The Committee in the first flush of funds had spared no
pains to reproduce the right atmosphere, and in that atmosphere
Commander Headworthy laudably endeavoured to train up his crew of
graceless urchins, and to pass them out at sixteen, preferably into
the Navy or the Merchant Service, but at any rate as decent members
of society. Nor were the boys' nautical experiences entirely
stationary, since a wealthy sympathiser (lately deceased) had
bequeathed his fine brigantine yacht to serve the ship as a tender
and take a few score of the elder or more privileged lads on an
annual summer cruise, that they might learn something of practical
seamanship.
The yacht--by name the _Swallow_--an old but shapely craft of some
two hundred tons, lay just now a short cable's length from the parent
ship, with sails bent and all ready for sea; for by custom the annual
cruise started on the day next after the prize-giving.
The question was: Would Link Andrew be allowed to go?
He would have sold his soul to go. He even meditated ways of
suicide if the Commander, for a punishment, should veto his going.
During the last three weeks he had run up an appalling tally of black
marks, and yet it was generally agreed that the Commander would
relent if Link would only keep his temper and behave with common
prudence for another twenty-four hours.
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