"When you are ready to put on your uniform, and act like a reasonable being, you will be released, and be allowed to join your companions," said the principal curtly.
"You haven't any right to tie me up in this way, and I won't stand it," grumbled Tom.
"I will take care of that part of the business, and will settle the question of my right with any one who disputes it," added Captain Gildrock. "As long as you choose to be obstinate, and refuse to put on your uniform, you will remain in your present condition. When you want to put on your uniform and do your duty, you have only to say so, and you will be set at liberty, as your companions are."
Perhaps these last words were said quite as much for the benefit of Spinner and Sinker, the fathers of the two missing boys, who had just come on board. They saw three of the four prisoners on duty, for they were sweeping up the deck. They hardly knew them in their new uniform.
"That's the right way to serve them," said Spinner to the principal. "I hope you will make my boy mind, for I don't have time to look out for him when I have work."
"The one thing required of the boys, above all others, is, that they shall obey orders," replied Captain Gildrock. "If they do that, and try to discharge their duty, they will be all right here; for I give them plenty of recreation, and provide them with the means to be happy and contented."
The steamer backed away from the wharf, and commenced her trip down Beechwater. Bates remained on the forecastle; and when he found that the three boys were willing to obey, or that they did obey, whether they were willing or not, he did not give them any hard work to do. He limbered up his tongue, and began to explain their duties to them. In spite of themselves, they were interested.
He took them to all parts of the steamer, and pointed out the lines they were to handle in making fast to a wharf. He showed them how the boats were lowered into the water, and manned, and gave them all the instruction they could digest. Kidd Digfield was not willing to confess it, but he found that he rather liked life on board of a steamer.
When he had finished his lesson, the quartermaster went on deck to report to Captain Gildrock, that the three boys were as tame as kittens, and he did not think there would be any trouble with them. The captain was not at all confident that this would be the case, and asked Bates if he had left them alone; suggesting that they might release Tom, and take to one of the boats, which he had instructed them how to put into the water.
"I want Kidd Digfield and Nim Splugger to say a word or two to Tom, and I have given them a chance to do so," replied Bates. "They will tell him that he is a fool to resist."