say.

"I can't get it anyway," declared Walt, "and as Werner is falling
behind, I think it's perfectly safe now to withdraw."

"And I only went in to keep the votes from going to Werner," declared
Bart.

Both of these cadets hustled around among their supporters and let all
in the Hall know that they were withdrawing from the contest.

In the meantime Gabe Werner and his cronies circulated among the
crowd, and it was afterwards said that Werner even went so far as to
attempt to buy some votes, but without avail.

Then the next ballot was called for, and it was quickly cast.

"We have at last reached a result," announced Captain Dale. "And I am
glad of it." And then he read the figures.

"Total number of votes cast 111
Necessary to a choice 56
Jack Rover has 81
Gabe Werner has 30."

"Hurrah! Jack Rover is elected captain of Company C!" and a great
cheer went throughout the hall.

"He got all the votes that were cast for Baxter and White!" cried
Fred.

"Right you are!" added Gif. "Gabe Werner did not get a single vote
more than he had before."

"And that was two less than he got at the start," added Spouter.

"I hereby declare Jack Rover duly elected captain of Company C for the
ensuing term," said Captain Dale. "Captain Rover, if you will come
forward, I shall be glad to shake hands with you," he added. And then,
as Jack walked to the platform to grasp the instructor's hand, there
was a great burst of applause.

"Never mind, Gabe. We'll make you lieutenant again, anyway," declared
Bill Glutts, while this scene was being transacted.

"I don't want to be lieutenant again!" howled Gabe. "If they don't
want me for a captain, they needn't have me for anything. I'll decline
to run!" And thus speaking, Gabe Werner marched out of the room in
great disgust.

"He sure is a sweet one!" was Gif's comment.

A little while later it was announced that the balloting for
lieutenants would begin. The names of eight aspirants were put up,
including that of Fred Rover. There was a good deal of wire-pulling,
and it took nine ballots to decide the various choices. But in the end
Fred became the first lieutenant of the company of which Jack had been
made captain.

"Good for you, Fred! I congratulate you!" cried Jack, catching his
cousin by the hand.

"I guess we'll all do that," declared Randy.

"Three cheers for Lieutenant Fred Rover!" exclaimed S