“But I’ve made up my mind to let him go just as soon as he has a mind to. He wanted to go off and sign the papers yesterday; but I told him he had better wait till he saw you.” “Indeed! I am very glad you have consented.” “Yes, sir; I thought it would not do any good to hold out any longer: and John is a good boy, and will behave himself wherever he goes. Here he comes: he can speak for himself.” Lieutenant Bankhead rose, and grasped the hand of John as he entered the room; and, after they had talked a while about their trip to Fort Warren, the subject nearest to the young man’s heart was again brought up for consideration. His grateful friend gave him all the information necessary for his guidance in the important step he was about to take. It was decided that John should enter the navy on the following day; but, as the ship to which Mr. Bankhead had been ordered would not be ready for sea for a few weeks, it was thought best, for several reasons, that the young sailor should enlist in Boston, and spend the period of his probation on board the receiving-ship at Charlestown. The arrangements having been completed, and an appointment made for John to meet his friend in the city at noon the next day, Mr. Bankhead rose to take his leave. “Jack, I dare say you may think I am a very forgetful man,” continued the lieutenant, with a smile upon his handsome face. “Forgetful? I don’t understand you, sir. I’m sure I never thought anything of the kind,” replied John, blushing up to his eyes. “You know, I promised to give you ten dollars if you brought me back safely from the fort the other night.” “I never thought of it, sir.” “Well, I did; though the illness of my father drove it out of my head for the time,” added the officer, taking out his porte-monnaie. “Really, sir, I don’t want you to give me a cent. I don’t ask anything for what I did.” “I don’t care what you want, Jack. My conscience wouldn’t let me sleep at night, if I didn’t keep my promise. Oh! you needn’t blush, my boy: I’m not going to pay you; but I want to make you a small present, and my brother insisted upon adding something to my little gift. Here is mine, and here is my brother’s;” and Mr. Bankhead handed him first a hundred-dollar bill, and then a fifty-dollar bill. “Why, sir, I----” “Take them, Jack, just to oblige me,” added the lieutenant. “No sir: I can’t take all this money. It will burn my fingers if I keep it.” “If you feel afraid of it, just hand it to your mother, who, I dare say, will find a good use for it.” John protested, and Mrs. Somers protested; they protested singly and together: but the officer was resolute, and positively refused to take back the bills.