Probably there were not ten boys in the company who were not more proficient in drill than he.
This was not owing to any want of natural capacity, but to a feeling that he did not require much instruction and a consequent lack of attention to the directions of Mr.Morton.He had frequently been corrected in mistakes, but always received the correction with sullenness and impatience.

He felt in his own mind that he was much better fitted to govern than to obey, forgetting in his ambition that it is those only who have first learned to obey who are best qualified to rule others.
Desirious of ingratiating himself with the boys, and so securing their votes, he had been unusually amiable and generous during the past week.
At the previous lesson he had brought half a bushel of apples, from which he had requested the boys to help themselves freely.

By this means he hoped to attain the object of his ambition.
Squire Haynes, too, was interested in the success of his son.
"If they elect you captain, John," he promised, "I will furnish you money enough to buy a handsome sash and sword." Besides John, there were several others who cherished secret hopes of success.

Among these were Charles Reynolds and Wilbur Summerfield.

As for Frank Frost, though he had thought little about it, he could not help feeling that he was among those best qualified for office, though he would have been quite content with either of the three highest offices, or even with the post of orderly sergeant.
Among those who had acquitted themselves with the greatest credit was our old friend Dick Bumstead, whom we remember last as concerned in rather a questionable adventure.