We soon reached the bank, which, in contrast with the many fine buildings in the place, was a dilapidated structure. We entered the main office; and here Mr. Markham asked me to wait while he held a brief consultation with the president. I waited for half an hour. During that time many people came and went; but I knew none of them. The janitor eyed me sharply, and finally asked me what I wanted. His tone was a rough one, and I replied curtly that I was waiting for a gentleman who had gone in to see the president; then I turned on my heel, and walking outside, stood on the pavement. It was not until some time later that I found out how suspicious my actions had been regarded. Presently Mr. Markham came down the steps in a hurry. He was pale with anger, and his eyes flashed with indignation. “It is an outrage! an abominable outrage!” he ejaculated. I was rather surprised, and could not refrain from asking what was the trouble. “You would hardly understand it, Reuben,” he replied. “I made a deposit in this bank under rather peculiar circumstances, and now President Webster refuses to allow me to draw the balance due me until certain matters are adjusted.” “I hope you don’t lose by it.” “I won’t lose much. But that isn’t the point. I expected to reward you for what you have done for me, and now I am not able to do so.” “I don’t expect any reward, sir.” “Nevertheless, I shall do what is right.” “The sloop is worth several hundred dollars. That is more than I deserved.” “I don’t think so. Every time I think of what might have happened to my wife and my little son I cannot help but shudder. Brown and I ought never to have ventured out without a man to sail the boat. We have learned a lesson that we shall not forget in a hurry.” “It was a risky thing to do in this wind, sir.” “It was. But about this reward――” “I don’t want any reward, sir. The value of the sloop is more than I deserve.” “Nevertheless, you shall hear from me in the near future.” On this point Mr. Markham remained firm, and a quarter of an hour later we parted, I hoping that none of the party would suffer any from the involuntary bath. I jumped aboard the sloop, feeling on particularly good terms with myself. As I sped away from Bayport I began to calculate on what the large sloop would net me at a sale. Certainly not less than two hundred and fifty dollars; and this would clear off the bill for repairs at the mill, and leave me a hundred dollars ahead. In my present straitened circumstances this amount would be a perfect windfall. I tried to steer for the overturned craft, and tow her to a safe place, where I might right her and fix her up. The wind was as fresh as ever, and I had to steer with care, lest the standing-room should get filled with water from the waves that dashed over the bow. To a person not used to the lake the passage would have been a rough one, but I was accustomed to far worse weather, and did not mind it.