Page:The fighting scrub, (IA fightingscrub00barb).pdf/116

 *nesday, "and he says he doesn't want to be captain. Says he won't be if he has to."

"Guess it will be Coles, then," said Clif.

"Coles is all right. But how about Jimmy Ames?"

"Ames? Why, I don't know. I like Coles better. Or Stiles."

"Stiles, eh? We-ell, yes, maybe. You know, Clif, I wouldn't say no if they offered it to me."

"Offered what?"

"Captaincy."

"A fat chance," jeered Clif. "One of the old fellows will get it, of course. Henning ought to take it. He's a First Class fellow. Either he or Ames."

"I don't see that it matters what your class is," Tom demurred. "I'm not saying I'm expecting to get it, of course, but if some one nominated me I'll bet I'd get four or five votes. It would be fun to see, eh?"

But Clif didn't enthuse greatly. "That may be your idea of fun, Tom, but it isn't mine. To stand for election just to see yourself licked is crazy."

"Heck, what's the difference if you are licked? Say, if any of the crowd should put me up, vote for me once anyway, like a good guy, will you?"

"I'll second the nomination, if it's done," laughed Clif, "but I'd like to know who you think's going to put you up!"

"Well, some one might. You can't tell. Some one might do it just to be funny."

"I don't think it would be so blamed funny," said Clif, slightly indignant. "If it comes right down to