use out and give it to the cat," returned
Lulu quickly, handing the reticule to him as she spoke.

"Thank you," he returned laughingly, "but I really don't believe the
creature is hungry."

"Oh, uncle, let me see that pussy!" cried Ned, running to him.

"Put your hand into my pocket and try if you can find it," was the
good-humored reply, and Neddie at once availed himself of the permission.

"Why, it isn't there!" he exclaimed. "How do you s'pose it got out?"

"I'm inclined to think it never got in, Ned," said his uncle.

"Oh, it's in mine!" cried the little fellow excitedly, and clapping his
hand upon his pocket, as a pitiful meow seemed to come from it. "Why, I
can't feel it. Papa,"--running to him,--"please take it out, I can't."

The captain took hold of the pocket. "You made a mistake, son; it isn't
there. I feel nothing but your handkerchief and a few other little soft
articles."

"Why--why, how queer!" exclaimed the little fellow, "I was sure I heard it
in there, papa. Oh, what is that?" as the squeal of a young pig seemed to
come from his father's pocket; but at that instant the loud and furious
bark of a big dog seemed to come from some place in his rear very near at
hand, and with a little cry of affright he made haste to climb upon his
father's knee for protection, putting his arms about his neck and clinging
tightly to him.

But just then a loud cry came from below: "Help! help! these rascally
fellows are stealing the silver! Captain Raymond, sir, help, or they'll
throttle me!"

At that the captain sprang to his feet, set Ned in his mother's lap, and
hurried below, while the young men rose hastily to go to his assistance,
even those of them who were well acquainted with Cousin Ronald's powers,
thinking for an instant that the alarm was real. But a laugh of amusement
from him and his son let them into the secret that it was but a false
alarm, the trick of a ventriloquist, and they resumed their seats as
hastily as they had arisen from them.

"Oh, oh," cried Ned, "I'm so afraid my dear papa will get hurt! Uncle
Harold and Uncle Herbert, won't you go and help papa fight those bad men?
Please go quick! Oh, please do!"

"Oh, no, Neddie, papa is so big and strong that he doesn't need any help
to make such fellows behave themselves," said Lucilla. "And here he comes
all safe and sound," as the captain stepped upon the deck again.

"Well, captain," said Grandma Elsie, looking up smilingly into his fac