h--only about nine weeks of term
time."

Shuffles, who stood near the principal, looked very much disconcerted
when this announcement was made, and whispered to Paul Kendall that it
was not fair to distribute the offices by last year's record. While the
Young America was lying at anchor in Chesapeake Bay, in December,
Shuffles, then second lieutenant, had received a letter from his mother,
in which she had informed him that his family would visit Europe in the
following spring, and that he would leave the ship, and form one of the
party. This information had caused him to relax his efforts as a
student, and he had fallen very low in rank. This was the reason why the
proposed distribution of offices was not fair.

When Shuffles went home on his furlough of twenty days, he had behaved
so badly that his father refused to have him form one of the party in
the trip abroad, and compelled him to return to the ship for another
year of wholesome discipline under Mr. Lowington. Angry and indignant,
Shuffles did return and the announcement that the offices were to be
distributed by the merit roll did not add to his equanimity.

"I will now read the record of marks," said the principal, "and announce
the officers for the next term."

The boys were silent and anxious; for places in the after cabin were
more highly valued than ever, now that the Young America was going to
Europe.

CHAPTER VIII.

OUTWARD BOUND.

Mr. Lowington read the merit roll, announcing the officers as he
proceeded. The occupants of the after cabin, who were appointed for the
succeeding three months, during which time the ship crossed the
Atlantic, and visited various European ports, were as follows:--

CHARLES GORDON, _Captain._

Joseph Haven, _First Lieutenant._
Paul Kendall, _Second "_
Samuel Goodwin, _Third "_
Augustus Pelham, _Fourth "_

William Foster, _First Master._
Henry Martyn, _Second "_
Thomas Ellis, _Third "_
Joseph Leavitt, _Fourth "_

Joseph O. Rogers, _First Purser._
Edward Murray, _Second "_

George W. Terrill, _First Midshipman._
John Humphreys, _Second "_
Mark Robinson, _Third "_
Andrew Groom, _Fourth "_

The students mentioned in the list made the required promise to behave
themselves like gentlemen, and faithfully discharge the duties of their
several offices, and were duly installed in their new positions in the
after cabin. Most