"I don't think you are quite fair, Captain Gildrock, not to hear what—"
"You are entitled to your own opinion. The eight boys who have decided not to wear the uniform will go to their rooms, and each remain in his own apartment until further orders," continued Captain Gildrock, in a very mild but decidedly firm tone.
"I wish to say—" Lew Shoreham began.
"You will say nothing!" interposed the principal, in a very stern voice. "Go to your rooms, and stay in them till you have permission to leave them."
Lew Shoreham was extremely anxious to argue the question, and to do so before the school. Physically he was rather clumsy, and was not likely to distinguish himself in athletic sports; but he was a good speaker for a boy, and a bit of a lawyer besides. Doubtless he and his companions thought they were grossly abused in not being allowed to argue the question of obedience. The rebels retired from the schoolroom, and the principal picked up his papers.
CHAPTER X. IMPORTANT TO BOY ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS.
The principal said a few words to Mr. Darlingby, one of the instructors, as soon as all the rebels had left the schoolroom. The teacher followed the eight boys who had decided not to wear a uniform to the dormitory. He sad nothing, but merely saw that the rebels went to their rooms, as they had been directed. He then called Bates, the old sailor who had been quartermaster and mate under Captain Gildrock for may years, who did any kind of duty at Beech Hill required of him, from running the steamer down to blacking the principal's boots.
The old seaman always obeyed orders, and never asked any questions or made any speeches. Mr. Darlingby stationed him in the hall of the dormitory, and directed him not allow any of the eight boys to leave the building, or more than one of them to come out of his room at a time. Bates knew what discipline was, for he had been thoroughly trained by his employer. The instructor returned to the schoolroom, and reported the orders executed.