Before this interview, Drake had regarded Amy as a friendless orphan, and felt an interest in her welfare. Although he called her sister, and was addressed by her as brother, he was ignorant of the ties that usually exist between brother and sister. He never enjoyed the society of brother or sister, father or mother, and it was this that led him to remark “don’t I love her.” But now his eyes were open. Now he could understand what love was, “pure and unalloyed.” Now he could understand what had prompted his feelings toward Amy. His feelings were not of pure friendship for the orphan child he had promised to protect. He had a selfish motive. Her frank sincerity and child-like simplicity had raised her in his estimation. He saw in the girl, a noble, generous, woman, wife and mother. Yet he realized that she loved Walter Wallace, and be he dead or alive, she would never love another. She would only like him as a brother, and with that he must be content. But I have promised to be her friend, and her friend I will be. It cost Drake an effort to come to this conclusion, and it showed that he was a high-minded, generous man, and could appreciate Amy’s love for Walter, by his own love for Amy. Noble Girl. Worthy of the love of Walter Wallace or any other man. CHAPTER XI. The Second Lesson—Completing His Education—Found New Friends—The Mutiny—Death of Sambo. That is bold language boy. You say you “know that you are right.” There are but a few things in this world that we positively know. We are likely to be deceived in many ways. Sometimes the eye is imperfect, and the mind clouded. Sometimes our eager desire to accomplish an object, aided by our imagination, leads us astray. Now look and see if you can see the white spot on the flag staff? No, I can’t see the white spot, but I can see the red. Yet you knew that you were right. Walter was confused. I think that I am right. Do you know that you are right? His confusion increased. Now place the staff so that you can see both the white and red, then you will be right. You are now looking at a bunch of red leaves. Walter felt chagrined. The flag was moved about five feet and then he could see it from top to bottom. You are right now, replied Webb. But how did you know it wasn’t right? You stood behind the compass, but did not look through it. I knew it by that tall pine tree on top of yonder hill. I discovered a mile back that the tree was exactly in line, and if you will look back, you will see a dead hemlock tree, with the bark off. By noticing objects both ahead and behind, you can detect the least variation. Walter comprehended the explanation. If I understand you, the needle must set on the figures 45°, W., and looking forward through the slots, the eye must strike the staff and pine tree, and looking back, the hemlock tree must be in line exactly. Right boy. Now move on to the flag and take a new sight.