"No doubt, my dear child, no doubt, and that is the only drawback to my pleasure on the voyage, namely the number of interruptions and constant holidays you obtain."
"You are a pert young lady, Miss Gatty," said Schillie, "and had better leave the Mother to settle with Madame; come with me and let us see what fish the boys have got for supper."
I promised Madame that regular school should be held every day, and our conversation was put an end to, by the arrival of the captain. He wanted the assistance of every body, to get La Luna afloat that evening; with infinite trouble this was done, and we were all worn out with heat and fatigue by tea-time. But La Luna floated once more, and looked as lovely and graceful on the water. We were quite enchanted with her appearance. At tea, I proposed to the captain, that when he did leave us, he should take Smart and Benjie with him, instead of their remaining with us, for I had found out from the maids, and the boys, that the captain was very anxious to have them, being doubtful about managing the ship with so few men, and it was agreed that they could be of no use to us, as we were exposed to no dangers, and they would be of infinite use to the captain, and ensure his return much sooner; much therefore to Smart's disgust it was decided that he was to be exposed once more to what he called "a ship-wrecked life." Schillie grew more reconciled to our being left on hearing this idea for she immediately took upon herself the care of us all, and the responsibility put her into some spirits on the subject. I asked when they meant to leave us. "The sooner the better," said she, "for then they will be the sooner back again." The captain said nothing, but he lingered over his tea, and told us so many things that we were to do, and to guard against, and seemed so low and oppressed, that I thought he was ill, or had over-worked himself. But he declared he was quite well, though he still repeated the same things, and he kissed and wished the little girls good-bye so often that they began to joke with him about his absence of mind. We were also all so tired, we longed to get to bed, yet he still sipped his tea, having had, as Sybil, the tea-maker whispered, eleven cups. "And horrible stuff it is without any milk," whispered Gatty back again, "I wonder at his taste." I began to be quite affected by his manner, while the others yawned, and yawned, until I thought all their jaws would be broken. Suddenly the darkness came on, as it always did, at once, and he was roused from his musings by eager good nights. His voice sounded rather strange as he returned our salutations, while the children declared his face was wet with tears. Schillie and I wondered to ourselves what could be the matter with him, as we undressed, the children noisily felicitating themselves that every body was obliged to go to bed at the same time that they were. But we were too weary to think much about it. It was not until early morning, when rising and opening the tent door, I looked out again to see the lovely scene we had admired so much the evening before. But did my eyes deceive me! Was I awake? Where was that object which had excited our admiration so much? I uttered a cry. Schillie ran to me; all awoke, and started from their beds. Every eye was strained, but what tongue could be the first to say that La Luna was gone; far away we could see her distant sails against the clear blue sky; we were alone, alone.
CHAPTER XIII.
All was explained now that had seemed to us extraordinary in our kind captain's conduct the evening before, and as we hurried down to the beach half in hopes not to find every one gone, we found at the usual dining place, a packet of papers put in a conspicuous situation, evidently meant to attract our notice. In this was a note from the captain, apologizing for departing in such a secret manner, but declaring that unless he had stolen away he could not have left us. That it was of such importance he should go and return ere the rainy season commenced, he could not even afford a day, and that he knew, however cheerful I might talk about the matter, my heart would misgive me, when the time came for him to leave, I might not probably grant him permission to go, when it was of the most vital importance he should. He was right in his last conjecture, the dread that came over me, as I read his letter, and looked at our helpless party, made me feel how truly he had judged me, tho' I so little knew it myself. The other papers consisted of directions, lists of what he had left, and where they were put. Also an account, written from Benjie's lips, as to what trees and fruits might be poisonous, what we had better avoid, and particular orders about the night air, the musquitos; in fact he seems to have left nothing for us to think of, and the papers wound up with many sweet messages to the children, and the dear young ladies, a characteristic speech to Schillie, a hope that the good old lady would not be nervous, or keep the children too long at their lessons, which was a bad thing in hot climates, and a very urgent appeal to all to be careful of her, whose heart was wrapped up in their happiness, to whom the breath of life came ebbing and flowing, according to the welfare and goodness of her precious charge.
There was a letter from Smart to the boys as follows, the spelling being corrected:—
"Honoured Young Gents,
"I hope this will find you, as it leaves me, in good health, but very low in my spirits. I hope you will be good honourable young gentlemen, and obey that good lady, your Mama; and also I hope you will learn your lessons, as a sight of learning is a good thing, tho' I don't rightly know who speaks them lingos as Madame talks. But, chiefly, my dear young gents, I write to say, I am very low in my spirits, and I shall have no peace until I see my dear young masters again. I have been very melancholy ever since that big worm swallowed my two dogs, and I now feel it more, as I should not have left you so uneasy in mind had they been left with you. They were rale good dogs, and would mind you, master Oscar, most as well as me. I am satisfied of one thing, that there is no beere in the hisland, and you won't be eat up, and certainly there never can be another such viper as that there, as took two dogs, swallowing Daisy. But I write, young gents, to beg you to be careful, and to mind them sharks; I have heard they swallow all things, and are particular fond of bright buttons, and jackets like yours, young masters, and also I have heard they have nine rows of teeth, so there will be no escape, like Jonah in the whale's belly. Now I charge you to be careful, woe's me, that ever I be going to leave you. My heart is just broke, but do, master Oscar, be good to your little brother, and don't put on him. He has a high spirit, and it is no doubt cantankerous, but he must be honourably treated, and there's never a finer temper to be seed.