CHAPTER III.
THE ENSIGN AT THE PEAK.
The students on board of the Young America were between the ages of fourteen and seventeen. By the regulations, no boy under fourteen or over seventeen could be admitted, and they averaged about fifteen. They had, therefore, reached the years of discretion. Among them were a great many who were disposed to be wild boys, and not a few who had found it difficult to remain in similar institutions on shore. They were not criminal or depraved, but simply wild; with a tendency to break through reasonable restraint; with a taste for mad pranks, and a contempt for authority.
Of this class, who were a trial and a torment to the teachers of the ordinary high schools and academies, the larger proportion would have scorned to steal, or commit any wanton outrage upon the persons or property of others. There were many high-minded, noble-hearted young men, who could not tamely submit to authority, and were prone to insubordination, and who only needed the right kind of discipline to make them earnest and faithful men and useful citizens. There were few, if any, dunces or blockheads among them, for a life on shipboard had no attractions for such boys. They were, almost without an exception, wide-awake, bold, daring fellows, who had a taste for stirring events; fellows who wanted to climb the Rocky Mountains, visit the North Pole, and explore the Mammoth Cave. They were full of fun and mischief and it would have been easy at any time to get up a party among them to march the principal's cow into the parlor of the Academy; to climb to the belfry on a winter's night, and fill the inverted bell with water, where it would freeze solid before morning; or to convey the occupants of the hen-coop to the recitation room.
It was Mr. Lowington's task to repress the mischief in these boys, to keep them occupied with work and play, and to develop their moral and mental capacities. He had doubtless taken a heavy load upon himself but he felt that he was to labor for his race and his country. At least one half of his students were too wild to attend the ordinary public or private schools, or to profit by them if admitted. With such material, his work could not be a sinecure. But he had a taste for it, and he gave his whole heart and soul to the performance of his duties.
When the students were gathered on board the Young America, they were mostly strangers to him, though he had communicated personally or by letter with the parents of all of them. He had read and listened to the stories of their pranks and peccadilloes, but when they came together, he hardly knew one from another, and was not prejudiced against any individual by the terrible accounts of him related by parents, guardians, or teachers. He purposed to give them the opportunity to select their own officers at first, in order to win a more cheerful obedience from them, and because the students knew each other better than he knew them.
After the announcement of the principal that the voting would commence on the following morning, nothing else was talked of on board. The qualifications of various members of the school were discussed by groups of excited voters; and we must do them the justice to say that most of them considered the matter unselfishly and with a single eye to the public good. Perhaps it is a little remarkable that not a single student, outside of the little group of wire-pullers that gathered in the steerage, thought of Shuffles for the position of captain; and the "log-rollers" were likely to have up-hill work in electing themselves to the six principal offices. But they went to work, and labored very diligently till bed-time in carrying their point.
While none thought of Shuffles in connection with the highest position, many mentioned the dignified young gentleman, who had made one voyage up the Mediterranean—Richard Carnes. He had been on board a fortnight, and had won and retained the respect of all his companions.
Before the little band of wire-pullers in the steerage had made up the "slate" to suit their minds, the crowd on deck had agreed upon Richard Carnes for captain, and were busy in discussing the qualifications of others for the subordinate offices, when the log-rollers separated, and went to work upon their mission.
"How are you going to vote for captain, Kendall?" said Wilton, stopping up to the young gentleman who had proposed so many questions to the principal, and who had been so honest in confessing his ignorance of nautical matters.
"For Carnes, of course."
"Humph! I wouldn't vote for him," sneered the wire-puller.
"Why not?"
"He's too stiff; he'll put on airs, and be a tyrant over us."
"No, he won't."
"You see if he don't. I say, Kendall, are you up for any office?" continued Wilton, with a certain appearance of slyness which the straightforward young gentleman did not exactly like.
"Am I?"
"Yes, you. Wouldn't you like a room in the after cabin?"
"Perhaps I would," answered Kendall, thoughtfully; and the place was certainly very inviting to him.
"They say the after cabin is a perfect little palace."
"I dare say it is."
"You can just as well go in there, if you like."
"I don't see how that can be. I don't think I'm fit to be an officer. I am from Cincinnati, and I never saw a ship till I came east three weeks ago."
"None of the fellows know anything about a ship. All of us will have to learn."
"Carnes knows all about one."
"No, he don't. He made one voyage, and knows just enough to talk salt. He's a good fellow enough, but he isn't fit for captain. If you want to be an officer, Kendall, and have a berth in the after cabin, you can, just as well as not."
"Well, I would like such a place; I can't deny it; but I don't think the fellows will go for me."
"They will, if you say so."
"If I say so! I'm not going to ask them to vote for me," replied Kendall, warmly; for he was no politician and had a vein of modesty in his composition.
"You needn't say a word to any one. If you will go for our ticket, it will be all right. Half a dozen of us have talked this matter over, and we have concluded that you would be the best fellow for second master."
"Have you?" asked Kendall, who could not help being gratified to learn that even half a dozen of his companions had thought him worthy to be an officer of so high a rank as second master. "I'm very much obliged to you."
"All you have to do, is to go for our ticket."
"What do you mean by your ticket?" demanded Kendall, who was rather confused by the technical terms of the wire-puller.
Wilton explained that his little party had selected a candidate for each of the offices; and if all the fellows agreed to it, there would be fifteen votes for their ticket, to begin with.
"Well, what is your ticket?" demanded Kendall, impatiently. "If they are all good fellows, I will go for them. Of course you mean to vote for Carnes for captain."
"Not exactly," replied Wilton, with evident dis gust. "We shall put up a better fellow than he is for captain."
"Why, all the boys are going for him," added Kendall, astonished to find there were any who did not believe in Carnes.
"No, they are not."
"I thought they were."
"He will not be elected, and you need not throw your vote away upon him, because, if you don't want a place in the after cabin, there are plenty of fellows who do," added the wire-puller, with apparent indifference.
"But I do want it."
"Then all you have to do, is to go for our ticket."
"I think Carnes will make the best captain."
"Very well; if you think so, you have a right to your own opinion. I haven't any mortgage on it."
"Whom are you going to run for captain?"
"It's no use to talk any more about it, if you are going for Carnes," replied Wilton, as he turned to move away.
The wire-puller was playing a part. Paul Kendall was a noble little fellow, and was already a great favorite on board, not only with the boys, but with the principal and the professors. Wilton knew that he had a great deal of influence, and it was important to secure him for their ticket. If he could tell others that Kendall was going for their men, it would induce many to join their party. The "favorite," though he was an honest, noble-hearted fellow, was still human, and a berth in the after cabin was a strong temptation to him.
"I'm not going to say I'll vote for a fellow till I know who he is," added Kendall. "If he's the right person, perhaps I'll go for him, though I wanted to see Carnes captain."
"Carnes can't be elected, I tell you. We are going against him."
"Whom are you going for, then?"
"For Bob Shuffles," replied Wilton, desperately, for he did not wish to mention his candidate till he had won the assent of his companion.
"Shuffles!" exclaimed Kendall, with something like horror mingled with his astonishment; "I shall not go for him, anyhow."
"Why not?"
"I don't think he is the right person for the place."
"I do; he's a first-rate fellow—none of your milk and water chaps, that swallow camels and strain at gnats."
Kendall had some decided objections to Shuffles, and he positively refused to vote for him, even to obtain the coveted position in the after cabin. Wilton argued the matter with much skill and cunning; but his logic and his eloquence were both wasted.
"Well, if you won't go for Shuffles, you must be content with your place in the steerage," added Wilton.
"I won't go for him, any how," said Kendall, firmly.
"You are making a mistake."
"I don't think so. I'm bound to vote for the best fellow, and I'm sure Shuffles isn't the right one."
"See here, Kendall; don't say a word to the others that I spoke to you of this little matter. I thought you would go with us, or I shouldn't have said anything to you."
"Not say anything? Why not?"
"Because it will be better to keep still."
"I shall not do anything of the kind. You have got up a plan to defeat Carnes, by giving the offices to fellows who will vote against him. You wish me to keep still, while you carry out your plan. I can see through a cord of wood, when there's a hole big enough."
"I mentioned this thing to you in confidence."
"You didn't say a word about confidence; and I didn't promise to keep still. I won't keep still. I think it is a mean trick to buy up the votes of the fellows, and I'll blow the whole thing higher than a kite."
"You'll catch it if you do," said Wilton, in a threatening tone.
"Catch what?" demanded Kendall, with a very pretty exhibition of dignity.
"Bob Shuffles will give it to you."
"Give what to me?"
"Give you the biggest licking you ever had in your life," answered Wilton, angrily, "You are so stupid, you can't understand anything."
"I think I can understand the licking, when if comes. That's a game that two can play at."
"What do you mean, you little bantam? Do you think you can whip Bob Shuffles?"
"I had no idea of whipping him; and I have no idea of his whipping me, either."
Kendall was spunky. Wilton could make nothing of him by threats or persuasion; and he turned away from him to seek a more promising field of labor. Kendall took off his cap, scratched his head as he reflected upon the event which had just transpired, and made up his mind that it was an insult to an independent elector to attempt to buy his vote with the paltry consideration of an office. He was sorry that he had been even tempted by the proposition of the wire-pullers, and thankful that his sense of honor and decency had prompted him to decline it when asked to vote for an improper person. True to his promise, he made all haste to expose the conspiracy, as he regarded it, against Carnes.
When the students turned in that night, the wire-pullers had found a sufficient number of candidates for all the offices on the terms set forth in the compact, each of whom had promised to use his influence for the entire ticket. Shuffles had made a very pretty calculation, to the effect that each of the fifteen candidates could influence at least two votes besides his own for the ticket, which would inevitably elect it. But during all this time Paul Kendall had been laboring like a Trojan for Carnes, and had induced his friends to do the same.
At nine-o'clock in the morning, the polls were opened for the election of officers. A box was placed on the fife-rail, at the mainmast, in which the ballots were deposited, under the inspection of Professor Mapps.
"Have all the students voted?" called the professor, when the voting was suspended. "If so, I declare the poll closed."
It was a moment of intense excitement on the spar deck of the Young America when Mr. Lowington stood up on the hatch to announce the vote. There was a pleasant smile upon his face, which indicated that it would not be his painful duty to veto the choice of the independent electors.
"Young gentlemen, your balloting appears to have been conducted with entire fairness," said he, "and I will proceed to declare the result. Whole number of votes, eighty-seven; necessary to a choice, forty-four. Paul Kendall has five; Charles Gordon has seven; Robert Shuffles has twenty-two; Richard Carnes has fifty-three, and is elected captain of the Young America for the succeeding three months."
The party who had worked and voted for Carnes applauded the result most lustily, and gave three cheers for the new captain, which, on this exciting occasion, were not objected to by the principal. Shuffles's jaw dropped down, and his lip quivered with angry emotion.
"That little whipper-snapper of a Kendall did that," said Wilton, in a low tone, to the disappointed candidate. "I was afraid of this when I saw him blowing about the deck."
"I'll settle it with him when I get a good chance," growled Shuffles, as he went to the rail and looked over into the water, in order to conceal his disappointment and chagrin.
"Young gentlemen will bring in their votes for first lieutenant," said Professor Mapps, as he placed the box on the fife-rail again.
The boys marched around the mainmast, and deposited their ballots for the second officer, as they had done before. The friends of Shuffles rallied again, hoping that something might yet come of the compact they had made with him, and gave him their votes for first lieutenant, though, in his chagrin, he declared that he would not accept the position. Fortunately for him, he was not called upon to do so; for Charles Gordon was elected by a very large majority. As the election proceeded, it became evident that there was no office for Shuffles. Paul Kendall was elected fourth lieutenant and the announcement of the vote was greeted by even more hearty applause than had been bestowed upon the captain.
At the conclusion of the balloting, Shuffles found that not a single one of the wire-pullers, or of the candidates nominated by them, had been elected. The attempt to bribe the independent voters, by giving them office, had been a signal failure; and it is to be hoped that Young America, when fully developed, will stick to his principles.
"Captain Richard Carnes," said Mr. Lowington, as he stepped upon the hatch, after the voting had been concluded.
The young gentleman thus addressed came forward, blushing beneath the honors which had been bestowed upon him. The principal took his hand.
"Captain Carnes, I congratulate you upon your election to the highest office in the gift of your com panions; and I congratulate your fellow-students also upon having so good a young man to handle the ship. You have been modest, and they have been wise. I congratulate you both. Young gentlemen, I am satisfied that your captain will be just, courteous, and gentlemanly, in his relations with you; and I hope you will yield a willing and cheerful obedience to his orders, and to those of all your superiors. Let me say that this business is not a farce; it is not mere boys' play; for as soon as the officers and crew are fully trained and instructed, all ship duty will be carried on without assistance from me or others. When necessary, I shall advise the captain what to do, but I shall not do it myself; neither shall I needlessly interfere with the discipline of the ship.
"This is the last time an election of officers will be permitted, for it is liable to many objections, not the least of which are the bribery and corruption by which some have attempted to obtain office."
Mr. Lowington looked at Shuffles, as though he knew all about the method to which he had resorted to secure an election; but we are quite sure that Paul Kendall had never lisped a word of it to him, or to any of the instructors.
"On the first day of July, young gentlemen, all the offices will be vacant; and they will be awarded strictly in accordance with the marks you may obtain. There will be no veto upon the result of the merit roll. These places, therefore, are open to all. We have no aristocracy on board. Every student in the ship is a candidate for the captaincy. Now, if the officers elect will follow me to the after cabin, I will install them into their new positions; after which I will proceed to organize the crew."
The door of the after cabin, which had hitherto been a mystery to all the boys, was unlocked by the head steward, and Mr. Lowington, followed by the officers, entered. The students on deck were ordered forward, and were not even permitted to look down the companion-way, for the principal intended to keep the after cabin exclusively for the officers; and no one not entitled to admission was to be allowed to cross its threshold. He believed that this mystery, and this rigid adherence to the division line between officers and crew, would promote the discipline of the ship, and enhance the value of the offices—the prizes for good conduct, and general fidelity to duty.
"Captain Carnes, this is your state room," continued Mr. Lowington, opening the door of the room farthest forward on the starboard side. "As the commander of the ship you are entitled to an apartment by yourself."
"Thank you, sir," replied the captain, as he stepped into the room.
"You will find on the hooks your uniform as captain. There are three suits, from which you will select one that fits you."
Captain Carnes entered and closed the door. If he did not feel like a king, he ought to have felt so.
Mr. Lowington then gave the next room to the first and second lieutenants, who were to occupy it together; and they were also directed to clothe themselves in the uniforms deposited there for their use. The third state room was given to the third and fourth lieutenants, and the fourth to the first and second midshipmen. The forward room of the port side was assigned to the first and second masters; the next to the third and fourth; the third to the two pursers, and the last to the third and fourth midshipmen.
In a short time the officers came out of their rooms clothed in their uniforms, which consisted of a blue frock coat, with brass buttons, and blue pants. The cap was of the same material, with a gold band around it. Thus far the uniforms were all alike; but there were distinguishing insignia to indicate the rank of each. All the officers had shoulder-straps, by which their positions were designated. The captain had two anchors; the first lieutenant had one anchor, with four stars, one above, one below, and one on each side; the second lieutenant had the anchor with three stars—none above; the third lieutenant, one star on each side of the anchor; and the fourth lieutenant one star below the anchor. The captain also wore five narrow gold bands on each of his coat sleeves; the first lieutenant four, and so on, the fourth wearing but one band.
The shoulder-straps of the masters contained no anchor; only the stars, one for each grade, the first master having four stars; the fourth only one. The rank of the pursers was indicated by the outline of a parallelogram for the second, and two of the same figure, one within the other, for the first. The straps of the midshipmen contained gilt numbers, from one to four, designating their grade.
The officers presented a very elegant and dashing appearance in their new uniform; and if some of them did not feel a little vain, it was because they were less human than boys usually are.
"What are we to do, sir?" asked Kendall of the principal, after the uniforms had been duly criticised.
"Nothing, at present."
"Nothing! Why, I feel like a counterfeit gold dollar, in this rig, when I know no more about a ship than I do about the inside of the moon."
"You will learn in due time. You will go on deck now, young gentlemen; and remember that, as officers, you are not to be familiar with the crew while you are on duty."
"Can't we speak to them?" asked Kendall, who was not disposed to be so exclusive as naval discipline required him to be.
"Not while you are on duty, except when it is necessary to do so. We will now assign the berths in the steerage to the crew."
As the boys came on board, they had taken the berths as they pleased. Shuffles had selected a room, and invited his "cronies" to occupy the bunks it contained with him. The berths were now to be distributed by lot. Professor Mapps had provided seventy-two slips of paper, on each of which he had written a number. The boys were mustered into line, and drew out these numbers from the package. As each student drew his slip, the purser wrote down his name in a book, with the number he had drawn.
In the steerage, each berth had its own number, which was also applied to a locker, and a seat at one of the mess tables. When the drawing was completed each student had his berth, his clothes locker, and his seat at meals. Many of them were extremely dissatisfied when they found that they had been separated from their "cronies;" but the principal was firm, and would not allow a single change to be made.
By this time it was twelve o'clock, and Boatswain Peaks piped all hands to muster. The ensign was hoisted, and saluted with three cheers, in which all hands, young and old, joined. When this ceremony was finished, the crew were piped to dinner, and the officers went to their cabin, where the steward had set the table for them for the first time. They dined like lords, though upon the same fare as their companions in the steerage.
CHAPTER IV.
OFFICERS AND SEAMEN.
After dinner the organization of the crew was continued. All hands were "piped to muster," and by this time most of those who had been disaffected at the drawing of berths had recovered their natural equanimity, and all were intensely interested in the arrangement of the details. None of the boys knew what was coming, and their curiosity kept them in a continuous state of excitement.
"All who have drawn even numbers will take the starboard side of the ship," said Mr. Lowington from his perch on the hatch. "All who have drawn odd numbers will take the port side."
"This is the starboard side, my lads," added Mr. Fluxion, the instructor in mathematics—who, like the principal, had been a naval officer,—as he pointed to the right, looking forward.
Some had already forgotten their numbers, and there was considerable confusion before the order could be obeyed.
"Young gentlemen, the books will be opened to-day; and a student who forgets his number again will lose a mark," said Mr. Lowington. "Are they all in their places, Mr. Fluxion?"
"They are, sir," replied the instructor, who had just counted them.
"Young gentlemen, you are thus divided into two equal parts—the starboard and the port watches. Now form a straight line, toe the crack, and call your numbers in order, beginning with the starboard watch."
The boys eagerly followed this direction, though some assistance was required from the instructors in repressing their superfluous enthusiasm.
"Very well," continued Mr. Lowington, when the students were formed in two lines. "Every boy in the starboard watch whose number is divisible by four, step forward one pace. Number three in the port watch, do the same. Mr. Mapps, oblige me by seeing that every alternate boy in the line steps forward."
"The line is formed, sir," replied the instructor, when he had carried out the direction of the principal.
"Each watch is now divided into two parts—the first and second parts, as they will be called. Now, young gentlemen, the clothing will be distributed, and each student will put on his uniform at once."
The four lines were then marched down into the steerage, each under the charge of an instructor, to a particular locality, where the head steward and his assistants had deposited the clothing for each watch and quarter watch. The uniform consisted of blue seaman's pants and a heavy flannel shirt or frock, such as is worn in the United States navy. To each student the following articles were served out:—
1 pea-jacket.
1 blue cloth jacket.
1 pair blue cloth pants.
1 pair blue satinet pants.
1 blue cap.
1 straw hat, of coarse, sewed straw.
1 Panama hat, bound.
2 knit woollen shirts.
2 pair knit woollen drawers.
2 white frocks.
2 pair white duck pants.
4 pair socks.
2 pair shoes.
2 black silk neck-handkerchiefs.
These articles were given to the boys, and they were required to put on the every-day uniform; after which they were directed to arrange the rest of the clothing in the lockers belonging to them. The contractor who had furnished the goods was present with four tailors, to attend to the fitting of the clothes, which were all numbered according to the size. In a short time the students began to come out of their rooms, clothed in their new rig. They looked intensely "salt," and there was no end to the jokes and smart things that were said on this interesting occasion. Even Shuffles hardly knew himself in his new dress.
The frock had a broad rolling collar, in each corner of which was worked an anchor in white. The black silk neck-handkerchief was worn under the collar, and not many of the boys had acquired the art of tying the regular sailor's knot. Boatswain Peaks not only stood up as a model for them, but he adjusted the "neck gear" for many of them. Bitts, the carpenter, and Leech, the sailmaker, who were also old sailors, cheerfully rendered a valet's assistance to such as needed help.
Agreeably to the directions of Mr. Lowington, the shore suits of the students were done up in bundles, each marked with the owner's name, and the head steward took them to Mr. Lowington's house for storage.
Rigged out in their "sea togs," the students began to feel salt, as well as to look salt. Some of them tried to imitate the rolling gait of the boatswain when they walked, and some of them began to exhibit an alarming tendency to indulge in sea slang.
"There, my hearty, you look like a sailor now," said Peaks, when he had rolled over the collar and tied the square knot in the handkerchief of Wilton.
"Shiver my timbers, but I feel like one," laughed the embryo seaman.
"What's that, young gentleman?" demanded Mr. Lowington, who happened to be within hearing; "what did you say?"
"I said I felt like a sailor, sir."
"What was the expression you used?"
"I only said shiver my timbers, sir."
"You stole that expression from a yellow-covered novel. Did you ever hear Mr. Peaks, who has been a sailor all his lifetime, use such language?"
"I'll be bound he never did," added Peaks.
"No, sir. I don't know that I ever did."
"Some sailors do use such expressions; but it is gross affectation for these young gentlemen, who never saw a blue wave, to indulge in them. If you please, Wilton, you will not use such language. It is simply ridiculous. Mr. Peaks, you will pipe all hands to muster again."
The shrill whistle of the boatswain sounded through the ship, and the boys tumbled up the ladders, eager to learn what was to be done next. As they formed in lines, they presented a novel and picturesque appearance in their jaunty uniform. Most of them had already learned to wear their caps canted over on one side, and not a few of them, perhaps as much from necessity as because it was a sailor's habit, hitched up their trousers, and thrust their hands deep down into the side pockets.
The students were again formed in watches and quarter watches, each of which classes and sub-classes was indicated on the uniforms. All the starboard watch wore a small silver star on the right arm, above the elbow, and the port watch the same emblem on the left arm. The first part of each watch had a figure 1, under the star, and the second part a figure 2 in the same position.
The rest of the day was spent in the organization for ship's duty, which was far from completed when the sun went down. The next day every boy was kept so busy that he had no time to grumble. The instructors attended to the lessons in the steerage with one watch, while the other was on deck acquiring seamanship. In the course of the month, as the boys learned their duties, and the capabilities of each were ascertained, they were assigned to their stations in the various evolutions required in working the vessel.
Boatswain Peaks had taught the boys, a few at a time, how to set a sail, reef and furl it. They had been gradually accustomed to going aloft, until the giddy height of the main royal did not appall them, and they could lay out on the yards without thinking of the empty space beneath them. By the first of June, all the petty officers had been appointed, and every student had his station billet. When the order was given to unmoor ship, to make sail, or to furl the sails, every one knew where to go and what to do. The station billets were cards on which the various evolutions of the ship had been printed in a column on the left, while the particular duty of the owner of the card was written against it. The card was kept by the student, and he was expected to learn its contents so that he could take his place without stopping to consult it, when an order was given. Here is a specimen of the cards:—
| PORT WATCH, NO 21, Second Part. |
WILLIAM FOSTER, Captain of the Forecastle. |
| REEFING. | Head Bowlines. |
| TACKING OR WEARING. | Forecastle. Let go head bowlines. Let go and shorten in foretack and belay it. |
| GETTING UNDER WAY. | Head Bowlines. Downhauls and head-sheets. |
| ANCHORING. | Head Bowlines, Sheets and Tacks. Downhauls. |
| LOOSING SAILS. | Foretopmast Staysail. |
| FURLING. | Head Bowlines and Downhauls, Staysail. |
| MOORING AND UNMOORING. | Forecastle. |
| BOAT. | Professor's Barge, stroke-oar. |
| MESS. | No. 11. |
The crew had been in training a month before an attempt was made to set more than one sail at once; but by this time the officers knew the orders, having practised every day since the organization. The petty officers had been appointed, and had, to some extent, become familiar with their duties.
The boys still continued to wonder when the Young America would go on a cruise, for they were very anxious to see the blue water, and to roll on the great waves of the Atlantic; but they were so constantly occupied with ship's duty and their studies, that the time did not hang heavily on their hands. Two months of constant practice had made tolerable seamen of them, and the discipline of the ship went on regularly. The young officers, as Mr. Lowington had promised, began to conduct the evolutions and give the orders.
On the 1st day of June, after breakfast, the students were thrown into a fever of excitement by an unusual order, and they ventured to hope that the ship was to leave her moorings.
"Mr. Gordon, you will pipe all hands to muster," said Captain Carnes to the first lieutenant.
"Pass the word for the boatswain," added Gordon to one of the midshipmen, who stood near him.
This call was answered, not by Peaks, who no longer performed the duties of boatswain, but by one of the students, who had been appointed to this position.
"Pipe all hands to muster, boatswain," said the first lieutenant, as the petty officer touched his cap to him.
"All hands on deck, ahoy!" shouted the boatswain, as he piped the call.
This was an unusual order for that time of day, the forenoon being appropriated to study for each watch in turn; and those who were below hastened on deck to ascertain what was to be done.
"All hands, stations for loosing sail!" piped the boatswain, when ordered to do so by Gordon.
The first lieutenant was in charge of the ship, under the direction of the captain. The second lieutenant stood on the forecastle, where he was attended by the boatswain. The third lieutenant was in the waist, and the fourth on the quarter deck, near the mizzenmast. These were the stations of the officers whenever all hands were called. Mr. Lowington and the instructors stood near the companion-way, watching with interest this first attempt to make sail all over the ship.
"Lay aloft, sail-loosers!" shouted Gordon; and his order was repeated by the officers at their several stations.
The little tars who belonged on the topsail and top-gallant yards sprang up the rigging like so many cats, excited beyond measure by the scene of activity around them.
"Lower yardmen in the chains!" continued Gordon and his order was passed, along by the officers. "Aloft, lower yardmen!"
In a moment the crew were in their places; the studding-sail booms were triced up with the usual system, so that the sails could be reached.
"Lay out!" continued the first lieutenant; and the boys walked out on the foot-ropes to their stations on the yards. "Loose!"
The ropes by which the sails were secured to the yards were removed at this order, and the topmen held the sails in their places.
"All ready on the forecastle, sir," reported Foster, who was captain of that part of the ship.
"All ready in the foretop."
"All ready in the maintop."
"All ready in the mizzentop," reported the several captains of the tops, in their proper order.
These reports were passed to the first lieutenant in charge of the deck, by his subordinates.
"Let fall!" shouted Gordon, highly excited; and the sails dropped from the yard. "Overhaul your rigging aloft! Man sheets and halyards! Sheets home, and hoist away!"
These orders were passed from mouth to mouth among the officers, and return reports made, according to the strict discipline of the navy. They were promptly executed by the crew, though of course not without some blunders; and the Young America was covered with her cloud of canvas. Mr. Lowington commended the officers and crew for the promptness and skill they had displayed in their first concerted attempt at making sail. He then directed Captain Carnes to furl. Both evolutions were then repeated, until a proficiency satisfactory for one day was attained.
"Not going to sea, after all," said Shuffles, when the crew were dismissed from muster.
"No," replied Wilton. "I'm tired of lying here, and if we don't go to sea soon, I shall take myself off."
"I'm with you."
"I thought we were going to have some fun on board, but we don't do anything but study and shake out topsails."
"Do you know how you stand on marks, Wilton?" asked Shuffles.
"No; not very high, though."
"Don't you think you shall get into the cabin next term?"
"I know I shall not. I haven't tried for anything."
"On the first of next month, you know, new officers will be appointed, and I suppose the crew will be messed over again."
"I don't care, I'm getting tired of this thing, I had a better time at the Academy before we came on board."
"There isn't much chance for any sport. Hardly a fellow has been allowed to go on shore since we joined the ship."
"Well get up a mutiny, if things don't improve."
"I was thinking of that very thing myself," said Shuffles, in a low tone.
"A mutiny!" exclaimed Wilton, who had used the word in jest.
"Just for fum, you know," laughed Shuffles.
"You don't mean any such thing?"
"Not yet, of course."
"Do you at any time?"
"We want something more exciting than this kind of a life. Here we are, kept down and treated like common sailors. We have to touch our caps and make our manners to Dick Carnes and the rest of the flunkies in the after cabin. My father pays as much for me as Dick Carnes' father does for him, and I don't think it is fair that he should live in the cabin and I in the steerage."
"If you get marks enough, you can have a berth in the cabin," replied Wilton.
"Marks! Confound the marks! I'm not a baby. Do you think a fellow seventeen years old is going to be put up or put down by marks?" said Shuffles.
"I thought you had been working for a place in the cabin."
"So I have, but I don't expect to get it. I never studied so hard in my life, and I believe I haven't had a bad mark since I came on board, Lowington thinks I have reformed," laughed Shuffles. "And so I have."
"What do you want to get up a mutiny for, then?"
"I shall not, if I get a decent position; if I don't, I'm going in for some fun."
"But do you really think of getting up a mutiny?" asked Wilton, curiously.
"I was thinking the other day what a fine thing it would be if our fellows had the ship all to themselves."
"What could we do with her?"
"Go on a cruise in her."
"We couldn't handle her; there is hardly a fellow on board that knows anything about navigation."
"Of course, I don't mean to do anything yet a while; not this year, perhaps. One of these days, if we stay on board, we shall know all about a ship. Fifteen or twenty of the fellows are studying navigation. We are going to Europe some time or other. When we do, we can take the ship, and go it on our own hook."
"I don't believe you mean anything of the kind, Bob Shuffles."
"I've been thinking about it, anyhow. We can lock Lowington and the rest of the old folks into their cabin while they are at dinner; and there are enough of us to handle Peaks and Bitts."
"I think you are crazy, Shuffles."
"We should have a high old time if we could get possession of the ship. We wont say a word about it yet."
"I think you had better not."
"We might go round Cape Horn into the Pacific, and have a splendid time among the beautiful islands of the South Sea."
"Of course all the fellows wouldn't join you."
"We could put those ashore somewhere who did not agree with us."
"You know the penalty of mutiny on the high seas."
"Bah!" said Shuffles, contemptuously. "It would be nothing but it lark. No one would think of hanging us, or even sending us to prison for it. My father is rich enough to get me out of any scrape."
"So is mine; but I don't think it would be quite safe to go into a mutiny."
"Not yet, my dear fellow. You can think it over."
"But I'm tired of this kind of a life. I liked it first rate in the beginning. Do you think Lowington really intends to go to sea with the ship?"
"If he don't go pretty soon, I shall run away, and go to sea in earnest."
"Don't say a word about the mutiny at present, Wilton. By and by, if things go right, or if they don't go right, we may want to take some stock in such an enterprise."
"I don't see it yet, but of course I shall keep still."
It is doubtful whether even so daring a young man as Shuffles, who had the temerity to do almost anything, seriously contemplated getting up a mutiny. Very likely his untamed and vicious imagination had revelled in such an enterprise; had pictured the delights of the rover's life at sea; but a boy of ordinary common sense could hardly think of engaging in such a mad scheme.
The last week of June, with which month ended the first school term on board of the Young America, was devoted to examinations and reviews in all the studies for which extra marks were given. On the last day the instructors made up the merit lists, and on the morning of the 1st of July all hands were mustered, and the result declared. Most of the officers, all of whom had studied with unremitting diligence in order to retain their positions, were reinstated in their offices. The third lieutenant, however, fell out, having failed in his reviews, and to the astonishment of all, Robert Shuffles was found to be entitled to the place. The first and second lieutenants exchanged ranks, and Paul Kendall fell to the position of second master. Three of the tenants of the after cabin were compelled to move into the steerage, and three of the crew were transferred to the officers' quarters.
Many were disappointed, and perhaps some were disheartened, for the competition had been a severe struggle; and as much depended upon natural ability as upon energy and perseverance. But the Young America was a world by herself. She had all the elements of society within her wooden walls, and success and failure there followed the same rules as in the great world of which she was an epitome.
After the officers had been duly installed in their positions, the petty offices were given to those having the highest number of marks among the crew. It was certainly democratic for the late third lieutenant to become captain of the foretop, and for a second master to become coxswain of the professors' barge; but these young gentlemen, though disappointed, submitted with a good grace to their misfortune.
The student having the highest number of marks among the crew was allowed to have the first choice of berths in the steerage; the one having the next highest number had the second choice, and so on, until all the numbers had been appropriated. At the conclusion of the reorganization, Mr. Lowington made a speech, "comforting the mourners," and reminding all the students that, on the 1st of October, there would be another distribution of the places of honor. He hoped those who had failed to attain what they aspired to reach would not be discouraged, for, after all, they had been gaining knowledge, and thus the real end of the school had been reached.
"How about the mutiny?" said Wilton to the new third lieutenant, when both were off duty in the evening.
"It won't pay just now," replied Shuffles, with great good humor.
"I suppose not," sneered Wilton, who had not even won a petty office. "What would Lowington say if he knew the third lieutenant talked of getting up a mutiny on board?"
"What would he say?" repeated Shuffles, who was as much surprised at the high rank he had gained as his companion had been.
"Yes; what would he say if I should tell him of it?"
"He would say you were a mean pup for telling tales out of school; at least, he ought to say so, and I think he would. Lowington is a pretty good fellow, after all."
"No doubt he is, now you are third lieutenant."
"You needn't snuff at it, Wilton. If you want a place, why don't you sail in, and get one. Just look out for your marks; that's all you have to do."
"Marks! I thought a fellow seventeen years old was not to be put up or put down by marks," said Wilton, bitterly.
"That depends somewhat upon whether you get in or out," laughed Shuffles.
"I suppose you and Paul Kendall will be fast friends now," added the discontented student.
"Kendall behaves very well, and has treated me first rate since I went into the cabin."
"I suppose if I want to run away, you will stop me now."
"If you are going to do that, you musn't tell me of it, now I'm an officer," replied Shuffles, as he turned on his heel, and walked aft.
Wilton was disgusted, and felt that he had lost his best friend, now that Shuffles had worked his way into the cabin.
CHAPTER V.
OUR FELLOWS.
"I would like leave of absence for to-morrow, Mr. Pelham," said Wilton, as he touched his cap to the first lieutenant of the Young America, on the day before the Fourth of July.
"I am sorry to inform you, Wilton, that no leave of absence will be granted to-morrow," replied Pelham in accordance with the instructions given him by the captain, who, in turn, had received his orders from the principal.
"No leave!" exclaimed Wilton, his jaw dropping down.
"Such are the orders."
"I have always been in the habit of celebrating the Fourth of July," replied Wilton. "Are we to stay on board the ship, and mope all day?"
"I presume the day will be celebrated on board in a proper manner," added the first lieutenant.
"On board! What can a fellow do here? We might as well go to bed, and sleep off the day."
"No words are necessary, Wilton," replied Pelham as he turned and walked away.
"That's a good one!" added Wilton, to the group of boys who had come with him to the mainmast, to request the same favor, if the spokesman was permitted to go on shore and celebrate the day.
"Not to celebrate!" exclaimed Monroe, with something like horror in his tones and looks.
"Work on the Fourth of July!" chimed in Adler.
"I won't stand it, for one!" said Wilton.
"Nor I, for another," added Monroe.
So said half a dozen others.
"Well, what are you going to do about it?" demanded Adler. "Here we are, and we can't get ashore."
"Perhaps we can," said Wilton, as he led the way to a retired part of the deck, where they could talk without being overheard. "Did any one ever hear of such a thing as keeping the fellows on board on the Fourth of July? Why, every little Greek in the city yonder has his liberty on that day; and we are to be cooped up here like a parcel of sick chickens! I suppose we shall have to recite history and French, and shake out topsails, as usual."
"It's outrageous. I don't believe the fellows will stand it," added Adler, who did not know how bad the case was, until it had been rehearsed by Wilton, who, in the absence of Shuffles, had become the leader of a certain clique on board, given to taking opposite views.
"But I don't see what we can do," said Monroe.
"We will do something. I won't stand it. If I stay on board the ship to-morrow, it will be as a prisoner," answered Wilton.
"It's a hard case; but what can we do about it?" asked Sanborn.
"Suppose we go to Lowington, and state the case to him," suggested Adler.
"What's the use of that? Of course the first lieutenant spoke by the card. He had his orders to say what he did, and I'm sure they came from Lowington."
"There can be no doubt of that; but it would be better to have it from him."
"I'm willing to ask Lowington for the day, if the fellows want me to do so; but it won't do any more good than it would to bark at the mainmast," continued Wilton. "I have an idea in my head, if the fellows will stand by me," he added, in a lower tone, as he looked over the rail at the swinging boom, to which the boats in constant use were made fast.
"What is it?" asked Monroe, eagerly.
"Keep shady, for a while. How many fellows can we muster?"
"I don't know."
"Well, don't stir the matter yet. Here comes Lowington and we will talk to him first. Come, fellows, let's make a dive at him."
Wilton, attended by his companions, walked up to the principal, as he was going forward. Touching his cap respectfully, as the discipline of the ship required, he opened the case.
"Mr. Lowington, some of the students would like to go on shore to-morrow, to celebrate the Fourth. Can't we have liberty?"
"You know the rule; you should apply to the first lieutenant for leave of absence," replied Mr. Lowington.
"We have, sir, and been refused."
"Then there is nothing more to be said. The first lieutenant speaks with authority."
"I beg your pardon, sir, but are we to stay on board all day to-morrow?"
"That is certainly the arrangement, Wilton."
"Some of us would like to celebrate the day, sir, and we think it is rather hard to be obliged to do duty on the Fourth of July."
"I intend to have the day celebrated in a proper manner. I have made preparations for a gala day on board."
"If you please, sir, we would rather go on shore."
"I am very sorry, for your sake, that I shall be unable to reverse the answer of the first lieutenant. If I permit one or a dozen to go ashore, I cannot refuse any, and all must go. I think the boys will be satisfied with the arrangements I have made for the day."
"I never was kept in school on the Fourth of July before, sir," growled Wilton.
"Then this will be a new event in your experience," answered Mr. Lowington, coldly, as he turned from the petitioners, and went forward.
There were a great many wild boys on board of the Young America, and it was morally impossible for the whole crew to attend the celebration in the city, without more or less of them getting into a scrape. They had been kept on board for two months, and not allowed to go on shore, except under the supervision of one of the instructors; and to let any considerable number of them loose on such a day as the Fourth of July, would only be courting trouble, for they would be all the more disorderly after the long period of restraint.
Mr. Lowington did not willingly deprive the boys of any innocent gratification. He had faithfully considered the matter of celebrating the day, and taken the advice of the instructors on the subject. It had been proposed to procure a band of music, and visit the city in a body, under the usual discipline; but there were many difficulties attending such a plan. The boys were all the sons of rich men, and most of them were abundantly supplied with pocket money. As it would be impossible to prevent the escape of some of them from the procession, in the crowded streets, it was feared that their money would prove to be "the root of all evil." The project had finally been abandoned; and, as a substitute, a programme for a celebration on board had been arranged, for there the students would be entirely under the control of the instructors, who would check all excesses. It was anticipated that a few discontented spirits would grumble, but no rebellion was expected.
Wilton and his companions were dissatisfied, and disposed to be rash. They felt that they had been harshly and cruelly denied a reasonable privilege. The subject of celebrating the Fourth had been under consideration for a long time among the boys, and it had been generally believed that all hands would be permitted to go on shore, with perfect liberty, on that day; and many of them had already arranged their plans for the occasion.
"Well, what do you think now?" said Wilton, as Mr. Lowington walked forward.
"I think it's too bad," replied Adler. "It is meaner than dirt to make us stay on board on the Fourth of July."
"But I don't see how we are going to help ourselves," added Monroe, looking at Wilton for a solution of this difficult problem.
"I do."
"How?"
"Keep still; don't say a word here," continued Wilton. "Scatter, now, and I will be on the top-gallant forecastle in a few minutes."
Wilton strolled about the deck a short time, and then went to the place of meeting, where he was soon joined by the rest of the discontented pupils.
"How many fellows can we muster?" asked he, when his associates in mischief had again gathered around him.
"I know at least a dozen, who are up to anything," replied Monroe; "but some of them are in the other watch. What are you going to do?"
"I'll tell you: There are the professors' barge and the third cutter at the swinging boom. We will drop into them when the instructors go down to supper, and make for the shore. All the rest of the boats are at the davits; and before they can get them into the water, we shall be out of their reach. What do you think of that for a plan!"
"I think it is a first-rate one. But hadn't we better wait till the instructors turn in?" suggested Adler.
"No; the boats will all be hoisted up to the davits at sunset. We must do it while the professors are at supper, or not at all. We want eight oars for the barge, and six for the third cutter; that makes fourteen fellows. Can we raise as many as that?"
"Yes, I think we can; we will try, at any rate."
"But you must look out, or some fellow will blow the whole thing," added Wilton. "Mind whom you speak to."
The trustworthiness of the various students was canvassed, and it was decided what ones should be invited to join the enterprise. The discontented boys separated, and went to work with great caution to obtain the needed recruits. Unfortunately, in such a crowd of young men, there are always enough to engage in any mischievous plot, and it is quite likely that twice as many as were wanted could have been obtained to man the boats in the runaway expedition.
Wilton missed Shuffles very much in arranging the details of the present enterprise. While at the Brockway Academy, they had plotted mischief so often that each seemed to be necessary to the other. But Shuffles had reformed; he was now third lieutenant of the ship, and it was not safe to suggest a conspiracy to him, for he would attempt to gain favor with the principal by exposing or defeating it.
Yet Shuffles was so bold in thought, and so daring in execution, that Wilton could hardly abandon the hope of obtaining his assistance; besides, the third lieutenant would be officer of the deck when the professors went to supper, and might wink at their departure in the boats, if he did not actually help them off.
"Would you say anything to Shuffles?" asked Wilton, still in doubt, of Monroe, as they happened to meet again in the waist.
"To Shuffles!" exclaimed Monroe, in an energetic whisper.
"I mean so."
"Certainly not. I should as soon think of speaking to Lowington himself."
"But Shuffles may join us. He is always in for a good time."
"Why, you ninny, he is third lieutenant of the ship."
"No matter if he is. I think Shuffles would like to join us."
"Nonsense! He has been in office only three days, and it would break him. He would be degraded to the steerage," replied Monroe, who could not help thinking that Wilton was beside himself in proposing such a thing, and that the enterprise was doomed to failure in such incompetent hands.
"If he won't join us, perhaps he will help us off. He is officer of the deck, you know, in the second dog watch."
"I know he is; but don't you open your mouth to him. If you do, I'll back out at once."
"Back out?"
"Yes, back out. I believe you are crazy. Why don't you go to Captain Carnes, and done with it?" said Monroe, with energy.
"I haven't any hold on Carnes, and I have on Shuffles."
"What do you mean?" asked the prudent conspirator, curiously.
"If Shuffles won't join us, he won't blow on us, you may depend upon that. He wouldn't dare to do it. I could break him before sundown, if I chose," said Wilton, with conscious power.
"That alters the case."
"Of course, I shouldn't think of saying anything to him, if I did not know what I was talking about. I have him where the hair is short, and he knows it, as well as I do."
"What is it, Wilton?"
"No matter what it is. When a thing is told me in confidence, I keep it to myself; but if he turns traitor to his cronies, he must look out for breakers. He knows what it is."
"Well, if you can get him, he will be a first-rate fellow to have."
"I think I can get him. Here he comes; you keep out of the way, and I will see how deep the water is."
Monroe went forward to find a student to whom he had been deputed to speak in the interest of the enterprise leaving Wilton to grapple with the old lion of mischief, whose teeth, however, seemed to have been worn out in the cause.
"What's up, Wilton?" demanded the third lieutenant who was now off duty, and therefore allowed to speak to the crew, though it was a privilege of which the officers seldom availed themselves.
"Who said anything was up?" asked Wilton.
"You look as though you meant something. What were you and Ike Monroe talking about just now?" continued Shuffles. "About me, I'll be bound, for you kept looking at me, as though you meant something."
"What makes you think so? Have you heard anything?" asked Wilton, fearful that the plot had leaked out.
"Not a word? I only judged by your looks."
"I suppose if anything was up, you wouldn't have anything to do with it now."
"Most decidedly, I should not. I like my present position too well to fall out of it. I'm going to be captain next term, if I can fetch it any way in the world."
"You mean to be a flunky, just like the rest of them. You are not the same fellow you used to be."
"Yes, I am."
"You are getting too big for your boots."
"You wrong me, Wilton. I'm just as good a fellow as I ever was. I think I'm the best fellow in the ship, and for that reason I want to be captain. I'm ahead of Carnes so far on marks this month."
"Well, if you want to be the head flunky, I hope you'll get it. We are not going ashore to-morrow, they say," added Wilton, changing the topic to get nearer to the business of the hour.
"So Pelham told me."
"Are you willing to stay on board and study, and do ship's duty, on the Fourth of July?"
"We are going to celebrate."
"How?"
"I'm sure I don't know."
"We shall celebrate to-morrow just as we do every day—as close prisoners on board the ship. I, for one, don't like it, and I won't stand it."
"Won't you?" laughed Shuffles.
"When I say I won't, I mean so."
"O, you do—do you?"
"You better believe I do," added Wilton, shaking his head resolutely.
"What are you going to do?"
"I'm going ashore, by hook or by crook."
"Better not get into any scrape."
"You say that as one of the flunkies."
"Well, you had better not say anything to me, for I shall have to do my duty as an officer. Don't say anything to me, and then I shall not know anything about it."
"Humph!" sneered Wilton, not pleased with this non-committal policy.
"I don't want to do anything mean with any of our fellows; so don't say a word to me. I shall do my duty as an officer, as I promised to do when I was made third lieutenant."
"Do you mean to say you will stop me, Shuffles, if you see me going?" demanded Wilton.
"I do mean so; I promised faithfully to do my duty as an officer, and I shall do it."
"See here, Bob Shuffles; you needn't talk to me in that manner. I knew the ship's cable from a pint of milk, and you can't come the flunky over me."
"I'm going to do just as you would do if you were in my place. I won't hear a word about any of your plans."
"But will you interfere with them?"
"If it is my duty to do so, I shall. I intend to obey orders; and if I have the deck, I shall keep things straight, whatever happens."
"Lowington don't know you as well as I do."
"No matter if he don't; he shall have no fault to find with me this term, if I can help it."
"It's no use for me to mince the matter with you, Bob Shuffles. We understand each other too well for that. Something's up."
Shuffles turned on his heel, and was about to walk away.
"Hold on a minute, Shuffles," continued Wilton. "I won't tell you what's up, but I'll tell you this; if you interfere with what I do, or with what the fellows with me do, I'll tell Lowington about the mutiny—I will, as sure as your name is Bob Shuffles. Do you understand me?"
"Well, I do; and it seems to me that sounds very much like a threat."
"Call it what you like. If you turn traitor to our fellows, you must stand the racket of it. You are not a saint just yet, and those that live in glass houses musn't throw stones."
"I believe I haven't played false to any of our fellows. If I don't choose to get into any scrape with them, I have a right to keep out. That's all I've got to say."
"But what are you going to do, Shuffles? Our fellows will want to know."
"I'm going to do my duty," replied the third lieutenant as he walked away, regardless of the efforts of his companion to detain him.
Shuffles was experiencing the truth of the old maxim, that honesty is the best policy. It is to be regretted that his present devotion to duty had no higher incentive than mere policy; but it may be hoped of those who do their duty from low motives, that they may gather inspiration even from their politic fidelity to obey its behests from higher motives. The third lieutenant of the Young America intended to keep the promise he had made in accepting his office, simply because it would pay best.