“No, you are not!” exclaimed Paul.

“I would give the world to be like you.”

“No, no!  You wrong yourself, and overdo me.”

“I have confessed all to the chaplain, and you will soon know me as I am, Paul.  I will not take your place in the cabin.  Your kindness and generosity have overcome me.  You have convinced me that doing right is always the best way.”

Paul did not know what to make of this remarkable confession; but, after supper, all hands were piped to muster again, the ship being off Kinsale Head, nearly becalmed.  The chaplain had informed the principal of the substance of Shuffles’ confession.  Mr. Lowington laughed at “The Chain League,” the signs and the passwords, and regarded the mutiny as a matter of little consequence.  He did not believe that Shuffles or his followers, had really intended to take the ship.  The project was too monstrous to be credible.  The fact that the conspirator had attempted the life of his companion was a grave matter, and it was treated as such.  Mr. Agneau was entirely confident of the sincerity of the culprit’s repentance.  Shuffles had refused to take the proffered promotion, which was abundant evidence that he was in earnest.

The penitent was sent for, and repeated his confession to the principal.  He did not ask to be exempted from punishment; but he did ask to be forgiven.  He was forgiven; but when the crew were piped to muster all the particulars of the intended mutiny were exposed to the astonished “outsiders.”  Paul understood it now.  Mr. Lowington ridiculed the mutiny; but he spoke very seriously of the consequences of insubordination.

“Young gentlemen, Shuffles has not mentioned the name of a single student in connection with this silly conspiracy; he has asked to be excused from doing so.  I grant his request, and I hope that all who have engaged in the affair are as sincerely sorry for their connection with it as he is.  Under the circumstances, Shuffles will not be promoted.  Young gentlemen, you are dismissed.”

“Shuffles was a good fellow to keep us in the dark,” whispered Sanborn to Wilton.

“Keep still,” replied Wilton.  “We are lucky to get out of the scrape on any terms.”

So thought all of them; and it was certainly magnanimous on the part of the chief conspirator to be willing to assume all the guilt, and suffer all the punishment.  There was enough of good in Shuffles to save him from the evil of his nature.

“Paul, there is one more thing I must tell you,” said Shuffles, that evening, while the ship lay becalmed off Kinsale.  “You remember when I told you about the gambling in the steerage?”

“I do.”

“I was deceiving you then.  I only exposed the fellows in order to make trouble.  I knew that the students would be closely watched, and the rules more strictly enforced, which would make them mad.”

“What did you want to make them mad for?”