"Hurrah, Charley! You are safe," said Tony, as he waded into the water to help him ash.o.r.e.
Charles was so much exhausted when he reached the land that he could not speak. Captain Sedley, who had observed the occurrence from his library window, hastened down to the beach.
The penitent Zephyr, in his agony, threw himself on his knees before him, and in piteous, broken accents besought his pardon. Captain Sedley was deeply moved, and they all realized that "the way of the transgressor is hard."
The sufferer was kindly conveyed to his home by Captain Sedley, and his father and mother were too glad at his return to reproach him for his conduct. When he had changed his clothes, and his emotion had in some degree subsided, he confessed his errors, and solemnly promised never to wander from the right path again. And he was in earnest; he felt all he said in the depths of his soul. He had suffered intensely during his transgression; and his friends were satisfied that he had not sinned from the love of sin. He had been led away by Tim Bunker, and bitter had been the consequences of his error. He had been punished enough,--the sin had been its own punishment,--and his father and his club freely forgave him. He was not a hardened boy, and it was probable that his experience with the Rovers would prove a more salutary correction than any penalty that could be inflicted.
From Charles all the particulars of the "frolic" were obtained. After his unsuccessful attempt to escape in the Sylph, Tim had compelled him to stay in his tent; and, worn out with fatigue and suffering, he had slept till nearly nine o"clock. He had pa.s.sed the day in a state bordering upon misery. At night a dispute had occurred, ending in a fight, in which his lieutenant, Barney, had led on the Zephyr party. The result was a separation, and Charles, deprived of Tim"s aid, could no longer sustain himself. Barney usurped his command, and treated him in a most shameful manner.
Oh, how bitterly did he repent his folly and wickedness! When they were about to embark, he attempted to go over to Tim"s party. Barney resented the attempt, and another fight ensued. Then he was kicked into the boat, for his chief could not spare so able an oarsman.
His mental anguish was so great that he could no longer endure it; and, in desperation, he had made his escape, as we have narrated. His case was a hopeful one, and his father cheerfully remitted to Mr. Walker the amount contained in the lost purse, with the mortifying confession of his son"s guilt.
CHAPTER XVIII.
WRECK OF THE b.u.t.tERFLY.
The next day Mr. Walker arrived at Rippleton himself. The n.o.ble-hearted gentleman seemed to be in unusually good spirits, and the boys noticed that he and Captain Sedley often exchanged significant glances. They were all satisfied that something was about to happen, but they could not imagine what.
Frank and Tony had been requested to invite their friends to a.s.semble at Zephyr Hall at nine o"clock, on Wednesday morning; so that when Mr.
Walker entered the hall with Captain Sedley, the whole school, to the number of over seventy, were gathered there.
Charles Hardy was there with the rest; but he seemed to be a different boy. He had lost that forwardness which had often rendered him a disagreeable companion. He had been forgiven; Mr. Walker had spoken to him very kindly, and all his friends treated him as though nothing had happened; but for all this, he could not feel right. His sufferings were not yet ended; repentance will not banish at once the remembrance of former sin and error. There was a deep feeling of commiseration manifested towards him by his a.s.sociates. He was to them the returned prodigal, and they would fain have killed the fatted calf in honor of his happy restoration.
The Zephyrs and the b.u.t.terflies wore their uniforms, and Mr. Walker was so excited that all the boys were sure a good time was before them; though, as the boats had not yet been recovered, they were at a loss to determine the nature of the sports to which they had been invited.
The Rovers still maintained themselves on the island. The rupture between Tim and Barney had evidently been healed; for both parties seemed to mingle as though nothing had occurred to mar their harmonious action.
The boys at the boat-house were not kept long in suspense in relation to their day"s sport. Captain Sedley formed them into a procession, when all had arrived, and, after appointing Fred Harper chief marshal, directed them to march down to Rippleton, cross the river, and halt upon the other side till he came.
When they reached the place they found Uncle Ben there, and soon after were joined by Captain Sedley and Mr. Walker.
"Follow us," said the former, as he led the way down to a little inlet of the lake, whose waters were nearly enclosed by the land.
"Hurrah!" shouted Fred Harper, suddenly, when he obtained a view of the inlet, and the cry was taken up by the whole party.
"The fleet! The fleet!" was pa.s.sed from mouth to mouth; and unable to control their excitement, they broke their ranks and ran with all their might down to the water"s side.
Resting gracefully, like so many swans, on the bright waters of the inlet, lay five beautiful club boats. They were of different sizes, and fore and aft floated their flags to the gentle breeze.
I will not attempt to describe the wild delight of the boys when they beheld the splendid boats. The bright vision of a fleet, which they had so cheerfully abandoned to be enabled to do a good and generous deed, was realized. Here was the fleet, far surpa.s.sing in grandeur their most magnificent ideal.
Five boats! And the Zephyr and the b.u.t.terfly would make seven!
"You have done this!" exclaimed Frank, as Mr. Walker approached.
"Your father and I together did it. Now, boys, if you will form a ring we will explain."
"Three cheers for Mr. Walker first," suggested Tony.
They were given, and three more for Captain Sedley.
"My lads, I heard all about your giving up the fleet to help Mr. Munroe out of trouble. It was n.o.ble--heroic, and I have since taken pains to inform myself as to the manner in which you conducted yourself after the brave sacrifice. As far as I can learn, not a regret has been expressed at the mode in which your money was applied. Here is your reward," and he pointed to the boats. "They are the gift of Captain Sedley and myself. I am sorry that these Rovers have taken your other boats; but it enables us to observe the difference between good boys and bad boys.
Nay, Master Hardy, you need not blush; for, though you have erred, you have behaved heroically; you risked your life to escape from them; you are forgiven."
This speech was received with shouts of applause, and Charles Hardy stepped forward with tears in his eyes to thank the kind gentleman for his generosity towards him.
"Now, boys," said Captain Sedley, "we are going to recover the lost boats."
"Hurrah!" shouted all the boys.
"Two of these boats, you perceive, carry twelve oars each. The crew of the Zephyr will man the Bluebird."
The Zephyrs obeyed the order.
"The crew of the b.u.t.terfly will man the Rainbow," continued Captain Sedley.
The b.u.t.terflies seated themselves in the new boat.
"This is merely a temporary arrangement, and when we get the other boats, we shall organize anew. We want practised oarsmen for our present service. While we are absent, Uncle Ben will instruct the rest of the boys in rowing."
Captain Sedley and Mr. Walker then seated themselves in the stern sheets of the Bluebird.
"Now pull for Center Island," said the former. "Tony, you will follow us."
The two boats darted out of the inlet, leaving Uncle Ben in charge of the "recruits."
The Lily and the Dart were eight-oar boats, while the Dip carried only four, and was designed as a "tender" for the fleet. Uncle Ben a.s.signed places to the boys, though there were about thirty left after the oars were all manned. After an hour"s drilling, he got the crews so they could work together, and the boats were then employed in conveying the rest of the party over to the boat-house. The others in their turn were instructed and before noon Uncle Ben had rendered them tolerably proficient in the art of rowing.
When the Bluebird reached Center Island, Tim had just embarked in the b.u.t.terfly, and Barney was preparing to do the same in the Zephyr. The Rovers were utterly confounded at this unexpected invasion of their domain, and hastily retreated from the beach.
William Bright, who was the c.o.xswain of the Bluebird, ran her alongside the Zephyr, and took her in tow. In like manner they took possession of the Sylph and the "gondola," leaving the Rovers "alone in their glory,"
with no means of escaping from the island. With the three boats in tow, they pulled for the beach.
"Now for the b.u.t.terfly," said Captain Sedley, as he placed the Sylph in charge of Uncle Ben, and directed William Bright to steer up the lake.
Away dashed the Bluebird. The excited crew had observed the b.u.t.terfly about a mile off, pulling towards the river. Tim Bunker, at this safe distance, had paused to observe the movements of the invaders. He was as much confounded as Barney had been, and seemed to be at a loss what to do; but when he saw the Bluebird headed towards him, he ordered his crew to pull for the river.
"Steady, boys," said Captain Sedley, when they had approached within a quarter of a mile of the chase. "Probably they will run her ash.o.r.e and leave her."
But Tim did not mean to do anything of the kind, and was running the b.u.t.terfly directly for the river.
"They will dash her in pieces, I fear," continued the director, when he perceived Tim"s intention. "Pull slowly--put her about, and perhaps they will return."
The Bluebird came round; but Tim dashed madly on, heedless of the rocks.