nights on the voyage. Eva
used to come close and look at him, when he sat thinking of Chloe and
the children. The little one was shy, notwithstanding all her busy
interest in everything going on, and it was not easy to tame her. But at
last Tom and she got on quite confidential terms.

"What's little missy's name?" said Tom at last, when he thought matters
were ripe to push such an inquiry.

"Evangeline St. Clair," said the little one, "though papa and everybody
else call me Eva. Now, what's your name?"

"My name's Tom; the little children used to call me Uncle Tom, away back
thar in Kentucky."

"Then, I mean to call you Uncle Tom, because, you see, I like you," said
Eva. "So, Uncle Tom, where are you going?"

"I don't know, Miss Eva."

"Don't know?" said Eva.

"No. I am going to be sold to somebody. I don't know who."

"My papa can buy you," said Eva, quickly; "and if he buys you, you will
have good times. I mean to ask him to, this very day."

"Thank you, my little lady," said Tom.

The boat here stopped at a small landing to take in wood, and Eva,
hearing her father's voice, bounded nimbly away. Tom rose up, and went
forward to offer his service in wooding, and soon was busy among the
hands.

Eva and her father were standing together by the railings to see the
boat start from the landing-place; the wheel had made two or three
revolutions in the water, when, by some sudden movement, the little one
suddenly lost her balance, and fell sheer over the side of the boat,
into the water. Her father, scarce knowing what he did, was plunging in
after her, but was held back by some behind him, who saw that more
efficient aid had followed his child.

Tom was standing just under her on the lower deck as she fell. He saw
her strike the water and sink, and was after her in a moment. A
broad-chested, strong-armed fellow, it was nothing for him to keep
afloat in the water, till, in a moment or two, the child rose to the
surface, and he caught her in his arms, and, swimming with her to the
boat-side, handed her up, all dripping, to the grasp of hundreds of
hands, which, as if they had all belonged to one man, were stretched
eagerly out to receive her. A few moments more, and her father bore her,
dripping and senseless, to the ladies' cabin, where she soon recovered.

Her father was much rejoiced, and Eva took such a liking for Tom, that
she would not rest till the rich Mr. St. Clair had bought him from the
trader; an