“Captain Crane is as honest as the day is long, and has paid me from the earnings of the schooner during the past year twelve hundred dollars as my share, and as the expenses of Peggy and myself are so modest, one-third the sum supplies our wants. Then, too, I have not had to touch the amount in bank, which you sent to me from the cruise to Norfolk, so, you see you can afford to use the money I send you. I have subscribed for a New York daily and anxiously read in it all naval news, so you see you are ever in my mind, my dear son. I suppose you will go upon a cruise for the summer, and I hope it will greatly benefit you after your year of hard study, also giving you a chance to see something of the world. “Next year I shall try and pay you a visit. My health is excellent and Peggy is positively getting fat. Captain Crane and his boys always ask about you. I had no idea how many warm friends you had in B---- until I came here to-day. I am writing this letter at the hotel, and Miss Virgene, who is a lovely girl, asks me to send her best wishes and regards.” There was a little more about home affairs and then Mark sprang to his feet. “Perry, I must go and telegraph to my mother, as she fears I am ill, so open those other two packages for me, please.” Then Mark hastened out of the room, obtained leave, and sent the following dispatch: “Letter received with money. Many thanks for your kindness. Am in perfect health. Stood Number One in my class. Regards to Peggy. With love. “MARK.” CHAPTER XXXV. THE MIDSHIPMAN’S REVERIE. Having telegraphed his mother as requested, Mark Merrill made his way back to the academy. If he had sought for an opportunity to show his popularity it could not have come to him any better, for at the telegraph office the operator who read his message said, pleasantly: “Permit me to congratulate you, Mr. Merrill, upon your success.” The sergeant, at the entrance to the academy grounds also had a polite and pleasant congratulation for him, as did several of the officer’s wives whom he met, while a group of cadets, as he went by, gave him a salute and a hurrah. Returning to his room he was greeted with a shout of delight from Bemis Perry. “Old man, you are a lucky dog! Behold!” Upon the table before him lay a handsome watch and chain. Upon one side of the watch was engraved a yacht scudding along in a storm, and at her helm a bareheaded, barefooted boy. The engraving was certainly most artistically done, while beneath were the words: “A BOY PILOT OUR ONLY HOPE.” Upon the other side of the watch was engraved the following: “PRESENTED TO CADET MIDSHIPMAN MARK MERRILL, as a souvenir of his heroism in risking his own life to save others from death.” Below was the date of the saving of the yacht Midshipman, and the name of the Secretary of the Navy. “There’s something for your grandchildren to be proud of, Merrill,” cried Bemis Perry.