him. When he was refreshed, all wished
to hear him play in fair sight, and the praising and petting and
confections and gold coins showered upon him would have turned a wiser
head. Defeat was turned into a grand victory.

His father now invented a comedy, in which little Louis acted an
important part.

A company appeared seated about a table, with a big black-pudding before
them. When the pudding was cut, a great outcry was heard within. Soon it
began to roll about the plates, and at last out hopped a little pig.
They chased it about awhile with skewers, and finally, just as it was
caught, it changed into an imp, with horns and hoofs, and a sabre by its
side. Of course the company were greatly frightened, and tumbled down on
the stage, pell-mell, all in a heap. But one sad day a performer thrust
too hard with his sharp skewer, and poor little Louis performed and
played no more. They laid him away in the pleasant cemetery, and very
soon a heartbroken little sister, who could not be comforted, was laid
beside him.

[Illustration: SHOOTING THE WATER-SPOUT. IN THE SUEZ CANAL.]

[Begun in No. 19 of HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE, March 9.]

ACROSS THE OCEAN; OR, A BOY'S FIRST VOYAGE.

A True Story.

BY J. O. DAVIDSON.

CHAPTER X.

FIGHTING A WATER-SPOUT.

"Anything wrong below, Smith?"

"Well, sir, she's got a precious list to port, and the water's runnin'
into the fire-room like anythin'. Seems to come from under the coals."

"Have them shifted at once, then, and see what's wrong."

"Ay, ay, sir."

Frank had overheard the fireman's report to the first officer, and a
thought struck him. Walking aft till he was right over the engine-room,
he climbed out under the "guard," and looked keenly along the port
quarter. Aha! There, just as he had expected, was a port-hole standing
wide open, and letting in water at every plunge of the vessel.

"Well done, my boy! that's _twice_ you've got us all out of a scrape,"
said Mr. Hawkins, to whom Frank hastily reported what he had seen. "How
did you come to think of that port-hole?"

"I'd noticed it when I was shovelling down there, sir, and I thought
that must be it."

"Good! I like to see a youngster keep his wits about him. Send up the
carpenter to fix it, will you? I won't forget to tell Captain Gray what
you've done, depend upon it."

This, of itself, would have been a sufficient "event" for the first day
out from Malta; but another was still to come. The next mo