The Young Emigrants; Madelaine Tube; the Boy and the Book; and Crystal Palace | Page 4

in which
they were then sailing; it was of a beautiful blue, instead of the dark,
almost black hue it had hitherto appeared: immense quantities of
sea-weed were also floating in it. Mr. James informed her that this
water was called the Gulf Stream; a great current flowing from the Gulf
of Mexico northwards along the coast of America. "In the sea-weed,"
added he, "are many kinds of animals and insects; I will try what I can
find for Georgy." So saying, he seized a boat-hook, and soon succeeded
in hauling up a great piece, from which he picked a crab not much
bigger than a good-sized spider. Georgy nursed it very tenderly until he
went to bed, and, even then, could with difficulty be persuaded to part
with it till morning.
A few days after this, a cry of "Land!" was heard from the mast-head,
and when just before tea the Lee family came on deck it was to watch
the sun set amid clouds of purple and gold, behind the still distant but
distinctly seen shores of the land which was to be their future home. By
the same hour on the following day, the good ship Columbia had borne
them safely across the deep, and was anchored in the beautiful bay of
New York.
CHAPTER II.
THE NEW WORLD.
Mr. Lee was a religious, kind-hearted, sensible man, and his wife as

truly estimable as himself. They both loved their children dearly, and
were unceasing in their efforts to secure their happiness and prosperity.
Still it is possible they would never have thought of seeking fortune in
the wild back-woods of the United States, had it not been for the
repeated entreaties of Mrs. Lee's only brother, John Gale, an
industrious, enterprising young man, who had gone there some four
years before this tale commences. John soon perceived that all his
brother-in-law's exertions in England would never enable him to
provide as well for his children, nor for the old age of himself and wife,
as he could in America. Privations at the outset, and very hard work,
would have, it is true, to be endured; but John believed him and his
wife to be endowed with courage and patience to sustain any trial. He
therefore spared no pains to prevail on them to cross the Atlantic, and
settle on some small farm in one of the western States. He promised his
help until they felt able to do without him, if they would only come.
After some hesitation and deliberation, Mr. Lee determined to follow
John's advice. He therefore gave up his situation as foreman in a large
furniture manufactory in London, sold off all his household goods, and
only adding somewhat to the family stock of clothes, which are cheaper
in England than any where else, he left his native country for the
strangers' land, with but a hundred pounds in his pocket; but with a
stout heart, a willing hand, and a firm reliance on the never-failing
protection of Divine Providence.
John Gale had made the purchase of two eighty-acre lots for them
before they sailed, and was to meet them at the town nearest to their
destination. They made as short a stay, consequently, as possible, in
New York; and by railways, canal-boat, and steamer, in about a week
arrived at the beautiful city of Cincinnati. As the vessel neared the
wharf, they were gladdened by the sight of a well-known face, which
smiled a heartfelt welcome on them from among the busy crowd which
awaited the landing of the passengers.
"Hurrah!" cried Uncle John, for the face belonged to him, waving his
hat, and quite red with the excitement, and pushing his way; "Hurrah!
here you are! Hurrah!"

Then jumping on board, even before the vessel was safely moored, he
caught his sister in his arms, kissing her most heartily; and when he at
last released her, it was to shake Mr. Lee's hand as if he meant it to
come off.
"And where are the children?" cried he. "This Tom! how he is grown!
Give me your hand, my boy! Here is quiet little Annie, I'm sure. Kiss
me, dear! Ah! Master Georgy, that's you, I know, though you did wear
petticoats when I last saw you! Is that the young one? Don't look so
cross, sir! But come along. Where's your baggage? This way,
sister--this way. I'm so glad to see you all again!"
* * * * *
"Uncle John," said Tom, as he and George were walking with their
uncle the day after their arrival, "I never saw so many pigs running
about a town before. I wonder the people let them wallow in the streets
so! Just look at those dirty creatures there."
"Don't insult our free-born, independent swine," cried