ing the students of their money, it was evidently an
exceedingly unpopular step.

In the second dog watch, when Shuffles and Paul Kendall were off duty,
they happened to meet in the waist; and the exciting topic of the day
came up for discussion, as it had in every little group that collected
that afternoon. Shuffles had accomplished his purpose; he had
accomplished far more than he intended. He had expected nothing more
than a general onslaught upon gambling, followed by increased stringency
in the regulations, and a closer watch over the students in their rooms,
which would produce sufficient irritation among the boys to suit his
purposes. Now the crew, and even some of the officers, were in a ferment
of indignation, and ripe for a demonstration of any kind.

"The business is done," said Paul Kendall, as he met the conspirator.

"I'm afraid it's overdone," answered Shuffles, seriously, though he was
actually in a state of exultation over the effect which had been
produced by the new regulation.

"I hope not. I did not mention your name to the principal in connection
with the matter," added Paul.

"Didn't he ask you?"

"He did? but when I stated the case to him, and told him the person who
had given me the information had let it out accidentally, and did not
wish to be known, he asked no more questions."

"Thank you, Mr. Kendall. This last measure is so unpopular that I should
have been cast out like an unclean bird, if it were known that I gave
the hint."

"No one shall know anything about it from me, Shuffles. You did a good
thing for the ship, and for every fellow in it."

"They wouldn't be willing to believe that just now," said Shuffles,
laughing.

"Perhaps not? but it is a fact, none the less."

"I didn't think Mr. Lowington would go it quite so strong. If I had, I
shouldn't have told you what I did."

"Why, are you not satisfied with what has been done?" asked Kendall,
with some astonishment.

"No, I am not. I am glad enough to see the gambling stopped, but I don't
think the principal had any more right to take my money away from me
than he had to take my head off," replied Shuffles, earnestly.

"Don't you think it will be better for the fellows to be without money
than with it?"

"Perhaps it will; I don't know about that. Your neighbor might be a
better man if he were poor than if he were rich: does that make it that
you have any right to take his property from him?"

"I don't think it does