“I am willing,” chuckled Tom.
Mr. Pelham descended to the steerage to resume his duties as instructor in navigation. Tom was very well satisfied with the result of his interview, and joined O’Hara on the lee side of the vessel. His position was safe, for the present at least; and he hoped Judge Rodwood would be reasonable enough to allow him to complete his course in the academy squadron.
“Well, my boy, did you get a black eye from the vice?” asked O’Hara, who had been watching the conference with the most intense interest.
“Not a bit of it: Mr. Pelham knows how it is himself, and he behaved very handsomely,” replied Tom cheerfully.
“I suppose the news will be all over the ship now before the dog-watches are out,” added O’Hara.
“Three of us have the secret now; and I think we are strong enough to keep it.”
“Then it can’t be kept.”
“If you keep a stopper on your jaw-tackle, O’Hara, it will be safe till Judge Rodwood arrives at Madeira, though I am not without a hope that we shall be gone when he comes.”
“That is your little game, is it?”
“There is no game about it. It is only a hope I have; and I shall do nothing wrong about it.”