"All up!" shouted the students, looking around them to find any one who was behind the others in this benevolent deed.
"Every one," replied Mr. Lowington, smiling. "Mr. Fluxion, I will thank you to communicate to the master of the galiot the action of the ship's company."
The Dutchman stood watching the proceedings of the party with a look of sad bewilderment. His wife and daughter were near him, as sad and confused as himself. The boys looked at him with interest as the professor of mathematics explained to him what had taken place. The expression which lighted up his face, as he comprehended the action of the students, was an ample reward for their generous conduct.
"Tell him he may take possession of his vessel as soon as he pleases," added the principal.
Mr. Fluxion communicated this permission to the skipper; and when he heard it he cast a longing glance at the "Wel tevreeden," which he seemed to regard in the same light as his wife and daughter.
"How much will it cost to repair the galiot?" asked one of the students, stepping forward from a group which had been whispering together for a moment very earnestly.
"I do not know the price of materials in Holland," replied Mr. Lowington. "Perhaps the captain and the pilot may be able to give you some information on this subject."
Mr. Fluxion, the pilot, and the master of the galiot consulted together for some time. The jib and foresail, and a portion of the standing and running rigging, had been saved, and the Belgian and the Dutchman made a computation of the cost of labor and material.
"About twelve hundred guilders," said Mr. Lowington, after Mr. Fluxion had reported the result of the conference.
"How much is that, sir?" asked one of the boys, blankly.