of a mud-scow."

"Talk sensibly if you wish, but don't indulge in such lofty flights,
unless you have a mind to soar out of hearing. Now, then, Will, what
were you about to say?"

"This," said my shipmate, taking the hand of his charming companion,
and speaking like a frank, manly fellow, as he really was, "this, dear
Mary, that I love you heartily and truly, and have loved you ever
since we were children. At present I am a poor seaman, but I hope in a
few years to rise in my profession, till I am able to support a wife
in the style to which you have been accustomed, if then you will give
me your hand I shall be more happy than I can express. Now, don't
tease me any longer, but tell me if I have any chance."

Mary's coquettish air was gone. While Langley had been speaking her
face became suffused with a charming blush, which extended even to her
heaving bosom, and when he finished she raised her eyes, bright and
tearful, to his. "William," said she, "you have spoken candidly,
without doubt, and deserve a candid answer. If when you become the
mate of a ship you are willing to be burthened with me for a wife,
dear Will, you can doubtless have me by asking papa."

"Come, Ellen," said I, "let's go now."

CHAPTER X.

_The Gentile loses her fore-topsail._

The hours flew like lightning until Friday arrived. I went to the
convent in the morning, and in an interview with Sister Agatha
informed her that in the evening she would probably be called to the
sick bed of Ellen. Mr. Stowe bade us good-bye and sailed in the Havana
steamboat at noon, that his presence at the catastrophe might not
seem suspicious. At sunset I bade farewell to dear little Ellen, who
was indeed as pale as death, and in an hour afterward was on board the
ship, where I found every thing in readiness for a hasty departure,
the top-sails, jib and spanker were loosed, the anchor at the bows,
and its place supplied by a small kedge, attached to the ship by a
hawser, easily cut in case of need; the awnings were struck, and the
decks covered with rigging and sails. The boat's crew who were to go
on the expedition of the evening had already been selected, and were
in high spirits at the probable danger, romance and novelty of the
affair.

"By thunder! Frank," said Jack Reeves, shaking my hand furiously when
I appeared on the forecastle, "you're a trump and no mistake."

"Arrah! now, Masther Frank, how yaller it is ye're lookin'; but it's
you that's