is head, but remained with downcast eyes, apparently not
disposed to answer further on such a subject.

"How is it that I find the 'Dolphin' bearing different hues to-day from
what she did yesterday? and why is it that neither then, nor now, does she
resemble in her paint, the slaver of Newport harbour?"

"And why is it," returned the boy, with a smile in which melancholy
struggled powerfully with bitterness "that none can look into the secret
heart of him who makes those changes at will? If all remained the same,
but the paint of the ship, one might still be happy in her!"

"Then, Roderick, you are not happy: Shall I intercede with Captain
Heidegger for your discharge?"

"I could never wish to serve another."

"How! Do you complain, and yet embrace your fetters?"

"I complain not."

The governess eyed him closely; and, after a moment's pause, she
continued,--

"Is it usual to see such riotous conduct among the crew as we have this
day witnessed?"

"It is not. You have little to fear from the people; he who brought them
under knows how to keep them down."

"They are enlisted by order of the King?"

"The King! Yes, he is surely a King who has no equal."

"But they dared to threaten the life of Mr Wilder. Is a seaman, in a
King's ship, usually so bold?"

The boy glanced a look at Mrs Wyllys; as if he would say, he understood
her affected ignorance of the character of the vessel, but again he chose
to continue silent.

"Think you, Roderick," continued the governess, who no longer deemed it
necessary to pursue her covert inquiries on that particular subject;
"think you, Roderick, that the Rov--that is, that Captain Heidegger will
suffer us to land at the first port which offers?"

"Many have been passed since you reached the ship."

"Ay, many that are inconvenient; but, when one shall be gained where his
pursuits will allow his ship to enter?"

"Such places are not common."

"But, should it occur, do you not think he will permit us to land? We have
gold to pay him for his trouble."

"He cares not for gold. I never ask him for it; that he does not fill my
hand."

"You must be happy, then. Plenty of gold will compensate for a cold look
at times."

"Never!" returned the boy, with quickness and energy. "Had I the ship
filled with the dross, I would give it all to bring a look of kindness
into his eye."

Mrs Wyllys started, no less at the fervid manner of the lad than at the
language. Rising from he