“I beg your pardon, sir, if I have done any thing wrong,” added Scott, shrugging his shoulders like a Frenchman. “I did not mean to do any thing out of the way.” “You tipped the ship so as to throw me down,” added the irate professor. “I didn’t tip the ship, sir.” “You gave the order to have it done, as soon as you saw me come on deck.” “The captain ordered me to tack ship, and I gave the order to the watch on deck, sir. I only did what the captain told me to do.” “This isn’t the first time you have played such a trick upon me,” continued Mr. Primback, who honestly believed that Scott was the author of his misfortune. The professor considered that any person who was capable of making a joke would not scruple to do a wicked deed; and for this reason Scott was not a favorite with the professor. “I never played a trick upon you in my life, sir,” pleaded the second lieutenant, with his cheerful smile. “Don’t contradict me, Scott!” said Mr. Primback, waxing more indignant as he saw the smile. “I will report you for discipline to the vice-principal as soon as he returns.” “I beg your pardon, Mr. Primback,” interposed the captain, “but I do not think Mr. Scott was to blame.” “I did not ask your opinion, Wainwright: I hold _Mr._ Scott responsible for his own acts,” snapped the professor. “He only obeyed the order I gave him to tack ship, and it was not his fault that she made a lee lurch.” “You will use none of that gibberish to me! And I will tolerate no interference when I speak to a student.” “I only desired to explain, sir,” added the captain, with the utmost deference and respect. “Then do it in English.” “When the vessel turned so that the wind did not press upon the sails, the heavy waves caused her to roll and pitch violently,” continued the captain. “And Scott turned the vessel just as he saw me come on deck.” “I gave him the order to turn her.” “He could have waited a moment till I had reached a secure position. He has been guilty of disrespect to the senior professor of the vessel.--Scott, you will go down into the cabin, and settle this case with me,” continued Mr. Primback, who was certainly more irritable than usual. Wainwright was confounded by this order. It was plain that the professor had forgotten the regulation of the principal, which ought to have governed him in the present emergency. In the absence of the vice-principal, he had no control whatever over the captain in regard to the management of the vessel. He was taking the course pursued by another professor in the squadron, who had been sent home for interfering with the discipline of the ship. “Mr. Scott is the officer of the deck, sir,” said the captain, greatly embarrassed by the situation. “I don’t care if he is: he will obey my order, or I will suspend him from duty,” replied Mr. Primback stoutly. “You will excuse me, sir, if I call your attention to the regulation bearing upon this case,” continued the captain.