Part 22 (2/2)

”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 inst.i.tution 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 s.h.i.+p 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 mids.h.i.+pman 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 a.s.signed to them. There were hands enough on deck to ”tack s.h.i.+p,” or to take in the sails, one or two at a time.

Though the s.h.i.+p 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 princ.i.p.al, 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 s.h.i.+p'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 princ.i.p.al'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.”

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