four had died, and thirteen had
left from various other causes. So that there had been a much greater
degree of steadiness than usually obtains among factory-workmen. This
led to a decided improvement in many other respects. With a prospect of
being permanent, the men were induced to buy homes, and took a greater
interest in the management and welfare of their own town.

The balance was divided, each man receiving his check, and with it a
detailed statement of the whole five years. They were now quite free,
the industrial partnership having legally expired. Hope Mills would take
a fortnight holiday for repairs and re-organization.

"What if there were to be no re-organization?" exclaimed Ben Hay
suddenly.

The men stared blankly at one another. No "Hope Mills," and the
foundation-stone of life would have fallen out!

Robert Winston addressed them, thanking them very heartily for their
co-operation, and expressing a hope that each man would be satisfied
with the result of five of the hardest years the country had ever known.
There was no doubt now, judging from our exports, and the amount of
money coming in from every quarter of the globe, as one might say, that
we had entered upon an era of prosperity. We had been educated to the
practice of prudence, of common-sense, and sound principles, we had
gained fibre and stamina, and he hoped we had gained honesty and
integrity. If we could not always compete with low-priced manufacturers,
the solid truth was made manifest in the end. They might take for their
passwords, "Honesty, industry, and fidelity."

There was a great deal of cheering, and then Darcy was called upon for a
speech. He did himself infinite credit, for in these five years not a
man among them had made more rapid strides than Jack Darcy. As he stood
there now, noble in form, in bearing, and with his good, strong, manly
face, they felt somehow that he was _their_ hero, and the cheering was
heartier than ever.

Then Cameron must say a few words, and Ben Hay and Jesse Gilman; and, as
Jack declared afterward, it was a regular experience-meeting among
brethren. They pressed around, and shook hands with Darcy and Winston,
the captain and the pilot with whom they had weathered gales, and been
brought safely into port. And they would not let them stir out of the
building until they had appointed a meeting to form the company again,
this time on a somewhat stronger basis. They were firmly convinced now
that this