r in
either vessel so utterly wanting in discretion, I should have qualified
the statement. Captain Kendall is in command of the Josephine. He is
responsible for the safety of the vessel and for the lives of those on
board."

"He might have sent up word to take down the sails," growled Mr.
Hamblin, disgusted beyond measure at the decision of the principal.

"Did any one ever hear of a captain working his vessel while in the
steerage?" retorted Mr. Lowington, impatiently, as he took a pen and
wrote a few lines on a sheet of paper. "Was Captain Kendall respectful
to you?"

"No, sir."

"What did he say that was disrespectful?"

"Disobedience is always disrespectful. He used no disrespectful words."

"I did not suppose he did. In a word, if Captain Kendall had gone on
deck when the first messenger went to him, I should have justified and
sustained him. I will go a step farther: he ought to have done so."

"Then I am to understand that I am a mere cipher on board of the
Josephine," demanded Mr. Hamblin.

"You are to understand, sir, that the first duty of the captain of a
ship is to his vessel and to those on board of her. Why, sir, I thought
the young gentleman was insane, and I was intensely anxious, when I saw
his vessel with all her light sails on while a squall, so clearly
indicated as that of Saturday, was impending. I blamed him very much.
The squall was as likely to come half an hour sooner as when it did
come. If it had struck her with all sail set, it would have taken the
masts out of her--perhaps foundered her. If several of the students had
been lost, what satisfaction would it be to me or their friends to know
that the disaster occurred because the professor of Greek refused to let
the captain go on deck!"

"Perhaps I was wrong, sir."

"_Perhaps_ you were! If you do not know that you were, you are not fit
for the position to which I assigned you."

"I see that you fully sustain Mr. Kendall," groaned the professor.

"I only blame him because he did not disobey you the first time instead
of the second."

"Was it necessary for him to call all hands?" demanded Mr. Hamblin,
triumphantly.

"It was emphatically necessary! If he had gone on deck when the first
message reached him, it might not have been necessary, though I should
have sustained him in doing so; for the safest side is always the best
side. May I ask you to read this order?" added the principal, as he
handed the sheet upon which he had