“Are you the lad who saved a schooner from being wrecked in Hopeless Haven some months ago?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I am glad to know you, my lad, for you took desperate chances for your own life to save others from death. Ah, Mr. Clemmons, you are here, I suppose, to pay your son’s just debt to this brave youth, and to offer bail for your boy, who can congratulate himself upon his escaping so lightly,” and Judge Miller turned to a fine-looking old gentleman who had entered court, hearing his son had been arrested.
“I am here, your honor, to do what is right,” was the cold response of merchant Clemmons.
“He ought to have fifty dollars for the boat, for it was worth it,” said the sailor bluntly.
“No, my price was only fifteen dollars, and I would not take that from him were it not for my mother’s being ill,” said Mark Merrill.
The amount was paid by merchant Clemmons, and Mark Merrill hastened from the court room, accompanied by his newly-made friend, Jack Judson, sailor.
CHAPTER IV.
THE DWELLERS IN “SPOOK HALL.”
The youth, accompanied by Jack Judson, the sailor, walked hastily up the main street of the little town, until he came to a fine residence, before which hung a sign bearing the legend: