“Join the Chain, then,” said Shuffles, in a whisper, and with a suitable parade of mystery.

“The what?”

“The Chain.”

The object of the League was duly explained; and before the second part of the port watch came on deck, three new members had been “toggled.”  Greatly to the satisfaction of Shuffles, and to the astonishment of Wilton, they did not hesitate at the penalty of the obligation, and seemed to be entirely willing to “fall overboard accidentally” if they failed to make strong and faithful “links in the Chain.”

CHAPTER XIV.

ALL HANDS, REEF TOPSAILS!

Augustus Pelham, the fourth lieutenant of the Young America, was almost the only malcontent among the officers; the only one who persistently declined to be reconciled to the new regulation.  Others objected to it; others criticised it, and even regarded the act as tyrannical; but the good offices of Paul Kendall, who argued the question with them, as he did with Shuffles, had in a measure conciliated them, and they were at least disposed to submit gracefully to the order.  But Pelham was not of this number He was above the average age, and, like the chief conspirator on board, expecting to leave the ship at the end of the first year, had not exerted himself to the extent of his ability.  He had been first lieutenant and had now fallen to fourth.  He was older than the captain, and it galled him to be subject to one younger than himself.

He was dissatisfied with his rank, and this had a tendency to make him a grumbler.  It needed only an appearance of tyranny or injustice to array him in spirit against the authorities of the ship.  Shuffles knew his state of mind, and was prepared to take advantage of it, hoping through him to gain other discontented spirits in the cabin.

When the first part of the port watch was relieved, the “Chain” consisted of five links, and the conspirators were well satisfied with the present success of the enterprise.  Each of the new members of the League was commissioned to obtain a recruit, whose name was given to him, and he was required to report upon the case, to Shuffles, before eight bells in the afternoon watch.  As a measure of precaution, it was required that no meetings should be held; that not more than three members should assemble for business at any one time.  The utmost care and circumspection were urged, and it was agreed that not a word should be said in the steerage, where it was possible for any of the professors to overhear it.

The second part of the port watch, with Pelham as officer of the deck, went on duty at ten o’clock.  The wind had been freshening for the last two hours, and it was now necessary to reduce sail.  The royals were first taken in, and then the top-gallant sails.

“We can’t lay this course, sir,” said Burchmore, the quartermaster, who was conning the helm.  “The wind is hauling to the eastward.”