Then in a moment they lifted us aboard, and we were saved, the captain taking off his jacket and wrapping it about my body, the mate doing the same for my little companion. When we were thus tucked up, and not until then, the captain spoke, but it was no longer the voice I had heard, but that of a soft-hearted, compassionate man. "How do you think you find yourself now, my son?" "I’m all right, sir," I answered, as indeed I was. "We should have reached you sooner, but for that fool of a deck-hand. I expect you found the water pretty cold?" he asked, fastening his jacket more securely about my body. "Not at first, sir, nor enough to hurt. The little one, though, looks pinched. See how blue its lips are," I answered, no whit the worse for my bath. Upon this the captain called to the mate to rub the child’s hands and limbs and wrap it up more warmly, but the little thing was in nowise cast down. Brought up on the river, it looked on the water as its home, and this fortunately for me, for it gave me no trouble whatever, but from the first treated the whole thing as if it were play. On our way back the shore was lined with the passengers and crew of the War Eagle and such of the townspeople as happened to be about, and among them I saw Constance with arms outstretched. At this I stood up in the boat and waved my hand, calling her name, and this I continued to do, that she might see I was safe and unharmed. When finally we reached the War Eagle, I made my way to where she stood, and putting my arms about her trembling form, held her, neither of us speaking. While we stood thus, the captain came up, and thinking we were brother and sister, said, out of compliment to her: "You ought to be proud of your brother, my little lady!" "Yes, sir; but he’s not my brother," she answered, without offering to disengage herself from my arms. "A cousin, or some relative?" "No, sir." "Your lover, then? Well, I like that best. Yes, yes, decidedly, that’s as it should be. A few years, and they will soon pass, and then you will make a fine couple. Be always as you are now, though, for it was in that way my wife and I grew up; and now she is the finest woman in the world. Come, my son," he went on, "are you the lad that asked me for work?" "Yes, sir," I answered. "I thought so. Well, I have changed my mind; captains, you see, can do that as well as other people. If you don’t know enough to be a cabin boy, you will learn, and of that I am sure. So if you still want the place, I shall be mighty glad to give it to you." "Thank you," I answered; "I wish you would." "When do you want to come aboard—to-day or on our return? For we shall be pulling out in a few minutes." "Yes, to-day; and I’ll be ready as soon as I can go to Appletop and back." "You have plenty of time for that, or if not, we will wait for you. Now be off and get some dry clothing. We will furnish your uniform, and glad of the chance."