“This matter has been well considered, Shuffles,” replied the principal; “and as it is the desire of a large majority of your shipmates that you should accept the position, I think you had better do so.”

“There isn’t a student in the ship who desires it so much as I do,” added Paul, with generous enthusiasm “You know I told you I would like to be in the steerage, for I have always been an officer.”

“Allow me till to-night, if you please, to consider it, Mr. Lowington,” replied Shuffles, as he grasped the hand of Paul.

“Certainly, if you desire it.”

Shuffles was overwhelmed by the magnanimity of Paul and the kindness of the principal.  At that moment he would have given everything to be such a young man as the second lieutenant; to be as good and true, as free from evil thoughts and evil purposes, as he was.  A light had dawned upon the rebel and the plotter which he had never seen before.  Goodness and truth had vindicated themselves, and overwhelmed the guilty one.

“Mr. Shuffles, I congratulate you on your promotion,” said the chaplain, extending his hand.

“I cannot accept it, sir,” replied the repentant malcontent “I would like to speak with you alone, Mr. Agneau.”

The chaplain took him to his state room in the main cabin? and there, Shuffles, conquered and subdued by the kindness of his friends, confessed the terrible crime he had committed—­that he had pushed Pelham overboard.

The chaplain was confounded at this confession, but still more so when the self-convicted conspirator revealed all the secrets of “The Chain.”  Shuffles mentioned no names; he took all the guilt upon himself.

“I am astonished, my dear young friend,” said the chaplain.  “Is it possible the life you saved was imperilled by your own violent passions?”

“It is true, sir,” replied Shuffles, hardly able to control his feelings.

“Then I think you had better not accept the promotion that has been offered to you.”

“I will not; I would jump overboard first.  I am willing to be punished; I deserve it.”

“Shuffles, you have almost atoned for your errors by confessing them; and your courageous conduct, after you had pushed Pelham into the sea, proves that you sincerely repented that act.  Shall I tell Mr. Lowington what you have said?”

“Yes, sir; let him know me as I am; let him despise me as I deserve,” replied Shuffles, wiping away a genuine tear of repentance.

Mr. Agneau talked to the penitent for two hours; and finally he prayed with him and for him.  If never before, the moral condition of the culprit was now hopeful, and the chaplain labored earnestly and faithfully to give him right views of his relations to God and his fellow-beings.

“Paul,” said Shuffles, when he met his generous and self-sacrificing friend in the waist, after the conference in the state room, “I am the meanest and vilest fellow on board.”