But Mr. Welford spoke in a very different vein. Instead of urging the officers of the company to delay the payment of Phil’s portion of the salvage until the arrival of his uncle and guardian, he had advised a full and immediate payment of the money due, feeling sure that Phil would use it towards paying the interest on the mortgage. He did not know exactly how much would be necessary to stop the foreclosure proceedings, but hoped Phil’s share would be sufficient.
The gentlemen admitted that the boys’ services had been of great value. Had the Wistar floated on until the tide turned, she would have turned around with it, for her bow was more heavily loaded than her stern, and, in that case, the wind would have swept the flames over the whole vessel, and everything on board would have been consumed; or, if she had floated much longer, she would probably have burned sufficiently to have sunk in mid-channel. But the boys had prevented all that by bringing her into such an excellent moorage as Spatterdock Point.
When the two gentlemen talked to Phil in the parlor of Hyson Hall, they made him understand how thoroughly the company appreciated the brave efforts of himself and companions to save their property, and named the sum which was considered their due.
They then asked the full names of the three boys to whom the money should be paid. Chap hereupon protested that none of the money was due him, for he was not on the Wistar at all, and did not do anything to help get her ashore.
“That’s nonsense!” cried Phil. “If you hadn’t stayed on the row-boat we wouldn’t have gone on the steamboat.”
“But if the fire had burst out under you,” said Chap, “it wouldn’t have hurt me. At any rate, you’ve got to have my share, and Phœnix will give you his, too, for if you don’t have it all, this place will be sold, Wistar or no Wistar.”
“Phœnix will have something to say about that,” said Phil.
It was finally agreed that a cheque for the full amount should be made out to Mr. Welford’s order and sent to him, and he and the boys could arrange as to the proportion each should receive. Then the gentlemen left.
“If Phœnix don’t give you every copper of his share,” said Chap, “he’ll get a worse thrashing than he gave Emily.”
“Who’ll give it to him?” asked Phil.