Shuffles had a taste for these things, and out of his lively imagination he had coined a similar association to be recruited from the crew of the Young America, which was to redress fancied wrongs, and even take the ship out of the hands of the principal.  He could think of nothing but this brilliant enterprise; and while his shipmates were talking of the future, and indulging in the old salts’ vocation of “spinning yarns,” he was busy maturing the details of “The Chain League.”  He did not, for reasons best known to himself attempt to make any more proselytes that night.

The ship continued to go along easily on her course till morning.  It was a clear night, and though the wind was fresh, the sea was not rough, and the Young America behaved very handsomely.  The programme for the watches was carried out to the letter, but on the first night out, the boys were too much excited by the novelty of the situation to be able to sleep much.

At eight bells in the morning, after the port watch had breakfasted, all the students off duty attended prayers.  Then the starboard watch had their morning meal, after which all hands were piped to muster.

Mr. Lowington mounted the hatch, and it was understood that the case of discipline which had come up the day before was to be settled now.

“Shuffles!” called the principal.

The culprit came forward.

“Are you still of the same mind as when I saw you last evening?” continued Mr. Lowington.

“I am, sir,” replied Shuffles, with a becoming exhibition of meekness.

“You will step upon the hatch, then.”

Shuffles took position by the side of the principal.

“You will repeat after me,” added Mr. Lowington.

The culprit was startled at these words, and began to suspect that Wilton had betrayed him in spite of his fear of falling overboard accidentally.  It looked just then as though the principal intended to “toggle” him.

“I acknowledge that I have done wrong,” Mr. Lowington continued.

Shuffles repeated the words, happy to find that he was not to take the obligation of “The Chain League.”

“And I will hereafter endeavor to do my duty faithfully.”

The promise was repeated with the lips, but of course it had no meaning, and did not reach the heart.

“That is all, Shuffles,” added the principal.—­“Young gentlemen, you are dismissed from muster.”

This was certainly a very mild atonement for the grave offence which Shuffles had committed, and the lenity of the principal was generally commented upon by the boys.  The starboard watch was piped below to study and recite, while the port watch were to be off and on during the forenoon.  The first part now had the deck, while the second was off duty, and the boys belonging to it were permitted to remain on deck or to spend their time in the mess rooms.  They were not allowed to linger in the steerage where the recitations were going on, but might pass directly through on their way to their apartments.