Natalie | Page 3

the floor, and the two went rolling over
and over, first one up and then the other, till finally the boy came off
victorious, seated astride the animal's back, who marched up to Mrs.
Grosvenor's side, where they both remained, eyeing the little stranger in
silence.
"The child's dress denotes no common birth," remarked the Captain, as
his lady disrobed it of its rich lace dress, saturated with the salt
seawater. "And the gold bands; are there no marks?--nothing, by which
we may gain the least clue of its history?"
"I see nothing; and it is well; for my heart already yearns towards the
little creature, and in my selfish human nature, I can't but hope that we
may be able to keep her for our own." And as she spoke she pressed the
clasp of the band, and, behold! the miniature likeness of a lady was
brought to view. The foster mother gazed upon those features, as if it
were the face of an angel.
"I cannot have the heart to wish to retain her child! To deprive that

mother of anything that can give her pain to lose. Would I could ask
her to forgive my cruel thoughts; forgive the desire to retain this her
gem. But I know she has gone to her home in the skies; she was too
pure for earth. Yes, this must be the mother, the child is so like her."
"The same features, the same expression; and," said the Captain, "I will
use every means of finding out if there is one left of that ill-fated crew
to tell the tale. It will probably be reported in a few days, if there are
any missing vessels, either from our coasts or foreign ports. In the
meantime I will take care to have this discovery registered at
head-quarters, and then if we can discover no trace of her parentage we
may have her for our own."
"Have her for our own! Nep, do you hear that? We are to have a new
sister!" shouted the boy; and Nep, as if comprehending his young
master's words, laid his great honest face on the feet of the child, and
caressed her.
"Please, missus, don't make little Sea-flower too fresh; she be pining
for de sea;" remarked Vingo, as Mrs. Grosvenor proceeded to bathe the
child in cool fresh water; and having brought out the baby-clothes worn
by Harry, she was soon, by the aid of a little new milk, made
comfortable, and, creeping down after old Nep, sat with her hands
buried in his shaggy coat, crowing with delight. The lights at Captain
Grosvenor's burned long into the night of that eventful day, of the
discovery of the Sea-flower, while he related to his wife how they had
found the little one among the sea-weeds, and in forming plans for her
future adoption, should nothing be learned of her parentage, and no
friends come to claim the child.
Soon after the commencement of our story, a fearful storm swept the
New England coast. 'Twould seem as if the rage of the storm-king
knew no bounds; and many hearts there were made desolate in that
long-to-be-remembered September gale. Fragments of wrecks came
ashore on different parts of the island, together with casks, chests,
rigging, stoven boats, etc., which were picked up in various places, and
by various characters. Some would watch eagerly for these trophies of
destruction, and with grasping hand seize upon them, viewing the storm

as sent for their own particular benefit; increasing their worldly goods,
regardless of others' woes. While some there were, who turned away
with a heart sick at the scene of devastation, yet submissively bowing
to His will, "who holds the waters in his hand." Wreck upon wreck was
reported. The total loss of vessels from all parts of the world was very
great, which only served to increase the mystery in regard to the
unknown, which went down 'neath a calm noon-day sky. Days and
months passed on, and still no tidings; till finally they came to look
upon the loved one as their own.
The child grew in strength and beauty, and was a source of great
amusement to them all. Old Vingo would delight to make one of his
"squantums," as he called it, to the shore; and with master Harry, who
was now taking his first lessons in driving, (a point once attained,
boyhood thinks to gain no higher) and Sea-flower in his arms; with Nep,
who is determined to be "head horse," bounding off in the distance, is
happiness enough for the negro, and his white teeth glisten in the bright
sunshine like so many African pearls, as he jabbers away to Sea-flower,
as if she were comprehending the whole. But 'twas enough for Vingo,
that she