The little boy, thus saved, was the son of a couple of poor emigrants, and on reaching the ship his rescuer was almost overwhelmed with the thanks of the father and mother. The saloon passengers that evening made a collection for the brave steward, which amounted to a handsome sum, and he was called into the saloon to receive it from the hands of Captain Barlow, who made a short speech very pertinent to the occasion. To the surprise of most, the young man respectfully, but positively, refused to accept the proffered gift. When further pressed to do so, he replied--“I could not possibly take money for saving the life of a fellow-creature, but if you will allow me to hand it over to the mother of the poor little thing who fell overboard, I’m sure the money will be well bestowed.” This, when they found he was firm in his determination not to accept it himself, the passengers at length consented to do. The next evening, when Wilfred had gone up on deck for a few quiet minutes, “for thought to do her part,” he was joined by a tall, lanky United States gentleman, who had a wife and family on board. “Lork here, boy,” said Mr. Caleb W. Lomax--for that was the passenger’s name--“I don’t wornt to know who you are, or what you are, but you are coming to my great country, and I wornt to know your plans, for if I can do anything to forward them I will. Shake hands, Sir; you are a credit to the old country.” Wilfred, having shaken hands as desired, said his great wish was to get across the Continent to S. Francisco, and that he hoped to find some employment in New York to raise enough money to enable him to do so. “Jest so,” said Mr. Lomax, “and it’s to ’Frisco I’m going myself. Now look here, young man, I wornt some one to help me through, and I tell you what I’ll do. If you’ll come along with me, and help to see after the baggage and children, I’ll take you with me. There, no thanks,” continued he, seeing Wilfred was about to speak; “it’s a fair bargain, and the obligation is mutual, so think over my offer and tell me to-morrow. Jest one word more. Remember you don’t come as a help, but as a friend. I know a gentleman when I see one, spite of his coat, and I’m proud to know you, Sir; shake hands again;” and with that the United States gentleman gave Wilfred’s hand a terrific squeeze, turned on his heel, and went below to play a quiet game of euchre with his wife and two eldest daughters.