"I think we have seen the country pretty well," suggested Wilde.
"Yes; but we are not to go into Germany," replied Raymond. "We are to go to sea, just because the new captain demands it."
"For my own part, I like the ship first rate, and should hate to have my father send for me," continued Wilde. "I don't believe there are a dozen fellows on board who wouldn't think it a hard case if they had to leave."
"Not if we are to be treated in this manner. If we are allowed to see the country, and have a good time, every fellow will be satisfied," replied Raymond. "But I think it will all come round right if we keep a stiff upper lip, and stand up for our rights. I like Lindsley's idea first rate. We can talk that up, and it will help us out, if nothing else will. We can easily get forty or fifty of the fellows to say they will ask their fathers to take them away from the ship if they don't have fair play. Then we can mildly suggest the idea to Mr. Lowington; and, I tell you, he can see that the loss of fifty of us would make an end of his big idea."
"I'm not ready to say I will ask my father to take me out of the ship," protested Wilde.
"I am," said Raymond.
"So am I," added Lindsley.
"And I," chimed in others.
"While we are waiting, suppose we circulate the idea."
At this moment Tremere and Willis, who were the other occupants of the mess-room, came in, and the proposition was stated to them.