living-room, he strove
to banish that frightened look by gentle words and reassuring promises.

"But where is my Uncle Aleck? And where are Mr. Brackett and Winn? I
can't find them anywhere. Solon said they were in the pilot-house."

"They are on the raft, and we are going to find them," was the answer.

"Oh, I'm so glad they've got the raft again! And I'm glad you gave it
back to them, too. Now, Winn can't say you are a bad man any longer.
But you've only borrowed the _Whatnot_ for a little while, haven't you?"

"Yes, only for a little while."

"I don't think those others are very nice-looking men, and I was
awfully afraid until I saw you. Then I knew it must be all right."

"It is all right, little one, and there is nothing for you to be afraid
of. No harm shall come to you so long as I am here, and I promise to
see you safe with your friends again before leaving you. You see, I am
making believe that you are my own little girl, and I want you to feel
just as safe and happy as she would if she were here in your place."

"Of course I feel safe now," answered Sabella, promptly. "I have, ever
since I found out it was you who had borrowed the _Whatnot_. For a
minute, though, I was afraid those disagreeable--" Here the child
hesitated. She did not want to hurt her new friend's feelings. "I
mean," she added, hastily, "that those other gentlemen had stolen it.
And I will make believe I am your own little girl, for I haven't any
papa, and only one uncle in the world. I wish you would tell me your
name, though. I don't think I ever knew any one so well before without
knowing his name."

The man hesitated, and looked curiously at the sweet face upturned to
his. Then, as though arrived at a sudden conclusion, he said,

"My name is Gresham, William Gresham, but my little girl calls me 'Papa
Billy.'"

"Then we'll make a bargain!" exclaimed Sabella, joyfully. "That's the
very name of Winn's uncle; and if I make believe you are my uncle, I
shall have an Uncle Billy as well as he. I think that's better, too,
because you know a girl couldn't have but one own papa, but she might
have a hundred uncles if she wanted. So we'll make that a bargain, and
I'll give you a kiss if you like, because Uncle Aleck says that's
always the other part of a bargain."

With the kiss of the innocent child warm on his lips, William Gresham
returned to the upper deck. His heart was very tender at that moment,
and though he di