THE FOURTH OF JULY.
The first cutter was manned by her regular crew, who had been trained
with the utmost care to pull together, while Wilton, in the professors'
barge, which was of the same size, had some very indifferent oarsmen.
The runaways had made up their force of such material as they could
obtain, and though all were somewhat accustomed to rowing, they had not
been drilled to work together; they were not the unit of power in
pulling a boat. Shuffles, therefore, had a manifest advantage, and he
was determined to bring back the fugitives.
The second cutter, in charge of Paul Kendall, was cleared away, and,
with Mr. Lowington and Mr. Fluxion on board, left the ship to take part
in the pursuit. The chase promised to be an exciting one, for Wilton and
Monroe were straining every nerve to reach the shore before they were
overtaken. They were making for the nearest land, and having just the
number of hands required to pull the boat, each of them was obliged to
use an oar himself. They had no coxswains, and Wilton, at the bow oar of
the professors' barge, could not see what was ahead, though he kept the
pursuing boats in full view.
The nearest land, not more than half a mile from the ship, was a point
covered with salt marsh, above which was a cove, whose opening was about
ten rods in width. Wilton was making for the point below the cove, but
his calculations were made without judgment or discretion. If he reached
the land, his party would be obliged to walk a mile in order to get
round the cove, on a narrow strip of marsh, where they might be
intercepted. But the fatal defect in his plan of operations was a
failure to consider the depth of water between the ship and the point.
The flow of the tide from the cove, while it kept a clear channel
through the entrance, had formed a bar off the tongue of land on the
seaward side of it, which was bare at half tide, and was now just
covered. Wilton was pulling for this bar, with all the strength of his
crew.
Shuffles was prompt to observe the mistake of his late crony, and just
as prompt to profit by it. The first cutter was gaining rapidly on the
chase; but Shuffles, as she reached the border of the main channel,
ordered his coxswain to keep the boat's head towards the entrance of the
cove.
"We shall never catch them on this tack," said the coxswain of the
cutter, who knew nothing about the bar.
"I think we shall," replied the third lieutenant, confidently.
"We are not going towards the point."
"That's very true, and the professors' barge will not go much farther in
that direction. Pull steady, my lads; don't hurry yourselves. There is
plenty of time."
The coxswain thought his superior officer was taking the matter very
coolly, and knowing of the intimacy which had formerly subsisted between
Shuffles and Wilton, he was ready to conclude that the third lieutenant
was willing to permit the escape of "our fellows." While he was putting
this construction on the conduct of his superior, the professors' barge
"took the ground," and stuck fast.
"They're aground, Mr. Shuffles," said the coxswain.
"There's just where I expected them to be," answered Shuffles, quietly.
"Shall I run towards them?"
"No; keep her as she is. There isn't more than a foot of water anywhere
between them and the point."
The third cutter, being a smaller boat than the professors' barge, did
not touch the bar as soon as her consort; but Monroe saw that his craft
could not land her party on the point at that stage of the tide, and he
ordered his crew first to lay on their oars, and then to back water.
Wilton's boat was aground at the bow, and when he had sent part of his
crew aft, she was easily pushed off the bar. By this delay he had lost
the chance of landing at the point, and his only alternative was to pull
up to the cove; but in doing so, it would be impossible to avoid the
first cutter, which had now secured a position off the mouth of the
little bay.
"Stand by to lay on your oars," said the coxswain of the first cutter,
as directed by the lieutenant in command. "Oars!"
The crew ceased rowing, and laying on their oars, waited the next
movement of the runaways. In the mean time the second cutter was well
away from the ship, and Mr. Lowington, promptly comprehending the
intentions of the third lieutenant, directed the officer in command to
pull towards the boats on the bar, keeping well to seaward, in order to
prevent them from escaping in that direction.
Wilton realized that he was cornered, and hoping that Shuffles would not
be over-zealous in the discharge of his duty, directed his course
towards the opening of the cove. A few strokes brought him within
hailing distance of the first cutter.
"No use, Wilton," said Shuffles, laughing. "You may as well pull for the
ship. It's all up with you."
But the leader of the runaways, instead of heeding this good advice,
attempted to push by astern of the first cutter.
"Stern, all! Give way!" shouted Shuffles, sharply. "Coxswain, stand by
with your stern line!"
It was generally understood that the third lieutenant of the Young
America was a fighting character, and that he could whip any officer or
seaman in the ship, though his prowess had not been practically
demonstrated. Shuffles took the stern line himself, instead of
intrusting the duty to the coxswain. He intended to grapple the bow of
the professors' barge, and make fast to it with the rope; but the cutter
did not gather way enough in season to do this. As she backed, she
fouled the oars of the barge, and Shuffles secured a firm hold of her
stern.
"What are you doing, Bob Shuffles?" demanded Wilton, angry, when he saw
that his late crony was fully in earnest.
The third lieutenant made no reply; but passing his rope through a ring
in the stern of the barge, he made it fast, and then pushed the cutter
off from her. When the line had run out about a fathom, he secured the
end he held in his hand to the after thwart of his own boat. Thus the
first cutter and the barge were lashed together, stern to stern.
"Cast off that rope!" shouted Wilton to the stroke oarsman in the barge.
"Don't you touch it, my lad," interposed Shuffles, when the boy
attempted to obey the order of his leader. "If you attempt it, you will
purchase a sore head."
[Illustration: THE ESCAPE FROM THE SHIP. Page 95.]
The third lieutenant had picked up a boat-hook, and stood ready to rap
any of the barge's crew who might attempt to cast off the line by which
the boats were fastened together. No one was disposed to cross the
purposes of so formidable a person as Shuffles, and the stroke oarsman
did not obey the order of Wilton. It would not be safe to do so.
"Now, Wilton, what do you say?" demanded Shuffles, a smile of triumph
playing upon his face, which was very aggravating to the leader of the
runaways. "Will you go back to the ship, or not?"
"No, of course I won't," replied the discomfited chief of the
malcontents.
"You had better, my dear fellow. There comes Mr. Lowington."
"I didn't think this of you, Bob Shuffles," said Wilton, reproachfully.
"I told you I should do my duty; and I shall, to the end. If you will
return, all right; if not, I shall take you back."
"No, you won't."
"I think I will," added the third lieutenant, quietly. "Stand by to give
way!" he continued, to the coxswain.
"Two can play at that game," said Wilton, as he gave the same order to
his crew.
"Give way!" shouted the coxswain of the first cutter, with energy.
"Give way!" repeated Wilton, in the barge.
The rope straightened, Shuffles stood up in the stern-sheets of the
cutter, to prevent the line from being cast off, and the contest began,
to ascertain which should drag the other. It was rather ludicrous, in
spite of the serious question of discipline involved in the affair, and
the boys in the cutter were intensely amused, as well as excited. Both
crews struggled with all their might, and each leader urged his
followers to renewed exertions.
The discipline of the first cutter was on the point of carrying the
contest in favor of law and order, when Monroe, seeing that his friend
was nearly worsted, backed the third cutter up to the bow of the barge,
and took her painter on board, which he made fast at the stern. Resuming
his oar, he ordered his crew to give way together. Then law and order
appealed to be at a discount, for the eight oarsmen in the first cutter
were not a match, even in the cause of discipline, against the fourteen
in the barge and third cutter.
Shuffles did not give it up, notwithstanding the great odds against
him. Letting out the stern line far enough to allow space for a new
manoeuvre, he directed the starboard oarsmen to lay on their oars, while
those on the port side pulled the boat round. Then all gave way
together, and the barge was dragged round sideways, until her oars
fouled with those of Monroe's boat. At this stage of the exciting
proceedings the second cutter came up with the principal.
Mr. Fluxion sat in the stern-sheets, shaking his sides with laughter at
the singular contest which was going on; but Mr. Lowington, though
evidently amused, maintained his gravity, and was as dignified as usual.
The appearance of the principal ended the struggle. A glance from him
was quite sufficient to take all the stiffening out of the runaways, and
even Wilton, though he talked valiantly behind Mr. Lowington's back, and
neglected even to give him the simple title of "mister," had not the
courage to resist the strong arm of his authority. As the second cutter
backed up to the barge, the principal stepped on board of her, and took
a seat in the stern-sheets.
"Young gentlemen, you will return to the ship," said Mr. Lowington,
sternly, as he took the tiller-ropes in his hands. "Give way!"
The malcontents had no thought of further resistance. The presence of
the principal was sufficient to overcome all insubordination; they did
not dare to disobey him. Mechanically they bent to their oars, and
without a word pulled back to the ship.
Mr. Fluxion, by direction of Mr. Lowington, had taken his place in
Monroe's boat, and followed the barge, the two cutters bringing up the
rear. This was the first instance of flagrant insubordination which had
occurred since the organization of the ship's company, and the students
were not a little anxious to learn how it would be treated. It was
singular that Shuffles, who on shore had always been the ringleader in
enterprises of mischief, had been the means of defeating the scheme of
the runaways.
The boats were hoisted up at the davits, and the boatswain was ordered
to pipe all hands on deck. The principal looked calm, but stern, as he
took the position on the hatch which he usually occupied when he
addressed the students.
"Wilton and Monroe," said he.
The culprits came forward, hanging their heads with shame.
"I learn that you are the ringleaders in this movement. Is it so?"
"I suppose we are," replied Wilton.
"Who proposed the plan?"
"Wilton first spoke to me about it," answered Monroe.
"And you induced the others to join you?"
"Yes, sir."
"As the ringleaders, Wilton and Monroe will lose twenty marks each, and
remain in their mess rooms to-morrow. The other twelve lose ten marks
each," continued Mr. Lowington. "Young gentlemen, those who have engaged
in this scheme are not to be trusted. I have nothing further to say."
The crew were dismissed, and all the students were disposed to laugh at
the mildness of the punishment, compared with the enormity of the
offence.
"Mr. Shuffles," said the principal, as he stepped down from the hatch,
"I am very much obliged to you for the zeal and energy which you have
exhibited in the discharge of your duty. Not only was your disposition
to do your duty highly commendable, but your plans displayed skill and
forethought."
"Thank you, sir," replied the third lieutenant; "I am very glad to have
pleased you."
Mr. Lowington bowed, and descended to the cabin to finish his supper,
which had been interrupted by the event described. What the professors
said about the affair was not known to the boys; but Shuffles was warmly
praised for the moderate but skilful measures he had used in the capture
of the rebels.
At sundown, a shore boat came alongside with an abundant supply of
fireworks, which had been ordered by Mr. Lowington. They were hoisted on
board, and deposited in a safe place. At the usual hour, the boys turned
in to dream of the good time which these squibs and crackers suggested
to them--all but Monroe and Wilton, who had something else to think
about. The latter was disappointed and surly, while the former
congratulated himself upon getting out of the scrape so easily. Wilton
was very angry with Shuffles, who might have permitted him to land, if
he had been so disposed; and he determined to take what he considered an
ample vengeance upon the traitor. As soon as he had an opportunity to
speak to Mr. Lowington, he intended to tell him all about the plan for a
mutiny, and he was fully satisfied that Shuffles would be sent in
disgrace from his pleasant position in the after cabin, to take up his
abode in the steerage again.
On the morning of the ever-glorious Fourth, all hands were mustered on
the deck of the Young America at four o'clock. Crackers were served out,
and for two hours there was a tremendous racket from stern to stern,
among the younger boys. At six o'clock, the port watch were piped to
breakfast, and all the crackers having been burned, the decks were
swept, and everything put in perfect order, by the starboard watch. A
band of music, engaged for the day, came off, and the enlivening strains
of the national airs sounded through the ship.
At seven o'clock, when all hands had breakfasted, an hour earlier than
usual, the crew were piped to muster, wondering, as they always did,
what was going to be done.
"All hands, up anchor ahoy!" shouted the boatswain prompted by the first
lieutenant; but this order was so common in the every-day practice of
the crew, that no one supposed it had any unusual significance; and some
of the boys even began to grumble at being compelled to go through the
routine of ship's work on the Fourth of July.
"Bring to on the cable, and unbitt!" continued the officer in command.
"Ship the capstan bars, and swifter them! Heave in the cable to a short
stay!"
These orders were duly executed, under the direction of the various
officers at their stations.
"Avast heaving!" called the first master. "Anchor apeak, sir," he
reported to the first lieutenant.
"Pawl the capstan, stopper the cable, and unship the bars!" added the
executive officers, all of which was done, and duly reported.
"Stations for loosing topsails!" which were shaken out by the ordinary
routine, sheeted home, and hoisted up.
"Forecastlemen, loose the head sails! After-guard, clear away the
spanker! Man the capstan bars, ship and swifter them! Heave around!"
This last was a manoeuvre which the crew had never before been called
upon to perform; and the order sent a thrill of delight to all hearts.
The cable had often been heaved to a short stay, that is, so that it run
nearly up and down; but that was as far as they had ever before been
permitted to proceed. Now, with the anchor apeak, they were ordered to
the capstan again, and they realized that the Young America was actually
going to sea. The command kindled an enthusiasm which glowed on every
face. The ship was going out of the harbor, and the evil doers in the
mess rooms below were to be pitied.
"Anchor aweigh, sir," reported the excited boatswain who, however, had
to be prompted in this instance by Peaks, for it had never been in that
position before since it first hooked the mud in Brockway harbor.
"Anchor aweigh, sir," repeated the second lieutenant.
"Man the jib and flying-jib halyards!" said the first lieutenant.
"Anchor's at the bow, sir," said the boatswain, which report went
through the same channels as before, till it reached the executive
officer.
"Hoist away on the jib and flying-jib halyards! Avast heaving! Pawl the
capstan! Stopper the cable! Cat and fish the anchor!" shouted the first
lieutenant. "Port the helm!"
The Young America was clear of the ground. The fore topsail, which had
been trimmed to the fresh breeze, was full, and the ship began to gather
headway. Two seamen had been placed at the wheel, under the charge of
the quartermaster. The boys had often "made believe" do these things,
but now they were real. The vessel was actually moving through the
water, and they could hardly contain themselves, so exhilarating was the
scene.
"Steady!" said the first lieutenant, when the ship had come up to her
intended course.
"Steady, sir," repeated the quartermaster in charge of the helm.
"Stand by to set the spanker," added the first lieutenant. "Man the
outhaul! Cast off the brails, and loose the vangs!"
The after-guard, which is the portion of the ship's company stationed on
the quarter-deck, or abaft the mizzenmast, obeyed this order, and stood
ready to set the spanker, which is the aftermost sail.
"Walk away with the outhaul!" and the after-guard ran off with the rope,
which drew the sail out into its place on the gaff. "Stand by the
spanker sheet--let it out!"
"You must attend to your main and mizzen topsails Mr. Pelham," said the
principal, in a low tone.
"Man the fore and main braces!" said the executive officer; and the
young seamen sprang to their stations. "Let go and haul!"
The main and the mizzen topsails were thus trimmed, so that they took
the wind.
"That was very well done, Captain Carnes, though your crew need more
practice. They are very much excited," said Mr. Lowington.
"I don't wonder, sir; I think none of them knew we were going out of the
harbor," replied the captain.
"I am glad they enjoy it," added the principal, "though I should not
have left the anchorage, except as a substitute for the Fourth of July
celebration."
"They will like this much better than going to the city."
"I have no doubt on that point; and last evening, when those students
wished to run away, I was tempted to punish their disobedience by
letting them go. The wind is pretty fresh, Captain Carnes, but I think
you may set the top-gallant sails."
The captain gave the order to the first lieutenant.
"Aloft, sail-loosers of the top-gallant sails!" shouted Mr. Pelham; and
the eager young salts dashed up the rigging. "Lay out! Loose! Let fall!
Man your sheets and halyards! Sheets home, and hoist away!"
The addition of the top-gallant sails was sensibly felt by the Young
America; and, "taking a bone in her teeth," she careened over, and
dashed away merrily on her course.
The band played Hail, Columbia, and as the ship passed the fort, the
crew mounted the rigging and gave three cheers. The excitement on board
was immense, and never was Independence Day more thoroughly and
enthusiastically enjoyed. The officers and crew were at the height of
felicity, as the gallant little ship bowled over the waves, threading
her way through the channels between the numerous islands of the bay.
"Can't we put on any more sail, Mr. Lowington?" asked Captain Carnes, as
he met the principal on the quarter-deck.
"Not at present. We are making very good progress now."
"The boys want to see all sail on her."
"The wind is blowing half a gale now," added Mr. Lowington, with a
smile. "I think we shall be able to give them quite enough of it when we
get out into blue water. I'm afraid you will lose half your crew before
noon!"
"Lose them?"
"By seasickness, I mean."
"Do you think they will be sick, sir?"
"I have no doubt of it. Many of them never saw the ocean before, and
never looked upon a ship till they came on board of the Young America. I
don't think it would be prudent to put on all sail, until we know what
force we are to have to handle the ship."
"They don't look like being seasick at present."
"Wait till we get out into the heavy sea," laughed the principal, as he
went forward.
At eight bells the ship was abreast of the last island, and she began to
pitch and roll a little, though the motion was hardly perceptible, until
she was well off from the land. Professor Paradyme was the first victim
of seasickness, and the boys all laughed when they saw the woe-begone
expression on the face of the learned man; but some of those who laughed
the loudest were the first to be taken by the ridiculous malady.
The Young America pitched and rolled heavily as she receded from the
land, and nothing more was said by the students about putting on more
sail. The spray broke over the bow, and washed the decks; but most of
the boys enjoyed the scene as they had never enjoyed anything before.
"What are you doing here, sir?" demanded Mr. Lowington, as he went
forward, and discovered Wilton skulking under the lee of the foremast.
"You were told to stay in your mess room, sir!"
"I couldn't, sir," whined the culprit.
"You could, and you will."
"I was seasick, sir."
"I can't help it; you must stay in your mess room," added the principal,
sternly.
"If you please, sir, I will obey orders if you will let me stay on
deck," said Wilton, humbly.
"No; return to your room?" and Wilton was compelled to obey.
It was a very severe punishment to him and Monroe to be obliged to stay
in the steerage during the first trip of the Young America.