“And a noble fellow he is, too.  He will be a great man one of these days.  It did my heart good to see how cool and collected he was; how skilfully he managed the boat, when it came down upon us like a race horse.  He gave off his orders like a hero, and they were obeyed with a promptness and precision that would have been creditable to the crew of a man-of-war, after a three years’ cruise.  And then, when he ordered six of the boys to stay in the boat, and the rest to follow him into the water, it was really heroic.  Over he went, with his crew after him, as though they had been so many ducks.  And in the water, they worked with as much coolness and courage as though it had been their native element.  I would give half my fortune to be the father of such a son.”

“I would give all of mine,” added Farmer Leeds.  “You don’t know half his worth yet.  But there is nothing for us to do here; the men shall haul your chaise up to the house, and as we walk along I will tell you about Tony.”

“Master Sedley, I shall see you again to-day or to-morrow.  Tell Tony how highly I value his noble service, and tell him I shall call upon him this evening,” said Mr. Walker, as he went away with Farmer Leeds.

“My father would be very happy to have you stop at his house while you remain in Rippleton,” continued Frank, who was not sure that the farmhouse would accommodate him.

“As to that,” interposed Farmer Leeds, “I can’t offer you so grand a house as Captain Sedley’s, but such as it is, you are welcome to it.”

“Thank you, Master Sedley, for your hospitable invitation; but I think I will remain with my good friend here.”  And he departed with the farmer.

“All aboard!” said Frank, and the boys tumbled into the boat, and grasped their oars.

The Zephyr pushed off, and her cheerful crew pulled merrily down the river.  Frank was conscious that the organization of the boat clubs had been the means of accomplishing the good work which the crew of the Butterfly had just achieved.  He was aware that some of the people in the vicinity had cherished strong objections to the clubs, and that Tony had had considerable difficulty in persuading the parents of his crew to allow their sons to join.  The adventure at the bridge, he thought, would have a tendency to reconcile them, and to elevate and dignify boating.  At any rate a good deed had been done, and the parents of those who had taken part in it could not but be proud of the laurels their sons had earned.

The Zephyr, under Frank’s skilful pilotage passed the rocks in safety, though, as they darted through the narrow channel, he could see their sharp edges only a little way below the surface of the clear water.

They had scarcely entered the open lake before they perceived the Sylph, under full sail with a smashing breeze, close aboard of them.

“Frank!” shouted Captain Sedley, who was at the helm, while Uncle Ben was gazing at them with a very sorrowful face from the half deck.