"Yes, sir."
"I do not believe in secret societies for political purposes. Do you intend to make Cantwell commodore next month?"
"We have no such plan at present."
"Didn't you ask me, when I spoke of joining, if I would vote for Cantwell for commodore?" asked De Forrest.
"I did."
"I think that's enough, sir," added the first purser.
"If Cantwell is using this society to make himself commodore, it is time to suppress the society."
"Cantwell is not a member of it, sir," replied Wainwright. "It was got up simply to defeat the plan of the officers to control the election. At the meeting on the island to-day, not a word was said about the elections in any way. If the nominations are fairly made next time, I don't believe the society will meddle with them."
"I hope not," added Mr. Lowington.
"If the officers nominate in the cabin, without consulting the seamen, very likely the society will do something."