was a struggle, and his character a triumph over the perils to which
poverty exposed him.

His experience seemed to exemplify the truths of Christianity. He could
forgive his enemy, as when, at the risk of his own life, he plunged into
the lake and rescued Tim Bunker from a watery grave, though Tim was even
then laboring to ruin him. He loved to sacrifice his own comfort to that
of others and found his greatest pleasure in making others happy. He and
Frank are the unconscious exemplars of the boat club--the "men of
character and influence" in their embryo world.

Charles Hardy is a boy of another stamp--one who does things "to be
seen of men." He is sometimes selfish and ambitious; though the
beneficent influence of the organization is working miracles in the
transformation of his character.

The Butterfly was launched in the month of April. The liberality of
George Weston had provided for her a boat-house, similar to that of the
Zephyr, and, like that, furnished with a club room and library, and all
the means for promoting the objects of the organization.

And now, with my old friends refreshed in memory by this review of the
first season, and my new ones put in possession of all that is necessary
to a proper understanding of the situation of the boat club, we are
ready to proceed with our story.




CHAPTER II.