“Well, now, I didn’t expect this,” stammered Jack, hardly knowing what to 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.