Part 64 (1/2)

”Mr Vandean,” he said, ”I thank you--we all thank you for what you have done I name you, of course, in my despatch, but it is folly to talk to you of proo on in the course you have followed since you joined my shi+p I tell you, sir, that it is such lads as you who have made the words British Boy admired--I may say honoured--wherever our country's name is known

Mark Vandean, I am proud of you, and some day I feel that your country will be as proud--proud as we all are--proud as the father and allant son God bless you, my boy! A British captain should be like a father to the lads whom he commands Heaven knows I feel so toward you”

He stopped, with his hand on Mark's shoulder, and the first lieutenant stepped forward, cap in hand, to wave it wildly

”Now, my lads,” he shouted, ”for Lieutenant Russell and Mr Vandean: cheer!”

They did

”One more for our captain!”

The voices rang out again and again, and yet again And made the water ripple round the shi+p, Bob Howlett afterwards declared But five minutes after, when he was doith Mark in thesat hot and quivering in every nerve, Bob uttered a contemptuous snort

”Oh!” he cried, ”what a jolly shame!”

Mark stared

”You do get all the crumb, old chap All that fuss over a felloith a head of hair like yours!”

Then, as he saw the pained look in his messulped out,--

”Only ammon, old chap I'm as proud of you as any of 'eals”