"Yes," said the captain, "and there are sisters and others to help with it at Crag Cottage, where I hope to land you a few days hence."
In a brief time Herbert was comfortably established in one of the neat staterooms, and left in Edward's charge, while Harold went ashore to make his farewell visit to his hospital patients, while Chester and Walter accompanied the captain in paying a visit to some of the men-of-war officered by old acquaintances and chums of the last-named when he belonged to the navy.
It was most interesting to them all to see both the men and the vessels that had taken part in that remarkable battle, and to hear accounts of its scenes from the actors in them. In fact, so much interested were they that Captain Raymond said he could not have Edward and Harold miss it; they must visit the vessels later, leaving Chester and Walter in charge of Herbert, since he was too ill to accompany them.
That afternoon the plan was carried out, and that night the Dolphin started on her return voyage to the north. The change from the rough camps on Cuban soil to the luxurious cabin of the Dolphin was very agreeable and refreshing to the young volunteer physicians, but they were too thoroughly worn out with their toils, anxieties, and privations for even so great and beneficial a change to work an immediate cure. They were still on the sick list when they reached Crag Cottage.
CHAPTER XII.
Crag Cottage had been at Evelyn's desire so added to in the past years that it could now accommodate a large number of guests. There were so many who were near and dear to her, and whom she loved to gather about her, that she could not be content till this was done. Now the families of Fairview, Ion, and Woodburn were all spending the summer there; also Ronald Lilburn and Annis, his wife—though just now several of the gentlemen had gone to Cuba to learn of the welfare of Harold and Herbert Travilla, about whom their mother had grown very solicitous. They had been gone long enough for hopes to be entertained of their speedy return, but there was no certainty in regard to the time of their arrival at the cottage.
It was late in the afternoon. The elder people were gathered on the front porch overlooking the river, most of the younger ones amusing themselves about the grounds. Grandma Elsie was gazing out upon the river, with a slightly anxious expression of countenance.
"Looking for the Dolphin, mamma?" asked her daughter Violet.