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Page 102
"I see you are. By the way, had you noticed that Queenstown is not in
the Navigator, or on the older maps?" added Pelham.
"Yes; the place was called the Cove of Cork until 1849, when, in honor
of her majesty's visit to the town, the name was changed to Queenstown."
"All right," said Pelham.
It need not be supposed that the distance to Queenstown and the change
in the name of that place had anything to do with the League. The fact
was, that Mr. Fluxion had passed near the conspirators, and had paused a
moment in the waist to glance up at the fore-top-gallant sail, which was
not in good trim; and the conversation had been changed to suit the
occasion. In talking of the affairs of the "Chain," it was required that
one of the party should look forward, and the other aft, if there were
two of them; and that the third, if there were three, should stand back
to the nearest rail. It was further required that the conversation
should not take place in a situation where it would be possible for any
one to overhear them. The lee side of the waist,--the midshipman of the
watch always being on the weather side,--the top-gallant forecastle, and
the tops were the favorite resorts of the conspirators. If any one
approached, the parties in conversation were instantly to change the
topic, as Shuffles had done.
"I think it is about time for the election to take place," continued
Shuffles, when Mr. Fluxion had gone aft.
"Whenever you are ready, I am," replied Pelham.
"I am ready now."
"So am I."
"Very well; it shall come off to-morrow, say."
"To-morrow it is, then."
"But how shall it be conducted?" asked Shuffles.
"That will not be an easy matter. I think, however we can hit upon some
plan for having it fairly done."
"Of course the matter lies between you and me," added Shuffles.
"To be sure."
"I suppose both of us are ready to abide the issue, whatever it may be,"
said Shuffles, who was not a little fearful that his powerful rival
would refuse to acknowledge him when he was chosen, as he confidently
expected to be.
"I pledge you my word and honor, that I will obey you in all things if
you are fairly elected captain," replied Pelham, who was equally sure of
being chosen himself.
"Fairly? Who is to decide whether it is fairly done or not?" demanded
Shuffles, unwilling to leave a loop-hole through which his companion
could crawl out of the bargain.
"When we have agreed upon the means of electing the captain, the choice
shall be final."
"Good! You and I shall have no difficulty!" exclaimed Shuffles, rather
astonished to find his rival so easily managed, as he regarded it.
"We will make it a little more binding, if you choose," suggested
Pelham, who, the reader has already been assured by the figures given,
was completely outwitting the author and inventor of the Chain League.
"With all my heart!"
"We will toggle each other on this special question if you like."
"The stronger we make the bond the better," said Shuffles. "Repeat after
me."
"Not here, Shuffles. There is a steamer on our weather bow. Let's go up
into the mizzentop, and have a look at her with a night glass."
Mr. Haven, the first lieutenant, who was in charge of the deck,
permitted them to go aloft with the glass, for the officers were
empowered to grant small favors. On reaching the top, they glanced at
the steamer, and then resumed the conversation which had been suspended
on deck, it being too dark for the officers below to see what they were
doing.
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