ON THE VOYAGE.
IT was a very fine morning when our party of four went on board the
steamship (which we will call the _Funda_, though that isn't the real
name) bound for the sunny Italian town of Naples. The water sparkled in
the sunshine, and the harbor was gay with the many kinds of ships and
vessels in port. The dock was crowded with people going away and the
friends who had come down to see them off, as is always the case. Teddy
and Polly clung to Mamma's hands, while Papa attended to the baggage,
and at last they were safely on the steamer's deck, watching the crowd
below and the handkerchiefs constantly waved from dock to deck and from
deck to dock. Of course there was a great crowd of people on the ship
also who were not going away, but were taking a look at the steamer's
handsome saloons and state-rooms, and chatting with their departing
friends or relatives until the warning cry: "All ashore!" would be
heard. As Teddy and Polly presently went with Mamma down the grand
staircase from the deck to the dining-saloon, and along the corridor to
the two state-rooms reserved for their use, they noticed with great
delight the quantities of beautiful flowers arranged on the
dining-tables awaiting the passengers to whom they had been sent by
friends as a "_Bon voyage_" and "send-off." (You know, perhaps, without
my telling, that "_Bon voyage_" means "good voyage"--"pleasant journey"
in other words.) There were a quantity of letters also waiting to be
claimed, and presently Mamma found several for herself, and oh! joy for
Teddy! one little letter addressed to him. How surprised he was! and how
Polly rejoiced with him!
"Why, how did Mamma get it here all right on this ship, Auntie?" he
asked, as Mrs. Darling opened it to read it to him.
"Oh, she knew just when the ship was to sail from here, and sent it
along in the good old mail-bag, and so here it is, all full of surprise
for her boy, and full of love and kisses." Then she read it to him,
sitting--they three--in a quiet corner of the saloon, and Teddy's brown
eyes filled with loving tears, and just a little bit of homesick longing
for a sight of his dearly loved Mother's face. But the letter made him
very happy, and after "Auntie" had finished reading he laid his soft
little lips and then his cheek against it for a minute and handed it to
her again for safe keeping.
Then they went to the state-rooms--Polly was to share with Mamma, and
Teddy and Mr. Darling were to have the room connecting--and Mamma put
everything in order for the voyage, and then they went back to the deck
to watch the preparations for casting off from the dock. The trunks were
rapidly being lowered into the hold, and Teddy screamed with pleasure
and excitement when he chanced to see his little trunk borne along on
the shoulders of a big sailor who handled it as though it were only a
feather. The letters "T. T." stood out proudly enough on the end of the
trunk, as though they felt the great importance of belonging to a boy
who was being a "European traveler" for the first time in his life.
"And see, Teddy, see!" cried Polly, pointing eagerly to a man following
next. "There's Mamma's trunk! I see the big red 'D' on the top. But
Papa's isn't there! Oh, Teddy Terry, do you s'pose they're forgetting
'bout Papa's trunk? Don't you think I ought to find Papa and tell him
'bout it?"
"Hi! man!" began Teddy, in his zeal for the trunk's safety, but Mamma
caught his little arm as he was waving it about frantically to attract
the sailor's attention, and stopped further proceedings on the spot,
explaining that nothing would be forgotten, and that they surely would
find the trunk all safe and sound on arrival at Naples. Just then Papa
came along, and they moved to the rail of the deck to watch the people
obey the warning shout of "All on shore!" while the hoarse whistle of
the steamer's "blow-pipe" and the hurried orders given by the ship's
officers made a sort of confusion which was intensely interesting to our
dear and wonder-struck little couple.
Impulsive Teddy, after his usual fashion when overcome with delight or
deep feeling of any kind, threw his arm about Polly's neck and
repeatedly kissed her fair little cheek, nor cared how many strangers
were looking on. Indeed, I don't believe he even gave them a thought, as
he was entirely absorbed in his joy, and his _Polly_; and as for Polly
herself, she was so used to being kissed and loved by her little comrade
that the presence of strangers did not trouble her at all, and she
calmly kissed Teddy back again, greatly to the amusement of her Father
and Mother, as also of some people standing near, who asked Mrs. Darling
if the children were twins. Mamma laughingly explained about them, and
told of their devotion to each other, and how Teddy happened to be with
them on the trip.
[Illustration]
"Well," said one of the group, "_I_ certainly think they are the dearest
little couple I ever met." And Mamma smiled when she heard the usual
title again given to her young charges. So you will readily believe me
when I tell you that it wasn't long before Teddy and Polly were prime
favorites on board with all with whom they came in contact.
[Illustration]
But we must return to our little ones, who, you know, were watching the
dock and the preparations for the start. They didn't know anybody on the
dock, but wished all the same to do as much handkerchief-waving as
anybody else, so they went at it heart and soul; and, though the breezes
didn't play tricks on any of the "grown-ups," yet they certainly did
with Polly and Teddy, for presently there were two small handkerchiefs
floating in the air, and far beyond the reach of the surprised little
owners, whose eyes were following their property hopelessly enough.
But the little couple didn't care. "Let's play they're little white
birds," laughed Polly, secretly wishing they had some more to float off.
You see, they were too happy to mind any sort of mishap not serious. The
little handkerchiefs floated farther on, and finally landed around the
corner of the dock. While the children were pulling Mamma's gown to call
her attention to it, and tell her about the mishap, there came a last
shout of "Good-bye! good-bye!" from those on deck and on shore, and the
gang planks were hauled in, and with a slow, very gentle movement, as
the mooring-ropes were cast off and pulled on board, the big steamship
moved away from the pier, and the distance gradually widened between her
stern and the watchers on the dock, who were still waving hats,
handkerchiefs, and canes with handkerchiefs fastened to their heads, so
that the farewell signals might reach as high and as far as possible.