it of youth, however, soon furnished a new hope, and they
now looked eagerly forward to the meeting of dear friends at home. The
train arrived at Brest in the evening, and the students slept that
night in their berths on board the ship.

The next morning the Young America sailed for Lisbon. She did not make
so quick a passage as the Josephine had made, and after a three days'
run, dropped anchor in the Tagus; but the consort had not yet arrived.

CHAPTER XX.

HOMEWARD BOUND.

The moon shone brightly on the deserted deck of the Josephine after the
runaways had departed in the four boats,--deserted by all save Bitts,
who was endeavoring to free himself from the rope by which he had been
secured. Before the conspirators had gone a cable's length, he
succeeded. Reaching the rope over his head, he went up, hand over hand,
till he had slack enough to make a bight for one of his feet. Then,
holding on with one hand, he loosed the rope from his neck with the
other, and descended to the deck.

Rogues always overreach themselves. Phillips had intended to secure the
arms of his prisoner by winding a line around his body, but,
considering him safe without it, he had neglected to do so. If he had
done this, the runaways might have reached the shore before any one
could come to the aid of the sufferer. He was free in three minutes
after Phillips left him. The boats were pulling for the shore, and
those below were laboring to release themselves from their
imprisonment. He went to the companion way, and tried to open it; but
the nail held it fast. Descending to the steerage, he removed the
handspike with which the cabin door was fastened.

"What does all this mean?" demanded Mr. Fluxion, as he hastened on
deck.

"The boys have taken all the boats, and left the vessel," replied
Bitts.

"Left the vessel!" exclaimed Mr. Fluxion. "Were you asleep on deck?"

"No, sir. Half a dozen of them hung me by the neck till I was nearly
choked to death," pleaded the carpenter.

"Where was Cleats?"

"I stepped below for half a minute, and they clapped the slide on over
me," answered Cleats, very sheepishly.

"You stepped below! I ordered you not to leave the deck," added the
vice-principal, angrily. "You are responsible for this."

"I did not think the young rascals would do such a thing as this,"
pleaded the culprit.

"I did; and I told you they would do anything. You have disobeyed my
orders. Take the helm, Gage."

Mr. Fl