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Page 129
The chaplain was confounded at this confession, but still more so when
the self-convicted conspirator revealed all the secrets of "The Chain."
Shuffles mentioned no names; he took all the guilt upon himself.
"I am astonished, my dear young friend," said the chaplain. "Is it
possible the life you saved was imperilled by your own violent
passions?"
"It is true, sir," replied Shuffles, hardly able to control his
feelings.
"Then I think you had better not accept the promotion that has been
offered to you."
"I will not; I would jump overboard first. I am willing to be punished;
I deserve it."
"Shuffles, you have almost atoned for your errors by confessing them;
and your courageous conduct, after you had pushed Pelham into the sea,
proves that you sincerely repented that act. Shall I tell Mr. Lowington
what you have said?"
"Yes, sir; let him know me as I am; let him despise me as I deserve,"
replied Shuffles, wiping away a genuine tear of repentance.
Mr. Agneau talked to the penitent for two hours; and finally he prayed
with him and for him. If never before, the moral condition of the
culprit was now hopeful, and the chaplain labored earnestly and
faithfully to give him right views of his relations to God and his
fellow-beings.
"Paul," said Shuffles, when he met his generous and self-sacrificing
friend in the waist, after the conference in the state room, "I am the
meanest and vilest fellow on board."
"No, you are not!" exclaimed Paul.
"I would give the world to be like you."
"No, no! You wrong yourself, and overdo me."
"I have confessed all to the chaplain, and you will soon know me as I
am, Paul. I will not take your place in the cabin. Your kindness and
generosity have overcome me. You have convinced me that doing right is
always the best way."
Paul did not know what to make of this remarkable confession; but, after
supper, all hands were piped to muster again, the ship being off Kinsale
Head, nearly becalmed. The chaplain had informed the principal of the
substance of Shuffles' confession. Mr. Lowington laughed at "The Chain
League," the signs and the passwords, and regarded the mutiny as a
matter of little consequence. He did not believe that Shuffles or his
followers, had really intended to take the ship. The project was too
monstrous to be credible. The fact that the conspirator had attempted
the life of his companion was a grave matter, and it was treated as
such. Mr. Agneau was entirely confident of the sincerity of the
culprit's repentance. Shuffles had refused to take the proffered
promotion, which was abundant evidence that he was in earnest.
The penitent was sent for, and repeated his confession to the principal.
He did not ask to be exempted from punishment; but he did ask to be
forgiven. He was forgiven; but when the crew were piped to muster all
the particulars of the intended mutiny were exposed to the astonished
"outsiders." Paul understood it now. Mr. Lowington ridiculed the mutiny;
but he spoke very seriously of the consequences of insubordination.
"Young gentlemen, Shuffles has not mentioned the name of a single
student in connection with this silly conspiracy; he has asked to be
excused from doing so. I grant his request, and I hope that all who have
engaged in the affair are as sincerely sorry for their connection with
it as he is. Under the circumstances, Shuffles will not be promoted.
Young gentlemen, you are dismissed."
"Shuffles was a good fellow to keep us in the dark," whispered Sanborn
to Wilton.
"Keep still," replied Wilton. "We are lucky to get out of the scrape on
any terms."
So thought all of them; and it was certainly magnanimous on the part of
the chief conspirator to be willing to assume all the guilt, and suffer
all the punishment. There was enough of good in Shuffles to save him
from the evil of his nature.
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