"Off to your work, sir," ordered the captain, "and let's have no more of
this nonsense."

Old Joe moved away with a patient sigh.

"The woman is your property, I presume, sir?" the captain remarked in a
respectful tone, addressing Mr. Dinsmore.

"Yes, my daughter's, which amounts to the same thing," that gentleman
replied in a tone of indifference; then changing the subject, made some
inquiries about the speed and safety of the boat, the length of her trips,
etc.

The captain answered pleasantly, showing pride in his vessel. Then they
spoke of other things: the country, the crops, the weather.

"Sit down, mammy," said Elsie pityingly, as they reached the settee where
she and her father had been sitting; "you are trembling so you can
scarcely stand."

"O darlin', dat's true 'nuff, I'se mos' ready to drop," she said
tremulously, coming down heavily upon a trunk that stood close at hand.
"Oh, de good Lord hab bring me face to face wid my ole Uncle Joe; oh, I
neber 'spected to see him no more in dis wicked world. But dey'll take 'im
off again an' dis ole heart'll break," she added, with a bursting sob.

"No, no, mammy, you shall have him, if money can accomplish it."

"You buy 'im, darlin'? Oh, your ole mammy can neber t'ank you 'nuff!" and
a low, happy laugh mingled with the choking sobs. "But dey'll ask heaps ob