"I know I am a better scholar than any other student in the cabin. They all know this, or they would not have raised this breeze."
"Better let others find that out before you discover it yourself. One thing more: the officers say you are no seaman, and they don't want a fellow in command of the ship who don't know his duty. No officer likes to have one above him who knows less than he does about seamanship."
"I don't suppose I know as much about a ship as those students who have been on board two or three years; but I think I am competent to perform my duty, at least with the advice of the principal, in any position."
"I have told you all I know about it."
"And some things that you don't know," added Cantwell, who could not believe that he was such a person as the joker had described.
"Just as you please about that."
"But I wish you to understand that I think you have been very fair and candid; and I am very much obliged to you for your plain speech, however disagreeable it may be to me."
"You are welcome to it," laughed Scott.
"Now, do you think the principal will make the change asked for by the committee?"
"I don't know; but I hope he will."