The colonel, who had been steadfastly watching them as they came up the path, was a heavy, vigorous-looking man, broad-chested, and sun-burned, with a clear, piercing eye and a powerful voice. One of his feet was affected by chronic rheumatism, and thus being unable to walk, he spent all his waking time in his wheeled chair, in which he moved about the premises, sometimes turning the wheels himself, and sometimes being pushed by a servant.
At meal times he was wheeled to the head of the table; when business was to be attended to, he was rolled to the clerk’s desk, and wherever he was needed, there he and his chair were sure to be found.
He had been a pioneer and a soldier in his time, and had been noted for his great energy and high spirit.
These qualities, which had once made him conspicuous in border warfare, and had carried him through many dangers, both by land and sea, had now made him the master spirit of this little settlement on the Indian River. He had projected the settlement; owned the greater part of it; held its principal offices, and exercised a general power, which resembled that of an ancient baron over his feudal subjects.
“Well, Adam Guy,” said the colonel, extending his hand to the sailor, “where did you come from? and who have you brought with you? I don’t mean Sam Brewer. I know all I want to know about him.”
Adam then introduced the three boys, and proposed that Phil, whom he seemed to consider the best talker of the party, should tell how it happened that they were there.
Wooden chairs, which were abundant on the porch, were now drawn up, and Phil told the story of the adventures of himself and his companions from the time of the wreck of the tug-boat up to the present moment, leaving out, of course, many incidents, which, although interesting, were not necessary to be told.
The colonel listened, fixing his keen eyes on Phil all the time that he was telling his story.
“Well,” said he, “you’ve had a pretty rough time of it, but you’ve got to a safe port at last. I suppose you want to go on North as soon as you can, hey?”
“Oh, yes,” said Phil; “our friends must be very anxious about us, and we want to get to them as soon as possible.”