ntime, young man, you take leave of your captain,
pack up your traps and join us. You must go with me and make Hurricane
Hall your home until you go to West Point."

"Oh, what a capital old governor our uncle is!" exclaimed Cap, jumping
up and clapping her hands.

"Sir, indeed you overwhelm me with this most unexpected kindness! I do
not know as yet how much of it I ought to accept. But accident will make
me, whether or no, your traveling companion for a great part of the way,
as I also start for Virginia to-morrow, to visit dear friends there,
whose house was always my mother's home and mine, and who, since my
bereavement, have been to me like a dear mother and brother. I have not
seen them for years, and before I go anywhere else, even to your kind
roof, I must go there," said Herbert, gravely.

"And who are those dear friends of yours, Hebert, and where do they
live? If I can serve them they shall be rewarded for their kindness unto
you, my boy."

"Oh, sir, yes; you can indeed serve them. They are a poor widow and her
only son. She has seen better days, but now takes in sewing to support
herself and boy. When my mother was living, during the last years of her
life, when she also was a poor widow with an only son, they joined their
slender means and took a house and lived together. When my mother died,
leaving me a boy of ten years old, this poor woman still sheltered and
worked for me as for her own son until, ashamed of being a burden to
her, I ran away and went to sea."

"Noble, woman! I will make her fortune!" exclaimed Old Hurricane,
jumping up and walking up and down the floor.

"Oh, do, sir! Oh, do, dear uncle! I don't wish you to expend either
money or influence upon my fortunes; but, oh, do educate Traverse! He is
such a gifted lad--so intellectual! Even his Sunday-school teacher says
that he is sure to work his way to distinction, although now he is
altogether dependent on his Sunday-school for his learning. Oh, sir, if
you would only educate the son he'd make a fortune for his mother."

"Generous boy, to plead for your friends rather than for yourself. But I
am strong enough, thank God, to help you all. You shall go to West
Point. Your friend shall go to school and then to college," said Old
Hurricane, with a burst of honest enthusiasm.

"And where shall I go, sir?" inquired Cap.

"To the insane asylum, you imp!" exclaimed the old man; then, turning to
Herbert, he continued: "Yes, lad; I will do a