"Was Captain Kendall concerned in it?" asked Mr. Lowington.

"No, sir," shouted the whole party.

"What were you talking about while he was with you?"

"About Holland, and what we had seen on our trip. You were speaking
with Dr. Winstock, and he was waiting to see you," replied Perth.

The principal lectured them severely, and in earnest, for their
misconduct; but he did not give them the coveted punishment of dooming
them to remain on board while the rest of the students visited Paris. He
gave them bad marks enough to spoil all their chances, if they had any,
of promotion, and the choice of desirable berths when the crew should be
reorganized at the beginning of the next quarter, which would be in one
month. He added that he should preserve the list of names, and that the
conduct of the party in the future would be closely observed.

"We were stupid," whispered Perth to Wilton, as the principal retired.
"We have given him a list of all the Knights."

"And he hasn't stopped our liberty," replied Wilton, in disgust.

"No matter; we must keep still, and fight for chances."

When Mr. Lowington returned to the cabin, the professor was as cool as
an iceberg; but the decision had been made, and it could not be
reversed. The principal reviewed Mr. Hamblin's connection with the
squadron from the beginning, and commented on his conduct in the consort
and in the ship. It was plain speech on both sides; but the result
remained unchanged.

Professor Hamblin is not a myth. He had no sympathy with the students,
and, being arbitrary, tyrannical, and unjust, they "hated him with a
perfect hatred." It was certainly best that he should go; for in
whatever vessel he was, he kept it in a turmoil. Mr. Lowington paid him
his salary for a year, and enough in addition to defray the expenses of
his return to the United States.

The next morning the signal for sailing was hoisted on board of the
Young America, and the pilots came on board. The students were bright
and fresh, and having seen the dikes and ditches of Holland, they were
rather anxious to escape from its muddy waters and its monotonous
plains. In fact, they sighed for another taste of blue water and the
fresh sea air.

"All the barge's crew on deck, ahoy!" piped the boatswain, at the order
of the first lieutenant.

The boat's crew repaired to their stations on the quarter, wondering
what was to be done next.

The ship's company, who were waiting for the order to we