h a heart sick at the scene of devastation, yet submissively
bowing to His will, "who holds the waters in his hand." Wreck upon wreck
was reported. The total loss of vessels from all parts of the world was
very great, which only served to increase the mystery in regard to the
unknown, which went down 'neath a calm noon-day sky. Days and months
passed on, and still no tidings; till finally they came to look upon the
loved one as their own.

The child grew in strength and beauty, and was a source of great
amusement to them all. Old Vingo would delight to make one of his
"squantums," as he called it, to the shore; and with master Harry, who
was now taking his first lessons in driving, (a point once attained,
boyhood thinks to gain no higher) and Sea-flower in his arms; with Nep,
who is determined to be "head horse," bounding off in the distance, is
happiness enough for the negro, and his white teeth glisten in the
bright sunshine like so many African pearls, as he jabbers away to
Sea-flower, as if she were comprehending the whole. But 'twas enough for
Vingo, that she in reply to his half hour's remarks, would put out her
hand toward the blue waters, and with eyes dilated with wonderment,
would say, "Tee! Indo, Tee!"

There on the beach they would have a fine race with the surf, Vingo
following with the child the receding wave, and then, as it came in with
a roar from the sea, he would run as if pursued by a foe, sometimes the
spray dashing up all around them, much to the joy of the Sea-flower, her
merry laugh according strangely with the music of the waters. Harry
amused himself for a while, throwing the bits of drift-wood into the
water, that he might see old Newfoundland dash in and combat with the
waves, to secure the prize, which he never failed to do; but wearying of
this, he came and took his seat by the side of his sister, and commenced
whittling diligently on an old piece of plank.

"Vingo, do you think my father will ever go to sea again?"

"I don't know, young massa; but why you tink ob dat?"

"O, I have often thought I would like to go with my father away over the
great ocean. I long to see more of the world; and I often think of the
time when I shall be a man, and have a ship of my own. I never hear of
a ship arrived at the bar, but it sends a thrill of delight over me, and
I watch the sailors as they come on shore after a three years' voyage,
and think how happy they must be, though they look as if they ha