"And I'm sure we shall be as happy as he; for such gifts, you know, are twice blessed."
The sums on the subscription papers were added up by Terrill and Pelham.
"Sixteen hundred and fifty-four guilders!" exclaimed the former, when the result had been reached.
"Four hundred and fifty-four guilders more than the sum required," added Paul, delighted by the intelligence.
"Shall we give it all to the skipper?" asked Pelham.
"I don't know. We will leave that to Mr. Lowington," replied Paul.
"I don't think we ought to give him any more than enough to make up his loss. That would tempt him to wreck his galiot again, if there was an American flag in sight," said Terrill.
"I see no reason why he should be left any better off than before the disaster," continued the captain. "We can keep the money as a charity fund; and I have no doubt we shall soon find a chance to make good use of it."
The embarrassment of having a surplus was better than that of a deficiency would have been, and the sleepy officers of the Josephine were not likely to be kept awake by it. All hands turned in at an earlier hour than usual. The anchor watch were as sleepy as the others; but the discipline of the vessel was rigidly adhered to, for the principal did not believe in neglecting any necessary precaution simply because the crew were tired. As seamen, the students were taught to realize that fatigue and want of sleep on shipboard would not justify any disregard of their regular routine duty.
In the morning everything went on as usual. It had not been the intention of Mr. Lowington to put into Flushing, and no one was allowed to go on shore. The wind was fortunately fresh from the westward; the pilots were still on board; and the signal for sailing was hoisted on board of the Young America. Just before the squadron weighed anchor, Mr. Fluxion went on board of the galiot, and informed the skipper that all the expenses of the repairs of his vessel would be paid by the students of the institution. The professor reported that the poor man was beside himself with joy when he received this intelligence. He expressed his gratitude in extravagant terms, which had no English equivalents. Mr. Fluxion gave him eighty pounds in gold, and promised to see him again before the repairs were completed.