Part 30 (1/2)

”I'm not afraid; I didn't think you meant to have any murder in your Chain.”

”I don't; no fellow will think of such a thing as betraying one of the secrets.”

”Then what's the use of having such a penalty?”

”It will prevent any fellow from opening his mouth when he ought to keep it shut.”

”I don't want anything to do with a concern that means murder. I'm not any better than I should be, but I'm too good for that.”

”Suit yourself; but remember, if you should happen to say a word, you will fall overboard accidentally, some night when you are on the lookout, or out on the yard-arm.”

”Two bells,” said Wilton, greatly relieved to hear them, for he did not like to stand any longer on the top-gallant forecastle, where there was no railing, with such a dangerous fellow as Shuffles proved to be.

Two other members of the watch were sent forward to take their places.

Wilton and Shuffles went down and mingled with their s.h.i.+pmates, who were talking about what they should do and what they should see in Ireland, where the s.h.i.+p would first make a harbor. Wilton breathed easier, and the topic was a more agreeable one than the dark and terrible matter which had been under discussion on the top-gallant forecastle.

Shuffles was disappointed by the scruples of his generally unscrupulous companion. He regarded the machinery of the plot, the clap-trap of the secret league, as decidedly attractive; and he depended largely upon it to influence his companions. Though he claimed that his plan was original, it was suggested by a secret political organization in Europe, of which he had read in a pamphlet; and the idea had doubtless been modified by his more extensive readings in the department of fiction, in which midnight juntos laid out robbery, treason, and murder; Venetian tales in which bravos, a.s.sa.s.sins, and decayed princes in disguise largely figured; in which mysterious pa.s.swords opened mysterious dungeons beneath ruined castles; in which bravo met bravo, and knew him by some mysterious sign, or cabalistic word.

Shuffles had a taste for these things, and out of his lively imagination he had coined a similar a.s.sociation to be recruited from the crew of the Young America, which was to redress fancied wrongs, and even take the s.h.i.+p out of the hands of the princ.i.p.al. He could think of nothing but this brilliant enterprise; and while his s.h.i.+pmates were talking of the future, and indulging in the old salts' vocation of ”spinning yarns,” he was busy maturing the details of ”The Chain League.” He did not, for reasons best known to himself attempt to make any more proselytes that night.

The s.h.i.+p continued to go along easily on her course till morning. It was a clear night, and though the wind was fresh, the sea was not rough, and the Young America behaved very handsomely. The programme for the watches was carried out to the letter, but on the first night out, the boys were too much excited by the novelty of the situation to be able to sleep much.

At eight bells in the morning, after the port watch had breakfasted, all the students off duty attended prayers. Then the starboard watch had their morning meal, after which all hands were piped to muster.

Mr. Lowington mounted the hatch, and it was understood that the case of discipline which had come up the day before was to be settled now.

”Shuffles!” called the princ.i.p.al.

The culprit came forward.

”Are you still of the same mind as when I saw you last evening?”

continued Mr. Lowington.

”I am, sir,” replied Shuffles, with a becoming exhibition of meekness.

”You will step upon the hatch, then.”

Shuffles took position by the side of the princ.i.p.al.

”You will repeat after me,” added Mr. Lowington.

The culprit was startled at these words, and began to suspect that Wilton had betrayed him in spite of his fear of falling overboard accidentally. It looked just then as though the princ.i.p.al intended to ”toggle” him.

”I acknowledge that I have done wrong,” Mr. Lowington continued.

Shuffles repeated the words, happy to find that he was not to take the obligation of ”The Chain League.”

”And I will hereafter endeavor to do my duty faithfully.”

The promise was repeated with the lips, but of course it had no meaning, and did not reach the heart.