"It was an accident, sir."
"It is very singular that so many accidents happen to me," said the professor, knitting his brow, and looking very savage, when he recalled the events of the preceding evening. "This is the third time within half a day that an accident has occurred to me."
Mr. Hamblin walked off, and descended to the cabin to change his clothes again. The suit in which he had fallen overboard had been dried at the cook's galley, and was in condition for use. While changing his garments, he recited to Mr. Stoute the new misfortune that had overtaken him.
Pelham sharply questioned the hands who had been concerned in the outrage; but McDougal, who appeared to be the only one implicated in the deed, protested that the circumstances were just as he had stated them; nothing could be proved, for the boys all agreed in their statements. The case was therefore dismissed, to be called up again by the captain, if he thought proper to do so. McDougal walked forward to pick up the hose-pipe again, and as he met the brakeman who had exhibited some intelligence before, he gave him a very sly wink.
The officer of the watch was more than suspicious. He was an old hand at mischief himself, and not easily hoodwinked by "our fellows." He could not help thinking that McDougal had overdone his part, for a bold young man, like him, would not behave so much like a coward under any circumstances. Just before breakfast time the captain and first lieutenant came on deck together, and Pelham reported "number three" to them.
"It was not an accident," exclaimed Paul, indignantly.
"I don't think it was myself," replied Pelham. "But at the same time, what can you do? You can't prove that it was done on purpose."
"I had a hint from Duncan that the fellows intended to haze Mr. Hamblin, and if this thing isn't stopped in the beginning, there is no knowing where it will end," continued Paul, decidedly. "You will pipe to muster the first thing after breakfast, Mr. Terrill."
The young commander was entirely satisfied in his own mind that the unpleasant incident of the morning was a part of the hazing programme, if the two on the preceding evening were not. He had already decided to take prompt action, and put a stop to the disgraceful proceedings.
After breakfast, agreeably to the order, all hands were piped to muster. The two professors had come on deck to ascertain the cause of this movement. They had had a long talk together about the second drenching of the senior, and Mr. Stoute was obliged to conclude that the deed had been wilfully done. He acknowledged as much as this, and felt, as the captain did, that prompt action was necessary; but to his surprise, Mr. Hamblin took opposite ground towards the latter part of the interview, and declared that McDougal, on his knees, had begged his pardon. The learned gentleman appeared to be determined to keep his opinion at variance with that of his associate.