“A king’s life nothing?” smiled his majesty. “Ah, that is a democratic principle. It is American. I admire your cleverness and bravery. You will hear from me.”
He turned away, after learning from the surgeon that Clif’s wound was a mere scratch, and, surrounded by his suite, left the ship.
A wild cheer greeted him as he entered the barge, and there was every sign of joy at his escape.
As soon as the barge was clear of the Monongahela, Captain Brookes, ever mindful of his duty, gave orders to man yards and fire a second salute.
In the meantime the search for the Englishman had been prosecuted with vigor.
The news that a reward of five thousand milreis, about six thousand dollars, had been offered for the fugitive, dead or alive, had spread like wildfire.
In a remarkably short space of time the surface of the river in front of the city was literally covered with boats, large and small.
As the minutes passed and no sign of the Englishman was discovered, the belief that he had perished became prevalent.
When Clif went forward after an interview with the captain and officers of the Monongahela—an interview that caused his heart to beat with unaccustomed rapidity—he found an ovation awaiting him.
He tried to escape, and dodged down the forward ladder for that purpose, but a number of new fourth class cadets, headed by the lanky Joy, captured him, and he was borne in triumph about the decks.