In the Eastern Seas | Page 5

spared."
"Oh yes, yes! I know," answered the boy, hiding his face in his hands.

It was some hours before Emily could understand that her father could
never again speak to her or caress her. Her brother's anxiety to console
her probably prevented him from so poignantly feeling his own loss.
The captain and all on board treated the young orphans with the
greatest kindness and consideration. The following day their father's
body was committed to its ocean grave; and Walter and Emily felt that
for the future they must be all in all to each other.
"Yes," thought Walter, as he gazed at his sister's fair and gentle
countenance, "I will watch over her--and die for her, if needs be--to
protect her from harm."
CHAPTER TWO.
THE HISTORY OF WALTER AND EMILY.
The captain and those on board were naturally anxious to know
something about the young orphans, and how it happened that they and
their father had been left alone on board the sinking ship.
"The people would not take poor papa in the boat, and we would not
leave him," said Emily, when the captain first spoke on the subject.
"I should think not," said Walter. "It was very, very sad to have poor
papa so ill, and no one to help him except us. The poor captain and the
first officer had been washed overboard; and the surgeon was killed by
the falling of the masts, when papa was hurt at the same time. He was
ill, though, when we sailed; but he thought the change, and the warm
climate of the country we were going to, would restore him to health.
We had good reason, however, to be thankful we did not go in the boats;
for scarcely had they left the ship, as I was watching them from the
companion-hatch, than I saw the sea break over one of them, and down
she went, the unfortunate people in her struggling for a few instants
before they all sank. I was in hopes that the other, which was larger,
might escape; but she had got to no great distance when it seemed to
me that she went right into a curling sea. Whether she went through it
and rose again I could not discover, for I saw no more of her. It was

very dreadful; but I had to hurry back to papa, for I heard Emily calling
me. I did not tell him what had happened, for I thought it would make
him even, more sad than he was."
The boy, overcome with his feelings, could with difficulty speak, and
was for some minutes silent. He then continued:--
"The ship was the Mountaineer. We had been three weeks at sea, and
had had frequent calms, when we met with the fearful gale from which
she suffered so much. Papa was going out as British Consul to --, in the
Brazils; and as mamma died a year ago, and he had no one to leave us
with, he determined, to our great joy, that we should accompany him.
Emily had been at school; but when mamma was ill she came home to
stay with her, and after that papa could not hear the thoughts of again
parting with her. I had been at Winchester School, and had intended
going into the army; but papa lost his fortune soon after mamma's death,
and told me that I must give up all thoughts of that, as he could not
purchase my commission, and I could not be in the army without
money. The loss of his property tried him very much. He had to take
me away from school; and he used to say he was afraid we should all
die of starvation. However, when he got the appointment he was in
better spirits, and Emily and I hoped we should see him once more like
himself."
"But have you no relations or friends, young gentleman?" asked the
captain, in a kind tone.
"I do not know about friends," answered Walter; "but I have some
relations. Unfortunately, however, my father was not on good terms
with them. His elder brother--my uncle--had quarrelled with him. Why,
I do not know. But when, before we were leaving England, papa
desired to be reconciled to him, he refused; and I know, from what I
have heard, that he would on no account have anything to say to Emily
or me."
"But had your mother no relations?" asked Captain Davenport.
"Not many. She had, I know, a brother, and I think I recollect him when

I was a little boy; but he left England many years ago, and I know has
not for a long time been heard of. Papa, besides his brother, had some
cousins. One, I know, is Lord Heatherly; but I