A little while later it was announced that the balloting for lieutenants would begin. The names of eight aspirants were put up, including that of Fred Rover. There was a good deal of wire-pulling, and it took nine ballots to decide the various choices. But in the end Fred became the first lieutenant of the company of which Jack had been made captain.
"Good for you, Fred! I congratulate you!" cried Jack, catching his cousin by the hand.
"I guess we'll all do that," declared Randy.
"Three cheers for Lieutenant Fred Rover!" exclaimed Spouter, and the cheers were given with great heartiness, for Fred had made himself a favorite throughout the school.
"And now to get ready to go to Camp Barlight" said Andy. "My, but won't we have the best times ever while we are under canvas!"
But a little later the newly-elected captain became somewhat doubtful of this. As he and Fred, followed by the twins, went upstairs to their rooms they passed Gabe Werner and his cronies in the main corridor. The angular ex-lieutenant did not say a word, but he glared at Jack in a baneful way that boded no good.
"Werner has got it in for you, Jack," remarked Andy, when the four Rovers were in their rooms and the doors had been closed.
"I guess you're right," was Jack's reply. "Well, I'm not going to worry. I think I can take care of myself."
As was the usual custom at Colby Hall, all of the old officers and those newly elected were invited to participate in a dinner given by Captain Dale. This was held in a private dining room of the school, and was usually a function looked forward to with much pleasure by those to take part.
"Now we've got to look our prettiest," announced Fred to Jack. "Of course, we'll wear our new officers' uniforms."
The dinner proved to be one long to be remembered by the two Rover boys, and they were sorry to think the twins had not been present to see what took place. There were some speeches and a good deal of merrymaking, and the two Rovers were congratulated over and over again on having been elected.
"I'm mighty glad to think you're going to be at the head of Company C, Captain Rover," said Major Ralph Mason. "And glad, too, that your cousin Fred is going to be a lieutenant of that company. I shall expect great things from both of you."