e strong, rapid strokes were rapidly taking him
citywards. Oh, if he would only take her with him! Dare she ask him? The
hitherto-despised soldier seemed an angel of mercy, as the hope of rescue
sprang up again in her heart. But he is coming near, and she must not let
the chance slip. How should she hail him? In what words make known her
peril? She felt stupid, just when she needed her readiest wit. He was
almost abreast the vessel before Dexie found her voice, and then in
frightened tones came the cry:

"Help, soldier! Help!"

The soldier turned his head, and rested on his oars as he listened.

"Help, soldier! Save me, I beg of you!"

The pleading tones told that the cry was from someone in trouble, and a few
strokes brought him to the vessel's side.

"What's the matter, miss? What's wrong that you are calling for help? What
can I do for you?"

"Oh, take me away from this vessel! You are going to the city, are you
not?"

"Yes; but perhaps I shall get myself into some scrape if I take you away,"
and a smile lit up his face for a moment. "How came you here? Are you here
against your will?"

"Yes, and no. Take me off quickly, and I'll explain," she replied,
hurriedly, for a movement below reached her ears.

She was soon seated opposite her deliverer, who looked at her curiously,
but said nothing till they were quite a distance from the vessel; then,
resting on his oars, he said:

"Now, tell me how you came to be on that vessel; but, first, will you tell
me your name?"

"Oh! must I--" and Dexie dropped her head.

"Well, you need not if you do not wish to. I know you, all the same, though
I have not heard your name. You are the 'American Warbler.' Now, tell me
your story."

"I hardly know how to tell it, though I don't mind you knowing about it.
There is so much to tell before you will understand how I came to be on the
vessel."

"Well, if it is all a secret, I'll promise not to tell anyone except my
wife. She might hear that I have been on the harbor with a young lady, so I
had better tell her myself," and he smilingly waited Dexie's explanation.

"Oh! since you are married, it will not be so hard to tell."

There was quite a pause. Where would she begin?

"Come, now, how did you come to be aboard the vessel?" he repeated.

"But I can't tell you _how_ until I have told you _why_," said she, trying
to control her voice, "so I must tell you all that happened this
afternoon," and, beginning from the tim