"I don't think we shall let those young rascals escape without a sharp reprimand, and if I was to venture a guess about it, I should say that little Jack, after all, managed to help you, Floretta," he said.
She turned in surprise to look at the old face, that now looked so kindly at her.
"Come out here, Jack," said the old gentleman, "didn't you write the note that sent us searching for this little girl?"
"Yes, sir," said Jack, "and I wrote it 'cause I thought the other big fellows were mean, but if they find out I told, they'll—"
"No, they won't," said Mr. Cunningham. "You're no 'tell-tale.' You did just right, and the men here will stand by you. Those big boys were the cowards to torment a little girl. You're the best boy up here in the mountains."
"Three cheers for young Tiverton!" shouted some one, and in the midst of the excitement, Mrs. Paxton, with her little daughter, slipped away to their room, after having thanked little Jack for his valuable assistance.
Meanwhile old Mr. Cunningham had been searching in this pocket and that for something which he seemed most anxious to find.
"Ah, I knew I had it! Come here, Jack!"
Blushing and diffident, Jack walked over to the big rocker.
"'Tisn't much, boy, but I think you ought to have a medal. Here's a silver dollar I've been keeping for a pocket piece. I'll give it to you for a medal, for being brave enough to tell what you knew ought to be told. That's not tale-bearing, and as you were afraid to tell, for fear of those big bullies, it was a brave act. You're a lad that knows what to do, when to do, and then does it!"