The young gentleman thus addressed came forward, blushing beneath the honors which had been bestowed upon him.  The principal took his hand.

“Captain Carnes, I congratulate you upon your election to the highest office in the gift of your companions; and I congratulate your fellow-students also upon having so good a young man to handle the ship.  You have been modest, and they have been wise.  I congratulate you both.  Young gentlemen, I am satisfied that your captain will be just, courteous, and gentlemanly, in his relations with you; and I hope you will yield a willing and cheerful obedience to his orders, and to those of all your superiors.  Let me say that this business is not a farce; it is not mere boys’ play; for as soon as the officers and crew are fully trained and instructed, all ship duty will be carried on without assistance from me or others.  When necessary, I shall advise the captain what to do, but I shall not do it myself; neither shall I needlessly interfere with the discipline of the ship.

“This is the last time an election of officers will be permitted, for it is liable to many objections, not the least of which are the bribery and corruption by which some have attempted to obtain office.”

Mr. Lowington looked at Shuffles, as though he knew all about the method to which he had resorted to secure an election; but we are quite sure that Paul Kendall had never lisped a word of it to him, or to any of the instructors.

“On the first day of July, young gentlemen, all the offices will be vacant; and they will be awarded strictly in accordance with the marks you may obtain.  There will be no veto upon the result of the merit roll.  These places, therefore, are open to all.  We have no aristocracy on board.  Every student in the ship is a candidate for the captaincy.  Now, if the officers elect will follow me to the after cabin, I will install them into their new positions; after which I will proceed to organize the crew.”

The door of the after cabin, which had hitherto been a mystery to all the boys, was unlocked by the head steward, and Mr. Lowington, followed by the officers, entered.  The students on deck were ordered forward, and were not even permitted to look down the companion-way, for the principal intended to keep the after cabin exclusively for the officers; and no one not entitled to admission was to be allowed to cross its threshold.  He believed that this mystery, and this rigid adherence to the division line between officers and crew, would promote the discipline of the ship, and enhance the value of the offices—­the prizes for good conduct, and general fidelity to duty.

“Captain Carnes, this is your state room,” continued Mr. Lowington, opening the door of the room farthest forward on the starboard side.  “As the commander of the ship you are entitled to an apartment by yourself.”

“Thank you, sir,” replied the captain, as he stepped into the room.