By and by Evelyn and the younger of the two Elon sisters retired to their rooms. The elder one laughed and said to Fred: "Mr. Fearnot, we two seem to be on quite good terms with the old man of the sea." "Yes," returned Fred. "When I made up my mind to go South by water I began to make preparations to remain on good terms with Father Neptune. "Why, how in the world did you manage to do that?" "Why, don't you know a remedy for seasickness, or a pallative, at least?" "Why, no, indeed. What is it? I have never heard of any except lemons." "Well, lemons are very good, and will be effective if you tackle them twenty-four hours or more before beginning the voyage. I have a bottle of acid phosphate in my room, and a teaspoonful in half a glass of water soon equips one in such a manner that he can resist the effects of the motion of the ship." "Oh, my! will you give me a drink of it? I'm not at all seasick, but if the water gets any rougher I will be." "Certainly," and Fred went to his room and soon returned with a glass with about two teaspoonfuls of acid phosphate in it. He went to the water cooler, filled the glass with cold water and presented it to the young lady. "Drink about half of it," said he, "and in twenty or thirty minutes drink the other half." She took the glass, tipped it up and drained every drop of its contents. "By George," said he, "you took a good dose." "Oh, I'm used to drinking phosphates; but never heard of it as an antidote for seasickness before. Have you had a drink of it?" "Oh, yes; I've had two drinks since I left the wharf." He took the glass to his room, and when he came out he tendered his arms to the girl and went promenading up and down the deck. Her father went to her and asked her if she felt any seasickness. "No, father," said she, "not the least bit. This gentleman is Mr. Fearnot, the famous athlete." "Well, well, well! I'm glad to meet you, Mr. Fearnot. I heard of you several times when you were in New Orleans. What's become of your friend Olcott?" "Oh, he's on board, and so is his sister Evelyn." "Well, I'd like to meet him and his sister," said the old gentleman. "Father," said his daughter, "she is just the sweetest and prettiest girl you ever saw in your life. I met her when we first came on board, but as the sea was a little too rough for her she had to retire to her room, and I hardly think that we will have the pleasure of seeing her again before tomorrow. Mr. Olcott, her brother, Mr. Fearnot tells me, is an awful victim to seasickness, and that he says and does funny things while old Neptune has a grip on him." Then she suddenly asked her father how her mother was. "Oh, she is in her room actually groaning and making believe that she is going to die." "Oh, she does that every time she sails," and the girl laughed merrily. Mr. Elon remained with her and Fred for at least a half hour. Then he drew a package of cigars from his pocket said tendered one to Fred.