Finally, Billy
Brackett called the meeting to order, and asked each one to tell his
story in turn, beginning with Cap'n Cod.
The most interesting stories, and those throwing the most light on the
situation, were Winn's and Sabella's. At first they were all puzzled
to know who Mr. Gresham could have been. Then Sabella said, "Why,
don't you know, Uncle Aleck? He was the one who sold you the canoe,
and the one Winn said was a bad man. He brought Don Blossom back, and
I told him all about Mr. Brackett and Winn and the raft and everything,
and he was so glad he started right off to find them. Then he came
back with two other men, and said you were all on the raft, and they
borrowed the _Whatnot_ to go and find you with. He was one of the very
nicest and kindest and best men I ever knew, and was going to be my
'Uncle Billy,' so I could have one as well as Winn, and now he's
drowned, and--"
Here the little girl began to sob bitterly, while Billy Brackett and
Winn and Cap'n Cod looked at each other, and almost simultaneously
pronounced the name "Gilder."
They did not speak it very loud, for the last splendid act of the man's
life had won for him the right to an unstained name. Hereafter they
would only remember him as William Gresham the hero.
Thus was cleared up most of the mystery that, like the fog, had
enveloped the proceedings of that memorable day.
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