hout the room--only the members who had formed the
organisation having the right to vote. Each of them chose the slip
bearing the name of him he intended to vote for, and dropped it into a
hat carried round for the purpose. The other he threw away, or slipped
if to his pocket.

When all had deposited their ballots, the hat was capsized, and the bits
of paper shaken out upon the table. The chairman, assisted by two other
men, examined the votes and counted them. Then ensued a short interval
of silence, broken only by an occasional word of direction from the
chairman, with the murmuring hum of the examiners, and at length came in
a clear loud voice--that of the Texan colonel--"_The votes are in favour
of Kearney! Florence Kearney elected Captain by a majority of
thirty-three_!"

A cheer greeted the announcement, in which something like a screech from
Cris Rock could be heard above all voices; while the giant himself was
seen rushing through the crowd to clasp the hand of his _protege_, whom
he had voluntarily assisted in promoting to a rank above himself.

During the excitement, the defeated candidate was observed to skulk out
of the room. Those who saw him go could tell by his look of sullen
disappointment he had no intention of returning; and that the
filibustering cohort was not likely to have the name, "Carlos
Santander," any longer on its roll-call.

He and his were soon forgotten. The lieutenants were yet to be chosen.
One after another--first, second, and _brevet_--was proposed, balloted
for, and elected in the same way as the captain.

Then there was a choice of sergeants and corporals, till the
organisation was pronounced complete. In fine, fell a shower of
congratulations, with "drinks all round," and for several successive
rounds. Patriotic speeches also, in the true "spread-eagle" style, with
applauding cheers, and jokes about Santa Anna and his _cork-leg_; when
the company at length separated, after singing the "Star-Spangled
Banner."

CHAPTER FOUR.

AN INVITATION TO SUPPER.

Florence Kearney, parting from his new friends, the filibusters,
sauntered forth upon the street.

On reaching the nearest corner he came to a stop, as if undecided which
way to turn.

Not because he had lost his way. His hotel was but three blocks off;
and he had, during his short sojourn in the Crescent City, become
acquainted with almost every part of it. It was not ignorance of the
locality, therefore, wh