The students were dismissed from muster, and the new officers ordered to put on the uniform of their rank. Very exciting conversations in the after cabin and steerage followed. Lincoln and Cumberland treated the new captain kindly, for which he was very grateful. Wainwright, Jones, and Brown, who had been promoted from the steerage, congratulated him, but no other officer said a word to him. He was captain, but the position promised to have its thorns as well as its roses. However, his first lieutenant, the late commodore, who was one of the ablest seamen on board, and was above any jealousy or meanness, had treated him handsomely, and promised to support him. At dinner, after he had put on his captain's uniform, Cantwell seated himself at one end of the table, while Lincoln sat at the other, and the first lieutenant at the captain's right. Most of the officers looked ugly, and it was not a cheerful meal. CHAPTER VI. A CALL AT HELSINGFORS. Cantwell, since the examination in seamanship, had used every moment of his spare time in studying the books on this subject, and in conversation with Peaks and the other adult forward officers. When his shipmates went on shore, he remained on board, because the veteran boatswain was less engaged at these times. He was thoroughly in earnest, but of course it was not possible for any one to master a profession of so many details in a few days, or even a few weeks. The new captain was conscious of his deficiency in this respect, and even willing to acknowledge his unfitness for the position to which he had been elected. Under the former rule it would have been hardly possible for him to reach either of the first two offices of the ship until he had learned all the details of his business, for even a single examination, such as that which had so greatly changed his relative rank a few days before, would have prevented his improper elevation. Ordinarily, there was such an exercise every week, and every day instruction was given in knotting, splicing, and other work on rigging; in sea-terms and the names and uses of ropes, blocks, spars, sails, and other parts of a ship; while navigation and the practical working of a vessel were a daily lesson conducted by the principal.