ate 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."

"No, you are not!" exclaimed Paul.

"I would give the world to be like you."

"No, no! You wrong yourself, and overdo me."

"I have confessed all to the chaplain, and you will soon know me as I
am, Paul. I will not take your place in the cabin. Your kindness and
generosity have overcome me. You have convinced me that doing right is
always the best way."

Paul did not know what to make of this remarkable confession; but, after
supper, all hands were piped to muster again, the ship being off Kinsale
Head, nearly becalmed. The chaplain had informed the principal of the
substance of Shuffles' confession. Mr.