here this partickler little busy bee stops
makin' honey for the town of Smyrna to lap up at one mouthful. That
special town-meetin' comes along all handy for me. You notice I ain't
objectin' to havin' it held."

Constable Nute, who had been looking puzzled ever since the selectman
had signed the call for the meeting, perked up with the interest of
one who is about to hear a mystery explained.

"For," the Cap'n went on, "I was goin' to call one on my own hook
so that I can resign this office. I serve notice on you now that when
this town touches dock at that meetin' I step ashore with my little
dunnage bag on my back."

"The town won't let you do it," blazed Hiram.

"I was shanghaied aboard. You want to be careful, all of ye, how you
gather at the gangway when I start to walk ashore! It's fair warnin'.
Take heed of it!"

There was an expression on his weather-worn countenance that checked
further expostulation. Hiram angrily led them out after a few
muttered expletives.

"I've heard of contrary tantryboguses in my time," stated Broadway
when they were back at his store, "but that feller over there has
got all of 'em backed into the stall. This town better wake up. We've
let ourselves be bossed around by him as though Smyrna was rigged
out with masts and sails and he was boss of the quarter-deck. Give
me a first selectman that has got less brustles."

It was the first word of a general revolt. It is the nature of man
to pretend that he does not desire what he cannot get. The voters
of Smyrna took that attitude.

On the eve of the projected town-meeting Hiram Look strolled over
to call on his friend Sproul. The latter had been close at home for
days, informing his loyal wife that for the first time since he had
settled ashore he was beginning to appreciate what peace and quiet
meant.

"I don't know how it happened," he informed Hiram, "how I ever let
myself be pull-hauled as much as I've been. Why, I haven't had time
allowed me to stop and consider what a fool and lackey I was lettin'
'em make of me. When I left the sea I came ashore with a hankerin'
for rest, comfort, and garden sass of my own raisin', and I've been
beatin' into a head wind of hoorah-ste-boy ever since. From now on
I'll show you a man that's settled down to enjoy life!"

"That's the right way for you to feel," affirmed Hiram. "You take
a man that holds office and the tide turns against him after a while.
It's turned against you pretty sharp.