ear;
but save the uneasy slumbers of Vingo, nothing is heard. All is now
ready for his departure; stepping into the parlors, where hang the
portraits of the family, he takes a farewell of each. The Sea-flower and
his mother! his eyes fill with tears, and his heart is swelling into his
throat; he is upon the point of retracing his steps, when his eye rests
upon the features of his father. The daring boldness of the expression,
which the artist had but too well portrayed, fires him with fresh
courage; every nerve thrills with new life, and kissing the inanimate
canvas, as if it were indeed his dear mother and sister, he tore himself
away from home. Walking rapidly down the deserted street, without
venturing a look back, he passes many an endeared object; the old white
church, where he has been accustomed to worship, Sunday after Sunday,
for many years, holds high its head in the bright moonlight, and the
hands of the old town clock upon the tower, seem to beckon him to
return. He falters; it would seem as if the very doors of the church
would open and receive him. Throwing down the bundle, he kneels upon the
door-stone, and breathes a prayer to heaven, to bless those who will
enter therein when he shall be gone. Pressing his lips to the cold stone
where _they_ have trod, he rises, when lo! standing by his side, with
the package of clothes in his mouth, is the old house dog, Nep; and as
the watch in the tower cries, "past eleven o'clock, and all is well," he
looks wistfully into his master's face, as if he would ask, is all well?
What is to be done? in less than half an hour the ship will be towed
out into the stream; there is no time to be lost, but the dog will not
think of leaving his master, for his experience of years tells him it is
a new thing for the boy to be wandering from home at this unseasonable
hour. In vain did Harry attempt to drive the faithful creature from him,
for never having been an unwelcome companion before, the dog did not
understand his master's threatening gestures; yet he could understand
that something was amiss, and for that reason kept close upon his
master's heels, to shield him from all danger.

Arriving at the wharf, the boy once more attempted to drive the dog from
him, when looking around, he espied a bit of rope, with which he made
him fast to a post, and then clambered up the ship's side. Poor Nep,
keeping his eye upon his master, laid him quietly down, until the lines
were cast off, a