receivers count it themselves."

"We ought to see them do it."

"That is not necessary. They don't know how many votes they have."

"I'm sure I don't," said Grossbeck.

"Neither do I," added McKeon.

"I'll tell you how we can manage it, without exciting the attention of
any one."

"I will agree to anything that is fair," replied Shuffles.

"Grossbeck shall go forward, and McKeon aft as far as the mainmast, so
that each cannot know what the other is about. They can count the votes
separately without being seen."

"I don't see how we can," said McKeon.

"Can you tell a pea from a bean by the feeling?"

"Of course we can."

"Where did you put the votes, Grossbeck?" asked Pelham.

"In my trousers' pocket."

"So did I," added McKeon.

"Both of you have on your pea-jackets now, and there is a pocket on
each side of them. Take out all the peas first, and put them in the
right-hand pocket of your pea-jacket; then all the beans, and put them
in the left-hand pocket; then count each."

"Some fellow may see us counting them," said Grossbeck.

"You must take care of that," answered Pelham.

"If they do, it will not make much difference. Some of the fellows were
careless, and threw their beans on the deck."

"Did they?" laughed Pelham? "I suppose they had no use for them."

"The second lieutenant saw them, and wanted to know what they meant,"
added Shuffles.

"Whew!" exclaimed Pelham.

"I made it all right, though I was obliged to invent a new game to throw
him off the track."

"Good!" said Pelham. "But we must go on with the counting. When you have
found the number of peas and of beans, you will write the result on a
piece of paper, each of you. McKeon, you will hand your paper to
Shuffles, and, Grossbeck, you will hand yours to me. That's fair--isn't
it?"

"Certainly," replied Shuffles.

"Then we will put the two papers together; if they agree, the election
is made; if they do not agree, we must do it all over again," continued
Pelham.

"All right," added Shuffles.

The two receivers were sent away to count the votes. As one went
forward, and the other aft, and the two "Shackles" stood between, no
communication whatever could pass from one to the other. It was now
quite dark, and most of those off duty had turned in, for the students
had become so well accustomed to sea life that they could sleep whenever
their presence was not required on deck.

"I hope this thing will be settled now once for