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Page 51
The brig had been used as a store room for bedding by the stewards, and
the students never suspected, till Shuffles' case came up, that it was
not built for a closet. Mr. Topliffe and his assistants removed the
blankets and comforters from this lock-up, and prepared it for the
reception of the refractory pupil. When the room was ready he went on
deck, and reported the fact to the principal.
"Shuffles, our discipline has always been of the mildest character,"
said Mr. Lowington, breaking the impressive silence which reigned on
deck. "I regret to be compelled to resort to force in any form; even now
I would avoid it."
"You needn't, on my account," replied Shuffles, shaking his head. "You
have done your worst already."
"Mr. Peaks, take him below, lock him up in the brig, and bring the key
to me."
The manacled rebel made another effort to resist, but the stout sailors
easily handled him, and bore him down into the steerage. He was thrust
into the brig, ironed as he was, and the door locked upon him. Shuffles
glanced at the interior of the prison, and broke out into a contemptuous
laugh. He then commenced kicking the pales of the partition? but he
might as well have attempted to break through the deck beneath.
"Shuffles," said Peaks, in a low tone, when he had locked the door, "be
a man. You act like a spoiled child now."
"I have been insulted, and abused," replied Shuffles, fiercely.
"No, you haven't. Aboard almost any ship, you would have got a knock on
the head with a handspike before this time. Don't make a fool of
yourself. You are only making yourself ridiculous now--'pon my word as
an old sailor, you are."
"I'll have satisfaction."
"No, you won't, unless you break your own head. I want to advise you, as
a friend, not to make a fool of yourself. I'm sorry for you, my lad."
"Don't talk to me."
"I can forgive you for disobeying orders, but I can't forgive you for
being a fool. Now, keep quiet, and be a man."
The well-meant effort of the boatswain to pacify the culprit was a
failure, and Peaks, going on deck, delivered the key of the brig to Mr.
Lowington. Shuffles kicked against the partition till he was tired of
the exercise.
"Young gentlemen, to-day we enter upon a new experience on shipboard,"
said the principal, without making any further allusion to Shuffles.
"Our short trips last season were so timed that we kept no regular night
watches, and, with two or three exceptions, the ship was at anchor when
you slept. Of course that is not practicable on a long voyage, and you
must all do duty by night as well as by day.
"This has been a difficult matter to arrange, for you are all too young
to be deprived of your regular sleep, though in heavy weather I am
afraid you will lose your rest to some extent. At eight o'clock this
evening the starboard watch will be on duty. We have four times as many
hands on board the Young America as are usually employed in merchant
ships, so that a quarter watch will be able to handle the ship on all
ordinary occasions. We shall, therefore, keep a quarter watch on ship's
duty at all times through the twenty-four hours.
"During the night, including the time from eight in the evening until
eight in the morning, each quarter watch will be on duty two hours, and
then off six hours; and each hand will obtain six consecutive hours'
sleep every night. At eight this evening, the first part of the
starboard watch will have the ship in charge, and all others may turn in
and sleep. At ten, the second part of the starboard watch will be
called, without disturbing any others. At twelve, the first part of the
port watch will be summoned; at two, the second part; and so on till
eight in the morning.
"The first part of the starboard watch, which turned in at ten, will
sleep till four, giving them six hours of rest all together, and they
may turn in again at six o'clock, when relieved by the second part, and
sleep till half past seven, which is breakfast time for those off duty.
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