"But the fellows all like you first rate, even the worst ones we have on board; and there are some pretty hard boys here," laughed Duncan.
"If they like me, they will not get up a row."
"I will take care that all of them know just how you feel," said Duncan, concluding to end the conversation at this point, for the subject of these remarks had just come on deck.
The learned gentleman appeared to carry his head even higher, and to be more dignified, stiff, and reserved, than usual. With an invitation in his pocket to visit the greatest statesman in Belgium, he felt like a very exalted personage; for not even Mr. Lowington had been so highly favored. Mr. Hamblin was puffed up and swelled out by the honor the great man had done him, and as he walked up and down the deck, the students might have known by his air, if they had not been told of the fact, that greatness had suddenly been thrust upon him.
It presently occurred to him that the principal had not been informed of the distinguished consideration in which the government of Belgium regarded the Josephine's senior instructor. It was important that he should know it, for the fact would certainly elevate him in the estimation of the principal, and cause him to regret that in the recent difficulty he had not more fully sustained his notable professor. Besides, he wished to make some arrangements which would permit him to visit the Palais de la Nation, and to dine with the minister, if he should be invited, as he had no doubt he should be.
With as much sternness on his wrinkled face as he could assume, he walked forward to demand a boat of Captain Kendall. As he was passing in the waist, a coil of signal line dropped down from the gaff above, square upon the top of his hat, forcing it far down upon his head. Mr. Hamblin immediately threw himself into an undignified passion. When he had with some difficulty extricated his head from the linings of his hat, he looked up to see who had been guilty of this act of flagrant disrespect.
"I beg your pardon, Mr. Hamblin," shouted Grimme, a seaman, whose legs were twined around the end of the gaff, while he was in the act of passing a signal halyard through an eye.
The captain had received orders from the principal to have the Josephine ready for the visit of a distinguished person on the following day, and Mr. Cleats was preparing to dress the rigging.
"You scoundrel!" roared Mr. Hamblin, gazing up at the unfortunate youth who had been the cause of his misfortune.
"Did it hurt you, sir?" asked Paul, stepping up to the professor.