They were all given with a will; and there could be no doubt the students on board were glad to see their shipmates after the long separation. In a short time the vessels of the fleet were anchored, and the boats began to drop from the davits into the water.
“Arrah, Tom, my darlint! your guardian has caught you at last!” exclaimed O’Hara, when he saw the barge of the Marian approaching the steamer.
“I shall be as resigned as possible to my fate,” replied Tom.
“To the millions of money, you mane!”
“I shall not quarrel with that.”
“If you fall out with it, remimber your best frind.”
“I shall certainly do that, my dear fellow, whatever happens to me. But I shall not leave the squadron if I can help it.”
“Faix, I hope you won’t while I am in it!” added Capt. O’Hara, grasping the hand of the second officer. “But here comes his honor the judge. Be ready for him, Tom, and trate him loike a gintieman.”
“I shall certainly do that,” replied Tom, as he went to the gangway, where the steps had already been rigged, though the steamer had been in port but a few hours.
“Which is my boy?” demanded the judge, as he came on deck.