"Mr. President, and people of the United States:--I thought myself a god, and know myself a felon. I, who meant to instruct the people, have learned a lesson such as even death cannot teach. I render to you my account. My son will show you in what secret safe in the vessel is preserved the gold that I stole from the Treasury. It belongs to the Country. There lack a hundred and twenty thousand dollars. I hereby bequeath the boat to the United States in payment for the balance I owe. It cost much more, and is the fastest vessel in the world. Re-christened, it may be of service in the approaching war; and the stain upon it, which my soul tells me is indelible, may fade. I give my son to you as hostage of my good faith. "Mr. President, I am without a country. I have no citizenship in the world. I beg you, if your kindness prompts you, to offer me pardon, that my bones may rest upon the soil I love. My son will guide such a messenger of forgiveness to me. Let him be sent soon, if at all, for my crime scourges me so that I cannot live. "ODMINTON." "He was no common man," said the Secretary of State, in a voice of great feeling. "Mr. President, I suggest that the pardon be sent immediately. I think he has suffered enough." The President smiled benignly. "Mr. Secretary," he said, turning to the head of the navy, "shall we accept the yacht? I think the Treasury will find room for the gold. Can the navy find room for Colonel Odminton's atonement?" The eyes of the Secretary of the Navy glistened. "With that vessel fixed into a torpedo boat, we can whip the world! I shall put the youngster as middy aboard of her; he understands her better than any one else. With your permission, Mr. President, the boy is enrolled, and his commission will be made out at once." The Secretary bowed deferentially. "Do you wish to enter the United States navy?" The great head of the nation bent to the lad as he would have to his own son. "Oh, sir! But my father," cried Rupert, broken by pride and shame and filial love. "You will bear the pardon to-morrow," said the President kindly. "I would rather go now. I think he needs it," whispered Rupert timidly. Then the boy, keyed so high, fell and was borne away. * * * * * Who does not love the Everglades when he knows them? The adorer of the warm woods had rather put his arm about a palmetto, and his cheek against its rough surface, than be softly met by the tenderest of women. Oh, the witchery of the moss-waving Everglades! "Father! Father!" A longing treble cut the languorous air. The hidden hut behind the hidden bay was empty. The boy and the officer searched hastily and fearfully. "He is in the woods. Oh, you know--come!"