Part 30 (2/2)

”That is all, Shuffles,” added the princ.i.p.al.--”Young gentlemen, you are dismissed from muster.”

This was certainly a very mild atonement for the grave offence which Shuffles had committed, and the lenity of the princ.i.p.al was generally commented upon by the boys. The starboard watch was piped below to study and recite, while the port watch were to be off and on during the forenoon. The first part now had the deck, while the second was off duty, and the boys belonging to it were permitted to remain on deck or to spend their time in the mess rooms. They were not allowed to linger in the steerage where the recitations were going on, but might pa.s.s directly through on their way to their apartments.

At ten o'clock the first part of the port watch was relieved, and the second part went on duty. Shuffles and Wilton were at liberty now, but there appeared to be a coldness between them, and Wilton sought another companion for his leisure hours. Sanborn and Adler belonged to his part of the watch, and he soon joined them.

”There isn't much difference between being off duty and being on,” said Adler, as they seated themselves on the main hatch.

”There will be a difference when we have to make and take in sail every half hour. We had a big job taking in the studding sails last night.”

”They don't drive the s.h.i.+p,” added Sanborn. ”I suppose if we were a merchantman, they would crack on all the sail she would carry.”

”She goes along beautifully,” said Wilton.

”She was only making five knots the last time the log was heaved.”

”And the sea is as smooth as a mill-pond. We shall not get to Queenstown for two months at this rate.”

”Stand by to set studding sails!” shouted Pelham, the officer of the deck.

”I wondered why they didn't do that before,” said Sanborn.

The fore and main studding sails were set, two at a time, by the part of the watch on duty, the wind still being well aft.

”What shall we do?” asked Wilton, with a long yawn, after they had watched the operation of setting the studding sails for a time. ”This is stupid business, and I'm getting sleepy.”

”Let us go below,” suggested Sanborn.

”What for? The professors won't let you speak out loud while the recitations are going on,” added Adler.

”We don't want to speak out loud. What do you say to shaking a little?”

continued Wilton.

”I'm with you,” replied Wilton. ”Can either of you change me a half sovereign?”

Neither of them could, but they were willing to take Wilton's due bills, till his indebtedness amounted to ten s.h.i.+llings. The boys had already begun to talk the language of sterling currency, and many of them were supplied with English silver coins as well as gold. The three boys went down at the fore hatch, and removing their caps as they entered the steerage, walked silently to Gangway D, from which they went into mess room No. 8, which had thus far been the headquarters of the gamblers.

Seating themselves on the stools, they used one of the beds as a table, and in a few moments were deeply absorbed in the exciting game. They spoke in whispers, and were careful not to rattle the props too loudly.

After they had played a few moments, Shuffles came in. They invited him to join them in the play, but he declined, and soon left the mess room, returning to the deck. In the waist he met Paul Kendall, who was the officer of his watch, and, like him, was off duty. They had generally been on good terms while in the after cabin together, for then Shuffles was on his best behavior.

”How do things go on in the after cabin now, Kendall--I beg your pardon--Mr. Kendall?” said Shuffles, in his most gentlemanly tones.

”About as usual, Mr. Shuffles,” replied Paul.

”I am not a 'mister' now,” laughed Shuffles.

”Well, it's all the same to me. I am sorry you are not with us now.”

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