The unknowing ones, who had backed him the loudest, now answered the soonest to Heathcote's demand for retribution, and Gosse himself, who had an hour ago whispered nothing but "hit low," now denounced the coward and proclaimed his deposition.
By a single vote Culver was dethroned, and Dick, amid frantic cheers, elected president in his stead.

Nor did popular clamour cease there, for Gosse was stripped of his office, too, and Heathcote unanimously chosen secretary; and, for the first time in history, the Den did homage to two week-old new boys, and called them its leaders.
It was scarcely possible that Dick, in the midst of all this glory, should remain unmoved.

He tried to look modest, he tried to bear himself as though he had done nothing out of the common, he even tried to persuade himself he would rather not accept the office thrust upon him.

But his heart swelled with pride, and his head grew light in its lofty atmosphere.
Nor did Birket's visit tend to sober him.
"Well, youngster," said the Fifth-form boy, "you managed it at last, then ?" "Oh, yes," said Dick, grandly, "he's not very good with his parries." "Isn't he?
He's good at coming in on your chest, my boy.

Don't you be too cocky.