"Out of a total of four hundred and nineteen voters only thirty-seven have decided in favor of the regular club; ninety-eight are for reorganization; two hundred and eighty-four--two hundred and eighty-four, mind you--a tre-men-dous majority, have come out squarely in favor of the 'Hopes.'" The greatest din which the campus had ever known was carried off in waves of sound, and Brown, for the first time throwing off his mask of calmness, shouted and hurrahed as lustily as any. CHAPTER XX THE WISH OF THE MAJORITY "Well, something has certainly happened over there," remarked Bob Somers to Charlie Blake, as he lined a batted ball back to Singleton. "I guess I know what it is," sighed the "grind." "Suppose, by this time, 'Crackers' Brown thinks he's it." In spite of the continual commotion which rang unpleasantly in their ears the nine kept on practicing, with but a very small audience on the field. At length the slight figure of Benny Wilkins was seen approaching as fast as his rather short legs could carry him. "Hi, hi, fellows!" he gasped. "Hi, hi! No use for you to play any more. I've got the awfulest news. Don't throw that ball, Dave Brandon; it's no use, I tell you. 'Four ten P. M.'--got it all chalked down--'Somers and Company thrown out by more than a unanimous vote! Rambler Club changes its name to the Hikers.'" The sensation which Benny hoped to produce did not materialize. The staunch Somers adherents who had refrained from voting were fully prepared for the announcement, while most of the players merely grinned. "Well, you're a cool lot!" growled Benny, in disgust. "Haven't you anything to say, T. Vanitas?" A few weeks before, Tom Clifton would probably have made a hot retort, adding a few remarks which might have been twisted into something highly boastful. Now, however, he merely shook his head, and answered with a smile: "No news for the note-book, Benny." "Oh, you're a peacherino. I thought you'd go over and scatter that howling mob single-handed. I can see Brown has your number." "Benny is agitated," laughed Alf Boggs. "Who wouldn't be when a chap's lifelong friends are given such an awful sack? And I kept on hollering and hollering 'Hooray for Somers!' I did so, Fred Benson. Ask Parksy. Say, for his size, he has the biggest fist in school. Going to sell your uniforms, fellows? I know a good second-hand dealer. You won't fight this thing, will you, Somers?" "There's nothing to fight, Benny." "Oh, my, oh, my! If 'Crackers' should ever hear that! I'm going to tell him. Hooray! Guess that means a bigger scrap than ever. Look at this bunch of hotheads coming over. Get ready to run." Shouts and songs rising on the air and constantly growing louder announced the approach of the crowd. Rather fearful that some impetuous students might feel inclined to stir up more excitement, Coach Steele stopped further practice.