"Captain Lincoln, I congratulate you on your election," said Cumberland, as soon as he could in some measure recover from his astonishment.
"I thank you, commodore; but this is none of my doings. I am more astonished than you can be, and don't propose to stand it," replied Lincoln.
"Three cheers for Commodore Lincoln," called one of the opposition, and they were given on the instant; and Cumberland joined heartily in the tribute.
"Mr. Lowington, I wish to decline!" shouted Lincoln. "I was not a candidate for this position; I did not, and do not, desire the position."
"All the captains were candidates," replied the principal. "If you had given notice before the vote that you did not desire the position, and would not accept, it would have been another thing."
"But I had no suspicion, till the ballot was taken, that any one intended to vote for me," pleaded Lincoln. "I do not like to accept the place for several reasons."
"I hope he will accept it, sir," said Commodore Cumberland; "and I wish to say that, if another ballot is taken, I must decline to be a candidate."
The opposition applauded violently. It was understood that Lincoln declined out of regard to his friend and superior; but the noble conduct of the commodore put to the blush some of the smaller aspirants for office.
"I do not think that Captain Lincoln can decline, under the circumstances," said the principal. "Such a step does not seem to be in order. Besides, young gentlemen, you desired to vote, and I shall not interfere with the freedom of the elections. I hope you will have voting enough to-day fully to satisfy you. We will now proceed to the election of the captain of the ship."
The boats from the Josephine and the Tritonia returned with the result of the vote for commodore, and the balloting proceeded as before. This was really the exciting contest of the day, and the De Forresters were somewhat demoralized by the result of the ballot for commodore. Under the arrangement made by the principal, the most perfect order prevailed. Every student on board had been provided with all the ballots in circulation, and the time for electioneering had gone by. But the unexpected election of Lincoln as commodore had deranged the plans of all but the opposition. All others, however, voted for Cumberland for captain, for the ballots had nothing upon them but the name of the candidate, and "Regular," "Independent," or "Equal Rights" ticket, the last being the rallying cry of the opposition. The votes were deposited in silence, and it was a very anxious period for the cabin officers, for the present ballot would effectually prove where the strength lay. The committee retired, and all hands nervously awaited the result. In ten minutes Murray appeared with the paper on which the state of the vote was written. As this ballot decided the great question of all the elective offices, the hearts of the officers were in their mouths, and the agitation of some of them was even ludicrous.