of the crew, who had been stationed
on the fore yard-arm as a lookout.

All on deck sprang into the rigging, to get a sight of the welcome
shore. It looked like a fog bank in the distance; there was really
nothing to be seen, but the fact that the ship was in sight of land was
enough to create an excitement among the boys.

At three bells, in the first dog watch, the land was distinctly visible.
It was the Island of Dursey, and was now seen on the beam, while other
land appeared in sight ahead. It was Sunday, and all hands were at
liberty to enjoy this first view of the new continent. The boys thought
the land looked just like that they had last seen on the shore of the
western continent, and perhaps some of them were disappointed because
everything looked so natural.

The officers and crew were impatient to make their destined port; but
the wind subsided as the sun went down on that quiet Sabbath day on the
ocean. The ship hardly made twenty miles before daylight in the morning.

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 Rob