defer it until to-morrow," added Paul.

"This is a question of discipline, and admits of no delay. If the
professors of this vessel are to be disobeyed and insulted, it is not
proper for me to remain in her another hour."

"Insulted, sir?" exclaimed the young commander, blushing under this
charge.

"Yes, sir; insulted, sir!" replied Mr. Hamblin, angrily. "Did you not
leave the class? That was disobedience, which, under the circumstances,
perhaps I might have forgiven, if you had not added insult to injury.
Not contented with your own misconduct, you immediately ordered all
hands to be called, and every member of my class was taken away."

"As to-day is Sunday, sir, I will not attempt to explain my conduct. I
am very sorry that any difficulty has occurred; but I think Mr.
Lowington will understand the matter. Your boat is ready, Mr. Hamblin,"
added Paul, pointing to the gangway, where the third lieutenant was
waiting for his passenger.

"Do I understand that you insist upon going on board of the ship
immediately?" demanded the professor.

"Yes, sir. It is my duty to report to the principal without delay. There
is a signal at the peak of the ship now," replied Paul.

"Signal for the captain to report on board of the ship, sir," said the
signal-officer, touching his cap to his commander.

Mr. Hamblin went over the side into the first cutter, which pulled away
towards the ship. The gig immediately took her place, and the captain
stepped into her. The cutter reached the Young America first, and the
angry professor ran up the ladder with unwonted briskness. The principal
was standing on the quarter, waiting to see the captain of the
Josephine, for he was anxious to learn whether she had sustained any
damage or lost any one overboard in the fierce storm. He knew that
nothing but the most skilful seamanship could have prevented the decks
of the schooner from being washed in the tremendous sea that prevailed
during the hurricane.

To Mr. Lowington every moment of time since the two vessels of the
squadron parted company the day before had been burdened with the most
intense solicitude for the fate of the consort and her crew. The fact
that she had been dilatory in taking in sail, when no one could know at
what instant the squall would break upon her, had indicated a degree of
recklessness which increased his anxiety. Mr. Fluxion had been sent to
the fore cross-trees with a powerful glass early in the morning, and the