By this time the fires in the furnaces were burning in the most satisfactory manner; and the Prince declared that the steamer was increasing her speed. The captain directed that several of the students who had done duty in the fire-room before the foreigners came on board should be detailed to serve again. Four of them appeared in answer to the summons; and, as the novelty of the occupation had not worn off, they were glad to be employed in this capacity again. All hands except the firemen, the boatswain, and the carpenter, left the fire-room. The Italians and Frenchmen were fully convinced that they had made a mistake in refusing to work: they began to talk among themselves; and some of the amateurs understood enough of what was said by the actual firemen, to comprehend that they were ready to resume their work. But the students said nothing about what they had heard. In the course of an hour the foreigners were tired of their confined position, and begged to be released from durance, promising to do their duty faithfully. When the captain came down to see them a little later, they plead with him; and he consulted with Mr. Frisbone and the boatswain. “Let ’em loose, and set ’em to work; but don’t give ’em any wine, or liquor of any sort,” said the Prince. “I don’t know whether there is any wine on board,” replied O’Hara. “If there were I wouldn’t give it to those fellows after they have behaved so badly. But I don’t think they will give us any more trouble after the pounding they have had.” Shakings was directed to release the firemen; and, when he did so, he blustered and handled them so roughly, that they seemed to be inspired with a wholesome terror of his fists. He cuffed and kicked them more liberally than Capt. O’Hara thought was necessary; and the latter suggested the propriety of treating a fallen and submissive foe with a little more magnanimity. “Bless your heart, captain, it isn’t of any use to treat such fellows gently. They aren’t used to it. If you treat them well they will turn upon you, and bite,” replied Shakings, as he released the last man; but, in deference to the captain, he failed to kick him as he had the rest of them. The three who were on watch sprang to the shovels, and were disposed to waste the coal in their zeal to do their duty. The Italians, who were off duty, went to their quarters under the forecastle. O’Hara did not like the way they behaved, and he directed Shakings to keep a close watch over them. “Have you heard any thing of the rest of the fleet, Speers?” asked the captain, as he joined the second officer on the poop-deck. “I have not; and the fog is thicker than ever,” replied Speers. “Have you looked at the barometer lately? It feels like bad weather to me. The sea seems to have an ugly look, what we can see of it.” “I looked at it just as I came up; and it indicates a little more wind than we have been having the last twelve hours; but I don’t think it is any thing very bad that’s coming.”