As members of Company C, Gabe Werner and Bill Glutts would have been under the direct command of Jack and Fred. This was a thorn in the side of the ex-lieutenant, and as soon as he had received word from home that he must remain at the school for the period of the annual encampment, he went to Captain Dale and asked to be transferred to another company, and requested that Glutts be transferred also.
“I think I can understand your feeling, Werner,” said Captain Dale kindly. “I am very sorry that you refused to run for a lieutenancy after your defeat. Which company would you like to go in—A or B?”
“If it’s all the same to you, Glutts and I would like to go into Company B.”
“Very well. I’ll have the necessary shifts made, and you can report to the captain of that company before we start away.” And so it was arranged.
“The Rovers ain’t going to get me under their thumb!” growled Werner to Glutts. “I know they would like nothing better than to find all sorts of fault and to get me into trouble.”
This, of course, was not true, because both Jack and Fred had decided to treat the defeated candidate with every consideration.
“But I’m glad they’ve been transferred,” said Fred, when he heard the news.
“You’re not half as glad as I am, Fred,” answered the young captain.
Jack and his two lieutenants occupied a tent together, while Andy and Randy were under canvas with Gif and Spouter. The night was a pleasant one, neither too hot nor too cold, and it was not long after the young cadets had turned in before most of them were sound asleep. But not so Gabe Werner and Bill Glutts.
During the halt at noon for lunch, the cronies had held an animated conversation, and this talk had been continued after the battalion had gone into camp for the night. The subject of their discussion had been the question of getting square with Jack and Fred because of what had occurred during the election. Werner attributed his downfall entirely to the Rovers.