When they went on deck, Mr. Fluxion had just returned in the first cutter; and great was his astonishment, and that of the boat's crew, when informed of the exciting event which had just transpired. The interview with the Dutch skipper changed the current of thought on board for the moment; but as soon as he departed, nothing was talked of but the arrest of the captain.
Paul stepped into the barge with the principal, who was very sad and silent. As soon as they were on board of the Young America, and the barge hoisted up, orders were given to fill away again.
"What does that mean?" asked Perth, when the barge was hoisted up, as he ran up to Wilton.
"What?"
"Why, there is Captain Kendall on the quarter-deck of the ship, and the Josephine is getting under way without him."
"There's been a row somewhere; Kendall is one of the flunkies, but he's a good fellow for all that," added Wilton, who could not help giving Paul this tribute.
"I'll tell you what it is," said Howe,—who was one of the barge's crew, and had heard all the proceedings on board of the Josephine,—as he joined them, "Kendall has been suspended, broken, turned out of office for writing that letter to old Hamblin."
"Is that so?" demanded Perth.
"That's so; but all the fellows in the Josephine say he didn't do it."
"It would be a new idea for Kendall to do anything wrong—even to sneeze in prayer time."