“I have sent the young men away in charge of one of the vessels of the squadron several times, and this is the first time any of them has failed to report where he was ordered,” continued the principal. “Wainwright brought the Tritonia from the Baltic up the Mediterranean alone, when the vice-principal on board was worse than useless, and anchored her safely in the Golden Horn.” “Yes, sir; and you may depend upon it that O’Hara will do as well on the present occasion as Wainwright did,” replied the vice-principal cheerfully. “I hope he will; but I would give a thousand dollars at this moment to know that he and his shipmates are safe and well.” “Possibly this steam-yacht will be able to afford us some information,” suggested Mr. Fluxion. “There is a remote chance that she may have seen her. The judge telegraphed to his ward at Gibraltar from London: as he got no answer to his letter or despatch, possibly he went to Gibraltar on his way to Funchal. If O’Hara could not make his way against the head-wind, after he broke his machinery, he may have headed his vessel for the nearest port, which is Lisbon or Cadiz. The Marian may have seen the Ville d’Angers,” reasoned Mr. Lowington. “But that steamer has not had time to go to Gibraltar, and then come down to Madeira, since we sailed from that port. I don’t believe she has been to Gib.” “We shall soon know; for here comes a boat from the steam-yacht,” added Mr. Lowington, as a dashing barge, with crimson velvet cushions in her stern-sheets, pulled up to the accommodation steps. The six seamen who were at the oars were dressed in uniform, and had the word “Marian” in gold letters on their hats. Every thing about the boat was very stylish, as it was about the yacht itself. The tall gentleman with the white hair and beard, who wore the uniform of the New York Yacht Club, led the way up the stairs, and was the first to come upon the deck of the Prince. He was followed by the captain of the yacht and a gentleman in civilian’s dress. Mr. Lowington was at the gangway to receive the visitors. The judge touched his cap, and so did the principal. “Are you the captain of this steamer?” asked the judge. “No, sir; but I am principal of the academy squadron, of which this is the chief vessel; and I am really, though not nominally, the commander of the ship,” replied Mr. Lowington, who usually allowed the captain to answer such questions, in order to give him the needed experience in all affairs relating to the vessel. “Then you are the gentleman I wish to see,” continued Judge Rodwood, introducing himself, and then presenting Capt. Goodwin, the commander of the Marian. “Capt. Goodwin!” exclaimed the principal, as he glanced at the person named. “I ought to know him, for he was formerly one of my pupils,” and he grasped the hand of the captain.