CHAPTER XII
THE MIDNIGHT ALARM
Wire-pulling extraordinary went on at Kentfield for the next two days.Each candidate had his particular friends, who worked hard to gain votesfor him.
It was soon seen that Rutley had no chance, and though he would pollseveral votes, the main contest was between Dutton and Dick Hamilton.
"And you're going to win!" declared Paul with enthusiasm, as he clappedhis chum on the back. "I've got nearly enough votes promised right now,and I know I can gain over more of the fellows."
"But say, old man, don't make such a fuss. You make me feel----"
"No matter how you feel, you're going to be captain! I'm sure of it!"
"Well, there's no use saying I don't care how the election goes, for Ido," declared Dick honestly. "I'd rather it was some one else thanDutton though, who was against me."
"Why, you're not afraid of him; are you?"
"No, but you remember the old rivalry. I'm afraid it will make talk, butI want to say right here and now that if he is elected he won't haveany better friend than I, and I'll play my head off to help his teamwin!"
"We all know that!" cried Paul, looking at his chum admiringly. "It goeswithout saying. Now I'm off to see some more of the first year fellows."
"Don't make too much of a fuss about it," begged Dick. "Don't make itlook as though I'd give my head to be elected. I want it, of course,but----"
"I understand!" cried Paul lightly as he hurried off.
As the time for election drew nearer the excitement increased and therewere all sorts of rumors floating around. Votes were openly bought andsold, but in a friendly, boyish fashion, the inducements being nothingmore important than "treats" or some special favors. Some even tradedthe horses assigned to them in the cavalry drills, one cadet getting ahandsome black he coveted in exchange for a rather poor roan, but Dickgained a vote thereby.
Paul Drew was a faithful lieutenant in his chum's cause, and he didvaliant work. As for the young millionaire and Dutton, they keptdiscreetly out of it. They met several times during the course of thefirst day's electioneering, and gaily chaffed each other on the chancesthey stood.
"I hear you won't have one vote, 'Ham,'" laughingly declared Dick'sformer enemy.
"That's right," half-seriously assented our hero. "I told all my friendsto vote for you."
"So I heard. Kind of you. Come on over and I'll buy you a soda."
"No. They're on the forbidden training menu now."
"That's so, I nearly forgot. Well, come on up to the Sacred Pig, andwe'll have some toast and tea," for there was a lunch room in thesociety house. The two rivals went off arm in arm, watched by anadmiring throng of cadets, for they were both great favorites with theirschoolmates.
At the close of the first day it was generally admitted by the workerson both sides that the two candidates for captain had about the samenumber of votes. Rutley was "not in it," as Paul said, and the ladhimself laughingly admitted this. Still Porter and his particular setwere working in his interests, not so much because they really wantedhim, as that they did not want Dick to win, and they took this means ofdeflecting votes from him. At the last minute, it was rumored, theRutley votes would be swung to Dutton.
"But you've got heaps of chances yet, Dick," declared Paul, "and there'slots more time to canvass."
But not much electioneering could be done on the next day, for acompetitive drill was ordered and after that was to come artillerypractice. There was barely a chance for some football work, and it hadto be cut short.
What little was done, however, demonstrated that the team was shaping upwell, and the coaches were more than pleased.
"We'll have them play the Dunkirk Military Academy next Saturday,"announced Mr. Spencer, "and we'll see what they can do in a realcontest."
"I have great hopes of them," declared Mr. Martin. "Of course they oughtto beat Dunkirk, for it's a smaller academy than this, but if they rollup a big score, bigger than Blue Hill did against the same team lastyear, Blue Hill can hardly refuse to play our boys, and I understandthat their refusal to meet Kentfield is a sore point."
"It certainly is. Oh, we'll whip our lads into shape yet, and then BlueHill can look to her laurels."
The two coaches walked over to the gymnasium, for they kept themselvesin condition by hard physical work on the apparatus, as well as byout-door practice.
All through the academy that night went the buzz and hum of talk aboutthe election. Several votes changed hands, so to speak, though it couldnot be said that Dick's chances were increased thereby. In fact Paul wasa little downcast as he reckoned up the number he was sure of for hischum, and thought of the number needed.
"But I'll get them!" he told himself fiercely as he looked at the listin his hand. "There are some new fellows I haven't seen yet."
"Oh, go to bed," advised Dick, who was tired with the day's duties, butPaul would not.
The young millionaire was sleeping soundly when Paul came in a littlelater.
"Well?" asked Dick, half awake.
"Not very well," answered Paul dubiously, "but it may be in the morning.Dutton certainly has lots of friends."
"All right," announced Dick as cheerfully as he could.
It was after midnight when the two chums, as well as several othercadets, were awakened by an alarm wildly shouted.
"Fire! Fire! Fire!" came in startled tones from a voice they recognizedas that of Toots. "Fire in the ammunition house!"
Paul and Dick were out of bed in the same instant, and rushed to thewindow. They saw a red glare, and the cry of Toots was echoed by otherjanitors.
"By Jove! The ammunition house is blazing!" cried Paul aghast. "If thatgoes up----"
"It's far enough removed from the main buildings," cried Dick, as hebegan hurriedly to dress, "but it may damage the Sacred Pig. Besides,there are some valuable guns in there--and Paul--I forgot--Grit is inthere! Come on!" and Dick raced from the room, half attired as he was.