"I tell you, Dan, I'se been wide awake all de arternoon. Hadn't been asleep quite two minutes." "He hasn't slept long, Dan," said Lily, as she came out of the cabin; "for I was with him only a little while ago." "I'm glad of it, if he hasn't," added Dan, more calmly. "You kin bet yer life dis chile don't go to sleep on de watch. No, _sar_!" "But you did go to sleep, Cyd. You were asleep when I came on deck." "I jes close my eyes for a minute, but I was jes gwine to wake up when you comed on deck." "I can't keep awake all the time; I must sleep some." "Bout six hours," chuckled Cyd; and his companion had really slept about this time. "Why didn't you call me then, as I did you?" "I told him not to do so, Dan," interposed Lily, whose sweet smile was sure to remove any objection which Dan might have. "We ate our supper about an hour ago. Cyd was going to call you, but I wouldn't let him. I knew how tired you were, and you will not have any chance to sleep to-night." "It was very kind of you, Lily," said Dan with a smile. "But I must teach Cyd not to sleep when he is on watch. Any carelessness of this kind might spoil every thing." "I never'll go to sleep on de watch agin, so help me Possifus!" exclaimed Cyd, now fully impressed by the magnitude of his criminal neglect. "I'll answer for him," said Lily; "I'll stay on deck and keep him awake next time." "O, no, you needn't, Lily." "But why can't I keep watch in the daytime, and let both of you sleep? If there was any danger I could call you." "I don't mean to ask you to keep watch, or do any such work. It is not a woman's place." "I mean to take my turn next time," said she, resolutely. "Now, Dan, I will get your supper. Cyd and I ate bread and butter, and drank cold water; but if you are going to sail the boat all night, you will want some tea." "Thank you, Lily; you are very kind. I will get the tea myself." "No, you shall not. I am not going to be idle all the time. I mean to do my share of the labor. If it isn't a woman's work to keep watch, it is to get tea; and if you please, I will do it myself." My young readers will remember that Lily, though a slave girl, was a gentle, delicate creature. She had never done any manual labor. She had simply stood by her young mistress, fanned her when she was warm, brushed away the flies, handed her a book, or other article, when she wanted it, picked up her handkerchief when she dropped it, and assisted at her toilet. If Miss Edith needed any greater exertion of bone and muscle, another person was called to render the service. But she had been about the kitchen and work rooms of the plantation, and having a taste for the various housekeeping operations, she had incidentally acquired some little skill in cooking, needle-work, and other branches of female industry.