"Impossible! I should be satisfied if I were fourth lieutenant, and I am sure my merit-rank would give me that place. But it's no use; I'm counted out."
"Not yet; wait till after election before you give it up. The fellows like fair play; and if you hadn't put on airs before this plan came up, they would make you commodore, just because the cabin nobs are trying to count you out. That's what's the matter. They like your cause a good deal better than they like you. As it is, they mean to see that you have fair play to-morrow. If you should happen to be elected to any office to-morrow, I hope you will try to be a good fellow."
"I certainly shall," replied Cantwell.
De Forrest was waiting for a chance to speak to Scott, and the C. B. passed on, leaving Cantwell in a very desponding state of mind. The situation had taken the conceit out of him. Conscious of his ability to win even the highest position, he had taken no pains to conciliate his associates, and he was reaping the legitimate harvest of his selfish conduct and his overbearing manner. Certainly the De Forrest plan had already done him a great good. His manners were changed, for he had learned that he was not of half so much consequence as he supposed; and his present depression of spirits did not permit him to put on airs, he had learned that, in all communities, every individual owes something of respect, kindness, and consideration to every other individual, even the superior to the inferior. It was a lesson which he would have been compelled to learn a few years later, if the circumstances had not obliged him to accept it at the present time. It is certainly true that young men are older and wiser at eighteen than at any subsequent period of their lives, and in Cantwell's case this self-importance was considerably exaggerated above the average. Most young men have to be "taken down," and the rough circumstances of life generally do it in the course of a few years, without any earthquake or other violent commotion.
Scott's party did no electioneering. Knowing what the next day was to bring forth, they were particularly jolly, and listened good-naturedly to all the cabin politicians had to say. They were remarkably cautious and prudent, and though the fact of the secret organization was known throughout the ship, the officers did not suspect that it numbered members enough to control the election. The canvass was lively till the anchor watch was stationed on deck, and all hands were compelled to turn in.
The next morning a dense fog hid even the nearest island from view. The Finnish pilots declined to take the vessels through the intricate channels among the islands, except under the most favorable circumstances. After breakfast the principal sent a note to each of the vice-principals. Scott pulled an oar in the boat which delivered them. While the messenger was in the cabin, he went on the deck of the Josephine, and walking about among the crew with the forefinger of his right hand on his nose, he soon discovered half a dozen making the sign.
"Bang!" said he, selecting one of them.
"Whang," laughed the seaman.
"Who knows?"
"Eye, nose," answered the other, making the proper signs.