As on former voyages on the "Dolphin," Sabbath day was kept religiously
by all on board the vessel. Religious services--prayer, praise and the
reading of a sermon--were held on deck, for the benefit of all, after
which there was a Bible lesson led by Mr. Milburn, the subject being
the birth of Jesus and the visits of the wise men from the east; also
the story of Bethlehem's shepherds and their angel visitants followed
by their visit to the infant Saviour.
The children went to bed early that night that--as they said--Christmas
might come the sooner. Then the Captain, his older daughters, Chester,
and Harold, had a little chat about what should be done in the morning.
The young men were urgent that their assistance should be accepted in
the matter of setting up and trimming the tree; the girls also put in
a petition for the privilege of helping with the work.
To Lucilla their father answered, "You may, as I have said, for you
are naturally an early bird, so that I think it cannot hurt you." Then
turning to Grace, "I hardly think it would do for you, daughter dear;
but we will let your doctor decide it," turning inquiringly to Harold.
"If her doctor is to decide it, he says emphatically No," said Harold,
with a very loverlike look down into the sweet face of his betrothed;
"she will enjoy the rest of the day much better for taking her usual
morning nap."
"You and papa are very kind; almost too kind," returned Grace, between
a smile and a sigh. "But I think you are a good doctor, so I will
follow your advice and papa's wishes."
"That is right, my darling," responded her father, "and I hope you will
have your reward in feeling well through the day."
"If she doesn't, she can discharge her doctor," said Lucilla in a
mirthful tone.
"You seem inclined to be hard upon doctors, Lu," remarked Harold,
gravely; "but one of these days you may be glad of the services of even
such an one as I."
"Yes, that is quite possible; and even now I am right glad to have my
husband under your care; and I'm free to say that if your patients
don't improve, I don't think it will be fair to blame it--their
failure--on the doctor."
"Thank you," he said; "should you need doctoring on this trip of ours,
just call upon me and I'll do the best for you that I can."
"I have no doubt you would," laughed Lucilla, "but I'll do my best to
keep out of your hands."
"That being your intention, let me advise you to go at once to your
bed," returned Harold, glancing at his watch. Then all said good-night
and dispersed to their rooms.
At early dawn the three gentlemen were again in the saloon overseeing
the setting up of the Christmas tree, then arranging upon it a
multitude of gifts from one to another of the "Dolphin's" passengers,
and some token of remembrance for each one of the crew; for it was not
in the kind heart of the Captain ever to forget or neglect any one in
his employ.
The other passengers, older and younger, except Lucilla, who was with
them in time to help with the trimming of the tree, did not emerge from
their staterooms until the sun was up, shining gloriously upon the sea,
in which the waves were gently rising and falling. All were fond of
gazing upon the sea, but this morning their first attention was given
to the tree, which seemed to have grown up in a night in the saloon,
where they were used to congregate mornings, evenings and stormy days.
All gathered round it and viewed its treasures with appreciative
remarks; then the Captain, with Chester's and Harold's assistance,
distributed the gifts.
Every one had several and seemed well pleased with them. The one that
gave Eva the greatest pleasure had been left for her by her young
husband; it was an excellent miniature likeness of himself set in gold
and diamonds. She appreciated the beautiful setting, but the correct
and speaking likeness was far more to her.
Near the tree stood a table loaded with fruits and confections of
various kinds, very tempting in appearance. Ned hailed it with an
expression of pleasure, but his father bade him let the sweets alone
until after he had eaten his breakfast.
The words had scarcely left the Captain's lips when a voice was heard,
apparently coming from the skylight overhead: "Say, Pete, d'ye see
them goodies piled up on that thar table down thar? My, but they looks
temptin'."
"Yes," seemed to come from another voice, "wouldn't I like to git in
thar and help myself? It's odd and real mean how some folks has all the
good things and other folks none."
"Course it is. But, oh, I'll tell you. They'll be goin' out to
breakfast presently, then let's go down thar where the goodies is, and
help, ourselves."
"Yes, let's."
Everybody in the saloon had stopped talking and seemed to be listening
in surprise to the colloquy of the two stowaways--for such they
apparently were--but now Ned broke the silence: "Why, how did they get
on board? Must be stowaways and have been in the hold all this time.
Oh, I guess they are hungry enough by this time; so no wonder they want
the candies and things."
"Perhaps Cousin Ronald can tell us something about them," laughed
Lucilla.
"Acquaintances of mine, you think, lassie?" sniffed the old gentleman.
"Truly, you are most complimentary. But I have no more fancy for such
trash than have you."
"Ah, well, now, cousin, I really don't imagine those remarks were made
by any very bad or objectionable fellows," remarked Captain Raymond, in
a tone of amusement.
"No," said Mr. Dinsmore, "we certainly should not be hard on them if
they are poor and hungry."
"Which they must be if they have been living in the hold ever since we
left our native shores," laughed Violet.
"Oh, now, I know, it was just Cousin Ronald, and not any real person,"
cried Ned, dancing about in delight.
"And so I'm not a real person?" said Mr. Lilburn, in a deeply hurt tone.
"Oh, Cousin Ronald, I didn't mean that," said Ned, penitently, "only
that you weren't two boys, but just pretending to be."
At that everybody laughed, and Mr. Lilburn said: "Very true; I never
was two boys and am no longer even one. Well, I think you and all of us
may feel safe in leaving the good things on the table there when we are
called to breakfast, for I am sure those fellows will not meddle with
them."
The summons to the table had just sounded, and now was obeyed by all
with cheerful alacrity. Everybody was in fine spirits, the meal an
excellent one, and all partook of it with appetite, while the flow of
conversation was steady, bright and mirthful.
They had their morning service directly after the meal, then went upon
deck and to their surprise found they were in sight of Bermuda. They
were glad to see it, though the voyage had been a pleasant one to all
and really beneficial to the ailing ones, for whose benefit it was
undertaken more particularly than for the enjoyment of the others. Also
it was hoped and expected that their sojourn in and about the islands
would be still more helpful and delightful; and so indeed it proved.
They tarried in that neighborhood several weeks, spending most of their
time on the vessel, or in her small boats--many of the water-ways being
too narrow and shallow to be traversed by the yacht, but going from
place to place on the land in a way to see all that was interesting
there.