Elsie on the Hudson

by Martha Finley

CHAPTER XIII.

"Well, papa, where shall we go, or what shall we do, to-day?" asked Grace one bright September morning as they sat about the breakfast table on board the Dolphin.

"Let me hear the wishes of all three of you in regard to that matter," he said in his accustomed pleasant tones. "Evelyn, what have you to say? Have you any plans you would like carried out?"

"No, sir, thank you," she replied. "I shall be perfectly contented to stay on the Dolphin or go anywhere you and the girls wish."

"I think we have seen all the points of interest about here," he said. "However, if you would like to pay a second visit to any one of them you have only to say so."

Just as the captain spoke a sailor came in with the mail-bag.

"Ah," said Grace, "I hope there is a letter from Mamma Vi saving that she and the rest will be here to-day or to-morrow."

"Yes, so do I," said Lucilla. "We have had a lovely time while they have been away, but I shall be delighted to have them back again."

"Yes," said her father, "here is a letter from her to me." Then opening and glancing over it: "They are coming back to-day, and may be expected by the train that gets into Cleveland near tea-time. I must go for them; and you, Lucilla—you and Grace—may see that everything about the cabin and staterooms is in good order for their comfort and enjoyment."

"Yes, papa, we will," they answered promptly, Lucilla adding with a merry look, "We will do the work ourselves if that is your wish."

"Oh, no," he said; "I only meant that you should oversee it, and make sure that nothing is left undone which would add to their comfort."

"I wish we had some flowers to ornament the rooms with," said Grace.

"You shall have," replied her father. "I have sent for some by the man who has gone to the city to do the marketing."

"Oh, that's good!" exclaimed Lucilla. "Papa, I believe one may always trust you to think of everything."

"I am not so sure of that," he said with a smile. "But it is very well for my daughters to think so."

"I do, papa," said Grace. "Lu can't have any more confidence in you than I have."

"Nor than I," said Evelyn. "And I am very proud of the privilege accorded me some time ago of considering you my brother, captain."

"Ah? I think I am the one to feel honored by the relationship," he returned laughingly.

"We will start for home pretty soon, father, won't we?" asked Grace.

"I presume so; we will consult the others on that subject when they come. Are you growing homesick?"

"Almost," she answered, but in a cheery tone. "I have enjoyed our outings on the Hudson and here ever so much, but ours is such a sweet home that I begin to long to see it again."

"Well, dear child, I hope to be able to gratify that wish before long," he replied in kindly, affectionate tones. "I am very glad you love your home."

"It is certainly worthy of her love," said Evelyn. "I don't know a more delightful place; yet it would not be half so charming without the dear people who live in it."

"It certainly would not be to me without the wife and children who share it with me," said the captain.

They had not left the table long when flowers were brought aboard in variety and abundance, and they had a very enjoyable time arranging them in vases, and placing those where they could be seen to the best advantage.

"There," said Lucilla when their labors were completed; "they will do very well while the Dolphin stands still, but if she takes to rolling, as I have known her to do at times in the past, we'll have to empty the water out of the vases or it will empty itself where it is not wanted at all."

"Yes," said her father, "but I think you may confidently expect her to remain stationary at least until to-morrow morning. No one is likely to care to start on the homeward journey before that time."

"I wish they were here now," said Grace; "but we have hours to wait before we can hope to see them."

"Have patience, daughter," her father said in cheerful tones. "The time will soon pass; and, to make it go faster, shall we not row over to one of the islands and have a stroll on the beach?"

The girls all seemed pleased with that proposal; the captain gave the order to have the boat made ready, and in a few moments they were on their way. It was just the kind of a day to make such a little excursion very enjoyable, and in a couple of hours they returned, feeling in fine health and spirits and ready for either work or play.

Captain Raymond saw them safely on board, presently followed them himself, and read aloud an entertaining book while they busied themselves with bits of needlework. Soon dinner was announced; quite a while was spent at the table, and shortly after they left it, the boat was again in requisition to take the captain to the city and bring him and the returned travellers back to the yacht.

The time of his absence seemed rather long to the waiting girls; but when at last the boat came into sight, and they perceived that it held all the expected ones, they were overjoyed, and when the deck was reached the embraces exchanged were warm and loving.

"This seems very like a home-coming," said Violet. "We have had a delightful time with our Pleasant Plains cousins, yet are glad to be again on our own floating home."

"Yes," said her mother; "especially as we hope it will soon carry us to our still dearer ones in the Sunny South."

"I am ready to start for them to-morrow, mother, if you wish it," the captain said in his pleasant way. "I presume you have all seen enough, for the present at least, of this part of our country."

He looked inquiringly at Annis as he spoke.

"I am ready to go or stay, as the others wish," she said. "It is now late in September, and the excessive summer heat will surely be over by the time we reach our journey's end. What are your opinions and feelings on the subject, my dear?" turning to her husband.

"I care but little one way or the other, so that I have my wife with me, and she is satisfied," returned Mr. Lilburn gallantly.

"And that, I presume, is about the way with these younger folk," remarked the captain, glancing around in a kindly way upon them.

"Yes, captain," said Evelyn; "we are all ready, I am sure, to go or stay, as seems best to you."

"One can always find enjoyment wherever you are, father," said
Lucilla.

"Yes, indeed," said Grace. "But now, good folks, please all come down to the saloon and see our preparations for your arrival." She led the way, the others following, and on reaching the saloon and seeing its wealth of adornment, they gave such meed of praise as greatly gratified the young decorators.

"Ah, it is nearly tea-time," said Grandma Elsie at length, consulting her watch; "and I at least need to make some preparation in the way of ridding myself of the dust of travel by rail," and with that all the returned travellers retired to their staterooms for the few minutes that remained ere the summons to the tea table.

On leaving the table, all repaired to the deck, where they spent the evening in pleasant chat, finding much to tell each other of the doings and happenings of the days of their separation.

They closed their day as usual, with a service of prayer and praise and the reading of the Scriptures, then all except the captain retired to their staterooms.

But it was not long before Lucilla, as usual, stole back to the deck for a good-night bit of chat with her father. She found him walking the deck and gazing earnestly at the sky.

"Is there a storm coming, father?" she asked.

"I think there is," he answered, "and probably a heavy one. I think it should make a change in our plans, for it may last several days. In that case we will be safer over there in Put-in Bay, lying at anchor, than we would be out in the lake."

"Then you will go over there, won't you, father?" she asked.

"I think I shall," he said. "It really matters but little whether we get home as speedily as the voyage can be made, or not until a week or two later."

"I am glad of that," she returned; "and as we have an abundance of books and games,—plenty of everything to make the time pass quickly and pleasantly,—I think we need not mind the detention."

"I agree with you in that," he said, "and I am very glad that our dear absentees got here safely before the coming of the storm."

"Then you don't apprehend any danger?" she said inquiringly.

"No; not if we are at anchor in the bay yonder. Well, you came to say good-night to your father in the usual way, I suppose?"

"Yes, sir; but mayn't I stay with you for a little while? I am not at all sleepy, and should enjoy pacing back and forth here with you a few times."

"Very well, daughter," he returned, taking her hand and drawing it within his arm.

They walked to and fro for a time in silence. It was broken at length by Lucilla. "To-morrow is Friday, but you don't think it would be unlucky to start on a journey for that reason, father?"

"No, child; it is the coming storm, and not the day of the week, that seemed portentous to me. I have sailed more than once on Friday, and had quite as prosperous a voyage as when I had started on any other day of the week."

"It seems to me absurd and superstitious," she said, "and I know Grandma Elsie considers it so. Papa, isn't that cloud spreading and growing darker?"

"Yes; and I think I must give orders at once to get up steam, lift the anchor, and move out into the bay. Say good-night, now, and go to your berth."

Violet, arrayed in a pretty dressing gown, stepped out of her stateroom door into the saloon as Lucilla entered it. "Are we about starting, Lu?" she asked. "I thought I heard your father giving an order as if preparations for that were going on." Lucilla replied with an account of what she had seen and heard while on deck. "But don't be alarmed, Mamma Vi," she concluded; "father thinks there will be no danger to us lying at anchor in Put-in Bay, and I think we will be able to pass the time right pleasantly."

"So do I," said Violet; "but it will be sad if he has to expose himself to the storm. However, I suppose that will hardly be necessary if we are lying at anchor. Yes, I think we are a large enough and congenial enough company to be able to pass a few days very pleasantly together, even though deprived of all communication with the outside world."

"So we won't fret, but be glad and thankful that we can get into a harbor before the storm is upon us, and that we have so competent a captain to attend to all that is needed for our safety and comfort," returned Lucilla. "But I must say good-night now, for papa's order to me was to go to my berth."

The Dolphin was soon in motion, and within an hour lying safely at anchor in Put-in Bay. When her passengers awoke in the morning, quite a severe storm was raging, and they were well pleased that it had not caught them upon the open lake; and though Grandma Elsie had grown anxious to get home for her father's sake, she did not fret or worry over a providential hindrance, but was bright and cheerful, and ever ready to take her part in entertaining the little company.

For three days the ladies and children scarcely ventured upon deck; but, with books and work and games, time passed swiftly, never hanging heavy on their hands. Mr. Lilburn, too, caused some amusement by the exercise of his ventriloquial powers.

It was the second day of the storm, early in the afternoon, and all were gathered in the saloon, the ladies busy with their needlework, the gentlemen reading, Elsie and Ned playing a quiet game. Walter had a daily paper in his hand, but presently threw it down and sat with his elbow on the table, his head on his hand, apparently in deep thought. He sighed wearily, and then words seemed to come from his lips.

"Dear me, but I am tired of this dull place!—nothing to see, nothing to hear, but the raging of the storm!"

"Why, Walter!" exclaimed his mother, looking at him in astonishment; but even as she spoke she saw that he was as much astonished as herself.

"I didn't make that remark, mother," he laughed. "I am thankful to be here, and enjoying myself right well. Ah, Cousin Ronald, I think you know who made that ill-sounding speech."

"Ah," said the old gentleman with a sad shake of the head, "there seems to be never a rude or disagreeable speech that is not laid to my account."

Then a voice seemed to come from a distant corner: "Can't you let that poor old man alone? It was I that said the words you accuse him of uttering."

"Ah," said Walter; "then show yourself, and let us see what you are like."

"I am not hiding, and don't object to being looked at, though I am not half so well worth looking at as some of the other people in this room."

"Well, that acknowledgment shows that you are not vain and conceited," said Walter.

"Who would dare call me that?" asked the voice in angry, indignant tones.

The words were quickly followed by a sharp bark, and then the angry spitting of a cat, both seeming to come from under the table.

Little Elsie, who was sitting close beside it, sprang up with a startled cry of "Oh, whose dog and cat are they?"

"Cousin Ronald's," laughed Ned, peeping under the table and seeing nothing there.

At that instant a bee seemed to fly close to the little boy's ear, then circle round his head, and he involuntarily dodged and put up his hand to drive it away. Then he laughed, saying in mirthful tones, "Oh, that was just Cousin Ronald, I know!"

The older people were looking on and laughing, but Lucilla started and sprang to her feet with an exclamation of affright as the loud, fierce bark of a seemingly ferocious big dog sounded close to her ear. Everybody laughed, she among the rest, but she said pleadingly: "Oh, don't do that again, Cousin Ronald! I didn't know I had any nerves, but I believe I have."

"Well, daughter, don't encourage them," her father said in kind and tender tones, taking her hand in his as he spoke, for she was close at his side, as she was pretty sure to be whenever she could manage it.

"I am truly sorry if I hurt those nerves, Lu," said the old gentleman kindly. "I meant but to afford amusement, and shall be more careful in the future."

"Do some more, Cousin Ronald; oh, please do some more, without scaring
Lu or anybody," pleaded Ned.

"Ned, Ned, it's time to go to bed," said a voice seeming to come from the door of the stateroom where the little boy usually passed the night.

"No, sir, you're mistaken," he answered; "it won't be that for two or three hours yet."

"Captain," called a voice that seemed to come from overhead, "please come up here, sir, and see if all is going well with the vessel."

Captain Raymond looked up. "I think I can trust matters to you for the present, my men," he said. "We are in a safe harbor and have little or nothing to fear."

"Papa, did somebody call you?" asked Ned.

"I rather think Cousin Ronald did," answered the captain; "but I don't intend to go to the deck to find him, or answer his call to it, while he sits here."

"No; what business has he to treat you so?" said a voice that sounded like a woman's. "He ought to be glad to see you sit down and take a rest occasionally."

"So he is," said Cousin Ronald, speaking in his natural tone and manner. "He is always glad to have such busy folks take a bit o' rest."

"But please don't you take a rest yet, Cousin Ronald; we want you to make some more fun for us first—if you're not too tired," said Ned, in coaxing tones.

"I am more than willing, laddie," returned the old gentleman pleasantly, "for fun is oft-times beneficial, particularly to little chaps such as you."

"I am bigger than I used to be," said Ned, "but I like fun quite as well as I ever did."

"Very strange," said Lucilla, "very strange that a grave old man such as you should care for fun."

"Yes, but my sister Lu likes it, and she's older—a great deal older than I am," returned the little fellow, looking up into her face with eyes that sparkled with fun.

At that she laughed and gave him a kiss.

"Yes, I am a great deal older than you, and so you ought to treat me with great respect," she said.

"Ought I, papa?" he asked, turning to their father.

"It would be quite well to do so, if you want the reputation of being a little gentleman," replied the captain, regarding his little son with a smile of amusement.

But at that instant there came a sound as of a shrill whistle overhead, followed by a shout in stentorian tones: "Hello! look out there! Ship ahoy! Do you mean to run into us? If we get foul of each other somebody may be sent to Davy Jones' locker."

Everybody started, and the captain rose to his feet, a look of anxiety coming over his face.

But Cousin Ronald gave him a roguish look.

"I wouldn't mind it, captain," he said. "It's only a false alarm. I doubt if there is any vessel near us."

The captain reseated himself, while Grace exclaimed with a sigh of relief, "Oh, I am so glad it was but a false alarm! A collision would be so dreadful, either to us or to the people on the other vessel, and maybe to both."

"Oh, it was just you, was it, Cousin Ronald?" laughed Ned. "Please do some more."

At that instant there was a loud squeak, as of a mouse that seemed to be on his own shoulder, and he started to his feet with a loud scream: "Oh, take it off, papa! Quick, quick!"

Everybody laughed; and Lucilla said teasingly, "I'm afraid you are not fit to be a soldier yet, Neddie boy."

"Maybe I will be by the time I'm tall enough," he returned rather shamefacedly.

"Yes, son, I believe you will," said his father. "I don't expect a son of mine to grow up to be a coward."

"I might have known it was Cousin Ronald, and not a real mouse, on my shoulder," remarked the little fellow with a mortified air; "but I didn't think just the first minute."

"Cousin Ronald on your shoulder?" laughed Lucilla. "I don't think he could stand there; and his weight would be quite crushing to you."

"Of course it would. He couldn't stand there at all," laughed Ned.

"No," said Mr. Lilburn, "it would be much more sensible for me to take you on my shoulder."

"Papa takes me on his sometimes," said Ned, "but not so often now as he used to when I was a little boy."

"Ha, ha, ha! what are you now, sonny?" asked a voice that seemed to come from a distance.

Ned colored up. "I'm a good deal bigger now than I was once," he said.

"And hoping to grow a good deal bigger yet," added his father, smiling down into the little flushed, excited face.

"Yes, papa, I hope to be as big as brother Max, or you, some of these days," returned the child.

"Don't be in a hurry about growing up," said the voice that had spoken a moment before.

"Grown folk have troubles and trials the little ones know nothing about."

"But the grown-ups may hope to do more in the world than the little ones," said Walter.

"Is that why you are growing up, Uncle Walter?" asked Ned.

"That's why I am glad to grow up," replied Walter.

"Like papa?"

"Yes; and like grandpa and other good men."

"Well, I want to be a man just like my own dear papa," said the little fellow, looking with loving admiration up into his father's face.

"That's right, bit laddie, follow closely in his footsteps," said the voice, that seemed to come from that distant corner.

But now came the call to the supper table, and so ended the sport for that day.