Notwithstanding his doubts of the good faith of Pelham, who, however, nominally adhered to the terms of the compact, Shuffles arranged his plans for the capture of the ship.  He had decided to defer the grand strike until the ship had come up with Cape Clear, so that the faculty, and all the students who would not take a part in the enterprise, might be put on shore immediately.  In the course of three days, the land would probably be sighted.  The rising was to take place in Pelham’s watch, the officers of which were members of the League.  All the details had been carefully arranged, and trusty “links” appointed to perform the heavy work.  As soon as the “old folks” had been locked up in the cabin, and the new captain had taken the command, the ship was to be headed for the shore.  The great event was to come off at six o’clock in the afternoon of the twenty-third or twenty-fifth day.  The ship would be near the coast for at least a part of two days.  If she was within six hours’ sail of the land on the twenty-third day out, when Pelham would have the second part of the first dog watch, the rising was to take place then; if not, it was to be deferred till the twenty-fifth day, when the watches were again favorable.

Shuffles communicated with his discontented first officer as often as he could, and unfolded his plans without reserve.  Pelham listened, and, still professing his willingness to obey his superior officer, promised to do all that was required of him.

“In your watch, Pelham, you will see that the helm is in the hands of some of our fellows,” said Shuffles.

“Certainly,” replied Pelham, with more indifference than suited the enthusiastic chief of the enterprise “By the way, Captain Shuffles, have you laid out any work for Captain Gordon to do?”

“What’s the use of talking to me about him now that we are on the very point of accomplishing our purpose?” demanded Shuffles, with deep disgust.

“You can’t deny that Gordon is an able fellow, and, as a good commander, of course you intend to give him some important position,” chuckled Pelham.  “Have you appointed the rest of your officers yet?”

“To be sure I have.”

“Have you given Gordon anything?”

“No!” growled Shuffles.

“No?  Why, do you think the present captain of the ship will be content to go into the steerage under the new arrangement?”

“He may go into the steerage or go overboard,” answered the chief, angrily.

“Accidentally, you mean.”

“Pelham, if you intend to be a traitor, say so.”

“I!  My dear fellow, I don’t mean anything of the kind.  I am as true as the pole star.”

“Have you spoken to the captain about our affairs?”

“Not a word.”

“Have you tried him by the signs?”

“I have, and he made no sign,” laughed Pelham, who was not much enamoured of the cabalistic clap-trap of the Chain.