26.
The three boys stood by the grave in silence and sorrow for a time.
"He would have been the gladdest at our success.

Monty," said Eric; "let us leave the signs of it upon his grave." And, with reverent hand, scattering over that small mound the choice rosebuds and fragrant lilies with their green leaves, they turned away without another word.
The next morning the great piles of corded boxes which crowded the passage were put on the coach, and the boys, gladly leaving the deserted building, drove in every sort of vehicle to the steamer.

What joyous triumphant mornings those were! How the heart exulted and bounded with, the sense of life and pleasure, and how universal was the gladness and good humor of every one.

Never were voyages so merry as those of the steamer that day, and even the "good-byes" that had to be said at Southpool were lightly borne.

From thence the boys quickly scattered to the different railways, and the numbers of those who were travelling together got thinner and thinner as the distance increased.