to resign. I say 'No.' He is a darned good scout. We want him and we
won't let him go. Let him keep his card."

"By the powers," roared Macnamara, "it is a goal, Snoopy. It's a
humdinger. I second the motion."

It was utterly in vain that Brother Simmons and his whole following
pointed out unitedly and successively the utter impossibility and
absurdity of the proposal which was unconstitutional and without
precedent. The hockey team had the company with them and with the bit in
their teeth swept all before them.

At this point, McNish displayed the master-hand that comes from long
experience. He saw his opportunity and seized it.

"Mr. President," he said, and at once he received the most complete
attention. "A confess this is a most extraordinary proposal, but A'm
goin' tae support it." The roar that answered told him that he
had regained control of the meeting. "Brother Simmons says it is
unconstitutional and without precedent. He is no correct in this. A
have known baith maisters and managers who retained their union cards.
A grant ye it is unusual, but may I point oot that the circumstances are
unusual?"--Wild yells of approval--"And Captain Maitland is an unusual
man"--louder yells of approval--"It may that there is something in the
constitution o' this union that stands in the way--Cries of "No! No!"
and consignment of the constitution to a nameless locality.--"A venture
to suggest that a committee be appointed, consisting of Brothers Sykes,
Macnamara and the chairman, wi' poors tae add, tae go into this maitter
with Captain Maitland and report."

It was a master-stroke. A true union man regards with veneration the
constitution and hesitates to tamper with it except in a perfectly
constitutional manner. The opposition to the administration's original
resolution had gained what they sought, a temporary stay. The committee
was appointed and the danger to both the resolution and the constitution
for the present averted.

Again Mr. McNish took command. "And noo, Mr. President," he said, "the
oor is late. We are all tired and we all wish to give mair thocht to the
main maitter before us. A move, therefore, that we adjourn to the call
o' the Executive."

Once more Brother Simmons found himself in a protesting minority, and
the meeting broke up, the opposition jubilant over their victory, the
supporters of the administration determined to await a more convenient
time.

CHAPTER XII

LIGHT THAT IS DARKNESS