by Oliver Optic
CHAPTER VI.
THE FOURTH OF JULY.
The first cutter was manned by her regular crew, who had been trainedwith the utmost care to pull together, while Wilton, in the professors'barge, which was of the same size, had some very indifferent oarsmen.The runaways had made up their force of such material as they couldobtain, and though all were somewhat accustomed to rowing, they had notbeen drilled to work together; they were not the unit of power inpulling a boat. Shuffles, therefore, had a manifest advantage, and hewas determined to bring back the fugitives.
The second cutter, in charge of Paul Kendall, was cleared away, and,with Mr. Lowington and Mr. Fluxion on board, left the ship to take partin the pursuit. The chase promised to be an exciting one, for Wilton andMonroe were straining every nerve to reach the shore before they wereovertaken. They were making for the nearest land, and having just thenumber of hands required to pull the boat, each of them was obliged touse an oar himself. They had no coxswains, and Wilton, at the bow oar ofthe professors' barge, could not see what was ahead, though he kept thepursuing boats in full view.
The nearest land, not more than half a mile from the ship, was a pointcovered with salt marsh, above which was a cove, whose opening was aboutten rods in width. Wilton was making for the point below the cove, buthis calculations were made without judgment or discretion. If he reachedthe land, his party would be obliged to walk a mile in order to getround the cove, on a narrow strip of marsh, where they might beintercepted. But the fatal defect in his plan of operations was afailure to consider the depth of water between the ship and the point.The flow of the tide from the cove, while it kept a clear channelthrough the entrance, had formed a bar off the tongue of land on theseaward side of it, which was bare at half tide, and was now justcovered. Wilton was pulling for this bar, with all the strength of hiscrew.
Shuffles was prompt to observe the mistake of his late crony, and justas prompt to profit by it. The first cutter was gaining rapidly on thechase; but Shuffles, as she reached the border of the main channel,ordered his coxswain to keep the boat's head towards the entrance of thecove.
"We shall never catch them on this tack," said the coxswain of thecutter, who knew nothing about the bar.
"I think we shall," replied the third lieutenant, confidently.
"We are not going towards the point."
"That's very true, and the professors' barge will not go much farther inthat direction. Pull steady, my lads; don't hurry yourselves. There isplenty of time."
The coxswain thought his superior officer was taking the matter verycoolly, and knowing of the intimacy which had formerly subsisted betweenShuffles and Wilton, he was ready to conclude that the third lieutenantwas willing to permit the escape of "our fellows." While he was puttingthis construction on the conduct of his superior, the professors' barge"took the ground," and stuck fast.
"They're aground, Mr. Shuffles," said the coxswain.
"There's just where I expected them to be," answered Shuffles, quietly.
"Shall I run towards them?"
"No; keep her as she is. There isn't more than a foot of water anywherebetween them and the point."
The third cutter, being a smaller boat than the professors' barge, didnot touch the bar as soon as her consort; but Monroe saw that his craftcould not land her party on the point at that stage of the tide, and heordered his crew first to lay on their oars, and then to back water.Wilton's boat was aground at the bow, and when he had sent part of hiscrew aft, she was easily pushed off the bar. By this delay he had lostthe chance of landing at the point, and his only alternative was to pullup to the cove; but in doing so, it would be impossible to avoid thefirst cutter, which had now secured a position off the mouth of thelittle bay.
"Stand by to lay on your oars," said the coxswain of the first cutter,as directed by the lieutenant in command. "Oars!"
The crew ceased rowing, and laying on their oars, waited the nextmovement of the runaways. In the mean time the second cutter was wellaway from the ship, and Mr. Lowington, promptly comprehending theintentions of the third lieutenant, directed the officer in command topull towards the boats on the bar, keeping well to seaward, in order toprevent them from escaping in that direction.
Wilton realized that he was cornered, and hoping that Shuffles would notbe over-zealous in the discharge of his duty, directed his coursetowards the opening of the cove. A few strokes brought him withinhailing distance of the first cutter.
"No use, Wilton," said Shuffles, laughing. "You may as well pull for theship. It's all up with you."
But the leader of the runaways, instead of heeding this good advice,attempted to push by astern of the first cutter.
"Stern, all! Give way!" shouted Shuffles, sharply. "Coxswain, stand bywith your stern line!"
It was generally understood that the third lieutenant of the YoungAmerica was a fighting character, and that he could whip any officer orseaman in the ship, though his prowess had not been practicallydemonstrated. Shuffles took the stern line himself, instead ofintrusting the duty to the coxswain. He intended to grapple the bow ofthe professors' barge, and make fast to it with the rope; but the cutterdid not gather way enough in season to do this. As she backed, shefouled the oars of the barge, and Shuffles secured a firm hold of herstern.
"What are you doing, Bob Shuffles?" demanded Wilton, angry, when he sawthat his late crony was fully in earnest.
The third lieutenant made no reply; but passing his rope through a ringin the stern of the barge, he made it fast, and then pushed the cutteroff from her. When the line had run out about a fathom, he secured theend he held in his hand to the after thwart of his own boat. Thus thefirst cutter and the barge were lashed together, stern to stern.
"Cast off that rope!" shouted Wilton to the stroke oarsman in the barge.
"Don't you touch it, my lad," interposed Shuffles, when the boyattempted to obey the order of his leader. "If you attempt it, you willpurchase a sore head."
THE ESCAPE FROM THE SHIP. Page 95.]
The third lieutenant had picked up a boat-hook, and stood ready to rapany of the barge's crew who might attempt to cast off the line by whichthe boats were fastened together. No one was disposed to cross thepurposes of so formidable a person as Shuffles, and the stroke oarsmandid not obey the order of Wilton. It would not be safe to do so.
"Now, Wilton, what do you say?" demanded Shuffles, a smile of triumphplaying upon his face, which was very aggravating to the leader of therunaways. "Will you go back to the ship, or not?"
"No, of course I won't," replied the discomfited chief of themalcontents.
"You had better, my dear fellow. There comes Mr. Lowington."
"I didn't think this of you, Bob Shuffles," said Wilton, reproachfully.
"I told you I should do my duty; and I shall, to the end. If you willreturn, all right; if not, I shall take you back."
"No, you won't."
"I think I will," added the third lieutenant, quietly. "Stand by to giveway!" he continued, to the coxswain.
"Two can play at that game," said Wilton, as he gave the same order tohis crew.
"Give way!" shouted the coxswain of the first cutter, with energy.
"Give way!" repeated Wilton, in the barge.
The rope straightened, Shuffles stood up in the stern-sheets of thecutter, to prevent the line from being cast off, and the contest began,to ascertain which should drag the other. It was rather ludicrous, inspite of the serious question of discipline involved in the affair, andthe boys in the cutter were intensely amused, as well as excited. Bothcrews struggled with all their might, and each leader urged hisfollowers to renewed exertions.
The discipline of the first cutter was on the point of carrying thecontest in favor of law and order, when Monroe, seeing that his friendwas nearly worsted, backed the third cutter up to the bow of the barge,and took her painter on board, which he made fast at the stern. Resuminghis oar, he ordered his crew to give way together. Then law and orderappealed to be at a disco
unt, for the eight oarsmen in the first cutterwere not a match, even in the cause of discipline, against the fourteenin the barge and third cutter.
Shuffles did not give it up, notwithstanding the great odds againsthim. Letting out the stern line far enough to allow space for a newmanoeuvre, he directed the starboard oarsmen to lay on their oars, whilethose on the port side pulled the boat round. Then all gave waytogether, and the barge was dragged round sideways, until her oarsfouled with those of Monroe's boat. At this stage of the excitingproceedings the second cutter came up with the principal.
Mr. Fluxion sat in the stern-sheets, shaking his sides with laughter atthe singular contest which was going on; but Mr. Lowington, thoughevidently amused, maintained his gravity, and was as dignified as usual.The appearance of the principal ended the struggle. A glance from himwas quite sufficient to take all the stiffening out of the runaways, andeven Wilton, though he talked valiantly behind Mr. Lowington's back, andneglected even to give him the simple title of "mister," had not thecourage to resist the strong arm of his authority. As the second cutterbacked up to the barge, the principal stepped on board of her, and tooka seat in the stern-sheets.
"Young gentlemen, you will return to the ship," said Mr. Lowington,sternly, as he took the tiller-ropes in his hands. "Give way!"
The malcontents had no thought of further resistance. The presence ofthe principal was sufficient to overcome all insubordination; they didnot dare to disobey him. Mechanically they bent to their oars, andwithout a word pulled back to the ship.
Mr. Fluxion, by direction of Mr. Lowington, had taken his place inMonroe's boat, and followed the barge, the two cutters bringing up therear. This was the first instance of flagrant insubordination which hadoccurred since the organization of the ship's company, and the studentswere not a little anxious to learn how it would be treated. It wassingular that Shuffles, who on shore had always been the ringleader inenterprises of mischief, had been the means of defeating the scheme ofthe runaways.
The boats were hoisted up at the davits, and the boatswain was orderedto pipe all hands on deck. The principal looked calm, but stern, as hetook the position on the hatch which he usually occupied when headdressed the students.
"Wilton and Monroe," said he.
The culprits came forward, hanging their heads with shame.
"I learn that you are the ringleaders in this movement. Is it so?"
"I suppose we are," replied Wilton.
"Who proposed the plan?"
"Wilton first spoke to me about it," answered Monroe.
"And you induced the others to join you?"
"Yes, sir."
"As the ringleaders, Wilton and Monroe will lose twenty marks each, andremain in their mess rooms to-morrow. The other twelve lose ten markseach," continued Mr. Lowington. "Young gentlemen, those who have engagedin this scheme are not to be trusted. I have nothing further to say."
The crew were dismissed, and all the students were disposed to laugh atthe mildness of the punishment, compared with the enormity of theoffence.
"Mr. Shuffles," said the principal, as he stepped down from the hatch,"I am very much obliged to you for the zeal and energy which you haveexhibited in the discharge of your duty. Not only was your dispositionto do your duty highly commendable, but your plans displayed skill andforethought."
"Thank you, sir," replied the third lieutenant; "I am very glad to havepleased you."
Mr. Lowington bowed, and descended to the cabin to finish his supper,which had been interrupted by the event described. What the professorssaid about the affair was not known to the boys; but Shuffles was warmlypraised for the moderate but skilful measures he had used in the captureof the rebels.
At sundown, a shore boat came alongside with an abundant supply offireworks, which had been ordered by Mr. Lowington. They were hoisted onboard, and deposited in a safe place. At the usual hour, the boys turnedin to dream of the good time which these squibs and crackers suggestedto them--all but Monroe and Wilton, who had something else to thinkabout. The latter was disappointed and surly, while the formercongratulated himself upon getting out of the scrape so easily. Wiltonwas very angry with Shuffles, who might have permitted him to land, ifhe had been so disposed; and he determined to take what he considered anample vengeance upon the traitor. As soon as he had an opportunity tospeak to Mr. Lowington, he intended to tell him all about the plan for amutiny, and he was fully satisfied that Shuffles would be sent indisgrace from his pleasant position in the after cabin, to take up hisabode in the steerage again.
On the morning of the ever-glorious Fourth, all hands were mustered onthe deck of the Young America at four o'clock. Crackers were served out,and for two hours there was a tremendous racket from stern to stern,among the younger boys. At six o'clock, the port watch were piped tobreakfast, and all the crackers having been burned, the decks wereswept, and everything put in perfect order, by the starboard watch. Aband of music, engaged for the day, came off, and the enlivening strainsof the national airs sounded through the ship.
At seven o'clock, when all hands had breakfasted, an hour earlier thanusual, the crew were piped to muster, wondering, as they always did,what was going to be done.
"All hands, up anchor ahoy!" shouted the boatswain prompted by the firstlieutenant; but this order was so common in the every-day practice ofthe crew, that no one supposed it had any unusual significance; and someof the boys even began to grumble at being compelled to go through theroutine of ship's work on the Fourth of July.
"Bring to on the cable, and unbitt!" continued the officer in command."Ship the capstan bars, and swifter them! Heave in the cable to a shortstay!"
These orders were duly executed, under the direction of the variousofficers at their stations.
"Avast heaving!" called the first master. "Anchor apeak, sir," hereported to the first lieutenant.
"Pawl the capstan, stopper the cable, and unship the bars!" added theexecutive officers, all of which was done, and duly reported.
"Stations for loosing topsails!" which were shaken out by the ordinaryroutine, sheeted home, and hoisted up.
"Forecastlemen, loose the head sails! After-guard, clear away thespanker! Man the capstan bars, ship and swifter them! Heave around!"
This last was a manoeuvre which the crew had never before been calledupon to perform; and the order sent a thrill of delight to all hearts.The cable had often been heaved to a short stay, that is, so that it runnearly up and down; but that was as far as they had ever before beenpermitted to proceed. Now, with the anchor apeak, they were ordered tothe capstan again, and they realized that the Young America was actuallygoing to sea. The command kindled an enthusiasm which glowed on everyface. The ship was going out of the harbor, and the evil doers in themess rooms below were to be pitied.
"Anchor aweigh, sir," reported the excited boatswain who, however, hadto be prompted in this instance by Peaks, for it had never been in thatposition before since it first hooked the mud in Brockway harbor.
"Anchor aweigh, sir," repeated the second lieutenant.
"Man the jib and flying-jib halyards!" said the first lieutenant.
"Anchor's at the bow, sir," said the boatswain, which report wentthrough the same channels as before, till it reached the executiveofficer.
"Hoist away on the jib and flying-jib halyards! Avast heaving! Pawl thecapstan! Stopper the cable! Cat and fish the anchor!" shouted the firstlieutenant. "Port the helm!"
The Young America was clear of the ground. The fore topsail, which hadbeen trimmed to the fresh breeze, was full, and the ship began to gatherheadway. Two seamen had been placed at the wheel, under the charge ofthe quartermaster. The boys had often "made believe" do these things,but now they were real. The vessel was actually moving through thewater, and they could hardly contain themselves, so exhilarating was thescene.
"Steady!" said the first lieutenant, when the ship had come up to herintended course.
"Steady, sir," repeated the quartermaster in charge of the helm.
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br /> "Stand by to set the spanker," added the first lieutenant. "Man theouthaul! Cast off the brails, and loose the vangs!"
The after-guard, which is the portion of the ship's company stationed onthe quarter-deck, or abaft the mizzenmast, obeyed this order, and stoodready to set the spanker, which is the aftermost sail.
"Walk away with the outhaul!" and the after-guard ran off with the rope,which drew the sail out into its place on the gaff. "Stand by thespanker sheet--let it out!"
"You must attend to your main and mizzen topsails Mr. Pelham," said theprincipal, in a low tone.
"Man the fore and main braces!" said the executive officer; and theyoung seamen sprang to their stations. "Let go and haul!"
The main and the mizzen topsails were thus trimmed, so that they tookthe wind.
"That was very well done, Captain Carnes, though your crew need morepractice. They are very much excited," said Mr. Lowington.
"I don't wonder, sir; I think none of them knew we were going out of theharbor," replied the captain.
"I am glad they enjoy it," added the principal, "though I should nothave left the anchorage, except as a substitute for the Fourth of Julycelebration."
"They will like this much better than going to the city."
"I have no doubt on that point; and last evening, when those studentswished to run away, I was tempted to punish their disobedience byletting them go. The wind is pretty fresh, Captain Carnes, but I thinkyou may set the top-gallant sails."
The captain gave the order to the first lieutenant.
"Aloft, sail-loosers of the top-gallant sails!" shouted Mr. Pelham; andthe eager young salts dashed up the rigging. "Lay out! Loose! Let fall!Man your sheets and halyards! Sheets home, and hoist away!"
The addition of the top-gallant sails was sensibly felt by the YoungAmerica; and, "taking a bone in her teeth," she careened over, anddashed away merrily on her course.
The band played Hail, Columbia, and as the ship passed the fort, thecrew mounted the rigging and gave three cheers. The excitement on boardwas immense, and never was Independence Day more thoroughly andenthusiastically enjoyed. The officers and crew were at the height offelicity, as the gallant little ship bowled over the waves, threadingher way through the channels between the numerous islands of the bay.
"Can't we put on any more sail, Mr. Lowington?" asked Captain Carnes, ashe met the principal on the quarter-deck.
"Not at present. We are making very good progress now."
"The boys want to see all sail on her."
"The wind is blowing half a gale now," added Mr. Lowington, with asmile. "I think we shall be able to give them quite enough of it when weget out into blue water. I'm afraid you will lose half your crew beforenoon!"
"Lose them?"
"By seasickness, I mean."
"Do you think they will be sick, sir?"
"I have no doubt of it. Many of them never saw the ocean before, andnever looked upon a ship till they came on board of the Young America. Idon't think it would be prudent to put on all sail, until we know whatforce we are to have to handle the ship."
"They don't look like being seasick at present."
"Wait till we get out into the heavy sea," laughed the principal, as hewent forward.
At eight bells the ship was abreast of the last island, and she began topitch and roll a little, though the motion was hardly perceptible, untilshe was well off from the land. Professor Paradyme was the first victimof seasickness, and the boys all laughed when they saw the woe-begoneexpression on the face of the learned man; but some of those who laughedthe loudest were the first to be taken by the ridiculous malady.
The Young America pitched and rolled heavily as she receded from theland, and nothing more was said by the students about putting on moresail. The spray broke over the bow, and washed the decks; but most ofthe boys enjoyed the scene as they had never enjoyed anything before.
"What are you doing here, sir?" demanded Mr. Lowington, as he wentforward, and discovered Wilton skulking under the lee of the foremast."You were told to stay in your mess room, sir!"
"I couldn't, sir," whined the culprit.
"You could, and you will."
"I was seasick, sir."
"I can't help it; you must stay in your mess room," added the principal,sternly.
"If you please, sir, I will obey orders if you will let me stay ondeck," said Wilton, humbly.
"No; return to your room?" and Wilton was compelled to obey.
It was a very severe punishment to him and Monroe to be obliged to stayin the steerage during the first trip of the Young America.