e
assured Flora that she could have the very best accommodations, as he
would resign the state-cabin to her and the child. Mr. Lyndsay could
occupy the mate's berth in the cabin, and they could not fail of being
quite snug and comfortable.

The state-cabin was just big enough to hold the captain's chest of
drawers, the top of which, boarded, and draped with the same faded red
stuff which decorated the outer room, formed the berth that Flora was to
occupy. Small as the place was, it was scrupulously neat and clean, and
possessed for Flora one great charm--that of privacy. She could, by
shutting the door and drawing the bolt, at any time enjoy the luxury of
finding herself, though in a crowded vessel, alone.

"Mamma Flora, are you not charmed with the splendid accommodations of
your fancy ship?" whispered the mischievous Jim. "There is not room for
a flea to hop, without giving him the cramp in his legs."

"It is better than the _Flora_; so hold your tongue, you wicked imp."

But Lyndsay thought otherwise. The _Flora_ was larger, and was to sail a
fortnight earlier. He demurred--his wife coaxed and entreated; but he
only went so far as to tell the captain to keep the berths unoccupied
until the following day, and he would inform him of his final
determination.

Just as they were rising to take leave, a tall, lanky man, stuck his
long scraggy neck in at the cabin-door, and, in the broadest Scotch
vernacular, exclaimed,--

"To what port are ye bound, man?"

"Quebec and Montreal."

"Wull you tak' a cabin-passenger on reasonable terms?"

"The fare is fixed by the owner of the vessel, P. Gregg, Bank-street,
Leith. You had better apply to him."

"Weel, I dinna' think I'll jest go noo. I want to see the Canada lochs.
Ane o' these days I'll tak' passage wi' you onyhow."

"Perhaps a glass of brandy and water would serve your purpose at this
time," said the captain, with a knowing smile.

"I've noo objections, captain," said the long-visaged traveller to the
lochs o' Canada.

"That's one way of getting a glass of brandy for nothing," said the
captain, as he accompanied the Lyndsays to the deck. "That fellow has as
much notion of going to Canada, as I have of taking a voyage to the
moon. But he knows that I will give him the brandy to get rid of him."

"What do you think of the _Anne_ and her captain, John?" said Flora, as
she took the proffered arm of her husband. "He is a rough sailor, but
looks like an honest ma