ay! this town meetin' won't be DULL, whichever way the cat
jumps."

This last was a safe prophecy. All dullness disappeared from Bayport the
moment it became known that Captain Cyrus Whittaker was "out" for the
school committee. The captain began his electioneering at once. That
very afternoon he called upon three people--Eben Salters, Josiah Dimick,
and Lemuel Myrick.

Captain Salters was chairman of selectmen as well as chairman of the
committee. He was a hard-headed old salt, who had made money in the
Australian packet service. He had common sense, independence, and
considerable influence in the town. Next to Congressman Atkins he was,
perhaps, our leading citizen. And, more than all, he was not afraid,
when he thought it necessary, to oppose the great Heman.

"Well," he said reflectively, after listening to Captain Cy's brief
statement of his candidacy, "I cal'late I'll stand in with you, Cy. I
ain't got anything against 'Lonzo, but--but--well, consarn it! maybe
that's the trouble. Maybe he's so darned good it makes me jealous.
Anyhow, I'll do what I can for you."

Joe Dimick laughed aloud. He was an iconoclast, seldom went to church,
and was entirely lacking in reverence. Also he really liked the captain.

"Ho, ho!" he crowed. "Whit, do you realize that you're underminin' this
town's constitution? Oh, sartin, I'm with you, if it's only to see the
fur fly! I do love a scrap."

With Lem Myrick Captain Cy's policy was different. He gently reminded
that gentleman of the painting contract, intimated that other favors
might be forthcoming, and then, as a clincher, spoke of Tad Simpson's
comment when Mr. Myrick voted for Phoebe Dawes.

"Of course," he added, "if you think Tad's got a right to boss all hands
and the cook, why, I ain't complainin'. Only, if _I_ was a painter doin'
a good, high-class trade, and a one-hoss barber tried to dictate to me,
I shouldn't bow down and tell him to kick easy as he could. Seems to me
I'd kick first. But I'M no boss; I mustn't influence you."

Lemuel was indignant.

"No barber runs me," he declared. "You stand up for me when that
townhall paintin's to be done and I'll work hard for you now, Cap'n
Whittaker. 'Lonzo Snow's an elder and all that, but I can't help it.
Anyway, his place was all fixed up a year ago and I didn't get the job.
A feller has to look after himself these days."

With these division commanders to lead their forces into the enemy's
country and with Asaph a