his hand. "Shiver my timbers if
I'm not rejoiced to see a man that speaks plain English! Where's the
ship?"

"She sailed for Copenhagen this evening."

"No; you don't say so!"

"It's a fact. The students went up the canal as far as the falls, and
returned about dark. The squadron got under way at once. I suppose you
have the cutter's crew with you, Peaks?"

"No; arn't they on board yet?"

"I haven't seen them."

"But they came down on an English steamer that left Christiania last
night."

"An English steamer came in this forenoon, but we haven't seen the
cutter's crew."

"That's strange. I shouldn't wonder if those fellows were cutting up a
little."

"But we lost two students yesterday, Scott and Laybold. I suppose they
ran away."

"There's a screw loose somewhere. These boys have too much money,"
added Peaks. "But what are you going to do, and what am I to do?"

"I was left here to look out for Scott and Laybold, and meet you when
you came. Now, it seems that about a dozen of the rascals are
missing."

"I have the Briton here."

"If I were you, Peaks, I should go right on to Copenhagen in this
steamer, and you can report the facts to the principal."

The boatswain decided to do this, while the head steward remained to
search for the absentees; and in due time Peaks delivered his prisoner
on board of the ship in the harbor of Copenhagen.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE MEETING OF THE ABSENTEES.

Scott and Laybold, after imbibing a single glass of "finkel" each,
which proved to be more than they could carry, retreated into a narrow
lane, to escape the observation of a party of officers who were on
their way to the landing. Neither of them had any inclination for
intoxicating drinks, and had taken the stuff without knowing what it
was. But they were conscious that everything was not right with them.
They found it quite impossible to walk in a straight line, and even
the problem of standing up was not demonstrated to the entire
satisfaction of either of them. Talking was not without its
difficulties, for their tongues seemed to be double their ordinary
thickness, and their lips and other organs of speech were not as
manageable as usual. For a time the effects of the potent liquor
increased upon them, and as they had taken it in a hungry condition,
they realized its full power.

They staggered up the lane, conscious that they were making a
ridiculous figure, though the solemn Swedes hardly smiled as