ON THE WAY TO GHENT.
"You have made a very great mistake, Mr. Hamblin," said Professor Stoute,
when they reached their state-room.
"Do you take part with the students, Mr. Stoute?" snapped the angry
_savant_.
The good-natured instructor concluded that it would be useless for him
to say anything while his associate continued in such an unhappy frame
of mind; and he condemned himself to silence for the present. It was
plain enough to him that the crew of the Josephine were in a state of
mutiny, so far as Mr. Hamblin was concerned, and, that the academic
discipline of the vessel was at an end. If he understood the humor of
the boys, they would refuse to obey the professor of Greek. There must
be a settlement of this serious difficulty before anything more could be
done.
Mr. Hamblin was silent also for a time. It would have been curious to
know what he thought of himself at that particular moment, though
doubtless he fully justified his conduct and regarded himself as an
injured man. A gentleman so profoundly skilled in Greek as he was, with
an invitation in his pocket to visit the king's chief minister, ought
not to be expected to submit to the snubbing of a mere boy. The two
professors sat in the state-room till the silence became painful, and
till the anger of Mr. Hamblin had in a measure subsided.
"I did not expect to see you take part with the boys, Mr. Stoute," said
the learned gentleman, in a grieved tone.
"If I take any part at all, I hope it will be on the right side,"
replied Mr. Stoute.
"Which means, I suppose, that I am on the wrong side," replied Mr.
Hamblin, with a heavy sigh.
"It means exactly that," added the other, candidly.
"You think, then, that the boys have done precisely right--do you?"
"Without saying that, I am compelled to believe you were in the wrong."
"That boy threatened to arrest me," continued Mr. Hamblin, with
something like a shudder; "and all the crew gave three cheers for
Captain Kendall!"
"I could hardly resist the temptation to join with them in giving the
cheers," replied Mr. Stoute, consolingly. "The conduct of Captain
Kendall filled me with admiration."
"Mr. Stoute, do you consider that a proper remark to make to me?"
"You will not understand anything but the plainest speech, and I intend
to be perfectly candid with you. You interfered with the discipline of
the vessel, and because the captain respectfully declined to recall the
boat, you threw yourself into a passion, and behaved in a most
ungentlemanly and undignified manner. Positively, sir, I am ashamed of
you! You called the captain a puppy, sir!"
"He's only a boy," answered Mr. Hamblin, in whom this plain talk seemed
to create a doubt in regard to his conduct.
"Any boy has the right to be treated like a gentleman when he behaves
like one, even if his opinion does not agree with our own; and
especially is this true of the captain."
"He was utterly lacking in judgment. The conduct of McDougal was a
personal matter, and Mr. Kendall should have consulted me."
"Allowing that the captain was wrong,--though I do not think that he was
wrong,--it does not improve the aspect of your conduct."
"You think Mr. Lowington will not sustain me--do you?"
"Certainly not."
"I could hardly expect it, since he has a much higher regard for that
boy than for me," sighed Mr. Hamblin.
"It is eight o'clock, and time for the recitations to commence," said
Mr. Stoute, consulting his watch. "You must decide at once what you
intend to do."
"What shall I do?" asked Mr. Hamblin, who had become fully conscious
that he had involved himself in another "unpleasantness," and that the
powers that be, unmindful of his claims, would probably decide against
him.
"Shall we hear the recitations? Are you willing to go into the steerage,
and proceed with your classes?"
"I am."
Mr. Stoute had his doubts whether it would be prudent for him to do so;
but he was satisfied that Captain Kendall could control the crew, even
if they attempted a demonstration against the unpopular instructor.
"If I had made so great a blunder as you have, Mr. Hamblin," added
Professor Stoute, "I should go to the captain, and apologize to him."
"Apologize to him!" exclaimed the _savant_.
"Yes, sir."
"To that boy, who insulted me, who threatened to arrest me, and send me
in irons to the ship, who had the impudence to tell me that _he_ was the
captain of this vessel! No, sir!"
"Very well, sir; suit yourself; I am going to the steerage to attend to
my classes."
Without waiting for his associate's final decision as to what he
intended to do, Mr. Stoute left the state-room. By this time Paul had
recovered from the faintness which had oppressed him, and had ordered
the first lieutenant to "pipe to recitations."
"Are we to go on with the studies as usual, Captain Kendall?" asked Mr.
Stoute, who could not help taking the hand of the young commander and
warmly pressing it, though without any allusion in words to Professor
Hamblin.
"Certainly, sir; the students will not be allowed to neglect any regular
duty," replied Paul.
"After the cheers which were given on deck, there is danger of a
disturbance."
"No, sir; I think not. If any officer or seaman makes a disturbance, he
shall be put under arrest instantly."
"But suppose they all do it in concert."
"They will not, sir;" but Paul spoke in hope rather than in faith, and
dreaded the demonstration suggested by the professor.
Mr. Stoute went into the steerage. The students were all there,
including the crew of the cutter which had conveyed McDougal to the
ship. They were more quiet and orderly than usual; but the calm often
precedes the storm. Captain Kendall passed into the steerage, and his
appearance was the signal for a general clapping of the hands, in which
all the officers joined. That he had won the day in his dispute with the
obnoxious professor; that he had threatened to arrest Mr. Hamblin, and
send him in irons to the ship; that he had actually called the willing
carpenter and boatswain to execute the anticipated order,--were more
than enough to make the captain a hero with the ship's company. Boys
worship pluck, and are not always particular that it should be displayed
in a good cause.
"Silence, if you please," said Paul, moved by the applause of the
students.
Silence came instantly, for the captain was a "little god" just then,
and had more influence over the ship's company at that moment than ever
before. It is true they regretted the fate of poor McDougal, but there
was not one of them who did not believe that the captain was right in
his estimate of the culprit's guilt.
"I wish to ask a favor of you," continued Paul, in a rather embarrassed
tone.
A clapping of hands assured him that he could ask no favor that would
not be unanimously granted.
"Whatever happens, I wish you to make no disturbance, and no
demonstrations of approval or dissent. Will you heed my request?"
"We will!" shouted the students with one voice.
"Thank you," replied Paul, who did not believe in a display of force
before it was necessary.
The boys commenced work upon their lessons, and the captain, passing
through the steerage, went on deck to avoid the necessity of meeting Mr.
Hamblin, whose step he heard in the passage-way leading from the cabin.
As Paul disappeared, the obnoxious _savant_ entered the steerage. One of
the students forward hissed, but his companions silenced him instantly;
and it is probable, if the captain had not spoken to them, Mr. Hamblin
would have been greeted with a general demonstration of disapprobation.
The learned gentleman was evidently much embarrassed; but he was very
quiet and subdued in his manner. He was less impatient and snappish than
usual; said nothing about "stupidity" and "blundering," as was his
habit. He seemed to be abstracted, as well he might; but while he
displayed less enthusiasm in his teaching, he was infinitely more
gentlemanly and kind. As he gave no occasion for any trouble, none came.
Though the captain did not appear at any recitation conducted by him,
the professor made no comment upon the circumstance.
Paul was troubled, but he had made up his mind what to do. Either Mr.
Hamblin must leave the Josephine, or he would respectfully ask to be
relieved from the command of her. It was simply impossible to live with
such a porcupine on board. It was a mystery to him that Mr. Lowington
had procured the services of such an unsuitable instructor; but the
fact was, that he had been engaged by the principal's agent on the
strength of his classical attainments, rather than his fitness for the
place. He had been so unpopular as a tutor and professor that no
institution could long enjoy his services, valuable as they were in an
intellectual point of view.
At twelve o'clock orders came from Mr. Lowington to dismiss school, and
to dress the Josephine for visitors. All hands were called, and in a
short time the vessel wore her gayest attire. A line of flags was
extended from the end of the jib-boom over the topmast-heads to the end
of the main boom. The flag of Belgium, which consists of black, yellow,
and red in equal parts, perpendicularly divided, floated at the foremast
head. The Young America was similarly decorated, and the Victoria and
Albert hoisted the royal standard of the United Kingdom, which is a
magnificent affair, consisting of four squares, two, in opposite
corners, being red, one blue and one yellow, with a harp and the lions
and unicorns worked upon the squares.
At half past twelve, the professors' barge, with the American flag in
the stern, and the Belgian in the bow, put off from the ship and pulled
to the Quai Vandyck. The eminent individual who was to be received by
the squadron was no less a personage than the governor of the Province
of Antwerp, an office once filled by the distinguished Charles Rogier,
the present minister of foreign affairs.
As the boat containing his excellency put off from the Quay, the yards
of both vessels were manned. All the students were dressed in their best
uniform, and the display was really quite imposing. The governor went
on board of the ship, was duly cheered by the students, and he visited
every part of the vessel. After he had partaken of a collation in the
main cabin, he left the ship, accompanied by Mr. Lowington, and visited
the Josephine. Everything appeared to the best advantage, and his
excellency expressed himself as highly delighted with the naval
institution.
All the officers and professors were presented to the distinguished
guest, who took a great deal of notice of Paul, and hardly any of Mr.
Hamblin--a muddling of distinctions which sore puzzled and annoyed the
_savant_. Not even Mr. Lowington could have suspected that the
Josephines were in a state of feverish excitement, and had been almost
in a state of mutiny, so fair and pleasant was the outside aspect of the
ship's company. The governor, having completed his inspection of the
vessel, invited all the officers to dine with him, and was then landed
with as much ceremony as he had been received.
Mr. Lowington accompanied the governor to the quay, and on his return he
went on board of the Josephine to announce his programme for a visit to
several of the cities of Belgium. All hands were called, and were
informed that the next three days would be devoted to sight-seeing, and
that the students would take the train for Ghent at half past two. The
ship's company heard the intelligence with a coolness which did not
escape the notice of the principal; but he soon received an explanation
of this apparent indifference.
"I am very sorry, Mr. Lowington," said Professor Hamblin, stepping up
to him, as he descended from the hatch, "to be again compelled to
complain to you of the misconduct of Mr. Kendall. This morning he
threatened to arrest me and send me in irons on board of the ship--_me_,
sir! He actually sent for the boatswain and carpenter for this purpose."
"Captain Kendall!" exclaimed the principal, annoyed beyond measure at
this recital of grievance. "There must have been some strong
provocation."
"Could anything justify such a threat, or such a course?"
"We will not speak of this subject here," added the principal, when he
saw that the eyes of every student on board were fixed upon them.
"Something should be done immediately," replied Mr. Hamblin, decidedly.
"I have not time to hear the case now. We take the train for Ghent in
less than an hour. I will see you in the railway carriage."
Mr. Lowington moved towards the gangway, where the barge was waiting for
him; but Paul, his cheeks all aglow, stepped up to him, and touched his
cap.
"Mr. Lowington," said he, "I wish to make a complaint against Mr.
Hamblin. He interferes with the discipline of the vessel, is very
insulting to me; and I must ask that he be removed from the Josephine,
or that I may be permitted to resign."
"I am very sorry you are having any trouble here; but I cannot stay now
to hear about it. I will see you on the train."
"Excuse me, one moment, Mr. Lowington," added the _savant_ of the
Josephine, as the principal was going over the side. "I wish to inquire
if we make any stay in Brussels?"
"We shall probably remain there one day."
"I have an invitation to visit Monsieur Rogier, the chief minister of
the King of Belgium, and should like to accept it," added Mr. Hamblin,
who thought it would be well for the principal to know this fact before
he thought much of the difficulty between himself and the captain.
"You will have ample time," answered Mr. Lowington, as he stepped over
the side into the boat.
At two o'clock all hands embarked in a ferry-boat, which conveyed them
to the Tete de Flandre, opposite Antwerp, where the Ghent railway
station is located. By the good offices of the governor of Antwerp, a
special train had been procured for their accommodation, and the
carriages were to be at the disposal of the principal for the entire
round of the Belgian cities. By this arrangement, the tourists were
enabled to make the tour in the brief space allotted to it. They were to
spend a day in the capital, but only one or two hours in each of the
other places.
In Belgium about two thirds of all the railways are owned or leased by
the government, which runs the roads, and even those which are in the
hands of corporations will eventually revert to the state. They are
exceedingly well managed, and very few accidents occur upon them; but
they run at a low rate of speed, compared with the English railways. The
fares are about three cents a mile, which is below the average in
Europe.
Mr. Lowington selected a compartment in one of the carriages, and
arranged his party so as to transact the disagreeable business on hand
during the trip. Dr. Winstock and Paul sat at one end of the section,
and Mr. Stoute and Terrill at the other, while Mr. Lowington and
Professor Hamblin occupied the middle seats. The two students were
allowed to occupy the places at the windows, so that they could see the
country which they passed through; for the principal deemed this as
important for them as their lessons; in fact, it was a study of
geography. The train moved off, bearing the company through a low
country, not very attractive in itself, though the little farms,
gardens, villages and towns were full of interest to young men like
Paul.
"Now, Mr. Hamblin, I am ready to hear your complaints," said Mr.
Lowington, after the train had passed out of the station. "Captain
Kendall, you may give your attention to it, though you can look out of
the window at the same time."
"Am I to be confronted with that boy?" demanded the professor,
indignantly.
"That boy!" replied Mr. Lowington. "I am to hear what you and Captain
Kendall have to say. Go on, if you please, sir."
"You will remember that one of the students, McDougal, was sent on board
of the ship, this morning," Mr. Hamblin began, though he was utterly
disgusted because he was obliged to make his complaint in the presence
of Paul.
"I remember it."
"The offence which that boy committed was against me personally. As he
explained the case to me, and made a very humble apology, I was willing
to forgive him. I intimated to the officer of the deck that he need not
report the matter to the captain; but it was reported to the captain,
and when I went on deck, after breakfast, I found the students had been
assembled. Mr. Kendall addressed them, with which I had no fault to
find. But you can judge of my astonishment when he called up McDougal,
and ordered a boat to convey him on board of the ship, thus subjecting
him to the severest punishment known to the students of the Josephine.
"I deemed it my duty to interfere, which I did in the most civil manner.
I respectfully protested against the action of the captain. I say I
deemed it my duty to interfere."
Mr. Hamblin paused, and looked at the principal. He wished him to say
that he also deemed it his duty to interfere; but Mr. Lowington did not
say that, or anything else, and waited till the professor was ready to
proceed.
"I remonstrated with Mr, Kendall, and he saw fit to disregard my
protest. I demanded that his order should be rescinded; but he was
haughty and impudent in his manner. He told me that the boy should be
sent to the ship. He appeared to be utterly wanting in judgment, though,
up to this time, I had remonstrated only in the mildest terms. He
informed me, in the most offensive manner, that he was the captain of
the vessel."
At this point Mr. Lowington bit his lips, to repress a smile which was
involuntarily manifesting itself on his face.
"Finally, sir, he sent for the boatswain and carpenter, and threatened
to have me conveyed to the ship in irons. It was not enough to say he
would send me to the ship, but he would send me in irons! Did ever a boy
speak to a man like that before? In college, academy, and school, I have
always been master; but here I find myself subject to the will of a
stripling of sixteen or seventeen!"
Mr. Hamblin finished his narrative, set his teeth tight together, and
threw himself back in his seat to await the decision of the principal.
"Captain Kendall, I will hear your version of this affair," said Mr.
Lowington, mildly.
The professor made a movement as if to spring to his feet. The
proceedings seemed to be very irregular. He wanted the decision made
upon his statement; and it appeared like an insult to him to ask a
student for his version of the affair after the instructor had spoken.
"When I was informed that McDougal had directed the hose-pipe at Mr.
Hamblin," said Paul, "I decided to make an example of him; for I had a
hint that the students intended to annoy the senior professor, and this
was the third time something had happened to him. I was satisfied that
the act was done on purpose, though I could not prove it."
"It was not done on purpose," interposed Mr. Hamblin, wrathfully.
"McDougal, on his knees--"
"You will be kind enough not to interrupt Captain Kendall," said Mr.
Lowington, mildly, but firmly.
"I decided to send him on board of the ship, and directed the second
lieutenant to report the circumstances to you. Before the boat had
shoved off, Mr. Hamblin called me aside, and objected to my action. He
said the affair was personal with him, and he was surprised that I had
interfered with it. I replied that the matter affected the discipline of
the crew, and that I should send McDougal on board of the ship. He was
angry then, spoke of my lack of judgment, and said the boy should not be
sent to the ship. I told him then, as decidedly as I knew how, that I
commanded the vessel."
"Yes, sir; that _he_ commanded the vessel!" said Mr. Hamblin, with much
excitement.
"Go on, Captain Kendall," added Mr. Lowington.
"He used some strong language then, and I told him I had nothing more to
say. As I was walking away, he told me to stop, and called me a puppy.
He repeated the expression, and then I sent for Mr. Cleats and Mr. Gage.
They came, and I informed Mr. Hamblin that if he applied another
offensive epithet to me, I would send him on board the ship in irons."
"Yes, sir! send _me_ to the ship in irons! Could you have conceived of
such an indignity?" exclaimed the professor. "Am I a common sailor? Am I
a servant? Am I a student? or am I the senior professor of the consort?"
"Did you speak to Captain Kendall of his lack of judgment, Mr. Hamblin?"
asked the principal.
"I did, most assuredly; and I am free to say that a child would have
exhibited more judgment than he did," replied the professor, warmly.
"Did you say that McDougal should not be sent on board of the ship?"
"I did; it was an outrage upon the boy after he had begged my pardon
with his knees on the wet deck; and it was an outrage upon me, who had
forgiven his offence."
"Did you call Captain Kendall a puppy on the quarter-deck of the
Josephine?"
"I don't know whether it was on the quarter-deck or the half-deck."
"Oblige me by answering my question."
"Perhaps I did," replied Mr. Hamblin, looking upon the floor of the
carriage; for this, he was conscious, was his weak point.
"I must ask you either to affirm or deny that portion of Captain
Kendall's complaint."
"If I did, it was because I had been snubbed and insulted by a pupil."
"You do not answer me, sir."
"I did; and I am willing to acknowledge it was highly improper; but I
was--"
"It is not necessary to explain it," interposed Mr, Lowington. "I desire
now only to obtain the facts. You applied this epithet twice to Captain
Kendall--did you?"
"Possibly I did. I was much excited."
"Affirm or deny it, if you please."
"I will grant that I did, though I do not now distinctly remember. It
was wrong for me to use such language under any circumstances, but I
have not been in the habit of being snubbed by my pupils."
"Is there any other material fact you wish to add, Mr. Hamblin?" asked
the principal.
"Nothing more is needed, I think," replied the professor, who really
believed that he had overwhelmed Paul, in spite of the conscious
disadvantage he labored under in having used intemperate language
himself. "It is plain enough that Mr. Kendall and I cannot get along
together in the same vessel."
"That is plain enough," added Mr. Lowington. "I had requested Professor
Stoute and Mr. Terrill to take seats in this carriage in order to afford
any information we might need; but I find the facts in the case are not
disputed. On the material points, there is no difference of statement
between Mr. Hamblin and Captain Kendall. I shall reserve my decision
till we return to the vessels."
"It will be impossible for me to do my duty to the students on board of
the Josephine while Mr. Kendall is in command of her," said the
professor, who wanted the decision at once, so confident was he that the
principal could not sustain the young commander this time.
"I shall arrange it so that you and Captain Kendall will no longer sail
in the same vessels."
That was very indefinite, but something was to be done; and this was all
the comfort the professor received. Paul was much agitated, and Dr.
Winstock talked to him for half an hour before he could fix his
attention upon the novelties of the country hurried in panorama before
him.