no paradise. And you are often in
port, Roderick, to taste the sweets of the land?"

"I care but little for the land, Madam, could I only have friends in the
ship that love me."

"And have you not? Is not Mr Wilder your friend?"

"I know but little of him; I never saw him before"--

"When, Roderick?"

"Before we met in Newport."

"In Newport?"

"Surely you know we both came from Newport, last."

"Ah! I comprehend you. Then, your acquaintance with Mr Wilder commenced at
Newport? It was while your ship was lying off the fort?"

"It was. I carried him the order to take command of the Bristol trader. He
had only joined us the night before."

"So lately! It was a young acquaintance indeed. But I suppose your
Commander knew his merits?"

"It is so hoped among the people. But"--

"You were speaking, Roderick."

"None here dare question the Captain for his reasons. Even _I_ am obliged
to be mute."

"Even _you_!" exclaimed Mrs Wyllys, in a surprise that for the moment
overcame her self-restraint. But the thought in which the boy was lost
appeared to prevent his observing the sudden change in her manner. Indeed,
so little did he know what was passing, that the governess touched the
hand of Gertrude, and silently pointed out the insensible figure of the
lad, without the slightest apprehension that the movement would be
observed.

"What think you, Roderick," continued his interrogator "would he refuse to
answer _us_ also?"

The boy started; and, as consciousness shot into his glance, it fell upon
the soft and speaking countenance of Gertrude.

"Though her beauty be so rare," he answered with vehemence, "let her not
prize it too highly. Woman cannot tame his temper!"

"Is he then so hard of heart? Think you that a question from this fair one
would be denied?"

"Hear me, Lady," he said, with an earnestness that was no less remarkable
than the plaintive softness of the tones in which he spoke; "I have seen
more, in the last two crowded years of my life, than many youths would
witness between childhood and the age of man. This is no place for
innocence and beauty. Oh! quit the ship, if you leave it as you came,
without a deck to lay your head under!"

"It may be too late to follow such advice," Mrs Wyllys gravely replied,
glancing her eye at the silent Gertrude as she spoke. "But tell me more of
this extraordinary vessel. Roderick, you were not born to fill the station
in which I find you?"

The boy shook h