П’ятнадцятирічний капітан

           Hewas,inspiteofhisyouth,surroundedbytheesteem,onemightsaytherespect,ofallwhoknewhim;buthissimplicityandmodestyweresonaturaltohim,thathewasnotawareofit.Hedidnotevensuspect—althoughnoonecouldattributetohimwhatarecalledbrilliantexploits—thatthefirmness,courage,andfidelitydisplayedinsomanytrialshadmadeofhimasortofhero.

           Meanwhile,onethoughtoppressedhim.InhisrareleisurehourshealwaysdreamedofoldTom,ofBat,ofAustin,andofActeon,andofthemisfortuneforwhichheheldhimselfresponsible.ItwasalsoasubjectofrealgrieftoMrs.Weldon,theactualsituationofherformercompanionsinmisery.Mr.Weldon,DickSand,andHerculesmovedheavenandearthtofindtracesofthem.Finallytheysucceeded—thankstothecorrespondentswhichtherichshipownerhadindifferentpartsoftheworld.ItwasatMadagascar—where,however,slaverywassoontobeabolished—thatTomandhiscompanionshadbeensold.DickSandwishedtoconsecratehislittlesavingstoransomthem,butMr.Weldonwouldnothearofit.Oneofhiscorrespondentsarrangedtheaffair,andoneday,the15thofNovember,1877,fourblacksrangthebellofhishouse.

           TheywereoldTom,Bat,Acteon,andAustin.Thebravemen,afterescapingsomanydangers,camenearbeingstifled,onthatday,bytheirdelightedfriends.

           OnlypoorNanwasmissingfromthosewhomthe"Pilgrim"hadthrownonthefatalcoastofAfrica.Buttheoldservantcouldnotberecalledtolife,andneithercouldDingoberestoredtothem