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YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD
By
OLIVER OPTIC
DIKES AND DITCHES
BOSTON
Lee & Shepard.
[Illustration: A SQUALL IN THE GERMAN OCEAN.--Page 36.]
[Illustration]
DIKES AND DITCHES;
OR,
YOUNG AMERICA IN HOLLAND AND BELGIUM.
A STORY OF TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE.
BY
OLIVER OPTIC.
BOSTON:
LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS.
NEW YORK:
LEE, SHEPARD & DILLINGHAM, 49 GREENE STREET.
1874.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by
WILLIAM T. ADAMS,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.
ELECTROTYPED AT THE
_Boston Stereotype Foundry,_
No. 19 Spring Lane.
TO
My Fellow-Voyager in the Steamship Persia
DURING A PLEASANT TRIP ACROSS THE ATLANTIC,
IN 1865,
_STEPHEN S. HOE_,
WHOSE NAME EVER REMINDS ME OF MY PERSONAL INDEBTEDNESS
FOR MUCH OF THE PLEASURE OF THE VOYAGE; NOT ONLY
TO MY YOUNG FRIEND WHOSE NAME I MENTION HERE,
BUT ALSO TO HIM WHO SAT OPPOSITE TO US AT
TABLE, WHOSE NAME, ASSOCIATED WITH
ONE OF THE PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENTS
OF AMERICAN INVENTIVE GENIUS,
I NEED NOT MENTION, FOR
NO WORD OF MINE
COULD HONOR
IT,
_THIS VOLUME_
IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED.
YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD.
BY OLIVER OPTIC.
A Library of Travel and Adventure in Foreign Lands. First and
Second Series; six volumes in each Series. 16mo. Illustrated.
_First Series._
I. _OUTWARD BOUND;_ OR, YOUNG AMERICA AFLOAT.
II. _SHAMROCK AND THISTLE_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA
IN IRELAND AND SCOTLAND.
III. _RED CROSS_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN ENGLAND AND
WALES.
IV. _DIKES AND DITCHES_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN
HOLLAND AND BELGIUM.
V. _PALACE AND COTTAGE_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA
IN FRANCE AND SWITZERLAND.
VI. _DOWN THE RHINE_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN
GERMANY.
_Second Series._
I. _UP THE BALTIC_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN DENMARK
AND SWEDEN.
II. _NORTHERN LANDS_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN
PRUSSIA AND RUSSIA.
III. _VINE AND OLIVE_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN SPAIN
AND PORTUGAL.
IV. _SUNNY SHORES_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN ITALY
AND AUSTRIA.
V. _CROSS AND CRESCENT_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA
IN GREECE AND TURKEY.
VI. _ISLES OF THE SEA_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA HOMEWARD
BOUND.
PREFACE.
DIKES AND DITCHES, the fourth of the "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD" series, is a
continuation of the history of the Academy Ship and her consort in the
waters of Holland and Belgium. As in its predecessors, those parts of
the book which lie within the domain of history and fact are intended to
be entirely reliable; and great care has been used to make them so. The
author finds his notes so copious, and his recollections of the Low
Countries so full of interest, that he has felt obliged to devote a
considerable portion of the work to the geography and history of the
country, and to the manners and customs of the people; but there is so
much that is novel in the region itself, and so much that is stirring
and even "sensational" in the history of the sturdy patriots of Holland,
that he hopes his young friends will not complain of the proportion in
which he has mingled his material. It would be a very great happiness to
him to have excited a sufficient degree of interest in these countries
to induce the boys and girls to read Mr. Motley's inimitable works, "The
Rise of the Dutch Republic," and "The History of the United
Netherlands." The writer is confident that young people will find these
volumes quite as attractive as the story books of the day.
DIKES AND DITCHES has its independent story of the adventures of the
students. Though the Academy Squadron has thus far been remarkably
fortunate in the character of its instructors, Professor Hamblin proves
to be an exception, and the crews of the ship and her consort are
unhappily plunged into sundry disciplinary tribulations by his
overstrained dignity, and by his want of discretion. The young
commander of the Josephine suffers from the evils of a divided
authority, which brings him into conflict with the senior instructor
before experience suggests the remedy. While the principal is compelled
to punish the students for their misconduct in "hazing" the obnoxious
professor, he also finds it necessary to abate the nuisance of a
conceited, overbearing, and tyrannical pedagogue. Boys cannot be
expected to be angels in school, until their instructors have soared to
this sublime height.
The author of the series, more than ever encouraged by the hearty and
generous favor of his readers, submits this volume to their
consideration, trusting that they will at least appreciate his earnest
efforts not only to please, but to instruct them.
HARRISON SQUARE, MASS.,
April 9, 1868.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER PAGE
I. THE PROFESSOR AND THE CAPTAIN. 11
II. A SQUALL IN THE GERMAN OCEAN. 27
III. SOMETHING ABOUT DIKES. 43
IV. UP THE SCHELDT TO FLUSHING. 59
V. CAPTAIN SCHIMMELPENNINK. 76
VI. PROFESSOR HAMBLIN CHANGES HIS MIND. 93
VII. THE LECTURE ON BELGIUM. 110
VIII. ANTWERP AND RUBENS. 129
IX. TROUBLE ON BOARD THE JOSEPHINE. 146
X. WHO WAS CAPTAIN OF THE JOSEPHINE. 162
XI. ON THE WAY TO GHENT. 179
XII. IN BELGIUM'S CAPITAL. 195
XIII. THREE CHEERS FOR THE KING OF BELGIUM. 213
XIV. THE VICE-PRINCIPAL. 230
XV. THE PROFESSOR'S CHARGE. 245
XVI. CAPTAIN KENDALL'S DEFENCE. 262
XVII. MORE ABOUT THE DIKES AND DITCHES. 278
XVIII. AN EXCURSION AMONG THE DIKES. 293
XIX. A RUN THROUGH HOLLAND. 310
XX. ADIEU TO HOLLAND AND PROFESSOR HAMBLIN. 328
DIKES AND DITCHES;
OR,
YOUNG AMERICA IN HOLLAND AND BELGIUM.
CHAPTER I.
THE PROFESSOR AND THE CAPTAIN.
The Young America, with every rag of canvas set, including
studding-sails alow and aloft, rolled and pitched gracefully on the long
swells of the German Ocean. The wind was very light from the north-west,
and there was hardly enough of it to give the ship steerage-way. A mile
off, on her starboard bow, was the Josephine, beclouded in the quantity
of sail she carried, but hardly leaving a wake in the blue waters behind
her. The hummocks and the low land of the shores of Holland and Belgium
were in sight; but, with the present breeze, there was but little hope
of reaching the mouth of the Scheldt that night, though it was hardly
twenty miles distant.
The regular course of instruction was in progress in both vessels, the
starboard watch of each being in the steerage, attending to their
studies, while the port watch were on deck, in charge of the sailing
department. Mr. Lowington paced the deck of the ship, and, with the
habit of an old sailor, frequently cast his eyes aloft to see what sails
were drawing. Occasionally, from a custom begotten of his solicitude for
his charge, he glanced at the Josephine.
The squadron did not make even a mile an hour; and when the watch was
changed, at four o'clock, there was not a breath of air to ruffle the
glassy waves. The ship rolled and pitched on the swells, and the sails
slapped against the masts and rigging under the effect of her motion.
The young seamen on deck, without being in a hurry, were annoyed and
vexed, as all sailors are in a calm. They partook of the heaviness of
the scene, and gaped and yawned, from mere inactivity, and the want of
something to occupy their minds.
The calm was only the prelude of a lively scene. To the westward, beyond
the low coast line dimly seen in the distance, was a dense mass of black
clouds, rising rapidly towards the zenith. Low, muttering, muffled
thunder came over the sea. The sun went into the inky veil; and then the
lightnings flashed, faintly at first, but glaring brighter and brighter
as the darkness increased.
Mr. Lowington still paced the deck; but, instead of looking aloft now,
he cast frequent glances at the officer of the deck, who was watching
the dense black clouds. The principal said nothing; for, whatever views
he had in regard to the working of the ship, it was his policy never to
interfere until absolutely necessary. The officers were encouraged to do
their own thinking, and were expected to take all necessary precautions
for the safety of the ship at the right time. The second lieutenant was
in charge of the deck, and as yet he had taken no step which indicated
that he was conscious of any peril.
"Mr. Lavender," said he, at last, when the principal's movements had
begun to be a little nervous.
The second midshipman, who was the third officer in rank on duty,
stepped up to the lieutenant and touched his cap.
"Tell the captain there is a shower coming up, and that the clouds look
squally," added Mr. Ellis, the officer of the deck.
Lavender touched his cap, and went down into the steerage, where the
captain was reciting his French lesson to Professor Badois.
"Excuse me," said Captain Haven. "I must go on deck, for I suppose Mr.
Lowington wouldn't give an order to take in sail if the masts were blown
out of the ship."
The commander of the Young America went on deck in a hurry. He and all
below had observed the sudden darkness which pervaded the steerage, and
they were rather glad to have something stirring occur to break up the
monotony of the calm. The captain looked at the black clouds, and
promptly directed the officer of the deck to take in the studding-sails,
which was done by the watch.
The clouds wore that peculiar appearance which indicates wind--an aspect
which the old sailor readily recognizes. Captain Haven was familiar
enough with the weather signs to understand what was coming; but the
young sailor is almost as much afraid of taking in sail too soon as of
being too tardy in doing so. There is as much vanity in carrying sail as
in wearing fine clothes. The captain did not wish to be too cautious,
for that would cause a smile upon the faces of the ship's crew.
He looked at Mr. Lowington, who seemed to be perfectly satisfied, or
rather his attention was directed entirely to the Josephine, which had
not yet taken in her huge fore square-sail. Then he studied the
threatening pile of black clouds, which had now nearly reached the
zenith; while the thunder rattled, and the lightnings flashed with
blinding glare.
"Take in topgallant-sails and royals," said Captain Haven to the officer
of the deck, now satisfied that his reputation for carrying sail could
not suffer in the face of such admonitory indications.
Mr. Ellis called on the entire starboard watch to obey his orders; for
only a quarter watch was required to handle the ship under ordinary
circumstances, the other portion of the watch being idlers on deck. The
light sails were taken in; and Mr. Lowington made no comment, as he
sometimes did, after an evolution had been performed, in order to
express his approval or otherwise of the action of the captain.
The Josephine was most strangely deficient in caution on the present
occasion, and the principal was evidently much disturbed by the conduct
of her captain, who was usually very prudent, without being timid. There
she was, with all her extra sail set and flapping in the calm, while a
tempest was brewing before her.
"Captain Kendall must be asleep," said Mr. Lowington, nervously, to
Peaks, the adult boatswain of the ship.
"And the officers too," replied the old salt, hitching up his trousers.
"We ought to fire a gun to wake them up."
"It is not like Captain Kendall to be caught napping when a squall is
gathering," added the principal.
"I should think the thunder would wake them up. It's heavy for these
parts. That squall will come all at once when it does come. It will take
their sails right out of the bolt-ropes."
Mr. Lowington walked aft again, and on the quarter-deck met Flag-officer
Gordon, who had also been observing the Josephine, and wondering at her
continued neglect of the most ordinary precautions.
"Mr. Lavender," said the commander of the squadron.
The midshipman, ever ready to do the meagre duties assigned to him,
touched his cap to Captain Gordon.
"Pass the word for the signal-officer," added the flag-officer.
"That's right, Captain Gordon!" exclaimed the principal. "If the
officers of the Josephine don't do better than this, they must be
broken. I am astonished."
"So am I, sir. Captain Kendall is usually very careful, and what he
don't see isn't worth seeing."
"Be as expeditious as possible, for the squall will soon be upon us."
The signal-officer appeared with the midshipman and quartermaster in
charge of the signals. Captain Gordon ordered the number, "Take in
sail," to be set.
Paul Kendall was severely criticised on board of the ship; but, before
he has suffered too much in the estimation of his sympathizing friends,
let our readers be transferred to the steerage of the Josephine, in
which, as the consort of the Academy Ship, the same rules and
regulations prevailed. The port watch were at their studies, while the
starboard watch had the deck, in charge of Mr. Terrill, the first
lieutenant. This was the captain's study time, for he was a member of
the several classes, and in school hours was subject to the discipline
of the professors, the same as other students.
When the squall began to gather, Professor Hamblin was hearing the
recitation in Greek. The learned gentleman did not think a scholar knew
anything unless he possessed a considerable knowledge of Greek. It was
his favorite branch, and the class in this language was his pet. He was
a strict disciplinarian, and never allowed anything to interrupt the
recitation in Greek if he could possibly avoid it. No scholar, not even
the captain, as the regulations then were, could leave the class without
his permission. It is true, the rule had not been made, or even been
considered, with special reference to the commander of the vessel; but
Paul had always quietly submitted to it, even at some inconvenience and
sacrifice to himself. No emergency had arisen, since the Josephine went
into commission, which required the setting aside of the rule, and it
was supposed the professors would have judgment enough to use it with
proper discretion.
Professor Hamblin, so far as Greek roots were concerned, was not lacking
in judgment; but he knew no more about a ship than Cleats, the
boatswain, did about Greek. He was a very learned man, and lived in a
Greek and Latin atmosphere. The dead languages were the chief end of man
to him. He was cold, stern, and precise, except that, when hearing a
class in Greek, he warmed up a little, and became more human, especially
if the students manifested a becoming interest in his favorite branch.
Unfortunately for Paul Kendall, he was not an enthusiastic devotee of
the Greek language and literature. He lived too much in the present to
be enamoured of anything so old, and, as it seemed to him, so
comparatively useless. But he was faithful in the discharge of all the
academic requirements of the institution, not excepting even those
branches which he disliked. Though he was always very respectful to
Professor Hamblin, he was candid enough to say that he did not like
Greek. He was, therefore, no favorite of the learned gentleman, who
thought his abilities and his scholarship were over-estimated--because
he did not like the dead languages.
"Mr. Terrill directs me to inform you that a squall is coming up," said
Ritchie, the third master, as he touched his cap to Captain Kendall.
"No interruption! No interruption!" interposed Professor Hamblin, very
ill-naturedly.
The third master touched his cap, as the captain bowed to him in
acknowledgment that he had heard the message, and then retired. The
professor was vexed: perhaps he was a little more ill-natured than
usual, on account of being slightly seasick--an effect produced by the
uneasy roll of the vessel in the calm.
"Now, Mr. Kendall, go on with the dual of [Greek: admev]," added he, as
Ritchie retired.
"I must beg you will excuse me, Professor Hamblin," said Paul, with the
utmost deference, as he rose from the bench on which he was seated.
"Go on with the dual!" replied the professor, sternly.
Paul looked at the snapping gray eye of the learned gentleman, and was
assured that he had a will of his own. As the captain of the Josephine,
he did not wish to set an example of insubordination, which others might
adopt before they were certain that the emergency required it. He had
not seen the gathering clouds, and he had full confidence in the
judgment and skill of Terrill, who was in charge of the deck. The rule
was that the professors should be obeyed in study hours. This had always
been the regulation on board the ship; but, then, the principal, who was
a sailor himself, was always present to prevent any abuse of power.
Paul decided to yield the point for a time, at least, and he recited his
lesson as directed by the professor. Half an hour later, Ritchie
appeared again, with another message from the first lieutenant, to the
effect that the squall was almost upon them. This was about the time
that Flag-officer Gordon had sent for the signal-officer, on board of
the ship.
"You must excuse me now, Professor Hamblin, for I must go on deck," said
Paul, as respectfully as he could speak.
"I can't spare you; I haven't finished the exercise yet," replied Mr.
Hamblin, sourly. "This is a plan to break up the lesson in Greek,
because some of the young gentlemen don't like to study it."
"I beg your pardon, sir; but the officer of the deck sends me word that
the squall is upon us. You can hear the thunder and see the lightning,"
added Paul.
"I am not afraid of thunder and lightning," growled the professor. "My
classes are not to be broken up on any frivolous pretences. Mr.
Lowington assured me I had full powers over all during study hours; and
I tell you to be seated, and go on with your recitation."
"But the vessel is in danger, sir," protested Paul.
"I'm not afraid, and you need not be. Take your seat, sir, or I will
report you to the principal."
Paul's face flushed. No officer or professor had before ever threatened
to report him to Mr. Lowington. Mr. Hamblin was as ignorant as a baby
upon nautical matters, and while the Josephine rolled easily on the
waves, and the sails flapped idly against the masts, he could imagine no
peril.
"I am sorry to disobey your order, sir; but in this instance I must,"
said Paul, firmly, though his voice trembled with emotion.
"Very well, sir," replied the professor, angrily, "I shall report you to
the principal, and if I have any influence with him, you will be removed
from your present position."
Paul did not wait to hear any more, but hastened on deck. His quick eye
discovered the peril of the moment. The squall was indeed upon them. At
the peak of the Young America hung the signal which had been hoisted;
but it was not necessary to look in the book for its meaning.
"Mr. Terrill, call all hands--quick!" said Captain Kendall, in sharp
tones.
"All hands on deck, ahoy!" roared the boatswain's mate, as he piped his
shrill whistle at the main hatch.
The students flew from their seats at the mess table, deserting the two
professors without an apology. With only two exceptions, the officers
and crew of the Josephine were all old sailors. Most of them had been on
board the ship for two years, and a sudden squall was no new thing to
them. They leaped into their stations, and when the orders were given
they knew exactly what to do.
"Stand by sheets and halyards!" shouted the first lieutenant. "Man the
jib, and flying jib halyards, and downhauls!"
"All ready forward, sir," reported the second lieutenant, whose place
was on the forecastle.
"Man the topgallant clewlines and buntlines!" continued Terrill.
"All ready, sir!"
"Ease off the sheets! Settle away the halyards! Clew up! Lay aloft, and
furl topgallant-sail!"
The topgallant men sprang up the rigging like so many cats, for all
hands had been thoroughly waked up by the impending peril.
"Let go the flying jib halyard! Haul down! Lay out and stow the flying
jib!"
"Man the topsail clewlines and buntlines!"
"All ready, sir," replied the second lieutenant.
"Let go the topsail sheets! Clew up! Settle away the halyards! Haul taut
the braces!"
All this was done in half the time it takes to read it; and the light
sails of the Josephine were furled. The main gaff-topsail was taken in,
and then the schooner had only her jib, foresail, and mainsail. It was
not necessary to take these in until the peril became more imminent; but
Paul ordered the foresail to be lowered, and reefed, for the vessel was
supposed to lie to best under this sail. The Young America had furled
everything except her topsails, jib, and spanker.
Professor Hamblin had not yet recovered from his astonishment, and he
was as indignant as a learned Greek scholar could be. Professor Stoute
and himself were the only persons left in the steerage; but while the
former laughed, the latter stormed.
"I have been insulted, Mr. Stoute," said the learned gentleman. "That
boy has disobeyed me, as though I were a person of no consequence."
"Why, he was perfectly respectful to you," laughed the good-natured
professor. "You must remember that he is the captain of the ship, and
that everything depends upon him."
"He left the class contrary to my orders; and not satisfied with that,
he calls all the rest of the students on deck," added Mr. Hamblin,
wrathfully. "I had not finished the Greek lesson."
"But there's a squall coming up," pleaded Mr. Stoute.
"What if there was a squall coming up. The principal assured me there
were hands enough on deck to work the vessel under all ordinary
circumstances."
"But you don't understand the matter, Mr. Hamblin," continued the jolly
professor.
"Do you mean to insult me too, Mr. Stoute?" demanded the irate
fountain-head of Greek literature.
"Certainly not; I beg your pardon, Mr. Hamblin," replied Mr. Stoute,
laughing more heartily than before. "I do not profess to comprehend
these nautical affairs; but I presume it was necessary to call all
hands, or the captain would not have done so."
"It was not necessary. I am willing to take the responsibility of that
assertion myself, and I shall report this disrespect and disobedience of
the captain to Mr. Lowington. If he chooses to sustain the delinquent in
such gross misconduct, I will leave the vessel at the first port we
enter."
"Mr. Lowington will certainly do justice to both of you."
"Excuse me, Mr. Stoute; he must do justice to _me_. I have been a
schoolmaster and a professor in college all my lifetime, and I do not
wish to have any one speak of settling a case between me and one of my
pupils. There is only one side to such a question," replied Mr. Hamblin,
whose dignity was terribly damaged by the incident of the afternoon.
"Well, Mr. Hamblin, I wish to be respectful; but I also mean to be
candid. I feel compelled to say that I believe you are all wrong."
"All wrong, sir!"
"Yes, sir; all wrong. Look at the question for one moment."
"I don't wish to look at it. Between teacher and pupil there can be no
issues of any kind. It is my place to command, my scholar's to obey, in
the school-room."
"Now, really, Mr. Hamblin," continued the laughing professor, rubbing
his hands, as though he enjoyed the controversy, "while I agree with you
on the general principle, I must differ from you in its application to
this particular case. Your pupil is the commander of the vessel. Our
very lives depend upon his prudence and skill. It was necessary to take
in sail."
"Very well. Wasn't half the crew on deck for that purpose?" interposed
Mr. Hamblin.
"But who shall determine whether it is necessary or not to take in
sail?"
"The officer who has the care of the vessel for the time being, of
course. Then there are Mr. Cleats, and Mr. Gage, and the servants to
help them reduce the sails, if needed. There is not the least necessity
for disturbing the classes."
"But no one except the captain can give the order to take in a single
sail in the daytime. This vessel is under naval discipline, you are
aware; but I think you cannot have read the rules. Here they are," added
Mr. Stoute, taking the printed regulations of the ship from his pocket.
"Officer of the Deck. He is not to make or take in sail in the daytime,
except in a squall, without directions from the captain; but in the
night he may take in sail, acquainting the captain with his reasons,
which he must enter on the log."
"Well, this is a squall--isn't it?" growled Mr. Hamblin.
"Perhaps it will be; but it seems to me quite proper that the captain
should go on deck when there is any danger. For my part, I have some
regard for my fat body, and I don't care about leaving it here at the
bottom of the German Ocean," chuckled Mr. Stoute; and he always laughed
with especial gusto when he had said anything which he thought was
funny. "The captain can leave any of my classes when he is sent for to
look out for the vessel."
"Mr. Stoute, this is a question of discipline; and higher considerations
than those of merely personal comfort and security should be brought to
bear upon it. It would be impossible for me to impart to my pupils a
knowledge of that noblest language of the historic past, if they are to
be permitted to leave the class when they choose to do so. I shall refer
this matter to Mr. Lowington for his decision. He must suspend the
captain, or he must suspend me. If I cannot control my scholars, I will
not attempt to instruct. It would be preposterous to do so. I shall take
a boat, and go on board of the ship at once, for this difficulty admits
of no delay."
Professor Hamblin, in high dudgeon, took his hat, and went up the
ladder. Mr. Stoute shook his fat sides, laughing at the ire of his
distinguished and learned associate. He was desirous of seeing his
companion start for the ship in the approaching tempest, and he followed
him on deck.
"Captain Kendall," said Mr. Hamblin, sternly, as he walked up to the
young commander, heedless of the rattling thunder and the flashing
lightning.
Paul bowed politely, and looked at the professor, intimating that he was
ready to hear him. It was noticeable that Mr. Hamblin always called the
commander "Mr. Kendall" when he was in the steerage attending to his
studies, and "Captain Kendall" on deck, or in the cabin. The professor
intended to indicate, by this choice of terms, that he was captain
during school hours.
"Captain Kendall, I desire a boat immediately," added Mr. Hamblin.
"A boat!" exclaimed Paul, astonished at the request at such a time.
"I said a boat, Captain Kendall. I purpose to refer the matter of your
disobedience to Mr. Lowington without any unnecessary delay."
"But, Mr. Hamblin, there is a squall coming up."
"I am aware of that; but I demand the boat."
"It would be dangerous, sir. The boat would certainly be swamped."
"I will take the responsibility of that."
"I should be very happy to furnish the boat, sir; but I cannot expose a
crew to such a storm as will soon break upon us," replied Paul.
"You refuse--do you?" demanded the professor, angrily.
"I feel compelled to do so, sir."
"In my hearing, Mr. Lowington instructed you to furnish the professors
with a boat at any time when they desired it."
"I will furnish the boat, sir; but I will not expose the crew to such
peril. I will hoist out the third cutter for you, sir, if you wish."
"I demand a sufficient number of sailors to row the boat."
"You will pardon me, sir; but I will not send any seamen into a boat
until the squall is over. It is unreasonable to ask such a thing."
"Unreasonable, sir! How dare you tell me I am unreasonable?" stormed the
professor, stamping his foot upon the deck.
Paul bowed, but made no reply. He was placed in a very disagreeable and
painful position. He knew that it was madness to send a boat off while
the squall was impending. Mr. Hamblin was wrathy. The long billows were
black and smooth, and the sails hung idly on the gaffs. There was no
danger then, and the learned gentleman had been so fortunate as never to
see any of the perils of the ocean. His passage to England in the
steamer had been a remarkably pleasant one. Nothing like a gale, or even
a high wind, had interrupted its serenity, and the professor had imbibed
a certain contempt for the perils of the ocean. He had never seen them;
and, if mere boys were able to work such a vessel as the Josephine, a
learned man like himself need not tremble in their presence.