"I can stand it as well as anybody."
The ladies and gentlemen on board of the Penobscot congratulated the hero of the occasion, and condoled with the commodore, till the last of the fleet arrived. The judges filled out the schedule with the corrected time.
"Captain Rodman, of the Maud," said the chairman; and the owner of the winning yacht stepped forward. "It appears from the schedule that you have made the shortest time, and I have the pleasure of presenting to you the first prize."
"Thank you, sir," replied Rodman, accepting the envelope, which contained the prize of one hundred dollars; "but as it appears that Donald Ramsay sailed the Maud, as well as built her, I shall have the pleasure of presenting it to him."
A round of hearty applause followed this little speech, which ended in three cheers for the captain of the Maud, and three more for her builder.
"I can't take that," said Donald, declining to receive the envelope.
"But you must take it. I will hand you over to Mr. Deputy Sheriff Beardsley, who, I see, is coming up the bay in the Juno."
"It don't belong to me. I am not the owner of the Maud," protested Donald.
"Take it! take it!" shouted one and another of the interested spectators, until nearly all of them had expressed their opinion in this way.
Thus overborne, the boat-builder took the envelope, though his pride revolted.