Part 21 (1/2)

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 a.s.sault upon his authority.

”Shuffles, I am sorry to see one who has been an officer of the s.h.i.+p reduced to your condition; but discipline must and shall be maintained,”

said the princ.i.p.al. ”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 princ.i.p.al.

”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 s.h.i.+p. 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 s.h.i.+p--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 part.i.tions which enclosed it were composed of upright planks, eight inches in width, with s.p.a.ces 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 a.s.sistants 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 princ.i.p.al.

”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 part.i.tion? 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 s.h.i.+p, 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 part.i.tion till he was tired of the exercise.