Josephine had been discovered by the ship long before the Young America
was seen by the pilot.

During the night the ship had cruised off and on in search of her
consort, but the Josephine had drifted to the southward, and had sailed
in that direction, after the fury of the tempest had wasted itself, in
looking for the wreck of the galiot. The report of Mr. Fluxion on the
cross-trees that she was entering the Hond, relieved the principal's
anxiety in part; but he was still fearful that some of her crew had been
washed overboard. As soon as the anchor was let go, he had ordered the
signal for Captain Kendall to be hoisted.

Mr. Hamblin was the first person from the Josephine who presented
himself to the principal. There was something in the professor's
countenance which looked ominous, and Mr. Lowington's fears seemed to be
confirmed by the unusual solemnity of the learned gentleman's
expression. Mr. Lowington's heart rose up into his throat; for
independently of the sorrow which the loss of one or more of the
Josephine's crew would cause him, he realized that such a calamity would
be the death-blow to his favorite experiment. The entire charge of her
had been committed to a boy of sixteen, and he blamed himself severely
because he had not placed an experienced officer on board of her, who
might at least act in great emergencies. Though Mr. Cleats was an old
sailor, he was not a navigator.

The principal was in this state of suffering, bordering upon anguish,
when the irate professor of Greek and Latin came on board. Mr. Lowington
tried to think that nothing had happened, but it was impossible. If any
one had been lost, the Josephine's flag would be at half mast, or some
other signal would have been made. Mr. Hamblin's face looked like death
itself, only his brow was contracted, and his lips were compressed as
though anger and sorrow were combined in his expression.

"What has happened, Mr. Hamblin?" demanded the principal, manifesting
more emotion than any one on board had ever before observed in his
manner.

"I am sorry to say, Mr. Lowington, that an unpleasant event has occurred
on board of the Josephine," the professor began, very solemnly.

"I feared it," gasped Mr. Lowington. "Who was it?"

"The captain--"

"Captain Kendall!" groaned Mr. Lowington, striking his bewildered head
with both hands. "Good Heaven! I am responsible for this!"

"What is the matter, Mr. Lowington?" demanded the astonished professor