While none thought of Shuffles in connection with the highest position, many mentioned the dignified young gentleman, who had made one voyage up the Mediterranean—­Richard Carnes.  He had been on board a fortnight, and had won and retained the respect of all his companions.

Before the little band of wire-pullers in the steerage had made up the “slate” to suit their minds, the crowd on deck had agreed upon Richard Carnes for captain, and were busy in discussing the qualifications of others for the subordinate offices, when the log-rollers separated, and went to work upon their mission.

“How are you going to vote for captain, Kendall?” said Wilton, stopping up to the young gentleman who had proposed so many questions to the principal, and who had been so honest in confessing his ignorance of nautical matters.

“For Carnes, of course.”

“Humph!  I wouldn’t vote for him,” sneered the wire-puller.

“Why not?”

“He’s too stiff; he’ll put on airs, and be a tyrant over us.”

“No, he won’t.”

“You see if he don’t.  I say, Kendall, are you up for any office?” continued Wilton, with a certain appearance of slyness which the straightforward young gentleman did not exactly like.

“Am I?”

“Yes, you.  Wouldn’t you like a room in the after cabin?”

“Perhaps I would,” answered Kendall, thoughtfully; and the place was certainly very inviting to him.

“They say the after cabin is a perfect little palace.”

“I dare say it is.”

“You can just as well go in there, if you like.”

“I don’t see how that can be.  I don’t think I’m fit to be an officer.  I am from Cincinnati, and I never saw a ship till I came east three weeks ago.”

“None of the fellows know anything about a ship.  All of us will have to learn.”

“Carnes knows all about one.”

“No, he don’t.  He made one voyage, and knows just enough to talk salt.  He’s a good fellow enough, but he isn’t fit for captain.  If you want to be an officer, Kendall, and have a berth in the after cabin, you can, just as well as not.”

“Well, I would like such a place; I can’t deny it; but I don’t think the fellows will go for me.”

“They will, if you say so.”

“If I say so!  I’m not going to ask them to vote for me,” replied Kendall, warmly; for he was no politician and had a vein of modesty in his composition.

“You needn’t say a word to any one.  If you will go for our ticket, it will be all right.  Half a dozen of us have talked this matter over, and we have concluded that you would be the best fellow for second master.”

“Have you?” asked Kendall, who could not help being gratified to learn that even half a dozen of his companions had thought him worthy to be an officer of so high a rank as second master.  “I’m very much obliged to you.”

“All you have to do, is to go for our ticket.”