Chapter I: Preface

Outward Bound is the first volume of "A Library of Travel and Adventure in Foreign Lands," and contains the voyage of the Academy Ship "Young America" across the Atlantic. The origin and progress of this aquatic institution are incidentally developed, and the plan is respectfully submitted to the consideration of those who are interested in the education and moral training of the class of young men who are the characters in the scenes described in this work. Besides a full description of the routine and discipline of the ship, as an educational and reformatory institution, the volume contains a rather free _exposé_ of the follies and frailties of youth, but their vices are revealed to suggest the remedy.

The story includes the experience of the officers and crew of the Young America, eighty-seven in number, though, of course, only a few of them can appear as prominent actors. As the ship has a little world, with all the elements of good and evil, within her wooden walls, the story of the individual will necessarily be interwoven with that of the mass; and the history of "The Chain League," in the present volume, of which Shuffles is the hero, will, it is hoped, convey an instructive lesson to young men who are disposed to rebel against reasonable discipline and authority. In the succeeding volumes of this series, the adventures, travels, and "sight-seeing," as well as the individual and collective experience of the juvenile crew of the Academy Ship, will be narrated. They will visit the principal ports of Europe, as well as penetrate to the interior; but they will always be American boys, wherever they are.

The author hopes that the volumes of the series will not only be instructive as a description of foreign lands, and interesting as a record of juvenile exploits, but that they will convey correct views of moral and social duties, and stimulate the young reader to their faithful performance.

HARRISON SQUARE, MASS., November 2, 1866.

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CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE

I. THE IDEA SUGGESTED 11

II. THE YOUNG AMERICA 27

III. THE ENSIGN AT THE PEAK. 43

IV. OFFICERS AND SEAMEN. 59

V. OUR FELLOWS. 75

VI. THE FOURTH OF JULY. 91

VII. HEAVING THE LOG. 106

VIII. OUTWARD BOUND. 122

IX. THE WATCH BILL. 138

X. MAKING A CHAIN. 154

XI. THE GAMBLERS IN NO. 8. 170

XII. THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL. 186

XIII. PIPING TO MISCHIEF. 202

XIV. ALL HANDS, REEF TOPSAILS! 218

XV. AFTER THE GALE. 233

XVI. THE WRECK OF THE SYLVIA 248

XVII. PEAS AND BEANS 263

XVIII. THE RESULT OF THE BALLOT 280

XIX. MAN OVERBOARD! 299

XX. THE END OF THE CHAIN LEAGUE 318

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OUTWARD BOUND.

OUTWARD BOUND;

OR,

YOUNG AMERICA AFLOAT

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