Charles Hardy was then called aside by Captain Sedley, who kindly pointed out to him the danger he incurred in associating with such a boy as Tim.

“I would not have kept company with him if he had not been a member of the club,” replied Charles.

“He was admitted to the club on the supposition that he intended to be a better boy.”

“I was opposed to admitting him,” answered Charles, rather sulkily.

“I was very willing the boy should have a fair chance to reform; but when it became apparent that he did not mean to do better, I could no longer permit him to endanger the moral welfare of the club.  We have been satisfied for some time; and most of the boys, after giving him a fair trial, avoided him as much as possible when they saw what he meant.  But you have been growing more and more intimate with him every day.  Why, it was only last night that he was seen with some twenty or thirty of his old companions.  They seemed to be in consultation about something.  Perhaps you were with them.”

“No, sir; I was not.”

“I am glad you were not.  I caution you to avoid them.”

“I will, sir,” replied Charles, meekly; and he meant what he said.

“I am glad to hear you say so:  I was afraid you had known too much of Tim Bunker,” said the director, as he walked towards his house.

Charles entered the hall, and took his seat.

“Those in favor of admitting Samuel Preston to the club will signify it,” said William, as soon as he was in his place.

Eleven hands were raised, and the new member, who stood by the window waiting the result, was declared to be admitted.  The constitution was then read to him, and he signed it; after which the club embarked for an excursion up to the strait, where they had agreed to meet the Butterfly.

The particular object of this visit was to erect a lighthouse on Curtis Island, a small, rocky place, separated from the main shore by “Calrow Strait,” which the readers of “The Boat Club” will remember.  The navigation of this portion of the lake was considered very difficult, especially through the narrow passage, and it was thought to be absolutely necessary to have a lighthouse, mauger the fact that the boats always sailed by day.  But as neither craft was insured, it was necessary to use extraordinary precautions!

A working party of half a dozen was detailed from each boat, consisting of the stoutest boys, who were landed upon the island.  Materials were immediately gathered and the foundation laid.  The structure was to be a simple round tower, as high as the patience of the workmen would permit them to build it.

In a short time all the rocks on the island had been used up, and the lighthouse was only two feet high; but this contingency had been anticipated, and provisions made for supplying more stone.  A large rock was attached to the long painter of the Butterfly, and she was moored at a safe distance from the island, while her remaining crew were transferred to the Zephyr.