"You will ask the first lieutenant to come on deck," said the captain.
"On deck, sir," reported Cumberland, touching his cap to the new captain; and it seemed very strange to Cantwell to see the late commodore paying this mark of respect to him.
"You will get under way immediately."
"Under way, sir," replied the executive officer, saluting his superior again.
It is rather doubtful whether Cantwell could have given all the orders in detail which were necessary to execute this manœuvre, and certainly his position as captain was much less trying than it would have been as first lieutenant. If a majority of the officers were surly and dissatisfied, a majority of the crew were delighted when they saw the new captain on the quarter-deck; not that they had any particular respect or regard for him personally, but because he represented their cause, and was the evidence of their triumph. All hands were called, and never were orders more promptly obeyed. In a few moments the Young America was standing off before the wind, followed by the rest of the squadron. The vessels threaded their way through the channels among the islands, and passed out into the broad bay, for it was not deemed prudent to take the steamer's course, nearer the main shore. The usual routine of study was pursued during the afternoon, as the squadron, with a light breeze, rolled lazily along towards her next port.
"Your plan does not seem to work very well, De Forrest," said the principal to the new first purser, whose duties required his presence in the main cabin, when he had finished his recitations.
"No, sir; we didn't have fair play. Scott got up a secret society, and dragged more than half the seamen into it," replied De Forrest, bitterly. "I hope such things will be prevented."
"What things?" asked Mr. Lowington, mildly.
"Secret societies, sir."
"I am not in favor of such associations for political purposes; but I think the crew had a perfect right to organize for this election."