e is going to run in for her passengers, as we have done,"
I replied.

"She don't seem to be headed for the wharf, but down the river," added
the mate.

I went on board, and then to the hurricane deck, where I could obtain a
good view of her. I was confident that her passengers had not gone on
board of her, for we had seen nothing but a boat with two persons in it
go alongside the Islander. The party consisted of four persons, and two
of them were ladies. They could not have gone on board of her without
our seeing them.

"It don't look as though she was running in to a wharf," said Washburn,
joining me on the hurricane deck.

"Very likely she is taking a little run down the river so that her new
captain can see how she works," I added, without a suspicion that
anything was wrong about our twin sister. "It isn't seven yet, and she
is taking a little turn before she goes up to the wharf."

"Of course it is all right," replied Washburn. "Her captain is as salt
as a barrel of brine, and knows all about steamers."

We waited fifteen minutes longer, till I heard a clock strike seven,
but the Islander continued on her course down the river. I knew she had
been ordered to be ready to sail at seven, and I did not suppose
Captain Blastblow would willingly fail to be on time. While I was
watching the movements of our consort, the baggage of our party arrived
at the end of the wharf, and, a few minutes later, a carriage came
bringing our passengers.

I had no more time to study the affairs of the Islander. My father, Mr.
Tiffany and Miss Margie were in the carriage, and I was permitted to
help the young lady out, and escort her to the deck. I was a little
afraid of my father calling me a "spoon," and I was careful not to
overdo myself in politeness.

"How long before you sail, Captain Alick?" asked my fair companion.

"Immediately," I replied. "The Islander has already gone, but I think
she must return."

"May I go into the pilot-house, captain?"

"Certainly; I shall be delighted to have you there."

"How much I shall miss Edith!" exclaimed Miss Margie, as I gave her the
best seat in the pilot-house. "I think it is a great pity that we could
not all go together in the same steamer."

"I should have been very glad to have the Shepards on board," I
replied. "I suppose Colonel Shepard prefers to sail in his own yacht,
as I think I should if I were in his place. But we shall be within hail
of each other most of the tim