As they were in no haste, and the confinement of a railroad car would be very irksome to the younger children, it had been decided to make the journey by water. It was late in the afternoon of an unusually warm, bright November day that they found themselves comfortably established on board a fine steamer bound for New Orleans. There were no sad leave-takings to mar their pleasure, the children were in wild spirits, and all seemed cheerful and happy as they sat or stood upon the deck watching the receding shore as the vessel steamed out of the harbor. At length the land had quite disappeared; nothing could be seen but the sky overhead and a vast expanse of water all around, and the passengers found leisure to turn their attention upon each other. "There are some nice looking people on board," remarked Mr. Travilla, in an undertone, to his wife. "Beside ourselves," added Cousin Ronald, laughing. "Yes," she answered; "that little group yonder: a young minister and his wife and child, I suppose. And what a dear little fellow he is just about the age of our Harold, I should judge." "Yes, mamma," chimed in the last named young gentleman, "he's a nice little boy. May I go speak to him? May I, papa?" Permission was given and the next moment the two stood close together each gazing admiringly into the other's face. "Papa," remarked the little stranger, looking up at his father, "I very much wish I had a face like this little boy's." "Do you, son?" was the smiling rejoinder. "He certainly looks like a very nice little boy. Suppose you and he shake hands, Frank." "Yes, sir," said the child, holding out a small, plump hand, "What's your name, little boy?" "Harold Travilla, and yours is Fank?" "Yes, Frank Daly. Don't you like this nice big boat?" "Yes I do. Won't you come wis me and speak to my mamma and papa?" Frank looked inquiringly at his father. "Yes, you may go if you wish," returned the latter, and the two started off hand in hand. "Mamma, see! isn't he a dear little boy?" asked Harold, leading his new friend up before her with an air of proud ownership. "Yes indeed," she said, bending down to kiss Frank and stroke his hair. "I think he's a good boy, 'cause he didn't come till his papa told him to," continued Harold. "A very good way to judge of a boy," said Cousin Ronald. "His name is Fank," said Harold. "Fank, that's Cousin Ronald, and this is papa, and this is grandpa," and so on, leading him from one to another till he had introduced him to the whole party, not even omitting Baby Herbert and mammy. Then Frank's papa came for him, saying the air was growing very cool, and it was time to go in. Our friends were of the same opinion and all repaired to the ladies' saloon, where, through the children, they and the Dalys soon made acquaintance. Mr. Daly was a minister going South for the winter for the sake of his own and his wife's health.