The villagers are gathering in the shop to elect this year's crew for the raft. They need three men aboard and one to tar the vessel. After a tense discussion Erik is elected as the second man on the raft, while Percy is appointed to do the tarring. Percy gets furious and leaves the meeting. The alderman Abraham then suggests the disregarded Nikodemus to replace him for the tarring, and Svensson to be the third man. At Valla baron Urse, Louise and Mon Cousin sit alone, since all servants have left them, because of no salary. Suddenly Urse remembers the election. He ...