"Yes; immense quantities of wheat come down the Vistula from the grain regions of Prussia, Poland, and other countries. It was formerly the greatest grain port in the world, but is now far surpassed by Chicago. It is five miles from the Baltic. The granaries are on an island in the river, where no dwelling-house can be built, and no fires or lights are allowed."
The company left the train in the city, and went to the cathedral, commenced by one of the Grand Masters of the Teutonic order in the fourteenth century, and finished in the sixteenth. It is a fine church, and has fifty chapels, founded by the chief citizens as burial-places for their families. The principal curiosity in the church is a picture of the Last Judgment, painted for the pope, but captured by pirates on its way from Bruges to Rome. It was retaken by a Danzig vessel, and placed in this cathedral, but in 1807 was carried to Paris by the French. It was reclaimed after the war by the King of Prussia, who offered forty thousand thalers for the privilege of retaining it in Berlin; but when the owners declined the offer, he returned it to them.
Danzig is one of the oldest cities in Germany, and resembles Nuremburg in the quaint old structures which it contains, and the walk through the Langgasse, the principal street, and the Long Market, was full of interest to the students. At half past seven all hands had collected at the railroad station, and before nine were on board the vessels. As the breeze was both fresh and fair, the squadron got under way, and the next day it was far out in the Baltic.
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE STRANDED STEAMER IN THE BALTIC.
On the morning of the first day of July, at nine o'clock, the squadron had accomplished half the distance from Danzig to the mouth of the Oder, or rather to Swinemünde, on the outlet of the Haff to the Baltic. This Haff is the estuary of the Oder, and forms a considerable lake inside of the two islands which separate it from the sea.
All hands were called, and the merit-roll for the preceding month was read by the principal, so that the students might know who were eligible to the elective offices. There was hardly a change in the relative rank, for very little had been done upon the lessons during the month. The most remarkable event was, that Scott came out No. 16, which gave him the rank of fourth midshipman. The joker was a first-class seaman, and probably he owed his good fortune largely to the several examinations in nautical matters, though he had exerted himself more than ever before in the scholastic department. The reading of his name in this connection called forth a shout of applause. As usual, Lincoln and Cumberland had the highest number of marks, and Cantwell was the third. De Forrest and Beckwith stood at the foot of the list, for they had been absent from most of the recitations during the month. Cumberland was not eligible to the office of commodore. Lincoln, Cantwell, and the two captains of the consorts were the only candidates for this position.
"Of course Cantwell will be chosen," sneered De Forrest. "This thing is played out, and all I want is a chance to get off."