“Faix, you have me there! I see you have learned your spelling-lesson well, Mr. Lingall.” “‘R,’” continued the signal-officer, adding another letter to the unfinished word. “Chlor,” said O’Hara. “That’s not a nautical word, to be sure.” “No: it looks more like a medical term,” added Mr. Pelham, who had joined the group gathered around the signal-officer. “‘O,’” continued Lingall, as another letter was indicated. “Chloro: that must be chloroform. The professors on board are going to perform a surgical operation.” “I think not: there is no doctor on board of the Josephine,” added Mr. Pelham. “It must be some doctor’s stuff,” persisted the fourth lieutenant. “If you are patient for a few moments longer, you will not be under the necessity of guessing what is wanted. I am satisfied the word is chlorodyne,” said the vice-principal. “Chlorodyne!” exclaimed O’Hara. “Is that a rope, or something to eat?” “Neither: it is a medicine with which all the vessels of the squadron are provided; and I have had occasion to administer it several times.” “If it’s physic I’ve nothing to say; but if there is a rope in the ship that I don’t know, I feel guilty,” said O’Hara, with a mock sigh of relief. “‘D,’” continued Lingall, taking down the next letter of the word. “That’s enough,” interposed Mr. Pelham. “The article wanted is chlorodyne; reply ‘understood,’--yes.” This signal was transmitted, for the Tritonia had an abundant supply of the medicine named; and Mr. Pelham wondered how the Josephine happened to be out of the article, since it was Dr. Winstock’s favorite remedy in all cases of colic or severe pain in the bowels. “Heave to, and wait for a boat,” was the next message interpreted from the signals. The signal was duly reported to the captain, who was studying his lessons in the cabin. He directed the officer of the deck to obey the order, which was regarded as coming from the senior vice-principal. Simultaneously the two vessels came up into the wind, backing their fore-topsails. Mr. Pelham went down into the cabin as soon as the Tritonia was brought to; but he returned in a few moments, wearing his pea-jacket. “This will afford me an opportunity to consult with the senior vice-principal in regard to your matter, Speers,” said Mr. Pelham to the first master in the waist. “I hope we shall not be ordered back,” replied Tom, not a little annoyed at the prospect. “I think there is no danger of that, Speers; but I feel obliged to make the case known to Mr. Fluxion: he will at least share the responsibility with me,” replied Mr. Pelham. Tom felt easier after this assurance. The vessel pitched very heavily in the sea when she was hove to; and, if the junior vice-principal had any doubt about the propriety of leaving the Tritonia at such a time, he did not express it to any one on board. Certainly the indications of the weather, as gathered from the barometer and the appearance of the heavens, were any thing but favorable.