Others gave the required pledge, astonished to be restored to their duty on such mild terms. They took their stations with the crew. But Grace Arbuckle soon appeared with the blue ribbons, and Hyde was conducted to her by the commodore.
"I confer upon you the second degree of the Order of the Faithful, and decorate you with the blue ribbon. When you have proved yourself faithful to your duty, and worthy of promotion, you will be advanced to the third degree, the emblem of which is the white ribbon," said Grace, as she pinned the decoration upon his breast.
"Thank you," replied Hyde, rather bewildered by the ceremony.
The rest of the penitents were brought up, and, in like manner, initiated into the Order of the Faithful. Of course they wanted to know more about it, and the new organization was explained to them.
"I'm glad you backed out, Hyde," said Tremere. "When are the rest coming?"
"I don't know that they are coming at all. I got enough of it."
"What do those fellows want to do?"
"Get their rights."
"Well, they'll get them when they return to their duty, and not before, unless it is the right to be punished for their disobedience," added Tremere.
"I still think it was not fair to give up the trip to the Rhine, after the promise that we should go, though it was a great mistake of mine to refuse to do duty," added Hyde.