At this there was a murmur of voices, and all the cadets looked at each other.

“As no candidate has received the required number of votes, I will leave you for ten minutes to talk matters over among yourselves, and then we will have another vote,” announced Captain Dale.

“Say, Jack! what do you know about that?” cried Fred. “You and Werner are tied for first place!”

At this moment Walt Baxter came up.

“Listen, Jack,” he said in a low voice. “I voted for you, and I would just as lief withdraw in your favor, but some of the fellows who voted for me say if I withdraw they will vote for Werner, so I’ll have to stay on the ticket. But it’s a blamed shame!” and Walt’s face showed that he meant what he said.

“Say, Bill, we’ve got to get a hustle on and get more votes,” growled Gabe Werner to his crony, as they walked over to a corner.

“I don’t see how we’re going to do it. I’ve talked to every fellow in the school,” said Glutts.

“I’m entitled to this captaincy, and if they won’t give it to me I don’t want anything,” growled Gabe Werner. It angered him to think that in spite of all the money he had spent he could muster up only thirty-two votes.

While this was going on, Dan Soppinger had been circulating among those who had been supporting him. Dan was gratified over the showing he had made, but he did not want the position. Now he came up and announced that he was going to withdraw.