rty; and by that name
my little sister was afterwards christened. Thus this important matter
was finally arranged.

Several days passed away without the occurrence of anything worthy of
note, that I have heard of. My little sister slowly gained strength and
health under the careful nursing of Mrs Clayton.

One fine day, sweet Ellen Barrow was, as usual, romping with me about
the deck--now running after me--now catching hold of me to fondle me,
and then letting me go for the sake of again chasing me; and though I
struggled and screamed when she overtook me, I cannot say that I was
either alarmed, or that I disliked the treatment I received. Sir
Charles was calmly watching us all the time, with a smile on his
countenance. At last the young lady, weary with her exertions, threw
herself into a seat, while I came and nestled by her side. After
looking at us for a few minutes he came nearer to her.

"My dear young lady," he said, "will you answer me a question?"

"A hundred, Sir Charles," she answered, "if you are kind enough to ask
them; for I do not think you will prove a censorious father confessor."

"Well, then, as you give me leave, I may venture to ask you more than
one," said Sir Charles. "In the first place, tell me what you propose
doing with that little boy when you get ashore."

"Doing with him, Sir Charles? Why, I daresay Captain and Mrs Clayton
will assist me in taking charge of him," replied Ellen Barrow, with a
puzzled expression. "But I do not think, I own, that I had thought at
all about the future."

"I thought not, my dear Miss Barrow," said Sir Charles, smiling. "The
young seldom think of the future; but we old people are taught by many a
severe lesson the importance of preparing for it. Now, as Captain and
Mrs Clayton can scarcely wish to have the responsibility of taking
charge of both your little pet and his sister, and as he has no claim on
any here on board in particular, I have resolved to constitute myself
his guardian till his natural protectors can be found. Captain Willis,
who has a sort of legal right over him, consents to my wish; so I intend
to take him with me when we land. Pray, therefore, make the most of him
now you have him; but do not fix your heart on him entirely, for though
I hope you may often see him, I cannot let you have him altogether."

"What! Sir Charles, do you really intend to adopt the dear little
fellow?" exclaimed Miss Barrow with animation. "He will