THE PARK. 143 



"My good sir," answered Rajaram humbly but 

 firmly, "I deserve, I am sure, no reward for what I did. 

 Is it possible for a human being to witness an innocent 

 child drowning, and pass by without giving help ? No 

 sir, I do not think I did anything extra-meritorious." 

 The gentleman to whom the above little speech was 

 addressed was greatly impressed by its frankness ; besides, 

 there was something so out of the common in Rajaram's 

 look and manners that, instead of being annoyed at his 

 refusal to accept the proffered reward, he was much 

 pleased with his honest and manly answer. Shrewd, 

 sensible, and kindly in disposition, he soon managed to 

 draw Rajaram into conversation with him, and in half an 

 hour made him disclose what his aspirations and yearnings 

 were. It was an eventful day for our hero : the dream 

 of his life was about to be realized ! He was taken on 

 as an extra hand on board the S. S. "Nepal," proved 

 himself an able and willing helper, and soon became 

 an able-bodied seaman. I must not omit to mention a 

 little incident which occurred just at the dawn of his new | 

 life, and which made a lasting impression upon Rajaram's 

 mind. Before a large assembly of ladies and gentlemen 

 gathered together on board the "Nepal" bound home- 

 ward on her fifty seventh voyage, -on that memorable 

 day of his life, when, amidst doubts and fears of his 

 friends and relatives, he was about to launch into an un- 

 certain career Rajaram was presented by a distinguished 

 lady a bronze medal bearing the following inscription : 

 "Here and there a cotter's babe is royal born by right divine/' 



