Cantwell arranged his glasses again, and looked earnestly into the face of the joker; but he was as serious as though he had been at a funeral.
"I was not aware that you stood so high on the record," added the fourth master, more puzzled than before.
"Of course you are aware that you stand very high yourself," said Scott.
"I know that I have not had a single imperfect lesson, or been marked down on any exercise."
"Just so. Then the highest office lies between you and me," replied Scott, rubbing his chin. "The conspiracy is against us. If you should get in ahead of me, I never have any hard feelings. I am willing to abide by the regulations, and take whatever place belongs to me, even if it should be that of captain or first lieutenant. I never complain of my lot when there is fair play."
"And so the students are trying to have the highest officers chosen by ballot," mused Cantwell.
"That's so; and it's a plot against you and me—a conspiracy against our rights; and we must oppose it with all our might."
"It seems to me a very strange movement, just before the first of the month."
"You are right; and we must go to work. The conspirators have had it all their own way so far. We can make it lively for them.—Well, Laybold, what is it?" said Scott, as the student addressed approached them.
"I am sent to notify you both of a meeting of all the students of the squadron, at that flat rock on the top of the island," said the messenger. "The fellows are going to appoint a committee to wait on the principal, and ask for a change in the manner of giving out the offices."