Don Strong, Patrol Leader | Page 4

he knew
just what was wrong with that bridge and no two scouts agreed.
"Squat!" came the next order.
There was a rush for camp stools piled in a corner. Still grouped by
patrols, the scouts faced Mr. Wall.
"The Wolf patrol," he said, "is to select a new leader. So long as Patrol
Leader Morris will not serve under his successor, the Council of Patrol
Leaders feels that he should not vote in this election. The Scout Scribe
will distribute pencils and paper. Each member of the Wolf patrol will
write the name of his candidate. When I call his name, he will deposit
his ballot, folded, in my hat. The patrol leaders will count the ballots."
Don's throat was dry. When he received his paper and pencil his hand
shook. He wrote "Andy Ford" quickly, and folded the paper. He caught
a glimpse of Tim sending sharp glances from face to face.
"Assistant Patrol Leader Ford," Mr. Wall called.
Andy went up and dropped his ballot.
"Scout Lally."
Tim voted, came back to his stool and sat biting his lips.
Finally all the votes were in. The patrol leaders carried the hat aside,
counted the votes, and came back to Mr. Wall.
"The result is--" The Scoutmaster paused. "Scout Lally, three votes;
Scout Strong, three votes; Assistant Patrol Leader Ford, one vote. As

no candidate has received a majority, another ballot is necessary."
Don wondered if he had heard the Scoutmaster correctly. Three votes
for him? He saw Tim eye him with dark suspicion. Andy's voice
sounded in his ear:
"Did you vote for me?"
He nodded.
"Well, cut it out. Next time vote for yourself."
Don shook his head slowly. This thing of voting for himself did not
appeal.
"If you vote for me," Andy said sharply, "this will be a tie until the
cows come home. Don't be a chump. Tim is voting for himself."
Still Don was undecided. Besides, he could not get over the wonder of
finding himself with three votes.
"How about a man who runs for president of the United States?" Andy
insisted. "Do you think he votes for his opponent?"
"We are ready to ballot again," said Mr. Wall.
"Wake up," said Andy.
Don did not know what to do. There was no use in voting for Andy.
Alex would not take the place and Bobbie Brown was altogether too
young a scout. What should he do?
"Assistant Patrol Leader Ford," called the Scoutmaster.
Don, in desperation, wrote his own name.
This time, when the patrol leaders brought Mr. Wall the result, they put
the hat out of the way, and the troop knew that it would not be needed
again.

"Scout Lally," Mr. Wall read, "three votes; Scout Strong, four votes,
Scout Strong is elected patrol leader of the Wolves."
Five minutes later the meeting was over. Don had been formally
saluted by the Foxes and the Bears, and a patrol leader's stripes had
been pinned, temporarily, to his sleeve. Flushed and excited, and still
amazed at the turn fortune had taken, he faced about to where his own
patrol was gathered. All at once the flush died out of his cheeks.
"When I asked Bobbie for his vote," said Tim, "it wasn't fair. But you
could ask the fellows, couldn't you?"
"I didn't ask anybody," said Don.
Tim laughed. "When do you think I was born--yesterday? How did you
get the votes if you didn't ask for them? We'll see about this."
He walked out of headquarters. Ritter and Wally Woods whispered
together, looked at Don, and seemed unable to make up their minds.
Finally they edged their way toward the door.
There was work for Don to do--checking up what property the Wolf
patrol owned and signing that he received it in good condition. But all
joy was gone from the honor that had come to him. The Wolves were
divided among themselves! What chance would they have for the
Scoutmaster's Cup?
CHAPTER II
THE FIRST CLASH
Barbara and Mr. Strong were sitting on the porch when Don reached
home. He reclined on the top step and fanned himself with his hat.
"Was Tim elected?" Barbara asked.
"No," said Don; "I was."

"Don!" The girl sprang to her feet. "Isn't that fine! We must celebrate
with a piece of berry cake--"
But Don said gloomily that he did not feel like celebrating. He told
about having won through the aid of his own ballot.
Barbara, concerned, looked at her father. "Was it wrong for Don to vote
for himself?"
"Not at all," said Mr. Strong. "A candidate always votes for himself on
a secret ballot."
Don felt a load leave his heart. He decided that perhaps he would like
some berry cake. While he ate he told himself that there was