Mrs. Bird opened one, of which she read a part, and then laid it down, as being apparently of no importance.  The other, however, seemed to have a great effect upon her, as she exclaimed, hurriedly, “Tell Reuben not to unharness the horses—­I must go to Francisville immediately—­dear Mrs. Hinton is very ill, and not expected to recover.  You must take good care of Charlie until I return.  If I do not come back to-night, you will know that she is worse, and that I am compelled to remain there;” and, on the carriage being brought to the door, she departed in haste to visit her sick friend.

CHAPTER XI

The New Home.

When Mrs. Garie embarked, she entertained the idea so prevalent among fresh-water sailors, that she was to be an exception to the rule of Father Neptune, in accordance with which all who intrude for the first time upon his domain are compelled to pay tribute to his greatness, and humbly bow in acknowledgment of his power.

Mrs. Garie had determined not to be sea-sick upon any account whatever, being fully persuaded she could brave the ocean with impunity, and was, accordingly, very brisk and blithe-looking, as she walked up and down upon the deck of the vessel.  In the course of a few hours they sailed out of the harbour, and were soon in the open sea.  She began to find out how mistaken she had been, as unmistakable symptoms convinced her of the vanity of all human calculations.  “Why, you are not going to be ill, Em, after all your valiant declarations!” exclaimed Mr. Garie, supporting her unsteady steps, as they paced to and fro.

“Oh, no, no!” said she, in a firm tone; “I don’t intend to give up to any such nonsense.  I believe that people can keep up if they try.  I do feel a little fatigued and nervous; it’s caused, no doubt, by the long drive of this morning—­although I think it singular that a drive should affect me in this manner.”  Thus speaking, she sat down by the bulwarks of the vessel, and a despairing look gradually crept over her face.  At last she suddenly rose, to look at the water, as we may imagine.  The effect of her scrutiny, however, was, that she asked feebly to be assisted to her state-room, where she remained until their arrival in the harbour of New York.  The children suffered only for a short time, and as their father escaped entirely, he was able to watch that they got into no mischief.  They were both great favourites with the captain and steward, and, between the two, were so stuffed and crammed with sweets as to place their health in considerable jeopardy.

It was a delightful morning when they sailed into the harbour of New York.  The waters were dancing and rippling in the morning sun, and the gaily-painted ferry-boats were skimming swiftly across its surface in their trips to and from the city, which was just awaking to its daily life of bustling toil.

“What an immense city it is!” said Mrs. Garie—­“how full of life and bustle!  Why there are more ships at one pier here than there are in the whole port of Savanah!”