The invitation was accepted promptly and with evident pleasure, as the Captain presently reported in the library.
"Now, mother, shall I give my invitation in the same way to our own friends?" he asked, turning to Grandma Elsie.
"Perhaps it would be as well to send it by Harold and me," she said, "as that will delay it very little, and I can perhaps help them to perceive what a delightful trip it is likely to prove."
"And then, mamma, you can give us their view by the 'phone," said Violet.
"I, or some one of the family will," she said. "And now, Harold, we will go and attend to the matter at once."
Captain Raymond'sinvitation proved scarcely less agreeable to Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore than to their younger friends and relatives, and their acceptance was telephoned to Woodburn before the Sunnyside party had left for their homes. All heard it with satisfaction, for Grandpa and Grandma Dinsmore were pleasant traveling companions. Some lively chat followed, in regard to needed preparations for the trip, and in the midst of it a servant came in with the afternoon mail.
The Captain distributed it and among Max's portion was a document of official appearance. Evelyn noted it with a look of apprehension, and drew nearer to her young husband's side.
"Orders, my son?" asked the Captain,when Max had opened it and glanced over the contents.
"Yes, sir; I am to go immediately to Washington, upon the expiration of my leave which will be about the time the rest of you set sail in the 'Dolphin.'"
The announcement seemed quite a damper upon the previous high spirits of the little company, and there were many expressions of disappointment and regret.
"Well," said Chester, getting on his feet as he spoke, "I must go home now; there is a little matter in regard to one of my cases that must be attended to at once, since I am likely to leave the neighborhood so soon."
"And if my husband goes, I must go, too," said Lucilla, in a lively tone, rising and taking up the wrap she had thrown off on coming into the warm room.
"It is near the dinner hour; you would better stay, all of you, and dine with us," said the Captain.
All thanked him, but declined, each havingsome special reason for wishing to go home at that particular time.
"Well, come in and share a meal with us whenever you will," said the Captain. "I think you know, one and all, that you are heartily welcome."
"Yes, father, we do," said Max, "and we are always glad when you care to breakfast, dine, or sup with us."
"Any of us but papa?" asked Ned.
"Yes, indeed; all of you from Mamma Vi down," laughed Max, giving the little fellow an affectionate clap on the shoulder as he passed him on his way out to the hall.
"Yes, Ned, each one of you will always be a most welcome visitor," said Chester.
"Indeed you will, you may be very sure of that," added Lucilla and Eva.
"So sure are we of that, that you need not be surprised to see any of us at any time," laughed Violet. "Nor will we be surprised or grieved to see any or all of you at any time."
"No, indeed! I want my daughters—and sons also—all to feel entirely at home alwaysin their father's house," the Captain said, with his genial smile.
"Thank you, father dear, and don't forget that Sunnyside is one of your homes, and we are always ever so glad to open its doors to you," said Lucilla, going to him and holding up her face for a kiss, which he gave with warmth of affection.
"And not Lu's side only, but ours as well," added Evelyn, holding out her hand and looking up lovingly into his face.
He took the hand, drew her closer to him and gave her a caress as affectionate as that he had just bestowed upon Lucilla.
The rest of the good-byes were quickly said, and both young couples were wending their homeward way. They were all in thoughtful mood, and the short walk was taken in almost unbroken silence.
Eva's heart was full at thought of the approaching separation from her young husband. How could she bear it? He seemed almost all the world to her, now that they had been for weeks such close companions,and life without his presence would be lonely and desolate indeed. She passed up the stairway to their bedroom, while he paused in the hall below to remove his overcoat and hat. Her eyes were full of tears, as she disposed of her wraps, then crossed the room to her mirror to see that dress and hair were in perfect order.
"No improvement needed, my own love, my darling," Max said, coming up behind her and passing an arm about her waist.
At that she turned and hid her face upon his breast.
"Oh, Max, my husband, my dear, dear husband," she sobbed, "how can I live away from you? You are now more than all the world to me."
"As you are to me, dear love. It is hard to part, but we will hope to meet again soon; and in the meantime let us write to each other every day. And as there is no war now you need not feel that your husband is in any special danger."
"Yes, thank God for that," she said, "andthat we may know that we are both in his kind care and keeping wherever we are."
"And surely you will be less lonely than you were before our marriage—father claims you as his daughter, Chester and little Ned are your brothers, Lu and Grace your sisters."
"Yes, oh yes; I have a great deal to be thankful for, but you are to me a greater blessing than all the world."
"As you are to me, dearest," was his response, as he held her close to his heart, pressing warm kisses on cheek and brow and lip.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the hall, Chester and Lucilla were chatting about the Captain's plan for a winter trip.
"I think it will be just delightful, Chester," she said, "since I am to have you along. I am so glad you are going, sorry as I am that ill-health makes it necessary."
"Yes, my dear," he returned with a smile, "I am fortunate, indeed, in having so loving a wife and so kind and able a father-in-law.I am truly sorry that I must leave some important business matters to which I should like to give attention promptly and in person, but I intend to put that care aside and enjoy our holiday as fully as possible. I heartily wish Max could go with us. I think it would almost double the pleasure of the trip."
"As I do," responded Lucilla, with a sigh; "but it seems one can never have all one wants in this world. I doubt if it would be good for us if we could."
"No, it assuredly would not. Now, my dear, I am going down to the library to look at some papers connected with one of my cases, and shall probably be busy over them until the call to dinner."
The next few days were busy ones with those who were to have a part in the southern trip of the "Dolphin." Woodburn and Sunnyside were to be left in the care of Christine and Alma, with a sufficient number of servants under them to keep everything in order.
Max went with the others to the yacht,spent a half hour there, then bade good-bye, went ashore and took a train for Washington. It was Eva's first parting from her husband, and she shut herself into her stateroom for a cry to relieve her pent-up feelings of grief and loneliness. But presently there was a gentle little tap at the door and Elsie Raymond's sweet voice asked, "Sister Eva, dear, don't you want to come on deck with me and see them lift the anchor and start the 'Dolphin' on her way?"
"Yes, dear little sister; thank you for coming for me," replied Evelyn, opening the door.
"All the rest of us were there and I thought you would like to be there, too," continued the little girl, as they passed through the saloon and on up the stairway.
"Yes, little sister, it was very kind in you to think of me."
"But I wasn't the only one; everybody seemed to be thinking of you and looking round for you. So I asked papa if I should come for you, and he said yes."
"It was very kind in both him and you, little sister Elsie," Eva said, with a smile. "Our dear father is always kind, and I am very glad to be his daughter."
"So am I," returned Elsie, with a happy little laugh. "I think he's the dearest, kindest father that ever was made."
They had just reached the deck at that moment, and as they stepped upon it they caught sight of Harold and Grace standing near, looking smilingly at them, pleased with Elsie's tribute to her father, which they had accidentally overheard.
"Oh, Uncle Harold, you'll take Sister Eva to a good place to see everything from, wont you?" exclaimed Elsie.
"Yes, little niece, the everything you mean," he returned, laughingly. "There is room for us all. Come this way," he added, and led them to that part of the deck where the other passengers were grouped.
There they were greeted with kindness and given a good place for seeing all the preparations for starting the vessel on her way tothe Bermudas. She was soon moving swiftly in that direction, and, a cool breeze having sprung up, her passengers left the deck for the warmer and more comfortable saloon.
"Elsie and Ned wouldn't you like your grandma to tell you something about the islands we are going to?" asked Mrs. Travilla; the two little ones being, as usual, quite near her.
"Yes, indeed! grandma," both answered, in eager tones, seating themselves one on each side of her. "I heard papa say it wouldn't be a very long voyage we would take at the start, because the Bermudas were only about six hundred miles away from our coast," said Elsie. "They belong to England, don't they, grandma?"
"Yes; but they were named for a Spaniard, Bermudez, who first sighted them in 1527; they are also called Somers's Isles from Sir George Somers, an Englishman, who was shipwrecked there in 1609. That was what led to their colonization from Virginia—two years later when it was itself only four years old.
"Are they big islands, grandma? and are there many of them?" asked Ned.
"No, there are perhaps five hundred of them, but the whole group measures only about twelve thousand acres in all. They occupy a space only about twenty miles long by six broad."
"Then the group isn't worth very much, I suppose."
"Yes, because its situation makes it a natural fortress which can hardly be overrated. They form a bond of union between two great divisions of British America; on each side of them is a highway between the Gulf of Mexico and the North Atlantic. There are many picturesque creeks and bays, large and deep, the water so clear as to reveal, even to its lowest depths, the many varieties of fish sporting among the coral rocks, and the beautifully variegated shells."
"And it has a warm climate, hasn't it, grandma?" asked Elsie. "I think that is why we are going there."
"Yes, the climate is said to be like that ofPersia, with the addition of a constant sea-breeze."
"I shall like that," responded the little girl with satisfaction. "But what kind of people live there, grandma?"
"A good many whites and still more colored people."
"Slaves, grandma?" asked Ned.
"No; the islands belong to England, and years ago she abolished slavery in all her dominions."
"What are the names of some of them, grandma? the islands, I mean."
"The largest, which is fifteen miles long, is called Bermuda; St. George is three and a half miles long and is the military station of the colony; it commands the entrance of the only passage for large vessels. Its land-locked haven and the narrow and intricate channel leading into it are defended by strong batteries."
"You have been there, haven't you, grandma?"
"Yes; years ago," she said, with a sigh,thinking of the loved partner of her life who had been with her then and there.
"And your Grandpa Dinsmore and I were there at the same time," remarked Grandma Dinsmore, sitting near; and she went on to give a graphic account of scenes they had witnessed there, Mr. Dinsmore presently joining in a way to make it very interesting to the children.
Grandpa Dinsmorehad hardly finished relating his reminiscences of his former visits to the Bermudas when a sailor-lad came down the companionway with a message from the Captain—an invitation to any or all his passengers to come up on deck, as there was something he wished to show them. It was promptly and eagerly accepted by the young folks,—somewhat more slowly and sedately by the older ones.
"What is it, papa? Have you something to show us?" queried Ned, as he gained his father's side.
"Something lying yonder in the sea, my son, the like of which you have never seen before," replied the Captain, pointing to a large object in the water at some little distance.
"Ah, a whale!" exclaimed Dr. Travilla,who had come up on Ned's other side. "To what genus does he belong, Captain?"
"He is a bottlenose; a migratory species, confined to the North Atlantic. It ranges far northward in the summer, southward in the winter. In the early spring they may be found around Iceland and Greenland, Western Spitzbergen, in Davis Strait and probably about Novaia Zemlia."
"Oh, do they like to live right in among the icebergs, papa?" asked Elsie.
"No, they do not venture in among the ice itself, but frequent open bays along its margin, as in that way they are sheltered from the open sea."
"The group gathered about the Captain on the deck now comprised all his cabin passengers, not one of whom failed to be interested in the whale, or to have some remark to make or question to ask.
"This one seems to be alone," remarked Lucilla. "Do they usually go alone, papa?"
"No; they are generally found in herds of from four to ten; and many different herdsmay be found in sight at the same time. The old males, however, are frequently solitary; though sometimes one of them may be seen leading a herd. These whales don't seem to be afraid of ships, swimming around them and underneath the boats till their curiosity is satisfied."
"I suppose they take them—the ships—for a kind of big fish," laughed Ned.
"Why is this kind of whale called bottlenosed, papa?" asked Elsie.
"That name is given it because of the elevation of the upper surface of the head above the rather short beak and in front of the blow hole into a rounded abrupt prominence."
"Blow hole," repeated Ned, wonderingly; "what's that, papa?"
"The blow holes are their nostrils through which they blow out the water collected in them while they are down below the waves. They cannot breath under the water, but must come up frequently to take in a fresh supply of air. But first they must expel theair remaining in their lungs, before taking in a fresh supply. They send that air out with great force, so that it rises to a considerable height above the water, and as it is saturated with water-vapor at a high temperature, the contact with the cold outside air condenses the vapor which forms a column of steam or spray. Often, however, a whale begins to blow before its nostrils are quite above the surface, and then some sea-water is forced up with the column of air."
They were watching the whale while they talked; for it followed the yacht with seeming curiosity. At this moment it rolled over nearly on its side, then threw its ponderous tail high into the air, so that for an instant it was perpendicular to the water, then vanished from sight beneath the waves.
"Oh, dear," cried Ned, "he's gone! I wish he'd stayed longer."
"Perhaps he will come back and give us the pleasure of seeing him spout," said the Captain.
"Do you mean throw the water up out ofits nostrils, papa?" asked Ned. "Oh, I'd like that!"
"Ah, there's the call to supper," said his father, as the summons came at that moment. "You wouldn't like to miss that?"
"No, sir," returned Ned, in a dubious tone. "But couldn't we let the supper wait till the whale comes up and gets done spouting?"
"Perhaps some of the older people may be too hungry to wait comfortably," returned his father; "and the supper might be spoiled by waiting. But cheer up, my son; the whale is not likely to come up to the surface again before we can finish our meal and come back to witness his performance."
That assurance was quite a relief to Ned's mind, so that he went very cheerfully to the table with the others, and there did full justice to the viands.
No one hurried with the meal, but when they left the table it was to go upon deck again and watch for the reappearance of thewhale. They had been there for but a moment when, to the delight of all, it came up, not too far away to be distinctly seen, and at once began spouting—or blowing; discharging the air from its lungs in preparation for taking in a fresh supply; the air was sent out with great force, making a sound that could be heard at quite a distance, while the water-vapor accompanying the air was so condensed as to form a column of spray. It made five or six respirations, then swam away and was soon lost to sight.
Then the company returned to the cabin as the more comfortable place, the evening air being decidedly cool. Ned seated himself close to his father, and, in coaxing tones, asked for something more about whales.
"Are there many kinds, papa?" he queried.
"Yes, my son, a good many; more than you could remember. Would you like me to tell you about some of the more interesting ones?"
"Oh, yes, indeed, papa!" was the emphaticand pleased response, and the Captain began at once.
"There are the whalebone or true whales, which constitute a single family. They have no teeth, but, instead, horny plates of baleen or whalebone, which strain from the water the small animals upon which the whale feeds."
"Oh, yes, I know about whalebones," said Ned. "Mamma and sisters have it in their dresses. And it comes out of the whale's mouth, does it, papa?"
"Yes; it is composed of many flattened, horny plates placed crosswise on either side of the palate, and separated from one another by an open space in the middle line. They are smooth on the outer side, but the inner edge of each plate is frayed out into a kind of fringe, giving a hairy appearance to the whole of the inside of the mouth when viewed from below."
"Whalebone or baleen is black, isn't it, papa?" asked Ned.
"Not always; the color may vary fromblack to creamy white; and sometimes it is striped dark and light."
"Is there much of it in one whale, papa?"
"Yes, a great deal on each side of the jaw; there are more than three hundred of the plates, which, in a fine specimen, are about ten or twelve feet long and eleven inches wide at their base; and so much as a ton's weight has been taken from a large whale."
"And is the baleen all they kill the whales for, papa?"
"Oh, no, my son! the oil is very valuable, and there is a great deal of it in a large whale. One has been told of which yielded eighty-five barrels of oil."
"Oh, my! that's a great deal," cried Ned. "What a big fellow he must have been to hold so much as that."
"The whale is very valuable to the people of the polar regions," continued the Captain. "They eat the flesh, and drink the oil."
"Oh, papa! drink oil!" cried little Elsie, with a shudder of disgust.
"It seems very disgusting to us," he said,with a smile, "but in that very cold climate it is an absolute necessity—needful, in order to keep up the heat of the body by a bountiful supply of carbon."
"Whales are so big and strong it must be very dangerous to go near them, I suppose," said Elsie, with an inquiring look at her father.
"That is the case with some of the species," he said, "but not with all. The Greenland whale, for instance, is inoffensive and timorous, and will always flee from the presence of man, unless roused by the pain of a wound or the sight of its offspring in danger. In that case, it will sometimes turn fiercely upon the boat in which the harpooners are who launched the weapon, and, with its enormous tail, strike it a blow that will shatter it and drive men, ropes and oars high into the air. That Greenland whale shows great affection for both its mate and its young. When this whale is undisturbed, it usually remains at the surface of the water for ten minutes and spouts eight or nine times; thenit goes down for from five to twenty minutes, then comes back to the surface to breathe again. But when harpooned, it dives to a great depth and does not come up again for half an hour. By noticing the direction of the line attached to the harpoon, the whalers judge of the spot in which it will rise and generally contrive to be so near it when it shows itself again, that they can insert another harpoon, or strike it with a lance before it can go down again."
"Poor thing!" sighed little Elsie, "I don't know how men can have the heart to be so cruel to animals that are not dangerous."
"It is because the oil, whalebone and so forth, are so valuable," said her father. "It sometimes happens that a stray whale blunders into the shallow waters of the Bermudas, and not being able to find the passage through which it entered, cannot get out again; so is caught like a mouse in a trap. It is soon discovered by the people, and there is a great excitement; full of delight, they quickly launch their boats filled with menarmed with guns, lances and other weapons which would be of little use in the open sea, but answer their purpose in these shoal waters.
"As soon as the whale feels the sharp lance in its body it dives as it would in the open sea; but the water is so shallow that it strikes its head against the rocky bed of the sea with such force that it rises to the surface again half stunned.
"The hunters then take advantage of its bewildered condition to come close and use their deadly weapons till they have killed it. The fat and ivory are divided among the hunters who took part in the killing, but the flesh is given to any one who asks for it."
"Is it really good to eat, papa?" asked Ned.
"Those who are judges of whale flesh say there are three qualities of meat in every whale, the best resembling mutton, the second similar to pork, and the third resembling beef."
"The whales are so big and strong; don'tthey ever fight back when men try to kill them, papa?" asked Elsie.
"Yes," he replied, "sometimes a large whale will become belligerent, and is then a fearful antagonist, using its immense tail and huge jaws with fearful effect. I have heard of one driving its lower jaw entirely through the plankings of a stout whaling boat, and of another that destroyed nine boats in succession. Not only boats, but even ships have been sunk by the attack of an infuriated old bull cachalot. And an American ship, the 'Essex' was destroyed by the vengeful fury of a cachalot, which accidentally struck itself against the keel. Probably it thought the ship was a rival whale; it retired to a short distance, then charged full at the vessel, striking it one side of the bows, and crushing beams and planks like straws. There were only a few men on board at the time, most of the crew being in the boats engaged in chasing whales; and when they returned to their ship they found her fast sinking, so that they had barely time to secure ascanty stock of provisions and water. Using these provisions as economically as they could, they made for the coast of Peru, but only three lived to reach there, and they were found lying senseless in their boat, which was drifting at large in the ocean."
"I wonder any one is willing to go whaling when they may meet with such dreadful accidents," said Evelyn.
"I suppose it must be very profitable to tempt them to take such risks," remarked Chester.
"It is quite profitable," said the Captain; "a single whale often yields whalebone and blubber to the value of thirty-five hundred or four thousand dollars."
"I should think that might pay very well, particularly if they took a number."
"Our whale fishing is done mostly by the New Englanders, isn't it, papa?" asked Grace.
"Yes," he said, "they went into it largely at a very early date; at first on their own coasts, but they were deserted by the whales beforethe middle of the eighteenth century; then ships were fitted out for the northern seas. But for a number of years the American whale-fishery has been declining, because of the scarcity of whales and the substitutes for whale oil and whalebone that have been found. However, New Bedford, Massachusetts, is the greatest whaling port in the world.
"Now it is nearing your bedtime, my boy, and I think you have had enough about the whale and his habits for one lesson."
"Yes, papa; and I thank you very much for telling it all to me," replied Ned, with a loving, grateful look up into his father's face.
Sometwo hours later the Captain was taking his usual evening walk upon the deck, when Lucilla and Evelyn joined him.
"We feel like taking a little stroll, father, and hope you will not object to our company," remarked Evelyn, as they reached his side.
"I could not, with truth, say it was unpleasant to me, daughter," he returned, with a smile, and passing a hand caressingly over her hair, as she stood close at his side. "The fact is, I am very glad of the companionship of you both."
"And we are both thankful to hear you say it, I am sure," returned Lucilla, in a sprightly tone, and with a bright, loving look up into his eyes. "I'd be heart-broken if I thought my father didn't love me enough to care to have me near him."
"And I should be much distressed if I had reason to believe my daughter didn't care to be near me. If Grace were as strong and healthy as you are, it would double the pleasure to have her with us. She has gone to her stateroom, I suppose."
"Yes, papa, and most of the others have retired to their rooms, too. Dr. Harold and Chester are playing a game of chess, and so will hardly miss Eva and me."
"Perhaps not; so we will take our promenade undisturbed by anxiety about them," laughed the Captain, offering an arm to each.
It was a beautiful evening; the moon was shining in a clear sky and making a silvery pathway upon the waters.
"Where do you suppose Max is now, father?" asked Evelyn, with a slight sigh.
"Probably in Washington; though it is possible he may have received his orders and gone aboard his vessel."
"And doubtless he is thinking of you, Eva, as you are of him," said Lucilla, speaking in low, tender tones.
"No doubt of it," said their father, "for he is very fond of his sweet, young wife. As we all are, daughter dear," he added, softly patting the small, white hand resting upon his arm.
"Dear father," she said, with emotion, "it is so kind in you to give me the fatherly affection I have so missed and longed for in years past."
"And daughterly affection from you is an adequate return," he said pleasantly. "I expect to enjoy that in all this winter's wanderings by sea and land."
"Wanderings which I am very glad to be allowed to share," she said; and then they talked of the various places they expected to visit while on this winter trip.
At length Evelyn, saying it was high time for her to join Grace in the stateroom they shared together, said good-night and returned to the cabin, but Lucilla delayed her departure a little longer—it was so pleasant to have her father all to herself for a bit of private chat before retiring for the night.
They paced the deck silently for a few moments, then she said: "Father, I have thought a good deal of that talk we had in our Bible lesson some time ago, about the second coming of Christ. Do you think it—his coming—is very near?"
"It may be, daughter. The signs of the times seem to indicate its approach. Jesus said, 'Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only.' He has given us signs, however, by which we may know that it is near; and judging by them we may, I think, know that it is not very far off now."
"Then, papa, doesn't it seem as if we ought to be busied with religious duties all the time?"
"I think whatever duties the Lord gives us in His Providence may, in some sense, be called religious duties—for me, for instance, the care of wife, children and dependents. We are to go on with household and family duties, those to the poor and needy in our neighborhood; also to take such part as wecan in the work of the church at home and for foreign missions, and so forth; all this, remembering his command, 'Occupy till I come,' and endeavoring to be ready to meet him with joy when he comes."
"And isn't it a very important part trying to win souls to Christ?"
"It is, indeed, and 'he that winneth souls is wise.' Leading a truly Christlike life may often win them to join us in being his disciples, even though we refrain from any word of exhortation; though there are times when we should not refrain from giving that also."
"As you did to me, father," she said, with a loving look up into his face. "Oh, I shall try to be a winner of souls. The Bible makes the way clear, again and again, in a very few words. You know it tells us Jesus said to Nicodemus, 'God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.'"
"Yes; and Peter said to Cornelius and hiskinsmen and friends, after telling them of Jesus, 'To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.' And Paul and Silas, when asked by the jailor, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' replied, 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.' Salvation is God's free gift, without money and without price. One must believe in His divinity, His ability and willingness to save, taking salvation at His hands as a free, unmerited gift. But now, dear child," he added, taking her in his arms, with a fond caress, "it is time for you and that not very strong husband of yours to be seeking your nest for the night. 'The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; the Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.'" he added in solemn tones, laying a hand tenderly upon her head as he spoke.
"Thank you, dear father," she said, in tones half tremulous with emotion, "I do solove that blessing from your lips. And Chester and I both think I have the best father in the world."
"It is pleasant to have you think that," he returned, with a smile and another caress, "but no doubt there are many fathers in the world quite as good, kind and affectionate as yours; perhaps if my daughters were less affectionate and obedient than they are, they might find their father more stern and severe. Now, good-night—and may you have peaceful sleep undisturbed by troubled dreams."
Thenext morning was bright and clear, the air so much warmer than that which had been left behind on their own shores, that one and all repaired to the deck after breakfast, and preferred to remain there during the greater part of the day. Mr. Horace Dinsmore, his wife and daughter were sitting near together, the ladies occupied with some crocheting, and Mr. Dinsmore with a book in hand, which he did not seem to be reading, when Elsie and Ned Raymond, who had been gamboling about the deck, came dancing up to them with a request for "more about Bermuda."
"You don't want to be surprised by the pretty things you will see there, eh?" queried their grandpa.
"No, sir; we want to hear about them firstand see them afterward; if it isn't troubling you too much," said Elsie, with a coaxing look up into his face.
"Well, considering that you are my great-grandchildren, I think I must search my memory for something interesting on the subject. There are many picturesque creeks and bays. There are four pretty large islands—Bermuda, the largest, being fifteen miles long. The strange shapes of the islands and the number of spacious lagoons make it necessary to travel about them almost entirely in boats; which is very pleasant, as you glide along under a beautiful blue sky and through waters so clear that you can see even to their lowest depths, where the fish sport among the coral rocks, and exquisitely variegated shells abound."
"Oh, I shall like that!" exclaimed Elsie. "Are the fish handsome, too, grandpa?"
"Some of them are strikingly so," he replied. "One called the parrot-fish is of a green color as brilliant as that of his bird namesake. His scales are as green as thefresh grass of spring-time, and each one is bordered by a pale brown line. His tail is banded with nearly every color of the rainbow, and his fins are pink."
"Is he good to eat, grandpa?" asked Ned.
"No, his flesh is bitter and poisonous to man and probably to other fishes. So they let him well alone."
"Well, I suppose he's glad of that," laughed Ned. "The more I hear about Bermuda, grandpa, the gladder I am that we are going there."
"Yes; and you may well be thankful that you have so good and kind a father, and that he owns this fine yacht."
"Yes, sir, I am that; but I'd rather be his son than anybody else's if he didn't own anything but me."
"And I'm just as pleased to be his daughter," said Elsie.
"And I to be his grandfather-in-law," added Mr. Dinsmore, with comically grave look and tone.
"Yes, sir; Grandpa Travilla would have been his—papa's—father-in-law if he had lived, wouldn't he?"
"Yes; and almost as old as I am. He was my dear, good friend, and I gave him my daughter to be his wife."
"That was you, grandma, wasn't it?" asked Ned, turning to Mrs. Travilla.
"Yes, dear," she said, with a smile and a sigh, "and if he had stayed with us until now you would have loved him as you do Grandpa Dinsmore."
"Yes, indeed, grandma," came softly and sweetly from the lips of both children.
There was a moment of subdued silence, then Grandpa Dinsmore went on.
"There are many pretty creatures to be seen in the waters about Bermuda. There is a kind of fish called angels, that look very bright and pretty. They have a beautiful blue stripe along the back, and long streamers of golden yellow, and they swim very gracefully about. But they are not so good as they are pretty. They pester the otherfishes by nibbling at them, and so, often, get into a quarrel, fighting with a long, sharp spine which they have on each gill-cover, making ugly wounds with it on those they are fighting.
"Among the outer reefs we will, perhaps, see a speckled moray. He looks like a common eel, except that his body is dark-green flecked with bright yellow spots, which makes him quite a handsome fellow. There is a fish the Bermuda fishermen call the 'Spanish hogfish,' and when asked why they give it that name they say, 'Why, sir, you see it lazes around just like a hog, and carries the Spanish colors.'"
"Spanish colors? What are they, grandpa?" queried Ned.
"The fish," said Mr. Dinsmore, "is brownish red from his head to the middle of his body, and from there to the end of his tail a bright yellow; and those are the colors of the Spanish flag."
"I'm glad we are going to Bermuda," remarked Elsie, with a happy little sigh, "forI'm sure there must be a great deal there worth seeing."
"And your father is just the kind of man to help you to a sight of all such things," responded Mr. Dinsmore.
"Yes, sir," said Elsie, "papa never seems to think it too much trouble to do anything to give us pleasure."
"Ah, what father would, if he had such a dear little girl and boy as mine?" queried a manly voice just behind them, while a gentle hand was laid caressingly on Elsie's head.
"Oh, papa, I didn't know you were so near," she exclaimed, with a laugh and a blush. "Wont you sit down with us? Grandpa Dinsmore has been telling us very interesting things about Bermuda."
"And papa can probably tell some that will be more interesting," remarked Mr. Dinsmore, as the Captain took possession of Elsie's seat and drew her to one upon his knee.
That suited the little maid exactly; in heropinion no seat was more desirable than "papa's knee."
"Now, papa, we're ready to hear all you know about Bermuda," said Ned, with a look of eager interest.
"Perhaps you are more ready to hear than I to tell," the Captain answered, with an amused smile. "At any rate, I want, first, to hear what you have been told, lest I should waste my time and strength in repeating it."
The children eagerly repeated what had been told them, the Captain added a few more facts about the beautiful things to be seen in the clear Bermuda waters—the coral reefs and the plants and animals that cover them; then the call to dinner came, and all left the deck for the dining-saloon.
Almost the whole party were on deck again immediately upon leaving the table. The older ones were scattered here and there in couples or groups, but Elsie and Ned sauntered along together chatting in low tones, as if not wanting to be overheard by the older people.
"Yes, I am sorry," sighed Elsie, in reply to something her brother had said; "Christmas is such a delightful time at home, and, of course, we can't expect to have one here on the yacht."
"No," said Ned, brightening, "but, of course, we can give Christmas gifts to each other, if—if we get to Bermuda in time to buy things. I s'pose there must be stores there."
"Surely, I should think. I'll ask mamma or papa about it."
"Have you any money?"
"Yes; I have two dollars I've been saving up to buy Christmas gifts. How much have you?"
"Fifty cents. It isn't much, but it will buy some little things, I guess."
"Yes, of course it will. But, oh, Ned, Christmas comes Monday. To-morrow is Sunday; so we couldn't do any shopping, even if we were on the land; and we may as well give it up."
"Yes, but we are having a very good time here on the 'Dolphin,' aren't we, Elsie?"
"Yes, indeed! and it would be really shameful for us to fret and worry over missing the usual Christmas gifts and pleasures."
The two had been so absorbed in the subject they were discussing that they had not noticed an approaching step, but now a hand was laid on a shoulder of each, and their father's loved voice asked, in tender tones: "What is troubling my little son and daughter? Tell papa, and perhaps he may find a way out of the woods."
"Yes, papa; they are not very thick woods," laughed Elsie. "It is only that we are sorry we can't have any Christmas times this winter, or remember anybody with gifts, because we can't go to any stores to buy anything."
"Are you quite sure of all that, daughter?" he asked, with a smile, smoothing her hair caressingly as he spoke.
"I thought I was, but perhaps my father knows better," she answered, with a pleased little laugh.
"Well, I think a man of my age ought to know more than a little girl of yours. Don't you?"
"Oh, yes, indeed! and I know my father knows many, many times more than I do. Is there any way for us to get gifts for all these dear folks on the yacht with us, or for any of them, papa?"
"Yes, I remembered Christmas when we were getting ready to leave home, and provided such gifts as seemed desirable for each one of my family to give to others. I will give you each your share to-night before you go to your berths, and you can decide how you will distribute them—to whom you will give each one."
"But, papa, I——" Elsie paused, blushing and confused.
"Well, dear child, what is it?" asked her father, in gentle, affectionate tones.
"I was thinking, papa, that they couldhardly be our gifts when you bought them and with your own money, not ours."
"But I give them to you, daughter, and you may keep or give them away, just as you like. That makes them your gift quite as truly as if they had been bought with your own pocket money. Does it not?"
"Oh, yes, papa, so it seems to me, and I know it does since you say so," exclaimed Elsie joyously; Ned joining in with, "Oh, that's just splendid, papa! You are the best father in the world! Elsie and I both think so."
"Well, it is very pleasant to have my children think so, however mistaken they may be," his father said, with a smile and an affectionate pat on the little boy's shoulder. "Well, my dears, suppose we go down at once and attend to these matters. It will be better now than later, I think, and not so likely to keep you from getting to sleep in good season to-night."
The children gave an eager, joyful assent, and their father led them down to the stateroomoccupied by Violet and himself, and opening a trunk there, brought to light a quantity of pretty things—ribbons, laces, jewelry, books and pictures; also cards with the names of the intended recipients to be attached to the gifts, as the young givers might see fit.
That work was undertaken at once, their father helping them in their selection and attaching the cards for them. It did not take very long, and they returned to the deck in gay spirits.
"For what purpose did you two children take papa down below? or was it he who took you?" asked Lucilla, laughingly.
"I think it was papa who took us," said Elsie, smiling up into his face as she spoke. "Wasn't it, papa?"
"Yes," he said, "and whoever asks about it may be told it was father's secret conference."
"Oh," cried Lucilla, "it is a secret then, is it? I don't want to pry into other people's affairs; so I withdraw my question."
"Perhaps papa intends to take his other children—you and me, Lu—down in their turn," remarked Grace, laughingly, for she was sitting near her father, and had overheard the bit of chat.
"I really had not thought of doing so," said the Captain, "but it is a good idea. Come, now, both of you," he added, leading the way. "I suppose you two have not forgotten that to-morrow will be Sunday and the next day Christmas?" he said, inquiringly, as they reached the saloon.
"Oh, no, papa; you know you helped us, before we left home, in selecting gifts for Mamma Vi and the children and others," said Grace. "But how are we going to keep Christmas here on the yacht?"
"Pretty much as if we were at home on the land," he answered, with a smile. "There is a Christmas tree lying down in the hold. I intend having it set up here early Monday morning, and some of the early risers will perhaps trim it before the late ones are out of bed. Then it can be viewed, and the giftsdistributed when all are ready to take part in the work and fun. Now, if you wish I will show you the gifts I have prepared for my family—not including yourselves," he interpolated, with a smile. "Our guests and servants here and the crew of the vessel."
The offer was gladly accepted, the gifts viewed with great interest and pleasure, the girls chatting meanwhile with affectionate and respectful familiarity with their loved father.
"I like your plan, father, very much indeed," said Lucilla; "and as it is easy and natural for me to wake and rise early, I should like to help with the trimming of the tree, if you are willing."
"Certainly, daughter, I shall be glad to have you help—and to put the gifts intended for you on afterward," he added, with a smile.
"Yes, sir; and perhaps your daughters may treat you in the same way," she returned demurely. "I suppose you wouldhardly blame them for following your example?"
"I ought not to, since example is said to be better than precept. We will put these things away now, go back to our friends on deck, and try to forget gifts until Christmas morning."
Ason former voyages on the "Dolphin," Sabbath day was kept religiously by all on board the vessel. Religious services—prayer, praise and the reading of a sermon—were held on deck, for the benefit of all, after which there was a Bible lesson led by Mr. Milburn, the subject being the birth of Jesus and the visits of the wise men from the east; also the story of Bethlehem's shepherds and their angel visitants followed by their visit to the infant Saviour.
The children went to bed early that night that—as they said—Christmas might come the sooner. Then the Captain, his older daughters, Chester, and Harold, had a little chat about what should be done in the morning. The young men were urgent that their assistance should be accepted in the matter of setting up and trimming the tree; the girlsalso put in a petition for the privilege of helping with the work.
To Lucilla their father answered, "You may, as I have said, for you are naturally an early bird, so that I think it cannot hurt you." Then turning to Grace, "I hardly think it would do for you, daughter dear; but we will let your doctor decide it," turning inquiringly to Harold.
"If her doctor is to decide it, he says emphatically No," said Harold, with a very loverlike look down into the sweet face of his betrothed; "she will enjoy the rest of the day much better for taking her usual morning nap."
"You and papa are very kind; almost too kind," returned Grace, between a smile and a sigh. "But I think you are a good doctor, so I will follow your advice and papa's wishes."
"That is right, my darling," responded her father, "and I hope you will have your reward in feeling well through the day."
"If she doesn't, she can discharge her doctor," said Lucilla in a mirthful tone.
"You seem inclined to be hard upon doctors, Lu," remarked Harold, gravely; "but one of these days you may be glad of the services of even such an one as I."
"Yes, that is quite possible; and even now I am right glad to have my husband under your care; and I'm free to say that if your patients don't improve, I don't think it will be fair to blame it—their failure—on the doctor."
"Thank you," he said; "should you need doctoring on this trip of ours, just call upon me and I'll do the best for you that I can."
"I have no doubt you would," laughed Lucilla, "but I'll do my best to keep out of your hands."
"That being your intention, let me advise you to go at once to your bed," returned Harold, glancing at his watch. Then all said good-night and dispersed to their rooms.
At early dawn the three gentlemen were again in the saloon overseeing the setting upof the Christmas tree, then arranging upon it a multitude of gifts from one to another of the "Dolphin's" passengers, and some token of remembrance for each one of the crew; for it was not in the kind heart of the Captain ever to forget or neglect any one in his employ.
The other passengers, older and younger, except Lucilla, who was with them in time to help with the trimming of the tree, did not emerge from their staterooms until the sun was up, shining gloriously upon the sea, in which the waves were gently rising and falling. All were fond of gazing upon the sea, but this morning their first attention was given to the tree, which seemed to have grown up in a night in the saloon, where they were used to congregate mornings, evenings and stormy days. All gathered round it and viewed its treasures with appreciative remarks; then the Captain, with Chester's and Harold's assistance, distributed the gifts.
Every one had several and seemed well pleased with them. The one that gave Evathe greatest pleasure had been left for her by her young husband; it was an excellent miniature likeness of himself set in gold and diamonds. She appreciated the beautiful setting, but the correct and speaking likeness was far more to her.
Near the tree stood a table loaded with fruits and confections of various kinds, very tempting in appearance. Ned hailed it with an expression of pleasure, but his father bade him let the sweets alone until after he had eaten his breakfast.
The words had scarcely left the Captain's lips when a voice was heard, apparently coming from the skylight overhead: "Say, Pete, d'ye see them goodies piled up on that thar table down thar? My, but they looks temptin'."
"Yes," seemed to come from another voice, "wouldn't I like to git in thar and help myself? It's odd and real mean how some folks has all the good things and other folks none."
"Course it is. But, oh, I'll tell you. They'llbe goin' out to breakfast presently, then let's go down thar where the goodies is, and help, ourselves."
"Yes, let's."
Everybody in the saloon had stopped talking and seemed to be listening in surprise to the colloquy of the two stowaways—for such they apparently were—but now Ned broke the silence: "Why, how did they get on board? Must be stowaways and have been in the hold all this time. Oh, I guess they are hungry enough by this time; so no wonder they want the candies and things."
"Perhaps Cousin Ronald can tell us something about them," laughed Lucilla.
"Acquaintances of mine, you think, lassie?" sniffed the old gentleman. "Truly, you are most complimentary. But I have no more fancy for such trash than have you."
"Ah, well, now, cousin, I really don't imagine those remarks were made by any very bad or objectionable fellows," remarked Captain Raymond, in a tone of amusement.
"No," said Mr. Dinsmore, "we certainlyshould not be hard on them if they are poor and hungry."
"Which they must be if they have been living in the hold ever since we left our native shores," laughed Violet.
"Oh, now, I know, it was just Cousin Ronald, and not any real person," cried Ned, dancing about in delight.
"And so I'm not a real person?" said Mr. Lilburn, in a deeply hurt tone.
"Oh, Cousin Ronald, I didn't mean that," said Ned, penitently, "only that you weren't two boys, but just pretending to be."
At that everybody laughed, and Mr. Lilburn said: "Very true; I never was two boys and am no longer even one. Well, I think you and all of us may feel safe in leaving the good things on the table there when we are called to breakfast, for I am sure those fellows will not meddle with them."
The summons to the table had just sounded, and now was obeyed by all with cheerful alacrity. Everybody was in fine spirits, the meal an excellent one, and allpartook of it with appetite, while the flow of conversation was steady, bright and mirthful.
They had their morning service directly after the meal, then went upon deck and to their surprise found they were in sight of Bermuda. They were glad to see it, though the voyage had been a pleasant one to all and really beneficial to the ailing ones, for whose benefit it was undertaken more particularly than for the enjoyment of the others. Also it was hoped and expected that their sojourn in and about the islands would be still more helpful and delightful; and so indeed it proved.
They tarried in that neighborhood several weeks, spending most of their time on the vessel, or in her small boats—many of the water-ways being too narrow and shallow to be traversed by the yacht, but going from place to place on the land in a way to see all that was interesting there.
Itwas a lovely moonlight evening; the "Dolphin's" Captain and all his family and passengers were gathered together upon the deck. It had been a day of sight-seeing and wandering from place to place about the islands, and they were weary enough to fully enjoy the rest and quiet now vouchsafed them.
Captain Raymond broke a momentary silence by saying: "I hope, my friends, that you can all feel that you have had a pleasant sojourn in and about these islands?"
"Indeed we have," replied several voices.
"I am glad to hear it," returned the Captain, heartily; "and now the question is, Shall we tarry here longer or go on our southward way to visit other places, where we will escape the rigors of winter in our more northern homes?"
No one spoke for a moment; then Mr. Dinsmore said: "Let the majority decide. I am perfectly satisfied to go on or to stay here, as you, Captain, and they may wish."
"And I echo my husband's sentiments and feelings," remarked Mrs. Rose Dinsmore, pleasantly.
"And you, mother?" asked the Captain, turning to Mrs. Travilla.
"I, too, am entirely willing to go or stay, as others may wish," she replied, in her own sweet voice.
"And you, Evelyn?" asked the Captain, turning to her.
"I feel that it would be delightful either to go or stay, father," she answered, with a smile and a blush.
The others were quite as non-committal, but after some further chat on the subject it was decided that they would leave Bermuda the next morning, and, taking a southerly course, probably make Porto Rico their next halting place.
As usual, Lucilla woke at an early hour.Evidently the vessel was still stationary, and anxious to see it start she rose and made her toilet very quietly, lest she should disturb her still sleeping husband, then left the room and stole noiselessly through the saloon up to the deck, where she found her father overseeing the lifting of the anchor.
"Ah, good-morning, daughter," he said, with a smile, as she reached his side. "You are an early bird as usual," ending his sentence with a clasp of his arm about her waist and a kiss upon her lips.
"Yes, papa," she laughed, "who wouldn't be an early bird to get such a token of love from such a father as mine?"
"And what father wouldn't be ready and glad to bestow it upon such a daughter as mine?" he responded, repeating his loving caress. "You have enjoyed your trip thus far, daughter, have you not?"
"Yes, indeed, papa. We are bound for Porto Rico now, are we not?"
"Yes, I think that will be our first stoppingplace; though perhaps we may not land at all, but merely sail round it, viewing it from the sea."
"And perhaps you may treat Cuba in the same way?"
"Very possibly. I shall act in regard to both as the majority of my passengers may wish."
The anchor was now up, and the vessel gliding through the water. The Captain and Lucilla paced the deck to and fro, taking a farewell look at the receding islands and talking of the pleasure they had found in visiting them, particularly in exploring the many creeks and bays, with their clear waters so full of beautiful shells and fish, so different from those to be found in their land.
"I shall always look back with pleasure upon this visit to Bermuda, father," Lucilla said, with a grateful smile up into his eyes.
"I am very glad you have enjoyed it, daughter," he replied; "as I think every oneof our party has. And I am hoping that our wanderings further to the south may prove not less interesting and enjoyable."
"Yes, sir, I hope so. I shall feel great interest in looking upon Cuba and Porto Rico—particularly the first—because of what our men did and endured there in the late war with Spain. How pleasant it was that the Porto Ricans were so ready and glad to be freed from the domination of Spain and taken into our Union."
Just then Harold joined them, and with him came little Ned. Pleasant good-mornings were exchanged. Then others of their party followed, two or three at a time, till all were on deck enjoying the sweet morning air and the view of the fast-receding islands. Then came the call to breakfast, followed by the morning service of prayer and praise, and after that they returned to the deck.
As usual, the children were soon beside their loved grandmother, Mrs. Elsie Travilla.
"Well, dears, we have had a very good time at Bermuda, haven't we?" she said, smiling lovingly upon them.
"Yes, ma'am," said Elsie. "Do you think we will have as good a time where we are going now?"
"I hope so, my dear. I believe Porto Rico is to be the first land we touch at. Would you like me to tell you something of its beauties and its history?"
"Yes, indeed, grandma," both children answered, in a tone of eager assent, and she began at once.
"The name—Porto Rico—was given it by the Spaniards, and means 'The Gateway of Wealth.' It was discovered by Columbus in 1493. It is about half as large as New Jersey. Through its center is a range of mountains called the Luquillo. The highest peak, Yunque, can be seen from a distance of sixty-eight miles. Porto Rico is a beautiful island. The higher parts of the hills are covered by forests; immense herds of cattle are pastured on the plains. The land is fertileand they raise cotton, corn, rice and almost every kind of tropical fruit."
"Are there any rivers, grandma?" asked Ned.
"Nine small ones," she answered.
"Are there any towns?"
"Oh yes, quite a good many; large ones. Ponce, the capital, has a good many thousands of inhabitants, and some fine buildings. San Juan, too, is quite a large place; it stands on Morro Island, which forms the north side of the harbor and is separated from the mainland by a narrow creek called the Channel of San Antonio. At the entrance to San Juan's harbors is a lighthouse on Morro Point. It is one hundred and seventy-one feet above the sea, and its fixed light is visible for eighteen miles over the waters."
"Oh," cried Ned, "let's watch out for it when we are coming that near."
"It will be very well for you to do so," his grandma said, with a smile; then went on with her account of Porto Rico.
"The island has much to recommend it; the climate is salubrious, and there are no snakes or reptiles. It has valuable minerals, too—gold, copper, lead; also coal. San Juan is lighted by both gas and electricity.
"The Spaniards were very cruel to the poor Indians who inhabited Porto Rico when Columbus discovered it. It is said that in a hundred years they had killed five hundred thousand of men, women and children."
"Oh, how dreadful!" exclaimed Elsie. "And they killed so,somany of the poor natives in Peru and in Mexico. I don't wonder that God has let their nation grow so poor and weak."
"The Porto Ricans were tired of being governed by them when we began our war with Spain to help the poor Cubans to get free," continued Grandma Elsie. "Our government and people did not know that, but thought Porto Rico should be taken from Spain, as well as Cuba. So as soon as Santiago was taken, a strong force was sent against Ponce.
"The 'Wasp' was the first vessel to arrive. It had been expected that they would have to shell the city, but as the 'Wasp' steamed close to the shore a great crowd of citizens could be seen gathered there. They were not behaving like enemies, and the troops on the 'Wasp' were at a loss to understand what it meant; therefore, the gunners stood ready to fire at an instant's warning, when Ensign Rowland Curtin was sent ashore bearing a flag of truce, four men with him.
"The citizens were cheering as if frantic with joy over their coming, and as soon as they landed overwhelmed them with gifts of tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, bananas, and other good things."
"Oh, wasn't that nice!" exclaimed Elsie. "I think they showed their good sense in preferring to be ruled by our people rather than by the Spaniards."
"As soon as the people could be calm enough to listen," continued Grandma Elsie, "Ensign Curtin announced that he had come to demand the surrender of the city and port,and asked to see the civil or military authorities.
"Some of the civil officials were there, but they could not surrender the city, as that must be the act of the military powers. There was a telephone at hand, and the ensign ordered a message sent to Colonel San Martin, the commandant, telling him that if he did not come forward and surrender the city in the course of half an hour, it would be bombarded.
"The garrison had been, and still were, debating among themselves what they should do, but as soon as they heard of this message they began looting the stores and shops, cramming underwear and clothing upon their backs and in their trousers, to check and hold the bullets which they were certain the Americans would send after them, as they scampered off.
"Ensign Curtin went back to his vessel, and, soon after, Commander C. H. Davis, of the 'Dixie,' was rowed ashore. There a note was handed him from Colonel San Martin,asking on what terms he demanded the surrender of the city. He answered that it must be unconditional. At the request of the commandant, however, he made the terms a little different. Then the padded men of the garrison waddled out of town, leaving one hundred and fifty rifles and fourteen thousand rounds of ammunition behind.