CHAPTER XVI.
THE PRESTON FAMILY.
| A request—A rule of the house—The Preston children—Oscar and Whistler—Marcus—Plans for Oscar’s benefit—A letter from Brookdale—Dick Sneider arrested—The wild-cat—Jumping at a conclusion—Unexpected meeting of Clinton and Oscar—A good resolution—Going to the academy—Marcus invited to become a teacher—Showing favors to relatives—Ronald—Marcus the making of him—Bad French—Ronald’s roguery—Getting into a tight place—Alarming and ludicrous predicament—His release—The visit to Montpelier—Ronald in handcuffs—A sorry joke—Fortunate escape—Another boy in another kind of handcuffs—The advertisement for a boy—An amusing answer—Fetters of ignorance—The other applicants—A neat letter—A recognition—A chance acquaintance—Favorable impressions—A pleasant visit, | [256] |
CHAPTER XVII.
A WATER EXCURSION.
| A sailing party—A damper—Permission obtained—A struggle—Noble self-denial—Commendation—Planning a reward—The guests invited—Henry—The birthday present—The yacht—Starting—Collisions—Beating out—The steamship—Fine views—Life-preservers—Dodging the boom—A narrow escape—The cabin—The table—Berths—The cook-room—Castle Island—Homeward-bound ship—Long Island Light—Extra clothing—Dinner—Sudden departures from the table—The ocean—The screw steamer—George’s Island—Fort Warren—The sea wall—Landing—Entrance to the fort—The enclosure—Ascending the parapets—Cost of the fortress—Its entire command of the harbor—Places for the guns—Interior of the fortress—How the guns are worked—Rooms for the soldiers—Strength of the fortress—How it might be taken—A wish—The sail back—Defence of the “Echo”—An impudent schooner—The skipper’s disgust—A nautical insult—Landing, | [272] |
CHAPTER XVIII.
LAST DAY OF THE VISIT.
| The group around the fire—No tidings from Jerry—What Whistler had learned—The three hardest words—Candid confession of a great general—Confessing errors requires bravery—Another fact learned—The boys’ petition for shorter lessons—Whistler’s refusal to sign it—His motives impugned—Boyish intolerance—Effects of the petition on the teacher—Its disrespectful tone—Character of the signers—Public reading of their names—A secret honorably kept—Clinton’s opinion of the city—Opportunities—Too much assistance—How strong characters are produced—The learned blacksmith—The learned shoemaker—What can be done in one hour a day—The extract—A higher aim than success—Character—How it is formed—Compared to a cable—Conclusion, | [294] |