Tony is a boy whom all my readers will like, and though he is really no better boy than Frank Sedley, the humble circumstances of his mother before George returned required a great deal of sacrifice on his part, and called into action a great many noble traits of character.  His life 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.

The new member.

“Order!” said Frank Sedley, as he seated himself in the arm-chair, at the head of the table 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.