The day which followed the excited meeting of officers and seamen on the island was Sunday, and the agitation of the subject which disturbed the ship's company in a measure ceased. The religious services were held on shore, in the shade of a pleasant grove, and the Bible classes gathered in favored spots chosen by the teachers. After these exercises were finished in the afternoon, a couple of hours were spent upon the island. Little groups gathered together to walk, or to engage in conversation, while single ones, here and there, enjoyed their own thoughts. Cantwell and Scott seated themselves on a rock near the water, and seemed to be talking together very earnestly. On such occasions the brilliant student usually remained alone, not because he was brilliant, but because his shipmates were inclined to shun his companionship. He was really grateful to Scott for the signal service he had rendered him the day before, not in defeating the new plan, for that had not yet been accomplished, but in preventing him from being wholly ignored, and for making him chairman of the meeting. He had sought the present interview himself.
"Of course these proceedings were all directed against me," said Cantwell, after the subject had been introduced.
"No doubt of it," replied Scott, candidly.
"I don't know why my shipmates should be so prejudiced against me."
"Don't you?" asked the joker, rather incredulously.
"I do not; I certainly have not injured them."
"You won't get mad if I tell you—will you?"
"No; surely not," protested Cantwell.
"I'll tell you, then."
"I shall be much obliged to you, if you will."