Page:Cruise of the Dry Dock.djvu/357

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THE VICTORIA CROSS
345

“Here's to you, Wentworth!” “To your deserved honor, my boy!” “To your well-earned promotion, Wentworth!” they chorused heartily.

In the lull of drinking, Madden lifted his water to his friend.

“Here's to the remittance man,” he proposed solemnly, “who vanishes to-night and leaves a Man.”

Caradoc's long face was deeply moved as he looked into the eyes of the youth whose life Providence had so intimately entwined with his own. After a moment he responded steadily enough, “With all my heart, Madden. And here's to the land which you taught me how to serve, my country—my home—Old England!”