Elsie's Winter Trip

by Martha Finley

  CHAPTER XVIII.

  Elsie and Ned were on deck with their pet tee-tees, which seemed to bein even more than usually playful mood, running round and round thedeck and up and down the masts. Ned chased after them, trying to catchthem, but failing again and again. He grew more and more excited andless careful to avoid mishap in the struggle to capture the littlerunaways. Elsie called after him to "let them have their fun forawhile, and then they would come back to be petted and fed," but hepaid no attention to her. He called and whistled to Tee-tee, who washigh up on a mast. The little fellow stood still for a time, regardinghis young master as if he would say, "I'll come when I please, but youcan't make me come sooner." So Ned read the look, and called up to him,"Come down this minute, you little rascal, or I'll be apt to make yousorry you didn't."

  That did not seem to have any effect, and Ned looked about for some oneto send up after the little runaway.

  "Have patience, master Ned, he'll come down after a bit," said a sailorstanding near. "Ah, do you see? There he comes now," and turningquickly, Ned saw his tee-tee running swiftly down the mast, then alongthe top of the gunwale, then down on the outside. He rushed to catchhim, leaned too far over, and, with a cry of terror, felt himselffalling down, down into the sea.

  A scream from Elsie echoed his cry. The sailor who had spoken to Neda moment before, instantly tore off his coat and plunged in after thechild, caught him as he rose to the surface, held him with his head outof water, and called for a boat which was already being launched by theother sailors.

  Neither the Captain nor any of his older passengers were on deck at themoment; but the cries of the children, the sailor's plunge into thewater, and the hurrying of the others to launch the boat were heard inthe saloon.

  "Something is wrong!" exclaimed the Captain, hurrying to the deck,closely followed by Violet, whose cry was, "Oh, my children! What hashappened to them?"

  The other members of the party came hurrying after all in greatexcitement.

  "Don't be alarmed, my dear," said the Captain, soothingly, "whateveris wrong can doubtless be set right in a few moments." Then, catchingsight of his little girl as he gained the deck, and seeing that she wascrying bitterly, "Elsie daughter, what is it?" he asked.

  "Oh, papa," sobbed the child, "Neddie has fallen into the sea, and I'mafraid he's drowned!"

  Before her father could answer, a sailor approached and, bowingrespectfully, said:

  "I think it will be all right, sir, in a few minutes. Master Ned fellinto the water, but Tom Jones happened to be close at hand, and sprangin right after him and caught him as he came up the first time. Then hecalled to us to lower the boat, and you see it's in the water already,and they're starting after Master Ned and Tom--left considerable behindnow by the forward movement of the yacht."

  "Ah, yes; I see them," returned the Captain; "the boat, too. Violet,my dear, Neddie seems to be quite safe, and we will have him on boardagain in a few minutes."

  All on the deck watched, in almost breathless suspense, the progressof the small boat through the water, saw it reach and pick up thehalf-drowning man and boy, and then return to the yacht. In a fewmoments more Ned was in his mother's arms, her tears falling on hisface, as she clasped him to her bosom, kissing him over and over againwith passionate fondness.

  "There, Vi, dear, you would better give him into my care for a little,"said Harold. "He wants a good rubbing, dry garments, a dose ofsomething hot and then a good nap."

  "There, go with Uncle Harold, dear," said his mother, releasing him.

  "And papa," said Ned, looking up at his father, entreatingly.

  "Yes, little son, papa will go with you," returned the Captain, inmoved tones.

  "Oh, is my tee-tee drowned?" exclaimed the little fellow, with suddenrecollection, and glancing around as he spoke.

  "No," said Harold; "I see him now running around the deck. He's allright." And with that the two gentlemen hurried down into the cabin,taking Ned with them.

  "Well, it is a very good plan to always take a doctor along when we gosailing about the world," remarked Lucilla, looking after them as theypassed down the stairway.

  "Yes; especially when you can find one as skilful, kind and agreeableas our Doctor Harold," said Evelyn.

  "Thank you, my dear," said Mrs. Travilla, regarding Evelyn with apleased smile, "he seems to me both an excellent physician and apolished gentleman; but mothers are apt to be partial judges; so I amglad to find that your opinion is much the same as mine."

  Grace looked gratified, and Violet said: "It seems to be the opinion ofall on board."

  "Mine as well as the rest," added Lucilla. "Chester has improvedwonderfully since we set sail on the 'Dolphin.'"

  "Quite true," said Chester's voice close at hand, he having justreturned from a talk with the sailors who had picked up thehalf-drowning man and boy, "quite true; and I give credit to my doctor,Cousin Harold; for his advice at least, which I have endeavored tofollow carefully. He's a fine, competent physician, if it is a relativewho says it. Violet, you need have no fear that he won't bring your boythrough this thing all right."

  "I am not at all afraid to trust him--my dear, skilful brother andphysician--and I believe he will be able to bring my little son throughthis trouble," said Violet.

  "No doubt of it," returned Chester; "by to-morrow morning little Nedwill be in usual health and spirits; none the worse for his sudden seabath."

  "I can never be thankful enough to Tom Jones," said Violet, withemotion. "He saved the life of my darling boy; for he surely wouldhave drowned before any one else could have got to him."

  "Yes," said Chester; "I think he deserves all the praise you can givehim."

  "And something more than praise," said Violet and her mother, bothspeaking at once. "He is not, by any means, a rich man," added Violet,"and my husband will certainly find a way to help him into bettercircumstances."

  "Something in which I shall be glad to assist," added her mother."Neddie is your son, but he is my dear little grandson."

  "And my great-grandson," added Mr. Dinsmore, joining the group. "I amtruly thankful that Tom Jones was so near when he fell, and so ready togo to the rescue."

  "And the engineer to slacken the speed of the vessel, the other sailorsto lower and man the boat and go to the rescue," said Violet.

  "Yes; they must all be rewarded," said her mother. "It will be apleasure to me to give them a substantial evidence of the gratitude Ifeel."

  "That is just like you, mamma," said Violet, with emotion; "but I amsure his father is able, and will be more than willing to do all thatis necessary."

  "Yes, indeed!" exclaimed Lucilla, "there is no more just or generousperson than my father! And he is abundantly able to do all that can bedesired to reward any or all who took any part in the saving of my dearlittle brother."

  "My dear girl," said Grandma Elsie, "no one who knows your father canhave the least doubt of his generosity and kindness of heart; I am verysure that all the men we were speaking of will have abundant proof ofit."

  "As we all are," said Mr. Dinsmore.

  "I'm sure papa will do just what is right; he always does," said littleElsie. "And oh, mamma, don't you think that he and Uncle Harold willsoon get dear Neddie well of his dreadful dip in the sea?"

  "I do, daughter," answered Violet; "and oh, here come your papa anduncle now!"

  For at that moment the two gentlemen stepped upon the deck and cameswiftly toward them.

  "Oh? how is he--my darling little son?" cried Violet, almost breathlesswith excitement and anxiety.

  "Doing as well as possible," answered her brother, in cheery tone. "Hehas had a good rubbing down, a hot, soothing potion, been covered up inhis berth, and fallen into a sound sleep."

  "Yes," said the Captain, "I think he is doing as well as possible, andto-morrow will show himself no worse for his involuntary dip in thesea."

  "Oh, I am so glad, so thankful!" exclaimed Violet, tears of joy fillingher eyes.

  "As I am," said hi
s father, his voice trembling with emotion; "we havegreat cause for thankfulness to the Giver of All Good. I am very gladyour mind is relieved, dearest. But I must go now and thank the men,whose prompt action saved us from a heavy loss and bitter sorrow."

  He had seated himself by Violet's side and put his arm about her, buthe rose with those last words, and went forward to where a group ofsailors were talking over the episode and rejoicing that it had endedso satisfactorily. They lifted their hats and saluted the Captainrespectfully as he neared them.

  "How is the little lad, sir?" asked Jones, as he neared them. "No worsefor his ducking, I hope."

  "Thank you, Jones. I think he will not be any the worse by to-morrowmorning," replied the Captain. "He is sleeping now, which, I think, isthe best thing he could do. Jones, he owes his life to you, and I cannever cease to be grateful to you for your prompt action in springinginstantly to his rescue when he fell into the water."

  "Oh, sir," stammered Jones, looking both pleased and embarrassed,"it--it wasn't a bit more than almost any other fellow would havedone in my place. And I'm mighty glad I did it, for he's one o' thelikeliest little chaps ever I saw!"

  "He is a very dear one to his father and mother, brother and sisters,and I should like to give to each of you fellows who helped in thisthing, some little token of my appreciation of your kindly efforts. Iwill think it over and have a talk with you again, and you may considerwhat return I could make that would be the most agreeable and helpfulto you."

  "About how much do you suppose that means?" asked one man of his mates,when the Captain had walked away.

  "Perhaps five dollars apiece," chuckled one of the others, "for theCaptain is pretty generous; and likely Jones's share will be twice asmuch."

  "Nonsense! who wants to be paid for saving that cute little chap fromdrowning?" growled Jones. "I'd have been a coward if I'd indulged in aminute's hesitation."

  "I s'pose so," returned one of the others, "but you risked your life tosave his, so deserve a big reward, and I hope and believe you'll getit."

  On leaving the group of sailors, the Captain went to the pilot-houseand gave warm thanks there for the prompt slowing of the "Dolphin's"speed the instant the alarm of Ned's fall was given.

  "It was no more than any other man would have done in my place,Captain," replied the pilot, with a smile of gratification.

  "No," returned Captain Raymond, "some men would have been less promptand the probable consequence, the loss of my little son's life, whichwould have been a great loss to his mother and me," he added, withemotion. "I think you are worthy of an increase of pay, Mr. Clark, andyou won't object to it, I suppose?"

  "No, sir; seeing I have a family to support, I won't refuse yourkindness, and I thank you very much for the kind offer."

  At that moment Violet drew near and stood at her husband's side. Shespoke in tones trembling with emotion. "I have come to thank you,Clark, for the saving of my darling boy's life; for I know that butfor the slowing of the engine both Jones and he might have lost theirlives--sinking before help could reach them."

  "You are very kind to look at it in that way, Mrs. Raymond," returnedClark, in tones that spoke his appreciation of her grateful feeling,"but it was very little that I did--cost hardly any exertion and norisk. Jones is, I think, the only one deserving much, if any, creditfor the rescue of the little lad."

  He paused a moment, then added, "But the Captain here has mostgenerously offered me an increase of pay; for which I thank him mostheartily."

  "Oh, my dear, I am very glad to hear that!" exclaimed Violet,addressing her husband.

  With the last word, her hand was slipped into his arm, and, with aparting nod to Clark, they turned and went back to the family groupstill gathered upon the deck under the awning.

  They found Elsie with Tiny on her shoulder and Tee-tee on her lap.

  "I must take care of them both now for awhile till Ned gets over thatdreadful sea bath," she said, looking up smilingly at her parents asthey drew near.

  "Yes, daughter, that is right," replied her father, "it was no fault oflittle Tee-tee that his young master fell into the sea."

  That evening Violet and the Captain had a quiet promenade on the decktogether, in which they talked of those who had any share in the rescueof their little Ned, and what reward might be appropriate for each one.

  "I have heard there is a mortgage on the farm which is the home of TomJones and his mother," said the Captain. "I will pay that off as mygift to Tom, in recognition of his bravery and kindness in risking hisown life in the effort to save that of our little son."

  "Do," said Violet, joyfully; "he certainly deserves it, and probablythere is nothing he would like better."

  "He is certainly entitled to the largest reward I give," said theCaptain, "though I daresay almost any of the others would have actedjust as he did, if they had had the same opportunity."

  Ned slept well under his uncle's care that night, and the next morningappeared at the breakfast table looking much as usual, and saying, inanswer to loving inquiries, that he felt as if nothing had happened tohim; not a bit the worse for his bath in the sea.

  Nor was he disposed to blame Tee-tee for his involuntary plunge intothe water; the two were evidently as fast friends as ever.

  After breakfast the Captain had a talk, first with Jones, then withthe other men, in which each learned what his reward was to be. Joneswas almost too much moved for speech when told of his, but expressedhis gratitude more fully afterward, saying, "It is a blessed thing tohave a home of one's own; especially when it can be shared with one'smother. Dear me, but won't she be glad!"

  And the others were highly pleased with the ten dollars apiece whichfell to their shares.