All Aboard or Life on the Lake Author:Oliver Optic Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER III. ALL ABOARD ! The club had taken their seats in the boat, and were waiting the orders of the coxswain to haul her out of her berth, when Captai... more »n Sedley made his appearance. " You are short-handed, Frank," said he, as he observed Tony's vacant seat. "Yes, sir; but we have elected a member to fill that place," replied Frank, as he jumped out of the boat, and hastened to inform his father of what the club had done. The members all felt a deep interest in the result of this conference ; and though this was the first excursion of the season, they forgot for the time the pleasure before them in their desire to know whether the "director" would approve their action in relation to the new member and the prize. Frank and his father entered the club-room together. " Now, my son, what have you done? " asked Captain Sedley. "We have discussed both questions to the best of our ability," replied Frank, with some hesitation. " Well, what was the result ? " " We have elected Tim to fill Tony's place." "Indeed!" "We have; and we await your sanction to our doings." " Did you think I would sanction such a choice as that ? " "I didn't know. We have fairly considered the matter ; have faithfully examined both sides of the question. If we have done wrong, you know, father, that you have a veto upon our doings." Captain Sedley smiled at the matter-o£fact, business-like earnestness of his son. He felt quite as much interest in the action of the boys as they did to learn his opinion of it. " Tim is a very bad boy," said he. " He was ; but he has solemnly promised to amend, and become a good boy," answered Frank, warmly. "Not much dependence can be placed upon the promises of such boys as Tim/' "But if no one encourages him to become bett...« less