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Page 114
On the nineteenth day of the voyage, the Young America encountered
another gale, but it was not nearly so severe as the one through which
she had passed when off Cape Sable. The ship ran for twelve hours under
close-reefed topsails; but as the gale came from the south-west, she
laid her course during the whole of it, and behaved herself to the
entire satisfaction of all on board. On the following day, the wind had
hauled round to the north-west, and the sea subsided, so that the ship
went along very comfortably.
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.
"Then, of course, he is not a member."
"He must be; he voted," replied Pelham, maliciously.
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