The passengers of the stranded steamer were assisted to the deck, the boats hoisted up, and the ship filled away. Mrs. Blacklock and her daughter, as well as the others, were cordially welcomed on board by the principal. Breakfast was immediately served for them, and they were made as happy as possible by the young officers, though only a few of the new guests spoke English.
"I want to take Clyde away now, Mr. Lowington," said Mrs. Blacklock, as the ship was entering the harbor of Swinemünde.
"I would not, madam. He is doing exceedingly well on board," replied the principal. "He was surly and dissatisfied for a time, but now he takes an interest in his studies, and is making rapid progress. He is a good sailor, too."
"But I miss him very, very much."
"I dare say you do; but you ought to think of the boy's good. I never had a more hopeful case in the ship than he is just now. I am confident we shall make a man of him if you allow us to do so."
Clyde was called up to speak for himself, and he begged that his mother would not think of such a thing as removing him. He would write to her every week. The weak lady finally consented, when the youth declared that he would be captain of the ship in due time.
The squadron came to anchor at Swinemünde, and a boat was immediately sent on shore, with the passengers who wished to land, and with an officer to inform the agents of the steamer of her condition.
Arrangements had already been made for sight-seeing in this part of Germany, and the whole ship's company were to make an excursion to Berlin and other places. The Kinnairds and the Blacklocks were to go with them. The party, after remaining on board over Sunday, embarked in the regular steamer for Stettin, which is a four-hours' trip, on Monday and arrived at two o'clock in the afternoon. Having an hour or more to spare before taking the train for Berlin, they had an opportunity to see the principal street of the town, and to visit the old castle, but there was nothing of special interest in the place.
The train left Stettin at half past three, and arrived in Berlin at six. The officers and seamen had again been arranged in four divisions, so as not to overwhelm any hotel, and to enable those in charge of them to exercise a proper supervision. Dr. Winstock had gone up to the city to make arrangements for their accommodation, and was at the station on the arrival of the tourists with omnibuses and droschkes enough to convey them to the hotels. The Kinnairds, with the surgeon and the commodore, went to the Hotel de Rome, Unter den Linden, as the principal street of the city is called.