At eight o’clock, on Monday, when Paul Kendall had the deck, the Young America was off Fastnet Rock, and not more than half a mile from it.  It is about ten miles from Cape Clear, and is a solitary rock rising out of the sea, on which a lighthouse is located.  The water around it was covered with small boats engaged in fishing.  The port watch were all on deck, and the scene was full of interest to them.  The people whom they saw belonged to another continent than that in which they lived.  All was new and strange to them, and all were interested in observing the distant shore, and the objects near the ship.

At one bell in the afternoon watch, when the Young America was off Gally Head, all hands were piped to muster.  Mr. Lowington, on taking the rostrum, said that he had received a petition signed by a majority of the officers and crew.

“A petition to go ashore, I suppose,” said Shuffles to Pelham.

“I think not,” laughed the fourth lieutenant, who appeared to know what was coming.

“Young gentlemen,” continued the principal, whose face wore an unusually pleasant smile, “a few days since you were all filled with admiration at the noble conduct of one of your number, who saved the life of another at the peril of his own.”

“Want to go ashore, Shuffles?” whispered Pelham.

Shuffles was too much confused to make any reply; he did not know whether he was to be praised or blamed.

“I have received a petition, requesting me to appoint Robert Shuffles second lieutenant of the ship, in place of Paul Kendall, resigned,” added Mr. Lowington.

Shuffles was overwhelmed with astonishment, and a large proportion of the students received the announcement with hearty applause.

“Young gentlemen, I have only to say that the petition is granted.  I ought to add, however, that no officer will lose his rank, except Mr. Kendall, who, at his own desire, will take the vacant number in the steerage, now belonging to Robert Shuffles, promoted.  I take great pleasure in granting this petition, because the request is honorable to you, and shows a proper appreciation of the noble conduct of your shipmate.  But let me add, that you should divide your admiration between the one who rescued his friend from death, and him who voluntarily resigned his honorable position in the after cabin, in order to make a place in which merit could be acknowledged and rewarded.  Nothing but a matter of life and death could have induced me to vary the discipline of the ship.  Young gentlemen, you are dismissed from muster.”

“Three cheers for Paul Kendall!” shouted one of the boys.

They were given.

“Three cheers for Robert Shuffles!” added Paul; and they were given.

“Mr. Shuffles will repair to the after cabin, where he will be qualified, and take his position at once.”

“Mr. Lowington, I must decline Mr. Kendall’s generous offer,” interposed Shuffles, who was actually choking with emotion.