ps fought
with desperation; but Peaks succeeded in getting into the gig, and the
strife was ended. With a blow of his fist the stalwart boatswain
justified the traditions of himself, and Perth was knocked senseless in
the bottom of the boat, while Phillips, with a bleeding face, yielded
the day. The runaways in the gig were driven to the deck, as their
companions had been, while Perth was handed up by the grim Peaks, put
in his berth, and attended by Dr. Carboy.

The long-cherished scheme of Little had ended in disaster, and all
hands had been captured. The runaways looked at each other with a sort
of astonishment when they found themselves on board again. Doubtless
they were satisfied that they had not bettered their condition by what
they had done. They obeyed whatever orders were given them, for the
terrible Peaks had verified all the stories told of him. He had knocked
Perth insensible, and badly damaged Phillips. It was not safe to refuse
to do duty, as some of them, in their chagrin, wished to do.

As soon as the boats were hoisted up, and the Josephine headed on her
course again, all hands were piped to muster. By this time Perth was
able to appear, for he had only been stunned by the boatswain's fist. A
savage lecture from the vice-principal was expected; but instead of
that, every one of the crew was searched. Perth's twenty pounds was
discovered and confiscated, as well as numerous bills on Paris, letters
of credit, and similar valuable papers. The conspirators had put them
in their pockets to use on shore. Without any further notice of the
affair of the night, the vice-principal stationed the watch, and
dismissed the rest of the crew.

Mr. Fluxion probably acted on the principle of the celebrated
schoolmaster who charged all the faults of his pupils upon himself. If
Cleats had not left the deck, the conspiracy could not have been even
partially successful, and he charged all the blame upon him. After the
affair he increased his own vigilance, adding Dr. Carboy to one watch,
and the head steward to the other, so that another attempt to escape
must certainly fail.

"I never believed much in that plan," said Herman, the next day, as he
and Perth met on deck.

"I did. I won't go back on it now. If we had had half an hour more, we
should have been safe. Phillips didn't do as he agreed with Bitts,"
answered the leader. "He ought to have put a line a dozen times around
his body, so that he couldn't move his ha