but the continued
absence of the second cutter's crew was very annoying to the
principal.

"How do you feel, Clyde?" asked Mr. Lowington, turning to the new
student.

"I feel well enough," replied the runaway, roughly.

"I am glad you do. I hope you feel better than when you left the
ship."

"I don't."

"While you were on board before, I neglected to explain to you the
consequences of leaving the ship without permission."

"It wouldn't have made any difference. I should have gone just the
same," answered Clyde, doggedly.

"The less trouble you make, the better it will be for you."

"Perhaps it will; but I don't intend to stay in this ship a great
while."

"I intend that you shall stay here; and since you avow your purpose to
run away again, I must see that you are put in a safe place. Peaks,
the brig."

"The brig? What's that?" demanded Clyde, who was very suspicious of
the calm, unmoved tones of the principal.

"Come with me, my lad, and I will show you," replied the boatswain.

The Briton knew by sad experience how useless it was to contend
against this tyrant, who, however, always used him well when he
behaved in a reasonable manner. He followed the boatswain into the
steerage, and the door of the brig, which was a small prison formed
of plank slats, set upright under the steps, about three inches apart,
was opened.

"That's the brig, my boy," said Peaks. "It's a regular institution on
board a man-of-war; but this one has not been opened for months."

"Well, what's it for?" asked Clyde, who even yet did not seem to
comprehend its use.

"Walk in, and I will make it all plain to you in a moment."

"I don't know what you mean."

"Sail in!" shouted a student, who, with others, was observing the
treatment.

"On deck, sir!" said the boatswain, sternly, to the speaker. "Report
yourself."

It was a principle in the discipline of the ship that no person should
say or do anything to irritate a student undergoing punishment, and no
one was permitted, on such occasions, to take part on either side,
unless called upon by the officer or instructor to do so. In ordinary
cases no boy was required, or permitted, to be a "tell-tale," and all
were expected to remain neutral. The student who had spoken left the
steerage, and went on deck, before Clyde had time to "open upon him,"
as he intended to do.

"Step in, my lad," added Peaks.

"What for?" asked the Briton, as he obeyed the order, but not without