Of course their appearance excited a great deal of wonder, and not a little admiration.

Several of the principal citizens, unwilling that their guests should depart unwelcomed, got up an _impromptu_ reception, and the clubs were invited to the Town Hall, where some very pretty speeches were made by the chairman of the Selectmen, of the School Committee, the representative to the General Court, and other distinguished individuals; to whom the commodore replied with a great deal of dignity and self-possession.
While the speeches were proceeding, the ladies were not idle; and the boys were next invited to a collation on the green; after which they marched back to the river and re-embarked.

Three times three cheers were given for the people of Oaklawn, and the word was given to pull for home.
The boys of the village were not so ready to part with them, and some twenty of them followed the boats, on the bank of the river.
"I say, Frank, these folks were very kind to us," Charles remarked.
"They were, indeed." "And the boys seem to enjoy it." "I suppose not many of them ever saw our boats before." "Suppose we take them in; they will be very willing to walk home, say from the grove where we dined, for the sake of the sail." "Good! I didn't think of that before.

Up with the orange!" The boats landed, and the astonished Oaklawn boys were distributed among them.

They seemed to regard the favor as an unexpected condescension, and their delight knew no bounds.