"If there is any blame, sir, it rests on me," interposed Shuffles, through the bars of his prison.
Mr. Lowington unlocked the door of the brig, and entered, followed by Mr. Agneau, leaving Wilton to congratulate himself on the result of the lies he had uttered.
"I am told you wish to see me, Shuffles," said the principal.
"Yes, sir; I wish to say that I am extremely sorry for what I have done."
"I thought you were crazy when you refused to obey; and now I find you were."
"I had been drinking, sir, I confess."
"Mr. Agneau has told me your story; it is not necessary to repeat it now. To-morrow I shall require you to acknowledge your error at muster, and promise obedience in the future. Are you willing to do so?"
"I am, sir."
"You are discharged from confinement then, and will at once return to your duty," replied Mr. Lowington, upon whom Shuffles did not venture to intrude his extremely penitential story. "To which watch do you belong?"
"To the port watch, first part, sir."