"I am willing if the rest wish it," she replied; "but otherwise would prefer to press on toward home, my Ion home, which, now that we have left Viamede fairly behind, I begin to long to see again."
"That being the case I am sure no one of us will wish to stop," returned the captain gallantly, a sentiment at once re-echoed by Mr. Dinsmore and all present.
"We are nearing there now, are we not, my dear?" asked Violet.
"Yes; we are moving rapidly, and if all goes well may expect to see the forts early this evening."
There was an exclamation of pleasure from several of the young people; then Lulu asked, "Papa, are there not some other historical places we shall have to pass while we are in the Gulf or after we reach the ocean?"
"Quite a number, daughter, but we will not delay our voyage in order to visit them at this time."
"Perhaps some other day, then?" she returned inquiringly, smiling up into his face as she spoke.
"Very possibly," he returned, smoothing her hair with caressing hand; for she was, as usual, close at his side.
A pause in the talk was at length broken by a remark from Cousin Ronald.
"You had some great men among your Union officers, Captain, in both army and navy, in the days of that terrible Civil War."