"We do," came as one from the thirty boys. "We cannot accept it."
"Is that the wish of the other troops?" the Governor asked.
The only answer was another outburst of cheering, if anything, more
vehement than before. Scarcely had they finished, when Captain Josh
strode rapidly forward, and confronted the Governor.
"We can't allow it," he shouted. "It's not right." He could say no
more, for another deafening uproar forbade further speech.
"It is no use for you to refuse, captain," the Governor told him, when
peace was once more restored. "The troops won't let you speak. Bring
your scouts up here."
For a few seconds the captain hesitated. Then he wheeled, and ordered
his troop to advance. Reaching the platform, the men there shook hands
with each one of them. No one could say a word, for again the troops
had let loose. The band struck up the air of "For They Are Jolly Good
Fellows," and soon the assembled troops were singing the words for all
they were worth.
To Rod the whole thing seemed like some wonderful dream. He could not
remember anything the Governor said after that. He only heard the
captain giving the order for them to leave the stand. When they were
dismissed, they were surrounded by such a crowd anxious to shake hands
with them that the boys, and even the captain, were more bewildered
than ever.
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