By this time the cutter had returned; and the Josephine’s portion of the crew of the Ville d’Angers were sent on board. The Tritonia’s part were already on duty. As soon as the boat was hoisted up at the davits, the two schooners filled away. A six-knot breeze was blowing, and they were soon at a considerable distance from the steamer; for O’Hara had been instructed to station his ship’s company under the new arrangement before he got under way. He immediately called all hands, now consisting of six officers and twenty-four seamen beside himself. As he had twelve hands in each watch, he divided each into quarter-watches. He appointed four quartermasters, who were to have charge of the wheel under the officer of the deck, and a few petty officers for other duties. The state-rooms were assigned to the students; and the regulations of the academy squadron declared to be in full force on board, so far as they were applicable. “It is now four bells in the afternoon watch; and the second part of the starboard watch has the deck,” said Capt. O’Hara, when all the arrangements had been completed. “The officers and seamen will take their stations.” Raymond was the officer of the second part of the watch indicated; and he repaired to the pilot-house to assume his duties. The quartermaster of the second part was there, with a seaman to assist at the wheel. “I don’t like this arrangement,” said Gregory, the first officer, who had been fourth lieutenant of the Josephine, as he followed the captain forward. “I am sorry you don’t, Mr. Gregory,” replied O’Hara, rather coldly. “I don’t think there is any need of quarter-watches in this steamer,” added the first officer, with more emphasis than before. “I don’t think so either,” chimed in Clinch, the third master of the Josephine. “That shows that we differ in opinion a little taste,” returned O’Hara with a smile. “You may start her now, Mr. Raymond,” continued the captain, when he came to the pilot-house. “Start her, sir,” repeated Raymond. “One bell, quartermaster.” “One bell, sir,” returned the quartermaster, as he pulled the handle on the wheel-frame. The screw began to turn slowly, and the Ville d’Angers went ahead. A few minutes later the speed-bell was rung, and the steamer increased her rate to something like ten knots an hour, though she was capable of making twelve or more. But a thick fog had settled down upon the ocean, and nothing could be seen of the rest of the little fleet. The captain ordered the regular fog-signal to be sounded at intervals, and a sharp lookout to be kept for the other vessels. CHAPTER X. SOMETHING ABOUT THE MADEIRA ISLANDS.