"You can do a big thing for me--the greatest kindness that one good fellow ever did for another. You are generally very obliging, William Bobstay." "What can I do for you?" asked Billy, much troubled at the thought of disobliging any one. "You can help me spend my money," pleaded Scott. "I have always been willing to help any fellow in this way, even when he didn't have half as much in his trousers pocket as I have." "O, nonsense, Tom Scott. You are making game of me!" laughed Billy. "Making game of you, my beloved infant! I should like to see the fellow that would do it! I would make him up into Bologna sausages, and then make him eat them. You are going, my child, and I'm going to take care of you. Not another word; if you do it will choke you;" and Scott ran off to execute a little scheme of his own, no less than to take up a collection for the favorite. "What's the matter?" asked Captain Cantwell, as Scott rushed by him. The joker explained the situation, and said he was going to get up a subscription. "Don't do it, Scott. I shall not go on shore this month, and you shall take my allowance for Billy. He shall go, and I will pay all his expenses." "That's handsome, captain," replied Scott, heartily; "but the fellows that like Billy can give him a small sum each." "They will all want their money on shore; I shall not. Wait a moment till I go below for my rubles;" and the captain hastened down into the cabin. "Billy Bobstay, I will give you twenty rubles for your chance," said De Forrest to the little favorite. "I can't sell it." "Yes, you can; just go to the principal, and tell him you would like to have me go in your place. Don't say a word about the rubles, and he will let you do it." "I can't; the students elected me to go, and it wouldn't be right for me to sell my chance," replied Billy, very respectfully, but firmly. "Nonsense! Say quick, and run to the principal. I'll go with you." "I can't do it." "Do what?" asked Scott, coming up at this instant. "It doesn't concern you. I didn't speak to you," said the purser, sourly. "I order you to go forward." Scott touched his cap, and obeyed; but De Forrest dared not say anything more to Billy about the bribe, except to tell him not to mention what he had offered. "Here, my darling Billy!" exclaimed Scott, as the little fellow went forward. "Here is a hundred rubles to pay your bills on the journey. It is the free gift of Captain Cantwell, who insists upon paying all your expenses, and declares that you must go. You see, my darling, he has so much money he can't possibly get rid of it without your aid, and you must do him the favor you refused me." Scott repeated the story of the captain's generous gift so that all the students on deck could hear it. "Three cheers for Captain Cantwell!" roared one of the big fellows; and they were given with a will.