“I will now read the record of marks,” said the principal, “and announce the officers for the next term.”

The boys were silent and anxious; for places in the after cabin were more highly valued than ever, now that the Young America was going to Europe.

CHAPTER VIII.

OUTWARD BOUND.

Mr. Lowington read the merit roll, announcing the officers as he proceeded.  The occupants of the after cabin, who were appointed for the succeeding three months, during which time the ship crossed the Atlantic, and visited various European ports, were as follows:—­

CHARLES GORDON, Captain.

Joseph Haven, First Lieutenant.
Paul Kendall, Second “
Samuel Goodwin, Third “
Augustus Pelham, Fourth “

William Foster, First Master.
Henry Martyn, Second “
Thomas Ellis, Third “
Joseph Leavitt, Fourth “

Joseph O. Rogers, First Purser.
Edward Murray, Second “

George W. Terrill, First Midshipman.
John Humphreys, Second “
Mark Robinson, Third “
Andrew Groom, Fourth “

The students mentioned in the list made the required promise to behave themselves like gentlemen, and faithfully discharge the duties of their several offices, and were duly installed in their new positions in the after cabin.  Most of them had been officers before, but all of them were higher in rank than at any former period.  Richard Carnes had been captain four terms, for no one could get ahead of him.

The new captain had been first lieutenant, during the preceding year, three terms out of four, and was certainly the best qualified student on board for the command.  He was a young man of high moral aims, with much dignity of character and energy of purpose.

The officers went to the after cabin, put on their uniforms, and assumed their proper places.  The choice of berths in the steerage proceeded as usual, according to the merit roll, and the petty offices were given to the highest in rank.  The new boys took the unoccupied berths by lot.  The organization of the ship was now completed, and the students were directed to put their berths and lockers in order.  The remainder of the day was fully occupied in preparing for the voyage.  Great quantities of ice and fresh provisions were taken on board, and packed away in the store rooms of the hold, and all was bustle and confusion.

On Thursday morning the ship was put in order again.  The vessel had been duly cleared at the custom house, and every article required for the voyage had been received.  The boys were ordered to put on their best suits, and at nine o’clock a steamer came off, having on board a large number of the parents and friends of the students.  The forenoon was given up to this interesting occasion.  It was a beautiful day, with a gentle breeze from the westward, and at twelve o’clock, all hands were mustered on deck for religious services, to be performed by the chaplain, in the presence of the friends of the pupils.