an't stand
it."

"One thing is certain; we can't help ourselves. If Fluxion chooses to
go round the world with us, we can't do anything but submit."

"I'm not so sure of that. When we find out where he is going, we can
figure up what it is best to do. We are not babies, and thirty-one of
us can do something. But we will keep still till we ascertain where we
are going."

"Look ahead!" said Herman, pointing a little over the port bow. "Isn't
that land?"

"It looks like it; but don't say anything yet."

"What can it be?" asked Herman.

"It is Cape Ortegal, if it is anything, on the northwest corner of
Spain. We can tell, in a few hours after we come up with the cape, how
they head her."

They watched the dark, hazy line for half an hour longer, and then
shouted, "Land, ho!" The announcement made a sensation among the
runaways, but it afforded no revelation of the purposes of the
vice-principal. Still the Josephine sped on her way, and in a few hours
was up with Cape Ortegal. She kept on the same course, with the coast
of Spain in sight, till dark. Mr. Fluxion remained on deck; for he
attended to the navigation himself. At twelve o'clock at night, the
first part of the port watch came on deck, and Little and Ibbotson
tried to ascertain where they were. The tell-tale still indicated
southwest by west as the course. A bright light on the shore bore
south-east by south. Mr. Fluxion watched the light and the compass.

"Keep her south-west by south," said he to the hands at the wheel.

"South-west by south," repeated one of the seamen.

"Trim the sails, Mr. Peaks," added the vice-principal.

"Ay, ay! sir. Man the fore-sheet! Now walk away with it! Avast! Belay!"
said the acting first officer; and the manoeuvre was repeated upon
the mainsail.

The yards were trimmed for the new course, and there was nothing more
to be done. The seamen not occupied at the helm, or on the lookout,
stowed themselves away in comfortable places.

"We are going nearly south now," said Ibbotson, as he and Little seated
themselves under the weather rail.

"South-west by south," added Little, gloomily; for even he had almost
lost hope.

"I heard Perth say there were over two points and a half variation; and
that makes the course about south by west. Where do you suppose we are
bound?"

"I can't guess. I suppose we shall fetch up somewhere. When we do, I'm
off as soon as the mud-hook finds bottom. I'm not sure that I shall
wait till