“Well, I must confess I’m hoping that myself,” answered the young captain, with a smile.
Once more the boys lined up and deposited their ballots. Then came some anxious waiting, and finally Captain Dale announced the result:
“Total number of votes cast.....125 Necessary to a choice............63 Jack Rover has...................67 Louis Glasby has.................46 Darrell Harkness has..............9 Peter Floyd has...................3”
“Hurrah! Jack wins!” cried Fred enthusiastically, and was the first person to grab his cousin by the hand and shake it warmly.
“That’s great, Jack!” exclaimed Gif, slapping him on the shoulder. “Let me congratulate you!”
“It’s just the result I was looking for!” burst in Spouter, his face wreathed in smiles.
Of course, Louis Glasby was much disappointed, but he took his defeat in good part and came up bravely to shake Jack by the hand.
“It was a fair and square contest, Jack,” he said. “And I congratulate you.” And then turning to the other cadets he called out: “Three cheers for Major Rover!” They were given with a will; and then Colonel Colby, Captain Dale, and many of the older persons came forward to congratulate the newly-elected head of the school battalion.
“Speech! Speech!” came the cry from the students. “A speech from the new major!” and almost before he was aware of it Jack was escorted to the platform.
“I don’t know what to say to you,” he said, as he faced his fellow-students. “I thank you very heartily for your support and I will do my best to deserve it. I want to say that I am particularly pleased at the nice manner in which Louis Glasby has taken his defeat. He’s a fine fellow and I hope I shall always have him for my friend.” And following these words there was more cheering.