Isles of the Sea by Oliver Optic

The vice-principal was very much perplexed at the condition of things he found on board of the Tritonia. He was greatly annoyed that his involuntary absence had raised a tempest in the vessel. He was astonished to find the schooner in tow of the steamer; and, before he made any inquiries into the case of discipline, he listened to the report of the captain of the events which had transpired since the consorts parted company.

Before Wainwright had proceeded far with his account, the cutter which had conveyed Mr. Pelham on board returned with Mr. Fluxion. The two vice-principals heard the story, and then retired to the cabin to consult together in regard to it. Mr. Primback was called; and his charges against the captain and the second lieutenant were heard.

Wainwright and Scott were questioned in the presence of the professor; and, when they had retired, the charge against Scott was declared to be frivolous, as any sailor could see that it was.

"I think if you will read the regulations, Professor Primback, you will see that you had no authority to suspend the captain or the second lieutenant," said Mr. Fluxion, who was disgusted with the conduct of the instructor.

"I admit that the regulations give me no authority over the officers of the vessel in purely nautical matters," replied Mr. Primback. "I take pride and pleasure in acknowledging that I know nothing about a ship or its management."

"It would be better if you knew enough about nautical matters to understand the duty of the officers," added the senior vice-principal. "It is very unpleasant for me to decide against you; but the case is so very plain, that I can't do otherwise."

"I think you have not fully examined the premises, Mr. Fluxion," continued the professor, nettled at the obvious displeasure of the senior authority. "The scholastic department is under my direction in the absence of the junior vice-principal."

"That is admitted."

"But the captain, a mere boy, may send away one-half of the students, and then require the other half to be on duty all the time in the management of the vessel. In other words, he may practically abolish the scholastic department," added Mr. Primback triumphantly, for he believed he had made out a very strong case.

"And the head of the scholastic department takes pride in being so ignorant of nautical affairs as to be incapable of judging whether or not the captain is justified in sending away one-half of his ship's company, and requiring the other half to do duty on board of his own vessel," answered Mr. Fluxion, with some excitement in his manner.

"Then, as the acting principal, I may be carted all over the ocean at the pleasure of this boy! " exclaimed the professor. "I may not even protest when he chooses to depart from the course of any boyish enterprise that happens to excite his imagination."

"That is precisely the situation," replied the senior vice-principal, with a smile. "The boy will be held responsible for the management of the vessel; and, if he depart from the prescribed course without sufficient reason for doing so, he would be punished for it. If he took the vessel out upon such a boyish expedition as you describe, he would certainly lose his place as commander."

"But the boy is placed over the man: I am ignored, though I am old enough to be the boy's father," protested the professor.

"The boy has no authority over you, any more than you have over him, in nautical matters. The sailor is placed over the landsman. But you forget, Mr. Primback, that this is an exceptional case. The accidental absence of the vice-principal in charge caused all the difficulty. This is a thing that is not likely to happen again. A sudden squall rendered it impossible for him to return to his vessel."

"Am I to understand that you approve the conduct of this boy, sir? " demanded the professor.

"If he had obeyed your orders, he might have been compelled to abandon Mr. Frisbone and the two ladies to their fate, to say nothing of the duty of saving the steamer. I do approve the conduct of Capt. Wainwright; and I think he deserves nothing but praise and commendation for what he has done. I am sure the principal will take the same view of the matter," replied Mr. Fluxion.

"Then I am to be snubbed by this boy?"

"I understand you to say that he has been courteous and polite to you."

"I have no fault to find with his manner; only with his refusal to obey me."

"Then I think nothing more need be said about the matter. If you had confined yourself to your own duties, there would have been no trouble."