you know, with frightened women and children,
and wounded officers being constantly brought in for nursing, in
agonies of pain, groaning, and perhaps screaming, begging for water,
which could be got only from the river, a soldier's wife bringing a
small quantity at a time."

"Yes, a woman could do that, of course," said Lulu; "for our soldiers
would never fire on a woman,--certainly not for doing such a thing as
that."

"No, of course not," exclaimed Max, in a scornful tone. "American men
fire on a woman doing such a thing as that? I should say not!"

"No, indeed, I should hope not!" returned their young conductor,
leading the way from the cellar to the upper hall, and out into the
grounds. "Yonder," he said, pointing with his finger, "away to the
southwest, Burgoyne's troops were stationed; the German auxiliaries,
too, were resting from their fight, near Bemis Heights. Away to the
west there, Morgan's famous riflemen were taking up their position
along Burgoyne's front and flank, while Colonel Fellows was over
yonder," turning to the east and again pointing with his finger,
"bringing his batteries to bear upon the British. Just as the Baroness
Riedesel in her calash with her three little girls stopped before the
house, some American sharpshooters across the river levelled their
muskets, and she had barely time to push her children to the bottom of
the wagon and throw herself down beside them, before the bullets came
whistling overhead. Neither she nor the little folks were hurt, but a
soldier belonging to their party was badly wounded. The Baroness and
her children spent the night there in the cellar. So did other ladies
from the British army who followed her to this retreat that afternoon.
They were in one of its three divisions, the wounded officers in
another, and the common soldiers occupied the third."

"It must have been a dreadful night to the poor Baroness and those
little girls," remarked Lulu, who was listening with keenest interest.

"Yes, indeed," responded the lad; "the cries and groans of the wounded,
the darkness, dampness, and filth and stench of the wounds, all taken
together, must have made an awful night for them all. I wonder, for my
part, that the women and children weren't left at home in their own
countries."

"That's where they ought to have been, I think," said Lulu. "Was it
that night Surgeon Jones was killed?"

"No, Miss, the next day, when the Americans began firing again harder
than ever."

"Where were they firing from then?" Lulu asked.

"The other side of the river, Miss; probably from some rising ground a
little north of Batten Kil."

"Well, sir, what more have you to show us?" asked the Captain,
pleasantly.

"A plank cut and shattered at one end, probably by the ball that killed
the Surgeon. This way, if you please; here it is. And here is a rafter
which you see has been partly cut in two by a shell. It was taken out
of the frame of the house while they were repairing in 1868. Here are
some other bits of shot and shell that have been ploughed up on the
farm at different times. Ah! there are some things at the house I
should have shown you."

"We will not mind going back so short a distance," said the Captain,
"and would be glad to see everything you have to show us."

"Yes, sir; and I think you will say these things are worth looking at."

He led them back into the house and exhibited, first, a gold coin with
the figure and inscription of George III. on one side, the British arms
and an inscription with the date 1776 on the other, then a curious
old musket, with bayonet and flint lock, which was carried in the
Revolutionary War by an ancestor of the family now residing there.




CHAPTER II.


"You may take us now to Frazer's grave," Captain Raymond said to the
driver as they re-entered their carriage after a cordial good-by and
liberal gift to their young guide.

"Please tell us something more about Frazer, Papa, won't you?"
requested Lulu.

"Willingly," returned her father. "Frazer was a brave and skilful
officer; made brigadier-general for America only, by Carleton, in June,
1776. He helped to drive the Americans out of Canada in that year.
Burgoyne chose him to command the light brigade which formed the right
wing of the British army, so that he was constantly in the advance.
In the fight of October 7th he made a conspicuous figure, dressed in
the full uniform of a field-officer, mounted on a splendid iron-gray
gelding, and exerting himself to encourage and cheer on his men. Morgan
saw how important he was to the British cause, pointed him out to his
sharpshooters, and bade them cut him off. 'That gallant officer,' he
said, 'is General Frazer. I admire and honour him; but it is necessary
he should die, because victory for the enemy depends upon him. Take
your stations in that clump of bushes, and do your duty!' They obeyed,
and in five minutes Frazer fell mortally wounded, and was carried from
the field by two grenadiers. Only a few moments before he was hit, the
crupper of his horse was cut by a rifle-ball, and directly afterward
another passed through the horse's mane, a little back of his ears.
Then his _aide_ said, 'General, it is evident that you are marked out
for particular aim; would it not be prudent for you to retire from this
place?' 'My duty forbids me to retire from danger,' Frazer answered;
and the next moment he fell. That is Lossing's account; and he goes on
to say that Morgan has been censured for the order by some persons,
professing to understand the rules of war, as guilty of a highly
dishonourable act; also by others, who gloat over the horrid details of
the slaying of thousands of humble rank-and-file men as deeds worthy
of a shout for glory, and have no tears to shed for the slaughtered
ones, but affect to shudder at such a cold-blooded murder of an officer
on the battle-field. But, as Lossing justly remarks, the life of an
officer is no dearer to himself, his wife, and children, than that of a
private to his, and that the slaying of Frazer probably saved the lives
of hundreds of common soldiers."

"Yes, Papa," returned Max, thoughtfully; "and so I think Morgan
deserves all praise for giving that order to his men. If Frazer did
not want to lose his life, he should not have come here to help crush
out liberty in this country."

"Papa, do you think he hated the Americans?" asked Lulu.

"No, I presume not; his principal motive in coming here and taking
an active part in the war was probably to make a name for himself as
a brave and skilful officer,--at least, so I judge from his dying
exclamation, 'Oh, fatal ambition!'"

"How different he was from our Washington," exclaimed Max. "He seemed
to want nothing for himself, and sought only his country's good. Papa,
it does seem to me that Washington was the greatest mere man history
tells of."

"I think so," responded the Captain; "he seems to have been so entirely
free from selfishness, ambition, and pride. And yet he had enemies and
detractors, even among those who wished well to the cause for which he
was doing so much."

"Such a burning shame!" cried Lulu, her eyes flashing. "Was Gates one
of them, Papa?"

"Yes; to his shame, be it said, he was. He treated Washington with much
disrespect, giving him no report whatever of the victory at Saratoga.
It was not until early in November that he wrote at all to the
commander-in-chief, and then merely mentioned the matter incidentally.
In that month Gates was made president of the new Board of War and
Ordnance, and during the following winter he joined with what is known
as the 'Conway cabal' in an effort to supplant Washington in the chief
command of the army."

"What a wretch!" exclaimed Lulu. "It would have been a very bad thing
for our cause if he had succeeded,--wouldn't it, Papa?"

"Without doubt," answered the Captain; "for though Gates had some very
good qualities, he was far from being fit to fill the position held by
Washington."

"He wasn't a good Christian man, like Washington, was he, Papa?" she
asked.

"No, not by any means at that time, though it is said--I hope with
truth--that he afterward became one. He was arrogant, untruthful, and
had an overweening confidence in his own ability. Yet he had some noble
traits; he emancipated his slaves, and provided for those who were
unable to take care of themselves. Also, he was, it is said, a good and
affectionate husband and father."

"Papa, wasn't it known whose shot killed Frazer?" queried Max.

"Yes; it was that of a rifleman named Timothy Murphy. He was posted in
a small tree, took deliberate aim, and saw Frazer fall. Frazer, too,
told some one he saw the man who shot him, and that he was in a tree.
Murphy was one of Morgan's surest shots."

"I should think he must always have felt badly about it, only that he
knew he did it to help save his country," said Lulu.

"It seemed to be necessary for the salvation of our country," replied
her father; "and no doubt that thought prevented Murphy's conscience
from troubling him."

"Didn't the Americans at first fire on the funeral procession, Papa?"
asked Lulu.

"Yes; but ceased as soon as they understood the nature of the
gathering, and at regular intervals the solemn boom of a single cannon
was heard along the valley. It was a minute-gun, fired by the Americans
in honour of their fallen foe, the gallant dead. Ah, here we are at his
grave!" added the Captain, as horses and vehicle came to a standstill
and the carriage-door was thrown open.

They alighted and walked about the grave and its monument, pausing to
read the inscription on the latter.

"Though an enemy to our country, he was a gallant man, a brave and good
soldier," remarked the Captain, reflectively.

"Yes, Papa; and I can't help feeling sorry for him," said Lulu. "I
suppose he had to obey his king's orders of course; he couldn't well
help it, and probably he had no real hatred to the people of this
country. It does seem hard that he had to die and be buried so far away
from all he loved."

"Yes," said Max; "but he had to be killed to save our country, since he
would use his time and talents in trying to help reduce her to slavery.
I'm sorry for him, too; but as he would put his talents to so wrong a
use, there was no choice but to kill him,--isn't that so, Papa?"

"I think so," replied the Captain; "but it was a great pity. Frazer was
a brave officer, idolized by his own men, and respected by even his
enemies."

"It seems sad he should lie buried so far away from all he loved,--all
his own people; and in a strange land, too. But he could hardly lie in
a lovelier spot, I think," remarked Lulu; "the hills, the mountains,
the beautiful river, the woods, the fields, and these tall twin
pine-trees standing like sentinels beside his grave,--oh I think it
is just lovely! I think he showed excellent taste in his choice of a
burial-place."

"Yes, nice place enough to lie in, if one could only be on top of the
ground and able to see what it's like," came in hollow tones, seemingly
from the grave.

The Captain glanced at his son with a slightly amused smile.

Lulu was startled for an instant; then, with a little laugh, as her
father took her hand and led her back to the waiting carriage, "Oh,
Maxie, that was almost too bad, though he was an enemy to our country!"
she exclaimed.

"I wouldn't have done it if I'd thought it would hurt his feelings,"
returned Max, in a tone of mock regret; "but I really didn't suppose
he'd know or care anything about it."

"Where now, sir?" asked the driver as the Captain handed Lulu to her
seat.

"To the Schuyler mansion," was the reply.

"Oh, I'm glad we're going there!" exclaimed Lulu. "I've always liked
everything I've heard about General Schuyler; and I'll be ever so glad
to see the house he used to live in."

"It isn't the same house that Burgoyne caroused in the night after the
battle of Bemis Heights, is it, Papa?" asked Max.

"No; that was burned by Burgoyne's orders a few days later," replied
the Captain.

"And when was this one built?" asked Lulu.

"That is a disputed point," said her father. "Some say it was shortly
after the surrender in 1777; others, not until soon after the peace of
1783."

"Anyhow it was General Schuyler's house, and so we'll be glad to see
it," she said. "Papa, is it on the exact spot where the other--the
first one--was? The one Burgoyne caroused in, I mean."

"They say not, quite; that it stands a little to the west of where the
first one did."

"But General Schuyler owned and lived in it, which makes it almost, if
not quite, as well worth seeing as the first one would have been," said
Max.

"Yes," assented the Captain. "It was on his return from Bemis Heights
that Burgoyne took possession of the mansion for his headquarters;
that was on the evening of the 9th of October. His troops, who had
been marching through mud, water, and rain for the last twenty-four
hours, with nothing to eat, encamped unfed on the wet ground near
Schuylerville, while he and his cronies feasted and enjoyed themselves
as though the sufferings of the common soldiery were nothing to them."

"Wasn't that the night before the day the Baroness Riedesel went to the
Marshall place?" queried Max.

"Yes," replied his father. "Her husband, General Riedesel, and others,
urgently remonstrated against the unnecessary and imprudent delay,
and counselled hasty retreat; but Burgoyne would not listen to their
prudent advice. While the storm beat upon his hungry, weary soldiers
lying without on the rain-soaked ground, he and his mates held high
carnival within, spending the night in merry-making, drinking, and
carousing."

"What a foolish fellow!" said Max. "I wonder that he didn't rather
spend it in slipping away from the Americans through the darkness and
storm."

"Or in getting ready to fight them again the next day," added Lulu.

"I think there was fighting the next day,--wasn't there, Papa?" said
Max.

"Yes; though not a regular battle. Burgoyne was attempting a
retreat, which the Americans, constantly increasing in numbers, were
preventing,--destroying bridges, obstructing roads leading northward,
and guarding the river to the eastward, so that the British troops
could not cross it without exposure to a murderous artillery fire. At
last, finding his provisions nearly exhausted, himself surrounded by
more than five times his own number of troops, and all his positions
commanded by his enemy's artillery, the proud British general
surrendered."

"And it was a great victory,--wasn't it, Papa?" asked Lulu.

"It was, indeed! and God, the God of our fathers, gave it to the
American people. The time was one of the great crises of history.
Before that battle things looked very dark for the people of this
land; and if Burgoyne had been victorious, the probability is that the
struggle for liberty would have been given up for no one knows how
long. Perhaps we might have been still subject to England."

"And that would be dreadful!" she exclaimed with warmth,--"wouldn't it,
Max?"

"Yes, indeed!" he assented, his cheek flushing, and his eye kindling;
"the idea of this great country being governed by that bit of an island
away across the sea! I just feel sometimes as if I'd like to have
helped with the fight."

"In that case," returned his father, with an amused look, "you would
hardly be here now; or, if you were, you would be old enough to be my
grandfather."

"Then I'm glad I wasn't, sir," laughed Max; "for I'd rather be your son
by a great deal. Papa, wasn't it about that time the stars and stripes
were first used?"

"No, my son; there was at least one used before that," the Captain
said with a half smile,--"at Fort Schuyler, which was attacked by St.
Leger with his band of British troops, Canadians, Indians, and Tories,
early in the previous August. The garrison was without a flag when the
enemy appeared before it, but soon supplied themselves by their own
ingenuity, tearing shirts into strips to make the white stripes and
stars, joining bits of scarlet cloth for the red stripes, and using a
blue cloth cloak, belonging to one of the officers, as the groundwork
for the stars. Before sunset it was waving in the breeze over one of
the bastions of the fort, and no doubt its makers gazed upon it with
pride and pleasure."

"Oh, that was nice!" exclaimed Lulu. "But I don't remember about the
fighting at that fort. Did St. Leger take it, Papa?"

"No; the gallant garrison held out against him till Arnold came to
their relief. The story is a very interesting one; but I must reserve
it for another time, as we are now nearing Schuyler's mansion."

The mansion was already in sight, and in a few moments their carriage
had drawn up in front of it. They were politely received, and shown a
number of interesting relics.

The first thing that attracted their attention was an artistic
arrangement of arms on the wall fronting the great front door.

"Oh, what are those?" Lulu asked in eager tones, her eyes fixed upon
them in an intensely interested way. "Please, sir, may I go and look at
them?" addressing the gentleman who had received them and now invited
them to walk in.

"Yes, certainly," he answered with a smile, and leading the way.
"This," he said, touching the hilt of a sword, "was carried at the
battle of Bennington by an _aide_ of General Stark. This other sword,
and this musket and cartridge-box, belonged to John Strover, and were
carried by him in the battles of the Revolution."

"Valuable and interesting souvenirs," remarked Captain Raymond.

They were shown other relics of those troublous times,--shells, grape,
knee and shoe buckles, grubbing-hooks, and other things that had been
picked up on the place in the years that had elapsed since the struggle
for independence. But what interested Max and Lulu still more than any
of these was a beautiful teacup, from which, as the gentleman told
them, General Washington, while on a visit to General Schuyler, had
drunk tea made from a portion of one of those cargoes of Boston harbour
fame.

"That cup must be very precious, sir," remarked Lulu, gazing admiringly
at it. "If it were mine, money couldn't buy it from me."

"No," he returned pleasantly; "and I am sure you would never have
robbed us, as some vandal visitor did not long ago, of a saucer and
plate belonging to the same set."

"No, no, indeed!" she replied with emphasis, and looking quite aghast
at the very idea. "Could anybody be so wicked as that?"

"Somebody was," he said with a slight sigh; "and it has made us feel
it necessary to be more careful to whom we show such things. Now let me
show you the burial-place of Thomas Lovelace," he added, leading the
way out into the grounds.

"I don't remember to have heard his story, sir," said Max, as they
all followed in the gentleman's wake; "but I would like to very much
indeed. Papa, I suppose you know all about him."

"I presume this gentleman can tell the story far better than I,"
replied the Captain, with an inquiring look at their guide.

"I will do my best," he said in reply. "You know, doubtless," with a
glance at Max and his sister, "what the Tories of the Revolution were.
Some of them were the bitterest foes of their countrymen who were
in that fearful struggle for freedom,--wicked men, who cared really
for nothing but enriching themselves at the expense of others, and
from covetousness became as relentless robbers and murderers of their
neighbours and former friends as the very savages of the wilderness.
Lovelace was one of these, and had become a terror to the inhabitants
of this his native district of Saratoga. He went to Canada about the
beginning of the war, and there confederated with five other men
like himself to come back to this region and plunder, betray, and
abduct those who were struggling for freedom from their British
oppressors,--old neighbours, for whom he should have felt only pity
and kindness, even if he did not see things in just the same light
that they did. These miscreants had their place of rendezvous in a
large swamp, about five miles from Colonel Van Vetchen's, cunningly
concealing themselves there. Robberies in that neighbourhood became
frequent, and several persons were carried off. General Stark, then in
command of the barracks north of Fish Creek, was active and vigilant;
and hearing that Lovelace and his men had robbed General Schuyler's
house, and were planning to carry off Colonel Van Vetchen, frustrated
their design by furnishing the Colonel with a guard. Then Captain
Dunham, who commanded a company of militia in the neighbourhood,
hearing of the plans and doings of the marauders, at once summoned
his lieutenant, ensign, orderly, and one private to his house. They
laid their plans, waited till dark, then set out for the big swamp,
which was three miles distant. There they separated to reconnoitre,
and two of them were lost; but the other three kept together, and
at dawn came upon the hiding-place of the Tory robbers. They were
up, and just drawing on their stockings. The three Americans crawled
cautiously toward them till quite near, then sprang upon a log with a
shout, levelled their muskets, and Dunham called out, 'Surrender, or
you are all dead men!' The robbers, thinking the Americans were upon
them in force, surrendered at once, coming out one at a time without
their arms, and were marched off to General Stark's camp, and given
up to him as prisoners. They were tried by a court-martial as spies,
traitors, and robbers; and Lovelace, who was considered too dangerous
to be allowed to escape, was condemned to be hanged. He complained that
his sentence was unjust, and that he should be treated as a prisoner
of war; but his claim was disallowed, and he was hanged here amid a
violent storm of wind, rain, thunder, and lightning."

"They hung him as a spy, did they, sir?" asked Max.

"As a spy and murderer. He was both; and," pointing out the precise
spot, "after his execution he was buried here in a standing posture."

"And his bones are lying right under here are they, sir?" asked Lulu,
shuddering as she glanced down at the spot the gentleman had indicated.

"No," was the reply; "his bones, and even his teeth, have been carried
off as relics."

"Ugh! to want such things as those for relics!" Lulu exclaimed in a
tone of emphatic disgust.

"They are certainly not such relics as I would care to have," returned
the gentleman, with a smile. Then he told the Captain he had shown them
everything he had which could be called a souvenir of the Revolutionary
War, and with hearty thanks they took their leave.




CHAPTER III.


It was dinner-time when Captain Raymond and his children reached their
hotel, and at the conclusion of the meal they went immediately to the
station of the Mount McGregor road. There was just time for the buying
of the tickets and seating themselves comfortably in the cars before
the train started.

"Papa, how long will it take us to go there?" asked Lulu.

"Thirty-five minutes," he answered. "It is about ten miles to the
mountain; then we go up about eleven hundred feet above Saratoga
Springs."

"Yes, sir," said Max; "and here on this time-table it says that in some
places the grade is as high as two hundred and forty-six feet to the
mile."

"Set that down in your memory," returned his father, with a smile.
"Now look out of the windows, Max and Lulu; the country is well worth
seeing."

The ride seemed very short,--it was so enjoyable,--and Lulu was quite
surprised when the car stopped and all the passengers hurried out.

Every one went into the Drexel Cottage, which was close at hand. A man
showed them about, pointing out the objects of special interest,--the
bed where General Grant died, the candle he had extinguished but a few
minutes before breathing his last, and so on.

They spent some time in the cottage, going quietly about, looking with
a sad interest at everything which had any connection with the dear
departed great man, then went on up to the mountain top, where stood a
large hotel. They passed it, and went on to the edge of the mountain,
which overlooks the Hudson River valley.

"Oh, what a lovely view!" cried Lulu, in delight. "What mountains are
those, Papa?"

"Those to the east," he replied, pointing in that direction as
he spoke, "are the Green Mountains, those to the north are the
Adirondacks, and those to the south the Catskills."

"Oh, Lu, look yonder!" cried Max. "There's Schuylerville with its
monument, I do believe,--isn't it, Papa?"

"Yes, you are right,--the place of Burgoyne's surrender, which we
visited this morning," the Captain answered. "Now suppose we go to the
observatory at the top of the hotel, and take the view from there."

Max and Lulu gave an eager assent to the proposal. There were a good
many stairs to climb, but the view fully repaid them for the exertion.
They spent some minutes in gazing upon it, then descended and wandered
through the woods till the train was ready to start down the mountain.

Max and Lulu were tired enough to go to bed at dark; and the next
morning they took an early train to Albany, where they boarded a fine
steamer, which would carry them down the Hudson River to West Point,
where, to the children's great delight, their father had promised to
stay a day or two, and show them all of historical interest connected
with the spot.

It was the first trip on the Hudson that Max or his sister had ever
taken, and they enjoyed it greatly,--all the more because their father
was sufficiently familiar with the scenes through which they were
passing to call their attention to whatever was best worth noticing,
and give all desired information in regard to it, doing so in the
kindest and pleasantest manner possible. The weather was all that could
be desired,--cloudy, with an occasional shower, seldom heavy enough
to obscure the view to any great extent, and just cooling the air
pleasantly, as Lulu remarked with much satisfaction.

It was not raining when they landed at West Point, though clouds still
veiled the sun. They took a carriage near the wharf, and drove to the
hotel. As they alighted, some gentlemen were talking upon its porch,
one of whom was in military uniform.

"Raymond, this is a meeting as delightful as unexpected,--to me at
least!" he exclaimed, coming hastily forward with out-stretched hand.

"Keith, I don't know when I have had a pleasanter surprise!" returned
Captain Raymond, taking the offered hand and shaking it heartily, while
his eyes shone with pleasure. "You are not here permanently?"

"No; only on a furlough. And you?"

"Just for a day or two, to show my children our military academy and
the points of historical interest in its vicinity," replied Captain
Raymond, glancing down upon them with a smile of fatherly pride and
affection. "Max and Lulu, this gentleman is Lieutenant Keith, of whom
you have sometimes heard me speak, and whom your mamma calls Cousin
Donald."

"Your children, are they? Ah, I think I might have known them anywhere
from their remarkable resemblance to you, Raymond!" Mr. Keith said,
shaking hands first with Lulu, then with Max.

He chatted pleasantly with them for a few minutes, while their father
attended to engaging rooms and having the baggage taken up to them.
When he rejoined them Keith asked, "May I have the pleasure of showing
you about, Raymond?"

"Thank you; no better escort could be desired," replied the Captain,
heartily, "you being a valued friend just met after a long separation,
and also an old resident here, thoroughly competent for the task, and
thoroughly acquainted with all the points of interest."

"I think I may say I am that," returned Keith, with a smile; "and it
will give me the greatest pleasure to show them to you,--as great,
doubtless, as you seemed to find some years ago in showing me over your
man-of-war. But first, let us take a view from the porch here. Yonder,"
pointing in a westerly direction, "at the foot of the hills, are the
dwellings of the officers and professors. In front of them you see the
parade-ground: there, on the south side, are the barracks. There is the
Grecian chapel, yonder the library building, with its domed turrets,
and there are the mess hall and hospital." Then turning toward the west
again, "That lofty summit," he said, "is Mount Independence, and the
ruins that crown it are those of 'Old Fort Put.' That still loftier
peak is Redoubt Hill. There, a little to the north, you see Old Cro'
Nest and Butter Hill. Now, directly north, through that magnificent
cleft in the hills, you can see Newburgh and its bay. Of the scenery in
the east we will have a better view from the ruins of 'Old Put.'"

"No doubt," said the Captain. "Shall we go up there at once?"

"If you like, Raymond. I always enjoy the view; it more than pays for
the climb. But," and Mr. Keith glanced somewhat doubtfully at Lulu,
"shall we not take a carriage? I fear the walk may be too much for your
little girl."

"What do you say, Lulu?" her father asked with a smiling glance at her.

"Oh, I'd rather walk, Papa!" she exclaimed. "We have been riding so
much for the last week and more; and you know I'm strong and well, and
dearly love to climb rocks and hills."

"Very well, you shall do as you like, and have the help of Papa's hand
over the hard places," he said, offering it as he spoke.

She put hers into it with a glad look and smile up into his face that
almost made Donald Keith envy the Captain the joys of fatherhood.

They set off at once. Lulu found it a rather hard climb, or that it
would have been without her father's helping hand; but the top of Mount
Independence was at length reached, and the little party stood among
the ruins of Fort Putnam. They stood on its ramparts recovering breath
after the ascent, their faces turned toward the east, silently gazing
upon the beautiful panorama spread out at their feet.

It was the Captain who broke the silence. "You see that range of hills
on the farther side of the river, children?"

"Yes, sir," both replied with an inquiring look up into his face.

"In the time of the Revolution every pinnacle was fortified, and on
each a watch-fire burned," he said.

"They had a battery on each, Papa?" queried Max.

"Yes; but yonder, at their foot, stands something that will interest
you still more,--the Beverly House, from which Arnold the traitor fled
to the British ship 'Vulture,' on learning that André had been taken."

"Oh, is it, sir?" exclaimed Max, in a tone of intense interest. "How I
would like to visit it,--can we, Papa?"

"I too; oh, very much!" said Lulu. "Please take us there,--won't you,
Papa?"

"I fear there will be hardly time, my dears; but I will see about it,"
was the indulgent reply.

"You have been here before, Raymond?" Mr. Keith said inquiringly.

"Yes; on my first bridal trip," the Captain answered in a low, moved
tone, and sighing slightly as the words left his lips.

"With our own mother, Papa?" asked Lulu, softly, looking up into his
face with eyes full of love and sympathy.

"Yes, daughter; and she enjoyed the view very much as you are doing
now."

"I'm glad; I like to think she saw it once."

An affectionate pressure of the hand he held was his only reply. Then
turning to his friend, "It is a grand view, Keith," he said; "and one
that always stirs the patriotism in my blood, inherited from ancestors
who battled for freedom in those Revolutionary days."

"It is just so with myself," replied Keith; "and the view is a grand
one in itself, though there were no such association,--a superb
panorama! The beautiful, majestic river sweeping about the rock-bound
promontory below us there, with its tented field; yonder the distant
spires of Newburgh, and the bright waters of its bay, seen through
that magnificent cleft in the hills," pointing with his finger as he
spoke,--"ah, how often I have seen it all in imagination when out in
the far West scouting over arid plains, and among desolate barren
hills and mountains, where savages and wild beasts abound! At times an
irrepressible longing for this very view has come over me,--a sort of
homesickness, most difficult to shake off."

"Such as years in the ports of foreign lands have sometimes brought
upon me," observed the Captain, giving his friend a look of heartfelt
sympathy.

"Dear Papa, I'm so glad that is all over," Lulu said softly, leaning
lovingly up against him as she spoke, and again lifting to his eyes her
own so full of sympathy and affection. "Oh, it is so pleasant to have
you always at home with us!"

A smile and an affectionate pressure of the little soft white hand he
held were his only reply.

"Ah, my little girl, when Papa sees a man-of-war again, he will be
likely to wish himself back in the service once more!" remarked Keith,
in a sportive tone, regarding her with laughing eyes.

"No, sir, I don't believe it," she returned stoutly. "Papa loves his
home and wife and children too well for that; besides, he has resigned
from the navy, and I don't believe they'd take him back again."

"Well, Lu," said Max, "that's a pretty way to talk about Papa! Now,
it's my firm conviction that they'd be only too glad to get him back."

"That's right, Max; stand up for your father always," laughed Keith.
"He is worthy of it; and I don't doubt the government would be ready to
accept his services should he offer them."

"Of course," laughed the Captain; "but I intend to give them those
of my son instead," turning a look upon Max so proudly tender and
appreciative that the lad's young heart bounded with joy.

"Ah, is that so?" said Keith, gazing appreciatively into the lad's
bright young face. "Well, I have no doubt he will do you credit. Max,
my boy, never forget that you have the credit of an honourable name to
sustain, and that in so doing you will make your father a proud and
happy man."

"That is what I want to do, sir," replied Max, modestly. Then hastily
changing the subject, "Papa, is that town over there Phillipstown?"

"Yes; what do you remember about it?"

"That a part of our Revolutionary army was camped there in 1781. And
there, over to the left, is Constitution Island,--isn't it, sir?"

"Yes," answered his father; then went on to tell of the building of the
fort from which the island takes its name, and its abandonment a few
days after the capture by the British of Forts Clinton and Montgomery,
near the lower entrance to the Highlands, in 1777.

"Such a pity, after they had been to all the expense and trouble of
building it!" remarked Lulu.

"Yes, quite a waste," said Max; "but war's a wasteful business anyway
it can be managed."

"Quite true, Max," said, Mr. Keith; "and soldier though I am, I
sincerely hope we may have no more of it in this land."

"No, sir; but the best way to keep out of it is to show ourselves
ready for self-defence. That is what Papa says."

"And I entirely agree with him. Shall we go now, Raymond, and see what
of interest is to be found in the buildings and about the grounds of
the academy?"

The Captain gave a ready assent, and they retraced their steps, he
helping Lulu down the mountain as he had helped her up.

Keith took them, first, to the artillery laboratory to see, as he said,
some trophies and relics of the Revolution. Conducting them to the
centre of the court, "Here," he remarked, "are some interesting ones,"
pointing, as he spoke, to several cannon lying in a heap, and encircled
by some links of an enormous chain.

"Oh," exclaimed Max, "is that part of the great chain that was
stretched across the Hudson, down there by Constitution Island, in the
time of the Revolution?"

"Yes," replied Keith. "And these two brass mortars were taken from
Burgoyne at Saratoga; this larger one, Wayne took from the British at
Stony Point. I dare say you and your sister are acquainted with the
story of that famous exploit."

"Oh, yes, sir!" they both replied; and Lulu asked, "Is that the English
coat-of-arms on the big cannon?"

Her look directed the query to her father, and he answered, "Yes."

"And what do these words below it mean, Papa,--'Aschaleh fecit, 1741'?"

"Aschaleh is doubtless the name of the maker; '_fecit_' means he
executed it, and 1741 gives the time when it was done."

"Thank you, sir," she said. "Is there any story about that one?"
pointing to another cannon quite near at hand.

"Yes," he said; "by its premature discharge, in 1817, a cadet named
Lowe was killed. In the cemetery is a beautiful monument to his memory."

"Here are two brass field-pieces, each marked 'G. R.,'" said Max. "Do
those letters stand for George Rex,--King George,--Papa?"

"Yes; that was the monogram of the king."

"And the cannon is fourteen years younger than those others," remarked
Lulu; "for, see there, it says, 'W. Bowen fecit, 1755.'"

"Oh, here's an inscription!" exclaimed Max, and read aloud, "'Taken
from the British army, and presented, by order of the United States,
in Congress assembled, to Major-General Green, as a monument of their
high sense of the wisdom, fortitude, and military talents which
distinguished his command in the Southern department, and of the
eminent services which, amid complicated dangers and difficulties, he
performed for his country. October 18th, 1783.' Oh, that was right!"
supplemented the lad, "for I do think Green was a splendid fellow."

"He was, indeed!" said the Captain; "and he has at last been given such
a monument as he should have had very many years sooner."

"Where is it, Papa?" asked Lulu.

"In Washington. It is an equestrian statue, by Henry Kirke Brown."

"Yes; and very glad I am that even that tardy act of justice has been
done him,--one of the bravest and most skilful commanders of our
Revolutionary War," remarked Mr. Keith. Then he added, "I think we have
seen about all you will care for here, Raymond, and that you might
enjoy going out upon the parade-ground now. The sun is near setting,
and the battalion will form presently, and go through some interesting
exercises."

"Thank you!" the Captain said. "Let us, then, go at once, for I see
Max and his sister are eager for the treat," he added, with a smiling
glance from one brightly expectant young face to the other.




CHAPTER IV.


They reached the parade-ground just in time to see the battalion
forming under arms, and Max and Lulu watched every movement with
intense interest and delight,--the long skirmish lines firing
in advance or retreat, picking off distant imaginary leaders of
a pretended enemy in reply to the ringing skirmish calls of the
key-bugles, deploying at the run, rallying at the reserves and around
the colours.

That last seemed to delight Lulu more than anything else. "Oh," she
exclaimed, "isn't it lovely! Wouldn't they all fight for the dear old
flag if an enemy should come and try to tear it down!"

"I'm inclined to think they would," returned Mr. Keith, smiling at her
enthusiasm. "Now look at the flag waving from the top of the staff
yonder."

The words had scarcely left his lips when there came the sudden bang of
the sunset gun, and the flag quickly fluttered to the earth.

Then followed the march of the cadets to their supper, and our little
party turned about and went in search of theirs.

On leaving the table they went out upon the hotel porch and seated
themselves where the view was particularly fine, the gentlemen
conversing, Max and Lulu listening, both tired enough to be quite
willing to sit still.

The talk, which was principally of ordnance and various matters
connected with army and navy, had greater interest for the boy than for
his sister, and Lulu soon laid her head on her father's shoulder, and
was presently in the land of dreams.

"My poor, tired, little girl!" he said, low and tenderly, softly
smoothing the hair from her forehead as he spoke.

At that she roused, and lifting her head, said coaxingly, "Please don't
send me to bed yet, Papa! I'm wide awake now."

"Are you, indeed?" he laughed. "I think those eyes look rather heavy;
but you may sit up now if you will agree to sleep in the morning when
Max and I will probably be going out to see the cadets begin their day.
Would you like to go, Max?"

"Yes, indeed, sir!" answered Max, in eager tones; "it's about five
o'clock we have to start,--isn't it?"

"Yes, Max. Lieutenant Keith has kindly offered to call us in season,
and become our escort to the camp."

"Oh, Papa, mayn't I go too?" pleaded Lulu, in the most coaxing tones.
"I won't give you the least bit of trouble."

"You never do, daughter, in regard to such matters; you are always
prompt, and ready in good season."

"Then do you say I may go, Papa?"

"Yes, if you will go to bed at once, in order to secure enough sleep by
five o'clock in the morning."

"Oh, thank you, sir! Yes, indeed, I will," she said, hastily rising to
her feet, and bidding good-night to Mr. Keith.

"I too," said Max, following her example.

"Good children," said their father; then noticing the longing look in
Lulu's eyes, he excused himself to his friend, saying he would join him
again presently, and went with them.

"That is a beautiful, bright, engaging, little girl of yours,
Raymond,--one that any father might be proud of," remarked Keith when
the Captain had resumed the seat by his side.

"She seems all that to me; but I have sometimes thought it might be
the blindness of parental affection that makes the child so lovely and
engaging in her father's eyes," returned the Captain, in tones that
spoke much gratification.

"I think, indeed I am sure, not," returned Keith. "About how old is
she?"

"Thirteen. Actually, she'll be a woman before I know it!" was the added
exclamation in a tone of dismay. "I don't like the thought of losing
my little girl even in that way."

"Ah, you'll be likely to lose her in another before many years!"
laughed his friend. "She'll make a lovely woman, Raymond!"

"I think you are right," answered the father; "and I confess that the
thought of another gaining the first place in her heart--which I know
is mine now--is far from pleasant to me. Well, it cannot be for some
years yet, and I shall try not to think of it. Perhaps she may never
care to leave her father."

"I don't believe she will if she is wise. You are a fortunate man,
Raymond! Your son--the image of his father--is not less attractive than
his sister, and evidently a remarkably intelligent lad. He will make
his mark in the navy; and I dare say we shall have the pleasure of
seeing him an admiral by the time we--you and I--are gray-headed, old
veterans."

"Perhaps so," returned the Captain, with a pleased smile; "but
promotion is slow in the navy in these days of peace."

"Quite true; and as true of the army as of the navy. But even that is
to be preferred to war,--eh, Raymond?"

"Most decidedly," was the emphatic reply.

"You leave for home to-morrow evening, I think you said?" was Keith's
next remark, made in an inquiring tone.

"That is my plan at present," replied the Captain, "though I would stay
a little longer rather than have the children disappointed in their
hope of seeing everything about here that has any connection with the
Revolution."

"They seem to be ardent young patriots," said Keith. "It does one good
to see their pride and delight in the flag. How their eyes shone at the
sight of the rally round the colours."

"Yes; and they feel an intense interest in everything that has any
connection with the Revolutionary struggle. They get it in the blood;
and it has been their father's earnest endeavour to cultivate in them
an ardent love of country."

"In which he has evidently been remarkably successful," returned Keith.
"I am much mistaken if that boy does not do you great credit while in
the Naval Academy, and, as I remarked a moment since, after fairly
entering the service."

"A kind and pleasant prediction, Keith," the Captain said, giving his
friend a gratified look.

"How many children have you, Raymond?" was the next question.

"Only five," the Captain said, with a happy laugh,--"five treasures
that should, it seems to me, make any man feel rich; also, a sweet,
beautiful, young wife, who is to her husband worth far more than her
weight in gold. 'Her price is above rubies.' And you, Keith,--you have
not told me whether you have yet found your mate."

"No, not yet. I sometimes think I never shall, but shall soon become a
confirmed old bachelor," Keith replied. Then, after an instant's pause,
"I wonder if Lulu's father would give her to me should I wait patiently
till she is old enough to know her own mind in such matters, and then
succeed in winning her heart?"

"Ah, Keith, is that a serious thought or a mere idle jest?" queried the
Captain, turning a surprised and not altogether pleased look upon his
friend.

"A sort of mixture of the two, I believe, Raymond," was the laughing
reply; "but I haven't the least idea of putting any such mischief into
your daughter's head,--at least, not at present. But if I ask your
permission half a dozen years hence to pay my court to her, I hope it
will not be refused."

"Well, Keith," the Captain said, after a moment's silence, "I should
be very loath to stand in the way of your happiness,--still more of
that of my dear daughter; but the time is so far off that we need not
discuss the question now. My little girl seems still the merest child,
with no thought of the cares, pleasures, and duties of womanhood;
and I wish to keep her so as long as I can. That is one reason why
I rejoice in being able to educate her myself in our own home; and
thus far the loves of the dear ones in it have seemed all-sufficient
for her happiness. And I own to being particularly pleased with her
oft-repeated assurance that she loves Papa better than she does any one
else in all the wide world."

"Ah, I do not wonder that she does, for her father is altogether worthy
of all the love she can give him!" Keith said, with a half-sigh,
thinking of the loneliness of his lot compared with that of the Captain.

"Keith," the Captain said, after a moment's silence, "you tell me your
furlough will not expire for some weeks yet. Can you not spend them
with us at the sea-shore?"

Donald demurred a little at first, saying he had made other plans; and
besides, his going might interfere with his cousins' arrangements.

"Not the slightest danger of that," the Captain averred; "and I am
certain that one and all will be delighted to see you."

"And I own to being fairly hungry for a sight of them," laughed Donald.
"So, Raymond, your invitation is accepted, and on your own head be the
consequences."

"No objection to that; I'm delighted to have you on any terms,
reasonable or otherwise," the Captain said, with his pleasant smile.

Max and Lulu had an hour or more of good refreshing sleep before the
two gentlemen separated for the night.

Captain Raymond went very softly into Lulu's room, and stood for a
moment by the bedside looking fondly down into the rosy, sleeping face,
then, bending over her, kissed her tenderly on cheek and lip and brow.

Her eyes opened wide and looked up into his, while a glad smile broke
over her face.

"You dear, good Papa, to come in and kiss me again!" she said, putting
her arm round his neck and returning his caresses. "Oh, I do think I
have just the very dearest, kindest, best father in the whole wide
world!"

"That's rather strong, isn't it?" he returned, laughing, but at the
same time gathering her up in his arms for a moment's petting and
fondling. Then, laying her down again, "I did not mean to wake you,"
he said; "and I want you now to go to sleep again as fast as you can,
because, though to-morrow will, I hope, be a very enjoyable day to you
and Max, it is probable you will find it quite fatiguing also."

"Yes, sir; but I don't mean to think about it now, else I'd be wide
awake presently, and maybe not sleep any more to-night," Lulu answered
drowsily, her eyes closing while she spoke.

He was turning away, when she roused sufficiently to ask another
question. "Papa, will you please wake me when the time comes to get
up?"

"Yes, daughter," he replied. "Do not let the fear of not waking in
season rob you of a moment's sleep. I think you may safely trust to
your father to attend to that for you."

It seemed to Lulu that but a few moments had passed when her father's
voice spoke again close to her side.

"Wake up now, little daughter, if you want to go with Papa and Max to
see what the cadets will be doing in their camp for the next hour or
so."

"Oh, yes, indeed, I do!" she cried, wide awake in an instant.
"Good-morning; and thank you ever so much for calling me, dear Papa!"
and with the words her arms were round his neck, her kisses on his
cheek.

He gave her a hearty embrace in turn; and then, with a "Now, my
darling, you must make haste, we have only ten minutes; but I
shall bring you back to rearrange your toilet before going down to
breakfast," he released her and went back to his own room.

Lulu made quick work of her dressing, and when her father tapped at her
door to say it was time to go, was quite ready.

They found Mr. Keith waiting on the porch, exchanged a pleasant
"good-morning" with him, and at once started for the camp.

Max and Lulu were in gayest spirits, and were allowed to laugh and talk
till the little party drew near the camp, when their father bade them
be quiet, and amuse themselves for the present by looking and listening.

He spoke in a kind, pleasant tone, and they obeyed at once.

Down by the guard-tents they could see a dim, drowsy gleam, as of a
lantern; the gas-jets along the way seemed to burn dimly, too, as the
daylight grew stronger, and up about the hill-tops on the farther side
of the river the sky was growing rosy and bright with the coming day.
But all was so quiet, so still, where the tents were that it seemed
as if everybody there must be still wrapped in slumber; and Lulu was
beginning to think Mr. Keith must have called for them a little earlier
than necessary, when a sudden gleam and rattle among the trees almost
made her jump, so startled was she, while at the same instant a stern,
boyish voice called out, "Who comes there?" and a sentry stood before
them wrapped in an overcoat,--for the morning was very cool up there
among the mountains,--and with the dew dripping from his cap.

"Friends, with the countersign," replied Mr. Keith.

"Halt, friends! Advance one with the countersign," commanded the
sentry; and while the Captain and his children stood still where they
were, Mr. Keith stepped up to the levelled bayonet and whispered a
word or two in the ear of the young sentinel which at once caused a
change in his attitude toward our party,--respectful attention taking
the place of the fierce suspicion. "Advance, friends!" he said,
bringing his heels together and his rifle to the carry, then stood like
a statue while they passed on into the camp he guarded.

Max and Lulu, remembering their father's order to them to keep quiet,
said nothing, but were careful to make the very best use of their eyes.

Down by the tents, on the south and east sides, they could see sentries
pacing their rounds, but there was as yet no sound or movement among
the occupants.

Some drummer-boys were hurrying over the plain toward the camp, while a
corporal and two cadets were silently crossing to the northeast corner,
where stood a field-piece dripping with dew.

Max motioned to Lulu to notice what they were doing, and as he did so
they had reached the gun, and there was a dull thud as they rammed home
their cartridge.

The drummer-boys were chattering together in low tones, glancing now
and again at the clock in the "Academic" tower over on the other side
of the plain. Suddenly a mellow stroke began to tell the hour, but
the next was drowned in the roar of the gun as it belched forth fire
and smoke, while at the same instant drum and fife broke forth in the
stirring strains of the reveille.

Lulu almost danced with delight, looking up into her father's face
with eyes shining with pleasure. His answering smile was both fond and
indulgent as he took the small white hand in his with a loving clasp;
but it was no time for words amid the thunder of the drums playing
their march in and about the camp.

Lulu could see the tent-flaps raised, drowsy heads peering out, then
dozens of erect, slender lads, in white trousers and tight-fitting
coatees, coming out with buckets, and hurrying away to the water-tanks
and back again.

Presently the drums and fifes ceased their music; there was a brief
interval of silence, while the streets of the camp filled up with gray
and white coated figures. Then came another rattle of the drums like a
sharp, quick, imperative call.

"Fall in!" ordered the sergeants; and like a flash each company sprang
into two long columns.

"Left face!" ordered each first sergeant, while the second sergeant,
answering to his own name, was watching with eagle eye a delinquent who
came hurrying on, and took his place in the ranks too late by a full
half-second.

"Ah," exclaimed Keith, "that poor lad will be reported as too late at
reveille!"

Lulu gave him a look of surprise. "Dear me," she said to herself, "if
Papa was that strict with his children what ever would become of me?"

But the first sergeant was calling the roll, and she listened with
fresh astonishment as he rattled off the seventy or eighty names
without so much as an instant's pause, using no list, and seeming to
recognize each lad as he answered "Here."

It took scarcely a minute; then at a single word the ranks scattered,
the lads hurrying away to their tents, while the first sergeant made a
brief report to the captain, who stood near, then the captain to the
officer of the day.

Our little party had now seated themselves where a good view of the
camp might be obtained, and Max and Lulu watched with great interest
what was going on there. They could see the lads pull off their gray
coats, raise their tent-walls to give free circulation through them to
the sweet morning air, pile up their bedding, and sweep their floors.

Lulu gave her father an inquiring look, and he said, "What is it,
daughter? You may talk now, if you wish."

"I was just wondering if you had to do such work as that at Annapolis,"
she said in reply.

"I did," he responded, with a smile, "and thought you had heard me
speak of it."

"Maybe I have," she said, with a tone and look as if trying to recall
something in the past. "Oh, yes, I do remember it now! And I suppose
that's the reason you have always been so particular with us about
keeping our rooms nice and neat."

"Partly, I believe," he returned, softly patting the hand she had laid
on his knee; "but my mother was very neat and orderly, and from my
earliest childhood tried to teach me to be the same."

"And I think I'll find it easier because of your teachings, sir,"
remarked Max.

"I hope so," the Captain said; "you'll find you have enough to learn,
my boy, without that."

"A good father is a great blessing, Max, as I have found in my own
experience," said Mr. Keith.

But the roll of the drums began again, now playing "Pease upon a
Trencher;" again the ranks were formed, rolls called; the sergeants
marched their companies to the colour line, officers took their
stations; first captain ordered attention, swung the battalion into
column of platoons to the left, ordered "Forward, guide right, march!"
and away they went, to the stirring music of the fifes and drums, away
across the plain till the main road was reached, down the shaded lane
between the old "Academic" and the chapel, past the new quarters, and
the grassy terrace beyond. Then each platoon wheeled in succession to
the right, mounted the broad stone steps, and disappeared beneath the
portals of the mess hall.

Our party, who had followed at so slight a distance as to be able to
keep the cadets in sight to the door of entrance, did not attempt
to look in upon them at their meal, but hurried on to the hotel to
give attention to their own breakfasts,--the keen morning air and the
exercise of walking having bestowed upon each one an excellent appetite.

Max and Lulu were very eager to "get back in time to see everything,"
as they expressed it, so began eating in great haste.

Their father gently admonished them to be more deliberate.

"You must not forget," he said, "that food must be thoroughly
masticated in order to digest properly; and those who indulge in
eating at such a rapid rate will be very likely soon to suffer from
indigestion."

"And we may as well take our time," added Mr. Keith, "for it will be an
hour or more before anything of special interest will be going on among
the cadets."

"What do they do next, sir?" asked Max.

"Morning drill, which is not very interesting, comes next; then the
tents are put in order."

"That must take a good while," remarked Lulu.

"From three to five minutes, perhaps."

"Oh!" she cried in surprise; "how can they do it so quickly? I'm sure I
couldn't put my room at home in good order in less than ten minutes."

"But, then, you're not a boy, you know," laughed Max.

"I'm quite as smart as if I were," she returned promptly. "Isn't that
so, Papa?"

"I have known some boys who were not particularly bright," he answered,
with an amused look. "Perhaps you might compare quite favourably with
them."

"Oh, Papa!" she exclaimed; "is that the best you can say about me?"

"I can say that my daughter seems to me to have as much brain as my
son, and of as good quality," he replied kindly, refilling her plate
as he spoke; "and I very much doubt his ability to put a room in order
more rapidly than she can, and at the same time equally well," he
concluded.

"Well, it's a sort of womanish work anyhow,--isn't it, Papa?" queried
Max, giving Lulu another laughing look.

"I don't see it so," replied his father. "I would be sorry to admit,
or to think, that women have a monopoly of the good qualities of order
and cleanliness."

"I, too, sir," said Max; "and I'm quite resolved to do my father credit
in that line as well as others, at the academy and elsewhere."

"Are we going at once, Papa?" Lulu asked as they left the table.

"No; but probably in ten or fifteen minutes. Can you wait so long as
that?" he asked, with a humorous smile, and softly smoothing her hair
as she stood by his side.

"Oh, yes, sir!" she answered brightly. "I hope I'm not quite so
impatient as I used to be; and I feel quite sure you'll not let Max or
me miss anything very interesting or important."

"Not if I can well help it, daughter," he said. "I want you and Max
to see and hear all that I think will be instructive, or give you
pleasure."

A few moments later they set out; and they had just reached the grove
up by the guard-tents, and seated themselves comfortably, when the drum
tapped for morning parade, and the cadets were seen issuing from their
tents, buttoned to the throat in faultlessly fitting uniforms, their
collars, cuffs, gloves, belts, and trousers of spotless white, their
rifles, and every bit of metal about them gleaming with polish.

"How fine the fellows do look, Lu!" remarked Max, in an undertone.

"Yes," she replied; "they couldn't be neater if they were girls."

"No, I should think not," he returned, with a laugh. "Oh, see! yonder
comes the band. Now we'll soon have some music."

"And there come some officers," said Lulu; and as she spoke the sentry
on No. 1 rattled his piece, with a shout that re-echoed from the hills,
"Turn out the guard, Commandant of Cadets!" and instantly the members
of the guard were seen hastily to snatch their rifles from the racks,
form ranks, and present arms.

"Oh, Maxie, isn't that fine!" whispered Lulu, ecstatically. "Wouldn't
you like to be that officer?"

"I'd ten times rather be captain of a good ship," returned Max.

"I believe I'd rather be in the navy, too, if I were a boy," she said;
"but I'd like the army next best."

"Yes, so would I."

But the drum again tapped sharply, the cadets in each street resolved
themselves into two long parallel lines, elbow to elbow, and at the
last tap faced suddenly outward, while the glistening rifles sprang up
to "support arms;" every first sergeant called off his roll, every man
as he answered to his name snapping down his piece to the "carry" and
"order."

That done, the sergeant faced his captain, saluting in soldierly
fashion, and took his post; the captain whipped out his shining sword;
the lieutenants stepped to their posts.

"This is the morning inspection," Mr. Keith said in reply to an
inquiring look from Max and Lulu.

"Are they very particular, sir?" queried Max.

"Very; should a speck of rust be found on a cadet's rifle, a single
button missing from his clothing, or unfastened, a spot on his
trousers, a rip or tear in his gloves, or dust on his shoes, it
is likely to be noted on the company delinquency-book to-day, and
published to the battalion to-morrow evening."

"I wonder if they're as strict and hard on a fellow as that at
Annapolis," thought Max to himself. "I mean to ask Papa about it."

The inspection was soon over.

"Now," said Mr. Keith, "there'll be a moment's breathing spell, then
more music by the band while the cadets go through some of their
exercises, which I think you will find well worth looking at."

They did enjoy it extremely,--the music, the manoeuvres of the cadets
under the orders now of the adjutant, and again of the officer in
command.

There followed a half-hour of rest, in which Mr. Keith introduced his
friend, Captain Raymond, to some of the other officers, and they all
had a little chat together.

But as the clock struck nine the cadets were again in ranks.

"What are they going to do now, Mr. Keith?" asked Lulu.

"This is the hour for battery drill," was the reply.

"Ah, I'm glad we're going to see that!" said Max. "I'd rather see it
than anything else."

"The cadets are dividing and going in different directions," said Lulu.
"Some of them seem to be going down by the river."

"Yes; some members of the senior class. They are going to what is
called the 'sea-coast battery' at the water's edge, and presently you
will hear the thunder of great guns coming from there."

"Oh, can we go and look at them?" asked Lulu, excitedly. "May we,
Papa?" turning to him.

"I think we shall have a finer sight up here," he replied. "Am I not
right, Mr. Keith?"

"Yes; I think we would better remain where we are. I would like you
to see what daring horsemen these youngsters are. See yonder are the
seniors in riding-dress, with gauntlets and cavalry sabres. Watch how
easily they mount, and how perfectly at home they are upon their
steeds."

With intense interest and no little excitement Max and Lulu watched and
listened to all that followed,--the rapid movements of column, line,
and battery, the flash of sabres, the belching of flame and smoke,
accompanied by the thundering roar of the great guns, the stirring
bugle blasts, the rearing of the horses when brought to a sudden
halt. Even the gentlemen showed unmistakable symptoms of interest and
excitement.

The hour of battery drill passed very quickly. When it was over the
Captain called a carriage, and he, Mr. Keith, Max, and Lulu drove from
one point of interest to another, occupying in this way the time till
the hour for the boat from Albany to touch at the point. They took
passage on it to New York City, where they left it to board a Sound
steamer,--a few hours' journey in which would take them to that part
of the sea-coast of Rhode Island which had been selected as the summer
resort of the family connection.




CHAPTER V.


Early the next morning our party landed at Newport, where they took
a carriage for their sea-side home. It was early when they arrived,
but they found everybody up, and ready with a joyful welcome, in both
that house and the next two, occupied by the Dinsmores, Travillas, and
Lelands. The delight of all the Raymonds, from the Captain down to the
baby boy, was a pretty thing to see.

The occupants of the other cottages were present, and rejoiced with
them; and from one and all Cousin Donald received a very warm welcome.
They were evidently much pleased to see him, and soon made him feel
quite at home among them.

They all sat down to breakfast together, almost immediately upon the
arrival of the travellers, and lingered over the table in pleasant
chat, talking of what had occurred to one and another during the
absence of the Captain, Max, and Lulu, questioning Cousin Donald in
regard to loved ones more nearly related to him than to themselves, and
laying plans for his and their own entertainment during his stay among
them.

"I hope," remarked the Captain, "that some naval vessel will come
within reach, so that we may have a chance to visit her in your
company, Donald."

"Thank you; I would greatly enjoy so doing," Donald answered. "I
suppose a visit from such a vessel is by no means rare in these parts
at this time of year."

"No," the Captain replied, glancing through a window looking upon the
sea, as he spoke. "Why, there is one in plain view at this moment!" he
cried, starting to his feet.

They all hastily left the table and gathered upon a porch which gave
them a good view of the sea and the man-of-war, hardly a mile away.

"My spy-glass, Max, my son," the Captain said.

"Here, Papa," answered Max, putting it into his father's hand. "I knew
it would be wanted."

"Good boy," returned the Captain. "Ah, yes," looking through the glass,
"just as I thought. It is the 'Wanita,' Captain Wade, an old friend of
mine; we were boys together in the Naval Academy." His face shone with
pleasure as he spoke. "We must visit her," he added, passing the glass
to Donald.

Max and Lulu exchanged glances of delight,--Papa was so kind and
indulgent they were almost sure he would take them along if he knew
they wished to go.

"Not to-day, Levis? I am sure you must be too much fatigued with your
long journey," Violet said, with a look into her husband's eyes that
seemed to add, "I could not be content to part from you for an hour
just yet."

His answering look was as fond as her own.

"No, dearest," he said, low and tenderly, "nor do I intend to go at all
without my little wife, unless she absolutely refuses to accompany me;
we will stay quietly at home to-day, if you wish, and perhaps visit the
'Wanita' to-morrow."

It was a bit of private chat, the others being quite engrossed with the
'Wanita,' taking turns in gazing upon her through the glass.

The next moment Lulu was by her father's side, asking in eager
beseeching tones, "Papa, if you go on board that war vessel won't you
take Max and me with you?"

"I think it highly probable, in case you should both wish to go," he
said, smiling at the look of entreaty in her face and its sudden change
to one of extreme delight as she heard his reply.

"Oh, Papa, thank you ever so much!" she cried, fairly dancing with
delight. "There's nothing I'd like better; and I hope we can all go."

"You would enjoy it, my dear?" asked the Captain, turning to his wife.

"I would enjoy going anywhere with you, Levis; and your company is
particularly desirable on a man-of-war," Violet answered with a happy
laugh.

"Thank you," he returned, with a bow and smile. "We must have
them--Wade and his officers--here too. It will be a pleasure to
entertain them."

"Oh, Papa, how delightful!" cried Lulu, clapping her hands.

"Ah, my child, let me advise you not to be too much elated," laughed
her father; "they may have or receive orders to leave this port for
some other before our plan can be carried out."

"What plan is it?" "To what do you refer, Captain?" asked several
voices; for nearly every one had now taken a look at the man-of-war,
and was ready to give attention to something else.

The Captain explained.

"Oh, how delightful!" exclaimed Zoe. "Will it be a dinner, tea, or
evening party, Captain?"

"That question remains open to discussion, Sister Zoe," he returned,
with a twinkle of fun in his eye. "What would you advise?"

"Oh," she said laughingly, "I am not prepared to answer that question
yet."

Then the others joined in with proposals and suggestions, but nothing
was positively decided upon just at that time.

The day was spent restfully in wandering along the shore, sitting on
the beach or the cottage porches, chatting and gazing out over the
sea, or napping,--most of the last-named being done by the lately
returned travellers.

The little girls of the family, occasionally joined by Max Raymond
and Walter Travilla, spent much of the day together, rather apart
from their elders,--Lulu most of the time giving an account of her
trip out West and weeks of sojourn in the town of Minersville, the
acquaintances she had made, and all that had happened during the stay
there, especially of the sad occurrence which so seriously marred the
enjoyment of the last days of their visit, Max now and then taking part
in the narrative.

Both had a great deal to tell about West Point and Saratoga, and the
places of historical interest in their vicinity. Evidently the trip to
the far West and back again, with their father, had been one of keen
enjoyment to both of them.

So the day passed and evening drew on. The little ones were in bed, the
others all gathered upon the porches enjoying the delicious sea-breeze,
and the view of the rolling waves, crested with foam, and looking like
molten silver where the moonbeams fell full upon them.

Every one seemed gay and happy, and there was a good deal of cheerful
chat, particularly on the porch of the Raymond cottage, where were
Grandma Elsie, Edward Travilla, Donald Keith, the Captain, with Violet
and his older children, and some of the other young persons.

The sound of approaching wheels attracted their attention. A carriage
drew up in front of the house, and from it alighted a gentleman in the
uniform of a captain in the navy.

"Wade!" exclaimed Captain Raymond, hurrying out to meet him. "My dear
friend, this is very kind in you. I had hardly hoped to see you until
to-morrow, and not then without hunting you up. You are as welcome as
this delicious sea-breeze."

"Thanks, Raymond, that's quite a compliment," laughed the other,
shaking hands heartily; "but I deserve no thanks, as I came quite as
much for my own satisfaction as for yours. I understand you have been
here for some weeks, but I only heard of it accidentally this morning."

"But it was only this morning I arrived," Captain Raymond said in a
tone of amusement; then, as they had stepped into the midst of the
group upon the porch, he proceeded to introduce his friend to the
ladies and gentlemen composing it.

There followed an hour of lively, pleasant chat, during which Captain
Wade made acquaintance with not only the grown people, but the younger
ones also, seeming to take a great deal of interest in them,--Max
especially,--listening with attention and evident sympathy as Captain
Raymond told of his son's prospect of soon becoming a naval cadet.

"You have my best wishes, Max," said Captain Wade. "I hope to live to
see you a naval officer as brave, talented, and as much beloved as your
father was, and still is."

Max's eyes sparkled, and turned upon his father with a look of deepest
respect and affection as he replied, "I could ask nothing better than
that, sir, I am sure."

"And I could wish you nothing better than that you may prove a son
worthy of such a father," returned Captain Wade. "I have known him
since he was a boy of your age, and never knew him to be guilty of a
mean or dishonourable act."

"Thank you, sir," said Max, his cheeks flushing, and his eyes again
seeking his father's face with a look of reverence and filial love; "it
is very kind in you to tell me that, though it's no news to me that I'm
so fortunate as to be the son of a man any boy might be proud to own as
his father."

"Bravo, Max!" exclaimed Mr. Keith, with a pleased laugh. "I like to
hear a boy talk in that way of his father, and certainly you have a
good right to do so."

"No boy ever had a better right than Max has to speak well of his
father," remarked Violet, lightly, but with an earnest undertone in
her sweet voice, "and no one is more capable of judging of that than I,
who have lived with them both for years."

"And no one could speak too well of Papa," said Lulu, with impulsive
warmth, "for there couldn't be a better man than he is."

"I should be sorry to believe that, little daughter," he said, putting
an arm round her as she stood close at his side. Then he changed the
subject of conversation.

A few minutes later Captain Wade took leave, giving all a cordial
invitation to return his call by a visit to the "Wanita."

"We had talked of giving you a call to-morrow," said Captain Raymond,
"but that would be a very prompt return of your visit."

"None too prompt," returned Wade. "Our time here together, Raymond, is
likely to be all too short, and we would better make the most of it."

"So I think," returned the person addressed; "and I hope we shall have
the pleasure of seeing you here frequently."

"I think he's just as nice as he can be," remarked Rosie Travilla, as
the carriage drove away with Captain Wade, "and I hope he'll visit us
again soon."

"So do I," said Lulu, "I believe naval officers are the very nicest
gentlemen in the world."

"That's rather strong, isn't it?" laughed her father; "and as you have
made the acquaintance of only two or three in the course of your life,
I fear you are hardly a competent judge."

"And what of army officers, my little lady?" asked Donald Keith, with a
good-humoured laugh. "Have you nothing to say for them?"

"Oh, yes, sir!" she said. "I forgot them at the moment, and I do really
think they are _almost_ equal to the naval ones."

"Almost!" he repeated. "Well, even that is saying a good deal for us if
your father is a fair sample of those belonging to the navy."

But it was growing late, and the little party soon separated for the
night.

Lulu was nearly ready for bed when her father came to her room to
bid her good-night in the old way she liked so much. He took her in
his arms with a fond caress, asking, "Does it seem pleasant to be at
home--or with the home folks--again?"

"Yes, indeed, Papa," she answered, putting an arm about his neck and
laying her cheek to his, "but you are always a great deal more than
half of home to me. Oh, I do love you so dearly!"

"And I you, my own darling," her father replied, caressing her again
and again.

"I'd rather have you to love me, Papa, than have all the money in the
world without you, or with a father that didn't care much about me,"
she continued.

"Dear child," he said in tender tones, "I value you, and each one of my
children, more than words can express. Now I must bid you good-night,
for you need all the sleep you can get between this and sunrise."

"Oh!" she exclaimed, "I do hope to-morrow will be clear, so we can go
to see the 'Wanita;' or at least that it won't rain. Perhaps it would
be all the pleasanter for a few clouds to keep the sun from being so
hot on us."

"No doubt," he replied; "but we must take the weather our heavenly
Father sends, and be content and thankful."

"Yes, sir, I'll try to do so; but I do hope it will be such that we can
go."

"I hope it will, daughter; but if you should have to give up the trip
for the time, I hope and expect to see you do so pleasantly,--which
you well may, considering that we are very likely to have other
opportunities."

"Well, if anything should happen to keep me at home, and I'm cross or
sulky about it, I just hope you'll punish me well for my naughtiness,"
she said so earnestly that he could scarcely refrain from smiling.

"I'm sure that in that case I should punish myself quite as much as
you," he said, giving her another hug. "My dear child, if you care at
all for Papa's happiness,--as I am sure you do,--try to be so good that
he will never have the pain of inflicting any kind of punishment upon
you."

Then he bade her good-night, and left her to her rest.

Lulu's head was scarcely on the pillow before she was fast asleep. When
she woke, it was already broad daylight. She sprang up and ran to the
window to take an observation of the weather.

"Cloudy, but not raining," she said, half-aloud. "Just as I'd like to
have it, if only it will keep so, and not turn to actual rain."

With that she began making a rapid toilet, thinking she would like to
take a little run on the beach before the summons to breakfast; but
when she reached the porch below, the rain was falling pretty fast.

"Oh, dear!" she sighed, "why couldn't it keep off for a few hours
longer?"

"What, daughter,--the rain?" asked her father's voice close at her
side, while his hand was laid caressingly upon her head.

"Oh, good-morning, Papa!" she returned, lifting to his a sorely
disappointed face. "I didn't know you were here. Yes, sir, it is the
rain I'm mourning over,--I do so want to visit that man-of-war to-day;
it's really a great disappointment!"

"I'm sorry you should feel it so!" he returned in a sympathizing tone;
"but we won't despair yet. I think this is but a passing shower, which
will make the trip all the more enjoyable by cooling the air nicely for
us. However, should it prove too inclement for our contemplated little
jaunt, we must try to remember that our kind and loving heavenly Father
orders all these things, and to be patient and content,--more than
content, thankful for whatever He sends!"

"I'll try to be content and thankful, Papa; I certainly ought, when I
have so many, _many_ blessings, and don't really deserve any of them,"
she answered, putting her hand into his, and letting him lead her back
and forth along the porch, which they had to themselves for the time.

"No; that is true of each one of us," he said. "Did you sleep well?"

"Just as well as possible, Papa," she answered, smiling up into his
face. "I didn't know anything from the time my head touched the pillow
till I woke to find it broad daylight."

"That is something to be very thankful for, daughter, as you will
discover should sickness and pain ever give you long hours of
wakefulness, such as fall to the lot of many a poor sufferer."

"I hope that time will never come to either of us, Papa," she said;
"but I'd rather it would come to me than to you. Oh, it was so hard to
see you suffer that time you were sick here, and that other time, when
Thunderer threw you!"

"Ah, I shall never forget how tenderly affectionate and helpful my
children were to me then," he said, with a look and smile that made her
heart bound.

Now others of the family began to join them. Mr. Keith came out upon
the porch too, and after exchanging a good-morning with those who had
preceded him, remarked that it seemed doubtful if they would be able to
take their proposed trip to visit Captain Wade and his man-of-war. But
by the time breakfast and family worship were over, the clouds began to
scatter; and in another hour the carriages were at the door ready to
convey them to the wharf, whence a boat would take them to the "Wanita."

Every one did not care to go that day; the party consisted of Grandma
Elsie, Edward, Zoe, Rosie Travilla, Evelyn Leland, Mr. Keith, and the
Raymonds, not including the very little ones, who were left at home in
the care of their nurse.

It was pronounced by all a most enjoyable little excursion. The weather
proved favourable, clouds obscuring the sun, but no rain falling; the
officers of the "Wanita" were very polite and attentive, taking them
about the vessel, and showing them everything likely to interest ladies
and children.

They, particularly Grandma Elsie and Violet, were charmed with the
perfect neatness everywhere noticeable; the decks, the store-rooms,
the magazine and shell rooms, the passages, the engine and fire rooms
(into which they took a peep),--indeed, all parts of the vessel shown
them,--were most beautifully neat and clean.

The battery, which contained some new guns, seemed to interest Captain
Raymond and Mr. Keith more than anything else, while the ladies and
little girls greatly admired their brilliant polish.

When they returned to the shore there was still time for a delightful
drive before dinner, which they took,--the best hour for bathing coming
in the afternoon.

Captain Wade and his officers took dinner and tea with them the next
day by invitation. A great interest in the navy had been aroused in the
breasts of the young people, and they watched the officers furtively,
and listened with attention to all they said that had any bearing upon
that subject.

Max was more and more in love with the prospect before him, and quite
resolved to make the very best of his opportunities should he be so
fortunate as to gain admission to the Naval Academy.

His father had told him he might have this week entirely for
recreation, but on the coming Monday must begin to review his studies
preparatory to the examination he would be called upon to pass through
at Annapolis.

"I'm very willing, Papa," he replied. "I've had a long and delightful
vacation already out West with you; and as I'm very anxious to pass
as good an examination as possible, I want to study hard to get ready
for it. And I think it's ever so kind in you to help me by hearing my
lessons."

"Well, my boy," the Captain said, with a pleased look, "make the most
of your holidays while they last, though I do not mean that it shall be
all work and no play even after this week; a couple of hours given to
study each day will probably be all-sufficient."

"And may I get up early and take them before breakfast when I choose,
sir?" Max asked in an eager tone, that told how delightful he would
esteem it to be ready to join in the pastimes of the rest of their
party,--driving, boating, fishing, bathing, and strolling along the
beach and through the woods.

"Yes, my son, if you can manage to get enough sleep in season for
that," the Captain replied in an indulgent tone.

"I think I can, sir," said the boy. "I'll take an afternoon _siesta_ if
I don't get enough sleep without."

"That will do," said his father. "Remember health and study must be
well attended to, and the more fun and frolic you can manage to get
besides, the better I shall be pleased."

Bent on carrying out his plan, Max went early to bed Sunday night,
and was up at his books working hard for a couple of hours before
breakfast. It still wanted fifteen or twenty minutes of that time when
he went down to the porch with his book in his hand.

His father was alone there, looking over the morning paper.

"Good-morning, Papa," Max said. "I am ready to recite whenever you want
to hear me."

"Ah! are you, indeed?" the Captain said, taking the book; "then I shall
hear this lesson at once."

Max recited very creditably. His father commended him kindly, then
said, "I am going in to the city directly after we have had breakfast
and family worship, and shall take you with me if you would like to go."

"Thank you, sir; indeed I would!" returned Max, his eyes shining, for
he esteemed it one of his greatest pleasures and privileges to be
permitted to go anywhere with his father.

"Yes, I think you will enjoy it," the Captain said, smiling to see how
pleased the boy was; "I have an errand which I shall tell to no one but
Cousin Donald and you. See here," pointing to an advertisement in the
paper he had been reading.

"A yacht for sale!" exclaimed Max; "Oh, Papa, are you going to buy it?"

"That is a question I am not prepared to answer till I have seen it, my
boy," replied his father. "I shall take you and Cousin Donald, if he
will go, to look at it and help me to decide whether to buy it or not."

Mr. Keith joined them at that moment, and was greeted with a pleasant
good-morning and shown the advertisement, the Captain telling him that
if the yacht proved such as he would like to own, he meant to buy it,
and if the plan was agreeable to his wife, to spend the rest of the
summer on board, taking his family and friends with him, making short
voyages along the coast and perhaps some distance out to sea.

"Taking the opportunity to give my son some lessons in navigation," he
added, with a smiling glance at Max.

"Papa! I couldn't ask anything better!" exclaimed Max, hardly able to
contain his delight.

"I'm glad to hear it, my boy," his father said. "But now remember that
our errand is a secret between us three until we return from the city."

"Then you'll tell Mamma Vi and the rest, sir?" asked Max.

"If I have made the purchase, yes."

The call to breakfast came at that moment and was promptly obeyed.

Max could hardly eat, so excited was he over the prospect of going to
the city with his father on so delightful an errand, but he said not a
word on the subject.

The coachman had been given his order in good season, and by the time
family prayers were over the carriage and horses were at the gate.

"My dear," Captain Raymond said to Violet, "a business matter calls me
to the city, but I hope to return in season to take my wife in bathing,
or out driving, or wherever she may wish to go."

"Thank you, sir," she said, smiling up into his eyes; "I'll try to be
ready for either by the time you return. But is not this a sudden move?
I had heard nothing of it before."

"Yes, my dear; but as I am in some haste, I must defer my explanation
until I get home again."

"Oh, I don't ask for an explanation," she returned laughingly, as he
gave her a hasty good-by kiss; "you have always been so good since my
first acquaintance with you, that I am quite sure you may be trusted."

"Ah! I'm much obliged for your good opinion," he answered, with a
twinkle of fun in his eye, as he hastily kissed the children, then
hurried with Donald and Max to the carriage.




CHAPTER VI.


The "Dolphin" proved a trim little craft, beautifully finished and
furnished, a schooner-rigged sailing-yacht, gracefully modelled and
nearly new; but her former owner had died, and the yacht was to be sold
as a necessary measure for the settling of the estate.

Max went into raptures over her; and the Captain was evidently pleased,
though he said very little as he went about examining every part of her
with keen scrutiny.

"Isn't she all right, Papa?" Max at length ventured to ask.

"I think she is, my son," was the prompt, pleasant-toned reply. "What
is your opinion, Keith?"

"It exactly coincides with yours, Raymond; and if I wanted, and could
afford so expensive a luxury, I think I shouldn't hesitate to make an
offer for her."

"We seem to be quite agreed in our estimate of her," said Captain
Raymond; "and I shall take your advice."

"You are quite sure of her speed?" queried Keith.

"Yes; I have seen accounts of her in the papers, showing that she is a
fine sailer, as I should feel confident she would be, judging merely
from her appearance. She is a beautifully modelled, well-built little
craft."

"Looks rather small to you after the naval vessels you were wont to
command?" queried Donald Keith, with a good-humoured laugh.

"Yes; but quite captivating to a lover of the sea, nevertheless, and
as I see she is such to Max, and have no doubt that she will be to the
rest of my family, I am about decided to make the purchase."

Max drew a long breath, while his eyes sparkled with pleasure.

They at once sought the agent whose business it was to attend to the
sale of the vessel. It did not take long for him and the Captain to
come to an agreement; and the "Dolphin" quickly changed owners.

Max was enraptured, his cheeks glowing, his eyes fairly dancing with
delight. He managed, with some difficulty, to keep quiet till they were
in the carriage again on the way home, then burst out, "Papa, I think
it's just splendid that you're the owner of such a beautiful vessel!
And I hope to learn a great deal about the proper management of one
while we're sailing round in her."

"I shall try to teach you all I can, my boy," was his father's smiling
reply; "and your pleasure in the purchase doubles my own."

"Thank you, sir," said Max. "I intend to pay good heed to your
instructions, and learn as much as possible, so that I may pass a good
examination at Annapolis, and do my father credit."

"But, Max, you might do him as much credit in the army as in the navy;
and how you could resist the fascinations of West Point, I don't see,"
remarked Donald Keith, with a twinkle of fun in his eye.

"Well, sir, I suppose it's because I am the son of a seaman; love for
the sea runs in the blood,--isn't that so, Papa?"

"Altogether likely," laughed the Captain. "I have been supposed to
inherit it from my father, and he from his."

Violet, and the other members of the family, with some of the relatives
from the adjacent cottages, were all on the porch as the carriage drew
up in front of the house, and its occupants alighted.

"Papa! Papa!" shouted little Elsie and the baby boy, running to meet
him.

"Papa's darlings!" the Captain said, stooping to caress and fondle
them; then, taking them in his arms, he followed Donald up the
porch-steps, Max close in his rear.

"Take a seat, Cousin Donald," said Violet. "We are glad to see you all
back again. I have been wondering, my dear, what important business
you had to keep you so long away from me and your children."

"It was rather important," returned the Captain, pleasantly. "Max,"
with an indulgent smile into the lad's eager face, "you may have the
pleasure of telling where we have been and what we have done."

"Oh, thank you, sir!" cried Max, and proceeded to avail himself of the
permission, going into an enthusiastic description of the beautiful
"Dolphin," and winding up with the news that Papa had bought her, and
expected to take their whole party--or, at least, as many of them as
would like to go--coasting along the shores of all the Atlantic States
of New England, and for some distance out to sea.

Lulu was dancing with delight, hugging and kissing her father in a
transport of joy, before Max's story came to an end.

"Oh, Papa, how good,--how good and kind you are!" she exclaimed. "I
don't think anything could be pleasanter than such a trip as that.
It'll be the greatest fun that ever was. And you'll command the vessel
yourself, won't you? I do hope so; for I am sure nobody else could do
it half so well."

"What a flatterer my eldest daughter can show herself to be!" he
said, with a good-humoured laugh. "Yes, I do expect to take command
of the dainty little craft,--a small affair, indeed, compared with a
man-of-war. My dear," turning to Violet, "we have yet to hear from you
on this subject. I hope you approve of your husband's purchase."

"Entirely, Levis. In fact, I am quite as much delighted as Lulu seems
to be," she answered, smiling up into his face. "What could be more
enjoyable than sailing about in such a vessel, with a retired naval
officer in command? When am I to see your 'Dolphin'?"

"Yours quite as much as mine, my dear," he replied. "You have only to
say the word at any time, and I will take you over to look at her."

"Oh, will you?" she exclaimed. "Then suppose we all go over this
afternoon, and see what she is like."

"Agreed!" the Captain said; then glancing round at the eager faces,
"How many of you would like to go with us?" he asked.

He was answered by a prompt and unanimous acceptance of his invitation.
They all wanted to see that beautiful "Dolphin;" and after a little
discussion of the matter, it was decided that they would give up the
bath for that day, and start for Newport harbour immediately upon
leaving the dinner-table.

They made a very jovial party, and were delighted with the vessel and
the prospect of sailing in her under the command of one so kind and
competent as her new owner.

For the next few days Captain Raymond was busy with his preparations
for the voyage,--engaging a crew and getting everything on board that
would add to the comfort and enjoyment of his family and guests; the
ladies also were occupied with theirs, which were not sufficiently
great to interfere with the usual pleasures of a sojourn by the
sea-side; then one bright morning saw them all on board,--a merry,
happy party.

"Where are we going first, Papa?" asked Lulu, when they were fairly
under way.

"On a little trial trip along the coast," he answered.

"And then coming back to Newport?" questioned Gracie.

"Possibly," he said, with a smile into the bright, eager face.

"I think I know, though I'm not right sure," Max said, looking at his
father with a rather mischievous twinkle in his eyes, "what Papa is
thinking about."

"Do you, indeed?" laughed his father. "Well, what is it?"

"Well, sir, I overheard Captain Wade telling you he expected the
rest of the squadron would be in soon,--in a day or two, I think he
said,--and I have a notion it would be a fine sight for us all, and
that my father kindly means to give it to us."

"Ah, indeed! you seem to have a great deal of confidence in your
father's desire to give pleasure to you all," laughed the Captain.
"Well, my boy, events may perhaps show whether you are right."

The three had followed their father to a portion of the deck at some
little distance from the rest of the party, so that their talk was not
overheard by them.

"A squadron?" repeated Grace. "What is that? Oh, it's a good many ships
belonging together,--isn't it, Papa?"

"That will answer very well for a definition, or description," he
replied.

"Oh, how glad I am!" exclaimed Lulu, clapping her hands in delight.
"And will they go through all their manoeuvres, Papa?"

"As I am not the admiral whose orders are to be obeyed, I cannot say
exactly what will be done, my child," the Captain replied. "I can only
say I intend to have you in the vicinity in season to see all that may
be done. Does that satisfy you?"

"Oh, yes, sir! and I thank you very, very much!" she said, taking his
hand in both of hers and squeezing it affectionately.

"I too, Papa," said Grace. "I'm sure we'll enjoy it ever so much."

"I hope so," he answered. "And now can you three keep the secret from
the others, that they may have a pleasant surprise?"

"If we can't, or don't, I think we ought never to be told a secret
again," exclaimed Lulu, in her vehement way.

"Perhaps you would not be intrusted with one very soon again," her
father said; "but," he added, with a look from one to the other of
mingled pride and affection, "I feel quite safe in trusting a secret to
the keeping of the eldest three of my children. I am quite sure no one
of you would tell anything you knew your father wished kept secret."

"No, indeed, Papa!" said Max. "We would certainly deserve to be
severely punished, and never trusted by you again, if we should ever so
abuse your confidence."

"Just what I think," said Lulu.

"I too," added Grace. "And, Papa, it's so nice and kind in you to trust
us!" looking up into his face with a loving smile as she spoke.

"Is it?" he asked, smoothing her hair with fond, caressing hand. "Well,
my pet, it is a very great pleasure to me to be able to do so."

At that moment they were joined by Mr. Keith. The two gentlemen entered
into conversation; the two little girls ran down into the cabin to see
that the maid was making such disposition of their effects as they
desired; while Max, joined by Walter Travilla, made the tour of the
vessel for perhaps the fiftieth time,--for ever since the purchase,
he had spent at least half of every week-day there, learning from
his father and others all he could of her different parts and of her
management.

Walter, too, had been there again and again, spending hours at a time
in climbing about with Max, who took much pleasure in handing over to
him the lessons just learned by himself.

The rest of the party were seated on deck enjoying the breeze and the
beauties of sea and land,--for the latter was not yet out of sight,
though fast receding.

The weather was lovely, every one in the best of spirits, the younger
ones full of fun and frolic, and the day passed most enjoyably to all.
The evening was enlivened by music from a very sweet-toned piano in
the cabin, by singing, conversation, promenading the deck, and gazing
out over the water, watching the rise and fall of the waves, and the
passing of ships and steamers.

But the day had been an exciting one, especially to the children, and
they were willing enough to retire at an early hour. They gathered on
deck, each repeated a verse of Scripture, after which they united in
singing a hymn, and Mr. Dinsmore led in prayer. Then the good-nights
were said, and all the young people, with some of the older ones,
retired to their pretty, cosey state-rooms and their berths.

Great was the surprise of nearly everybody when, coming on deck the
next morning, they discovered that they were again in Narragansett Bay.
There were many exclamations and questions, "How did it happen?" "Whose
mistake was it that instead of being away out at sea, we are back at
our starting-point again?" These and other like queries were propounded
to the owner and commander of the yacht.

He pointed, with a good-humoured smile, to a number of war-vessels
lying quietly at anchor at no very great distance.

"The squadron is in, you see; and I thought my passengers would not
like to miss the sight of its evolutions, so brought them back to view
them. There will be time afterward for a pleasant little voyage along
the coast, or where you will."

The explanation was entirely satisfactory to every one, and there was
great rejoicing among the lads and lasses.

"What is it they're going to do, Papa?" asked Gracie.

"I have not been let into that secret, daughter," he answered; "but
we may find out after awhile by keeping a close watch upon their
movements."

"Oh, Papa, you can read their signals, and tell us what's coming,
can't you? Won't you?" exclaimed Lulu.

"Yes, my child, I can and will," he replied. "But there is the call to
breakfast, and you needn't hurry through your meal; for they are not
likely, for some hours yet, to begin anything you would want to see."

Encouraged by that assurance, no one cared to make undue haste in
eating all that appetite called for of the excellent breakfast
presently set before them. But an hour later found them all on deck,
young and old keeping a sharp watch on every movement of the vessels
composing the squadron, several spy-glasses being constantly turned in
their direction.

"Ah!" exclaimed the Captain, at length, while at the same instant Max
asked eagerly, "Papa, what is it they are doing there on the 'Wanita'?"

"Getting ready for inspection by the Admiral," was the reply. "See, the
men have donned their uniforms and are taking their places on the deck.
And yonder--do you see?--the Admiral and his staff are pushing off from
the flag-ship."

The boatswain's whistle and the roll of a drum were now heard coming
from the "Wanita."

"Oh, and is that the executive officer on the bridge of the 'Wanita,'
Papa?" asked Max, excitedly. "And what is he doing?"

"Giving an order to the gunner, doubtless to fire a salute in honour of
the Admiral."

Before the words had fairly left the Captain's lips, the loud boom of
the first gun burst upon the ear.

"Oh, Max, wouldn't you like to be in that Admiral's place?" queried
Walter Travilla; "I would."

"Oh, our Maxie means to be an admiral one of these days; and I'm sure I
hope he will," said Rosie.

"Very good in you, Rosie," returned Max, smiling and blushing; "but I'm
afraid I'll be an old man before that happens, if it ever does."

"But you may comfort yourself that you can be very useful in
maintaining your country's honour without waiting to be made an
admiral," remarked Evelyn Leland, smiling pleasantly at Max.

"Yes," he said, returning the smile, "and it _is_ a comfort. We'd any
of us feel it an honour to be useful to our country."

"I'd like to be," remarked Gracie, "if little girls could do anything."

"Little girls are sometimes a very great blessing and comfort to
their fathers," the Captain said, smiling down into her eyes while he
laid his right hand tenderly on her pretty head, with its sunny curls
streaming in the wind.

In the mean while the firing of the salute had gone on, the Admiral and
his staff had reached the deck of the "Wanita," the marines presenting
arms, and--

"There, what is he going to do now, Papa?" queried Lulu,--"the Admiral,
I mean."

"Inspect the ship," replied her father.

"What for, Papa?" asked Grace.

"To see that every part of it is in perfect order."

"I'm sure he will find it so," said Lulu; "for when we were there and
were taken all over it, every part was as clean and neat as any lady's
parlour."

Captain Raymond now turned away and began talking with Mr. Keith on
some subject that did not interest the children, but they continued a
close watch of the "Wanita."

The Admiral presently disappeared from the deck, but at length they saw
him there again, talking with Captain Wade and his officers; then, in a
few moments he and his staff re-embarked and returned to the flag-ship.

"What's going to be done now?" asked one and another.

"Watch, and you will see presently," said Captain Raymond. "If you do
not wish to miss something, I advise you to keep both eyes and ears
open."

The advice seemed to be promptly followed. All eyes gazed intently in
the direction of the "Wanita" and the flag-ship.

Presently a signal was shown by the flag-ship which Captain
Raymond promptly interpreted for the enlightenment of those about
him,--"Abandon ship."

"What does that mean, Papa?" asked Grace.

"Look and see if you can't find out for yourself," he answered in a
pleasant tone.

The signal seemed to have caused a commotion on the deck of each vessel
belonging to the squadron. Then there was a great splashing of boats
into the water, and of other craft which the Captain explained were
life-rafts and catamarans; while at the same time men and boys were
scampering about with various articles which he said were provisions,
nautical instruments, etc., such as would be needed if the ships were
really abandoned out at sea.

"But why would they ever do that, Papa?" Grace asked wonderingly. "I
should think it would always be better to stay in their ships, wouldn't
it?"

"Not always, daughter. The ship might be on fire, or leaking so badly
that she would be in danger of sinking."

"Oh, yes, sir! I didn't think of that," she responded.

"Oh, see!" said Rosie; "they've all pushed off away from their ships,
and the 'Wanita's' boats are ahead of all the others."

"Now what are they going to do, Papa?" asked Lulu.

"I can tell that only when I see the flag-ship's next signal," he
replied. "Ah, there it is, and tells them to go round the harbour under
sail."

The children watched with interest and delight as the order was obeyed.
It was a very pretty sight, but soon came another signal from the
flag-ship, which the Captain told them was one of recall; and the boats
returned to their ships.




CHAPTER VII.


The squadron steamed out to sea, the "Dolphin" keeping most of the time
within sight of the naval vessels, its passengers being anxious to see
more of the evolutions of the men-of-war, and their commanding officer
very willing to indulge their wish. They were out simply for pleasure,
and were free to turn in any desired direction.

The weather was all that could possibly be wished; and in the evening
everybody was on deck except the very little ones, who were already in
their nests. The vessels of the squadron were in sight, and all eyes
turned frequently in their direction.

"Do you think they'll do anything to-night, Papa?" asked Grace, taking
possession of her father's knee, for at the moment he was sitting among
the others.

"Who, daughter?" he asked, smoothing her hair with caressing hand.

"Oh, the Admiral and the rest of them on those war-ships. What do they
do at such times when they seem to be sailing around just for pleasure?"

"I rather think it is for profit too," he said. "'In time of peace
prepare for war.'"

"But how do they prepare for war, Papa?"

"By having sham fights: going through the motions in a way to do harm
to no one; firing what we call blank cartridges,--powder but no balls;
getting the men so familiar with their guns that they can handle them
rapidly and without making mistakes even in the dark. Ah, see! there
it comes!" as at that instant a signal-light from the flag-ship shot
up several hundred feet into the air, speedily followed by another and
another, till the whole sky seemed bright with them; while Captain
Raymond, the only one on the yacht who understood the messages, read
them off to the others and called their attention to the movements of
the ships in prompt obedience to the orders.

"What is that they're doing, Papa?" asked Grace, presently.

"Arranging themselves in different orders of battle," he replied, and
proceeded to explain each movement as it was made.

"It's ever so nice to see them," she said, "though I do hope they won't
ever have to do any real fighting."

"I hope not, indeed," her father said; "but in this wicked, quarrelsome
world the only way to secure peace is to show that we are ready for
self-defence in case of attack."

"How beautifully and promptly every signal is obeyed!" remarked Grandma
Elsie. "It is a sight worth coming a long distance to see."

"Yes, Mamma," said Violet; "and I'm proud of our navy, even though it
is so inferior in size to that of England."

"Inferior in size, but in nothing else, I believe, Mamma Vi," said Max,
speaking with some excitement. "You know we've whipped the British
twice on the sea in spite of their navy being so very much larger than
ours."

"Yes, Maxie, I believe I'm as proud of that fact as even you can be,"
laughed Violet, while his father gave him a look of mingled amusement
and pride.

"I think," remarked Edward Travilla, "that from the beginning of our
national life our navy has been one to be proud of."

"In which I entirely agree with you," said the Captain. "But the
exhibition seems to be over for to-night, and the hour is a late one to
find our young people out of bed."

"Must we go now, Papa?" Lulu asked in a coaxing tone which seemed to
add, "I hope you will let us stay at least a little longer."

"Yes," he said; "my little girls may say good-night now and go at once."

They obeyed promptly and cheerfully, and before long the others
followed their example, till Mr. Keith and the Captain had the deck to
themselves.

They lingered there for quite a long while, seeming to have fallen
upon some very interesting topic of conversation; but it was suddenly
broken in upon by the sound of the flag-ship's drum, instantly followed
by those of all the other vessels of the squadron.

"Ah, what is the meaning of that, Raymond?" asked Keith, gazing toward
the war-ships with keen interest and excitement. "It sounds to me like
a call to battle."

"So it is," replied the Captain,--"a night exercise at the great guns,
training the men so that they may be ready for all the surprises of a
time of war."

Even as he spoke his passengers came hurrying from the cabin, the
ladies and young girls wrapped in dressing-gowns and shawls, hastily
thrown on to conceal their night-dresses, one and another asking
excitedly what was going to be done now. But even as the words left
their lips the thunder of cannon burst upon their ears, drowning the
Captain's voice when he would have replied.

"Oh, is it war, brother Levis, _really_ war?" queried little Walter, in
great excitement.

"No, my boy; only a playing at war, I am thankful to be able to say.
You may look and listen without fear that any one is to be killed, or
even wounded, unless through carelessness."

But the cannon were thundering again, ship after ship firing off whole
broadsides at some imaginary foe. At length, however, it was all over,
and the passengers of the "Dolphin" returned to their berths to stay
there for the remainder of the night.

"Why, we are anchored, are we not, Levis?" Violet asked of her husband
on awakening the next morning.

"Yes, my dear," he answered; "we are riding at anchor in Gardiner's
Bay. I suspected that would prove the destination of the squadron, it
being about the best place for naval exercises in our Northern waters;
and it seems I was right. The squadron is at anchor now at no great
distance from us."

"And what do you suppose they will do here?"

"Probably fight some sham battles on sea and land. Do you care to
witness such?"

"Oh, very much! I should greatly prefer witnessing a sham battle to a
real one. But they won't be likely to begin it immediately, I suppose?"

"No; I presume we shall have time for a hearty breakfast first,"
replied her husband, with a slight look of amusement. "Don't allow the
prospect of witnessing a battle to spoil your appetite for your morning
meal, little wife."

"Oh, no," she answered, with a pleasant laugh. "I really am not now so
much of a child as all that would come to."

It was not long before she and nearly every other passenger had sought
the deck to take a look at their surroundings.

They found Gardiner's Bay a beautiful body of water bounded by islands
on nearly every side, that forming its eastern shore bearing the same
name. There were a large number of vessels in the bay,--several sloops,
schooners, and a yacht or two beside the "Dolphin," to say nothing of
the squadron of war-ships. But all were lying quietly at anchor, and
our friends willingly responded to the call to breakfast.

Yet no one cared to linger at the table; and when all had finished
their repast they quickly repaired to the deck to watch the movements
of the squadron. But for a while there seemed to be none, the vessels
all riding quietly at anchor.

"Dear me!" Rosie at length exclaimed, "I wish they'd begin to do
something!"

"I think they are going to," said Max. "See, there's a boat leaving the
flag-ship; I suppose to carry a message to one of the others."

"Oh, I'll go and ask Papa about it!" exclaimed Lulu.

"About what, daughter?" asked the Captain's voice close at her side.

"That boat that has just left the flag-ship, sir," she answered. "Do
you know where it's going, and what for?"

"I can only conjecture that it carries some message, probably from the
Admiral to the commander of one of the other vessels."

"It's pulling for the 'Wanita,'" said Max; "and see, there are other
boats going about from one vessel to another."

"Yes," his father said, "and see yonder are several boats filled with
marines, pulling for the shore of Gardiner's Island. Evidently there is
to be a sham fight."

"I'm ever so glad it won't be a real one, Papa," said Grace. "It would
be so dreadful to see folks killed."

"It would indeed," he answered. "But you may enjoy the show as much as
you can, for no one will be hurt unless by accident."

"All the ships seem to be getting boats ready packed with things,"
remarked Lulu; "I wonder what they are."

"Quite a variety," replied her father,--"great guns, baggage, arms,
provisions, and boxes that doubtless contain materials and tools for
repairs, compasses, and other articles too numerous to mention. There!
the vessels are signalling that they are ready."

"They are getting into the boats!" exclaimed Max, clapping his hands in
delight; "and the other fellows that went first to the island seem to
be waiting and all ready to fight them."

Every one on the "Dolphin" was now watching the embarkation with
interest, the children in a good deal of excitement; it was like a
grand show to them.

"Oh, it's a beautiful sight!" said Eva. "How bright their guns and
bayonets are, with the sun shining on them! And there are the beautiful
stars and stripes flying from every boat. But they are all in now,--at
least I should think so; the boats look full,--and why don't they
start?"

"They are waiting for the Admiral's inspection and order," replied
Captain Raymond. "Ah, see, there he is on the bridge of the flag-ship,
with his field-glass, looking them over. And now the signal is given
for them to proceed."

The boats moved off at once in the direction of the island where the
marines had preceded them. Captain Raymond's explanations making all
their movements well understood by the young people around him, who
thought they had never witnessed so fine a sight as the mimic fight
that presently ensued, opened by the marines firing a volley of blank
cartridges from the shore, which was immediately replied to by the
approaching boats with musketry, howitzers, and Gatling guns.

Soon they reached the shore and landed, the marines meanwhile pouring
forth an unceasing fire from behind their breastworks.

A fierce battle followed; there were charges and counter-charges,
advances and retreats, men falling as if wounded or killed, and being
carried off the field by the stretcher-men.

That last-mentioned sight brought the tears to Gracie's blue eyes, and
she asked in tremulous tones, "Are they really hurt or killed, Papa?"

"No, darling," he said, pressing the small hand she had put into his,
"it is all pretence, just to teach them what to do in case of actual
war."

"Oh, I hope that won't ever come!" she exclaimed, furtively wiping away
a tear. "Do you think it will, Papa?"

"Hardly," he said; "but it would be the height of folly not to prepare
for such a contingency."

"Hurrah!" cried Max, throwing up his cap, "our side's whipped and the
other fellows are retreating!"

"Which do you call our side? And do you mean it _is_ whipped, or _has_
whipped?" asked Rosie, with a laughing glance at the boy's excited face.

But the Captain was speaking again, and Max was too busy listening to
him to bestow any notice upon Rosie's questions.

"Yes," the Captain said, "the marines are retreating; the battle
is about over. Our side, as Max calls it, you see, is throwing out
advance-guards, rear-guards, and flankers."

"What for, brother Levis?" asked Walter.

"To make sure that they have taken the island."

"And what will come next, Captain?" asked Grandma Elsie, who was
watching the movements of the troops with as much interest as the
children.

"Fortification, doubtless," he replied. "Ah, yes; they are already
beginning that work. They must fortify the island in order to be able
to hold it."

"How, Papa?" asked Grace.

"By throwing up breastworks, digging rifle-pits, planting guns, and so
forth. If you watch closely, you will see what they do."

The children--to say nothing of the older ones--watched closely and
with keen interest all the movements of the troops until interrupted by
the call to dinner.

They had scarcely returned to their post of observation on the deck,
having had barely time to notice the completed fortifications, the
tents pitched, and the troops at their midday meal, when a tiny strip
of bunting was seen fluttering at the flag-ship's main.

Captain Raymond was the first to notice it. "Ah!" he said, "the fun
on the island is over,--at least for the present,--for there is the
Admiral's signal of recall."

"I'll bet the fellows are sorry to see it!" exclaimed Max; "for I
dare say they were going to have some fun there on the island they've
taken."




CHAPTER VIII.


Things were rather quiet for the rest of the day, much to Max's
disgust, though at his father's bidding he tried to forget the
disappointment in study.

Toward evening Captain Raymond learned something of the Admiral's
plans. Two of the vessels were to take possession of a part of the bay
set off as a harbour, the others to blockade the entrance.

In reporting the matter to his passengers, "Now," he said, "the
preparations will take them two or three days, and the question is,
shall we stay to see it all, or turn about and seek entertainment
elsewhere? Let us have the opinion of all the older people, beginning
with Grandpa Dinsmore," looking pleasantly at the old gentleman as he
spoke.

"My preference would be rather for going at once," replied Mr.
Dinsmore; "yet I am entirely willing to have the matter decided by
your younger people. I shall be quite content to stay on if it seems
desirable to the rest of the company."

The vote of the ladies and gentlemen was then taken, when it appeared
that the majority were in favour of immediate departure; and the
children, though at first disappointed, grew quite reconciled when a
little time had been spent in considering what might be seen and done
in other quarters.

"I think, Ned," Zoe said to her husband, "that we would better go back
to our cottage, because Laurie and Lily are growing fretful,--tired of
the sea, I think."

"Very well, my dear, we will do so if you wish it," was the
good-natured reply. "Strange as it may seem, I too am quite desirous
to make our twin babies as comfortable as possible," he added, with a
pleasant laugh.

"I am sorry you should miss the sight of further operations here,
Cousin Donald," remarked Grandma Elsie, turning to her kinsman.

"Thank you, Cousin Elsie," he replied; "but though that would be an
interesting sight to me, I expect to find almost if not equal enjoyment
in a run out to sea or along shore with my friend Raymond in command of
the vessel."

"Oh, I think that'll be just splendid," exclaimed Max, "and that before
we get back, Cousin Donald, you'll be ready to own up that the navy is
a more desirable place to be in than the army."

"Perhaps he wouldn't own up even if he thought so," remarked Rosie,
with a merry look at her cousin; "I don't believe I should if I were in
his place."

"Possibly I might," he returned, laughingly, "but I certainly do not
expect to fall quite so deeply in love with a 'life on the ocean wave,'
though I hope to be always willing and anxious to serve my country
wherever and whenever I may be needed. I think both army and navy
always have been, and always will be, ready to defend her on land or
sea."

"Yes, sir, I believe that's so," said Max. "And if ever we should have
another war, I hope I'll be able to help defend her."

"I hope so, my boy," the Captain said, regarding the lad with an
expression of fatherly pride and affection.

An hour later the "Dolphin" was sailing out of the bay, all her
passengers gathered on deck, taking a farewell look at the vessels
belonging to the squadron, and on awaking in the morning they found
themselves lying at anchor in Newport harbour.

They returned to their cottages for a day or two; then the Raymonds,
Grandma Elsie, with the youngest two of her children, and Donald Keith,
again set sail in the "Dolphin."

The weather was all that could be desired, every one well and in the
best of spirits.

Max was required to devote a part of each day to study, and recitation
to his father, but did not grumble over that, and took great delight in
the lessons in practical navigation given him daily by the Captain.

"Papa," he asked one day, "what's the need of a boy going to the Naval
Academy when he can learn everything he needs to know on shipboard with
a father like you?"

"But he can't," replied the Captain; "how to sail a ship is by no means
all he needs to know to fit him to be an officer in the navy."

"Why, what else is necessary, sir?" asked Max, with a look of surprise.

"A number of things which you saw done at Newport and at Gardiner's Bay
are quite necessary. He must know how to fight a battle, take charge of
an ordnance foundry, and conduct an astronomical observatory; must have
a good knowledge of history, be an able jurist and linguist, and a good
historian,--besides knowing how to manage a ship in calm or storm."

"Whew! what a lot of things to cram into one head!" laughed Max, with a
slightly troubled look on his bright young face.

"Isn't yours big enough to hold it all?" asked his father, with an
amused smile.

"I dare say it is, sir," replied Max, "but the difficulty is to pack it
all in right. I presume the teachers will help me to do that, though."

"Certainly; and if you follow their directions carefully you will have
no need to fear failure."

"Thank you, sir. That's very encouraging," said Max; "and I am fully
determined to try my very best, Papa, if it was only not to disgrace my
father."

"My dear son," the Captain said, a trifle huskily, and taking the boy's
hand in a warm clasp, "I don't doubt that you intend to do as you have
said; but never forget that your only safety is in keeping close to Him
who has said, 'In Me is thine help.'"

It was Saturday evening,--the first that had found them on the broad
ocean, out of sight of land. They were all on deck, enjoying the
delicious evening breeze and a most brilliant sunset.

"Papa," Gracie said, breaking a momentary silence, "what are we going
to do about keeping the Lord's Day to-morrow? We can't go to church,
you know, unless you can sail the 'Dolphin' back to land in the night."

"I cannot do that, daughter," he answered; "but I can conduct a service
here on the deck. How will that do, do you think?"

"I don't know, Papa," she replied, with some hesitation, blushing and
looking fearful of hurting his feelings; "I s'pose you couldn't preach
a sermon?"

"Why not?" he asked, smiling a little at her evident embarrassment.

"Because you're not a minister, Papa."

"Why, Gracie! Papa's as good as any minister, I'm sure," exclaimed
Lulu, half reproachfully, half indignantly.

"Of course he is; I didn't mean that!" returned Gracie, just ready to
burst into tears; "I didn't mean he wasn't as good as anybody in this
whole world,--for of course he is,--but I thought it was only ministers
that preach."

"But I can read a sermon, my pet," the Captain said, "or preach one if
I choose; there is no law against it. And we can pray and sing hymns
together; and if we put our hearts into it all, our heavenly Father
will be as ready to listen to us as to other worshippers in the finest
churches on the land."

"That is a very comforting truth," remarked Grandma Elsie; "it is very
sweet to reflect that God is as near to us out on the wide and deep sea
as to any of his worshippers on the dry land."

"You will hold your service in the morning, I suppose, Captain?" Mr.
Keith said inquiringly.

"That is what I had thought of doing, sir," was the reply. "Have you
any suggestions to make?"

"Only that we might have a Bible class later in the day."

"Yes, sir; that was a part of my programme,--at least I had thought of
teaching my own children, as is customary with me at home; but if the
suggestion meets with favour, we will resolve ourselves into a Bible
class, each one able to read taking part. What do you all say to the
proposition?"

"I highly approve," said Grandma Elsie; "I am sure the day could not be
better spent than in the study of God's Holy Word."

"Nor more delightfully," said Violet.

"I think we would all like it, Captain," Evelyn remarked in her quiet
way.

"I'm sure I shall," said Lulu; "Papa always makes Bible lessons very
interesting."

"That's so," said Max; "I was never taught by any minister or
Sunday-school teacher that made them half so interesting."

"It is quite possible that your near relationship to your teacher may
have made a good deal of difference, my children," the Captain said
gravely, though not unkindly. "But who shall act as teacher on this
occasion is a question still to be decided. I propose Grandma Elsie, as
the eldest of those present, and probably the best qualified."

"All in favour of that motion please say ay," added Violet, playfully.
"I am sure no better teacher could be found than Mamma, though I
incline to the opinion that my husband would do equally well."

"Much better, I think," Grandma Elsie said; "and I would greatly
prefer to be one of his pupils."

"I can hardly consider myself wise enough to teach my mother," said the
Captain, colouring and laughing lightly, "even though she is far too
young to be own mother to a man of my age."

"But you may lead a Bible class of which she forms a part, may you
not?" queried Donald Keith.

"I suppose that might be possible," the Captain replied, with a
humourous look and smile.

"I'm sure you can and will, since such is your mother's wish," Grandma
Elsie said in a sportive tone, "and so we may consider that matter
settled."

"And Mamma's word having always been law to her children, we will
consider it so," Violet said. "Shall we not, Levis?"

"As good and dutiful children I suppose we must, my dear," he returned
in the playful tone she particularly liked.

Sunday morning dawned clear and beautiful, a delicious breeze filling
the sails and wafting the vessel swiftly onward over the sparkling
water.

An hour or so after breakfast, captain, passengers, and crew,
except the man at the helm, gathered on deck, every one in neat and
appropriate dress. The ladies, gentlemen, and children sat on one side,
the crew on the other, Captain Raymond standing between. A Bible and a
pile of hymn-books lay on a stand before him, and Max was directed to
distribute the latter. They were a part of the supplies Captain Raymond
had laid in for the voyage.

A melodeon also stood near the stand, and Violet, seating herself
before it, led the singing with which the service opened.

The Captain then offered a short prayer, read a portion of Scripture, a
second hymn was sung; then he gave them a short discourse on the text,
"They hated Me without a cause."

With much feeling and in simple language that the youngest and most
ignorant of his hearers could readily understand, he described the
lovely character and beneficent life of Christ upon earth,--always
about His Father's business, doing good to the souls and bodies of
men,--and the bitter enmity of the scribes and Pharisees, who "hated
Him without a cause." Then he went on to tell of the agony in the
garden, the betrayal by Judas,--"one of the twelve,"--the mockery of a
trial, the scourging and the crown of thorns, the carrying of the cross
and the dreadful death upon it.

"All this He bore for you and for me," he concluded in tones tremulous
with emotion; "constrained by His great love for us, He died that
dreadful death that we might live. And shall we not love Him in return?
Shall we not give ourselves to Him, and serve Him with all our powers?
It is a reasonable service, a glad service,--a service that gives rest
to the soul. He says to each one of us, 'Take My yoke upon you, and
learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest
unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.'

"Ah, do not refuse or neglect His invitation, for the only choice is
between His service and that of Satan,--that malignant spirit whose
fierce desire and effort is to drag all souls down to his own depths of
sin and misery; and Jesus only can save you from falling into his cruel
hands. But He--the Lord of Life and Glory--invites us all to come and
be saved, and 'now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation.'
Delay is most dangerous; life is very uncertain. We are sure of no time
but now."

He closed the Bible and sat down; and Violet, again seating herself
before the melodeon, softly touched the keys and sang in sweet,
low tones, but so distinctly that every word reached the farthest
listener,--

   "Come to Jesus, come to Jesus;
    Come to Jesus just now, just now;
    Come to Jesus, come to Jesus just now."

Then, at a sign from the Captain, Mr. Keith followed with an earnest
prayer; and with another hymn in which all united, the services closed.

Among the crew was one young man in whom the Captain and Grandma
Elsie had both come to feel a peculiar interest. He was evidently an
American, and possessed of more intelligence and education than the
average sailor before the mast. He had listened with close attention
to the Captain's discourse, and with a troubled countenance, as Mrs.
Travilla had noticed.

"The Holy Spirit is striving with him, I have little doubt," she said
to herself. "Ah, if I could but help him to find Jesus, and to know the
sweetness of His love!"

It was not long before the desired opportunity offered. The young man
was at the wheel and no one near, while she paced the deck slowly and
alone. Gradually she approached, and when close at his side made some
pleasant remark about the vessel and the course they were steering.

He responded in a polite and respectful manner.

Then she spoke of the service of the morning, said she had noticed the
attention he paid to the Captain's short sermon, and asked in kindest
words and tones if he, like herself, was one who loved Jesus, and
trusted in Him for salvation from sin and eternal death.

He sighed deeply, then said with emotion, "No, madam, but--I wish I
were."

"But what is to hinder, my friend, since He says, 'Him that cometh to
me I will in no wise cast out'?" she asked gently, feelingly.

He was silent for a moment, evidently from emotion, then said, rather
as if thinking aloud than addressing her, "If I only knew just how!"

"He is very near, and His omniscient eye reads the heart," she said low
and feelingly. "Speak to Him just as if you could see Him,--as if you
were kneeling at His feet,--and He will hear.

"The Bible says. 'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to
forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' Do
you want that cleansing, my friend?"

He bowed a silent assent.

"Then go to Jesus for it," she said. "He, and He alone, can give it.
He shed His blood for us that 'God may be just and the justifier of
him that believeth in Jesus;' for 'the blood of Jesus Christ His Son
cleanseth us from all sin.'"

There was a moment's silence; then, "I'd like to be a Christian,
ma'am," he said, "such as I see you and the Captain are, but--"

The sentence was left unfinished; and after a moment's pause. "I should
like you to be a better one than I am," she said, "but Jesus only can
make you such. The work is too difficult for any human creature; but
Jesus is all-powerful,--'able to save them to the uttermost that come
unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.'
Is not that a precious assurance?"

"It is indeed, ma'am, if--if I only knew it meant me."

"You certainly will be one of those of whom it speaks if you 'come unto
God by Him;' and He invites you to come: 'Come unto Me all ye that
labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.'"

"Could you tell me just how, ma'am,--as if you were pointing out the
right road to a traveller, for instance?"

"I will try," she said. "You must remember that He is always
near,--close to us, though we cannot see Him; and you may speak to Him
as readily, and with as much assurance that you will be heard, as you
have been speaking to me.

"He is full of love and compassion,--love so infinite, compassion so
great that He was willing to endure all the agony of death upon the
cross, and the far greater suffering caused by the burden of the sins
of the world and the consequent hiding of His Father's face; therefore
He will not cast you out, will not turn away from you, if you come in
true penitence and faith.

"Make confession of your sins and plead for pardon and acceptance as
you would if you could see Him while kneeling at His feet; and He will
grant it, will forgive all your transgressions and adopt you into His
family to be His own child forever."

But others of the passengers were now drawing near, and he had only
time to thank her for her kindly interest in him, and promise to think
of what she had been saying, before Walter and Max were at her side,
calling her attention to a passing vessel.

A very interesting Bible lesson filled up most of the afternoon, both
adults and children taking part; and in the evening hymns were sung and
conversation held such as was suited to the sacredness of the day.




CHAPTER IX.


A few days longer the "Dolphin" kept on her eastward course, then was
headed for the shore of Massachusetts, bound for Boston, where Mr.
Keith must leave her, his furlough having now nearly expired. He and
his cousins would be sorry to part; but there was no help for it, as
Uncle Sam's orders must be obeyed.

The young folks of the party had particularly enjoyed the little trip
out to sea, but expected to find a sail along the coast of the New
England States quite as much to their taste, particularly as it would
give them an opportunity to look upon some of the scenes of incidents
in the two wars with England.

They had come in sight of the coast and were all gathered upon the deck.

"That is Scituate, is it not, Captain?" asked Grandma Elsie, indicating
a town that had just come into view.

"Yes," he replied, "and I presume you remember the story of the last
war with England, connected with it?"

"I do," she answered; "but I presume it would be new to some at least
of these young people."

Then entreaties for the story poured in upon her and the Captain from
both boys and girls.

"It is but a short one; and I would prefer to have the Captain tell
it," Mrs. Travilla replied.

"Oh, Papa, please do!" exclaimed Lulu; and he complied.

"It was, as I have said, during the last war with England that the
occurrence I am about to tell of took place. At that time there was a
light-house in the harbour kept by a man named Reuben Bates, who had a
family of grown-up sons and daughters.

"He and his sons were members of a militia company of the town, and one
day during the war they were all absent from home on that business,
leaving the light-house in charge of the daughters, Abigail and Rebecca.

"The girls, who were no doubt keeping a vigilant watch for the approach
of the enemy, saw a British ship entering the harbour, and conjectured
that it was the design of those on board of her to destroy the
fishing-boats in the harbour and perhaps burn the town, or at least rob
its inhabitants.

"They must have been brave girls, for at once they began to consider
what they could do to drive away the would-be invaders.

"I presume Abigail exclaimed, 'Oh, if we could only make them think
there were troops ready to defend the town, and so frighten them
away!' And very likely Rebecca replied, 'Perhaps we can. If you can
play the fife, I'll beat the drum; and if we are hidden from sight they
may think there are troops ready to receive them if they come ashore,
and so be afraid to land.'

"So they went around behind some sand-hills and played 'Yankee Doodle'
in a lively way that had exactly the desired effect.

"The British ship had sent out boats filled with armed men who were
pulling for the shore; but on hearing the music of the drum and fife,
they evidently concluded that there might be a large force of American
soldiers ready to receive them, and thinking 'discretion the better
part of valour,' turned about and pulled back to their ship again
without attempting to land."

"Oh, wasn't that good?" exclaimed Lulu; "I think the fathers and
brothers of those girls must have been proud of them."

"Yes, I dare say they were," said Max.

"I wonder what became of them--those girls--afterward?" said Rosie. "Of
course they must have been dead and gone long before this."

"No," replied the Captain, "Abigail died only recently at the advanced
age of eighty-nine."

"Papa, won't you stay awhile in Boston and take us to see some of
the places connected with Revolutionary times,--Bunker Hill and its
monument, and maybe some others?" asked Max.

"I shall be pleased to do so, my son, if nothing happens to prevent,"
was the pleasant-toned reply. "It is my strong desire to have my
children well-informed in regard to the history of their own country."

"And ardent patriots too, Papa, ready to defend her to the utmost of
their ability should she be attacked by any other power?" queried Max,
looking smilingly up into his father's face.

"Yes, my son; particularly the boys," replied the Captain, smiling in
his turn at the lad's enthusiasm.

"Well, there's one of your girls that I am sure would find a way
to help, Papa,--nursing the wounded soldiers perhaps, or carrying
despatches or something," said Lulu; "perhaps giving information of an
intended attack by the enemy, as Lydia Darrah did."

"I have no doubt you would do all you could, daughter, and might
perhaps be of more assistance than many a man," her father answered
kindly.

"I'm afraid I shouldn't be brave enough to do such things as that,"
remarked Grace, with a look that seemed to say she felt herself quite
inferior to her braver sister; "but I could pray for my country, and
I know that God hears and answers prayer,--so that would be helping,
wouldn't it, Papa?"

"Yes, my dear child; the Bible tells us a great deal about the power of
prayer; 'Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and
thou shalt glorify Me,' is one of its promises."

"Yes," said Grandma Elsie, "a cry to God, the Ruler of the universe,
for help, may accomplish more than any effort on the part of man to do
for himself."

"But people must help themselves too, Mamma?" Walter said, half in
assertion, half inquiringly.

"Yes, my son, if they can; 'Faith without works is dead,' the Apostle
says. The right way is to do all we can to help ourselves, at the same
time asking God's blessing upon our efforts."

"As General Washington did," remarked Mr. Keith. "He was a man of both
works and prayer,--a blessing to his country, and to the world; in my
estimation the greatest mere man that ever lived. 'First in peace,
first in war, first in the hearts of his countrymen.'"

"Yes," assented Grandma Elsie, "I like the toast given by some one,--I
have forgotten who it was,--'Washington: Providence left him childless
that his country might call him father.' He seems to me to have been as
nearly perfect as one of the sinful race of man could be!"

"Yes," responded Captain Raymond; "thoroughly unselfish, just,
generous, modest, self-denying and self-sacrificing, charitable to the
poor, forgiving, fearless and heroic; a God-fearing man who sought
nothing for himself, but was ready to do or die for his country;
true to her, to his friends, to his God; a sincere and earnest
Christian,--where can a more noble character be found?"

"I think," said Mrs. Travilla, "he was an instrument raised up and
prepared of God for the work that he did in securing to our beloved
country the liberties she now enjoys."

"I very much like what Lord Brougham says of him," remarked Violet.

"Oh, can you repeat it, Mamma Vi?" queried Lulu, eagerly.

"Yes, I think I can," returned Violet, who was blessed with an
excellent memory.

"'It will be the duty of the historian and sage in all ages to let
no occasion pass of commemorating this illustrious man; and until
time shall be no more, will a test of the progress which our race has
made in wisdom and virtue be derived from the veneration paid to the
immortal name of Washington!'"

"I like that," said Rosie, her eyes sparkling with pleasure and
enthusiasm, "and it's none the worse for having come from an
Englishman."

"Not a bit," assented Keith.

"Mamma, was Washington commander at the battle of Bunker Hill?" asked
Walter. "I ought to know; but I can't remember just now."

"No, my son," she answered, "it was fought before he reached
Boston,--in fact, the very day, June 17, that Congress agreed to
his commission as commander-in-chief of all the Continental forces
raised, or to be raised; and on the 21st he set out on horseback from
Philadelphia for Boston to take command of the American army encamped
there,--or rather around it, the British being in possession of the
town itself. News did not fly then as it does in these days, by any
means; and it was not till he arrived in New York, on the 25th, that
the tidings reached him.

"The next day he was in the saddle again, pushing on toward the scene
of conflict. He reached Cambridge on the 2d of July, and the next day
took command of the army, drawing his sword under an ancient elm."

"Why, just think!" exclaimed Walter, "it took him nearly two weeks to
travel from Philadelphia to Boston, while now we could do it in less
than two days. No wonder it took so long to fight the British and drive
them out of our country!"

"I think we'd do it in less than half that time now," said Max. "We
could move so much faster, besides raising a great deal bigger army;
to say nothing of the navy, that I believe has done better in every
one of our wars than the land forces. I remember to have read that
the army Washington took command of then consisted of only seventeen
thousand men, only fourteen thousand five hundred of them fit for duty;
that they were without needed supplies of tents or clothing or as much
as nine cartridges to a man."

"Yes; it's a wonder Washington wasn't completely discouraged," remarked
Evelyn. "I think he surely would have been if he had not put his trust
in God and the righteousness of our country's cause."

"No doubt it was that which strengthened him for the long and arduous
struggle," said Mrs. Travilla. "Washington was, as I said a moment
since, a man of prayer; he looked to God for help in the hour of his
country's sorest need, and surely his prayers were heard and answered."

"Yes, Mamma," said Rosie; "I remember reading that he would go into
the woods to pray privately for his bleeding country and his suffering
soldiers; that some one happened to see him alone there in prayer with
the tears coursing down his cheeks. Oh, it's no wonder that with such a
leader and in so righteous a cause, our arms were victorious in spite
of the fearful odds against us!"

"And it was God who gave us such a leader," responded her mother, "and
gave him wisdom and courage for his work, and final success in carrying
it on to the desired end."

"Wasn't he a member of the Continental Congress before his election as
commander-in-chief of the armies?" asked Rosie.

"Yes," replied her mother. "So was Patrick Henry; and he, when asked
whom he considered the greatest man in that body, replied, 'If you
speak of eloquence, Mr. Rutledge, of South Carolina, is by far the
greatest orator; but if you speak of solid information and sound
judgment, Colonel Washington is unquestionably the greatest man on that
floor.'"

"How long did Washington stay there close to Boston, Papa?" asked
Gracie.

"He carried on the siege for eight months, then on the 17th of March,
1776, succeeded in driving the British away."

"Then did he take possession of the town and stay there awhile?"

"He stayed until April, then went to New York, reaching there on the
13th. Soon after he went to Philadelphia to confer with Congress, then
back to New York.

"While he was there anxiously awaiting an attack from the British, the
Declaration of Independence, just passed by Congress, was sent him.
The troops were quickly paraded, and the Declaration read at the head
of the army.

"In the orders of the day Washington said to the troops, 'The General
hopes that this important event will serve as a fresh incentive to
every officer and soldier to act with fidelity and courage, as knowing
that the peace and safety of his country depend, under God, solely on
the success of our arms.'

"But I cannot tell you now the whole story of Washington's services to
his country in the war for independence, to say nothing of all that he
did for her afterward."

"I think we will read about it after we go home to Woodburn," the
Captain said.

"Frederick the Great was a great admirer of Washington," remarked Mr.
Keith. "He is said to have pronounced Washington's masterly movements
on the Delaware the most brilliant achievements recorded in military
annals. And Lossing tells us of a portrait of himself which Frederick
sent to Washington accompanied by the very gratifying words, 'From the
oldest general in Europe to the greatest general in the world.' As for
myself, I must say that I think Washington's success, in spite of all
the difficulties and discouragements he had to encounter, was something
most wonderful, and was given him in answer to prayer, and because he
put his trust in God and looked to Him for wisdom and for help."

"He was certainly one of the most unselfish of men," remarked Violet.
"What other man would have refused with scorn and indignation, as he
did, the suggestion that his army would like to make him a king?"

"Oh, did they want to make him king, and tell him so?" asked Gracie.

"Yes; didn't you know that?" returned Lulu.

"Papa, won't you tell about it?" Grace asked, turning to her father.

"I will, daughter," he answered in a kindly, affectionate tone, and
taking in his the hand she had laid upon his knee.

"The battle of Yorktown, which practically secured the independence of
our country, was fought in October, 1781, but the treaty of peace was
not signed till Jan. 20, 1783; so our armies were not disbanded, and
officers and soldiers were sorely tried by their pay being delayed,
and feared, not without reason, that they might be disbanded without
Congress making proper provision for meeting their just claims.

"Some of the officers began to doubt the efficiency of the Government,
and of all republican institutions, and talked among themselves as to
whether it might not be better to establish a monarchy instead; and
at length one of them was deputed to confer with Washington on the
subject.

"He did so,--it seems in writing,--and even ventured to suggest for him
the title of king.

"But, as you have just heard, Washington rebuked the writer severely,
saying he was at a loss to conceive what part of his conduct could
have given encouragement to an address that seemed to him big with
the greatest mischiefs that could befall his country; that if he was
not deceived in the knowledge of himself, they could not have found a
person to whom their schemes were more disagreeable.

"He also conjured the writer, if he had any regard for his country,
concern for himself or posterity, or respect for him, to banish these
thoughts from his mind, and never communicate a sentiment of such a
nature from himself or any one else."

"Did they give it up then, Papa?" Gracie asked.

"Nothing more was ever said about making Washington king," he answered;
"but the next December they sent to Congress a memorial on the subject
of their pay. A resolution was adopted by that body, but such as did
not satisfy the complainants. Then a meeting of officers was arranged
for; and anonymous addresses, commonly known as the Newburg addresses,
were sent out to rouse the army to resentment.

"Washington insisted on attending the meeting, and delivered an
impressive address.

"He had written down what he wished to say, and after reading the first
paragraph paused to put on his spectacles, saying most touchingly, as
he did so, that he had grown gray in the service of his country, and
now found himself growing blind.

"He then went on to read a most noble paper which he had prepared for
the occasion. In it he acknowledged the just claims of the army against
the Government, and assured them that they would not be disregarded;
then he entreated them 'to express their utmost horror and detestation
of the man who wishes, under any specious pretences, to overturn
the liberties of our country, and who wickedly attempts to open the
floodgates of civil discord and deluge our rising empire in blood.'

"Then, having finished his address, he retired from the meeting; but
resolutions were at once offered by General Knox, seconded by General
Putnam and adopted by the meeting, agreeing with all he had said and
reciprocating his expressions of esteem and affection. They were
relieved of their doubts and fears and restored to their wonted love
for their country."

"Oh, that was nice, Papa!" exclaimed Gracie, her cheeks flushing and
her eyes shining. "How good and great our Washington was! It seems to
me we would never have got free from Great Britain if we hadn't had him
to help."

"Yes: it does seem very doubtful," her father replied. "As Grandma
Elsie has said, God seems to have raised up and prepared him for that
very work."

"And how soon after that was the war really over, Papa?"

"The treaty of peace was signed in Paris on the 20th of January, 1783,
as I remarked a moment since; but as it took a long while in those days
for people and news to cross the ocean, it was not till the 17th of the
following April that Washington received the proclamation of Congress
for the cessation of hostilities. Then on the 19th--which, as you may
remember, was the eighth anniversary of the battle of Lexington, the
opening conflict of the war--the cessation was proclaimed at the head
of every regiment."

"What joyful news it must have been to the poor, weary soldiers!" said
Violet. "I trust their hearts were full of gratitude to God, who had
prospered the right in spite of the fearful odds against those who were
battling for it."

"Yes," returned her husband; "and no heart could have been more
thankful than that of the commander-in-chief, who said in the general
orders, 'The chaplains of the several brigades will render thanks to
Almighty God for all His mercies, particularly for His overruling the
wrath of man to His own glory, and causing the rage of war to cease
among the nations.'"

"What a good, good Christian man Washington was, Papa!" exclaimed
Gracie.

"And yet he had enemies; and there are still some among his own
countrymen who are far from appreciating him,--can even speak evil of
him. But even our Lord Jesus Christ had enemies and detractors--bitter
and implacable foes--among his own countrymen; and 'the servant is not
greater than his Lord,'" was the Captain's reply.

"Yes, Papa, I remember that Washington had enemies,--Gates for one, and
that infamous Conway for another," said Max. "How glad I was to read of
the Continental Congress accepting the resignation he offered in a fit
of anger, so that he had to leave the army for good, though he didn't
want to!"

"I think it was for good, Max," remarked Mr. Keith, with a slightly
amused smile,--"for the good of the country, though perhaps not for
his own. Conway was a man America was well rid of; and the same may be
as truly said of Charles Lee. What would have become of our liberties
had that infamous cabal succeeded in getting the command taken from
Washington and given to any one of themselves!"




CHAPTER X.


Evelyn Leland was the only one of the party on the "Dolphin" who had
never seen Boston; but to all the young people entering the city from
the sea was a new experience, and as the vessel neared the harbour they
gazed about them with great interest, while the Captain pointed out and
named the forts and the islands as they came into view.

"Yonder is Boston Light," he said, "two miles east of Fort Warren,--on
George's Island, which I will point out presently; it is a revolving
light, ninety-two feet above the level of the sea. And yonder is Spit
or Bug Light; it is only thirty-five feet high, and stands upon iron
pillars fixed in the rock. They show a red fixed light there which can
be seen at the distance of seven miles.

"Then there is Long Island Light, named from the island on which it
stands. The tower is only twenty-two feet above the ground, but eighty
feet above the sea.

"Yonder," again pointing with his finger, "is Fort Independence (called
in Revolutionary times Castle William) just at the entrance of the main
channel; and opposite it is Fort Winthrop. And yonder is George's
Island with its fortification,--Fort Warren."

"And this was the harbour where the Boston Tea-party was held!"
remarked Evelyn, in a half-musing tone. "What an exciting time that
must have been! I think it was grand in the people to give up the tea
they so enjoyed drinking, rather than submit to 'taxation without
representation.'"

"Which all women possessed of landed property do to this day," returned
Rosie, mischievously.

Eva laughed. "Oh, well," she said, "you know American women can
influence the voters to whom they are related,--their brothers,
husbands, and sons."

"If they have any, and they happen to be particularly tractable,"
laughed Rosie. "But how about poor fatherless and brotherless single
women? The men may vote as heavy taxes upon their property as they
please, while they can't lift a finger to prevent it, or say a word as
to what is to be done with the money taken from their purses without
their consent."

"Why, Rosie, are you turning into a woman's rights woman?" queried Max,
laughing.

"I don't know, Maxie; those ideas just happened to suggest themselves,"
she answered. "I'll take time to think it all out one of these days,
though; and I'll not promise not to turn into an advocate of women's
right to have some say about the taxing of their own property. I see
no reason why a man's rights in that direction should be considered
superior to a woman's."

"No; nor I either," Max said. "And I'm as willing as possible that
American women should have all their rights; but I shouldn't like to
let ignorant women--foreign or coloured ones--vote."

"Yes, that's the trouble," laughed Rosie; "I shouldn't like that
either. But I can't see that it's any better to let foreign men who are
too ignorant to understand much or anything about our institutions,
have a vote. I must say it strikes me as exceedingly insulting to
educated, intelligent ladies, who are native Americans, to refuse a
vote to _them_, and at the same time give it to _such foreign-born
men_, or to male natives who know nothing, can't read or write, and
have no property at all."

"Coloured men, for instance?" queried Max.

"Yes, coloured or white; it's the education I'm concerned about, not
the colour. Mamma, do not you agree with me?"

"Yes, I do," Mrs. Travilla answered. "I have no desire to vote
myself; but I think only native-born citizens, or those who have been
twenty-one years in the country, should have a vote, and not even they
unless able to read and write, capable of understanding our form of
government, and possessed of some little property,--that last in order
that they may appreciate more fully the burdens of taxation, and be
less ready to make them heavier than need be."

"Papa," asked Gracie, "where abouts were the tea ships when the folks
went on board and threw the tea into the water?"

"They were moored at Griffin's Wharf," he replied; "I can point it out
to you directly."

"What is it, Papa, Gracie's talking about? A story?" queried little
Elsie. "Please, Papa, tell it to us."

"I'm afraid you would hardly understand, Papa's darling," the Captain
said, stroking the soft, shining, golden curls as he spoke, and smiling
down into the bright, eager little face.

"I think I should, Papa. Wasn't it something 'bout a tea-party?" she
asked coaxingly.

"Yes, Papa, please do tell the story; we'd all like to hear it over
again now when we're just at the place where it happened," added Gracie.

"Well, my darlings, to please you," he said; "also because I want you
to be thoroughly grounded in the history of your own country.

"You must remember that these States,--or rather the original thirteen,
there were only so many at that time,--were then called colonies, and
were ruled by England. The English Government claimed the right to
tax the colonies just as they pleased. That right the people of the
colonies denied.

"They were not allowed to send any members to Parliament to help decide
who in America should be taxed and how much; so they determined that
rather than pay a tax put upon the article without their knowledge and
consent, they would do without tea.

"Then the English Government tried to force it on them; and these ships
came into their harbour loaded with the tea, which they intended to
land.

"One of those tea-laden ships, called the 'Dartmouth,'--Captain Hall
in command,--came to anchor yonder, near the Castle, as it was then
called. It was on Sunday the 'Dartmouth' came in; and as you may
suppose, the sight of her caused a great excitement in Boston.

"Early on Monday morning a placard was posted all over the town. I
committed it to memory when a school-boy. It said:--

 "'Friends! Brethren! Countrymen! That worst of plagues, the detested
 tea shipped for this port by the East India Company, is now arrived
 in the harbor; the Hour of Destruction, or manly opposition to the
 Machinations of Tyranny, stares you in the face; every Friend to his
 Country, to himself, and to Posterity, is now called upon to meet at
 Faneuil Hall, at nine o'clock This Day (at which time the bells will
 ring), to make united and successful resistance to this last, worst,
 and most destructive measure of administration.'

"That was the handbill; its date was November 29, 1773."

"Was that the 'vite to the tea-party?" asked little Elsie.

"Not to what proved to be the principal one," he answered.

"In response to the call they met that day at Faneuil Hall, but the
excitement was so great and brought so many people together that they
adjourned to the Old South Meeting-house which was larger.

"At that meeting it was resolved that the tea should not be landed,
that no duty should be paid on it, and that it should be sent back in
the same vessel it had come in; also they notified the owner and the
commander of the vessel that to land and enter the tea was at their own
peril, ordered the ship to be moored at Griffin's Wharf, and appointed
a guard of twenty-five men to watch her.

"At the meeting a letter was received from the consignees offering to
store the tea till they could hear from England; but the people were
determined not to allow it to be landed, so rejected the offer with
scorn.

"Then the sheriff read a proclamation from the governor ordering them
to disperse; but it was received with hisses, and they went on with the
business that had called them together.

"They passed a resolution ordering the vessels of Captains Coffin and
Bruce, which were hourly expected to arrive with their loads of tea, to
be moored at Griffin's Wharf."

"Did they come, Papa? and did the men watch all the ships that had
tea?" asked Elsie, who was listening with a look of interest and
intelligence that seemed to say she understood a great deal, if not all
her father had been saying.

"Yes; and about two weeks afterward another meeting was held in the
Old South Church, when it was resolved that Mr. Roch must immediately
apply for a clearance for his ship and send her out to sea again. But
the governor had already taken measures to prevent him from doing that,
ordering Admiral Montague to fit out two armed vessels and station them
at the entrance to the harbour, and Colonel Leslie, who was in command
of the Castle, not to allow any vessel to pass out under the guns of
the fortress, unless she could show a permission signed by himself."

"I should think," remarked Max, "that Mr. Roch and Captain Hall must
have been quite puzzled to know how to act to suit all parties."

"What happened next, Papa?" asked Gracie.

"Two days later there was another meeting in the Old South,--the
largest meeting that had then ever been known in Boston; for the people
were greatly excited.

"Several persons made addresses, but Josiah Quincy was the principal
speaker. He advised the people to weigh and consider before they took
measures that would bring on a trying and terrible struggle such as had
never been seen in this country."

"Why, Papa," exclaimed Lulu, "I thought Mr. Quincy was one of the
patriots!"

"So he was, my child; but he wanted the people to look before they
leaped.

"When he had finished his speech the question was put, 'Will you abide
by your former resolutions with respect to not suffering the tea to be
landed?'"

"And what did they say?" asked Gracie.

"That they would; the whole vast assembly speaking as with one voice."

"I hope Mr. Roch was there to hear them," said Lulu.

"No," said her father. "The governor was at his country-house, a few
miles out of Boston, and Mr. Roch had been sent to him to ask a permit
for his vessel to leave the harbour.

"He returned late in the afternoon, before the meeting at the Old South
had broken up, and reported to them that the governor refused a permit
until a clearance should be shown him; and the collector refused that
until the tea should be landed."

"What a fuss about nothing!" exclaimed little Elsie, with a look of
disgust.

"Oh, no," her father said, stroking her hair as she leaned upon his
knee; "some day when my little girl is older and wiser, she will
understand that it was very far from being about nothing.

"The people were very much excited. It was beginning to grow dark in
the old church and somebody called for candles; but just then somebody
in the gallery showed himself disguised like a Mohawk Indian, raised
the Indian war-whoop, and was answered in the same fashion by some one
outside the building,--for the throng a good deal more than filled the
church; then another voice in the gallery shouted, 'Boston harbour a
teapot to-night! Hurrah for Griffin's Wharf!'

"At that there was an instant motion to adjourn, and the people crowded
into the streets.

"It was a clear, moonlight evening, still quite early, and the British
squadron not more than a mile away; British troops were near too, but
neither interfered with what was going on.

"It is probable that everything had been arranged beforehand; and
seeing several persons disguised as Indians going toward Griffin's
Wharf, the people hurried thither. Some fifteen or twenty were so
disguised, but about sixty boarded the vessels in the first place; and
it is said that as many as a hundred and forty were engaged in the
work before it was finished.

"A man named Lendall Pitts acted as leader; and under his direction the
'Dartmouth' was boarded first, the hatches were taken up, and her cargo
of one hundred and fourteen chests of tea brought on deck, where the
boxes were broken open and the tea was thrown into the water.

"Then the other two vessels were boarded and their cargoes of tea also
thrown into the harbour."

"And that's what is called the 'Boston Tea Party,'" remarked Max with
satisfaction. "I'd wish I'd been there to help, only that I'd rather be
here now."

"That's just the way I feel about it," said Walter.

"You may be thankful, my dear boys, that you live in these days,"
remarked Grandma Elsie, smiling kindly upon them. "War times are more
interesting to tell about, but far harder to live in. Our hearts may
well be filled with thankfulness to God for the success of our fathers
in securing the blessings of liberty for not themselves only, but for
us also. We assuredly have more to be thankful for than any other
nation, and ought therefore to be better and more earnest Christians,
doing all we possibly can to spread abroad through all the earth the
glad news of salvation by Christ, and to help the down-trodden and
oppressed to share with us the inestimable blessings of freedom,--life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as our Declaration of
Independence has it."

But the "Dolphin" was fast approaching the city, and there was so much
to look at and talk about, relating to the present, that for a time the
past was well-nigh forgotten, except when the Captain pointed out as
nearly as he could, the precise spot where the never-to-be-forgotten
"tea party" had been held.

When he had done so, Max broke out into a song to the tune of "Yankee
Doodle," the other young folks joining in with a will on the chorus.

   "Once on a time old Johnny Bull flew in a raging fury,
    And swore that Jonathan should have no trial, sir, by jury;
    That no elections should be held across the briny waters;
    And now said he, 'I'll tax the Tea of all his sons and daughters.'
    Then down he sate in burly state, and blustered like a grandee,
    And in derision made a tune called 'Yankee Doodle Dandy.'
      Yankee doodle,--these are facts,--Yankee doodle dandy!
      My son of wax, your tea I'll tax; you--Yankee doodle dandy!

   "John sent the tea from o'er the sea, with heavy duties rated;
    But whether hyson or bohea I never heard it stated.
    Then Jonathan to pout began,--he laid a strong embargo,--
    'I'll drink no Tea by Jove!' so he threw overboard the cargo.
    Then Johnny sent a regiment, big words and looks to bandy,
    Whose martial band, when near the land played 'Yankee Doodle Dandy.'
      Yankee doodle,--keep it up,--Yankee doodle dandy!
      I'll poison with a tax your cup; _you_--Yankee doodle dandy!

   "A long war then they had, in which John was at last defeated;
    And 'Yankee Doodle' was the march to which his troops retreated.
    Cute Jonathan, to see them fly, could not restrain his laughter;
    'That time,' said he, 'suits to a T. I'll sing it ever after.'
    Old Johnny's face, to his disgrace, was flushed with beer and brandy,
    E'en while he swore to sing no more this 'Yankee Doodle Dandy.'
      Yankee doodle,--ho, ha, he,--Yankee doodle dandy!
      We kept the tune, but not the tea; Yankee doodle dandy!

   "I've told you now the origin of this most lively ditty,
    Which Johnny Bull dislikes as 'dull and stupid'--what a pity!
    With 'Hail Columbia' it is sung, in chorus full and hearty.
    On land and main we breathe the strain John made for his 'tea party;'
    No matter how we rhyme the words, the music speaks them handy,
    And where's the fair can't sing the air of 'Yankee Doodle Dandy'?
      Yankee doodle, firm and true,--Yankee doodle dandy!
      Yankee doodle, doodle do, Yankee doodle dandy!"




CHAPTER XI.


A few days were spent in Boston, principally in visiting places of
historical interest,--Christ Church on Salem Street, where as the
Captain told the children, Paul Revere's signal was hung out from
the steeple, in the Revolutionary War, by Captain Pulling, a Boston
merchant; and the Old South Church, about which they had already heard
so much.

"In 1775," the Captain said, as the little group stood gazing about it
in deep interest, "the British soldiers desecrated this place by using
it for cavalry drill, having first torn out the galleries and covered
the floor with earth. It is now no longer used as a church, but, as
you see, is a historical museum. Now we will go to Faneuil Hall,--'the
cradle of liberty.'"

They did so; and next visited the Old State House.

As the Captain told them, the Boston Massacre occurred in the street
before it; and there, during the excitement in regard to the Stamp Act,
the stamped clearances were burned by the mob. From the balcony the
Declaration of Independence was read. Many town-meetings were held
there, and many patriotic speeches made,--among them those of Otis,
who foretold probable war, and urged resistance to tyranny "even unto
blood" if necessary.

"Who was Otis, Papa?" asked Lulu.

"A Boston lawyer of that time, a patriot,--as evidenced by even the
few words of his I have just quoted. He was advocate-general with a
good salary at the time when the revenue officers in Boston took out
search-warrants to look for smuggled goods, and called upon him to
defend their cause; but he at once resigned his office and took the
other side,--that of the merchants of Boston, who were protesting
against the writs. They offered him a large fee, but he refused it,
saying, 'In such a cause I despise all fees.'"

"That case was tried in this old State House; and Otis made a grand
speech of such length that it took him five hours to deliver it."

"What was it all about, Papa?" asked Gracie.

"It was on the question whether Americans were bound to obey laws which
they had no share in making, and all the arguments in the wonderful
speech answered doggedly, 'No.'

"John Adams, who heard the speech, afterward said that on that day 'the
child Independence was born;' and no doubt the argument assisted the
popular leaders very much in furnishing them with weapons for their
work."

"Weapons, Papa?" Grace asked with a puzzled look.

"Yes, daughter; arguments with which to show the people what the
English Government was doing to take away our liberties.

"Otis afterward, when Governor Bernard called upon the General Assembly
of Massachusetts to rescind the resolution it had passed against the
right of the English Parliament to tax the colonies without their
consent,--which they boldly disregarded,--made a powerful speech in
which he said, 'When Lord Hillsborough knows that we will not rescind
_our_ acts, he should apply to Parliament to rescind _theirs_. _Let
Britons rescind their measures, or they are lost forever!_' He went
on speaking in that way for nearly an hour, till even the Sons of
Liberty began to tremble lest he should go too far, and be charged with
treason."

"And did he fight for the country, Papa?" asked Gracie.

"No, poor fellow!" replied the Captain, with a slight sigh; "before
the war had fairly begun he became insane from injuries inflicted by
one Robinson, a commissioner of customs, who, with several army or
navy officers set upon, beat, and otherwise injured him, inflicting a
sword-cut on his head from which he never recovered."

"And he didn't have the pleasure of seeing his country free and
separated from England?" Lulu said, half inquiringly.

"No; he was killed by a stroke of lightning in 1778, which you will
remember was several years before the war was over."

Our little party next visited Lexington and Concord.

"How far must we travel to get there, Papa?" queried Gracie, as they
took their seats in the car.

"Only a few miles to Lexington, and a little farther to reach Concord,"
he answered.

"That won't seem very far by rail," remarked Max; "but it must
have seemed quite a distance to the soldiers who marched there in
Revolutionary times."

"I find we are early," the Captain said, looking at his watch; "and as
we have the car nearly to ourselves, it may be well for us to talk over
what occurred in 1775 at the places we are about to visit. I think it
will make the visit more interesting to you."

"Oh, do tell us the whole story, Papa," requested Gracie, with a look
of pleased anticipation.

The others all joined in her petition, and the Captain good-naturedly
complied.

"Matters had been growing worse and worse between the British
Government and the colonies," he said, "till a struggle seemed almost
inevitable. General Gage discovered that the patriots were privately
conveying arms out of Boston, that some brass cannon and field-pieces
were at Salem; and on a Sunday in February, 1775, he sent some troops
to seize them.

"An express from Marblehead arrived at Salem while the people were in
church, with the news that British troops were landing from a transport
at that place, and were about to march to Salem.

"The congregations were at once dismissed, and, led by Colonel
Pickering, stopped the British at a drawbridge. Pickering succeeded in
effecting a compromise, and the troops marched back again to Marblehead
without having done the errand upon which they had been sent.

"Let me see," continued the Captain, meditatively; "I think I can
recall some lines by Trumbull, referring to that incident:--

  "'Through Salem straight, without delay,
    The bold battalion took its way:
    Marched o'er a bridge, in open sight
    Of several Yankees arm'd for fight;
    Then, without loss of time or men,
    Veer'd round for Boston back again,
    And found so well their prospects thrive,
    That every soul got back alive.'

"It was some two months after this that the battles of Lexington and
Concord took place. On April 18, the patriots learned that the next
day British troops were to visit Concord for the purpose of destroying
some military stores there, and passing through Lexington seize the
persons of John Hancock and Samuel Adams, who were both in that town at
the house of the Rev. Jonas Clark.

"Gage had tried to keep all this a profound secret, but somehow the
patriots had learned what he was attempting, and were making their
preparations accordingly. Warren and his friends had gone, Paul Revere
and William Dawes had just rowed across the river to Charlestown,
taking a message from Warren to Adams and Hancock. They were very near
being captured by the guard at Charlestown, but escaped, and reached
Lexington a little after midnight.

"They went at once to Mr. Clark's house, but found a guard of eight
minute-men placed about it to protect Adams and Hancock.

"These refused to let Revere and Dawes into the house, as orders had
been given not to allow the inmates to be disturbed by noise.

"'Noise!' exclaimed Revere, 'you'll have noise enough before long; the
regulars are coming!'

"They were quickly admitted then, roused Hancock and Adams, and knowing
how unlikely to escape being taken prisoners they were, should they
remain in Lexington, persuaded them to retire to Woburn.

"Then Revere and Dawes pushed on to Concord to give the alarm there.

"By two o'clock in the morning a hundred and thirty of the Lexington
militia were collected at the meeting-house upon the green. The roll
was called; then, as the early morning air was very chilly, they were
dismissed with orders to remain within drum-beat."

"Papa, the British marched very quietly, didn't they?" asked Max.

"Yes, in perfect silence; hoping and believing that none of the
Americans were aware of their movements."

"Ha, ha, how mistaken they were!" laughed Max.

"Yes," his father said, "there were vigilant eyes upon them. As they
passed through West Cambridge they were seen by Lee, Gerry, and
Orne,--members of the Provincial Congress,--and as I have told you,
others learned the secret also.

"As the British neared Lexington their ears were greeted by the sound
of bells and guns, warning them that their expedition was known."

"I s'pose they didn't like that," observed Gracie, "but what did they
do about it, Papa?"

"Colonel Smith dispatched six companies of troops under Major Pitcairn,
with orders to press on to Concord and secure the two bridges. He also
sent a messenger to Boston for reinforcements.

"Pitcairn hastened on toward Lexington, capturing several persons
on his way. One of them--a man named Bowman--escaped, hurried into
Lexington on horseback, and notified Captain Parker, commander of the
minute-men, that the enemy was approaching."

"And did they make a great fuss and wake up all the people, Papa?"
asked Gracie.

"They rang the bells, fired guns, and beat the drum, so that doubtless
everybody was soon aroused.

"It was between four and five in the morning. About one hundred of the
militia were quickly collected on the green; but being raw troops, and
uncertain how large a force was coming against them, they were in some
confusion.

"And indeed it was an overwhelming force they presently saw marching
toward them, their scarlet uniforms gleaming out through the early
morning mist.

"The British halted within a few rods of the meeting-house and loaded
their pieces. But the Americans stood firm and undismayed.

"Their orders were not to pull a trigger till fired upon by the enemy,
and for a moment there was silence and hesitation on both sides;
neither Americans nor British seemed willing to become the aggressors.

"But it was only for a moment; Pitcairn and other officers galloped
forward, waving their swords over their heads, and followed by their
troops in double-quick time.

"'Disperse you villains!' they shouted, 'lay down your arms and
disperse. Why don't you disperse, you rebels? Disperse!' And as the
patriots did not instantly obey the command, Pitcairn wheeled his
horse, waved his sword, and gave orders to press forward and surround
the militia.

"At that instant some random shots were fired by the British, and
promptly returned by the Americans."

"Oh, Papa, was anybody killed?" asked Gracie.

"Not by those shots," replied her father; "but the next minute Pitcairn
drew a pistol and discharged it, at the same time shouting 'Fire!'

"His troops instantly obeyed that order. Four of the patriots were
killed, and the rest dispersed. They were fired upon again while
retreating, and several of them halted and returned the shots, then
concealed themselves behind buildings and stone walls.

"Eight Americans were killed, three British soldiers and Major
Pitcairn's horse were wounded."

"I thought you said only four Americans were shot, Papa," said Gracie,
looking up inquiringly into his face.

"Four by the first discharge of musketry, and as many more while trying
to escape over the fences," he answered.

"Did the British care for having killed those poor men?" she asked,
tears of sympathy shining in her eyes.

"If so they gave no evidence of it," her father replied. "They hurried
on to Concord in high spirits. But the news of their approach had been
communicated, and a formidable body of militia was waiting to receive
them."

"Oh, yes!" said Rosie, "I remember that Dawes and Revere had hurried on
to warn them after doing the Lexington people the same service."

"Yes," the Captain said, "but on the way they were taken prisoners by
some British officers. They had stopped to tell the news to Dr. Samuel
Prescott, who escaped over a wall, they being captured. Prescott made
his way to Concord, reaching there about two o'clock in the morning,
and gave the alarm. Then the bells were rung, and the people armed
themselves, so that before daylight they were ready to receive the
British."

"They knew what the British were after, and made haste to conceal the
stores of powder, shot, and so forth,--didn't they, Papa?" asked Max.

"Yes; the whole male population and some of the women assisted in that
work, and succeeded in concealing them in a safe place in the woods
before the arrival of the British."

"That was good," remarked Gracie. "And didn't the British get anything
at all, Papa?"

"Yes, a little. They knocked off the trunnions of three iron
twenty-four-pound cannon, cut down a liberty-pole, set the Court House
on fire, and burned a few barrels of wooden trenchers and spoons, and
sixteen new carriage-

Showing first 200,000 characters. Full text: gutenberg.org/ebooks/45944