"Maud it is, then; and no fellow must say Salihé after this," added Scott.
As a matter of form the question was put to vote, and Maud was unanimously adopted as the name of the steamer.
"The next thing is to make out a list of officers and crew," suggested Louis. "But we can't have a great many officers, for we have not fellows enough to fill the places. First we want a captain, and we will vote for him by ballot."
Morris was appointed to collect the votes, and three of them were for Louis, and one for Scott.
"This is very complimentary, and I thank you," Louis proceeded, after Scott had declared the result of the ballot. "But I must respectfully and resolutely decline the honor. I do not think I am fitted for the position, and therefore I must refuse to accept it. Please to bring in your votes for captain."
Felix caught a sight of Louis's ballot, and the vote stood two for the owner of the Guardian-Mother and two for Scott. The Milesian, knowing very well what his crony desired, and how he had voted both times before, did a little electioneering in a whisper with Morris, and the next ballot gave the hero of the battle with the smugglers a majority of the votes.
Scott returned his thanks; but he had voted every time for Louis, and thought he ought to have the position.
"We don't want any compliments about this business, fellows," replied Louis. "If I wanted to be simply complimentary, I should vote for Morris, and he is better qualified for the position than I am; but I believe Scott has had more experience than any other fellow in the crowd, for he navigated the Seahound from New York to Florida, and through the Bahama Islands. I think we have done the right thing, and Captain Scott it is."
"So say we all of us," repeated Felix and Morris.
"The next place is that of pilot, who shall be at the same time the mate," continued Louis. "Flix will collect the votes."