"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.
"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 wa............