Outward Bound Or, Young America Afloat: A Story of Travel and Adventure

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Title: Outward Bound Or, Young America Afloat: A Story of Travel and Adventure

Author: Oliver Optic

Release date: May 27, 2005 [eBook #15920]
Most recently updated: December 14, 2020

Language: English

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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OUTWARD BOUND OR, YOUNG AMERICA AFLOAT: A STORY OF TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE ***

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[Illustration: YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD

By
OLIVER OPTIC

OUTWARD BOUND

BOSTON
LEE & SHEPARD.]

* * * * *

OUTWARD BOUND;

OR,

YOUNG AMERICA AFLOAT.

A STORY OF TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE.

WILLIAM T. ADAMS

(_OLIVER OPTIC_).

BOSTON:
LEE AND SHEPARD.

1869.

* * * * *

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866, by
WILLIAM T. ADAMS,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court
of the District of Massachusetts.

* * * * *

TO GEORGE WEBSTER TERRILL

_This Volume_

IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED.

* * * * *

YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD.

BY OLIVER OPTIC.

A Library of Travel and Adventure in Foreign Lands. First and Second
Series; six volumes in each Series. 16mo. Illustrated.

_First Series_.

I. _OUTWARD BOUND,_ OR, YOUNG AMERICA AFLOAT.

II. _SHAMROCK AND THISTLE_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN IRELAND AND SCOTLAND.

III _RED CROSS_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN ENGLAND AND WALES.

IV. _DIKES AND DITCHES_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN HOLLAND AND BELGIUM.

V. _PALACE AND COTTAGE_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN FRANCE AND SWITZERLAND.

VI. _DOWN THE RHINE_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY.

_Second Series_.

I. _UP THE BALTIC_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN DENMARK AND SWEDEN.

II. _NORTHERN LANDS_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN PRUSSIA AND RUSSIA.

III. _VINE AND OLIVE_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL.

IV. _SUNNY SHORES_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN ITALY AND AUSTRIA.

V. _CROSS AND CRESCENT_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN GREECE AND TURKEY.

VI. _ISLES OF THE SEA_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA HOMEWARD BOUND.

* * * * *

PREFACE.

Outward Bound is the first volume of "A Library of Travel and Adventure
in Foreign Lands," and contains the voyage of the Academy Ship "Young
America" across the Atlantic. The origin and progress of this aquatic
institution are incidentally developed, and the plan is respectfully
submitted to the consideration of those who are interested in the
education and moral training of the class of young men who are the
characters in the scenes described in this work. Besides a full
description of the routine and discipline of the ship, as an educational
and reformatory institution, the volume contains a rather free _exposé_
of the follies and frailties of youth, but their vices are revealed to
suggest the remedy.

The story includes the experience of the officers and crew of the Young
America, eighty-seven in number, though, of course, only a few of them
can appear as prominent actors. As the ship has a little world, with all
the elements of good and evil, within her wooden walls, the story of the
individual will necessarily be interwoven with that of the mass; and the
history of "The Chain League," in the present volume, of which Shuffles
is the hero, will, it is hoped, convey an instructive lesson to young
men who are disposed to rebel against reasonable discipline and
authority. In the succeeding volumes of this series, the adventures,
travels, and "sight-seeing," as well as the individual and collective
experience of the juvenile crew of the Academy Ship, will be narrated.
They will visit the principal ports of Europe, as well as penetrate to
the interior; but they will always be American boys, wherever they are.

The author hopes that the volumes of the series will not only be
instructive as a description of foreign lands, and interesting as a
record of juvenile exploits, but that they will convey correct views of
moral and social duties, and stimulate the young reader to their
faithful performance.

HARRISON SQUARE, MASS.,
November 2, 1866.

* * * * *

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE

I. THE IDEA SUGGESTED 11

II. THE YOUNG AMERICA 27

III. THE ENSIGN AT THE PEAK. 43

IV. OFFICERS AND SEAMEN. 59

V. OUR FELLOWS. 75

VI. THE FOURTH OF JULY. 91

VII. HEAVING THE LOG. 106

VIII. OUTWARD BOUND. 122

IX. THE WATCH BILL. 138

X. MAKING A CHAIN. 154

XI. THE GAMBLERS IN NO. 8. 170

XII. THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL. 186

XIII. PIPING TO MISCHIEF. 202

XIV. ALL HANDS, REEF TOPSAILS! 218

XV. AFTER THE GALE. 233

XVI. THE WRECK OF THE SYLVIA 248

XVII. PEAS AND BEANS 263

XVIII. THE RESULT OF THE BALLOT 280

XIX. MAN OVERBOARD! 299

XX. THE END OF THE CHAIN LEAGUE 318

* * * * *

OUTWARD BOUND.

OUTWARD BOUND;

OR,

YOUNG AMERICA AFLOAT

* * * * *

CHAPTER I.

THE IDEA SUGGESTED.

"There are no such peaches this side of New Jersey; and you can't get
them, for love or money, at the stores. All we have to do is, to fill
our pockets, and keep our mouths closed--till the peaches are ripe
enough to eat," said Robert Shuffles, the older and the larger of two
boys, who had just climbed over the high fence that surrounded the fine
garden of Mr. Lowington.

"What will Baird say if he finds it out?" replied Isaac Monroe, his
companion.

"Baird," the gentleman thus irreverently alluded to, was the principal
of the Brockway Academy, of which Shuffles and Monroe were pupils in the
boarding department.

"What will he say when he finds out that the King of the Tonga Islands
picks his teeth with a pitchfork?" added Shuffles, contemptuously. "I
don't intend that he shall find it out? and he won't, unless you tell
him."

"Of course, I shall not tell him."

"Come along, then? it is nearly dark, and no one will see us."

Shuffles led the way down the gravelled walk, till he came to a brook,
on the bank of which stood the peach tree whose rich fruit had tempted
the young gentlemen to invade the territory of Mr. Lowington with intent
to plunder.

"There they are," said the chief of the young marauders, as he paused
behind a clump of quince bushes, and pointed at the coveted fruit.
"There's no discount on them, and they are worth coming after."

"Hark!" whispered Monroe. "I heard a noise."

"What was it?"

"I don't know. I'm afraid we shall be caught."

"No danger; no one can see us from the house."

"But I'm sure there's some one near. I heard something."

"Nonsense! It was only a dagger of the mind, such as Baird talks about,"
answered Shuffles, as he crawled towards the peach tree. "Come, Monroe,
be quick, and fill your pockets."

This peach tree was a choice variety, in whose cultivation the owner had
been making an elaborate experiment. Mr. Lowington had watched it and
nursed it with the most assiduous care, and now it bore about a dozen
remarkably large and beautiful peaches. They were not quite ripe enough
to be gathered, but Shuffles was confident that they would "mellow" in
his trunk as well as on the tree. The experiment of the cultivator had
been a success, and he had already prepared, with much care and labor, a
paper explanatory of the process, which he intended to read before the
Pomological Society, exhibiting the fruit as the evidence of the
practicability of his method. To Mr. Lowington, therefore, the peaches
had a value far beyond their intrinsic worth.

Shuffles gathered a couple of the peaches, and urged his companion to
use all possible haste in stripping the tree of its rich burden.

"Hallo, there! What are you about?" shouted some one, who hastened to
make his presence known to the plunderers.

Monroe began to retreat.

"Hold on!" interposed Shuffles. "It's no one but Harry Martyn."

"He can tell of us just as well as anybody else."

"If he does, he will catch it."

"What are you doing?" demanded Harry Martyn,--who was a nephew of Mr.
Lowington, and lived with him,--as he crossed the rustic bridge that
spanned the brook.

"Don't you see what I'm doing?" replied Shuffles, with an impudent
coolness which confounded Harry.

"Stop that, Shuffles!" cried Harry, indignantly. "My uncle wouldn't take
ten dollars apiece for those peaches."

"That's more than he'll get for them," added Shuffles, as he reached up
and gathered another peach.

"Stop that, I tell you!" said Harry, angrily, as he stepped up, in a
menacing attitude, before the reckless marauder.

"Shut up, Harry! You know me, and when I get all these peaches, I've got
something to say to you."

Shuffles was about to gather another of the peaches, when Harry, his
indignation overcoming his prudence, grasped his arm, and pulled him
away from the tree.

"What do you mean, Harry Martyn?" exclaimed Shuffles, apparently
astonished at the temerity of the youth. "I can't stop to lick you now;
but I'll do it within twenty-four hours."

"Well, don't you touch those peaches, then."

"Yes, I will touch them. I intend to have the whole of them; and if you
say a word to your uncle or any one else about it, I'll pulverize that
head of yours."

"No, you won't! You shall not have those peaches, anyhow," replied the
resolute little fellow, who was no match, physically, for Shuffles.

"If you open your mouth----"

"Hallo! Uncle Robert! Help, help! Thieves in the garden!" shouted Harry,
who certainly had no defect of the lungs.

"Take that, you little monkey!" said Shuffles, angrily, as he struck the
little fellow a heavy blow on the side of the head with his fist, which
knocked him down. "I'll fix you the next, time I see you."

Shuffles consulted his discretion rather than his valor, now that the
alarm had been given, and retreated towards the place where he had
entered garden.

"What's the matter, Harry?" asked Mr. Lowington, as he rushed over the
bridge, followed by the gardener and his assistants, just as Harry was
picking himself up and rubbing his head.

"They were stealing your peaches, and I tried to stop them," replied
Harry. "They have taken some of them now."

Mr. Lowington glanced at the favorite tree, and his brow lowered with
anger and vexation. His paper before the "Pomological" could be
illustrated by only nine peaches, instead of thirteen.

"Who stole them, Harry?" demanded the disappointed fruit-grower.

The nephew hesitated a moment, and the question was repeated with more
sternness.

"Robert Shuffles; Isaac Monroe was with him, but he didn't take any of
the peaches."

"What is the matter with your head, Harry?" asked his uncle, when he
observed him rubbing the place where the blow had fallen.

"Shuffles struck me and knocked me down, when I called out for you."

"Did he? Where is he now?"

"He and Monroe ran up the walk to the back of the garden."

"That boy shall be taken care of," continued Mr. Lowington, as he walked
up the path towards the point where the marauders had entered. "The
Academy is fast becoming a nuisance to the neighborhood, because there
is neither order nor discipline among the students."

The thieves had escaped, and as it would be useless to follow them, Mr.
Lowington went back to the house; but he was too much annoyed at the
loss of his splendid peaches, which were to figure so prominently before
the "Pomological," to permit the matter to drop without further notice.

"Did he hurt you much, Harry?" asked Mr. Lowington as they entered the
house.

"Not much, sir, though he gave me a pretty hard crack," answered Harry.

"Did you see them when they came into the garden?"

"No, sir? I was fixing my water-wheel in the brook, when I heard them at
the tree. I went up, and tried to prevent Shuffles from taking the
peaches. I caught hold of him, and pulled him away. He said he couldn't
stop to lick me then, but he'd do it within twenty-four hours. Then he
hit me when I called for help."

"The young scoundrel! That boy is worse than a pestilence in any
neighborhood. Mr. Baird seems to have no control over him."

Suddenly, and without any apparent reason, Mr. Lowington's compressed
lips and contracted brow relaxed, and his face wore its usual expression
of dignified serenity. Harry could not understand the cause of this
sudden change; but his uncle's anger had passed away. The fact was, that
Mr. Lowington happened to think, while his indignation prompted him to
resort to the severest punishment for Shuffles, that he himself had been
just such a boy as the plunderer of his cherished fruit. At the age of
fifteen he had been the pest of the town in which he resided. His father
was a very wealthy man, and resorted to many expedients to cure the boy
of his vicious propensities.

Young Lowington had a taste for the sea, and his father finally procured
a midshipman's warrant for him to enter the navy. The strict discipline
of a ship of war proved to be the "one thing needful" for the
reformation of the wild youth; and he not only became a steady young
man, but a hard student and an accomplished officer. The navy made a man
of him, as it has of hundreds of the sons of rich men, demoralized by
idleness and the absence of a reasonable ambition.

When Mr. Lowington was thirty years old, his father died, leaving to
each of his three children a quarter of a million; and he had resigned
his position in the navy, in order to take care of his property, and to
lead a more domestic life with his wife and daughter than the discipline
of the service would permit.

He had taken up his residence in Brockway, the early home of his wife.
It was a large town on the sea shore, only a few miles from the
metropolis of New England, thus combining all the advantages of a home
in the city and in the country. For several years he had been happy in
his peaceful retirement. But not wealth, nor even integrity and piety,
can bar the door of the lofty mansion against the Destroyer of the race.
His wife died of an hereditary disease, which gave no indication of its
presence till she had passed her thirtieth year. Two years later, his
daughter, just blooming into maturity, followed her mother down to the
silent tomb, stricken in her freshness and beauty by the same insidious
malady.

The husband and father was left desolate. His purest and fondest hopes
were blighted; but, while he was submissive to the will of the Father,
who doeth all things well, he became gloomy and sad. He was not seen to
smile for a year after the death of his daughter, and it was three years
before he had recovered even the outward semblance of his former
cheerfulness. He was rich, but alone in the world. He continued to
reside in the home which was endeared to him by the memories of his
loved and lost ones.

When his wife's sister died in poverty, leaving two children, he had
taken them to his home, and had become a father to them. Harry Martyn
was a good boy, and Josephine Martyn was a good girl; but they were not
his own children. There was something wanting--an aching void which they
could not fill, though Mr. Lowington was to them all that could be asked
or expected of a parent.

Mr. Lowington busied himself in various studies and experiments; but
life had ceased to be what it was before the death of his wife and
daughter. He wanted more mental occupation; he felt the need of greater
activity, and he was tempted to return to the navy, even after his
absence of ten years from the service; but this step, for many reasons,
was not practicable. At the time when his garden was invaded by the
vandal students from the Brockway Academy, he was still thinking what he
could do to save himself from the inglorious life of ease he was
leading, and, at the same time, serve his country and his race.

Shuffles had robbed his garden of some of his choicest fruit; had struck
his nephew a severe blow on the head, and threatened to inflict still
greater chastisement upon him in the future. Mr. Lowington was justly
indignant; and his own peace and the peace of the neighborhood demanded
that the author of the mischief should be punished, especially as he was
an old transgressor. It was absolutely necessary that something should
be done, and the retired naval officer was in the right frame of mind to
do it. Just then, when he was wrought up to the highest pitch of
indignation, his anger vanished. Shuffles at sixteen was the counterpart
of himself at fifteen.

This was certainly no reason why the hand of justice should be stayed.
Mr. Lowington did not intend to stay it, though the thought of his own
juvenile depravity modified his view, and appeased his wrath. He put on
his hat and left the house. He walked over to the Academy, and being
shown to the office of the principal, he informed him of the
depredations committed in his garden.

"Who did it, Mr. Lowington?" demanded the principal, with proper
indignation in his tones and his looks.

"Shuffles."

"I need not have asked. That boy gives me more trouble than all the
others put together," added Mr. Baird, with an anxious expression. "And
yet what can I do with him?"

"Expel him," replied Mr. Lowington, laconically.

"I don't like to do that."

"Why not?"

"It would be an injury to me."

"Why so?"

"It would offend his father, who is a person of wealth and influence.
When Shuffles came to Brockway ten other boys came with him. He was
expelled from another institution, which so incensed his father that he
induced the parents of ten others to take their sons out, and send them
to me. If I expel Shuffles, I shall lose about a dozen of my students,
and I can't afford to do that."

"But must the neighborhood suffer from his depredations?"

"I will talk with the boy; I will keep him in his room for a week."

"I'm afraid the boy needs severer measures. If this were the first, or
even the third time, I would, not say so much."

"My dear sir, what can I do?"

"The boy needs strict discipline. If I were still in the navy, and had
him aboard my ship, I could make a man of him."

"I don't think anything can be done."

"Something must be done, Mr. Baird. My garden shall not be robbed with
impunity."

"I will do what I can, Mr. Lowington."

But the owner of the stolen fruit was by this time satisfied that
nothing would be done. The principal of the Brockway Academy had not
force nor influence enough to control such a boy as Shuffles. Mr.
Lowington took his leave, determined to apply to another tribunal for
the correction of the evil. That night the peach thieves were arrested,
and put in the lock-up. The next day they were tried, found guilty, and
sentenced to pay a fine and costs, which Mr. Baird promptly paid. Within
a week Mr. Lowington's stable was burned to the ground. Shuffles was
seen near the building just before the fire broke out; but it could not
be proved that he was the incendiary, though no one doubted the fact. He
was arrested, but discharged on the examination.

"You see how it is, Mr. Lowington," said the principal of the Academy,
as the two gentlemen met after the examination. "It would have been
better for you if you had not prosecuted the boy for stealing the
peaches."

"I don't think so," replied Mr. Lowington. "I must do my duty, without
regard to consequences; and you will pardon me if I say you ought to do
the same."

"If I expel the boy he would burn the house over my head."

"Then you think he burned my stable?"

"I don't know; it cannot be proved that he did."

"I have no doubt of the fact. I have no ill will against the boy. I only
desire to protect myself and my neighbors from his depredations."

"I think you were very unfortunate in the method you adopted, Mr.
Lowington," replied the principal of the Academy. "It has reacted upon
yourself."

"Shall this boy steal my fruit and burn my buildings with impunity?"
added Mr. Lowington, with considerable warmth.

"Certainly not."

"I applied to you for redress, Mr. Baird."

"I told you I would talk with the boy."

"Such a reprobate as that needs something more than talk."

"What would you do with him, sir?" demanded Mr. Baird, earnestly.

"I hardly know. I should certainly have expelled him; but that, while it
protects the Academy, does not benefit the boy."

"It would only harden the boy."

"Very likely; and his remaining will harden a dozen more by his
influence. Mr. Baird, I shall be obliged to take my nephew out of your
institution," added Mr. Lowington, seriously.

"Take him out?"

"I must, indeed."

"Why so?" asked Mr. Baird, who was touched in a very tender place.

"Because I am not willing to keep him under the influence of such an
example as this Shuffles sets for his companions. As the matter now
stands, the young rascal has more influence in the Academy than you
have. You cannot manage him, and you dare not expel him. The boy knows
this, and he will not leave his advantage unused."

"I hope you won't take Harry out of the school," said Mr. Baird.

"I must."

"Others may do the same."

"I cannot help it; with my view of the matter, they can hardly do
otherwise."

"But you see, sir, what the effect of this step must be."

"Mr. Baird, I must be frank with you. You have declined to expel
Shuffles, while you know that his influence is bad. You asked me what
you should do? and I told you. Now, you prefer to retain Shuffles, but
you must lose others. Permit me to say that you should do your duty
without regard to consequences."

"I cannot afford to lose my scholars."

"Your position is a difficult one. I grant, Mr. Baird; but without
discipline you can do nothing for yourself or the boys."

Mr. Lowington went home, Harry was taken from the Academy, and a dozen
parents and guardians followed the example of the advocate for
discipline. Mr. Baird was in despair. The institution was falling to
pieces for the want of discipline. The principal had not the nerve to
enforce order, even with the limited means within his reach. He went to
see Mr. Lowington and begged him to assist in stemming the tide which
was setting against the Brockway Academy. The retired naval officer
became deeply interested in the subject of school discipline in general,
especially in its connection with the education of rich men's sons given
to insubordination. He pitied poor Mr. Baird in his perplexities, for he
was a good man and an excellent teacher.

In the mean time Shuffles grew worse instead of better. Finding that he
could have his own way, that the principal was no match for him, his
influence for evil was stronger than Mr. Baird's for good. The worthy
schoolmaster had finally resolved to expel his troublesome student,
when Mr. Lowington one day surprised him by offering to buy out the
Academy at a price far exceeding its value. He gladly accepted the offer
as the best solution of the problem, and the naval officer became
principal of the Brockway Academy.

Mr. Lowington did not expel the refractory pupil at once. He waited for
an overt act; but Shuffles found the anaconda of authority tightening
upon him. He attempted to vindicate himself before his fellow-students
by setting fire to a haystack on the marsh, belonging to the new
principal. A searching investigation followed, and Shuffles was
convicted. Mr. Lowington wrote to the boy's father, announcing his
expulsion. Mr. Shuffles went to Brockway full of wrath, and threatened
the new head of the institution with the loss of a large number of his
scholars if he disgraced his son by expelling him. If the boy had done
wrong,--and he supposed he had,--let him be talked to; let him be
confined to his room for a day or two; but he must not be expelled; it
was a disgrace to the boy.

The principal was as firm as a rock, and Mr. Shuffles was calm when he
found that threats were unavailing. Mr. Lowington pointed out to his
visitor the perils which lay in the path of his son. Mr. Shuffles began
to be reasonable, and dined with the principal. A long and earnest
consideration of the whole matter took place over the dessert. The fiat
of expulsion was revoked, and young Shuffles was turned over to the
ex-naval officer, with full power to discipline him as he thought best.
Mr. Lowington had converted the father, and he hoped he should be able
to convert the son.

After dinner, Mr. Shuffles went down the bay with his host in the yacht.
On the way they passed the school ship Massachusetts, to which boys are
sentenced by the courts for crime and vagrancy, and on board of which
they are disciplined and educated. Mr. Lowington explained the
institution to his guest.

"An excellent idea," said Mr. Shuffles.

"It is just the place for your son," replied Mr. Lowington.

"But it is for criminals."

"Very true."

"Robert is not a criminal."

"If he is not now, he soon will be, if he continues in his present
course. If I had him on shipboard, I could make a man of him."

"Then I wish you had him on shipboard."

"Perhaps I may yet," replied the principal, with a smile. "I did not
purchase the Academy with the intention of becoming a pedagogue, in the
ordinary sense of the word. I have no intention of remaining in it."

"I hope you will."

"I have been thinking of fitting up a vessel like the school ship, that
rich men's sons may have the benefit of such an institution without the
necessity of committing a crime. I could do more for the boys in a month
on board ship than I could in a year at Brockway."

This was the first mention which Mr. Lowington made of his plan, though
he had been considering it for several weeks. Mr. Shuffles hoped that
this idea of a nautical academy would be reduced to practice; for he now
felt that it was just what his son needed. The project was discussed
during the rest of the trip.

The history of the scheme, from its inception, need not be followed in
detail. Many persons were consulted in regard to it; there were plenty
to approve, and plenty to disapprove; but in October the keel of a four
hundred ton ship was laid down. The object of this marine institution
was thoroughly explained, and before the ship was ready for launching
there were applications for every berth on board of her.

The idea was exceedingly popular among the boys, all of whom were
anxious to be students on board, especially as it was already hinted
that the ship would visit Europe. To parents it held out for their sons
all the benefits of a sea voyage, with few of its disadvantages. It
would furnish healthy exercise and a vigorous constitution to its
pupils.

In March of the following year the ship was at anchor in Brockway
harbor, ready to receive her juvenile crew.

CHAPTER II.

THE YOUNG AMERICA.

With Mr. Lowington, the Academy Ship, which was the name he usually
applied to the idea he had matured, and thus far carried into effect,
was not a speculation; he did not intend to see how much money could be
made by the scheme. It was an experiment in the education of rich men's
sons, for only rich men could pay for scholarships in such an expensive
institution.

The Brockway Academy was to be continued, under the management of a
board of trustees. An accomplished teacher had been selected by Mr.
Lowington, and the school, under its present administration, was in a
highly prosperous condition. Only ten of its pupils had been transferred
to the Academy Ship, for it required no little nerve on the part of
parents to send their sons to school on the broad ocean, to battle with
the elements, to endure the storms of the Atlantic, and to undergo the
hardships which tender mothers supposed to be inseparably connected with
a life on shipboard.

For six months Mr. Lowington had studied upon his plan, and it was
hardly matured when the new ship came to anchor in Brockway harbor.
During this period he had visited the principal cities of the Northern
States, those of the southern section being closed against his
operations by the war of the rebellion then raging at the height of its
fury. He had interested his friends in his bold enterprise, and boys
with, whom the experiment was to be inaugurated were gathered from all
parts of the country.

The securing of the requisite number of pupils was the first success,
and what he had regarded as the most difficult part of the enterprise.
More than half of them had been obtained before it was deemed prudent to
lay the keel of the ship. The details of the plan had been carefully
considered during the winter, and when the ship was moored at Brockway,
the organization of the school, its rules and regulations had all been
written out. The boys began to arrive about the first of March, and by
the first of April all of them, eighty-seven in number, were on board.

Mr. Lowington was naturally very anxious for the success of his
experiment, and for months he had labored with unceasing diligence in
perfecting his plan, and carrying it into operation. In this occupation
he had found the activity he needed; and he may not be blamed for
believing, all the time, that he was laboring for his country and his
race.

If it has been inferred from what has been said of Mr. Lowington, of his
domestic afflictions, and of his views on the subject of discipline,
that he was an austere, cold, and unsympathizing man, a wrong impression
has been conveyed. The boys of the Brockway Academy, when they came to
know him, loved him as much as they respected him. He was not the man
needlessly to abridge the harmless enjoyment of youth, or to repress its
innocent hilarity. He watched the sports of the students with interest
and pleasure, and encouraged them by all the means in his power. He was
fond of humor, enjoyed a harmless joke, and had a keen appreciation of
juvenile wit. He was a good companion for the boys, and when they
understood him, he was always welcome to the play-ground.

The new ship had been duly christened Young America at the launching, by
Miss Josey Martyn--a name which was rapturously applauded by the boys.
She was one hundred and eighteen feet in length, and of about four
hundred tons burden. She had been built as strong as wood, iron, and
copper could make her. For a ship, she was small, which permitted her to
be light sparred, so that her juvenile crew could handle her with the
more ease. She had a flush deck; that is, it was unbroken from stem to
stern. There was no cabin, poop, camboose, or other house on deck, and
the eye had a clean range over the whole length of her. There was a
skylight between the fore and the main mast, and another between the
main and mizzen masts, to afford light and air to the apartments below.
There were three openings in the deck by which entrance could be
obtained to the interior of the ship: the fore hatch, the main hatch,
and the companion-way, the two former being used by the crew, and the
latter by the officers.

The between-decks, which is the space included between the upper and the
lower deck, was fitted up for the accommodation of the officers and
crew. Descending by the companion-way--which in the Young America
extended athwartships--on the right, at the foot of the stairs, was the
officers' cabin, occupying the part of the ship nearest to the stern.
This apartment was twenty-eight feet long, by fifteen in breadth at the
widest part, with four state rooms on each side. The mizzen mast passed
up through the middle of it. This cabin was richly but plainly fitted
up, and was furnished well enough for a drawing-room on shore. It was
for the use of the juvenile officers of the ship, fifteen in number, who
were to hold their positions as rewards of merit. The captain had a room
to himself, while each of the other apartments was to accommodate two
officers.

On the left of the companion-way, descending the stairs, was the "old
folks' cabin," as it was called by the students. It was in the locality
corresponding to that occupied by the ward room of a man-of-war. Though
the after cabin is the place of honor on board a ship, Mr. Lowington had
selected the ward room for himself and the teachers, in preference to
the after cabin, because it was next to the steerage, which was occupied
by the larger portion of the pupils, and because the form of the ship
did not contract the dimensions of the state rooms. This cabin was
twenty-two feet long and fifteen feet wide, with no waste room, as in
the after cabin, caused by the rounding in of the ship's counter. On the
sides were five state rooms, besides a pantry for the steward, and a
dispensary for the surgeon.

The forward room on the starboard side was occupied by Mr. Lowington
alone; the next on the same side by the chaplain and doctor; and each of
the three on the port side by two of the teachers. This cabin was
elegantly finished and furnished, and the professors were delighted with
its cheerful and pleasant aspect.

From the main cabin, as that of the "faculty" was called, were two
doors, opening into the steerage, fifty-two feet in length by fifteen
feet in width of clear space between the berths, which diminished to
nine feet abreast of the foremast. This apartment was eight feet high,
and was lighted in part by a large skylight midway between the fore and
main mast, and partly by bull's eyes in the side of the ship. There were
seventy-two berths, placed in twelve rooms, opening from passage-ways,
which extended athwartships from the main steerage, and were lighted by
the bull's eyes. There were no doors to these dormitories, each of which
contained six berths, in two tiers of three each. It was intended that
the six boys occupying one of these rooms should form a mess. Between
the gangways, or passages, were mess tables, which could be swung up
against the partition when not in use.

The steerage was neatly and tastefully fitted up, and furnished, though
not so elegantly as the cabins. It was to be the school room, as well as
the parlor and dining room of the boys, and it would compare favorably
with such apartments in well-ordered academies on shore. There was
plenty of shelves, pouches, and lockers, under the lower berths, and
beneath the bull's eyes at the head of the main gangways, for clothing
and books, and each boy had a place for every article which regulations
allowed him to possess.

Forward of the foremast there were two large state rooms; that on the
starboard side having four berths, for the boatswain, carpenter,
sailmaker, and head steward; and the one on the port side with six, for
the two cooks and the four under stewards, all of whom were men skilful
and experienced in their several departments. Forward of these was the
kitchen, from which opened the lamp room, a triangular closet in the bow
of the ship. Mr. Lowington had taken the idea of locating the cooking
apartment in the extreme forward part of the vessel from the Victoria
and Albert, the steam yacht of the Queen of England.

The hold beneath the berth deck contained the water tanks, bread room,
chain lockers, and a multitude of store rooms for provisions, clothing,
and supplies of every description needed on board during a long voyage.

The Young America was to be officered and manned by the students. They
were to work the ship, to make and take in sail, to reef, steer, and
wash down decks, as well as study and recite their lessons. They were to
go aloft, stand watch, man the capstan, pull the boats; in short, to do
everything required of seamen on board a ship. Mr. Lowington was to lure
them into the belief, while they were hauling tacks and sheets, halyards
and braces, that they were not at work, but at play. The labor required
of them was an essential element in the plan, by which the boys were to
obtain, the necessary physical exercise, and the discipline they so much
needed.

By the first of April the last of the students had reported to the
principal on board, and the professors, as the boys insisted upon
calling them, had taken possession of their state rooms. Though some of
the pupils had been on board nearly a month, the organization of the
ship had not been commenced; but classes had been formed in some of the
studies, by the teachers, and the pupils recited every day. The
boatswain had instructed the boys in rowing, and some temporary
regulations had been adopted for the eating and sleeping departments.
But not a boy had been allowed to go aloft, and nothing more than
ordinary school discipline had been attempted.

The boys, as boys always are, were impatient at this delay. They wanted
to be bounding over the ocean--to be on their way to some foreign port.
They were anxious to work, to climb the rigging, and stand at the wheel.
As yet they knew very little of the purposes of the principal, and had
but a faint perception of the life they were to lead in the Academy
Ship. It was understood that the officers were to be selected for their
merit, and that the ship, some time or other, was to cross the ocean;
but beyond this, all was darkness and uncertainty.

"To-morrow will be the first day of April," said George Wilton, as he
walked the deck of the Young America with Richard Carnes, a dignified
young gentleman of seventeen. "Mr. Lowington said we should go to work
on that day."

"If he said so, then of course we shall go to work," replied Carnes.

"I'm tired of waiting," added Wilton. "I think this is a stupid kind of
life. We are not even tied to a bell rope here."

"You will get discipline enough as soon as the crew are organized."

"I suppose we shall. Do you think we shall go to sea to-morrow?"

"Go to sea to-morrow!" exclaimed Carnes.

"Shuffles said so."

"How can we go to sea to-morrow? The crew don't know the mainmast from a
handspike. They couldn't do anything with the ship now; they don't know
the ropes."

"You do, Carnes."

"Well, I know something about a ship," replied the dignified young
gentleman, who had made one voyage up the Mediterranean with his uncle.

"I was pretty sure we should get out into blue water by to-morrow."

"Nonsense!"

"Shuffles said so."

"He is mistaken."

"What are we going to do?"

"I don't know? I'm content to wait till orders come."

"I don't want to wait any longer," added Wilton.

"What are you talking about, fellows?" asked Shuffles, joining them, as
they walked forward.

"Didn't you say we were going to sea to-morrow, Shuffles?" asked Wilton.

"Of course we are."

"Who says so?" demanded Carnes.

"All the fellows say so."

"It can't be true."

"Why not? We are not going to stay here forever."

"In my opinion, we shall stay here some weeks, if not some months,"
added Carnes.

"What for?"

"To pursue our studies, in the first place, and to learn our duty as
seamen, in the second."

"I don't believe I shall stay here a great while longer," said Shuffles,
with evident disgust. "There's no fun lying here."

"You can't help yourself," added Wilton.

"Perhaps I can't, but I can try," said Shuffles, as he glanced towards
the shore.

"All hands ahoy!" shouted Peaks, the boatswain, as his shrill whistle
rang through the ship.

The boys had been taught the meaning of this call, and they gathered in
the waist, eager to know what was to be required of them.

Mr. Lowington stood on the raised hatch over the main scuttle, where all
the students could see him. It was evident that he had some announcement
to make, especially as the following day had been assigned for
organizing the ship's company. The boys were silent, and their faces
betrayed the curiosity which they felt.

"Young gentleman," the principal began, "this ship will go into
commission to-morrow."

"Don't know what you mean, sir," said Paul Kendall as Mr. Lowington
paused to observe the effect of his announcement.

"I did not suppose that many of you would understand the expression. In
the navy, a ship is said to go into commission when the captain takes
his place on board, and the crew are organized for duty. When this
takes place, the ensign is hoisted. To-morrow, at twelve o'clock, we
shall display the colors at the peak. With us, going into commission
will only mean the organization of our school. From that time, we shall
observe the discipline of a man-of-war, so far as the ship and crew are
concerned."

"Shall we go to sea then?" asked Wilton.

"I think not," replied Mr. Lowington, laughing. "We shall not leave the
harbor till every officer and seaman knows his duty. You shall have
enough to do to-morrow, young gentlemen."

"When shall we be able to go to sea?"

"I don't know. There are many ropes in the ship, and you have a great
deal to learn before I shall be willing to trust you with the anchor at
the cat-head."

"What is the cat-head, sir?" asked Kendall

"Do you wish to go to sea without knowing what the cat-head is?" replied
the principal. "You shall know in due time. To-morrow we shall select
the officers, fifteen in number, who are to occupy the after cabin."

This announcement created a decided sensation among the eighty-seven
boys gathered in the waist, for the subject had been full of interest to
them. The after cabin had thus far been a sealed book; the door was
locked, and they had not even seen the inside of the apartment. They
were curious to visit this cabin, and to know who were to occupy it.

"After the organization of the school, it is my intention to give these
offices to those who obtain the highest number of merit marks, which
will be given for good conduct, good lessons, and progress in
seamanship. The best boy, who is at the same time the best scholar and
the best seaman, shall be captain. We have no marks now by which to make
the selection, and I intend to have you elect him the first time,
reserving to myself the right to veto your choice if it is obviously an
improper one."

As Mr. Lowington uttered this last remark, he glanced, perhaps
unconsciously, at Shuffles, who stood directly in front of him.

"Young gentlemen, the ballot will take place to-morrow morning, at nine
o'clock. I have given you this notice, that you may be able to consider
the matter and, if you choose, to make nominations for the several
offices," continued the principal.

"What are the offices, sir?"

"The first and most important one, of course, is the captain. The others
are four lieutenants, four masters, two pursers, and four midshipmen."

"What are they to do?" asked Kendall.

"I will not explain their duties now; it would require too much time. I
mentioned them in the order of their importance. Now, young gentlemen,
you should select your candidates for these offices by merit, not by
favor. I am aware that a few of you have been to sea, but probably none
of you are competent to handle a ship; and your choice should be based
mainly on good character and good conduct. I hope I shall be able to
approve the choice you may make. You are dismissed now."

"Three cheers for the principal!" shouted one of the boys.

"Silence, young gentleman! Let me say now, that no expressions of
approbation or disapprobation are to be allowed."

The boys separated into groups, and immediately gave their attention to
the important subject suggested to them by Mr. Lowington. It must be
acknowledged that violent symptoms of "log-rolling" began to be
exhibited. There were fifty, if not eighty-seven young men who wished to
be captain, and sit at the head of the table in the after cabin. Some of
them went down into the steerage, and in five minutes there was a
confused jabbering in every part of the ship.

"For whom shall you vote, Wilton?" asked Shuffles in a group of half a
dozen which had gathered around one of the mess tables.

"I don't know? whom do you go for?" replied Wilton.

"I rather think I shall go for Bob Shuffles. In my opinion, he is the
best fellow on board," replied the owner of that name.

"That's modest," laughed Wilton.

"Do you know of any fellow that would make a better captain than I
should?"

"You don't know the first thing about a ship."

"What odds does that make? I can learn as fast as anybody else."

"Do you expect every fellow to vote for himself?" asked Howe, another of
the group.

"Of course I don't; I expect them to vote for me," answered Shuffles,
with great good-nature.

"You are rather cheeky, Shuffles."

"What's the use of mincing the matter? Here we are, half a dozen of the
best fellows in the ship. We can't all be captain; but one of us can be
just as well as not."

"That's so," added Howe, approvingly. "But who shall that one be?"

"I am the one, without a doubt," said Shuffles.

"I don't see it," interposed Monroe, shaking his head; and he was the
young gentleman who had assisted the aspirant for the captaincy to rob
Mr. Lowington's favorite peach tree.

"What have you got to say about it, Ike Monroe? Do you expect us to go
for you?"

"I didn't say so."

"That's what you meant."

"I've just as much right to the place as you have, Bob Shuffles."

"Do you think you could make the fellows stand round as I can? But hold
on; fellows, don't let us fight about it. We are just the best six
fellows on board, and if we have a mind to do so, we can have this thing
all our own way," continued Shuffles.

"I don't see how," said Philip Sanborn.

"Don't you know how the politicians manage these things?"

"I don't."

"I'll tell you, then."

"But the principal said we must go according to merit, and elect the
fellows who were the best fitted for the offices," interposed Howe.

"Exactly so; that's just what we are going to do. I'm going to be
captain; can you tell me of any better fellow for the place?" demanded
Shuffles, who, putting aside the jesting manner in which he had
commenced the discussion, now assumed an earnest and impudent tone.

"Didn't you hear what Lowington said when he wound up his speech?" asked
Wilton.

"What?"

"About vetoing our choice if it was not a proper one."

"What of it?" asked Shuffles, innocently.

"Don't you think he would veto you?"

"Me! Not he! Lowington knows that I'm smart; I was too smart for him
once, and he knows it. He won't veto me. We have been the best of
friends lately."

"I don't believe he'll have a chance to veto you," said Wilton.

"What do you mean?"

"I don't believe you will be elected."

"I know I shall, if we manage it right. Let us look at it," continued
Shuffles, as he took a pencil from his pocket. "Got a piece of paper?"

Monroe gave him a piece of paper, and the wire-puller began to make his
calculations.

"Eighty-seven votes," said he, writing the number on the paper.
"Necessary to a choice, forty-four. Here are six votes to start with."

"For whom?" asked Monroe.

"For me, for captain, first, and for each of the others for whatever
place he wants; say for Wilton for first lieutenant; Howe for second,
Sanborn for third, Monroe for fourth, and Adler for first master. What
do you say to that, fellows?"

As with the political "slate," there was some difference of opinion in
regard to the minor officers, even after Shuffles' claim to the
captaincy had been conceded But this disposition of the spoils was
finally agreed to.

"Now we want thirty-eight more votes," Shuffles proceeded.

"Just so; and you might as well attempt to jump over the main royal yard
as to get them," added Adler, who, having been assigned to the office
lowest in rank, was least satisfied with the "slate."

"Hold on; we haven't done yet. There are nine more offices. Now we will
pick out some good fellow that will work for us, for each of these
places; then we will promise him six votes if he will go our ticket, and
do what he can for us."

"That will give us only fifteen votes," said Adler.

"I think that will be doing very well to start with. Then you five
fellows can electioneer for me, and I'll do the same for you."

"I think we have made one mistake," added Sanborn. "Most of the fellows
will go for Carnes for captain. He is an old salt, and has more
influence than any other student in the ship. We ought to offer him some
place."

"Make him purser, if you like," said Shuffles, contemptuously.

"That won't go down. Make him first lieutenant."

"And shove me out?" demanded Wilton, indignantly. "I don't see it!"

"Nor I," added Shuffles. "I won't vote for Carnes, any how. He's a snob
and a flunky."

It was useless to resist the fiat of the chief wire-puller; the ticket
remained as it had been originally prepared; and the young gentlemen
proceeded to distribute the rest of the offices.

CHAPTER III.

THE ENSIGN AT THE PEAK.

The students on board of the Young America were between the ages of
fourteen and seventeen. By the regulations, no boy under fourteen or
over seventeen could be admitted, and they averaged about fifteen. They
had, therefore, reached the years of discretion. Among them were a great
many who were disposed to be wild boys, and not a few who had found it
difficult to remain in similar institutions on shore. They were not
criminal or depraved, but simply wild; with a tendency to break through
reasonable restraint; with a taste for mad pranks, and a contempt for
authority.

Of this class, who were a trial and a torment to the teachers of the
ordinary high schools and academies, the larger proportion would have
scorned to steal, or commit any wanton outrage upon the persons or
property of others. There were many high-minded, noble-hearted young
men, who could not tamely submit to authority, and were prone to
insubordination, and who only needed the right kind of discipline to
make them earnest and faithful men and useful citizens. There were few,
if any, dunces or blockheads among them, for a life on shipboard had no
attractions for such boys. They were, almost without an exception,
wide-awake, bold, daring fellows, who had a taste for stirring events;
fellows who wanted to climb the Rocky Mountains, visit the North Pole,
and explore the Mammoth Cave. They were full of fun and mischief and it
would have been easy at any time to get up a party among them to march
the principal's cow into the parlor of the Academy; to climb to the
belfry on a winter's night, and fill the inverted bell with water, where
it would freeze solid before morning; or to convey the occupants of the
hen-coop to the recitation room.

It was Mr. Lowington's task to repress the mischief in these boys, to
keep them occupied with work and play, and to develop their moral and
mental capacities. He had doubtless taken a heavy load upon himself but
he felt that he was to labor for his race and his country. At least one
half of his students were too wild to attend the ordinary public or
private schools, or to profit by them if admitted. With such material,
his work could not be a sinecure. But he had a taste for it, and he gave
his whole heart and soul to the performance of his duties.

When the students were gathered on board the Young America, they were
mostly strangers to him, though he had communicated personally or by
letter with the parents of all of them. He had read and listened to the
stories of their pranks and peccadilloes, but when they came together,
he hardly knew one from another, and was not prejudiced against any
individual by the terrible accounts of him related by parents,
guardians, or teachers. He purposed to give them the opportunity to
select their own officers at first, in order to win a more cheerful
obedience from them, and because the students knew each other better
than he knew them.

After the announcement of the principal that the voting would commence
on the following morning, nothing else was talked of on board. The
qualifications of various members of the school were discussed by groups
of excited voters; and we must do them the justice to say that most of
them considered the matter unselfishly and with a single eye to the
public good. Perhaps it is a little remarkable that not a single
student, outside of the little group of wire-pullers that gathered in
the steerage, thought of Shuffles for the position of captain; and the
"log-rollers" were likely to have up-hill work in electing themselves to
the six principal offices. But they went to work, and labored very
diligently till bed-time in carrying their point.

While none thought of Shuffles in connection with the highest position,
many mentioned the dignified young gentleman, who had made one voyage up
the Mediterranean--Richard Carnes. He had been on board a fortnight, and
had won and retained the respect of all his companions.

Before the little band of wire-pullers in the steerage had made up the
"slate" to suit their minds, the crowd on deck had agreed upon Richard
Carnes for captain, and were busy in discussing the qualifications of
others for the subordinate offices, when the log-rollers separated, and
went to work upon their mission.

"How are you going to vote for captain, Kendall?" said Wilton, stopping
up to the young gentleman who had proposed so many questions to the
principal, and who had been so honest in confessing his ignorance of
nautical matters.

"For Carnes, of course."

"Humph! I wouldn't vote for him," sneered the wire-puller.

"Why not?"

"He's too stiff; he'll put on airs, and be a tyrant over us."

"No, he won't."

"You see if he don't. I say, Kendall, are you up for any office?"
continued Wilton, with a certain appearance of slyness which the
straightforward young gentleman did not exactly like.

"Am I?"

"Yes, you. Wouldn't you like a room in the after cabin?"

"Perhaps I would," answered Kendall, thoughtfully; and the place was
certainly very inviting to him.

"They say the after cabin is a perfect little palace."

"I dare say it is."

"You can just as well go in there, if you like."

"I don't see how that can be. I don't think I'm fit to be an officer. I
am from Cincinnati, and I never saw a ship till I came east three weeks
ago."

"None of the fellows know anything about a ship. All of us will have to
learn."

"Carnes knows all about one."

"No, he don't. He made one voyage, and knows just enough to talk salt.
He's a good fellow enough, but he isn't fit for captain. If you want to
be an officer, Kendall, and have a berth in the after cabin, you can,
just as well as not."

"Well, I would like such a place; I can't deny it; but I don't think the
fellows will go for me."

"They will, if you say so."

"If I say so! I'm not going to ask them to vote for me," replied
Kendall, warmly; for he was no politician and had a vein of modesty in
his composition.

"You needn't say a word to any one. If you will go for our ticket, it
will be all right. Half a dozen of us have talked this matter over, and
we have concluded that you would be the best fellow for second master."

"Have you?" asked Kendall, who could not help being gratified to learn
that even half a dozen of his companions had thought him worthy to be an
officer of so high a rank as second master. "I'm very much obliged to
you."

"All you have to do, is to go for our ticket."

"What do you mean by your ticket?" demanded Kendall, who was rather
confused by the technical terms of the wire-puller.

Wilton explained that his little party had selected a candidate for each
of the offices; and if all the fellows agreed to it, there would be
fifteen votes for their ticket, to begin with.

"Well, what is your ticket?" demanded Kendall, impatiently. "If they are
all good fellows, I will go for them. Of course you mean to vote for
Carnes for captain."

"Not exactly," replied Wilton, with evident disgust. "We shall put up a
better fellow than he is for captain."

"Why, all the boys are going for him," added Kendall, astonished to find
there were any who did not believe in Carnes.

"No, they are not."

"I thought they were."

"He will not be elected, and you need not throw your vote away upon him,
because, if you don't want a place in the after cabin, there are plenty
of fellows who do," added the wire-puller, with apparent indifference.

"But I do want it."

"Then all you have to do, is to go for our ticket."

"I think Carnes will make the best captain."

"Very well; if you think so, you have a right to your own opinion. I
haven't any mortgage on it."

"Whom are you going to run for captain?"

"It's no use to talk any more about it, if you are going for Carnes,"
replied Wilton, as he turned to move away.

The wire-puller was playing a part. Paul Kendall was a noble little
fellow, and was already a great favorite on board, not only with the
boys, but with the principal and the professors. Wilton knew that he had
a great deal of influence, and it was important to secure him for their
ticket. If he could tell others that Kendall was going for their men, it
would induce many to join their party. The "favorite," though he was an
honest, noble-hearted fellow, was still human, and a berth in the after
cabin was a strong temptation to him.

"I'm not going to say I'll vote for a fellow till I know who he is,"
added Kendall. "If he's the right person, perhaps I'll go for him,
though I wanted to see Carnes captain."

"Carnes can't be elected, I tell you. We are going against him."

"Whom are you going for, then?"

"For Bob Shuffles," replied Wilton, desperately, for he did not wish to
mention his candidate till he had won the assent of his companion.

"Shuffles!" exclaimed Kendall, with something like horror mingled with
his astonishment; "I shall not go for him, anyhow."

"Why not?"

"I don't think he is the right person for the place."

"I do; he's a first-rate fellow--none of your milk and water chaps, that
swallow camels and strain at gnats."

Kendall had some decided objections to Shuffles, and he positively
refused to vote for him, even to obtain the coveted position in the
after cabin. Wilton argued the matter with much skill and cunning; but
his logic and his eloquence were both wasted.

"Well, if you won't go for Shuffles, you must be content with your place
in the steerage," added Wilton.

"I won't go for him, any how," said Kendall, firmly.

"You are making a mistake."

"I don't think so. I'm bound to vote for the best fellow, and I'm sure
Shuffles isn't the right one."

"See here, Kendall; don't say a word to the others that I spoke to you
of this little matter. I thought you would go with us, or I shouldn't
have said anything to you."

"Not say anything? Why not?"

"Because it will be better to keep still."

"I shall not do anything of the kind. You have got up a plan to defeat
Carnes, by giving the offices to fellows who will vote against him. You
wish me to keep still, while you carry out your plan. I can see through
a cord of wood, when there's a hole big enough."

"I mentioned this thing to you in confidence."

"You didn't say a word about confidence; and I didn't promise to keep
still. I won't keep still. I think it is a mean trick to buy up the
votes of the fellows, and I'll blow the whole thing higher than a kite."

"You'll catch it if you do," said Wilton, in a threatening tone.

"Catch what?" demanded Kendall, with a very pretty exhibition of
dignity.

"Bob Shuffles will give it to you."

"Give what to me?"

"Give you the biggest licking you ever had in your life," answered
Wilton, angrily, "You are so stupid, you can't understand anything."

"I think I can understand the licking, when if comes. That's a game that
two can play at."

"What do you mean, you little bantam? Do you think you can whip Bob
Shuffles?"

"I had no idea of whipping him; and I have no idea of his whipping me,
either."

Kendall was spunky. Wilton could make nothing of him by threats or
persuasion; and he turned away from him to seek a more promising field
of labor. Kendall took off his cap, scratched his head as he reflected
upon the event which had just transpired, and made up his mind that it
was an insult to an independent elector to attempt to buy his vote with
the paltry consideration of an office. He was sorry that he had been
even tempted by the proposition of the wire-pullers, and thankful that
his sense of honor and decency had prompted him to decline it when asked
to vote for an improper person. True to his promise, he made all haste
to expose the conspiracy, as he regarded it, against Carnes.

When the students turned in that night, the wire-pullers had found a
sufficient number of candidates for all the offices on the terms set
forth in the compact, each of whom had promised to use his influence for
the entire ticket. Shuffles had made a very pretty calculation, to the
effect that each of the fifteen candidates could influence at least two
votes besides his own for the ticket, which would inevitably elect it.
But during all this time Paul Kendall had been laboring like a Trojan
for Carnes, and had induced his friends to do the same.

At nine-o'clock in the morning, the polls were opened for the election
of officers. A box was placed on the fife-rail, at the mainmast, in
which the ballots were deposited, under the inspection of Professor
Mapps.

"Have all the students voted?" called the professor, when the voting
was suspended. "If so, I declare the poll closed."

It was a moment of intense excitement on the spar deck of the Young
America when Mr. Lowington stood up on the hatch to announce the vote.
There was a pleasant smile upon his face, which indicated that it would
not be his painful duty to veto the choice of the independent electors.

"Young gentlemen, your balloting appears to have been conducted with
entire fairness," said he, "and I will proceed to declare the result.
Whole number of votes, eighty-seven; necessary to a choice, forty-four.
Paul Kendall has five; Charles Gordon has seven; Robert Shuffles has
twenty-two; Richard Carnes has fifty-three, and is elected captain of
the Young America for the succeeding three months."

The party who had worked and voted for Carnes applauded the result most
lustily, and gave three cheers for the new captain, which, on this
exciting occasion, were not objected to by the principal. Shuffles's jaw
dropped down, and his lip quivered with angry emotion.

"That little whipper-snapper of a Kendall did that," said Wilton, in a
low tone, to the disappointed candidate. "I was afraid of this when I
saw him blowing about the deck."

"I'll settle it with him when I get a good chance," growled Shuffles, as
he went to the rail and looked over into the water, in order to conceal
his disappointment and chagrin.

"Young gentlemen will bring in their votes for first lieutenant," said
Professor Mapps, as he placed the box on the fife-rail again.

The boys marched around the mainmast, and deposited their ballots for
the second officer, as they had done before. The friends of Shuffles
rallied again, hoping that something might yet come of the compact they
had made with him, and gave him their votes for first lieutenant,
though, in his chagrin, he declared that he would not accept the
position. Fortunately for him, he was not called upon to do so; for
Charles Gordon was elected by a very large majority. As the election
proceeded, it became evident that there was no office for Shuffles. Paul
Kendall was elected fourth lieutenant and the announcement of the vote
was greeted by even more hearty applause than had been bestowed upon the
captain.

At the conclusion of the balloting, Shuffles found that not a single one
of the wire-pullers, or of the candidates nominated by them, had been
elected. The attempt to bribe the independent voters, by giving them
office, had been a signal failure; and it is to be hoped that Young
America, when fully developed, will stick to his principles.

"Captain Richard Carnes," said Mr. Lowington, as he stepped upon the
hatch, after the voting had been concluded.

The young gentleman thus addressed came forward, blushing beneath the
honors which had been bestowed upon him. The principal took his hand.

"Captain Carnes, I congratulate you upon your election to the highest
office in the gift of your companions; and I congratulate your
fellow-students also upon having so good a young man to handle the ship.
You have been modest, and they have been wise. I congratulate you both.
Young gentlemen, I am satisfied that your captain will be just,
courteous, and gentlemanly, in his relations with you; and I hope you
will yield a willing and cheerful obedience to his orders, and to those
of all your superiors. Let me say that this business is not a farce; it
is not mere boys' play; for as soon as the officers and crew are fully
trained and instructed, all ship duty will be carried on without
assistance from me or others. When necessary, I shall advise the captain
what to do, but I shall not do it myself; neither shall I needlessly
interfere with the discipline of the ship.

"This is the last time an election of officers will be permitted, for it
is liable to many objections, not the least of which are the bribery and
corruption by which some have attempted to obtain office."

Mr. Lowington looked at Shuffles, as though he knew all about the method
to which he had resorted to secure an election; but we are quite sure
that Paul Kendall had never lisped a word of it to him, or to any of the
instructors.

"On the first day of July, young gentlemen, all the offices will be
vacant; and they will be awarded strictly in accordance with the marks
you may obtain. There will be no veto upon the result of the merit roll.
These places, therefore, are open to all. We have no aristocracy on
board. Every student in the ship is a candidate for the captaincy. Now,
if the officers elect will follow me to the after cabin, I will install
them into their new positions; after which I will proceed to organize
the crew."

The door of the after cabin, which had hitherto been a mystery to all
the boys, was unlocked by the head steward, and Mr. Lowington, followed
by the officers, entered. The students on deck were ordered forward, and
were not even permitted to look down the companion-way, for the
principal intended to keep the after cabin exclusively for the officers;
and no one not entitled to admission was to be allowed to cross its
threshold. He believed that this mystery, and this rigid adherence to
the division line between officers and crew, would promote the
discipline of the ship, and enhance the value of the offices--the prizes
for good conduct, and general fidelity to duty.

"Captain Carnes, this is your state room," continued Mr. Lowington,
opening the door of the room farthest forward on the starboard side. "As
the commander of the ship you are entitled to an apartment by yourself."

"Thank you, sir," replied the captain, as he stepped into the room.

"You will find on the hooks your uniform as captain. There are three
suits, from which you will select one that fits you."

Captain Carnes entered and closed the door. If he did not feel like a
king, he ought to have felt so.

Mr. Lowington then gave the next room to the first and second
lieutenants, who were to occupy it together; and they were also directed
to clothe themselves in the uniforms deposited there for their use. The
third state room was given to the third and fourth lieutenants, and the
fourth to the first and second midshipmen. The forward room of the port
side was assigned to the first and second masters; the next to the third
and fourth; the third to the two pursers, and the last to the third and
fourth midshipmen.

In a short time the officers came out of their rooms clothed in their
uniforms, which consisted of a blue frock coat, with brass buttons, and
blue pants. The cap was of the same material, with a gold band around
it. Thus far the uniforms were all alike; but there were distinguishing
insignia to indicate the rank of each. All the officers had
shoulder-straps, by which their positions were designated. The captain
had two anchors; the first lieutenant had one anchor, with four stars,
one above, one below, and one on each side; the second lieutenant had
the anchor with three stars--none above; the third lieutenant, one star
on each side of the anchor; and the fourth lieutenant one star below the
anchor. The captain also wore five narrow gold bands on each of his coat
sleeves; the first lieutenant four, and so on, the fourth wearing but
one band.

The shoulder-straps of the masters contained no anchor; only the stars,
one for each grade, the first master having four stars; the fourth only
one. The rank of the pursers was indicated by the outline of a
parallelogram for the second, and two of the same figure, one within the
other, for the first. The straps of the midshipmen contained gilt
numbers, from one to four, designating their grade.

The officers presented a very elegant and dashing appearance in their
new uniform; and if some of them did not feel a little vain, it was
because they were less human than boys usually are.

"What are we to do, sir?" asked Kendall of the principal, after the
uniforms had been duly criticised.

"Nothing, at present."

"Nothing! Why, I feel like a counterfeit gold dollar, in this rig, when
I know no more about a ship than I do about the inside of the moon."

"You will learn in due time. You will go on deck now, young gentlemen;
and remember that, as officers, you are not to be familiar with the crew
while you are on duty."

"Can't we speak to them?" asked Kendall, who was not disposed to be so
exclusive as naval discipline required him to be.

"Not while you are on duty, except when it is necessary to do so. We
will now assign the berths in the steerage to the crew."

As the boys came on board, they had taken the berths as they pleased.
Shuffles had selected a room, and invited his "cronies" to occupy the
bunks it contained with him. The berths were now to be distributed by
lot. Professor Mapps had provided seventy-two slips of paper, on each of
which he had written a number. The boys were mustered into line, and
drew out these numbers from the package. As each student drew his slip,
the purser wrote down his name in a book, with the number he had drawn.

In the steerage, each berth had its own number, which was also applied
to a locker, and a seat at one of the mess tables. When the drawing was
completed each student had his berth, his clothes locker, and his seat
at meals. Many of them were extremely dissatisfied when they found that
they had been separated from their "cronies;" but the principal was
firm, and would not allow a single change to be made.

By this time it was twelve o'clock, and Boatswain Peaks piped all hands
to muster. The ensign was hoisted, and saluted with three cheers, in
which all hands, young and old, joined. When this ceremony was finished,
the crew were piped to dinner, and the officers went to their cabin,
where the steward had set the table for them for the first time. They
dined like lords, though upon the same fare as their companions in the
steerage.

CHAPTER IV.

OFFICERS AND SEAMEN.

After dinner the organization of the crew was continued. All hands were
"piped to muster," and by this time most of those who had been
disaffected at the drawing of berths had recovered their natural
equanimity, and all were intensely interested in the arrangement of the
details. None of the boys knew what was coming, and their curiosity kept
them in a continuous state of excitement.

"All who have drawn even numbers will take the starboard side of the
ship," said Mr. Lowington from his perch on the hatch. "All who have
drawn odd numbers will take the port side."

"This is the starboard side, my lads," added Mr. Fluxion, the instructor
in mathematics--who, like the principal, had been a naval officer,--as
he pointed to the right, looking forward.

Some had already forgotten their numbers, and there was considerable
confusion before the order could be obeyed.

"Young gentlemen, the books will be opened to-day; and a student who
forgets his number again will lose a mark," said Mr. Lowington. "Are
they all in their places, Mr. Fluxion?"

"They are, sir," replied the instructor, who had just counted them.

"Young gentlemen, you are thus divided into two equal parts--the
starboard and the port watches. Now form a straight line, toe the crack,
and call your numbers in order, beginning with the starboard watch."

The boys eagerly followed this direction, though some assistance was
required from the instructors in repressing their superfluous
enthusiasm.

"Very well," continued Mr. Lowington, when the students were formed in
two lines. "Every boy in the starboard watch whose number is divisible
by four, step forward one pace. Number three in the port watch, do the
same. Mr. Mapps, oblige me by seeing that every alternate boy in the
line steps forward."

"The line is formed, sir," replied the instructor, when he had carried
out the direction of the principal.

"Each watch is now divided into two parts--the first and second parts,
as they will be called. Now, young gentlemen, the clothing will be
distributed, and each student will put on his uniform at once."

The four lines were then marched down into the steerage, each under the
charge of an instructor, to a particular locality, where the head
steward and his assistants had deposited the clothing for each watch and
quarter watch. The uniform consisted of blue seaman's pants and a heavy
flannel shirt or frock, such as is worn in the United States navy. To
each student the following articles were served out:--

1 pea-jacket.
1 blue cloth jacket.
1 pair blue cloth pants.
1 pair blue satinet pants.
1 blue cap.
1 straw hat, of coarse, sewed straw.
1 Panama hat, bound.
2 knit woollen shirts.
2 pair knit woollen drawers.
2 white frocks.
2 pair white duck pants.
4 pair socks.
2 pair shoes.
2 black silk neck-handkerchiefs.

These articles were given to the boys, and they were required to put on
the every-day uniform; after which they were directed to arrange the
rest of the clothing in the lockers belonging to them. The contractor
who had furnished the goods was present with four tailors, to attend to
the fitting of the clothes, which were all numbered according to the
size. In a short time the students began to come out of their rooms,
clothed in their new rig. They looked intensely "salt," and there was no
end to the jokes and smart things that were said on this interesting
occasion. Even Shuffles hardly knew himself in his new dress.

The frock had a broad rolling collar, in each corner of which was worked
an anchor in white. The black silk neck-handkerchief was worn under the
collar, and not many of the boys had acquired the art of tying the
regular sailor's knot. Boatswain Peaks not only stood up as a model for
them, but he adjusted the "neck gear" for many of them. Bitts, the
carpenter, and Leech, the sailmaker, who were also old sailors,
cheerfully rendered a valet's assistance to such as needed help.

Agreeably to the directions of Mr. Lowington, the shore suits of the
students were done up in bundles, each marked with the owner's name, and
the head steward took them to Mr. Lowington's house for storage.

Rigged out in their "sea togs," the students began to feel salt, as well
as to look salt. Some of them tried to imitate the rolling gait of the
boatswain when they walked, and some of them began to exhibit an
alarming tendency to indulge in sea slang.

"There, my hearty, you look like a sailor now," said Peaks, when he had
rolled over the collar and tied the square knot in the handkerchief of
Wilton.

"Shiver my timbers, but I feel like one," laughed the embryo seaman.

"What's that, young gentleman?" demanded Mr. Lowington, who happened to
be within hearing; "what did you say?"

"I said I felt like a sailor, sir."

"What was the expression you used?"

"I only said shiver my timbers, sir."

"You stole that expression from a yellow-covered novel. Did you ever
hear Mr. Peaks, who has been a sailor all his lifetime, use such
language?"

"I'll be bound he never did," added Peaks.

"No, sir. I don't know that I ever did."

"Some sailors do use such expressions; but it is gross affectation for
these young gentlemen, who never saw a blue wave, to indulge in them. If
you please, Wilton, you will not use such language. It is simply
ridiculous. Mr. Peaks, you will pipe all hands to muster again."

The shrill whistle of the boatswain sounded through the ship, and the
boys tumbled up the ladders, eager to learn what was to be done next. As
they formed in lines, they presented a novel and picturesque appearance
in their jaunty uniform. Most of them had already learned to wear their
caps canted over on one side, and not a few of them, perhaps as much
from necessity as because it was a sailor's habit, hitched up their
trousers, and thrust their hands deep down into the side pockets.

The students were again formed in watches and quarter watches, each of
which classes and sub-classes was indicated on the uniforms. All the
starboard watch wore a small silver star on the right arm, above the
elbow, and the port watch the same emblem on the left arm. The first
part of each watch had a figure 1, under the star, and the second part a
figure 2 in the same position.

The rest of the day was spent in the organization for ship's duty, which
was far from completed when the sun went down. The next day every boy
was kept so busy that he had no time to grumble. The instructors
attended to the lessons in the steerage with one watch, while the other
was on deck acquiring seamanship. In the course of the month, as the
boys learned their duties, and the capabilities of each were
ascertained, they were assigned to their stations in the various
evolutions required in working the vessel.

Boatswain Peaks had taught the boys, a few at a time, how to set a
sail, reef and furl it. They had been gradually accustomed to going
aloft, until the giddy height of the main royal did not appall them, and
they could lay out on the yards without thinking of the empty space
beneath them. By the first of June, all the petty officers had been
appointed, and every student had his station billet. When the order was
given to unmoor ship, to make sail, or to furl the sails, every one knew
where to go and what to do. The station billets were cards on which the
various evolutions of the ship had been printed in a column on the left,
while the particular duty of the owner of the card was written against
it. The card was kept by the student, and he was expected to learn its
contents so that he could take his place without stopping to consult it,
when an order was given. Here is a specimen of the cards:--

The crew had been in training a month before an attempt was made to set
more than one sail at once; but by this time the officers knew the
orders, having practised every day since the organization. The petty
officers had been appointed, and had, to some extent, become familiar
with their duties.

The boys still continued to wonder when the Young America would go on a
cruise, for they were very anxious to see the blue water, and to roll on
the great waves of the Atlantic; but they were so constantly occupied
with ship's duty and their studies, that the time did not hang heavily
on their hands. Two months of constant practice had made tolerable
seamen of them, and the discipline of the ship went on regularly. The
young officers, as Mr. Lowington had promised, began to conduct the
evolutions and give the orders.

On the 1st day of June, after breakfast, the students were thrown into a
fever of excitement by an unusual order, and they ventured to hope that
the ship was to leave her moorings.

"Mr. Gordon, you will pipe all hands to muster," said Captain Carnes to
the first lieutenant.

"Pass the word for the boatswain," added Gordon to one of the
midshipmen, who stood near him.

This call was answered, not by Peaks, who no longer performed the duties
of boatswain, but by one of the students, who had been appointed to this
position.

"Pipe all hands to muster, boatswain," said the first lieutenant, as the
petty officer touched his cap to him.

"All hands on deck, ahoy!" shouted the boatswain, as he piped the call.

This was an unusual order for that time of day, the forenoon being
appropriated to study for each watch in turn; and those who were below
hastened on deck to ascertain what was to be done.

"All hands, stations for loosing sail!" piped the boatswain, when
ordered to do so by Gordon.

The first lieutenant was in charge of the ship, under the direction of
the captain. The second lieutenant stood on the forecastle, where he was
attended by the boatswain. The third lieutenant was in the waist, and
the fourth on the quarter deck, near the mizzenmast. These were the
stations of the officers whenever all hands were called. Mr. Lowington
and the instructors stood near the companion-way, watching with interest
this first attempt to make sail all over the ship.

"Lay aloft, sail-loosers!" shouted Gordon; and his order was repeated by
the officers at their several stations.

The little tars who belonged on the topsail and top-gallant yards sprang
up the rigging like so many cats, excited beyond measure by the scene of
activity around them.

"Lower yardmen in the chains!" continued Gordon and his order was
passed, along by the officers. "Aloft, lower yardmen!"

In a moment the crew were in their places; the studding-sail booms were
triced up with the usual system, so that the sails could be reached.

"Lay out!" continued the first lieutenant; and the boys walked out on
the foot-ropes to their stations on the yards. "Loose!"

The ropes by which the sails were secured to the yards were removed at
this order, and the topmen held the sails in their places.

"All ready on the forecastle, sir," reported Foster, who was captain of
that part of the ship.

"All ready in the foretop."

"All ready in the maintop."

"All ready in the mizzentop," reported the several captains of the tops,
in their proper order.

These reports were passed to the first lieutenant in charge of the deck,
by his subordinates.

"Let fall!" shouted Gordon, highly excited; and the sails dropped from
the yard. "Overhaul your rigging aloft! Man sheets and halyards! Sheets
home, and hoist away!"

These orders were passed from mouth to mouth among the officers, and
return reports made, according to the strict discipline of the navy.
They were promptly executed by the crew, though of course not without
some blunders; and the Young America was covered with her cloud of
canvas. Mr. Lowington commended the officers and crew for the promptness
and skill they had displayed in their first concerted attempt at making
sail. He then directed Captain Carnes to furl. Both evolutions were then
repeated, until a proficiency satisfactory for one day was attained.

"Not going to sea, after all," said Shuffles, when the crew were
dismissed from muster.

"No," replied Wilton. "I'm tired of lying here, and if we don't go to
sea soon, I shall take myself off."

"I'm with you."

"I thought we were going to have some fun on board, but we don't do
anything but study and shake out topsails."

"Do you know how you stand on marks, Wilton?" asked Shuffles.

"No; not very high, though."

"Don't you think you shall get into the cabin next term?"

"I know I shall not. I haven't tried for anything."

"On the first of next month, you know, new officers will be appointed,
and I suppose the crew will be messed over again."

"I don't care, I'm getting tired of this thing, I had a better time at
the Academy before we came on board."

"There isn't much chance for any sport. Hardly a fellow has been allowed
to go on shore since we joined the ship."

"Well get up a mutiny, if things don't improve."

"I was thinking of that very thing myself," said Shuffles, in a low
tone.

"A mutiny!" exclaimed Wilton, who had used the word in jest.

"Just for fum, you know," laughed Shuffles.

"You don't mean any such thing?"

"Not yet, of course."

"Do you at any time?"

"We want something more exciting than this kind of a life. Here we are,
kept down and treated like common sailors. We have to touch our caps and
make our manners to Dick Carnes and the rest of the flunkies in the
after cabin. My father pays as much for me as Dick Carnes' father does
for him, and I don't think it is fair that he should live in the cabin
and I in the steerage."

"If you get marks enough, you can have a berth in the cabin," replied
Wilton.

"Marks! Confound the marks! I'm not a baby. Do you think a fellow
seventeen years old is going to be put up or put down by marks?" said
Shuffles.

"I thought you had been working for a place in the cabin."

"So I have, but I don't expect to get it. I never studied so hard in my
life, and I believe I haven't had a bad mark since I came on board,
Lowington thinks I have reformed," laughed Shuffles. "And so I have."

"What do you want to get up a mutiny for, then?"

"I shall not, if I get a decent position; if I don't, I'm going in for
some fun."

"But do you really think of getting up a mutiny?" asked Wilton,
curiously.

"I was thinking the other day what a fine thing it would be if our
fellows had the ship all to themselves."

"What could we do with her?"

"Go on a cruise in her."

"We couldn't handle her; there is hardly a fellow on board that knows
anything about navigation."

"Of course, I don't mean to do anything yet a while; not this year,
perhaps. One of these days, if we stay on board, we shall know all about
a ship. Fifteen or twenty of the fellows are studying navigation. We are
going to Europe some time or other. When we do, we can take the ship,
and go it on our own hook."

"I don't believe you mean anything of the kind, Bob Shuffles."

"I've been thinking about it, anyhow. We can lock Lowington and the rest
of the old folks into their cabin while they are at dinner; and there
are enough of us to handle Peaks and Bitts."

"I think you are crazy, Shuffles."

"We should have a high old time if we could get possession of the ship.
We wont say a word about it yet."

"I think you had better not."

"We might go round Cape Horn into the Pacific, and have a splendid time
among the beautiful islands of the South Sea."

"Of course all the fellows wouldn't join you."

"We could put those ashore somewhere who did not agree with us."

"You know the penalty of mutiny on the high seas."

"Bah!" said Shuffles, contemptuously. "It would be nothing but it lark.
No one would think of hanging us, or even sending us to prison for it.
My father is rich enough to get me out of any scrape."

"So is mine; but I don't think it would be quite safe to go into a
mutiny."

"Not yet, my dear fellow. You can think it over."

"But I'm tired of this kind of a life. I liked it first rate in the
beginning. Do you think Lowington really intends to go to sea with the
ship?"

"I know he does."

"If he don't go pretty soon, I shall run away, and go to sea in
earnest."

"Don't say a word about the mutiny at present, Wilton. By and by, if
things go right, or if they don't go right, we may want to take some
stock in such an enterprise."

"I don't see it yet, but of course I shall keep still."

It is doubtful whether even so daring a young man as Shuffles, who had
the temerity to do almost anything, seriously contemplated getting up a
mutiny. Very likely his untamed and vicious imagination had revelled in
such an enterprise; had pictured the delights of the rover's life at
sea; but a boy of ordinary common sense could hardly think of engaging
in such a mad scheme.

The last week of June, with which month ended the first school term on
board of the Young America, was devoted to examinations and reviews in
all the studies for which extra marks were given. On the last day the
instructors made up the merit lists, and on the morning of the 1st of
July all hands were mustered, and the result declared. Most of the
officers, all of whom had studied with unremitting diligence in order to
retain their positions, were reinstated in their offices. The third
lieutenant, however, fell out, having failed in his reviews, and to the
astonishment of all, Robert Shuffles was found to be entitled to the
place. The first and second lieutenants exchanged ranks, and Paul
Kendall fell to the position of second master. Three of the tenants of
the after cabin were compelled to move into the steerage, and three of
the crew were transferred to the officers' quarters.

Many were disappointed, and perhaps some were disheartened, for the
competition had been a severe struggle; and as much depended upon
natural ability as upon energy and perseverance. But the Young America
was a world by herself. She had all the elements of society within her
wooden walls, and success and failure there followed the same rules as
in the great world of which she was an epitome.

After the officers had been duly installed in their positions, the petty
offices were given to those having the highest number of marks among the
crew. It was certainly democratic for the late third lieutenant to
become captain of the foretop, and for a second master to become
coxswain of the professors' barge; but these young gentlemen, though
disappointed, submitted with a good grace to their misfortune.

The student having the highest number of marks among the crew was
allowed to have the first choice of berths in the steerage; the one
having the next highest number had the second choice, and so on, until
all the numbers had been appropriated. At the conclusion of the
reorganization, Mr. Lowington made a speech, "comforting the mourners,"
and reminding all the students that, on the 1st of October, there would
be another distribution of the places of honor. He hoped those who had
failed to attain what they aspired to reach would not be discouraged,
for, after all, they had been gaining knowledge, and thus the real end
of the school had been reached.

"How about the mutiny?" said Wilton to the new third lieutenant, when
both were off duty in the evening.

"It won't pay just now," replied Shuffles, with great good humor.

"I suppose not," sneered Wilton, who had not even won a petty office.
"What would Lowington say if he knew the third lieutenant talked of
getting up a mutiny on board?"

"What would he say?" repeated Shuffles, who was as much surprised at the
high rank he had gained as his companion had been.

"Yes; what would he say if I should tell him of it?"

"He would say you were a mean pup for telling tales out of school; at
least, he ought to say so, and I think he would. Lowington is a pretty
good fellow, after all."

"No doubt he is, now you are third lieutenant."

"You needn't snuff at it, Wilton. If you want a place, why don't you
sail in, and get one. Just look out for your marks; that's all you have
to do."

"Marks! I thought a fellow seventeen years old was not to be put up or
put down by marks," said Wilton, bitterly.

"That depends somewhat upon whether you get in or out," laughed
Shuffles.

"I suppose you and Paul Kendall will be fast friends now," added the
discontented student.

"Kendall behaves very well, and has treated me first rate since I went
into the cabin."

"I suppose if I want to run away, you will stop me now."

"If you are going to do that, you musn't tell me of it, now I'm an
officer," replied Shuffles, as he turned on his heel, and walked aft.

Wilton was disgusted, and felt that he had lost his best friend, now
that Shuffles had worked his way into the cabin.

CHAPTER V.

OUR FELLOWS.

"I would like leave of absence for to-morrow, Mr. Pelham," said Wilton,
as he touched his cap to the first lieutenant of the Young America, on
the day before the Fourth of July.

"I am sorry to inform you, Wilton, that no leave of absence will be
granted to-morrow," replied Pelham in accordance with the instructions
given him by the captain, who, in turn, had received his orders from the
principal.

"No leave!" exclaimed Wilton, his jaw dropping down.

"Such are the orders."

"I have always been in the habit of celebrating the Fourth of July,"
replied Wilton. "Are we to stay on board the ship, and mope all day?"

"I presume the day will be celebrated on board in a proper manner,"
added the first lieutenant.

"On board! What can a fellow do here? We might as well go to bed, and
sleep off the day."

"No words are necessary, Wilton," replied Pelham as he turned and walked
away.

"That's a good one!" added Wilton, to the group of boys who had come
with him to the mainmast, to request the same favor, if the spokesman
was permitted to go on shore and celebrate the day.

"Not to celebrate!" exclaimed Monroe, with something like horror in his
tones and looks.

"Work on the Fourth of July!" chimed in Adler.

"I won't stand it, for one!" said Wilton.

"Nor I, for another," added Monroe.

So said half a dozen others.

"Well, what are you going to do about it?" demanded Adler. "Here we are,
and we can't get ashore."

"Perhaps we can," said Wilton, as he led the way to a retired part of
the deck, where they could talk without being overheard. "Did any one
ever hear of such a thing as keeping the fellows on board on the Fourth
of July? Why, every little Greek in the city yonder has his liberty on
that day; and we are to be cooped up here like a parcel of sick
chickens! I suppose we shall have to recite history and French, and
shake out topsails, as usual."

"It's outrageous. I don't believe the fellows will stand it," added
Adler, who did not know how bad the case was, until it had been
rehearsed by Wilton, who, in the absence of Shuffles, had become the
leader of a certain clique on board, given to taking opposite views.

"But I don't see what we can do," said Monroe.

"We will do something. I won't stand it. If I stay on board the ship
to-morrow, it will be as a prisoner," answered Wilton.

"It's a hard case; but what can we do about it?" asked Sanborn.

"Suppose we go to Lowington, and state the case to him," suggested
Adler.

"What's the use of that? Of course the first lieutenant spoke by the
card. He had his orders to say what he did, and I'm sure they came from
Lowington."

"There can be no doubt of that; but it would be better to have it from
him."

"I'm willing to ask Lowington for the day, if the fellows want me to do
so; but it won't do any more good than it would to bark at the
mainmast," continued Wilton. "I have an idea in my head, if the fellows
will stand by me," he added, in a lower tone, as he looked over the rail
at the swinging boom, to which the boats in constant use were made fast.

"What is it?" asked Monroe, eagerly.

"Keep shady, for a while. How many fellows can we muster?"

"I don't know."

"Well, don't stir the matter yet. Here comes Lowington and we will talk
to him first. Come, fellows, let's make a dive at him."

Wilton, attended by his companions, walked up to the principal, as he
was going forward. Touching his cap respectfully, as the discipline of
the ship required, he opened the case.

"Mr. Lowington, some of the students would like to go on shore
to-morrow, to celebrate the Fourth. Can't we have liberty?"

"You know the rule; you should apply to the first lieutenant for leave
of absence," replied Mr. Lowington.

"We have, sir, and been refused."

"Then there is nothing more to be said. The first lieutenant speaks with
authority."

"I beg your pardon, sir, but are we to stay on board all day to-morrow?"

"That is certainly the arrangement, Wilton."

"Some of us would like to celebrate the day, sir, and we think it is
rather hard to be obliged to do duty on the Fourth of July."

"I intend to have the day celebrated in a proper manner. I have made
preparations for a gala day on board."

"If you please, sir, we would rather go on shore."

"I am very sorry, for your sake, that I shall be unable to reverse the
answer of the first lieutenant. If I permit one or a dozen to go ashore,
I cannot refuse any, and all must go. I think the boys will be satisfied
with the arrangements I have made for the day."

"I never was kept in school on the Fourth of July before, sir," growled
Wilton.

"Then this will be a new event in your experience," answered Mr.
Lowington, coldly, as he turned from the petitioners, and went forward.

There were a great many wild boys on board of the Young America, and it
was morally impossible for the whole crew to attend the celebration in
the city, without more or less of them getting into a scrape. They had
been kept on board for two months, and not allowed to go on shore,
except under the supervision of one of the instructors; and to let any
considerable number of them loose on such a day as the Fourth of July,
would only be courting trouble, for they would be all the more
disorderly after the long period of restraint.

Mr. Lowington did not willingly deprive the boys of any innocent
gratification. He had faithfully considered the matter of celebrating
the day, and taken the advice of the instructors on the subject. It had
been proposed to procure a band of music, and visit the city in a body,
under the usual discipline; but there were many difficulties attending
such a plan. The boys were all the sons of rich men, and most of them
were abundantly supplied with pocket money. As it would be impossible to
prevent the escape of some of them from the procession, in the crowded
streets, it was feared that their money would prove to be "the root of
all evil." The project had finally been abandoned; and, as a substitute,
a programme for a celebration on board had been arranged, for there the
students would be entirely under the control of the instructors, who
would check all excesses. It was anticipated that a few discontented
spirits would grumble, but no rebellion was expected.

Wilton and his companions were dissatisfied, and disposed to be rash.
They felt that they had been harshly and cruelly denied a reasonable
privilege. The subject of celebrating the Fourth had been under
consideration for a long time among the boys, and it had been generally
believed that all hands would be permitted to go on shore, with perfect
liberty, on that day; and many of them had already arranged their plans
for the occasion.

"Well, what do you think now?" said Wilton, as Mr. Lowington walked
forward.

"I think it's too bad," replied Adler. "It is meaner than dirt to make
us stay on board on the Fourth of July."

"But I don't see how we are going to help ourselves," added Monroe,
looking at Wilton for a solution of this difficult problem.

"I do."

"How?"

"Keep still; don't say a word here," continued Wilton. "Scatter, now,
and I will be on the top-gallant forecastle in a few minutes."

Wilton strolled about the deck a short time, and then went to the place
of meeting, where he was soon joined by the rest of the discontented
pupils.

"How many fellows can we muster?" asked he, when his associates in
mischief had again gathered around him.

"I know at least a dozen, who are up to anything," replied Monroe; "but
some of them are in the other watch. What are you going to do?"

"I'll tell you: There are the professors' barge and the third cutter at
the swinging boom. We will drop into them when the instructors go down
to supper, and make for the shore. All the rest of the boats are at the
davits; and before they can get them into the water, we shall be out of
their reach. What do you think of that for a plan!"

"I think it is a first-rate one. But hadn't we better wait till the
instructors turn in?" suggested Adler.

"No; the boats will all be hoisted up to the davits at sunset. We must
do it while the professors are at supper, or not at all. We want eight
oars for the barge, and six for the third cutter; that makes fourteen
fellows. Can we raise as many as that?"

"Yes, I think we can; we will try, at any rate."

"But you must look out, or some fellow will blow the whole thing," added
Wilton. "Mind whom you speak to."

The trustworthiness of the various students was canvassed, and it was
decided what ones should be invited to join the enterprise. The
discontented boys separated, and went to work with great caution to
obtain the needed recruits. Unfortunately, in such a crowd of young men,
there are always enough to engage in any mischievous plot, and it is
quite likely that twice as many as were wanted could have been obtained
to man the boats in the runaway expedition.

Wilton missed Shuffles very much in arranging the details of the present
enterprise. While at the Brockway Academy, they had plotted mischief so
often that each seemed to be necessary to the other. But Shuffles had
reformed; he was now third lieutenant of the ship, and it was not safe
to suggest a conspiracy to him, for he would attempt to gain favor with
the principal by exposing or defeating it.

Yet Shuffles was so bold in thought, and so daring in execution, that
Wilton could hardly abandon the hope of obtaining his assistance;
besides, the third lieutenant would be officer of the deck when the
professors went to supper, and might wink at their departure in the
boats, if he did not actually help them off.

"Would you say anything to Shuffles?" asked Wilton, still in doubt, of
Monroe, as they happened to meet again in the waist.

"To Shuffles!" exclaimed Monroe, in an energetic whisper.

"I mean so."

"Certainly not. I should as soon think of speaking to Lowington
himself."

"But Shuffles may join us. He is always in for a good time."

"Why, you ninny, he is third lieutenant of the ship."

"No matter if he is. I think Shuffles would like to join us."

"Nonsense! He has been in office only three days, and it would break
him. He would be degraded to the steerage," replied Monroe, who could
not help thinking that Wilton was beside himself in proposing such a
thing, and that the enterprise was doomed to failure in such incompetent
hands.

"If he won't join us, perhaps he will help us off. He is officer of the
deck, you know, in the second dog watch."

"I know he is; but don't you open your mouth to him. If you do, I'll
back out at once."

"Back out?"

"Yes, back out. I believe you are crazy. Why don't you go to Captain
Carnes, and done with it?" said Monroe, with energy.

"I haven't any hold on Carnes, and I have on Shuffles."

"What do you mean?" asked the prudent conspirator, curiously.

"If Shuffles won't join us, he won't blow on us, you may depend upon
that. He wouldn't dare to do it. I could break him before sundown, if I
chose," said Wilton, with conscious power.

"That alters the case."

"Of course, I shouldn't think of saying anything to him, if I did not
know what I was talking about. I have him where the hair is short, and
he knows it, as well as I do."

"What is it, Wilton?"

"No matter what it is. When a thing is told me in confidence, I keep it
to myself; but if he turns traitor to his cronies, he must look out for
breakers. He knows what it is."

"Well, if you can get him, he will be a first-rate fellow to have."

"I think I can get him. Here he comes; you keep out of the way, and I
will see how deep the water is."

Monroe went forward to find a student to whom he had been deputed to
speak in the interest of the enterprise leaving Wilton to grapple with
the old lion of mischief, whose teeth, however, seemed to have been worn
out in the cause.

"What's up, Wilton?" demanded the third lieutenant who was now off duty,
and therefore allowed to speak to the crew, though it was a privilege of
which the officers seldom availed themselves.

"Who said anything was up?" asked Wilton.

"You look as though you meant something. What were you and Ike Monroe
talking about just now?" continued Shuffles. "About me, I'll be bound,
for you kept looking at me, as though you meant something."

"What makes you think so? Have you heard anything?" asked Wilton,
fearful that the plot had leaked out.

"Not a word? I only judged by your looks."

"I suppose if anything was up, you wouldn't have anything to do with it
now."

"Most decidedly, I should not. I like my present position too well to
fall out of it. I'm going to be captain next term, if I can fetch it any
way in the world."

"You mean to be a flunky, just like the rest of them. You are not the
same fellow you used to be."

"Yes, I am."

"You are getting too big for your boots."

"You wrong me, Wilton. I'm just as good a fellow as I ever was. I think
I'm the best fellow in the ship, and for that reason I want to be
captain. I'm ahead of Carnes so far on marks this month."

"Well, if you want to be the head flunky, I hope you'll get it. We are
not going ashore to-morrow, they say," added Wilton, changing the topic
to get nearer to the business of the hour.

"So Pelham told me."

"Are you willing to stay on board and study, and do ship's duty, on the
Fourth of July?"

"We are going to celebrate."

"How?"

"I'm sure I don't know."

"We shall celebrate to-morrow just as we do every day--as close
prisoners on board the ship. I, for one, don't like it, and I won't
stand it."

"Won't you?" laughed Shuffles.

"When I say I won't, I mean so."

"O, you do--do you?"

"You better believe I do," added Wilton, shaking his head resolutely.

"What are you going to do?"

"I'm going ashore, by hook or by crook."

"Better not get into any scrape."

"You say that as one of the flunkies."

"Well, you had better not say anything to me, for I shall have to do my
duty as an officer. Don't say anything to me, and then I shall not know
anything about it."

"Humph!" sneered Wilton, not pleased with this non-committal policy.

"I don't want to do anything mean with any of our fellows; so don't say
a word to me. I shall do my duty as an officer, as I promised to do when
I was made third lieutenant."

"Do you mean to say you will stop me, Shuffles, if you see me going?"
demanded Wilton.

"I do mean so; I promised faithfully to do my duty as an officer, and I
shall do it."

"See here, Bob Shuffles; you needn't talk to me in that manner. I knew
the ship's cable from a pint of milk, and you can't come the flunky over
me."

"I'm going to do just as you would do if you were in my place. I won't
hear a word about any of your plans."

"But will you interfere with them?"

"If it is my duty to do so, I shall. I intend to obey orders; and if I
have the deck, I shall keep things straight, whatever happens."

"Lowington don't know you as well as I do."

"No matter if he don't; he shall have no fault to find with me this
term, if I can help it."

"It's no use for me to mince the matter with you, Bob Shuffles. We
understand each other too well for that. Something's up."

Shuffles turned on his heel, and was about to walk away.

"Hold on a minute, Shuffles," continued Wilton. "I won't tell you what's
up, but I'll tell you this; if you interfere with what I do, or with
what the fellows with me do, I'll tell Lowington about the mutiny--I
will, as sure as your name is Bob Shuffles. Do you understand me?"

"Well, I do; and it seems to me that sounds very much like a threat."

"Call it what you like. If you turn traitor to our fellows, you must
stand the racket of it. You are not a saint just yet, and those that
live in glass houses musn't throw stones."

"I believe I haven't played false to any of our fellows. If I don't
choose to get into any scrape with them, I have a right to keep out.
That's all I've got to say."

"But what are you going to do, Shuffles? Our fellows will want to know."

"I'm going to do my duty," replied the third lieutenant as he walked
away, regardless of the efforts of his companion to detain him.

Shuffles was experiencing the truth of the old maxim, that honesty is
the best policy. It is to be regretted that his present devotion to duty
had no higher incentive than mere policy; but it may be hoped of those
who do their duty from low motives, that they may gather inspiration
even from their politic fidelity to obey its behests from higher
motives. The third lieutenant of the Young America intended to keep the
promise he had made in accepting his office, simply because it would pay
best.

Wilton and his confederates had no difficulty in making up the required
number of discontents and malcontents before six o'clock, which was the
time fixed for carrying out the enterprise they had planned. Some of the
recruits joined because they anticipated a good time in the city in
celebrating the Fourth, and others from a mere love of mischief and
excitement. The details of the scheme had been carefully elaborated by
Monroe and Wilton, after the ranks of the conspirators were full. Having
learned a valuable lesson from the daily discipline of the ship, the
mischief was certainly well planned. Each boy was assigned to a
particular position in the boats, and knew on what thwart he was to sit,
and which oar he was to pull.

Wilton and Monroe, as the master spirits of the enterprise were to run
out first on the swinging boom, and slide down the painters, each into
the boat he was to command. The others were to follow in the same way,
descending from the boom, for it was not considered prudent to run the
boats up to the gangway, where some enthusiastic officer might easily
interfere with the plan, which was to depend for its success upon the
celerity of its execution.

When four bells struck, the professors went down to their evening meal,
as usual, and the boatswain piped the port watch to supper, the
starboard watch having taken theirs at three bells, or half past five.
Wilton gave a low whistle, when Shuffles, officer of the deck, was abaft
the mizzenmast, with his back to the runaways who had gathered in the
waist, and were waiting for the signal.

"Be lively, fellows," said the leader of the enterprise, as he sprang
over the rail, and ran out on the boom, followed by Monroe.

The others, in the order in which they had been instructed, did the
same. About half of them were on the boom, when the movement was
reported to the officer of the deck by the midshipman on duty in the
waist. Shuffles rushed forward, now understanding, for the first time,
the intentions of Wilton; and true to the inspiration of fidelity, he
set about defeating the object of "our fellows."

The studding-sail boom, to which the boats were fastened, was supported
by a topping-lift from above, and kept in position, at right angles with
the side of the ship, by guys extending forward and aft.

"Stand by that fore guy!" shouted Shuffles, as he sprang upon the rail.
"Cast off!"

"Lively, fellows!" said Wilton, when he saw that the third lieutenant
intended to swing in the boom to the ship's side.

"Stand by the after guy of the studding-sail boom!" continued Shuffles,
with becoming energy.

Both his orders were promptly obeyed; but seeing that his movement would
be too late, he rushed to the topping-lift, and cast it off, causing the
swinging boom to drop into the water, just as the last boy was about to
slide down into the professors' boat. Of course the luckless fellow went
into the water; but he was promptly picked up by his companions in
mischief.

"If I'm caught, Bob Shuffles, you look out for breakers!" cried Wilton,
as the third lieutenant appeared at the gangway again.

The tide was coming in, and the boats swung so far abaft the boom that
it had fallen clear of them when it dropped into the water. Wilton and
Monroe were prompt to avail themselves of their present success, and the
boys sat in the boats, with their oars up, ready to pull as soon as the
order was given.

"Let fall!" said Wilton; and the eight oars of the professors' barge
dropped into the water, and the rowers placed them in readiness for the
first stroke.

Monroe, in the third cutter, followed the example of his principal, and
was hardly a second behind him.

"Give way!" added Wilton.

"Give way!" repeated Monroe; and the two boats gathered way and darted
off towards the nearest point of the shore.

Thus far the enterprise of "our fellows" was entirely successful, and
Shuffles stood on the gangway, chagrined at the defeat which had
attended his efforts to prevent the escape of the runaways.

"Stand by to clear away the first cutter!" shouted he, suddenly and with
energy, as he made his way to the davits, where the boat indicated was
suspended.

"Cast off the gripes, and man the falls!" he continued when the watch
were collected at the scene of action. "Mr. Kendall, you will inform
the captain what has happened."

Within three minutes, the first cutter was in the water, for the crew
had been frequently exercised in the evolution of lowering boats, and
performed it with remarkable facility for boys. Before the first cutter
touched the water, the captain, the principal, and all the professors,
came on deck.

Mr. Lowington was entirely cool, though everybody else appeared to be
intensely excited. The crew of the first cutter were piped away, and at
the principal's suggestion, the third lieutenant was sent off in the
boat to prevent the landing of the rebellious pupils.

"Up oars! Let fall! Give way!" said Shuffles, in the boat, delivering
his orders in rapid succession; and the first cutter darted off in chase
of the runaways.

CHAPTER VI.

THE FOURTH OF JULY.

The first cutter was manned by her regular crew, who had been trained
with the utmost care to pull together, while Wilton, in the professors'
barge, which was of the same size, had some very indifferent oarsmen.
The runaways had made up their force of such material as they could
obtain, and though all were somewhat accustomed to rowing, they had not
been drilled to work together; they were not the unit of power in
pulling a boat. Shuffles, therefore, had a manifest advantage, and he
was determined to bring back the fugitives.

The second cutter, in charge of Paul Kendall, was cleared away, and,
with Mr. Lowington and Mr. Fluxion on board, left the ship to take part
in the pursuit. The chase promised to be an exciting one, for Wilton and
Monroe were straining every nerve to reach the shore before they were
overtaken. They were making for the nearest land, and having just the
number of hands required to pull the boat, each of them was obliged to
use an oar himself. They had no coxswains, and Wilton, at the bow oar of
the professors' barge, could not see what was ahead, though he kept the
pursuing boats in full view.

The nearest land, not more than half a mile from the ship, was a point
covered with salt marsh, above which was a cove, whose opening was about
ten rods in width. Wilton was making for the point below the cove, but
his calculations were made without judgment or discretion. If he reached
the land, his party would be obliged to walk a mile in order to get
round the cove, on a narrow strip of marsh, where they might be
intercepted. But the fatal defect in his plan of operations was a
failure to consider the depth of water between the ship and the point.
The flow of the tide from the cove, while it kept a clear channel
through the entrance, had formed a bar off the tongue of land on the
seaward side of it, which was bare at half tide, and was now just
covered. Wilton was pulling for this bar, with all the strength of his
crew.

Shuffles was prompt to observe the mistake of his late crony, and just
as prompt to profit by it. The first cutter was gaining rapidly on the
chase; but Shuffles, as she reached the border of the main channel,
ordered his coxswain to keep the boat's head towards the entrance of the
cove.

"We shall never catch them on this tack," said the coxswain of the
cutter, who knew nothing about the bar.

"I think we shall," replied the third lieutenant, confidently.

"We are not going towards the point."

"That's very true, and the professors' barge will not go much farther in
that direction. Pull steady, my lads; don't hurry yourselves. There is
plenty of time."

The coxswain thought his superior officer was taking the matter very
coolly, and knowing of the intimacy which had formerly subsisted between
Shuffles and Wilton, he was ready to conclude that the third lieutenant
was willing to permit the escape of "our fellows." While he was putting
this construction on the conduct of his superior, the professors' barge
"took the ground," and stuck fast.

"They're aground, Mr. Shuffles," said the coxswain.

"There's just where I expected them to be," answered Shuffles, quietly.

"Shall I run towards them?"

"No; keep her as she is. There isn't more than a foot of water anywhere
between them and the point."

The third cutter, being a smaller boat than the professors' barge, did
not touch the bar as soon as her consort; but Monroe saw that his craft
could not land her party on the point at that stage of the tide, and he
ordered his crew first to lay on their oars, and then to back water.
Wilton's boat was aground at the bow, and when he had sent part of his
crew aft, she was easily pushed off the bar. By this delay he had lost
the chance of landing at the point, and his only alternative was to pull
up to the cove; but in doing so, it would be impossible to avoid the
first cutter, which had now secured a position off the mouth of the
little bay.

"Stand by to lay on your oars," said the coxswain of the first cutter,
as directed by the lieutenant in command. "Oars!"

The crew ceased rowing, and laying on their oars, waited the next
movement of the runaways. In the mean time the second cutter was well
away from the ship, and Mr. Lowington, promptly comprehending the
intentions of the third lieutenant, directed the officer in command to
pull towards the boats on the bar, keeping well to seaward, in order to
prevent them from escaping in that direction.

Wilton realized that he was cornered, and hoping that Shuffles would not
be over-zealous in the discharge of his duty, directed his course
towards the opening of the cove. A few strokes brought him within
hailing distance of the first cutter.

"No use, Wilton," said Shuffles, laughing. "You may as well pull for the
ship. It's all up with you."

But the leader of the runaways, instead of heeding this good advice,
attempted to push by astern of the first cutter.

"Stern, all! Give way!" shouted Shuffles, sharply. "Coxswain, stand by
with your stern line!"

It was generally understood that the third lieutenant of the Young
America was a fighting character, and that he could whip any officer or
seaman in the ship, though his prowess had not been practically
demonstrated. Shuffles took the stern line himself, instead of
intrusting the duty to the coxswain. He intended to grapple the bow of
the professors' barge, and make fast to it with the rope; but the cutter
did not gather way enough in season to do this. As she backed, she
fouled the oars of the barge, and Shuffles secured a firm hold of her
stern.

"What are you doing, Bob Shuffles?" demanded Wilton, angry, when he saw
that his late crony was fully in earnest.

The third lieutenant made no reply; but passing his rope through a ring
in the stern of the barge, he made it fast, and then pushed the cutter
off from her. When the line had run out about a fathom, he secured the
end he held in his hand to the after thwart of his own boat. Thus the
first cutter and the barge were lashed together, stern to stern.

"Cast off that rope!" shouted Wilton to the stroke oarsman in the barge.

"Don't you touch it, my lad," interposed Shuffles, when the boy
attempted to obey the order of his leader. "If you attempt it, you will
purchase a sore head."

[Illustration: THE ESCAPE FROM THE SHIP. Page 95.]

The third lieutenant had picked up a boat-hook, and stood ready to rap
any of the barge's crew who might attempt to cast off the line by which
the boats were fastened together. No one was disposed to cross the
purposes of so formidable a person as Shuffles, and the stroke oarsman
did not obey the order of Wilton. It would not be safe to do so.

"Now, Wilton, what do you say?" demanded Shuffles, a smile of triumph
playing upon his face, which was very aggravating to the leader of the
runaways. "Will you go back to the ship, or not?"

"No, of course I won't," replied the discomfited chief of the
malcontents.

"You had better, my dear fellow. There comes Mr. Lowington."

"I didn't think this of you, Bob Shuffles," said Wilton, reproachfully.

"I told you I should do my duty; and I shall, to the end. If you will
return, all right; if not, I shall take you back."

"No, you won't."

"I think I will," added the third lieutenant, quietly. "Stand by to give
way!" he continued, to the coxswain.

"Two can play at that game," said Wilton, as he gave the same order to
his crew.

"Give way!" shouted the coxswain of the first cutter, with energy.

"Give way!" repeated Wilton, in the barge.

The rope straightened, Shuffles stood up in the stern-sheets of the
cutter, to prevent the line from being cast off, and the contest began,
to ascertain which should drag the other. It was rather ludicrous, in
spite of the serious question of discipline involved in the affair, and
the boys in the cutter were intensely amused, as well as excited. Both
crews struggled with all their might, and each leader urged his
followers to renewed exertions.

The discipline of the first cutter was on the point of carrying the
contest in favor of law and order, when Monroe, seeing that his friend
was nearly worsted, backed the third cutter up to the bow of the barge,
and took her painter on board, which he made fast at the stern. Resuming
his oar, he ordered his crew to give way together. Then law and order
appealed to be at a discount, for the eight oarsmen in the first cutter
were not a match, even in the cause of discipline, against the fourteen
in the barge and third cutter.

Shuffles did not give it up, notwithstanding the great odds against
him. Letting out the stern line far enough to allow space for a new
manoeuvre, he directed the starboard oarsmen to lay on their oars, while
those on the port side pulled the boat round. Then all gave way
together, and the barge was dragged round sideways, until her oars
fouled with those of Monroe's boat. At this stage of the exciting
proceedings the second cutter came up with the principal.

Mr. Fluxion sat in the stern-sheets, shaking his sides with laughter at
the singular contest which was going on; but Mr. Lowington, though
evidently amused, maintained his gravity, and was as dignified as usual.
The appearance of the principal ended the struggle. A glance from him
was quite sufficient to take all the stiffening out of the runaways, and
even Wilton, though he talked valiantly behind Mr. Lowington's back, and
neglected even to give him the simple title of "mister," had not the
courage to resist the strong arm of his authority. As the second cutter
backed up to the barge, the principal stepped on board of her, and took
a seat in the stern-sheets.

"Young gentlemen, you will return to the ship," said Mr. Lowington,
sternly, as he took the tiller-ropes in his hands. "Give way!"

The malcontents had no thought of further resistance. The presence of
the principal was sufficient to overcome all insubordination; they did
not dare to disobey him. Mechanically they bent to their oars, and
without a word pulled back to the ship.

Mr. Fluxion, by direction of Mr. Lowington, had taken his place in
Monroe's boat, and followed the barge, the two cutters bringing up the
rear. This was the first instance of flagrant insubordination which had
occurred since the organization of the ship's company, and the students
were not a little anxious to learn how it would be treated. It was
singular that Shuffles, who on shore had always been the ringleader in
enterprises of mischief, had been the means of defeating the scheme of
the runaways.

The boats were hoisted up at the davits, and the boatswain was ordered
to pipe all hands on deck. The principal looked calm, but stern, as he
took the position on the hatch which he usually occupied when he
addressed the students.

"Wilton and Monroe," said he.

The culprits came forward, hanging their heads with shame.

"I learn that you are the ringleaders in this movement. Is it so?"

"I suppose we are," replied Wilton.

"Who proposed the plan?"

"Wilton first spoke to me about it," answered Monroe.

"And you induced the others to join you?"

"Yes, sir."

"As the ringleaders, Wilton and Monroe will lose twenty marks each, and
remain in their mess rooms to-morrow. The other twelve lose ten marks
each," continued Mr. Lowington. "Young gentlemen, those who have engaged
in this scheme are not to be trusted. I have nothing further to say."

The crew were dismissed, and all the students were disposed to laugh at
the mildness of the punishment, compared with the enormity of the
offence.

"Mr. Shuffles," said the principal, as he stepped down from the hatch,
"I am very much obliged to you for the zeal and energy which you have
exhibited in the discharge of your duty. Not only was your disposition
to do your duty highly commendable, but your plans displayed skill and
forethought."

"Thank you, sir," replied the third lieutenant; "I am very glad to have
pleased you."

Mr. Lowington bowed, and descended to the cabin to finish his supper,
which had been interrupted by the event described. What the professors
said about the affair was not known to the boys; but Shuffles was warmly
praised for the moderate but skilful measures he had used in the capture
of the rebels.

At sundown, a shore boat came alongside with an abundant supply of
fireworks, which had been ordered by Mr. Lowington. They were hoisted on
board, and deposited in a safe place. At the usual hour, the boys turned
in to dream of the good time which these squibs and crackers suggested
to them--all but Monroe and Wilton, who had something else to think
about. The latter was disappointed and surly, while the former
congratulated himself upon getting out of the scrape so easily. Wilton
was very angry with Shuffles, who might have permitted him to land, if
he had been so disposed; and he determined to take what he considered an
ample vengeance upon the traitor. As soon as he had an opportunity to
speak to Mr. Lowington, he intended to tell him all about the plan for a
mutiny, and he was fully satisfied that Shuffles would be sent in
disgrace from his pleasant position in the after cabin, to take up his
abode in the steerage again.

On the morning of the ever-glorious Fourth, all hands were mustered on
the deck of the Young America at four o'clock. Crackers were served out,
and for two hours there was a tremendous racket from stern to stern,
among the younger boys. At six o'clock, the port watch were piped to
breakfast, and all the crackers having been burned, the decks were
swept, and everything put in perfect order, by the starboard watch. A
band of music, engaged for the day, came off, and the enlivening strains
of the national airs sounded through the ship.

At seven o'clock, when all hands had breakfasted, an hour earlier than
usual, the crew were piped to muster, wondering, as they always did,
what was going to be done.

"All hands, up anchor ahoy!" shouted the boatswain prompted by the first
lieutenant; but this order was so common in the every-day practice of
the crew, that no one supposed it had any unusual significance; and some
of the boys even began to grumble at being compelled to go through the
routine of ship's work on the Fourth of July.

"Bring to on the cable, and unbitt!" continued the officer in command.
"Ship the capstan bars, and swifter them! Heave in the cable to a short
stay!"

These orders were duly executed, under the direction of the various
officers at their stations.

"Avast heaving!" called the first master. "Anchor apeak, sir," he
reported to the first lieutenant.

"Pawl the capstan, stopper the cable, and unship the bars!" added the
executive officers, all of which was done, and duly reported.

"Stations for loosing topsails!" which were shaken out by the ordinary
routine, sheeted home, and hoisted up.

"Forecastlemen, loose the head sails! After-guard, clear away the
spanker! Man the capstan bars, ship and swifter them! Heave around!"

This last was a manoeuvre which the crew had never before been called
upon to perform; and the order sent a thrill of delight to all hearts.
The cable had often been heaved to a short stay, that is, so that it run
nearly up and down; but that was as far as they had ever before been
permitted to proceed. Now, with the anchor apeak, they were ordered to
the capstan again, and they realized that the Young America was actually
going to sea. The command kindled an enthusiasm which glowed on every
face. The ship was going out of the harbor, and the evil doers in the
mess rooms below were to be pitied.

"Anchor aweigh, sir," reported the excited boatswain who, however, had
to be prompted in this instance by Peaks, for it had never been in that
position before since it first hooked the mud in Brockway harbor.

"Anchor aweigh, sir," repeated the second lieutenant.

"Man the jib and flying-jib halyards!" said the first lieutenant.

"Anchor's at the bow, sir," said the boatswain, which report went
through the same channels as before, till it reached the executive
officer.

"Hoist away on the jib and flying-jib halyards! Avast heaving! Pawl the
capstan! Stopper the cable! Cat and fish the anchor!" shouted the first
lieutenant. "Port the helm!"

The Young America was clear of the ground. The fore topsail, which had
been trimmed to the fresh breeze, was full, and the ship began to gather
headway. Two seamen had been placed at the wheel, under the charge of
the quartermaster. The boys had often "made believe" do these things,
but now they were real. The vessel was actually moving through the
water, and they could hardly contain themselves, so exhilarating was the
scene.

"Steady!" said the first lieutenant, when the ship had come up to her
intended course.

"Steady, sir," repeated the quartermaster in charge of the helm.

"Stand by to set the spanker," added the first lieutenant. "Man the
outhaul! Cast off the brails, and loose the vangs!"

The after-guard, which is the portion of the ship's company stationed on
the quarter-deck, or abaft the mizzenmast, obeyed this order, and stood
ready to set the spanker, which is the aftermost sail.

"Walk away with the outhaul!" and the after-guard ran off with the rope,
which drew the sail out into its place on the gaff. "Stand by the
spanker sheet--let it out!"

"You must attend to your main and mizzen topsails Mr. Pelham," said the
principal, in a low tone.

"Man the fore and main braces!" said the executive officer; and the
young seamen sprang to their stations. "Let go and haul!"

The main and the mizzen topsails were thus trimmed, so that they took
the wind.

"That was very well done, Captain Carnes, though your crew need more
practice. They are very much excited," said Mr. Lowington.

"I don't wonder, sir; I think none of them knew we were going out of the
harbor," replied the captain.

"I am glad they enjoy it," added the principal, "though I should not
have left the anchorage, except as a substitute for the Fourth of July
celebration."

"They will like this much better than going to the city."

"I have no doubt on that point; and last evening, when those students
wished to run away, I was tempted to punish their disobedience by
letting them go. The wind is pretty fresh, Captain Carnes, but I think
you may set the top-gallant sails."

The captain gave the order to the first lieutenant.

"Aloft, sail-loosers of the top-gallant sails!" shouted Mr. Pelham; and
the eager young salts dashed up the rigging. "Lay out! Loose! Let fall!
Man your sheets and halyards! Sheets home, and hoist away!"

The addition of the top-gallant sails was sensibly felt by the Young
America; and, "taking a bone in her teeth," she careened over, and
dashed away merrily on her course.

The band played Hail, Columbia, and as the ship passed the fort, the
crew mounted the rigging and gave three cheers. The excitement on board
was immense, and never was Independence Day more thoroughly and
enthusiastically enjoyed. The officers and crew were at the height of
felicity, as the gallant little ship bowled over the waves, threading
her way through the channels between the numerous islands of the bay.

"Can't we put on any more sail, Mr. Lowington?" asked Captain Carnes, as
he met the principal on the quarter-deck.

"Not at present. We are making very good progress now."

"The boys want to see all sail on her."

"The wind is blowing half a gale now," added Mr. Lowington, with a
smile. "I think we shall be able to give them quite enough of it when we
get out into blue water. I'm afraid you will lose half your crew before
noon!"

"Lose them?"

"By seasickness, I mean."

"Do you think they will be sick, sir?"

"I have no doubt of it. Many of them never saw the ocean before, and
never looked upon a ship till they came on board of the Young America. I
don't think it would be prudent to put on all sail, until we know what
force we are to have to handle the ship."

"They don't look like being seasick at present."

"Wait till we get out into the heavy sea," laughed the principal, as he
went forward.

At eight bells the ship was abreast of the last island, and she began to
pitch and roll a little, though the motion was hardly perceptible, until
she was well off from the land. Professor Paradyme was the first victim
of seasickness, and the boys all laughed when they saw the woe-begone
expression on the face of the learned man; but some of those who laughed
the loudest were the first to be taken by the ridiculous malady.

The Young America pitched and rolled heavily as she receded from the
land, and nothing more was said by the students about putting on more
sail. The spray broke over the bow, and washed the decks; but most of
the boys enjoyed the scene as they had never enjoyed anything before.

"What are you doing here, sir?" demanded Mr. Lowington, as he went
forward, and discovered Wilton skulking under the lee of the foremast.
"You were told to stay in your mess room, sir!"

"I couldn't, sir," whined the culprit.

"You could, and you will."

"I was seasick, sir."

"I can't help it; you must stay in your mess room," added the principal,
sternly.

"If you please, sir, I will obey orders if you will let me stay on
deck," said Wilton, humbly.

"No; return to your room?" and Wilton was compelled to obey.

It was a very severe punishment to him and Monroe to be obliged to stay
in the steerage during the first trip of the Young America.

CHAPTER VII.

HEAVING THE LOG.

The Young America, under topsails and top-gallant sails, was making
about ten knots an hour. After passing the last island in the bay, she
was headed to the south-east, which brought the wind over the starboard
quarter. The ship was of the clipper class, though not as sharp as many
of this model. It was found that her sailing ability was excellent, and
Mr. Lowington and Mr. Fluxion expressed much satisfaction at her
performance, both in respect of speed and weatherly qualities.

When the ship left her moorings, the principal had not decided where to
go, or how long to remain at sea, intending to be governed by the
circumstances of the hour. It had never been his purpose to keep her at
one anchorage, but to go from port to port, remaining a few days or a
few weeks at each, as the discipline of the ship and the progress of the
boys in their studies suggested. There were many elements of seamanship
which could not be effectively practised while the ship lay at anchor,
such as heaving the log, sounding and steering, though the boys had been
carefully instructed in the theory of these operations.

The instructor in mathematics, the boatswain, the carpenter, and the
sailmaker, all of whom were good seamen, were in great demand as soon as
the ship was under way; but when she had sea-room enough, the helm was
handed over to the boys, under the charge of a juvenile quartermaster.
Peaks stood by, and gave the necessary directions, till the students
were able to do the work themselves.

"Now, my lads, we will heave the log," said the boatswain, when the ship
was well out from the land.

"We know how to do that," replied Smith, one of the quartermasters.

"I dare say you do, young gentlemen; but in my opinion, you can't do it.
You know how to write a psalm, but I don't believe you could write one,"
added Peaks. "You have to learn how to do these things by the feeling,
so that they will do themselves, so to speak. After-guard, stand by to
haul in the log-line. Here, quartermaster, you will hold the glass, and
the officer of the deck will throw the chip."

"We know all about it, Mr. Peaks," repeated Smith.

"I know you do; but you can't tell within five knots how fast the ship
is going," laughed the boatswain. "Let's do it right a few times, and
then you can be trusted."

The quartermaster took the glass, and Gordon, then officer of the watch,
the chip, which he cast into the water over the stern of the ship.

"Turn!" said he, when the stray line had run out.

Now, Smith, at this particular moment, was watching a vessel over the
quarter, and he did not instantly turn the glass, as he should have
done; but Peaks said nothing.

"Up!" cried the quartermaster, when the sand had all run through the
glass.

Gordon stopped the reel from which the line was running out, and noted
the mark.

"Seven knots," said he.

"Not right," replied the boatswain, sharply. "This ship is going nine or
ten knots an hour, and any man who has snuffed salt water for six months
could guess nearer than you make it. Now try it once again, and if you
don't hit nearer than that next time, you may as well throw the reel
overboard, and hire a Yankee to guess the rate of sailing."

"I thought we knew all about it," added Smith.

"I think you do, young gentlemen; but you were star-gazing when you
ought to have been all attention. The line ran out two or three knots
before you turned the glass."

Gordon took the chip again. It was a thin piece of board, in the form of
a quarter circle. The round side was loaded with just lead enough to
make it float upright in the water. The log-line was fastened to the
chip, just us a boy loops a kite, two strings being attached at each end
of the circular side, while the one at the angle is tied to a peg, which
is inserted in a hole, just hard enough to keep it in place, while there
is no extra strain on the board, but which can be drawn out with a smart
pull. When the log-line has run out as far as desired, there would be
some difficulty in hauling in the chip while it was upright in the
water; but a sudden jerk draws the peg at the angle, and permits the
board to lie flat, in which position the water offers the least
resistance to its passage.

The half-minute glass used on board the Young America, held by the
quartermaster, was like an hour glass, and contained just sand enough to
pass through the hole in the neck in thirty seconds. The log-line was
one hundred and fifty fathoms in length, and was wound on a reel, which
turned very easily, so that the resistance of the chip to the water
would unwind it. The log-line is divided into certain spaces called
knots, the length of each of which is the same fractional part of a mile
that a half minute is of an hour. If there be sixty-one hundred and
twenty feet in a nautical mile, or the sixtieth part of a degree of a
great circle, which is not far from accurate, and the ship be going ten
knots an hour, she will run sixty-one thousand two hundred feet in an
hour. If the chip were thrown overboard at eight o'clock, and the line
were long enough, the ship would have run out sixty-one thousand two
hundred feet, or ten miles, at nine o'clock, or in one hour. In one
minute she would run one sixtieth of sixty-one thousand two hundred
feet, which is ten hundred and twenty feet; in half a minute, five
hundred and ten feet.

The half-minute glass is the measure of time generally used in heaving
the log. While the sand is dropping through, the line runs out five
hundred and ten feet, the ship going ten knots an hour being the basis
of the calculation. One knot, therefore, will be fifty-one feet. If the
line pays out five hundred and ten feet in thirty seconds, by the glass,
the ship is going ten knots an hour. If it pays out four hundred and
eight feet in half a minute, or eight hundred and sixteen feet in a
minute, she will pay out a mile in as many minutes as eight hundred and
sixteen feet is contained in sixty-one hundred and twenty feet, which is
seven and a half minutes. Then the ship goes a mile in seven and a half
minutes, or eight miles an hour.

A knot on the log-line is therefore invariably fifty-one feet; and the
number of knots of the line run out in half a minute indicates also the
ship's speed per hour, for fifty-one feet is the same part of a nautical
mile that half a minute is of an hour. The calculations are given
without allowances, merely to show the principle; and both the glass and
the line are modified in practice.

On board the Young America, ten fathoms were allowed for "stray line;"
this length of line being permitted to run out before the measuring
commenced, in order to get the chip clear of thee eddies in the wake of
the ship. The ten fathoms were indicated by a white rag, drawn through
the line; and when the officer paying out comes to this mark, he orders
the quartermaster to turn the glass, and the operation actually begins.
At every fifty-one feet (or forty-seven and six tenths, making the
allowances) there is a mark--a bit of leather, or two or more knots. The
instant the sands have all run through the glass, the quartermaster
says, "Up," and the officer notes the mark to which the line has run
out. Half and quarter knots are indicated on the line.

"Now, quartermaster, mind your eye. When the officer of the deck says,
'Turn,' you repeat the word after him, to show that you are alive,"
continued Peaks.

"Ready!" said Gordon.

"Ready!" replied Smith.

The lieutenant threw the chip into the water, and when the stray line
had run off, he gave the word to turn the glass.

"Turn!" repeated Smith.

Gordon eased off the log-line, so that nothing should prevent it from
running easily.

"Up!" shouted Smith; and Gordon stopped the line.

"Very well," added Peaks. "What's the mark?"

"Ten and a quarter," replied the officer.

"That sounds more like it. I knew this ship was going more than seven
knots. You see, young gentlemen, you can't catch flies and tend the
log-line at the same time. Now, you may try it over again."

The experiment was repeated, with the same result. Other officers and
seamen were called to the quarter-deck, and the training in heaving the
log continued, until a reasonable degree of proficiency was attained.

"Land ho!" cried the lookout on the top-gallant forecastle, at about
eleven o'clock in the forenoon.

"Where away?" called the officer of the deck.

"Dead ahead, sir."

"What is that land, Mr. Lowington?" asked Paul Kendall.

"Don't you know?"

"I'm sure I don't."

"Then you should study your map more. Look at the compass, and tell me
how she heads."

"South-east, sir," replied Paul, after looking into the binnacle.

"Now, what land lies south-east of Brockway Harbor?" asked the
principal.

"Cape Cod, I think."

"You are right; then that must be Cape Cod."

"Is it, really?"

"Certainly it is," laughed Mr. Lowington. "Have you no faith in your
map?"

"I didn't think we could be anywhere near Cape Cod. I thought it was
farther off," added Paul, who seemed to be amazed to think they had
actually crossed Massachusetts Bay.

"The land you see is Race Point, which is about forty miles from the
entrance to the bay, at the head of which Brockway is located. We have
been making about ten knots an hour, and our calculations seem to be
very accurate. By one o'clock we shall come to anchor in Provincetown
Harbor."

This prediction was fully verified, and the Young America was moored off
the town. Those who had been seasick recovered as soon as the motion of
the ship ceased; and when everything aloft and on deck had been made
snug, the crew were piped to dinner.

In the afternoon, part of the students were permitted to go on shore;
the band played, and several boat-races took place, very much to the
delight of the people on shore, as well as those on board. At six
o'clock the ship was opened for the reception of visitors, who came off
in large numbers to inspect the vessel. After dark there was a
brilliant display of fireworks, and the Young America blazed with
blue-lights and Roman candles, set off by boys on the cross-trees, and
at the yard-arms. At ten the festivities closed, and all was still in
the steerage and on deck.

The next morning, the ship got under way, and stood out of the harbor,
bound for Brockway again. She had a light breeze, and a smooth time, and
the boys had the satisfaction of seeing every rag of canvas spread,
including studding-sails alow and aloft; but it was not till after dark
that the ship came to anchor at her former moorings.

Wilton and Monroe were released from confinement in the morning, and
permitted to go on deck. Whatever their shipmates might have said, they
felt that they had been severely punished, especially as they had failed
in their runaway expedition. Wilton did not feel any more kindly towards
Shuffles when he was released than when he had been ordered to his room.
He felt that his late crony had been a traitor, and he was unable to
take any higher view of the circumstances.

"Wilton," said Mr. Lowington, when he met the runaway on deck, the day
after the Fourth, "I told you that you had made a mistake. Do you
believe it yet?"

"I suppose I do, sir."

"You suppose you do! Don't you know?"

"Yes, sir, I think I did make a mistake," replied Wilton, who found it
very hard to acknowledge the fact.

"I do not refer to your punishment, when I allude to the consequences of
your misdeed, for that was very light. You have fallen very low in the
estimation of your superiors."

"Do you mean Mr. Shuffles, sir?"

"I did not mean the officers exclusively, though I believe they have a
proper respect for the discipline of the ship."

"I don't think Shuffles need to say anything."

"He hasn't said anything."

"He is worse than I am."

"Shuffles has done very well, and merits the approbation of the
principal and the instructors."

"They don't know him as well as I do," growled Wilton.

"They probably know him better. Your remarks do not exhibit a proper
spirit towards an officer. He defeated your plan to escape, but he did
no more than his duty. He would have been blamed, perhaps punished, if
he had done any less."

"I don't find any fault with him for doing his duty, but I don't like to
be snubbed by one who is worse than I am. If you knew what I know, sir,
you would turn him out of the after cabin."

"Then it is fortunate for him that I don't know what you know," replied
Mr. Lowington, sternly. "If you wish to injure him in my estimation, you
will not succeed."

"He is going to get up a mutiny one of these days. He told me all about
it," continued Wilton, desperately, when he found that the principal was
in no mood to listen to his backbiting.

"That will do, Wilton? I don't wish to hear anything more about that
matter. Your testimony against Shuffles, under present circumstances, is
not worth the breath you use in uttering it."

"I thought it was my duty to tell you, if any one was trying to get up a
mutiny."

"You did not think so; you are telling me this story to revenge yourself
against the third lieutenant for his fidelity. Whether there is, or is
not, any truth in what you say, I shall take no notice of it."

"It is all true, sir. He did speak to me about getting up a mutiny,
locking up the professors, taking the ship, and going round Cape Horn;
and he will not deny it."

"He will have no opportunity to deny it to me, for I shall not mention
the subject to him. Go to your duty, and remember that you have injured
yourself more than Shuffles by this course."

Wilton hung his head, and went forward, cheated of his revenge, and
disconcerted by the rebuke he had received.

Mr. Lowington was quite willing to believe that Shuffles had talked
about a mutiny, while he was in the steerage, but there was at least no
present danger of an extravagant scheme being put into operation. He
understood Shuffles perfectly; he knew that his high office and his
ambition were his only incentives to fidelity in the discharge of his
duty; but he had fairly won his position, and he was willing to let him
stand or fall by his own merits. He was not a young man of high moral
principle, as Paul Kendall, and Gordon, and Carnes were; but the
discipline of the ship was certainly doing wonders for him, though it
might ultimately fail of its ends.

The ship came to anchor, the band was sent on shore, and the Fourth of
July holidays were ended. On the following morning the studies were
resumed, and everything on board went on as usual. A few days later, the
ship went on a cruise to the eastward, spending a week in each of the
principal ports on the coast. The students soon became so accustomed to
the motion of the ship, that none of them were seasick and the
recitations were regularly heard, whether the Young America was in port
or at sea.

When the cold weather came, stoves were put up in the cabins and in the
steerage, and the routine of the ship was not disturbed; but Mr.
Lowington dreaded the ice and snow, and the severe weather of
mid-winter, and in November, the Young America started on a cruise to
the southward, and in the latter part of December she was in Chesapeake
Bay. In March she returned to Brockway. By this time the crew were all
thorough seamen, and had made excellent progress in their studies. Mr.
Lowington was entirely satisfied with the success of his experiment, and
was resolved to persevere in it.

The boys were in splendid discipline, and there had not been a case of
serious illness on board during the year. Besides the six hours of study
and recitation required of the pupils per day, they were all trained in
gymnastics by Dr. Winstock, the surgeon, who had a system of his own,
and was an enthusiast on the subject. This exercise, with the ordinary
ship's duty, kept them in excellent physical condition; and while their
brown faces and rosy cheeks indicated a healthy state of the body, their
forms were finely developed, and their muscles scientifically trained.

Greek and Latin, German and French, with the ordinary English branches
pursued in high schools and academies, were taught on board, and the
instructors were satisfied that the boys accomplished twice as much as
was ordinarily done in similar institutions on shore, and without injury
to the students. Everything was done by rule, and nothing was left to
the whims and caprices of teachers and scholars. Just so much study was
done every day, and no more. There was no sitting up nights; there were
no balls and parties, theatres and concerts, to interfere with the work;
no late suppers of escalloped oysters and lobster salads to be eaten.
Boys who had bad habits were watched, and injurious tendencies
corrected.

But the students enjoyed their life on shipboard. As the vessel went
from port to port, new scenes were opened to them. Those who could be
trusted were allowed to go on shore in their off-time; and as all their
privileges depended upon their good conduct, they were very careful to
do their duty, both as students and as seamen, cheerfully and
faithfully.

The Young America dropped her anchor in Brockway Harbor on the 5th of
March, on her return from her southern cruise. The first term of the
second year was to commence on the 1st of April, and it was understood
that the ship would sail for Europe on the last day of March. The vessel
needed some repairs, and all the students were allowed a furlough of
twenty days to visit their homes.

Several of the larger boys, including Carnes, had obtained places in the
navy, and were not to return. Two or three were to enter college in the
summer, and a few were to go into mercantile houses; but these vacancies
would be more than filled by the applicants who had been waiting months
for an opportunity to join the ship.

After the departure of the students, the Young America was docked, and
the necessary repairs made upon her. She was thoroughly cleansed and
painted, and came out as good as new. Before the return of the boys, her
provisions, water, and stores, were taken on board, and all the
preparations made for a foreign voyage. On the 25th of the month she was
anchored again at her old moorings, and in the course of the next two
days all the instructors and pupils were in their places. There were
eleven new boys.

"Young gentlemen," said Mr. Lowington, as he mounted his usual rostrum,
"I am happy to see you again, and to welcome you on board. Our
experience during the coming season will be much more interesting and
exciting than that of the last year. We shall proceed immediately to
Europe, and all who are worthy of the privilege will have an opportunity
to visit the principal cities of Europe--London, Paris, Naples, St.
Petersburg. We shall go up the Baltic and up the Mediterranean, in this
or a subsequent cruise, and I can safely promise you, not only an
interesting, but a profitable trip. In a circular I have informed your
parents and guardians of my purposes, and you are shipped this time for
a foreign voyage, with their consent and approval."

This speech caused no little excitement among the boys, who anticipated
a great deal from the summer voyage. It was no small thing to visit
London, Paris, and St. Petersburg, and not many boys obtain such an
opportunity.

"But, young gentlemen, I believe in discipline and progress, as most of
you know. I expect every student to do his whole duty; and I wish to
tell you now, that misconduct, and failures at recitation, will bring
heavy disappointments upon you. If you do nothing for yourselves, you
need expect nothing from me. For example, when the ship is going up the
Thames, if any one of you, or any number of you, should be guilty of
flagrant misconduct, or gross neglect of your studies, you will see no
more of the city of London than you can see from the cross-trees, for
you shall not put a foot on shore."

"Rather steep," whispered one of the new comers.

"That's so, but he means it," replied an old student.

"We shall be at sea, out of sight of land, for twenty or thirty days,"
continued Mr. Lowington. "We shall encounter storms and bad weather,
such as none of you have ever seen; for in going from port to port, last
season, we were enabled to avoid all severe weather. We shall go to sea
now with no harbor before us till we reach the other side of the
Atlantic, and we must take whatever comes. But the ship is as strong as
a ship can be built, and with good management she would stand any gale
that ever blew. Good management includes good discipline, and every
officer and seaman must be faithful in the discharge of his duty, for
the safety of the ship and all on board of her will depend upon the
fidelity of each individual.

"Young gentlemen, there are eleven new scholars: they must take the
vacant berths after the ship's company is organized on the old plan. The
offices will be given out and the berths drawn by the merit roll for
January, February, and a portion of March--only about nine weeks of term
time."

Shuffles, who stood near the principal, looked very much disconcerted
when this announcement was made, and whispered to Paul Kendall that it
was not fair to distribute the offices by last year's record. While the
Young America was lying at anchor in Chesapeake Bay, in December,
Shuffles, then second lieutenant, had received a letter from his mother,
in which she had informed him that his family would visit Europe in the
following spring, and that he would leave the ship, and form one of the
party. This information had caused him to relax his efforts as a
student, and he had fallen very low in rank. This was the reason why the
proposed distribution of offices was not fair.

When Shuffles went home on his furlough of twenty days, he had behaved
so badly that his father refused to have him form one of the party in
the trip abroad, and compelled him to return to the ship for another
year of wholesome discipline under Mr. Lowington. Angry and indignant,
Shuffles did return and the announcement that the offices were to be
distributed by the merit roll did not add to his equanimity.

"I will now read the record of marks," said the principal, "and announce
the officers for the next term."

The boys were silent and anxious; for places in the after cabin were
more highly valued than ever, now that the Young America was going to
Europe.

CHAPTER VIII.

OUTWARD BOUND.

Mr. Lowington read the merit roll, announcing the officers as he
proceeded. The occupants of the after cabin, who were appointed for the
succeeding three months, during which time the ship crossed the
Atlantic, and visited various European ports, were as follows:--

CHARLES GORDON, _Captain._

Joseph Haven, _First Lieutenant._
Paul Kendall, _Second "_
Samuel Goodwin, _Third "_
Augustus Pelham, _Fourth "_

William Foster, _First Master._
Henry Martyn, _Second "_
Thomas Ellis, _Third "_
Joseph Leavitt, _Fourth "_

Joseph O. Rogers, _First Purser._
Edward Murray, _Second "_

George W. Terrill, _First Midshipman._
John Humphreys, _Second "_
Mark Robinson, _Third "_
Andrew Groom, _Fourth "_

The students mentioned in the list made the required promise to behave
themselves like gentlemen, and faithfully discharge the duties of their
several offices, and were duly installed in their new positions in the
after cabin. Most of them had been officers before, but all of them were
higher in rank than at any former period. Richard Carnes had been
captain four terms, for no one could get ahead of him.

The new captain had been first lieutenant, during the preceding year,
three terms out of four, and was certainly the best qualified student on
board for the command. He was a young man of high moral aims, with much
dignity of character and energy of purpose.

The officers went to the after cabin, put on their uniforms, and assumed
their proper places. The choice of berths in the steerage proceeded as
usual, according to the merit roll, and the petty offices were given to
the highest in rank. The new boys took the unoccupied berths by lot. The
organization of the ship was now completed, and the students were
directed to put their berths and lockers in order. The remainder of the
day was fully occupied in preparing for the voyage. Great quantities of
ice and fresh provisions were taken on board, and packed away in the
store rooms of the hold, and all was bustle and confusion.

On Thursday morning the ship was put in order again. The vessel had been
duly cleared at the custom house, and every article required for the
voyage had been received. The boys were ordered to put on their best
suits, and at nine o'clock a steamer came off, having on board a large
number of the parents and friends of the students. The forenoon was
given up to this interesting occasion. It was a beautiful day, with a
gentle breeze from the westward, and at twelve o'clock, all hands were
mustered on deck for religious services, to be performed by the
chaplain, in the presence of the friends of the pupils.

Mr. Lowington was a religious man, and the position of the Rev. Mr.
Agneau, as chaplain on board, was by no means a sinecure. Services had
always been held twice a day on Sunday. At five minutes before eight in
the morning, and at the same time in the evening, prayers were said on
deck, or in the steerage, in the presence of the entire ship's company.
On the point of leaving the shores of the United States, it seemed
highly appropriate to invoke the blessing of God on the voyage and the
voyagers, and the principal had directed that the service should be
conducted in the presence of the parents and friends.

The prayer and the remarks of the chaplain were very solemn and
impressive, and even the roughest of the students were moved by them. At
the conclusion of the religious service, Mr. Lowington addressed the
visitors, explaining the details of his plan more fully than he had done
in his circulars, and saying what he could to inspire the parents with
confidence in regard to the safety of their sons. It need not be said
that there were many tears shed on this occasion.

At the close of the speech a collation was served to the visitors, in
the cabins and steerage, after which another hour was allowed for social
intercourse; and then the ship was cleared, the visitors going on board
the steamer again, which was to accompany the Young America below the
lighthouse. The boys were sent below to change their clothes again.

"All hands, up anchor, ahoy!" piped the boatswain; and the crew sprang
to their stations with more than usual alacrity.

This was a greater event than they had ever known before. The anchor,
which was now to be hauled up, was not to be dropped again for about a
month, and then in foreign waters. They were going out upon the waste of
the ocean, to be driven and tossed by the storms of the Atlantic. They
were bidding farewell to their native land, not again to look upon its
shores for many months. They were boys, and they were deeply impressed
by the fact.

The capstan was manned, and the cable hove up to a short stay. The
topsails and top-gallant sails were set; then the anchor was hauled up
to the hawse-hole, catted and fished. The Young America moved; she wore
round, and her long voyage was commenced. The courses and the royals
were set, and she moved majestically down the bay. The steamer kept
close by her, and salutations by shouts, cheers, and the waving of
handkerchiefs, were continually interchanged, till the ship was several
miles outside of the lower light.

The steamer whistled several times, to indicate that she was about to
return. All hands were then ordered into the rigging of the ship; and
cheer after cheer was given by the boys, and acknowledged by cheers on
the part of the gentlemen, and the waving of handkerchiefs by the
ladies. The steamer came about; the moment of parting had come, and she
was headed towards the city. Some of the students wept then; for,
whatever charms there were in the voyage before them, the ties of home
and friends were still strong. As long as the steamer could be seen,
signals continued to pass between her and the ship.

"Captain Gordon, has the first master given the quartermaster the course
yet?" asked Mr. Lowington, when the steamer had disappeared among the
islands of the bay.

"No, sir; but Mr. Fluxion told him to make it east-north-east."

"Very well; but the masters should do this duty," added Mr. Lowington,
as he directed the instructor in mathematics to require the masters, to
whom belonged the navigation of the ship, to indicate the course.

William Foster was called, and sent into the after cabin with his
associates, to obtain the necessary sailing directions. The masters had
been furnished with a supply of charts, which they had studied daily, as
they were instructed in the theory of laying down the ship's course.
Foster unrolled the large chart of the North Atlantic Ocean upon the
dinner table, and with parallel ruler, pencil, and compasses, proceeded
to perform his duty.

"We want to go just south of Cape Sable," said he, placing his pencil
point on that part of the chart.

"How far south of it?" asked Harry Martyn.

"Say twenty nautical miles."

The first master dotted the point twenty miles south of Cape Sable,
which is the southern point of Nova Scotia, and also the ship's
position, with his pencil. He then placed one edge of the parallel
ruler on both of these points, thus connecting them with a straight
line.

A parallel ruler consists of two smaller rulers, each an inch in width
and a foot in length, connected together by two flat pieces of brass,
riveted into each ruler, acting as a kind of hinge. The parts, when
separated, are always parallel to each other.

Foster placed the edge of the ruler on the two points made with the
pencil, one indicating the ship's present position, the other the
position she was to obtain after sailing two or three days. Putting the
fingers of his left hand on the brass knob of the ruler, by which the
parts are moved, he pressed down and held its upper half, joining the
two points, firmly in its place. With the fingers of the right hand he
moved the lower half down, which, in its turn, he kept firmly in place,
while he slipped the upper half over the paper, thus preserving the
direction between the points. By this process the parallel ruler could
be moved all over the chart without losing the course from one point to
the other.

On every chart there are one or more diagrams of the compass, with lines
diverging from a centre, representing all the points. The parallel ruler
is worked over the chart to one of these diagrams, where the direction
to which it has been set nearly or exactly coincides with one of the
lines representing a point of the compass.

The first master of the Young America worked the ruler down to a
diagram, and found that it coincided with the line indicating east by
north; or one point north of east.

"That's the course," said Thomas Ellis, the third master--"east by
north."

"I think not," added Foster. "If we steer that course, we should go
forty or fifty miles south of Cape Sable, and thus run much farther than
we need. What is the variation?"

"About twelve degrees west," replied Martyn.

The compass does not indicate the true north in all parts of the earth,
the needle varying in the North Atlantic Ocean from thirty degrees east
to nearly thirty degrees west. There is an imaginary line, extending in
a north-westerly direction, through a point in the vicinity of Cape
Lookout, called the magnetic meridian, on which there is no variation.
East of this line the needle varies to the westward; and west of the
line, to the eastward. These variations of the compass are marked on the
chart, in different latitudes and longitudes, though they need to be
occasionally corrected by observations, for they change slightly from
year to year.

"Variation of twelve degrees,"[1] repeated Foster, verifying the
statement by an examination of the chart. That is equal to about one
point, which, carried to the westward from east by north, will give the
course east-north-east.

[Footnote 1: These calculations are merely approximate, being intended
only to illustrate the principle.]

The process was repeated, and the same result being obtained, the first
master reported the course to Mr. Fluxion, who had made the calculation
himself, in the professors' cabin.

"Quartermaster, make the course east-north-east," said the first master,
when his work had been duly approved by the instructor.

"East-north-east, sir!" replied the quartermaster, who was conning the
wheel--that is, he was watching the compass, and seeing that the two
wheelmen kept the ship on her course.

There were two other compasses on deck, one on the quarter-deck, and
another forward of the mainmast which the officers on duty were required
frequently to consult, in order that any negligence in one place might
be discovered in another. The after cabin and the professors' cabin were
also provided with "tell-tales," which are inverted compasses, suspended
under the skylights, by which the officers and instructors below could
observe the ship's course.

The log indicated that the ship was making six knots an hour, the rate
being ascertained every two hours, and entered on the log-slate, to be
used in making up the "dead reckoning." The Young America had taken her
"departure," that is, left the last land to be seen, at half past three
o'clock. At four, when the log was heaved, she had made three miles; at
six, fifteen miles; at eight, the wind diminishing and the log
indicating but four knots, only eight miles were to be added for the two
hours' run, making twenty-three miles in all. The first sea day would
end at twelve o'clock on the morrow, when the log-slate would indicate
the total of nautical miles the ship had run after taking her departure.
This is called her dead reckoning, which may be measured off on the
chart, and should carry the vessel to the point indicated by the
observations for latitude and longitude.

The wind was very light, and studding-sails were set alow and aloft. The
ship only made her six knots as she pitched gently in the long swell of
the ocean. The boys were still nominally under the order of "all hands
on deck," but there was nothing for them to do, with the exception of
the wheelmen, and they were gazing at the receding land behind them.
They were taking their last view of the shores of their native land.
Doubtless some of them were inclined to be sentimental, but most of them
were thinking of the pleasant sights they were to see, and the exciting
scenes in which they were to engage on the other side of the rolling
ocean, and were as jolly as though earth had no sorrows for them.

The principal and the professors were pacing the quarter-deck, and
doubtless some of them were wondering whether boys like the crew of the
Young America could be induced to study and recite their lessons amid
the excitement of crossing the Atlantic, and the din of the great
commercial cities of the old world. The teachers were energetic men, and
they were hopeful, at least, especially as study and discipline were the
principal elements of the voyage, and each pupil's privileges were to
depend upon his diligence and his good behavior. It would be almost
impossible for a boy who wanted to go to Paris while the ship was lying
at Havre, so far to neglect his duties as to forfeit the privilege of
going. As these gentlemen have not been formally introduced, the
"faculty" of the ship is here presented:--

Robert Lowington, _Principal_.
Rev. Thomas Agneau, _Chaplain_.
Dr. Edward B. Winstock, _Surgeon_.

INSTRUCTORS.

John Paradyme, A.M., _Greek and Latin_.
Richard Modelle, _Reading and Grammar_.
Charles C. Mapps, A.M., _Geography and History_.
James E. Fluxion, _Mathematics_.
Abraham Carboy, M.D., _Chemistry and Nat. Phil._
Adolph Badois, _French and German_.

These gentlemen were all highly accomplished teachers in their several
departments, as the progress of the students during the preceding year
fully proved. They were interested in their work, and in sympathy with
the boys, as well as with the principal.

It was a very quiet time on board, and the crew were collected in little
groups, generally talking of the sights they were to see. In the waist
were Shuffles, Monroe, and Wilton, all feuds among them having been
healed. They appeared to be the best of friends, and it looked ominous
for the discipline of the ship to see them reunited. Shuffles was
powerful for good or evil, as he chose, and Mr. Lowington regretted that
he had fallen from his high position, fearing that the self-respect
which had sustained him as an officer would desert him as a seaman, and
permit him to fall into excesses.

Shuffles was more dissatisfied and discontented than he had ever been
before. He had desired to make the tour of Europe with his father, and
he was sorely disappointed when denied this privilege; for with the
family he would be free from restraint, and free from hard study. When
he lost his rank as an officer, he became desperate and reckless. To
live in the steerage and do seaman's duty for three months, after he had
enjoyed the luxuries of authority, and of a state-room in the after
cabin, were intolerable. After the cabin offices had been distributed,
he told Monroe that he intended to run away that night; but he had found
no opportunity to do so; and it was unfortunate for his shipmates that
he did not.

"This isn't bad--is it, Shuffles?" said Wilton, as the ship slowly
ploughed her way through the billows.

"I think it is. I had made up my mouth to cross the ocean in a steamer,
and live high in London and Paris," replied Shuffles. "I don't relish
this thing, now."

"Why not?" asked Wilton.

"I don't feel at home here."

"I do."

"Because you never were anywhere else. I ought to be captain of this
ship."

"Well, you can be, if you have a mind to work for it," added Monroe.

"Work for it! That's played out. I must stay in the steerage three
months, at any rate; and that while the burden of the fun is going on.
If we were going to lie in harbor, or cruise along the coast, I would go
in for my old place."

"But Carnes is out of the way now, and your chance is better this year
than it was last," suggested Monroe.

"I know that, but I can't think of straining every nerve for three
months, two of them while we are going from port to port in Europe. When
we go ashore at Queenstown, I shall have to wear a short jacket, instead
of the frock coat of an officer; and I think the jacket would look
better on some younger fellow."

"What are you going to do, Shuffles?" asked Wilton.

"I'd rather be a king among hogs, than a hog among kings."

"What do you mean by that?"

"No matter; there's time enough to talk over these things."

"Do you mean a mutiny?" laughed Wilton.

"Haven't you forgotten that?"

"No."

"I wonder what Lowington would say, if he knew I had proposed such a
thing," added Shuffles, thoughtfully.

"He did know it, at the time you captured the runaways, for I told him."

"Did you?" demanded Shuffles, his brow contracting with anger.

"I told you I would tell him, and I did," answered Wilton. "You were a
traitor to our fellows, and got us into a scrape."

"I was an officer then."

"No matter for that. Do you suppose, if I were an officer, I would
throw myself in your way when you were up to anything?"

"I don't know whether you would or not; but I wouldn't blow on you, if
you had told me anything in confidence. What did Lowington say?"

"Nothing; he wouldn't take any notice of what I said."

"That was sensible on his part. One thing is certain, Wilton: you can't
be trusted."

"You mustn't make me mad, then."

"I will keep things to myself hereafter," growled Shuffles.

"Don't be savage. You served me a mean trick, and I paid you off for it;
so we are square."

"We will keep square then, and not open any new accounts."

"But you will want me when anything is up," laughed Wilton. "What would
you do without me in getting up a mutiny?"

"Who said anything about a mutiny?"

"I know you are thinking over something, and you don't mean to submit to
the discipline of the ship, if you can help it."

"Well, I can't help it."

"There goes the boatswain's whistle, piping to muster," said Monroe.

"Confound the boatswain's whistle!" growled Shuffles. "I don't like the
idea of running every time he pipes."

Very much to the surprise of his companions, Shuffles, his irritation
increased by the conduct of Wilton, took no notice of the call, and went
forward, instead of aft. His companions, more wise and prudent, walked
up to the hatch, which Mr. Lowington had just mounted.

"Groom, tell Shuffles to come aft," said the principal to one of the
midshipmen.

The officer obeyed the order; Shuffles flatly refused to go aft. Mr.
Lowington descended from his rostrum and went forward to enforce
obedience. This event created a profound sensation among the students.

"Shuffles," said Mr Lowington, sternly.

"Sir," replied the malcontent, in a surly tone.

"The boatswain piped the crew to muster."

"I heard him."

"You did not obey the call. I sent for you, and you refused to come."

"I don't think I ought to obey the boatswain's call."

"May I ask why not?"

"I've been an officer three terms, and I should be now if we had had
fair play," growled Shuffles.

"I am not disposed to argue this point in your present frame of mind. I
order you to go aft."

"And I won't go!" replied Shuffles, impudently.

"Mr. Peaks," said the principal, calling the senior boatswain.

"Here, sir," replied Peaks, touching his hat to the principal.

"Mr. Leech," added Mr. Lowington.

"Here, sir."

"Walk this young gentleman aft."

"Let me alone!" cried Shuffles, as Peaks placed his hand upon him.

"Gently, my sweet lamb," said the boatswain, with affected tenderness.

"Take your hands off me!" roared the mutinous pupil, as he struggled to
release himself from the grasp of the stalwart seaman.

Peaks took him by the collar with one hand, and held his wrist with the
other, on one side, while Leech did the same on the other side.

"Walk him aft," repeated the principal.

"Mr. Fluxion, may I trouble you to bring up the irons?" continued Mr.
Lowington, when the boatswain and carpenter had "walked" the rebel aft,
in spite of his struggling and kicking.

"Irons!" gasped Shuffles, as he heard the request of the principal.

He trembled with rage as he uttered the word. The irons seemed to pierce
his soul. Probably he did not think that the son of a wealthy gentleman
would be compelled to submit to such an indignity as being put in irons.

Mr. Fluxion came on deck with a pair of handcuffs. It was the first time
they had been seen, and no student even knew there were any on board.
The discipline of the ship had been as gentle as it was firm, and this
was the first time such instruments were necessary.

"Mr. Peaks, put the irons on him!" said Mr. Lowington, his usual dignity
unruffled by angry emotions.

"Don't put them on me!" cried Shuffles, making an effort to disengage
himself from the grasp of his captors.

"Put them on at once!" added the principal.

"You shall not put them on me! I will die first!" roared the rebel.

It was easier to talk than to do, in the hands of two sturdy sailors,
one of whom had used the cat in the navy, when its use was tolerated.
Shuffles did not die, and he was ironed, in spite of his struggles and
his protest.

CHAPTER IX.

THE WATCH-BILL.

Shuffles struggled with the irons and with the stout men who held him
until he had exhausted himself; and then, because his frame, rather than
his spirit, was worn down, he was quiet. It was the first case of severe
discipline that had occurred on board, and it created a tremendous
sensation among the students.

Mr. Lowington stood with folded arms, watching the vain struggles of the
culprit, until he was reduced to a state of comparative calmness. He
looked sad, rather than angry, and his dignity was not impaired by the
assault upon his authority.

"Shuffles, I am sorry to see one who has been an officer of the ship
reduced to your condition; but discipline must and shall be maintained,"
said the principal. "We are on the high seas now, and disobedience is
dangerous. You led me to believe that you had reformed your life and
conduct."

"It isn't my fault," replied Shuffles, angrily.

"You had better not reply to me in that tone," added Mr. Lowington,
mildly.

"Yes, I will!"

"Mr. Topliffe," continued the principal.

"Here, sir," replied the head steward.

"You will have the brig cleared out for use."

"Yes, sir;" and the head steward went below to obey the order.

There was not a boy on board who knew what the "brig" was, though the
establishment had existed in the steerage from the time when the boys
first went on board the ship. It had never before been required for use,
and Mr. Lowington had carefully veiled every disagreeable feature of
discipline, until it was necessary to exhibit it. The brig was the
prison of the ship--the lock-up. It was located under and abaft the main
ladder, in the steerage, being an apartment five feet in length by three
feet in width. The partitions which enclosed it were composed of upright
planks, eight inches in width, with spaces between them for the
admission of light and air.

The brig had been used as a store room for bedding by the stewards, and
the students never suspected, till Shuffles' case came up, that it was
not built for a closet. Mr. Topliffe and his assistants removed the
blankets and comforters from this lock-up, and prepared it for the
reception of the refractory pupil. When the room was ready he went on
deck, and reported the fact to the principal.

"Shuffles, our discipline has always been of the mildest character,"
said Mr. Lowington, breaking the impressive silence which reigned on
deck. "I regret to be compelled to resort to force in any form; even now
I would avoid it."

"You needn't, on my account," replied Shuffles, shaking his head. "You
have done your worst already."

"Mr. Peaks, take him below, lock him up in the brig, and bring the key
to me."

The manacled rebel made another effort to resist, but the stout sailors
easily handled him, and bore him down into the steerage. He was thrust
into the brig, ironed as he was, and the door locked upon him. Shuffles
glanced at the interior of the prison, and broke out into a contemptuous
laugh. He then commenced kicking the pales of the partition? but he
might as well have attempted to break through the deck beneath.

"Shuffles," said Peaks, in a low tone, when he had locked the door, "be
a man. You act like a spoiled child now."

"I have been insulted, and abused," replied Shuffles, fiercely.

"No, you haven't. Aboard almost any ship, you would have got a knock on
the head with a handspike before this time. Don't make a fool of
yourself. You are only making yourself ridiculous now--'pon my word as
an old sailor, you are."

"I'll have satisfaction."

"No, you won't, unless you break your own head. I want to advise you, as
a friend, not to make a fool of yourself. I'm sorry for you, my lad."

"Don't talk to me."

"I can forgive you for disobeying orders, but I can't forgive you for
being a fool. Now, keep quiet, and be a man."

The well-meant effort of the boatswain to pacify the culprit was a
failure, and Peaks, going on deck, delivered the key of the brig to Mr.
Lowington. Shuffles kicked against the partition till he was tired of
the exercise.

"Young gentlemen, to-day we enter upon a new experience on shipboard,"
said the principal, without making any further allusion to Shuffles.
"Our short trips last season were so timed that we kept no regular night
watches, and, with two or three exceptions, the ship was at anchor when
you slept. Of course that is not practicable on a long voyage, and you
must all do duty by night as well as by day.

"This has been a difficult matter to arrange, for you are all too young
to be deprived of your regular sleep, though in heavy weather I am
afraid you will lose your rest to some extent. At eight o'clock this
evening the starboard watch will be on duty. We have four times as many
hands on board the Young America as are usually employed in merchant
ships, so that a quarter watch will be able to handle the ship on all
ordinary occasions. We shall, therefore, keep a quarter watch on ship's
duty at all times through the twenty-four hours.

"During the night, including the time from eight in the evening until
eight in the morning, each quarter watch will be on duty two hours, and
then off six hours; and each hand will obtain six consecutive hours'
sleep every night. At eight this evening, the first part of the
starboard watch will have the ship in charge, and all others may turn in
and sleep. At ten, the second part of the starboard watch will be
called, without disturbing any others. At twelve, the first part of the
port watch will be summoned; at two, the second part; and so on till
eight in the morning.

"The first part of the starboard watch, which turned in at ten, will
sleep till four, giving them six hours of rest all together, and they
may turn in again at six o'clock, when relieved by the second part, and
sleep till half past seven, which is breakfast time for those off duty.

"During the daytime, from eight in the morning till eight in the
evening, the same routine will be observed To-morrow, at eight in the
morning, the first part of the port watch will take charge of the ship
till ten; the second part will be off duty, and the time will be their
own, to use as they think proper. At ten, the second part will be in
charge, and the first will have their own time till twelve. All the
starboard watch, during these four hours, will study and recite. In the
afternoon the same course will be pursued with the other watch. Do you
understand it?"

"Yes, sir," replied the boys.

"By this arrangement you will average three hours of duty every night.
To-night the port watch will be on deck two hours, and the starboard
watch, whose turn will come twice, four hours; but to-morrow night the
operation will be reversed, and the port will have the deck four hours,
and the starboard but two. Two copies of the watch bill will be posted
in the steerage, and one in the after cabin. Young gentlemen, I
recommend you to study it, until you are perfectly familiar with its
requirements."

"How is it with the officers, Mr. Lowington?" asked Paul Kendall, who
was generally the spokesman for his companions.

"The officers are divided into watches in precisely the same manner as
the crew. To the starboard watch belong the first and third lieutenant,
the second and fourth master, and the first and third midshipman, which
makes one officer of each grade for each quarter watch," replied Mr.
Lowington. "Their off-time and study-time correspond with those of the
crew."

It is quite possible that the officers and crew of the Young America
understood the complicated arrangement of the principal. If they did
not, they could refer to the posted document; and, as we cannot deprive
our readers of this privilege, we insert in full, the

WATCH BILL. FIRST DAY.

_First Watch, from 8 till 12 P.M._

From 8 till 10. 1st Lieut., 2d Master, 1st Mid. First Part of the
Starboard Watch.

From 10 till 12. 3d Lieut., 4th Master, 3d Mid. Second Part of the
Starboard Watch.

_Mid Watch, from 12 till 4 A.M._

From 12 till 2. 2d Lieut., 1st Master, 2d Mid. First Part of the
Port Watch.

From 2 till 4. 4th Lieut., 3d Master, 4th Mid. Second Part of the
Port Watch.

_Morning Watch, from 4 till 8 A.M._

From 4 till 6. 1st Lieut., 2d Master, 1st Mid. First Part of the
Starboard Watch.

From 6 till 8. 3d Lieut., 4th Master, 3d Mid. Second Part of the
Starboard Watch.

_Forenoon Watch, from 8 till 12 A.M._

From 8 till 10. 2d Lieut., 1st Master, 2d Mid. First Part of the
Port Watch. Second Part of Port Watch off Duty. All the Starboard
Watch study and recite till 12.

From 10 till 12. 4th Lieut., 3d Master, 4th Mid. Second Part of
Port Watch. First Part of Port Watch off Duty.

_Afternoon Watch, from 12 till 4 P.M._

From 12 till 2. 1st Lieut., 2d Master, 1st Mid. First Part of
Starboard Watch. Second Part of the Starboard Watch off Duty. All
the Port Watch study and recite till 4.

From 2 till 4. 3d Lieut., 4th Master, 3d Mid. Second Part of the
Starboard Watch. First Part of the Starboard Watch off Duty.

_First Dog Watch, from 4 till 6 P.M._

From 4 till 5. 2d Lieut., 1st Master, 2d Mid. First Part of the
Port Watch. Second Part of the Port Watch off Duty. All the
Starboard Watch study and recite till 6.

From 5 till 6. 4th Lieut., 3d Master, 4th Mid. Second Part of the
Port Watch. First Part of the Port Watch off Duty.

_Second Dog Watch, from 6 till 8 P.M._

From 6 till 7. 1st Lieut., 2d Master, 1st Mid. First Part of the
Starboard Watch. Second Part of the Starboard Watch off Duty. All
the Port Watch study and recite till 8.

From 7 till 8. 3d Lieut., 4th Master, 3d Mid. Second Part of the
Starboard Watch. First Part of the Starboard Watch off Duty.

_Breakfast._

Port Watch, 7-1/2 o'clock. Starboard Watch, 8 o'clock.

_Dinner._

Starboard Watch, 11-1/2 o'clock. Port Watch, 12 o'clock.

_Supper._

Starboard Watch, 5-1/2 o'clock. Port Watch, 6 o'clock.

The watch bill for the second day was the same, with the exception of
the names of the watches and quarter watches. The entire programme was
reversed by the operation of the dog watches, which substituted "port"
for "starboard," and "starboard" for "port," in the next day's routine.

When the boys were permitted to go below, they rushed to the watch
bills, and studied them faithfully, till they fully understood the
programme. Each student ascertained his duty for the night, and his
off-time and study-hours for the next day, which were included in the
first day's bill.

"I go on at twelve o'clock," said Paul Kendall, in the after cabin, when
he had examined the bill.

"And I go on deck at eight o'clock," added Joseph Haven, the first
lieutenant. "I shall have a chance to sleep from ten till four in the
morning, and an hour and a half, from six till half past seven."

"I shall have my watch below from two till breakfast time. I don't think
we need wear ourselves out under this arrangement."

"No; I thought we should be obliged to take four hours of duty at a time
on deck."

"How will it be when we have rough weather?" asked Paul.

"I don't know; I suppose we must take our chances then."

"What do you think of Shuffles' case?" added Paul.

"He will get the worst of it."

"I'm sorry for him. He behaved first rate last year, though they say he
used to be a hard fellow."

"What's the use of a fellow doing as he has done?" said Haven, with
palpable disgust. "He can't make anything by it."

"Of course he can't."

"I would rather have him in the cabin than in the steerage, for he will
not obey orders; and when he is ugly, he is a perfect tiger. I wonder
what Mr. Lowington is going to do with him. There is no such thing as
expelling a fellow in this institution now. If he means to be
cross-grained, he can keep us in hot water all the time."

The officers were too much excited by the fact that the ship was outward
bound to remain long in the cabin, and they returned to the deck to
watch the progress of the vessel. At eight o'clock the Young America was
out of sight of land, though it would have been too dark to see it ten
miles distant. The quartermaster, at the helm, struck eight bells, which
were repeated on the forecastle.

"All the first part of the starboard watch, ahoy!" shouted the
boatswain, for it was now time to commence the programme of regular sea
duty.

The first lieutenant took his place, as officer of the deck, near the
helm; the second master on the forecastle and the third midshipman in
the waist. The first part of the starboard watch were stationed in
various parts of the deck. Of the four quartermasters, one was attached
to each quarter watch. The wheel was given to two hands for the first
hour, and two were placed on the top-gallant forecastle, to act as the
lookout men, to be relieved after one hour's service. The rest of the
boys were required to keep awake, but no special duty was assigned to
them. There were hands enough on deck to "tack ship," or to take in the
sails, one or two at a time.

Though the ship was nominally in the hands and under the direction of
her juvenile officers, who performed all the duties required in working
her, yet they were closely watched by the principal, who, if there was
anything wrong, informed the captain of the fact. The commander kept no
watch, but he was responsible for every manoeuvre, and for the regular
routine of duty. Mr. Lowington seldom spoke to any other officer in
regard to ship's duty or the navigation.

When the watch was set, at eight bells, most of the boys who were off
duty went into the steerage. Some of them turned in; but the novelty of
the occasion was too great to permit them to sleep. They collected in
groups, to talk over the prospects of the voyage, and the duties
required of them, as indicated by the watch bill.

Shuffles sat on a stool in the brig, still nursing his wrath. When his
supper was carried to him by the steward, his irons had been taken off.
He refused to eat, and the food was removed. As he was now quiet, the
irons were not replaced. The prisoner was far from penitent for his
offence.

Mr. Agneau, the chaplain, was very much concerned about the prisoner. He
was shocked by his disobedience, and pained to find that one who had
done so well could do so ill. The case had been fully considered in the
professors' cabin; and Mr. Lowington declared that Shuffles should stay
in the brig till he had repented of his folly, and promised obedience
for the future. The chaplain was a tender-hearted man, and he thought
that some gentle words might touch the feelings of the prisoner, and
bring him to a sense of duty. With the principal's permission,
therefore, he paid a visit to Shuffles in the evening.

"I am very sorry to find you here, Shuffles," said Mr. Agneau, when he
had locked the door behind him.

"Has Lowington sent you to torment me?" demanded the prisoner.

"Mr. Lowington, you mean," added the chaplain, gently.

"No, I mean Lowington. When a man has abused and insulted me, I can't
stop to put a handle to his name."

"I regret to find you in such an unhappy frame of mind, my young friend.
I came here of my own accord, to do what I might to help you."

"Did you, indeed!" sneered Shuffles.

"That was my only object."

"Was it? Well, if you want to help me, you will induce Lowington to let
me out of this crib, apologize for what he has done, and give me my
place in the after cabin."

"That is plainly impossible," replied the astonished chaplain.

"Then you can't do anything for me; and I think I can take care of
myself."

"I entreat you, my young friend, to consider the error of your ways."

"There is no error in my ways, Mr. Agneau."

"You are unreasonable."

"No, I'm not. I only want what is fair and right."

"Was it right for you, Shuffles, to refuse obedience to the principal,
when he told you to go aft?"

"I have always obeyed all proper orders; and under the circumstances, I
think it was right for me to refuse."

"You fill me with amazement!" exclaimed the chaplain.

"You know it was not fair to give out the offices by last year's marks,"
protested Shuffles.

"On the contrary, I think it was entirely fair."

"I haven't anything more to say if it was," replied Shuffles, in surly
tones.

The chaplain, finding the prisoner was not in a proper frame of mind for
edifying conversation, left him, and returned to the professors' cabin.
The boys had been forbidden to go near the brig, or to speak to the
prisoner; and thus far no one had exhibited any disposition to disregard
the order. Many of them, as they passed near the brig, glanced curiously
at him. After the departure of the chaplain, Wilton sat down on a stool
near the lock-up.

"How are you. Shuffles?" said he, in a low tone.

"Come here, Wilton--will you?" replied the prisoner.

"I can't; we are not allowed to speak to you."

"What do you care for that? No one can see you."

"What do you want?"

"I want to talk with you."

"I shall be punished if I'm caught."

"You won't be caught. How are our fellows now?"

"First rate," replied Wilton, walking up and down the berth deck, rising
and looking as though nothing was going on.

"You know what we were talking about just before the row," added
Shuffles, drawing his stool up to the palings.

"You said you wouldn't trust me," answered Wilton, still pacing the deck
in front of the brig.

"You told Lowington about something he had no business to know; but I
forgive you, Wilton."

"You are very willing to forgive me, now you are in a tight place."

"It was mean of you to do it, Wilton; you can't deny that. Lowington was
on the best of terms with me when I was in the after cabin, and I might
have told him a hundred things about you."

"Didn't you tell him anything?"

"Not a word."

"Well, you are a good fellow, and I always thought you were. I couldn't
see why you turned traitor to us when we intended to spend the Fourth of
July on shore."

"I was obliged to do what I did. If I hadn't, I should have been turned
out of my office."

"Perhaps you were right, Shuffles, and we won't say anything more about
the past," replied Wilton, who was too willing to be on good terms with
the powerful malcontent, even while he was a prisoner and in disgrace.

"Wilton, I am going to be captain of this ship within ten days," said
Shuffles, in a whisper. "Now you may go and tell Lowington of that."

"Of course I shall not tell him," added Wilton, indignantly.

"I told you merely to show you that I had full confidence in you--that's
all. You can betray me if you wish to do so."

"I don't wish to do anything of the kind. Of course we shall always go
together, as we did before you were an officer."

"I shall be an officer again soon."

"What's the use of talking about such a thing?"

"I shall."

"Do you mean to get up the mutiny?"

"I do. I feel more like it now than I ever did before," replied
Shuffles; and his low tones came from between his closed teeth.

"It's no use to think of such a thing. It's too wild."

"No matter if it is; it shall be carried out."

"The fellows won't go in for it; they won't dare to do it."

"Yes, they will. I know them better than you do, Wilton. It isn't quite
time yet; but in three or four days they will be ready for anything."

"You can't bring them up to what you mean."

"Yes, I can."

"What do you expect to do, locked up in that place?" demanded Wilton,
incredulously.

"When I get ready to go out of this place, I shall go. I needn't stay
here any longer than I please."

"Do you really mean to get up a mutiny?"

"Hush! Don't call it by that name."

"What shall I call it?"

"Call it making a chain."

"I don't understand you," answered Wilton, puzzled by the expression.

"I know what I'm about, and I have got more friends in the ship than
Lowington has. And I know exactly how to manage the whole thing," added
Shuffles, confidently.

"But the fellows are all perfectly satisfied with their condition. They
wish to go to Europe, and are pleased with the prospect before them."

"Perhaps they are; and they shall all go to Europe, and travel about
without being tied to Lowington's coat-tails. I shall come out of this
place to-morrow, and we will work the thing up."

"I'm in for a time with any good fellow; but I don't think we can make
this thing go," said Wilton. "Hush! Don't say another word. There comes
an officer."

One bell, indicating half p

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