Another "vile Indian" was easily captured outside of the fish-house, and was passed through the same ceremony. He was duly tickled till he rolled on the ground, pronounced guilty of stealing the bag, allowed to see it; and when the mark upon it was indignantly identified, the candidate was sent to a seat. About twenty went through this part of the performance, and then, when all of them were placed in front of the C. B., he told them the story of "A 'Ticklarly Vile Indian." All of them were solemnly warned not to let the cat out of the bag; and in closing the lodge, those who had just been "elevated" to the second degree, were permitted to learn the meaning of the mysterious initials. All who had participated in the ceremonies, either as active or passive agents, were delighted with the fun, and those who were patiently waiting their turn to be elevated, were very much disappointed when obliged to go on board their respective vessels without their second degree, especially as those who had taken it looked wise and mysterious, and would not even hint at anything which had transpired in the lodge. "How's that for high?" asked Scott, as they left the fish-house. "Tip-top," replied Wainwright, the D. C. B., who was now the second purser of the ship; "but we may not get a chance to do anything more for weeks." "I think we can find some place to do it in the ship. The mess-rooms are rather small, but we can make one of them answer on a pinch," replied Scott. "By the way, Wainwright, I don't know that you want to belong any longer." "Why not?" "Because you are an officer now." "That won't make any difference. The seamen can't go into the cabin; but the officers can go into the steerage. I think the lodge makes rare fun, and I, for one, enjoy it hugely. I would rather go back into the steerage than lose the sport." "You'll do," laughed Scott. "I was thinking it was about time for you to begin to put on airs." "You will begin about the time I do. You are my superior officer in the Bangwhangers." "But I will give up my office to a bigger fellow." "No fellow that belongs would be willing to have you give it up." "You are very kind." "Now, can't we get up another degree?" asked the second purser. "When we have given all the fellows the second degree, it will be time enough to talk about the third. How does Cantwell get along in the cabin?" "First rate. What you said to him did him a heap of good, for he don't put on airs, and don't exhibit so much selfishness as the officers say he did. I suppose you know that the De Forresters are sick of their bargain?" "I concluded that they were. It was a hard nut to have Cantwell elected over them." "De Forrest has already got up a petition to the principal to restore the old way of electing the officers; but the fellows in the cabin don't like the idea of signing it yet. It looks too much like backing down." "I rather like the present plan," laughed Scott; "and I want it to have a fair trial."