Part 59 (1/2)
added Paul, with generous enthusiasm ”You know I told you I would like to be in the steerage, for I have always been an officer.”
”Allow me till to-night, if you please, to consider it, Mr. Lowington,”
replied Shuffles, as he grasped the hand of Paul.
”Certainly, if you desire it.”
Shuffles was overwhelmed by the magnanimity of Paul and the kindness of the princ.i.p.al. At that moment he would have given everything to be such a young man as the second lieutenant; to be as good and true, as free from evil thoughts and evil purposes, as he was. A light had dawned upon the rebel and the plotter which he had never seen before. Goodness and truth had vindicated themselves, and overwhelmed the guilty one.
”Mr. Shuffles, I congratulate you on your promotion,” said the chaplain, extending his hand.
”I cannot accept it, sir,” replied the repentant malcontent ”I would like to speak with you alone, Mr. Agneau.”
The chaplain took him to his state room in the main cabin? and there, Shuffles, conquered and subdued by the kindness of his friends, confessed the terrible crime he had committed--that he had pushed Pelham overboard.
The chaplain was confounded at this confession, but still more so when the self-convicted conspirator revealed all the secrets of ”The Chain.”
Shuffles mentioned no names; he took all the guilt upon himself.
”I am astonished, my dear young friend,” said the chaplain. ”Is it possible the life you saved was imperilled by your own violent pa.s.sions?”
”It is true, sir,” replied Shuffles, hardly able to control his feelings.
”Then I think you had better not accept the promotion that has been offered to you.”
”I will not; I would jump overboard first. I am willing to be punished; I deserve it.”
”Shuffles, you have almost atoned for your errors by confessing them; and your courageous conduct, after you had pushed Pelham into the sea, proves that you sincerely repented that act. Shall I tell Mr. Lowington what you have said?”
”Yes, sir; let him know me as I am; let him despise me as I deserve,”
replied Shuffles, wiping away a genuine tear of repentance.
Mr. Agneau talked to the penitent for two hours; and finally he prayed with him and for him. If never before, the moral condition of the culprit was now hopeful, and the chaplain labored earnestly and faithfully to give him right views of his relations to G.o.d and his fellow-beings.
”Paul,” said Shuffles, when he met his generous and self-sacrificing friend in the waist, after the conference in the state room, ”I am the meanest and vilest fellow on board.”
”No, you are not!” exclaimed Paul.
”I would give the world to be like you.”
”No, no! You wrong yourself, and overdo me.”
”I have confessed all to the chaplain, and you will soon know me as I am, Paul. I will not take your place in the cabin. Your kindness and generosity have overcome me. You have convinced me that doing right is always the best way.”
Paul did not know what to make of this remarkable confession; but, after supper, all hands were piped to muster again, the s.h.i.+p being off Kinsale Head, nearly becalmed. The chaplain had informed the princ.i.p.al of the substance of Shuffles' confession. Mr. Lowington laughed at ”The Chain League,” the signs and the pa.s.swords, and regarded the mutiny as a matter of little consequence. He did not believe that Shuffles or his followers, had really intended to take the s.h.i.+p. The project was too monstrous to be credible. The fact that the conspirator had attempted the life of his companion was a grave matter, and it was treated as such. Mr. Agneau was entirely confident of the sincerity of the culprit's repentance. Shuffles had refused to take the proffered promotion, which was abundant evidence that he was in earnest.
The penitent was sent for, and repeated his confession to the princ.i.p.al.
He did not ask to be exempted from punishment; but he did ask to be forgiven. He was forgiven; but when the crew were piped to muster all the particulars of the intended mutiny were exposed to the astonished ”outsiders.” Paul understood it now. Mr. Lowington ridiculed the mutiny; but he spoke very seriously of the consequences of insubordination.
”Young gentlemen, Shuffles has not mentioned the name of a single student in connection with this silly conspiracy; he has asked to be excused from doing so. I grant his request, and I hope that all who have engaged in the affair are as sincerely sorry for their connection with it as he is. Under the circ.u.mstances, Shuffles will not be promoted.