along the
beach, with the sparkling waves dashing at their feet, and the lake
spread out before them, vast, fluctuating, misty-gray, with here and
there a white crest tossing in the moon.

Singing snatches of songs with Vinnie, telling stories with the captain,
skipping pebbles on the lake,--ah, how happy Jack was! He was glad,
after all, that they had all come together, since there was now no
necessity of Vinnie's hastening back to the schooner, to prevent her
friends from sitting up for her.

"I've been in this port fifty times," said the captain, "but I've never
been down here before, neither has my wife; and I'm much obliged to you
for bringing us."

"I like the lake," said his wife, "but I like it best from shore."

"O, so do I!" said Vinnie, filled with the peace and beauty of the
night.

It was late when they returned to the schooner. There Jack took his
leave, bidding Vinnie hold herself in readiness to be taken off, with
her trunk, in a grocer's wagon early the next morning.

CHAPTER XI.

JACK'S NEW HOME.

In due time the wagon was driven to the wharf; and Vinnie, parting from
the captain and his wife with affectionate good-byes, rode out in the
freshness of the morning across the great plain stretching back from the
city.

The plain left behind, groves and streams and high prairies were passed;
all wearing a veil of romance to the eye of the young girl, which saw
everything by its own light of youth and hope.

But the roads were in places rough and full of ruts; the wagon was
pretty well loaded; and Vinnie was weary enough, when, late in the
afternoon, they approached the thriving new village of North Mills.

"Here we come to Lanman's nurseries," said Jack, as they passed a field
of rich dark soil, ruled with neat rows of very young shrubs and trees.
"Felton is interested in the business with him; and I work for them a
good deal when we've no surveying to do. They're hardly established yet;
but they're sure of a great success within a few years, for all this
immense country must have orchards and garden fruits, you know. Ah,
there's Lion!"

The dog came bounding to the front wheels, whining, barking, leaping
up, wagging his tail, and finally rolling over in the dirt, to show his
joy at seeing again his young master.

The Lanman cottage was close by; and there in the door was its young
mistress, who, warned by the dog of the wagon's approach, had come out
to see if Jack's horse was wi