“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 you here?” added he.  “I suppose you came along as supercargo; pray tell me with what are you freighted?”

“The Sea-flower is my only freight, sir.”

“And God grant that you may always find as valuable! but tell me, is this angelic child your sister?”

“Yes, sir, my sister, and we all love her very much; we could not be without her, for we might forget to thank our Father for his kindness to us, if we had no Sea-flower to remind us of Heaven.”

“So young, and can appreciate so rare a gift,” mused the gentleman; “childhood, indeed, is the first to discover purity;” and the eye of the stranger grew moist, and the melancholy smile which sat upon his countenance gave place to the shadows of grief.  “What is the child’s name?” asked he.

“We call her Sea-flower, sir.”

“’Tis a peculiar, sweet name; but has she no other?”

“We have always called her by that name.  Mother says she came to us from God, and he loves the little flowers; he smiles upon each one, as it holds up its little head, all shining with pearly tears wept by the stars.  But do you not love my sister?  I did not think she could make you sad.”