Part 10 (2/2)

”I went to save life, father,” replied Frank, almost choked by his emotions, a flood of tears springing in his eyes and well-nigh blinding him.

”To save life!” said Captain Sedley, touched by the reply, and far more by Frank's emotion.

He saw that he had spoken too quick--that his son had not pa.s.sed the rocks without a good and sufficient reason.

”Yes, sir,” replied Frank, struggling to master his feelings; and then he related all that had occurred at the bridge; how Tony had saved the lady and gentleman, and the horse; and how his crew had pulled the chaise ash.o.r.e.

”You did right, Frank; forgive my hasty words,” said Captain Sedley, with deep feeling.

”Good, my hearty!” exclaimed Uncle Ben, clapping his hands.

A heavy load had been removed from the mind of the veteran, who had almost come to believe that Frank _could_ do no wrong.

”Tony's a hero; and s.h.i.+ver my timbers, if he oughtn't to be president of the United States, when he's old enough,” exclaimed Uncle Ben.

”He is a brave fellow. You have done well, both of you. However strict our orders are, no person should be a machine. Orders should be obeyed with judgment,” continued Captain Sedley.

”That's a fact. I could tell a yarn about that,” added Uncle Ben. ”When I was in the old Varsayles, bound round the Horn--”

”Another time we will hear your yarn, Ben,” interposed Captain Sedley.

”We will go over and see Tony now, and congratulate him on the honors the b.u.t.terfly has won. Haul in the gib sheet, Ben.”

”Ready--pull!” said Frank.

”Who protested now, Master Charles Hardy?” asked Little Paul, as he good-naturedly punched the forward youth in the ribs.

”Circ.u.mstances alter cases,” replied Charles, sagely, as he bent on his oar.

”Fact! but they altered them when the deed was done, not now, when you have found out that it was all right.”

CHAPTER VII.

COMMODORE FRANK SEDLEY.

For a few days all Rippleton rang with the praises of Tony and his companions. All the particulars of the affair at the bridge had been given in the Rippleton Mercury, and the editor was profuse in his commendations of the skill and courage of the b.u.t.terfly Boat Club; and he did not withhold from the Zephyr the credit which was justly due.

Tony was a hero, and his fame extended for many miles around.

Mr. Walker and his lady, who had been rescued from the river, visited Captain Sedley and the Weston family the next day. I need not tell my young readers how earnest he was in the expression of his admiration and grat.i.tude. He was a wealthy merchant, and resided in a neighboring town.

Being as warm-hearted and generous as he was just and discriminating, it was quite natural that he should give his feelings expression in some substantial token of his grat.i.tude.

Before he left Rippleton, a check for five hundred dollars was placed in the hands of George Weston, with directions to give four hundred of it to the b.u.t.terfly, and one hundred to the Zephyr. In the division of the b.u.t.terfly's share, Mr. Walker desired that one hundred dollars should be given to Tony, and twenty-five dollars apiece to the crew; consenting, however, to let the whole sum be common property if the club desired.

This liberality was certainly munificent, princely; but Mr. Walker's wealth was quite sufficient to enable him to gratify his generous impulses. Tony said he felt a little ”ticklish” about taking it, at first; but George a.s.sured him that Mr. Walker would feel hurt if he did not, and he concluded to accept it.

”But what shall we do with it, George?” asked the young hero, who was not a little embarra.s.sed by the possession of so much money.

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