“I will not urge the acceptance of the purse, my brave boy, if you do not wish it, and I pledge you the appointment, and to-morrow morning we will call upon your mother, and tell her she must be content to give you up, as you will make a name she will be proud of.”
“I thank you, sir, and good-night, for I must go, as mother is not well, and my long stay will worry her.”
He bowed low, seeming not to see that all wished to shake hands with him, and left the cabin, General Peyton following, and calling out:
“Captain, lower away a boat, and land our young pilot.”
“Oh, sir, there’s no need of that, for I am all wet anyhow, and it’s a short swim ashore.” And before a hand could stay him the young pilot sprang upon the rail of the yacht and leaped head first into the dark waters of the little bay.
The startled cry of General Peyton at the youth’s bold act brought Commodore Lucien, the Secretary, and others upon the deck in some alarm.
“That fearless lad has leaped overboard and is swimming ashore, Mr. Secretary,” he explained.
“Ahoy! ahoy! my lad!” shouted Commodore Lucien.
“Ay, ay, sir!” came back in the clear voice of the young pilot.
“Hail us when you reach shore, so we may know that you are all right!” called the commodore.