"Good! All hands to the boats."
The coxswains called their crews, and the students returned to their vessels.
CHAPTER V.
AN EXCITING ELECTION.
It was the last day of the month, and the instructors in the three vessels of the squadron were very busy in adding the merit-rolls on the record books. It was necessary that all this work should be very carefully done, for a mistake of a single mark might send a cabin officer into the steerage, or a seaman from the steerage into the cabin. Every addition was verified, therefore, by a second person. The students had abundant opportunities to canvass and electioneer, as all the instructors were at work in the main cabin. While the seamen were on shore, the officers had been using the Novelty presses and the types in printing the ballots for the next day. And they had just as much difficulty in "making up the slate" as a ring of older politicians. While few of the officers were willing to stand as candidates for positions lower in rank than those they held at the time, some desired to go a little higher. There were no little compromising and "log-rolling" but it ought to be said that Commodore Cumberland and Captain Lincoln, while they were willing to place themselves "in the hands of their friends," refrained entirely from pressing their claims. On the other hand, De Forrest and Beckwith had used their influence to better their own condition. The former was afraid his merit-rank would be lower than his present position, and he agreed with the latter to make him second lieutenant, if Beckwith would work to nominate and elect him as first. The nominations were full of difficulty. De Forrest, as the originator of the plan which had been adopted, felt that he had some claims to consideration. Of course, as Judson and Norwood were to be displaced if De Forrest and Beckwith were advanced, it was necessary for the latter aspirants to work privately and carefully. But the secret could not long be kept, and when the first and second lieutenants learned that there was a movement on foot to displace them, they were very angry and indignant, and protested with all their might against the injustice. The De Forrest plan was already at a discount with a considerable portion of the cabin officers.
The discussion in the after cabin was becoming violent and noisy; and at the suggestion of Captain Lincoln, it was voted to appoint a committee, who should retire to a state-room and prepare a ticket. The commodore, the captain, and Sheridan, the first midshipman, constituted this committee; and after an absence of an hour, they reported that the several officers should be nominated in the order of their present rank. This report, if accepted, would defeat the aspirations of Beckwith, and he refused to assent to it. De Forrest, who felt that his claims were not recognized by the report, was not satisfied with it. As each of these aspirants had several friends, the compromise was not agreeable. The name of Cantwell had not been mentioned for any position. He sat in a corner of the cabin, a silent but interested listener, until the vote on the report of the committee was about to be taken.
"Mr. Chairman," said he, addressing Ryder, the fourth lieutenant, who had been chosen to this position, "it strikes me that these proceedings are slightly insular. Who are expected to vote this ticket when it is made up?"
"All who are willing to do so, of course," answered Ryder.