"Thank you," replied Paul, who did not believe in a display of force before it was necessary.
The boys commenced work upon their lessons, and the captain, passing through the steerage, went on deck to avoid the necessity of meeting Mr. Hamblin, whose step he heard in the passage-way leading from the cabin. As Paul disappeared, the obnoxious savant entered the steerage. One of the students forward hissed, but his companions silenced him instantly; and it is probable, if the captain had not spoken to them, Mr. Hamblin would have been greeted with a general demonstration of disapprobation.
The learned gentleman was evidently much embarrassed; but he was very quiet and subdued in his manner. He was less impatient and snappish than usual; said nothing about "stupidity" and "blundering," as was his habit. He seemed to be abstracted, as well he might; but while he displayed less enthusiasm in his teaching, he was infinitely more gentlemanly and kind. As he gave no occasion for any trouble, none came. Though the captain did not appear at any recitation conducted by him, the professor made no comment upon the circumstance.
Paul was troubled, but he had made up his mind what to do. Either Mr. Hamblin must leave the Josephine, or he would respectfully ask to be relieved from the command of her. It was simply impossible to live with such a porcupine on board. It was a mystery to him that Mr. Lowington had procured the services of such an unsuitable instructor; but the fact was, that he had been engaged by the principal's agent on the strength of his classical attainments, rather than his fitness for the place. He had been so unpopular as a tutor and professor that no institution could long enjoy his services, valuable as they were in an intellectual point of view.
At twelve o'clock orders came from Mr. Lowington to dismiss school, and to dress the Josephine for visitors. All hands were called, and in a short time the vessel wore her gayest attire. A line of flags was extended from the end of the jib-boom over the topmast-heads to the end of the main boom. The flag of Belgium, which consists of black, yellow, and red in equal parts, perpendicularly divided, floated at the foremast head. The Young America was similarly decorated, and the Victoria and Albert hoisted the royal standard of the United Kingdom, which is a magnificent affair, consisting of four squares, two, in opposite corners, being red, one blue and one yellow, with a harp and the lions and unicorns worked upon the squares.
At half past twelve, the professors' barge, with the American flag in the stern, and the Belgian in the bow, put off from the ship and pulled to the Quai Vandyck. The eminent individual who was to be received by the squadron was no less a personage than the governor of the Province of Antwerp, an office once filled by the distinguished Charles Rogier, the present minister of foreign affairs.
As the boat containing his excellency put off from the Quay, the yards of both vessels were manned. All the students were dressed in their best uniform, and the display was really quite imposing. The governor went on board of the ship, was duly cheered by the students, and he visited every part of the vessel. After he had partaken of a collation in the main cabin, he left the ship, accompanied by Mr. Lowington, and visited the Josephine. Everything appeared to the best advantage, and his excellency expressed himself as highly delighted with the naval institution.
All the officers and professors were presented to the distinguished guest, who took a great deal of notice of Paul, and hardly any of Mr. Hamblin—a muddling of distinctions which sore puzzled and annoyed the savant. Not even Mr. Lowington could have suspected that the Josephines were in a state of feverish excitement, and had been almost in a state of mutiny, so fair and pleasant was the outside aspect of the ship's company. The governor, having completed his inspection of the vessel, invited all the officers to dine with him, and was then landed with as much ceremony as he had been received.
Mr. Lowington accompanied the governor to the quay, and on his return he went on board of the Josephine to announce his programme for a visit to several of the cities of Belgium. All hands were called, and were informed that the next three days would be devoted to sight-seeing, and that the students would take the train for Ghent at half past two. The ship's company heard the intelligence with a coolness which did not escape the notice of the principal; but he soon received an explanation of this apparent indifference.
"I am very sorry, Mr. Lowington," said Professor Hamblin, stepping up to him, as he descended from the hatch, "to be again compelled to complain to you of the misconduct of Mr. Kendall. This morning he threatened to arrest me and send me in irons on board of the ship—me, sir! He actually sent for the boatswain and carpenter for this purpose."