Natalie | Page 4

in reply to his half hour's remarks, would put out her hand
toward the blue waters, and with eyes dilated with wonderment, would
say, "Tee! Indo, Tee!"
There on the beach they would have a fine race with the surf, Vingo
following with the child the receding wave, and then, as it came in with
a roar from the sea, he would run as if pursued by a foe, sometimes the
spray dashing up all around them, much to the joy of the Sea-flower,
her merry laugh according strangely with the music of the waters.
Harry amused himself for a while, throwing the bits of drift-wood into
the water, that he might see old Newfoundland dash in and combat with
the waves, to secure the prize, which he never failed to do; but
wearying of this, he came and took his seat by the side of his sister, and
commenced whittling diligently on an old piece of plank.
"Vingo, do you think my father will ever go to sea again?"
"I don't know, young massa; but why you tink ob dat?"

"O, I have often thought I would like to go with my father away over
the great ocean. I long to see more of the world; and I often think of the
time when I shall be a man, and have a ship of my own. I never hear of
a ship arrived at the bar, but it sends a thrill of delight over me, and I
watch the sailors as they come on shore after a three years' voyage, and
think how happy they must be, though they look as if they had met with
the rubbers. O, I know I shall be a sailor boy! there is something noble
about the very name."
"Missus be berry sorry to hear you talk so," said Vingo.
"I know my mother would be very sorry to have me go to sea, for I
remember how sad she looked for many days after father went away,
though I was but a little boy. And I remember my father took me in his
arms, and told me I must be a good boy, and take care of mother until
he came back. But now you would be here, Vingo, to see that my
mother knew no want."
"Yes, de good Lord be praised for sending good massa Grobener to
take me away from old slabe massa. I gets so filled wid liberty
sometimes, dat I mistakes myself for white man."
"Well, you are as good as a white man, any day; but tell me, Vingo, if
you have ever been much on the water?"
"Not a great deal; I used to take old massa wid his children out for a
sail sometimes, and den I hab a slight recollection ob being brought
from a great way off; but dat must hab been before I come to be berry
great. De pleasantest sail I eber take was when I leabe old Berginny in
de good Tantalizer; and I swings my hat at old slabe massa on de bank,
and asks him if he don't wish he as free as dis individual. Dat was but a
few years ago; den you wear little dress like Sea-flower, and now you
talk 'bout going to sea! Well, dat am de way wid you sea-fish here."
As the three sat on the beach, enjoying the morning breeze, Harry
observed a gentleman not far off, who appeared to be taking sketches of
the scenery around, and occasionally would give a glance towards
where our little party were sitting, somewhat to the disquietude of Nep,

who came and stood sentinel, as much as to say, "I will protect you;"
but finding the stranger disposed to do them no harm, he composed
himself for a nap. The whittling process being now finished, Harry
produced what he termed a "two-master," the which, Vingo declared it
would be no sin to worship, as it was not in the likeness of anything.
"She is not a very polished looking craft, to be sure, but I know she is a
sailer, for all that. At any rate, she shall be of some service;" and he
seized old Nep by the ear, and making fast his dogship to the little ark,
he carefully seated the Sea-flower at the helm, and with Vingo's
rainbow bandana flying from the mast-head, they were soon under full
headway. Either Nep being proud of his charge, or the little one
mistaking the thoughtful face, lit up with the glow of enthusiasm, of the
stranger, for a beacon light; they came up with him, who called to
Harry to join them.
"What is your name, my son?"
"Harry Grosvenor, sir," answered the boy, drawing himself up to his
full height.
"And what have