Elsie Yachting with the Raymonds

by Martha Finley

  CHAPTER VI.

  The "Dolphin" proved a trim little craft, beautifully finished andfurnished, a schooner-rigged sailing-yacht, gracefully modelled andnearly new; but her former owner had died, and the yacht was to be soldas a necessary measure for the settling of the estate.

  Max went into raptures over her; and the Captain was evidently pleased,though he said very little as he went about examining every part of herwith keen scrutiny.

  "Isn't she all right, Papa?" Max at length ventured to ask.

  "I think she is, my son," was the prompt, pleasant-toned reply. "Whatis your opinion, Keith?"

  "It exactly coincides with yours, Raymond; and if I wanted, and couldafford so expensive a luxury, I think I shouldn't hesitate to make anoffer for her."

  "We seem to be quite agreed in our estimate of her," said CaptainRaymond; "and I shall take your advice."

  "You are quite sure of her speed?" queried Keith.

  "Yes; I have seen accounts of her in the papers, showing that she is afine sailer, as I should feel confident she would be, judging merelyfrom her appearance. She is a beautifully modelled, well-built littlecraft."

  "Looks rather small to you after the naval vessels you were wont tocommand?" queried Donald Keith, with a good-humoured laugh.

  "Yes; but quite captivating to a lover of the sea, nevertheless, andas I see she is such to Max, and have no doubt that she will be to therest of my family, I am about decided to make the purchase."

  Max drew a long breath, while his eyes sparkled with pleasure.

  They at once sought the agent whose business it was to attend to thesale of the vessel. It did not take long for him and the Captain tocome to an agreement; and the "Dolphin" quickly changed owners.

  Max was enraptured, his cheeks glowing, his eyes fairly dancing withdelight. He managed, with some difficulty, to keep quiet till they werein the carriage again on the way home, then burst out, "Papa, I thinkit's just splendid that you're the owner of such a beautiful vessel!And I hope to learn a great deal about the proper management of onewhile we're sailing round in her."

  "I shall try to teach you all I can, my boy," was his father's smilingreply; "and your pleasure in the purchase doubles my own."

  "Thank you, sir," said Max. "I intend to pay good heed to yourinstructions, and learn as much as possible, so that I may pass a goodexamination at Annapolis, and do my father credit."

  "But, Max, you might do him as much credit in the army as in the navy;and how you could resist the fascinations of West Point, I don't see,"remarked Donald Keith, with a twinkle of fun in his eye.

  "Well, sir, I suppose it's because I am the son of a seaman; love forthe sea runs in the blood,--isn't that so, Papa?"

  "Altogether likely," laughed the Captain. "I have been supposed toinherit it from my father, and he from his."

  Violet, and the other members of the family, with some of the relativesfrom the adjacent cottages, were all on the porch as the carriage drewup in front of the house, and its occupants alighted.

  "Papa! Papa!" shouted little Elsie and the baby boy, running to meethim.

  "Papa's darlings!" the Captain said, stooping to caress and fondlethem; then, taking them in his arms, he followed Donald up theporch-steps, Max close in his rear.

  "Take a seat, Cousin Donald," said Violet. "We are glad to see you allback again. I have been wondering, my dear, what important businessyou had to keep you so long away from me and your children."

  "It was rather important," returned the Captain, pleasantly. "Max,"with an indulgent smile into the lad's eager face, "you may have thepleasure of telling where we have been and what we have done."

  "Oh, thank you, sir!" cried Max, and proceeded to avail himself of thepermission, going into an enthusiastic description of the beautiful"Dolphin," and winding up with the news that Papa had bought her, andexpected to take their whole party--or, at least, as many of them aswould like to go--coasting along the shores of all the Atlantic Statesof New England, and for some distance out to sea.

  Lulu was dancing with delight, hugging and kissing her father in atransport of joy, before Max's story came to an end.

  "Oh, Papa, how good,--how good and kind you are!" she exclaimed. "Idon't think anything could be pleasanter than such a trip as that.It'll be the greatest fun that ever was. And you'll command the vesselyourself, won't you? I do hope so; for I am sure nobody else could doit half so well."

  "What a flatterer my eldest daughter can show herself to be!" hesaid, with a good-humoured laugh. "Yes, I do expect to take commandof the dainty little craft,--a small affair, indeed, compared with aman-of-war. My dear," turning to Violet, "we have yet to hear from youon this subject. I hope you approve of your husband's purchase."

  "Entirely, Levis. In fact, I am quite as much delighted as Lulu seemsto be," she answered, smiling up into his face. "What could be moreenjoyable than sailing about in such a vessel, with a retired navalofficer in command? When am I to see your 'Dolphin'?"

  "Yours quite as much as mine, my dear," he replied. "You have only tosay the word at any time, and I will take you over to look at her."

  "Oh, will you?" she exclaimed. "Then suppose we all go over thisafternoon, and see what she is like."

  "Agreed!" the Captain said; then glancing round at the eager faces,"How many of you would like to go with us?" he asked.

  He was answered by a prompt and unanimous acceptance of his invitation.They all wanted to see that beautiful "Dolphin;" and after a littlediscussion of the matter, it was decided that they would give up thebath for that day, and start for Newport harbour immediately uponleaving the dinner-table.

  They made a very jovial party, and were delighted with the vessel andthe prospect of sailing in her under the command of one so kind andcompetent as her new owner.

  For the next few days Captain Raymond was busy with his preparationsfor the voyage,--engaging a crew and getting everything on board thatwould add to the comfort and enjoyment of his family and guests; theladies also were occupied with theirs, which were not sufficientlygreat to interfere with the usual pleasures of a sojourn by thesea-side; then one bright morning saw them all on board,--a merry,happy party.

  "Where are we going first, Papa?" asked Lulu, when they were fairlyunder way.

  "On a little trial trip along the coast," he answered.

  "And then coming back to Newport?" questioned Gracie.

  "Possibly," he said, with a smile into the bright, eager face.

  "I think I know, though I'm not right sure," Max said, looking at hisfather with a rather mischievous twinkle in his eyes, "what Papa isthinking about."

  "Do you, indeed?" laughed his father. "Well, what is it?"

  "Well, sir, I overheard Captain Wade telling you he expected therest of the squadron would be in soon,--in a day or two, I think hesaid,--and I have a notion it would be a fine sight for us all, andthat my father kindly means to give it to us."

  "Ah, indeed! you seem to have a great deal of confidence in yourfather's desire to give pleasure to you all," laughed the Captain."Well, my boy, events may perhaps show whether you are right."

  The three had followed their father to a portion of the deck at somelittle distance from the rest of the party, so that their talk was notoverheard by them.

  "A squadron?" repeated Grace. "What is that? Oh, it's a good many shipsbelonging together,--isn't it, Papa?"

  "That will answer very well for a definition, or description," hereplied.

  "Oh, how glad I am!" exclaimed Lulu, clapping her hands in delight."And will they go through all their manoeuvres, Papa?"

  "As I am not the admiral whose orders are to be obeyed, I cannot sayexactly what will be done, my child," the Captain replied. "I can onlysay I intend to have you in the vicinity in season to see all that maybe done. Does that satisfy you?"

  "Oh, yes, sir! and I thank you very, very much!" she said, taking hishand in both of hers and squeezing it affectionately.

  "I too, Papa," said Grace. "I'm sure we'll enjoy i
t ever so much."

  "I hope so," he answered. "And now can you three keep the secret fromthe others, that they may have a pleasant surprise?"

  "If we can't, or don't, I think we ought never to be told a secretagain," exclaimed Lulu, in her vehement way.

  "Perhaps you would not be intrusted with one very soon again," herfather said; "but," he added, with a look from one to the other ofmingled pride and affection, "I feel quite safe in trusting a secret tothe keeping of the eldest three of my children. I am quite sure no oneof you would tell anything you knew your father wished kept secret."

  "No, indeed, Papa!" said Max. "We would certainly deserve to beseverely punished, and never trusted by you again, if we should ever soabuse your confidence."

  "Just what I think," said Lulu.

  "I too," added Grace. "And, Papa, it's so nice and kind in you to trustus!" looking up into his face with a loving smile as she spoke.

  "Is it?" he asked, smoothing her hair with fond, caressing hand. "Well,my pet, it is a very great pleasure to me to be able to do so."

  At that moment they were joined by Mr. Keith. The two gentlemen enteredinto conversation; the two little girls ran down into the cabin to seethat the maid was making such disposition of their effects as theydesired; while Max, joined by Walter Travilla, made the tour of thevessel for perhaps the fiftieth time,--for ever since the purchase,he had spent at least half of every week-day there, learning fromhis father and others all he could of her different parts and of hermanagement.

  Walter, too, had been there again and again, spending hours at a timein climbing about with Max, who took much pleasure in handing over tohim the lessons just learned by himself.

  The rest of the party were seated on deck enjoying the breeze and thebeauties of sea and land,--for the latter was not yet out of sight,though fast receding.

  The weather was lovely, every one in the best of spirits, the youngerones full of fun and frolic, and the day passed most enjoyably to all.The evening was enlivened by music from a very sweet-toned piano inthe cabin, by singing, conversation, promenading the deck, and gazingout over the water, watching the rise and fall of the waves, and thepassing of ships and steamers.

  But the day had been an exciting one, especially to the children, andthey were willing enough to retire at an early hour. They gathered ondeck, each repeated a verse of Scripture, after which they united insinging a hymn, and Mr. Dinsmore led in prayer. Then the good-nightswere said, and all the young people, with some of the older ones,retired to their pretty, cosey state-rooms and their berths.

  Great was the surprise of nearly everybody when, coming on deck thenext morning, they discovered that they were again in Narragansett Bay.There were many exclamations and questions, "How did it happen?" "Whosemistake was it that instead of being away out at sea, we are back atour starting-point again?" These and other like queries were propoundedto the owner and commander of the yacht.

  He pointed, with a good-humoured smile, to a number of war-vesselslying quietly at anchor at no very great distance.

  "The squadron is in, you see; and I thought my passengers would notlike to miss the sight of its evolutions, so brought them back to viewthem. There will be time afterward for a pleasant little voyage alongthe coast, or where you will."

  The explanation was entirely satisfactory to every one, and there wasgreat rejoicing among the lads and lasses.

  "What is it they're going to do, Papa?" asked Gracie.

  "I have not been let into that secret, daughter," he answered; "butwe may find out after awhile by keeping a close watch upon theirmovements."

  "Oh, Papa, you can read their signals, and tell us what's coming,can't you? Won't you?" exclaimed Lulu.

  "Yes, my child, I can and will," he replied. "But there is the call tobreakfast, and you needn't hurry through your meal; for they are notlikely, for some hours yet, to begin anything you would want to see."

  Encouraged by that assurance, no one cared to make undue haste ineating all that appetite called for of the excellent breakfastpresently set before them. But an hour later found them all on deck,young and old keeping a sharp watch on every movement of the vesselscomposing the squadron, several spy-glasses being constantly turned intheir direction.

  "Ah!" exclaimed the Captain, at length, while at the same instant Maxasked eagerly, "Papa, what is it they are doing there on the 'Wanita'?"

  "Getting ready for inspection by the Admiral," was the reply. "See, themen have donned their uniforms and are taking their places on the deck.And yonder--do you see?--the Admiral and his staff are pushing off fromthe flag-ship."

  The boatswain's whistle and the roll of a drum were now heard comingfrom the "Wanita."

  "Oh, and is that the executive officer on the bridge of the 'Wanita,'Papa?" asked Max, excitedly. "And what is he doing?"

  "Giving an order to the gunner, doubtless to fire a salute in honour ofthe Admiral."

  Before the words had fairly left the Captain's lips, the loud boom ofthe first gun burst upon the ear.

  "Oh, Max, wouldn't you like to be in that Admiral's place?" queriedWalter Travilla; "I would."

  "Oh, our Maxie means to be an admiral one of these days; and I'm sure Ihope he will," said Rosie.

  "Very good in you, Rosie," returned Max, smiling and blushing; "but I'mafraid I'll be an old man before that happens, if it ever does."

  "But you may comfort yourself that you can be very useful inmaintaining your country's honour without waiting to be made anadmiral," remarked Evelyn Leland, smiling pleasantly at Max.

  "Yes," he said, returning the smile, "and it _is_ a comfort. We'd anyof us feel it an honour to be useful to our country."

  "I'd like to be," remarked Gracie, "if little girls could do anything."

  "Little girls are sometimes a very great blessing and comfort totheir fathers," the Captain said, smiling down into her eyes while helaid his right hand tenderly on her pretty head, with its sunny curlsstreaming in the wind.

  In the mean while the firing of the salute had gone on, the Admiral andhis staff had reached the deck of the "Wanita," the marines presentingarms, and--

  "There, what is he going to do now, Papa?" queried Lulu,--"the Admiral,I mean."

  "Inspect the ship," replied her father.

  "What for, Papa?" asked Grace.

  "To see that every part of it is in perfect order."

  "I'm sure he will find it so," said Lulu; "for when we were there andwere taken all over it, every part was as clean and neat as any lady'sparlour."

  Captain Raymond now turned away and began talking with Mr. Keith onsome subject that did not interest the children, but they continued aclose watch of the "Wanita."

  The Admiral presently disappeared from the deck, but at length they sawhim there again, talking with Captain Wade and his officers; then, in afew moments he and his staff re-embarked and returned to the flag-ship.

  "What's going to be done now?" asked one and another.

  "Watch, and you will see presently," said Captain Raymond. "If you donot wish to miss something, I advise you to keep both eyes and earsopen."

  The advice seemed to be promptly followed. All eyes gazed intently inthe direction of the "Wanita" and the flag-ship.

  Presently a signal was shown by the flag-ship which CaptainRaymond promptly interpreted for the enlightenment of those abouthim,--"Abandon ship."

  "What does that mean, Papa?" asked Grace.

  "Look and see if you can't find out for yourself," he answered in apleasant tone.

  The signal seemed to have caused a commotion on the deck of each vesselbelonging to the squadron. Then there was a great splashing of boatsinto the water, and of other craft which the Captain explained werelife-rafts and catamarans; while at the same time men and boys werescampering about with various articles which he said were provisions,nautical instruments, etc., such as would be needed if the ships werereally abandoned out at sea.

  "But why would they ever do that, Papa?" Grace asked wonderingly. "Ishould thi
nk it would always be better to stay in their ships, wouldn'tit?"

  "Not always, daughter. The ship might be on fire, or leaking so badlythat she would be in danger of sinking."

  "Oh, yes, sir! I didn't think of that," she responded.

  "Oh, see!" said Rosie; "they've all pushed off away from their ships,and the 'Wanita's' boats are ahead of all the others."

  "Now what are they going to do, Papa?" asked Lulu.

  "I can tell that only when I see the flag-ship's next signal," hereplied. "Ah, there it is, and tells them to go round the harbour undersail."

  The children watched with interest and delight as the order was obeyed.It was a very pretty sight, but soon came another signal from theflag-ship, which the Captain told them was one of recall; and the boatsreturned to their ships.