g to steady his voice:
"I reckon I ain't lost, sir; or, if I am, I ain't lost _much_!"

"So, so," laughed the policeman, good-naturedly; "and what was your
name, my little man, before you got lost, and didn't get lost _much_?"

"My name is Horace Clifford, sir," replied the boy, wondering why a
cruel policeman should want to laugh.

"Well, well," said the man, not unkindly, "I'm glad I've come across ye,
for your mother's in a terrible taking. What set ye out to run off?
Come, now; don't be sulky. Give us your hand, and I guess, seein' it's
you, we won't put you in the lock-up this time."

Horace was very grateful to the officer for not handcuffing him on the
spot; still he felt as if it was a great disgrace to be marched through
the city by a policeman.

Mrs. Clifford, Grace, and Mr. Lazelle met them on the way.

"O, my dear, dear son," cried Mrs. Clifford, as soon as she could speak;
"do you know how you've frightened us all?"

"I followed the band," stammered Horace. "I was looking for Mr.
Lazelle."

"You're a naughty, mean little boy," cried Grace, when she had made sure
he was not hurt anywhere. "It would have been good enough for you if
you'd drowned in the lake, and the bears had ate you up!"

Still she kissed her naughty brother, and it was to be noticed that her
eyelids were very red from crying.

"I'll never let go your hand again, Horace," said she, "till we get to
grandma's. You're just as _slippery_!"

Mr. Lazelle looked as if it would be an immense relief to him if Miss
Grace would keep her word; he thought he was undergoing a great trial
with Horace.

"It's a shame," said he to himself, "that a perfect lady, like Mrs.
Clifford, should have such a son! I'd enjoy whipping him--for her sake!
Why in the world don't she _train_ him?"

Mr. Lazelle did not know of the faithful talk Mrs. Clifford had with
Horace that night, nor how the boy's heart swelled with grief, and
love, and new resolutions.

This adventure caused a day's delay, for it made the party too late for
the boat. Horace was so sorry for his foolish conduct, that he spent the
next day in the most subdued manner, and walked about the chamber on
tiptoe, while Grace tried to soothe little Katie.

But, in crossing the lake, he "forgot" again. His mother allowed him to
go up on the hurricane deck with Mr. Lazelle, just for ten minutes; and
there he became acquainted with the pilot, who was struck with his
intelligence, and freely answ