ince his death she had remained chiefly with her aunt, Mrs
Tarleton, though she hoped to return in a short time, if the state of
the country would allow it, to Virginia.

"If you knew what a beautiful country it is, you would love it as I do,
Mr Hurry!" she exclaimed with enthusiasm. "When this dreadful war is
over, and the people have attained their rights, and returned to their
allegiance, you must come and see us. I am sure that my family will one
and all, whatever their politics, rejoice in the opportunity of thanking
you for your kindness and courtesy to my aunt and me on the present
occasion."

I of course said how delighted I should be, and fifty other very pretty
things besides. All I can say is that I had never spent so enjoyable a
time before at sea. Her aunt very seldom came on deck, so that Madeline
and I were left very much to ourselves. I believe that Mrs Tarleton
purposely did not interfere, hoping by means of her niece to gain me
over to the cause to which she was so enthusiastically attached. From
what I knew of her, I am certain that if such was the case, she fully
believed that she was employing a lawful means for a good end. The more
I saw, however, of Mrs Tarleton, the more I learned to admire her
high-minded, noble, self-sacrificing disposition. The love of freedom
was with her a passion, and she held in utter scorn all who submitted
to, what she considered, tyranny. She was indeed a person of the old
heroic stamp, ready to dare and to do all things in a righteous cause.
The gale moderated sooner than I had expected, the sea went down, and we
had moderate and pleasant weather. It was therefore with anything but
satisfaction that I made out Sir Peter Parker's flag flying aboard the
Chatham, off Rhode Island, which our squadron had been busily employed
in blockading. I brought up with my prize close to him, and assuring my
passengers that I would endeavour to carry out the plans they had
suggested would be most for their convenience, I pulled on board to
report myself. The admiral smiled when I told him all that had
occurred.

"So these very charming ladies would like to continue their voyage, and
you pledged your word that I would not detain them?" said he in a kind
way. "Well, you were safe there; we do not war against women, and we
must not be behindhand in courtesy after the treatment which some of our
English ladies have received at the hands of the rebels. They are
anxious to p