ble in the club room.

At a meeting the preceding week, Frank had again been chosen coxswain of
the club for the first official term. This had been done, not only in
compliment to the noble boy to whose father the members were indebted
for the privileges they enjoyed, but in anticipation of an exciting time
on the lake, in a proposed race with the Butterfly. Frank was
acknowledged to be the most skilful boatman among them, and under his
direction they expected to accomplish all that they and the Zephyr could
possibly attain. They had already learned that mere muscle was not all
that was required to insure their success. Skill, forethought, and the
ability to take advantage of favoring circumstances, were discovered to
be even more desirable than great power.

"Order!" repeated Frank, rapping smartly on the table.

The members suspended their conversation, and all eyes were fixed upon
the president. The affairs of the club, in connection with the
Butterfly, had been freely discussed for several weeks, and everything
had been arranged for the opening of the "summer campaign," as Charles
Hardy rather facetiously called it.

"There are two questions to be submitted for the action of the club at
this meeting," continued Frank, with more than his usual gravity. "They
are questions of momentous consequence, and I have felt the need of
counsel from our director; but my father declines giving me any advice,
and says he prefers that we should discuss the questions independently;
though, as you all know, if our final action is wrong, he will--he
will--"

"Veto it," added Fred Harper.

"Yes, he will not permit us to do a wrong, though he wants us to think
for ourselves, and do the best we can."

"Precisely so; he wants--" Charles Hardy begun.

"Order!" said Frank, with gentle firmness. "The first question is this:
Tim Bunker, who has recently been discharged from the house of
correction, has applied to be admitted as a member of the club, in place
of Tony Weston, resigned. Shall he be admitted?"

"Mr. President, I move that he be not admitted," said Charles.

"Is the motion seconded?"

There was no response. The members all felt that it was a very delicate
matter, and that it required careful deliberation.

"The motion is not seconded, and, of course, cannot be entertained,"
continued the president.

"I move that he be admitted," said Fred Harper.

"Second the motion," added William Bright.

Charles Hardy felt a