"Say De Forrest and Scott; and Scott's name on the ticket will carry the other name," chuckled Sheridan, though he spoke as soberly as he could. "That alters the case," added De Forrest, musing. "If Lincoln is not to be on the ticket, it makes it altogether a different affair." "But if you are going to scratch Scott's name, and jump overboard, rather than vote for him, it's no use of talking." "I should like to have all these differences healed up, so that my plan may have a fair trial," said the first purser. "Well, think of it," continued Sheridan; "and if the fellows conclude to nominate the ticket I suggested, I have no doubt it can be elected." "I think, under the circumstances, I should conclude to vote for Scott." "Well, that would be a great concession on your part," laughed Sheridan, as he went forward to talk with others about the matter which so deeply interested all hands. Of course he spoke with Scott first on the subject, and suggested a general caucus of officers and seamen, to which the joker readily assented, and promised, if the business was fairly conducted, to keep it out of the secret society. The matter was talked over till the lights were put out. The next morning, after the decks had been washed down, and breakfast disposed of, a small steamer, which had been engaged by the principal, came alongside, and all hands went on board of her. All the students from the consorts, with their instructors, joined them, and the steamer started. Though she was Russian, she was not very different from any other of her class. After passing out of the harbor, the boat entered the broad estuary which forms the mouth of the Neva. It was shoal water, and the channel was narrow and very crooked, and the craft twisted about almost as much as on one of our western rivers. As the distance from Cronstadt to the capital is only seventeen miles, the expectant excursionists were soon in sight of St. Petersburg. Though the city is built on low, level ground, the aspect of it, seen from the sea, is very striking. It was different from any other city the students had seen. "There's a gilded dome," said Commodore Lincoln. "That's St. Isaac's Cathedral," replied Dr. Winstock. "And you see blue, green, and white domes." "There is one with stars on it." "A very common decoration," added the doctor, as the steamer entered the Great Neva. At the city the river divides into several branches, and forms half a dozen large islands, and some forty smaller ones, on which a portion of the town is built. The southern branch is called the Great Neva, on which are most of the landing-places of the steamers. Another branch is called the Little Neva, and the two on the north are the Great and Little Nevka. "This is the English Quay," continued the surgeon, pointing to the right as the steamer approached the long iron bridge, which takes the name of Nicholas, in whose reign it was built, and is eleven hundred feet long.