"He is not."
"I have preferred charges against him, and I was led to believe that he would be suspended," added Mr. Hamblin, who was not quite sure that he was not to be suspended himself.
"No order to that effect was sent by me," replied Mr. Fluxion. "You will excuse me, but the vessel is about to get under weigh."
"I am not satisfied with these proceedings. I complained to Mr. Lowington that it was impossible for me to instruct my classes while they were under the influence of Captain Kendall. No notice appears to have been taken of my charges."
"I think some notice has been taken of them. You are directed to report to the principal, with your baggage, on board of the ship."
"Am I to be punished instead of that obstinate and impudent pupil?" demanded the professor.
"I have nothing to say about it, Mr. Hamblin," added Mr. Fluxion, sharply. "If you are not going to the ship, we will weigh anchor and proceed on our voyage."
The professor went down into his state-room, and hastily packed his trunk, which was brought up and put in the boat by one of the stewards. The students watched these movements with the deepest interest, and they could hardly conceal their satisfaction when it was clear that the obnoxious instructor was going to leave the Josephine, "bag and baggage." There was a great deal of punching each other in the ribs, a great deal of half-suppressed chuckling, and a very decided inclination to give three cheers. A few of the more prudent ones checked any noisy demonstration; but the moment that Mr. Hamblin went over the side was a very joyous one.
The Josephine tripped her anchor, and, hugged by the steam-tug, stood down the river on her way to Rotterdam. Mr. Fluxion went below, and installed himself in the state-room vacated by Professor Hamblin. Mr. Stoute gave the vice-principal a hearty welcome; and it was soon evident that they were men who could cordially agree. Paul was delighted with the change; for if there was any one in the squadron, besides the principal and the doctor, for whom he had a high regard and a thorough respect, it was Mr. Fluxion. He was a sailor from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. He had visited all the maritime ports of Europe, spoke half a dozen modern languages with facility, and was popular with the boys. He was a sharp disciplinarian, and the students found it difficult to outwit him. He knew all the tricks of sailors, and especially of man-of-war's men. He was the right hand man of Mr. Lowington, and the new arrangement, whereby the professor had been created vice-principal, and sent on board the consort, was to prevent the recurrence of such an incident as that which had imperilled her in the German Ocean during the squall.
Though Paul felt that his own powers were in some degree abridged by the presence of the new officer, whose authority, unlike that of the instructors before, extended to the vessel, and was equal to that of Mr. Lowington, he was now satisfied. A competent person was present, with whom he could share the responsibility of the navigation of the vessel in case of an emergency. He was on the best of terms with Mr. Fluxion, and he was happier than he had been before since the Josephine sailed from Hull. Leaving him to the enjoyment of the new order of things, we will follow Mr. Hamblin on board of the ship.