“Off with it.”
Judson sullenly obeyed, and stood on the defensive. Clif proceeded to business at once, and the two were soon dealing blows right and left. The other cadets looked on with grins of delight.
Clif had not only might but right on his side, and in a very short period Judson was crying “enough.” Then Trolley whacked him several times, and Joy added his share. To wind up the punishment, little Nanny administered a few well-directed kicks.
“Now, sir,” said Clif, sternly, “just thank your lucky stars that we didn’t leave you to the sharks. Go below and get something to eat.”
The engine was kept going until midnight, then as the boys were tired out, the fires were banked and watches arranged.
At daybreak little Nanny, who had the last tour of duty, espied a sail off the starboard bow.
He aroused the others, and steam was started at once. In time it became apparent to the excited boys that there was something familiar about the outlines of the ship.
“Hurray! hurray! it is the old Monongahela,” shouted Trolley, at last. “She come to look for us. Hurray!”
“I don’t think it is anything to cheer about,” sighed Joy, gloomily. “Ain’t we all right aboard here? Huh! now we’ll be plebes again, when we’ve been captains, and engineers, and—and coal heavers. I think it’s a shame.”