"What for?"
"To pursue our studies, in the first place, and to learn our duty as seamen, in the second."
"I don't believe I shall stay here a great while longer," said Shuffles, with evident disgust. "There's no fun lying here."
"You can't help yourself," added Wilton.
"Perhaps I can't, but I can try," said Shuffles, as he glanced towards the shore.
"All hands ahoy!" shouted Peaks, the boatswain, as his shrill whistle rang through the ship.
The boys had been taught the meaning of this call, and they gathered in the waist, eager to know what was to be required of them.
Mr. Lowington stood on the raised hatch over the main scuttle, where all the students could see him. It was evident that he had some announcement to make, especially as the following day had been assigned for organizing the ship's company. The boys were silent, and their faces betrayed the curiosity which they felt.
"Young gentleman," the principal began, "this ship will go into commission to-morrow."
"Don't know what you mean, sir," said Paul Kendall as Mr. Lowington paused to observe the effect of his announcement.