“A fellow won’t want to go on shore without any money,” growled Shuffles, who was not wholly cured of his discontent.

“Since I went overboard I have been thinking a great deal of this matter.  I have come to the conclusion that Mr. Lowington is not the worst man in the world.”

“He is harsh and tyrannical.”

“I don’t think he ought to have taken our money from us; but I judge him from all his acts, not by one alone.”

Pelham seemed to have turned over a new leaf, and to be sincerely sorry for his attitude of rebellion.  Shuffles was not to be convinced; he was to be overwhelmed in another manner.

The rivals separated, with their differences removed and with full confidence in each other.  Pelham wrote thirty-one orders on the principal for ten shillings each, in favor of the surgeon, during his off-time on that day, which were to be signed and handed to Paul Kendall.  As opportunity occurred, the “situation” was explained to the members of the League; and though many of them growled at the idea of giving a present to Mr. Lowington for taking their money from them, not one of them refused to sign the orders; none of them dared to refuse.

In due time Dr. Winstock had possession of all these little drafts, amounting in the aggregate to fifteen pounds, ten shillings, which would purchase quite a respectable piece of plate.  Paul Kendall was the happiest student on board, for the presentation heralded the era of good feeling.  The League was virtually dead for the present, if not forever.  The inherent evil of the organization, with the bickerings and bad passions of its members, had killed it—­the turtle had swallowed his own head.

The weather continued fine; the routine of ship’s duty and the studies went on without interruption.  On the twenty-fourth day out, at three bells in the afternoon watch, a tremendous excitement was created on board.

“Land on the port bow!” shouted one of the crew, who had been stationed on the fore yard-arm as a lookout.

All on deck sprang into the rigging, to get a sight of the welcome shore.  It looked like a fog bank in the distance; there was really nothing to be seen, but the fact that the ship was in sight of land was enough to create an excitement among the boys.

At three bells, in the first dog watch, the land was distinctly visible.  It was the Island of Dursey, and was now seen on the beam, while other land appeared in sight ahead.  It was Sunday, and all hands were at liberty to enjoy this first view of the new continent.  The boys thought the land looked just like that they had last seen on the shore of the western continent, and perhaps some of them were disappointed because everything looked so natural.

The officers and crew were impatient to make their destined port; but the wind subsided as the sun went down on that quiet Sabbath day on the ocean.  The ship hardly made twenty miles before daylight in the morning.