“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.”

“Don’t see how you figger that,” returned the Cap’n with complacency.  “I’m gettin’ out just the right time.  Time to leave is when they’re coaxin’ you to stay.  If I’d stayed in till they got to growlin’ around and wantin’ to put me out I’d have to walk up and down in this town like Gid Ward does now—­meechin’ as a scalt pup.  That’s why I’m takin’ so much personal satisfaction in gettin’ out—­they want to keep me in.”

“You ought to travel out around this town a little,” returned his friend, grimly.  “The way they’re talkin’ now you’d think they was goin’ to have bonfires and a celebration when they get rid of you.  Hate to hurt your feelin’s, but I’m only reportin’ facts, and just as they’re talkin’ it.  Bein’ a friend I can say it to your face.”

The expression of bland pride faded out of Cap’n Sproul’s face.  For a moment he seemed inclined to doubt Hiram’s word in violent terms.  A few words did slip out.

The old showman interrupted him.

“Go out and sound the pulse for yourself.  I never lied to you yet.  You’ve cuffed the people around pretty hard, you’ll have to admit that.  Take a feller in politics that undertakes to boss too much, and when the voters do turn on him they turn hard.  They’ve done it to you.  They’re glad you’re goin’ out.  You couldn’t be elected hog-reeve in Smyrna to-day.”

The Cap’n glared at him, voiceless for the moment.

“I know it hurts, but I’m tellin’ you the truth,” Hiram went on, remorselessly.  “If they don’t stand up and give three cheers in town-meetin’ to-morrow when you hand in your resignation I’ll be much surprised.”