De Forrest and Beckwith conducted the obnoxious fourth master to the chair, which was the flat rock. As Cantwell mounted the natural rostrum, the jokers applauded lustily, and the ring felt that the proceedings were already turned into a farce. Of course Cantwell was more astonished than any one else to find his merits so highly appreciated. "Gentlemen, I thank you most heartily for the honor, unsought and unexpected on my part, which you have conferred upon me," said he, removing his cap. "I shall endeavor to preside impartially over the deliberations of this meeting. The chair awaits any motion." "Mr. Chairman," said De Forrest, who, after his defeat, had been delegated by the officers to present the business to the meeting. "Lieutenant De Forrest," replied Cantwell. The originator of the plan for changing the "tenure of office" made quite a lengthy speech, in which he set forth the advantages to be derived from the adoption of the new method of filling the offices of the highest grade. Of course he carefully abstained from any allusion to the real objection to the present system, and would have done so even if Cantwell had not been chosen chairman. His statement of the plan was certainly a very clear one, and the subject was fully understood by every student. "And now, Mr. Chairman, having fully explained the plan, which has been approved by a large number of the officers and seamen of the squadron," continued De Forrest, "I move that a committee of three be raised, to wait on the principal, and request him to make this change in the manner of filling the office of commodore of the squadron, and of captain, first, second, third, and fourth lieutenant of each vessel." "Mr. Chairman," said Beckwith, who had been selected to second the motion, "I rise--" "No, you don't," interposed Scott; "you haven't got up yet." "I rise--" "You were up before," persisted Scott; and a round of applause followed the interruption. "Mr. Chairman, I second the motion," said Beckwith, who, however, was unable to make the little speech he had arranged in his mind favoring the proposed change, for the laugh and the applause which followed Scott's sally had sadly disconcerted him. The chairman stated the motion, and the question upon its adoption was fairly before the meeting. Several of the officers spoke in favor of it, and even the commodore, the captain, and the first lieutenant gave it the weight of their powerful influence. Two of the "short jackets" also briefly addressed the meeting in favor of the plan; and thus far the agitators had it all their own way. "Question!" called some of the ring. "Mr. Chairman!" shouted Scott, in a tone loud enough to be heard at the farther side of the island, where the adults of the squadron were enjoying the quiet beauty of the scene. "Mr. Scott," replied the chairman, recognizing and bowing to the joker.