ve his conduct
fully. As you insulted him before his officers and crew, it was
necessary that he should vindicate himself before them."

"I am afraid this vessel is no place for me," said the professor, with
extreme disgust.

"I am afraid not, if you cannot observe the rules of the ship."

"I think I have observed the rules, sir. Mr. Kendall used every means in
his power to annoy me; and still you sustain him in it. He knows that
you are partial to him."

"I am not aware that Captain Kendall used any means to annoy you."

"I think you do not know that boy as well as I do. A rope was thrown
down upon my head: the offence was suffered to pass unnoticed by Mr.
Kendall. I was wilfully or carelessly thrown into the river; the captain
did not consult me, but made his inquiries in private, and of course the
culprits escaped."

"You were thrown into the river by your own carelessness, Mr. Hamblin. I
saw the whole of it."

"So Mr. Kendall told me, in the most offensive tones. I do not complain
of these things; I only mention them for the sequel. A boy drenched me
with water; he begged my pardon on his knees, and I forgave him; but
this offence the captain punishes in the most severe manner. Why?
Apparently because I--the only sufferer--had forgiven the offender."

"It was necessary for the captain to put a stop to such pranks."

"But he did not use good judgment. McDougal explained the matter, and
was exceedingly sorry."

"But he drenched you on purpose."

"Impossible, sir!"

The principal called one of the stewards, and sent for McDougal, who
presently appeared. He had already confessed that the drenching was not
an accident, and he repeated his statement, to the utter astonishment of
the discomfited pedagogue. During the excursion on shore, some of the
Josephines had told him that the trouble between Paul and the professor
had been on his account; and he had made the confession in order to
justify the captain, at whatever cost to himself. The spirited conduct
of the young commander had filled the boys with admiration, and they
were determined that he should not suffer, whoever else did.

"You did it on purpose--did you?" repeated the _savant_. "May I ask why
you did it?"

"The fellows didn't like you, and were bound to get you out of the
Josephine," replied McDougal, candidly.

"The fellows!" exclaimed Mr. Hamblin. "Were there others concerned in
this iniquitous transaction?"

"More than a dozen of them."