Part 26 (2/2)
”Ah, what a terrible thing is war!” sighed Grandma Elsie. ”G.o.d forbid that this dear land should ever again be visited with that fearful scourge!”
”Ah, I can say amen to that!” Mrs. Dinsmore exclaimed, low and tremulously, thinking of the dear young brothers who had fallen victims in that unnatural strife. ”We cannot be thankful enough for the peace and prosperity that now bless our native land.”
”No; and may it ever continue,” added her husband. ”Her growth and prosperity since that fearful struggle ended have been something wonderful.”
A few moments of silence followed, the vessel moving swiftly on her way, and a gentle breeze fanning the cheeks of her pa.s.sengers as they sat there placidly gazing out over the moonlit waters, then the quiet was suddenly broken in upon by a loud guffaw, followed by a drunken shout.
”Aint I fooled ye nice, now? Ye didn't know I was aboard, capting, nor any o' the rest o' ye. Ye didn't guess ye'd got a free pa.s.senger aboard 'sides that old Scotch feller a-settin' yander a-looking like he feels hisself as good 's any o' the rest, ef he don't pay nothin' fer his trip.”
Everyone started and turned in the direction of the sounds.
”A stowaway!” exclaimed Captain Raymond. ”The voice seems to come from the hold. Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen; I must see to his case, and that we are secured from the danger of a visit from him, as he is evidently a drunken wretch,” and with the words he hastened away in the direction of the sounds.
”Ha, ha! I hear ye, capting!” shouted the voice; ”but drunken wretch or not, I wouldn't harm a hair o' any o' yer heads. All I'm a-wantin' is a free pa.s.sage up furder north, where I come from.”
”Oh, mamma, I'm so frightened! so 'fraid the bad man will hurt my dear papa,” cried little Elsie, clinging to her mother, while tears filled her sweet blue eyes.
”No, papa will whip de naughty mans,” said Ned, shaking his baby fist in the direction of the sounds.
”Ah ha, ah ha, um h'm! little laddie; I have no doubt your papa is bigger and stronger than the naughty mans,” said Cousin Ronald, ”and if he catches the good-for-nothing scamp, can whip him within an inch of his life.”
At that Walter burst into a laugh. ”Now, Cousin Ronald,” he said, ”I'd not be a bit surprised to learn that you are well acquainted with that scamp. However, I'll run after Brother Levis to see the fun, if there is any, but I'm sure n.o.body need be one bit afraid,” and with that away he ran.
”Ah, Cousin Ronald,” began Violet, laughing, the others joining in with her, and all entirely occupied in looking at the old gentleman, whose face, however, could be but indistinctly seen, as he had so placed himself that the moonlight did not fall fully upon it, ”confess that----”
But she got no further. A shout of drunken laughter from the other side of the vessel again startled them.
”Ha, ha! the capting's gone in the wrong direction to catch this customer. But he needn't to hunt me up. I'm a real harmless kind o'
chap, an' wouldn't hurt a hair o' any o' your heads.”
Again every head was turned in the direction of the sounds, but seeing no one they all burst into gleeful laughter, in which the captain presently joined, having returned from his bootless search, fully convinced that it need be carried no farther.
CHAPTER XVI.
IT was a bright, sweet May morning. _Reveille_ sounded at the Naval Academy at Annapolis, and with the first tap of the drum Max woke and sprang from his bed. He glanced from the window as he hurried on his clothes, and a low exclamation of surprise and delight burst from his lips.
”What now, Raymond?” queried Hunt, who was dressing with equal expedition.
”The _Dolphin_! the _Dolphin_!” cried Max, in a joyful, exultant tone.
”She lies at anchor down yonder, and I haven't a doubt that I shall see my father and all the rest presently.”
”Possible? What a fortunate fellow you are, Raymond,” returned Hunt, hurrying to the window to take a hasty peep. ”Sure enough! and what a beauty she is, that _Dolphin_! and the captain will be here presently getting you leave to spend the day on board; and it being Sat.u.r.day, and he and the commandant old friends, there'll be no trouble in managing it. Accept my most hearty congratulations, old fellow.”
”Thank you,” said Max, vainly trying to suppress his excitement, for his affectionate, boyish heart was bounding with joy at the thought of presently seeing all his loved ones; most of all, the father who was to him the personification of all that was good, honorable, brave, n.o.ble, and true; the father to whom, he knew beyond a doubt, he himself was an object of strong parental affection and pride.
”And it's fortunate for you that I'm the fellow to set the room to rights on this memorable occasion,” continued Hunt. ”I say, Raymond, I think you must have been born under a lucky star.”
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