Yes, and more. I feel as if you were bone of my bone, and blood of my blood. You are the only child I ever knew—the only one that ever called me father.
Tears trickled down Walter’s cheeks, and throwing his arms around Webb’s neck exclaimed:
Yes, father—more than a father, what I am, what I shall be, I owe to you. How can I leave you?
Captain Davis had been an interested spectator of the scene of love and affection that passed between Walter and Webb. The word father had fallen with significance on his ear. Never had he been addressed by that endearing name, and he now felt that he would give his ship and commission to change places with Webb—to have those manly arms embrace his neck, and hear the endearing word father addressed to him. Rising, he took Walter by the hand:—
Have no fears, young man, love and serve me as you have my friend Webb, and what a father can or should do for a son, I will do for you—even to the command of the Reindeer. Be ready to-morrow at two, when myself and wife will call for you.
So soon, Captain?
Yes, that is our orders. We sail at ebb to-morrow.
When Captain Davis had left, Walter approached Webb and said:
This is sudden—unexpected, a very sudden change in my affairs.