XX. ADIEU TO HOLLAND AND PROFESSOR HAMBLIN. 328

DIKES AND DITCHES;

OR,

YOUNG AMERICA IN HOLLAND AND BELGIUM.

CHAPTER I.

THE PROFESSOR AND THE CAPTAIN.

The Young America, with every rag of canvas set, including
studding-sails alow and aloft, rolled and pitched gracefully on the long
swells of the German Ocean. The wind was very light from the north-west,
and there was hardly enough of it to give the ship steerage-way. A mile
off, on her starboard bow, was the Josephine, beclouded in the quantity
of sail she carried, but hardly leaving a wake in the blue waters behind
her. The hummocks and the low land of the shores of Holland and Belgium
were in sight; but, with the present breeze, there was but little hope
of reaching the mouth of the Scheldt that night, though it was hardly
twenty miles distant.

The regular course of instruction was in progress in both vessels, the
starboard watch of each being in the steerage, attending to their
studies, while the port watch were on deck, in charge of the sailing
department. Mr. Lowington paced the deck of the ship, and, with the
habit of an old sailor, frequently cast his eyes aloft to see what sails
were drawing. Occasionally, from a custom begotten of his solicitude for
his charge, he glanced at the Josephine.

The squadron did not make even a mile an hour; and when the watch was
changed, at four o'clock, there was not a breath of air to ruffle the
glassy waves. The ship rolled and pitched on the swells, and the sails
slapped against the masts and rigging under the effect of her motion.
The young seamen on deck, without being in a hurry, were annoyed and
vexed, as all sailors are in a calm. They partook of the heaviness of
the scene, and gaped and yawned, from mere inactivity, and the want of
something to occupy their minds.

The calm was only the prelude of a lively scene. To the westward, beyond
the low coast line dimly seen in the distance, was a dense mass of black
clouds, rising rapidly towards the zenith. Low, muttering, muffled
thunder came over the sea. The sun went into the inky veil; and then the
lightnings flashed, faintly at first, but glaring brighter and brighter
as the darkness increased.

Mr. Lowington still paced the deck; but, instead of looking aloft now,
he cast frequent glances at the officer of the deck, who was watching
the dense black clouds. The principal said nothing; for, whatever views
he had in regard