Part 58 (2/2)

The inherent evil of the organization, with the bickerings and bad pa.s.sions of its members, had killed it--the turtle had swallowed his own head.

The weather continued fine; the routine of s.h.i.+p's duty and the studies went on without interruption. On the twenty-fourth day out, at three bells in the afternoon watch, a tremendous excitement was created on board.

”Land on the port bow!” shouted one of the crew, who had been stationed on the fore yard-arm as a lookout.

All on deck sprang into the rigging, to get a sight of the welcome sh.o.r.e. It looked like a fog bank in the distance; there was really nothing to be seen, but the fact that the s.h.i.+p was in sight of land was enough to create an excitement among the boys.

At three bells, in the first dog watch, the land was distinctly visible.

It was the Island of Dursey, and was now seen on the beam, while other land appeared in sight ahead. It was Sunday, and all hands were at liberty to enjoy this first view of the new continent. The boys thought the land looked just like that they had last seen on the sh.o.r.e of the western continent, and perhaps some of them were disappointed because everything looked so natural.

The officers and crew were impatient to make their destined port; but the wind subsided as the sun went down on that quiet Sabbath day on the ocean. The s.h.i.+p hardly made twenty miles before daylight in the morning.

At eight o'clock, on Monday, when Paul Kendall had the deck, the Young America was off Fastnet Rock, and not more than half a mile from it. It is about ten miles from Cape Clear, and is a solitary rock rising out of the sea, on which a lighthouse is located. The water around it was covered with small boats engaged in fis.h.i.+ng. The port watch were all on deck, and the scene was full of interest to them. The people whom they saw belonged to another continent than that in which they lived. All was new and strange to them, and all were interested in observing the distant sh.o.r.e, and the objects near the s.h.i.+p.

At one bell in the afternoon watch, when the Young America was off Gally Head, all hands were piped to muster. Mr. Lowington, on taking the rostrum, said that he had received a pet.i.tion signed by a majority of the officers and crew.

”A pet.i.tion to go ash.o.r.e, I suppose,” said Shuffles to Pelham.

”I think not,” laughed the fourth lieutenant, who appeared to know what was coming.

”Young gentlemen,” continued the princ.i.p.al, whose face wore an unusually pleasant smile, ”a few days since you were all filled with admiration at the n.o.ble conduct of one of your number, who saved the life of another at the peril of his own.”

”Want to go ash.o.r.e, Shuffles?” whispered Pelham.

Shuffles was too much confused to make any reply; he did not know whether he was to be praised or blamed.

”I have received a pet.i.tion, requesting me to appoint Robert Shuffles second lieutenant of the s.h.i.+p, in place of Paul Kendall, resigned,”

added Mr. Lowington.

Shuffles was overwhelmed with astonishment, and a large proportion of the students received the announcement with hearty applause.

”Young gentlemen, I have only to say that the pet.i.tion is granted. I ought to add, however, that no officer will lose his rank, except Mr.

Kendall, who, at his own desire, will take the vacant number in the steerage, now belonging to Robert Shuffles, promoted. I take great pleasure in granting this pet.i.tion, because the request is honorable to you, and shows a proper appreciation of the n.o.ble conduct of your s.h.i.+pmate. But let me add, that you should divide your admiration between the one who rescued his friend from death, and him who voluntarily resigned his honorable position in the after cabin, in order to make a place in which merit could be acknowledged and rewarded. Nothing but a matter of life and death could have induced me to vary the discipline of the s.h.i.+p. Young gentlemen, you are dismissed from muster.”

”Three cheers for Paul Kendall!” shouted one of the boys.

They were given.

”Three cheers for Robert Shuffles!” added Paul; and they were given.

”Mr. Shuffles will repair to the after cabin, where he will be qualified, and take his position at once.”

”Mr. Lowington, I must decline Mr. Kendall's generous offer,” interposed Shuffles, who was actually choking with emotion.

”This matter has been well considered, Shuffles,” replied the princ.i.p.al; ”and as it is the desire of a large majority of your s.h.i.+pmates that you should accept the position, I think you had better do so.”

”There isn't a student in the s.h.i.+p who desires it so much as I do,”

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