“Yes, massa.”

And though some fifty years had passed over the old negro’s head, he sprang with the agility of boyhood’s days; although, as the poor fellow often remarked, “he had a wonderful constitution for enduring rest,” the thought of his good missus’s surprise, when she should learn of their morning’s adventure, gave him new life, and he fairly danced about the beach for joy.  Seated in the spring-cart, Captain Grosvenor took the babe in his arms, that had now fallen into a quiet sleep, while Vingo, perching himself first on one foot and then the other, to keep his balance, gathered up the reins, and all started for home.

“I am tinking, massa, dat my missus be quite ober-much-come at de sight of dis little sea-flower.”

“Yes, boy; yes, sea-flower indeed.  I have travelled the wide world from stem to stern, but never have I met with such an emblem of innocence before.”  And though the hardy sea-captain had spent the greater part of his life among the whales, he stooped down and pressed his lips to the brow of the unconscious sleeper.

“Luff off there a little, Vingo; keep to the right; these bare commons are not the easiest grounds to ride over, though with a light spring-cart like this one can navigate with some degree of comfort.  The broad ocean is the place, after all.  Give me the old ship Tantalizer, and I am at home.  Take the glass, Vingo, and see if you can make out whether the steamboat is in sight or not.”

“Cannot eben make de staff, massa.  Ah! now I sees him; de flag is up, old Massachusetts am in sight.”

“She will be in early to-day.  Travels decently fast, considering she is all out of joint.  I hope we shall get a new steamer some day; then we may keep posted with what is going on in the outer world.”

“Yes, massa, people tink we a piece ob de continent den.”

An hour’s ride brought our worthy captain to his own door, where stood Mrs. Grosvenor, with her son Harry, their only child, of seven years, awaiting him.

“You have made a long stay at the shore this morning, my husband; but if these little excursions will deter you from making a longer voyage, I will not complain.”

“Yes, wife, yes; but for a peace offering I have brought to you a gem from among the sea-weeds.”

“My dear husband, where can you have found this child?” and tears were in the eyes of the lady as she received the little unknown from his arms.

“Is it for you? to be yours, mother?  Mother, may it stay with us here?” asked Harry; and in his delight he stumbled over old Neptune, who was stretched at full length upon 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?”