“I met a fellow by the name of Stokes in Southampton, who belonged to the ship; and I asked him about you. He told me you were kept a prisoner in your state-room because you wouldn’t kiss the captain’s great toe; and I am here to attend to your case,” continued the baronet, still looking at the sky. “But let us be any thing but friends.” Gregory assented; but during the rest of the voyage he had some long talks with him. In four days more, the Ville d’Angers arrived at Funchal,--on the morning of the 27th; but the fleet was not there. CHAPTER XXII. WHAT THE STUDENTS SAW IN THE AZORES. On the last day of the month, the academy squadron sailed into the harbor of Funchal, arriving from the Canaries in advance of the mail-steamer which sailed from Southampton six days before. The vessels anchored off the Loo Rock; for it was intended by the principal to remain only long enough to take on board the ship’s company of the Ville d’Angers, when the mail-steamer came in. She did not appear till afternoon; and no one went on shore till that time, not even Don Roderigue, his wife and daughter; for they had been so hospitably entertained, that they were disposed to prolong their stay on board of the Marian as long as possible. The family were even considering an invitation of Judge Rodwood to visit the Western Islands in the steam-yacht. At two o’clock, when the mail-steamer came into the harbor, Mr. Fluxion and Mr. Pelham, each in the first cutter of the vessel under his charge, went to the packet, to receive his portion of the Ville d’Angers’ ship’s company. The two vice-principals went on board of the steamer as soon as it was allowable to do so. Great was their astonishment when the purser informed them that no such passengers as those they described were on board of the packet. “They went to Portsmouth in the steamer Ville d’Angers, towing the wreck of the Castle William,” added Mr. Fluxion. “Oh, yes! I know all about them!” exclaimed the purser. “They picked up the steamer; and she was sold to settle the salvage. The odd gentleman they called a prince bought her; and the ship’s company which brought her there sailed in her for Funchal on the 21st of the month, three days ahead of this packet.” Mr. Pelham was sent to the American Prince to report this news, while Mr. Fluxion hastened up to the city to see the agent of the principal, who was his banker. This gentleman informed the vice-principal that Capt. O’Hara had visited his office three days before; and, when the banker told him the fleet had gone to the Canary Islands, he had departed, leaving no intimation of his intentions. On inquiry later in the day, he learned that the Ville d’Angers had sailed for Santa Cruz, Teneriffe. Mr. Fluxion hastened to the principal with this intelligence. Mr. Lowington was confounded by it.