I think I'm the best fellow in the ship, and for that reason I want to be captain.

I'm ahead of Carnes so far on marks this month." "Well, if you want to be the head flunky, I hope you'll get it.

We are not going ashore to-morrow, they say," added Wilton, changing the topic to get nearer to the business of the hour.
"So Pelham told me." "Are you willing to stay on board and study, and do ship's duty, on the Fourth of July ?" "We are going to celebrate." "How ?" "I'm sure I don't know." "We shall celebrate to-morrow just as we do every day--as close prisoners on board the ship.

I, for one, don't like it, and I won't stand it." "Won't you ?" laughed Shuffles.
"When I say I won't, I mean so." "O, you do--do you ?" "You better believe I do," added Wilton, shaking his head resolutely.
"What are you going to do ?" "I'm going ashore, by hook or by crook." "Better not get into any scrape." "You say that as one of the flunkies." "Well, you had better not say anything to me, for I shall have to do my duty as an officer.

Don't say anything to me, and then I shall not know anything about it." "Humph!" sneered Wilton, not pleased with this non-committal policy.
"I don't want to do anything mean with any of our fellows; so don't say a word to me.