CHAPTER XI 

THE ELECTION FOR OFFICERS 

"Company attention! Shoulder arms! Forward march!" 

Boom! Boom! Boom, boom, boom! 

The drums rang out clearly on the morning air and the Colby Hall battalion swung into line on a march that carried it around the school buildings and then to the lake shore. Here Colonel Colby and Captain Dale inspected the three companies. Then the retiring major, Ralph Mason, was called on for a little speech which brought forth many cheers, and after this the command was dismissed. 

It was the day for the election, and there was to be no school session until the afternoon. 

At the last election there had been a total of 111 votes cast. But now there were one hundred and twenty-five cadets at the institution. There had been some talk of organizing a new command to be known as Company D, but so far this had not materialized. 

As was the custom, the election was held in the main hall of the school and was presided over by Captain Dale and Professor Brice. 

"I see they expect a hundred and twenty-five votes," remarked Randy. "That means sixty-three will be necessary to a choice." 

"Well, I'm sure Jack will get at least forty on the first vote," returned his brother. 

"I hope he gets the whole sixty-three," put in Dan Soppinger. Dan had once run for a captaincy, but had dropped out and turned most of his attention to athletics. 

As at other elections, it was decided by Colonel Colby that each officer should be voted for separately. 
who was marching?
Colby Hall battalion swung into line on a marc