too much for you. Do you go at once and try to
get some rest."

"I shall see that she obeys, mother," the captain said, in a tenderly
sportive tone, taking Elsie's hand and lifting it to his lips.

"I think I may trust you," she returned, with a faint smile. "You were
with Bob; how is he now?"

"Doing as well as possible under the circumstances; as is Betty also;
you need trouble your kind heart with no fear or care for them."

It had been a terrible night to all the family--the children the only
ones who had taken any rest or sleep--and days of nursing followed
before the three who had so narrowly escaped death were restored to
their wonted health and strength.

Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore and Elsie devoted themselves to that work, and
were often assisted in it by Zoe, Edward, and Herbert.

Harold was quite a hero with these last and with Max and Lulu; in fact,
with all who knew or heard of his brave deed, though he modestly
disclaimed any right to the praises heaped upon him, asserting that he
had done no more than any one with common courage and humanity would
have done in his place.

Bob and Betty were heartily ashamed of their escapade, and much sobered
at the thought of their narrow escape from sudden death. Both dreaded
the severe reproof they had reason to expect from their uncle, but he
was very forbearing, and thinking the fright and suffering entailed by
their folly sufficient to deter them from a repetition of it, kindly
refrained from lecturing them on the subject, though, when a suitable
opportunity offered, he did talk seriously and tenderly, with now one
and now the other, on the guilt and danger of putting off repentance
toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, reminding them that
they had had a very solemn warning of the shortness and uncertainty of
life, and asking them to consider the question whether they were ready
for a sudden call into the immediate presence of their Judge.

"Really now, uncle," remarked Bob on one of these occasions, "there are
worse fellows in the world than I am--much worse."

"I am willing to admit that, my boy," returned Mr. Dinsmore; "but many
of those fellows have not enjoyed the privileges and teachings that you
have, and responsibility is largely in proportion to one's light and
opportunities.

"Jesus said, 'That servant, who knew his Lord's will, and prepared not
himself, neither did according to His will, shall be beaten with many
stripes. But he that