after what you have suffered in them," remarked Lance, holding the
child now in his arms, while she played with his long beard. "But we
shall not have very far to go, pet; only over to that big rock,"
pointing out of the window, "and I will take great care of you."

"And shall I see my papa?" inquired May.

"Oh, yes," was the reply; "you will be with him all day. And Robert is
over there too, you know; and I daresay he will play with you if you ask
him prettily."

"Then I'll go," she decided promptly; and forthwith went away to her
mother with the request that her hat and jacket might be put on, "'cause
I's going with Mr Evelin to see papa," as she explained.

"I daresay you are somewhat surprised to see me here," remarked Lance,
as he replaced his tiny playfellow on the floor. "The fact is that I
have been watching the departure of the brig; and the idea has occurred
to me that now she is gone, and so many of the remaining men are away at
the shipyard all day, you ladies may with, I believe, perfect safety
indulge in the unwonted luxury of a daylight walk. You all stand
greatly in need of fresh air and exercise; and I really think there is
now no cause to fear any molestation, otherwise I should not of course
suggest such a thing. It will never do, you know, for you to remain
cooped up here day after day--you will get low-spirited and out of
health; and I am inclined to believe it will be rather a good idea than
otherwise to accustom these fellows to the sight of you moving freely
and fearlessly about."

The ladies were quite unanimous in their cordial welcome to this
suggestion, Blanche only venturing to add in a whisper, and with a
pleading look--

"Can you not come with us, Lance? We should feel _quite_ safe then."

"I really could not, darling," he answered gently. "It would not be
fair to the others, you know. Beside which, I am urgently wanted at the
yard to-day, and we must not let pleasure, however tempting, interfere
with the progress of the schooner. I should like it immensely, of
course, and if I thought there was the least particle of danger in your
expedition I _would_ go; but I believe there is none. At the same time,
you will of course keep your eyes open, dear, and be on the watch for
any suspicious circumstance; and if you really _must_ have an escort,
there is Dale; shall I ask him?"

"Oh, Dale!" ejaculated Blanche with such a contemptuous toss of her
pretty little head that Lance