st."

Being thus encouraged Randolph stepped out of the line and walked off
toward his father's carriage, to which his indignant mother had already
beat a dignified retreat. When he had gone a little distance he looked
behind him and saw, with no little satisfaction, that he was followed by
eleven others who were displeased by the way the election was going.

They were the ones who had been urged into the company by Mr. Randolph,
who had promised to see them well fitted out with horses and weapons,
and of course they felt bound to follow the example of his son. There
were those who believed that Mr. Randolph would not have taken so much
interest in the company if he had not believed that every recruit he
brought into it would cast a vote for Tom.

Here was a pretty state of affairs, thought Captain Hubbard, who looked
troubled rather than vexed. He did not care so much for the desertion of
young Randolph and his friends (although the unexpected withdrawal of
twelve men from his command was no small matter), but he did care for
the spirit that prompted their action. It was a rule or ruin policy he
did not like to see manifested at that juncture. He was well enough
acquainted with Randolph to know that he would not be satisfied with
simply deserting the company, but would try in all ways to be revenged
upon every member of it who had voted against him. While the captain was
thinking about it, somebody tried to make matters worse by setting up a
loud hiss, and in an instant the sound was carried along the whole
length of the line. It wasn't stopped, either, until Rodney Gray stepped
to the front.

"Mr. Commander," said he, raising his hand to his cap with a military
flourish, "I don't want this position. The officers already chosen have
been fairly elected, but I'll vote for Randolph for the next highest
office in the gift of the company, if he can be induced to come back."

"Haven't you heard him say that he don't want it and won't take it?"
replied the captain. "I think the Rangers know what they are doing.
Proceed with the election."

"But, Captain, I don't want to be a clerk," protested Rodney. "I want to
be a soldier. Aside from his writing, the orderly has little to do but
loaf about camp all the while, keeping an eye on the company property,
signing requisitions and drilling awkward squads, and that's a job I
don't want. What's more, without any intention of being disrespectful,
I'll not take it. There must be