may see, for a great many are now on the booms; they have
no time for compliments."

"That is very true," replied Mr Campbell, "we must wait till we arrive
at Quebec."

"But we did not see Alfred," said Emma.

"No, miss, because he was busy enough below, and I dare say no one told
him. They have said that `all's well,' and that is sufficient; and now
we must haul off again, for with such a heavy ship in tow, Captain
Lumley will not thank me if I am always coming so close to him."

"I am satisfied, Captain Wilson; pray do nothing that will displease
Captain Lumley. We shall soon see Alfred, I dare say, with the
spy-glass."

"I see him now," said Mary Percival, "he has his telescope, and he is
waving his hat to me."

"Thank God!" replied Mrs Campbell; "now I am satisfied."

The _Portsmouth_ cast off the French line-of-battle ship, as soon as
they had jury-masts up and could make sail on them, and the convoy
proceeded to the mouth of the Saint Lawrence.

"Captain Wilson," said Percival, whose eyes were fixed on the water,
"what animals are those, tumbling about and blowing,--those great white
things?"

"They are what are called the white whale, Percival," replied Captain
Wilson; "they are not often seen, except about here."

"Then what is the colour of the other whales?"

"The northern whales are black--they are called the black whales; but
the southern, or spermaceti whales, are not so dark in colour."

Captain Wilson then, at Percival's request, gave him an account of how
the whales were caught, for he had been several voyages himself in the
northern whale-fishery.

Percival was never tired of asking questions, and Captain Wilson was
very kind to him, and always answered him. John, generally speaking,
stood by when Captain Wilson was talking, looking very solemn and very
attentive, but not saying a word.

"Well, John," said Emma to him after the conversation had been ended,
"what was Captain Wilson telling you about?"

"Whales," replied John, walking past her.

"Well, but is that all you can tell me, John?"

"Yes," replied John, walking away.

"At all events, Miss Emma, he keeps all his knowledge to himself,"
observed Captain Wilson, laughing.

"Yes; I shall know nothing about the whale-fishery, unless you will
condescend to tell me yourself, that is evident," replied Emma, taking
the offered arm of Captain Wilson, who, at her request, immediately
resumed the subject.

In three weeks from th