Page:Ballantyne--The Battery and the Boiler.djvu/54

 fortune in the affair, and now, at this moment, in this year of grace 1865, is doing his best, I have no doubt, to induce our governor, Mr. Lowstoft, to embark in the same boat with himself."

It would seem as if Fred had been suddenly endowed with the gift of second-sight, for at that moment the door of his employer's room opened, and Mr. Lowstoft came out, saying to his visitor, in the most friendly tones, that he had the deepest sympathy with his self-sacrificing efforts, and with the noble work to which he had devoted himself.

Bob, in a burst of sudden enthusiasm, leaped off his stool, opened the office-door, and muttered something as the distinguished visitor passed him.

"I beg pardon," said Mr. Field, checking himself, "what did you say?"

"I—I wish you good luck, sir, with—with the new cable," stammered the clerk, blushing deeply.

"Thank you, lad—thank you," said Mr. Field, with a pleasant smile and nod, as he went away.

"Mr. Sime," said Mr. Lowstoft to Bob, turning at the door of his room, "send young Wright to me."

"Yes, sir," replied the obedient Bob, going to a corner of the room and applying his lips to a speaking-tube.

Now young Wright was none other than our hero Robin grown up to the mature age of fifteen.