Then the vote was tabulated, while the boys stood around on the tiptoe of expectation.
"I will read the result," announced Captain Putnam, after receiving a paper from Mr.Strong, and he read as follows: "Whole number of votes cast, 83.
Necessary to a choice, 42.
Paul Singleton has 4.
Henry Lee has 5.
Harry Blossom has 7.
David Kearney has 9.
Reffton Ritter has 12.
Daniel Baxter has 18.
Bart Conners has 28." "Nobody is elected," said Pepper, in a disappointed voice.
"Boys, you will have to try it again," said Captain Putnam.
"I beg to withdraw my name from the list of candidates," cried Paul Singleton.

"All who voted for me will kindly vote for Bart Conners, who is my choice." "We must beat Ritter and Baxter!" said Andy, in a low voice.
"That's right!" cried another of the cadets.

"But how ?" "Let us try to make up a slate," proposed Jack, who was something of a politician.

"Harry Blossom and Dave Kearney might withdraw in favor of Bart Conners if the fellows promised to support them for the two captaincies." "Let us see if it can be done," returned Pepper, quickly.

"Hustle now, for we've got to vote again in fifteen minutes." They hurried around and interviewed Blossom and Kearney, and about twenty other cadets.