"Twenty-three have given in the name of 'Lily,'" said he, taking up those which indicated some other name. "'Champlain,' 'Lake Bird,' 'Lake Gem,' 'Saranac,' and the names of most of the lakes and rivers in Vermont. Among them are 'Addison' (our county), 'Genverres,' either of which would be a very good, and a very appropriate name. I don't like the fancy names, such as 'Gem of the Lake,' as well as the more substantial ones. Now you may vote on the question, and the name among those I have read which has a majority shall be the one selected." This announcement brought out some applause. Then the captain said it would be in order for any student who wished to recommend any particular name, to say what he pleased on the subject. This permission brought Luke Bennington to his feet. "I don't believe there is a craft on the lake now called the 'Champlain.' There has been a large steamer, but she is no longer in existence," said the speaker, with considerable earnestness. "In my opinion--and I have seen the lakes of Scotland and Switzerland--Lake Champlain is the finest lake in the world." "Oh! Oh! Oh!" murmured several listeners. "Of course the size of the lake comes into the comparison, or Lake George might be nothing by the side of a little pond between a couple of hills. We have the Adirondacks on one side, and the Green Mountains on the other; and, taking everything into consideration, I vote for Lake Champlain as the finest. For this reason, and because it is the element on which the schooner is to figure, I hope its name will be given to her." Another student spoke in favor of "Battenkill," but he proved to be the only one who had ever heard the name. He explained that it was a river which had its source in Vermont, though it soon wandered into New York. A third student spoke for "Addison," and a fourth for "Genverres." The advocates of "Lily" seemed to be conscious of their strength, and all of them were too bashful to make a speech in its favor. Mr. Darlingby passed around the box, and all voted. The ballots were quickly counted by the instructors, who appeared to be quite as much interested as the boys, and the principal read the result. It was evident then that a few did not care a straw for the name, and voted for the fun of it. "Tiger Lily, 1; Pond Lily, 1; Lake Gem, 1; Genverres, 1; Addison, 1; Battenkill, 1; Champlain, 2; Lily, 28," the principal read from the paper made out by Mr. Bentnick. The vote was received with tremendous applause, and the students continued to clap their hands until the captain raised his linger as a signal for them to cease. "The schooner will be called the 'Lily,'" added the principal. CHAPTER XXV. BUILDING THE BOAT.