"They are in the next room, with the rest of our people," answered Lincoln, who had seen the principal pointing the way for them.
"They must be delighted to see all their friends again."
Lincoln thought not, but he did not say so. The two officers entered the dining-room, and joined their companions. After dinner, the principal had an interview with the Kinnairds, and as Miss Gurney manifested so much interest in the ship, Mr. Lowington invited them to go to Danzig in her, and the pretty maiden leaped with rapture at the idea. The invitation was accepted, and at seven o'clock in the evening all hands were on board. De Forrest and Beckwith had looked about them for a chance to escape; but none was offered, and they were compelled to go to the ship. They were required to take off their uniform, and clothe themselves in seamen's dress at once. They were stationed without delay by Cumberland, the first officer. Of course they were heartily disgusted, for both of them had occupied places in the cabin for several months, and it was not pleasant to return to the steerage, and do duty before the mast. The fact that Miss Julia Gurney was on board added a hundred fold to their mortification. De Forrest determined not to appear on deck till he was obliged to do so; and then, unhappily, he was stationed on the mizzen topsail-yard in furling and setting sail, and at the spanker sheet in tacking and wearing.
Two spare state-rooms in the after cabin of the Young America were appropriated to the guests. The principal was always glad to have ladies come on board of the vessels of the squadron, because he believed that female society had a refining influence upon the students. During the preceding winter he had remodelled the interior of the ship, so as to have more state-rooms for the accommodation of occasional passengers. Miss Gurney was delighted with her room and the cabin, and perhaps more than anything else with the gentlemanly young officers, who were, of course, put on their good behavior. At supper she was placed on the right of the commodore, while Mr. and Mrs. Kinnaird were on the right of the captain. Lincoln was very much pleased with the fair girl, and, after the meal, escorted her to the deck.
There was not a breath of wind, and the German pilot on board was unwilling to sail without a good breeze, so that the ship would work lively. The runaways, therefore, were not obliged to show themselves that evening. The commodore conducted his charge to every part of the ship which it was proper for a lady to visit. The students gazed at her with admiration, and some of them doubtless wished they were the commodore, in order to be in a situation to perform such agreeable duty. The breeze did not come during the night, and at seven bells the next morning the squadron was still at anchor.
"If you are tired of waiting, Miss Gurney, we will send you ashore," said Commodore Lincoln.
"Indeed, I'm not tired. I enjoy every moment of the time. I think it is delicious."
"I am glad you like it; but I am sure if you were not here, I should think it was very dull indeed," added Lincoln, laughing.
"Thank you, Mr. Commodore. You are very kind," continued Miss Gurney, blushing just a little.
"We have to go to work in a few moments; but I hope you will find some way to amuse yourself."