"Oh, yes!" exclaimed both the little ones; "and his letter to General Harrison--'We have met the enemy and they are ours.' And you'll tell us about the land fights, won't you, papa?"
"Yes," he said; "one of these days; probably while we are in Ohio."
"Are we going right on now to the islands in Lake Erie, papa?" asked Grace.
"Unless some one or more of us should desire to stop by the way," returned the captain pleasantly.
"Perhaps it would be more restful to pass a night at Pittsburg or Cincinnati," suggested Grandma Elsie; and that was what was decided upon, after a little discussion of the question.
They rested in Cleveland for another night; then, on a bright morning, passed over to the islands in a steamer. A pleasant surprise awaited them on landing; their cousin Ronald Lilburn was there with his wife Annis and her grandnephew, Percy Landreth. The last-named was one whom Captain Raymond would have preferred not to have in the company,--but merely on Lucilla's account,--and he greeted him with cordial kindness.
"We have given you a surprise, haven't we?" asked Mrs. Lilburn of her cousin Elsie.
"Yes; a most pleasant one," replied Mrs. Travilla. "I can truly say I think your presence here will double our enjoyment. How long since you arrived?"
"Only about twenty-four hours. We came straight from home, where we left all your dear ones well."
"Ah, that is good news! It is a new thing for me to be so far away from my dear father; and he is growing old; so I have been feeling a little anxious about him."
"He evidently misses you, but is glad that you are enjoying yourself," said Annis.
"Yes! so unselfish as he is--my dear father! Ah, how lovely it is here!" glancing about as she spoke. "No doubt we can pass some days or weeks here very delightfully."
"I am quite sure of it, mother," said the captain, who had overheard the remark, made as they all were on their way from the landing to the hotel. "We will have the yacht here in a day or two, I think; and it will afford us some pleasant trips here and there on the lake."
"And carry us to some historical scenes, won't it, papa?" asked Grace in a tone of satisfaction.
"Yes," he replied; "and we will live on it, unless the majority of our company should prefer the hotel."