"But you know that this struggle for rank puts the fellows on their good behavior; and the principal would lose his sheet anchor if the present system were abandoned."
"I don't propose to abandon it entirely. I would like to have the first five officers made elective."
"You would have the captain and the four lieutenants chosen by ballot?" asked Beckwith, interested in the plan.
"Precisely so."
"But the fellows in the steerage could have it all their own way under such a plan. They could make Clyde Blacklock, Sandford, or any such fellow captain."
"No, you haven't heard me out. The captain and the four lieutenants shall be chosen from the cabin officers only."
"I rather like that."
"Any fellow will see that it is a fair thing."
"And who would be candidates for masters, pursers, and lieutenants?" asked Beckwith.
"They must obtain their rank by their merit. By my plan, ten of the fifteen cabin officers of the ship must get their positions by their scholarship, conduct, and seamanship, just as they do now; but the captain or lieutenant must first have served as master, purser, or midshipman. Then a fellow can't be captain till he has served at least one month as a cabin officer."