Thus consoled, Daph lay down again beside her charge, and the silence of deep sleep soon prevailed, not only in the little state-room, but throughout the Martha Jane, save when the measured steps of the watch sounded out through the stillness of the night.
III.
The Water-Lily.
At sunrise the morning after she set sail, the “Martha Jane” was dancing over the waves, far out of sight of mainland or island.
Daph was an early riser, and in the gray dawn she bestirred herself with her usual waking thought—“This is a busy world, and Daph must be up and at work.” Her first glance around showed her that she was not in the southern kitchen, which had so long been her domain, and a merry sound near her reminded her of the new duties she had undertaken.
Charlie was sitting up in the berth, his bright black eyes sparkling with delight at the new scene in which he found himself.
“Pretty! pretty little bed!” were the first words that met Daph’s ear. The hearty hug with which she responded to this pleasant greeting, and the consequent laugh of the child, roused his fair sister.
Louise started up, and looked wildly around her; “Where are we, Daffy,” she asked, anxiously. “We’s just on board a beauty ship, a-going to see pretty countries over the water,” said Daph, coaxingly.