Lowington laughed at "The Chain
League," the signs and the passwords, and regarded the mutiny as a
matter of little consequence. He did not believe that Shuffles or his
followers, had really intended to take the ship. The project was too
monstrous to be credible. The fact that the conspirator had attempted
the life of his companion was a grave matter, and it was treated as
such. Mr. Agneau was entirely confident of the sincerity of the
culprit's repentance. Shuffles had refused to take the proffered
promotion, which was abundant evidence that he was in earnest.

The penitent was sent for, and repeated his confession to the principal.
He did not ask to be exempted from punishment; but he did ask to be
forgiven. He was forgiven; but when the crew were piped to muster all
the particulars of the intended mutiny were exposed to the astonished
"outsiders." Paul understood it now. Mr. Lowington ridiculed the mutiny;
but he spoke very seriously of the consequences of insubordination.

"Young gentlemen, Shuffles has not mentioned the name of a single
student in connection with this silly conspiracy; he has asked to be
excused from doing so. I grant his request, and I hope that all who have
engaged in the affair are as sincerely sorry for their connection with
it as he is. Under the circumstances, Shuffles will not be promoted.
Young gentlemen, you are dismissed."

"Shuffles was a good fellow to keep us in the dark," whispered Sanborn
to Wilton.

"Keep still," replied Wilton. "We are lucky to get out of the scrape on
any terms."

So thought all of them; and it was certainly magnanimous on the part of
the chief conspirator to be willing to assume all the guilt, and suffer
all the punishment. There was enough of good in Shuffles to save him
from the evil of his nature.

"Paul, there is one more thing I must tell you," said Shuffles, that
evening, while the ship lay becalmed off Kinsale. "You remember when I
told you about the gambling in the steerage?"

"I do."

"I was deceiving you then. I only exposed the fellows in order to make
trouble. I knew that the students would be closely watched, and the
rules more strictly enforced, which would make them mad."

"What did you want to make them mad for?"

"So that they would join the League."

"Well, you did a good thing for the ship and for the fellows, if your
motives were not good," replied Paul. "It was good out of evil, any
way."

"I don't think half so many fellows w