had the honour of escorting
Mrs Clagget at the same time. Though the "Crusader" was to touch at
Plymouth, they wisely went on board at the port from which she first
sailed, that they might have time to get their cabins in order, and the
luggage carefully stowed away.

"Bless you, my children," said Lieutenant Dicey, as he kissed his young
daughters, and held Charles' hand, gazing earnestly into his
countenance. "I entrust these dear girls to you, and I know that you
will act a brother's part, and protect them to the utmost. But there
are dangers to be encountered, and we must pray to One in heaven, who
has the power, if He sees fit, to guard you from them."

The "Crusader" was a fine ship, of about a thousand tons, with a
poop-deck, beneath which were the cabins for the first-class passengers.
Below their cabins were those for the second-class passengers, while
the between-decks was devoted to the use of the steerage passengers.
Thus there were three ranks of people on board; indeed, including the
officers and crow, the good ship presented a little world of itself.
Old Captain Westerway was the sovereign--a mild despot, however; but if
he was mild, his first mate, Mr William Windy, or Bill Windy, as he was
generally called, was very much the contrary, and he took care to bring
those who trespassed on the captain's mildness very quickly under
subjection. The "Crusader" was towed down the Thames, and when clear of
the river, the Channel pilot, who was to take her to Plymouth, came on
board. We shall know more of her passengers as she proceeds on her
voyage.

She had a pleasant passage round to Plymouth, with just sufficient sea
on for a few hours to shake people into their places, and to make them
value the quiet of Plymouth harbour. The wise ones, after the tumbling
about they had received, took the opportunity of securing all the loose
articles in their cabins, so that they might be prepared for the next
gale they were destined to encounter.

At Plymouth a good many steerage and a few more cabin passengers came on
board the "Crusader." Captain Westerway informed those who had come
round from London that he expected to remain in that magnificent harbour
three days at all events, and perhaps longer, before finally bidding
farewell to Old England.

The Misses Dicey had a cabin to themselves, their brother had a small
one near theirs, and Mrs Clagget had one on the opposite side of the
saloon; but they could h