The discussion in the after cabin was becoming violent and noisy; and at the suggestion of Captain Lincoln, it was voted to appoint a committee, who should retire to a state-room and prepare a ticket. The commodore, the captain, and Sheridan, the first midshipman, constituted this committee; and after an absence of an hour, they reported that the several officers should be nominated in the order of their present rank. This report, if accepted, would defeat the aspirations of Beckwith, and he refused to assent to it. De Forrest, who felt that his claims were not recognized by the report, was not satisfied with it. As each of these aspirants had several friends, the compromise was not agreeable. The name of Cantwell had not been mentioned for any position. He sat in a corner of the cabin, a silent but interested listener, until the vote on the report of the committee was about to be taken. "Mr. Chairman," said he, addressing Ryder, the fourth lieutenant, who had been chosen to this position, "it strikes me that these proceedings are slightly insular. Who are expected to vote this ticket when it is made up?" "All who are willing to do so, of course," answered Ryder. "Then you are selecting candidates for the crew to vote for, as well as the officers?" "Certainly." "It seems to me, then, that the seamen ought to be represented in a meeting of this kind. They are to cast four fifths of the votes, but are not permitted to say a word in regard to the nominations," continued Cantwell, in a very quiet tone, in strong contrast with the one he had usually adopted, showing that Scott's lesson on Sunday had done him some good. "How can we hold a caucus of the whole ship's company?" inquired De Forrest. "It can be done on deck without the least difficulty." "It don't seem practicable to me," added Beckwith. "I suppose the ticket nominated here is not binding upon any one," suggested Captain Lincoln. "For my part, I quite agree that the crew ought to be consulted. Mr. Chairman, I move that this report be laid upon the table. If my motion prevails, I shall offer another, looking to a caucus of the whole ship's company." "I second the motion," added Cantwell. "Mr. Chairman, I don't see the use--" "The motion to lay on the table is not debatable," interposed Ryder. "It is moved and seconded that the report of the committee be laid on the table." The motion was rejected, only half a dozen of the officers voting in favor of it. The report of the committee was accepted by a bare majority. "As I said before, I suppose the action of this meeting is not binding upon any one," continued Lincoln, "but is simply an arrangement among ourselves."