The greatest din which the campus had ever known was carried off in waves of sound, and Brown, for the first time throwing off his mask of calmness, shouted and hurrahed as lustily as any.
CHAPTER XX
THE WISH OF THE MAJORITY
"Well, something has certainly happened over there," remarked Bob Somers to Charlie Blake, as he lined a batted ball back to Singleton.
"I guess I know what it is," sighed the "grind." "Suppose, by this time, 'Crackers' Brown thinks he's it."
In spite of the continual commotion which rang unpleasantly in their ears the nine kept on practicing, with but a very small audience on the field.
At length the slight figure of Benny Wilkins was seen approaching as fast as his rather short legs could carry him.
"Hi, hi, fellows!" he gasped. "Hi, hi! No use for you to play any more. I've got the awfulest news. Don't throw that ball, Dave Brandon; it's no use, I tell you. 'Four ten P. M.'—got it all chalked down—'Somers and Company thrown out by more than a unanimous vote! Rambler Club changes its name to the Hikers.'"
The sensation which Benny hoped to produce did not materialize. The staunch Somers adherents who had refrained from voting were fully prepared for the announcement, while most of the players merely grinned.