"I'm afraid there is some blunder in the reckoning," replied Scott.
Lincoln had been most heartily congratulated by the ship's guests on his reëlection, and Miss Gurney could not help expressing to Cantwell her admiration of his unselfish conduct. Everybody seemed to be satisfied with the result of the election, except De Forrest. The new plan, of which he claimed the authorship, worked very well, and the students were obtaining some experience in the machinery of politics. Clyde Blacklock, who, when he found it was useless to attempt to run away, or to resist the authority of the ship, had exerted himself to learn and to do his duty, was particularly pleased with the result of his struggles during the month. He was a young man of good parts, and had the English love of invigorating sports. He had taken kindly to his duty, and had made great proficiency during the two months he had been on board. He was the coxswain of the second cutter, and he was prouder of the position than many who had won places in the cabin. Some of the crew of the boat were inclined to sneer at him, but he took especial pains to conciliate them.
On the afternoon of the election day it rained, and the guests were compelled to remain in the cabin; but the young officers who were not on duty did their best to entertain them. At night a dense fog set in; but the wind was fair, and the squadron held on its course, and having the starboard tacks aboard, the fog-horns were blown every two minutes. The next morning, at seven bells, pilots were taken, just as the fog began to lift, though it still lay over the land on the port bow. Repeated whistles, as of a steamer, were heard from this direction, and the pilot of the ship declared that some vessel was in distress, probably a steamer, which had run ashore in the fog.
"Steamer aground on the port bow," shouted the lookout forward, half an hour later.
"I see her!" exclaimed Captain Cumberland, who had placed himself in the lee mizzen-shrouds. "She is on a sand-bank."
The ship was within half a mile of the steamer, but the pilot declared that it was not prudent to go any nearer. Two guns from the grounded vessel announced that she needed assistance.
"Mr. Cantwell, call all hands; clear away the second cutter," said the captain.
"All hands, on deck; second cutters, clear away your boat!" piped the boatswain, when the first officer had given the order.
"Now, heave her to," added the captain.
"Man the main clew-garnets and buntlines!" shouted Cantwell; and his orders were repeated by the other officers at their stations. "Let go the lee braces! Down with the helm, quartermaster!"