The signal for sailing was shown on board of the Young America, and a lively scene followed. Anchors were hove short, sails shaken out, and the Finnish pilots were at their stations. As the breeze was fresh and fair, the principal desired to take advantage of it; and, after a stay of only five hours at Åbo, the squadron was under way again, threading its course through the channels among the numerous islands. In the watch on deck, and that below, the business of electioneering was continued with the utmost vigor. Scott and his friends were busy everywhere, and even the stale expedient of a secret society among the "anti-De Forresters" was proposed, and enthusiastically adopted. Scott and Jones were intrusted with the task of furnishing a constitution, and inventing the necessary dark-lantern machinery for the organization.
Boys have a decided taste for secret associations, though, as the experience of the present time shows, not more than adults, male and female. The number of these "orders" among full-grown men is on the increase, and the boys, in all parts of the United States, have manifested a strong desire to keep up with the times, and follow the example of their elders. Secret societies had several times been formed on board of the Young America, but generally for purposes of mischief, such as running away, or capturing one of the vessels. The present association appeared to be for political purposes--to influence the election of officers. Scott was, in the main, a very sensible fellow; and his only idea of a secret society was to make some fun out of it, though he was quite willing to have it used for accomplishing his purpose, which, in its turn, was little more than a gigantic joke, so far as he was concerned.
The wind, which had been fresh all day, diminished in force after the squadron sailed, and at half past eight, while the sun was still above the horizon, there was a dead calm, and the vessels were obliged to anchor for the night, for the pilots declined to run during the darkness in the intricate navigation of these seas. The squadron anchored near a rocky island, the top of which was covered with trees. The same "eternal silence" seemed to pervade the region as among the Aland Islands. When everything was made snug on board, a portion of the students asked permission to go on shore, which was readily granted to all who desired to do so. This number was found to include the entire crew of the ship.