“I don’t think so.  We’ll propose it to him in the morning.”

Bob came down to breakfast feeling rather sheepish.  He had been wondering, during the time he was not sleeping, what form of punishment his father would inflict.

The lad had an uneasy feeling that he might have to make a public apology before the whole church congregation.  This he felt would be very embarrassing.  He also had an idea that his father might take him from school and put him to work in the mill.  Mr. Henderson had once threatened this when Bob had played some particularly annoying prank.  And Bob liked his school very much, in spite of the tricks he played,

“Well, my son,” said Mr. Henderson, more solemnly than he usually spoke, “I trust you have a proper feeling of regret for what you did last night.”

“Yes.  I wish I hadn’t done it,” said Bob.  “I didn’t think it would make so much trouble.  I didn’t mean to use so much glue.”

“Well, there is no use in discussing that now.  The thing is done.  You remember I told you I would have to punish you?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I have talked it over with your mother and Captain Spark, and we have made up our minds what to do.  You are going to be sent on a long sea voyage with Captain Spark, in the Eagle.  You will be away from home a long time, and, when you return, I trust you will have mended your ways.”

For a few seconds Bob did not speak.  The proposition was so sudden to him that he did not exactly comprehend it.

“I’m to go to sea with Captain Spark?” he asked slowly.

“That is the punishment we have decided on, my son.”

“Where are you going, captain?” asked Bob.

“I’m bound for ’round Cape Horn this trip.  Oh, you’ll get all the ocean you want, but it will make a man of you.”

“When are you going to sail?” asked Bob in a quiet voice.

“Next week.”

“Good!” exclaimed the youth suddenly.  “I’ll be ready.  Oh, I always wanted to make a sea voyage, and now I have the chance.  This is the best ever!  Hurrah!  That’s the stuff!  ’A life on, the ocean wave, a home on the bounding deep!’ Avast and belay, my hearties!  Shiver my timbers!  All hands on deck to take in sail!  There she blows!”

Bob had not read sea stories for nothing.

“That’s the way to talk!” exclaimed the captain.  “I knew he’d like the idea!”

Mr. Henderson seemed somewhat amazed.  He had expected Bob to make strong objections.  Instead the boy was delighted.

“I am sorry to see you leave home, Bob,” said his mother, with just the hint of tears in her eyes, “but I think it will be the best thing for you.”

“So do I, mom.  Hurrah!  This is the best ever!”

Then Bob began to dance a sailor’s hornpipe.

“It seems to me,” said Mr. Henderson to himself, as he started for the mill, “that Bob’s punishment is more of a pleasure than anything else.  Still, if it does him good, I’ll not regret it.”