"Now, Mr. Chairman, I nominate Commodore Lincoln for reëlection," continued the captain.
The motion was seconded, and carried with only a single voice against it, and that was De Forrest's, his "no" being uttered in the most malignant tone.
"Mr. Chairman," shouted Scott, as soon as this question was settled, "I made a speech somewhere up north of here, among the eternal solitudes of nature, and all that sort of thing, you know. I went in for fair play then, as I do now. Some of us didn't vote the regular nominations at the election, and the consequence was, that Captain Cantwell was chosen. I think he has made a very good captain, and been very courteous and gentlemanly to all hands. I shall therefore move that he be nominated again."
"Mr. Chairman," said Cantwell, interrupting the applause which followed the joker's speech. "I am very much obliged to those who have supported me, and for this kind response to the motion of the last speaker; but I have already made up my mind not to accept the nomination of captain. In the excitement of the last election, I was chosen to a position for which I was not as competent as many others. I have done my best to improve in seamanship, but I will no longer occupy a place for which others are better fitted than I am."
Scott persisted, and Cantwell was nominated; but he positively declined to accept the nomination, though most of the students supposed he was declining for effect, at first. Finally, the principal interposed, for there could be no doubt that the captain was fully in earnest. Cumberland was then nominated for captain, and Cantwell for first lieutenant. Judson, Norwood, and Sheridan were selected for the other three elective places. The balloting was commenced, and all the nominees of the caucus were chosen. The result of the vote for commodore was signalled from each of the consorts, and Lincoln was reëlected.
"That's what I call fair play," said Scott.
"Yes, it is; but those same fellows will be chosen as long as they remain in the ship," replied Wainwright, who was now the fourth master.
"Well, they don't remain much longer," replied Scott. "Nearly all of the fellows in the highest offices will be graduated this summer, and I suppose they will leave. That will open the way for others. I wonder how I shall feel in a frock coat."
"Probably you will feel good, as all the others do," answered Wainwright, as he led the way into the cabin, where he was presented by the commodore to Miss Gurney and the Kinnairds.
"I am glad to see you here, Scott," said Cantwell, taking him by the hand.