All Taut; or, Rigging the boat

by Oliver Optic

In less than five minutes the old salt reported that he had obeyed the order, and he was directed to unfasten the door of Tom's room. The occupant was still smashing the furniture, and was engaged in tearing the bedstead to pieces.

"Remove him to the brig, Bates," continued the principal, as mildly as though Tom had been a mile from the dormitory.

When the door opened, Tom was stupid enough to suppose that he had carried his point by the racket he had made. He suspended his operations on the bed, from which he had removed the mattress, and was taking out the slats.

"Have you got enough of it?" demanded he, furiously, as Bates entered the room.

The quartermaster made no reply, but took the prisoner by the collar. Tom pitched into him, and struck at him with his fists. Bates bore him to the floor, and then tied his hands behind him. Taking him by the arm, he walked him to the other end of the hall. Tom had heard of the brig, in some of his talks with the boys of the school. It was lighted from the outside, and its walls were as black as a cloudy night.

The old salt made no remark of any kind, but thrust his prisoner into the apartment. He removed the cord with which he had bound him, and then closed and fastened the door. The principal visited the rooms of each of the ruffians, and gave them the same information he had imparted to their leader. If they were disposed to resist, they were more prudent than Tom; and they appeared to accept the situation.

The brig to which Tom had been consigned was a strong room. The walls and ceiling were covered with spruce plank, and these were sheathed with sheet iron. The furniture was of iron, but this had been removed. The interior had been painted black, and it was gloomy enough to answer for a state-prison in the days of feudalism. The windows were strongly barred with iron, and so was the aperture through which the room was lighted at night.

Tom Topover looked about him. There was no furniture to smash. He began to kick against the walls. He followed this with the most unearthly yells. Outside, no attention was paid these sounds, and the prisoner was permitted to wear himself out with his fruitless exertions.

When the principal had informed the other three that they were members of the school, and that they would be well treated if they behaved well, he went to his house. Bates was to sleep in the dormitory, where he had a room for occasional use. Mr. Bristol went to his cottage. Tom continued to kick and pound upon the walls of his prison, till the patience of Bates was somewhat tried, for he wanted to go to sleep. Then the old salt went up-stairs to his room; and, on the way, he extinguished the lamp which lighted the brig, and Tom was in total darkness. Bates went to bed, and in spite of the racket went to sleep.

For a full hour longer, Tom kept up his demonstrations, until he had tired himself out; and then he ceased. He began to be sleepy, but there was no bed in the room. He seemed to think, that, when he wanted any thing, some one would come to supply him with what he desired. He shouted with all his might, that he wanted to go to bed. But the quartermaster slept on till the sun rose the next morning. Tom slept a little on the hard iron floor, and he was but little rested in the morning.