Outward Bound eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 298 pages of information about Outward Bound.

Outward Bound eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 298 pages of information about Outward Bound.

“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.

CHAPTER VII.

HEAVING THE LOG.

The Young America, under topsails and top-gallant sails, was making about ten knots an hour.  After passing the last island in the bay, she was headed to the south-east, which brought the wind over the starboard quarter.  The ship was of the clipper class, though not as sharp as many of this model.  It was found that her sailing ability was excellent, and Mr. Lowington and Mr. Fluxion expressed much satisfaction at her performance, both in respect of speed and weatherly qualities.

When the ship left her moorings, the principal had not decided where to go, or how long to remain at sea, intending to be governed by the circumstances of the hour.  It had never been his purpose to keep her at one anchorage, but to go from port to port, remaining a few days or a few weeks at each, as the discipline of the ship and the progress of the boys in their studies suggested.  There were many elements of seamanship which could not be effectively practised while the ship lay at anchor, such as heaving the log, sounding and steering, though the boys had been carefully instructed in the theory of these operations.

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Outward Bound from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.