.

"Any sensible boy could have told that Tom would come to something like
this," said Johnny, as he went below with the first lieutenant to look
at the galley. "A fellow can't keep such company as he has been keeping
for the last three months, without getting into serious trouble, sooner
or later."

The two friends talked about Tom's probable future, until they were
interrupted by the entrance of the officer of the deck, who informed
Harry that a tug was following them down the narrows, and that she had
whistled three times--indicating a desire to communicate with the yacht.
Harry hurried on deck, gave Jackson the necessary orders, and the Storm
King was thrown up into the wind to wait for the approaching vessel.

"Tug ahoy!" shouted the officer of the deck, when he heard the bell ring
to "slow down."

"Storm King!" was the response.

"That's Captain Steele," said Harry. "I wish he had stayed away a little
longer, for I don't like to give up the command without having
accomplished any thing. Man the side, Mr. Jackson."

The young commander was received by the first lieutenant, the officer of
the deck, and four side boys, each of the latter holding a lantern to
light him on board. Tom Newcombe had greatly admired him when he was
nothing more than an adjutant, and if he could have seen him when he
stepped on board his vessel he would willingly have given every thing he
possessed to have been in his place. No doubt the wide difference that
existed between the captain and himself would have served to confirm him
in the opinion he had long entertained--that this was a hard world, and
he the unluckiest boy in it.

Tom was not the only one who would have been glad to stand in Captain
Steele's boots. The students all envied him, and especially when they
saw him in his naval uniform. He presented a fine appearance on
horseback, at the head of the battalion, but he looked better with his
jaunty-cap and the six stripes of gold lace and star he wore on his
arms. Then he had so much authority, and there were the privileges to
which his double rank entitled him. He was allowed to decide certain
questions of discipline without an appeal to the principal. He was at
liberty to go on a cruise in the Storm King twice each week, and he
could select the days for the sport. If he wanted to visit Newport at
any time after study hours, all he had to do was to report to the
principal that he was going; and, if he did not feel like walk