“I hope not; for I should feel insulted if a man offered me money for that sort of service,” replied the high-toned young officer. “I feel as much at home in the water as I do on this deck; and, if I saw anybody in the water, I couldn’t help going in after him, if he needed help.” “That’s the ginerous nature you have, my boy! It’s a wonder you wasn’t born in ould Ireland or Italy.” “The Tritonia is close aboard of us,” said the officer of the deck, touching his cap to the captain. “I see she is: slow down, if you please, Mr. Raymond,” replied O’Hara. “We shall soon know now to what port we are bound.” “I think I can go to sleep when I know that,” added Tom. The Tritonia had made a long tack in standing off and on; and, when she was at the greatest distance from the Ville d’Angers, the wind had died out. She was rolling in the long swells with all sail set, but making no progress through the water. The Ville d’Angers ran across her wake, and within hailing distance of her. “On board of the steamer!” called the officer of the deck. “On board the Tritonia!” replied Raymond, prompted by the captain. “The captain desires Mr. O’Hara to report in person,” added the officer of the schooner. “All ready with the third cutter,” said the captain. The boat was lowered into the water, and pulled off with O’Hara on board. In a few moments he was on the quarter-deck of the Tritonia. Capt. Wainwright had been called when the steamer was made out by the watch, and he immediately came on deck. O’Hara reported in full concerning his action since he had taken possession of the steamer. He declared that the Ville d’Angers was in good seaworthy condition in every respect. She was abundantly supplied with coal, water, and provisions. “It seems very remarkable that we should pick up Mr. Frisbone and his wife in a disabled vessel,” said Capt. Wainwright, when O’Hara had finished his report, which closed with the catastrophe of Miss Rodwood. “It would perhaps have been better if the American Prince had happened to come to the relief of the Ville d’Angers.” “But better the Tritonia than neither,” added O’Hara. “There would have been a certain fitness in the American Prince saving her former owner from the perils of the sea.” “Indade there would!” exclaimed the captain of the steamer. “But I suppose you want your orders; and I confess that I have been in a great deal of doubt. Professor Primback is so much incensed against me, that he won’t speak to me. I have asked his advice in regard to what to do; but he will not say any thing. He says I am in the attitude of rebellion against his authority. He insists that I shall call back the students I have sent away, and let the steamer go to the bottom, if that was to be her fate. Mr. Marline thinks I had better send her to the nearest port, which would be Cadiz.” “That would be a sensible way to dispose of her,” interposed O’Hara, who was in favor of an independent cruise.