s a constant rush of feet on deck, mingled with
trumpeted orders and the rattle of cordage. Yet the steamer did not
seem to be pitching about at all, as it was when they retired. Could
they be going down, and were those awful noises calls for help? And
where could they be to have answers coming over the waves like that?

"Oh dear!" sighed Hope. "What can it all mean? Do see if papa is in
his cabin; you're on that side."

"Of course he isn't!" answered her sister, more calmly. "When there's
danger he's always at his post. And do you suppose, if there was real
danger for us, that he wouldn't come and let us know? I can trust my
father!"

"Well, so can I," snapped Hope, so disgusted at this superior tone she
half forgot her fright. "But it might be that he couldn't get to us,
Faith Hosmer! He might be washed overboard."

Something in the idea of her big, cool father being washed off the
decks of this staunch ship somehow amused Faith, who really was not
much alarmed, and she could not help laughing, which gave fresh offense
to her sister, who, breaking into tears, exclaimed, "You're a heartless
girl, and ought to be ashamed!"

"Why, Hope!" A soft arm stole around her neck and a little figure
"cuddled" close. "You're all wrought up, but really I don't think it's
so bad. See how quiet the ship is. I presume we're caught in a fog,
or something. Just as likely as not we're off the light, yet, and that
is a bell-buoy, or something."

"Dear! I'd like to call a bell-boy, and ask," giggled Hope, a bit
hysterical. "Hark! there's papa now."

In an instant the two girls were on their feet peering into the
"library."

"Oh, papa, what is it?" cried Hope.

"What's what, my dear?" coming nearer, and showing himself wrapped in
tarpaulins from head to heels. "D'ye mean that old tooter?" laughing
lightly. "Nothing at all, except that we're in a fog and the horn's
got a chill. Now turn in, quick, before you get one, too, and go to
sleep, dearies; your father's watching."

"Hope," said her sister, after they had lain still a while. "I think
that's a beautiful thought! 'Your father's watching.' It means two
fathers for us, dear, and One of them cannot make a mistake, even in a
fog. Good night and pleasant dreams. I'm going to sleep."

They kissed and curled down contentedly, sleeping like babies all
night. Father was watching!

CHAPTER VI.

PORTUGUESE TOWNS AND HEROES.

The fog had delayed the