With Flapp out of the race there was considerable curiosity to know who would be elected for the term. Each set of cadets had their favorite candidates and the spirit of rivalry ran high. But most of the candidates were good-natured about it, and especially d.i.c.k and Tom Rover and George Granbury, Fred Garrison, and Larry Colby.
It had been decided that the cadets should first elect the major, then the three captains, and then the six lieutenants, all to be selected according to the highest number of votes received.
The voting began on Monday immediately after breakfast. Captain Putnam had slips pa.s.sed around and on these each cadet wrote down his choice for major.
"I will read the result," said the captain, a few minutes after the poll was declared closed. And he read as follows:
"Whole number of votes cast--96.
"Lawrence Colby has 67.
"The next highest student has 19.
"Lawrence Colby is declared elected major of the battalion for the present term, including the annual encampment."
"Hurrah for Major Larry Colby!" cried Tom, and a rousing cheer followed, while Captain Putnam strode over and shook hands with the newly elected commanding officer.
"I must congratulate you, Major Colby," he said warmly. "I must say I am well satisfied with the choice of our students."
"Thank you, sir," answered Larry, and blushed in spite of himself.
"We will now proceed to the election of the three captains," went on Captain Putnam. "Remember, the three standing highest on the list will be declared elected respectively."
Again slips were pa.s.sed around and again the students marked down the names of their favorites, three upon each slip.
Counting up the vote for captains took longer than that for major, but soon the captain had his statement ready and the cadets listened in silence as he proceeded to make his announcement:
"Whole number of votes cast, 288.
"Richard Rover has 82.
"Fred Garrison has 67.
"Mark Romer has 59.
"The next highest student has 28.
"Richard Rover is elected captain of Company A, Frederick Garrison captain of Company B, and Mark Romer captain of Company C, for this term and during the annual encampment."
"Hurrah for d.i.c.k Rover!"
"Hurrah for Fred Garrison and Mark Romer!"
And then the students cheered as wildly as ever, while Captain Putnam once more offered his congratulations.
"Captain Rover, my hand," said Larry, coming up.
"Thank you, Major Colby," answered d.i.c.k, and then both gave a grip that meant a good deal.
"We seem to be right in it," observed the newly elected major.
"That"s true," answered d.i.c.k.
"We shall now proceed to the election of six lieutenants," went on Captain Putnam, and once more the slips went the rounds, and the boys did a lot of writing and speculating as each put down the six names required.
This vote was rather a long one, and Captain Putnam had two teachers help him in tabulating the result.
"This contest must make Flapp feel sick," whispered Powell to d.i.c.k, while the students were taking it easy on the parade ground.
"Well, he brought it on himself," was the brief reply.
"I"ll wager he tries to square up with us, especially if he thinks we told on him."
A bugle sounded, calling the cadets together, and once more Captain Putnam read the result:
"Whole number of votes cast, 576.
"John Powell has 83.
"William Merrick has 76.
"Walter Durham has 71.
"Thomas Rover has 68.
"George Granbury has 51.
"Raymond Hollbrook has 43.
"The next highest cadet has 38.
"John Powell is declared first lieutenant of Company A, William Merrick first lieutenant of Company B, Walter Durham first lieutenant of Company C, Thomas Rover second lieutenant of Company A, George Granbury second lieutenant of Company B, and Raymond Hollbrook second lieutenant of Company C, for this term and during the annual encampment."
As this announcement was made there was a breathless silence. Then came a rousing cheer and the various successful ones were congratulated by the captain and their friends.
"Well, Songbird, it seems you are to be my first lieutenant," said d.i.c.k as he shook hands with Powell. "That suits me first-rate."
"And I am to be second lieutenant," said Tom, coming up. "With Sam in the company as private this begins to look like a family affair."
"Oh, I"m going to make you fellows toe the mark now," laughed d.i.c.k. "No more skylarking, if you please, Lieutenant Rover."
"All right, Captain Rover," replied Tom, with a stiff salute that was side-splitting.
Taking it all the way through the election was declared to be a popular success. Of course some of the defeated candidates were bitterly disappointed, but they did their best to hide their true feelings.
William Philander Tubbs had declined to vote and Lew Flapp and Gus Pender had kept entirely out of sight while the voting was going on.
The two cronies took themselves to the gymnasium and there declared their hatred of d.i.c.k Rover.
"He is responsible for this," muttered Flapp, clenching his fists and grating his teeth. "But for him I might at this minute be major of the battalion, or one of the captains. Oh, but won"t I square up some day!"