into the cabin, and floated the corpse in the
water to the foot of the ladder. It was an awful duty for him to
perform; and when he saw the ghastly, bloated face, he was disposed to
flee in terror from the spot.

Noddy was strong for his years, or he could not have placed the body on
the locker, out of the reach of the water. He prepared the remains for
burial precisely as those of Mr. Watts had been. The most difficult
part of the task was yet to be performed--to get the corpse on deck, and
lower it into the boat. He procured a long box in the hold, from which
he removed the merchandise, and found that it would answer the purpose
of a coffin. By much hard lifting, and by resorting to various
expedients, he placed the remains in the box and nailed down the lid. He
felt easier now, for the face of the corpse no longer glared at him.

When he had bent on the sail, and shipped the rudder, he contrived to
set Mollie at work in the forecastle, where she could not see what he
was doing; for he thought his work must be revolting to her feelings,
especially as it would be very clumsily performed. Having put a sling on
the box, he rigged a purchase, and hoisted it out of the cabin. Then,
with suitable rigging, he lowered it into the boat, placing it across
the thwarts, amidships.

"Come, Mollie," said he, in a gentle, subdued tone, at the fore-scuttle.

"What, Noddy?" asked she, impressed by his voice, and by his manner, as
she came up from below.

"We will go on shore now."

"To-day?"

"Yes; but we will return. The boat is ready, and I have done what you
asked me to do."

"What?"

"Your father."

She was awed by his manner, and did not readily understand what he
meant. He pointed to the long box in the boat, and she comprehended the
loving labor he had performed. She did not inquire how he had
accomplished the task, and did not think of the difficulties which
attended it. Noddy did not allude to them.

"I am ready, Noddy; but can you get me the prayer-book?" said she, her
eyes filling with tears, as she prepared to perform the pious duty which
the exigencies of the occasion required of her.

The book was fortunately on a shelf to which the water had not risen,
and he brought it up and gave it to her. He had before placed a pick and
shovel, an axe, a couple of boards and some cords in the boat. He helped
her to a seat in the stern-sheets, and shoved off. There was hardly a
breath of wind, and Noddy sculled the bo