"Safe in the cabin," nodded the good-natured man.

Estralla slipped behind a pile of boxes, and watched for a chance to get
on board the vessel without being seen. She had heard many tales, told
by the older colored people, of little children, yes, and grown people,
too, who had been enticed on board vessels in far-off African ports, and
carried off to be sold into slavery. Estralla remembered that all those
people in the stories were black; but who could tell but what there was
some place in the world where white people were sold? Anyway, she
resolved that wherever Missy Sylvia went she would go with her.

In a few moments she saw a chance to run over the gangplank. She went
straight toward the cabin door and peered in. Yes, there was Missy
Sylvia on the broad cushioned seat under the window. Very softly
Estralla tiptoed across the cabin. Just as she was about to speak
Sylvia's name the sound of approaching footsteps startled her, and, sure
that she would be sent on shore by whoever might discover her, she
looked about for a hiding-place, and the next instant she was curled up
under the very seat on which Sylvia was asleep.

It was not long before Estralla followed her missy's example. But she
was wide awake when Captain Carleton came into the cabin.

As soon as he returned to the deck Estralla crawled out from her hiding-
place and looked about her.

"Wake up, Missy," she whispered leaning over Sylvia; and Sylvia sat up
quickly, with a little cry of astonishment.