His case was made out, and great was his joy. Paul would certainly be disgraced and removed for such an outrage as a practical joke upon one of the most dignified instructors in the squadron. We must do Mr. Hamblin the justice to say, that he did not wish to prove any more than he believed to be true; but it is very easy for a prejudiced person to believe a great deal against one who has offended him. A student who was not fond of Greek could not be a very noble, or even a very upright one; and he was confident that, when Paul's true character became known, when he was no longer stimulated to great deeds by his high office, he would prove to be a very different person from what he now appeared to be.
Mr. Hamblin confiscated a half quire of the paper, and secured several French exercises written by Captain Kendall, to be used as evidence against him. He then searched the vessel for similar paper in the possession of other students, but found none. He went on deck, to ascertain what was to be done; for Mr. Lowington had assured him he would not be any longer obliged to sail in the same vessel with the obnoxious student. A boat from the ship was alongside, and Mr. Fluxion had just stepped on board. The boatswain was hoisting his baggage out of the boat, which indicated that he was to remain.
Paul was reading an order just handed to him by Mr. Fluxion, which appeared to settle the difficulty between him and the learned professor. The order was in these words:—
Mr. James E. Fluxion is hereby appointed vice-principal of the academy squadron, and will be obeyed and respected accordingly.
Mr. Fluxion is also hereby instructed temporarily to discharge the duties of Professor of Greek, Latin, and Mathematics, on board of the Josephine.
R. Lowington, Principal.
The new vice-principal handed a note to Mr. Hamblin as he came upon deck, in which he was directed to repair, with his baggage, on board of the ship. The learned gentleman was not quite satisfied with this arrangement. It looked a little ominous.
"Have you no order for Captain Kendall, Mr. Fluxion?" he asked, as the vice-principal waited for him to read his letter.
"I have given him an order from the principal."
"Is he not directed to go on board of the ship?"