“So much that we would help him if we could,” answered Henry.

“You can help him.”

A deep silence ensued.

“Have you the nerve to make a great sacrifice, Butterflies?” exclaimed Tony with energy.

“We have.”

“I move you, Mr. Chairman, that our four hundred dollars be applied to the relief of Little Paul’s father,” said Henry Brown, catching Tony’s idea.

“Second the motion,” added Dick Chester, promptly.

“Bravo!” shouted Tony, slapping the table with his fist.  “That’s what I call noble!  But before we do it, just think what a fine thing the fleet would be.  It is a great sacrifice.”

“Question!” called Joseph Hooper.

“Think well, fellows,” said Tony.  “Any remarks upon the subject will be in order.  It is a great question, and ought not to be hastily decided.”

“Question!” shouted the whole club, wildly.

“Those in favor of applying the four hundred dollars to the relief of Mr. Munroe will signify it,” said Tony.

“All up!”

“It is a unanimous vote!”

CHAPTER XI.

BETTER TO GIVE THAN RECEIVE.

“All aboard!” shouted Tony, as soon as he had declared the vote:  and the boys hurried into the boat to be in readiness to join the Zephyr, which was already upon the lake.

Tony’s spirits were unusually buoyant.  The sympathy and co-operation of the club in regard to Little Paul’s father was in the highest degree grateful to his feelings.  Perhaps his companions did not so cheerfully resign the project of the fleet; perhaps they had acted upon the impulse of the moment; but they were all to experience the benefit of doing a good deed, and sacrificing their own gratification for the happiness of others.  Tony felt better for the sacrifice they had made, and probably the rest of them shared his feelings.  He was satisfied that they did not fully realize what they had done, and with the determination to take a fit opportunity to talk over the matter with them, he took his place in the boat.

The Zephyrs were laying on their oars, waiting for the Butterfly when she backed out of the boat house.

“You are late, Tony, which is rather odd for you,” said Frank.

“We had a little business to attend to, which detained us,” replied Tony; “and while we are here we may as well tell you about it.  We have voted our money away.”

“For the fleet?”

“No; we have given that up.”

“Indeed!  Given it up?” exclaimed Frank, not a little surprised at this declaration.

“Fact, Frank!”

“Something new has turned up, then?”

“Let us lash boats to keep us from drifting apart, and I will tell you all about it.”

The two boats were fastened together fore and aft, and Tony proceeded to tell the story of Little Paul’s father.  He spoke loud enough for all the Zephyrs to hear him, and as his heart warmed towards Mr. Munroe in his misfortunes, his eyes dilated, and his gestures were as apt and energetic as though he had been an orator all his lifetime.