“So that they would join the League.”

“Well, you did a good thing for the ship and for the fellows, if your motives were not good,” replied Paul.  “It was good out of evil, any way.”

“I don’t think half so many fellows would have joined if Mr. Lowington hadn’t taken their money from them.”

“Have you seen any gambling since?”

“Not a bit of it, Paul.”

“I am glad to know that.”

“One thing more; you know all the members of the League, Paul.”

“I?”

“Yes? you have their names on the orders, for ten shillings each.”

“So I have; but we will make a general affair of the presentation, and that will cover up the whole of them.”

“Thank you, Paul.  You despise me as much as I like and respect you.”

“I don’t despise you, Shuffles.  You have done wrong, but I respect you for undoing the evil you had meditated.  We are all weak and erring, and we can’t afford to despise any one.  On the contrary I like you,” replied Paul, giving Shuffles his hand.

“You treat me better than I deserve, Paul; but if you are my friend, I shall be all the better for it; and I hope you will not be worse.”

The end of the conspiracy had been reached.  Before the ship came to anchor in the Cove, every boy on board had drawn his order on the principal for ten shillings, and the members of the League were veiled beneath the mass of names.

At sunrise, on Tuesday morning, the ship had a gentle breeze; and at three bells in the forenoon watch, she was off Roches Point, with the Union Jack at the foremast-head, as a signal for a pilot.  On this exciting occasion, the studies and recitations were suspended to enable all the students to see the shores, and enjoy the scene.  The pilot made his appearance, gave Mr. Lowington the latest Cork papers, and took charge of the ship.  The honest Irishman was not a little surprised to find the vessel manned “wid nothing in the wide wurld but by’s;” but he found they were good seamen.

The Young America ran into the beautiful bay through the narrow opening, with Carlisle Fort on the starboard and Camden Fort on the port hand.  The students were intensely excited by the near view of the land, of the odd little steamers that:  went whisking about, and the distant view of Queenstown, on the slope of the hill at the head of the bay.  They were in Europe now.

“All hands to bring ship to anchor!” said the first lieutenant, when the ship was approaching the town.

The light sails were furled, the port anchor cleared away, and every preparation made for the mooring Then the orders to let go the topsail sheets, clew up the topsails, and haul down the jib, were given.

“Port the helm!  Stand clear of the cable!  Let go the port anchor!”

The cable rattled through the hawse-hole, the anchor went to the bottom, the Young America swung round, and her voyage across the ocean was happily terminated.  Three rousing cheers were given in honor of the auspicious event, and when the sails had been furled, the crew were piped to dinner.