“You do, Carnes.”

“Well, I know something about a ship,” replied the dignified young gentleman, who had made one voyage up the Mediterranean with his uncle.

“I was pretty sure we should get out into blue water by to-morrow.”

“Nonsense!”

“Shuffles said so.”

“He is mistaken.”

“What are we going to do?”

“I don’t know?  I’m content to wait till orders come.”

“I don’t want to wait any longer,” added Wilton.

“What are you talking about, fellows?” asked Shuffles, joining them, as they walked forward.

“Didn’t you say we were going to sea to-morrow, Shuffles?” asked Wilton.

“Of course we are.”

“Who says so?” demanded Carnes.

“All the fellows say so.”

“It can’t be true.”

“Why not?  We are not going to stay here forever.”

“In my opinion, we shall stay here some weeks, if not some months,” added Carnes.

“What for?”

“To pursue our studies, in the first place, and to learn our duty as seamen, in the second.”

“I don’t believe I shall stay here a great while longer,” said Shuffles, with evident disgust.  “There’s no fun lying here.”

“You can’t help yourself,” added Wilton.

“Perhaps I can’t, but I can try,” said Shuffles, as he glanced towards the shore.

“All hands ahoy!” shouted Peaks, the boatswain, as his shrill whistle rang through the ship.

The boys had been taught the meaning of this call, and they gathered in the waist, eager to know what was to be required of them.

Mr. Lowington stood on the raised hatch over the main scuttle, where all the students could see him.  It was evident that he had some announcement to make, especially as the following day had been assigned for organizing the ship’s company.  The boys were silent, and their faces betrayed the curiosity which they felt.

“Young gentleman,” the principal began, “this ship will go into commission to-morrow.”

“Don’t know what you mean, sir,” said Paul Kendall as Mr. Lowington paused to observe the effect of his announcement.

“I did not suppose that many of you would understand the expression.  In the navy, a ship is said to go into commission when the captain takes his place on board, and the crew are organized for duty.  When this takes place, the ensign is hoisted.  To-morrow, at twelve o’clock, we shall display the colors at the peak.  With us, going into commission will only mean the organization of our school.  From that time, we shall observe the discipline of a man-of-war, so far as the ship and crew are concerned.”

“Shall we go to sea then?” asked Wilton.

“I think not,” replied Mr. Lowington, laughing.  “We shall not leave the harbor till every officer and seaman knows his duty.  You shall have enough to do to-morrow, young gentlemen.”

“When shall we be able to go to sea?”