"I am glad you understand it," added the principal, with a significant look at the third lieutenant. "I will now read the merit-roll, in order that you may know who are, and who are not, eligible to the elective offices. Lincoln is number 1; Cumberland, 2; Norwood, 3; Judson, 4; Murray, 5; Cantwell, 6; Sheridan, 7; Ryder, 8; Vroome, 9; Beckwith, 10; De Forrest, 11; Wainwright, 12; Jones, 13; Orlof, 14; Messenger, 15; Brown, 16. All but three of these may be candidates for the first six offices; and those not elected to higher positions will take their rank by the merit-roll." Three of the cabin officers had dropped into the steerage, and three in the steerage had risen to the cabin; and when the names of the latter were read, they were greeted with earnest applause. The rest of the names on the roll were read, and the ship's company dismissed. The Novelty printing presses were again in demand. Scott obtained one, and De Forrest the other; and so rapidly was the printing of the ballots accomplished, that by ten o'clock the required number were printed. Promptly at six bells, or eleven o'clock, the ship's company were piped to muster again. The principal made careful arrangements for a fair vote. The box was placed on a water cask, and on each side of it one of the instructors, to see that no one put in more than one ballot. The students were then formed in a single line, on the starboard side, and required to march around the box, deposit their votes, and then to come round upon the port side, the forward officers standing amidships to prevent any from passing over and voting a second time. The principal was aware that the most intense excitement pervaded the crew, and he deemed it proper, even for the appearances' sake, to guard against "repeaters" and "ballot stuffers." One officer and two seamen were appointed to count the votes, and when all had deposited their ballots, the committee, attended by the two instructors, retired to the main cabin to perform their duty. While they were thus engaged, a boat from the Josephine, and another from the Tritonia, brought the result of the voting in these vessels to the ship. The returns were in sealed envelopes, and were sent down to the committee. In a short time the votes were counted, the returns from the consorts added, and the whole verified by the instructors present. Murray, the officer on the committee who had been named first was to make the report. When he came on deck, the ship's company gathered around the rostrum, from which the result was to be announced, and there was intense anxiety manifested by both parties. "Give your attention to the report of the committee," said Mr. Lowington. "Whole number of votes, 170," said Murray, reading from the paper in his hand. "Necessary for a choice, 86. Captain Wolff has 5; Captain Langdon has 9; Commodore Cumberland has 64; Captain Lincoln has 92, and is elected."