“Pills!” said the captain, with a start; “what have you given them?” “I jus don’t know myself,” said Daph, desperately. “Daph had de ear-ache mighty bad last week, and missus, dear creeter--she was always so kind--she gibs me two little pills, and she says, ‘here Daph, you take dese when you goes to bed, and you will sleep so sound, de pain will all go way!’ I says, ‘tank’ee missus,’ of course, and she goes up to de house quite satisfied. Daph nebber did take no doctor’s stuff, so I puts de little pills in my pocket, and just roasts an orange soft, and ties it warm outside my ear, and goes to bed, and sleeps like a lizard. Now when I thinks of putting de children in de basket, something says to me, ‘you gib dem dose little pills, Daph, dey’ll make ’em sleep sound ’nough.’ So, I’se just did like a poor, foolish darky.” Here Daph began to cry piteously. Captain Jones went immediately to the cabin. The natural color and healthy breathing of the little sleepers soon assured him that all was right. “Courage! old girl!” said the captain, cheerily, “turn in yourself, and I’ll warrant you the youngsters will be none the worse for your doctoring!” Thus consoled, Daph lay down again beside her charge, and the silence of deep sleep soon prevailed, not only in the little state-room, but throughout the Martha Jane, save when the measured steps of the watch sounded out through the stillness of the night. III. The Water-Lily. At sunrise the morning after she set sail, the “Martha Jane” was dancing over the waves, far out of sight of mainland or island. Daph was an early riser, and in the gray dawn she bestirred herself with her usual waking thought--“This is a busy world, and Daph must be up and at work.” Her first glance around showed her that she was not in the southern kitchen, which had so long been her domain, and a merry sound near her reminded her of the new duties she had undertaken. Charlie was sitting up in the berth, his bright black eyes sparkling with delight at the new scene in which he found himself. “Pretty! pretty little bed!” were the first words that met Daph’s ear. The hearty hug with which she responded to this pleasant greeting, and the consequent laugh of the child, roused his fair sister. Louise started up, and looked wildly around her; “Where are we, Daffy,” she asked, anxiously. “We’s just on board a beauty ship, a-going to see pretty countries over the water,” said Daph, coaxingly. “But why do we go?” urged the child, by no means satisfied. “Cause, cause,” said Daph, “cause de great Lord tinks it best.” The face of little Louise instantly took a sobered and submissive expression, and she said quietly, “Well, Daffy, Lou will try to be a good girl; where’s Dinah?” “I’se to be nurse now, Miss Lou,” answered Daph, promptly. “Oh! how nice! No cross Dinah any more!” exclaimed the little girl, clapping her hands with very great delight.