it was probable that the galiot would have been totally lost, the salvors would be entitled to the greater part of the value of the wreck when it should be sold. One half, two thirds, or even three fourths, is sometimes awarded to those who save a vessel, the proportion depending upon the condition of the wreck.
It appeared that the captain of the galiot was much distressed on this account. He declared that he was a poor man; that his vessel was all the property he had in the world; that one of the men lost overboard in the squall was his own brother, and the other his wife’s brother; and misery had suddenly come upon him in an avalanche. By the exertions of Martyn and others from the Josephine, a portion of the sails and standing rigging of the galiot had been saved, so that only about one fourth of the value of the vessel had been sacrificed by the tempest. But now the skipper was in great trouble because two thirds or three fourths of the remaining value of his property was to be decreed to the salvors by a maritime court.
Paul did not feel that it would be right for him to settle, or even discuss, this question, and he referred the skipper to Mr. Lowington, assuring him that he was a fair man, and would deal kindly with him. But this did not satisfy the unfortunate man. It was bad enough to lose one fourth of his property,—for the vessel was not insured,—without having the greater part of the remainder wrested from him by a court.
“All hands, moor ship, ahoy!” shouted the boatswain, when the schooner was approaching one of the great canals of Flushing, or Vlissingen, as the Dutch call it.
The anchor was let go, the sails lowered and stowed, and the Josephine was once more at rest. The galiot came in, and anchored a cable’s length from her. Communication between the two vessels was immediately opened, and Lieutenant Martyn made his report of the voyage since he sailed from Thornton’s Ridge. No events of any importance had occurred, and his story could not be said to be at all sensational.
In less than an hour the Young America ran into the port, and moored near the Josephine. The moment her anchor had buried itself in the mud of the harbor, her officers and crew were in the rigging, gazing earnestly at the consort. It was possible they had noticed the galiot under a jury-mast, and in some manner connected her with the Josephine; but they could have had no other clew to the exciting incidents which had transpired since the two vessels parted company the day before.
“I desire to renew my request for a boat, Captain Kendall,” said Professor Hamblin, stiffly, the moment the rattling cable of the ship was heard.
“Certainly, sir. I shall be very happy to furnish a boat for you,” replied Paul, politely. “Mr. Terrill, you will pipe away the first cutters for Mr. Hamblin.”
“Yes, sir,” replied the first lieutenant, touching his cap. “Boatswain, pipe away the first cutters for Mr. Hamblin.”
“Mr. Terrill, you will pipe away the crew of the gig for me. I will go on board of the ship,” added the captain.
“Yes, sir,” answered Terrill. “Boatswain’s mate, pipe away the gigsmen for the captain.”
“All the first cutters, on deck, ahoy!” shouted the boatswain.
“All the gigsmen, on deck, ahoy!” piped the boatswain’s mate.
Professor Hamblin stamped his foot on deck when he heard these orders, given almost in the same breath. He did not seem to consider that there was anything to be done except to attend to his affair.
“Captain Kendall,” said he, walking up to the young commander, with a brisk, nervous step, “I wish to see Mr. Lowington alone.”
“Certainly, sir; I will not object to your seeing him alone. If I can do anything to favor your views, I shall be happy to assist.”
“You have ordered your gig, and you said you were going on board the ship,” added the learned gentleman, his wrath not at all appeased by the conciliatory reply of Paul.
“I am, sir.”
“Am I to understand that you are going to see the principal in reference to my communication with him?” demanded Mr. Hamblin.
“No, sir. It is my duty to report any unusual event which occurs in the navigation of this vessel,” answered Paul, respectfully.
“It is quite proper for you to regard your own disobedience as an unusual event,” retorted the professor.
“I was not thinking of that, sir. I am quite willing to leave that matter with Mr. Lowington, and to abide by his decision. I refer to the storm, and the wreck of the Dutch galiot. Those were unusual events.”
“It would be more proper, and more respectful to me, for you to defer your affairs till after I have seen the principal. This is the Sabbath day,” added Mr. Hamblin, solemnly. “I do not desire to have this controversy opened to-day.”
“Then, sir, I suggest that you defer it until to-morrow,” added Paul.
“This is a question of discipline, and admits of no delay. If the professors of this vessel are to be disobeyed and insulted, it is not proper for me to remain in her another hour.”
“Insulted, sir?” exclaimed the young commander, blushing under this charge.
“Yes, sir; insulted, sir!” replied Mr. Hamblin, angrily. “Did you not leave the class? That was disobedience, which, under the circumstances, perhaps I might have forgiven, if you had not added insult to injury. Not contented with your own misconduct, you immediately ordered all hands to be called, and every member of my class was taken away.”
“As to-day is Sunday, sir, I will not attempt to explain my conduct. I am very sorry that any difficulty has occurred; but I think Mr. Lowington will understand the matter. Your boat is ready, Mr. Hamblin,” added Paul, pointing to the gangway, where the third lieutenant was waiting for his passenger.
“Do I understand that you insist upon going on board of the ship immediately?” demanded the professor.
“Yes, sir. It is my duty to report to the principal without delay. There is a signal at the peak of the ship now,” replied Paul.
“Signal for the captain to report on board of the ship, sir,” said the signal-officer, touching his cap to his commander.
Mr. Hamblin went over the side into the first cutter, which pulled away towards the ship. The gig immediately took her place, and the captain stepped into her. The cutter reached the Young America first, and the angry professor ran up the ladder with unwonted briskness. The principal was standing on the quarter, waiting to see the captain of the Josephine, for he was anxious to learn whether she had sustained any damage or lost any one overboard in the fierce storm. He knew that nothing but the most skilful seamanship could have prevented the decks of the schooner from being washed in the tremendous sea that prevailed during the hurricane.
To Mr. Lowington every moment of time since the two vessels of the squadron parted company the day before had been burdened with the most intense solicitude for the fate of the consort and her crew. The fact that she had been dilatory in taking in sail, when no one could know at what instant the squall would break upon her, had indicated a degree of recklessness which increased his anxiety. Mr. Fluxion had been sent to the fore cross-trees with a powerful glass early in the morning, and the Josephine had been discovered by the ship long before the Young America was seen by the pilot.
During the night the ship had cruised off and on in search of her consort, but the Josephine
