“I see what you have done with your money,” said Frank, as the speaker paused at the close of the narrative.  “It was like you, Tony—­noble and generous!”

“We gave all our money for the relief of Mr. Munroe; but I didn’t even suggest the thing to the fellows.  Henry Brown made the motion, and it was a unanimous vote.”

“Bravo, Butterflies!”

“Have you given up the fleet?” asked Tim Bunker, whose face was the only one which did not glow with satisfaction.

“Yes.”

“There is more fun in helping a poor man out of trouble than in working a fleet,” added Henry Brown.

“So I say,” put in Dick Chester.

“Humph!” grunted Tim.

“But, Tony, you said the note was five hundred dollars—­didn’t you?” asked Frank.

“I did.”

“And you have only four hundred?”

“That’s all;” and Tony’s eyes rekindled with delight at the anticipation of what the Zephyrs would do.

“You hear that, fellows.”

“Would a motion be in order now?” asked Charles Hardy.

“Hold your tongue, you fool!” said Tim Bunker, in a low tone.  “We can get another boat with our money, and you shall be coxswain of it.”

Charles looked at him.

“A motion would be in order; at least we can make it in order,” replied Frank.

But Charles hesitated.  The tempting offer of Tim, the absurdity of which he did not stop to consider, conquered his first impulse.

“I move you we appropriate one hundred dollars to put with the Butterfly’s money for Mr. Munroe,” said William Blight, and Charles had lost the honor of making the motion.

“Second the motion,” added Fred Harper.

Those in favor of giving our money to Mr. Munroe will signify it.”

“Vote against it,” said Tim, and Charles accepted the suggestion.

“Ten; it is a vote, though not unanimous,” continued Frank, as he cast a reproachful glance at his friend who had voted against the proposition.

He was not surprised to see Tim Bunker vote against it; but that Charles should receive the advice of such a counselor, and such advice, too, was calculated to alarm him.  His friend had but little firmness, and was perhaps more likely to be led away by bad influence than any other member of the club.  He was sorry to see Tim exhibiting his dogged disposition, but more sorry to see Charles so much under his control.

“Hurrah!” shouted Tony, when the vote was declared.  “Let us send up to Mr. Munroe, and tell him what we have done, and get little Paul.  They won’t want him now.”

“But, Tony, you forget that our doings must be approved by our directors,” said Frank.

“I’ll risk them.”

“It would be better to have everything right before we promise Mr. Munroe.”

“So it would.  Is your father at home?”

“I believe so.”

“George is, and it won’t take five minutes to obtain his consent.  Let go the fasts forward,” said Tony, as he cast off the line astern.