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Page 128
At one bell in the afternoon watch, when the Young America was off Gally
Head, all hands were piped to muster. Mr. Lowington, on taking the
rostrum, said that he had received a petition signed by a majority of
the officers and crew.
"A petition to go ashore, I suppose," said Shuffles to Pelham.
"I think not," laughed the fourth lieutenant, who appeared to know what
was coming.
"Young gentlemen," continued the principal, whose face wore an unusually
pleasant smile, "a few days since you were all filled with admiration at
the noble conduct of one of your number, who saved the life of another
at the peril of his own."
"Want to go ashore, Shuffles?" whispered Pelham.
Shuffles was too much confused to make any reply; he did not know
whether he was to be praised or blamed.
"I have received a petition, requesting me to appoint Robert Shuffles
second lieutenant of the ship, in place of Paul Kendall, resigned,"
added Mr. Lowington.
Shuffles was overwhelmed with astonishment, and a large proportion of
the students received the announcement with hearty applause.
"Young gentlemen, I have only to say that the petition is granted. I
ought to add, however, that no officer will lose his rank, except Mr.
Kendall, who, at his own desire, will take the vacant number in the
steerage, now belonging to Robert Shuffles, promoted. I take great
pleasure in granting this petition, because the request is honorable to
you, and shows a proper appreciation of the noble conduct of your
shipmate. But let me add, that you should divide your admiration between
the one who rescued his friend from death, and him who voluntarily
resigned his honorable position in the after cabin, in order to make a
place in which merit could be acknowledged and rewarded. Nothing but a
matter of life and death could have induced me to vary the discipline of
the ship. Young gentlemen, you are dismissed from muster."
"Three cheers for Paul Kendall!" shouted one of the boys.
They were given.
"Three cheers for Robert Shuffles!" added Paul; and they were given.
"Mr. Shuffles will repair to the after cabin, where he will be
qualified, and take his position at once."
"Mr. Lowington, I must decline Mr. Kendall's generous offer," interposed
Shuffles, who was actually choking with emotion.
"This matter has been well considered, Shuffles," replied the principal;
"and as it is the desire of a large majority of your shipmates that you
should accept the position, I think you had better do so."
"There isn't a student in the ship who desires it so much as I do,"
added Paul, with generous enthusiasm "You know I told you I would like
to be in the steerage, for I have always been an officer."
"Allow me till to-night, if you please, to consider it, Mr. Lowington,"
replied Shuffles, as he grasped the hand of Paul.
"Certainly, if you desire it."
Shuffles was overwhelmed by the magnanimity of Paul and the kindness of
the principal. At that moment he would have given everything to be such
a young man as the second lieutenant; to be as good and true, as free
from evil thoughts and evil purposes, as he was. A light had dawned upon
the rebel and the plotter which he had never seen before. Goodness and
truth had vindicated themselves, and overwhelmed the guilty one.
"Mr. Shuffles, I congratulate you on your promotion," said the chaplain,
extending his hand.
"I cannot accept it, sir," replied the repentant malcontent "I would
like to speak with you alone, Mr. Agneau."
The chaplain took him to his state room in the main cabin? and there,
Shuffles, conquered and subdued by the kindness of his friends,
confessed the terrible crime he had committed--that he had pushed Pelham
overboard.
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