“I am astounded, sir,” Will said, “it seems almost impossible that I can be master of so much money.” “You have the satisfaction at any rate, Mr. Gilmore, of knowing that you have earned it by your own exertions, courage, and skill. I think now that it is only fair that I should send you back to your ship when she next comes in, and give someone else a chance.” “I agree with you, sir, and I cannot but feel deeply indebted to you for having put me in the way of making a fortune.” “I little knew what was coming of it,” the admiral said, “when I gave you the command of that little craft. If I had had the slightest notion I should assuredly have given it to an older officer.” Will returned to the cutter in a state of bewilderment at his good fortune. When he came on deck a little later he found waiting for him a gentleman who advanced with open arms. “Mr. Gilmore,” he said, “my name is Palethorpe. I am the father of the young girl whose life you so gallantly saved when the _Northumberland_ sank. I have been trying to catch you ever since, but I live up among the hills, except when business calls me down here, and your stay here has always been so short that I never before heard of your arrival until you had started again. I cannot say, sir, how intensely grateful I feel. She is my only child, and you may guess what a terrible blow it would have been to me had she been lost.” “I only did my duty, sir, and I am glad indeed that I was able to save your daughter’s life. Pray do not say anything more about it.” “But, my dear sir, that is quite impossible. One man cannot render so vast a service to another and escape without being thanked. I have driven down here to carry you off to my home whether you like it or not. I called on the admiral this morning, and he said that he would willingly grant you a week’s leave or longer, and, in fact, that you would be unemployed until the _Hawke_ came in, as a master’s mate would take over your command.”