ing, there
was a horse always at his service. He and the major had a cosy little
room of their own at the academy, nicely furnished, and plentifully
supplied with books, and no one, not even the teachers, ever intruded
there. The privileges and comforts that fell to his lot were highly
prized by the students, and it was no wonder that they envied him, and
declared that he should not hold the honors longer than the next
examination. Lieutenant Green and Major Williams were his principal
rivals. Harry, like a good many others, cared nothing for the
lieutenant-colonel's commission, but he did want to command the yacht,
and the captain knew it and was afraid of him.

When the young commander came on board his vessel he lifted his cap,
saluting first the quarter-deck and then the officers; but, being too
excited to maintain his dignity, he exclaimed, as he shook Johnny warmly
by the hand:

"What does this mean, Harry? You are not running away from the enemy?"

The first lieutenant was not allowed an opportunity to reply, for he was
immediately assailed on all sides. The tug was loaded with students (she
had also brought back Lieutenant Packard and his boat's crew), and Major
Williams and several other military officers had accompanied the captain
on board the yacht. They were intensely excited and impatient, and
nearly overwhelmed Harry with their questions and their eager demands
to be led to the hiding-place of the Crusoe men without an instant's
delay, and the babel that arose from the quarter-deck effectually
drowned the lieutenant's voice when he attempted to reply.

The soldiers did not hesitate to follow the example set them by their
officers. They poured over the rail and engaged in loud conversation
with the foremast hands, and, for a few seconds, the confusion and noise
were enough to drive one distracted. Harry tried in vain to make himself
understood, and was finally obliged to fall back on his authority as
commander of the vessel. He made a motion to Jackson, who hurried off to
the forecastle, and a moment afterward the boatswain's whistle was heard
above the tumult, followed by the command: "Hear there, fore and aft!
Keep silence, every body!"

However much the impatient military might have been disposed to
disregard a request, they could not refuse to yield obedience to an
order when it came from the lawful master of the vessel.

"Now," said Harry, when quiet had been restored, "ask your questions one
a