Part 41 (2/2)
By gradual approaches, Shuffles informed the fourth lieutenant of the object of the ”Chain,” which Pelham promptly agreed to join, declaring that it was just the thing to suit his case. He was in a rebellious frame of mind; and though he could not feel that the enterprise would be a complete success, it would afford him an opportunity to annoy and punish the princ.i.p.al for his degrading and tyrannical regulation, as the recreant officer chose to regard it.
By the exercise of some tact, the conspirators found a convenient place under the top-gallant forecastle to consider the project. Pelham was duly ”toggled,” and offered no objection to the penalty; indeed, he only laughed at it.
”Suppose we get possession of the s.h.i.+p--what then?” asked Pelham.
”We will go on a cruise. I understand that she has provisions for a six months' voyage on board. I'm in favor of going round Cape Horn, and having a good time among the islands of the South Sea.”
Pelham laughed outright at this splendid scheme.
”Round Cape Horn!” exclaimed he.
”Yes? why not? We should be up with the cape by the first of June; rather a bad time, I know, but this s.h.i.+p would make good weather of it, and I don't believe we should see anything worse than this.”
”What will you do with the princ.i.p.al and the professors?” asked Pelham, lightly.
”We can run up within ten or fifteen miles of Cape Sable, give them one of the boats, and let them go on sh.o.r.e.”
”Perhaps they won't go.”
”We have ten fellows already in the Chain, who are seventeen years old.
If we get half the crew, we can handle the other half, and the professors with them.”
”All right! I'm with you, whether you succeed or not. I'm not going to be ground under Lowington's feet, and be snubbed by such fellows as Gordon. If I want to smoke a cigar, I'm going to do it.”
”Or take a gla.s.s of wine,” suggested Shuffles.
”If there is any on board.”
”There is, plenty of it. I'll make you a present of a bottle, if you wish it.”
”Thank you. Suppose we get the s.h.i.+p, Shuffles, who are to be the officers?” asked Pelham.
”We shall have good fellows for officers. You will be one, of course.”
”I suppose I am higher in rank now than any fellow who has joined the Chain.”
”Yes, that's a fact; but we are not going to mind who are officers now, or who have been before. We intend to take the best fellows--those who have done the most work in making the Chain.”
”Whether they are competent or not,” added Pelham.
”All the fellows know how to work a s.h.i.+p now, except the green hands that came aboard this year.”
”This is rather an important matter. Shuffles, for everything depends upon the officers. For instance, who will be captain?” asked Pelham, with a.s.sumed indifference.
”I shall, of course,” replied Shuffles, with becoming modesty.
”That's a settled matter, I suppose.”
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