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Page 69
"She goes along beautifully," said Wilton.
"She was only making five knots the last time the log was heaved."
"And the sea is as smooth as a mill-pond. We shall not get to Queenstown
for two months at this rate."
"Stand by to set studding sails!" shouted Pelham, the officer of the
deck.
"I wondered why they didn't do that before," said Sanborn.
The fore and main studding sails were set, two at a time, by the part of
the watch on duty, the wind still being well aft.
"What shall we do?" asked Wilton, with a long yawn, after they had
watched the operation of setting the studding sails for a time. "This is
stupid business, and I'm getting sleepy."
"Let us go below," suggested Sanborn.
"What for? The professors won't let you speak out loud while the
recitations are going on," added Adler.
"We don't want to speak out loud. What do you say to shaking a little?"
continued Wilton.
"I'm with you," replied Wilton. "Can either of you change me a half
sovereign?"
Neither of them could, but they were willing to take Wilton's due bills,
till his indebtedness amounted to ten shillings. The boys had already
begun to talk the language of sterling currency, and many of them were
supplied with English silver coins as well as gold. The three boys went
down at the fore hatch, and removing their caps as they entered the
steerage, walked silently to Gangway D, from which they went into mess
room No. 8, which had thus far been the headquarters of the gamblers.
Seating themselves on the stools, they used one of the beds as a table,
and in a few moments were deeply absorbed in the exciting game. They
spoke in whispers, and were careful not to rattle the props too loudly.
After they had played a few moments, Shuffles came in. They invited him
to join them in the play, but he declined, and soon left the mess room,
returning to the deck. In the waist he met Paul Kendall, who was the
officer of his watch, and, like him, was off duty. They had generally
been on good terms while in the after cabin together, for then Shuffles
was on his best behavior.
"How do things go on in the after cabin now, Kendall--I beg your
pardon--Mr. Kendall?" said Shuffles, in his most gentlemanly tones.
"About as usual, Mr. Shuffles," replied Paul.
"I am not a 'mister' now," laughed Shuffles.
"Well, it's all the same to me. I am sorry you are not with us now."
"So am I," added Shuffles. "I did not expect to be on board this year,
or I should have been there now."
"You can be, next term, if you like."
"This thing yesterday has ruined all my prospects."
"That was rather bad. I never was so sorry for anything in my life
before," answered Paul, warmly. "You and I were always good friends
after we got well acquainted, though I did vote for another at the
election a year ago."
"You did what you thought was right, and I don't blame you for that. I
always did my duty when I was an officer."
"That you did, Shuffles; and we always agreed first rate. Isn't it a
little strange that I have not lived in the steerage since the ship's
company were organized?"
"That's because you were always a good boy, and a smart scholar. I think
you would not like it."
"If it wasn't for losing my rank, I should like to try it," replied
Paul. "I should like to get better acquainted with the fellows."
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