“The students can now do anything they like in the mess rooms.  They have plenty of money, and if they want to gamble, they can.  They were playing last night when the first part of the starboard watch were on duty.”

“You are right, Mr. Kendall,” said Mr. Lowington “The students must be looked after in their rooms.  Has there ever been any gambling among the officers in the after cabin?”

“I never saw any, or heard of any.  I don’t think there has been.”

“I hope not; but we must grapple with this question in earnest,” added the principal, as he led the way out of the state room into the main cabin.

The chaplain and the doctor were there, and Mr. Lowington wished to take their advice upon the serious matter before him; and before he permitted the second lieutenant to retire, he stated the case to them.

“Gambling!” groaned the chaplain.

“I detected them in the act myself,” added Mr. Lowington.  “You may retire, Mr. Kendall.”

“Why, this is awful!”

“Boys will do almost anything that men will,” said Dr. Winstock, the surgeon.

“Drinking and gambling!” ejaculated the chaplain.  “What are we coming to?”

“I fear there are other vices of which we know nothing yet,” added the doctor.

“Why, I’m afraid the Academy Ship will prove to be a failure, after all,” sighed Mr. Agneau.

“Not at all,” argued Dr. Winstock.  “We are in position here to treat these evils properly.  There are no fond mothers and indulgent fathers to spoil the boys, when the discipline becomes sharp.”

“What can we do?” demanded the chaplain.  “Moral and religious influences seem to have no effect.”

“Have faith in your own medicines, Mr. Agneau,” said the doctor.

“I have full faith in the medicine, Dr. Winstock; but I fear I have not done my duty faithfully.”

“You need not reproach yourself, Mr. Agneau.  You have been earnest in your work,” interposed the principal.  “In a large community of young men, all these vices and evils will appear.  It was to meet them that the keel of this ship was laid, and our institution organized.  I expect to find vice, and even crime, among the boys.  They that be sick need a physician, not they that be whole.  These boys certainly behave better on board the ship than they did on shore at the various academies they attended.  Pelham, who is now fourth lieutenant, and has been first, was one of the hardest boys in the school to which he belonged in New York.  He has given us no trouble here, though he has been a little sulky since he fell from his former rank.  Shuffles, who, in the Brockway Academy, was the worst boy I ever knew, without exception, behaved himself astonishingly well for a whole year.  I am sorry to see that he has begun the second year badly.”

“O, his is a very hopeful case!” said Mr. Agneau.  “He is penitent for his folly, and I never saw so great a change in an individual as he exhibited on my second visit to him last evening.”