"The vessel is leaking badly," cried out one of the crew.
"Man the pumps," replied the captain. "Enough for all hands to do now."
"Including me," responded Benjamin. "I can do as much as any of you at the pump," and he went to work with the crew.
Suffice it to say, that the storm continued for days, tossing their small craft about like a shell, keeping all hands busy, night and day, sometimes the sea threatening to swallow the vessel and all it contained in its hungry maw. The vessel was two weeks on its way to Boston, encountering stormy weather nearly the whole time. Most of the voyage the leaky craft was kept from sinking by pumping, in which Benjamin took his turn, proving himself as efficient as any one of the crew; and he was as cool and self-possessed as any one of the number.
At the end of two weeks they sailed into Boston harbor; and Benjamin was at home.
XXIII.
THE SURPRISE, AND ITS RESULTS.
Benjamin hastened to the corner of Hanover and Union Streets, where the sign of the familiar blue ball hung, and entered with a fluttering heart.
"Benjamin!" exclaimed his father, "can that be you?" and he grasped one of his hands in both of his. "How glad I am to see you!"
"No more glad than I am to see you," responded the son, shaking his father's hand heartily. "I am glad to get home."