It was Captain Raymond who replied, "I hope to be able to point out to you
presently some exhibits worthy of your attention," he said.

"Oh, yes; the battleship _Illinois_ for one, I suppose."

"Yes; she will come into sight presently and we will have an outside view
of her. Some day I hope to take all of you who may desire to go on board
to have a look at her internal arrangements."

"You may put my name into that list, captain," said Mr. Lilburn. "I'm a
bit too auld to take part in a fight, even in a righteous cause, but not
for taking an interest in the means provided for ither folk."

"And I want to see it, too, though I hardly expect to ever make one of the
crew of such a vessel," said Walter.

"And we girls will want to visit her also," laughed Rosie, "though I am
very sure no one of us will ever form part of such a crew."

"Well, as my father has and my brother expects to, I shall be very much
interested," said Grace.

"Especially as we shall have a retired officer to explain everything to
us," added Lulu with a smiling look up into her father's face.

He returned the smile, then pointing southward, "Yonder it is," he said,
"still too distant for a critical survey, but a better view will be
afforded us presently, as we pass it."

As he spoke all eyes turned in that direction.