om in indignant haste, slamming the door
after him.

"He's a mean fellow!" said Frank Ingalls. "I suppose he expected to be
captain."

"Shouldn't wonder," said Sam Rivers. "Anyhow, he's a fool to make such a
fuss about it. As for me," he added, with a mirthful glance, "I am
just as much disappointed as he is. When I came here this afternoon I
expected I should be elected captain, and I'd got my speech all ready,
but now I'm sorry that it will have to be wasted."

There was a general burst of laughter, for Sam Rivers, whom everybody
liked for his good nature, was incorrigibly awkward, and had made
a larger number of blunders, probably, than any other member of the
company.

"Give us the speech, Sam," said Bob Ingalls.

"Yes, don't let it be wasted."

"Speech! speech!" cried Joseph Barry.

"Very well, gentlemen, if you desire it."

Sam drew from his pocket a blank piece of paper, and pretended to read
the following speech, which he made up on the spur of the moment.

"Ahem! gentlemen," he commenced, in a pompous tone, assuming an air
of importance; "I am deeply indebted to you for this very unexpected
honor."

"Oh, very," said one of the boys near.

"I feel that you have done yourself credit in your selection."

Here there was a round of applause.

"I am sorry that some of you are still very awkward, but I hope under my
excellent discipline to make veterans of you in less than no time."

"Good for you!"

"You cannot expect me to remain long with you, as I am now in the line
of promotion, and don't mean to stop short of a brigadier. But as long
as I am your captain I hope you will appreciate your privileges."

Sam's speech was followed by a chorus of laughter, in which he joined
heartily himself.

As for John's defection, nobody seemed to regret it much. It was
generally felt that the company would have no difficulty in getting
along without him.

CHAPTER XXVI. THE REBEL TRAP

ON the first of April Frank received the following letter from his
father. It was the more welcome because nearly a month had elapsed
since anything had been received, and the whole family had become quite
anxious:

"Dear Frank," the letter commenced, "you are no doubt feeling anxious on
account of my long silence. You will understand the cause of it when
I tell you that since the date of my last letter I have been for a
fortnight in the enemy's hands as a prisoner. Fortunately, I have
succeeded in effecting my escap