diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 4 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/53479-0.txt | 7713 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/53479-0.zip | bin | 148714 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/53479-h.zip | bin | 905086 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/53479-h/53479-h.htm | 10563 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/53479-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 373287 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/53479-h/images/frontis.jpg | bin | 41968 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/53479-h/images/p054.jpg | bin | 105667 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/53479-h/images/p212.jpg | bin | 114085 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/53479-h/images/p272.jpg | bin | 103872 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/53479-h/images/titlepage.jpg | bin | 6883 -> 0 bytes |
13 files changed, 17 insertions, 18276 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..76d49e1 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #53479 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/53479) diff --git a/old/53479-0.txt b/old/53479-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 995dcf2..0000000 --- a/old/53479-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7713 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Don Gordon's Shooting-Box, by Harry Castlemon - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: Don Gordon's Shooting-Box - -Author: Harry Castlemon - -Release Date: November 8, 2016 [EBook #53479] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DON GORDON'S SHOOTING-BOX *** - - - - -Produced by KD Weeks, David Edwards and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - Transcriber’s Note: - -This version of the text cannot represent certain typographical effects. -Italics are delimited with the ‘_’ character as _italic_. - -Minor errors, attributable to the printer, have been corrected. Please -see the transcriber’s note at the end of this text for details regarding -the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation. - -[Illustration: Harry Castlemon] - - _ROD AND GUN SERIES._ - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - DON GORDON’S - - SHOOTING-BOX. - - BY - - HARRY CASTLEMON, - - AUTHOR OF “THE GUNBOAT SERIES,” “BOY TRAPPER SERIES,” - “ROUGHING IT SERIES,” ETC. - - -[Illustration: colophon] - - - PHILADELPHIA: - PORTER & COATES. - - - - - COPYRIGHT, 1883, BY PORTER & COATES. - - - - - CONTENTS. - - CHAPTER I. - PAGE - THE MILITARY ACADEMY 5 - - CHAPTER II. - DON AND BERT AT SCHOOL 18 - - CHAPTER III. - HAZING A “PLEBE” 36 - - CHAPTER IV. - THE NEW YORK BOOT-BLACK 55 - - CHAPTER V. - DON AND BERT HAVE VISITORS 73 - - CHAPTER VI. - CONY RYAN’S PANCAKES 92 - - CHAPTER VII. - RUNNING THE GUARD 111 - - CHAPTER VIII. - HOW DON GOT IN 131 - - CHAPTER IX. - DON’S YANKEE INVENTION 152 - - CHAPTER X. - BREAKING UP THE “SET” 173 - - CHAPTER XI. - THE STUDENTS IN CAMP 192 - - CHAPTER XII. - THE DESERTERS AT THE SHOW 215 - - CHAPTER XIII. - A NIGHT ATTACK 237 - - CHAPTER XIV. - DON GORDON’S SHOOTING-BOX 260 - - CHAPTER XV. - LESTER BRIGHAM MAKES NEW FRIENDS 285 - - CHAPTER XVI. - THE MAIL-CARRIER IN TROUBLE 307 - - CHAPTER XVII. - CONCLUSION 330 - - - - - DON GORDON’S SHOOTING-BOX. - - -------------- - - - - - CHAPTER I. - THE MILITARY ACADEMY. - - -“Well, now, I am disgusted.” - -“So am I. I call it a most unusual proceeding.” - -“That is a very mild term to be applied to it. _I_ call it an outrage. -The Professor has deliberately gone to work to disgrace the school and -every student in it.” - -“That’s my opinion. I shall give my father a full history of the case in -the next letter I write to him; and I incline to the belief that he will -order me to pack my trunk and start for home.” - -“I know that is what my father will do. Why, fellows, just think of it -for a moment! What if this street gamin, who has been brought here as -the Professor’s pet, should accidentally win a warrant at the next -examination?” - -“Or a commission! That would be worse yet. Wouldn’t a gentleman’s son -look nice obeying his orders—the orders of a bootblack?” - -“I’ll never do that. I’ll stay in the guard-house until I am gray-headed -first.” - -“Well, I won’t. I’ll go home first.” - -This conversation took place one cold, frosty morning in the latter part -of January, 18—, among the members of a little party of boys who were -walking up the path that led to the door of the Bridgeport Military -Academy. There were a dozen of them in all, and their ages varied from -thirteen to sixteen years. They looked like young soldiers, dressed as -they were in their neat, well-fitting uniforms of cadet gray, set off by -light blue trimmings; but it seems that they were anything but good -soldiers just then, for their words indicated a determination on their -part to rebel against lawful authority. - -The Bridgeport Military School was a time-honored, wealthy, and -aristocratic institution. It was modeled after the school at “the -Point,” and although its course of study differed materially from that -pursued at the national academy, its rules of discipline were almost the -same. It was intended to fit boys for college, for business, for civil -or mining engineering, or for West Point, if they wanted to go there and -could command influence enough to secure the appointment; and in order -that they might begin early in life to realize the majesty and dignity -of law, and to see the necessity of submitting to it as becomes good -citizens of the republic, they were put through a course of military -drill as strict as that to which they would have been subjected if they -had been private soldiers in the regular army. - -The majority of the students—there were nearly three hundred of them in -all--were deeply in love with the school, and with every body and every -thing connected with it. Although they were obliged to study hard for -seven months in the year to avoid being dropped from their classes, and -to watch themselves closely in order to keep within the rules, they were -allowed two seasons of rest and recreation during the year; a faithful -student could always obtain a pass for an evening, provided his standing -as a soldier was what it should be, and warrants and commissions were to -be obtained by anybody who was willing to work for them. More than that, -the institution was endeared to them by a thousand old-time -associations. The fathers of some of the present students had sat in -those same seats, pronounced their orations from that very rostrum, -handled those same muskets and swords, and been drilled at the identical -guns that still composed the battery, and their sons had heard them -speak in the highest terms of the benefits derived from the instructions -they had there received during the days of their boyhood. Under these -circumstances it was no wonder that the students took pride in their -school, and that the most of them had come there with the determination -that no act of theirs should in any way detract from its high and -long-established reputation. - -But if these were the sentiments of some of the boys, there was a small -but busy minority who cherished feelings that were exactly the -reverse—boys who had been sent there because they could not be -controlled at home, who were restive under the restraints that were -imposed upon them, and whose sole object was to complete the course and -get away from the school with as little trouble to themselves as -possible. These were the fellows who were always in trouble. They did -not mind their hard lessons so much as they did the fatiguing drills -with muskets and broadswords. They envied the officers in their class on -account of the authority they possessed, the extra privileges that fell -to their lot, and the respect they demanded from the rest of the -students; but they were not willing to work for a commission themselves, -and they did not like those who were. They ran the guard at every -opportunity to eat pancakes with Cony Ryan, who was quite as important a -personage at Bridgeport as Benny Havens is, or used to be, at West -Point, and did penance for it the next Saturday by performing extra duty -as sentries with bricks in their knapsacks. When they saluted a member -of the class above them, as the law required them to do, they did it in -a very sullen and ungracious manner; but if a member of the class below -them neglected his duty in this respect, they were prompt to take him to -task for it. - -The two meanest boys in school were Tom Fisher and Clarence Duncan, who, -at the time our story opens, had been members of the academy just two -years. They were smart enough at their books and stood well in their -classes when they felt in the humor to apply themselves; but their -record as soldiers was something of which they ought to have been -ashamed. Tom, to put it in plain English, was a sneak, and Clarence was -a bully, who boasted of his ability to whip any boy in school. These -boys had a good many adherents among the students, and if there were any -mischief done about the village it was pretty certain to be traced home -to them. - -The two seasons of rest and recreation of which we have spoken were the -camping-out frolic, that came off in August, and the vacation, which -began on the 15th of September and continued until the 15th of January. -Then the boys went home to spend the holidays and show their uniforms. -When the time came to go into camp no one was excused except upon the -surgeon’s certificate of disability. In fact there were very few among -them who ever asked to be excused. Even the most studious had grown -tired of their books by this time, and were anxious to get out among the -hills where they could breathe invigorating air, go trout-fishing and -botanizing, and in various other ways brace up their nerves in readiness -for the searching examination that was to be held immediately on their -return to the academy. - -This camp was intended as a school of review. Theory was reduced to -practice, and those of the students who kept their eyes and ears open, -and tried to profit by the instructions there received, were almost sure -to pass the examination with flying colors. The civil engineers surveyed -the bar in the river, just as their fathers had done before them; staked -out the best route for a canal around the falls, and laid out a railroad -and got everything in readiness for tunneling the hills to let it -through. The military engineers, under cover of a hot fire of blank -cartridges from the battery, threw pontoon bridges over the creek, and -when they were finished, the infantry, which had been concealed in a -ravine close by, charged across them and swarmed up the opposite heights -to dislodge an enemy that was supposed to be intrenched there. They -fortified the hills to prevent the approach of an invading army, sent -out scouts to scour the surrounding country, held drumhead -courts-martial, and tried everybody who was reported for any -misdemeanor; in fact, they did everything that soldiers do when they are -in the field. - -Perhaps two or three days would be spent in this way, and then there -would come two or three days of rest, during which the young soldiers -would roam about the woods and fields, going wherever their fancy led -them. When the examination came off, the graduates were presented with -their diplomas and the degrees that the institution was empowered to -confer, new officers were appointed from among the students, the classes -were reorganized, new applicants were received, and everything was made -ready for work at the beginning of the new school year. - -At the time of which we write the school had been in session about two -weeks. Two hundred and fifty of the old students had returned, and the -places of the large number who were graduated at the close of the last -term were filled by the second class, which became the first; the third -became the second, the fourth became the third, and the new fourth was -made up of the “Plebes” who had signed the muster-roll. Why the -new-comers were called “Plebes,” which is short for “plebeians,” it is -hard to tell. Perhaps it was because their fathers, in the days of their -boyhood, had given that name to all new scholars, or it may have been -for the reason that everybody was down on them. They certainly looked -out of place there. They still wore their citizens’ clothes, the -uniforms for which they had been measured when they first arrived not -having yet been received. They were not allowed to go on dress-parade -because they could not handle a musket; and as they had not yet been -“broken in,” they were a little too independent in their conduct to suit -the old students, who exacted the greatest show of respect from those -who were below them. - -Among these “Plebes” was one whose advent created the profoundest -astonishment among some of the students. The boys we have already -introduced to the reader were talking about him as they came up the -path. They were Tom Fisher and his crowd. Having drawn the capes of -their overcoats over their heads, they were strolling leisurely along, -paying no heed to the cutting wind that swept across the snow-covered -parade-ground; but the thinly clad young fellow who came up the path -behind them was shivering violently under its influence. His hands and -face were blue with cold, and his feet were so poorly protected that he -was obliged to stop now and then and stamp them on the ground to get -them warm. The noise he made attracted the attention of Tom Fisher and -his companions, who turned to see what had occasioned it. - -“Here he comes now,” exclaimed Dick Henderson, a fair-haired, -sunny-faced little fellow, whose mother would have been ashamed of him -if she had known what sort of company he was keeping at the academy. -“Say, you fellow, where are your manners?” - -Only one short year ago Dick was a “Plebe” himself; but now he was a -third class boy, and he was resolved that everybody should know it and -treat him accordingly. - -“Let him go, Dick,” said Tom Fisher, in a tone of disgust. “You would be -highly honored by a salute from a bootblack, wouldn’t you, now?” - -“Who are these?” said Clarence Duncan, in a low tone. - -Tom and his crowd looked down the path and saw two other new-comers -approaching. In appearance they were very unlike the shivering, -half-frozen boy who had just gone along the path. They were warmly clad, -wore sealskin caps and gloves, and there was something in their air and -bearing that proclaimed them to be boys who respected themselves, and -who intended that others should respect them. One of them was tall and -broad-shouldered, and carried himself as though he had never been in the -habit of submitting to any nonsense, and the other was small, slender, -and apparently delicate. - -“Why, they are the Planter and his brother,” said one of the students, -all of whom had had opportunity to learn more or less of the history of -the boys who composed the fourth class. “They’re from Mississippi. Their -father is worth no end of money, and they say he gives his boys a very -liberal allowance.” - -“Then they’ll be good fellows to foot the bills at Cony Ryan’s, will -they not?” said Fisher. - -“They say that the little one is a saint,” chimed in Dick Henderson. “He -never does anything wrong; but his brother must be a brick, for he was -expelled from the last school he attended on account of some violation -of the rules.” - -“Then he’s the fellow for us,” said Tom Fisher. “We must make it a point -to see him after taps.” - -The near approach of the new-comers cut short the conversation. Tom and -his crowd strolled leisurely on, filling up the path so completely that -it was impossible for any one to pass them without stepping out into the -deep snow that had been thrown up on each side. This the new scholars -did not seem inclined to do. The smaller one came up behind Dick -Henderson, and placing the back of his hand against his arm, said -pleasantly: - -“Will you be good enough to give us a little room?” - -Tom and his friends faced about at once, and the former stepped up to -the speaker and laid his hand rather heavily on his shoulder. - -“Look here, Plebe,” said he, in an insolent tone. “‘Subordination is of -discipline the root; when you address an old cadet, forget not to -salute.’ Mind that in future.” - -“Take your hand off that boy, or I will salute you with a blow in the -face that will bury you out of sight in that snowdrift,” said he who had -been called the “Planter.” - -“Who are you?” demanded Fisher. - -“Take a good look at me so that you will remember me,” was the reply. - -The boy drew off his gloves and pulled down his muffler, revealing the -familiar features of our old friend, Don Gordon. Just then the clear -notes of a bugle rang out on the frosty air. It was the “study call,” -and all the students within hearing made haste to respond to it. - - - - - CHAPTER II. - DON AND BERT AT SCHOOL. - - -Don Gordon and his brother Hubert were two of the heroes of the _Boy -Trapper_ series. Those who have met them before will not need to be told -what sort of boys they were; and strangers we will leave to do as the -boys of the Bridgeport Academy did—become acquainted with them by -degrees. They lived near the little town of Rochdale, in the State of -Mississippi, where their father owned an extensive cotton plantation. -That was the reason why the students, who had a new name for every -new-comer, called Don the Planter. The last time we spoke of him and -Hubert was in connection with the building of a _Shooting-Box_ on the -site of the one that had been burned by Bob Owens and Lester Brigham. We -then informed the reader that the new structure was much better than the -old one, and that is all we shall say about it until such time as the -owners get ready to take possession of it. - -After Bob Owens ran away from home to become a hunter, and Godfrey Evans -and his son Dan went to work to earn an honest living, and David Evans -became _mail carrier_, and Lester Brigham withdrew himself from the -society of the boys in the neighborhood, the inhabitants of Rochdale and -the surrounding country settled back into their old ways, and waited for -something to happen that would create an excitement. They marveled -greatly at the sudden change that had taken place in Godfrey and Dan, -talked of the indomitable courage Bob Owens had displayed on the night -the steamer Sam Kendall was burned, and cast jealous eyes upon David -Evans, who, they thought, was making money a little too rapidly, and -throwing on a few more airs than were becoming in a boy who had a -woodchopper, and a lazy and worthless one at that, for a father. - -Rochdale was like some other country towns that you may have heard of. -The people, most of whom had been impoverished by the war, were envious -of one another, though outwardly they were friendly, and all one had to -do to gain enemies was to be successful. If he made money one year by -planting potatoes, when the next season came around everybody planted -potatoes. If he set up a blacksmith shop or opened a store, and seemed -to be prospering, some one was sure to start opposition to him. When -David Evans began riding the mail route for Don Gordon’s father, who had -the contract, and exchanged his rags for warm and durable clothing, and -purchased a fine horse for himself, there were a good many who thought -that he was getting on in the world altogether too fast. His most bitter -enemy was Mr. Owens, who had tried so hard to secure the contract for -his son Bob, the runaway. He generally rode a very dilapidated specimen -of horse-flesh, and whenever David passed him on the road, mounted on -his high-stepping colt, Mr. Owens always felt as though he wanted to -knock him out of his saddle. - -“Just look at that beggar on horseback!” he would say to himself. -“Things have come to a pretty pass when white trash like that can hold -their heads so high in the air. If it hadn’t been for him and that -meddlesome Gordon, Bob might have been riding that route now instead of -roaming about the world, nobody knows where. If the opportunity ever -presents itself I’ll get even with both of them for that piece of -business.” - -As for Don and Bert, they hardly knew what to do with themselves. Their -private tutor left them—being a Northern man he could not stand the -climate—and then they were as uneasy as fish out of their native -element. They galloped their ponies about the country in search of -adventure, paddled around the lake in their canoe, roamed listlessly -through the woods with their guns in their hands; in short, to quote -from Don, “they became as shiftless and of as little use in the world as -ever Godfrey Evans had been.” - -“I don’t at all like this thing,” the general one day said to his wife, -“and there must be a stop put to it. The boys will grow up as ignorant -as the negroes. I shall pack them both off to school.” - -Mrs. Gordon thought of the way in which Don had conducted himself at the -last school he attended (he had been expelled from it on account of the -“scrapes” that his inordinate love of mischief brought him into), and -made no reply. - -“I have not forgotten that unfortunate occurrence,” said the general, -who well knew what was passing in his wife’s mind. “But I think it was a -lesson to Don, and one that will never fade from his memory. Being -blessed with wonderful health and strength, he is fairly overflowing -with animal spirits, and some of his surplus energy must be worked off -in some way. I’ll put him where he will be held with his nose close to -the grindstone. I’ll send him to Bridgeport.” - -“Do you think he can endure the discipline?” asked the anxious mother, -who knew how easily Don could be governed by kindness, and how obstinate -he was under harsh treatment. - -“He’ll have to; it is just what he needs. After he has spent six hours -in racking his brain over the hardest kind of problems in mathematics, -and two hours and a half more in handling muskets and broadswords under -the eye of a strict drillmaster, he will feel more like going to bed -than he will like running the guard to eat Cony Ryan’s pancakes and -drink his sour buttermilk. I know, for I have been right there.” - -When General Gordon once made up his mind to a course of action he lost -no time in carrying it into effect. Before the week was passed he and -his two boys were on their way to Bridgeport, where they arrived in time -to learn something of the life the students led while they were in camp. -The veteran superintendent welcomed the general as an old friend and -pupil, received him and his boys into his marquee, and took pains to see -that the latter made some agreeable acquaintances among the members of -the first class, who showed them every thing there was to be seen. Bert -did not have much to say, but Don was all enthusiasm. - -“That’s the school for me,” said he to his father when they were on -their way to Rochdale, after Don and Bert had passed their examination -and been admitted as members of the academy. “How nicely those fellows -were drilled, and what good-natured gentlemen all the instructors are! -We shall have easy times during the first year. It will seem like play -for me to go back to the beginning of algebra again.” - -The general smiled, but said nothing until they reached home and the -boys began to get ready to go back to the academy at the beginning of -the school year. Then he tried to make them understand that “easy times” -were entirely unknown in Bridgeport; that the instructors, although they -were “good-natured” enough to the guests they met while in camp, were -the sternest and most inflexible of disciplinarians in the barracks; and -that there was as wide a gulf between them and the students as there was -between the officers and privates in the army. Somehow Don could not -bring himself to believe it, but before many months more had passed over -his head he found out that his father knew what he was talking about. He -made his mother the most solemn promises in regard to his behavior, -assuring her that he had been in “scrapes” enough, and that henceforth -he would give her and his teachers no trouble; and when he made those -promises he was fully resolved to live up to them. He was then entirely -unacquainted with the temptations that fell to the lot of a Bridgeport -student. Cony Ryan’s pancakes and surreptitious sleigh-rides had no -charms for him, neither had the guard-house and extra duty any terrors, -because he did not know that there were any such things. But they were -soon brought to his notice, and perhaps we shall see how he kept his -promises after that. - -The night of the 15th of January found Don and Bert installed in their -room in the academy. It was large enough to accommodate two single beds, -a steam-heater, a washstand, a table, and two chairs. At the foot of -each bed was a small cupboard, in which they were to keep their -uniforms, after they got them, and also their officers’ swords, if they -were fortunate enough to win them at the next examination. Bert was -poring over his French lesson, while Don, who was more than a year ahead -of his class in all his studies, was reading the “Rules and Regulations” -that hung upon the wall. There were fifty rooms on that floor, all -occupied by boys who were supposed to be studying their lessons for the -morrow. The only sound that broke the stillness was a steady tramping in -the hall. - -“I wish that fellow, whoever he is, would go into his room and keep -still,” said Bert, after he had waited a long time for the tramping to -cease. - -“He’ll not go away until he is relieved,” replied Don. “He is a sentry. -I have just been reading about him. He has charge of all the rooms on -this floor, and it is his duty to suppress all loud talking or laughing, -and to inspect the rooms occasionally to see that the occupants have not -slipped out.” - -“Where would they go if they did slip out?” asked Bert. - -“I am sure I don’t know,” replied Don, as he walked up to the heater and -held his hands over it. “Neither do I see why one should want to leave a -comfortable room like this to parade around in the deep snow, even if -there _were_ a place to go to pass the evening. It’s fearful cold up -here in this country, isn’t it?” - -When Don and Bert left their Southern home the air was balmy, the birds -were singing, a few early flowers were beginning to bud under the genial -influence of the sun, and they earned their overcoats done up in -shawl-straps; but long before they reached their journey’s end they had -put on all their heaviest clothing, and when the train brought them into -Bridgeport they found the streets blocked with snow, and the river -covered with a sheet of ice that was fourteen inches in thickness. The -dreary winter scene that met their gaze every time they looked out of -the academy windows made them shiver involuntarily, and it was no wonder -that they wanted to hug the fire. - -“Suppose that sentry should find a room empty when he looked into it?” -said Bert, without replying to his brother’s question. “What then?” - -“It would be his duty to report the owners,” said Don. - -“That looks almost too much like tale-bearing,” answered Bert. “I don’t -like the idea; do you?” - -“No, I don’t; but what is a fellow to do about it? If it ever comes our -turn to stand sentry during study hours, we can take our choice between -doing our full duty, without fear or favor, and being reported and -punished ourselves for negligence. I know what my choice will be. If the -boys don’t want me to report them, they must live up to the -regulations.” - -When Don said this he meant every word of it; but after he had been at -the academy a few weeks, Bert noticed that he never gave expression to -such ideas as these. He learned how to keep his back turned toward a -room when he had reason to believe that the owners desired to “take -French” for the evening; and when he was certain that they were out of -harm’s way, he could open the door of that very room, and without much -stretching of his imagination convert the “dummies” that occupied the -beds into living, breathing students. It soon became known to a certain -class of boys that the Planter was a “brick,” who would rather get into -trouble himself than report any of his schoolmates; and they were not -slow to take advantage of his good-nature. That was the term the -students applied to his neglect of duty; but the superintendent called -it disobedience of orders, and Don was punished accordingly. - -“What was that noise?” exclaimed Bert, suddenly. - -“It sounded like a drum,” answered Don. - -And that was just what it was. A couple of drummers were walking around -the building, every now and then giving their instruments a single tap. - -“It certainly means something,” said Bert, with no little anxiety in his -tone; “but I am all in the dark.” - -So was Don. He was about to propose that they should step out into the -hall and ask the sentry to enlighten them, when the door suddenly opened -and that dreaded functionary thrust his head into the room. - -“I say, Plebe,” he exclaimed, nodding to Don, “give us your name, will -you?” - -Don wonderingly complied, and the sentry drew a note-book from his -pocket and wrote something in it. - -“Very unpleasant piece of business,” said he, “but it can’t be helped. -Orders are orders, as you will find before you have been here a great -while. Next time keep your ears open.” - -“Why, what’s the matter?” inquired Don. “Have we done anything wrong?” - -“I should say so. Why didn’t you douse your glim? Did you not hear the -signal?” - -“We heard a drum, if that’s what you mean,” said Bert. - -“That was ‘taps,’ and it meant ‘lights out.’ Put that lamp out at once.” - -“We’ll do it just as soon as we get ready for bed,” replied Bert, -jumping up and pulling off his coat. - -“Put it out, I tell you,” exclaimed the sentry. “Put it out _now_, and -undress in the dark, as the rest of the fellows do. You had better take -my advice and slumber lightly, for after the morning gun is fired you -will have just six minutes in which to get into your clothes and fall in -for roll-call. Pleasant dreams.” - -“Humph!” said Bert, as the sentry closed the door and went out into the -hall to inspect the other rooms. “How can a fellow’s dreams be pleasant -when he knows that he is going to be reported in the morning? This is a -bad beginning, Don. Although we have not been here twenty-four hours, we -have got ourselves into trouble already.” - -This reflection worried Bert, who always tried hard to obey the rules of -the school he attended, and considered himself disgraced if he were -taken to task for violating any of them; but it had no more effect upon -Don than water has on a duck’s back. He tumbled into bed and slept -soundly, while Bert, who was very much afraid that he might not hear the -morning gun, lay awake during the greater part of the night. Toward -morning he sank into a troubled slumber, from which the solemn booming -of the field-piece aroused him. - -He and Don were out on the floor and putting on their clothes before the -deep-toned reverberations that came from the hills on the other side of -the river had fairly died away. There was no time lost in stretching and -yawning—not a second wasted in waking up. The drums were beating in the -drill-room, and the fifes were shrilly piping forth the first strains of -the three tunes that constituted the morning call. Before the second -tune was finished, Don and Bert, following the lead of the crowd of -students they found in the hall, ran into the drill-room and took their -places in line. - -There were four companies in all, each one numbering, when the school -was full, seventy-five members. They were all officered by boys, the -highest in rank being the lieutenant-colonel, while the superintendent -of the academy, or one of the instructors, acted as commandant of the -battalion. The companies were drawn up on the four sides of the spacious -drill-room, in which all the battalion and company exercises and -ceremonies were held during bad weather, the members standing at “parade -rest.” In front of each company stood the upright, soldierly figure of -the first sergeant, note-book in hand. Behind him stood his boy captain, -while the officer of the day, his arms folded across his breast, -critically surveyed the scene from his post near the door. The instant -the last notes of the reveille died away business commenced. - -“Attention, company!” shouted all the first sergeants in a breath; -whereupon the students brought their heels in line, dropped their hands -by their side, turned their eyes to the front, and assumed the position -of a soldier. - -The roll was called in less than two minutes, and after the first -sergeants had reported to their captains, and the captains had reported -to the adjutant, and the adjutant had reported to the officer of the -day, whose duty it was to report the absentees to the superintendent, -the guards for the day were detailed, the ranks were broken, and the -students hurried away to wash their hands and faces, comb their hair, -and put their rooms in order for morning inspection. After that came two -hours of hard study. Then the sick-call was sounded, followed shortly -afterward by the enlivening strains of “Peas upon the Trencher,” which -was the summons to breakfast. The different companies were marched to -and from the dining-hall by their quartermaster-sergeants, and when the -ranks were broken the students were allowed an hour to “brush up” on -their lessons for the day, or to stroll about the grounds and watch -guard-mount. At nine o’clock the bugle called them to their respective -recitation-rooms, and from that time until one they were kept at work at -their books. After dinner an hour was allowed for rest and recreation. -From two until half-past three there were more recitations, followed by -a long and fatiguing drill, and then liberty until sunset. Then came the -dress-parade of the battalion; and when that was ended the day’s work -was over with everybody except the guards and those who were behind with -their lessons for the next day. After supper and another hour of -recreation, the bugle called “to quarters,” and that was a sound that -nobody liked to hear. It meant that all the fun was over for that day, -that every boy must go to his room at once and keep quiet after he got -there, under penalty of being reported by the sentry who had charge of -that floor. - -After this description of the routine of study and drill that was -pursued at the academy, the reader will understand how Don Gordon passed -the most of his school-days during the next four years. How he passed -his vacations it is the purpose of this series of books to relate. It -will be seen also that he was allowed very little time in which to study -up plans for mischief. In fact he did not think of such a thing _yet_, -for he had come there firmly resolved to do his best, and to win a -record for himself that his father should be proud of; but still he did -feel very revengeful while he and his brother were standing in front of -the superintendent’s desk, listening to the sharp reprimand that was -administered to them for neglecting to extinguish their light at taps. -This was the same “good-natured gentleman” who had greeted them and -their father so cordially when they visited his camp during the previous -summer, but he did not talk as he did then. He used cutting words, and -laid down the law in tones that had made more than one culprit tremble. -Don did not mind it in the least, for he was used to being scolded by -his teachers; but when he saw how Bert took it to heart, he became so -angry that he could hardly hold his peace. - -“That’s just the kind of a man that I like to get the advantage of,” -said he to himself; “and if I had a few good fellows to help me, I would -set him and his rules at defiance. I just know I could slip out of my -room and get off the grounds at night; and if I had any place to go to -spend the evening, I would try it and see what he would do about it.” - -Don made this up all out of his own head. He had never heard of such a -thing as running the guard, and he thought of it now simply as a daring -exploit, and one that he would undertake without a moment’s hesitation -if there were anything to be gained by it. He was in just the right -humor to be manipulated by such fellows as Fisher and Duncan; and into -their hands he fell before he had worn the academy uniform forty-eight -hours. They took him up because they hated him and wanted to get him -into trouble, and it was only by an unexpected stroke of good fortune -that he escaped from their clutches. What he did to arouse their -animosity shall be told further on. - - - - - CHAPTER III. - HAZING A “PLEBE.” - - -“We’ll settle with you at some future time my fine gentleman,” said Tom -Fisher, as he and his companions ran toward the academy in obedience to -the call of the bugle. They had spent the hour after breakfast in -strolling about the grounds, discussing the history of one of the new -students, as we have related in the first chapter. - -“All right,” replied Don Gordon, winking at his brother, who laid his -finger on his lips and shook his head warningly. “Whenever you want to -see me just send me word, and I will be on hand.” - -“You may get some of that independence whipped out of you before you -have been here many more days,” chimed in Clarence Duncan. - -“Who’ll do it?” asked Don, cheerfully. - -“_I_ will,” replied Duncan, in savage tones. - -“O, you can’t. It’s bred in the bone. But I’ll tell you one thing—you -and your partner there,” added Don, nodding his head toward Tom Fisher. -“You want to keep your hands off my brother, or I’ll make spread-eagles -of the pair of you.” - -“Well, that beats anything I ever heard of!” exclaimed Dick Henderson, -opening his eyes in surprise. “You have good cheek to talk of making -‘spread-eagles’ of such fellows as Fisher and Duncan, haven’t you, now?” - -“Do you think so, little one?” asked Don. As he said this he patted Dick -on the head in a most patronizing way—an action on his part that caused -Dick to jump aside and bristle up like a bantam that had been poked with -a stick. “Well, you hang around and you will see it done, unless they -take my advice and mind their own business,” added Don. - -Fisher and Duncan did not have an opportunity to reply to this threat, -for just then they reached the door and found one of the teachers -standing there. They were somewhat behind time, and they were obliged to -hasten to their dormitories and take off their caps and overcoats so -that they could march to their recitation-rooms with their classes. They -looked daggers at Don as they went up the stairs, but he smiled back at -them in the most unconcerned manner possible. - -“I knew he was a tough one the moment I put my eyes on him,” said Fisher -that night after drill hours, when he and about fifty other students -were exercising their muscles in the gymnasium. “There isn’t another -fellow in school who can do that.” - -The subject of these remarks was Don Gordon, who had just come out -dressed in neat dark-blue trunks and flesh-colored tights. His arms were -bare to the shoulder, revealing muscles at which the boys around him -gazed in admiration. His first act was to walk up to the nearest swing, -take hold of one of the rings and draw himself up to his chin twice in -succession with one hand. - -“I tell you, Duncan, you had better let him alone,” continued Fisher, -still watching Don, who was now going hand over hand up a rope toward -the lofty ceiling. - -“And swallow everything he said to me this morning?” exclaimed the -bully. - -“No, I didn’t mean that,” Fisher hastened to reply. “Those insulting -remarks must of course be taken back and apologized for; but you can’t -make him do it alone.” - -“Just give me the chance, and I’ll show you whether I can or not,” -answered Duncan, who was always angry whenever there was any imputation -cast upon his prowess. “He has come here intending to set at naught all -the old-time customs of the institution—haven’t you noticed how -persistently he refuses to salute everybody but an officer?—and if we -are willing to stand by and let him do it, I say we are a pack of -cowards. He must be made to come down from his high horse.” - -“And he shall be,” said Fisher, encouragingly. “We will attend to that -bootblack’s case to-night, and the first good chance we get we’ll take -Mr. Gordon in hand. By the way, Duncan——” - -The two boys drew off on one side and entered into a whispered -consultation, now and then beckoning to one or another of their friends, -until there were a dozen or more students gathered about them. They -conversed earnestly together for a few minutes, and then put on their -clothes and left the gymnasium. Don and Bert Gordon followed them soon -after, and on giving their names to the orderly in the hall, were -admitted to the presence of the superintendent. After they had both -saluted him, Don said: - -“Colonel, we have brought with us a letter of introduction from our -father, addressed to Mr. Packard, who is a relative of one of our -nearest neighbors, and if you have no objections we should like -permission to present it to-night.” - -“Certainly,” said the superintendent, as he picked up a pen and pulled a -sheet of paper toward him. “You can go immediately after supper, and I -will write you a pass. You ought to have presented it when you first -came. Why did you put it off so long?” - -“Why—I—you know, sir, that we received a reprimand on the morning -following our arrival here for not putting out our light at ten -o’clock,” faltered Don, “and I was afraid you would think we ought to -stay inside the grounds until we had learned to obey the rules.” - -“Ah, yes,” said the superintendent with a smile. “I believe I remember -something about that. Well, it did you good, did it not? You haven’t -been reported since. I hope your record at the end of your course will -be as good as that of your father, who, I must say, was a very exemplary -student. It is true that he did run the guard now and then, the -temptations at Cony Ryan’s proving rather too strong for him; and when -he was here with you last August, I think he told me that while he was a -member of my school he spent forty-three Saturdays in walking extras; -but, for all that, he was a good boy—a _very_ good boy. Here’s your -pass.” - -Don expressed his thanks for the favor, and he and Bert saluted and -retired, lost in wonder. - -“Running the guard!” repeated the former, in a loud tone. “What does -that mean?” - -“What’s walking an extra?” said Bert, in the same low voice; “and who is -Cony Ryan?” - -“Here comes Egan; we’ll ask him,” said Don. - -The individual referred to was a first-class boy, and the first sergeant -of Don’s company. When he was on duty he was a soldier all over; but -during the hours of recreation he was as jovial and friendly a fellow as -there was to be found about the academy. - -“Say, sergeant,” said Don, not forgetting to salute, “what does a cadet -do when he runs the guard?” - -“What does he do?” repeated the sergeant. “Why, he spends a good portion -of the next Saturday afternoon in walking an extra to pay for it.” - -“I mean, how does he run the guard?” explained Don. - -“Now, Gordon, isn’t that just the least bit—you know,” said the -sergeant, laying his finger by the side of his nose and looking very -wise. “You surely don’t expect me to tell you how it is done, do you? -You had better ask Fisher or Duncan, or some of that crowd. They have -had considerable experience in it.” - -“We want to know what the meaning of the expression is,” said Bert. - -“O, that’s it! Well, when a fellow slips out of his room, gets off the -grounds without being caught, and comes back in the morning in time to -fall in and answer to roll-call, we call that running the guard. By -walking an extra we mean doing additional guard duty. The reason that -Saturday is selected as a day of punishment is because the afternoon is -given over almost entirely to recreation; but those who have been -arrested while attempting to run the guard, or who have been caught in -other acts of disobedience, are not allowed to take advantage of those -hours of recreation, because they have already had their fun. -Understand?” - -Don said he did; and then he inquired who Cony Ryan was, and what he did -to tempt the boys. - -“Cony Ryan!” repeated the sergeant, his eyes growing brighter and a -smile overspreading his face, as the memory of old times came back to -him. “Why, he is a part of the academy, and I have seen the day when I -thought we could not possibly get along without him. He keeps a neat -little house down by the big pond, where he serves up the best pancakes -_I_ ever ate. His mince and pumpkin pies top the heap; and as for his -maple molasses—ah!” - -The sergeant walked off, smacking his lips, and Don and Bert kept on up -the stairs. - -“I rather think Egan has been there,” observed the latter. - -“I know he has,” replied Don, “and the taste of that maple syrup clings -to his palate yet.” - -On entering their room Don threw himself into a chair, stretched his -legs out before him, buried his hands in his pockets, and gazed down at -the floor in a brown study; while Bert leaned his elbows on the table, -rested his chin on his hands, and looked at him. Presently Don threw -back his head and laughed so loudly and heartily that his brother was -obliged to laugh too. - -“I never dreamed of such a thing,” said Bert, who knew what was passing -in Don’s mind. - -“No more did I. Just think how that dignified father of ours must have -looked running the guard and standing punishment for it afterward! He -took good care not to say a word to us about it, didn’t he? I say, -Bert,” exclaimed Don, suddenly, and then he as suddenly paused. - -“Don’t you do it,” said Bert, earnestly. “You will be certain to get -yourself into trouble by it.” - -“If I did, I should be perfectly willing to take the consequences. But -father couldn’t haul me over the coals for it, could he?” - -“If father were here now, he wouldn’t think of doing such things.” - -“Neither would I if I were a man.” - -“But you won’t go to Cony Ryan’s, will you?” pleaded Bert. - -“Of course not. Don’t borrow any trouble on that score. I promised -mother that I would behave myself, and I am going to do it. But I should -like to taste those pies and pancakes, all the same,” added Don, to -himself. - -That evening, after supper, Don and Bert showed their pass to the sentry -at the gate, and set out to pay their long deferred visit to Mr. -Packard. Why was it that they did not think to read that pass when it -was given to them? If they had, they might have saved themselves from -something disagreeable that afterward happened. They passed a very -pleasant evening at Mr. Packard’s house, and at half-past ten they took -leave of their new friends and started for the academy. - -As they were walking briskly along the road that ran around one end of -the big pond, they heard an indistinct murmur of voices, and presently -saw a crowd of boys, who were walking in a compact body, pass across the -road in front of them, and direct their course toward the middle of the -pond. They thought at first that it was a skating party; but as they did -not stop to put on their skates, Don and Bert became interested in their -movements and halted to observe them. Just then a voice, speaking in -pleading accents, came to their ears. - -“Don’t do it, boys—please don’t,” it said, in piteous tones. “I wouldn’t -mind it so much if I could stand it, but I solemnly assure you that I -can’t. I have had one attack of pneumonia this winter that was brought -on by exposure, and ducking me in this icy water will surely give me -another.” - -“No it won’t,” replied another voice that Don knew belonged to Tom -Fisher. “This is a time-honored custom, and we are not going to give it -up; are we, boys?” - -“Not much,” answered the others, in concert. - -“Our fathers were hazed when they went to this school; they, in turn, -hazed others, and we couldn’t think of disgracing them by refusing to -follow in their footsteps,” continued Tom. “Everyone of the fellows you -see around you—myself among the rest—has been hazed in one way or -another; and are you, a New York boot-black, any better than we are?” - -“Hurry him on and pitch him in,” said Clarence Duncan, in his deep base -tones. “Wash some of the black out of him.” - -“Yes, in with him,” piped little Dick Henderson. - -“Well, boys, if you must do it to preserve your honor, let me take my -clothes off first,” said the pleading voice. “This is the only suit I -have in the world, and if I get it wet I shall freeze to death, for I -have no fire in my room to dry it by.” - -“Then go to bed,” was the rough rejoinder. - -“Why, what in the world are those fellows going to do?” said Bert, who -had listened in great amazement to this conversation, every word of -which came distinctly to the ears of himself and his brother. “I am -afraid they are going to do something to somebody.” - -“Have you just found it out?” exclaimed Don, who now discovered that the -boys were making their way toward a hole that had been previously cut in -the ice. “A party of students, led by Fisher and Duncan, are going to -haze a Plebe by ducking him in the pond. Now I shall have a word or two -to say about that. They are the same fellows who blocked up our path -this morning and wouldn’t let us go by. You know they promised to settle -with me some day for showing so much ‘independence,’ as they called it, -and they might as well do it now as any other time.” - -“O Don, mind what you are about,” cried Bert. - -“I will. I’ll black the eyes of some of them before they shall stick -that boy through the ice. Why, Bert, what would father say to me if he -should hear that I stood by and witnessed such a proceeding without -lifting a hand to prevent it? He would tell me I wasn’t worthy of the -name I bear.” - -No one who knew the temper of the academy boys, and the tenacity with -which they clung to the “time-honored customs” of the institution to -which they belonged, would have thought Don Gordon a coward if he had -taken to his heels and made the best of his way to his room. He knew -very well that if he attempted to interfere with Tom and his crowd, he -stood a good chance of being ducked himself; but the knowledge of this -fact did not deter him from promptly carrying out the plans he had -resolved upon. It would have been bad enough, he told himself, if the -students had selected as a victim a boy who had an extra suit of -clothes, a change of linen to put on, and a fire to warm himself by -after his cold bath; but to pitch upon one who had none of these -comforts, and who ran the risk of being thrown into a dangerous illness -by the folly of his tormentors, was, in his estimation, a most cowardly -act, and one that could not be too severely punished. - -“Bert, you had better stay here where you will be safe,” said Don. - -“I’ll not do it,” was the prompt reply. “If you are going into danger, I -am going in too.” - -Don, knowing that it would be of no use to argue the matter, ran out on -the ice, and when he came up with the crowd his coats were off, and he -was in his shirt-sleeves. Fisher and his companions stopped when they -heard the sound of his approaching footsteps, and some of them acted as -if they wanted to run away; but when they discovered that Don and Bert -were alone, they waited for them to come nearer, thinking that perhaps -they were a couple of the members of their own class who wanted to join -in the sport. When they saw Don pull off his overcoat, however, their -eyes were opened. - -“Here comes an intruder, boys,” exclaimed one of the students, “and -judging by the way he acts, he is getting ready for a rumpus.” - -“Let him get ready,” said Fisher. “There are a dozen of us. If he turns -out to be a Plebe, we’ll stick him in too. The more the merrier, you -know. Who comes there?” he added, raising his voice. - -“A peace-maker,” replied Don, throwing his coats on the ice. - -“Yes, you look like it,” sneered Clarence Duncan. “If that is so, what -did you pull your duds off for?” - -“Because I did not know how you would receive my overtures, and I -thought it the part of wisdom to be prepared for any emergency,” -answered Don. - -So saying, he walked boldly into the crowd, which gave way right and -left as he advanced, and took his stand by the side of the prisoner, who -was firmly held by two of the largest and strongest students, while two -others stood close behind him, in readiness to lend their assistance in -case he made any attempt at escape. Although Don had never exchanged a -word with the boy, he knew him at once, for they belonged to the same -company. It was the new student whose presence, if we are to believe -Fisher and his friends, was a disgrace to the academy and everybody -belonging to it. He wore the same thin clothes in which he had shivered -as he walked up the path that morning, and the keen wind that swept -across the icy surface of the big pond must have chilled him to the very -marrow. He had no muffler about his face nor any gloves on his hands, -which he held clasped one within the other, as if they were very cold. -Don looked at him and then at the comfortably clad boys who were -standing around, and his blood, which was none of the coolest at any -time, boiled with indignation. - -“You are a pack of contemptible cowards,” said he, pulling off his -gloves and slamming them down on the ice. - -“Why, bless our royal heart, it’s the Planter!” exclaimed Tom Fisher, -who now, for the first time, recognized the intruder. “Here’s luck, -boys. Grab hold of him, some of you, and we’ll wash him too.” - -“If that’s the Planter, this must be his brother,” said Dick Henderson. - -“Why, so it is,” said Fisher, after he had taken a sharp look into -Bert’s face. “Here’s more luck. Take hold of him too, boys; and since -they have had the assurance to push themselves in among us without being -asked, we will give them the post of honor. We’ll duck them first.” - -In obedience to these orders three or four pairs of hands were laid upon -Bert’s arms; but when the rest of the crowd moved forward to lay hold of -Don, Duncan stepped up and stopped them. - -“Stand back, all of you,” said he. “I want to have a little talk with -this fellow before he is put into that air-hole. Gordon, you insulted me -this morning in the presence of my friends, and I want you to apologize -for it at once. If you don’t do it, I will give you a thrashing right -here on this ice that you won’t get over for a month.” - -“How did I insult you?” asked Don, and the bully was somewhat surprised -to see that he did not appear to be at all alarmed. - -“You said you would make a spread-eagle of me. Now, which will you do, -apologize or fight?” - -“Well, if it’s all the same to you, I’ll fight.” - -Duncan was fairly staggered by this reply. Remembering the exhibition of -strength he had witnessed in the gymnasium that afternoon, he had no -desire to come to blows with the stalwart youth who stood before him. He -had hoped to frighten an apology from Don, and when he found that he -could not do it, he wished he had not been in such haste to make -overtures of battle to him. But it was too late to think of that now, -for his reputation was at stake. Besides he did not believe that his -friend Fisher would stand by and see him worsted. - -“You need have no fear of these fellows who are standing around,” said -Duncan, who wanted to put off the critical moment as long as he could. -“They will not double-team on you.” - -“If they do they will take the consequences,” said Don, confidently. “I -think myself that they had better keep their distance.” - -These bold words astonished everybody. - -“Why I believe he thinks he can whip the whole crowd,” said Henderson, -who was one of the four who were holding fast to Bert’s arms. Bert was a -little fellow, like himself, and consequently Dick was not very much -afraid of him. - -“Come on,” said Don, impatiently. “I am getting cold standing here in my -shirt-sleeves. Give me a little exercise to warm me up. Remember I -wasn’t born as near the Arctic Circle as you fellows were, and for that -reason I can’t stand the cold as well. Hurry up, somebody—_anybody_ who -thinks he was insulted by the words I uttered this morning.” - -Driven almost to desperation by this challenge, which he knew was -addressed to himself, and which seemed to imply that his prospective -antagonist placed a very low estimate upon his powers, Duncan pulled off -both his coats, assumed a threatening attitude and advanced toward Don, -who extended his hand in the most friendly manner. The bully, believing -that Don wanted to parley with him, took the proffered hand in his own, -and in a second more arose in the air as if an exceedingly strong spring -had suddenly uncoiled itself under his feet. When he came down again he -measured his full length on the ice, landing in such dangerous proximity -to the hole that had been cut for the poor student’s benefit, that his -uniform cap fell into it. - -Everybody was struck motionless and dumb with amazement. The bully was -so bewildered that he did not get upon his feet again immediately, and -the poor student forgot to shiver. - -[Illustration: DUNCAN’S UNEXPECTED OVERTHROW.] - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - THE NEW YORK BOOT-BLACK. - - -“Take your hands off those boys,” said Don, who was in just the right -humor to make a scattering among Fisher’s crowd of friends. “Release -them both and do it at once, or I will pitch the last one of you into -that hole before you can say ‘General Jackson’ with your mouths open. -Come over here, Bert.” - -He stepped up and took the prisoner by the arm, and his four guards -surrendered him without a word of protest. The magical manner in which -Don had floored the biggest bully in school, before whom no boy in -Bridgeport had ever been able to stand for a minute, either with -boxing-gloves or bare fists, and the ease with which he had done it, -astounded them. They had never seen anything like it before, and there -was something very mysterious in it. Did not this backwoodsman have -other equally bewildering tactics at his command which he could bring -into play if he were crowded upon? Probably he had, and so the best -thing they could do was to let him alone. - -“Your name is Sam Arkwright, is it not?” said Don, taking one of the -boy’s blue-cold hands in both his own warm ones. “I thought I had heard -you answer to that name at roll-call. I am a plebe too, and so we’ll -stand together. Put on these gloves and come with me. You will freeze if -you stay here any longer. As for you,” he added, waving his hand toward -the students to show that he included them all in the remarks he was -about to make, “you are a pack of cowards, and I can whip the best man -among you right here and _now_. Pick him out and let me take a look at -him.” - -“I am good for the best of them if they will come one at a time,” said -Sam. “But I give in to a dozen when they all jump on me at once.” - -“I will leave that challenge open,” said Don, as he led Sam away. “You -know where my room is, and any little notes you may choose to shove -under my door will receive prompt attention.” - -Tom and his crowd did not speak; they had not yet recovered from their -amazement. They stood gazing after the rescued boy and his champion -until they disappeared in the darkness, and then they turned and looked -at one another. - -“I declare, Duncan,” exclaimed Tom Fisher, who was the first to speak. -“You’ve met your master at last, have you not?” - -The defeated bully growled out something in reply, but his friends could -not understand what it was. Like every boy who prides himself upon his -strength and skill, he did not like to acknowledge that he had been -beaten. - -“Did he hurt you?” asked one of the students. “I noticed that you didn’t -get up right away.” - -“How in the name of all that’s wonderful did he do it?” inquired -another. “I didn’t see him clinch or strike you.” - -“He did neither,” replied Duncan, “and that’s just what bangs me. I am -willing to swear that he did not touch me anywhere except on the hand, -and he took hold of that just as though he wanted to give it a friendly -shake. It’s a trick of some kind—a boss one, too—and I will give him my -next quarter’s spending money if he will teach it to me.” - -“Humph!” exclaimed Tom Fisher. “You needn’t expect to him to do that. He -doesn’t look to me to be such a fool. You and he may come together in -earnest some day—if you don’t, he will be about the only boy you haven’t -had a fight with since you have been a student at this academy—and then -you will probably find out what his tricks are.” - -“He didn’t hurt me at all,” continued Clarence; “but he could if he had -been so disposed. If he had used a little more exertion he could have -thrown me into that air-hole; and if I had happened to come up under the -ice—ugh!” exclaimed Clarence, shivering all over as he looked down into -the dark water. - -“Is there no way in which we can get even with him?” asked Fisher. - -“_Is_ there!” replied Clarence, angrily. “Do you suppose that I am going -to submit tamely to an insult like that? We’ll make a way to get even -with him. Things have come to a pretty pass if a plebe is going to be -allowed to come here and run this school to suit himself.” - -The mere reference to such an unheard-of thing was enough to raise the -ire of Tom Fisher and all his companions, who with one voice declared -that the Planter, having presumed to lay violent hands on an upper-class -boy, and to set at defiance one of the old-established customs of the -academy, must be made to suffer the consequences. They held a long and -earnest consultation there on the ice, and Fisher and Duncan, who were -fruitful in expedients, soon hit upon a plan which promised, if -skillfully managed, to bring Sam Arkwright’s champion into serious -trouble. It was a most dangerous plan, because it was to be carried out -under the guise of friendship. - -“That’s the only way to do it, fellows, you may depend upon it,” said -Duncan, after their scheme had been thoroughly discussed. “We must bring -him into trouble with the faculty, and let them do the hazing, for we -couldn’t do it if we wanted to. I was nothing but a child in his grasp, -and, to tell the honest truth, I have no desire to face him again.” - -“I hope we shall succeed,” said Fisher. “But if the Planter turns out to -be one of those good little boys who never do anything wrong, then -what?” - -If Tom had only known it, he need not have bothered his head on this -point. Unfortunately for Don, something happened that very night which -made it comparatively easy for the conspirators to carry out the plans -they had formed regarding him. - -Meanwhile Don and Bert were walking briskly toward the academy in -company with the rescued boy, who was somewhat protected from the keen -wind by Bert’s muffler, which the latter had wrapped about his neck, and -by Don’s gloves which he wore upon his hands. He was lost in admiration -of his new friend’s prowess, and complimented him in the best language -he could command. - -“Are you an Irishman, sir?” Sam asked, at length. - -“Look here,” answered Don, “my name is Gordon—there’s no ‘sir’ about it. -No, I am not an Irishman. I am an American, I am proud to say; but I -understand the Irish ‘hand and foot’ well enough to give it to such -fellows as that Clarence Duncan. I can throw a man weighing two hundred -pounds in that way if he will let me take hold of his hand.” - -“It was well done,” said Sam. “I never saw it done better.” - -“I learned it of one of my father’s hired men—a discharged Union soldier -who came to our plantation penniless and hungry, and asked for work,” -said Don. “I always make it a point to pick up any little thing of that -kind that happens to fall in my way. It may come handy some day, you -know.” - -Perhaps you will now understand how Don had managed to throw the bully -of the school so easily; but if you do not, we can only say that it -cannot be described on paper so that you can gain even a faint idea of -it. If you want to know just how it was done, the easiest way to learn -is to ask some Irishman—the fresher he is from the old sod the better—to -give you a practical illustration of the “hand and foot.” Simply give -him your hand, and if his feelings toward you are friendly, he will send -you flying through the air without hurting you in the least; but if he -is not friendly, we would not advise you to go to him for information, -for he can turn you heels up in an instant, and land you on your head -with force enough to knock all your brains into your boots. Don had -become so expert in this novel way of wrestling, and so prone to put it -into practice at every opportunity, that none of the boys about Rochdale -could be induced to shake hands with him. - -“How did you ever happen to find your way to this school!” inquired Don, -after Sam had exhausted his vocabulary in praising his new friend’s -skill as a wrestler. “Were you really a New York boot-black?” - -“Yes, I was,” answered Sam, hesitatingly. - -“It is nothing to be ashamed of,” said Bert, who thought from the way -Sam spoke that he did not like to confess that he had once occupied so -lowly a position in the world. - -“Of course not,” Don hastened to add. “Any honest work is honorable. -Your presence here proves that you didn’t want to remain a boot-black -all your days.” - -“No, I didn’t. I was ambitious to be something better,” said Sam, who -then went on to give Don and his brother a short history of his life. He -said that his father, who followed the sea for a livelihood, had gone -down with his vessel during a terrific storm off Cape Hatteras; that his -mother had survived him but a few months; and that after her death a -grasping landlord had seized all the household furniture as security for -the rent that was due and unpaid, turning him (Sam) into the streets to -shift for himself. He spent the days in roaming about the city, looking -in vain for work, and his nights in a lumber-yard to which he had been -invited by a friendly boot-black, who found free lodgings there every -night, and who, seeing Sam’s forlorn condition, gave him a plate of soup -to eat and furnished him with a plank to sleep on. Finding that work was -not to be had, Sam at last ran in debt for a boot-black’s “kit,” which -he procured from one of the fraternity who had saved money enough to -open a corner peanut stand, and after a score or more of battles with -boys whose “claims” he unwittingly “jumped,” he succeeded in -establishing himself in front of a popular hotel in the city, where he -was to be found early and late. It was there he met the Superintendent -of the Bridgeport Military Academy, who patronized him twice every day, -never failing to give him a quarter for each “shine,” or to spend a few -minutes in conversation, with him after the boy’s work was completed. - -From the day he was six years old up to the time his father was lost at -sea, Sam attended the district school regularly; and as he was a very -faithful student, and tried hard to learn, he knew more about books than -boys of his age generally do. He felt that he was out of place among the -ragged, ignorant little gamins with whom he was daily and hourly thrown -in contact, and they, realizing that he was not one of them, and that he -believed himself to be fitted for something better than the life of a -boot-black, tormented him in every conceivable way. He was so often -called upon to protect his brush and his box of blacking from the young -rowdies who would have despoiled him of them, that he became an adept at -fighting, and it is probable that he would have opened the eyes of Tom -Fisher and his crowd, had they not pounced upon him while he was asleep, -and overpowered him before he could raise a hand to defend himself. - -“I am sure I don’t know what it was that made the Professor take a -liking to me,” said Sam in conclusion, “but it was something; and when -he asked me if I wouldn’t like to quit that miserable business and go to -school and learn to be a civil or a mining engineer, I tell you it -almost took my breath away. I jumped at the chance. I gave my kit to a -boy who was too poor to buy one, and came out here; and I am very sorry -for it. The fellows don’t want me here, and they didn’t want me in New -York, either. I hope I shall some day find a place where I shall not be -in everybody’s way.” - -“Don’t get down-hearted,” said Don, taking one of his hands out of his -pocket long enough to give Sam an encouraging slap on the back. “Of -course your tuition is free?” - -“Yes, everything is furnished me. If it wasn’t I couldn’t stay here, for -I have no money to speak of. The boys in New York badgered me so, and -ran such heavy opposition to me that I couldn’t earn enough to buy a -warm suit of clothes.” - -“You will have an abundance of them in a day or two,” said Don, “for our -uniforms will be along by that time. You couldn’t get an education on -better terms than the Professor offers it to you, could you? And so long -as he is willing that you should stay here, you can well afford to let -the fellows grumble to their hearts’ content. Show the Professor that -you appreciate his kindness by doing your duty like a man, and look to -me for help whenever you get into trouble. Now the next thing is -something else,” added Don, as he and his companions came to a halt in -front of the high picket-fence which inclosed the academy grounds. -“Where’s your room, Sam?” - -“I haven’t any yet. I sleep in the attic. The rooms on the floor -occupied by our class are all taken except one. That has been used as a -store-room, and as soon as it is cleared out I am to have it for my -own.” - -“Well, do you want the teachers to know anything about this night’s -work?” - -“Of course not,” returned Sam, who had all a decent boy’s horror of -tale-bearing. - -“Because, if you do,” continued Don, “you can walk up to one of the -guards, let him report you for being outside the grounds without a pass, -and when you are hauled over the coals for it, you can say that you were -taken out against your will.” - -“But I don’t want to say that,” answered Sam, quickly. “It would bring -Tom and the rest into trouble. I have nothing against them, and I should -be glad to be friends with them if they would only let me.” - -“You’ll do to tie to,” said Don, approvingly. “Bert and I have a pass -that will see us through all right; but what are you going to do? Do you -think you can make your way to the attic without being seen by any of -the sentries or floor guards?” - -“Tom and his crowd brought me out without attracting the attention of -any of them, and I don’t see why I can’t get back without being caught. -At any rate I shall try my best. Good-night. I hope that neither of you -will ever stand in need of such aid as you have rendered me to-night; -but if you do, you may count on me every time.” - -So saying Sam moved away in one direction, closely examining all the -pickets on the fence as he went, and Don and Bert walked off in the -other. When the latter arrived within sight of the main gate they were -somewhat surprised to see that it was closed. The sound of their -footsteps on the frosty snow quickly attracted the attention of the -alert sentry, who came out of his box and demanded to know who they were -and what they were doing there at that time of night. - -“We belong to this academy,” replied Don, “and have a pass from the -superintendent.” - -“Corporal of the guard No. 4,” yelled the sentry; and the call was -caught up and repeated by another sentinel who stood at the farther end -of the academy, and finally reached the ears of the corporal, who was -toasting his shins in front of a warm fire in the guard-room. - -“What do you want the corporal for? Here’s our pass,” said Don; and -taking the paper in question from his pocket he thrust it between the -bars of the gate. - -Still the sentry made no reply, nor did he seem to know that Don had -spoken to him. He brought his musket to a “support,” and paced back and -forth on the other side of the gate with slow and dignified steps. Don -muttered something under his breath, and Bert believing that he was -grumbling at the sentry for being so uncivil, laid his hand on his -brother’s arm and said, in a low tone— - -“Don’t be angry with him. Perhaps he is not allowed to talk while he is -on duty.” - -Don said nothing. He began to believe that he and Bert had unwittingly -got themselves into trouble again, and when the corporal came up, he -found that he had not been mistaken. - -“What’s the matter here?” demanded the officer. - -“There are a couple of plebes out there who want to come in,” was the -sentry’s reply. - -“Who are you?” said the corporal, peering through the pickets at the two -brothers. - -Don gave him their names; whereupon the corporal took a key down from a -nail in the sentry’s box, and after unlocking the gate told the boys to -come in. They obeyed, and the officer having returned the key to its -place drew a note-book from his pocket and wrote something in it. -“That’s all right,” said he, as he closed the book and put it back in -his pocket. - -“Have we done anything wrong?” inquired Bert, in anxious tones. - -“You will find that out to-morrow,” was the corporal’s very -unsatisfactory answer. - -“Why can’t you give a civil reply to a civil question?” demanded Don, -impatiently. “We had liberty to go outside the grounds for the evening, -and here’s the pass that says so.” - -“I don’t want to see it,” said the corporal, as he buttoned his overcoat -and drew the cape over his head. “I know just how it reads. Come on.” - -“Where are you going to take us?” asked Bert, while visions of the -gloomy guard-house danced before his eyes. - -“To the officer of the day, of course.” - -“And what will he do with us?” - -“That’s for him to tell. Come on. It’s too cold to stand here any -longer.” - -Don and Bert fell in behind the corporal, who led the way to the -guard-room, and ushered them into a little office where the officer of -the day—a stern old Prussian soldier who wore a medal he had won by his -gallantry on the field of battle while serving under Prince Frederick -Charles—sat reading a newspaper. When the non-commissioned officer -entered with his prisoners he laid the paper down and took off his -spectacles. - -“Vel, gorporal,” said he, in a pompous tone, “vat ish the drouble mit -dem gadets?” - -“They have overstayed their time, sir,” said the corporal. - -“Vot for you do dot?” demanded the officer of the day, turning fiercely -upon the culprits. “Vot for you not come in, ha?” - -“We were not aware that we had overstayed our time, sir,” answered Don. -“If we had known that we were expected to return at a certain hour, we -should have been here. We had a pass for the evening, and there it is.” - -“Dot’s no good after daps,” said the officer of the day, turning away -his head and waving his hand in the air to indicate that he did not care -to look at the paper which Don presented for his inspection. - -“I assure you, sir, that it was a mistake on our part,” said Bert. - -But the officer of the day declared, in his broken English and with many -gesticulations, that such things as mistakes were not recognized in that -academy—that Don and his brother had violated the regulations and might -make up their minds to be punished accordingly. Then he ordered them to -their quarters, while the corporal went back to his seat by the stove. - -“He didn’t say that we were in arrest, did he?” said Don, as he and Bert -ascended the stairs, at the top of which they met the sentry who had -charge of that floor, standing with his note-book in his hand. - -“Your names, please,” said he, pleasantly. - -“The corporal of the guard has them, and so has the officer of the day,” -answered Don. - -“And I must have them, too,” returned the sentry, holding his pencil -poised, in the air. - -Don gave the required information in rather a sullen tone, and closed -the door of his dormitory behind him with no gentle hand. As soon as -Bert had struck a light he drew the pass from his pocket and read as -follows: - -“Guards and patrols will pass privates Donald and Hubert Gordon until -half-past nine o’clock this evening.” - -Then he looked at his watch and saw that it lacked only a quarter of -eleven. Allowing fifteen minutes for their interviews with the corporal -and the officer of the day, they had overstayed their time just an hour. -Bert was very penitent, but Don was inclined to be rebellious. - - - - - CHAPTER V. - DON AND BERT HAVE VISITORS. - - -“I wonder if a fellow can make a move in any direction without breaking -some of the numerous rules of this school and being reported for it,” -said Don, throwing his overcoat and cap spitefully down upon the bed. “I -declare, Bert——” - -Just then the door opened and the sentry thrust his head into the room. -“Put out that light, Plebe,” said he. “Two reports in one night make a -tolerably bad showing, the first thing you know.” - -“Catch hold of that gas-fixture and jerk it out of the wall,” exclaimed -Don, as Bert hastened to obey the sentry’s order. “That makes twice it -has got us into trouble.” - -“Oh, I wouldn’t do that,” said the sentry, with a laugh. “You had better -read the rules and regulations until you have them firmly fixed in your -mind, and then, if you see fit to obey them to the very letter, you will -have plain sailing.” - -Don undressed in the dark and tumbled into bed, telling himself the -while that he didn’t care a snap of his finger for the rules and -regulations. He had not purposely violated any of them, and yet he had -been severely reprimanded, and was yet to be punished as though he had -been willfully disobedient. - -“When the leopard can change his spots and the Ethiopian his skin, I -shall believe that there is some hope for me,” said Don to himself, as -he arranged his pillow and prepared to go to sleep. “But there doesn’t -seem to be much now, for the harder I try to be good the more rows I get -into. I would give something to know how Tom Fisher and his crowd came -out, and whether or not Sam succeeded in getting back to his attic -without being seen by the guards.” - -Bert arose the next morning, after an almost sleepless night, full of -apprehension and trembling for fear of the punishment that was to be -visited upon him, while Don’s face wore a defiant expression. He had -slept the sleep of the healthy, and awoke refreshed and fully prepared -to meet anything that might be in store for him. Greatly to his surprise -and Bert’s, nothing was said to them regarding what had taken place the -night before. They found opportunity to exchange a few words with Sam -Arkwright, who gleefully informed them that everything was all right, -and that no one was the wiser for the assault that had been made upon -him by the third-class boys, and caught a momentary glimpse of Fisher -and Duncan, both of whom smiled and saluted in the most courteous -manner. Don did not know what this meant, but it was not long before he -found out. - -That afternoon all the members of the fourth class were ordered to the -drill-room, where they found a quartermaster-sergeant, the captain of -their company, and one of the teachers, who served out to them their new -uniforms, which they were told to put on at once. When ranks were -broken, Don and Bert hastened to their dormitory, and had just completed -the work of exchanging their citizen’s clothes for their natty suits of -cadet gray, when there came a knock at the door. Bert’s heart seemed to -stop beating. - -“That must be the orderly,” said he, in an excited whisper.“ If it is, -we shall soon know what is going to become of us.” - -“Well, we might as well know one time as another,” said Don, doggedly. -“I hope it is the orderly, for I have been kept in suspense long -enough.” - -Bert opened the door, when who should appear on the threshold but Tom -Fisher and Clarence Duncan. The former extended his hand to Bert, who -took it after a little hesitation, while Clarence entered the room and -greeted Don in the same friendly way. - -“Gordon,” said Clarence, as Don’s sinewy fingers closed about his own, -“you’re a brick. We came here to tell you and your brother that we and -the rest of the fellows are sorry for what happened last night, and that -we want to be friends with you.” - -“Nothing would suit me better,” answered Don. - -“We have had time to consider the matter,” said Fisher, seating himself -on Bert’s bed and depositing his cap on the table, “and we are all very -glad that you didn’t let us duck that Plebe. It would have been a mean -piece of business to haze him in that way, seeing that he didn’t have a -suit of dry clothes to put on.” - -“Or a fire to warm himself by,” chimed in Bert, with some indignation in -his tones. “Why, I never heard of such a thing. It would have been the -death of him.” - -“It was cold, wasn’t it?” said Clarence. “Well, we didn’t haze him, and, -as Tom says, we are all glad of it. But, I say, you make nobby-looking -soldiers, you two. Did you get in last night all right?” - -“We got in twice,” answered Don, ruefully. “We got inside the grounds, -and we got into trouble.” - -“How was that? Didn’t you have a pass?” - -“Yes; but it was only good until half-past nine, and we stayed out until -half-past ten.” - -“Oh! ah. Well, that’s nothing when you get used to it, is it, Fisher?” -said Clarence. - -“Nothing at all,” replied Tom. “It has been a very common thing with me, -and now I never think of asking for a pass. I go when I please and come -back when I feel like it.” - -“What do you suppose they will do with us?” asked Bert, who was anxious -to have that point settled as soon as possible. - -“Let me see,” said Clarence, thoughtfully. “Who was officer of the day -yesterday?” - -“I don’t know his name,” answered Don, “but he was the same one who -instructs our class in mathematics, an old gentleman with gold -spectacles, and a medal of some kind on his breast.” - -“Oh, that was Dutchy,” said Fisher, in a tone of contempt. “He’s our -fencing-master also. Well, he will make the case against you as black as -he can, and if he were the one to say how you should be punished, I tell -you you would have a lively time of it, for he is a regular martinet. -The President is a very strict disciplinarian, but he hasn’t yet -forgotten that he was once a boy himself, and he will probably be easy -with you.” - -“But what will he do?” insisted Bert. “That’s what Don and I want to -know. And if he is going to punish us at all, why doesn’t he say so?” - -“Because the proper time has not yet arrived. Wait until dress-parade -comes off to-night, and then you will find out all about it, for it will -be published in general orders.” - -“Before the whole school?” cried Bert. - -“Of course,” answered Clarence. - -Bert grew very red in the face, and looked at Don, who, in turn, stared -hard at Bert. - -“It is nothing to worry over,” said Fisher. “Some of the best fellows in -school have been gated and made to walk extras on Saturday afternoons -with packed knapsacks, and that is all the punishment you will receive.” - -“What do you mean by ‘gated’?” asked Don. - -“What is a ‘packed knapsack?” inquired Bert. - -“Why, when a fellow is gated he is confined inside the grounds, and not -allowed to go out under any circumstances,” replied Clarence. - -“But he can go out all the same if he feels like it,” said Fisher, with -a laugh. “I never knew a fellow to stay inside the grounds simply -because he was gated, unless he was one of those milk and water boys who -hadn’t spirit enough to say that his soul was his own.” - -“How can he get out?” asked Don. - -“He can run the guards. Clarence and I have done it many a time.” - -“Were you never caught at it?” inquired Bert. - -“Once or twice, but that was owing to our own carelessness. It is an -easy thing to do when the right kind of fellows are on duty, and really -exciting when the posts are held by such boys as Blake and Walker, and -others of that sort. They’re a mean set. They are always on the watch -for a chance to report somebody, because they believe that that is the -way to gain the good-will of the teachers.” - -“And a packed knapsack,” continued Clarence, “is one with something -heavy in it, such as bricks or paving-stones. When you are called upon -to walk an extra, you have to pace up and down your beat for four hours -with that knapsack on your back and a musket on your shoulder.” - -“That can’t be very pleasant,” observed Don. - -“Well, I am free to confess that it isn’t,” returned Clarence, “and it -is all owing to the way the thing is managed. If they would let us -perform the extra duty while the rest of the boys were drilling, or -while the class in geometry was reciting, I should not mind it in the -least. But you see they won’t do that. We have to work hard all the -week, and walk our extras on Saturday afternoons during the hours that -are given to the good little boys for cricket, ball-playing, fishing, -target-shooting and recreations of that sort.” - -“But overstaying our time was not the only offence of which we were -guilty last night,” said Don, after a moment’s pause. “When we reached -our room we struck a light, and I suppose we shall be reported for -that.” - -“Of course you will,” said Fisher. “You had no business to have a light -in your room after taps.” - -“But we didn’t think,” said Bert. “And, besides, we wanted to read our -pass, so that we might know just what we had done that was wrong.” - -“No odds,” exclaimed Clarence. “No excuse will be accepted. You will -probably be gated for a month.” - -“But you need not submit to the restriction of your liberty unless you -feel like it,” chimed in Fisher. “Do as all the best fellows in school -do—run the guard, and have a good time in spite of the teachers.” - -“Oh, we’ll never do that,” said Bert, quickly. “Will we, Don? That would -only make a bad matter worse.” - -Don looked down at the floor, but said nothing. He always grew restive -under restraint, and having been allowed when at home to go and come as -he pleased, he could not bear the thought of being confined within -bounds. If Fisher and Duncan had known what he was thinking about just -then, they would have said that the success of the plans they had formed -the night before was a foregone conclusion. - -“Well, Gordon,” said Tom, at length, “everything is all square between -us, I hope.” - -“Certainly it is, so far as I am concerned,” answered Don. “And I know -that Arkwright does not bear you any ill-will, for he said so. You -fellows ought to make matters straight with him, for he is true blue. He -took a good deal of pains to work his way back to the attic without -being seen, for he didn’t want the teachers to know what you had done.” - -“We’ll see him and have a talk with him,” said Tom, as he arose from the -bed and picked up his cap. “Perhaps we had better go, Clarence. You know -what will happen to us if we fail in our logic to-morrow. What do you -think of the prospect?” he added, as soon as he and his crony had -reached their own dormitory and closed the door behind them. “Will he -bite?” - -“I am sure of it,” was Duncan’s confident reply. “He is a fellow who -doesn’t like to be held with too tight a rein—I can see that plainly -enough; but Bert is a different sort of boy.” - -“What do we care for Bert?” exclaimed Tom. “Don is the one we are -after.” - -“I know that, and I know, too, that we could get him very easily if his -brother were out of the way. These little spooneys sometimes exert a -good deal of influence over their big brothers, and if he sets his face -against us and our plans, our cake will be turned into dough in short -order.” - -“We must see to it that Don doesn’t listen to him,” said Tom. “We have -done all we can do to-day. We have given him an idea, and now we will -let him chew on it for a while. We mustn’t appear to be too eager, you -know, for if we give him the least reason to suspect that we are putting -up a job on him, it is my opinion that he will prove an unpleasant -fellow to have around.” - -As Fisher said this he picked up his logic, in which both he and Duncan -had failed miserably that day, and read in a listless, indifferent tone— - -“What is true with limitations is frequently assumed to be true -absolutely. Thus—‘Deleterious drugs are always to be rejected; opium is -a deleterious drug; therefore opium is always to be rejected.’ What’s -wrong with that reasoning, Clarence?” - -“I don’t know and I don’t care,” answered the latter, snatching the book -from his friend’s hand and slamming it down upon the table. “Let it go -until this evening, and then we will study it together. Let’s have a -game of checkers now, and see if you can beat me as badly as you did the -last time we played.” - -“I don’t much like those fellows, Don,” said Bert, when Fisher and -Duncan had taken their leave. - -“I can’t see what there is wrong about them,” replied Don, who knew in a -moment what his brother meant. “I am sure they acted very honorably in -coming here to make things right with us.” - -“I have nothing to say against that,” Bert hastened to answer. “But I -don’t like to hear them talk so glibly about disobeying the rules.” - -“I don’t know that that is any business of yours or mine either,” said -Don, rather impatiently. “If they are willing to take the risk, and -abide the consequences if they are detected, that is their own affair. -_You_ needn’t do it.” - -“I!” exclaimed Bert, in great amazement. “You maybe sure that I have no -intention of doing anything of the kind, and I hope you haven’t, -either.” - -“You need not waste any valuable time in worrying about me. I am able to -look out for myself. But I’ll tell you what’s a fact, Bert: I don’t -think as much of this military business as I did a few weeks ago. If I -were only back home with my pony, dogs and guns, I tell you I would stay -there. I feel more like going out in the woods and knocking over a wild -turkey than I do like sitting here in this gloomy room preparing for -to-morrow’s recitations.” - -Don opened one of the books that lay upon the table, but the page on -which he fastened his eyes might have been blank for all he saw there. -His mind was not upon the work that demanded his attention. He was -thinking over his recent interview with Fisher and Duncan. - -“I wonder if they pass their evenings at Cony Ryan’s when they run the -guards?” said Don to himself. “I wonder, too, if Cony’s hotel, or -whatever he calls it, was in existence when my father attended this -school, and if he went there to eat pancakes. If he did, I don’t see how -he can find any fault with me if I go there. Tom and Clarence don’t seem -to be such a bad lot, and it is nothing more than fair that I should -meet their advances half way.” - -When the hour for recreation came, Don did something he had never done -before in his life. Watching his opportunity he slipped away from Bert -and set out to hunt up Fisher and Duncan. He did not have much trouble -in finding them, for they also were looking for him. After returning his -salute they slipped their arms through his and led him toward the -gymnasium. - -“You are a stranger here,” said Clarence, “and as we know you must be -lonely we will introduce you to the boys in our set, if you would like -to know them.” - -“You will find them all tip-top fellows,” added Tom. “You see, there is -a little crowd of us who run together, and somehow we manage to have -good times. There are some boys here, however, with whom we never have -anything to do. We will point them out to you as fast as we can, so that -you can steer clear of them.” - -“They are high-toned lads,” said Clarence, “and won’t associate with any -but the members of their own class. Some of them are preparing for West -Point. They pride themselves on being soldiers all over; and if they -can’t prove their soldierly qualities in any other way, they will report -somebody.” - -“Where’s your brother?” asked Tom, suddenly. - -Don replied that he didn’t know where he was. - -“I rather fancied that he didn’t exactly like what we said about running -the guard a while ago,” continued Tom. “Did he?” - -“No, he didn’t. He wouldn’t think of doing such a thing.” - -“Well, then, he can make up his mind to be gated on an average of once a -month as long as he stays here; for no matter how hard he tries, he -can’t help breaking some of the rules. If he has a mind to submit to -confinement—why, that’s his business and not mine.” - -“I haven’t done it since I have been here,” said Fisher, emphatically; -“and, what’s more, I won’t.” - -“Where do you go when you run the guard?” - -“Anywhere we please. Sometimes we spend an hour or two in skating or -sleigh-riding, and when we get tired of that, we go down to Cony Ryan’s -after pancakes and mince-pies.” - -“I don’t, for the life of me, see how you can get out,” said Don. “There -are sentries all around the grounds.” - -“It does require some skill and cunning, that’s a fact, especially when -fellows who don’t like you happen to be on duty. But if the members of -your own set are on post, it is easy enough. All you have to do is to -give them notice of your coming, and they will turn their backs until -you can creep by them.” - -“Go with us to-night, and we will show you how it is done,” said Fisher. - -“That’s so!” exclaimed Clarence, as if the idea had just been suggested -to him. “It will be a good time; another like it may not occur for a -month. Will you do it, Gordon? I dare you.” - -“It is a common saying in my country that a man who will take a dare -will steal sheep,” said Don. - -“Of course he will,” answered Clarence. “I knew we had not been mistaken -in you.” - -“We haven’t had any of Cony’s pies and pancakes this winter,” continued -Tom, “and we are getting hungry for some. I have taken particular pains -to find out who the sentries are, and I know that some of them are good -men and true. There are some of our boys now. Come on, Gordon, and we -will make you acquainted with them.” - -They had by this time entered the gymnasium,—a large building which -stood a little apart from the academy, and was fitted up with all the -appliances that are supposed to be necessary or useful in such -institutions. It was filled with students who were exercising their -muscles in various ways, and among them Don recognized some of the boys -who had composed the hazing party. Don was introduced to them one after -another, and was welcomed by them in the most cordial manner. They spent -a few minutes in talking and laughing over the incidents of the previous -night; and then, at a sign from Fisher, they drew off on one side so -that they could carry on their conversation without danger of being -overheard by those who did not belong to their “set.” - -“Fellows, Gordon is one of us; Duncan and I vouch for him; so you need -not hesitate to speak freely in his presence,” said Tom, again taking up -the subject that just then was nearest his heart. “Do we go to Cony -Ryan’s to-night or not?” - -“Of course,” replied all the boys, in chorus. - -“Then that much is settled. I know who the guards are,” he added, -turning to Don, “and I will see you safely out and back. As soon as we -are out of the building——” - -“But how am I going to get out?” interrupted Don. “You forget the sentry -who has charge of our floor.” - -“No, I don’t. Here he is,” said Tom, taking by the arm a boy who had -been introduced as Charley Porter. “You won’t stop him, will you, -Charley?” - -“I shall not know when he goes out,” was the ready answer. “I can be -both blind and deaf when circumstances require that I should be so.” - -“You see what kind of fellows we are,” said Tom. “You will never be -reported for having a light after taps, or for any other offence, by one -of us.” - -Tom then went on to tell Don just what he must do in order to make his -undertaking successful, and, aided by his friends, who put in a word now -and then, succeeded in making him believe that Cony Ryan’s was but -little short of a paradise, and that he (Tom) and his “set” had done him -a great favor in bringing the house and its proprietor to his notice. He -promised to be on hand at the hour appointed, and then he and Tom went -into the dressing-room to put on their gymnastic suits, while Duncan -hurried away to carry out an idea of his own that had suddenly suggested -itself to him. - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - CONY RYAN’S PANCAKES. - - -“He did bite, didn’t he?” said Duncan to himself, as he hurried about -the grounds and through the academy building looking everywhere for Dick -Henderson. “He jumped at the bait quicker than I thought he would; but -he never would have done it if he had not got himself into trouble last -night. That made him mad, and now he don’t much care what he does. We’ll -fix him. A court-martial and extra lessons and guard duty and drills for -a whole month will so disgust him with this school that he will clear -out, and we shall be well rid of him.” - -Duncan soon found the boy of whom he was in search, and the following is -a part of the conversation that took place between them: - -“You are on post No. 5, down there at the north side of the grounds -to-night, are you not?” said Duncan. - -Dick replied that he was, that he went on at midnight. - -“Well, you know that the boys are going down to Cony Ryan’s to-night, -don’t you?” continued Clarence. - -Yes, Dick knew all about it, and stood ready to help them in every way -he could, without getting himself into trouble. - -“Well,” said Duncan, again, “Don Gordon is going with us.” - -Dick seemed delighted to hear it. - -“We roped him in just as easy as falling off a log,” Clarence went on. -“He has been introduced to some of the fellows, and Fisher and I have -worked things so nicely that he doesn’t suspect anything. Now you must -be on the alert to catch him when we come back, which will be some time -between one and four o’clock.” - -“How shall I know him from the rest of you?” - -“By the signal, of course. Have you forgotten that?” Here Duncan coughed -slightly, and in a peculiar manner. - -“No, I haven’t forgotten it. I only want to know just how things are -going to be managed, so that I shall not make any mistakes. It would be -awkward, you know, if I should call the corporal of the guard to arrest -the wrong fellow.” - -“You musn’t do that,” said Duncan, quickly. “It would be much better to -let Gordon pass unchallenged with the rest of us. You know we boys got -ourselves into lots of trouble last term, and if we don’t keep our names -off the black-list from this time on, we stand a good chance of being -sent down.” - -(By being “sent down” Duncan meant “expelled.”) - -“All right,” said Dick. “I know just what you want of me. Do everything -just as it was done last term, and I will see that our boys get safely -through, and that Don Gordon comes in for a court-martial.” - -When the hour for dress-parade arrived the classes were marched to the -drill-room by their respective captains, three of them being drawn up in -line, while the Plebes were stationed at one end of the room so that -they could watch the movements of their comrades, and learn something of -the duties that would be required of them when they were well enough -drilled in the manual of arms and school of the company to go on parade -themselves. There were two of them who did not pay much attention to the -proceedings, although they appeared to watch them closely, and they were -Don and Bert Gordon. They noticed that the adjutant carried some papers -in his belt, and they knew instinctively that one of them contained -something that would prove to be of interest to them. - -In obedience to the adjutant’s order, the captains brought their -companies to “parade rest,” the band “sounded off,” a few exercises in -the manual of arms were gone through with, and then came the command: -“Attention to orders.” Don listened, and heard his name and Bert’s read -off in connection with those of three or four other culprits, who were -ordered to be punished according to their deserts. It was ordered that -privates Donald and Hubert Gordon, for overstaying their time, and -having a light burning in their quarters after taps (this being their -second offence), be deprived of liberty for thirty days, and required to -stand guard for four hours on the ensuing Saturday afternoon with packed -knapsacks. Then the parade was dismissed, the band struck up a lively -tune, the officers advanced to salute the commander of the battalion, -and the first sergeants marched their companies to the armory, where -ranks were broken. - -“Didn’t I tell you just how it would be?” whispered Fisher, who happened -to overtake Don while the latter was on his way to his room. “It’s no -trouble at all to stand an extra, for it is over with in four hours; and -as for depriving you of your liberty—that’s all in my one eye. You can -see much more fun without a pass than you can with one, for you are not -obliged to return at any specified time.” - -“I don’t mind the punishment as much as I do the disgrace,” said Don. - -“Disgrace!” echoed Fisher. “Nonsense. This has been a military school -for half a century or more, and of the thousands of students who have -been graduated here, there are not a hundred who did not, at some time -or another, break some rule, and get punished for it. Why, my own father -used to run the guard.” - -“So did mine,” said Don. - -“_Your_ father!” exclaimed Tom, in great surprise. “Did he ever attend -this school?” - -“Yes; he received a military education and prepared for college here.” - -“I am surprised to hear it. Well, he didn’t get through the whole course -without being hauled up occasionally, did he? I just know he didn’t, if -he was a boy who had any spirit in him. Now, as I may not see you again -until the time for action arrives, I want to know if you understand just -what you have to do.” - -Don answered that he was sure he did, and then went on to repeat the -instructions he had received in the gymnasium. When he had finished, -Fisher gave him an approving wink and nod, and left him. - -During the evening Don and Bert did very little studying. The latter -took his punishment very much to heart; and asked himself over and over -what his mother would think when she heard of it; while Don was so busy -thinking of the festivities that were to come off at Cony Ryan’s, that -he could not have concentrated his mind on his books if he had tried. -When taps were sounded the light went out instanter. - -“I shall never get into trouble for _that_ again,” said Don, as he -tumbled into bed, after bidding his brother good-night. “The next time I -am reported, it will be for something that is worth reporting.” - -Don began to be excited now. He had been instructed to wait twenty -minutes, as near as he could guess at it, in order to give the officer -of the day time to make his rounds, which he did as often as the huge -bell in the cupola tolled the hours. He knew when the officer ascended -the stairs, heard him talking with the sentry who had charge of that -floor, and breathed easier when he went down again—but only for a -moment, for now something that appeared to be an insurmountable obstacle -arose before him all on a sudden. The sensitive Bert was sadly troubled, -and when he got that way, it was almost impossible for him to go to -sleep. In case he remained awake until the expiration of the twenty -minutes, what could Don do? - -“I never thought of that,” soliloquized the latter, his ears telling him -the while that Bert was tossing restlessly about on his bed. “It would -be simply impossible for me to get up and dress and slip out of the room -without his knowledge. Of course I might go out openly and above board, -for I know that he would never blow on me; but if I do that, he will -improve every opportunity to lecture me, and I would rather spend every -Saturday afternoon in walking extras than listen to him. I ought to have -told the fellows to allow me at least an hour.” - -While Don was busy with such reflections as these, and trying in vain to -conjure up some plan for leaving the room without attracting his -brother’s attention, he was electrified by a gentle snore which came -from the direction of Bert’s bed. Don thought it was a pleasant sound to -hear just then, for it told him that the way was clear. In an instant he -was out on the floor, and in five minutes more he was dressed. After -wrapping one of his pillows up in the quilts and arranging them as well -as he could in the dark, so that they would bear some resemblance to a -human figure, he walked across the room with noiseless steps and -cautiously opened the door. The hall was lighted up by a single -gas-burner, under which the sentry, Charley Porter, sat reading a book. -He looked up when he heard Don’s door grating on its hinges; but he did -not look Don’s way. He turned his eyes in the other direction. Then he -laid down his book, got upon his feet, and walking leisurely along the -hall with his hands behind his back, took his stand in front of a -window, and looked out into the darkness. His back was turned toward -Don, who closed the door of his room behind him, moved along the hall on -tip-toe, and dodging around an angle in the wall, was quickly out of -sight. A few hurried steps brought him to another door, which yielded to -his touch, and then Don found himself in utter darkness. - -This door gave access to the back stairs, which ran from the ground -floor to the upper story of the building, and were intended to be used -only as a fire-escape. The doors that opened into it—there was one on -each floor—were kept locked, and all the keys that rightfully belonged -to them were hung up on a nail in the superintendent’s room, where they -could be readily found by the teachers in case circumstances required -that they should be brought into use. The superintendent was happy in -the belief that by placing a sentry in charge of the dormitories on each -floor, and keeping the keys of these doors under his eye all the time, -he had put it out of the power of any student to leave the building -during the night; but he had not taken into consideration the fact that -sentries may sometimes prove false to their duty, and that an old rusty -key, picked up in the yard, can, by the aid of a file and a little -ingenuity, be made to fit almost any lock. Tom Fisher and his friends -all had keys that would open these doors, and Don had resolved that he -would have one too. - -“B-l-e-r-s,” whispered Don, as he stepped out into the fire-escape. - -“R-a-m,” came the response, in the same low whisper. - -The pass-word of the band of worthies to which Don now belonged was -“Ramblers.” Of course it was used only in the dark, or when the members -could not see each other. If a boy desired to know whether or not a -student whom he suddenly encountered in some out-of-the-way place was a -friend, all he had to do was to spell the last syllable of the -pass-word, as Don had done; and if he received the same answer that Don -did, he knew at once that he had found some one who could be depended -on. At least that was what Fisher and Duncan told Don; but the reader -already knows that they did not tell him the truth. - -“Who is it?” whispered Don. - -“Fisher,” replied the owner of that name; and as he spoke he stepped -forward to lock the door. - -“Hadn’t you better leave it unfastened?” asked Don. - -“Not by a great sight,” answered Fisher, quickly. “The officer of the -day and the corporal on duty try all these doors every time they make -their rounds, and if they should happen to find one of them unlocked, -good-by to all our hopes of eating pies and pancakes at Cony Ryan’s -again this winter.” - -“Then how can I get back to my room?” - -“Why, I shall be here to open the door for you.” - -“But we might get separated, you know.” - -“Oh, no we won’t,” answered Tom, confidently. “Don’t you be at all -uneasy on that score. Duncan and I will stand by you. Come on, now; the -boys are all ready and waiting.” - -“How fearful dark it is,” said Don. “I can’t see my hand before me.” - -“Neither can I; but I have been through here so often that I know every -step of the way. Give me your hand.” - -Fisher took Don in tow and succeeded in conducting him safely down two -flights of stairs—it afterward proved to be a fortunate thing for Don -that he remembered that—and out into the yard where Duncan and the rest -were waiting for them. After greeting Don in the most cordial manner -they moved off in a body toward the north corner of the grounds—all -except Tom Fisher, who went on ahead to notify the sentry of their -approach. This he did in some mysterious way, and without alarming any -of the guards on the neighboring posts; and the boy, who ought to have -called the corporal of the guard at once, went into his box and stayed -there until Tom and his companions had crossed his beat and were out of -sight. They easily found the place where two of the tall fence pickets -had been loosened at the bottom, and pushing these aside they crept -through the opening into the road. - -“Well, Gordon, that wasn’t such a very hard thing to do, was it?” said -Duncan, as he took off his overcoat and shook the snow out of it. - -“No,” answered Don, “and I don’t see much fun in it, either. It is not a -very smart thing to crawl by a sentry who is accommodating enough to -keep out of sight until you have had time to get out of harm’s way. -There’s no excitement in it—anybody could do it. If that guard had been -faithful to his trust, I should think we had done something worth -bragging about.” - -“O, you want excitement, do you?” exclaimed Duncan. “You want a chance -to run by some spooney who would be only too glad to report you and get -you into a row, don’t you? All right. We’ll see that you get the chance, -and very shortly, too; won’t we, boys?” - -“Yes,” replied all the boys, in concert. - -“And, unless I am very badly mistaken, you will see quite as much -excitement as you want to-night,” added Duncan, to himself. “If Dick -Henderson does his duty, you will be under arrest and a candidate for a -court-martial before you see the inside of your dormitory again.” - -During the walk to the big pond, near which Cony Ryan’s house stood, -Don’s new friends entertained him with many thrilling stories of the -deeds of daring that had been performed by themselves and former -students, such as running the guard when all the posts were occupied by -those who were not friendly to them; stealing the bell-rope when the -cupola was guarded by some of the best soldiers in the academy; turning -the bell upside down on a cold night, filling it with water and allowing -it to freeze solid; and spiking the gun whose unwelcome booming aroused -them at so early an hour every morning. As Don listened he began to grow -excited; and when there was a little lull in the conversation, he -proposed one or two daring schemes of his own that had suddenly occurred -to him, and which were so far ahead of any his auditors had ever engaged -in, that they could hardly believe he was in earnest. - -“Gordon, you see around you a lot of fellows who never have and never -will back down from any reasonable undertaking,” said Tom Fisher. “But -the idea of stealing a cow, taking her into the grounds and hoisting her -up to the top of the belfry, overpowering and binding every sentry who -stands in our way—Great Cæsar’s ghost! Gordon, you must be taking leave -of your senses.” - -“And as for taking the butcher’s big bull-dog up to the top story of the -building, tying a tin can to his tail, and starting him on a run down -four pairs of stairs and through the halls—that’s another thing I don’t -approve of,” said Duncan. - -“I guess not,” said another of the fellows. “I wouldn’t touch that dog -for a million dollars. We are in for anything new that promises to be -either interesting or exciting, but, as Tom says, it must be something -reasonable. Think up some other plans.” - -The boys had by this time reached Cony Ryan’s house. Led by Tom Fisher -they mounted the steps, and passing through a narrow hall entered a -neatly furnished little parlor whose walls, could they have found -tongues, would have told some strange and amusing stories of the scenes -that had been enacted there. It was brilliantly lighted, and a cheerful -fire burned in the grate. - -“This looks as though Cony was expecting us, doesn’t it?” said Tom, -gazing about the room with a smile of satisfaction. “Take off your -overcoat, Gordon, and sit down. Make yourself at home.” - -“Do you know,” added Duncan, “that this house was built and furnished -with the money that the academy boys have put into Cony’s pocket? Years -ago, when he was nothing but a poor fisherman and lived down there on -the bank of the river in a little shanty about half the size of this -room, it occurred to him that he might turn an honest penny by supplying -the students with milk and pies. He drove a thriving trade until some of -the teachers began to suspect that he was putting something stronger -than water in his milk, and then they shut down on him and he was -forbidden to enter the grounds. But that didn’t trouble him any. The -boys had got in the habit of spending their extra dimes with him, and -since he couldn’t come to them any more, they fell into the way of going -to him. Why, Gordon, if you could look over some of his old registers, -you would find in them the names of men who are known all over the -land.” - -Just then a side door opened, admitting a portly, white-bearded old -fellow, dressed in a modest suit of black, who was greeted by the -students in the most uproarious manner. They crowded around him, all -trying to shake his hands at the same time, while Cony, for it was he, -beamed benevolently upon them over his spectacles. This was the first -time he had seen any of them since the close of the last school term. - -“You see we are all on hand again, Cony,” said Duncan, when the -greetings were over. “And if you will trot out a few plates of your -pancakes, you will find that we are as hungry as ever. By the way, did -you know a boy of the name of Gordon who used to attend this academy?” - -“Gordon of Mississippi?” exclaimed Cony, who, having a retentive memory, -never forgot the names of any of his patrons. “I should say so. He has -spent many a pleasant evening in this room.” - -“Well, here is one of his boys,” continued Duncan. “Mr. Ryan, Mr. Donald -Gordon.” - -The old fellow was very much surprised. - -“It doesn’t seem possible,” said he, as he shook Don’s hand and gave him -a good looking over. “He is the very image of his father, who was one of -the finest-looking young soldiers I ever put my eyes on. Mercy on us, -how time does fly!” - -“Say, Cony,” said Tom Fisher, coaxingly, “can’t we have just one game of -‘sell out,’ to-night?” - -“No, sir,” was the emphatic reply. “You can have all the pancakes you -want, and as much sweet milk or buttermilk as you can hold, but you -don’t turn a card in this house. It is bad enough for you to run the -guard, and if I did my duty, I should report the last one of you in the -morning.” - -“Suppose you trot out the pancakes and milk, and let somebody else -report us,” suggested Don. - -“Yes; that’s the idea,” cried the others, with one voice. - -Don thought he enjoyed himself that night, and his companions thought -so, too, for he sang as many songs, told as many stories, and laughed as -heartily as any of them. He listened with much interest while Cony told -of the exploits of the students he had known in the years gone by, and -who had since made themselves famous as lawyers, legislators and -soldiers, and was greatly astonished when Tom Fisher jumped to his feet -with his watch in his hand and a look of alarm on his face. - -“Fellows,” said he, “where has the night gone? It is half-past three, -and we have just half an hour in which to crawl by Dick Henderson’s post -and get into bed. If we are two minutes behind time we are a gone -community.” - -This startling announcement broke up the party at once. The boys made a -simultaneous rush for their overcoats and caps, and after Don had -settled their bill—a proceeding on his part that raised him to a high -place in the estimation of some of the students whose parents did not -think it best to give them a very liberal allowance of spending -money—they dashed out of the house and started for the academy on a dead -run, Duncan and Don Gordon bringing up the rear. If the latter had known -what the boy who kept so close to his elbow was thinking about, he would -have thrown him headlong into the nearest snow-drift. - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - RUNNING THE GUARD. - - -“Now, boys,” said Tom Fisher, “one at a time, but remember lively is the -word. Gordon, you had better stay back and watch the rest of us, and -then you will know how to proceed when your turn comes. We are not -afraid of Henderson, but still we don’t want to show ourselves to him -too plainly, for fear that the corporal of the guard or the officer of -the day may be loafing around somewhere within sight of his post.” - -They had now reached the academy grounds, and half the time at their -disposal had already been consumed. They had barely fifteen minutes -left, and haste was necessary. As matters stood, all the floors and one -of the outside beats were in charge of boys who had been duly posted, -and would permit them to pass unchallenged; but these accommodating -guards would very soon be relieved, and their places taken by those who -would report them the first thing in the morning. - -As Fisher spoke he pushed aside the loosened fence-pickets, squeezed -himself through the opening, and, with his body half bent, made his way -toward Dick Henderson’s post. Presently he threw himself upon his hands -and knees, and in a few seconds more was out of sight. Another and -another followed him, and finally Duncan took his turn, and Don was left -alone. - -“Don’t be in too great a hurry,” were the latter’s parting words. “Let -me get out of your sight before you start.” - -During the last hour and a half Dick Henderson had been walking his beat -in no very pleasant frame of mind. Tom had told him that he and his -friends would return some time between the hours of two and four; but at -three o’clock Dick had seen no signs of them. - -“I wonder if they went in at some other part of the grounds,” Dick often -said to himself. “I can’t believe they did, for I think I am the only -fellow in our crowd who holds an outside post to-night. Besides, Duncan -said they would come in here, so that I could halt Don Gordon. They’ll -have to hurry up if they want me to do anything for them.” - -As the minutes wore away Dick’s anxiety increased, and finally he became -really alarmed. The bell had struck three long ago, and Dick was -beginning to look for his relief, when, to his great joy, he saw -somebody creeping toward him through the deep snow. As soon as he caught -sight of him he moved back to his box and stood behind it, leaning on -his musket. The boy, Tom Fisher, crossed Dick’s beat in plain view of -him, uttering a peculiar cough as he passed, and disappeared behind the -high piles of snow that had been thrown out of the path leading to the -academy. - -“That’s one,” thought Dick, “and Duncan said there were to be nine in -the party. I am to allow eight of them to go in peace, and the ninth -man, who will be Don Gordon, is to be halted and turned over to the -tender mercies of the officer of the day. That is two,” he added, as -another boy crept by, giving the “signal” as he went. - -When the eighth man was safely out of sight Dick shouldered his musket -and stepping out from behind his box, prepared for action. As he came -into view, a boy who was moving rapidly toward him, in a crouching -attitude, suddenly stopped, and then as suddenly plunged into the -nearest snowdrift, burying himself in it head and ears. - -“That fellow is like an ostrich,” soliloquized Dick, as he walked -quickly along his beat. “He thinks that because his head is out of -sight, his whole body is concealed.” - -Having taken up a position between the recumbent figure and the path -that led from his beat to the academy, Dick brought his musket to “arms -port” and sung out, in his loudest tones: “Who comes there?” immediately -following up his challenge with lusty calls for the corporal of the -guard No. 5. The last words had hardly left his lips when the prostrate -boy sprang to his feet, and coughing up the snow which had filled his -mouth and got into his throat when he made his sudden plunge into the -drift, ran toward the academy with surprising swiftness. Dick heard that -cough, and it affected him very strangely. He stood with open mouth and -eyes, gazing in the direction in which the boy had disappeared, while -his musket trembled in his grasp, and his face grew almost as white as -the snow around him. - -“Now I’ve done it,” he said to himself, with no little alarm. “I’ve gone -and called the corporal for one of our own boys. What in the world shall -I do? Tom and Clarence will read me out of their good books, and I shall -have no one to be friends with, for those high-toned lads in the upper -classes won’t look at me. Well, if trouble comes of it, they can just -blame Duncan. He told me to stop the ninth boy, and I know I didn’t make -any mistake in counting them. But what shall I say to the corporal? -That’s what bothers me.” - -Dick was obliged to come to a decision on this point very speedily, for -just then the door of the guard-room was thrown open, and the corporal -came out and hurried toward him. - -“What’s the matter, sentry?” he asked, as soon as he had approached -within speaking distance. - -“Some fellow has just run by me,” was Dick’s reply. - -“Whew!” whistled the corporal. “Running the guard has begun rather early -in the term, hasn’t it? Who was he?” - -“I don’t know,” answered Dick, and he told the truth. - -“Whom did he look like?” - -“I don’t know that, either. You can’t tell one student from another in -the dark, when they are all dressed alike.” - -“Then why didn’t you catch him and find out who he was?” - -“Catch him!” repeated Dick. “Cony Ryan’s grayhound couldn’t have caught -him. He ran like a deer.” - -“Well, he’ll be stopped when he tries to get into his dormitory,” said -the corporal, indifferently. “I’ll go and see what the officer of the -day thinks about it. You’re sure this fellow, whoever he was, didn’t go -out since you have been on post?” - -“Of course he didn’t,” said Dick, indignantly. - -“Then Patchen” (that was the name of the sentry who held post No. 5 when -Fisher and his companions left the grounds), “will have to answer to the -superintendent for neglect of duty,” said the corporal, as he turned on -his heel and walked back toward the guard-room. - -“And just as likely as not he will punch my head for getting him into -trouble,” thought Dick, trembling again. “But I didn’t mean to do it. -It’s all that Clarence Duncan’s fault, for he ought to have told me that -he was going to add more boys to his party. Don Gordon must be outside -the grounds yet, and perhaps some of our boys are with him.” - -Meanwhile Tom Fisher, having gained the academy building in safety, -opened the back door, climbed two pairs of stairs, and felt his way -along the hall to the door that gave entrance to the floor on which Don -Gordon’s dormitory was situated. This door he unlocked and opened, and -stepping into the next hall saw the sentry who had relieved Charley -Porter at midnight sitting under the light reading a book. - -“Ahem!” said Tom; whereupon the sentry laid down his book and walked -toward him. - -“Well, you fellows have made a night of it, haven’t you?” said he, in a -cautious whisper. - -“I should think so,” answered Tom. “Had a splendid time, too. The -pancakes were just as good as they used to be, and Gordon settled the -bill like a prince.” - -“You had better go to bed, and be in a hurry about it, too,” said the -sentry. “It is almost time for me to be relieved.” - -“I know it; but I promised to wait at this door and let Gordon in. He -has no key of his own.” - -“If he doesn’t come along pretty soon he’ll not get in _this_ morning -without being reported, for Gulick comes after me.” - -“Is that so? Then he’d better hurry, that’s a fact. I can’t wait much -longer for him without bringing myself into trouble.” - -The sentry, who did not dare remain longer in conversation with Tom for -fear that the officer of the day or the corporal of the guard might come -quietly up the stairs and catch him at it, walked away toward the other -end of the hall, while Tom closed the door and stood there in the dark, -impatiently awaiting the arrival of Don Gordon. He heard his friends as -they crossed the landing one after another, and went on up to their -dormitories, but the boy he wanted to see did not make his appearance. -Presently some one jerked open the back door, slammed it behind him, and -came up the stairs in great haste. - -“Who is that idiot, I wonder? He makes noise enough to arouse the whole -school. B-l-e-r-s,” whispered Tom, as the boy sprang upon the landing. - -“R-a-m,” came the prompt response. - -“Who is it?” continued Tom. - -“Brown.” - -“Well you are making a fearful racket, the first thing you know,” said -Tom, angrily. - -“I am in a hurry,” panted the boy. “Here’s the very mischief to pay. -That fool Henderson has gone and challenged one of our fellows.” - -“No,” gasped Tom, who was greatly alarmed. - -“But I say he has, for I heard him. Come on. We musn’t stay here another -moment.” - -“But I promised to let Gordon in,” said Tom. - -“What do you care for Gordon? Let him go and take care of yourself. -That’s what I am going to do.” - -So saying the boy went on up the stairs, leaving Tom to himself. The -latter could not make up his mind what to do. He knew that he was in -danger, but still he did not like to desert Don in his extremity. Don, -speaking in school-boy parlance, had shown himself to be a thoroughbred. -He could sing a good song, tell an interesting story, and, better than -all, he was provided with a liberal supply of pocket-money, which he -spent with a lavish hand. This was enough to raise him to a high place -in the estimation of Tom Fisher, whose own supply of dimes was limited. - -“I have it?” soliloquized Tom, at length, “I’ll leave the key in the -lock, and if he succeeds in getting by the guard he can let himself in. -Of course he will have sense enough to fasten the door after him, and -put the key in his pocket. Henderson will have to explain his conduct in -the morning. He had no business to halt any of our fellows unless he did -it to protect himself.” - -Tom hurriedly ascended the next flight of stairs, but scarcely had he -reached the top when the back door was thrown open again and another boy -came bounding up the steps. It was Clarence Duncan, who was -congratulating himself on the complete success of his plans. He lingered -a moment or two in the hall where Fisher had stood waiting for Don -Gordon, and then went on to his own dormitory. The floor-guard was so -very deeply interested in a dime novel that he did not appear to see or -hear him as he passed, and in a few seconds more Clarence was safe in -bed. He was just in time. He had not been between the sheets two minutes -before he heard the gruff tones of the officer of the day, who was -questioning the floor-guard. Clarence could not hear what they said, but -he knew what they were talking about. Presently he heard doors softly -opened and closed. The sounds came nearer, and at last the door of his -own room was opened, and the officer of the day, attended by the -corporal of the guard, who carried a lantern in his hand, stepped across -the threshold. The officer saw Duncan and Fisher lying with their faces -to the wall, apparently fast asleep, took note of the fact that their -clothes were deposited in orderly array upon the chairs at the side of -their beds, and departed satisfied with his investigations. In a few -minutes the relief came up, and Clarence began to breathe easier. - -“Say, Fisher,” he whispered, “are you asleep?” - -“No,” was the reply. “And what’s more, I don’t want to go to sleep. If I -do, I am afraid I shall miss roll-call, and then the superintendent -would know where to look to find at least one fellow who ran the -guards.” - -“I think myself that it would be a good plan for us to keep awake. Say, -Fisher,” whispered Clarence, again, “Gordon’s goose is cooked.” - -“What do you mean by that?” - -“I mean just what I say. I shall be amply revenged on him for the -insults he has heaped upon us. When we came through the fence I managed -to keep him until the last, and Henderson halted him. I didn’t know but -he might succeed in getting by in spite of Dick’s efforts to stop him, -so, in order to make assurance doubly sure, I took the pains to examine -the door in the second hall, and in it I found a key that some kind -friend had left there for his benefit. But I just took the key out of -that lock, and put it into my pocket. Don can’t possibly get in without -being reported by the floor-guard, and he can take his choice between -freezing outside and giving himself up to the corporal.” - -“Did you tell Henderson to halt him?” demanded Fisher, who had listened -with the greatest amazement to this astounding revelation. - -“Yes, sir, I did,” chuckled Duncan, who seemed to be highly elated. “I -posted Dick yesterday afternoon, and he carried out my idea to a dot. I -didn’t expect to get even with Gordon so soon, did you?” - -“Well, of all the blunder-heads I ever saw you are the greatest,” said -Tom, in deep disgust. - -“Why, what’s the matter?” demanded Duncan, who was now surprised in his -turn. “What are you going to do?” he added, as Tom got out of his bed -and moved toward the door. - -“I am going to see if there is any chance for me to undo your miserable -work,” replied Tom, who was so enraged that he could scarcely speak. -“You have made a nice mess by your meddling. Why didn’t you ask the -advice of the rest of us before issuing any orders on your own -responsibility? You’re just a trifle too smart to be of any use to me -hereafter.” - -Opening the door Tom looked out into the hall, and saw at a glance that -he could do nothing to help the unlucky Don. He had intended, if it were -possible, to go down to the lower floor and put the key back in the lock -so that Don could use it in case he succeeded by any chance in getting -past the sentry; but he could not carry this plan into execution now, -because the floor-guard who had permitted himself and Duncan and all the -other boys who belonged on that floor to pass unnoticed, had been -relieved, and his chair was occupied by a boy who could not be fooled -with. - -“Anything wanting, Fisher?” asked the sentry, looking up from his book. - -“I thought somebody came into my room a few minutes ago,” said Tom, in -reply. - -“So there did. It was the officer of the day.” - -“What did he want?” - -“Not much of anything, only to make sure that you were in bed where you -belong.” - -“What’s up?” - -“Somebody has been running the guard; that’s all.” - -“Did they catch him?” - -“No; and neither did Henderson recognize him. There’s something -mysterious about it. As far as I can learn there is no one missing, and -the floor-guards are all willing to swear that nobody has passed in or -out of the academy since taps. Good-morning.” - -As this was a hint that the sentry did not want to talk any longer, Tom -drew in his head and closed the door. - -“Now I _am_ beat,” said he, aloud; and so was Duncan who had sat up in -bed and heard every word that passed between his room-mate and the -sentry. “Gordon was stopped by Dick Henderson, locked out in the cold -through your lack of sense, and yet the officer of the day finds him in -his room! How does that come? I can’t understand it.” - -“Neither can I,” said Duncan. “But, Tom, what made you get so angry at -me?” - -“I had two reasons for it. In the first place you had no right to tell -Henderson to stop Don until you found out what the rest of us thought -about it. You took altogether too much upon yourself when you presumed -to act for a dozen or more fellows in the way you did.” - -“Have you forgotten that Gordon has repeatedly neglected to salute us, -and that he threatened to make spread-eagles of the pair of us?” -demanded Clarence. “I wanted to get even with him for that.” - -“That’s no excuse. I want to get even with him too, and, what is more, I -intend to do it; but I never would have given my consent to your idea, -as you call it. While we were coming from Cony’s I made up my mind that -I would propose to the boys to take Gordon into full fellowship with us -and stand by him through thick and thin until near the close of the -term; and when we had enjoyed all the treats we could squeeze out of -him, _then_ we’d go for him. He’s got a lot of money, and, what’s more -to the point, he is perfectly willing to spend it.” - -“That’s so,” said Duncan, thoughtfully. “Your idea is better than mine. -Why didn’t you speak of it before?” - -“I should have thought your own good sense, if you had any, would have -suggested it to you,” answered Tom. “I have been thinking about it ever -since we left Cony’s. Your governor and mine have curtailed our -allowance, and unless somebody foots the bills for us, how are we going -to get any pancakes this term? Besides, we may want to borrow a dollar -occasionally, and I know Gordon will give it to us if we only handle him -right.” - -“That’s so,” said Duncan, again. “I wish I had kept away from -Henderson.” - -“So do I. We may see trouble over that thing yet. I wish it was morning. -I shall be on nettles until I see Don in the ranks. I hope he will get -in all right, but somehow I can’t bring myself to believe that he will.” - -The two boys did not sleep a wink that night—or morning, rather. They -rolled and tossed about on their beds, waiting impatiently for the -report of the morning gun which finally rang out on the frosty air, -being followed almost immediately by the rattle of drums and the -shrieking of fifes in the drill-room. They marched down with their -company, and while the roll was being called they ran their eyes over -the Plebes who were drawn up at the farther end of the room. There was -Don Gordon in the front rank, looking as fresh as a daisy and as -innocent as though he had never violated a rule in his life. - -“He did get in, didn’t he?” said Duncan, while he and Fisher were -clearing up their room in readiness for inspection. “He didn’t seem any -the worse for his night’s experience, either; but did you notice Dick -Henderson? His face was as long as your arm.” - -Having received positive proof that Don had succeeded in reaching his -room in spite of the fact that the hall-door had been locked against -him, Tom and his companion, their friendly relations having been fully -restored by the unexpected and mysterious failure of Duncan’s “idea,” -became anxious to know how he had done it. During the two hours of study -that came after the inspection of their rooms, they did not look at -their books. - -As soon as breakfast was over and the ranks were broken, they put on -their overcoats and went out in search of Don. They found him in a very -few minutes, for he was also looking for them. He was just as anxious to -know why he had been challenged while the other members of the party -were allowed to pass, as they were to ascertain how he had got back to -his room. Before any of the three could speak, Dick Henderson came -rushing up. - -“O, boys!” he began. - -“That will do for the present, Bub,” interrupted Duncan. - -“Run away now, like a good little boy.” - -“But I say, fellows,” exclaimed Dick. - -“Well, say it some other time. We are busy just now.” - -“Let him speak,” said Don. “I want him to tell why he stopped me this -morning.” - -“I didn’t stop you,” replied Dick. - -“That’s a fact, you didn’t. But you tried to all the same, and I want to -know what you meant by it.” - -“Why, Gordon, it can’t be possible that you were—eh?” - -Dick was about to ask Don if he was the boy who tried to bury himself -out of sight in a snowdrift, and who jumped up and ran toward the -academy when the corporal of the guard was summoned; but he was -interrupted by a look from Duncan. Then the latter pointed with his -thumb over his shoulder, and Dick, who understood the motion, beat a -hasty retreat, looking crestfallen as well as bewildered. - -“He committed a most inexcusable blunder, and came very near getting the -whole of us into hot water,” said Fisher, who knew that he must offer -something in the way of explanation. “We will give him a good talking -to, and make him promise to be more careful in future. Now, Gordon, how -in the world did you get in?” - -“Easy enough,” answered Don. “I say, boys, there’s lots of fun in -running the guard, and some little excitement too. I am ready to try it -again any night. Come on, and I will tell you all about it.” - -The three boys linked their arms together and walked toward an -unfrequented part of the grounds, so that Don could give the details of -his exploit without danger of being overheard. We will tell the story in -our own way. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - HOW DON GOT IN. - - -“Don’t be in too great a hurry. Let me get out of your sight,” said -Clarence Duncan, as he crept through the fence; and Don, whose -suspicions had not been aroused, was careful to obey. When he thought -that Clarence had been allowed time to reach the academy, he passed -through the opening and moved toward Dick Henderson’s post. He saw the -latter when he came out from behind his box and walked along his beat, -and remembering Tom Fisher’s words of caution—that it would not be safe -to approach Dick’s post openly for fear that the officer of the day or -the corporal might be somewhere within sight—Don sought concealment by -throwing himself at full length in the snow. He expected to see Dick -turn about and go behind his box again; and consequently he was not a -little amazed when the sentry took up a position directly in front of -him, and called for the corporal of the guard. - -Don did not know what to make of it; but he _did_ know that if he stayed -where he was, detection and punishment were inevitable. He still had one -chance for escape, and he lost no time in improving it. He jumped up and -took to his heels, trusting to the darkness and to his uniform to -conceal his identity. He was very light of foot, and by doing some of -his best running, he succeeded in dodging around the corner of the -academy building just as the corporal threw open the door of the -guard-room. The signal, which had produced such an effect upon Dick -Henderson, he had given by the merest accident. It was one that Fisher, -by some oversight, had neglected to teach him, although he had let him -into the secret of all the other signs and pass-words. - -“A miss is as good as a mile, but still that was a pretty close shave,” -said Don to himself, as he opened the back door and felt his way up the -stairs. “I can’t understand why Dick challenged me, unless it was -because my approach was discovered by somebody else who would have -reported him if he hadn’t tried to stop me.” - -On reaching the second landing Don moved cautiously along the hall, -spelling the last syllable of the pass-word as he went. Greatly to his -surprise, he met with no response. When his hands came in contact with -the door, he began searching for the knob; but when he turned it, the -door did not open for him. It was locked. - -“Now here’s a go,” thought Don, who did not know whether to laugh or get -angry over the predicament in which he so unexpectedly found himself. -“Where’s Fisher? He knew very well that I couldn’t get to my room -without assistance, and yet he has deserted me. If that is the sort of -fellow he is, he’ll not eat any more pancakes this winter at my -expense.” - -Having satisfied himself that Tom was not on hand, as he had promised to -be, Don placed his ear close to the key-hole, and found that he could -distinctly hear the footsteps of the floor-guard, as he paced up and -down the hall on the other side of the door. There was a fellow who -could and would help him if he could only attract his attention. -Waiting, with all the patience he could command, until the sentry came -down to that end of the hall again, Don rapped softly upon the door, and -in a peculiar manner. The footsteps ceased on the instant; the sentry -was listening. Again Don gave the mystic signal—one quick rap; then, -after a little pause, three more raps, delivered in rapid succession, -and presently a voice came through the key-hole. - -“B-l-e-r-s!” it whispered. - -“R-a-m!” whispered Don, in reply. - -“Who is it?” - -“Gordon.” - -A moment later a key rattled in the lock, the door swung open, and Don -stood face to face with the sentry. - -“Where’s Fisher?” demanded the latter. - -“That’s just what I should like to know,” answered Don. “He said he -would be here to let me in, but I haven’t seen anything of him.” - -“He’s a pretty fellow,” exclaimed the sentry. “I don’t know whether you -can reach your room or not. The guards have been aroused, and I am -expecting the officer of the day every minute. But I’ll do the best I -can for you. Stay here till I come back.” - -The sentry was not gone more than a quarter of a minute. He went as far -as the head of the stairs that led to the floor below, and then he -turned and ran back on tip-toe. “You’re too late,” said he. “The officer -of the day is down stairs, and he’ll be up here in a second. You might -as well come out and give yourself up, for the boy who comes after me -will not pass you.” - -“I can’t help that,” replied Don, “I’ll not give myself up. That isn’t -my style.” - -The sentry had seen many a boy in a tight corner, but he had never -before seen one who took matters as coolly as Don did. All the other -students of his acquaintance would have been frightened when they found -that every avenue of escape was closed against them; but Don was as -serene as a summer’s morning. - -“You’re a plucky one,” said the sentry, “and I am sorry that I can not -help you. If my relief—Get out of sight, quick! _quick!_” he added, as a -heavy step sounded on the stairs. “That’s the officer of the day; and if -he finds this door unlocked, I shall be in as bad a box as you are.” - -Don went back into the hall, his movements being quickened by a gentle -push from the sentry, who, having closed and locked the door, succeeded -in reaching his own hall just a second before the officer of the day -appeared at the head of the stairs. Close at his heels came the corporal -of the guard, who carried a lighted lantern in his hand. - -“Sentry,” said the officer, “have any of your men left their rooms -to-night?” - -“Not since I have been on post, sir,” replied the sentry. “The beds were -all occupied half an hour ago.” - -“We will look into this matter, corporal,” said the officer; and as he -spoke he led the way to the farther end of the hall to begin an -examination of the rooms. The sentry knew that he would do this, and he -awaited the issue of events with no little uneasiness. - -“Somebody is in for a regular overhauling,” said he to himself. “Of -course they will see that Gordon’s bed is empty, and the next question -to be decided will be: Who let him out, Porter or I? I know I didn’t do -it; Porter will be sure to deny it—he can keep a smooth face and tell a -lie easier than any boy _I_ ever saw—and unless I can prevail upon -Gordon to back up my statement, I shall be in a bad fix.” - -This was the sentry’s only chance for escape, and it looked like a very -slim one. He was not at all acquainted with Don Gordon; in fact he had -never exchanged a word with him until that night, and consequently he -had no idea what Don would do when he was taken before the -superintendent and ordered to give the names of the floor-guard and of -the outside sentry who had permitted him to pass unchallenged. Would he -refuse to obey the order, as an honorable boy ought to do, or would he -seek to screen himself by making a clean breast of everything? While the -sentry was turning these matters over in his mind, the officer of the -day opened the door of Don’s dormitory. - -“It’s all over now,” thought he, “and the next thing is the -investigation. I don’t believe I shall have another opportunity to speak -to Gordon to-night, for my relief ought to be along now; but I must see -him the first thing in the morning and find out what sort of a story he -intends to tell when he is hauled up. If he has nerve enough to keep a -still tongue in his head——” - -The sentry brought his soliloquy to a close, and stood looking the very -picture of astonishment. Just then the officer of the day and his -attendant came out of Don’s room, and there was nothing in their faces -to indicate that they had made any discovery there. They looked into all -the other dormitories, and then came back to the lower end of the hall -and tried the door that led to the fire-escape. It was locked, and -everything seemed to be all right. - -“Sentry,” said the officer of the day, in stern tones. “Are you sure you -are telling me the truth when you say that no one has passed you -to-night?” - -“Yes, sir, I am,” answered the boy, looking his questioner squarely in -the eye. “No one has passed across this floor since I came on post.” - -“When this matter has been sifted to the bottom, as it certainly will -be, a fine reckoning awaits somebody,” said the officer. “Corporal, we -will go to the next floor.” - -When the two had disappeared, and the sentry’s ears told him that they -were making the round of the dormitories above, he pulled his key from -his pocket and quickly opened the door behind which Don Gordon stood -trying to make up his mind to something. He did not expect to get into -his room that morning, and the question he was trying to decide, was: -Should he stay there in the cold and take his chances of falling-in with -the rest of the Plebes when they were marched down to the drill-room to -answer to roll-call, or should he give himself up and ask permission to -sit by the guard-room stove until he was thawed out? He was very much -surprised when the door opened, and he saw the sentry beckoning to him. - -“Gordon,” said the latter, in a hurried whisper. “You’re safe. Did you -put a dummy in your bed before you came out?” - -Don replied that he did. - -“Well, it must be a perfect one, for the officer of the day went in -there with a light and never saw anything to excite his suspicions. It’s -the greatest wonder in the world to me that he didn’t miss your -clothes.” - -“My clothes were there,” answered Don, calmly. “I took my dress suit out -of the closet and put it on a chair by the side of my bed, turning the -coat inside out and doubling up the skirts of it so that it would look -like a fatigue coat. What did the old fellow have to say about it, -anyhow?” - -The sentry could not waste much time in conversation, for every moment -was precious; but he said enough to give Don an idea of what had passed -between himself and the officer of the day, and to enable him to give -Fisher and Duncan a very accurate account of it. - -“You have got Porter and me and all the rest of us out of a bad scrape,” -said the sentry, in conclusion. “Now keep mum, or if you speak at all -deny everything, and this night’s work will prove to be the most -bewildering piece of business in the way of guard-running that has ever -been done at this academy. Go to your room while the way is open to you, -and be quick about it.” - -Don, whose teeth were chattering with the cold, lost no time in acting -upon this suggestion. His first act was to hang his dress-suit in the -closet, and his next to deposit in its place on the chair the suit he -had on and which he proceeded to pull off with all possible haste. Then -he tumbled into bed and turned his face to the wall just as the -floor-guard’s relief came up the stairs. - -“That was another close shave,” thought Don, “and now comes something -else. I hope the investigation will not be a very searching one, for if -it is, the whole thing is bound to come out. I am always in for a good -time when I can have it without getting anybody into difficulty; but -when it comes to telling a deliberate lie about it—that’s a huckleberry -beyond my persimmon.” - -“I say Don!” whispered Bert, from his bed. - -“Great Moses!” was the culprit’s mental ejaculation. “Was he awake when -I came in? If he was, I am in for lectures by the mile.” - -“I say, Don!” whispered Bert, in a louder tone. - -“M!” said Don, drowsily. - -“I thought I heard some one come in just now.” - -“Very likely you did. The officer of the day has been in here.” - -“The officer of the day!” repeated Bert, who had learned to dread that -official as much as some of the other boys disliked him. “What did he -want? Is there anything wrong?” - -“He wanted to make sure that we were both safely stowed away in our -little beds. Wake me when you hear the morning gun.” - -This was the substance of the story that Don told his two companions as -they strolled about the grounds arm in arm. They listened in amazement, -and complimented Don’s presence of mind in no measured terms. Don said -he didn’t look upon it as much of an exploit—that almost any boy could -have done the same thing under the same circumstances, adding— - -“But there are two or three matters that I want cleared up, and at least -one on which I wish to come to the plainest kind of an understanding -with you. What made Henderson halt me?” - -“I don’t know, I am sure,” replied Duncan. “He made the biggest kind of -a blunder, didn’t he?” - -“I’ll tell you what _I_ think about it,” said Tom. “Dick probably knew -that there was somebody else watching you, and that if he didn’t -challenge you, he would be reported for neglect of duty.” - -“That was the construction I put upon his conduct,” said Don. - -“We can’t expect a fellow to get himself into trouble for the sake of -keeping another out of it, you know,” chimed in Clarence Duncan. - -“Of course not. Now, Fisher, what was the reason you were not there at -that door to let me in?” - -“I was to blame for that,” said Clarence. He knew Don would be sure to -ask that question, and while the latter was telling his story he had -leisure to make up his mind how he would answer it. “When I was running -toward the academy I heard footsteps in the guard-room, and believing -that the relief was being called, I dodged behind the building to wait -until they began the round of the posts. Just then Henderson challenged, -and shortly afterward some one ran by me and went into the academy -through the back door. I supposed it was you; and believing that I was -the last one to go in, I took pains to examine the doors leading out of -the fire-escape, knowing that they would all be tried by the officer of -the day when he came up to look into the rooms. In the door opening on -to your floor I found a key of which I took possession, supposing, of -course, that you had used it to let yourself in and forgotten to take it -away with you.” - -“That was perfectly right, Gordon,” said Tom Fisher. “If the officer of -the day had found that key in the door, it would have knocked our night -excursions into a cocked hat. The teachers don’t even suspect that we -make use of the doors leading to the back stairs, and if they ever find -it out——” - -“Then good-by to Cony Ryan’s pancakes,” said Duncan, finishing the -sentence for his companion. “What is that point on which you wish to -come to the plainest kind of an understanding with us?” he added, in the -hope of turning the conversation into another channel. He was afraid -that Don might begin a vigorous cross-questioning, and find a flaw or -two in the story he had told him regarding that key. - -“It is this,” replied Don: “When that floor-guard, whatever his name is, -let me in, he told me to keep mum; or, if I opened my lips at all, to -deny everything. Now, that is something I’ll not do to please or screen -anybody.” - -Don’s companions were utterly astounded. They withdrew their arms from -his, and stood off and looked at him. - -“I didn’t think you were that sort of a chap,” said Fisher. - -“Neither did I,” exclaimed Duncan. “We have been deceived in you.” - -“You certainly have, if you picked me up for that kind of a fellow,” -answered Don, boldly, “and you had better drop me like a hot potato. All -the secrets you have intrusted to my keeping are perfectly safe with me; -but I want you to understand that I will not tell a barefaced lie, if I -should chance to be hauled up, to keep you or any one else out of -trouble.” - -“Do you mean to say that you will confess if you are hauled up?” -demanded Duncan. - -“If the superintendent asks me if I ran the guard last night, I shall -tell him the truth. That’s what I mean.” - -“And give the rest of us away too?” exclaimed Fisher. - -“By no means,” answered Don, quickly. “I didn’t say that. If he asks me -any questions I don’t want to answer, I can keep my mouth shut, can’t -I?” - -“But will you? That’s the point.” - -“If you think I can’t be trusted, you had better drop me,” was Don’s -reply. - -It was plain that Tom and Clarence were very much disappointed in Don, -and that they did not know what to make of him. He had shown himself -perfectly willing to break the rules of the school, but his sense of -honor would not permit him to lie about it in order to escape -punishment. They had never before met a boy like him. - -“I don’t believe such a fellow ever lived since the days of George -Washington,” thought Duncan; “and neither do I believe he means what he -says. If he is questioned, he will blow the whole thing, and some of us -will be sent down as sure as the world. Gordon won’t do to tie to—I can -see that with half an eye. If you will excuse me, fellows,” he added, -aloud, “I will go and ask Dick Henderson to give an account of himself.” - -Tom would have been glad to go with Duncan, for he wanted an opportunity -to ask him what he thought of this boy who would not tell a lie when -circumstances seemed to demand it; but as he could think up no good -excuse for leaving Don just then, he remained with him, and Duncan went -off alone. Dick was easily found, for he was loitering about waiting for -a chance to speak to Duncan or Fisher. He expected that there was -trouble ahead, and he wanted it distinctly understood that if it came, -Duncan was the boy who was to blame for it. - -“You’re a wise one, you are,” said he, when Clarence came up to him. “If -it hadn’t been for some hocus-pocus that I don’t begin to understand, -you would have got us all into a nice mess by your blundering. You told -me to halt the ninth man, but it turned out to be somebody besides Don -Gordon.” - -“There’s where you are mistaken,” said Clarence. “It was Gordon and -nobody else.” - -“But he gave the signal all fair and square,” replied Dick, “and I’d -like to know where he got it.” - -“I am sure I don’t know. Fisher didn’t give it to him in my hearing, and -I didn’t suppose he had it. I don’t know whether to be glad or sorry -that you didn’t succeed in stopping him. He’s got a pocketful of money, -and paid our bill at Cony’s last night like a gentleman; but he’s no -good, and when the boys hear what he said to Tom and me just a few -minutes ago, I don’t think they will go on any more excursions with him. -He says that he will not blow on any of us, but if he is accused of -running the guard, he will acknowledge it, because he can’t tell a lie.” - -“Humph!” exclaimed Dick, contemptuously. “Somebody ought to make him the -hero of a Sunday-school book. We don’t want anything more to do with -him.” - -“That’s what I say. Now be on your guard, and be careful how you talk to -him.” - -“But what shall I say to him if he insists on knowing why I challenged -him?” - -“Tell him as Fisher did, that you had to do it in order to protect -yourself; that the officer of the day was talking with post No. 4, or -something of that sort.” - -Greatly to the relief and surprise of Tom Fisher and his party, no -trouble grew out of that night’s work. The investigation came off that -forenoon, but the matter was not sifted to the bottom, as the officer of -the day had declared it should be, for the simple reason that it could -not be done. All the floor-guards and sentries who had been on duty -between the hours of ten in the evening and four in the morning were -subjected to a thorough examination; but nothing was drawn from them. -The innocent had nothing to tell, and the guilty ones were such adepts -at lying that they succeeded in escaping punishment, even if they did -not succeed in escaping suspicion. Dick Henderson said he had tried to -stop somebody who ran past him; but he was quite positive that he did -not know who he was. The officer of the day and the corporal of the -guard were certain that they had looked into every room on all the -floors, and that every bed was occupied. The only conclusion the -superintendent could come to was, that somebody had been outside the -grounds after taps; but who he was, and how he got out, were other and -deeper questions. He held a council of war with the teachers after -completing the examination of the sentries, and with them discussed -various plans for preventing such excursions in future, or, at least, -making them more difficult of accomplishment. One suggestion which he -decided to adopt was carried out that very afternoon. - -Of course Don and his guilty comrades were very anxious to learn the -result of the investigation; and when the hour of recreation came, they -sent out some of their number to interview the sentries and -floor-guards. The reports these faithful scouts brought back were very -encouraging. The general impression among the sentries who had -faithfully performed their duty the night before seemed to be that, -although the teachers had their suspicions, they would not proceed any -further in the matter for the simple reason that nothing could be proved -against anybody. They were also united in the belief that in future the -buildings and grounds would be more closely guarded. - -“Well, as soon as we find out what new precautions are to be taken, we -can lay our plans accordingly,” said Fisher to his friend Duncan. “What -is it, Bub?” he added, turning to Dick Henderson, who just then hurried -up with a face full of news. - -“Come with me and see for yourselves,” answered Dick. “Last night’s work -was an unlucky thing for us, but I am not to blame for it.” - -Dick led the way around the academy building and stopped in front of the -back door. It was open, and in the lower hall stood a carpenter who was -bending over a box of tools. Fisher and Duncan looked at Dick, but he -only shrugged his shoulders and waved his hand toward the man, as if to -say that if they wanted any information they could ask it of him. Taking -the hint, Tom inquired: - -“What are you doing in there?—Anything broken?” - -“Not that I know of,” replied the man, looking up to see who it was that -addressed him. “I am putting some new fastenings on these doors so that -you boys can’t slip out so easily of nights. I am afraid you are getting -to be a bad lot—a very bad lot,” he added, with a grin, as he picked up -three or four strong bolts and made his way up the stairs. - -Clarence was thunderstruck, while Tom was so highly enraged that for a -minute or two he could not trust himself to speak. - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - DON’S YANKEE INVENTION. - - -“I am not to blame for it, fellows,” repeated Dick. “I did just as I was -told to do, as nearly as I could. I know I did not succeed in stopping -Don Gordon, and I don’t believe there is a boy in school who could have -stopped him; but I did my best.” - -“I hope you see now what you have done by your meddling,” exclaimed Tom, -turning fiercely upon Duncan. “You are not at all to blame, Dick; only -another time don’t take any private orders from anybody. We all run the -same risk, and we ought all to have a word to say in regard to the -manner in which things shall be conducted.” - -“If Dick had stopped Gordon, as I told him to do, this thing never would -have happened,” said Duncan, as soon as he had had time to collect his -wits. - -“There’s where I differ with you,” answered Tom. “The fact that Gordon -wasn’t stopped does not in the least alter the case, so far as these -bolts are concerned. If Don had been caught, the bolts would have been -put on all the same, and, furthermore, you and I and all the rest of us -would have had to stand a court-martial, for Don would have gone back on -us as sure as you are a foot high. Dick ought to have let him pass.” - -“And I would, too, if Clarence hadn’t told me to halt him,” exclaimed -Dick. - -“I know it. Duncan is the one we have to thank for the loss of many -pleasant evenings we might have had this winter. We may as well throw -away our keys, for they will be of no further use to us, now that the -doors are to be bolted on the inside.” - -“I don’t know why you should take on so about those bolts,” exclaimed -Duncan, who began to think he had been scolded quite enough. “If we -wanted to go to Cony’s to-night, what is there to hinder one of us from -slipping up the stairs as soon as this man goes away, and drawing the -bolts? Don’t throw away your key yet, Tom. It may come handy to you.” - -Fisher, who was too angry to reply, turned on his heel and walked away. -Before many hours had passed all the boys belonging to the “set” had -heard about the bolts, and listened with no little indignation to the -story of Clarence Duncan’s “meddling”—all except Don Gordon, who did not -know that he was the victim of misplaced confidence. The fellows were -careful to keep that from his ears for fear that he and Clarence would -come to blows over it. Some of them, would have looked upon a fight -between these two as an interesting spectacle; but they knew that it -would be followed by a court of inquiry, during which some things they -wanted to keep concealed would probably be brought to light. They had -learned that it was not quite safe to trust their friend Duncan too far; -and as for Don, he was a stranger, and there was no telling how he would -act or what he would say when he was told that he could take his choice -between answering such questions as were propounded to him, and being -punished by expulsion from the school. - -“That would bring him to his senses,” said Tom to some of his cronies -who had gathered about him to talk over the situation. “He says he -wouldn’t blow on us, but I don’t believe a word of it. There isn’t a boy -in school who can stand defiant in the presence of the superintendent -when he draws down those gray eyebrows of his and looks at a fellow as -if he meant to pierce him through. Hallo! here comes Henderson with more -news. He’s a bully little scout, even if he did come near getting us all -into trouble by halting Don Gordon. What is it this time, Dick?” - -“We may as well follow your advice and throw away our keys, for they are -of no use to us now,” was Dick’s reply. “The officer of the day goes up -and tries those doors and examines the new fastenings as regularly as he -makes his rounds.” - -“There!” exclaimed Tom, in great disgust. “You see what Duncan has -brought us to by being so smart. No more pancakes for us.” - -During the next few weeks nothing happened at the academy that is worthy -of record. Duncan and Don Gordon had rather a lonely time of it, for the -members of the “set” were not as cordial toward them as they used to be. -They did not cut them entirely, for they did not think that would be -quite safe; but they did not seek them out and associate with them as -freely as they would if they had been on friendly terms. Duncan took it -very much to heart, but Don did not seem to care. He studied and drilled -with the rest, and having served the sentence that had been passed upon -him for overstaying the time for which his leave of absence was granted, -he began to feel and act more like himself. So did Bert, who soon began -to count his friends by the score. They were true friends, too, and very -unlike the boys who belonged to Tom Fisher’s crowd. - -It was not long before the Plebes began to show the result of their -regular and fatiguing drills. They became handy with their muskets, very -proficient in company and battalion evolutions, and, finally, they were -ordered to go on dress parade. This honor brought with it a duty from -which they had thus far been exempt, that of standing guard. - -Up to this time Cony Ryan had been deserted by all except a very few of -his old patrons who sometimes passed an hour or two there of a Saturday -afternoon; but they never came away without telling one another that -they had not enjoyed themselves in the least—that their visits now were -not at all like the jolly times they used to have when they crowded into -his little parlor after creeping by the sentries. There had been none of -that sort of work of late. The sight of the bolts the carpenter had put -on the doors, and the increased vigilance of the officer of the day, had -taken all the courage out of the bravest of them; at least so it seemed, -for no one ever thought of running the guard now. Tom Fisher had almost -forgotten that he had ever done such a thing, when one day he was -approached by Don Gordon, who beckoned him off on one side. - -“Look here, old fellow,” said Don, “you’ll dry up and blow away if you -don’t have some excitement to put your blood in circulation. If you want -to go down to Cony’s again, to-night is your time.” - -“But the bolts!” exclaimed Tom, greatly surprised. - -“The bolts won’t delay you five minutes,” replied Don, confidently. “I -haven’t been idle during the last few days, and I have found a way to -draw those bolts.” - -“I could do it myself by going up the back stairs,” said Tom; “but the -officer of the day would find it out the first time he made his round. -Besides, we want to get in after we have gone out, and how would we -throw those bolts back to their place when the door was closed behind -us? Have you thought of that?” - -“I have; but I can show you how it can be done easier than I can explain -it to you. We can’t go up to my floor to operate, for Bert is standing -guard there. Who’s on your floor?” - -“Clarence Duncan.” - -“Are you willing to trust him? I notice that you and he are not quite as -thick as you used to be.” - -“I’ve got to trust him whether I am willing or not. If I should go back -on him entirely he would find a way to get me into a row that would send -me down.” - -“I don’t see how he could make anything by that. He is as deep in the -mud as you are, and he would probably be sent down himself.” - -“He wouldn’t care for that. He’ll go any lengths to injure a boy he -hates. That’s his style. I have managed to keep up a show of friendship -with him, and I know he will let you do anything you like on his floor. -Come on.” - -Clarence, who was seated in his chair reading a sensational story paper -that one of the students had smuggled into the academy, nodded to Tom, -returned Don’s salute, and would probably have paid no further attention -to them had he not seen them turn into the hall that led to the -fire-escape. This excited his curiosity and he arose and followed them. - -“What are you going to do here?” he demanded. - -“Gordon has discovered a way to open these doors,” replied Tom. - -“Not from this side,” exclaimed Duncan. - -“Yes, from this side,” said Don. “I have done it once, and I know I can -do it again.” - -Duncan, who believed that the feat could not possibly be accomplished, -was unable to find words with which to express his surprise. He could -only look bewildered. He took up a position in the main hall so that he -could watch the stairs and guard against intrusion, and occasionally -turned his eyes toward Don, whose proceedings he watched with the -greatest interest. - -Don’s first act was to produce his pocket-knife, with which he removed -from the lower left-hand corner of the panel above the lock a round plug -of wood, which fitted into a hole about half an inch in diameter. The -top of the plug was painted white, like the door, and it filled the -opening so accurately that the different officers of the day, who had -probably looked at it a hundred times since it had been placed there, -had never seen it. Don then pulled out of his pocket a short, crooked -wire, one end of which was bent into the form of a hook and the other -made into the shape of a ring. The hook he inserted into the hole in the -panel, and a moment later the bolt was heard to slide from its socket. - -“There you are,” said he, turning to Tom. “Now, take out your key and -open the door.” - -Tom obeyed, lost in wonder, and then he and Duncan stepped forward to -see how Don’s invention worked. Simple as it was, it was admirably -adapted to the purpose for which it was intended. “The only difficult -thing about it,” said Don, in explanation, “is to get the hook around -the knob of the bolt. That done, a simple turn of the wrist does the -rest.” - -“Gordon, you’re a good one,” exclaimed Tom. “You ought to be a Yankee.” - -“This is a Yankee invention—at least a New England carpenter was the one -who brought it to my notice,” answered Don, as Fisher closed and locked -the door. “While he was doing some work on our plantation, our -smoke-house and corn-cribs were robbed more than a dozen times. It -seemed impossible for father to get locks that could not be picked or -broken. The carpenter said he could put a stop to that business, and he -did it by making some heavy wooden bolts, working on the same principle -that this one does, only there were three or four knobs in them instead -of one. Then he made a key, in shape something like this one of mine, -and when we wanted to shut up for the night, all we had to do was to -throw the bolts to their places, take out the wire, and the doors were -fast. There was but one way to pass them, and that was to break them -down; and if anybody had tried that he would have got himself into -business directly, for I own some dogs that won’t permit any such -doings.” - -“Well, I’ve locked the door,” said Tom, when Don ceased speaking, “and -now I’d like to see you throw that bolt back again. That’s important, -you know.” - -Don said he knew it. He thrust his wire through the opening again, and -in a second more the bolt was shot into its socket. In order to make -sure of it, Tom unlocked the door again and tried to open it; but the -bolt held it fast. Don’s plan would work to perfection—Fisher and Duncan -were sure of it. - -“When did you find opportunity to do all this work?” asked the former. - -“O, I did it at odd times when I thought there was the least danger of -being caught; but, I tell you, I had a narrow escape once. I was working -on this very door, and Tom, you were floor-guard at the time. You see -there were a good many days when I couldn’t do anything at all on -account of the guards, who I knew were not to be trusted. Well, I was -working there in the dark and had just put the plug into the hole, when -the bell rang. I had been obliged to do some whittling in order to make -the plug fit to suit me, but I had been careful to put all the shavings -on a piece of paper. If I had left them on the floor, and anybody had -come in there with a lantern, he would have seen them, of course, and I -should have had my work for nothing. When I heard the bell ring, I -grabbed up that piece of paper and started for the stairs; but just then -the back door opened, and who should come in but the officer of the -day.” - -Don’s auditors, who were listening with almost breathless interest, -uttered ejaculations indicative of the greatest surprise and sympathy. - -“I thought I was fairly cornered,” continued Don, “and at first I did -not know what to do. I listened until I heard the officer go into the -hall on the lower floor, and then I jerked off my boots and went up the -next two flights of stairs, and up the ladder that leads to the scuttle; -and there I sat on one of the topmost rounds until he tried all the -doors and went down again.” - -“Don, you’re a good one,” said Fisher, again. “But why didn’t you let us -know what you were doing? Some of us might have helped you.” - -“Well, you see, I expected to be caught, and I wanted to be able to say -that I had received no assistance, and that nobody knew what I was up -to. I couldn’t have told that story if I had taken you into my -confidence; and I wouldn’t, either.” - -We confess to a great liking for Don Gordon, and to a positive -admiration of his moral as well as physical courage; but we are not -blind to his failings. We have no patience with the way he acted at -school after the solemn promises he had made his mother—they were all -forgotten now—nor do we like the way he reasoned with himself. In his -opinion there were different grades of lies. For example: If the -superintendent had asked him if it were he who had been halted by Dick -Henderson on a certain morning, he would have promptly replied that it -was—the fear of punishment would not have made him deny it; and yet when -he reached his room he told Bert a lie, although every word he uttered -was the truth. By the answers he gave to Bert’s questions he led the -latter to infer that the officer of the day was the only one who had -come into that room, and we know that such was not the case. Don was not -altogether consistent. - -“Are all the doors that lead into the fire-escape fixed in this way?” -asked Tom. - -“No; only yours and mine. There was no need of bothering with the other -two doors, for the boys in the first and second classes don’t run with -our crowd.” - -“That’s so,” said Duncan; “but I know that some of them go to Cony -Ryan’s as regularly as we do.” - -“They used to,” said Tom; “but I don’t think they have been there since -these new fastenings were put on. What shall I do with this?” he added, -as Don passed the wire over to him. - -“Why, take it and use it.” - -“Then what will you do?” - -“I have another, but I shall not need it to-night.” - -“Are you not going down to Cony’s with us?” - -“I can’t. I am to relieve Henderson on post No. 8 at midnight; so you’ll -have to go out and come in by Dick and me.” - -That night everything passed off smoothly. The guards who held the floor -when Tom and a chosen few went out and in, were accommodating; the bolt -was easily worked by the aid of the wire Don had fashioned; the sentries -on post No. 8 kept themselves out of sight; the pancakes and syrup were -excellent; the night was passed in a most agreeable manner; and at three -o’clock in the morning the guard-runners were all sleeping soundly in -their beds, and no one was the wiser for what they had done. They missed -Don (especially Tom Fisher, who had to pay his share of the bill from a -very slender purse), whom they as well as Cony Ryan declared to be an -honor to his class. - -“It begins to look as though the old times were coming back again,” said -Cony, as he sat by and saw his pancakes disappear before the attacks of -his visitors, who ate as though they never had anything good served up -to them at the academy. “I tell you the boys who went to school here -years ago, some of whom are now men with boys of their own to look -after, were a sharp lot. You couldn’t keep them in if they didn’t want -to stay, and there was no use in trying. Of late you fellows haven’t -done anything to be proud of; but perhaps this young Gordon will put -some life into you.” - -And he certainly did. Guard-running, in which Don took an active part, -became of common occurrence, although the teachers never suspected it; -and Cony Ryan slapped his well-lined pockets and blessed the day that -brought Don Gordon to the Bridgeport academy. But the reckoning came at -last, though long delayed, and Don, aided by an unexpected proceeding on -the part of Tom Fisher, did something that raised him to a high place in -the estimation of all the students, and knocked the “set” so high that -it never came down again; at least it was never heard of afterward. It -came about in this way: - -Winter had passed, the snow had disappeared, the ice was all out of the -river, the buds were starting on the maple trees, and those of the -students who were ambitious to be something better than privates in -their companies, were studying night and day to prepare themselves for -the approaching examination. These found rest and recreation by whipping -the neighboring brooks for trout on Saturday afternoon (you know it is -time to begin trout-fishing when the maple buds start), while Tom Fisher -and his followers diverted themselves by running the guard as often as -the opportunity was presented. - -On a certain night one of Tom’s friends who held one of the outside -posts from eight o’clock until midnight, was taken suddenly ill, and was -relieved by the corporal, his beat being taken by a boy who did not -belong to the “set.” Tom had made arrangements for visiting Cony Ryan’s, -and Don Gordon had charge of his floor. When taps had sounded, and the -officer of the day had made his rounds, the guard-runners left their -dormitories, one by one, Don turning his back so that he did not see -them as they passed. They left the building without being discovered, -but when they attempted to pass the sentry, their troubles began. They -were halted, and by a voice that did not belong to the friend they had -expected to find on that post. Amazed and disconcerted, they huddled -together for a moment like a flock of sheep that had been suddenly -frightened, and then, knowing that there was but one thing they could -do, they turned and started for the academy on a dead run, the vigilant -sentry all the while rending the air with his lusty calls for the -corporal of the guard. They tumbled up the stairs, gained access to the -floor on which their dormitories were situated, pulled off their -uniforms without loss of time and went to bed, as miserable and -frightened a lot of boys as the walls of that academy had ever inclosed. - -“Did you ever hear of anything so very unfortunate?” whispered Fisher to -his friend Duncan. “If there was any one of our fellows except Gordon in -charge of this floor, we should be all right, for it is as dark as a -pocket out of doors, and I know that that sentry could not have -recognized us.” - -“We ought never to have had anything to do with Gordon in the first -place,” whispered Duncan, in reply. - -“That’s what I have thought for a long time; but it is too late to mend -the matter now. There they are,” he added, as the sound of footsteps on -the stairs came to their ears. “It is all over with us now.” - -So thought Don Gordon, only he used the word “me” instead of “us.” “I am -in for it,” he soliloquized, “and I would give something to know what -they will do with me. I’ll not go back on the boys, and that’s flat. The -superintendent will give me a lively shake-up, of course; and then what -will Bert say? What will mother think?” - -When the officer of the day, attended as usual by the corporal, came up -the stairs, he found Don pacing slowly along the hall with his hands -behind his back. They returned his salute, but did not speak to him. -They went to the upper end of the hall and began a thorough examination -of all the rooms, the officer of the day arousing the occupant of every -bed, while the corporal held his lantern aloft so that the face of each -one could be plainly seen. Don’s dummy would not have saved him this -time. When they had satisfied themselves that no one on that floor was -missing, and had tried the door opening into the hall that led to the -fire-escape, they went up the stairs to look into the dormitories on the -floors above. In a quarter of an hour they went back to the guard-room, -and Don was left alone. Scarcely had the sound of their footsteps died -away in the lower hall when a dozen doors were softly opened, and almost -twice as many heads were thrust cautiously out. “What’s the row, -Gordon?” was the whispered chorus that saluted Don’s ears. “What did the -officer of the day wake us up for? Anybody out?” - -“There’s no one out who belongs on this floor,” replied Don. “And if -there has been anything going on up stairs, I don’t know it.” - -“What did he say to you?” - -“Not a word!” - -The students were all surprised to hear this, and there were some among -them who were frightened as well. After a few more questions, which -brought no information from Don for the simple reason that he had none -to impart, the students all went back to bed except Fisher and Duncan, -who lingered to have a word with Don in private. They were ill at ease, -and told themselves that when the new fastenings were put on the doors, -some new routine had been adopted of which they had not yet heard. - -“Didn’t he ask you any questions at all—not a single one?” whispered -Fisher. - -“He didn’t open his lips,” answered Don. - -“Didn’t say anything to you about reporting to him as soon as you were -relieved, did he?” put in Duncan, who thought Don must surely be -mistaken. - -“How could he, when he didn’t open his lips?” asked Don, in reply. - -“This is an unusual way of doing business,” said Tom, reflectively, “and -there’s something about it that doesn’t look just right to me. Now, mark -my words, fellows: they’re going to spring something new on us, and they -will do it so suddenly, that it will knock us flatter than one of Cony -Ryan’s pancakes. You’ll see.” - -And sure enough they did. - - - - - CHAPTER X. - BREAKING UP THE “SET.” - - -It was an eager and anxious lot of boys who answered to roll-call the -next morning. Of course they knew that a party of their fellows had been -challenged while they were attempting to run the guard, and they were -impatient to learn who they were, and what the superintendent was going -to do about it. Two things astonished and bewildered them: They could -not imagine how the culprits had managed to leave the building and get -back again so easily, and neither could they understand why the officer -of the day had neglected to question the floor-guards. They believed, -with Tom Fisher, that something new was to be “sprung” on them; and as -soon as breakfast was over, they found out what it was. On ordinary -occasions the quartermaster-sergeants marched their respective companies -to and from the dining-hall; but on this particular morning the captains -took command and led them to the drill-room, where they were drawn up in -line as they were when preparing for dress-parade. The teachers were all -there, and many a sly and inquiring glance was cast toward them; but -their countenances revealed nothing. - -“Right dress!—Front!” commanded the captains, as the companies came into -line; and when these orders had been obeyed, the superintendent, who -stood in the place that is occupied by the battalion commander during -dress-parade, thus addressed them: - -“Young gentlemen,” said he, and his tones were not near as stern and -severe as the boys expected they would be, “I am sorry to hear that some -of you attempted to run the guard last night. Heretofore, when such -offences have been committed, it has been our rule to examine the -floor-guards and sentries who were on duty at the time, but we have -seldom succeeded in drawing from them any information that would lead to -the detection of the guilty parties. A student who will prove false to -his duty, and violate the confidence reposed in him, will not scruple to -tell any number of falsehoods to conceal his wrong-doing. Now I intend, -before these ranks are broken, to learn the names of all those who tried -to run by post No. 8 last night, as well as the name of the floor-guard -who permitted them to pass. The first sergeants will now call the roll, -and you can answer ‘guilty,’ or ‘not guilty,’ just as your sense of -honor may seem to dictate. If innocent, simply answer ‘here’ and keep -your place in the ranks; if you are guilty, step three paces to the -front. I put you all upon your honor.” - -When the superintendent ceased speaking, the first sergeants moved to -the front and centre of their respective companies, and the roll-call -began. As it proceeded, more than one boy standing in the ranks of the -third company tried to twist himself around so that he could catch a -glimpse of Don Gordon’s face, hoping to see something there that would -give him a hint of the course Don intended to pursue when his turn came -to answer to his name. - -“He certainly will not—he dare not—confess,” were the thoughts that -passed through their minds. “If he does, he will be sent down, sure. If -some one could only get a chance to whisper a word or two in his ear, we -would come out all right yet, in spite of this honor business.” - -The anxiety and alarm experienced by these boys showed very plainly in -their countenances, and before the roll-call had been going on for two -minutes, the superintendent could have stepped forward and picked out -every one of the guard-runners. - -The names of the boys belonging to the first and second companies were -called in quick succession, and as yet nobody had stepped to the front. -The culprits, in this instance, all belonged to the third class, with -the single exception of Don Gordon, who, having long ago made up his -mind what he would do, waited with some impatience to see how his -companions in guilt would stand the test. The result was just what he -might have expected. - -“Clarence Duncan,” said the third company sergeant. - -“Here,” answered the owner of that name, making a desperate but -unsuccessful effort to appear at his ease. - -“George W. Brown.” - -“Here.” - -“Richard Henderson.” - -“Here.” - -“Thomas Fisher.” - -“Here.” - -“They’re a pack of cowards,” was Don’s mental comment. “Such fellows -always are, and I ought to have known better than to take up with them. -My last act in this school will be to show them and everybody else that -I am just as willing to pay the fiddler as I am to dance.” - -At last the sergeant of the fourth company began, and near the top of -his list was the name—“Donald Gordon.” - -There was no response to it; but to the intense amazement of everybody -present, and the almost overwhelming consternation of some, Don stepped -quickly and firmly to the front. No one outside the “set” would have -thought of picking him out as a guard-runner. The sergeant hesitated and -stammered over the next name, and there was a perceptible flutter among -all except the first-class boys. They showed their three years’ drill -and discipline by standing as stiff as so many posts and holding their -eyes straight to the front; but they could not control their -countenances, and surprise and sorrow were depicted upon every one of -them. When the roll-call was ended the sergeants went back to their -places, and Don was left standing alone. He had passed through one -ordeal, and now came another. - -“Gordon,” said the superintendent, “I am glad to see that you have too -much manhood to take refuge behind a lie. I should have been very much -surprised and grieved if you had showed me that I had formed a wrong -opinion of you.” - -These words made some of the guilty ones in the third class open their -eyes. Duncan’s face grew whiter than ever, while Tom Fisher said to -himself: - -“I really believe the old fellow knows right where to look to find every -boy who was outside the building last night after taps. If I had had the -faintest suspicion that Don intended to confess, I should have been -ahead of him. He’ll get off easy by giving the names of the rest of us, -and Duncan and I and a few others, who kicked up such a row last term, -will be sent down.” - -“You had charge of the third floor between the hours of eight and twelve -last evening,” continued the superintendent, addressing himself to Don. - -“Yes, sir,” was the reply. - -“And while you were on duty several boys, who you knew intended to run -the guard, left their dormitories, and you permitted them to pass out of -the building?” - -“Yes, sir,” said Don, again. - -“Give me the names of those boys,” said the superintendent, nodding to -the adjutant, who pulled out his note-book and pencil; but he did not -use them—at least just then. While he held his pencil in the air and -looked at Don, and the culprits were trembling with apprehension, and -the others were listening with all their ears to catch the first name -that fell from Don’s lips, the answer came clear and distinct: - -“I hope you will not insist upon that, sir, for it is something I do not -like to do.” - -The superintendent stared, the teachers looked astonished, and another -flutter of excitement ran along the line. This time it did not even miss -the first-class boys, some of whom so far forgot themselves as to turn -their heads and look at the boy who dared stand in the presence of the -head of the school and say that he did not like to obey an order that -had been given him point-blank. Such a thing had never happened before -in the Bridgeport academy. Don’s companions in guilt began to breathe -easier. - -“If he will only stick to that _I_ am all right; but _he_ will have to -go down,” soliloquized Clarence Duncan, whose every thought was a -selfish one, and who did not care the snap of his finger what became of -Don or anybody else, so long as he escaped punishment himself. - -“That bangs me,” thought Tom Fisher, who was not altogether bad at -heart, even though he did have faults almost without number. He knew a -brave boy when he saw one, and Don’s conduct excited his unbounded -admiration. “He’s the pluckiest fellow I ever saw, and he shall not be -sent down if I can help it.” - -“Do you refuse to give me the names of those boys?” asked the -superintendent, as soon as he had somewhat recovered from his surprise. - -“I would rather not, sir,” replied Don. He did not like to use so strong -a word as “refuse,” but still his answer was given in a tone which -showed that he had no intention of wavering. - -“You know the alternative?” said the superintendent, quietly but firmly. - -“Yes, sir.” - -“And you are willing to submit to it?” - -“Yes, sir” - -“But I am not willing that he should, sir,” exclaimed Tom Fisher, -stepping three paces to the front and raising his hand to his cap. “If -he won’t tell who the guard-runners are, I will.” - -“Attention!” shouted the superintendent, who was utterly confounded by -this breach of discipline; but Tom, having made a resolution, was -determined to stick to it, regardless of the consequences. - -“No boy in this academy shall ever again suffer for my misdeeds if I can -help it,” said he, speaking as rapidly as he could in order that he -might get everything off his mind before he was interrupted. “I was one -of the guard-runners, and if the others have the least particle of pluck -in them——” - -“_Attention!_” shouted the superintendent again. “Captain Morgan” he -added, addressing the commander of the first company, “detail a -corporal’s guard to take private Fisher to his room under arrest.” - -“I don’t care,” thought Tom, as he was marched off by the guard that was -quickly detailed to take charge of him. “I did my best to save Don, and -I shall go down with something like a clear conscience. But I really -wish the superintendent would give me another chance. I would make an -honest and earnest effort to do better.” - -This was the unexpected act on the part of Tom Fisher to which we -referred a short time ago, and which, taken in connection with Don’s -bold acknowledgment of his guilt, did more to break up guard-running at -that academy than all the locks and bolts that could have been put upon -the doors. These two incidents upset everybody, teachers included; but -the latter were quick to see how to take advantage of it. - -“Sergeant Clayton, call the roll of your company again,” said the -superintendent. - -The sergeant obeyed, and this time all the guard-runners stepped to the -front with the exception of Clarence Duncan. He had good reasons for -fearing exposure, as we shall presently see, and believing that his -companions would follow Don Gordon’s example and refuse to bear witness -against him, he was resolved to keep up a bold front, and to deny his -guilt to the very last. - -“It is a pity that some of these weak-kneed fellows didn’t come to the -same determination,” said he to himself. “There was not a scrap of -evidence against any of us, and if they had only stood by me——” - -“Sergeant, call private Duncan’s name again,” said the superintendent, -breaking in upon his soliloquy. - -“Clarence Duncan,” said the sergeant. - -“Here,” came the response. - -“_Clarence Duncan!_” repeated Clayton. - -“_Here!_” replied the culprit; adding to himself, “You can’t make me own -up, and you might as well give up trying.” - -“Private Duncan, three paces to the front,” commanded the -superintendent. “Break ranks.” - -Duncan was taken to his room under guard, and when he got there he found -an armed sentry pacing back and forth in front of the door. Tom Fisher -was seated at the table with an open book before him, but he was not -studying. He was thinking over the incidents that had just transpired. - -“Well, Clarence,” said he, cheerfully, “we’re in for it.” - -“Yes,” replied Clarence, angrily. “Thanks to you and Don Gordon, we are -in for it. I never knew before that you were such a coward. What made -you side with Gordon?” - -“Well, I had two reasons for it: In the first place, he showed himself -to be a good fellow, and as true as steel; and I couldn’t stand by and -see him punished. If I hadn’t spoken up, he would have been sent down -for refusing to give our names.” - -“That’s just what ought to have been done with him,” said Clarence. - -“As the case now stands,” continued Tom, “he will, most likely, be let -off easy, this being the first time that anything serious has been -charged against him.” - -“And what is to become of you and me?” - -“You know what they told us the last time we were court-martialed, don’t -you?” - -“I should think I ought, for I have been reminded of it often enough. -Don’t you know that by befriending Don you have got me into a terrible -scrape? Don’t you remember that my father told me that he would put me -on board the school-ship if I were sent down?” - -It would have been strange if Tom had forgotten it, for Duncan had such -a horror of that same school-ship that he talked about it every day. He -had seen and conversed with boys who had been sent there because they -would not behave themselves at home, and he had noticed that they all -agreed on these two points—that the officers were very stern and severe, -and that the life of a hod-carrier was easier and more respectable than -that of a foremast hand. Clarence had a deep-rooted horror of the sea -and every thing connected with it, and he looked forward to five years -on the school-ship with feelings very near akin to those with which he -would have looked forward to a term in the penitentiary. - -“You went back on me, an old-time friend, for the sake of a boy you -never saw or heard of until last winter,” continued Clarence. “I didn’t -act the craven, I tell you. I stuck it out as long as I could.” - -“Did they find you out?” asked Tom. - -“I am under arrest, the same as you are; but they can’t prove anything -against me.” - -“Then how does it come that you are in arrest?” - -“That’s just what beats me. They called the roll of our company again -after you were sent off under guard, and, to my intense disgust, every -fellow who was with us last night stepped to the front. They tried to -bully a confession out of me, but I didn’t leave the ranks until I was -ordered to do so.” - -“That brings me to the second reason I had for doing as I did,” said -Tom. “They’ve got evidence against every one of us.” - -“I don’t see where they got it.” - -If Clarence had taken the trouble to look in the mirror he would have -seen at a glance where the evidence that convicted him came from. He -carried it in his face. - -We need not dwell upon the incidents that happened during the next few -days, for they have nothing to do with our story, and no one except the -boys who attended the Bridgeport academy at this particular time would -be interested in them. It will be enough to say that the culprits were -confined to their rooms and given ample leisure in which to think over -their folly and make good resolutions for the future. The repentant ones -devoted the most of their time to their books; but there were some among -them who did nothing but bemoan their hard luck and rail at Don Gordon -for being such a “fluke.” - -The court-martial came off in due time, and Clarence Duncan, who denied -his guilt to the very last, and even denounced the others for bearing -false witness against him, was sent down; and it was not long before -reports came to the academy that he had been placed on board the -school-ship. Tom Fisher was given a new lease of life. He evidently knew -just what he was doing when he took sides with Don, for that one act was -all that saved him from going home too. Next to Duncan he and Don -received the heaviest sentences, both being gated for two months, during -which time they were required to walk eight extras with packed knapsacks -on their backs. The others were punished in nearly the same way, only -they were not gated for so long a period, nor were they called upon to -perform as much extra duty. Strange as it may appear, no one suspected -that the guard-runners had made use of the fire-escape. All the blame -was laid upon the floor-guard, who suffered accordingly. - -These stirring events, as we said before, broke up the “set” completely, -and made fast friends of Don Gordon and Tom Fisher, who, holding firmly -to their determination to do better, gradually broke off their intimate -relations with the lazy, mischievous, and discontented members of their -classes, and began to have more to do with fellows who were worth -knowing. The manly stand they had taken during the investigation (it was -a manly act on Don’s part, but largely prudential on the part of Tom -Fisher) excited the wonder and admiration of all the students, and the -boys in the upper classes, who had never taken any notice of them except -to return their salutes, now sought them out and became intimate with -them. It was certainly a great relief to Don to associate with fellows -who were not all the while grumbling about something or discussing plans -for getting by the guard. One day he was surprised by a visit from Egan, -the first sergeant of his company, who entered his room holding an open -letter in his hand. - -“Say, Gordon,” he exclaimed, taking no notice of Don’s salute, “why -didn’t you let the fellows know that your father used to go to this -school?” - -“Some of them do know it,” replied Don. - -“Well, I didn’t know it until I received this letter,” said the -sergeant, helping himself to a chair and throwing his cap on Bert’s bed. -“I spoke of you in a letter I wrote home a short time ago, and am -surprised to learn that your father and mine used to be room-mates and -chums when they belonged to this academy. Let’s shake.” - -Don took the sergeant’s proffered hand, and this was the beginning of -another friendship that has never been broken. The sergeant was just the -kind of associate that Don needed. He was a faithful soldier, a close -student, a favorite with both teachers and scholars, and his example and -influence did wonders for Don Gordon. It is true that during his first -year at the academy he had been rather restive under the strict -discipline to which he was subjected. He had even run the guard—if he -hadn’t he would not have known as much as he did about Cony Ryan’s -pancakes and maple syrup—and he had paid for his fun by walking extras -and being gated; but that was all over now, and he was one of the last -boys in school who would have been suspected of any violation of the -rules. - -Egan introduced his new friend to the fellows in the first class, and -first-class fellows Don found them to be. Some of them were fond of -shooting and fishing, knew a good dog and gun when they saw them, and -could tell hunting stories without number. Others among them—and they -were Southern boys, like Don—thought more of their horses than they did -of almost anything else. They were at home in the saddle, and delighted -to talk of the fine times they had enjoyed while riding to the hounds. -Courtland Hopkins, who was the Falstaff of the academy, always grew -enthusiastic when the subject of fox-hunting was introduced. - -“Ah! Gordon,” he said one day, “that is the sport _par excellence_. Come -down into Maryland with me next vacation, and I’ll show you some fun. A -lot of the fellows have been promising to go for a long time, but that’s -all it has amounted to.” - -“I’d like to see you in the saddle, Hop,” said Egan, taking his friend -by the arm and turning him around so that he could give him a good -looking over. “You’ve almost too much avoirdupois for a rider, according -to my way of thinking. In other words, you’re a great deal too fat.” - -“Just give me a good horse, and see if I can’t take a ten-rail fence as -cleverly as anybody,” returned Hopkins, quickly. “I am good for a plate -of soup at the International if there is a colt in Bridgeport that can -throw me.” - -“If you will all go home with _me_, I will give you some of the best -duck-shooting you ever saw,” said Don. - -“Yes; but that would require a scatter-gun, and that is something I -never did like,” said Walter Curtis. “If you want to see fun, combined -with skill, take a Thanksgiving dinner with me, and watch the members of -our club break glass balls with rifles.” - -These words were spoken carelessly, but they were not forgotten. If they -had been, this series of books would never have been written. - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - THE STUDENTS IN CAMP. - - -Time flew on, the school term drew to a close, and at last the “day of -all days”—the day to which all the students in the Bridgeport Military -Academy looked forward with the liveliest anticipations of -pleasure—arrived. Of late there had been a perceptible bustle among the -boys. Those of their number who had hitherto thought of nothing but -mischief, and whose highest ambition was to shirk their duty in every -way they could, began to show some interest in the daily school routine, -and tried by the hardest kind of study and strict attention to business, -to make up for the time they had lost. There was no idleness, and -consequently no rules were broken, and there was no extra duty to be -done. There was less time wasted in loitering about the grounds, the -hours of recreation being devoted to the discussion of various plans for -amusement, and to the overhauling of fly-books and trolling-lines. Their -studies were soon to be thrown aside for a whole month; their pleasant -dormitories were to be exchanged for shelter-tents; fly-rods, oars, and -geologists’ hammers were to take the place of the pens, pencils, and -mathematical instruments that had so long been their daily companions; -and their tiresome drills were to give way to moonlight boat-rides and -to—well, to some other sports that would not have been permitted while -the students were living at the academy, but which were winked at during -the time they were in camp. What these sports were shall be told -presently. - -As the eventful day drew near, the excitement and impatience, and, we -may add, anxiety, of the students increased to such a degree that it was -all they could do to study. The reason for this state of affairs was -found in the fact that it had somehow leaked out—through what source no -one seemed able to tell—that an event of unusual interest was to take -place during this particular encampment; something that had never -occurred before, and might never occur again. Some of the first-class -boys who were in the secret, had said just enough to put their -companions on nettles, but not enough to give them even the faintest -idea of what they might expect. - -“I know that boat-riding, and trolling for pickerel, and spearing eels -by torch-light, are fine sports,” Egan said to Don, one day, “and they -are exciting, too, when you have no better way of passing the time; but -you very soon forget all about the pleasure you have in that way, don’t -you? Well, there’s something going to happen very shortly that you’ll -not forget so easily, _I_ tell you. You will remember it as long as you -live.” - -“Now, sergeant, what is it?” exclaimed Don, after Egan had talked to him -a few times in this way. “Can’t you give me a hint?” - -“No. Couldn’t possibly think of it.” - -“Well, then, if you were told to keep it to yourself, why don’t you do -it? What’s the use of aggravating a fellow in this way?” - -“I assure you, my dear boy, that no aggravation is intended,” replied -Egan, in his blandest tones. “I only meant to prepare you for something -you never dreamed of. If your eyes don’t open and your hair stand on -end, I—whew! I can’t think of it without a little thrill of excitement.” - -Meanwhile the question as to where and how the coming vacation should be -spent, had been repeatedly referred to and talked over by Don and his -three friends in the first class—Egan, Hopkins and Curtis. The latter -was anxious to go home and join his friends in the club-shoot that -always came off on Thanksgiving day; Hopkins wanted Don to see him add -another “brush” to the numerous trophies of the chase that adorned the -walls of his room; and Don held out strongly in favor of his own -shooting-grounds about Diamond Lake. The matter was finally settled by -the assistance of General Gordon, who sent each of the boys a cordial -invitation to spend at least a small portion of their next vacation at -Don’s shooting-box, and made sure of its acceptance by communicating -with the fathers of these students, all of whom he had known in the days -of his boyhood. This point having been decided to his entire -satisfaction, Don could have settled down to good hard work, had it not -been for the fact that he was continually looking forward to that -“unusual and interesting event” that was to transpire when the boys went -into camp. His curiosity had been aroused to the highest pitch, and he -could scarcely think about anything else. - -The sun rose clear and cloudless on the morning of the first day of -August, and before the echoes awakened by the roar of the field-piece -had fairly died away, the boys were crowding into the drill-room. -Breakfast was served immediately after roll-call, and two hours later -three hundred students, led by the band and marching with the precision -of veteran soldiers, moved through the wide gateway, and down the -principal street of the village toward their camping-ground. Everybody -turned out to see them. Flags and handkerchiefs were waved all along -their line of march, flowers were showered into their ranks, and when, -in obedience to the command: “Platoons, right front into line, double -time, march!” they broke from column of fours into column of platoons, -the cheers that greeted their prompt and soldier-like execution of the -manœuvre, which is always an awkward one unless it is well done, were -always deafening. - -The camp was always pitched upon a little rise of ground about three -miles from the village. In front of it was the river, on its left arose -a range of hills which were almost high enough to be called mountains, -and among these hills were located the streams and ponds in which the -speckled trout, pickerel, sunfish and bass abounded. Here too, were -found the thieving raccoons that ravaged the farmers’ corn-fields, the -hawks that caught their chickens, and the black and gray squirrels which -afforded the boys many an exciting hunt and excellent dinner. Between -these hills and the camp ran a wide and deep creek, whose rapid current -often baffled the skill of the young engineers who tried to throw a -pontoon-bridge across it. - -On reaching the camping ground the arms were stacked, and the tents, -which had already arrived, were distributed among the different -companies and pitched at the tap of the drum. Then working-parties were -detailed to grade and ditch the streets, provide fire-wood for the -kitchens and to perform various other duties, and when they were -relieved at four o’clock in the afternoon, the little camp presented a -scene of neatness and order with which the most exacting officer could -not have found a word of fault. - -There were several orders read that night on dress-parade, and among -them was one that expressly prohibited “foraging.” Don could not see the -necessity for such an order, so he waited for an opportunity to speak to -Egan about it. - -“It means,” said the latter, in response to Don’s inquiries, “that we -mustn’t steal anything from the farmers hereabouts.” - -“So I supposed. But who is there among us who would be mean enough to do -such a thing?” - -“I don’t know about it’s being mean,” replied the sergeant, in a tone of -voice that made Don open his eyes. “We want something good to eat, don’t -we?” - -“Of course we do; but why can’t we buy what we want? We’ve all got a -little pocket-money.” - -“That’s very likely; but it is cheaper to forage.” - -“But suppose you are caught at it?” - -“That’s your lookout. You must be sharp enough to get away with your -plunder after you have secured it.” - -“I’ll not try it,” said Don, decidedly. “I’ve had trouble enough this -term, and I am not going to have any more black marks placed against my -name if I can help it. Besides, I don’t see what there is to steal.” - -“O, there are lots of things. The farmers hardly ever lock their -spring-houses, and it’s the easiest thing in the world to slip into one -of them and take a good swig out of a pan of milk that has cream on it -an inch thick. Ah!” said the sergeant, smacking his lips. “That’s the -way Hop got himself into a snarl last camp.” - -“Not Court Hopkins!” exclaimed Don. - -“Yes, Courtland Hopkins. He and a party of fellows went down to Hudson’s -one day after some eggs and butter—by the way, that same farmer Hudson -always has a splendid melon patch, and the melons will begin to ripen -pretty soon—and while some of the boys were occupying the attention of -the farmer’s wife, Hop slipped around to the spring-house, and there he -found a five-gallon jar full of fresh buttermilk. That was too much for -Hop, who can make way with more buttermilk than any boy _I_ ever saw. He -grabbed the jar and made off with it; but just as he was leaving the -spring-house, Hudson, who was at work in a field close by, caught sight -of him and started in pursuit. Hop heard him coming, and knowing that he -could not escape with his burden, he put it down, never spilling a drop -of the milk, and took to his heels. Fat as he is, he led Hudson a good -long chase, but he was collared at last and taken to camp.” - -Don was utterly amazed. Here was Hopkins, who was looked upon by all his -companions as a model of perfection, and yet he had been caught in the -act of stealing; and here was Egan, another good scholar and a -non-commissioned officer besides, who told the story of his friend’s -guilt as though it were something well worth relating. Don could not -understand it. - -“What did they do with him?” he asked, as soon as he had somewhat -recovered from his surprise. - -“Well, the superintendent thought that _that_ was carrying matters a -little too far, and so he refused Hop a pass for a week,” was the -sergeant’s reply. “But he didn’t gain any black marks by it.” - -“How was that?” inquired Don. - -“Why, you see, your record for the term is all made up, and the hooks -are closed; and any mischief you may do here in camp will not count -against you in the examination. We come out here to have fun, and the -teachers are willing we should have it, so long as we keep within -bounds. The farmers around here make lots of money out of us every year, -and if we want to go into their orchards and melon-patches and help -ourselves to what we find there, we are welcome to do it, if we go about -it openly and above board; but if we try to forage on them, they enter -into the spirit of the matter as fully as we do, and make every effort -to capture us. If they succeed, they march us to camp, and all the boys -laugh at us, and we have to fork over money enough to pay for the -articles we took, whatever they are. But after all one don’t lose -anything by it, for very likely that same farmer will meet you the next -day and give you a peck of peaches, or an armful of green-corn or a -water-melon as big as you can carry.” - -Don began to understand the matter now, and to see why it was that the -students looked forward to their month in camp with so much eagerness -and impatience. Here were opportunities for him to work off a little of -his superabundant energy without violating any rules or doing harm to -anybody, and those who are acquainted with him will know that he was not -long in making up his mind to improve them. - -“But there is one thing we have to keep constantly before us,” continued -the sergeant, who did not fail to notice and to rightly interpret the -look he saw in Don’s eye. “The teachers do not object to innocent fun, -but anything that savors of meanness won’t go down. If a boy oversteps -the mark, he goes back to the academy and stays there under guard. -Duncan went back last camp for trying to rob a hen-roost. The farmer who -owned the fowls laughed and said it was all right, but the teachers -didn’t think so. I never foraged so much as an ear of corn; but I am a -number one deserter.” - -“Deserter!” echoed Don, growing more and more interested. - -“Yes. You see, we want to do things here just as they are done in a -regular camp, and there is much more fun in working up a case against a -real culprit, who will try by every means in his power to hide his -guilt, than there is in trumping up a charge against some innocent boy. -I have deserted every time I have been in camp.” - -“What did they do with you?” - -“Nothing, for I got back before I was caught. If I had been captured by -any of the scouting parties that were sent out in pursuit of me, I -should have been court-martialed, and ordered to the guard-tent to await -sentence. That’s the way they did with Hop, who was sentenced to be -shot. But then he deserted when the camp was supposed to be surrounded -by the enemy. Hop always was unlucky. He can’t do any mischief without -being caught at it.” - -“How did they carry out the sentence?” asked Don. - -“They didn’t carry it out. They simply put him in the guard-tent, and -about midnight the officer of the day came along and let him out; and -that was the last of it. When the members of the Grand Army of the -Republic hold their encampments, and capture a deserter or a spy, they -go through all the forms—seating the prisoner blindfolded on a coffin -and shooting at him with blank cartridges. But we don’t believe in that. -It is almost too much like the reality. By the way, Gordon, that great -European seven-elephant railroad show is advertised to pitch its tent in -Bridgeport very shortly, and I should really like to see the man who -turns a double somerset over three elephants and four camels; wouldn’t -you?” - -“Of course I would, and I’ll go if you will. Shall we ask for a pass?” - -“Certainly not, because we don’t intend to come back until we get ready. -The boys all want to get out of the lines for exercise, and nothing -would suit them better than tramping about the country in search of us.” - -Just then the officer of the day appeared at the door of his tent and -beckoned to the sergeant, who hurried away, leaving Don to himself. The -latter wished most heartily that that great European seven-elephant -railroad show had been billed to appear at Bridgeport that very night, -for he was in just the right humor for an adventure. Like Egan, he had -no taste for foraging. It is true that he had joined in raids upon -melon-patches when they were closely guarded, and when he knew that -speedy punishment would be visited upon him if he were discovered and -captured, and he might, without a great deal of urging, have been -induced to do the same thing over again, if there were any risk to be -run; but the thought of plundering a good-natured farmer who would -freely have given him all the melons he wanted, was not to be -entertained for a moment. Desertion, as proposed by Egan, was, according -to Don’s way of thinking, a more high-toned proceeding. Creeping -unobserved past the sentries; visiting an entertainment that would -doubtless be witnessed by a majority of the teachers, and fifty or -perhaps a hundred of their school-fellows, all of whom would be glad to -report them “just for the fun of the thing;” roaming about the country -wherever their fancy led them; dodging the scouting parties that were -sent in pursuit, and at last, when weary of their freedom, making their -way back to camp and into their tents without being caught—there was -something interesting and exciting in all this, and the longer Don -thought of it the more he wished that the show would hasten its coming. - -During the first two weeks the students were kept at work at something -nearly all the time, and there were but few passes granted. Don and Egan -were among those who were lucky enough to get out of the lines for an -afternoon, and before they came back they had made arrangements for -procuring citizen’s clothes in which to visit the show when it arrived. -After that Don became more impatient and uneasy than ever, and proposed -to his friend Egan that they should desert at once, and stay out until -the show left town. - -“Oh, that would never do,” was the sergeant’s reply. “We want to absent -ourselves only on our ‘off’ days—that is, on days when there is no work -to be done in surveying, or in artillery and rifle-practice. You know I -am to complete the course this year, and as I want to pass a good -examination, I must be on hand to receive all the practical instruction -I can. I wouldn’t like to miss that.” - -“But we don’t seem to have any ‘off’ days,” answered Don. “We are kept -busy all the time. What’s the use of surrounding the camp with these -rifle-pits?” - -“There are two reasons for it. In the first place, the enemy may be -hovering around watching for a chance to make an attack upon us.” - -Don laughed outright. - -“And in the next place, you want to learn just how to go to work to -fortify a camp in case you should ever have command of one.” - -“Which is not at all likely,” interrupted Don. “Why can’t the engineers -stake out the works so that we could see the shape of them, and stop at -that? I didn’t come here to handle picks and shovels for so many hours -every day, and I don’t see any sense in it.” - -Almost the first thing the superintendent did after the students were -fairly settled in their new quarters, was to put the engineers at work -laying out a very elaborate system of fortifications with which the -entire camp was surrounded. The boys would have made no complaint if he -had been satisfied with that; but he wasn’t. When the fortifications had -been laid out, he detailed working-parties to build them, just as he -would have done if the camp had been located in an enemy’s country. Such -a thing had never been done before, and Don Gordon was not the only one -who could not see any sense in it. At first the boys laughed at their -sergeants and corporals, who urged them to greater exertions with their -picks and shovels, assuring them at the same time that an attack might -be expected at any moment, and finally they began to get angry with -them; but the attack was made all the same. - -But these days of toil were ended at last, and when the old soldiers who -lived in Bridgeport came out and inspected the works, and declared with -one voice that, in everything except extent, they were equal to any with -which the Confederates had surrounded Vicksburg and Richmond, the boys -felt that they were in some measure repaid for their labor. They made -the most of the days of recreation that followed. Passes were freely -granted, and every boy who went outside the lines made it a point to -bring back something for his mess-table. - -One day, while Don was lounging in his tent, Egan appeared at the door -and beckoned him to come out. In one hand he carried a huge yellow -poster, which he passed over to Don, with the request that the latter -would read it at his leisure, and at the same time he held up the -forefinger of the other hand as if he were listening to something. Don -listened also, and presently the breeze bore to his ear the enlivening -strains of martial music. - -“They’ve come,” said Egan, “and they are now making their street parade. -Are you ready?” - -“I am,” answered Don. - -“Well, say one o’clock, then. I shall be busy with my reports until——” - -“Why, man alive,” interrupted Don, “are we going to run the guard in -broad daylight?” - -“How in the world are we going to help it?” demanded Egan, in reply. - -“We ought to have gone out last night when we would have had the -darkness to aid us,” said Don, who began to think that his chances for -seeing that wonderful leaper were very slim indeed. - -“I couldn’t have gone last night, for I was busy; and, as I told you, I -don’t want to be out of camp when my class is under instruction. I shall -be busy until about one o’clock; but after my work is done, I am going -to that show. Are you going with me?” - -Don answered, very decidedly, that he was. - -“I don’t deny that we shall have a tight squeak for it,” continued the -sergeant, pulling off his cap and scratching his head in deep -perplexity. “You see, there used to be a little ridge out there in the -upper end of the camp, that ran close by the side of post No. 2. It was -thickly lined with bushes, under cover of which a fellow who was at all -cautious in his movements, could creep by the sentry very easily; but -when these earth-works were built that ridge was cut away, and I haven’t -yet been able to decide how we are going to get out, although I have -reconnoitered every part of the camp more than a dozen times.” - -“Look here,” said Don. “Perhaps one of the sentries could be prevailed -upon to keep his back turned when——” - -“No, he couldn’t,” interrupted Egan, who knew very well what Don was -about to say. “There isn’t a boy in camp who wouldn’t report his best -friend, if he had the chance, just for the sake of getting a joke on -him.” - -Just then Hopkins and Curtis came hurrying by. Their faces wore a -pleased expression, and each held in his hand a piece of paper which he -flourished exultantly over his head. - -“We’re going to see the elephants, and the lions, and tigers, and all -the other things,” said Curtis. “I say, boys, if you want passes you’d -better not be standing here. The fellows are packed around the -superintendent’s marquée as closely as sardines in a box.” - -Don and Egan replied that they had concluded not to ask for passes on -that particular day, and Hopkins and his friend hurried on to their -tents to exchange their fatigue suits for their dress uniforms. - -“I haven’t yet been able to decide how we are going to get out,” -repeated the sergeant, when he and Don were left alone, “but don’t you -worry about that. I’ll hit upon something before the time for action -arrives.” - -“All right,” replied Don. “I’ll be ready when you want me.” - -Egan turned toward his tent, and Don went back into his. He spent the -time until dinner in reading the poster the sergeant had given him, -hundreds of which had that morning been distributed about the camp by -village boys who were hired for that purpose, and then he made his -toilet and waited for the hands on his watch to travel around to one -o’clock. They had scarcely got there before Sergeant Egan put in an -appearance, carrying in his hand a small tin pail. He seemed somewhat -disconcerted when he looked into Don’s tent, for it was full of boys. - -“Come in, sergeant,” said Bert, pleasantly. - -“Where are you going?” inquired Don. “To the spring after some fresh -water, I suppose. Hold on till I get a bucket, and I will go with you.” - -“So will I,” said Bert. - -That wouldn’t do at all. The sergeant looked perplexed, but Don was -equal to the emergency. - -“Bert,” said he, “you stay here till I come back, and I will have -something to tell you.” - -The confiding Bert was good-natured enough to submit without any -argument, and Don, having secured a bucket, walked off with the -sergeant. To his great surprise Egan led the way directly to the -principal gate, and the sentry who was on duty there allowed them to -pass without a word of protest. He had no business to do it, and if they -had exhibited the least timidity, or been at all uncertain in their -movements, they would have been halted on the instant; but, as it was, -their audacity carried them safely through. If Don had been alone he -would have been stopped beyond a doubt; but the fact that he was in the -company of a non-commissioned officer, who, however, had no more right -to go outside the lines than a private had, disarmed the sentry of all -suspicion. - -[Illustration: RUNNING THE GUARD.] - -The two deserters, astonished and delighted at the ease with which their -escape had been effected, but showing no outward signs of exultation, -walked slowly toward the spring, which bubbled up among the rocks about -fifty yards from the gate, their every movement being closely watched by -the sentry, who began to wonder if he had done just right in permitting -them to pass. They made a great show of washing out their pails, -stopping now and then to point out to each other objects of interest on -the opposite side of the creek, all of which they had seen a hundred -times before; and at last, pretending to discover something at a little -distance that they considered to be worthy of close examination, they -set down their buckets and moved down the bank of the stream. That -movement aroused the sentry, who now began to see through the little -game that had been so neatly played upon him. - -“Halt!” he shouted, bringing his musket to “arms port.” - -“Now for it, Gordon,” said Egan, in an excited whisper. “Leg bail is all -that will save us.” - -Suiting the action to the word, the sergeant pulled his fatigue cap down -over his ears and darted through the bushes like a frightened hare, Don -following close at his heels. - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - THE DESERTERS AT THE SHOW. - - -“Halt!” shouted the sentry. “Corporal of the guard No. 1.” - -“This is a regular game of ‘follow the leader,’ Gordon,” said Egan, -looking back over his shoulder. “Are you good at that?” - -“I used to be,” answered Don. - -“They’ll be after us in less than no time,” continued the sergeant; “and -as there are some splendid runners among the fellows, who will give us -more than we want to do if they come up with us, our game must be to -keep out of sight. We can’t run much further in this direction, for the -river will stop us; so that the best thing we can do is——” - -Here Egan turned like a flash and jumped as far as he could toward the -middle of the creek. The water was deep enough to let him down out of -sight, but he arose to the surface almost immediately, and struck out -for the opposite shore. Don was astonished, but he did not hesitate an -instant to “follow his leader.” Settling his cap firmly on his head, he -dove from the bank, and swimming rapidly under the water, passed Egan, -much to that young gentleman’s surprise, and came up a long way ahead of -him. A few long, steady strokes carried them across the stream, and -while they were climbing out by the aid of the bushes that hung over the -water, voices and footsteps sounded from the bank they had just left, -and presently ejaculations indicative of the greatest amazement came to -their ears, followed by ringing peals of laughter. - -“Ha! ha! ha! I say, you, Egan—ha! ha! ha! and Gordon—O, dear, O, dear! -This will be the death of me, I just know—ha! ha! Halt!” was the command -that was shouted at them from the other side of the creek; and looking -over their shoulders they saw on the bank a party of their pursuers, -some of whom stamped about and flourished their arms over their heads as -if they were fighting off a swarm of bumble-bees, while the others -rolled on the ground or stood in a crouching attitude, holding their -hands firmly against their sides. They were all convulsed with laughter, -and the corporal who commanded the squad, and who thought he had never -before seen so ludicrous a sight as the deserters presented in their -dripping uniforms, was so completely overcome with merriment that he -could not speak again. He stood there on the bank shaking his head and -slapping his knees until Egan and his companion disappeared in the -woods. - -“Well, Gordon, what do you think of the situation?” asked the sergeant, -throwing himself flat on his back and holding his feet aloft so that the -water could run out of his boots. - -“I’m seeing lots of fun,” answered Don, wiping the tears from his eyes; -for he had laughed as heartily as any of the corporal’s men. “But do you -think we can get through?” - -“We must get through,” replied the sergeant, earnestly. “If we should be -caught and taken back after what we have done, the boys never would quit -joking us. That corporal is a good fellow to keep out of the way of. -He’s as sharp as any detective, as fleet as an antelope, and if he once -gets a grip on a deserter’s collar, he don’t let up. He’s a bad one, and -if he isn’t recalled, he will follow us all over the country.” - -“If he is as persevering as that, what’s the reason he did not swim the -creek in pursuit of us?” asked Don. - -“He wouldn’t have made anything by it,” answered the sergeant, “and, -besides, he wouldn’t care to go tramping about the country in his wet -clothes. He will follow a better plan than that. He will cross at the -bridge and go over to the main road and try to ambush us. You see if he -don’t.” - -Having wrung a little of the water out of their clothes, Don and his -companion continued their flight, threading their way rapidly but -cautiously through the thick woods; but before they had gone two hundred -yards, the sergeant, who was acting as guide, stopped all on a sudden -and pointed silently before him. Don looked and saw that they had barely -escaped running into an ambuscade that had been prepared for them. -Having crossed the creek at the bridge, Corporal Mack and his men had -made the best of their way to the main road and were now hidden in the -bushes on each side of it, awaiting the approach of the deserters. Don -could see their uniform caps, and he counted a dozen of them in all. - -“Mack knows that we are going to the show, and he will exert himself to -the utmost to prevent it,” said the sergeant, after he and Don had made -a wide detour and safely passed the ambuscade. “We must hurry on now, -for we are not safe so long as we wear these uniforms.” - -It would have been much easier walking in the main road, which was in -plain sight of them, but the sergeant dared not follow it, for he and -Don were in no condition, weighed down as they were by their wet -clothing, to engage in a foot-race with the fleet and persevering -corporal, who would be sure to see them the moment they came out of -their concealment. So they kept to the bushes, and at the end of a -quarter of an hour came to a halt in the rear of a snug little -farm-house, which was the home of one Asa Peters, who had agreed, for a -suitable consideration, to furnish them with disguises whenever they -might stand in need of them. Asa was chopping wood in the back yard, and -Egan had no difficulty in attracting his attention. Hearing his name -pronounced in a cautious tone, Asa threw down his axe, and after looking -all around to make sure that his movements were not observed, he climbed -the fence and joined the deserters behind the smoke-house, where they -had stopped for concealment. He was a stalwart young rustic with a red -head, a peaked nose, and a freckled face—very homely, in short, but with -a most exalted opinion of his personal appearance. - -“I say, Asa,” said Egan, hurriedly. “We want those clothes now. Is there -any way for us to get into the house without being seen?” - -Asa leaned against the smoke-house and twirled his thumbs, but said -nothing. - -“What’s the matter?” asked Egan, in some alarm. “You are not going back -from your word, are you? You agreed to furnish each of us with a suit of -your clothes for a dollar apiece, and we expect you to live up to your -bargain.” - -“Wal,” drawled Asa.“ You see—Sally, she——” - -He blushed and hesitated. - -“Well, go on; what about Sally?” asked Don, impatiently. “She doesn’t -want to borrow your clothes, does she?” - -“Eh? No,” said Asa, indignantly. “But she wants to go to the show, an’ -how am I goin’ to take her when I aint got no duds to go in? That’s -what’s been a botherin’ me. An’, you see, if I don’t take her, ’Bijah -Sawin will.” - -“Well, let ’Bijah have her,” said Don. - -“Not by a long shot.” - -Asa glared savagely at Don as he said this, and brought his fist down -into his open palm with a sounding whack. The idea of allowing a rival -to walk off with his sweetheart was not to be entertained for a moment. -Don looked blank; but Egan, who had had dealings with Asa before, -thought he knew a sure road to his heart. - -“Now, Asa,” said he, coaxingly, “listen to me for a moment. I know that -Sally is a beauty (Egan had never seen the girl in his life), but there -are plenty of others in the world who are just as handsome, and a -dashing, good-looking young fellow like yourself can always take his -pick.” - -Asa stroked the yellow down on his chin and grinned complacently. - -“Besides, we’ll make it worth your while to stick to your bargain,” -continued Egan, closely watching the effect of his words. “We will give -you a dollar extra for the use of your clothes.” - -Asa opened his eyes and looked interested. - -“We mean by that, a dollar extra for the use of each suit,” put in Don. -“And if you want it, we will pay you half the money in advance.” - -It was evident from the expression on the face of Asa Peters that there -was a severe conflict going on in his mind—a conflict between his love -of money and his deep-rooted affection for Sally; but avarice conquered -at last, and without saying a word Asa climbed the fence and led the way -toward the house, followed by the deserters, who exchanged many a wink, -and laughed silently at the boy who was willing to give up his -sweetheart for two dollars. - -Asa led the deserters up the back stairs and into his room, whose front -window, which was open, looked out upon the road. While he was taking -from his trunk his cherished wearing apparel, the judicious selection of -which had occasioned him infinite trouble and perplexity, Don glanced -out at the window and saw Corporal Mack and his men approaching. - -“I declare, Egan,” said he, “we’re cornered.” - -“O, no,” said the latter, who was making all haste to get out of his wet -uniform. “Mack doesn’t know that we are here, and even if he suspected -it, he has no right to search the house.” - -Having placed his best suits of clothes in orderly array upon the bed -(the deep sighs he uttered while he was thus engaged proved that Sally -was not yet wholly forgotten), Asa seated himself on his trunk and -looked out of the window, while Don and his companion proceeded to put -on their disguises. And disguises they proved to be in every sense of -the word. It is doubtful if even the sharp eyes of Corporal Mack could -have penetrated them. The boys looked for all the world like a couple of -green country fellows who were out for a holiday; and when Don, after -disarranging his hair, and assuming an expression of countenance that -would have done credit to Mark Twain’s “Inspired Idiot,” walked across -the floor after the manner of a plantation darkey, Egan, who never could -control himself when he wanted to laugh, rolled on the bed convulsed -with merriment. Nothing but the near approach of Corporal Mack and his -men kept him from shouting at the top of his voice. - -“Look here, Gordon,” said he, as soon as he could speak. “No more of -that. You will give us away, sure. Mack is a Southern boy, and he knows -the negro style of progression as well as you do. So mind what you are -about.” - -Just then the clear tones of Corporal Mack sounded under the window. -“Hallo, Asa,” said he. “Seen any of our boys around here lately?” - -“Wal, yes,” drawled Asa, in reply. “I seed a power of ’em yesterday.” - -“Have you seen any of them to-day?” - -“Wal, yes; but I seed a right smart sprinklin’ of ’em yesterday.” - -“Don’t say that again, Asa,” whispered Egan, excitedly. “If you do you -will let the cat out of the bag, sure. That boy is sharper than a steel -trap, and you must be careful how you talk to him.” - -“You say you have seen some of our boys to-day,” continued the corporal. -“Were their names Egan and Gordon? I thought so. Well, where are they -now?” - -“I don’t rightly know _jest_ where they be,” answered Asa; and he didn’t -either, for his back was turned toward the two boys in question. - -“I see very plainly that there is nothing to be gained by questioning -you,” said the corporal, whose suspicions had been aroused. “You know -where those two fellows are, and when you see them again you may tell -them that we are going to the show, too.” - -Asa said he would, and the corporal and his squad moved off. - -“What did I tell you?” exclaimed Egan. “Didn’t I say that if he wasn’t -recalled, he would follow us all over the country? Now, let’s be moving. -We’ll keep out of sight as much as possible until we reach the village, -and after we have got into the crowd, we shall be comparatively safe. -But remember this: If you are separated from me by any mischance, dodge -every fellow in uniform you see, no matter whether he wears a bayonet by -his side or not. Even Hop and Curtis would report us to the corporal if -they should see and recognize us.” - -Don had never engaged in an undertaking that was more to his liking. It -was one that required the exercise of all the skill and cunning he -possessed, and he had the satisfaction of knowing that while he was -working to the utmost to accomplish his object, he was violating no -rule, and was in no danger of being taken to task when he returned to -camp. - -Having paid Asa a portion of the money they had agreed to give him for -the use of his clothes, Don and his companion made the best of their way -toward Bridgeport, which was filled to overflowing with people from the -surrounding country who had flocked in to see the sights. They mingled -with the crowd and acted their parts as rustics to perfection. They -gazed with open mouth and eyes at every thing they saw, munched apples -and gingerbread as they walked along, and tried to beat down the price -of candy as often as they stopped to purchase. They went into all the -side-shows to see the curiosities on exhibition, and manfully bore their -part in the crush and jam that took place when the ticket-wagon was -opened. - -Up to this time they had succeeded in keeping out of the way of their -fellow-students, all of whom, having been warned by the corporal, were -keeping a sharp look-out for them; but now they ran against some of them -almost before they knew it. Having secured their tickets after a -terrific struggle, they moved with the crowd toward the entrance to the -“grand pavilion,” and all on a sudden found themselves face to face with -four of the corporal’s men. Don and his friend knew that they belonged -to Mack’s squad, for they wore bayonets by their sides to show that they -were on duty. They stood two on each side of the entrance, and looked -closely at everybody who went in. The situation was growing interesting; -and it grew still more interesting before the afternoon was over, and -some of the village people afterward declared that Don and Corporal Mack -furnished the best part of the entertainment. - -“Now for it, Gordon,” said Egan, in an excited whisper. “See how they -stare at everybody. That proves that they either know or suspect that we -are disguised. It would be a pity if we were to be gobbled right here in -the presence of all these people. How everybody would laugh at us!” - -But both the boys were equal to the emergency. Egan, trusting entirely -to his disguise, kept straight ahead without looking at the sentries, -while Don, throwing all the stupidity he could into an unusually -intelligent countenance, gazed about him with a frightened air, and -clung to his friend’s coat-tails as if he were afraid of being lost. -That move came very near being fatal to them. Egan laughed audibly, in -spite of himself, and hurried on, dragging Don after him; while the four -guards exchanged significant glances, and one of them hurried out to -find Corporal Mack. The deserters did not know it, but from that moment -they were under surveillance. - -Having taken a look at the animals they went into the second tent, -picked out a good seat, invested a portion of their pocket-money in -peanuts, and waited patiently for the performance to begin. They did not -pay much attention to the stale jokes of the clowns, but they were -really interested in the riding and leaping—so much so that they did not -notice that Corporal Mack was improving the opportunity to station his -men so that they could not escape. Finally the trick mule was brought -in, and after he had gone through with his antics and thrown the darkey -who tried to ride him, some of the spectators went out, while those who -had purchased tickets for the musical entertainment, moved over to the -other side of the tent. Among the latter were Don and Egan. - -By this time Don had the satisfaction of knowing that he had made -himself an object of interest to the people about him, who told one -another that he was the greenest specimen of a country boy they had ever -seen. When he moved with the rest over to the opposite side of the tent, -he could not resist the temptation to give a specimen of old Jordan’s -style of locomotion; and he did it so perfectly that he excited the -laughter of some and the sincere pity of others, who believed that that -was his usual way of walking. There was one, however, who was keeping a -sharp eye on all his movements, and who was not deceived—a spruce young -soldier, who elbowed his way through the crowd, and, to the surprise of -everybody, laid hold of the young countryman’s collar. - -“That’s most too attenuated,” said he, with a laugh. “No white fellow -ever had so outlandish a gait. Gordon, I know you, and I have come for -you, too.” - -Corporal Mack had never yet failed to capture the deserter of whom he -had been sent in pursuit. He was noted for his grip, he had confidence -in it, and when he placed his hand on Don’s collar he thought he had -him, sure; but, as it happened, he didn’t know the boy he was trying to -arrest. - -Don wheeled as quick as thought, tore himself lose from the detaining -hand and took to his heels, darting like a flash through the crowd of -spectators who, astonished beyond measure to see the awkward clown, who -had moved so slowly and painfully over the ground, suddenly transformed -into a fleet-footed runner, parted right and left to give him room, and -cheered him lustily as he passed through their ranks. Corporal Mack -started in hot pursuit. His men, who had been stationed around the -outside of the tent, drew in upon the fugitive from all sides; while -Egan, seeing that no attention was paid to himself, crawled through -between the seats, raised the canvas and took himself safely off. - -It was an amusing as well as an exciting race that came off in that tent -that afternoon, and the shouts of laughter and yells of encouragement -that arose on all sides were almost deafening. Don, in his ill-fitting -clothes and big cowhide boots, looked clumsy enough, but he got over the -ground at an astonishing rate. Seeing that every way of escape, except -one, was closed against him, he dashed straight across the ring toward -the seats that had just been vacated. He ascended to the topmost one in -half a dozen jumps, and diving through the opening between the top of -the tent and the side, he dropped lightly to the ground and continued -his flight, the cheers and laughter of the amused spectators ringing in -his ears as he went. - -There were two long freight trains standing on the railroad track, which -was close at hand. Toward these Don bent his steps, intent on getting -out of sight as soon as possible; and without pausing to consider the -risk he ran in so doing, he crawled under one of the cars to the -opposite side of the track. Corporal Mack followed him without loss of -time; but when he arose to an upright position, after crawling under the -car, Don was not to be seen. He was dodging about among the -freight-houses; and after a twenty minutes’ run, having, as he believed, -placed a safe distance between himself and his pursuers, he sat down on -the edge of the sidewalk to take a rest. Pulling Asa’s big red -handkerchief from his pocket and mopping his dripping forehead -vigorously, he broke out into a cheery laugh, and was surprised as well -as startled to hear it echoed close by. - -“Well, my young friend, you seem to be in good humor,” said a pleasant -voice. - -Don looked up and saw before him an old gentleman leaning on his cane -and beaming at him over his gold spectacles. - -“Yes, sir,” said he, respectfully, at the same time imitating Asa’s -drawl. “I’ve been to the show.” - -“Ah! indeed. And you saw the clowns, I suppose?” - -“Yes, sir, but I didn’t care for them. I seen the tigers and the -elephants and the boy-constructors and all them things; and I seen that -there mu-el throw that there nigger——” - -Here Don went off into another paroxysm of laughter. The old gentleman -laughed too and passed on, marveling greatly at the boy’s innocence, and -wondering where in the world he came from. - -After taking time to cool off a little and to recover his breath, Don -got upon his feet and walked away. All the fun was over now so far as -the show was concerned. His disguise being known, it would be dangerous -for him to stay about the village, and the only thing he could do was to -go back to the home of Asa Peters, where he hoped to find his friend -Egan. - -“I hope he wasn’t captured,” thought Don, “for I should find it very -lonely roaming about the woods all by myself. Besides, I don’t know -where those trout-streams are that he said would afford us so much -sport. There’s one thing about it: I am out, and I shall not go back -until I get ready.” - -Don would doubtless have been very much surprised if any one had told -him that when he got ready to go back to camp he would not be allowed to -do so; but such was the case, as he found when he made the attempt. - -Just before dark Don came within sight of Asa’s home. As he was hurrying -along the road, not dreaming of danger, he heard a familiar voice -calling to him; and looking in the direction from which it came, he saw -his missing friend Egan snugly hidden away among the bushes in a -fence-corner. When he saw that he had attracted Don’s attention he broke -out into a hearty peal of laughter. - -“You’re a good one, Gordon,” said he, “and I would give something to -know how Corporal Mack feels over his failure to make a prisoner of you. -I never knew a boy to get away before when once Mack got a good grip on -his collar, and neither did I ever see No. 10 cowhide boots climb over -the ground so rapidly. You have done something worth boasting of.” - -“What are you doing there?” asked Don. - -“Waiting for you. Come over here. I struck out for this place as soon as -I could get out of the tent,” said the sergeant, as Don climbed the -fence, “hoping to secure possession of our uniforms before the corporal -could get here; but he and his men hired a wagon and a span of horses -and got ahead of me.” - -“Do you mean to say that they are guarding the house now?” exclaimed -Don. - -“Certainly I do, and you would have run right into their clutches if I -hadn’t been here to warn you. They’ll get supper and sleep there -to-night, and we must look elsewhere for grub and lodging. Asa will be -in a fearful way about his good clothes, but we can’t help that. We -can’t get our uniforms while Mack is prowling around.” - -Egan, who was well acquainted in the neighborhood, had no difficulty in -finding food and shelter for himself and his companion. Another -farm-house opened its hospitable doors to them, and there they passed -the night, setting out bright and early the next morning to try one of -the trout-streams of which Egan had spoken. Late in the afternoon they -secured an interview with Asa, who, after telling them that Corporal -Mack had been recalled that morning, growled lustily at them for keeping -his clothes so long. In order to silence him and make sure of other -disguises in future, in case they should need them, they gave him an -extra dollar, and paid his mother the same amount for drying and -pressing out their uniforms. - -During the next two days the deserters thoroughly enjoyed themselves, -living on the fat of the land, and catching as many fish as they could -dispose of. On the afternoon of the third day they began to talk of -returning to camp. They took supper with Asa that night, and as soon as -darkness came to conceal their movements they set out for the works, -hoping to creep by the sentries and reach the shelter of their tents -without arousing anybody, thus winding up their exploits in the most -approved style; but they did not get into the camp as easily as they -thought they would. While they were passing through a piece of thick -woods on their way to the bridge, they were suddenly surrounded by a -multitude of dark forms which seemed to rise out of the ground on all -sides of them, and before they could resist or cry out, they were seized -by strong hands and hurried away through the darkness. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - A NIGHT ATTACK. - - -“Squad, halt! No. 4.” - -It was Thursday afternoon, and the relief was going its rounds. When his -number was called Bert Gordon stepped forward, and holding his musket at -“arms port,” prepared to receive the orders which the sentry whom he was -about to relieve had to pass, while the two corporals stood by and -listened. - -“My instructions are to stop anybody who may attempt to go out of the -lines without a pass, and to keep a good lookout for prowlers,” said the -sentry. - -“For prowlers!” echoed Bert. “What is the meaning of that order?” - -“I give it up,” replied the sentry. “I pass the command to you just as -it was given to me. If you see anybody prowling about on the other side -of the creek, call the corporal.” - -The sentry fell into place in the rear of the squad, and the relief -passed on, leaving Bert alone on his post. - -“Prowlers,” he repeated, over and over again. “I don’t understand it. -Why should there be any more danger from prowlers now than at any other -time? O!” he added, an idea suddenly occurring to him. “Perhaps they -think that Don and Egan will try to work their way back to camp this -afternoon. Well, if they do, they’ll not get by _me_.” - -So saying, Bert settled his musket firmly on his shoulder and began -pacing his beat, casting suspicious and searching glances now and then -toward the bushes on the opposite side of the creek. - -When Bert first learned that his brother and Egan had deserted the camp -he was almost overwhelmed with surprise and mortification. He supposed -they had committed a serious offence, one that would be sure to bring -disgrace and punishment upon them, and took it so much to heart that the -boys were obliged to explain matters to him. They assured him that the -deserters had not lowered their standing or forfeited the good-will of -the teachers, and that all they had to do to make heroes of themselves -was to outrun or outwit the parties that were sent in pursuit of them, -and make their way back to camp without being caught. - -“They are heroes already,” said one of the students, with great -enthusiasm, “for didn’t they swim the creek during their flight? That’s -something that none of the fellows ever did before. I wish they might -get back all right, but the superintendent has sent Mack after them, and -he’s a bad one. He’s bound to catch them.” - -This seemed to be the opinion of all the students; and consequently when -Corporal Mack returned to camp and reported that he had found Don Gordon -at the show disguised as a country boy, and had actually had his hand on -his collar, and Don had broken away and beaten him in a fair race, -notwithstanding the fact that he was incumbered by heavy boots that were -many sizes too large for him—when the corporal reported all this, the -boys were not a little surprised. - -“It would have made you laugh to see him,” said the corporal, who had -the greatest respect for the boy who had so neatly outwitted him. “He -looked and acted so much like a born simpleton that I couldn’t make up -my mind that it was Don Gordon until he revealed his identity by walking -like a field-negro. Then I knew in a moment that he was the fellow I -wanted, and I—well, I didn’t get him, but I _would_ have got him if I -hadn’t been recalled. He had a suit of Asa Peter’s clothes on, and I had -Asa’s house guarded so that he couldn’t get his uniform.” - -Why he had been recalled so soon, and at a time too when he had the -deserters “just where he wanted them,” the corporal could not imagine; -and neither could the rest of the students understand why their liberty -had been stopped so suddenly. On the day following that on which the -seven-elephant railroad show had pitched its tent in Bridgeport all -passes had been refused, and since that time no one had been outside the -gates except the mess-cooks. They were permitted to go to the spring -three times every day, and they always went under guard too. Such a -regulation had never been established before, and the students were at a -loss to know the meaning of it. - -“It’s all Gordon’s fault and Egan’s,” said one of the boys. “They have -shown that a fellow can desert under the eye of a sentry, if he sees fit -to do so, and the superintendent is afraid that some of us will follow -their example. That’s the reason he sends a guard with the mess-cooks -when they go to the spring after water.” - -“There’s where you are mistaken,” said one of the first-class sergeants, -in reply. “We are in the enemy’s country——” - -The boys who were standing around laughed uproariously, and turning on -their heels, walked away. They had heard quite enough of such talk as -that, and wanted to know some good reason for the stopping of their -liberty. - -While Bert Gordon paced his beat on this particular afternoon, he kept -one eye directed toward the bushes on the opposite side of the creek, -and the other turned toward the camp. The huge tent that had been -erected the day before for the accommodation of visitors, was already -pretty well filled; and from his lofty perch on the embankment Bert -could see his school-fellows strolling about in company with their -parents, or with their brothers and sisters, who had come hundreds of -miles to see the students in their summer quarters. Every now and then -one of the village hacks would drive in at the south gate and deposit a -load of ladies and gentlemen before the door of the superintendent’s -marquee. Every train that steamed up to the station brought a fresh -influx of visitors, and finally the camp began to present quite a -holiday appearance. - -“Don’t I wish that my father and mother were among them!” thought Bert, -who began to feel lonely when he saw that almost every boy who was off -duty had hastened to the tent to receive some relative or friend who had -come there to see him. “If they didn’t live so far away they would -certainly be here; but, as it is——” - -Bert suddenly stopped, and shading his eyes with his hand, looked -intently at something on the other side of the creek. He was certain -that the bushes toward which he directed his gaze, were suddenly and -violently agitated, as if some heavy body were working its way through -them. A moment later something that looked like a head crowned with -feathers was thrust cautiously into view; then a dark brown face -appeared and a pair of glittering eyes looked straight at him. - -“What in the world is that?” muttered Bert, after he had winked hard and -looked again to make sure that he had not been deceived. “It can’t be a -head, and yet—it _is_ a head and nothing else. Corporal of the guard No. -4!” - -The head, or whatever it was, bobbed down out of sight in an instant, -and presently the corporal came hurrying up. - -“There’s something or other over there in the bushes,” began Bert, in -response to the non-commissioned officer’s inquiries. - -“And it looked like a head with feathers on it, I suppose,” interrupted -the corporal, with some impatience in his tones. “I don’t see what is -the matter with everybody this afternoon. You are the third one who has -called me out for nothing.” - -“But I didn’t call you out for nothing,” protested Bert. “My eyes never -went back on me yet, and I know that there is somebody over there in the -bushes.” - -“I don’t dispute that. It is probably your brother or Egan who is -watching for a chance to creep by some of you sentries.” - -“But they wouldn’t have feathers on their heads, would they?” demanded -Bert. - -“O, get out!” exclaimed the corporal. “You didn’t see any feathers. You -only dreamed it.” - -“Do you suppose that I have been asleep?” cried Bert. - -“It looks like it, for I declare I don’t see how any boy who is wide -awake—Well, well, have it your own way,” said the corporal, who noticed -that Bert’s cheek began to flush and his eye to sparkle as if he were -growing indignant. “Just keep your eye on him and see that he doesn’t -get into camp; that’s all you’ve got to do. But I say, Gordon, we are in -for a good time to-night, are we not? Did you ever see so many visitors -before?” - -“I never did,” answered Bert. “This is my first camp, you know.” - -“Well, fellows who have been here during four camps say that they never -saw such a crowd at this stage of the proceedings,” continued the -corporal. “Our friends generally put in an appearance a day or two -before we break camp, and stay with us during the examination and over -commencement; and what it was that brought them here so early in the day -this year, I can’t imagine. But we are glad to see them all the same, -and we’re going to have a smashing hop to-night. Some of the fellows -have sent to town for the music.” - -“You didn’t hear anybody inquiring for me, did you?” asked Bert, with -some hesitation. - -“I did not. In fact, I didn’t hear anybody asked for. I took time to -kiss my mother and say ‘hallo’ to my big brother, and that’s all the -visiting I can do until I go off duty. Good-by, but don’t call me out to -look at any more feathers unless you can show them to me.” - -“I saw them, I know I did,” said Bert, to himself, as the sentry walked -away. “No one can make me believe that I could be so badly fooled in -broad daylight. I wish I could have another look at them.” - -Once more Bert turned his eyes toward the opposite bank of the stream; -but the head with the crown of feathers did not again show itself, and -he finally resumed his walk, feeling very lonely and homesick. Almost -every boy in camp had company—in fact he could not see a single student -wandering about alone—but no one had been heard to ask for him. He would -have been glad to see anybody from Rochdale. Even the sight of Dan -Evans’s tan-colored face would have been most welcome. - -Bert stood his time out without seeing anything more of the feathers, -and finally the relief came around. Having stacked their muskets in the -guard-tent the sentries, some of whom had received notice of the arrival -of their friends, scattered in all directions, leaving Bert alone. He -strolled slowly along the street, lifting his cap whenever he met a -fellow-student accompanied by his mother or sister, and finally reached -the door of his own tent, which was crowded with the relatives and -friends of his mess-mates. He was about to pass on with a word of -apology, when a lady, whom he did not see until that moment, arose from -the camp-chair in which she was sitting, and a second later Bert was -clasped in the arms of his mother. General Gordon was there, too. He had -been visiting with his old friend and preceptor, the superintendent, and -was now looking over the fortifications in company with Mr. Egan, Mr. -Hopkins, and Mr. Curtis, all of whom were veteran soldiers. He came into -the tent in a few minutes, and when he had greeted Bert warmly, he asked -for Don. - -“I’m sorry to say that I don’t know where he is,” replied Bert, who then -went on to give a hurried history of Don’s exploits at the show, as -reported by Corporal Mack. Mrs. Gordon listened with a shade of anxiety -on her face, but the general laughed heartily. - -“Boys will be boys,” said he. “And so long as Don doesn’t break any of -the rules of the school, or carry his fun too far, where is the harm? -The superintendent thinks that he and Egan have played their parts as -deserters very well, and I think so, too. I should like very much to see -him, but I suppose I shall have to wait until he gets ready to come in.” - -“You will not go home until you do see him, will you?” said Bert. - -“O, no. We shall not return to Mississippi until you and Don can go with -us, and then we shall have company. Young Egan, Hopkins, and Curtis are -to spend a month at our house. I have just been talking with their -fathers about it.” - -Bert was delighted to hear that this matter had been definitely settled, -and he wished that Don had been there to hear it too. He little dreamed -that his brother and Egan, who were at that very moment laying their -plans for getting into camp, were destined to be waylaid and taken -captive by those who had every reason for holding fast to them; but such -was the fact. - -As Bert was to be off duty until midnight he had ample opportunity to -visit with his father and mother. He walked about the fortifications -with them, told them amusing and interesting stories of his life at the -academy, and ate supper with them in the big tent. When all had -satisfied their appetites with the good things that had been provided -for them, the tables were taken out, the Chinese lanterns that hung -suspended from the wires overhead were lighted, the music struck up and -the dancing began. Everybody, young and old, seemed bent on having a -good time, and the fun grew fast and furious. For an hour everything -passed off smoothly, and then there came a most unexpected and alarming -interruption—the ringing report of a musket, followed it made the cold -chills creep over every one who heard it. The music ceased, and the -dancers stood still in their places and looked at one another. There was -a moment’s hush, and then a whole chorus of blood-curdling yells, such -as no one in that company had ever heard before, rang out on the still -air. They seemed to come from all sides of the camp, and their effect -was most startling. The ladies screamed and ran to their husbands for -protection; the gentlemen stood irresolute, each one gazing inquiringly -into the face of his neighbor, and the students were thrown into a -stupor from which they were quickly aroused by the roll of the drum, and -loud cries of “Fall in! Fall in!” - -“O, my boy, you mustn’t go out there,” exclaimed Mrs. Gordon, as Bert -dashed forward to obey the order. Her face was very white, and she clung -to her husband for support. - -“Let him go,” said the general. “If he has any pluck at all, now is the -time for him to show it.” - -He did not know what the matter was—there were few in that camp who -did—but he was a soldier. When he was in the service he had yielded -prompt and willing obedience to every order given him by his superiors, -no matter how great the danger he might incur by so doing, and he wanted -his boys to do the same thing. Bert proved that he had inherited a -goodly share of his father’s courage, for, although he was badly -frightened, he lost not a moment in obeying the order to fall in. He ran -into the guard-tent and seized his musket; but, to his great surprise, -he found that the bayonet that belonged to it was gone. In fact the -bayonets were all gone, and the pieces were stacked by the ramrods. -Utterly at a loss how to account for this, Bert caught up the weapon and -ran to join his company, which was forming on the street in front of its -own tents. - -“Fall in!” commanded the boy captain. “Right dress!—Front! Order -arms!—Fix bayonets!” - -These orders were promptly obeyed—all except the last. When the young -soldiers came to feel for their bayonets, they discovered that their -scabbards were empty. Before anybody could ask the meaning of this, an -orderly hurried up with instructions for the captain to move his company -by the left flank, and take up a position in reserve, so as to protect -the big tent and its occupants. - -All this while those hideous yells had been arising on all sides, and -now they were accompanied by the discharge of fire-arms. These -discharges rapidly increased in number and frequency, until it seemed as -if the camp were surrounded by a wall of flame; and still nobody knew -what was the matter. As Bert’s company wheeled into position the first -company went by, moving at double time, and disappeared in the darkness; -and a few moments later, rapid platoon firing sounded in the direction -of the bridge. Then the students began to understand the matter. - -“It’s a sham fight,” said the boy who stood at Bert’s elbow. - -“But who are our assailants?” asked the latter, who was greatly -relieved. - -That was a question the boy could not answer, but Bert was able to -answer it for himself a few minutes later. The fight at the bridge -increased in fury, and the first company, finding its position there -untenable, was ordered to fall back so that the artillery could have a -chance to come into play. Encouraged by this retrograde movement the -enemy rushed across the bridge in overwhelming numbers, pressing the -young soldiers so closely that the retreat, which was begun in good -order, very speedily became a rout. The old German professor, highly -excited, ran up, sword in hand, and made frantic appeals to them to -stand their ground and defend the gate; but the ranks were hopelessly -broken. They came pell-mell through the tents and took refuge behind -Bert’s company, the members of which were thunderstruck. What kind of an -enemy was it anyhow, they asked themselves, that could throw the -well-drilled boys of the first class into such confusion as this? - -“Young shentlemens,” exclaimed the professor, flourishing his sword -angrily over his head, “I been ashamed of you. Such fighting is von -grand disgrace to the Pridgebort Military Academy. Captain Bumroy,” he -added, turning to the commander of Bert’s company, “go ahead and sweep -the enemy from the face of the earth. Make good piziness now.” - -Captain Pomeroy and his men went about this work as if they were in -earnest. Holding their muskets at “arms port” they advanced in good -order, and when they reached the end of their company street, they found -out who the enemy were. They were Indians—veritable Indians, hideously -painted and dressed in all sorts of odd costumes. They had gained a -footing inside the works, and were engaged in pulling down the tents -preparatory to carrying them off. Excited as Bert was, he could -nevertheless calmly recall some of the incidents of the afternoon. - -“Now I know the meaning of that order regarding prowlers,” said he to -himself. “I _did_ see somebody in the bushes with feathers on his head, -and it was one of these Indians who was reconnoitering our position.” - -Being interrupted in the work of stealing the tents, the Indians -advanced in a body, brandishing their weapons and yelling with all the -power of their lungs. They hoped, no doubt, to frighten Captain Pomeroy -and his men, create a panic among them, and, having scattered them, to -take some of them prisoners; but in this they failed. The boys were so -very much in earnest, and so fully determined to save their tents, that -they came very near changing the sham fight into a real fight. Now -Captain Pomeroy saw why it was that the teachers had taken the -precaution to remove the bayonets. If his men had been provided with -those dangerous weapons, he would have charged the Indians without an -instant’s hesitation, and there was no telling what the young soldiers -might have done in their excitement. - -“Steady!” commanded the boy captain. “Butts to the front! Strike!” - -The order was obeyed with the greatest alacrity. Raising a yell, the -boys rushed upon the Indians, and if the latter had stood their ground, -there would have been a fight, sure. But fortunately they broke and ran. -The captain followed them as far as the gate, and then drawing his men -up in platoon front, opened a hot fire of blank cartridges on the -bridge. - -“Vell done, Captain Bumroy,” said the German professor, who had kept a -sharp eye on the whole proceeding. “Vell done. Ven you been in my good -Brussia and fights like dot in a true pattle, you gets a decoration from -the Emperor. Aha! Now stay here, and don’t let them red fellows come in -some more.” - -Meanwhile the rest of the battalion had not been idle. The battery had -been in almost constant use; the first platoon of the second company had -successfully defended the south gate; and the second platoon, assisted -by the third company, had held the rest of the works, repulsing every -charge that had been made upon them. The artillery roared, small arms -popped, the threatening war-whoops of the Indians were answered by yells -of defiance from the boy soldiers—in short, there was nothing wanting to -make a real fight of it except bullets and bayonets. This state of -affairs continued for half an hour, during which the different companies -were handled just as they would have been in action, and then the firing -ceased as suddenly as it had begun. The battle was over. Just then an -orderly from headquarters stepped up and saluted Captain Pomeroy. - -“The superintendent presents his compliments and requests that you will -keep a lookout for a delegation from the Indian camp,” said he. “Should -any appear, you will receive it and send it to the big tent under -guard.” - -The young captain at once detailed a corporal’s guard to wait at the -bridge and escort the expected delegation inside the lines; and scarcely -had the squad disappeared before it came in again, accompanied by half a -dozen stately Indians, who were closely wrapped up in their blankets. -They were fine-looking fellows, in spite of their feathers and paint, -and if they had been entering a hostile camp they could not have behaved -with more dignity and seriousness. - -“What do you want?” demanded Captain Pomeroy. - -“Want to see big chief,” grunted one of the Indians, in reply. - -“Have you any weapons about you?” inquired the captain, recalling the -stratagem to which Pontiac resorted when he tried to capture Detroit. - -The Indians shook their heads, but the captain, as in duty bound, -ordered them to be searched; after which he told his first lieutenant to -take command of the squad, and to conduct the visitors to the big tent. -Then, as there was no danger to be apprehended so long as the delegation -was in camp, he placed a guard at the gate, and allowed the rest of his -men to stack arms and sit down on the grass. At the end of half an hour, -two of the Indians came back, guarded by the lieutenant and his squad, -and accompanied by the officer of the day. - -“Captain Pomeroy,” said the latter, “pass these two chiefs, and stand -ready to receive them when they return.” - -“Very good, sir,” replied the captain. “What did they do in the big -tent, Perkins?” he asked of his lieutenant, as soon as the officer of -the day had retired; “and who are they, any way?” - -“Why, they are Mount Pleasant Indians,” answered the lieutenant, who, -during his absence, had had opportunity to talk with some of the boys in -the first class who knew all about the matter. “They are principally -farmers and mechanics; but there are one or two professional men among -them—school teachers and the like.” - -“Well, I declare!” exclaimed the captain. “They haven’t forgotten how to -give the war-whoop if they are civilized, have they? Of course this -night’s work was a put-up job?” - -“Certainly it was. The superintendent wanted to do something to amuse -us, so he went out to their reservation, which is about twenty miles -from here, and easily induced the head-chief to promise to bring in -three hundred of his young men on a certain night and make an attack on -us. Then he wrote to our parents; and that’s what brought this crowd -here to-day.” - -“Ah! That explains it. But they didn’t know anything about it, for I -noticed that some of them were as frightened as we were. Didn’t you hear -the women scream? I thought the girl I was dancing with was going to -faint, she turned so white. What did they do in the big tent?” - -“O, they held a pow-wow there in the presence of all our guests, smoking -a pipe and going through all the motions of a regular Indian peace -commission. The chief made a speech (I tell you it was a good one and -astonished everybody), during which he said that his young men had taken -some prisoners whom he would be happy to surrender——” - -“Prisoners!” repeated the captain, incredulously. - -“Yes. Eight of the first-class boys are missing. You see this company -was thrown into confusion when they fell back from the bridge, and as -soon as they became separated, the Indians jumped in and dragged some of -them off.” - -“Well, they didn’t serve me that way,” said Captain Pomeroy, with an air -of triumph. “They had the impudence to try to steal my boys’ tents; but -when we turned butts to the front, didn’t they dig out in a hurry?” - -Lieutenant Perkins, who had borne his full part in that gallant charge, -said he thought they did. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - DON GORDON’S SHOOTING-BOX. - - -“Well, what did the chief say about the prisoners?” asked Captain -Pomeroy, after a moment’s pause. - -“O, he went through the usual formula,” answered Lieutenant Perkins. “He -said he would be happy to surrender his captives if the white chief -would give him and his warriors presents enough to make it an object for -him to do so. The superintendent said he wouldn’t do that, but if the -chief would give up the prisoners and come into camp to-morrow afternoon -and dance for us, he would furnish him and his warriors with all the -grub they could eat. The chief finally accepted the offer, and those two -Indians who went out a little while ago are to bring in the captives.” - -“Who comes there?” shouted the sentry at the bridge. - -“There they are now,” exclaimed the lieutenant. “Corporal, go out -there.” - -The corporal went, and presently returned accompanied by the two Indians -and ten prisoners instead of eight. Bert and his companions moved up -close to the gate to see who the prisoners were, and the former was -astonished beyond measure to find that his brother and Sergeant Egan -were marching with the squad. The boys wanted to laugh at them, but they -were on duty, and they knew that such a breach of discipline would not -be allowed. Led by Lieutenant Perkins and his squad, they were marched -to the big tent, where the ceremony of surrendering them was gone -through with; after which the Indian delegation was escorted out of the -camp, Captain Pomeroy and his men were ordered to their quarters, the -sentries were posted, the ranks broken, and all the young soldiers who -were off duty flocked into the big tent to talk over the incidents of -the fight with their guests. Bert quickly found his way to a merry group -consisting of his father, mother and brother, and Egan, Hopkins and -Curtis, with their fathers and mothers, all of whom were listening with -interest to what the deserters had to say regarding their experience -among the Indians. When they had finished their story General Gordon -said:— - -“You missed it, boys. The members of your company covered themselves -with glory and you have no share in it. The first company was so badly -demoralized by the very first charge the Indians made that they couldn’t -be rallied; while Pomeroy, with his raw recruits, as you might call -them, drove the enemy from the field and saved the tents from capture.” - -“It was really thrilling, Mr. Gordon,” said Egan’s pretty sister, to -whom Don had just been introduced, “and I never before was so badly -frightened. We were not expecting anything of the kind, you know, and I -could not imagine what the matter was.” - -“I wouldn’t have had those Indians get their hands on us for anything,” -exclaimed Egan, who seemed to take the matter very much to heart. “I -knew the fight was coming, and I wanted very much to take part in it. -Well, it serves me right for deserting when I ought to have stayed in -camp.” - -It was growing late now—so late that the dancing was not resumed. The -carriages, which had been ordered for eleven o’clock, began to arrive -and the guests to take their departure for Bridgeport, whose two hotels -and numerous boarding-houses were taxed to the utmost to find room for -them. - -The next morning passes were granted by wholesale, and every boy who was -able to secure one started at once for the Indian camp, which was -located in a deep ravine about a mile away. The young braves drove a -thriving trade in bows and arrows, and earned a snug sum of pocket money -by shooting dimes and quarters out of split sticks; while the squaws -sold moccasins, beaded purses and miniature birch-bark canoes by the -bushel. At one o’clock the big tent was again crowded with guests, and -an hour later the Indian warriors, who were all armed and freshly -painted, filed silently into the works. The entertainment that followed, -and which was much better than some the boys had paid twenty-five cents -to witness, included the corn-dance, hunting-dance, war-dance and a -scalping scene. By the time it was ended dinner had been served in the -big tent. After the dancers had done full justice to it, and had -exchanged courtesies with their late antagonists by giving an -ear-splitting war-whoop in return for their three cheers and a tiger, -they filed out of the works as silently as they had come into them, and -the students once more settled down to business. - -There were no more desertions after that. Some of their friends came to -see them every day, and as there were many veterans among them who -watched their movements with a critical eye, of course the boys were -careful to perform all their duties in a prompt and soldier-like manner. -In due time the camp was broken and the students marched back to the -academy, which during their absence had been thoroughly renovated. The -examination was held, the members of the first class received their -degrees and new officers were appointed for the coming year. Among the -latter were Bert Gordon and Sam Arkwright—the former being made first -sergeant of the fourth company, which was yet to be organized, and the -other receiving a warrant as second corporal. Don Gordon stood head and -shoulders above everybody in his class, and the only thing that -prevented him from being commissioned lieutenant of the new company was -his record as a soldier, which, as we know, was by no means perfect. - -Contrary to Dick Henderson’s prediction, the school had not been -disgraced by the presence of the New York boot-black. Its popularity -seemed to be increasing, for the number of those who applied for -admission was greater than it had ever been before; and when the -examination was over, Bert found that he had a hundred and ten names on -his company roster. Dick would not have made such a prediction now, for -he was different in every way from the boy we introduced to the reader -at the beginning of this story. Having got out from under Clarence -Duncan’s baneful influence, and having Don Gordon’s example and Tom -Fisher’s to encourage him, he was in a fair way to make a man of -himself. - -At length the exercises were all ended, and one bright morning Hopkins, -Egan and Curtis took leave of their friends, and in company with Don and -Bert Gordon and their parents, set out for Rochdale. They went fully -prepared to enjoy themselves. As soon as it was settled that they were -to go home with the Gordons, they had written for their hunting rigs, -which were duly forwarded to them. Walter Curtis’s favorite, in fact his -only, weapon, was a light Stevens rifle, with which he had broken -twenty-three out of twenty-five feather-filled glass balls thrown from a -revolving trap. Hopkins took pride in a short double-barrel shotgun, of -large calibre, that he had often used on horseback while following deer -and foxes to the music of the hounds; while Egan, who lived on the -Eastern Shore of Maryland, where canvas-backs and red-heads abound, put -all his faith in a ponderous ten-gauge Parker, which was so heavy that -Don Gordon, strong and enduring as he was, declared that he wouldn’t -carry it all day through the woods if his friend Egan would make him a -present of it. - -“Neither would I,” chimed in Hopkins. - -“You!” exclaimed Egan, standing off and looking at the speaker’s rotund -figure. “You’d look nice starting out for an all-day tramp, you would. -Your legs are too short, and you carry too much weight around with you. -You would get out of breath before you had gone half a mile. But as I am -not going to Mississippi after squirrels, I don’t intend to tramp about -the woods. Gordon promised me some duck-shooting.” - -“As for myself,” Curtis remarked, “I always did despise a scatter-gun. A -blind man ought to be able to hit a duck by sending a pound or two of -shot at him——” - -“Well, it’s not so easy, either,” interrupted Egan. “A duck, when flying -down wind, moves at the rate of ninety miles an hour, old fellow, and it -takes the best kind of a marksman to make a good bag.” - -“A true sportsman never prides himself upon the number of birds he -kills, but upon the superiority of his shots,” said Curtis. “When you -can strike a rapidly moving object with a single ball from a rifle, then -you can boast of your skill.” - -During the journey down the Mississippi the boys were on deck almost all -the time, listening to Don, who pointed out the various places of -interest along the route, adding some entertaining scraps of the history -of each. Over there, on the right bank, he said, was the battle-field of -Belmont; and on the opposite shore was Columbus, from which came the -Confederate reinforcements that had turned the Union victory into -defeat. This was Island No. 10, where the gunboat Cincinnati -distinguished herself by running the batteries, and a young master’s -mate, afterward the brave commander of the Champion, won his -shoulder-straps by going ashore with a boat’s crew, spiking some of the -guns, and bringing off the wipers and spongers that belonged to them. -Over there on the bluff was Fort Pillow, where that terrible massacre -took place under Forrest; and this was Memphis, the scene of the fight -between the Union and Confederate fleets, which resulted in the utter -defeat of the latter, and in the capture of the Bragg, Price, and Little -Rebel. This was Yazoo river. It was here that the Confederate ram -Arkansas, after eluding the Cincinnati and whipping the Tyler, ran the -fire of the whole Union fleet and took refuge under the guns of -Vicksburg. Having been repaired she started down the river to raise the -siege of Port Hudson, but was met and destroyed by a single Union -gunboat, the Essex, under command of Captain Porter. And here was -Rochdale at last. It had a history too, Don said, and he promised that -he would relate it when they reached the shooting-box. - -Egan and Hopkins were Southern boys, and consequently life on a -plantation was not new to them; but Curtis, who was from New England, -found much to interest him, and showed himself to be a true Yankee by -asking a thousand and one questions about everything he saw. Hopkins’s -first exploit was riding a kicking mule that Fred and Joe Packard -brought out for him to try his skill upon. To the surprise of everybody -Hopkins mounted in regular Texas style, placing his left hand on the -mule’s shoulder and throwing his right leg over his back. The moment he -was firmly settled, his appearance changed as if by magic. His seat was -easy and graceful, and he kept his place on that mule’s back with as -little trouble as he would have kept his place in a rocking chair. The -animal could not move him an inch with all his kicking and plunging. The -performance effectually silenced Egan, who was himself a fine horseman, -and he never had anything to say about Hopkins’s riding after that. - -The ducks, geese, swans, and brant were already beginning to come into -the lake, and on the morning of the third day following their arrival at -the plantation, the young hunters, Fred and Joe Packard being included -among the number, made ready to take up their abode at the shooting-box. -The canoe and sail-boat, both of which had been securely housed during -the absence of their owners, were put into the water and loaded to their -utmost capacity with bedding, provisions, and camp furniture. There was -just room enough left in the canoe to accommodate old Cuff, the negro -who was to act as cook and camp-keeper during their sojourn at the -shooting-box; and when all the boys and Don’s two pointers had crowded -into the sail-boat, the little craft seemed on the point of sinking. As -an Irishman would have remarked, if the water in the lake had been two -inches higher, she would have gone to the bottom beyond a doubt. - -“We’ve got about three hundred pounds too much cargo aboard,” said -Curtis, in his quiet way. “Hop, suppose you get out and go afoot; -there’s a good fellow.” - -“Make Egan throw his artillery overboard and we shall get on well -enough,” retorted Hopkins. “That’s what makes the boat sink so deep in -the water.” - -With much fun and chaffing the boys pulled toward the point on which the -shooting-box was located, and by handling their heavily loaded craft in -the most careful manner, they succeeded in beaching her in safety. As -her bow touched the shore, old Cuff, who landed at the same moment, -uttered an exclamation indicative of the greatest astonishment. Don -looked up and saw that the shooting-box was already occupied. A smoke -was curling out of the stove-pipe that served for a chimney, and a -rough-looking man, dressed in a tattered suit of brown jeans, stood in -front of the open door, leaning on his axe. From the cabin there came -the sound of voices mingled with another sound that made old Cuff almost -ready to boil over with indignation. - -“’Fore Moses, Mr. Don,” he exclaimed. “Somebody in dar crackin’ all de -nuts dat I done pick up for you an’ your frien’s.” - -“We’ll soon put a stop to that,” answered Don. “Those people, whoever -they are, have no business in there, and they must get out at once.” - -“Did you ever hear of such impudence?” exclaimed Bert, angrily. “Where -did they come from, anyhow? They don’t belong in this part of the -country.” - -The man with the axe seemed as much surprised to see Don and his party -as the latter were to see him. He too uttered an exclamation which -brought to the door the other occupants of the cabin, seven of them in -all, including two more men and three women; and very disreputable -looking persons the most of them were. The other two, one of whom seemed -to be entirely out of place there, did not show themselves at the door -as openly as their companions did, and consequently Don and Bert did not -see them. They thrust their heads out very cautiously, and as soon as -they saw who the new-comers were, they drew back and made all haste to -effect their escape through the window on the other side of the cabin. -By keeping the building between themselves and the beach they managed to -reach the cover of the woods without being observed, Don and Bert would -have been very much surprised if they had seen them, for they were our -old acquaintances Lester Brigham and Dan Evans. They were now almost -constant companions; and how they came to be so shall be told further -on. - -[Illustration: SQUATTER SOVEREIGNTY.] - -“What do you want here?” demanded the man with the axe, as Don walked up -the bank followed by his companions. - -“I think that is a proper question for me to ask you,” replied Don, who -did not at all like the surly tone in which he had been addressed. “This -house belongs to my brother and myself, and we would thank you to vacate -it without the loss of a moment.” - -“Wal, I reckon we shall do as we please about that,” drawled one of the -men who stood in the door. - -“Well, I reckon you won’t. You’ll do as I please about it. I want -possession here, and I want it now. I see you broke the lock in order to -gain admittance, and you had no business to do that.” - -“Do you live here?” asked the man with the axe. - -“I’m going to live here.” - -“Wal, thar’s two rooms in the shantee, an’ why can’t you-uns take one of -’em an’ let we-uns——” - -“We don’t want company,” exclaimed Don, who was fairly staggered by the -proposition. “We want you to clear out bag and baggage, and to be quick -about it, too. My father is a magistrate, and this shooting-box is on -his land.” - -The word “magistrate” had a magical effect upon the members of the dirty -group in the door-way. It put life into them, and at the same time set -the women’s tongues in motion. They began packing up their scanty -belongings, declaring, with much vociferation, that it was a sin and a -shame that they should be turned out of such snug quarters just to -accommodate the whims of a party of young aristocrats who wanted to come -there and shoot a few ducks. Why couldn’t they go elsewhere for their -ducks and leave honest people alone? That was always the way with rich -folks. They didn’t care how others suffered so long as they had their -own pleasure. But it was a great comfort to know that it wouldn’t always -be so. There was a time coming, and it wasn’t so very far distant -either, when rich folks would be required to give up some of their -ill-gotten gains. - -“That sounds like communism, doesn’t it?” said Curtis. - -“Yes; and _that_ sounds very much like incendiarism,” answered Hopkins; -and so it did, for just then one of the men in the cabin was heard to -say:— - -“Never mind, Luke. The old shantee is dry an’ fire’ll burn it.” - -“Let them burn it if they dare,” said Bert, his slight form swelling -with indignation. “I wouldn’t give a picayune for the life of the person -who attempts it. Cuff,” he added, turning to the negro, “as soon as we -get things straightened up here, I want you to go back to the plantation -after Don’s hounds. It looks now as though we should need them.” - -The tramps, if such they were, seemed to be in no hurry to leave the -shooting-box. They bundled up their goods with great deliberation, -abusing the boys roundly all the while, and finally came out and turned -their faces toward the river. As soon as they were out of sight Don and -Bert began an investigation of the premises. The cabin looked as though -it had been occupied for a long time. The wood which they had provided -for their own use was all gone, the stove had been copiously bedewed -with tobacco juice, the floor was littered with nut-shells, and -everything was dingy and smoky. - -“We can’t live in any such looking hole as this,” said Don, in deep -disgust. “Cuff, build up a good fire, put on the kettle and scrub out. -Let’s have things neat and clean, as they used to be. Bert, suppose you -take somebody with you and watch those people and see where they go” - -Bert at once started off with Hopkins for a companion, and while they -were gone the others employed themselves in setting things to rights. -The bones, squirrel skins and turkey feathers that were scattered about -in front of the door were raked into a pile and set on fire; a fresh -supply of stove-wood was cut; and the boats were unloaded and their -cargoes piled up outside of the cabin in readiness to be transferred to -the interior as soon as the purifying process had been completed. By the -time this work was done Bert and Hopkins came back. - -“They’re n. g. on the books—no good,” said the former. “They have a -little house-boat in the river——” - -“That’s all we want to know,” interrupted Don. “They are thieves and -vagabonds of the first water.” - -“What makes you say that?” asked Curtis. - -“What’s a house-boat?” inquired Egan. - -“I will answer the last question first,” said Don. “A house-boat is -simply a scow twenty-five or thirty feet long and six or eight feet wide -with a cabin amidships. This cabin takes up the whole of the boat with -the exception of two or three feet at each end, where the crew stand -when they are handling the lines and the steering oar. These boats are -generally the property of fishermen and hunters, who float about looking -for a suitable place to ply their occupation. For example, there is a -house-boat in the bayou above Mound City—that’s in Illinois, you -know—which has been there four or five years, its solitary occupant -making a good living by trapping minks and raccoons in the winter, and -catching buffalo and catfish the rest of the year.” - -“Buffalo!” repeated Egan. - -“Yes. I didn’t say bison.” - -“What’s the difference?” asked Hopkins, who, although he was a splendid -fox-hunter, was not very well posted in natural history. - -“There’s a good deal of difference, the first thing you know. A buffalo -is a fish, somewhat resembling a black-bass in shape, but possessing -none of his game qualities, while a bison is an animal.” - -“But there are such animals as buffaloes,” said Egan. - -“Yes, in Africa and Asia, but not in this country. There are no -partridges, pheasants, or wild rabbits here, either. As I was going on -to say, this man will probably stay at Mound City until the fish and -game begin to grow scarce, and then he will paddle his boat out into the -current and float down the river until he finds another place that suits -him. If he gets hard up for grub, he will not hesitate to visit -anybody’s corn-field, potato-patch, or hen-roost.” - -“No honest, industrious man ever lives in that way,” said Bert. “The -planters along the river are suspicious of these house-boats, and when -they find one tied up on their premises, they always order it off.” - -“If these people had a shelter of their own, why did they take -possession of your shooting-box?” asked Egan. - -“O, for the sake of variety, probably,” answered Don. “Perhaps their -house was too small for them; or it may be that the roof leaked, or that -the scow was full of water. They always like to live ashore when they -have the chance.” - -There was much to be done about the shooting-box, and the boys were kept -busy all the forenoon. Old Cuff grumbled lustily while he scrubbed, -declaring over and over again that Don ought to set fire to the cabin -and destroy it, for it never could be made fit for white folks to live -in again. After eating a substantial lunch, which was served under the -trees, Egan, Hopkins, and Curtis took their guns, and, accompanied by -Bert and Fred Packard, strolled along the shore of the lake to see if -they could find anything for supper, while Don and Joe remained behind -to assist Cuff at his work. When Egan and Curtis returned at dark, they -declared that they were more than satisfied with their prospects for -sport. The lower end of the lake was full of ducks, they said, and Egan -had astonished his companions by bringing fourteen of them down with a -single discharge of his heavy double-barrel, while Curtis had showed his -skill with the rifle by shooting four ducks on the wing, and killing a -swan at the distance of more than two hundred yards. They were tired as -well as hungry, and glad to see the inside of the shooting-box, which -did not look now as it did when they first came there in the morning. A -cheerful fire was burning in the stove, which had been blacked and -polished until one could almost see his face in it; the room was -brilliantly lighted by two lamps that were suspended from the ceiling; -the floor was covered with rugs; pictures of hunting and fishing scenes -adorned the walls, and camp chairs and stools were scattered about. - -In the next apartment, which was used principally as a sleeping and -sitting-room, the same scene of neatness and order was presented. The -wide fire-place, which occupied nearly the whole of one end of it, was -piled high with blazing logs, and comfortable beds were made up in the -bunks. There were pictures on the walls of this room also, rugs on the -floor (some of these rugs at once attracted the attention of Egan and -his friends, for they were made of the skins of bears and deer that had -fallen to Don’s rifle), and there were camp-chairs enough to accommodate -all the boys that could crowd about the fire-place. The room looked -cosey and comfortable, and the visitors no longer wondered why it was -that Don thought so much of his shooting-box. - -“I am going to have one of my own,” said Curtis, “and it shall be -modeled after this one. I shall build it this fall, so as to have it in -readiness to receive you fellows when you go home with me next vacation. -Now, then, where are those quails that Hop brought in? Can your darkey -serve them up on toast in good shape?” - -“Of course he can,” answered Don. “No one can do it better; but Hop -hasn’t brought in any quails yet. Where did you leave him? I wondered -why he didn’t come home with you.” - -“Hasn’t he returned?” exclaimed Egan. “Then he’s lost. We haven’t seen -him since two o’clock, when he coaxed your pointers away from us—we owe -him a grudge for that, for we wanted the dogs to stay by us and retrieve -the ducks we shot—and went over into a field after a flock of quails he -had marked down there. We heard him shoot several times after that, and -as he is a good marksman, we made up our minds that we were to have -quails for supper. There he is now,” added Egan, as an impatient yelp -sounded at the door. - -“I am afraid you are mistaken,” replied Don, and the sequel proved that -he was; for just then the door was thrown open, and Don’s hounds, which -Cuff, in obedience to Bert’s orders, had brought up to guard the -shooting-box, came bounding in. There were six of them, and the one -which held the foremost place in Don’s estimation was Carlo, the dog -that had been the first to respond to his whistle when he was tied up in -Godfrey Evans’s potato-hole. He was an immense brute, as well as a -savage one, and when he raised himself on his hind feet and placed his -paws on Don’s shoulders, his head was higher than his master’s. - -“We will keep them in here with us until Hop comes; for as they are not -very well acquainted with him, they might object to his coming to the -house,” said Bert. “Now, Cuff, dish up a couple of those ducks in your -very best style. Be in a hurry, for we are hungry.” - -Curtis and Egan, having exchanged their high-top boots for easy-fitting -shoes, and their heavy shooting-coats for others of lighter material, -set to work to clean their guns, while the rest of the boys drew their -chairs up in front of the fire, and asked one another what it was that -was detaining Hopkins. He couldn’t get lost; they were sure of that, for -all he had to do when he wanted to come home, was to follow the shore of -the lake, and he would find the shooting-box without the least trouble. - -“Do you suppose he would be in any danger from those vagabond friends of -ours, if he should chance to stumble upon them in the woods?” said -Curtis, as he pointed his breech-loader toward the lamp and looked -through the barrel to make sure that it was perfectly clean. “I must -confess that I didn’t quite like the looks of them.” - -“I never thought of them,” said Don, jumping up and taking his -double-barrel down from the antlers on which it rested. “I believe he -would be in danger if he should meet one of those fellows in the woods, -for he wears a splendid gold watch and chain, and I noticed that the man -who was chopping wood when we came here this morning, looked at the -chain very frequently. I think it would be a good plan to signal to -him.” - -“Better let me do it,” said Egan. “He can hear my gun farther than he -can yours.” - -Accompanied by all the boys Egan went out on the shore of the lake and -fired both barrels of his heavy piece in quick succession; but there was -no response. Again and again the duck-gun roared, awaking a thousand -echoes along the shore, but still the missing boy did not reply. When -Egan had fired away all the cartridges he had brought out with him, the -boys went back into the cabin and sat down and looked at one another. -They began to fear that their friend’s ill-luck had followed him from -Bridgeport to Rochdale, and that he had got himself into some kind of a -scrape. - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - LESTER BRIGHAM MAKES NEW FRIENDS. - - -We said in the second chapter that after Bob Owens ran away from home to -become a hunter, and Godfrey Evans and his son Dan went to work to earn -an honest living, and David Evans became _mail carrier_, and Lester -Brigham withdrew himself from the society of the boys in the -neighborhood, the inhabitants of Rochdale and the surrounding country -settled back into their old ways, and waited for something to happen -that would create an excitement. Unfortunately they were not obliged to -wait long. - -After one has spent years of his life in idleness, he finds it an -exceedingly difficult task to turn over a new leaf and make a radical -and permanent change in his whole course of conduct, and Godfrey and Dan -were no exceptions to this rule. So long as they worked for General -Gordon, who took pains to keep a close watch over them, and to encourage -them by every means in his power, there was no fault to be found with -them. They labored early and late; Godfrey, as we know, saving enough -from his hard earnings to refund the money of which he had robbed -Clarence Gordon on the highway, the old cabin in which they lived was -repaired and refurnished, and everything seemed to be well with them; -but when they had cut all the wood the general could use that year, and -the latter went away on business leaving them to take care of -themselves, the trouble began. They made a few feeble attempts to find -more work, and in their efforts to do so they came in contact with the -professional loafers about the landing, whose influence over them was -anything but beneficial. The majority of them spent their time in -watching the steamboats, taking part in shooting-matches and making a -pretense of hunting and trapping for a livelihood; while those who had -work, and were able to pay for having it done, did not want Godfrey and -Dan to do it. Mr. Owens, Bob’s father, was mainly responsible for this -state of affairs. He had not yet got over being angry at General Gordon -for putting in a bid for the mail-route when he wanted it himself, and -he never allowed an opportunity to abuse him to pass unimproved. - -“Gordon seems to have taken Godfrey and his family under his protecting -wing, and now he can provide for them and welcome,” Mr. Owens often -said. “I want some wood cut the worst way, but I’ll see Godfrey and Dan -in Jerusalem before they shall have the job. If it hadn’t been for -Gordon I might have had my boy at home with me now.” - -“Yes, and my boy would not have been obliged to make a hermit of -himself,” Mr. Brigham would always remark when he heard Mr. Owens -talking in this way. These two men had been rather distant toward each -other after Mr. Brigham’s refusal to go on Bob’s bond, but they were -firm friends now. They both hated General Gordon, and for nearly the -same reason. Mr. Brigham had come to Rochdale with the idea that his -money would at once make him the head man of the county; but in this he -was most sadly disappointed. He found that the general was worth just as -much, if not more than he was; that he was everybody’s friend and -adviser, a member of the legislature and a candidate for governor, and -that it would be of no use for anybody to try to usurp his place. That -was the reason he didn’t want the general to have the contract for -carrying the mail; and when he learned that the latter had influence -enough to secure it without any of his help, he was greatly enraged, and -felt quite as bitter toward his rich neighbor as Bob’s father did. - -“Never mind,” said Mr. Owens. “It is a long lane that has no turning, -and we shall some day be able to get square with Gordon for that piece -of business. Mark my words: David Evans will sooner or later prove -himself to be utterly unworthy the confidence that is placed in him. It -can’t be otherwise, for he is——” - -Mr. Owens was about to add that David was the son of a thief as well as -the brother of one; but he didn’t say it, for he recollected in time -that his own son was not above reproach—that he had left Rochdale having -in his possession more than a hundred and sixty dollars that did not -belong to him. - -“Where have you fellows kept yourselves so long?” asked one of the -loafers, when Godfrey and Dan once more made their appearance at the -landing, carrying their rifles on their shoulders as in the days gone -by. “Been spendin’ some of Dave’s money in a tower to Europe? O, been -cuttin’ wood for Gordon, eh? Well, that’s what I call nigger’s work, and -_I_ wouldn’t do it for no ’ristocrat. It’s right smart easier to hunt -and trap. There’s going to be a power of deer and turkey this fall, and -Silas Jones has agreed to pay cash for all I can bring him. He’d be -willing to make the same bargain with you, I know, for he wants all he -can get to ship to some commission merchant in St. Louis. He gives eight -cents a pound for the deer, and sixty cents apiece for the turkeys.” - -“I’ll just tell ye what’s the gospel truth, Dannie,” said Godfrey, after -some of his old friends had talked to him in this way a few times. “I’ve -got just as much right to hire somebody to chop my wood as Gordon has, -an’ I ain’t goin’ to cut no more fur him nor no other ’ristocrat. I’m -goin’ huntin’.” - -“So be I,” said Dan, who was delighted at the prospect of going back to -his old way of living. - -“So ye shall, Dannie. We’ve done niggers’ work long enough, an’ now -we’ll be gentlemen agin, like we used to be. Thar ain’t no call fur you -an’ me to work so hard every day, when everybody else takes it so easy -down thar at the landin’; an’ we won’t do it, neither. Here’s Dave -makin’ a power of money, and as he ain’t of age yet, every cent he ’arns -ought to go into my own pocket. It shall go thar too, or I’ll make a -bigger furse here in the settlement nor I did afore. Gordon needn’t go -to pokin’ his nose into the matter, either, for he won’t scare me as -easy as he did the last time.” - -“How much would a deer be worth at eight cents a pound, pap?” inquired -Dan. - -“Wal, that depends. If he weighed a hundred an’ twenty pounds, he’d -bring as much as five or six dollars, I reckon; an’ if he weighed two -hundred an’ fifty pounds, like the one I killed three winters ago, he’d -be worth fifteen, an’ mebbe twenty-five dollars,” answered Godfrey, who -was no quicker at figures than he used to be. - -“That’s a heap more nor I could make chopping wood,” said Dan. - -“Course it is. A smart hunter like yourself oughter be able to get a -deer every day, to say nothin’ of the turkeys ye might trap an’ shoot. -’Sides ye’d be doin’ a gentleman’s work an’ not a nigger’s.” - -This conversation took place between Dan and his father one bright -summer’s day when they were returning home from the landing, whither -they had gone under pretense of looking for work. Mrs. Evans knew there -was something wrong the moment they appeared at the door, and she was -not long in finding out what it was. Godfrey and Dan had worked -faithfully during the whole of the winter and spring, and Mrs. Evans, -although she did not see a cent of the money they earned, David being -expected to look out for her comfort, began to believe that their -reformation was complete, and that it would prove to be lasting; but now -she learned, to her great sorrow, that she had been too hasty in coming -to these conclusions. When she saw that the axes were thrown aside, and -that the rifles, which had so long been idle, were daily taken down from -their hooks, she knew that bad times were coming again. And they came -apace, too. Godfrey and Dan seemed to have lost all their skill as -hunters, for the game they brought to the landing did not amount to -much. It is true that they made some money, but it all slipped through -their fingers without doing them any good, and by the time cold weather -came they were as ragged and lazy as they had ever been, and just as -ready to engage in any scheme that would bring them money without work. - -Meanwhile Lester Brigham mustered up courage enough to come out of his -retirement, and was somewhat surprised as well as vexed to learn that he -might have done so long ago if he had felt so disposed, and that his -voluntary banishment was entirely needless. Nobody paid much attention -to him. Fred and Joe Packard, and all the other decent boys who lived in -the neighborhood, greeted him pleasantly whenever they passed him on the -road, and no one except the loafers at the landing had anything to say -to him concerning his past conduct. These gentlemen of leisure could not -resist the temptation to question him regarding that terrible bear-fight -on Bruin’s Island, in which he and the absent Bob had won so much -renown, and now and then they reminded him that he had assisted in -burning Don Gordon’s shooting-box; but they did it all so good-naturedly -that Lester could not get angry at them. - -“Don’s got another shantee over there on the point, and I shouldn’t be -sorry to see that go up in smoke like the old one did,” a man of the -Godfrey Evans stamp said to Lester one day. “’Tain’t no use to him and -Bert, and by building it there they have taken the bread out of the -mouths of a good many folks who live about here. As soon as school is -out they’ll come home, get a party of their friends together, and kick -up such a rumpus there on the lake that all the birds will be driven out -of the country; and when a poor man gets out of bacon he can’t have a -duck or goose for dinner, for there won’t be any for him to shoot.” - -Every time Lester Brigham rode away from the landing—he very soon fell -into the habit of going there as regularly as Godfrey and Dan did—he -carried with him the impression that the Gordons were not held in very -high esteem, and that he and Bob Owens had the sympathy of all the best -people in the settlement. Encouraged by this belief, he began making -efforts to work his way into the good graces of the Packard boys, but he -failed utterly. Fred and Joe were warm friends of the Gordons, and they -met his advances in so freezing a manner that Lester was highly enraged, -and straightway set his wits at work to conjure up some plan for getting -even with them. He wished for Bob Owens more than he had ever wished for -him before (if Bob had been there he would not have joined him in any -plan for mischief or revenge, for he was not that kind of a boy now); -but as the only friend he had ever had since he had been in the -settlement was many miles away, and Lester could no longer bear to live -alone, he was forced to look for another associate—one who had plenty of -time at his disposal, and who would accompany him on all his hunting and -fishing excursions. He found him at last in the person of Dan Evans, who -lost no time in turning their intimacy to account. - -Lester, as we know, was provided with all the implements that any -sportsman could possibly find use for, but he was a very poor shot, and -he knew nothing whatever about hunting. He had, however, a larger amount -of pocket money than he could spend in Rochdale, and whenever Dan Evans -made a good bag, Lester would select from it such birds or animals as he -fancied, pay the cash for them, and carry them home to show as trophies -of his own skill. Of course Dan was not just such a companion as he -would like to have had, but he was better than no friend at all, and in -his presence Lester could brag to his heart’s content. No matter how -unreasonable the story he told, Dan never disputed it or even looked -incredulous. He was much too cunning for that. - -“If I had the money that your brother brought my father last night, I -wouldn’t be here to-morrow at this time,” Lester said to Dan one day. He -had of late grown very tired of life in Mississippi, and was almost -constantly urging his father to let him go somewhere, he didn’t much -care where, so long as he could find ample opportunity for recreation, -and would not be required to work or study. Mr. Brigham had threatened -to send him away to school if he did not leave off bothering him, and -Lester was so very much afraid he would carry his threat into execution, -that he began to think seriously of leaving home as his friend, Bob -Owens, had done. The only thing that stood in his way was the want of -money. “When the mail was distributed last night my father got a letter -with five thousand dollars in it,” continued Lester. “He gets that much -on the fifteenth day of every month from his agent who is selling off -our property in the North.” - -Dan opened his eyes in great surprise. Five thousand dollars was not so -large an amount as he and his father had hoped to make by digging up the -barrel of gold and silver that was supposed to be buried in General -Gordon’s potato-patch, but still it was a lot of money—a much greater -sum than Dan ever expected to earn by honest labor. - -“I don’t want you to say anything about it,” continued Lester, “for it -is my opinion that there are a good many men about here who would not be -any too good to waylay Dave and rob him if they knew that he was -entrusted with the care of so much money.” - -Dan protested that he wouldn’t think of such a thing; but still the -information he had received seemed to make an impression upon him, for -he became very silent and thoughtful after that, and Lester could hardly -get a word out of him. He seemed to have suddenly lost all interest in -hunting, for he missed several fair shots, and finally declaring that he -did not feel in the humor for sport, he abruptly abandoned his -companion, leaving him to continue the hunt alone or to go home, just as -he pleased. An idea had suggested itself to Dan, and he wanted to get -off by himself so that he could turn it over in his mind and see what he -could make of it. - -“Five thousand dollars,” said Dan to himself, as he hurried through the -woods. “That’s a right smart chance of money, the first thing you know. -And to think that our leetle Dave should have the handlin’ of it! Dave -makes stacks of greenbacks by ridin’ around the country doin’ nothin’, -he wears good clothes all the time, and here’s me—Dog-gone my buttons, -I’ve got just as good a right to have five thousand dollars as Mr. -Brigham has. I wish I was mail-carrier. I wouldn’t ask to go more’n one -trip, an’ after that nobody in this country wouldn’t ever set eyes onto -me again.” - -Dan seemed to know where he was going and what he intended to do when he -got there, for he kept straight ahead without once slackening his pace, -paying no heed to the squirrels which barked at him as he hurried along, -and making his way around the foot of Diamond lake, he finally reached -the levee that ran along the bank of the river. Here he found a -dilapidated house-boat which had been tied up to the bank for a month or -more—long enough, at any rate, for Dan to become very well acquainted -with the men who owned it. He had met them while hunting in the woods, -had showed them the best places to set their traps for minks and ’coons, -had taken part with them in shooting-matches at the landing, and had -given them information which rendered it comparatively easy for them to -forage upon the hen-roosts and smoke-houses of the planters who lived in -the neighborhood. They had drawn a good many secrets from the boy—one -especially that they intended to use for their own benefit as soon as -the opportunity was presented. - -Dan walked up the plank that ran from the shore to the bow of the -house-boat, and entered the cabin without ceremony. It was as dismal a -hole as he had ever looked into, and Dan, accustomed as he was to gloomy -surroundings, wondered how anybody could live there. It contained but -one apartment, and that was used as a kitchen, sitting-room, dining-room -and bed-room. The men were lounging in their bunks, while their wives -were gathered about the rusty stove puffing vigorously at their -well-blackened cob-pipes. When the boat careened under Dan’s weight, one -of the men sprang from his bunk and made an effort to conceal a couple -of chickens he had just been picking; but as soon as he saw who the -visitor was, he laid them down again, for he knew he had nothing to -fear. - -“Mornin’. I reckon I skeered ye jest a trifle, didn’t I? How wet ye be -in here,” said Dan, glancing at the little pools of water that filled -every depression in the rough, uneven floor. - -“Come in an’ take a cheer, Dannie,” said the man who had tried to hide -the chickens, while the other two sat up in their bunks and nodded to -him. “It is damp, that’s a fact; but, you see, it rained powerful -yesterday, the roof aint by no means as tight as it might be, an’ the -ole scow leaks water awful. We can’t hardly keep her pumped out.” - -“Then what makes ye stay here?” asked Dan. “I know a nice, tight leetle -house over thar on the shore of the lake, with two big rooms into it, -an’ thar aint nobody lives thar.” - -“We’ve seen it; but it’s locked up.” - -“What’s the odds? Take something an’ pull one of the steeples out, an’ -ye kin get in as easy as fallin’ off a log.” - -“We don’t want to get into no trouble. Who owns it?” - -“Don Gordon; but he’s off somewhere goin’ to school, an’ thar’s no -tellin’ when he will be to hum.” - -“Does he live thar when he’s to home?” - -“No. He jest stays there a leetle while an’ shoots ducks an’ geese. -That’s what he built it fur.” - -“Rich folks always has nice things,” said one of the men who had not -spoken before, “but we poor folks has to take what we can get. We’re -just as good as Gen’ral Gordon too, every day in the week.” - -“So be I,” said Dan, “an’ I wouldn’t stand back if I wanted to go thar. -Thar aint no sense in Don’s livin’ in that shantee when his father’s got -a big house with carpets an’ a pianner into it, an’ chiny an’ silver to -set the table with.” - -“No, thar ain’t,” said the man who had done the most of the talking and -who answered to the name of Barlow. “We’ll move our duds over thar, if -we can get in, an’ stay thar until we can fix our boat up a little. If -everything works right, we’ll have a better one before long.” - -He got upon his feet as he spoke and drew from under his bunk a short -bar of iron, which had more than once come into play when Barlow wanted -to force an entrance into somebody’s smoke-house. Carrying this in his -hand, he went ashore with Dan, who led the way through the woods toward -Don Gordon’s shooting-box. It was the work of scarcely a moment to pull -out one of the staples, and when that had been done, the door swung -open, and Dan and his companion went in to take a survey of the -interior. It was dry and comfortable, as clean as it could possibly be, -and Barlow at once decided that he would live there as long as he -remained in that neighborhood. - -“It’s nice to be rich,” said he, seating himself in one of the empty -bunks, after touching a match to the pile of light wood which the lawful -owner of the shooting-box had left in the fire-place. “It’s nice to have -horses an’ hounds an’ niggers to work for you, while you have nothing to -do but ride around the country an’ enjoy yourself. That’s the way I’d -live if I had the chance to make money that your brother’s got.” - -“Yes, Dave makes right smart,” said Dan, with some pride in his tones, -“an’ he don’t do no work, nuther. But he’s scandalous mean with what he -’arns. He gives it all to mam, an’ me an’ pap never have none of it. -He’s gettin’ mighty tired of Dave’s way of doin’, pap is, an’ t’other -night he told Dave that he could jest fork over every cent of his -’arnin’s, an’ let pap have the handlin’ of ’em. Dave, he said he -wouldn’t do it, an’ I’m looking for the biggest kind of a furse up to -our house when next pay-day comes.” - -“Your pap has got the right to every cent Dave makes till he is -twenty-one years old, an’ Dave can’t hender him from takin’ it,” said -Barlow. “I ’spose he carries a heap of money between the landin’ an’ the -county-seat in that mail-bag of his’n.” - -“I should say he did!” exclaimed Dan. “Only last night he brought in -five thousand dollars for Mr. Brigham—the father of that boy who was -down here with me t’other day. Lester said so this mornin’. He told me -too that Dave brings in just that much on the fifteenth day of every -month.” - -Barlow started and looked hard at Dan, and then he looked down at the -floor. “Wal, if I was Dave,” said he, after a moment’s pause, “I’d bring -in jest one more of them letters, an’ then I’d skip.” - -“So would I,” said Dan. “What does Brigham want with that money? He’s -got more’n he can use already. Lester said so.” - -“That’s always the way with rich folks, Dannie. The more they get the -more they want; an’ me an’ you an’ everybody like us could starve for -all they care. We’re jest as good as they be too. It’s a wonder to me -that somebody don’t go for Dave an’ take some of them letters away from -him.” - -“I don’t care if they do,” answered Dan. “If I should see ’em doin’ it, -I wouldn’t lift a hand to hender ’em. That would bring Dave down from -his high hoss, fur Gen’ral Gordon wouldn’t never hire him to tote the -mail agin; an’ then he’d have to scratch for a livin’ the way me an’ pap -does.” - -“It would serve him right, for bein’ so stingy,” said Barlow. - -“But the feller that goes for him had better watch out,” continued Dan, -“fur Dave, he carries a double-barrel dissolver in his pocket. It shoots -six times, an’ he knows how to use it.” - -“I don’t reckon that would stand in the way of anybody who wanted them -letters,” said Barlow, with a laugh. “If Dave should see a couple of -loaded rifles lookin’ him square in the face, he wouldn’t think of his -six-shooter.” - -“Mebbe he wouldn’t,” said Dan. “But if _I_ could ride that mail-route -the next time Brigham’s money-letter comes in—if Dave could be tuk sick, -or get lost in the woods, or something so’t I could take his place—the -fellow that wanted them five thousand wouldn’t have no trouble, for I -shouldn’t have no dissolver with me. But he’d have to give me half.” - -This was the idea that had so suddenly suggested itself to Dan Evans—to -get David out of the way for one day so that he could carry the mail, -and give Barlow and his two friends a chance to secure a portion of Mr. -Brigham’s money. If Barlow had jumped at the bait thus adroitly thrown -out, Dan would have proposed that, after the robbery had been -accomplished, they should all take to the flat-boat, push it out into -the river, and let the current take it to New Orleans, where they would -divide the money and separate, Dan going his way and Barlow and his -companions going theirs. Dan thought it was a splendid idea, but Barlow -knocked it into a cocked hat by the very next words he uttered. - -“You couldn’t take your brother’s place even for a single day,” said he. - -“What fur?” demanded Dan, who was greatly surprised. “Can’t I ride that -thar colt of his’n as well as he kin?” - -“I ’spose you can; but that ain’t the pint. You’ve never been swore in -fur a mail-carrier, an’ so you would have no right to tech that -mail-bag. If Dave should be tuk sick or get lost in the woods, Gen’ral -Gordon would have to carry the mail himself.” - -“Whoop!” yelled Dan, jumping up and knocking his heels together. “He’d -be a wusser man to fool with nor Dave, fur he’s an old soldier.” - -Barlow made no reply. The boy had given him something to think about, -and he was as anxious to be rid of his presence as Dan was to get rid of -his friend Lester Brigham. He left him without taking the trouble to -assign any reason for his hurried departure, and went back to his boat. -In the course of the day he and his friends transferred their luggage to -the shooting-box, and there they lived until they were ordered out by -its indignant owner. As their time was not fully occupied they had -leisure to talk about the mail-carrier and Mr. Brigham’s money; and we -shall presently see how their numerous consultations resulted. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI. - THE MAIL-CARRIER IN TROUBLE. - - -“Here, Dandy! Here Punch! To heel,” said Bert, as he and his four -companions started down the shore of the lake in search of their supper. - -“Why do you make the dogs go behind?” demanded Hopkins. “Why don’t you -hie them on, and perhaps they will stand something for us. I should -think this ought to be good quail ground.” - -“So it is,” answered Bert. “And if you want a chance at some, we’ll——” - -“No we won’t,” interrupted Egan. “If little birds are the height of -Hop’s ambition, let him take the pointers some day and go off by -himself. We are after ducks now, and we want the dogs to stay with us, -and bring our game ashore when we kill it.” - -Hopkins made no reply. Like all enthusiastic sportsmen, he had his own -ideas of shooting, and he was much more successful with some kinds of -game than he was with others. There was no boy who could beat him in -getting over a rough country on horseback, when the hounds were in -pursuit of a deer or fox; he was almost certain to kill every snipe, -quail, or grouse that got up before him; but a wild duck, going down -wind with the speed of a lightning express train, bothered him. With all -his practice, he had never been able to make a respectable bag of -water-fowl; so he stood around, holding his gun in the hollow of his -arm, and watched Egan, who cut down every duck that passed anywhere -within seventy-five yards of him. The pointers brought them out as fast -as they fell into the lake, and it was not long before Bert and Fred -Packard, who were polite enough to allow their guests to do all the -shooting, had about as many ducks slung over their shoulders as they -wanted to carry. - -“This is like the handle of a jug—all on one side,” said Hopkins, at -length. “I must find something to shoot at, for I can’t carry these -loads back home with me.” - -He gradually drew away from his companions as he spoke, but he had no -intention of going off alone. He kept his eyes on the dogs, and when he -saw them looking at him, he waved his hand toward the bushes. The -intelligent and well-trained animals understood him, and, believing no -doubt that hunting upland birds was easier and pleasanter work than -retrieving ducks from the cold waters of the lake, they were prompt to -obey the order thus silently conveyed to them. Egan and the rest did not -see the dogs when they went away, for their attention was fully occupied -with a fine flock of mallards, some of which were coming across the -lake, holding a course which promised to bring them within easy range of -Egan’s double-barrel. The latter, who was snugly hidden in a thicket of -bushes, had cocked both barrels of his gun, and was waiting for the -ducks to come a little nearer to his place of concealment, when all on a -sudden they took wing and disappeared up the lake. Egan and his -companions looked all around to see what had frightened them, and -discovered Hopkins and the pointers in the act of crossing a fence that -ran between the woods and a brier-patch. - -“Now, Hop, that will never do,” cried Egan. “How are we going to get our -ducks ashore if you take the dogs away?” - -“Throw chunks on the other side of them and let the waves wash them -ashore,” was the reply. “I saw a flock of quails over here, and as soon -as I get some of them, I will bring the dogs back.” - -“You’re not much of a sportsman, Hop,” said Curtis. “There is no such -thing as a flock of quails. Covey is the proper word.” - -“Aw!” said Hopkins. “Well, I don’t care what you call them, so long as -you will let me have the dogs long enough to shoot some of them. I’ll be -back in a few minutes.” - -The duck hunters were obliged to be satisfied with this promise, and -when Hopkins made it he fully intended to keep it; but in the ardor of -the chase he forgot all about it. The pointers very soon found the -covey, which Hopkins had marked down very accurately, and when it took -wing at his approach, he brought down five members of it very -handsomely. Punch and Dandy dropped to shot—that is, when the gun was -fired, they laid down and waited for the hunter to reload—and when they -were ordered to seek dead, they executed a manœuvre which some of our -best artists, who love a dog and gun, have often reproduced on canvas. - -The reason why dogs are taught to drop to shot is this: The members of -the covey do not all fly away at the same time, but some generally -remain behind, preferring to trust to concealment rather than to flight. -If the dogs were permitted to rush in at once to secure the dead birds, -they would flush these laggards, which would get off scot free; for of -course the sportsman could not shoot at them while he held an empty gun -in his hands. - -“Seek dead,” commanded Hopkins, as soon as he had reloaded his gun; -whereupon the dogs jumped up, and, after running about among the bushes -for a few minutes, stopped and came to a point. - -“Fetch!” said the hunter; and in obedience to the order each dog seized -a bird. They were coming in with them, when Dandy stopped as if he had -suddenly been deprived of all power of action, and came to another -point. He was standing a live bird while he held a dead one in his -mouth. Punch backed him splendidly—that is, he stopped and pointed also, -although he did not see or smell the bird—and the two presented a -picture that Hopkins, had he been handy with the brush or pencil, would -have been glad to preserve. He stood and looked at it for at least five -minutes, the dogs holding their point stanchly all the while, and then -he flushed the bird and brought it down. - -“Well done, boys,” said Hopkins, after he had reloaded his gun, and -placed the two quails carefully away in the capacious pockets of his -shooting-coat; “you have been educated by somebody who understands his -business. Seek dead.” - -Hopkins had kept his eyes on the surviving members of the covey, and -marked them down (by that we mean that he had noted the exact spot on -which they alighted); but he did not intend to pay any further attention -to them just then. He knew that every minute he spent in hunting them up -would be just so much time wasted. He had learned by experience that -after a covey has once been flushed, it is almost impossible for the -best dogs to find it again. A large number of quails have been seen to -settle down in a clump of bushes not more than ten feet in -circumference, and the dogs have run through their place of concealment -in every direction without seeing or scenting a single bird. Every -sportsman has noticed this, and some of the best of them affirm that the -birds are endowed with the power of retaining their scent; but whether -that is so or not—and nobody has ever been able to refute it—the fact -that they are hard to find when once they have become scattered, remains -the same. - -“I will attend to you in half an hour,” soliloquized Hopkins, when all -the dead birds had been brought in. “By that time you will begin to run -around, and the dogs will be able to scent you. Hie on, boys! Hunt up -another flock.” - -Hopkins had never seen so many quails as he saw that afternoon, not even -in Maryland, where they are found in such numbers that they attract -sportsmen from distant States. He found so many fresh coveys that he -forgot all about the one he had left in the brier-patch. The pointers -led him on and on, and Hopkins never stopped to take his bearings, until -he had filled the pockets of his shooting-coat so full of birds that -they would not hold another one. Then he sat down on a log to rest, and -to listen for the roar of Egan’s gun. But he did not hear it, for Egan -and his party were on their way to the shooting-box, having secured all -the birds they wanted. - -“I declare, it is growing dark,” said Hopkins; “and if I don’t reach the -cabin pretty soon, I shall have to stay in the woods all night. That -would not be pleasant, for the fellows never would leave off poking fun -at me. Come on, boys. I think the lake lies in this direction.” - -But Hopkins was not the only hunter who has been “completely turned -around” in the woods, and instead of going toward the lake, he followed -a course that lay parallel with the shore, and about a mile and a half -from it. He walked rapidly, passing through Godfrey Evans’s old cotton -field—now grown up to briers—and within less than two hundred yards of -his cabin, and finally found himself sitting on the top rail of a fence -which ran along by the side of a smooth, well-beaten road. He did not -remember that he had ever seen that road before. He believed that it ran -from the river back into the country; but which was the river-end of it -and which the country-end, he could not tell. The pointers did not seem -disposed to help him out of his quandary, for when he stopped on the top -rail of the fence to rest, they laid themselves contentedly down by the -side of the road to wait until he was ready to go on. - -“I am out of my reckoning as sure as the world,” said Hopkins to -himself, “and there’s no house in sight. Ah! Here comes somebody. I’ll -ask him if he will tell me which way I must go to find the river—that -is, if I can stop him.” - -Just then Hopkins heard the clatter of a horse’s hoofs on the hard road. -He knew that the animal was approaching at the top of his speed, but he -could not see him, for the thick bushes shut out his view. He jumped off -the fence and hurried to the road to intercept the horseman, and just -then a riderless nag dashed by, running with the speed of the wind. -Hopkins knew him the moment he caught sight of him, for he had seen him -before. - -“There, sir!” he exclaimed, “I knew that colt would do some damage if he -ever got the chance. When you see a horse with a narrow forehead and -peaked ears that almost touch at the tips, you want to look out for him. -He’s gone and tumbled Dave Evans and his mail bag off into the ditch, -and who knows but he may have broken his neck?” - -As this thought passed through the boy’s mind he shouldered his gun, and -set off up the road in the direction from which the horse came. He moved -along at a rapid trot, looking everywhere for the dismounted -mail-carrier, but he would certainly have passed him if he had been -alone. The dogs were the first to discover him. After Hopkins had run -about half a mile, Dandy and Punch, who were fifty yards in advance of -him, suddenly stopped and began barking at something in the -fence-corner—the boy could not see what it was, for the bushes concealed -it from his view. Believing from the actions of the dogs that they had -found a wild animal of some kind, Hopkins cocked both barrels of his gun -and walked slowly along the road until he came opposite the fence -corner, but still he could see nothing. He tried to send the dogs into -the bushes, but they positively refused to go. They barked loudly and -looked very savage, but kept close to Hopkins for protection. - -“I don’t much like the idea of going in there myself,” thought the young -hunter, “for there are such, things as bears, panthers and wild-cats in -this country; and neither do I like to go on without having a shot at -that varmint, whatever it may be. I won’t, either. I am going to see -what it is.” - -His gun was loaded with heavy shot, and Hopkins had the utmost -confidence in his skill as a marksman. Having fully made up his mind -that he would not be driven from the field by an invisible enemy, he -walked cautiously toward the bushes, stooping down now and then to peer -into them. The pointers kept pace with him, and finally Dandy, who must -have discovered something that set his fears at rest, made a sudden -bound and disappeared in the thicket. No sooner was he out of sight than -his barking ceased, and when Hopkins parted the bushes with one hand, -holding his gun in the other in readiness for a shot, he saw the pointer -licking the face of the mail-carrier, who was lying on the ground so -effectually gagged with a stick that he could not speak, and so tightly -wrapped up in ropes that he could move neither hand nor foot. Hopkins -was horrified, as almost any boy would have been under the same -circumstances. Although the thicket was pretty dark the hunter -recognized David as readily as he had recognized his horse, and he -thought at first that he was dead; but when his optics became somewhat -accustomed to the obscurity, he saw that David’s eyes were wide open, -and that they were turned toward him with a most appealing expression. - -“Well, this is a little ahead of any thing I ever heard of,” said -Hopkins, who was profoundly astonished. “What are you doing there?” - -David made an effort to reply, but the stick that was tied between his -teeth checked his utterance. Then it appeared to dawn upon Hopkins that -possibly the captive mail-carrier would be grateful for a little -assistance, and he proceeded to give it without further loss of time. -Letting down the hammers of his gun he laid the weapon on the ground, -pulled his knife from his pocket, and in less time than it takes to -write it, David was relieved of both gag and bonds and placed upon his -feet. - -“I have been robbed!” he gasped, as soon as he could speak. - -“I suspected as much,” replied Hopkins, calmly. “It could not have -happened so very long ago.” - -“No, I suppose not. The men have not been gone more than ten minutes, -probably, but it seems as though I had been a prisoner here for an -hour.” - -“Very likely. Did you recognize the robbers?” - -“I did not. I am quite sure I never saw them before. They had made an -attempt to disguise themselves as negroes, but I could see their white -skins through the black on their faces very plainly.” - -“Well, come on,” said Hopkins. “There’s no use in standing here and -allowing them to get away with their plunder. Tell me all about it as we -go along.” - -“There’s not much to tell,” answered David, after he and Hopkins had -worked their way out of the bushes to the road. “I was jogging along at -a lively pace, never dreaming of danger, when the first thing I knew, -three men jumped out of the bushes and halted me. One pointed a cocked -rifle straight at my head, another seized my horse by the bits, while -the third pulled me and the mail-bag to the ground. Then the man who was -holding my horse let him go——” - -“I saw him,” said Hopkins, “and that was a very lucky thing for you. I -lost my way, and while I was sitting on the fence, trying to make up my -mind which end of this road I ought to take in order to reach the -landing, your horse went by. I supposed he had thrown you, and so I came -on to see if I could do anything for you.” - -“And very grateful I am to you for it,” said David, warmly. - -“Of course; that’s all understood; but the credit belongs to your horse -and to Don Gordon’s pointers. If I hadn’t seen the horse, I should not -have known that anything had happened to you; and if Punch and Dandy had -not been with me, I should have gone right by that thicket of bushes -without once suspecting that there was anybody hidden there. Well, -proceed. The man let your horse go—then what?” - -“Then they all jumped on me, and before I fully comprehended the -situation, I was helpless and speechless. They turned my pockets inside -out, but the only thing they found in them that was worth stealing, was -my revolver. One of them grabbed that and the mail-bag and made off with -them, while the other two carried me into the bushes and left me there.” - -“Did they make much of a haul?” asked Hopkins. - -“I can’t answer that question, for I don’t know what there was in the -mail-bag. If they had robbed me a few days ago, that is, on the -fifteenth, they would have got something to pay them for their trouble, -for I had in my pocket seven hundred dollars of Silas Jones’s money that -I brought from the county seat for him.” - -They would have secured something else, also, and that was a check that -was worth five thousand dollars to Mr. Brigham, but which would have -been of no more value to the robbers than so much waste paper. The -mail-carrier, however, was not aware of that fact, and if Lester Brigham -had only been wise enough to keep his own counsel, no one in the -settlement, except those interested, would have known that David was -ever intrusted with money or its equivalent. - -“I’ll never carry any more funds for anybody,” said David, choking back -a sob. “Indeed, I don’t suppose I shall ever have another chance.” - -“Why not?” asked Hopkins. “You are in no way to blame for the-loss of -your mail-bag.” - -“I know it; and I am very glad indeed that I was not found and released -by any one who lives in the settlement. As you are a stranger here you -are, of course, neither a friend nor an enemy to me, and consequently -you can have no object in defending or condemning me.” - -“What do you mean by that?” - -“I mean just this: There is no one in the neighborhood who has warmer -friends and more bitter enemies than I have. I know that my friends will -stand by me in my trouble, but there are a good many in the settlement -who will say that I wasn’t robbed at all—that I stole the mail and made -up a story to cover my guilt. I am neither blind nor deaf, and I can put -my hand on a dozen men and boys who are watching for a chance to throw -me out of my position so that they can apply for it themselves. No one -ever thought the mail-carrier’s berth was worth anything until I got it, -and now everybody wants it.” - -“Let ’em want,” said Hopkins, encouragingly. “You have nothing to fear -so long as you retain the confidence of Don’s father. We’ll go and see -him the first thing. Being a magistrate, he will, of course, know just -how to go to work to find and arrest those fellows.” - -The boy’s confidence in General Gordon was not misplaced, but it is -doubtful if that gentleman, with all his shrewdness, could have effected -the capture of the robbers as easily as he did, had it not been for the -fact that the quick-witted Don obtained a clue for him from a most -unexpected quarter. - -We left Don and his friends sitting in their cosy room at the -shooting-box waiting for supper, which was served in due time. Curtis -and Egan were astonished at the quantity and variety of the viands which -old Cuff spread before them, and paid the highest possible compliment to -his skill as a cook and caterer by eating until they could find room for -no more. When he pushed his chair away from the table, after trying in -vain to dispose of the last piece of roast duck that Cuff had placed -before him, Egan declared that he never could go to bed after such a -supper as that, and proposed that they should make another effort to -find out where Hopkins was. Don said he thought it would be a good plan; -so Egan took down his double-barrel, filled one of his pockets with -cartridges and started for the door. Just as he opened it the report of -a gun, fired twice in rapid succession, came echoing across the lake. It -sounded from the direction of Godfrey Evans’s cabin. - -“There he is now,” said Bert. - -In order to make sure of it Curtis set up a very fair imitation of a -war-whoop (he and the rest of the academy boys had been practicing on it -ever since the Indians made the attack on their camp) and before the -echoes it awakened had wholly died away, an answering whoop came from -the other side of the water. - -“It _is_ Hop,” said Don, as he ran into the cabin after his cap. “Shove -off the sail-boat, fellows, and pile in.” - -In less than a quarter of an hour the sail-boat had been launched and -pulled across to the opposite side of the lake. Hopkins was not at the -landing to meet them, so the boat’s painter was made fast to a tree, and -Don and the rest started toward Godfrey’s cabin. By the aid of the light -which streamed through the open door, Don could see that his friend was -standing in the yard, that David and his mother were with him, and that -all three appeared to be conversing earnestly with a horseman who had -just stopped there. When the latter saw Don and his party approaching, -he put spurs to his nag and galloped away. - -“What did I tell you, Mr. Hopkins?” said David, bitterly. “There are -twenty men and more in this settlement who believe just as Mr. Owens -does.” - -“What’s the trouble here?” inquired Don, “and what does Mr. Owens -believe?” - -“O, Mr. Don, it’s dreadful,” cried Mrs. Evans, covering her face with -her hands and sinking down upon the bench beside the door. “To think -that my David should ever be accused of such a crime!” - -“The trouble is, that the mail has been stolen,” said Hopkins, “and Mr. -Owens, who was ordered out by the constable to assist in raising a ‘hue -and cry’ after the robbers, has just been down here to comfort David -with the assurance that he doesn’t believe a word of his story.” - -“He had the impudence to tell me, to my face, that I was the thief,” -exclaimed David, hotly. “He said that when I first began to ride the -route he told several people about here that that mail would get into -trouble through me sooner or later, and he seems delighted to find that -his prediction has been fulfilled.” - -“Why—I—I. _Eh?_” cried Don, who was utterly astounded; while the rest of -the party, no less astonished and bewildered, crowded up closer to the -speaker in order to catch every word. - -“I don’t wonder that you are surprised,” said Hopkins. “So was I, when I -found him back there in the country, bound and gagged, and laid away in -a fence corner. Mr. Owens declares that David tied himself, but I know -better.” - -“What are you trying to get at, anyhow?” exclaimed Bert. - -“That’s what I’d like to know,” chimed in Don. “Now, Dave, begin at the -beginning and tell your story so that we can understand it.” - -David complied, and for a few minutes held his auditors spell-bound. -After he had described how the robbers had tied his hands and feet and -concealed him in the bushes, Hopkins took up the narrative and told his -part of it, adding that he and David had gone straight to the general, -who, after listening to their story, took immediate steps to effect the -capture of the robbers. - -“But I am very much afraid that he will never find them,” said Hopkins. -“He acknowledged that he didn’t suspect anybody, and David says he never -saw the men before. Besides, they were disguised as negroes.” - -“I don’t care for that,” said Don. “I know who did it, and so do you. -Stay here, everybody.” - -To the surprise of all his companions, Don walked with a firm and rapid -step straight into the cabin and closed the door behind him. A moment -later a frightened scream came from the inside, followed by the words— - -“Go way, Mr. Don! Go way, I tell ye. I didn’t tuk it—I sw’ar I didn’t; -an’ if you lay an ugly hand onto me I’ll make daylight shine through you -as sure—whoop!” - -Just then a rifle cracked, and the cabin shook all over as some heavy -body fell violently to the floor. These alarming sounds seemed to freeze -the blood in the veins of those who listened to them. The boys were -struck dumb and motionless with horror, while Mrs. Evans wrung her hands -silently for a moment and then fell off the bench in a dead faint. They -knew instinctively what had happened inside the cabin. Bert was the -first to recover his power of action. He ran for the door, but it would -not open for him. When Don closed it he had pulled in the latch-string -so that his companions could not follow him. - -“Stand out of the way, Bert,” cried Hopkins, “and give me a chance at -it.” - -So saying, Hopkins backed off a few paces and launched his hundred and -eighty pounds against the door with all the force he could command. The -weak wooden hinges gave way beneath his weight, and the door landed in -the middle of the cabin with Hopkins on top of it. Bert and the rest -crowded in as soon as the way was opened for them, and although their -fears were instantly allayed by the scene that was presented to their -gaze, their wonder was greatly increased. Dan Evans was lying flat upon -his back, and Don Gordon was holding him down with the greatest ease, in -spite of Dan’s frantic efforts to get up. - -“O, Don!” cried Bert. “Did he hit you?” - -“No,” was the encouraging reply. “I am all right. You fellows go out, -please, and leave us alone. I want to ask Dan a few questions.” - -The boys mechanically obeyed, looking inquiringly at one another and -shaking their heads as if to say that all attempts at explanation would -be useless. The whole proceeding was a deep mystery, and so it would -remain until Don was ready to clear it up. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII. - CONCLUSION. - - -While Don was listening to the story of the robbery as related by David -and Hopkins, he stood in such a position that he could look through the -open door of the cabin and command a view of the interior. There was no -one in there except Dan Evans, who, instead of coming out to hear the -story, as almost any boy would have done, kept his seat by the -fireplace. The light shone full upon him, and Don could see that he was -ill at ease. He cast furtive glances toward the excited group in front -of the door, twisted nervously about on his chair, and acted altogether -as if he felt very miserable. Don was surprised at first, and finally he -became suspicious. - -“That fellow knows more about this afternoon’s work than any of us,” -said he to himself. “He doesn’t act that way without some good reason. I -believe it will pay to ask him a few questions.” - -The sequel proved that our hero had struck a warm trail the very first -time trying. When Dan found himself shut up in the cabin, and Don Gordon -standing between him and the door and cutting off his only way of -escape, he became terribly alarmed, and confessed his guilt without -waiting to be questioned. Scarcely realizing what he was doing, he broke -out into loud protestations of innocence, and seizing his rifle, which -stood in the corner behind him, declared that he would shoot the -intruder if the latter laid a hand upon him. The threat was by no means -an idle one. Dan fully intended to carry it out, but fortunately for him -and all concerned, he had to deal with one who always kept a level head -upon his shoulders. Before Dan had fairly ceased speaking, Don sprang -clear across the cabin with one cat-like bound, seized the threatening -rifle with one hand, laid hold of Dan’s collar with the other, and, -bringing all his strength and skill into play, threw him to the floor -with the greatest violence. In the struggle the rifle was discharged, -but the bullet passed harmlessly through the roof. A few seconds later -some heavy body came against the door, which was broken from its hinges, -and Don’s companions came hurrying in, expecting to find him wounded or -dead. They did not see how it could be otherwise, for there was not a -better rifle-shot in the settlement than Dan Evans. Don quickly set -their fears at rest by assuring them that he was “all right,” and at his -request the boys went out again, leaving him alone with his captive. - -“Now, Dan, what do you know about this miserable business?” said Don, as -soon as his friends had left the cabin. “Believe me when I tell you that -it will be better for you if you tell the truth. Dave is backed up by -the whole United States government, and the fellows who waylaid him are -bound to be captured. They cannot possibly escape.” - -“I’m a hoss in the cane an’ hard to curry,” replied Dan; by which he -meant that he was one who could not be easily conquered. In order to -prove the truth of his assertion, he began struggling desperately; but -Don seized him by both wrists, and crossing his arms upon his breast -held him as if he had been screwed up in a vise. - -“Answer my questions and then you can get up,” said Don, calmly. -“Refuse, and I will take you before my father, who will put you in the -calaboose as an accomplice in this robbery.” - -“Don,” said Bert, thrusting his head in at the door, “Mrs. Evans says -that Dan has been at home all the afternoon; so, of course, he could -have had no hand in stealing the mail.” - -“No, I didn’t, Mr. Don. I sw’ar I didn’t,” exclaimed Dan, who, finding -that resistance was useless, began to shed tears copiously. “I didn’t -tech that thar mail-bag.” - -“I haven’t said that you did,” answered Don. “But you know who did touch -it, and I want you to tell me all about it. Now be quick: who’s got it?” - -“I reckon it must be Barlow,” whined Dan. - -“Who’s Barlow?” - -“He’s one of the fellers who was in your shootin’-box when you come thar -this mornin’. He lives in that thar flat-boat that’s tied up to the -river bank.” - -“I thought so from the first,” said Don to himself. “I knew those -vagabonds would raise some kind of a row before they left.” Then aloud, -he added: “How do you know that they were in the shooting-box when I -went there this morning?” - -“Kase I was thar—me an’ Lester Brigham.” - -“Lester Brigham!” repeated Don. - -“Yes. Me an’ him goes huntin’ a’most every day.” - -Don was profoundly astonished. He told himself that Lester must be -getting very low down in the world if he were willing to make a daily -companion of so worthless a fellow as Dan Evans. - -“Well, this thing was all cut and dried, wasn’t it?” said he. “You -planned the robbery, and Barlow and his two friends did the work. Was -that the way of it?” - -“I didn’t plan nothin’,” protested Dan. “Don’t hold me so tight, Mr. -Don, an’ I’ll tell ye what’s the gospel truth. Lester, he told me that -Dave was bringin’ in right smart of money for his pap every month, an’ I -told Barlow of it, an’ Barlow he said he’d like to have some of it so’t -he could live like rich folks do. That’s all I done, Mr. Don, sure’s yer -born—honor bright, an’ hope to die if it aint.” - -“You didn’t say anything to Barlow about going halvers with you?” - -“Nary word, Mr. Don. Nary blessed word.” - -Don didn’t believe this, for Dan was almost too earnest in his denial. -But he had obtained a clue, and that was what he wanted. - -“Dan,” said he, throwing all the emphasis he could into his words, “you -had better take my advice and stay right here at home and mind your own -business until this thing is settled. You will get yourself into trouble -if you don’t. Now do as you please.” - -So saying he helped Dan to his feet and joined his friends in front of -the cabin. He spoke encouragingly to Mrs. Evans who was sobbing -violently, assured David that there was no reason why he should be so -down-hearted, and started for his sail-boat, followed by his companions. -Of course the latter were full of questions. They had heard all that -passed in the cabin, and knew that Dan Evans and Lester Brigham were in -a measure responsible for the robbery; but what had put it into Don’s -head to accuse Dan? That was something they could not understand. - -“Dan gave himself away by his actions,” said Don, in explanation. -“That’s the whole secret of the matter. But I don’t know what is to -become of those two boys. Lester can’t get much lower by land, and as -for Dan—he’ll end his days in the penitentiary if he keeps on. He meant -to shoot me to-night; I could see it in his eye. Now we’ll go home and -tell father all about it.” - -Propelled by four oars the sail-boat moved swiftly through the water, -and at the end of twenty minutes she was made fast to the jetty, and the -boys were on their way to the house. When they reached the back porch -they found three horses hitched there, and General Gordon in -conversation with the constable and Godfrey Evans. The latter was -stamping about in a great rage, flourishing his arms over his head, and -acting like one demented. - -“Why, what brings you boys here?” asked the general. - -“We have news for you,” replied Don, who then went on to give a -circumstantial account of the incidents that had just transpired at -Godfrey’s cabin. Godfrey could hardly believe his ears. When he learned -that Dan was one of the indirect causes of the robbery, he jumped up, -knocked his heels together and uttered a yell that could have been heard -a mile away. - -“Gen’ral,” said he, picking up his rifle which he had laid upon the -porch, “I’ll go hum an’ take the cowhide an’ I’ll larrup that thar -boy——” - -“Calm yourself, Godfrey,” interrupted the general. “You will only make -matters worse if you do that. What do you advise, Mr. Ross?” he added, -turning to the constable. - -“Is there any way to get Don’s sail-boat out of the lake into the -river?” asked the officer. - -“Of course there is,” answered Don. “We can row her up the pass and drag -her over the levee. She’s heavy, but we have the force here to do it.” - -“Then my advice is, that we find and search that house-boat at once,” -said the constable. “Mr. Don, you would make a first-rate detective.” - -The general went into the house to make out a search-warrant, and the -boys hurried back to the jetty to put the sail-boat in readiness for her -trip down the river. As the mast had been stepped that morning, the -bowsprit put in, the sails bent on and the running rigging rove, all -they had to do was to loosen the canvas and select those who were to -pull the oars. - -“There’s a splendid breeze on,” said Don, who had never been able to -make up his mind which he liked best—sailing, horse-back riding, or -shooting. “It blows right down the river, too. We can’t sail out because -the pass is so narrow; but when we get out into the Mississippi, will go -flying. Now, then, why doesn’t father come?” - -The general was making out a warrant empowering the constable to search -the house-boat when they found it, and then he lingered to unsaddle the -horses which he had brought out for his own use and Godfrey’s. When -these duties had been performed, he and Godfrey and the constable came -down to the jetty and took their seats in the sail-boat, which was -promptly pushed off and headed up the pass. Half an hour sufficed for -the oarsmen to bring her to the levee, over which she was hauled without -the least trouble. Then came another short stretch through which she was -propelled by the oars; and as soon as she was fairly out of the pass and -began to feel the force of the wind and the current, the oars were drawn -in, Don seated himself at the helm, Bert, with Fred and Joe Packard’s -assistance, hoisted the sails, the sheets were let out and the pursuit -was begun. - -“Keep as close in to shore as you can, Don,” said Bert. “It’s pretty -dark, and we may pass her before we know it.” - -“You don’t expect to see that house-boat where you found her this -morning, do you?” said Don. “It’s eleven o’clock, isn’t it? Well, she is -twenty miles down the river by this time. Keep a bright look-out for -lights, everybody. We don’t want to let some steamboat run us down -before we know it.” - -Although he knew he was wasting time in doing it, Don kept the boat as -close to the bank as he could with safety, but nothing was to be seen of -the piratical craft of which they were in search. When Bert announced -that they had passed the place where she had been moored in the morning, -Don drew in the sheets a little, and held the boat’s head diagonally -across the river in order to strike the stronger current of the channel. -Then the sail-boat began to show the speed of which she was capable; and -then, too, the general enjoined silence upon all her occupants. - -“The night is comparatively quiet,” said he, “and the rattling of an -oar, or a word spoken in a loud tone of voice, can be heard a long -distance. We have one advantage over the crew of that flat-boat: we can -get out of the way of a steamboat and they can’t; so they will have to -carry lights for their protection.” - -Under Don’s skillful management the little boat flew swiftly along, -keeping in the channel when her course was clear, and making all haste -to get out of it as often as the vigilant look-out announced that there -were lights ahead. Two hours passed, and nothing had been seen of the -flat-boat. - -“I reckon we’ve missed her,” said the constable. “She has tied up to the -bank somewhere, and we have run by her in the dark.” - -“If that is the case, there is only one thing we can do,” said Don. -“We’ll keep on down the river until day-light, and then we’ll come about -and beat back again, making a close examination of each shore. She can’t -escape us, unless she hauls into one of these little bayous and gets out -of sight among the bushes.” - -“And if her crew know the river and are at all sharp, that is just what -they will do,” said the constable. - -Just then a deep-toned whistle sounded in the bend below them, and -instantly the conversation ceased and everybody was on the alert, and -listening with all his ears to catch the reply. It came at length, but -it was not a whistle; it was a prolonged blast from a tin horn. There -was a commotion among the boys, and their excitement arose to fever -heat. - -“There she is,” said Bert, confidently. - -“Don’t be too hasty in jumping at conclusions,” said his father, in a -quiet tone. - -“There’s a flat-boat in the bend below us, and I am sure of it,” -answered Bert. - -“So am I; but still it may not be the one we want to find. There is more -than one flat-boat on this river, you know.” - -Don brought his boat close to the wind, and went scudding across the -river to get out of the steamer’s way. He held well over toward the -eastern shore, and when he stood off on the other tack the steamer had -passed, and Bert announced, in a low tone, that there were lights -straight ahead. They were close to the water, and the sail-boat’s crew -had but one opinion concerning them. They belonged to a flat-boat, but -whether or not it was the one of which they were in pursuit, was a -question that only time could solve. - -“Lay us aboard of her without any ceremony,” said the general. “Bert, -stand by with the boat-hook. We must move quickly, and give them no -chance to throw the mail overboard, if they have got it.” - -Don kept the bow of his little craft pointed toward the flat-boat, and -so silently did she move through the water that the man who stood at the -steering-oar, keeping a sharp look-out in front of him, but never -thinking to look behind, was entirely unconscious of her approach. -Presently Bert reached for the boat-hook, at the same time giving a nod -that everybody understood. A few minutes more would decide whether they -were on the right track or not. Bert stood up in his place; Don, at a -sign from his father, paid out the main-sheet rapidly, thus bringing his -craft broadside to the house-boat, and just then the man at the -steering-oar awoke from his reverie and turned quickly about. - -“Keep away, there!” he shouted, in great alarm. “Keep away, or you’ll -sink us.” - -Don did not want to sink the house-boat, but he wanted to come alongside -of her, and he did it a moment later in a very creditable manner. The -instant the two boats touched, General Gordon and his party sprang over -the side and ran into the cabin, some going in at the back door and the -others at the front, leaving Don and Bert to act as grappling-irons, and -to keep the boats from drifting apart. The man at the steering-oar was -captured by Egan, who stood guard over him with his double-barrel, and -Barlow and his companion, who were busy in the cabin, were covered by -the constable’s revolver and Godfrey Evans’s rifle before they had time -to think of their weapons. - -“This looks like business,” said the officer, handing his six-shooter to -Fred Packard, and drawing three pairs of handcuffs from his pocket. - -The others thought so too. David’s mail-bag lay upon the table—he would -never carry it again, for it had been ruined by being cut open with a -knife—and its contents were scattered about over the floor and in the -bunks. The most of the letters had been torn open, and the robbers had -reaped a very fair reward for their trouble, having secured about forty -dollars in greenbacks, and a check for three hundred dollars, drawn by a -country merchant in favor of his creditors in Memphis. The general took -charge of the bills and the check, while the constable lost no time in -putting the irons on Barlow and his confederate. - -“Where’s the other?” said he. “There ought to be three of them.” - -“Here he is,” said Egan, who marched his prisoner into the cabin and -turned him over to the officer, at the same time making a sergeant’s -salute, as he would if he had been at the academy. - -“I told you jest how it would be,” said the steersman, glaring savagely -at Barlow as he felt the cold handcuffs clasped about his wrists. “Why -didn’t you hide, as I wanted you to do, instead of trying to run?” - -“You would have showed a little more sense if you had done that,” said -the constable, “but on the whole, we are very well satisfied. Now keep -still, all of you,” he added, shaking his finger at the women, who, -having checked their loud lamentations, now showed a disposition to -become abusive. “Godfrey, keep your eye on these men until they are safe -under lock and key.” - -Godfrey was just the one for this business. There was only one thing -that would have suited him better, and that was an order to punch the -prisoners’ heads. For the first time his eyes were opened to the fact -that David was a great help to the family, and that the loss of his -position as mail-carrier would be a serious blow to all of them. - -“If me an’ Dan would only wake up an’ _stay_ woke up, we’d get along -well enough,” he said to himself, as he leaned on his long rifle and -looked thoughtfully at the floor. “Dave’s doin’ his shar’, an’ me an’ -that lazy, good-for-nothin’ Dan has got to do our’n from this day on; -an’ that’s just all thar is about it. Dan never would a thought of -puttin’ anybody up to robbin’ Dave if he had been to work, an’ I’ll see -that he has plenty to do in futur’, I bet ye.” - -While General Gordon and the constable were gathering up the mail and -putting it into the bag, they had much to talk about. They had secured -the robbers, and the next thing was to get them back to Rochdale. They -had about decided that they would tie the house-boat to the bank and -take the prisoners up the river in the sail-boat, when Curtis came in to -say that there were lights below them; whereupon the general picked up -Barlow’s horn and went out to answer the steamer’s signals. This having -been done, he waited for her to come abreast of the flat-boat. She -proved to be a large stem-wheeler with a tow of empty coal barges. - -“Steamer, ahoy!” shouted the general. - -“Hallo!” responded a man who was standing on the hurricane-deck near the -bell. - -“What steamer is that?” - -“The ‘B No. 2’ of Pittsburg.” - -“Is that you, Captain Pratt?” - -“Yes; but that can’t be you, Gordon.” - -The general replied that it _was_ he; and upon receiving this reply the -captain raised his hand, the pilot rang the stopping-bell, and the -steamer’s wheel hung motionless in the water. - -“Why, Gordon, what in the world are you doing here at this hour in the -morning?” demanded the captain. - -“Can’t stop to explain now,” answered the general.“ Will you give us a -lift as far as Rochdale?” - -“Of course I will. Can you bring that tub of yours alongside?” - -They could and they did. The sails were hauled down instantly, the oars -were manned and the flat-boat was hauled over and made fast to the stern -of the steamer’s tow. Then the general went on board the steamer to -explain matters to Captain Pratt, while the boys lingered to look after -the safety of the sail-boat. Having tied her to one of the barges so -that she would ride easily, they followed the general on board the “B,” -and seated themselves on the quarter-deck to talk over the exciting -events of the night. Every one of them gave Don Gordon great credit for -what he had done. If he had not been sharp enough to see guilt in Dan -Evans’s face and actions, there was no knowing when the robbers would -have been captured. - -“Young gemmen,” said the negro steward, “won’t you step into de cabin -an’ hab a bite of lunch? You mus’ be hungry after your long, cold ride.” - -The boys were hungry and cold, too, although they did not know it until -that moment. They did ample justice to the steward’s lunch, and also to -his breakfast which was served at seven o’clock. At eight they passed -Rochdale, and half an hour later they cast loose from the tow and began -the work of pulling their clumsy prize and its occupants to the landing. - -The “hue and cry” which the constable had raised the night before had -brought the loafers and the neighboring planters out in full force, and -there was a large crowd to welcome them as they went ashore with their -prisoners. As there was no place in Rochdale in which the robbers could -be confined, the preliminary examination was held at once, the women -being tried as accessories. They all pleaded guilty—(as there were ten -witnesses present who could testify that the stolen mail was found in -their possession, and David Evans easily identified them by their -clothing, they could not do otherwise)—and half an hour later they were -on their way to the county-seat, where they were to be kept in jail -until their trial came off. When they and their guards were out of -sight, General Gordon and his party, which included David Evans and his -father, got into the sail-boat and started for the lake. - -“I didn’t see Lester and Dan anywhere,” said Bert, when the sail-boat -had been made fast to the jetty, and David and Godfrey had started for -home. “I wonder if they have taken to the woods.” - -“I should think they would want to go there or somewhere else,” replied -Don. “But if Judge Packard thinks their presence necessary when the -trial comes off, he can easily find means to make them show themselves. -Godfrey won’t sleep soundly until he gets his hand on Dan’s collar. That -boy will have to work hard now to make amends for what he has done.” - -The boys spent an hour or two in the house, giving Mrs. Gordon and her -daughters a graphic account of their night’s experience, and then set -out for the shooting-box, where a cordial welcome and a hot dinner -awaited them. Old Cuff had passed the night in a fever of suspense; but, -like the faithful fellow he was, he stuck to his post, and held himself -in readiness to defend the cabin with the aid of the hounds and a big -club. If Barlow and his friends had tried to burn it, as one of them had -threatened to do, they would have got themselves into business. - -The incidents we have just described were by no means the only -interesting or exciting ones that happened while Egan, Curtis and -Hopkins remained at the shooting-box. The boys shot water-fowl until -they were tired of the sport, and frequently entertained their friends, -both male and female, who came over to see how they were getting on. -They drove the ridges for deer, hunted wild turkeys and ate many a -dinner of quails that Hopkins shot for them over Don Gordon’s pointers. -It was a fortunate thing for David Evans that Hopkins got lost the first -time he went quail hunting, for the story he told and the results that -came of it, effectually silenced those who had hoped to prove that David -stole the mail himself. - -The days flew on, and in a short time—it seemed a very short time to all -of them—Don’s guests began to talk of going home. They all dreaded the -separation, for they had become very much attached to one another. “But -it won’t be for any great length of time, fellows,” said Curtis. “The -members of our happy family will all come together again on the -fifteenth of January—all except Fred and Joe, and I really wish they -were coming too—and the next time we go hunting it will be in the wilds -of Maine. I can’t promise that we shall have a chase after mail-robbers, -but I may be able to show you a moose, and you Southerners will have a -chance to try your hands at something that will be entirely new to you—I -mean fly-fishing. We shall have just enough of that to let you see what -a five or six-pound trout can do when he makes up his mind to fight. I -assure you that I shall try by every means in my power to make your -sojourn with me as pleasant as you have made my visit here.” - -The parting time came at last, and the Gray Eagle took Don’s guests up -the river. The four boys they left behind them were very lonely after -that. Don’s first care was to strip the shooting-box and lock it. He did -not want to go there any more, for there were too many things in it that -reminded him of his absent friends. The antlers which had been given up -to Egan for the exclusive use of his “blunderbuss,” the clock-bracket -and wall-pocket that Curtis had fashioned with his knife, the camp-chair -which had given away with a great crash and let Hopkins down upon the -floor—all these spoke eloquently of the days that were gone, and Don -could hardly endure the sight of them. Of course this feeling of -loneliness wore away after a while, and the brothers enjoyed themselves -during the holidays as they always did; but when the time came for them -to return to Bridgeport, they were ready and waiting. - -Their second year at the academy proved to be an eventful one. Some -things happened which, like the night attack of the Mount Pleasant -Indians, were not down on the programme; and what they were, and how Don -and Bert behaved themselves at school, what they saw and what they did -for amusement when they went home with Curtis at the close of the term, -shall be told in “THE ROD AND GUN CLUB.” - -THE END. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - Transcriber’s Note - -Hyphenation of compound words can be variable. Where it occurs on a line -break, the most commonly used form is assumed. - -Errors deemed most likely to be the printer’s have been corrected, and -are noted here, with their resolutions. The references are to the page -and line in the original text. - - 21.10 [“]they became as shiftless Added. - - 30.9 we have got o[n/u]rselves into trouble Replaced. - already. - - 51.2 We’ll duck them first.[’/”] Replaced. - - 53.13 had better keep their distance.[”] Added. - - 73.19 [“]You had better read the rules and Added. - regulations - - 81.24 of the teachers.[’/”] Replaced. - - 118.9 “Is that so?[”] Then he’d better hurry Removed. - - 150.11 we can lay our plans accordingly,[”] said Added. - Fisher - - 171.2 “Not a word[?/!]” Replaced. - - 209.9 demanded Egan, in reply[.] Added. - - 218.22 [c/C]orporal Mack Replaced. - - 224.19 be careful how you talk to him[.]” Added. - - 227.18 “See how they stare at ever[y]body. Added. - - 241.21 abo[n/u]t in company with their parents, Replaced. - - 248.25 ringing report of a musket, [fol-]followed Removed. - - 276.6 and see where they go.[’/”] Replaced. - - 277.21 very well posted in natural history.[”]. Removed. - - 281.12 “Hasn’t he returned?” exclaimed Egan. [“]Then Added. - he’s lost. - - 299.19 and nodded to him.[”] Removed. - - 335.1 “Nary word, Mr. Don. [“]Nary blessed word.” Removed. - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Don Gordon's Shooting-Box, by Harry Castlemon - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DON GORDON'S SHOOTING-BOX *** - -***** This file should be named 53479-0.txt or 53479-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/3/4/7/53479/ - -Produced by KD Weeks, David Edwards and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you - are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - diff --git a/old/53479-0.zip b/old/53479-0.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 82d46bb..0000000 --- a/old/53479-0.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/53479-h.zip b/old/53479-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 35352ba..0000000 --- a/old/53479-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/53479-h/53479-h.htm b/old/53479-h/53479-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index e950776..0000000 --- a/old/53479-h/53479-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,10563 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> - <title>Don Gordon's Shooting-Box, by Harry Castlemon</title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - body { margin-left: 8%; margin-right: 10%; } - h1 { text-align: center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.4em; } - h2 { text-align: center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2em; } - .pageno { right: 1%; font-size: x-small; background-color: inherit; color: silver; - text-indent: 0em; text-align: right; position: absolute; - border: thin solid silver; padding: .1em .2em; font-style: normal; - font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; } - p { text-indent: 0; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; text-align: justify; } - .sc { font-variant: small-caps; } - .large { font-size: large; } - .xlarge { font-size: x-large; } - .small { font-size: small; } - div.pbb { page-break-before: always; } - hr.pb { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin-bottom: 1em; } - @media handheld { hr.pb { display: none; } } - .chapter { clear: both; page-break-before: always; } - .figcenter { clear: both; max-width: 100%; margin: 2em auto; text-align: center; } - div.figcenter p { text-align: center; text-indent: 0; } - .figcenter img { max-width: 100%; height: auto; } - .id001 { width:497px; } - .id002 { width:323px; } - .id003 { width:100px; } - .id004 { width:500px; } - @media handheld { .id001 { margin-left:19%; width:62%; } } - @media handheld { .id002 { margin-left:20%; width:60%; } } - @media handheld { .id003 { margin-left:42%; width:15%; } } - @media handheld { .id004 { margin-left:5%; width:90%; } } - .ic004 { width:100%; } - .ig001 { width:100%; } - .table0 { margin: auto; margin-top: 2em; width: 75%; } - .table1 { margin: auto; width: 90%; } - .nf-center { text-align: center; } - .nf-center-c0 { text-align: left; margin: 0.5em 0; } - .nf-center-c1 { text-align: left; margin: 1em 0; } - .c000 { margin-top: 1em; } - .c001 { margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c002 { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin: 1em auto; } - .c003 { margin-top: 2em; } - .c004 { margin-top: 4em; } - .c005 { page-break-before:auto; margin-top: 4em; } - .c006 { text-align: center; } - .c007 { vertical-align: top; text-align: left; padding-right: 1em; } - .c008 { vertical-align: top; text-align: right; } - .c009 { page-break-before: always; margin-top: 4em; } - .c010 { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin-top: 1em; - margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 40%; width: 20%; margin-right: 40%; - margin-top: 1em; } - .c011 { margin-top: 2em; text-indent: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.0em; } - .c012 { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: 0.0em; margin-bottom: 0.0em; } - .c013 { vertical-align: top; text-align: left; } - a:link { text-decoration: none; } - div.tnotes { padding-left:1em;padding-right:1em;background-color:#E3E4FA; - border:1px solid silver; margin:1em 5% 0 5%; text-align: justify; } - td.hang { padding-left: 0.50in; text-indent: -0.25in; } - .epubonly {visibility: hidden; display: none; } - @media handheld { .epubonly { visibility: visible; display: inline; } } - .htmlonly {visibility: visible; display: inline; } - @media handheld { .htmlonly { visibility: hidden; display: none; } } - @media handheld { div.epubonly { visibility: visible; display: block;} } - </style> - </head> - <body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Don Gordon's Shooting-Box, by Harry Castlemon - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: Don Gordon's Shooting-Box - -Author: Harry Castlemon - -Release Date: November 8, 2016 [EBook #53479] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DON GORDON'S SHOOTING-BOX *** - - - - -Produced by KD Weeks, David Edwards and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='tnotes'> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>Transcriber’s Note:</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c001'>Minor errors, attributable to the printer, have been corrected. Please -see the transcriber’s <a href='#endnote'>note</a> at the end of this text -for details regarding the handling of any textual issues encountered -during its preparation.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The cover image has been modified to include the title, author and -publication date, and is, so modified, added to the public domain.</p> -<div class='htmlonly'> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/cover.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -</div> - -</div> -<div class='figcenter id002'> -<img src='images/frontis.jpg' alt='Harry Castlemon' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div><i>ROD AND GUN SERIES.</i></div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class='c002' /> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div><span class='large'>DON GORDON’S</span></div> - <div class='c000'><span class='xlarge'>SHOOTING-BOX.</span></div> - <div class='c000'><span class='small'>BY</span></div> - <div class='c000'><span class='large'>HARRY CASTLEMON,</span></div> - <div class='c000'><span class='small'>AUTHOR OF “THE GUNBOAT SERIES,” “BOY TRAPPER SERIES,”</span></div> - <div><span class='small'>“ROUGHING IT SERIES,” ETC.</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='figcenter id003'> -<img src='images/titlepage.jpg' alt='colophon' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div>PHILADELPHIA:</div> - <div><span class='large'>PORTER & COATES.</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c004'> - <div><span class='sc'>Copyright, 1883, by Porter & Coates.</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_iii'>iii</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CONTENTS.</h2> -</div> - -<table class='table0' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='80%' /> -<col width='20%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAPTER I.</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'> </td> - <td class='c008'><span class='small'>PAGE</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Military Academy</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_5'>5</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAPTER II.</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Don and Bert at School</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_18'>18</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAPTER III.</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Hazing a “Plebe”</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_36'>36</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAPTER IV.</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The New York Boot-Black</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_55'>55</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAPTER V.</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Don and Bert have Visitors</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_73'>73</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAPTER VI.</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Cony Ryan’s Pancakes</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_92'>92</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAPTER VII.</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Running the Guard</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_111'>111</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_iv'>iv</span>CHAPTER VIII.</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>How Don got in</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_131'>131</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAPTER IX.</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Don’s Yankee Invention</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_152'>152</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAPTER X.</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Breaking up the “Set”</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_173'>173</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XI.</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Students in Camp</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_192'>192</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XII.</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Deserters at the Show</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_215'>215</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XIII.</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>A Night Attack</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_237'>237</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XIV.</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Don Gordon’s Shooting-Box</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_260'>260</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XV.</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Lester Brigham makes New Friends</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_285'>285</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XVI.</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Mail-Carrier in Trouble</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_307'>307</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XVII.</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Conclusion</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_330'>330</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_5'>5</span> - <h1 class='c009'>DON GORDON’S SHOOTING-BOX.</h1> -</div> -<hr class='c010' /> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER I. <br /> <span class='small'>THE MILITARY ACADEMY.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>“Well, now, I am disgusted.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“So am I. I call it a most unusual proceeding.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That is a very mild term to be applied to it. -<em>I</em> call it an outrage. The Professor has deliberately -gone to work to disgrace the school and every -student in it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That’s my opinion. I shall give my father a -full history of the case in the next letter I write -to him; and I incline to the belief that he will -order me to pack my trunk and start for home.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I know that is what my father will do. Why, -fellows, just think of it for a moment! What if -this street gamin, who has been brought here as -the Professor’s pet, should accidentally win a warrant -at the next examination?”</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_6'>6</span>“Or a commission! That would be worse yet. -Wouldn’t a gentleman’s son look nice obeying his -orders—the orders of a bootblack?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I’ll never do that. I’ll stay in the guard-house -until I am gray-headed first.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, I won’t. I’ll go home first.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>This conversation took place one cold, frosty -morning in the latter part of January, 18—, among -the members of a little party of boys who were -walking up the path that led to the door of the -Bridgeport Military Academy. There were a dozen -of them in all, and their ages varied from thirteen -to sixteen years. They looked like young soldiers, -dressed as they were in their neat, well-fitting -uniforms of cadet gray, set off by light blue trimmings; -but it seems that they were anything but -good soldiers just then, for their words indicated a -determination on their part to rebel against lawful -authority.</p> - -<p class='c012'>The Bridgeport Military School was a time-honored, -wealthy, and aristocratic institution. It -was modeled after the school at “the Point,” and -although its course of study differed materially -from that pursued at the national academy, its -rules of discipline were almost the same. It was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_7'>7</span>intended to fit boys for college, for business, for -civil or mining engineering, or for West Point, if -they wanted to go there and could command influence -enough to secure the appointment; and in -order that they might begin early in life to realize -the majesty and dignity of law, and to see the -necessity of submitting to it as becomes good citizens -of the republic, they were put through a -course of military drill as strict as that to which -they would have been subjected if they had been -private soldiers in the regular army.</p> - -<p class='c012'>The majority of the students—there were nearly -three hundred of them in all--were deeply in love -with the school, and with every body and every -thing connected with it. Although they were -obliged to study hard for seven months in the year -to avoid being dropped from their classes, and to -watch themselves closely in order to keep within -the rules, they were allowed two seasons of rest -and recreation during the year; a faithful student -could always obtain a pass for an evening, provided -his standing as a soldier was what it should -be, and warrants and commissions were to be obtained -by anybody who was willing to work for -them. More than that, the institution was endeared -<span class='pageno' id='Page_8'>8</span>to them by a thousand old-time associations. -The fathers of some of the present students -had sat in those same seats, pronounced their -orations from that very rostrum, handled those -same muskets and swords, and been drilled at the -identical guns that still composed the battery, and -their sons had heard them speak in the highest -terms of the benefits derived from the instructions -they had there received during the days of their -boyhood. Under these circumstances it was no -wonder that the students took pride in their school, -and that the most of them had come there with -the determination that no act of theirs should in -any way detract from its high and long-established -reputation.</p> - -<p class='c012'>But if these were the sentiments of some of the -boys, there was a small but busy minority who -cherished feelings that were exactly the reverse—boys -who had been sent there because they could -not be controlled at home, who were restive under -the restraints that were imposed upon them, and -whose sole object was to complete the course and -get away from the school with as little trouble to -themselves as possible. These were the fellows -who were always in trouble. They did not mind -<span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span>their hard lessons so much as they did the fatiguing -drills with muskets and broadswords. They -envied the officers in their class on account of the -authority they possessed, the extra privileges that -fell to their lot, and the respect they demanded -from the rest of the students; but they were not -willing to work for a commission themselves, and -they did not like those who were. They ran the -guard at every opportunity to eat pancakes with -Cony Ryan, who was quite as important a personage -at Bridgeport as Benny Havens is, or used to -be, at West Point, and did penance for it the next -Saturday by performing extra duty as sentries -with bricks in their knapsacks. When they -saluted a member of the class above them, as the -law required them to do, they did it in a very sullen -and ungracious manner; but if a member of -the class below them neglected his duty in this -respect, they were prompt to take him to task for it.</p> - -<p class='c012'>The two meanest boys in school were Tom -Fisher and Clarence Duncan, who, at the time -our story opens, had been members of the academy -just two years. They were smart enough at their -books and stood well in their classes when they -felt in the humor to apply themselves; but their -<span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span>record as soldiers was something of which they -ought to have been ashamed. Tom, to put it in -plain English, was a sneak, and Clarence was a -bully, who boasted of his ability to whip any boy -in school. These boys had a good many adherents -among the students, and if there were any mischief -done about the village it was pretty certain -to be traced home to them.</p> - -<p class='c012'>The two seasons of rest and recreation of which -we have spoken were the camping-out frolic, that -came off in August, and the vacation, which began -on the 15th of September and continued until the -15th of January. Then the boys went home to -spend the holidays and show their uniforms. -When the time came to go into camp no one was -excused except upon the surgeon’s certificate of -disability. In fact there were very few among -them who ever asked to be excused. Even the -most studious had grown tired of their books by -this time, and were anxious to get out among the -hills where they could breathe invigorating air, go -trout-fishing and botanizing, and in various other -ways brace up their nerves in readiness for the -searching examination that was to be held immediately -on their return to the academy.</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span>This camp was intended as a school of review. -Theory was reduced to practice, and those of the -students who kept their eyes and ears open, and -tried to profit by the instructions there received, -were almost sure to pass the examination with -flying colors. The civil engineers surveyed the bar -in the river, just as their fathers had done before -them; staked out the best route for a canal -around the falls, and laid out a railroad and got -everything in readiness for tunneling the hills to -let it through. The military engineers, under -cover of a hot fire of blank cartridges from the -battery, threw pontoon bridges over the creek, and -when they were finished, the infantry, which had -been concealed in a ravine close by, charged across -them and swarmed up the opposite heights to dislodge -an enemy that was supposed to be intrenched -there. They fortified the hills to prevent the approach -of an invading army, sent out scouts to -scour the surrounding country, held drumhead -courts-martial, and tried everybody who was reported -for any misdemeanor; in fact, they did -everything that soldiers do when they are in the -field.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Perhaps two or three days would be spent in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span>this way, and then there would come two or three -days of rest, during which the young soldiers would -roam about the woods and fields, going wherever -their fancy led them. When the examination -came off, the graduates were presented with their -diplomas and the degrees that the institution was -empowered to confer, new officers were appointed -from among the students, the classes were reorganized, -new applicants were received, and everything -was made ready for work at the beginning -of the new school year.</p> - -<p class='c012'>At the time of which we write the school had -been in session about two weeks. Two hundred -and fifty of the old students had returned, and -the places of the large number who were graduated -at the close of the last term were filled by -the second class, which became the first; the third -became the second, the fourth became the third, -and the new fourth was made up of the “Plebes” -who had signed the muster-roll. Why the new-comers -were called “Plebes,” which is short for -“plebeians,” it is hard to tell. Perhaps it was -because their fathers, in the days of their boyhood, -had given that name to all new scholars, or it may -have been for the reason that everybody was down -<span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span>on them. They certainly looked out of place there. -They still wore their citizens’ clothes, the uniforms -for which they had been measured when they first -arrived not having yet been received. They were -not allowed to go on dress-parade because they -could not handle a musket; and as they had not -yet been “broken in,” they were a little too independent -in their conduct to suit the old students, -who exacted the greatest show of respect from -those who were below them.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Among these “Plebes” was one whose advent -created the profoundest astonishment among some -of the students. The boys we have already introduced -to the reader were talking about him as -they came up the path. They were Tom Fisher -and his crowd. Having drawn the capes of their -overcoats over their heads, they were strolling -leisurely along, paying no heed to the cutting -wind that swept across the snow-covered parade-ground; -but the thinly clad young fellow who -came up the path behind them was shivering violently -under its influence. His hands and face -were blue with cold, and his feet were so poorly -protected that he was obliged to stop now and -then and stamp them on the ground to get them -<span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span>warm. The noise he made attracted the attention -of Tom Fisher and his companions, who turned to -see what had occasioned it.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Here he comes now,” exclaimed Dick Henderson, -a fair-haired, sunny-faced little fellow, whose -mother would have been ashamed of him if she -had known what sort of company he was keeping -at the academy. “Say, you fellow, where are -your manners?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Only one short year ago Dick was a “Plebe” -himself; but now he was a third class boy, and -he was resolved that everybody should know it -and treat him accordingly.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Let him go, Dick,” said Tom Fisher, in a -tone of disgust. “You would be highly honored -by a salute from a bootblack, wouldn’t you, -now?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Who are these?” said Clarence Duncan, in a -low tone.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Tom and his crowd looked down the path and -saw two other new-comers approaching. In appearance -they were very unlike the shivering, half-frozen -boy who had just gone along the path. -They were warmly clad, wore sealskin caps and -gloves, and there was something in their air and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>bearing that proclaimed them to be boys who respected -themselves, and who intended that others -should respect them. One of them was tall and -broad-shouldered, and carried himself as though -he had never been in the habit of submitting to -any nonsense, and the other was small, slender, -and apparently delicate.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Why, they are the Planter and his brother,” -said one of the students, all of whom had had -opportunity to learn more or less of the history -of the boys who composed the fourth class. -“They’re from Mississippi. Their father is worth -no end of money, and they say he gives his boys -a very liberal allowance.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Then they’ll be good fellows to foot the bills -at Cony Ryan’s, will they not?” said Fisher.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“They say that the little one is a saint,” chimed -in Dick Henderson. “He never does anything -wrong; but his brother must be a brick, for he -was expelled from the last school he attended on -account of some violation of the rules.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Then he’s the fellow for us,” said Tom Fisher. -“We must make it a point to see him after taps.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The near approach of the new-comers cut short -the conversation. Tom and his crowd strolled -<span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>leisurely on, filling up the path so completely that -it was impossible for any one to pass them without -stepping out into the deep snow that had been -thrown up on each side. This the new scholars -did not seem inclined to do. The smaller one -came up behind Dick Henderson, and placing the -back of his hand against his arm, said pleasantly:</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Will you be good enough to give us a little -room?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Tom and his friends faced about at once, and -the former stepped up to the speaker and laid his -hand rather heavily on his shoulder.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Look here, Plebe,” said he, in an insolent -tone. “‘Subordination is of discipline the root; -when you address an old cadet, forget not to salute.’ -Mind that in future.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Take your hand off that boy, or I will salute -you with a blow in the face that will bury you -out of sight in that snowdrift,” said he who had -been called the “Planter.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Who are you?” demanded Fisher.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Take a good look at me so that you will -remember me,” was the reply.</p> - -<p class='c012'>The boy drew off his gloves and pulled down -his muffler, revealing the familiar features of our -<span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span>old friend, Don Gordon. Just then the clear -notes of a bugle rang out on the frosty air. It -was the “study call,” and all the students within -hearing made haste to respond to it.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER II. <br /> <span class='small'>DON AND BERT AT SCHOOL.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>Don Gordon and his brother Hubert were -two of the heroes of the <cite>Boy Trapper</cite> series. -Those who have met them before will not need to -be told what sort of boys they were; and strangers -we will leave to do as the boys of the Bridgeport -Academy did—become acquainted with them by -degrees. They lived near the little town of Rochdale, -in the State of Mississippi, where their -father owned an extensive cotton plantation. -That was the reason why the students, who had -a new name for every new-comer, called Don the -Planter. The last time we spoke of him and -Hubert was in connection with the building of a -<em>Shooting-Box</em> on the site of the one that had been -burned by Bob Owens and Lester Brigham. We -then informed the reader that the new structure -was much better than the old one, and that is all -we shall say about it until such time as the owners -get ready to take possession of it.</p> - -<p class='c012'>After Bob Owens ran away from home to become -<span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>a hunter, and Godfrey Evans and his son -Dan went to work to earn an honest living, and -David Evans became <em>mail carrier</em>, and Lester -Brigham withdrew himself from the society of the -boys in the neighborhood, the inhabitants of Rochdale -and the surrounding country settled back -into their old ways, and waited for something to -happen that would create an excitement. They -marveled greatly at the sudden change that had -taken place in Godfrey and Dan, talked of the -indomitable courage Bob Owens had displayed on -the night the steamer Sam Kendall was burned, -and cast jealous eyes upon David Evans, who, -they thought, was making money a little too rapidly, -and throwing on a few more airs than were -becoming in a boy who had a woodchopper, and a -lazy and worthless one at that, for a father.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Rochdale was like some other country towns -that you may have heard of. The people, most -of whom had been impoverished by the war, were -envious of one another, though outwardly they -were friendly, and all one had to do to gain enemies -was to be successful. If he made money one -year by planting potatoes, when the next season -came around everybody planted potatoes. If he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span>set up a blacksmith shop or opened a store, and -seemed to be prospering, some one was sure to -start opposition to him. When David Evans -began riding the mail route for Don Gordon’s -father, who had the contract, and exchanged his -rags for warm and durable clothing, and purchased -a fine horse for himself, there were a good many -who thought that he was getting on in the world -altogether too fast. His most bitter enemy was -Mr. Owens, who had tried so hard to secure the -contract for his son Bob, the runaway. He generally -rode a very dilapidated specimen of horse-flesh, -and whenever David passed him on the -road, mounted on his high-stepping colt, Mr. -Owens always felt as though he wanted to knock -him out of his saddle.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Just look at that beggar on horseback!” he -would say to himself. “Things have come to a -pretty pass when white trash like that can hold -their heads so high in the air. If it hadn’t been -for him and that meddlesome Gordon, Bob might -have been riding that route now instead of roaming -about the world, nobody knows where. If the -opportunity ever presents itself I’ll get even with -both of them for that piece of business.”</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>As for Don and Bert, they hardly knew what -to do with themselves. Their private tutor left -them—being a Northern man he could not stand -the climate—and then they were as uneasy as -fish out of their native element. They galloped -their ponies about the country in search of adventure, -paddled around the lake in their canoe, -roamed listlessly through the woods with their -guns in their hands; in short, to quote from Don, -<a id='corr21.10'></a><span class='htmlonly'><ins class='correction' title='they'>“they</ins></span><span class='epubonly'><a href='#c_21.10'><ins class='correction' title='they'>“they</ins></a></span> became as shiftless and of as little use in the -world as ever Godfrey Evans had been.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I don’t at all like this thing,” the general one -day said to his wife, “and there must be a stop -put to it. The boys will grow up as ignorant -as the negroes. I shall pack them both off to -school.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Mrs. Gordon thought of the way in which Don -had conducted himself at the last school he attended -(he had been expelled from it on account -of the “scrapes” that his inordinate love of mischief -brought him into), and made no reply.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I have not forgotten that unfortunate occurrence,” -said the general, who well knew what was -passing in his wife’s mind. “But I think it was -a lesson to Don, and one that will never fade from -<span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>his memory. Being blessed with wonderful health -and strength, he is fairly overflowing with animal -spirits, and some of his surplus energy must be -worked off in some way. I’ll put him where he -will be held with his nose close to the grindstone. -I’ll send him to Bridgeport.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Do you think he can endure the discipline?” -asked the anxious mother, who knew how easily -Don could be governed by kindness, and how -obstinate he was under harsh treatment.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“He’ll have to; it is just what he needs. After -he has spent six hours in racking his brain over -the hardest kind of problems in mathematics, and -two hours and a half more in handling muskets -and broadswords under the eye of a strict drillmaster, -he will feel more like going to bed than -he will like running the guard to eat Cony Ryan’s -pancakes and drink his sour buttermilk. I know, -for I have been right there.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>When General Gordon once made up his mind -to a course of action he lost no time in carrying it -into effect. Before the week was passed he and -his two boys were on their way to Bridgeport, -where they arrived in time to learn something -of the life the students led while they were in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>camp. The veteran superintendent welcomed the -general as an old friend and pupil, received him -and his boys into his marquee, and took pains to -see that the latter made some agreeable acquaintances -among the members of the first class, who -showed them every thing there was to be seen. -Bert did not have much to say, but Don was all -enthusiasm.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That’s the school for me,” said he to his -father when they were on their way to Rochdale, -after Don and Bert had passed their examination -and been admitted as members of the academy. -“How nicely those fellows were drilled, and what -good-natured gentlemen all the instructors are! -We shall have easy times during the first year. -It will seem like play for me to go back to the -beginning of algebra again.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The general smiled, but said nothing until they -reached home and the boys began to get ready to -go back to the academy at the beginning of the -school year. Then he tried to make them understand -that “easy times” were entirely unknown -in Bridgeport; that the instructors, although -they were “good-natured” enough to the guests -they met while in camp, were the sternest and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>most inflexible of disciplinarians in the barracks; -and that there was as wide a gulf between them -and the students as there was between the officers -and privates in the army. Somehow Don could -not bring himself to believe it, but before many -months more had passed over his head he found -out that his father knew what he was talking -about. He made his mother the most solemn -promises in regard to his behavior, assuring her -that he had been in “scrapes” enough, and that -henceforth he would give her and his teachers -no trouble; and when he made those promises -he was fully resolved to live up to them. He was -then entirely unacquainted with the temptations -that fell to the lot of a Bridgeport student. -Cony Ryan’s pancakes and surreptitious sleigh-rides -had no charms for him, neither had the -guard-house and extra duty any terrors, because -he did not know that there were any such things. -But they were soon brought to his notice, and -perhaps we shall see how he kept his promises -after that.</p> - -<p class='c012'>The night of the 15th of January found Don -and Bert installed in their room in the academy. -It was large enough to accommodate two single -<span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span>beds, a steam-heater, a washstand, a table, and -two chairs. At the foot of each bed was a small -cupboard, in which they were to keep their uniforms, -after they got them, and also their officers’ -swords, if they were fortunate enough to win them -at the next examination. Bert was poring over -his French lesson, while Don, who was more than -a year ahead of his class in all his studies, was reading -the “Rules and Regulations” that hung upon -the wall. There were fifty rooms on that floor, -all occupied by boys who were supposed to be -studying their lessons for the morrow. The only -sound that broke the stillness was a steady tramping -in the hall.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I wish that fellow, whoever he is, would go -into his room and keep still,” said Bert, after -he had waited a long time for the tramping to -cease.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“He’ll not go away until he is relieved,” replied -Don. “He is a sentry. I have just been -reading about him. He has charge of all the -rooms on this floor, and it is his duty to suppress -all loud talking or laughing, and to inspect the -rooms occasionally to see that the occupants have -not slipped out.”</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>“Where would they go if they did slip out?” -asked Bert.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I am sure I don’t know,” replied Don, as he -walked up to the heater and held his hands over -it. “Neither do I see why one should want to -leave a comfortable room like this to parade -around in the deep snow, even if there <em>were</em> a -place to go to pass the evening. It’s fearful cold -up here in this country, isn’t it?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>When Don and Bert left their Southern home -the air was balmy, the birds were singing, a few -early flowers were beginning to bud under the -genial influence of the sun, and they earned their -overcoats done up in shawl-straps; but long -before they reached their journey’s end they had -put on all their heaviest clothing, and when the -train brought them into Bridgeport they found -the streets blocked with snow, and the river covered -with a sheet of ice that was fourteen inches -in thickness. The dreary winter scene that met -their gaze every time they looked out of the -academy windows made them shiver involuntarily, -and it was no wonder that they wanted to hug -the fire.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Suppose that sentry should find a room -<span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>empty when he looked into it?” said Bert, without -replying to his brother’s question. “What -then?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“It would be his duty to report the owners,” -said Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That looks almost too much like tale-bearing,” -answered Bert. “I don’t like the idea; do you?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“No, I don’t; but what is a fellow to do about -it? If it ever comes our turn to stand sentry -during study hours, we can take our choice between -doing our full duty, without fear or favor, -and being reported and punished ourselves for -negligence. I know what my choice will be. If -the boys don’t want me to report them, they must -live up to the regulations.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>When Don said this he meant every word of -it; but after he had been at the academy a -few weeks, Bert noticed that he never gave -expression to such ideas as these. He learned -how to keep his back turned toward a room when -he had reason to believe that the owners desired -to “take French” for the evening; and when he -was certain that they were out of harm’s way, he -could open the door of that very room, and without -much stretching of his imagination convert the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>“dummies” that occupied the beds into living, -breathing students. It soon became known to a -certain class of boys that the Planter was a -“brick,” who would rather get into trouble himself -than report any of his schoolmates; and they -were not slow to take advantage of his good-nature. -That was the term the students applied -to his neglect of duty; but the superintendent -called it disobedience of orders, and Don was -punished accordingly.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What was that noise?” exclaimed Bert, suddenly.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“It sounded like a drum,” answered Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>And that was just what it was. A couple of -drummers were walking around the building, every -now and then giving their instruments a single -tap.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“It certainly means something,” said Bert, -with no little anxiety in his tone; “but I am all -in the dark.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>So was Don. He was about to propose that -they should step out into the hall and ask the -sentry to enlighten them, when the door suddenly -opened and that dreaded functionary thrust his -head into the room.</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>“I say, Plebe,” he exclaimed, nodding to Don, -“give us your name, will you?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don wonderingly complied, and the sentry drew -a note-book from his pocket and wrote something -in it.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Very unpleasant piece of business,” said he, -“but it can’t be helped. Orders are orders, as -you will find before you have been here a great -while. Next time keep your ears open.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Why, what’s the matter?” inquired Don. -“Have we done anything wrong?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I should say so. Why didn’t you douse your -glim? Did you not hear the signal?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“We heard a drum, if that’s what you mean,” -said Bert.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That was ‘taps,’ and it meant ‘lights out.’ -Put that lamp out at once.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“We’ll do it just as soon as we get ready for -bed,” replied Bert, jumping up and pulling off his -coat.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Put it out, I tell you,” exclaimed the sentry. -“Put it out <em>now</em>, and undress in the dark, as the -rest of the fellows do. You had better take my -advice and slumber lightly, for after the morning -gun is fired you will have just six minutes in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>which to get into your clothes and fall in for roll-call. -Pleasant dreams.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Humph!” said Bert, as the sentry closed the -door and went out into the hall to inspect the -other rooms. “How can a fellow’s dreams be -pleasant when he knows that he is going to be -reported in the morning? This is a bad beginning, -Don. Although we have not been here -twenty-four hours, we have got <a id='corr30.9'></a><span class='htmlonly'><ins class='correction' title='onrselves'>ourselves</ins></span><span class='epubonly'><a href='#c_30.9'><ins class='correction' title='onrselves'>ourselves</ins></a></span> into -trouble already.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>This reflection worried Bert, who always tried -hard to obey the rules of the school he attended, -and considered himself disgraced if he were taken -to task for violating any of them; but it had no -more effect upon Don than water has on a duck’s -back. He tumbled into bed and slept soundly, -while Bert, who was very much afraid that he -might not hear the morning gun, lay awake -during the greater part of the night. Toward -morning he sank into a troubled slumber, from -which the solemn booming of the field-piece -aroused him.</p> - -<p class='c012'>He and Don were out on the floor and putting -on their clothes before the deep-toned reverberations -that came from the hills on the other side -<span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>of the river had fairly died away. There was no -time lost in stretching and yawning—not a second -wasted in waking up. The drums were beating -in the drill-room, and the fifes were shrilly piping -forth the first strains of the three tunes that -constituted the morning call. Before the second -tune was finished, Don and Bert, following the -lead of the crowd of students they found in the -hall, ran into the drill-room and took their places -in line.</p> - -<p class='c012'>There were four companies in all, each one -numbering, when the school was full, seventy-five -members. They were all officered by boys, the -highest in rank being the lieutenant-colonel, while -the superintendent of the academy, or one of the -instructors, acted as commandant of the battalion. -The companies were drawn up on the four sides -of the spacious drill-room, in which all the battalion -and company exercises and ceremonies were -held during bad weather, the members standing -at “parade rest.” In front of each company -stood the upright, soldierly figure of the first -sergeant, note-book in hand. Behind him stood -his boy captain, while the officer of the day, his -arms folded across his breast, critically surveyed -<span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>the scene from his post near the door. The instant -the last notes of the reveille died away -business commenced.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Attention, company!” shouted all the first -sergeants in a breath; whereupon the students -brought their heels in line, dropped their hands -by their side, turned their eyes to the front, and -assumed the position of a soldier.</p> - -<p class='c012'>The roll was called in less than two minutes, -and after the first sergeants had reported to their -captains, and the captains had reported to the -adjutant, and the adjutant had reported to the -officer of the day, whose duty it was to report -the absentees to the superintendent, the guards -for the day were detailed, the ranks were broken, -and the students hurried away to wash their hands -and faces, comb their hair, and put their rooms in -order for morning inspection. After that came -two hours of hard study. Then the sick-call was -sounded, followed shortly afterward by the enlivening -strains of “Peas upon the Trencher,” -which was the summons to breakfast. The different -companies were marched to and from the -dining-hall by their quartermaster-sergeants, and -when the ranks were broken the students were -<span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>allowed an hour to “brush up” on their lessons for -the day, or to stroll about the grounds and watch -guard-mount. At nine o’clock the bugle called -them to their respective recitation-rooms, and -from that time until one they were kept at work -at their books. After dinner an hour was allowed -for rest and recreation. From two until half-past -three there were more recitations, followed by a -long and fatiguing drill, and then liberty until -sunset. Then came the dress-parade of the battalion; -and when that was ended the day’s work -was over with everybody except the guards and -those who were behind with their lessons for the -next day. After supper and another hour of recreation, -the bugle called “to quarters,” and that -was a sound that nobody liked to hear. It meant -that all the fun was over for that day, that every -boy must go to his room at once and keep quiet -after he got there, under penalty of being reported -by the sentry who had charge of that floor.</p> - -<p class='c012'>After this description of the routine of study -and drill that was pursued at the academy, the -reader will understand how Don Gordon passed -the most of his school-days during the next four -years. How he passed his vacations it is the purpose -<span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>of this series of books to relate. It will be -seen also that he was allowed very little time in -which to study up plans for mischief. In fact he -did not think of such a thing <em>yet</em>, for he had come -there firmly resolved to do his best, and to win a -record for himself that his father should be proud -of; but still he did feel very revengeful while he -and his brother were standing in front of the -superintendent’s desk, listening to the sharp reprimand -that was administered to them for neglecting -to extinguish their light at taps. This was -the same “good-natured gentleman” who had -greeted them and their father so cordially when -they visited his camp during the previous summer, -but he did not talk as he did then. He used cutting -words, and laid down the law in tones that -had made more than one culprit tremble. Don -did not mind it in the least, for he was used to -being scolded by his teachers; but when he saw -how Bert took it to heart, he became so angry -that he could hardly hold his peace.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That’s just the kind of a man that I like to -get the advantage of,” said he to himself; “and if -I had a few good fellows to help me, I would set -him and his rules at defiance. I just know I could -<span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>slip out of my room and get off the grounds at -night; and if I had any place to go to spend the -evening, I would try it and see what he would do -about it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don made this up all out of his own head. He -had never heard of such a thing as running the -guard, and he thought of it now simply as a -daring exploit, and one that he would undertake -without a moment’s hesitation if there were anything -to be gained by it. He was in just the -right humor to be manipulated by such fellows as -Fisher and Duncan; and into their hands he fell -before he had worn the academy uniform forty-eight -hours. They took him up because they -hated him and wanted to get him into trouble, -and it was only by an unexpected stroke of good fortune -that he escaped from their clutches. What -he did to arouse their animosity shall be told further -on.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER III. <br /> <span class='small'>HAZING A “PLEBE.”</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>“We’ll settle with you at some future time -my fine gentleman,” said Tom Fisher, as -he and his companions ran toward the academy in -obedience to the call of the bugle. They had -spent the hour after breakfast in strolling about -the grounds, discussing the history of one of the -new students, as we have related in the first -chapter.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“All right,” replied Don Gordon, winking at -his brother, who laid his finger on his lips and -shook his head warningly. “Whenever you want -to see me just send me word, and I will be on -hand.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You may get some of that independence -whipped out of you before you have been here -many more days,” chimed in Clarence Duncan.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Who’ll do it?” asked Don, cheerfully.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“<em>I</em> will,” replied Duncan, in savage tones.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“O, you can’t. It’s bred in the bone. But I’ll -<span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>tell you one thing—you and your partner there,” -added Don, nodding his head toward Tom Fisher. -“You want to keep your hands off my brother, or -I’ll make spread-eagles of the pair of you.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, that beats anything I ever heard of!” -exclaimed Dick Henderson, opening his eyes in -surprise. “You have good cheek to talk of making -‘spread-eagles’ of such fellows as Fisher and -Duncan, haven’t you, now?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Do you think so, little one?” asked Don. As -he said this he patted Dick on the head in a most -patronizing way—an action on his part that -caused Dick to jump aside and bristle up like a -bantam that had been poked with a stick. -“Well, you hang around and you will see it -done, unless they take my advice and mind their -own business,” added Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Fisher and Duncan did not have an opportunity -to reply to this threat, for just then they -reached the door and found one of the teachers -standing there. They were somewhat behind -time, and they were obliged to hasten to their -dormitories and take off their caps and overcoats -so that they could march to their recitation-rooms -with their classes. They looked daggers at -<span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>Don as they went up the stairs, but he smiled -back at them in the most unconcerned manner -possible.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I knew he was a tough one the moment I put -my eyes on him,” said Fisher that night after drill -hours, when he and about fifty other students -were exercising their muscles in the gymnasium. -“There isn’t another fellow in school who can -do that.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The subject of these remarks was Don Gordon, -who had just come out dressed in neat dark-blue -trunks and flesh-colored tights. His arms were -bare to the shoulder, revealing muscles at which -the boys around him gazed in admiration. His -first act was to walk up to the nearest swing, take -hold of one of the rings and draw himself up to -his chin twice in succession with one hand.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I tell you, Duncan, you had better let him -alone,” continued Fisher, still watching Don, who -was now going hand over hand up a rope toward -the lofty ceiling.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“And swallow everything he said to me this -morning?” exclaimed the bully.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“No, I didn’t mean that,” Fisher hastened to -reply. “Those insulting remarks must of course -<span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>be taken back and apologized for; but you can’t -make him do it alone.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Just give me the chance, and I’ll show you -whether I can or not,” answered Duncan, who -was always angry whenever there was any imputation -cast upon his prowess. “He has come -here intending to set at naught all the old-time -customs of the institution—haven’t you noticed -how persistently he refuses to salute everybody but -an officer?—and if we are willing to stand by and -let him do it, I say we are a pack of cowards. He -must be made to come down from his high horse.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“And he shall be,” said Fisher, encouragingly. -“We will attend to that bootblack’s case to-night, -and the first good chance we get we’ll take -Mr. Gordon in hand. By the way, Duncan——”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The two boys drew off on one side and entered -into a whispered consultation, now and then beckoning -to one or another of their friends, until -there were a dozen or more students gathered -about them. They conversed earnestly together -for a few minutes, and then put on their clothes -and left the gymnasium. Don and Bert Gordon -followed them soon after, and on giving their -names to the orderly in the hall, were admitted to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span>the presence of the superintendent. After they -had both saluted him, Don said:</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Colonel, we have brought with us a letter of -introduction from our father, addressed to Mr. -Packard, who is a relative of one of our nearest -neighbors, and if you have no objections we should -like permission to present it to-night.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Certainly,” said the superintendent, as he -picked up a pen and pulled a sheet of paper -toward him. “You can go immediately after -supper, and I will write you a pass. You ought -to have presented it when you first came. Why -did you put it off so long?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Why—I—you know, sir, that we received a -reprimand on the morning following our arrival -here for not putting out our light at ten o’clock,” -faltered Don, “and I was afraid you would think -we ought to stay inside the grounds until we had -learned to obey the rules.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Ah, yes,” said the superintendent with a -smile. “I believe I remember something about -that. Well, it did you good, did it not? You -haven’t been reported since. I hope your record -at the end of your course will be as good as that -of your father, who, I must say, was a very -<span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>exemplary student. It is true that he did run -the guard now and then, the temptations at Cony -Ryan’s proving rather too strong for him; and -when he was here with you last August, I think -he told me that while he was a member of my -school he spent forty-three Saturdays in walking -extras; but, for all that, he was a good boy—a -<em>very</em> good boy. Here’s your pass.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don expressed his thanks for the favor, and he -and Bert saluted and retired, lost in wonder.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Running the guard!” repeated the former, in -a loud tone. “What does that mean?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What’s walking an extra?” said Bert, in the -same low voice; “and who is Cony Ryan?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Here comes Egan; we’ll ask him,” said Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>The individual referred to was a first-class boy, -and the first sergeant of Don’s company. When -he was on duty he was a soldier all over; but -during the hours of recreation he was as jovial -and friendly a fellow as there was to be found -about the academy.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Say, sergeant,” said Don, not forgetting to -salute, “what does a cadet do when he runs the -guard?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What does he do?” repeated the sergeant. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span>“Why, he spends a good portion of the next -Saturday afternoon in walking an extra to pay for -it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I mean, how does he run the guard?” explained -Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Now, Gordon, isn’t that just the least bit—you -know,” said the sergeant, laying his finger by -the side of his nose and looking very wise. “You -surely don’t expect me to tell you how it is done, -do you? You had better ask Fisher or Duncan, -or some of that crowd. They have had considerable -experience in it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“We want to know what the meaning of the -expression is,” said Bert.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“O, that’s it! Well, when a fellow slips out -of his room, gets off the grounds without being -caught, and comes back in the morning in time to -fall in and answer to roll-call, we call that running -the guard. By walking an extra we mean -doing additional guard duty. The reason that -Saturday is selected as a day of punishment is -because the afternoon is given over almost entirely -to recreation; but those who have been arrested -while attempting to run the guard, or who have -been caught in other acts of disobedience, are not -<span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>allowed to take advantage of those hours of recreation, -because they have already had their fun. -Understand?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don said he did; and then he inquired who -Cony Ryan was, and what he did to tempt the -boys.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Cony Ryan!” repeated the sergeant, his eyes -growing brighter and a smile overspreading his -face, as the memory of old times came back to -him. “Why, he is a part of the academy, and I -have seen the day when I thought we could not -possibly get along without him. He keeps a neat -little house down by the big pond, where he serves -up the best pancakes <em>I</em> ever ate. His mince and -pumpkin pies top the heap; and as for his maple -molasses—ah!”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The sergeant walked off, smacking his lips, and -Don and Bert kept on up the stairs.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I rather think Egan has been there,” observed -the latter.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I know he has,” replied Don, “and the taste -of that maple syrup clings to his palate yet.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>On entering their room Don threw himself into -a chair, stretched his legs out before him, buried -his hands in his pockets, and gazed down at the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span>floor in a brown study; while Bert leaned his -elbows on the table, rested his chin on his hands, -and looked at him. Presently Don threw back -his head and laughed so loudly and heartily that -his brother was obliged to laugh too.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I never dreamed of such a thing,” said Bert, -who knew what was passing in Don’s mind.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“No more did I. Just think how that dignified -father of ours must have looked running the -guard and standing punishment for it afterward! -He took good care not to say a word to us about -it, didn’t he? I say, Bert,” exclaimed Don, suddenly, -and then he as suddenly paused.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Don’t you do it,” said Bert, earnestly. “You -will be certain to get yourself into trouble by it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“If I did, I should be perfectly willing to take -the consequences. But father couldn’t haul me -over the coals for it, could he?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“If father were here now, he wouldn’t think of -doing such things.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Neither would I if I were a man.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“But you won’t go to Cony Ryan’s, will you?” -pleaded Bert.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Of course not. Don’t borrow any trouble on -that score. I promised mother that I would -<span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span>behave myself, and I am going to do it. But I -should like to taste those pies and pancakes, all -the same,” added Don, to himself.</p> - -<p class='c012'>That evening, after supper, Don and Bert -showed their pass to the sentry at the gate, and -set out to pay their long deferred visit to Mr. -Packard. Why was it that they did not think to -read that pass when it was given to them? If -they had, they might have saved themselves from -something disagreeable that afterward happened. -They passed a very pleasant evening at Mr. Packard’s -house, and at half-past ten they took leave -of their new friends and started for the academy.</p> - -<p class='c012'>As they were walking briskly along the road -that ran around one end of the big pond, they -heard an indistinct murmur of voices, and presently -saw a crowd of boys, who were walking in a -compact body, pass across the road in front of -them, and direct their course toward the middle -of the pond. They thought at first that it was -a skating party; but as they did not stop to put -on their skates, Don and Bert became interested in -their movements and halted to observe them. -Just then a voice, speaking in pleading accents, -came to their ears.</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span>“Don’t do it, boys—please don’t,” it said, in piteous -tones. “I wouldn’t mind it so much if I could -stand it, but I solemnly assure you that I can’t. -I have had one attack of pneumonia this winter -that was brought on by exposure, and ducking me -in this icy water will surely give me another.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“No it won’t,” replied another voice that Don -knew belonged to Tom Fisher. “This is a time-honored -custom, and we are not going to give it -up; are we, boys?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Not much,” answered the others, in concert.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Our fathers were hazed when they went to -this school; they, in turn, hazed others, and we -couldn’t think of disgracing them by refusing -to follow in their footsteps,” continued Tom. -“Everyone of the fellows you see around you—myself -among the rest—has been hazed in one -way or another; and are you, a New York boot-black, -any better than we are?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Hurry him on and pitch him in,” said Clarence -Duncan, in his deep base tones. “Wash -some of the black out of him.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Yes, in with him,” piped little Dick Henderson.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, boys, if you must do it to preserve your -<span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span>honor, let me take my clothes off first,” said the -pleading voice. “This is the only suit I have in -the world, and if I get it wet I shall freeze to -death, for I have no fire in my room to dry it by.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Then go to bed,” was the rough rejoinder.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Why, what in the world are those fellows -going to do?” said Bert, who had listened in -great amazement to this conversation, every word -of which came distinctly to the ears of himself -and his brother. “I am afraid they are going to -do something to somebody.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Have you just found it out?” exclaimed Don, -who now discovered that the boys were making -their way toward a hole that had been previously -cut in the ice. “A party of students, led by -Fisher and Duncan, are going to haze a Plebe by -ducking him in the pond. Now I shall have a -word or two to say about that. They are the -same fellows who blocked up our path this morning -and wouldn’t let us go by. You know they -promised to settle with me some day for showing -so much ‘independence,’ as they called it, and -they might as well do it now as any other time.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“O Don, mind what you are about,” cried -Bert.</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span>“I will. I’ll black the eyes of some of them -before they shall stick that boy through the ice. -Why, Bert, what would father say to me if he -should hear that I stood by and witnessed such a -proceeding without lifting a hand to prevent it? -He would tell me I wasn’t worthy of the name I -bear.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>No one who knew the temper of the academy -boys, and the tenacity with which they clung to -the “time-honored customs” of the institution to -which they belonged, would have thought Don -Gordon a coward if he had taken to his heels and -made the best of his way to his room. He knew -very well that if he attempted to interfere with -Tom and his crowd, he stood a good chance of being -ducked himself; but the knowledge of this fact -did not deter him from promptly carrying out the -plans he had resolved upon. It would have been -bad enough, he told himself, if the students had -selected as a victim a boy who had an extra suit -of clothes, a change of linen to put on, and a fire -to warm himself by after his cold bath; but to -pitch upon one who had none of these comforts, -and who ran the risk of being thrown into a dangerous -illness by the folly of his tormentors, was, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span>in his estimation, a most cowardly act, and one -that could not be too severely punished.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Bert, you had better stay here where you will -be safe,” said Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I’ll not do it,” was the prompt reply. “If -you are going into danger, I am going in too.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don, knowing that it would be of no use to -argue the matter, ran out on the ice, and when he -came up with the crowd his coats were off, and he -was in his shirt-sleeves. Fisher and his companions -stopped when they heard the sound of his -approaching footsteps, and some of them acted as -if they wanted to run away; but when they discovered -that Don and Bert were alone, they -waited for them to come nearer, thinking that -perhaps they were a couple of the members of -their own class who wanted to join in the sport. -When they saw Don pull off his overcoat, however, -their eyes were opened.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Here comes an intruder, boys,” exclaimed one -of the students, “and judging by the way he acts, -he is getting ready for a rumpus.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Let him get ready,” said Fisher. “There are -a dozen of us. If he turns out to be a Plebe, -we’ll stick him in too. The more the merrier, you -<span class='pageno' id='Page_50'>50</span>know. Who comes there?” he added, raising his -voice.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“A peace-maker,” replied Don, throwing his -coats on the ice.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Yes, you look like it,” sneered Clarence Duncan. -“If that is so, what did you pull your duds -off for?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Because I did not know how you would receive -my overtures, and I thought it the part of -wisdom to be prepared for any emergency,” answered -Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>So saying, he walked boldly into the crowd, -which gave way right and left as he advanced, -and took his stand by the side of the prisoner, -who was firmly held by two of the largest and -strongest students, while two others stood close -behind him, in readiness to lend their assistance -in case he made any attempt at escape. Although -Don had never exchanged a word with the boy, -he knew him at once, for they belonged to the -same company. It was the new student whose -presence, if we are to believe Fisher and his -friends, was a disgrace to the academy and everybody -belonging to it. He wore the same thin -clothes in which he had shivered as he walked up -<span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span>the path that morning, and the keen wind that -swept across the icy surface of the big pond must -have chilled him to the very marrow. He had no -muffler about his face nor any gloves on his hands, -which he held clasped one within the other, as -if they were very cold. Don looked at him -and then at the comfortably clad boys who -were standing around, and his blood, which was -none of the coolest at any time, boiled with indignation.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You are a pack of contemptible cowards,” -said he, pulling off his gloves and slamming them -down on the ice.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Why, bless our royal heart, it’s the Planter!” -exclaimed Tom Fisher, who now, for the first -time, recognized the intruder. “Here’s luck, -boys. Grab hold of him, some of you, and we’ll -wash him too.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“If that’s the Planter, this must be his -brother,” said Dick Henderson.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Why, so it is,” said Fisher, after he had -taken a sharp look into Bert’s face. “Here’s -more luck. Take hold of him too, boys; and -since they have had the assurance to push themselves -in among us without being asked, we will -<span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span>give them the post of honor. We’ll duck them -<a id='corr51.2'></a><span class='htmlonly'><ins class='correction' title='first.’'>first.”</ins></span><span class='epubonly'><a href='#c_51.2'><ins class='correction' title='first.’'>first.”</ins></a></span></p> - -<p class='c012'>In obedience to these orders three or four pairs -of hands were laid upon Bert’s arms; but when -the rest of the crowd moved forward to lay hold -of Don, Duncan stepped up and stopped them.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Stand back, all of you,” said he. “I want to -have a little talk with this fellow before he is put -into that air-hole. Gordon, you insulted me this -morning in the presence of my friends, and I want -you to apologize for it at once. If you don’t do -it, I will give you a thrashing right here on this -ice that you won’t get over for a month.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“How did I insult you?” asked Don, and the -bully was somewhat surprised to see that he did -not appear to be at all alarmed.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You said you would make a spread-eagle of me. -Now, which will you do, apologize or fight?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, if it’s all the same to you, I’ll fight.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Duncan was fairly staggered by this reply. -Remembering the exhibition of strength he had -witnessed in the gymnasium that afternoon, he -had no desire to come to blows with the stalwart -youth who stood before him. He had hoped to -frighten an apology from Don, and when he found -<span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>that he could not do it, he wished he had not -been in such haste to make overtures of battle to -him. But it was too late to think of that now, -for his reputation was at stake. Besides he did -not believe that his friend Fisher would stand by -and see him worsted.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You need have no fear of these fellows who -are standing around,” said Duncan, who wanted -to put off the critical moment as long as he -could. “They will not double-team on you.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“If they do they will take the consequences,” -said Don, confidently. “I think myself that they -had better keep their <a id='corr53.13'></a><span class='htmlonly'><ins class='correction' title='distance'>distance.”</ins></span><span class='epubonly'><a href='#c_53.13'><ins class='correction' title='distance'>distance.”</ins></a></span></p> - -<p class='c012'>These bold words astonished everybody.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Why I believe he thinks he can whip the -whole crowd,” said Henderson, who was one of -the four who were holding fast to Bert’s arms. -Bert was a little fellow, like himself, and consequently -Dick was not very much afraid of him.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Come on,” said Don, impatiently. “I am -getting cold standing here in my shirt-sleeves. -Give me a little exercise to warm me up. Remember -I wasn’t born as near the Arctic Circle as -you fellows were, and for that reason I can’t -stand the cold as well. Hurry up, somebody—<em>anybody</em> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span>who thinks he was insulted by the words -I uttered this morning.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Driven almost to desperation by this challenge, -which he knew was addressed to himself, and -which seemed to imply that his prospective -antagonist placed a very low estimate upon his -powers, Duncan pulled off both his coats, -assumed a threatening attitude and advanced toward -Don, who extended his hand in the most -friendly manner. The bully, believing that Don -wanted to parley with him, took the proffered -hand in his own, and in a second more arose in -the air as if an exceedingly strong spring had -suddenly uncoiled itself under his feet. When he -came down again he measured his full length on -the ice, landing in such dangerous proximity to -the hole that had been cut for the poor student’s -benefit, that his uniform cap fell into it.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Everybody was struck motionless and dumb -with amazement. The bully was so bewildered -that he did not get upon his feet again immediately, -and the poor student forgot to shiver.</p> - -<div class='figcenter id004'> -<img src='images/p054.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic004'> -<p><span class='sc'>Duncan’s Unexpected Overthrow.</span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER IV. <br /> <span class='small'>THE NEW YORK BOOT-BLACK.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>“Take your hands off those boys,” said -Don, who was in just the right humor to -make a scattering among Fisher’s crowd of -friends. “Release them both and do it at once, -or I will pitch the last one of you into that hole -before you can say ‘General Jackson’ with your -mouths open. Come over here, Bert.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>He stepped up and took the prisoner by the -arm, and his four guards surrendered him without -a word of protest. The magical manner in which -Don had floored the biggest bully in school, -before whom no boy in Bridgeport had ever been -able to stand for a minute, either with boxing-gloves -or bare fists, and the ease with which he -had done it, astounded them. They had never -seen anything like it before, and there was something -very mysterious in it. Did not this backwoodsman -have other equally bewildering tactics -at his command which he could bring into play if -<span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>he were crowded upon? Probably he had, and -so the best thing they could do was to let him -alone.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Your name is Sam Arkwright, is it not?” -said Don, taking one of the boy’s blue-cold hands -in both his own warm ones. “I thought I had -heard you answer to that name at roll-call. I am -a plebe too, and so we’ll stand together. Put on -these gloves and come with me. You will freeze -if you stay here any longer. As for you,” he -added, waving his hand toward the students to -show that he included them all in the remarks he -was about to make, “you are a pack of cowards, -and I can whip the best man among you right -here and <em>now</em>. Pick him out and let me take a -look at him.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I am good for the best of them if they will -come one at a time,” said Sam. “But I give in -to a dozen when they all jump on me at once.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I will leave that challenge open,” said Don, as -he led Sam away. “You know where my room -is, and any little notes you may choose to shove -under my door will receive prompt attention.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Tom and his crowd did not speak; they had -not yet recovered from their amazement. They -<span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span>stood gazing after the rescued boy and his -champion until they disappeared in the darkness, -and then they turned and looked at one another.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I declare, Duncan,” exclaimed Tom Fisher, -who was the first to speak. “You’ve met your -master at last, have you not?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The defeated bully growled out something in -reply, but his friends could not understand what -it was. Like every boy who prides himself upon -his strength and skill, he did not like to acknowledge -that he had been beaten.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Did he hurt you?” asked one of the -students. “I noticed that you didn’t get up -right away.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“How in the name of all that’s wonderful did -he do it?” inquired another. “I didn’t see him -clinch or strike you.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“He did neither,” replied Duncan, “and -that’s just what bangs me. I am willing to -swear that he did not touch me anywhere except -on the hand, and he took hold of that just as -though he wanted to give it a friendly shake. -It’s a trick of some kind—a boss one, too—and I -will give him my next quarter’s spending money -if he will teach it to me.”</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span>“Humph!” exclaimed Tom Fisher. “You -needn’t expect to him to do that. He doesn’t -look to me to be such a fool. You and he may -come together in earnest some day—if you don’t, -he will be about the only boy you haven’t had -a fight with since you have been a student at -this academy—and then you will probably find -out what his tricks are.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“He didn’t hurt me at all,” continued -Clarence; “but he could if he had been so -disposed. If he had used a little more exertion -he could have thrown me into that air-hole; -and if I had happened to come up under the -ice—ugh!” exclaimed Clarence, shivering all over -as he looked down into the dark water.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Is there no way in which we can get even -with him?” asked Fisher.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“<em>Is</em> there!” replied Clarence, angrily. “Do -you suppose that I am going to submit tamely -to an insult like that? We’ll make a way to -get even with him. Things have come to a -pretty pass if a plebe is going to be allowed to -come here and run this school to suit himself.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The mere reference to such an unheard-of -thing was enough to raise the ire of Tom Fisher -<span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span>and all his companions, who with one voice -declared that the Planter, having presumed to -lay violent hands on an upper-class boy, and -to set at defiance one of the old-established customs -of the academy, must be made to suffer -the consequences. They held a long and earnest -consultation there on the ice, and Fisher and -Duncan, who were fruitful in expedients, soon -hit upon a plan which promised, if skillfully -managed, to bring Sam Arkwright’s champion -into serious trouble. It was a most dangerous -plan, because it was to be carried out under -the guise of friendship.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That’s the only way to do it, fellows, you -may depend upon it,” said Duncan, after their -scheme had been thoroughly discussed. “We -must bring him into trouble with the faculty, -and let them do the hazing, for we couldn’t -do it if we wanted to. I was nothing but a -child in his grasp, and, to tell the honest truth, -I have no desire to face him again.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I hope we shall succeed,” said Fisher. “But -if the Planter turns out to be one of those -good little boys who never do anything wrong, -then what?”</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span>If Tom had only known it, he need not have -bothered his head on this point. Unfortunately -for Don, something happened that very night -which made it comparatively easy for the conspirators -to carry out the plans they had formed -regarding him.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Meanwhile Don and Bert were walking briskly -toward the academy in company with the rescued -boy, who was somewhat protected from -the keen wind by Bert’s muffler, which the -latter had wrapped about his neck, and by -Don’s gloves which he wore upon his hands. -He was lost in admiration of his new friend’s -prowess, and complimented him in the best -language he could command.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Are you an Irishman, sir?” Sam asked, at -length.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Look here,” answered Don, “my name is -Gordon—there’s no ‘sir’ about it. No, I am -not an Irishman. I am an American, I am -proud to say; but I understand the Irish ‘hand -and foot’ well enough to give it to such fellows -as that Clarence Duncan. I can throw a -man weighing two hundred pounds in that way -if he will let me take hold of his hand.”</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span>“It was well done,” said Sam. “I never -saw it done better.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I learned it of one of my father’s hired -men—a discharged Union soldier who came to -our plantation penniless and hungry, and asked -for work,” said Don. “I always make it a point -to pick up any little thing of that kind that -happens to fall in my way. It may come handy -some day, you know.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Perhaps you will now understand how Don -had managed to throw the bully of the school -so easily; but if you do not, we can only say -that it cannot be described on paper so that -you can gain even a faint idea of it. If you -want to know just how it was done, the easiest -way to learn is to ask some Irishman—the -fresher he is from the old sod the better—to -give you a practical illustration of the “hand -and foot.” Simply give him your hand, and if -his feelings toward you are friendly, he will -send you flying through the air without hurting -you in the least; but if he is not friendly, -we would not advise you to go to him for -information, for he can turn you heels up in -an instant, and land you on your head with force -<span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span>enough to knock all your brains into your boots. -Don had become so expert in this novel way -of wrestling, and so prone to put it into practice -at every opportunity, that none of the boys about -Rochdale could be induced to shake hands with -him.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“How did you ever happen to find your way -to this school!” inquired Don, after Sam had -exhausted his vocabulary in praising his new -friend’s skill as a wrestler. “Were you really -a New York boot-black?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Yes, I was,” answered Sam, hesitatingly.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“It is nothing to be ashamed of,” said Bert, -who thought from the way Sam spoke that he did -not like to confess that he had once occupied so -lowly a position in the world.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Of course not,” Don hastened to add. “Any -honest work is honorable. Your presence here -proves that you didn’t want to remain a boot-black -all your days.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“No, I didn’t. I was ambitious to be something -better,” said Sam, who then went on to -give Don and his brother a short history of -his life. He said that his father, who followed -the sea for a livelihood, had gone down with -<span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span>his vessel during a terrific storm off Cape Hatteras; -that his mother had survived him but a -few months; and that after her death a grasping -landlord had seized all the household furniture -as security for the rent that was due and -unpaid, turning him (Sam) into the streets to -shift for himself. He spent the days in roaming -about the city, looking in vain for work, and -his nights in a lumber-yard to which he had been -invited by a friendly boot-black, who found free -lodgings there every night, and who, seeing Sam’s -forlorn condition, gave him a plate of soup to -eat and furnished him with a plank to sleep -on. Finding that work was not to be had, Sam -at last ran in debt for a boot-black’s “kit,” -which he procured from one of the fraternity who -had saved money enough to open a corner peanut -stand, and after a score or more of battles -with boys whose “claims” he unwittingly -“jumped,” he succeeded in establishing himself -in front of a popular hotel in the city, where -he was to be found early and late. It was there -he met the Superintendent of the Bridgeport -Military Academy, who patronized him twice -every day, never failing to give him a quarter -<span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span>for each “shine,” or to spend a few minutes in -conversation, with him after the boy’s work was -completed.</p> - -<p class='c012'>From the day he was six years old up to -the time his father was lost at sea, Sam attended -the district school regularly; and as he -was a very faithful student, and tried hard to -learn, he knew more about books than boys of -his age generally do. He felt that he was out -of place among the ragged, ignorant little -gamins with whom he was daily and hourly -thrown in contact, and they, realizing that he -was not one of them, and that he believed -himself to be fitted for something better than -the life of a boot-black, tormented him in -every conceivable way. He was so often called -upon to protect his brush and his box of -blacking from the young rowdies who would -have despoiled him of them, that he became an -adept at fighting, and it is probable that he -would have opened the eyes of Tom Fisher and -his crowd, had they not pounced upon him -while he was asleep, and overpowered him before -he could raise a hand to defend himself.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I am sure I don’t know what it was that -<span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span>made the Professor take a liking to me,” said -Sam in conclusion, “but it was something; and -when he asked me if I wouldn’t like to quit that -miserable business and go to school and learn to -be a civil or a mining engineer, I tell you it -almost took my breath away. I jumped at the -chance. I gave my kit to a boy who was too -poor to buy one, and came out here; and I am -very sorry for it. The fellows don’t want me -here, and they didn’t want me in New York, -either. I hope I shall some day find a place -where I shall not be in everybody’s way.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Don’t get down-hearted,” said Don, taking one -of his hands out of his pocket long enough to -give Sam an encouraging slap on the back. “Of -course your tuition is free?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Yes, everything is furnished me. If it wasn’t -I couldn’t stay here, for I have no money to speak -of. The boys in New York badgered me so, and -ran such heavy opposition to me that I couldn’t -earn enough to buy a warm suit of clothes.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You will have an abundance of them in a day -or two,” said Don, “for our uniforms will be along -by that time. You couldn’t get an education on -better terms than the Professor offers it to you, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span>could you? And so long as he is willing that -you should stay here, you can well afford to -let the fellows grumble to their hearts’ content. -Show the Professor that you appreciate -his kindness by doing your duty like a man, and -look to me for help whenever you get into trouble. -Now the next thing is something else,” added -Don, as he and his companions came to a halt in -front of the high picket-fence which inclosed the -academy grounds. “Where’s your room, Sam?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I haven’t any yet. I sleep in the attic. -The rooms on the floor occupied by our class -are all taken except one. That has been used -as a store-room, and as soon as it is cleared out -I am to have it for my own.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, do you want the teachers to know anything -about this night’s work?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Of course not,” returned Sam, who had all a -decent boy’s horror of tale-bearing.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Because, if you do,” continued Don, “you -can walk up to one of the guards, let him report -you for being outside the grounds without -a pass, and when you are hauled over the coals -for it, you can say that you were taken out -against your will.”</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>“But I don’t want to say that,” answered Sam, -quickly. “It would bring Tom and the rest into -trouble. I have nothing against them, and I -should be glad to be friends with them if they -would only let me.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You’ll do to tie to,” said Don, approvingly. -“Bert and I have a pass that will see us through -all right; but what are you going to do? Do -you think you can make your way to the attic -without being seen by any of the sentries or -floor guards?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Tom and his crowd brought me out without -attracting the attention of any of them, and I -don’t see why I can’t get back without being -caught. At any rate I shall try my best. Good-night. -I hope that neither of you will ever stand -in need of such aid as you have rendered me -to-night; but if you do, you may count on me -every time.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>So saying Sam moved away in one direction, -closely examining all the pickets on the fence as -he went, and Don and Bert walked off in the -other. When the latter arrived within sight of -the main gate they were somewhat surprised to -see that it was closed. The sound of their footsteps -<span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span>on the frosty snow quickly attracted the -attention of the alert sentry, who came out of his -box and demanded to know who they were and -what they were doing there at that time of night.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“We belong to this academy,” replied Don, -“and have a pass from the superintendent.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Corporal of the guard No. 4,” yelled the -sentry; and the call was caught up and repeated -by another sentinel who stood at the farther end -of the academy, and finally reached the ears of the -corporal, who was toasting his shins in front of a -warm fire in the guard-room.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What do you want the corporal for? Here’s -our pass,” said Don; and taking the paper in -question from his pocket he thrust it between -the bars of the gate.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Still the sentry made no reply, nor did he seem -to know that Don had spoken to him. He brought -his musket to a “support,” and paced back and -forth on the other side of the gate with slow and -dignified steps. Don muttered something under -his breath, and Bert believing that he was -grumbling at the sentry for being so uncivil, laid -his hand on his brother’s arm and said, in a low -tone—</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span>“Don’t be angry with him. Perhaps he is not -allowed to talk while he is on duty.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don said nothing. He began to believe that he -and Bert had unwittingly got themselves into -trouble again, and when the corporal came up, he -found that he had not been mistaken.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What’s the matter here?” demanded the -officer.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“There are a couple of plebes out there who -want to come in,” was the sentry’s reply.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Who are you?” said the corporal, peering -through the pickets at the two brothers.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don gave him their names; whereupon the -corporal took a key down from a nail in the -sentry’s box, and after unlocking the gate told the -boys to come in. They obeyed, and the officer -having returned the key to its place drew a note-book -from his pocket and wrote something in it. -“That’s all right,” said he, as he closed the book -and put it back in his pocket.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Have we done anything wrong?” inquired -Bert, in anxious tones.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You will find that out to-morrow,” was the -corporal’s very unsatisfactory answer.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Why can’t you give a civil reply to a civil -<span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span>question?” demanded Don, impatiently. “We -had liberty to go outside the grounds for the -evening, and here’s the pass that says so.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I don’t want to see it,” said the corporal, as -he buttoned his overcoat and drew the cape over -his head. “I know just how it reads. Come -on.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Where are you going to take us?” asked -Bert, while visions of the gloomy guard-house -danced before his eyes.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“To the officer of the day, of course.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“And what will he do with us?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That’s for him to tell. Come on. It’s too -cold to stand here any longer.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don and Bert fell in behind the corporal, who -led the way to the guard-room, and ushered them -into a little office where the officer of the day—a -stern old Prussian soldier who wore a medal he -had won by his gallantry on the field of battle -while serving under Prince Frederick Charles—sat -reading a newspaper. When the non-commissioned -officer entered with his prisoners he -laid the paper down and took off his spectacles.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Vel, gorporal,” said he, in a pompous tone, -“vat ish the drouble mit dem gadets?”</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>“They have overstayed their time, sir,” said -the corporal.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Vot for you do dot?” demanded the officer -of the day, turning fiercely upon the culprits. -“Vot for you not come in, ha?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“We were not aware that we had overstayed -our time, sir,” answered Don. “If we had -known that we were expected to return at a -certain hour, we should have been here. We -had a pass for the evening, and there it is.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Dot’s no good after daps,” said the officer of -the day, turning away his head and waving his -hand in the air to indicate that he did not care -to look at the paper which Don presented for his -inspection.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I assure you, sir, that it was a mistake on -our part,” said Bert.</p> - -<p class='c012'>But the officer of the day declared, in his -broken English and with many gesticulations, -that such things as mistakes were not recognized -in that academy—that Don and his brother had -violated the regulations and might make up their -minds to be punished accordingly. Then he -ordered them to their quarters, while the corporal -went back to his seat by the stove.</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span>“He didn’t say that we were in arrest, did -he?” said Don, as he and Bert ascended the -stairs, at the top of which they met the sentry -who had charge of that floor, standing with his -note-book in his hand.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Your names, please,” said he, pleasantly.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“The corporal of the guard has them, and -so has the officer of the day,” answered Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“And I must have them, too,” returned the -sentry, holding his pencil poised, in the air.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don gave the required information in rather a -sullen tone, and closed the door of his dormitory -behind him with no gentle hand. As soon as -Bert had struck a light he drew the pass from his -pocket and read as follows:</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Guards and patrols will pass privates Donald -and Hubert Gordon until half-past nine o’clock -this evening.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Then he looked at his watch and saw that it -lacked only a quarter of eleven. Allowing fifteen -minutes for their interviews with the corporal and -the officer of the day, they had overstayed their -time just an hour. Bert was very penitent, but -Don was inclined to be rebellious.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER V. <br /> <span class='small'>DON AND BERT HAVE VISITORS.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>“I wonder if a fellow can make a move in -any direction without breaking some of the -numerous rules of this school and being reported -for it,” said Don, throwing his overcoat and cap -spitefully down upon the bed. “I declare, -Bert——”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Just then the door opened and the sentry thrust -his head into the room. “Put out that light, -Plebe,” said he. “Two reports in one night make -a tolerably bad showing, the first thing you -know.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Catch hold of that gas-fixture and jerk it out -of the wall,” exclaimed Don, as Bert hastened -to obey the sentry’s order. “That makes twice it -has got us into trouble.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Oh, I wouldn’t do that,” said the sentry, with -a laugh. <a id='corr73.19'></a><span class='htmlonly'><ins class='correction' title='You'>“You</ins></span><span class='epubonly'><a href='#c_73.19'><ins class='correction' title='You'>“You</ins></a></span> had better read the rules and regulations -until you have them firmly fixed in your -mind, and then, if you see fit to obey them to the -very letter, you will have plain sailing.”</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span>Don undressed in the dark and tumbled into -bed, telling himself the while that he didn’t care -a snap of his finger for the rules and regulations. -He had not purposely violated any of them, and -yet he had been severely reprimanded, and was -yet to be punished as though he had been willfully -disobedient.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“When the leopard can change his spots and -the Ethiopian his skin, I shall believe that there -is some hope for me,” said Don to himself, as he -arranged his pillow and prepared to go to sleep. -“But there doesn’t seem to be much now, for the -harder I try to be good the more rows I get into. -I would give something to know how Tom Fisher -and his crowd came out, and whether or not Sam -succeeded in getting back to his attic without -being seen by the guards.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Bert arose the next morning, after an almost -sleepless night, full of apprehension and trembling -for fear of the punishment that was to be visited -upon him, while Don’s face wore a defiant expression. -He had slept the sleep of the healthy, and -awoke refreshed and fully prepared to meet anything -that might be in store for him. Greatly to -his surprise and Bert’s, nothing was said to them -<span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span>regarding what had taken place the night before. -They found opportunity to exchange a few words -with Sam Arkwright, who gleefully informed them -that everything was all right, and that no one -was the wiser for the assault that had been made -upon him by the third-class boys, and caught a -momentary glimpse of Fisher and Duncan, both -of whom smiled and saluted in the most courteous -manner. Don did not know what this meant, but -it was not long before he found out.</p> - -<p class='c012'>That afternoon all the members of the fourth -class were ordered to the drill-room, where they -found a quartermaster-sergeant, the captain of -their company, and one of the teachers, who -served out to them their new uniforms, which they -were told to put on at once. When ranks were -broken, Don and Bert hastened to their dormitory, -and had just completed the work of exchanging -their citizen’s clothes for their natty suits of cadet -gray, when there came a knock at the door. Bert’s -heart seemed to stop beating.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That must be the orderly,” said he, in an -excited whisper.“ If it is, we shall soon know -what is going to become of us.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, we might as well know one time as -<span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span>another,” said Don, doggedly. “I hope it is the -orderly, for I have been kept in suspense long -enough.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Bert opened the door, when who should appear -on the threshold but Tom Fisher and Clarence -Duncan. The former extended his hand to Bert, -who took it after a little hesitation, while Clarence -entered the room and greeted Don in the same -friendly way.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Gordon,” said Clarence, as Don’s sinewy -fingers closed about his own, “you’re a brick. -We came here to tell you and your brother that -we and the rest of the fellows are sorry for what -happened last night, and that we want to be -friends with you.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Nothing would suit me better,” answered -Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“We have had time to consider the matter,” -said Fisher, seating himself on Bert’s bed and -depositing his cap on the table, “and we are all -very glad that you didn’t let us duck that Plebe. -It would have been a mean piece of business to -haze him in that way, seeing that he didn’t have -a suit of dry clothes to put on.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Or a fire to warm himself by,” chimed in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span>Bert, with some indignation in his tones. “Why, -I never heard of such a thing. It would have -been the death of him.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“It was cold, wasn’t it?” said Clarence. -“Well, we didn’t haze him, and, as Tom says, -we are all glad of it. But, I say, you make -nobby-looking soldiers, you two. Did you get -in last night all right?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“We got in twice,” answered Don, ruefully. -“We got inside the grounds, and we got into -trouble.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“How was that? Didn’t you have a pass?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Yes; but it was only good until half-past -nine, and we stayed out until half-past ten.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Oh! ah. Well, that’s nothing when you -get used to it, is it, Fisher?” said Clarence.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Nothing at all,” replied Tom. “It has been -a very common thing with me, and now I never -think of asking for a pass. I go when I please -and come back when I feel like it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What do you suppose they will do with -us?” asked Bert, who was anxious to have -that point settled as soon as possible.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Let me see,” said Clarence, thoughtfully. -“Who was officer of the day yesterday?”</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span>“I don’t know his name,” answered Don, -“but he was the same one who instructs our -class in mathematics, an old gentleman with -gold spectacles, and a medal of some kind on -his breast.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Oh, that was Dutchy,” said Fisher, in a -tone of contempt. “He’s our fencing-master -also. Well, he will make the case against you -as black as he can, and if he were the one -to say how you should be punished, I tell you -you would have a lively time of it, for he is -a regular martinet. The President is a very -strict disciplinarian, but he hasn’t yet forgotten -that he was once a boy himself, and he will -probably be easy with you.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“But what will he do?” insisted Bert. -“That’s what Don and I want to know. And -if he is going to punish us at all, why doesn’t he -say so?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Because the proper time has not yet arrived. -Wait until dress-parade comes off to-night, and -then you will find out all about it, for it will -be published in general orders.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Before the whole school?” cried Bert.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Of course,” answered Clarence.</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span>Bert grew very red in the face, and looked at -Don, who, in turn, stared hard at Bert.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“It is nothing to worry over,” said Fisher. -“Some of the best fellows in school have been -gated and made to walk extras on Saturday -afternoons with packed knapsacks, and that is all -the punishment you will receive.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What do you mean by ‘gated’?” asked -Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What is a ‘packed knapsack?” inquired -Bert.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Why, when a fellow is gated he is confined -inside the grounds, and not allowed to go out -under any circumstances,” replied Clarence.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“But he can go out all the same if he feels -like it,” said Fisher, with a laugh. “I never -knew a fellow to stay inside the grounds simply -because he was gated, unless he was one of those -milk and water boys who hadn’t spirit enough -to say that his soul was his own.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“How can he get out?” asked Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“He can run the guards. Clarence and I -have done it many a time.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Were you never caught at it?” inquired -Bert.</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span>“Once or twice, but that was owing to our own -carelessness. It is an easy thing to do when the -right kind of fellows are on duty, and really exciting -when the posts are held by such boys as -Blake and Walker, and others of that sort. -They’re a mean set. They are always on the -watch for a chance to report somebody, because -they believe that that is the way to gain the -good-will of the teachers.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“And a packed knapsack,” continued Clarence, -“is one with something heavy in it, such as -bricks or paving-stones. When you are called -upon to walk an extra, you have to pace up and -down your beat for four hours with that knapsack -on your back and a musket on your shoulder.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That can’t be very pleasant,” observed Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, I am free to confess that it isn’t,” returned -Clarence, “and it is all owing to the -way the thing is managed. If they would let -us perform the extra duty while the rest of -the boys were drilling, or while the class in -geometry was reciting, I should not mind it in -the least. But you see they won’t do that. -We have to work hard all the week, and walk -<span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span>our extras on Saturday afternoons during the -hours that are given to the good little boys for -cricket, ball-playing, fishing, target-shooting and -recreations of that sort.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“But overstaying our time was not the only -offence of which we were guilty last night,” -said Don, after a moment’s pause. “When we -reached our room we struck a light, and I suppose -we shall be reported for that.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Of course you will,” said Fisher. “You -had no business to have a light in your room -after taps.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“But we didn’t think,” said Bert. “And, -besides, we wanted to read our pass, so that we -might know just what we had done that was -wrong.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“No odds,” exclaimed Clarence. “No excuse -will be accepted. You will probably be gated -for a month.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“But you need not submit to the restriction of -your liberty unless you feel like it,” chimed in -Fisher. “Do as all the best fellows in school do—run -the guard, and have a good time in spite -of the <a id='corr81.24'></a><span class='htmlonly'><ins class='correction' title='teachers.’'>teachers.”</ins></span><span class='epubonly'><a href='#c_81.24'><ins class='correction' title='teachers.’'>teachers.”</ins></a></span></p> - -<p class='c012'>“Oh, we’ll never do that,” said Bert, quickly. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span>“Will we, Don? That would only make a -bad matter worse.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don looked down at the floor, but said nothing. -He always grew restive under restraint, and -having been allowed when at home to go and -come as he pleased, he could not bear the thought -of being confined within bounds. If Fisher and -Duncan had known what he was thinking about -just then, they would have said that the success -of the plans they had formed the night before -was a foregone conclusion.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, Gordon,” said Tom, at length, “everything -is all square between us, I hope.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Certainly it is, so far as I am concerned,” -answered Don. “And I know that Arkwright -does not bear you any ill-will, for he said so. -You fellows ought to make matters straight with -him, for he is true blue. He took a good deal -of pains to work his way back to the attic without -being seen, for he didn’t want the teachers to -know what you had done.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“We’ll see him and have a talk with him,” -said Tom, as he arose from the bed and picked up -his cap. “Perhaps we had better go, Clarence. -You know what will happen to us if we fail in our -<span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span>logic to-morrow. What do you think of the -prospect?” he added, as soon as he and his crony -had reached their own dormitory and closed the -door behind them. “Will he bite?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I am sure of it,” was Duncan’s confident -reply. “He is a fellow who doesn’t like to be -held with too tight a rein—I can see that plainly -enough; but Bert is a different sort of boy.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What do we care for Bert?” exclaimed Tom. -“Don is the one we are after.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I know that, and I know, too, that we could -get him very easily if his brother were out of the -way. These little spooneys sometimes exert a -good deal of influence over their big brothers, and -if he sets his face against us and our plans, our -cake will be turned into dough in short order.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“We must see to it that Don doesn’t listen -to him,” said Tom. “We have done all we can -do to-day. We have given him an idea, and now -we will let him chew on it for a while. We -mustn’t appear to be too eager, you know, for if -we give him the least reason to suspect that we -are putting up a job on him, it is my opinion that -he will prove an unpleasant fellow to have -around.”</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_84'>84</span>As Fisher said this he picked up his logic, in -which both he and Duncan had failed miserably -that day, and read in a listless, indifferent tone—</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What is true with limitations is frequently -assumed to be true absolutely. Thus—‘Deleterious -drugs are always to be rejected; opium is -a deleterious drug; therefore opium is always to -be rejected.’ What’s wrong with that reasoning, -Clarence?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I don’t know and I don’t care,” answered the -latter, snatching the book from his friend’s hand -and slamming it down upon the table. “Let it -go until this evening, and then we will study it -together. Let’s have a game of checkers now, -and see if you can beat me as badly as you did -the last time we played.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I don’t much like those fellows, Don,” said -Bert, when Fisher and Duncan had taken their -leave.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I can’t see what there is wrong about them,” -replied Don, who knew in a moment what his -brother meant. “I am sure they acted very -honorably in coming here to make things right -with us.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I have nothing to say against that,” Bert -<span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span>hastened to answer. “But I don’t like to hear -them talk so glibly about disobeying the rules.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I don’t know that that is any business of -yours or mine either,” said Don, rather impatiently. -“If they are willing to take the risk, -and abide the consequences if they are detected, -that is their own affair. <em>You</em> needn’t do it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I!” exclaimed Bert, in great amazement. -“You maybe sure that I have no intention of -doing anything of the kind, and I hope you -haven’t, either.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You need not waste any valuable time in -worrying about me. I am able to look out for -myself. But I’ll tell you what’s a fact, Bert: I -don’t think as much of this military business as -I did a few weeks ago. If I were only back home -with my pony, dogs and guns, I tell you I would -stay there. I feel more like going out in the -woods and knocking over a wild turkey than I do -like sitting here in this gloomy room preparing -for to-morrow’s recitations.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don opened one of the books that lay upon the -table, but the page on which he fastened his eyes -might have been blank for all he saw there. His -mind was not upon the work that demanded his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_86'>86</span>attention. He was thinking over his recent interview -with Fisher and Duncan.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I wonder if they pass their evenings at Cony -Ryan’s when they run the guards?” said Don -to himself. “I wonder, too, if Cony’s hotel, or -whatever he calls it, was in existence when my -father attended this school, and if he went there -to eat pancakes. If he did, I don’t see how he -can find any fault with me if I go there. Tom -and Clarence don’t seem to be such a bad lot, and -it is nothing more than fair that I should meet -their advances half way.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>When the hour for recreation came, Don did -something he had never done before in his life. -Watching his opportunity he slipped away from -Bert and set out to hunt up Fisher and Duncan. -He did not have much trouble in finding them, -for they also were looking for him. After returning -his salute they slipped their arms through his -and led him toward the gymnasium.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You are a stranger here,” said Clarence, -“and as we know you must be lonely we will -introduce you to the boys in our set, if you would -like to know them.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You will find them all tip-top fellows,” added -<span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span>Tom. “You see, there is a little crowd of us who -run together, and somehow we manage to have -good times. There are some boys here, however, -with whom we never have anything to do. We -will point them out to you as fast as we can, so -that you can steer clear of them.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“They are high-toned lads,” said Clarence, -“and won’t associate with any but the members -of their own class. Some of them are preparing -for West Point. They pride themselves on being -soldiers all over; and if they can’t prove their -soldierly qualities in any other way, they will -report somebody.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Where’s your brother?” asked Tom, suddenly.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don replied that he didn’t know where he -was.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I rather fancied that he didn’t exactly like -what we said about running the guard a while -ago,” continued Tom. “Did he?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“No, he didn’t. He wouldn’t think of doing -such a thing.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, then, he can make up his mind to be -gated on an average of once a month as long as -he stays here; for no matter how hard he tries, he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span>can’t help breaking some of the rules. If he has -a mind to submit to confinement—why, that’s his -business and not mine.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I haven’t done it since I have been here,” -said Fisher, emphatically; “and, what’s more, I -won’t.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Where do you go when you run the guard?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Anywhere we please. Sometimes we spend -an hour or two in skating or sleigh-riding, and -when we get tired of that, we go down to Cony -Ryan’s after pancakes and mince-pies.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I don’t, for the life of me, see how you can -get out,” said Don. “There are sentries all -around the grounds.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“It does require some skill and cunning, that’s -a fact, especially when fellows who don’t like you -happen to be on duty. But if the members of -your own set are on post, it is easy enough. All -you have to do is to give them notice of your coming, -and they will turn their backs until you can -creep by them.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Go with us to-night, and we will show you -how it is done,” said Fisher.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That’s so!” exclaimed Clarence, as if the -idea had just been suggested to him. “It will -<span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span>be a good time; another like it may not occur -for a month. Will you do it, Gordon? I dare -you.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“It is a common saying in my country that a -man who will take a dare will steal sheep,” said -Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Of course he will,” answered Clarence. “I -knew we had not been mistaken in you.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“We haven’t had any of Cony’s pies and pancakes -this winter,” continued Tom, “and we are -getting hungry for some. I have taken particular -pains to find out who the sentries are, and I know -that some of them are good men and true. There -are some of our boys now. Come on, Gordon, and -we will make you acquainted with them.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>They had by this time entered the gymnasium,—a -large building which stood a little apart from -the academy, and was fitted up with all the -appliances that are supposed to be necessary or -useful in such institutions. It was filled with -students who were exercising their muscles in -various ways, and among them Don recognized -some of the boys who had composed the hazing -party. Don was introduced to them one after -another, and was welcomed by them in the most -<span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span>cordial manner. They spent a few minutes in -talking and laughing over the incidents of the -previous night; and then, at a sign from Fisher, -they drew off on one side so that they could carry -on their conversation without danger of being -overheard by those who did not belong to their -“set.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Fellows, Gordon is one of us; Duncan and I -vouch for him; so you need not hesitate to speak -freely in his presence,” said Tom, again taking up -the subject that just then was nearest his heart. -“Do we go to Cony Ryan’s to-night or not?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Of course,” replied all the boys, in chorus.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Then that much is settled. I know who the -guards are,” he added, turning to Don, “and I -will see you safely out and back. As soon as we -are out of the building——”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“But how am I going to get out?” interrupted -Don. “You forget the sentry who has charge of -our floor.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“No, I don’t. Here he is,” said Tom, taking -by the arm a boy who had been introduced as -Charley Porter. “You won’t stop him, will you, -Charley?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I shall not know when he goes out,” was the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span>ready answer. “I can be both blind and deaf -when circumstances require that I should be so.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You see what kind of fellows we are,” said -Tom. “You will never be reported for having a -light after taps, or for any other offence, by one -of us.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Tom then went on to tell Don just what he -must do in order to make his undertaking successful, -and, aided by his friends, who put in a word -now and then, succeeded in making him believe -that Cony Ryan’s was but little short of a paradise, -and that he (Tom) and his “set” had done -him a great favor in bringing the house and its -proprietor to his notice. He promised to be on -hand at the hour appointed, and then he and -Tom went into the dressing-room to put on their -gymnastic suits, while Duncan hurried away to -carry out an idea of his own that had suddenly -suggested itself to him.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER VI. <br /> <span class='small'>CONY RYAN’S PANCAKES.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>“He did bite, didn’t he?” said Duncan to -himself, as he hurried about the grounds and -through the academy building looking everywhere -for Dick Henderson. “He jumped at the bait -quicker than I thought he would; but he never -would have done it if he had not got himself -into trouble last night. That made him mad, -and now he don’t much care what he does. -We’ll fix him. A court-martial and extra lessons -and guard duty and drills for a whole -month will so disgust him with this school that -he will clear out, and we shall be well rid of -him.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Duncan soon found the boy of whom he was -in search, and the following is a part of the conversation -that took place between them:</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You are on post No. 5, down there at the -north side of the grounds to-night, are you -not?” said Duncan.</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span>Dick replied that he was, that he went on at -midnight.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, you know that the boys are going down -to Cony Ryan’s to-night, don’t you?” continued -Clarence.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Yes, Dick knew all about it, and stood ready -to help them in every way he could, without getting -himself into trouble.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well,” said Duncan, again, “Don Gordon is -going with us.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Dick seemed delighted to hear it.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“We roped him in just as easy as falling -off a log,” Clarence went on. “He has been -introduced to some of the fellows, and Fisher -and I have worked things so nicely that he -doesn’t suspect anything. Now you must be -on the alert to catch him when we come back, -which will be some time between one and four -o’clock.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“How shall I know him from the rest of -you?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“By the signal, of course. Have you forgotten -that?” Here Duncan coughed slightly, and in -a peculiar manner.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“No, I haven’t forgotten it. I only want to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span>know just how things are going to be managed, -so that I shall not make any mistakes. It -would be awkward, you know, if I should call -the corporal of the guard to arrest the wrong -fellow.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You musn’t do that,” said Duncan, quickly. -“It would be much better to let Gordon pass -unchallenged with the rest of us. You know -we boys got ourselves into lots of trouble last -term, and if we don’t keep our names off the -black-list from this time on, we stand a good -chance of being sent down.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>(By being “sent down” Duncan meant “expelled.”)</p> - -<p class='c012'>“All right,” said Dick. “I know just what -you want of me. Do everything just as it was -done last term, and I will see that our boys -get safely through, and that Don Gordon comes -in for a court-martial.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>When the hour for dress-parade arrived the -classes were marched to the drill-room by their -respective captains, three of them being drawn -up in line, while the Plebes were stationed at -one end of the room so that they could watch the -movements of their comrades, and learn something -<span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span>of the duties that would be required of -them when they were well enough drilled in the -manual of arms and school of the company to -go on parade themselves. There were two of -them who did not pay much attention to the -proceedings, although they appeared to watch -them closely, and they were Don and Bert -Gordon. They noticed that the adjutant carried -some papers in his belt, and they knew instinctively -that one of them contained something that -would prove to be of interest to them.</p> - -<p class='c012'>In obedience to the adjutant’s order, the captains -brought their companies to “parade rest,” -the band “sounded off,” a few exercises in the -manual of arms were gone through with, and then -came the command: “Attention to orders.” Don -listened, and heard his name and Bert’s read off -in connection with those of three or four other -culprits, who were ordered to be punished according -to their deserts. It was ordered that privates -Donald and Hubert Gordon, for overstaying their -time, and having a light burning in their quarters -after taps (this being their second offence), -be deprived of liberty for thirty days, and required -to stand guard for four hours on the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span>ensuing Saturday afternoon with packed knapsacks. -Then the parade was dismissed, the band -struck up a lively tune, the officers advanced -to salute the commander of the battalion, and -the first sergeants marched their companies to -the armory, where ranks were broken.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Didn’t I tell you just how it would be?” -whispered Fisher, who happened to overtake -Don while the latter was on his way to his -room. “It’s no trouble at all to stand an extra, -for it is over with in four hours; and as for -depriving you of your liberty—that’s all in my -one eye. You can see much more fun without -a pass than you can with one, for you are -not obliged to return at any specified time.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I don’t mind the punishment as much as I -do the disgrace,” said Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Disgrace!” echoed Fisher. “Nonsense. This -has been a military school for half a century or -more, and of the thousands of students who have -been graduated here, there are not a hundred who -did not, at some time or another, break some -rule, and get punished for it. Why, my own -father used to run the guard.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“So did mine,” said Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span>“<em>Your</em> father!” exclaimed Tom, in great surprise. -“Did he ever attend this school?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Yes; he received a military education and -prepared for college here.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I am surprised to hear it. Well, he didn’t -get through the whole course without being -hauled up occasionally, did he? I just know he -didn’t, if he was a boy who had any spirit in -him. Now, as I may not see you again until -the time for action arrives, I want to know if -you understand just what you have to do.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don answered that he was sure he did, and -then went on to repeat the instructions he had -received in the gymnasium. When he had finished, -Fisher gave him an approving wink and -nod, and left him.</p> - -<p class='c012'>During the evening Don and Bert did very little -studying. The latter took his punishment very -much to heart; and asked himself over and over -what his mother would think when she heard of -it; while Don was so busy thinking of the festivities -that were to come off at Cony Ryan’s, that -he could not have concentrated his mind on his -books if he had tried. When taps were sounded -the light went out instanter.</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span>“I shall never get into trouble for <em>that</em> again,” -said Don, as he tumbled into bed, after bidding -his brother good-night. “The next time I am -reported, it will be for something that is worth -reporting.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don began to be excited now. He had been -instructed to wait twenty minutes, as near as he -could guess at it, in order to give the officer of the -day time to make his rounds, which he did as -often as the huge bell in the cupola tolled the -hours. He knew when the officer ascended the -stairs, heard him talking with the sentry who had -charge of that floor, and breathed easier when he -went down again—but only for a moment, for -now something that appeared to be an insurmountable -obstacle arose before him all on a -sudden. The sensitive Bert was sadly troubled, -and when he got that way, it was almost impossible -for him to go to sleep. In case he remained -awake until the expiration of the twenty minutes, -what could Don do?</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I never thought of that,” soliloquized the -latter, his ears telling him the while that Bert -was tossing restlessly about on his bed. “It -would be simply impossible for me to get up -<span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span>and dress and slip out of the room without his -knowledge. Of course I might go out openly and -above board, for I know that he would never blow -on me; but if I do that, he will improve every opportunity -to lecture me, and I would rather spend -every Saturday afternoon in walking extras than -listen to him. I ought to have told the fellows -to allow me at least an hour.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>While Don was busy with such reflections as -these, and trying in vain to conjure up some plan -for leaving the room without attracting his -brother’s attention, he was electrified by a gentle -snore which came from the direction of Bert’s bed. -Don thought it was a pleasant sound to hear just -then, for it told him that the way was clear. In -an instant he was out on the floor, and in five -minutes more he was dressed. After wrapping -one of his pillows up in the quilts and arranging -them as well as he could in the dark, so that they -would bear some resemblance to a human figure, -he walked across the room with noiseless steps -and cautiously opened the door. The hall was -lighted up by a single gas-burner, under which -the sentry, Charley Porter, sat reading a book. -He looked up when he heard Don’s door grating -<span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span>on its hinges; but he did not look Don’s way. He -turned his eyes in the other direction. Then he -laid down his book, got upon his feet, and walking -leisurely along the hall with his hands behind -his back, took his stand in front of a window, and -looked out into the darkness. His back was -turned toward Don, who closed the door of his -room behind him, moved along the hall on tip-toe, -and dodging around an angle in the wall, was -quickly out of sight. A few hurried steps brought -him to another door, which yielded to his touch, -and then Don found himself in utter darkness.</p> - -<p class='c012'>This door gave access to the back stairs, which -ran from the ground floor to the upper story of -the building, and were intended to be used only -as a fire-escape. The doors that opened into it—there -was one on each floor—were kept locked, -and all the keys that rightfully belonged to them -were hung up on a nail in the superintendent’s -room, where they could be readily found by the -teachers in case circumstances required that they -should be brought into use. The superintendent -was happy in the belief that by placing a sentry -in charge of the dormitories on each floor, and -keeping the keys of these doors under his eye all -<span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span>the time, he had put it out of the power of any -student to leave the building during the night; -but he had not taken into consideration the fact -that sentries may sometimes prove false to their -duty, and that an old rusty key, picked up in the -yard, can, by the aid of a file and a little ingenuity, -be made to fit almost any lock. Tom Fisher -and his friends all had keys that would open these -doors, and Don had resolved that he would have -one too.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“B-l-e-r-s,” whispered Don, as he stepped out -into the fire-escape.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“R-a-m,” came the response, in the same low -whisper.</p> - -<p class='c012'>The pass-word of the band of worthies to which -Don now belonged was “Ramblers.” Of course -it was used only in the dark, or when the members -could not see each other. If a boy desired -to know whether or not a student whom he suddenly -encountered in some out-of-the-way place -was a friend, all he had to do was to spell the last -syllable of the pass-word, as Don had done; and -if he received the same answer that Don did, he -knew at once that he had found some one who -could be depended on. At least that was what -<span class='pageno' id='Page_102'>102</span>Fisher and Duncan told Don; but the reader -already knows that they did not tell him the -truth.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Who is it?” whispered Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Fisher,” replied the owner of that name; -and as he spoke he stepped forward to lock the -door.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Hadn’t you better leave it unfastened?” -asked Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Not by a great sight,” answered Fisher, quickly. -“The officer of the day and the corporal on duty -try all these doors every time they make their -rounds, and if they should happen to find one of -them unlocked, good-by to all our hopes of eating -pies and pancakes at Cony Ryan’s again this winter.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Then how can I get back to my room?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Why, I shall be here to open the door for -you.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“But we might get separated, you know.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Oh, no we won’t,” answered Tom, confidently. -“Don’t you be at all uneasy on that score. -Duncan and I will stand by you. Come on, now; -the boys are all ready and waiting.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“How fearful dark it is,” said Don. “I can’t -see my hand before me.”</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_103'>103</span>“Neither can I; but I have been through here -so often that I know every step of the way. Give -me your hand.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Fisher took Don in tow and succeeded in conducting -him safely down two flights of stairs—it -afterward proved to be a fortunate thing for Don -that he remembered that—and out into the yard -where Duncan and the rest were waiting for them. -After greeting Don in the most cordial manner -they moved off in a body toward the north corner -of the grounds—all except Tom Fisher, who went -on ahead to notify the sentry of their approach. -This he did in some mysterious way, and without -alarming any of the guards on the neighboring -posts; and the boy, who ought to have called the -corporal of the guard at once, went into his box -and stayed there until Tom and his companions -had crossed his beat and were out of sight. They -easily found the place where two of the tall fence -pickets had been loosened at the bottom, and -pushing these aside they crept through the -opening into the road.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, Gordon, that wasn’t such a very hard -thing to do, was it?” said Duncan, as he took -off his overcoat and shook the snow out of it.</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_104'>104</span>“No,” answered Don, “and I don’t see much -fun in it, either. It is not a very smart thing to -crawl by a sentry who is accommodating enough -to keep out of sight until you have had time to -get out of harm’s way. There’s no excitement in -it—anybody could do it. If that guard had been -faithful to his trust, I should think we had done -something worth bragging about.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“O, you want excitement, do you?” exclaimed -Duncan. “You want a chance to run by some -spooney who would be only too glad to report you -and get you into a row, don’t you? All right. -We’ll see that you get the chance, and very -shortly, too; won’t we, boys?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Yes,” replied all the boys, in concert.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“And, unless I am very badly mistaken, you -will see quite as much excitement as you want -to-night,” added Duncan, to himself. “If Dick -Henderson does his duty, you will be under arrest -and a candidate for a court-martial before you see -the inside of your dormitory again.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>During the walk to the big pond, near which -Cony Ryan’s house stood, Don’s new friends entertained -him with many thrilling stories of the deeds -of daring that had been performed by themselves -<span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span>and former students, such as running the guard -when all the posts were occupied by those who -were not friendly to them; stealing the bell-rope -when the cupola was guarded by some of the best -soldiers in the academy; turning the bell upside -down on a cold night, filling it with water and -allowing it to freeze solid; and spiking the gun -whose unwelcome booming aroused them at so -early an hour every morning. As Don listened he -began to grow excited; and when there was a -little lull in the conversation, he proposed one or -two daring schemes of his own that had suddenly -occurred to him, and which were so far ahead of -any his auditors had ever engaged in, that they -could hardly believe he was in earnest.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Gordon, you see around you a lot of fellows -who never have and never will back down from -any reasonable undertaking,” said Tom Fisher. -“But the idea of stealing a cow, taking her into -the grounds and hoisting her up to the top of the -belfry, overpowering and binding every sentry -who stands in our way—Great Cæsar’s ghost! -Gordon, you must be taking leave of your senses.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“And as for taking the butcher’s big bull-dog -up to the top story of the building, tying a tin can -<span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span>to his tail, and starting him on a run down four -pairs of stairs and through the halls—that’s -another thing I don’t approve of,” said Duncan.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I guess not,” said another of the fellows. -“I wouldn’t touch that dog for a million dollars. -We are in for anything new that promises to be -either interesting or exciting, but, as Tom says, it -must be something reasonable. Think up some -other plans.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The boys had by this time reached Cony Ryan’s -house. Led by Tom Fisher they mounted the -steps, and passing through a narrow hall entered -a neatly furnished little parlor whose walls, could -they have found tongues, would have told some -strange and amusing stories of the scenes that -had been enacted there. It was brilliantly -lighted, and a cheerful fire burned in the grate.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“This looks as though Cony was expecting us, -doesn’t it?” said Tom, gazing about the room -with a smile of satisfaction. “Take off your -overcoat, Gordon, and sit down. Make yourself -at home.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Do you know,” added Duncan, “that this -house was built and furnished with the money -that the academy boys have put into Cony’s -<span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span>pocket? Years ago, when he was nothing but a -poor fisherman and lived down there on the bank -of the river in a little shanty about half the size -of this room, it occurred to him that he might -turn an honest penny by supplying the students -with milk and pies. He drove a thriving trade -until some of the teachers began to suspect that -he was putting something stronger than water in -his milk, and then they shut down on him and he -was forbidden to enter the grounds. But that -didn’t trouble him any. The boys had got in the -habit of spending their extra dimes with him, and -since he couldn’t come to them any more, they -fell into the way of going to him. Why, Gordon, -if you could look over some of his old registers, -you would find in them the names of men who -are known all over the land.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Just then a side door opened, admitting a -portly, white-bearded old fellow, dressed in a -modest suit of black, who was greeted by the -students in the most uproarious manner. They -crowded around him, all trying to shake his -hands at the same time, while Cony, for it was -he, beamed benevolently upon them over his -spectacles. This was the first time he had -<span class='pageno' id='Page_108'>108</span>seen any of them since the close of the last school -term.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You see we are all on hand again, Cony,” said -Duncan, when the greetings were over. “And if -you will trot out a few plates of your pancakes, -you will find that we are as hungry as ever. By -the way, did you know a boy of the name of Gordon -who used to attend this academy?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Gordon of Mississippi?” exclaimed Cony, -who, having a retentive memory, never forgot -the names of any of his patrons. “I should -say so. He has spent many a pleasant evening -in this room.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, here is one of his boys,” continued -Duncan. “Mr. Ryan, Mr. Donald Gordon.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The old fellow was very much surprised.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“It doesn’t seem possible,” said he, as he -shook Don’s hand and gave him a good looking -over. “He is the very image of his father, who -was one of the finest-looking young soldiers I -ever put my eyes on. Mercy on us, how time -does fly!”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Say, Cony,” said Tom Fisher, coaxingly, -“can’t we have just one game of ‘sell out,’ to-night?”</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_109'>109</span>“No, sir,” was the emphatic reply. “You can -have all the pancakes you want, and as much -sweet milk or buttermilk as you can hold, but -you don’t turn a card in this house. It is bad -enough for you to run the guard, and if I did -my duty, I should report the last one of you in -the morning.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Suppose you trot out the pancakes and -milk, and let somebody else report us,” suggested -Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Yes; that’s the idea,” cried the others, with -one voice.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don thought he enjoyed himself that night, -and his companions thought so, too, for he -sang as many songs, told as many stories, and -laughed as heartily as any of them. He -listened with much interest while Cony told of -the exploits of the students he had known in the -years gone by, and who had since made themselves -famous as lawyers, legislators and soldiers, -and was greatly astonished when Tom Fisher -jumped to his feet with his watch in his hand -and a look of alarm on his face.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Fellows,” said he, “where has the night -gone? It is half-past three, and we have just -<span class='pageno' id='Page_110'>110</span>half an hour in which to crawl by Dick Henderson’s -post and get into bed. If we are two -minutes behind time we are a gone community.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>This startling announcement broke up the party -at once. The boys made a simultaneous rush for -their overcoats and caps, and after Don had settled -their bill—a proceeding on his part that raised -him to a high place in the estimation of some -of the students whose parents did not think it -best to give them a very liberal allowance of -spending money—they dashed out of the house -and started for the academy on a dead run, -Duncan and Don Gordon bringing up the rear. -If the latter had known what the boy who kept -so close to his elbow was thinking about, he -would have thrown him headlong into the nearest -snow-drift.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER VII. <br /> <span class='small'>RUNNING THE GUARD.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>“Now, boys,” said Tom Fisher, “one at a -time, but remember lively is the word. -Gordon, you had better stay back and watch the -rest of us, and then you will know how to proceed -when your turn comes. We are not afraid -of Henderson, but still we don’t want to show -ourselves to him too plainly, for fear that the -corporal of the guard or the officer of the day -may be loafing around somewhere within sight -of his post.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>They had now reached the academy grounds, -and half the time at their disposal had already -been consumed. They had barely fifteen minutes -left, and haste was necessary. As matters stood, -all the floors and one of the outside beats were -in charge of boys who had been duly posted, -and would permit them to pass unchallenged; -but these accommodating guards would very soon -be relieved, and their places taken by those who -<span class='pageno' id='Page_112'>112</span>would report them the first thing in the morning.</p> - -<p class='c012'>As Fisher spoke he pushed aside the loosened -fence-pickets, squeezed himself through the opening, -and, with his body half bent, made his way -toward Dick Henderson’s post. Presently he -threw himself upon his hands and knees, and in a -few seconds more was out of sight. Another and -another followed him, and finally Duncan took his -turn, and Don was left alone.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Don’t be in too great a hurry,” were the -latter’s parting words. “Let me get out of -your sight before you start.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>During the last hour and a half Dick Henderson -had been walking his beat in no very pleasant -frame of mind. Tom had told him that he and his -friends would return some time between the hours -of two and four; but at three o’clock Dick had -seen no signs of them.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I wonder if they went in at some other part -of the grounds,” Dick often said to himself. “I -can’t believe they did, for I think I am the only -fellow in our crowd who holds an outside post to-night. -Besides, Duncan said they would come in -here, so that I could halt Don Gordon. They’ll -<span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span>have to hurry up if they want me to do anything -for them.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>As the minutes wore away Dick’s anxiety increased, -and finally he became really alarmed. -The bell had struck three long ago, and Dick was -beginning to look for his relief, when, to his great -joy, he saw somebody creeping toward him -through the deep snow. As soon as he caught -sight of him he moved back to his box and stood -behind it, leaning on his musket. The boy, Tom -Fisher, crossed Dick’s beat in plain view of him, -uttering a peculiar cough as he passed, and disappeared -behind the high piles of snow that had -been thrown out of the path leading to the -academy.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That’s one,” thought Dick, “and Duncan said -there were to be nine in the party. I am to allow -eight of them to go in peace, and the ninth man, -who will be Don Gordon, is to be halted and turned -over to the tender mercies of the officer of the day. -That is two,” he added, as another boy crept by, -giving the “signal” as he went.</p> - -<p class='c012'>When the eighth man was safely out of sight -Dick shouldered his musket and stepping out from -behind his box, prepared for action. As he came -<span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span>into view, a boy who was moving rapidly toward -him, in a crouching attitude, suddenly stopped, -and then as suddenly plunged into the nearest -snowdrift, burying himself in it head and -ears.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That fellow is like an ostrich,” soliloquized -Dick, as he walked quickly along his beat. “He -thinks that because his head is out of sight, his -whole body is concealed.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Having taken up a position between the recumbent -figure and the path that led from his beat to -the academy, Dick brought his musket to “arms -port” and sung out, in his loudest tones: “Who -comes there?” immediately following up his -challenge with lusty calls for the corporal of the -guard No. 5. The last words had hardly left his -lips when the prostrate boy sprang to his feet, -and coughing up the snow which had filled his -mouth and got into his throat when he made his -sudden plunge into the drift, ran toward the -academy with surprising swiftness. Dick heard -that cough, and it affected him very strangely. -He stood with open mouth and eyes, gazing in -the direction in which the boy had disappeared, -while his musket trembled in his grasp, and his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span>face grew almost as white as the snow around -him.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Now I’ve done it,” he said to himself, with no -little alarm. “I’ve gone and called the corporal -for one of our own boys. What in the world -shall I do? Tom and Clarence will read me out -of their good books, and I shall have no one to -be friends with, for those high-toned lads in the -upper classes won’t look at me. Well, if trouble -comes of it, they can just blame Duncan. He -told me to stop the ninth boy, and I know I didn’t -make any mistake in counting them. But what -shall I say to the corporal? That’s what bothers -me.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Dick was obliged to come to a decision on this -point very speedily, for just then the door of the -guard-room was thrown open, and the corporal -came out and hurried toward him.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What’s the matter, sentry?” he asked, as soon -as he had approached within speaking distance.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Some fellow has just run by me,” was Dick’s -reply.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Whew!” whistled the corporal. “Running -the guard has begun rather early in the term, -hasn’t it? Who was he?”</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span>“I don’t know,” answered Dick, and he told -the truth.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Whom did he look like?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I don’t know that, either. You can’t tell one -student from another in the dark, when they are -all dressed alike.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Then why didn’t you catch him and find out -who he was?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Catch him!” repeated Dick. “Cony Ryan’s -grayhound couldn’t have caught him. He ran -like a deer.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, he’ll be stopped when he tries to get -into his dormitory,” said the corporal, indifferently. -“I’ll go and see what the officer of the -day thinks about it. You’re sure this fellow, whoever -he was, didn’t go out since you have been on -post?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Of course he didn’t,” said Dick, indignantly.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Then Patchen” (that was the name of the -sentry who held post No. 5 when Fisher and his -companions left the grounds), “will have to answer -to the superintendent for neglect of duty,” said -the corporal, as he turned on his heel and walked -back toward the guard-room.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“And just as likely as not he will punch my -<span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span>head for getting him into trouble,” thought Dick, -trembling again. “But I didn’t mean to do it. -It’s all that Clarence Duncan’s fault, for he ought -to have told me that he was going to add more -boys to his party. Don Gordon must be outside -the grounds yet, and perhaps some of our boys are -with him.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Meanwhile Tom Fisher, having gained the -academy building in safety, opened the back -door, climbed two pairs of stairs, and felt his way -along the hall to the door that gave entrance to -the floor on which Don Gordon’s dormitory was -situated. This door he unlocked and opened, and -stepping into the next hall saw the sentry who -had relieved Charley Porter at midnight sitting -under the light reading a book.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Ahem!” said Tom; whereupon the sentry -laid down his book and walked toward him.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, you fellows have made a night of it, -haven’t you?” said he, in a cautious whisper.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I should think so,” answered Tom. “Had a -splendid time, too. The pancakes were just as -good as they used to be, and Gordon settled the -bill like a prince.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You had better go to bed, and be in a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span>hurry about it, too,” said the sentry. “It is -almost time for me to be relieved.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I know it; but I promised to wait at this -door and let Gordon in. He has no key of his -own.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“If he doesn’t come along pretty soon he’ll -not get in <em>this</em> morning without being reported, -for Gulick comes after me.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Is that <a id='corr118.9'></a><span class='htmlonly'><ins class='correction' title='so?”'>so?</ins></span><span class='epubonly'><a href='#c_118.9'><ins class='correction' title='so?”'>so?</ins></a></span> Then he’d better hurry, that’s -a fact. I can’t wait much longer for him without -bringing myself into trouble.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The sentry, who did not dare remain longer in -conversation with Tom for fear that the officer -of the day or the corporal of the guard might -come quietly up the stairs and catch him at it, -walked away toward the other end of the -hall, while Tom closed the door and stood there -in the dark, impatiently awaiting the arrival of -Don Gordon. He heard his friends as they -crossed the landing one after another, and went -on up to their dormitories, but the boy he wanted -to see did not make his appearance. Presently -some one jerked open the back door, -slammed it behind him, and came up the stairs -in great haste.</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span>“Who is that idiot, I wonder? He makes -noise enough to arouse the whole school. -B-l-e-r-s,” whispered Tom, as the boy sprang -upon the landing.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“R-a-m,” came the prompt response.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Who is it?” continued Tom.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Brown.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well you are making a fearful racket, the -first thing you know,” said Tom, angrily.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I am in a hurry,” panted the boy. “Here’s -the very mischief to pay. That fool Henderson -has gone and challenged one of our fellows.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“No,” gasped Tom, who was greatly alarmed.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“But I say he has, for I heard him. Come on. -We musn’t stay here another moment.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“But I promised to let Gordon in,” said Tom.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What do you care for Gordon? Let him -go and take care of yourself. That’s what I -am going to do.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>So saying the boy went on up the stairs, leaving -Tom to himself. The latter could not make -up his mind what to do. He knew that he was -in danger, but still he did not like to desert -Don in his extremity. Don, speaking in school-boy -parlance, had shown himself to be a thoroughbred. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span>He could sing a good song, tell an interesting -story, and, better than all, he was provided -with a liberal supply of pocket-money, which he -spent with a lavish hand. This was enough to -raise him to a high place in the estimation of -Tom Fisher, whose own supply of dimes was -limited.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I have it?” soliloquized Tom, at length, -“I’ll leave the key in the lock, and if he succeeds -in getting by the guard he can let himself -in. Of course he will have sense enough -to fasten the door after him, and put the key -in his pocket. Henderson will have to explain -his conduct in the morning. He had no business -to halt any of our fellows unless he did -it to protect himself.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Tom hurriedly ascended the next flight of -stairs, but scarcely had he reached the top when -the back door was thrown open again and another -boy came bounding up the steps. It was -Clarence Duncan, who was congratulating himself -on the complete success of his plans. He lingered -a moment or two in the hall where Fisher had -stood waiting for Don Gordon, and then went on -to his own dormitory. The floor-guard was so -<span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span>very deeply interested in a dime novel that he did -not appear to see or hear him as he passed, and in -a few seconds more Clarence was safe in bed. He -was just in time. He had not been between the -sheets two minutes before he heard the gruff tones -of the officer of the day, who was questioning the -floor-guard. Clarence could not hear what they -said, but he knew what they were talking about. -Presently he heard doors softly opened and closed. -The sounds came nearer, and at last the door of -his own room was opened, and the officer of the -day, attended by the corporal of the guard, who -carried a lantern in his hand, stepped across the -threshold. The officer saw Duncan and Fisher -lying with their faces to the wall, apparently fast -asleep, took note of the fact that their clothes -were deposited in orderly array upon the chairs at -the side of their beds, and departed satisfied -with his investigations. In a few minutes the -relief came up, and Clarence began to breathe -easier.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Say, Fisher,” he whispered, “are you asleep?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“No,” was the reply. “And what’s more, I -don’t want to go to sleep. If I do, I am afraid -I shall miss roll-call, and then the superintendent -<span class='pageno' id='Page_122'>122</span>would know where to look to find at least -one fellow who ran the guards.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I think myself that it would be a good -plan for us to keep awake. Say, Fisher,” -whispered Clarence, again, “Gordon’s goose is -cooked.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What do you mean by that?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I mean just what I say. I shall be amply -revenged on him for the insults he has heaped -upon us. When we came through the fence I -managed to keep him until the last, and Henderson -halted him. I didn’t know but he might -succeed in getting by in spite of Dick’s efforts -to stop him, so, in order to make assurance -doubly sure, I took the pains to examine the -door in the second hall, and in it I found a -key that some kind friend had left there for -his benefit. But I just took the key out of -that lock, and put it into my pocket. Don -can’t possibly get in without being reported by -the floor-guard, and he can take his choice between -freezing outside and giving himself up to -the corporal.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Did you tell Henderson to halt him?” -demanded Fisher, who had listened with the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_123'>123</span>greatest amazement to this astounding revelation.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Yes, sir, I did,” chuckled Duncan, who -seemed to be highly elated. “I posted Dick -yesterday afternoon, and he carried out my idea -to a dot. I didn’t expect to get even with -Gordon so soon, did you?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, of all the blunder-heads I ever saw you -are the greatest,” said Tom, in deep disgust.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Why, what’s the matter?” demanded -Duncan, who was now surprised in his turn. -“What are you going to do?” he added, -as Tom got out of his bed and moved toward -the door.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I am going to see if there is any chance for me -to undo your miserable work,” replied Tom, who -was so enraged that he could scarcely speak. -“You have made a nice mess by your meddling. -Why didn’t you ask the advice of the rest of us -before issuing any orders on your own responsibility? -You’re just a trifle too smart to be of -any use to me hereafter.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Opening the door Tom looked out into the hall, -and saw at a glance that he could do nothing to -help the unlucky Don. He had intended, if it -<span class='pageno' id='Page_124'>124</span>were possible, to go down to the lower floor and -put the key back in the lock so that Don could -use it in case he succeeded by any chance in -getting past the sentry; but he could not carry -this plan into execution now, because the floor-guard -who had permitted himself and Duncan -and all the other boys who belonged on that floor -to pass unnoticed, had been relieved, and his -chair was occupied by a boy who could not be -fooled with.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Anything wanting, Fisher?” asked the -sentry, looking up from his book.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I thought somebody came into my room a -few minutes ago,” said Tom, in reply.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“So there did. It was the officer of the day.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What did he want?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Not much of anything, only to make sure -that you were in bed where you belong.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What’s up?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Somebody has been running the guard; -that’s all.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Did they catch him?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“No; and neither did Henderson recognize -him. There’s something mysterious about it. -As far as I can learn there is no one missing, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_125'>125</span>the floor-guards are all willing to swear that -nobody has passed in or out of the academy since -taps. Good-morning.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>As this was a hint that the sentry did not want -to talk any longer, Tom drew in his head and -closed the door.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Now I <em>am</em> beat,” said he, aloud; and so was -Duncan who had sat up in bed and heard every -word that passed between his room-mate and the -sentry. “Gordon was stopped by Dick Henderson, -locked out in the cold through your lack of -sense, and yet the officer of the day finds him in -his room! How does that come? I can’t understand -it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Neither can I,” said Duncan. “But, Tom, -what made you get so angry at me?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I had two reasons for it. In the first place -you had no right to tell Henderson to stop Don -until you found out what the rest of us thought -about it. You took altogether too much upon -yourself when you presumed to act for a dozen or -more fellows in the way you did.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Have you forgotten that Gordon has repeatedly -neglected to salute us, and that he threatened -to make spread-eagles of the pair of us?” -<span class='pageno' id='Page_126'>126</span>demanded Clarence. “I wanted to get even with -him for that.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That’s no excuse. I want to get even with -him too, and, what is more, I intend to do it; -but I never would have given my consent to your -idea, as you call it. While we were coming from -Cony’s I made up my mind that I would propose -to the boys to take Gordon into full fellowship -with us and stand by him through thick and thin -until near the close of the term; and when we -had enjoyed all the treats we could squeeze out of -him, <em>then</em> we’d go for him. He’s got a lot of -money, and, what’s more to the point, he is perfectly -willing to spend it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That’s so,” said Duncan, thoughtfully. -“Your idea is better than mine. Why didn’t -you speak of it before?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I should have thought your own good sense, -if you had any, would have suggested it to you,” -answered Tom. “I have been thinking about it -ever since we left Cony’s. Your governor and -mine have curtailed our allowance, and unless -somebody foots the bills for us, how are we going -to get any pancakes this term? Besides, we may -want to borrow a dollar occasionally, and I know -<span class='pageno' id='Page_127'>127</span>Gordon will give it to us if we only handle him -right.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That’s so,” said Duncan, again. “I wish I -had kept away from Henderson.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“So do I. We may see trouble over that -thing yet. I wish it was morning. I shall be on -nettles until I see Don in the ranks. I hope he -will get in all right, but somehow I can’t bring -myself to believe that he will.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The two boys did not sleep a wink that night—or -morning, rather. They rolled and tossed -about on their beds, waiting impatiently for the -report of the morning gun which finally rang out -on the frosty air, being followed almost immediately -by the rattle of drums and the shrieking -of fifes in the drill-room. They marched down -with their company, and while the roll was being -called they ran their eyes over the Plebes who -were drawn up at the farther end of the room. -There was Don Gordon in the front rank, looking -as fresh as a daisy and as innocent as though he -had never violated a rule in his life.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“He did get in, didn’t he?” said Duncan, -while he and Fisher were clearing up their room -in readiness for inspection. “He didn’t seem any -<span class='pageno' id='Page_128'>128</span>the worse for his night’s experience, either; but -did you notice Dick Henderson? His face was -as long as your arm.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Having received positive proof that Don had -succeeded in reaching his room in spite of the -fact that the hall-door had been locked against -him, Tom and his companion, their friendly relations -having been fully restored by the unexpected -and mysterious failure of Duncan’s “idea,” -became anxious to know how he had done it. -During the two hours of study that came after the -inspection of their rooms, they did not look at -their books.</p> - -<p class='c012'>As soon as breakfast was over and the ranks -were broken, they put on their overcoats and went -out in search of Don. They found him in a very -few minutes, for he was also looking for them. He -was just as anxious to know why he had been challenged -while the other members of the party were -allowed to pass, as they were to ascertain how he -had got back to his room. Before any of the three -could speak, Dick Henderson came rushing up.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“O, boys!” he began.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That will do for the present, Bub,” interrupted -Duncan.</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_129'>129</span>“Run away now, like a good little boy.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“But I say, fellows,” exclaimed Dick.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, say it some other time. We are busy -just now.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Let him speak,” said Don. “I want him to -tell why he stopped me this morning.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I didn’t stop you,” replied Dick.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That’s a fact, you didn’t. But you tried to -all the same, and I want to know what you meant -by it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Why, Gordon, it can’t be possible that you -were—eh?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Dick was about to ask Don if he was the boy -who tried to bury himself out of sight in a snowdrift, -and who jumped up and ran toward the -academy when the corporal of the guard was -summoned; but he was interrupted by a look -from Duncan. Then the latter pointed with his -thumb over his shoulder, and Dick, who understood -the motion, beat a hasty retreat, looking -crestfallen as well as bewildered.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“He committed a most inexcusable blunder, -and came very near getting the whole of us into -hot water,” said Fisher, who knew that he must -offer something in the way of explanation. “We -<span class='pageno' id='Page_130'>130</span>will give him a good talking to, and make him -promise to be more careful in future. Now, Gordon, -how in the world did you get in?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Easy enough,” answered Don. “I say, boys, -there’s lots of fun in running the guard, and some -little excitement too. I am ready to try it again -any night. Come on, and I will tell you all about -it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The three boys linked their arms together and -walked toward an unfrequented part of the -grounds, so that Don could give the details of his -exploit without danger of being overheard. We -will tell the story in our own way.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_131'>131</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER VIII. <br /> <span class='small'>HOW DON GOT IN.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>“Don’t be in too great a hurry. Let me get -out of your sight,” said Clarence Duncan, -as he crept through the fence; and Don, whose -suspicions had not been aroused, was careful to -obey. When he thought that Clarence had been -allowed time to reach the academy, he passed -through the opening and moved toward Dick -Henderson’s post. He saw the latter when he -came out from behind his box and walked along -his beat, and remembering Tom Fisher’s words -of caution—that it would not be safe to approach -Dick’s post openly for fear that the officer of the -day or the corporal might be somewhere within -sight—Don sought concealment by throwing himself -at full length in the snow. He expected to -see Dick turn about and go behind his box again; -and consequently he was not a little amazed when -the sentry took up a position directly in front of -him, and called for the corporal of the guard.</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_132'>132</span>Don did not know what to make of it; but he -<em>did</em> know that if he stayed where he was, detection -and punishment were inevitable. He still had one -chance for escape, and he lost no time in improving -it. He jumped up and took to his heels, -trusting to the darkness and to his uniform to -conceal his identity. He was very light of foot, -and by doing some of his best running, he succeeded -in dodging around the corner of the academy -building just as the corporal threw open the -door of the guard-room. The signal, which had -produced such an effect upon Dick Henderson, he -had given by the merest accident. It was one -that Fisher, by some oversight, had neglected to -teach him, although he had let him into the secret -of all the other signs and pass-words.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“A miss is as good as a mile, but still that -was a pretty close shave,” said Don to himself, as -he opened the back door and felt his way up the -stairs. “I can’t understand why Dick challenged -me, unless it was because my approach was discovered -by somebody else who would have reported -him if he hadn’t tried to stop me.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>On reaching the second landing Don moved -cautiously along the hall, spelling the last syllable -<span class='pageno' id='Page_133'>133</span>of the pass-word as he went. Greatly to his -surprise, he met with no response. When his -hands came in contact with the door, he began -searching for the knob; but when he turned it, -the door did not open for him. It was locked.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Now here’s a go,” thought Don, who did not -know whether to laugh or get angry over the predicament -in which he so unexpectedly found -himself. “Where’s Fisher? He knew very -well that I couldn’t get to my room without -assistance, and yet he has deserted me. If that -is the sort of fellow he is, he’ll not eat any more -pancakes this winter at my expense.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Having satisfied himself that Tom was not on -hand, as he had promised to be, Don placed his -ear close to the key-hole, and found that he could -distinctly hear the footsteps of the floor-guard, as -he paced up and down the hall on the other side -of the door. There was a fellow who could and -would help him if he could only attract his attention. -Waiting, with all the patience he could -command, until the sentry came down to that end -of the hall again, Don rapped softly upon the -door, and in a peculiar manner. The footsteps -ceased on the instant; the sentry was listening. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_134'>134</span>Again Don gave the mystic signal—one quick -rap; then, after a little pause, three more raps, -delivered in rapid succession, and presently a voice -came through the key-hole.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“B-l-e-r-s!” it whispered.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“R-a-m!” whispered Don, in reply.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Who is it?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Gordon.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>A moment later a key rattled in the lock, the -door swung open, and Don stood face to face with -the sentry.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Where’s Fisher?” demanded the latter.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That’s just what I should like to know,” -answered Don. “He said he would be here to -let me in, but I haven’t seen anything of him.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“He’s a pretty fellow,” exclaimed the sentry. -“I don’t know whether you can reach your room -or not. The guards have been aroused, and I -am expecting the officer of the day every -minute. But I’ll do the best I can for you. -Stay here till I come back.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The sentry was not gone more than a quarter -of a minute. He went as far as the head of the -stairs that led to the floor below, and then he -turned and ran back on tip-toe. “You’re too -<span class='pageno' id='Page_135'>135</span>late,” said he. “The officer of the day is down -stairs, and he’ll be up here in a second. You -might as well come out and give yourself up, -for the boy who comes after me will not pass -you.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I can’t help that,” replied Don, “I’ll not -give myself up. That isn’t my style.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The sentry had seen many a boy in a tight -corner, but he had never before seen one who -took matters as coolly as Don did. All the -other students of his acquaintance would have -been frightened when they found that every -avenue of escape was closed against them; but -Don was as serene as a summer’s morning.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You’re a plucky one,” said the sentry, “and -I am sorry that I can not help you. If my relief—Get -out of sight, quick! <em>quick!</em>” he added, -as a heavy step sounded on the stairs. “That’s -the officer of the day; and if he finds this door -unlocked, I shall be in as bad a box as you -are.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don went back into the hall, his movements -being quickened by a gentle push from the -sentry, who, having closed and locked the door, -succeeded in reaching his own hall just a second -<span class='pageno' id='Page_136'>136</span>before the officer of the day appeared at the -head of the stairs. Close at his heels came the -corporal of the guard, who carried a lighted -lantern in his hand.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Sentry,” said the officer, “have any of your -men left their rooms to-night?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Not since I have been on post, sir,” replied -the sentry. “The beds were all occupied half -an hour ago.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“We will look into this matter, corporal,” -said the officer; and as he spoke he led the way -to the farther end of the hall to begin an examination -of the rooms. The sentry knew that -he would do this, and he awaited the issue of -events with no little uneasiness.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Somebody is in for a regular overhauling,” -said he to himself. “Of course they will see -that Gordon’s bed is empty, and the next question -to be decided will be: Who let him out, -Porter or I? I know I didn’t do it; Porter -will be sure to deny it—he can keep a smooth -face and tell a lie easier than any boy <em>I</em> ever -saw—and unless I can prevail upon Gordon to -back up my statement, I shall be in a bad fix.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>This was the sentry’s only chance for escape, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_137'>137</span>and it looked like a very slim one. He was -not at all acquainted with Don Gordon; in -fact he had never exchanged a word with him -until that night, and consequently he had no idea -what Don would do when he was taken before -the superintendent and ordered to give the -names of the floor-guard and of the outside -sentry who had permitted him to pass unchallenged. -Would he refuse to obey the order, -as an honorable boy ought to do, or would he -seek to screen himself by making a clean breast -of everything? While the sentry was turning -these matters over in his mind, the officer of -the day opened the door of Don’s dormitory.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“It’s all over now,” thought he, “and the -next thing is the investigation. I don’t believe -I shall have another opportunity to speak to -Gordon to-night, for my relief ought to be along -now; but I must see him the first thing in the -morning and find out what sort of a story he -intends to tell when he is hauled up. If he -has nerve enough to keep a still tongue in his -head——”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The sentry brought his soliloquy to a close, -and stood looking the very picture of astonishment. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_138'>138</span>Just then the officer of the day and -his attendant came out of Don’s room, and -there was nothing in their faces to indicate -that they had made any discovery there. They -looked into all the other dormitories, and then -came back to the lower end of the hall and -tried the door that led to the fire-escape. It -was locked, and everything seemed to be all -right.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Sentry,” said the officer of the day, in stern -tones. “Are you sure you are telling me the -truth when you say that no one has passed you -to-night?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Yes, sir, I am,” answered the boy, looking -his questioner squarely in the eye. “No one -has passed across this floor since I came on -post.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“When this matter has been sifted to the -bottom, as it certainly will be, a fine reckoning -awaits somebody,” said the officer. “Corporal, -we will go to the next floor.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>When the two had disappeared, and the sentry’s -ears told him that they were making the round of -the dormitories above, he pulled his key from his -pocket and quickly opened the door behind which -<span class='pageno' id='Page_139'>139</span>Don Gordon stood trying to make up his mind -to something. He did not expect to get into his -room that morning, and the question he was trying -to decide, was: Should he stay there in the -cold and take his chances of falling-in with the -rest of the Plebes when they were marched down -to the drill-room to answer to roll-call, or should -he give himself up and ask permission to sit -by the guard-room stove until he was thawed -out? He was very much surprised when the door -opened, and he saw the sentry beckoning to him.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Gordon,” said the latter, in a hurried -whisper. “You’re safe. Did you put a dummy -in your bed before you came out?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don replied that he did.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, it must be a perfect one, for the officer -of the day went in there with a light and never -saw anything to excite his suspicions. It’s the -greatest wonder in the world to me that he didn’t -miss your clothes.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“My clothes were there,” answered Don, -calmly. “I took my dress suit out of the closet -and put it on a chair by the side of my bed, -turning the coat inside out and doubling up the -skirts of it so that it would look like a fatigue -<span class='pageno' id='Page_140'>140</span>coat. What did the old fellow have to say about -it, anyhow?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The sentry could not waste much time in conversation, -for every moment was precious; but -he said enough to give Don an idea of what had -passed between himself and the officer of the day, -and to enable him to give Fisher and Duncan a -very accurate account of it.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You have got Porter and me and all the rest -of us out of a bad scrape,” said the sentry, in -conclusion. “Now keep mum, or if you speak at -all deny everything, and this night’s work will -prove to be the most bewildering piece of business -in the way of guard-running that has ever been -done at this academy. Go to your room while the -way is open to you, and be quick about it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don, whose teeth were chattering with the -cold, lost no time in acting upon this suggestion. -His first act was to hang his dress-suit in the -closet, and his next to deposit in its place on the -chair the suit he had on and which he proceeded -to pull off with all possible haste. Then he -tumbled into bed and turned his face to the wall -just as the floor-guard’s relief came up the stairs.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That was another close shave,” thought Don, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_141'>141</span>“and now comes something else. I hope the -investigation will not be a very searching one, for -if it is, the whole thing is bound to come out. I -am always in for a good time when I can have it -without getting anybody into difficulty; but -when it comes to telling a deliberate lie about it—that’s -a huckleberry beyond my persimmon.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I say Don!” whispered Bert, from his bed.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Great Moses!” was the culprit’s mental -ejaculation. “Was he awake when I came in? -If he was, I am in for lectures by the mile.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I say, Don!” whispered Bert, in a louder -tone.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“M!” said Don, drowsily.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I thought I heard some one come in just -now.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Very likely you did. The officer of the day -has been in here.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“The officer of the day!” repeated Bert, who -had learned to dread that official as much as some -of the other boys disliked him. “What did he -want? Is there anything wrong?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“He wanted to make sure that we were both -safely stowed away in our little beds. Wake me -when you hear the morning gun.”</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_142'>142</span>This was the substance of the story that Don -told his two companions as they strolled about the -grounds arm in arm. They listened in amazement, -and complimented Don’s presence of mind -in no measured terms. Don said he didn’t look -upon it as much of an exploit—that almost any -boy could have done the same thing under the -same circumstances, adding—</p> - -<p class='c012'>“But there are two or three matters that I -want cleared up, and at least one on which I wish -to come to the plainest kind of an understanding -with you. What made Henderson halt me?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I don’t know, I am sure,” replied Duncan. -“He made the biggest kind of a blunder, didn’t -he?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I’ll tell you what <em>I</em> think about it,” said -Tom. “Dick probably knew that there was -somebody else watching you, and that if he didn’t -challenge you, he would be reported for neglect of -duty.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That was the construction I put upon his -conduct,” said Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“We can’t expect a fellow to get himself into -trouble for the sake of keeping another out of it, -you know,” chimed in Clarence Duncan.</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_143'>143</span>“Of course not. Now, Fisher, what was the -reason you were not there at that door to let me -in?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I was to blame for that,” said Clarence. He -knew Don would be sure to ask that question, -and while the latter was telling his story he had -leisure to make up his mind how he would -answer it. “When I was running toward the -academy I heard footsteps in the guard-room, and -believing that the relief was being called, I -dodged behind the building to wait until they -began the round of the posts. Just then -Henderson challenged, and shortly afterward -some one ran by me and went into the academy -through the back door. I supposed it was you; -and believing that I was the last one to go in, I -took pains to examine the doors leading out of -the fire-escape, knowing that they would all be -tried by the officer of the day when he came up -to look into the rooms. In the door opening -on to your floor I found a key of which I took -possession, supposing, of course, that you had -used it to let yourself in and forgotten to take it -away with you.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That was perfectly right, Gordon,” said Tom -<span class='pageno' id='Page_144'>144</span>Fisher. “If the officer of the day had found that -key in the door, it would have knocked our night -excursions into a cocked hat. The teachers don’t -even suspect that we make use of the doors -leading to the back stairs, and if they ever find it -out——”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Then good-by to Cony Ryan’s pancakes,” -said Duncan, finishing the sentence for his companion. -“What is that point on which you wish -to come to the plainest kind of an understanding -with us?” he added, in the hope of turning the -conversation into another channel. He was afraid -that Don might begin a vigorous cross-questioning, -and find a flaw or two in the story he had -told him regarding that key.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“It is this,” replied Don: “When that floor-guard, -whatever his name is, let me in, he told -me to keep mum; or, if I opened my lips at all, -to deny everything. Now, that is something I’ll -not do to please or screen anybody.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don’s companions were utterly astounded. -They withdrew their arms from his, and stood off -and looked at him.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I didn’t think you were that sort of a chap,” -said Fisher.</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_145'>145</span>“Neither did I,” exclaimed Duncan. “We -have been deceived in you.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You certainly have, if you picked me up for -that kind of a fellow,” answered Don, boldly, -“and you had better drop me like a hot potato. -All the secrets you have intrusted to my keeping -are perfectly safe with me; but I want you to -understand that I will not tell a barefaced lie, -if I should chance to be hauled up, to keep you -or any one else out of trouble.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Do you mean to say that you will confess if -you are hauled up?” demanded Duncan.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“If the superintendent asks me if I ran the -guard last night, I shall tell him the truth. -That’s what I mean.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“And give the rest of us away too?” exclaimed -Fisher.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“By no means,” answered Don, quickly. “I -didn’t say that. If he asks me any questions I -don’t want to answer, I can keep my mouth shut, -can’t I?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“But will you? That’s the point.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“If you think I can’t be trusted, you had -better drop me,” was Don’s reply.</p> - -<p class='c012'>It was plain that Tom and Clarence were very -<span class='pageno' id='Page_146'>146</span>much disappointed in Don, and that they did -not know what to make of him. He had shown -himself perfectly willing to break the rules of -the school, but his sense of honor would not -permit him to lie about it in order to escape punishment. -They had never before met a boy like -him.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I don’t believe such a fellow ever lived since -the days of George Washington,” thought Duncan; -“and neither do I believe he means what he -says. If he is questioned, he will blow the whole -thing, and some of us will be sent down as sure -as the world. Gordon won’t do to tie to—I can -see that with half an eye. If you will excuse -me, fellows,” he added, aloud, “I will go and ask -Dick Henderson to give an account of himself.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Tom would have been glad to go with Duncan, -for he wanted an opportunity to ask him what he -thought of this boy who would not tell a lie -when circumstances seemed to demand it; but as -he could think up no good excuse for leaving Don -just then, he remained with him, and Duncan -went off alone. Dick was easily found, for he -was loitering about waiting for a chance to speak -to Duncan or Fisher. He expected that there -<span class='pageno' id='Page_147'>147</span>was trouble ahead, and he wanted it distinctly -understood that if it came, Duncan was the boy -who was to blame for it.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You’re a wise one, you are,” said he, when -Clarence came up to him. “If it hadn’t been for -some hocus-pocus that I don’t begin to understand, -you would have got us all into a nice mess by -your blundering. You told me to halt the ninth -man, but it turned out to be somebody besides -Don Gordon.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“There’s where you are mistaken,” said Clarence. -“It was Gordon and nobody else.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“But he gave the signal all fair and square,” -replied Dick, “and I’d like to know where he got -it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I am sure I don’t know. Fisher didn’t give -it to him in my hearing, and I didn’t suppose he -had it. I don’t know whether to be glad or sorry -that you didn’t succeed in stopping him. He’s -got a pocketful of money, and paid our bill at -Cony’s last night like a gentleman; but he’s no -good, and when the boys hear what he said to -Tom and me just a few minutes ago, I don’t think -they will go on any more excursions with him. -He says that he will not blow on any of us, but -<span class='pageno' id='Page_148'>148</span>if he is accused of running the guard, he will -acknowledge it, because he can’t tell a lie.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Humph!” exclaimed Dick, contemptuously. -“Somebody ought to make him the hero of a -Sunday-school book. We don’t want anything -more to do with him.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That’s what I say. Now be on your guard, -and be careful how you talk to him.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“But what shall I say to him if he insists on -knowing why I challenged him?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Tell him as Fisher did, that you had to do it -in order to protect yourself; that the officer of the -day was talking with post No. 4, or something of -that sort.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Greatly to the relief and surprise of Tom Fisher -and his party, no trouble grew out of that night’s -work. The investigation came off that forenoon, -but the matter was not sifted to the bottom, as the -officer of the day had declared it should be, for the -simple reason that it could not be done. All the -floor-guards and sentries who had been on duty between -the hours of ten in the evening and four in -the morning were subjected to a thorough examination; -but nothing was drawn from them. The -innocent had nothing to tell, and the guilty ones -<span class='pageno' id='Page_149'>149</span>were such adepts at lying that they succeeded in -escaping punishment, even if they did not succeed -in escaping suspicion. Dick Henderson said he -had tried to stop somebody who ran past him; but -he was quite positive that he did not know who he -was. The officer of the day and the corporal of -the guard were certain that they had looked into -every room on all the floors, and that every bed -was occupied. The only conclusion the superintendent -could come to was, that somebody had -been outside the grounds after taps; but who he -was, and how he got out, were other and deeper -questions. He held a council of war with the -teachers after completing the examination of the -sentries, and with them discussed various plans -for preventing such excursions in future, or, at -least, making them more difficult of accomplishment. -One suggestion which he decided to adopt -was carried out that very afternoon.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Of course Don and his guilty comrades were -very anxious to learn the result of the investigation; -and when the hour of recreation came, they -sent out some of their number to interview the -sentries and floor-guards. The reports these -faithful scouts brought back were very encouraging. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_150'>150</span>The general impression among the sentries -who had faithfully performed their duty the night -before seemed to be that, although the teachers -had their suspicions, they would not proceed any -further in the matter for the simple reason that -nothing could be proved against anybody. They -were also united in the belief that in future the -buildings and grounds would be more closely -guarded.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, as soon as we find out what new precautions -are to be taken, we can lay our plans -<a id='corr150.11'></a><span class='htmlonly'><ins class='correction' title='accordingly,'>accordingly,”</ins></span><span class='epubonly'><a href='#c_150.11'><ins class='correction' title='accordingly,'>accordingly,”</ins></a></span> said Fisher to his friend Duncan. -“What is it, Bub?” he added, turning to Dick -Henderson, who just then hurried up with a face -full of news.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Come with me and see for yourselves,” -answered Dick. “Last night’s work was an unlucky -thing for us, but I am not to blame for it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Dick led the way around the academy building -and stopped in front of the back door. It was -open, and in the lower hall stood a carpenter -who was bending over a box of tools. Fisher -and Duncan looked at Dick, but he only shrugged -his shoulders and waved his hand toward the -man, as if to say that if they wanted any information -<span class='pageno' id='Page_151'>151</span>they could ask it of him. Taking the -hint, Tom inquired:</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What are you doing in there?—Anything -broken?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Not that I know of,” replied the man, looking -up to see who it was that addressed him. “I am -putting some new fastenings on these doors so -that you boys can’t slip out so easily of nights. -I am afraid you are getting to be a bad lot—a -very bad lot,” he added, with a grin, as he picked -up three or four strong bolts and made his way -up the stairs.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Clarence was thunderstruck, while Tom was so -highly enraged that for a minute or two he -could not trust himself to speak.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_152'>152</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER IX. <br /> <span class='small'>DON’S YANKEE INVENTION.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>“I am not to blame for it, fellows,” repeated -Dick. “I did just as I was told to do, as -nearly as I could. I know I did not succeed in -stopping Don Gordon, and I don’t believe there -is a boy in school who could have stopped him; -but I did my best.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I hope you see now what you have done by -your meddling,” exclaimed Tom, turning fiercely -upon Duncan. “You are not at all to blame, -Dick; only another time don’t take any private -orders from anybody. We all run the same risk, -and we ought all to have a word to say in regard -to the manner in which things shall be -conducted.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“If Dick had stopped Gordon, as I told him -to do, this thing never would have happened,” -said Duncan, as soon as he had had time to -collect his wits.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“There’s where I differ with you,” answered -<span class='pageno' id='Page_153'>153</span>Tom. “The fact that Gordon wasn’t stopped -does not in the least alter the case, so far as -these bolts are concerned. If Don had been -caught, the bolts would have been put on all -the same, and, furthermore, you and I and -all the rest of us would have had to stand a -court-martial, for Don would have gone back on -us as sure as you are a foot high. Dick ought -to have let him pass.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“And I would, too, if Clarence hadn’t told -me to halt him,” exclaimed Dick.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I know it. Duncan is the one we have to -thank for the loss of many pleasant evenings -we might have had this winter. We may as -well throw away our keys, for they will be of -no further use to us, now that the doors are to -be bolted on the inside.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I don’t know why you should take on so -about those bolts,” exclaimed Duncan, who began -to think he had been scolded quite enough. -“If we wanted to go to Cony’s to-night, what -is there to hinder one of us from slipping up -the stairs as soon as this man goes away, and -drawing the bolts? Don’t throw away your -key yet, Tom. It may come handy to you.”</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_154'>154</span>Fisher, who was too angry to reply, turned on -his heel and walked away. Before many hours -had passed all the boys belonging to the “set” -had heard about the bolts, and listened with no -little indignation to the story of Clarence Duncan’s -“meddling”—all except Don Gordon, who -did not know that he was the victim of misplaced -confidence. The fellows were careful to -keep that from his ears for fear that he and -Clarence would come to blows over it. Some -of them, would have looked upon a fight between -these two as an interesting spectacle; -but they knew that it would be followed by -a court of inquiry, during which some things -they wanted to keep concealed would probably -be brought to light. They had learned that it -was not quite safe to trust their friend Duncan -too far; and as for Don, he was a stranger, -and there was no telling how he would act or -what he would say when he was told that -he could take his choice between answering -such questions as were propounded to him, and -being punished by expulsion from the school.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That would bring him to his senses,” said -Tom to some of his cronies who had gathered -<span class='pageno' id='Page_155'>155</span>about him to talk over the situation. “He -says he wouldn’t blow on us, but I don’t believe -a word of it. There isn’t a boy in school -who can stand defiant in the presence of the -superintendent when he draws down those gray -eyebrows of his and looks at a fellow as if -he meant to pierce him through. Hallo! here -comes Henderson with more news. He’s a bully -little scout, even if he did come near getting us -all into trouble by halting Don Gordon. What -is it this time, Dick?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“We may as well follow your advice and -throw away our keys, for they are of no use -to us now,” was Dick’s reply. “The officer of -the day goes up and tries those doors and examines -the new fastenings as regularly as he -makes his rounds.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“There!” exclaimed Tom, in great disgust. -“You see what Duncan has brought us to by -being so smart. No more pancakes for us.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>During the next few weeks nothing happened -at the academy that is worthy of record. Duncan -and Don Gordon had rather a lonely time of it, -for the members of the “set” were not as cordial -toward them as they used to be. They did -<span class='pageno' id='Page_156'>156</span>not cut them entirely, for they did not think -that would be quite safe; but they did not -seek them out and associate with them as -freely as they would if they had been on friendly -terms. Duncan took it very much to heart, -but Don did not seem to care. He studied -and drilled with the rest, and having served -the sentence that had been passed upon him -for overstaying the time for which his leave of -absence was granted, he began to feel and act -more like himself. So did Bert, who soon began -to count his friends by the score. They -were true friends, too, and very unlike the boys -who belonged to Tom Fisher’s crowd.</p> - -<p class='c012'>It was not long before the Plebes began to -show the result of their regular and fatiguing -drills. They became handy with their muskets, -very proficient in company and battalion evolutions, -and, finally, they were ordered to go on -dress parade. This honor brought with it a -duty from which they had thus far been exempt, -that of standing guard.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Up to this time Cony Ryan had been deserted -by all except a very few of his old patrons who -sometimes passed an hour or two there of a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_157'>157</span>Saturday afternoon; but they never came away -without telling one another that they had not -enjoyed themselves in the least—that their visits -now were not at all like the jolly times they used -to have when they crowded into his little parlor -after creeping by the sentries. There had -been none of that sort of work of late. The -sight of the bolts the carpenter had put on the -doors, and the increased vigilance of the officer -of the day, had taken all the courage out of -the bravest of them; at least so it seemed, -for no one ever thought of running the guard -now. Tom Fisher had almost forgotten that he -had ever done such a thing, when one day he -was approached by Don Gordon, who beckoned -him off on one side.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Look here, old fellow,” said Don, “you’ll dry -up and blow away if you don’t have some excitement -to put your blood in circulation. If you -want to go down to Cony’s again, to-night is -your time.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“But the bolts!” exclaimed Tom, greatly -surprised.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“The bolts won’t delay you five minutes,” -replied Don, confidently. “I haven’t been idle -<span class='pageno' id='Page_158'>158</span>during the last few days, and I have found a -way to draw those bolts.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I could do it myself by going up the back -stairs,” said Tom; “but the officer of the day -would find it out the first time he made his -round. Besides, we want to get in after we have -gone out, and how would we throw those bolts -back to their place when the door was closed -behind us? Have you thought of that?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I have; but I can show you how it can be -done easier than I can explain it to you. We -can’t go up to my floor to operate, for Bert is -standing guard there. Who’s on your floor?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Clarence Duncan.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Are you willing to trust him? I notice that -you and he are not quite as thick as you used to -be.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I’ve got to trust him whether I am willing or -not. If I should go back on him entirely he -would find a way to get me into a row that would -send me down.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I don’t see how he could make anything by -that. He is as deep in the mud as you are, and -he would probably be sent down himself.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“He wouldn’t care for that. He’ll go any -<span class='pageno' id='Page_159'>159</span>lengths to injure a boy he hates. That’s his -style. I have managed to keep up a show of -friendship with him, and I know he will let you -do anything you like on his floor. Come on.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Clarence, who was seated in his chair reading -a sensational story paper that one of the students -had smuggled into the academy, nodded to Tom, -returned Don’s salute, and would probably have -paid no further attention to them had he not seen -them turn into the hall that led to the fire-escape. -This excited his curiosity and he arose and followed -them.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What are you going to do here?” he -demanded.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Gordon has discovered a way to open these -doors,” replied Tom.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Not from this side,” exclaimed Duncan.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Yes, from this side,” said Don. “I have -done it once, and I know I can do it again.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Duncan, who believed that the feat could not -possibly be accomplished, was unable to find -words with which to express his surprise. He -could only look bewildered. He took up a position -in the main hall so that he could watch the -stairs and guard against intrusion, and occasionally -<span class='pageno' id='Page_160'>160</span>turned his eyes toward Don, whose proceedings -he watched with the greatest interest.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don’s first act was to produce his pocket-knife, -with which he removed from the lower left-hand -corner of the panel above the lock a round plug -of wood, which fitted into a hole about half an -inch in diameter. The top of the plug was -painted white, like the door, and it filled the -opening so accurately that the different officers -of the day, who had probably looked at it a -hundred times since it had been placed there, had -never seen it. Don then pulled out of his pocket -a short, crooked wire, one end of which was bent -into the form of a hook and the other made into -the shape of a ring. The hook he inserted into -the hole in the panel, and a moment later the bolt -was heard to slide from its socket.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“There you are,” said he, turning to Tom. -“Now, take out your key and open the door.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Tom obeyed, lost in wonder, and then he and -Duncan stepped forward to see how Don’s invention -worked. Simple as it was, it was admirably -adapted to the purpose for which it was intended. -“The only difficult thing about it,” said Don, in -explanation, “is to get the hook around the knob -<span class='pageno' id='Page_161'>161</span>of the bolt. That done, a simple turn of the wrist -does the rest.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Gordon, you’re a good one,” exclaimed Tom. -“You ought to be a Yankee.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“This is a Yankee invention—at least a New -England carpenter was the one who brought it to -my notice,” answered Don, as Fisher closed and -locked the door. “While he was doing some -work on our plantation, our smoke-house and -corn-cribs were robbed more than a dozen times. -It seemed impossible for father to get locks that -could not be picked or broken. The carpenter -said he could put a stop to that business, and he -did it by making some heavy wooden bolts, -working on the same principle that this one does, -only there were three or four knobs in them -instead of one. Then he made a key, in shape -something like this one of mine, and when we -wanted to shut up for the night, all we had to do -was to throw the bolts to their places, take out -the wire, and the doors were fast. There was but -one way to pass them, and that was to break -them down; and if anybody had tried that he -would have got himself into business directly, for I -own some dogs that won’t permit any such doings.”</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_162'>162</span>“Well, I’ve locked the door,” said Tom, when -Don ceased speaking, “and now I’d like to see -you throw that bolt back again. That’s important, -you know.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don said he knew it. He thrust his wire -through the opening again, and in a second more -the bolt was shot into its socket. In order to -make sure of it, Tom unlocked the door again and -tried to open it; but the bolt held it fast. Don’s -plan would work to perfection—Fisher and Duncan -were sure of it.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“When did you find opportunity to do all this -work?” asked the former.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“O, I did it at odd times when I thought -there was the least danger of being caught; -but, I tell you, I had a narrow escape once. I -was working on this very door, and Tom, you -were floor-guard at the time. You see there were a -good many days when I couldn’t do anything at -all on account of the guards, who I knew were not -to be trusted. Well, I was working there in the -dark and had just put the plug into the hole, -when the bell rang. I had been obliged to do -some whittling in order to make the plug fit to -suit me, but I had been careful to put all the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_163'>163</span>shavings on a piece of paper. If I had left them -on the floor, and anybody had come in there with a -lantern, he would have seen them, of course, and -I should have had my work for nothing. When -I heard the bell ring, I grabbed up that piece of -paper and started for the stairs; but just then -the back door opened, and who should come in -but the officer of the day.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don’s auditors, who were listening with almost -breathless interest, uttered ejaculations indicative -of the greatest surprise and sympathy.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I thought I was fairly cornered,” continued -Don, “and at first I did not know what to do. I -listened until I heard the officer go into the hall -on the lower floor, and then I jerked off my boots -and went up the next two flights of stairs, and up -the ladder that leads to the scuttle; and there I -sat on one of the topmost rounds until he tried -all the doors and went down again.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Don, you’re a good one,” said Fisher, again. -“But why didn’t you let us know what you were -doing? Some of us might have helped you.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, you see, I expected to be caught, and I -wanted to be able to say that I had received no -assistance, and that nobody knew what I was up -<span class='pageno' id='Page_164'>164</span>to. I couldn’t have told that story if I had taken -you into my confidence; and I wouldn’t, either.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>We confess to a great liking for Don Gordon, -and to a positive admiration of his moral as well -as physical courage; but we are not blind to his -failings. We have no patience with the way he -acted at school after the solemn promises he had -made his mother—they were all forgotten now—nor -do we like the way he reasoned with himself. -In his opinion there were different grades of lies. -For example: If the superintendent had asked -him if it were he who had been halted by Dick -Henderson on a certain morning, he would have -promptly replied that it was—the fear of punishment -would not have made him deny it; and yet -when he reached his room he told Bert a lie, -although every word he uttered was the truth. -By the answers he gave to Bert’s questions he led -the latter to infer that the officer of the day was -the only one who had come into that room, and -we know that such was not the case. Don was -not altogether consistent.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Are all the doors that lead into the fire-escape -fixed in this way?” asked Tom.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“No; only yours and mine. There was no need -<span class='pageno' id='Page_165'>165</span>of bothering with the other two doors, for the -boys in the first and second classes don’t run with -our crowd.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That’s so,” said Duncan; “but I know that -some of them go to Cony Ryan’s as regularly as -we do.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“They used to,” said Tom; “but I don’t -think they have been there since these new fastenings -were put on. What shall I do with -this?” he added, as Don passed the wire over to -him.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Why, take it and use it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Then what will you do?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I have another, but I shall not need it to-night.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Are you not going down to Cony’s with us?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I can’t. I am to relieve Henderson on post -No. 8 at midnight; so you’ll have to go out and -come in by Dick and me.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>That night everything passed off smoothly. -The guards who held the floor when Tom and a -chosen few went out and in, were accommodating; -the bolt was easily worked by the aid of the wire -Don had fashioned; the sentries on post No. 8 -kept themselves out of sight; the pancakes and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_166'>166</span>syrup were excellent; the night was passed in a -most agreeable manner; and at three o’clock in the -morning the guard-runners were all sleeping soundly -in their beds, and no one was the wiser for what -they had done. They missed Don (especially Tom -Fisher, who had to pay his share of the bill from -a very slender purse), whom they as well as Cony -Ryan declared to be an honor to his class.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“It begins to look as though the old times were -coming back again,” said Cony, as he sat by and -saw his pancakes disappear before the attacks of -his visitors, who ate as though they never had -anything good served up to them at the academy. -“I tell you the boys who went to school here -years ago, some of whom are now men with boys -of their own to look after, were a sharp lot. You -couldn’t keep them in if they didn’t want to stay, -and there was no use in trying. Of late you fellows -haven’t done anything to be proud of; but perhaps -this young Gordon will put some life into -you.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>And he certainly did. Guard-running, in which -Don took an active part, became of common occurrence, -although the teachers never suspected -it; and Cony Ryan slapped his well-lined pockets -<span class='pageno' id='Page_167'>167</span>and blessed the day that brought Don Gordon to -the Bridgeport academy. But the reckoning came -at last, though long delayed, and Don, aided by -an unexpected proceeding on the part of Tom -Fisher, did something that raised him to a high -place in the estimation of all the students, and -knocked the “set” so high that it never came -down again; at least it was never heard of afterward. -It came about in this way:</p> - -<p class='c012'>Winter had passed, the snow had disappeared, -the ice was all out of the river, the buds were starting -on the maple trees, and those of the students -who were ambitious to be something better than -privates in their companies, were studying night -and day to prepare themselves for the approaching -examination. These found rest and recreation by -whipping the neighboring brooks for trout on -Saturday afternoon (you know it is time to begin -trout-fishing when the maple buds start), while -Tom Fisher and his followers diverted themselves -by running the guard as often as the opportunity -was presented.</p> - -<p class='c012'>On a certain night one of Tom’s friends who -held one of the outside posts from eight o’clock -until midnight, was taken suddenly ill, and was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_168'>168</span>relieved by the corporal, his beat being taken by -a boy who did not belong to the “set.” Tom had -made arrangements for visiting Cony Ryan’s, and -Don Gordon had charge of his floor. When taps -had sounded, and the officer of the day had made -his rounds, the guard-runners left their dormitories, -one by one, Don turning his back so that he -did not see them as they passed. They left the -building without being discovered, but when they -attempted to pass the sentry, their troubles began. -They were halted, and by a voice that did not -belong to the friend they had expected to find on -that post. Amazed and disconcerted, they huddled -together for a moment like a flock of sheep -that had been suddenly frightened, and then, -knowing that there was but one thing they could -do, they turned and started for the academy on a -dead run, the vigilant sentry all the while rending -the air with his lusty calls for the corporal of the -guard. They tumbled up the stairs, gained access -to the floor on which their dormitories were situated, -pulled off their uniforms without loss of -time and went to bed, as miserable and frightened -a lot of boys as the walls of that academy had ever -inclosed.</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_169'>169</span>“Did you ever hear of anything so very unfortunate?” -whispered Fisher to his friend Duncan. -“If there was any one of our fellows -except Gordon in charge of this floor, we should -be all right, for it is as dark as a pocket out -of doors, and I know that that sentry could not -have recognized us.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“We ought never to have had anything to -do with Gordon in the first place,” whispered -Duncan, in reply.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That’s what I have thought for a long time; -but it is too late to mend the matter now. There -they are,” he added, as the sound of footsteps on -the stairs came to their ears. “It is all over with -us now.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>So thought Don Gordon, only he used the word -“me” instead of “us.” “I am in for it,” he -soliloquized, “and I would give something to -know what they will do with me. I’ll not go -back on the boys, and that’s flat. The superintendent -will give me a lively shake-up, of course; -and then what will Bert say? What will mother -think?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>When the officer of the day, attended as usual -by the corporal, came up the stairs, he found Don -<span class='pageno' id='Page_170'>170</span>pacing slowly along the hall with his hands behind -his back. They returned his salute, but -did not speak to him. They went to the upper -end of the hall and began a thorough examination -of all the rooms, the officer of the day arousing -the occupant of every bed, while the corporal held -his lantern aloft so that the face of each one could -be plainly seen. Don’s dummy would not have -saved him this time. When they had satisfied -themselves that no one on that floor was missing, -and had tried the door opening into the hall -that led to the fire-escape, they went up the stairs -to look into the dormitories on the floors above. -In a quarter of an hour they went back to the -guard-room, and Don was left alone. Scarcely -had the sound of their footsteps died away in -the lower hall when a dozen doors were softly -opened, and almost twice as many heads were -thrust cautiously out. “What’s the row, Gordon?” -was the whispered chorus that saluted -Don’s ears. “What did the officer of the day -wake us up for? Anybody out?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“There’s no one out who belongs on this floor,” -replied Don. “And if there has been anything -going on up stairs, I don’t know it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_171'>171</span>“What did he say to you?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Not a <a id='corr171.2'></a><span class='htmlonly'><ins class='correction' title='word?'>word!</ins></span><span class='epubonly'><a href='#c_171.2'><ins class='correction' title='word?'>word!</ins></a></span>”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The students were all surprised to hear this, -and there were some among them who were -frightened as well. After a few more questions, -which brought no information from Don for the -simple reason that he had none to impart, the -students all went back to bed except Fisher and -Duncan, who lingered to have a word with Don -in private. They were ill at ease, and told themselves -that when the new fastenings were put on -the doors, some new routine had been adopted of -which they had not yet heard.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Didn’t he ask you any questions at all—not -a single one?” whispered Fisher.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“He didn’t open his lips,” answered Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Didn’t say anything to you about reporting -to him as soon as you were relieved, did he?” -put in Duncan, who thought Don must surely be -mistaken.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“How could he, when he didn’t open his lips?” -asked Don, in reply.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“This is an unusual way of doing business,” -said Tom, reflectively, “and there’s something -about it that doesn’t look just right to me. Now, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_172'>172</span>mark my words, fellows: they’re going to spring -something new on us, and they will do it so suddenly, -that it will knock us flatter than one of -Cony Ryan’s pancakes. You’ll see.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>And sure enough they did.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_173'>173</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER X. <br /> <span class='small'>BREAKING UP THE “SET.”</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>It was an eager and anxious lot of boys -who answered to roll-call the next morning. -Of course they knew that a party of their fellows -had been challenged while they were attempting -to run the guard, and they were -impatient to learn who they were, and what -the superintendent was going to do about it. -Two things astonished and bewildered them: -They could not imagine how the culprits had -managed to leave the building and get back again -so easily, and neither could they understand -why the officer of the day had neglected to -question the floor-guards. They believed, with -Tom Fisher, that something new was to be -“sprung” on them; and as soon as breakfast -was over, they found out what it was. On -ordinary occasions the quartermaster-sergeants -marched their respective companies to and from -the dining-hall; but on this particular morning -the captains took command and led them to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_174'>174</span>the drill-room, where they were drawn up in -line as they were when preparing for dress-parade. -The teachers were all there, and many -a sly and inquiring glance was cast toward them; -but their countenances revealed nothing.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Right dress!—Front!” commanded the -captains, as the companies came into line; and -when these orders had been obeyed, the superintendent, -who stood in the place that is occupied -by the battalion commander during dress-parade, -thus addressed them:</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Young gentlemen,” said he, and his tones -were not near as stern and severe as the boys -expected they would be, “I am sorry to hear -that some of you attempted to run the guard -last night. Heretofore, when such offences have -been committed, it has been our rule to examine -the floor-guards and sentries who were on duty -at the time, but we have seldom succeeded in -drawing from them any information that would -lead to the detection of the guilty parties. A -student who will prove false to his duty, and -violate the confidence reposed in him, will not -scruple to tell any number of falsehoods to conceal -his wrong-doing. Now I intend, before these -<span class='pageno' id='Page_175'>175</span>ranks are broken, to learn the names of all -those who tried to run by post No. 8 last -night, as well as the name of the floor-guard -who permitted them to pass. The first sergeants -will now call the roll, and you can -answer ‘guilty,’ or ‘not guilty,’ just as your -sense of honor may seem to dictate. If innocent, -simply answer ‘here’ and keep your place in -the ranks; if you are guilty, step three paces -to the front. I put you all upon your honor.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>When the superintendent ceased speaking, the -first sergeants moved to the front and centre of -their respective companies, and the roll-call began. -As it proceeded, more than one boy standing -in the ranks of the third company tried -to twist himself around so that he could catch -a glimpse of Don Gordon’s face, hoping to see -something there that would give him a hint of -the course Don intended to pursue when his -turn came to answer to his name.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“He certainly will not—he dare not—confess,” -were the thoughts that passed through their -minds. “If he does, he will be sent down, sure. -If some one could only get a chance to whisper -a word or two in his ear, we would come -<span class='pageno' id='Page_176'>176</span>out all right yet, in spite of this honor business.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The anxiety and alarm experienced by these -boys showed very plainly in their countenances, -and before the roll-call had been going on for -two minutes, the superintendent could have -stepped forward and picked out every one of the -guard-runners.</p> - -<p class='c012'>The names of the boys belonging to the first -and second companies were called in quick succession, -and as yet nobody had stepped to the -front. The culprits, in this instance, all belonged -to the third class, with the single exception of -Don Gordon, who, having long ago made up his -mind what he would do, waited with some impatience -to see how his companions in guilt would -stand the test. The result was just what he -might have expected.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Clarence Duncan,” said the third company -sergeant.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Here,” answered the owner of that name, -making a desperate but unsuccessful effort to -appear at his ease.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“George W. Brown.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Here.”</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_177'>177</span>“Richard Henderson.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Here.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Thomas Fisher.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Here.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“They’re a pack of cowards,” was Don’s mental -comment. “Such fellows always are, and I ought -to have known better than to take up with them. -My last act in this school will be to show them -and everybody else that I am just as willing to -pay the fiddler as I am to dance.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>At last the sergeant of the fourth company -began, and near the top of his list was the name—“Donald -Gordon.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>There was no response to it; but to the intense -amazement of everybody present, and the almost -overwhelming consternation of some, Don stepped -quickly and firmly to the front. No one outside -the “set” would have thought of picking him -out as a guard-runner. The sergeant hesitated -and stammered over the next name, and there -was a perceptible flutter among all except the -first-class boys. They showed their three years’ -drill and discipline by standing as stiff as so many -posts and holding their eyes straight to the front; -but they could not control their countenances, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_178'>178</span>surprise and sorrow were depicted upon every one -of them. When the roll-call was ended the -sergeants went back to their places, and Don was -left standing alone. He had passed through one -ordeal, and now came another.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Gordon,” said the superintendent, “I am -glad to see that you have too much manhood to -take refuge behind a lie. I should have been -very much surprised and grieved if you had -showed me that I had formed a wrong opinion -of you.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>These words made some of the guilty ones in -the third class open their eyes. Duncan’s face -grew whiter than ever, while Tom Fisher said -to himself:</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I really believe the old fellow knows right -where to look to find every boy who was outside -the building last night after taps. If I had had -the faintest suspicion that Don intended to confess, -I should have been ahead of him. He’ll -get off easy by giving the names of the rest of us, -and Duncan and I and a few others, who kicked -up such a row last term, will be sent down.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You had charge of the third floor between -the hours of eight and twelve last evening,” -<span class='pageno' id='Page_179'>179</span>continued the superintendent, addressing himself -to Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Yes, sir,” was the reply.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“And while you were on duty several boys, -who you knew intended to run the guard, left -their dormitories, and you permitted them to -pass out of the building?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Yes, sir,” said Don, again.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Give me the names of those boys,” said the -superintendent, nodding to the adjutant, who -pulled out his note-book and pencil; but he -did not use them—at least just then. While -he held his pencil in the air and looked at -Don, and the culprits were trembling with apprehension, -and the others were listening with -all their ears to catch the first name that fell -from Don’s lips, the answer came clear and -distinct:</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I hope you will not insist upon that, sir, -for it is something I do not like to do.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The superintendent stared, the teachers looked -astonished, and another flutter of excitement ran -along the line. This time it did not even miss -the first-class boys, some of whom so far forgot -themselves as to turn their heads and look at -<span class='pageno' id='Page_180'>180</span>the boy who dared stand in the presence of the -head of the school and say that he did not -like to obey an order that had been given -him point-blank. Such a thing had never -happened before in the Bridgeport academy. -Don’s companions in guilt began to breathe -easier.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“If he will only stick to that <em>I</em> am all right; -but <em>he</em> will have to go down,” soliloquized -Clarence Duncan, whose every thought was a -selfish one, and who did not care the snap of his -finger what became of Don or anybody else, so -long as he escaped punishment himself.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That bangs me,” thought Tom Fisher, who -was not altogether bad at heart, even though he -did have faults almost without number. He -knew a brave boy when he saw one, and Don’s -conduct excited his unbounded admiration. -“He’s the pluckiest fellow I ever saw, and he -shall not be sent down if I can help it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Do you refuse to give me the names of those -boys?” asked the superintendent, as soon as he -had somewhat recovered from his surprise.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I would rather not, sir,” replied Don. He -did not like to use so strong a word as “refuse,” -<span class='pageno' id='Page_181'>181</span>but still his answer was given in a tone which -showed that he had no intention of wavering.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You know the alternative?” said the superintendent, -quietly but firmly.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“And you are willing to submit to it?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Yes, sir”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“But I am not willing that he should, sir,” -exclaimed Tom Fisher, stepping three paces to -the front and raising his hand to his cap. “If -he won’t tell who the guard-runners are, I will.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Attention!” shouted the superintendent, -who was utterly confounded by this breach of -discipline; but Tom, having made a resolution, -was determined to stick to it, regardless of the -consequences.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“No boy in this academy shall ever again suffer -for my misdeeds if I can help it,” said he, speaking -as rapidly as he could in order that he might -get everything off his mind before he was interrupted. -“I was one of the guard-runners, and if -the others have the least particle of pluck in -them——”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“<em>Attention!</em>” shouted the superintendent -again. “Captain Morgan” he added, addressing -<span class='pageno' id='Page_182'>182</span>the commander of the first company, “detail a -corporal’s guard to take private Fisher to his -room under arrest.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I don’t care,” thought Tom, as he was -marched off by the guard that was quickly -detailed to take charge of him. “I did my best -to save Don, and I shall go down with something -like a clear conscience. But I really wish the -superintendent would give me another chance. I -would make an honest and earnest effort to do -better.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>This was the unexpected act on the part of -Tom Fisher to which we referred a short time -ago, and which, taken in connection with Don’s -bold acknowledgment of his guilt, did more to -break up guard-running at that academy than all -the locks and bolts that could have been put -upon the doors. These two incidents upset -everybody, teachers included; but the latter were -quick to see how to take advantage of it.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Sergeant Clayton, call the roll of your company -again,” said the superintendent.</p> - -<p class='c012'>The sergeant obeyed, and this time all the -guard-runners stepped to the front with the -exception of Clarence Duncan. He had good -<span class='pageno' id='Page_183'>183</span>reasons for fearing exposure, as we shall presently -see, and believing that his companions would follow -Don Gordon’s example and refuse to bear -witness against him, he was resolved to keep up a -bold front, and to deny his guilt to the very last.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“It is a pity that some of these weak-kneed -fellows didn’t come to the same determination,” -said he to himself. “There was not a scrap of -evidence against any of us, and if they had only -stood by me——”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Sergeant, call private Duncan’s name again,” -said the superintendent, breaking in upon his -soliloquy.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Clarence Duncan,” said the sergeant.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Here,” came the response.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“<em>Clarence Duncan!</em>” repeated Clayton.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“<em>Here!</em>” replied the culprit; adding to himself, -“You can’t make me own up, and you might -as well give up trying.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Private Duncan, three paces to the front,” -commanded the superintendent. “Break ranks.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Duncan was taken to his room under guard, -and when he got there he found an armed sentry -pacing back and forth in front of the door. Tom -Fisher was seated at the table with an open book -<span class='pageno' id='Page_184'>184</span>before him, but he was not studying. He was -thinking over the incidents that had just -transpired.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, Clarence,” said he, cheerfully, “we’re -in for it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Yes,” replied Clarence, angrily. “Thanks to -you and Don Gordon, we are in for it. I never -knew before that you were such a coward. What -made you side with Gordon?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, I had two reasons for it: In the first -place, he showed himself to be a good fellow, and -as true as steel; and I couldn’t stand by and see -him punished. If I hadn’t spoken up, he would -have been sent down for refusing to give our -names.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That’s just what ought to have been done -with him,” said Clarence.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“As the case now stands,” continued Tom, -“he will, most likely, be let off easy, this being -the first time that anything serious has been -charged against him.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“And what is to become of you and me?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You know what they told us the last time we -were court-martialed, don’t you?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I should think I ought, for I have been -<span class='pageno' id='Page_185'>185</span>reminded of it often enough. Don’t you know -that by befriending Don you have got me into a -terrible scrape? Don’t you remember that my -father told me that he would put me on board the -school-ship if I were sent down?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>It would have been strange if Tom had forgotten -it, for Duncan had such a horror of that -same school-ship that he talked about it every -day. He had seen and conversed with boys who -had been sent there because they would not -behave themselves at home, and he had noticed -that they all agreed on these two points—that the -officers were very stern and severe, and that the -life of a hod-carrier was easier and more respectable -than that of a foremast hand. Clarence had -a deep-rooted horror of the sea and every thing -connected with it, and he looked forward to five -years on the school-ship with feelings very near -akin to those with which he would have looked -forward to a term in the penitentiary.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You went back on me, an old-time friend, for -the sake of a boy you never saw or heard of until -last winter,” continued Clarence. “I didn’t act the -craven, I tell you. I stuck it out as long as I could.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Did they find you out?” asked Tom.</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_186'>186</span>“I am under arrest, the same as you are; but -they can’t prove anything against me.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Then how does it come that you are in -arrest?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That’s just what beats me. They called the -roll of our company again after you were sent off -under guard, and, to my intense disgust, every fellow -who was with us last night stepped to the -front. They tried to bully a confession out of me, -but I didn’t leave the ranks until I was ordered to -do so.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That brings me to the second reason I had for -doing as I did,” said Tom. “They’ve got evidence -against every one of us.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I don’t see where they got it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>If Clarence had taken the trouble to look in -the mirror he would have seen at a glance where -the evidence that convicted him came from. He -carried it in his face.</p> - -<p class='c012'>We need not dwell upon the incidents that -happened during the next few days, for they have -nothing to do with our story, and no one except -the boys who attended the Bridgeport academy at -this particular time would be interested in them. -It will be enough to say that the culprits were -<span class='pageno' id='Page_187'>187</span>confined to their rooms and given ample leisure in -which to think over their folly and make good -resolutions for the future. The repentant ones -devoted the most of their time to their books; -but there were some among them who did nothing -but bemoan their hard luck and rail at Don Gordon -for being such a “fluke.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The court-martial came off in due time, and -Clarence Duncan, who denied his guilt to the -very last, and even denounced the others for bearing -false witness against him, was sent down; and -it was not long before reports came to the academy -that he had been placed on board the school-ship. -Tom Fisher was given a new lease of life. -He evidently knew just what he was doing when -he took sides with Don, for that one act was all -that saved him from going home too. Next to -Duncan he and Don received the heaviest sentences, -both being gated for two months, during -which time they were required to walk eight -extras with packed knapsacks on their backs. -The others were punished in nearly the same way, -only they were not gated for so long a period, nor -were they called upon to perform as much extra -duty. Strange as it may appear, no one suspected -<span class='pageno' id='Page_188'>188</span>that the guard-runners had made use of the fire-escape. -All the blame was laid upon the floor-guard, -who suffered accordingly.</p> - -<p class='c012'>These stirring events, as we said before, broke -up the “set” completely, and made fast friends -of Don Gordon and Tom Fisher, who, holding -firmly to their determination to do better, gradually -broke off their intimate relations with the -lazy, mischievous, and discontented members of -their classes, and began to have more to do with -fellows who were worth knowing. The manly -stand they had taken during the investigation (it -was a manly act on Don’s part, but largely prudential -on the part of Tom Fisher) excited the -wonder and admiration of all the students, and -the boys in the upper classes, who had never taken -any notice of them except to return their salutes, -now sought them out and became intimate with -them. It was certainly a great relief to Don to -associate with fellows who were not all the while -grumbling about something or discussing plans -for getting by the guard. One day he was surprised -by a visit from Egan, the first sergeant of -his company, who entered his room holding an -open letter in his hand.</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_189'>189</span>“Say, Gordon,” he exclaimed, taking no notice -of Don’s salute, “why didn’t you let the fellows -know that your father used to go to this school?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Some of them do know it,” replied Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, I didn’t know it until I received this -letter,” said the sergeant, helping himself to a -chair and throwing his cap on Bert’s bed. “I -spoke of you in a letter I wrote home a short time -ago, and am surprised to learn that your father -and mine used to be room-mates and chums when -they belonged to this academy. Let’s shake.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don took the sergeant’s proffered hand, and -this was the beginning of another friendship that -has never been broken. The sergeant was just -the kind of associate that Don needed. He was a -faithful soldier, a close student, a favorite with -both teachers and scholars, and his example and -influence did wonders for Don Gordon. It is true -that during his first year at the academy he had -been rather restive under the strict discipline to -which he was subjected. He had even run the -guard—if he hadn’t he would not have known as -much as he did about Cony Ryan’s pancakes and -maple syrup—and he had paid for his fun by -walking extras and being gated; but that was all -<span class='pageno' id='Page_190'>190</span>over now, and he was one of the last boys in school -who would have been suspected of any violation -of the rules.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Egan introduced his new friend to the fellows -in the first class, and first-class fellows Don found -them to be. Some of them were fond of shooting -and fishing, knew a good dog and gun when they -saw them, and could tell hunting stories without -number. Others among them—and they were -Southern boys, like Don—thought more of their -horses than they did of almost anything else. -They were at home in the saddle, and delighted -to talk of the fine times they had enjoyed while -riding to the hounds. Courtland Hopkins, who -was the Falstaff of the academy, always grew -enthusiastic when the subject of fox-hunting was -introduced.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Ah! Gordon,” he said one day, “that is the -sport <span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr"><em>par excellence</em></span>. Come down into Maryland -with me next vacation, and I’ll show you some -fun. A lot of the fellows have been promising to -go for a long time, but that’s all it has amounted -to.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I’d like to see you in the saddle, Hop,” said -Egan, taking his friend by the arm and turning -<span class='pageno' id='Page_191'>191</span>him around so that he could give him a good -looking over. “You’ve almost too much avoirdupois -for a rider, according to my way of thinking. -In other words, you’re a great deal too -fat.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Just give me a good horse, and see if I -can’t take a ten-rail fence as cleverly as anybody,” -returned Hopkins, quickly. “I am good -for a plate of soup at the International if there -is a colt in Bridgeport that can throw me.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“If you will all go home with <em>me</em>, I will give -you some of the best duck-shooting you ever -saw,” said Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Yes; but that would require a scatter-gun, -and that is something I never did like,” said -Walter Curtis. “If you want to see fun, combined -with skill, take a Thanksgiving dinner -with me, and watch the members of our club -break glass balls with rifles.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>These words were spoken carelessly, but they -were not forgotten. If they had been, this series -of books would never have been written.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_192'>192</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XI. <br /> <span class='small'>THE STUDENTS IN CAMP.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>Time flew on, the school term drew to a close, -and at last the “day of all days”—the day -to which all the students in the Bridgeport -Military Academy looked forward with the liveliest -anticipations of pleasure—arrived. Of late -there had been a perceptible bustle among the -boys. Those of their number who had hitherto -thought of nothing but mischief, and whose -highest ambition was to shirk their duty in -every way they could, began to show some -interest in the daily school routine, and tried -by the hardest kind of study and strict attention -to business, to make up for the time -they had lost. There was no idleness, and -consequently no rules were broken, and there -was no extra duty to be done. There was less -time wasted in loitering about the grounds, the -hours of recreation being devoted to the discussion -of various plans for amusement, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_193'>193</span>to the overhauling of fly-books and trolling-lines. -Their studies were soon to be thrown -aside for a whole month; their pleasant dormitories -were to be exchanged for shelter-tents; -fly-rods, oars, and geologists’ hammers were to -take the place of the pens, pencils, and mathematical -instruments that had so long been their -daily companions; and their tiresome drills were -to give way to moonlight boat-rides and to—well, -to some other sports that would not have -been permitted while the students were living -at the academy, but which were winked at -during the time they were in camp. What -these sports were shall be told presently.</p> - -<p class='c012'>As the eventful day drew near, the excitement -and impatience, and, we may add, anxiety, of -the students increased to such a degree that -it was all they could do to study. The reason -for this state of affairs was found in the -fact that it had somehow leaked out—through -what source no one seemed able to tell—that -an event of unusual interest was to take place -during this particular encampment; something -that had never occurred before, and might never -occur again. Some of the first-class boys who -<span class='pageno' id='Page_194'>194</span>were in the secret, had said just enough to put -their companions on nettles, but not enough -to give them even the faintest idea of what -they might expect.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I know that boat-riding, and trolling for -pickerel, and spearing eels by torch-light, are fine -sports,” Egan said to Don, one day, “and they -are exciting, too, when you have no better way -of passing the time; but you very soon forget -all about the pleasure you have in that way, -don’t you? Well, there’s something going to -happen very shortly that you’ll not forget so -easily, <em>I</em> tell you. You will remember it as long -as you live.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Now, sergeant, what is it?” exclaimed Don, -after Egan had talked to him a few times in this -way. “Can’t you give me a hint?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“No. Couldn’t possibly think of it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, then, if you were told to keep it to -yourself, why don’t you do it? What’s the use -of aggravating a fellow in this way?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I assure you, my dear boy, that no aggravation -is intended,” replied Egan, in his blandest -tones. “I only meant to prepare you for something -you never dreamed of. If your eyes don’t -<span class='pageno' id='Page_195'>195</span>open and your hair stand on end, I—whew! I -can’t think of it without a little thrill of excitement.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Meanwhile the question as to where and how -the coming vacation should be spent, had been -repeatedly referred to and talked over by Don and -his three friends in the first class—Egan, Hopkins -and Curtis. The latter was anxious to go -home and join his friends in the club-shoot that -always came off on Thanksgiving day; Hopkins -wanted Don to see him add another “brush” to -the numerous trophies of the chase that adorned -the walls of his room; and Don held out strongly -in favor of his own shooting-grounds about Diamond -Lake. The matter was finally settled by -the assistance of General Gordon, who sent each -of the boys a cordial invitation to spend at least -a small portion of their next vacation at Don’s -shooting-box, and made sure of its acceptance -by communicating with the fathers of these -students, all of whom he had known in the -days of his boyhood. This point having been -decided to his entire satisfaction, Don could -have settled down to good hard work, had it -not been for the fact that he was continually -<span class='pageno' id='Page_196'>196</span>looking forward to that “unusual and interesting -event” that was to transpire when the boys -went into camp. His curiosity had been aroused -to the highest pitch, and he could scarcely think -about anything else.</p> - -<p class='c012'>The sun rose clear and cloudless on the morning -of the first day of August, and before the -echoes awakened by the roar of the field-piece -had fairly died away, the boys were crowding -into the drill-room. Breakfast was served immediately -after roll-call, and two hours later -three hundred students, led by the band and -marching with the precision of veteran soldiers, -moved through the wide gateway, and down the -principal street of the village toward their camping-ground. -Everybody turned out to see them. -Flags and handkerchiefs were waved all along -their line of march, flowers were showered into -their ranks, and when, in obedience to the command: -“Platoons, right front into line, double -time, march!” they broke from column of fours -into column of platoons, the cheers that greeted -their prompt and soldier-like execution of the -manœuvre, which is always an awkward one -unless it is well done, were always deafening.</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_197'>197</span>The camp was always pitched upon a little rise -of ground about three miles from the village. -In front of it was the river, on its left arose a -range of hills which were almost high enough to -be called mountains, and among these hills were -located the streams and ponds in which the -speckled trout, pickerel, sunfish and bass abounded. -Here too, were found the thieving raccoons that -ravaged the farmers’ corn-fields, the hawks that -caught their chickens, and the black and gray -squirrels which afforded the boys many an exciting -hunt and excellent dinner. Between these -hills and the camp ran a wide and deep creek, -whose rapid current often baffled the skill of the -young engineers who tried to throw a pontoon-bridge -across it.</p> - -<p class='c012'>On reaching the camping ground the arms were -stacked, and the tents, which had already arrived, -were distributed among the different companies -and pitched at the tap of the drum. Then -working-parties were detailed to grade and ditch -the streets, provide fire-wood for the kitchens and -to perform various other duties, and when they -were relieved at four o’clock in the afternoon, the -little camp presented a scene of neatness and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_198'>198</span>order with which the most exacting officer could -not have found a word of fault.</p> - -<p class='c012'>There were several orders read that night on -dress-parade, and among them was one that -expressly prohibited “foraging.” Don could not -see the necessity for such an order, so he waited -for an opportunity to speak to Egan about it.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“It means,” said the latter, in response to -Don’s inquiries, “that we mustn’t steal anything -from the farmers hereabouts.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“So I supposed. But who is there among us -who would be mean enough to do such a thing?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I don’t know about it’s being mean,” replied -the sergeant, in a tone of voice that made Don -open his eyes. “We want something good to -eat, don’t we?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Of course we do; but why can’t we buy what -we want? We’ve all got a little pocket-money.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That’s very likely; but it is cheaper to -forage.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“But suppose you are caught at it?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That’s your lookout. You must be sharp -enough to get away with your plunder after you -have secured it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I’ll not try it,” said Don, decidedly. “I’ve -<span class='pageno' id='Page_199'>199</span>had trouble enough this term, and I am not going -to have any more black marks placed against my -name if I can help it. Besides, I don’t see what -there is to steal.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“O, there are lots of things. The farmers -hardly ever lock their spring-houses, and it’s the -easiest thing in the world to slip into one of them -and take a good swig out of a pan of milk that has -cream on it an inch thick. Ah!” said the -sergeant, smacking his lips. “That’s the way -Hop got himself into a snarl last camp.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Not Court Hopkins!” exclaimed Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Yes, Courtland Hopkins. He and a party of -fellows went down to Hudson’s one day after some -eggs and butter—by the way, that same farmer -Hudson always has a splendid melon patch, and -the melons will begin to ripen pretty soon—and -while some of the boys were occupying the attention -of the farmer’s wife, Hop slipped around to the -spring-house, and there he found a five-gallon jar -full of fresh buttermilk. That was too much for -Hop, who can make way with more buttermilk -than any boy <em>I</em> ever saw. He grabbed the jar and -made off with it; but just as he was leaving the -spring-house, Hudson, who was at work in a field -<span class='pageno' id='Page_200'>200</span>close by, caught sight of him and started in pursuit. -Hop heard him coming, and knowing that -he could not escape with his burden, he put it -down, never spilling a drop of the milk, and took -to his heels. Fat as he is, he led Hudson a good -long chase, but he was collared at last and taken -to camp.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don was utterly amazed. Here was Hopkins, -who was looked upon by all his companions as a -model of perfection, and yet he had been caught -in the act of stealing; and here was Egan, -another good scholar and a non-commissioned -officer besides, who told the story of his friend’s -guilt as though it were something well worth -relating. Don could not understand it.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What did they do with him?” he asked, as -soon as he had somewhat recovered from his -surprise.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, the superintendent thought that <em>that</em> -was carrying matters a little too far, and so he -refused Hop a pass for a week,” was the sergeant’s -reply. “But he didn’t gain any black marks by -it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“How was that?” inquired Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Why, you see, your record for the term is all -<span class='pageno' id='Page_201'>201</span>made up, and the hooks are closed; and any -mischief you may do here in camp will not count -against you in the examination. We come out -here to have fun, and the teachers are willing we -should have it, so long as we keep within bounds. -The farmers around here make lots of money out -of us every year, and if we want to go into their -orchards and melon-patches and help ourselves to -what we find there, we are welcome to do it, if -we go about it openly and above board; but if -we try to forage on them, they enter into the -spirit of the matter as fully as we do, and make -every effort to capture us. If they succeed, they -march us to camp, and all the boys laugh at us, -and we have to fork over money enough to pay for -the articles we took, whatever they are. But -after all one don’t lose anything by it, for very -likely that same farmer will meet you the next -day and give you a peck of peaches, or an armful -of green-corn or a water-melon as big as you can -carry.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don began to understand the matter now, and -to see why it was that the students looked forward -to their month in camp with so much eagerness -and impatience. Here were opportunities -<span class='pageno' id='Page_202'>202</span>for him to work off a little of his superabundant -energy without violating any rules or doing harm -to anybody, and those who are acquainted with -him will know that he was not long in making -up his mind to improve them.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“But there is one thing we have to keep constantly -before us,” continued the sergeant, who -did not fail to notice and to rightly interpret the -look he saw in Don’s eye. “The teachers do not -object to innocent fun, but anything that savors -of meanness won’t go down. If a boy oversteps -the mark, he goes back to the academy and stays -there under guard. Duncan went back last camp -for trying to rob a hen-roost. The farmer who -owned the fowls laughed and said it was all right, -but the teachers didn’t think so. I never foraged -so much as an ear of corn; but I am a number -one deserter.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Deserter!” echoed Don, growing more and -more interested.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Yes. You see, we want to do things here just -as they are done in a regular camp, and there is -much more fun in working up a case against a real -culprit, who will try by every means in his power -to hide his guilt, than there is in trumping up a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_203'>203</span>charge against some innocent boy. I have deserted -every time I have been in camp.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What did they do with you?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Nothing, for I got back before I was caught. -If I had been captured by any of the scouting -parties that were sent out in pursuit of me, I -should have been court-martialed, and ordered to -the guard-tent to await sentence. That’s the -way they did with Hop, who was sentenced to be -shot. But then he deserted when the camp was -supposed to be surrounded by the enemy. Hop -always was unlucky. He can’t do any mischief -without being caught at it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“How did they carry out the sentence?” asked -Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“They didn’t carry it out. They simply put -him in the guard-tent, and about midnight the -officer of the day came along and let him out; -and that was the last of it. When the members -of the Grand Army of the Republic hold their -encampments, and capture a deserter or a spy, -they go through all the forms—seating the prisoner -blindfolded on a coffin and shooting at him -with blank cartridges. But we don’t believe in -that. It is almost too much like the reality. By -<span class='pageno' id='Page_204'>204</span>the way, Gordon, that great European seven-elephant -railroad show is advertised to pitch its -tent in Bridgeport very shortly, and I should -really like to see the man who turns a double -somerset over three elephants and four camels; -wouldn’t you?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Of course I would, and I’ll go if you will. -Shall we ask for a pass?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Certainly not, because we don’t intend to -come back until we get ready. The boys all -want to get out of the lines for exercise, and -nothing would suit them better than tramping -about the country in search of us.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Just then the officer of the day appeared at -the door of his tent and beckoned to the sergeant, -who hurried away, leaving Don to himself. The -latter wished most heartily that that great European -seven-elephant railroad show had been billed -to appear at Bridgeport that very night, for he -was in just the right humor for an adventure. -Like Egan, he had no taste for foraging. It is -true that he had joined in raids upon melon-patches -when they were closely guarded, and when -he knew that speedy punishment would be visited -upon him if he were discovered and captured, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_205'>205</span>he might, without a great deal of urging, have -been induced to do the same thing over again, -if there were any risk to be run; but the thought -of plundering a good-natured farmer who would -freely have given him all the melons he wanted, -was not to be entertained for a moment. Desertion, -as proposed by Egan, was, according to -Don’s way of thinking, a more high-toned proceeding. -Creeping unobserved past the sentries; -visiting an entertainment that would doubtless be -witnessed by a majority of the teachers, and fifty -or perhaps a hundred of their school-fellows, all -of whom would be glad to report them “just for -the fun of the thing;” roaming about the country -wherever their fancy led them; dodging the -scouting parties that were sent in pursuit, and at -last, when weary of their freedom, making their -way back to camp and into their tents without -being caught—there was something interesting -and exciting in all this, and the longer Don -thought of it the more he wished that the show -would hasten its coming.</p> - -<p class='c012'>During the first two weeks the students were -kept at work at something nearly all the time, -and there were but few passes granted. Don and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_206'>206</span>Egan were among those who were lucky enough to -get out of the lines for an afternoon, and before -they came back they had made arrangements for -procuring citizen’s clothes in which to visit the -show when it arrived. After that Don became -more impatient and uneasy than ever, and proposed -to his friend Egan that they should desert -at once, and stay out until the show left town.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Oh, that would never do,” was the sergeant’s -reply. “We want to absent ourselves only on -our ‘off’ days—that is, on days when there is no -work to be done in surveying, or in artillery and -rifle-practice. You know I am to complete the -course this year, and as I want to pass a good -examination, I must be on hand to receive all the -practical instruction I can. I wouldn’t like to -miss that.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“But we don’t seem to have any ‘off’ days,” -answered Don. “We are kept busy all the time. -What’s the use of surrounding the camp with -these rifle-pits?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“There are two reasons for it. In the first -place, the enemy may be hovering around watching -for a chance to make an attack upon us.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don laughed outright.</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_207'>207</span>“And in the next place, you want to learn just -how to go to work to fortify a camp in case you -should ever have command of one.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Which is not at all likely,” interrupted Don. -“Why can’t the engineers stake out the works so -that we could see the shape of them, and stop at -that? I didn’t come here to handle picks and -shovels for so many hours every day, and I don’t -see any sense in it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Almost the first thing the superintendent did -after the students were fairly settled in their new -quarters, was to put the engineers at work laying -out a very elaborate system of fortifications with -which the entire camp was surrounded. The boys -would have made no complaint if he had been -satisfied with that; but he wasn’t. When the -fortifications had been laid out, he detailed -working-parties to build them, just as he would -have done if the camp had been located in an -enemy’s country. Such a thing had never been -done before, and Don Gordon was not the only -one who could not see any sense in it. At first -the boys laughed at their sergeants and corporals, -who urged them to greater exertions with their -picks and shovels, assuring them at the same -<span class='pageno' id='Page_208'>208</span>time that an attack might be expected at any -moment, and finally they began to get angry with -them; but the attack was made all the same.</p> - -<p class='c012'>But these days of toil were ended at last, -and when the old soldiers who lived in Bridgeport -came out and inspected the works, and declared -with one voice that, in everything except -extent, they were equal to any with which the -Confederates had surrounded Vicksburg and -Richmond, the boys felt that they were in some -measure repaid for their labor. They made the -most of the days of recreation that followed. -Passes were freely granted, and every boy who -went outside the lines made it a point to bring -back something for his mess-table.</p> - -<p class='c012'>One day, while Don was lounging in his tent, -Egan appeared at the door and beckoned him to -come out. In one hand he carried a huge yellow -poster, which he passed over to Don, with -the request that the latter would read it at his -leisure, and at the same time he held up the -forefinger of the other hand as if he were -listening to something. Don listened also, and -presently the breeze bore to his ear the enlivening -strains of martial music.</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_209'>209</span>“They’ve come,” said Egan, “and they are now -making their street parade. Are you ready?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I am,” answered Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, say one o’clock, then. I shall be busy -with my reports until——”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Why, man alive,” interrupted Don, “are we -going to run the guard in broad daylight?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“How in the world are we going to help it?” -demanded Egan, in <a id='corr209.9'></a><span class='htmlonly'><ins class='correction' title='reply'>reply.</ins></span><span class='epubonly'><a href='#c_209.9'><ins class='correction' title='reply'>reply.</ins></a></span></p> - -<p class='c012'>“We ought to have gone out last night when -we would have had the darkness to aid us,” said -Don, who began to think that his chances for -seeing that wonderful leaper were very slim indeed.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I couldn’t have gone last night, for I was -busy; and, as I told you, I don’t want to be out -of camp when my class is under instruction. I -shall be busy until about one o’clock; but after -my work is done, I am going to that show. Are -you going with me?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don answered, very decidedly, that he was.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I don’t deny that we shall have a tight -squeak for it,” continued the sergeant, pulling -off his cap and scratching his head in deep -perplexity. “You see, there used to be a little -<span class='pageno' id='Page_210'>210</span>ridge out there in the upper end of the camp, -that ran close by the side of post No. 2. It -was thickly lined with bushes, under cover of -which a fellow who was at all cautious in his -movements, could creep by the sentry very easily; -but when these earth-works were built that ridge -was cut away, and I haven’t yet been able to -decide how we are going to get out, although I -have reconnoitered every part of the camp more -than a dozen times.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Look here,” said Don. “Perhaps one of the -sentries could be prevailed upon to keep his back -turned when——”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“No, he couldn’t,” interrupted Egan, who -knew very well what Don was about to say. -“There isn’t a boy in camp who wouldn’t report -his best friend, if he had the chance, just for -the sake of getting a joke on him.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Just then Hopkins and Curtis came hurrying -by. Their faces wore a pleased expression, and -each held in his hand a piece of paper which he -flourished exultantly over his head.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“We’re going to see the elephants, and the -lions, and tigers, and all the other things,” said -Curtis. “I say, boys, if you want passes you’d -<span class='pageno' id='Page_211'>211</span>better not be standing here. The fellows are -packed around the superintendent’s marquée as -closely as sardines in a box.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don and Egan replied that they had concluded -not to ask for passes on that particular day, and -Hopkins and his friend hurried on to their tents -to exchange their fatigue suits for their dress -uniforms.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I haven’t yet been able to decide how we -are going to get out,” repeated the sergeant, -when he and Don were left alone, “but don’t -you worry about that. I’ll hit upon something -before the time for action arrives.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“All right,” replied Don. “I’ll be ready -when you want me.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Egan turned toward his tent, and Don went -back into his. He spent the time until dinner in -reading the poster the sergeant had given him, -hundreds of which had that morning been distributed -about the camp by village boys who were -hired for that purpose, and then he made his -toilet and waited for the hands on his watch to -travel around to one o’clock. They had scarcely -got there before Sergeant Egan put in an appearance, -carrying in his hand a small tin pail. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_212'>212</span>He seemed somewhat disconcerted when he looked -into Don’s tent, for it was full of boys.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Come in, sergeant,” said Bert, pleasantly.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Where are you going?” inquired Don. “To -the spring after some fresh water, I suppose. -Hold on till I get a bucket, and I will go with -you.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“So will I,” said Bert.</p> - -<p class='c012'>That wouldn’t do at all. The sergeant -looked perplexed, but Don was equal to the -emergency.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Bert,” said he, “you stay here till I -come back, and I will have something to tell -you.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The confiding Bert was good-natured enough -to submit without any argument, and Don, having -secured a bucket, walked off with the sergeant. -To his great surprise Egan led the way directly -to the principal gate, and the sentry who was on -duty there allowed them to pass without a word -of protest. He had no business to do it, and if -they had exhibited the least timidity, or been at -all uncertain in their movements, they would -have been halted on the instant; but, as it -was, their audacity carried them safely through. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_213'>213</span>If Don had been alone he would have been -stopped beyond a doubt; but the fact that -he was in the company of a non-commissioned -officer, who, however, had no more right to go -outside the lines than a private had, disarmed the -sentry of all suspicion.</p> - -<div class='figcenter id004'> -<img src='images/p212.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic004'> -<p><span class='sc'>Running the Guard.</span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c012'>The two deserters, astonished and delighted at -the ease with which their escape had been effected, -but showing no outward signs of exultation, -walked slowly toward the spring, which bubbled -up among the rocks about fifty yards from the -gate, their every movement being closely watched -by the sentry, who began to wonder if he had done -just right in permitting them to pass. They made -a great show of washing out their pails, stopping -now and then to point out to each other objects of -interest on the opposite side of the creek, all of -which they had seen a hundred times before; and -at last, pretending to discover something at a little -distance that they considered to be worthy of close -examination, they set down their buckets and -moved down the bank of the stream. That -movement aroused the sentry, who now began to -see through the little game that had been so -neatly played upon him.</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_214'>214</span>“Halt!” he shouted, bringing his musket to -“arms port.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Now for it, Gordon,” said Egan, in an -excited whisper. “Leg bail is all that will save -us.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Suiting the action to the word, the sergeant -pulled his fatigue cap down over his ears and -darted through the bushes like a frightened hare, -Don following close at his heels.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_215'>215</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XII. <br /> <span class='small'>THE DESERTERS AT THE SHOW.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>“Halt!” shouted the sentry. “Corporal of -the guard No. 1.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“This is a regular game of ‘follow the leader,’ -Gordon,” said Egan, looking back over his -shoulder. “Are you good at that?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I used to be,” answered Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“They’ll be after us in less than no time,” continued -the sergeant; “and as there are some -splendid runners among the fellows, who will give -us more than we want to do if they come up with -us, our game must be to keep out of sight. We -can’t run much further in this direction, for the -river will stop us; so that the best thing we can -do is——”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Here Egan turned like a flash and jumped as -far as he could toward the middle of the creek. -The water was deep enough to let him down out -of sight, but he arose to the surface almost immediately, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_216'>216</span>and struck out for the opposite shore. -Don was astonished, but he did not hesitate an -instant to “follow his leader.” Settling his cap -firmly on his head, he dove from the bank, and -swimming rapidly under the water, passed Egan, -much to that young gentleman’s surprise, and -came up a long way ahead of him. A few long, -steady strokes carried them across the stream, and -while they were climbing out by the aid of the -bushes that hung over the water, voices and footsteps -sounded from the bank they had just left, -and presently ejaculations indicative of the greatest -amazement came to their ears, followed by ringing -peals of laughter.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Ha! ha! ha! I say, you, Egan—ha! ha! -ha! and Gordon—O, dear, O, dear! This will -be the death of me, I just know—ha! ha! -Halt!” was the command that was shouted at -them from the other side of the creek; and looking -over their shoulders they saw on the bank a -party of their pursuers, some of whom stamped -about and flourished their arms over their heads -as if they were fighting off a swarm of bumble-bees, -while the others rolled on the ground or -stood in a crouching attitude, holding their hands -<span class='pageno' id='Page_217'>217</span>firmly against their sides. They were all convulsed -with laughter, and the corporal who commanded -the squad, and who thought he had never -before seen so ludicrous a sight as the deserters -presented in their dripping uniforms, was so completely -overcome with merriment that he could -not speak again. He stood there on the bank -shaking his head and slapping his knees until -Egan and his companion disappeared in the -woods.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, Gordon, what do you think of the situation?” -asked the sergeant, throwing himself -flat on his back and holding his feet aloft so that -the water could run out of his boots.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I’m seeing lots of fun,” answered Don, wiping -the tears from his eyes; for he had laughed as -heartily as any of the corporal’s men. “But do -you think we can get through?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“We must get through,” replied the sergeant, -earnestly. “If we should be caught and taken -back after what we have done, the boys never -would quit joking us. That corporal is a good -fellow to keep out of the way of. He’s as sharp -as any detective, as fleet as an antelope, and if he -once gets a grip on a deserter’s collar, he don’t let -<span class='pageno' id='Page_218'>218</span>up. He’s a bad one, and if he isn’t recalled, he -will follow us all over the country.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“If he is as persevering as that, what’s the -reason he did not swim the creek in pursuit of -us?” asked Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“He wouldn’t have made anything by it,” -answered the sergeant, “and, besides, he wouldn’t -care to go tramping about the country in his wet -clothes. He will follow a better plan than that. -He will cross at the bridge and go over to the -main road and try to ambush us. You see if he -don’t.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Having wrung a little of the water out of their -clothes, Don and his companion continued their -flight, threading their way rapidly but cautiously -through the thick woods; but before they had -gone two hundred yards, the sergeant, who was -acting as guide, stopped all on a sudden and pointed -silently before him. Don looked and saw that -they had barely escaped running into an ambuscade -that had been prepared for them. Having -crossed the creek at the bridge, <a id='corr218.22'></a><span class='htmlonly'><ins class='correction' title='corporal'>Corporal</ins></span><span class='epubonly'><a href='#c_218.22'><ins class='correction' title='corporal'>Corporal</ins></a></span> Mack -and his men had made the best of their way to -the main road and were now hidden in the bushes -on each side of it, awaiting the approach of the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_219'>219</span>deserters. Don could see their uniform caps, and -he counted a dozen of them in all.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Mack knows that we are going to the show, -and he will exert himself to the utmost to prevent -it,” said the sergeant, after he and Don had made -a wide detour and safely passed the ambuscade. -“We must hurry on now, for we are not safe so -long as we wear these uniforms.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>It would have been much easier walking in the -main road, which was in plain sight of them, but the -sergeant dared not follow it, for he and Don were -in no condition, weighed down as they were by -their wet clothing, to engage in a foot-race with -the fleet and persevering corporal, who would be -sure to see them the moment they came out of -their concealment. So they kept to the bushes, -and at the end of a quarter of an hour came to -a halt in the rear of a snug little farm-house, -which was the home of one Asa Peters, who had -agreed, for a suitable consideration, to furnish -them with disguises whenever they might stand -in need of them. Asa was chopping wood in the -back yard, and Egan had no difficulty in attracting -his attention. Hearing his name pronounced -in a cautious tone, Asa threw down his axe, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_220'>220</span>after looking all around to make sure that his -movements were not observed, he climbed the -fence and joined the deserters behind the smoke-house, -where they had stopped for concealment. -He was a stalwart young rustic with a red head, -a peaked nose, and a freckled face—very homely, -in short, but with a most exalted opinion of his -personal appearance.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I say, Asa,” said Egan, hurriedly. “We -want those clothes now. Is there any way for us -to get into the house without being seen?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Asa leaned against the smoke-house and twirled -his thumbs, but said nothing.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What’s the matter?” asked Egan, in some -alarm. “You are not going back from your -word, are you? You agreed to furnish each of -us with a suit of your clothes for a dollar apiece, -and we expect you to live up to your bargain.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Wal,” drawled Asa.“ You see—Sally, -she——”</p> - -<p class='c012'>He blushed and hesitated.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, go on; what about Sally?” asked -Don, impatiently. “She doesn’t want to borrow -your clothes, does she?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Eh? No,” said Asa, indignantly. “But she -<span class='pageno' id='Page_221'>221</span>wants to go to the show, an’ how am I goin’ to -take her when I aint got no duds to go in? -That’s what’s been a botherin’ me. An’, you see, -if I don’t take her, ’Bijah Sawin will.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, let ’Bijah have her,” said Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Not by a long shot.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Asa glared savagely at Don as he said this, and -brought his fist down into his open palm with a -sounding whack. The idea of allowing a rival to -walk off with his sweetheart was not to be entertained -for a moment. Don looked blank; but -Egan, who had had dealings with Asa before, -thought he knew a sure road to his heart.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Now, Asa,” said he, coaxingly, “listen to me -for a moment. I know that Sally is a beauty -(Egan had never seen the girl in his life), but -there are plenty of others in the world who are -just as handsome, and a dashing, good-looking -young fellow like yourself can always take his -pick.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Asa stroked the yellow down on his chin and -grinned complacently.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Besides, we’ll make it worth your while to -stick to your bargain,” continued Egan, closely -watching the effect of his words. “We will -<span class='pageno' id='Page_222'>222</span>give you a dollar extra for the use of your -clothes.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Asa opened his eyes and looked interested.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“We mean by that, a dollar extra for the use -of each suit,” put in Don. “And if you want it, -we will pay you half the money in advance.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>It was evident from the expression on the face -of Asa Peters that there was a severe conflict -going on in his mind—a conflict between his love -of money and his deep-rooted affection for Sally; -but avarice conquered at last, and without saying -a word Asa climbed the fence and led the way toward -the house, followed by the deserters, who -exchanged many a wink, and laughed silently at -the boy who was willing to give up his sweetheart -for two dollars.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Asa led the deserters up the back stairs and -into his room, whose front window, which was -open, looked out upon the road. While he was -taking from his trunk his cherished wearing -apparel, the judicious selection of which had -occasioned him infinite trouble and perplexity, -Don glanced out at the window and saw Corporal -Mack and his men approaching.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I declare, Egan,” said he, “we’re cornered.”</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_223'>223</span>“O, no,” said the latter, who was making all -haste to get out of his wet uniform. “Mack -doesn’t know that we are here, and even if he -suspected it, he has no right to search the house.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Having placed his best suits of clothes in -orderly array upon the bed (the deep sighs he -uttered while he was thus engaged proved that Sally -was not yet wholly forgotten), Asa seated himself -on his trunk and looked out of the window, while -Don and his companion proceeded to put on their -disguises. And disguises they proved to be in -every sense of the word. It is doubtful if even -the sharp eyes of Corporal Mack could have -penetrated them. The boys looked for all the -world like a couple of green country fellows who -were out for a holiday; and when Don, after disarranging -his hair, and assuming an expression of -countenance that would have done credit to Mark -Twain’s “Inspired Idiot,” walked across the floor -after the manner of a plantation darkey, Egan, -who never could control himself when he wanted -to laugh, rolled on the bed convulsed with merriment. -Nothing but the near approach of Corporal -Mack and his men kept him from shouting -at the top of his voice.</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_224'>224</span>“Look here, Gordon,” said he, as soon as he -could speak. “No more of that. You will give -us away, sure. Mack is a Southern boy, and he -knows the negro style of progression as well as -you do. So mind what you are about.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Just then the clear tones of Corporal Mack -sounded under the window. “Hallo, Asa,” -said he. “Seen any of our boys around here -lately?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Wal, yes,” drawled Asa, in reply. “I seed -a power of ’em yesterday.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Have you seen any of them to-day?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Wal, yes; but I seed a right smart sprinklin’ -of ’em yesterday.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Don’t say that again, Asa,” whispered Egan, -excitedly. “If you do you will let the cat out -of the bag, sure. That boy is sharper than a -steel trap, and you must be careful how you talk -to <a id='corr224.19'></a><span class='htmlonly'><ins class='correction' title='him'>him.</ins></span><span class='epubonly'><a href='#c_224.19'><ins class='correction' title='him'>him.</ins></a></span>”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You say you have seen some of our boys -to-day,” continued the corporal. “Were their -names Egan and Gordon? I thought so. -Well, where are they now?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I don’t rightly know <em>jest</em> where they be,” -answered Asa; and he didn’t either, for his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_225'>225</span>back was turned toward the two boys in question.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I see very plainly that there is nothing to -be gained by questioning you,” said the corporal, -whose suspicions had been aroused. “You know -where those two fellows are, and when you see -them again you may tell them that we are going -to the show, too.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Asa said he would, and the corporal and his -squad moved off.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What did I tell you?” exclaimed Egan. -“Didn’t I say that if he wasn’t recalled, he -would follow us all over the country? Now, -let’s be moving. We’ll keep out of sight as -much as possible until we reach the village, -and after we have got into the crowd, we shall -be comparatively safe. But remember this: If -you are separated from me by any mischance, -dodge every fellow in uniform you see, no matter -whether he wears a bayonet by his side or not. -Even Hop and Curtis would report us to the -corporal if they should see and recognize us.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don had never engaged in an undertaking that -was more to his liking. It was one that required -the exercise of all the skill and cunning he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_226'>226</span>possessed, and he had the satisfaction of knowing -that while he was working to the utmost to -accomplish his object, he was violating no rule, -and was in no danger of being taken to task when -he returned to camp.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Having paid Asa a portion of the money they -had agreed to give him for the use of his clothes, -Don and his companion made the best of their -way toward Bridgeport, which was filled to overflowing -with people from the surrounding country -who had flocked in to see the sights. They -mingled with the crowd and acted their parts as -rustics to perfection. They gazed with open -mouth and eyes at every thing they saw, munched -apples and gingerbread as they walked along, -and tried to beat down the price of candy as often -as they stopped to purchase. They went into all -the side-shows to see the curiosities on exhibition, -and manfully bore their part in the crush and -jam that took place when the ticket-wagon was -opened.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Up to this time they had succeeded in keeping -out of the way of their fellow-students, all of -whom, having been warned by the corporal, were -keeping a sharp look-out for them; but now they -<span class='pageno' id='Page_227'>227</span>ran against some of them almost before they -knew it. Having secured their tickets after a -terrific struggle, they moved with the crowd -toward the entrance to the “grand pavilion,” -and all on a sudden found themselves face to -face with four of the corporal’s men. Don and -his friend knew that they belonged to Mack’s -squad, for they wore bayonets by their sides to -show that they were on duty. They stood two -on each side of the entrance, and looked closely -at everybody who went in. The situation was -growing interesting; and it grew still more interesting -before the afternoon was over, and -some of the village people afterward declared that -Don and Corporal Mack furnished the best part -of the entertainment.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Now for it, Gordon,” said Egan, in an excited -whisper. “See how they stare at <a id='corr227.18'></a><span class='htmlonly'><ins class='correction' title='everbody'>everybody</ins></span><span class='epubonly'><a href='#c_227.18'><ins class='correction' title='everbody'>everybody</ins></a></span>. -That proves that they either know or suspect that -we are disguised. It would be a pity if we were -to be gobbled right here in the presence of all -these people. How everybody would laugh at -us!”</p> - -<p class='c012'>But both the boys were equal to the emergency. -Egan, trusting entirely to his disguise, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_228'>228</span>kept straight ahead without looking at the sentries, -while Don, throwing all the stupidity he -could into an unusually intelligent countenance, -gazed about him with a frightened air, and clung -to his friend’s coat-tails as if he were afraid of -being lost. That move came very near being -fatal to them. Egan laughed audibly, in spite of -himself, and hurried on, dragging Don after him; -while the four guards exchanged significant -glances, and one of them hurried out to find -Corporal Mack. The deserters did not know -it, but from that moment they were under surveillance.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Having taken a look at the animals they went -into the second tent, picked out a good seat, -invested a portion of their pocket-money in peanuts, -and waited patiently for the performance -to begin. They did not pay much attention to -the stale jokes of the clowns, but they were really -interested in the riding and leaping—so much so -that they did not notice that Corporal Mack was -improving the opportunity to station his men so -that they could not escape. Finally the trick -mule was brought in, and after he had gone -through with his antics and thrown the darkey -<span class='pageno' id='Page_229'>229</span>who tried to ride him, some of the spectators -went out, while those who had purchased tickets -for the musical entertainment, moved over to the -other side of the tent. Among the latter were -Don and Egan.</p> - -<p class='c012'>By this time Don had the satisfaction of knowing -that he had made himself an object of interest -to the people about him, who told one another -that he was the greenest specimen of a country -boy they had ever seen. When he moved with -the rest over to the opposite side of the tent, he -could not resist the temptation to give a specimen -of old Jordan’s style of locomotion; and he did -it so perfectly that he excited the laughter of -some and the sincere pity of others, who believed -that that was his usual way of walking. There -was one, however, who was keeping a sharp eye -on all his movements, and who was not deceived—a -spruce young soldier, who elbowed his way -through the crowd, and, to the surprise of everybody, -laid hold of the young countryman’s collar.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That’s most too attenuated,” said he, with a -laugh. “No white fellow ever had so outlandish -a gait. Gordon, I know you, and I have come for -you, too.”</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_230'>230</span>Corporal Mack had never yet failed to capture -the deserter of whom he had been sent in pursuit. -He was noted for his grip, he had confidence in it, -and when he placed his hand on Don’s collar he -thought he had him, sure; but, as it happened, -he didn’t know the boy he was trying to arrest.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don wheeled as quick as thought, tore himself -lose from the detaining hand and took to his -heels, darting like a flash through the crowd of -spectators who, astonished beyond measure to see -the awkward clown, who had moved so slowly -and painfully over the ground, suddenly transformed -into a fleet-footed runner, parted right -and left to give him room, and cheered him -lustily as he passed through their ranks. Corporal -Mack started in hot pursuit. His men, who -had been stationed around the outside of the tent, -drew in upon the fugitive from all sides; while -Egan, seeing that no attention was paid to himself, -crawled through between the seats, raised -the canvas and took himself safely off.</p> - -<p class='c012'>It was an amusing as well as an exciting race -that came off in that tent that afternoon, and the -shouts of laughter and yells of encouragement -that arose on all sides were almost deafening. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_231'>231</span>Don, in his ill-fitting clothes and big cowhide -boots, looked clumsy enough, but he got over the -ground at an astonishing rate. Seeing that every -way of escape, except one, was closed against him, -he dashed straight across the ring toward the -seats that had just been vacated. He ascended to -the topmost one in half a dozen jumps, and diving -through the opening between the top of the tent -and the side, he dropped lightly to the ground and -continued his flight, the cheers and laughter of the -amused spectators ringing in his ears as he went.</p> - -<p class='c012'>There were two long freight trains standing on -the railroad track, which was close at hand. Toward -these Don bent his steps, intent on getting -out of sight as soon as possible; and without -pausing to consider the risk he ran in so doing, he -crawled under one of the cars to the opposite -side of the track. Corporal Mack followed him -without loss of time; but when he arose to -an upright position, after crawling under the -car, Don was not to be seen. He was dodging -about among the freight-houses; and after a -twenty minutes’ run, having, as he believed, -placed a safe distance between himself and his -pursuers, he sat down on the edge of the sidewalk -<span class='pageno' id='Page_232'>232</span>to take a rest. Pulling Asa’s big red handkerchief -from his pocket and mopping his dripping -forehead vigorously, he broke out into a cheery -laugh, and was surprised as well as startled to -hear it echoed close by.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, my young friend, you seem to be in -good humor,” said a pleasant voice.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don looked up and saw before him an old -gentleman leaning on his cane and beaming at -him over his gold spectacles.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Yes, sir,” said he, respectfully, at the same -time imitating Asa’s drawl. “I’ve been to the -show.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Ah! indeed. And you saw the clowns, I -suppose?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Yes, sir, but I didn’t care for them. I seen -the tigers and the elephants and the boy-constructors -and all them things; and I seen that -there mu-el throw that there nigger——”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Here Don went off into another paroxysm of -laughter. The old gentleman laughed too and -passed on, marveling greatly at the boy’s innocence, -and wondering where in the world he came -from.</p> - -<p class='c012'>After taking time to cool off a little and to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_233'>233</span>recover his breath, Don got upon his feet and -walked away. All the fun was over now so far as -the show was concerned. His disguise being -known, it would be dangerous for him to stay -about the village, and the only thing he could do -was to go back to the home of Asa Peters, where -he hoped to find his friend Egan.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I hope he wasn’t captured,” thought Don, -“for I should find it very lonely roaming about -the woods all by myself. Besides, I don’t know -where those trout-streams are that he said would -afford us so much sport. There’s one thing about -it: I am out, and I shall not go back until I get -ready.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don would doubtless have been very much -surprised if any one had told him that when he -got ready to go back to camp he would not be -allowed to do so; but such was the case, as he -found when he made the attempt.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Just before dark Don came within sight of -Asa’s home. As he was hurrying along the road, -not dreaming of danger, he heard a familiar voice -calling to him; and looking in the direction from -which it came, he saw his missing friend Egan -snugly hidden away among the bushes in a fence-corner. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_234'>234</span>When he saw that he had attracted -Don’s attention he broke out into a hearty peal of -laughter.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You’re a good one, Gordon,” said he, “and I -would give something to know how Corporal -Mack feels over his failure to make a prisoner of -you. I never knew a boy to get away before -when once Mack got a good grip on his collar, -and neither did I ever see No. 10 cowhide boots -climb over the ground so rapidly. You have -done something worth boasting of.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What are you doing there?” asked Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Waiting for you. Come over here. I struck -out for this place as soon as I could get out of the -tent,” said the sergeant, as Don climbed the -fence, “hoping to secure possession of our uniforms -before the corporal could get here; but he -and his men hired a wagon and a span of horses -and got ahead of me.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Do you mean to say that they are guarding -the house now?” exclaimed Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Certainly I do, and you would have run right -into their clutches if I hadn’t been here to warn -you. They’ll get supper and sleep there to-night, -and we must look elsewhere for grub and lodging. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_235'>235</span>Asa will be in a fearful way about his good -clothes, but we can’t help that. We can’t get -our uniforms while Mack is prowling around.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Egan, who was well acquainted in the neighborhood, -had no difficulty in finding food and -shelter for himself and his companion. Another -farm-house opened its hospitable doors to them, -and there they passed the night, setting out -bright and early the next morning to try one of -the trout-streams of which Egan had spoken. -Late in the afternoon they secured an interview -with Asa, who, after telling them that Corporal -Mack had been recalled that morning, growled -lustily at them for keeping his clothes so long. -In order to silence him and make sure of other -disguises in future, in case they should need them, -they gave him an extra dollar, and paid his -mother the same amount for drying and pressing -out their uniforms.</p> - -<p class='c012'>During the next two days the deserters -thoroughly enjoyed themselves, living on the fat -of the land, and catching as many fish as they -could dispose of. On the afternoon of the third -day they began to talk of returning to camp. -They took supper with Asa that night, and as -<span class='pageno' id='Page_236'>236</span>soon as darkness came to conceal their movements -they set out for the works, hoping to creep by the -sentries and reach the shelter of their tents without -arousing anybody, thus winding up their -exploits in the most approved style; but they did -not get into the camp as easily as they thought -they would. While they were passing through -a piece of thick woods on their way to the bridge, -they were suddenly surrounded by a multitude of -dark forms which seemed to rise out of the ground -on all sides of them, and before they could resist -or cry out, they were seized by strong hands and -hurried away through the darkness.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_237'>237</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XIII. <br /> <span class='small'>A NIGHT ATTACK.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>“Squad, halt! No. 4.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>It was Thursday afternoon, and the relief -was going its rounds. When his number was -called Bert Gordon stepped forward, and holding -his musket at “arms port,” prepared to receive -the orders which the sentry whom he was about -to relieve had to pass, while the two corporals -stood by and listened.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“My instructions are to stop anybody who may -attempt to go out of the lines without a pass, and -to keep a good lookout for prowlers,” said the -sentry.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“For prowlers!” echoed Bert. “What is the -meaning of that order?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I give it up,” replied the sentry. “I pass the -command to you just as it was given to me. If -you see anybody prowling about on the other side -of the creek, call the corporal.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The sentry fell into place in the rear of the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_238'>238</span>squad, and the relief passed on, leaving Bert -alone on his post.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Prowlers,” he repeated, over and over again. -“I don’t understand it. Why should there be -any more danger from prowlers now than at any -other time? O!” he added, an idea suddenly -occurring to him. “Perhaps they think that Don -and Egan will try to work their way back to camp -this afternoon. Well, if they do, they’ll not get -by <em>me</em>.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>So saying, Bert settled his musket firmly on -his shoulder and began pacing his beat, casting -suspicious and searching glances now and then -toward the bushes on the opposite side of the -creek.</p> - -<p class='c012'>When Bert first learned that his brother and -Egan had deserted the camp he was almost overwhelmed -with surprise and mortification. He -supposed they had committed a serious offence, -one that would be sure to bring disgrace and -punishment upon them, and took it so much to -heart that the boys were obliged to explain matters -to him. They assured him that the deserters -had not lowered their standing or forfeited the -good-will of the teachers, and that all they had -<span class='pageno' id='Page_239'>239</span>to do to make heroes of themselves was to outrun -or outwit the parties that were sent in pursuit of -them, and make their way back to camp without -being caught.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“They are heroes already,” said one of the -students, with great enthusiasm, “for didn’t they -swim the creek during their flight? That’s something -that none of the fellows ever did before. I -wish they might get back all right, but the superintendent -has sent Mack after them, and he’s a -bad one. He’s bound to catch them.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>This seemed to be the opinion of all the students; -and consequently when Corporal Mack -returned to camp and reported that he had found -Don Gordon at the show disguised as a country -boy, and had actually had his hand on his collar, -and Don had broken away and beaten him in a -fair race, notwithstanding the fact that he was -incumbered by heavy boots that were many sizes -too large for him—when the corporal reported all -this, the boys were not a little surprised.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“It would have made you laugh to see him,” -said the corporal, who had the greatest respect -for the boy who had so neatly outwitted him. -“He looked and acted so much like a born simpleton -<span class='pageno' id='Page_240'>240</span>that I couldn’t make up my mind that it -was Don Gordon until he revealed his identity by -walking like a field-negro. Then I knew in a -moment that he was the fellow I wanted, and I—well, -I didn’t get him, but I <em>would</em> have got him -if I hadn’t been recalled. He had a suit of Asa -Peter’s clothes on, and I had Asa’s house guarded -so that he couldn’t get his uniform.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Why he had been recalled so soon, and at a -time too when he had the deserters “just where -he wanted them,” the corporal could not imagine; -and neither could the rest of the students understand -why their liberty had been stopped so suddenly. -On the day following that on which the -seven-elephant railroad show had pitched its tent -in Bridgeport all passes had been refused, and -since that time no one had been outside the gates -except the mess-cooks. They were permitted to -go to the spring three times every day, and they -always went under guard too. Such a regulation -had never been established before, and the students -were at a loss to know the meaning of it.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“It’s all Gordon’s fault and Egan’s,” said one -of the boys. “They have shown that a fellow -can desert under the eye of a sentry, if he sees fit -<span class='pageno' id='Page_241'>241</span>to do so, and the superintendent is afraid that -some of us will follow their example. That’s the -reason he sends a guard with the mess-cooks when -they go to the spring after water.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“There’s where you are mistaken,” said one of -the first-class sergeants, in reply. “We are in -the enemy’s country——”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The boys who were standing around laughed -uproariously, and turning on their heels, walked -away. They had heard quite enough of such talk -as that, and wanted to know some good reason for -the stopping of their liberty.</p> - -<p class='c012'>While Bert Gordon paced his beat on this particular -afternoon, he kept one eye directed toward -the bushes on the opposite side of the creek, and -the other turned toward the camp. The huge -tent that had been erected the day before for the -accommodation of visitors, was already pretty well -filled; and from his lofty perch on the embankment -Bert could see his school-fellows strolling -<a id='corr241.21'></a><span class='htmlonly'><ins class='correction' title='abont'>about</ins></span><span class='epubonly'><a href='#c_241.21'><ins class='correction' title='abont'>about</ins></a></span> in company with their parents, or with -their brothers and sisters, who had come hundreds -of miles to see the students in their summer -quarters. Every now and then one of the village -hacks would drive in at the south gate and deposit -<span class='pageno' id='Page_242'>242</span>a load of ladies and gentlemen before the door of -the superintendent’s marquee. Every train that -steamed up to the station brought a fresh influx -of visitors, and finally the camp began to present -quite a holiday appearance.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Don’t I wish that my father and mother were -among them!” thought Bert, who began to feel -lonely when he saw that almost every boy who -was off duty had hastened to the tent to receive -some relative or friend who had come there to see -him. “If they didn’t live so far away they would -certainly be here; but, as it is——”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Bert suddenly stopped, and shading his eyes -with his hand, looked intently at something on the -other side of the creek. He was certain that the -bushes toward which he directed his gaze, were -suddenly and violently agitated, as if some heavy -body were working its way through them. A -moment later something that looked like a -head crowned with feathers was thrust cautiously -into view; then a dark brown face appeared -and a pair of glittering eyes looked -straight at him.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What in the world is that?” muttered Bert, -after he had winked hard and looked again to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_243'>243</span>make sure that he had not been deceived. “It -can’t be a head, and yet—it <em>is</em> a head and -nothing else. Corporal of the guard No. 4!”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The head, or whatever it was, bobbed down -out of sight in an instant, and presently the -corporal came hurrying up.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“There’s something or other over there in -the bushes,” began Bert, in response to the -non-commissioned officer’s inquiries.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“And it looked like a head with feathers on -it, I suppose,” interrupted the corporal, with -some impatience in his tones. “I don’t see -what is the matter with everybody this afternoon. -You are the third one who has called -me out for nothing.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“But I didn’t call you out for nothing,” -protested Bert. “My eyes never went back on -me yet, and I know that there is somebody -over there in the bushes.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I don’t dispute that. It is probably your -brother or Egan who is watching for a chance -to creep by some of you sentries.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“But they wouldn’t have feathers on their -heads, would they?” demanded Bert.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“O, get out!” exclaimed the corporal. “You -<span class='pageno' id='Page_244'>244</span>didn’t see any feathers. You only dreamed -it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Do you suppose that I have been asleep?” -cried Bert.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“It looks like it, for I declare I don’t see -how any boy who is wide awake—Well, well, have -it your own way,” said the corporal, who noticed -that Bert’s cheek began to flush and his eye to -sparkle as if he were growing indignant. “Just -keep your eye on him and see that he doesn’t -get into camp; that’s all you’ve got to do. -But I say, Gordon, we are in for a good time -to-night, are we not? Did you ever see so -many visitors before?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I never did,” answered Bert. “This is my -first camp, you know.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, fellows who have been here during four -camps say that they never saw such a crowd -at this stage of the proceedings,” continued the -corporal. “Our friends generally put in an -appearance a day or two before we break camp, -and stay with us during the examination and -over commencement; and what it was that -brought them here so early in the day this year, -I can’t imagine. But we are glad to see them -<span class='pageno' id='Page_245'>245</span>all the same, and we’re going to have a smashing -hop to-night. Some of the fellows have sent -to town for the music.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You didn’t hear anybody inquiring for me, -did you?” asked Bert, with some hesitation.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I did not. In fact, I didn’t hear anybody -asked for. I took time to kiss my mother and -say ‘hallo’ to my big brother, and that’s all -the visiting I can do until I go off duty. Good-by, -but don’t call me out to look at any more -feathers unless you can show them to me.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I saw them, I know I did,” said Bert, to -himself, as the sentry walked away. “No one -can make me believe that I could be so badly -fooled in broad daylight. I wish I could have -another look at them.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Once more Bert turned his eyes toward the -opposite bank of the stream; but the head -with the crown of feathers did not again show -itself, and he finally resumed his walk, feeling -very lonely and homesick. Almost every boy -in camp had company—in fact he could not -see a single student wandering about alone—but -no one had been heard to ask for him. -He would have been glad to see anybody from -<span class='pageno' id='Page_246'>246</span>Rochdale. Even the sight of Dan Evans’s -tan-colored face would have been most welcome.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Bert stood his time out without seeing anything -more of the feathers, and finally the relief -came around. Having stacked their muskets in -the guard-tent the sentries, some of whom had -received notice of the arrival of their friends, -scattered in all directions, leaving Bert alone. -He strolled slowly along the street, lifting his -cap whenever he met a fellow-student accompanied -by his mother or sister, and finally -reached the door of his own tent, which was -crowded with the relatives and friends of his -mess-mates. He was about to pass on with a -word of apology, when a lady, whom he did -not see until that moment, arose from the -camp-chair in which she was sitting, and a -second later Bert was clasped in the arms of -his mother. General Gordon was there, too. -He had been visiting with his old friend and -preceptor, the superintendent, and was now -looking over the fortifications in company with -Mr. Egan, Mr. Hopkins, and Mr. Curtis, all of -whom were veteran soldiers. He came into the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_247'>247</span>tent in a few minutes, and when he had greeted -Bert warmly, he asked for Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I’m sorry to say that I don’t know where he -is,” replied Bert, who then went on to give a -hurried history of Don’s exploits at the show, -as reported by Corporal Mack. Mrs. Gordon -listened with a shade of anxiety on her face, -but the general laughed heartily.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Boys will be boys,” said he. “And so long -as Don doesn’t break any of the rules of -the school, or carry his fun too far, where is -the harm? The superintendent thinks that he -and Egan have played their parts as deserters -very well, and I think so, too. I should like -very much to see him, but I suppose I shall -have to wait until he gets ready to come in.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You will not go home until you do see -him, will you?” said Bert.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“O, no. We shall not return to Mississippi -until you and Don can go with us, and then -we shall have company. Young Egan, Hopkins, -and Curtis are to spend a month at our -house. I have just been talking with their -fathers about it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Bert was delighted to hear that this matter -<span class='pageno' id='Page_248'>248</span>had been definitely settled, and he wished that -Don had been there to hear it too. He little -dreamed that his brother and Egan, who were -at that very moment laying their plans for -getting into camp, were destined to be waylaid -and taken captive by those who had every -reason for holding fast to them; but such was -the fact.</p> - -<p class='c012'>As Bert was to be off duty until midnight -he had ample opportunity to visit with his -father and mother. He walked about the fortifications -with them, told them amusing and -interesting stories of his life at the academy, -and ate supper with them in the big tent. -When all had satisfied their appetites with -the good things that had been provided for -them, the tables were taken out, the Chinese -lanterns that hung suspended from the wires -overhead were lighted, the music struck up and -the dancing began. Everybody, young and -old, seemed bent on having a good time, and -the fun grew fast and furious. For an hour -everything passed off smoothly, and then there -came a most unexpected and alarming interruption—the -ringing report of a musket, <a id='corr248.25'></a><span class='htmlonly'><ins class='correction' title='fol- followed'>followed</ins></span><span class='epubonly'><a href='#c_248.25'><ins class='correction' title='fol- followed'>followed</ins></a></span> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_249'>249</span>it made the cold chills creep over every one who -heard it. The music ceased, and the dancers -stood still in their places and looked at one -another. There was a moment’s hush, and then -a whole chorus of blood-curdling yells, such as -no one in that company had ever heard before, -rang out on the still air. They seemed to come -from all sides of the camp, and their effect was -most startling. The ladies screamed and ran to -their husbands for protection; the gentlemen -stood irresolute, each one gazing inquiringly -into the face of his neighbor, and the students -were thrown into a stupor from which they -were quickly aroused by the roll of the drum, -and loud cries of “Fall in! Fall in!”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“O, my boy, you mustn’t go out there,” exclaimed -Mrs. Gordon, as Bert dashed forward -to obey the order. Her face was very white, -and she clung to her husband for support.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Let him go,” said the general. “If he has -any pluck at all, now is the time for him to -show it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>He did not know what the matter was—there -were few in that camp who did—but he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_250'>250</span>was a soldier. When he was in the service -he had yielded prompt and willing obedience -to every order given him by his superiors, no -matter how great the danger he might incur -by so doing, and he wanted his boys to do -the same thing. Bert proved that he had inherited -a goodly share of his father’s courage, -for, although he was badly frightened, he lost -not a moment in obeying the order to fall in. -He ran into the guard-tent and seized his -musket; but, to his great surprise, he found that -the bayonet that belonged to it was gone. In -fact the bayonets were all gone, and the -pieces were stacked by the ramrods. Utterly -at a loss how to account for this, Bert caught up -the weapon and ran to join his company, which -was forming on the street in front of its own -tents.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Fall in!” commanded the boy captain. -“Right dress!—Front! Order arms!—Fix -bayonets!”</p> - -<p class='c012'>These orders were promptly obeyed—all except -the last. When the young soldiers came -to feel for their bayonets, they discovered that -their scabbards were empty. Before anybody -<span class='pageno' id='Page_251'>251</span>could ask the meaning of this, an orderly -hurried up with instructions for the captain -to move his company by the left flank, and -take up a position in reserve, so as to protect -the big tent and its occupants.</p> - -<p class='c012'>All this while those hideous yells had been -arising on all sides, and now they were accompanied -by the discharge of fire-arms. These -discharges rapidly increased in number and frequency, -until it seemed as if the camp were surrounded -by a wall of flame; and still nobody -knew what was the matter. As Bert’s company -wheeled into position the first company went by, -moving at double time, and disappeared in the -darkness; and a few moments later, rapid platoon -firing sounded in the direction of the bridge. -Then the students began to understand the matter.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“It’s a sham fight,” said the boy who stood at -Bert’s elbow.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“But who are our assailants?” asked the latter, -who was greatly relieved.</p> - -<p class='c012'>That was a question the boy could not answer, -but Bert was able to answer it for himself a few -minutes later. The fight at the bridge increased -<span class='pageno' id='Page_252'>252</span>in fury, and the first company, finding its position -there untenable, was ordered to fall back so that -the artillery could have a chance to come into -play. Encouraged by this retrograde movement -the enemy rushed across the bridge in overwhelming -numbers, pressing the young soldiers so closely -that the retreat, which was begun in good order, -very speedily became a rout. The old German -professor, highly excited, ran up, sword in hand, -and made frantic appeals to them to stand their -ground and defend the gate; but the ranks were -hopelessly broken. They came pell-mell through -the tents and took refuge behind Bert’s company, -the members of which were thunderstruck. What -kind of an enemy was it anyhow, they asked -themselves, that could throw the well-drilled boys -of the first class into such confusion as this?</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Young shentlemens,” exclaimed the professor, -flourishing his sword angrily over his head, “I -been ashamed of you. Such fighting is von grand -disgrace to the Pridgebort Military Academy. -Captain Bumroy,” he added, turning to the -commander of Bert’s company, “go ahead and -sweep the enemy from the face of the earth. -Make good piziness now.”</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_253'>253</span>Captain Pomeroy and his men went about this -work as if they were in earnest. Holding their -muskets at “arms port” they advanced in good -order, and when they reached the end of their -company street, they found out who the enemy -were. They were Indians—veritable Indians, -hideously painted and dressed in all sorts of odd -costumes. They had gained a footing inside the -works, and were engaged in pulling down the -tents preparatory to carrying them off. Excited -as Bert was, he could nevertheless calmly recall -some of the incidents of the afternoon.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Now I know the meaning of that order regarding -prowlers,” said he to himself. “I <em>did</em> -see somebody in the bushes with feathers on his -head, and it was one of these Indians who was -reconnoitering our position.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Being interrupted in the work of stealing the -tents, the Indians advanced in a body, brandishing -their weapons and yelling with all the power -of their lungs. They hoped, no doubt, to frighten -Captain Pomeroy and his men, create a panic -among them, and, having scattered them, to -take some of them prisoners; but in this they -failed. The boys were so very much in earnest, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_254'>254</span>and so fully determined to save their tents, that -they came very near changing the sham fight -into a real fight. Now Captain Pomeroy saw -why it was that the teachers had taken the precaution -to remove the bayonets. If his men had -been provided with those dangerous weapons, -he would have charged the Indians without -an instant’s hesitation, and there was no telling -what the young soldiers might have done in -their excitement.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Steady!” commanded the boy captain. -“Butts to the front! Strike!”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The order was obeyed with the greatest alacrity. -Raising a yell, the boys rushed upon the -Indians, and if the latter had stood their ground, -there would have been a fight, sure. But fortunately -they broke and ran. The captain followed -them as far as the gate, and then drawing his -men up in platoon front, opened a hot fire of -blank cartridges on the bridge.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Vell done, Captain Bumroy,” said the German -professor, who had kept a sharp eye on the -whole proceeding. “Vell done. Ven you been in -my good Brussia and fights like dot in a true -pattle, you gets a decoration from the Emperor. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_255'>255</span>Aha! Now stay here, and don’t let them red -fellows come in some more.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Meanwhile the rest of the battalion had not -been idle. The battery had been in almost constant -use; the first platoon of the second company -had successfully defended the south gate; -and the second platoon, assisted by the third -company, had held the rest of the works, repulsing -every charge that had been made upon them. -The artillery roared, small arms popped, the -threatening war-whoops of the Indians were answered -by yells of defiance from the boy soldiers—in -short, there was nothing wanting to make a -real fight of it except bullets and bayonets. This -state of affairs continued for half an hour, during -which the different companies were handled just -as they would have been in action, and then the -firing ceased as suddenly as it had begun. The -battle was over. Just then an orderly from headquarters -stepped up and saluted Captain Pomeroy.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“The superintendent presents his compliments -and requests that you will keep a lookout for a -delegation from the Indian camp,” said he. -“Should any appear, you will receive it and send -it to the big tent under guard.”</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_256'>256</span>The young captain at once detailed a corporal’s -guard to wait at the bridge and escort the expected -delegation inside the lines; and scarcely -had the squad disappeared before it came in -again, accompanied by half a dozen stately Indians, -who were closely wrapped up in their -blankets. They were fine-looking fellows, in spite -of their feathers and paint, and if they had been -entering a hostile camp they could not have -behaved with more dignity and seriousness.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What do you want?” demanded Captain -Pomeroy.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Want to see big chief,” grunted one of the -Indians, in reply.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Have you any weapons about you?” inquired -the captain, recalling the stratagem to which Pontiac -resorted when he tried to capture Detroit.</p> - -<p class='c012'>The Indians shook their heads, but the captain, -as in duty bound, ordered them to be searched; -after which he told his first lieutenant to take -command of the squad, and to conduct the visitors -to the big tent. Then, as there was no danger to -be apprehended so long as the delegation was in -camp, he placed a guard at the gate, and allowed -the rest of his men to stack arms and sit down on -<span class='pageno' id='Page_257'>257</span>the grass. At the end of half an hour, two of the -Indians came back, guarded by the lieutenant and -his squad, and accompanied by the officer of the -day.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Captain Pomeroy,” said the latter, “pass -these two chiefs, and stand ready to receive them -when they return.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Very good, sir,” replied the captain. “What -did they do in the big tent, Perkins?” he asked -of his lieutenant, as soon as the officer of the day -had retired; “and who are they, any way?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Why, they are Mount Pleasant Indians,” answered -the lieutenant, who, during his absence, -had had opportunity to talk with some of the -boys in the first class who knew all about the -matter. “They are principally farmers and mechanics; -but there are one or two professional men -among them—school teachers and the like.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, I declare!” exclaimed the captain. -“They haven’t forgotten how to give the war-whoop -if they are civilized, have they? Of course -this night’s work was a put-up job?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Certainly it was. The superintendent wanted -to do something to amuse us, so he went out to -their reservation, which is about twenty miles from -<span class='pageno' id='Page_258'>258</span>here, and easily induced the head-chief to promise -to bring in three hundred of his young men on a -certain night and make an attack on us. Then he -wrote to our parents; and that’s what brought -this crowd here to-day.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Ah! That explains it. But they didn’t -know anything about it, for I noticed that some -of them were as frightened as we were. Didn’t -you hear the women scream? I thought the -girl I was dancing with was going to faint, she -turned so white. What did they do in the big -tent?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“O, they held a pow-wow there in the presence -of all our guests, smoking a pipe and going -through all the motions of a regular Indian peace -commission. The chief made a speech (I tell -you it was a good one and astonished everybody), -during which he said that his young men had -taken some prisoners whom he would be happy to -surrender——”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Prisoners!” repeated the captain, incredulously.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Yes. Eight of the first-class boys are missing. -You see this company was thrown into confusion -when they fell back from the bridge, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_259'>259</span>as soon as they became separated, the Indians -jumped in and dragged some of them off.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, they didn’t serve me that way,” said -Captain Pomeroy, with an air of triumph. “They -had the impudence to try to steal my boys’ tents; -but when we turned butts to the front, didn’t they -dig out in a hurry?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Lieutenant Perkins, who had borne his full -part in that gallant charge, said he thought they -did.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_260'>260</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XIV. <br /> <span class='small'>DON GORDON’S SHOOTING-BOX.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>“Well, what did the chief say about the -prisoners?” asked Captain Pomeroy, after -a moment’s pause.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“O, he went through the usual formula,” -answered Lieutenant Perkins. “He said he -would be happy to surrender his captives if the -white chief would give him and his warriors -presents enough to make it an object for him to -do so. The superintendent said he wouldn’t do -that, but if the chief would give up the prisoners -and come into camp to-morrow afternoon and -dance for us, he would furnish him and his -warriors with all the grub they could eat. The -chief finally accepted the offer, and those two -Indians who went out a little while ago are to -bring in the captives.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Who comes there?” shouted the sentry at -the bridge.</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_261'>261</span>“There they are now,” exclaimed the lieutenant. -“Corporal, go out there.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The corporal went, and presently returned -accompanied by the two Indians and ten prisoners -instead of eight. Bert and his companions moved -up close to the gate to see who the prisoners were, -and the former was astonished beyond measure to -find that his brother and Sergeant Egan were marching -with the squad. The boys wanted to laugh -at them, but they were on duty, and they knew -that such a breach of discipline would not be -allowed. Led by Lieutenant Perkins and his -squad, they were marched to the big tent, where -the ceremony of surrendering them was gone -through with; after which the Indian delegation -was escorted out of the camp, Captain Pomeroy -and his men were ordered to their quarters, the -sentries were posted, the ranks broken, and all the -young soldiers who were off duty flocked into the -big tent to talk over the incidents of the fight -with their guests. Bert quickly found his way to -a merry group consisting of his father, mother -and brother, and Egan, Hopkins and Curtis, with -their fathers and mothers, all of whom were -listening with interest to what the deserters had -<span class='pageno' id='Page_262'>262</span>to say regarding their experience among the -Indians. When they had finished their story -General Gordon said:—</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You missed it, boys. The members of your -company covered themselves with glory and you -have no share in it. The first company was so -badly demoralized by the very first charge the -Indians made that they couldn’t be rallied; while -Pomeroy, with his raw recruits, as you might call -them, drove the enemy from the field and saved -the tents from capture.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“It was really thrilling, Mr. Gordon,” said -Egan’s pretty sister, to whom Don had just been -introduced, “and I never before was so badly -frightened. We were not expecting anything of -the kind, you know, and I could not imagine -what the matter was.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I wouldn’t have had those Indians get their -hands on us for anything,” exclaimed Egan, who -seemed to take the matter very much to heart. -“I knew the fight was coming, and I wanted very -much to take part in it. Well, it serves me right -for deserting when I ought to have stayed in -camp.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>It was growing late now—so late that the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_263'>263</span>dancing was not resumed. The carriages, which -had been ordered for eleven o’clock, began to -arrive and the guests to take their departure -for Bridgeport, whose two hotels and numerous -boarding-houses were taxed to the utmost to find -room for them.</p> - -<p class='c012'>The next morning passes were granted by -wholesale, and every boy who was able to secure -one started at once for the Indian camp, which -was located in a deep ravine about a mile away. -The young braves drove a thriving trade in bows -and arrows, and earned a snug sum of pocket -money by shooting dimes and quarters out of split -sticks; while the squaws sold moccasins, beaded -purses and miniature birch-bark canoes by the -bushel. At one o’clock the big tent was again -crowded with guests, and an hour later the Indian -warriors, who were all armed and freshly painted, -filed silently into the works. The entertainment -that followed, and which was much better than -some the boys had paid twenty-five cents to witness, -included the corn-dance, hunting-dance, -war-dance and a scalping scene. By the time it -was ended dinner had been served in the big tent. -After the dancers had done full justice to it, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_264'>264</span>had exchanged courtesies with their late antagonists -by giving an ear-splitting war-whoop in -return for their three cheers and a tiger, they filed -out of the works as silently as they had come into -them, and the students once more settled down to -business.</p> - -<p class='c012'>There were no more desertions after that. -Some of their friends came to see them every day, -and as there were many veterans among them -who watched their movements with a critical eye, -of course the boys were careful to perform all -their duties in a prompt and soldier-like manner. -In due time the camp was broken and the students -marched back to the academy, which during -their absence had been thoroughly renovated. -The examination was held, the members of the -first class received their degrees and new officers -were appointed for the coming year. Among the -latter were Bert Gordon and Sam Arkwright—the -former being made first sergeant of the fourth -company, which was yet to be organized, and the -other receiving a warrant as second corporal. -Don Gordon stood head and shoulders above -everybody in his class, and the only thing that -prevented him from being commissioned lieutenant -<span class='pageno' id='Page_265'>265</span>of the new company was his record as a -soldier, which, as we know, was by no means -perfect.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Contrary to Dick Henderson’s prediction, the -school had not been disgraced by the presence -of the New York boot-black. Its popularity -seemed to be increasing, for the number of those -who applied for admission was greater than it had -ever been before; and when the examination was -over, Bert found that he had a hundred and ten -names on his company roster. Dick would not -have made such a prediction now, for he was different -in every way from the boy we introduced -to the reader at the beginning of this story. -Having got out from under Clarence Duncan’s -baneful influence, and having Don Gordon’s -example and Tom Fisher’s to encourage him, -he was in a fair way to make a man of himself.</p> - -<p class='c012'>At length the exercises were all ended, and one -bright morning Hopkins, Egan and Curtis took -leave of their friends, and in company with Don -and Bert Gordon and their parents, set out for -Rochdale. They went fully prepared to enjoy -themselves. As soon as it was settled that they -<span class='pageno' id='Page_266'>266</span>were to go home with the Gordons, they had -written for their hunting rigs, which were duly -forwarded to them. Walter Curtis’s favorite, in -fact his only, weapon, was a light Stevens rifle, -with which he had broken twenty-three out of -twenty-five feather-filled glass balls thrown from -a revolving trap. Hopkins took pride in a short -double-barrel shotgun, of large calibre, that he had -often used on horseback while following deer and -foxes to the music of the hounds; while Egan, -who lived on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, -where canvas-backs and red-heads abound, put all -his faith in a ponderous ten-gauge Parker, which -was so heavy that Don Gordon, strong and enduring -as he was, declared that he wouldn’t carry it -all day through the woods if his friend Egan -would make him a present of it.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Neither would I,” chimed in Hopkins.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You!” exclaimed Egan, standing off and -looking at the speaker’s rotund figure. “You’d -look nice starting out for an all-day tramp, you -would. Your legs are too short, and you carry -too much weight around with you. You would -get out of breath before you had gone half a mile. -But as I am not going to Mississippi after squirrels, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_267'>267</span>I don’t intend to tramp about the woods. -Gordon promised me some duck-shooting.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“As for myself,” Curtis remarked, “I always -did despise a scatter-gun. A blind man ought to -be able to hit a duck by sending a pound or two -of shot at him——”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, it’s not so easy, either,” interrupted -Egan. “A duck, when flying down wind, moves -at the rate of ninety miles an hour, old fellow, and -it takes the best kind of a marksman to make a -good bag.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“A true sportsman never prides himself upon -the number of birds he kills, but upon the superiority -of his shots,” said Curtis. “When you -can strike a rapidly moving object with a single -ball from a rifle, then you can boast of your skill.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>During the journey down the Mississippi the -boys were on deck almost all the time, listening -to Don, who pointed out the various places of interest -along the route, adding some entertaining -scraps of the history of each. Over there, on the -right bank, he said, was the battle-field of Belmont; -and on the opposite shore was Columbus, -from which came the Confederate reinforcements -that had turned the Union victory into defeat. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_268'>268</span>This was Island No. 10, where the gunboat Cincinnati -distinguished herself by running the batteries, -and a young master’s mate, afterward the -brave commander of the Champion, won his -shoulder-straps by going ashore with a boat’s -crew, spiking some of the guns, and bringing off -the wipers and spongers that belonged to them. -Over there on the bluff was Fort Pillow, where -that terrible massacre took place under Forrest; -and this was Memphis, the scene of the fight -between the Union and Confederate fleets, which -resulted in the utter defeat of the latter, and in -the capture of the Bragg, Price, and Little Rebel. -This was Yazoo river. It was here that the Confederate -ram Arkansas, after eluding the Cincinnati -and whipping the Tyler, ran the fire of the -whole Union fleet and took refuge under the guns -of Vicksburg. Having been repaired she started -down the river to raise the siege of Port Hudson, -but was met and destroyed by a single Union -gunboat, the Essex, under command of Captain -Porter. And here was Rochdale at last. It had -a history too, Don said, and he promised that he -would relate it when they reached the shooting-box.</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_269'>269</span>Egan and Hopkins were Southern boys, and -consequently life on a plantation was not new to -them; but Curtis, who was from New England, -found much to interest him, and showed himself -to be a true Yankee by asking a thousand and -one questions about everything he saw. Hopkins’s -first exploit was riding a kicking mule that Fred -and Joe Packard brought out for him to try his -skill upon. To the surprise of everybody Hopkins -mounted in regular Texas style, placing his left -hand on the mule’s shoulder and throwing his -right leg over his back. The moment he was -firmly settled, his appearance changed as if by -magic. His seat was easy and graceful, and he -kept his place on that mule’s back with as little -trouble as he would have kept his place in a rocking -chair. The animal could not move him an -inch with all his kicking and plunging. The performance -effectually silenced Egan, who was himself -a fine horseman, and he never had anything -to say about Hopkins’s riding after that.</p> - -<p class='c012'>The ducks, geese, swans, and brant were already -beginning to come into the lake, and on the morning -of the third day following their arrival at the -plantation, the young hunters, Fred and Joe -<span class='pageno' id='Page_270'>270</span>Packard being included among the number, made -ready to take up their abode at the shooting-box. -The canoe and sail-boat, both of which had been -securely housed during the absence of their -owners, were put into the water and loaded to -their utmost capacity with bedding, provisions, -and camp furniture. There was just room enough -left in the canoe to accommodate old Cuff, the -negro who was to act as cook and camp-keeper -during their sojourn at the shooting-box; and -when all the boys and Don’s two pointers had -crowded into the sail-boat, the little craft seemed -on the point of sinking. As an Irishman would -have remarked, if the water in the lake had been -two inches higher, she would have gone to the -bottom beyond a doubt.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“We’ve got about three hundred pounds too -much cargo aboard,” said Curtis, in his quiet way. -“Hop, suppose you get out and go afoot; there’s -a good fellow.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Make Egan throw his artillery overboard and -we shall get on well enough,” retorted Hopkins. -“That’s what makes the boat sink so deep in the -water.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>With much fun and chaffing the boys pulled -<span class='pageno' id='Page_271'>271</span>toward the point on which the shooting-box was -located, and by handling their heavily loaded craft -in the most careful manner, they succeeded in -beaching her in safety. As her bow touched the -shore, old Cuff, who landed at the same moment, -uttered an exclamation indicative of the greatest -astonishment. Don looked up and saw that the -shooting-box was already occupied. A smoke was -curling out of the stove-pipe that served for a -chimney, and a rough-looking man, dressed in a -tattered suit of brown jeans, stood in front of the -open door, leaning on his axe. From the cabin -there came the sound of voices mingled with another -sound that made old Cuff almost ready to -boil over with indignation.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“’Fore Moses, Mr. Don,” he exclaimed. -“Somebody in dar crackin’ all de nuts dat I done -pick up for you an’ your frien’s.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“We’ll soon put a stop to that,” answered -Don. “Those people, whoever they are, have no -business in there, and they must get out at once.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Did you ever hear of such impudence?” -exclaimed Bert, angrily. “Where did they come -from, anyhow? They don’t belong in this part -of the country.”</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_272'>272</span>The man with the axe seemed as much surprised -to see Don and his party as the latter were -to see him. He too uttered an exclamation which -brought to the door the other occupants of the -cabin, seven of them in all, including two more -men and three women; and very disreputable -looking persons the most of them were. The -other two, one of whom seemed to be entirely out -of place there, did not show themselves at the -door as openly as their companions did, and consequently -Don and Bert did not see them. They -thrust their heads out very cautiously, and as -soon as they saw who the new-comers were, they -drew back and made all haste to effect their -escape through the window on the other side of -the cabin. By keeping the building between -themselves and the beach they managed to reach -the cover of the woods without being observed, -Don and Bert would have been very much surprised -if they had seen them, for they were our -old acquaintances Lester Brigham and Dan -Evans. They were now almost constant companions; -and how they came to be so shall be told -further on.</p> - -<div class='figcenter id004'> -<img src='images/p272.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic004'> -<p><span class='sc'>Squatter Sovereignty.</span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c012'>“What do you want here?” demanded the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_273'>273</span>man with the axe, as Don walked up the bank -followed by his companions.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I think that is a proper question for me to -ask you,” replied Don, who did not at all like the -surly tone in which he had been addressed. -“This house belongs to my brother and myself, -and we would thank you to vacate it without -the loss of a moment.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Wal, I reckon we shall do as we please about -that,” drawled one of the men who stood in the -door.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, I reckon you won’t. You’ll do as I -please about it. I want possession here, and I -want it now. I see you broke the lock in order -to gain admittance, and you had no business to -do that.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Do you live here?” asked the man with the -axe.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I’m going to live here.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Wal, thar’s two rooms in the shantee, an’ -why can’t you-uns take one of ’em an’ let -we-uns——”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“We don’t want company,” exclaimed Don, -who was fairly staggered by the proposition. -“We want you to clear out bag and baggage, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_274'>274</span>and to be quick about it, too. My father is a -magistrate, and this shooting-box is on his land.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The word “magistrate” had a magical effect -upon the members of the dirty group in the door-way. -It put life into them, and at the same time -set the women’s tongues in motion. They began -packing up their scanty belongings, declaring, -with much vociferation, that it was a sin and a -shame that they should be turned out of such -snug quarters just to accommodate the whims of -a party of young aristocrats who wanted to come -there and shoot a few ducks. Why couldn’t they -go elsewhere for their ducks and leave honest -people alone? That was always the way with -rich folks. They didn’t care how others suffered -so long as they had their own pleasure. But it -was a great comfort to know that it wouldn’t -always be so. There was a time coming, and it -wasn’t so very far distant either, when rich folks -would be required to give up some of their ill-gotten -gains.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That sounds like communism, doesn’t it?” -said Curtis.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Yes; and <em>that</em> sounds very much like incendiarism,” -answered Hopkins; and so it did, for -<span class='pageno' id='Page_275'>275</span>just then one of the men in the cabin was heard -to say:—</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Never mind, Luke. The old shantee is dry -an’ fire’ll burn it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Let them burn it if they dare,” said Bert, his -slight form swelling with indignation. “I -wouldn’t give a picayune for the life of the person -who attempts it. Cuff,” he added, turning to the -negro, “as soon as we get things straightened -up here, I want you to go back to the plantation -after Don’s hounds. It looks now as though we -should need them.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The tramps, if such they were, seemed to be -in no hurry to leave the shooting-box. They -bundled up their goods with great deliberation, -abusing the boys roundly all the while, and -finally came out and turned their faces toward -the river. As soon as they were out of sight -Don and Bert began an investigation of the -premises. The cabin looked as though it had -been occupied for a long time. The wood which -they had provided for their own use was all gone, -the stove had been copiously bedewed with -tobacco juice, the floor was littered with nut-shells, -and everything was dingy and smoky.</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_276'>276</span>“We can’t live in any such looking hole as -this,” said Don, in deep disgust. “Cuff, build -up a good fire, put on the kettle and scrub out. -Let’s have things neat and clean, as they used to -be. Bert, suppose you take somebody with you -and watch those people and see where they <a id='corr276.6'></a><span class='htmlonly'><ins class='correction' title='go.’'>go”</ins></span><span class='epubonly'><a href='#c_276.6'><ins class='correction' title='go.’'>go”</ins></a></span></p> - -<p class='c012'>Bert at once started off with Hopkins for a -companion, and while they were gone the others -employed themselves in setting things to rights. -The bones, squirrel skins and turkey feathers that -were scattered about in front of the door were -raked into a pile and set on fire; a fresh supply -of stove-wood was cut; and the boats were -unloaded and their cargoes piled up outside of -the cabin in readiness to be transferred to the -interior as soon as the purifying process had been -completed. By the time this work was done Bert -and Hopkins came back.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“They’re n. g. on the books—no good,” said -the former. “They have a little house-boat in -the river——”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That’s all we want to know,” interrupted -Don. “They are thieves and vagabonds of the -first water.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What makes you say that?” asked Curtis.</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_277'>277</span>“What’s a house-boat?” inquired Egan.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I will answer the last question first,” said -Don. “A house-boat is simply a scow twenty-five -or thirty feet long and six or eight feet wide -with a cabin amidships. This cabin takes up the -whole of the boat with the exception of two or -three feet at each end, where the crew stand when -they are handling the lines and the steering oar. -These boats are generally the property of fishermen -and hunters, who float about looking for a -suitable place to ply their occupation. For -example, there is a house-boat in the bayou above -Mound City—that’s in Illinois, you know—which -has been there four or five years, its solitary -occupant making a good living by trapping minks -and raccoons in the winter, and catching buffalo -and catfish the rest of the year.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Buffalo!” repeated Egan.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Yes. I didn’t say bison.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What’s the difference?” asked Hopkins, who, -although he was a splendid fox-hunter, was not -very well posted in natural <a id='corr277.21'></a><span class='htmlonly'><ins class='correction' title='history.”'>history.</ins></span><span class='epubonly'><a href='#c_277.21'><ins class='correction' title='history.”'>history.</ins></a></span></p> - -<p class='c012'>“There’s a good deal of difference, the first -thing you know. A buffalo is a fish, somewhat -resembling a black-bass in shape, but possessing -<span class='pageno' id='Page_278'>278</span>none of his game qualities, while a bison is an -animal.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“But there are such animals as buffaloes,” said -Egan.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Yes, in Africa and Asia, but not in this country. -There are no partridges, pheasants, or wild -rabbits here, either. As I was going on to say, -this man will probably stay at Mound City until -the fish and game begin to grow scarce, and then -he will paddle his boat out into the current and -float down the river until he finds another place -that suits him. If he gets hard up for grub, he -will not hesitate to visit anybody’s corn-field, -potato-patch, or hen-roost.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“No honest, industrious man ever lives in that -way,” said Bert. “The planters along the river -are suspicious of these house-boats, and when they -find one tied up on their premises, they always -order it off.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“If these people had a shelter of their own, -why did they take possession of your shooting-box?” -asked Egan.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“O, for the sake of variety, probably,” answered -Don. “Perhaps their house was too small for -them; or it may be that the roof leaked, or that -<span class='pageno' id='Page_279'>279</span>the scow was full of water. They always like to -live ashore when they have the chance.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>There was much to be done about the shooting-box, -and the boys were kept busy all the forenoon. -Old Cuff grumbled lustily while he scrubbed, -declaring over and over again that Don ought to -set fire to the cabin and destroy it, for it never -could be made fit for white folks to live in again. -After eating a substantial lunch, which was served -under the trees, Egan, Hopkins, and Curtis took -their guns, and, accompanied by Bert and Fred -Packard, strolled along the shore of the lake to -see if they could find anything for supper, while -Don and Joe remained behind to assist Cuff at -his work. When Egan and Curtis returned at -dark, they declared that they were more than satisfied -with their prospects for sport. The lower -end of the lake was full of ducks, they said, and -Egan had astonished his companions by bringing -fourteen of them down with a single discharge of -his heavy double-barrel, while Curtis had showed -his skill with the rifle by shooting four ducks on -the wing, and killing a swan at the distance of -more than two hundred yards. They were tired -as well as hungry, and glad to see the inside of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_280'>280</span>the shooting-box, which did not look now as it -did when they first came there in the morning. A -cheerful fire was burning in the stove, which had -been blacked and polished until one could almost -see his face in it; the room was brilliantly lighted -by two lamps that were suspended from the ceiling; -the floor was covered with rugs; pictures -of hunting and fishing scenes adorned the walls, -and camp chairs and stools were scattered about.</p> - -<p class='c012'>In the next apartment, which was used principally -as a sleeping and sitting-room, the same -scene of neatness and order was presented. The -wide fire-place, which occupied nearly the whole -of one end of it, was piled high with blazing logs, -and comfortable beds were made up in the bunks. -There were pictures on the walls of this room -also, rugs on the floor (some of these rugs at once -attracted the attention of Egan and his friends, -for they were made of the skins of bears and deer -that had fallen to Don’s rifle), and there were -camp-chairs enough to accommodate all the boys -that could crowd about the fire-place. The room -looked cosey and comfortable, and the visitors no -longer wondered why it was that Don thought so -much of his shooting-box.</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_281'>281</span>“I am going to have one of my own,” said -Curtis, “and it shall be modeled after this one. -I shall build it this fall, so as to have it in readiness -to receive you fellows when you go home with -me next vacation. Now, then, where are those -quails that Hop brought in? Can your darkey -serve them up on toast in good shape?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Of course he can,” answered Don. “No one -can do it better; but Hop hasn’t brought in any -quails yet. Where did you leave him? I wondered -why he didn’t come home with you.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Hasn’t he returned?” exclaimed Egan. <a id='corr281.12'></a><span class='htmlonly'><ins class='correction' title='Then'>“Then</ins></span><span class='epubonly'><a href='#c_281.12'><ins class='correction' title='Then'>“Then</ins></a></span> -he’s lost. We haven’t seen him since two o’clock, -when he coaxed your pointers away from us—we -owe him a grudge for that, for we wanted the -dogs to stay by us and retrieve the ducks we shot—and -went over into a field after a flock of quails -he had marked down there. We heard him shoot -several times after that, and as he is a good -marksman, we made up our minds that we were -to have quails for supper. There he is now,” -added Egan, as an impatient yelp sounded at the -door.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I am afraid you are mistaken,” replied Don, -and the sequel proved that he was; for just then -<span class='pageno' id='Page_282'>282</span>the door was thrown open, and Don’s hounds, -which Cuff, in obedience to Bert’s orders, had -brought up to guard the shooting-box, came -bounding in. There were six of them, and the -one which held the foremost place in Don’s estimation -was Carlo, the dog that had been the first -to respond to his whistle when he was tied up in -Godfrey Evans’s potato-hole. He was an immense -brute, as well as a savage one, and when he raised -himself on his hind feet and placed his paws on -Don’s shoulders, his head was higher than his -master’s.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“We will keep them in here with us until Hop -comes; for as they are not very well acquainted -with him, they might object to his coming to the -house,” said Bert. “Now, Cuff, dish up a couple -of those ducks in your very best style. Be in a -hurry, for we are hungry.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Curtis and Egan, having exchanged their high-top -boots for easy-fitting shoes, and their heavy -shooting-coats for others of lighter material, set -to work to clean their guns, while the rest of the -boys drew their chairs up in front of the fire, and -asked one another what it was that was detaining -Hopkins. He couldn’t get lost; they were sure -<span class='pageno' id='Page_283'>283</span>of that, for all he had to do when he wanted to -come home, was to follow the shore of the lake, -and he would find the shooting-box without the -least trouble.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Do you suppose he would be in any danger -from those vagabond friends of ours, if he should -chance to stumble upon them in the woods?” -said Curtis, as he pointed his breech-loader toward -the lamp and looked through the barrel to -make sure that it was perfectly clean. “I must -confess that I didn’t quite like the looks of -them.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I never thought of them,” said Don, jumping -up and taking his double-barrel down from the -antlers on which it rested. “I believe he would -be in danger if he should meet one of those -fellows in the woods, for he wears a splendid gold -watch and chain, and I noticed that the man who -was chopping wood when we came here this -morning, looked at the chain very frequently. I -think it would be a good plan to signal to him.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Better let me do it,” said Egan. “He can -hear my gun farther than he can yours.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Accompanied by all the boys Egan went out on -the shore of the lake and fired both barrels of his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_284'>284</span>heavy piece in quick succession; but there was -no response. Again and again the duck-gun -roared, awaking a thousand echoes along the -shore, but still the missing boy did not reply. -When Egan had fired away all the cartridges he -had brought out with him, the boys went back -into the cabin and sat down and looked at one -another. They began to fear that their friend’s -ill-luck had followed him from Bridgeport to -Rochdale, and that he had got himself into some -kind of a scrape.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_285'>285</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XV. <br /> <span class='small'>LESTER BRIGHAM MAKES NEW FRIENDS.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>We said in the second chapter that after Bob -Owens ran away from home to become a -hunter, and Godfrey Evans and his son Dan went -to work to earn an honest living, and David Evans -became <em>mail carrier</em>, and Lester Brigham withdrew -himself from the society of the boys in the -neighborhood, the inhabitants of Rochdale and -the surrounding country settled back into their -old ways, and waited for something to happen -that would create an excitement. Unfortunately -they were not obliged to wait long.</p> - -<p class='c012'>After one has spent years of his life in idleness, -he finds it an exceedingly difficult task to turn -over a new leaf and make a radical and permanent -change in his whole course of conduct, and Godfrey -and Dan were no exceptions to this rule. So -long as they worked for General Gordon, who -took pains to keep a close watch over them, and -to encourage them by every means in his power, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_286'>286</span>there was no fault to be found with them. They -labored early and late; Godfrey, as we know, -saving enough from his hard earnings to refund -the money of which he had robbed Clarence -Gordon on the highway, the old cabin in which -they lived was repaired and refurnished, and -everything seemed to be well with them; but -when they had cut all the wood the general could -use that year, and the latter went away on business -leaving them to take care of themselves, the -trouble began. They made a few feeble attempts -to find more work, and in their efforts to do so -they came in contact with the professional loafers -about the landing, whose influence over them was -anything but beneficial. The majority of them -spent their time in watching the steamboats, -taking part in shooting-matches and making a -pretense of hunting and trapping for a livelihood; -while those who had work, and were able to pay -for having it done, did not want Godfrey and -Dan to do it. Mr. Owens, Bob’s father, was -mainly responsible for this state of affairs. He -had not yet got over being angry at General -Gordon for putting in a bid for the mail-route -when he wanted it himself, and he never allowed -<span class='pageno' id='Page_287'>287</span>an opportunity to abuse him to pass unimproved.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Gordon seems to have taken Godfrey and his -family under his protecting wing, and now he can -provide for them and welcome,” Mr. Owens often -said. “I want some wood cut the worst way, -but I’ll see Godfrey and Dan in Jerusalem before -they shall have the job. If it hadn’t been for -Gordon I might have had my boy at home with -me now.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Yes, and my boy would not have been obliged -to make a hermit of himself,” Mr. Brigham -would always remark when he heard Mr. Owens -talking in this way. These two men had been -rather distant toward each other after Mr. Brigham’s -refusal to go on Bob’s bond, but they were -firm friends now. They both hated General -Gordon, and for nearly the same reason. Mr. -Brigham had come to Rochdale with the idea -that his money would at once make him the head -man of the county; but in this he was most -sadly disappointed. He found that the general -was worth just as much, if not more than he was; -that he was everybody’s friend and adviser, a -member of the legislature and a candidate for -<span class='pageno' id='Page_288'>288</span>governor, and that it would be of no use for anybody -to try to usurp his place. That was the -reason he didn’t want the general to have the -contract for carrying the mail; and when he -learned that the latter had influence enough to -secure it without any of his help, he was greatly -enraged, and felt quite as bitter toward his rich -neighbor as Bob’s father did.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Never mind,” said Mr. Owens. “It is a long -lane that has no turning, and we shall some day -be able to get square with Gordon for that piece -of business. Mark my words: David Evans will -sooner or later prove himself to be utterly -unworthy the confidence that is placed in him. -It can’t be otherwise, for he is——”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Mr. Owens was about to add that David was -the son of a thief as well as the brother of one; -but he didn’t say it, for he recollected in time -that his own son was not above reproach—that he -had left Rochdale having in his possession more -than a hundred and sixty dollars that did not -belong to him.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Where have you fellows kept yourselves so -long?” asked one of the loafers, when Godfrey -and Dan once more made their appearance at the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_289'>289</span>landing, carrying their rifles on their shoulders as -in the days gone by. “Been spendin’ some of -Dave’s money in a tower to Europe? O, been -cuttin’ wood for Gordon, eh? Well, that’s what -I call nigger’s work, and <em>I</em> wouldn’t do it for no -’ristocrat. It’s right smart easier to hunt and -trap. There’s going to be a power of deer and -turkey this fall, and Silas Jones has agreed to pay -cash for all I can bring him. He’d be willing to -make the same bargain with you, I know, for he -wants all he can get to ship to some commission -merchant in St. Louis. He gives eight cents a -pound for the deer, and sixty cents apiece for the -turkeys.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I’ll just tell ye what’s the gospel truth, Dannie,” -said Godfrey, after some of his old friends -had talked to him in this way a few times. “I’ve -got just as much right to hire somebody to chop -my wood as Gordon has, an’ I ain’t goin’ to cut no -more fur him nor no other ’ristocrat. I’m goin’ -huntin’.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“So be I,” said Dan, who was delighted at the -prospect of going back to his old way of living.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“So ye shall, Dannie. We’ve done niggers’ -work long enough, an’ now we’ll be gentlemen -<span class='pageno' id='Page_290'>290</span>agin, like we used to be. Thar ain’t no call fur -you an’ me to work so hard every day, when -everybody else takes it so easy down thar at the -landin’; an’ we won’t do it, neither. Here’s -Dave makin’ a power of money, and as he ain’t -of age yet, every cent he ’arns ought to go into -my own pocket. It shall go thar too, or I’ll make -a bigger furse here in the settlement nor I did -afore. Gordon needn’t go to pokin’ his nose into -the matter, either, for he won’t scare me as easy -as he did the last time.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“How much would a deer be worth at eight -cents a pound, pap?” inquired Dan.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Wal, that depends. If he weighed a hundred -an’ twenty pounds, he’d bring as much as five or -six dollars, I reckon; an’ if he weighed two hundred -an’ fifty pounds, like the one I killed -three winters ago, he’d be worth fifteen, an’ -mebbe twenty-five dollars,” answered Godfrey, -who was no quicker at figures than he used to -be.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That’s a heap more nor I could make chopping -wood,” said Dan.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Course it is. A smart hunter like yourself -oughter be able to get a deer every day, to say -<span class='pageno' id='Page_291'>291</span>nothin’ of the turkeys ye might trap an’ shoot. -’Sides ye’d be doin’ a gentleman’s work an’ not -a nigger’s.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>This conversation took place between Dan and -his father one bright summer’s day when they -were returning home from the landing, whither -they had gone under pretense of looking for -work. Mrs. Evans knew there was something -wrong the moment they appeared at the door, and -she was not long in finding out what it was. -Godfrey and Dan had worked faithfully during -the whole of the winter and spring, and Mrs. -Evans, although she did not see a cent of the -money they earned, David being expected to look -out for her comfort, began to believe that their -reformation was complete, and that it would -prove to be lasting; but now she learned, to her -great sorrow, that she had been too hasty in coming -to these conclusions. When she saw that the -axes were thrown aside, and that the rifles, which -had so long been idle, were daily taken down from -their hooks, she knew that bad times were coming -again. And they came apace, too. Godfrey and -Dan seemed to have lost all their skill as hunters, -for the game they brought to the landing did not -<span class='pageno' id='Page_292'>292</span>amount to much. It is true that they made some -money, but it all slipped through their fingers -without doing them any good, and by the time -cold weather came they were as ragged and lazy -as they had ever been, and just as ready to engage -in any scheme that would bring them money -without work.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Meanwhile Lester Brigham mustered up courage -enough to come out of his retirement, and -was somewhat surprised as well as vexed to learn -that he might have done so long ago if he had -felt so disposed, and that his voluntary banishment -was entirely needless. Nobody paid much -attention to him. Fred and Joe Packard, and all -the other decent boys who lived in the neighborhood, -greeted him pleasantly whenever they -passed him on the road, and no one except the -loafers at the landing had anything to say to him -concerning his past conduct. These gentlemen of -leisure could not resist the temptation to question -him regarding that terrible bear-fight on Bruin’s -Island, in which he and the absent Bob had won -so much renown, and now and then they reminded -him that he had assisted in burning Don -Gordon’s shooting-box; but they did it all so -<span class='pageno' id='Page_293'>293</span>good-naturedly that Lester could not get angry at -them.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Don’s got another shantee over there on the -point, and I shouldn’t be sorry to see that go up -in smoke like the old one did,” a man of the -Godfrey Evans stamp said to Lester one day. -“’Tain’t no use to him and Bert, and by building -it there they have taken the bread out of the -mouths of a good many folks who live about here. -As soon as school is out they’ll come home, get a -party of their friends together, and kick up such -a rumpus there on the lake that all the birds will -be driven out of the country; and when a poor -man gets out of bacon he can’t have a duck or -goose for dinner, for there won’t be any for him to -shoot.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Every time Lester Brigham rode away from the -landing—he very soon fell into the habit of going -there as regularly as Godfrey and Dan did—he -carried with him the impression that the Gordons -were not held in very high esteem, and that he -and Bob Owens had the sympathy of all the best -people in the settlement. Encouraged by this -belief, he began making efforts to work his way -into the good graces of the Packard boys, but he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_294'>294</span>failed utterly. Fred and Joe were warm friends -of the Gordons, and they met his advances in so -freezing a manner that Lester was highly enraged, -and straightway set his wits at work to conjure -up some plan for getting even with them. He -wished for Bob Owens more than he had ever -wished for him before (if Bob had been there he -would not have joined him in any plan for mischief -or revenge, for he was not that kind of a -boy now); but as the only friend he had ever had -since he had been in the settlement was many -miles away, and Lester could no longer bear to -live alone, he was forced to look for another associate—one -who had plenty of time at his disposal, -and who would accompany him on all his hunting -and fishing excursions. He found him at last in -the person of Dan Evans, who lost no time in -turning their intimacy to account.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Lester, as we know, was provided with all the -implements that any sportsman could possibly -find use for, but he was a very poor shot, and he -knew nothing whatever about hunting. He had, -however, a larger amount of pocket money than -he could spend in Rochdale, and whenever Dan -Evans made a good bag, Lester would select from -<span class='pageno' id='Page_295'>295</span>it such birds or animals as he fancied, pay the -cash for them, and carry them home to show as -trophies of his own skill. Of course Dan was -not just such a companion as he would like to -have had, but he was better than no friend at -all, and in his presence Lester could brag to his -heart’s content. No matter how unreasonable the -story he told, Dan never disputed it or even looked -incredulous. He was much too cunning for that.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“If I had the money that your brother brought -my father last night, I wouldn’t be here to-morrow -at this time,” Lester said to Dan one -day. He had of late grown very tired of life in -Mississippi, and was almost constantly urging his -father to let him go somewhere, he didn’t much -care where, so long as he could find ample opportunity -for recreation, and would not be required -to work or study. Mr. Brigham had threatened -to send him away to school if he did not leave off -bothering him, and Lester was so very much afraid -he would carry his threat into execution, that he -began to think seriously of leaving home as his -friend, Bob Owens, had done. The only thing -that stood in his way was the want of money. -“When the mail was distributed last night my -<span class='pageno' id='Page_296'>296</span>father got a letter with five thousand dollars in -it,” continued Lester. “He gets that much on -the fifteenth day of every month from his agent -who is selling off our property in the North.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Dan opened his eyes in great surprise. Five -thousand dollars was not so large an amount as -he and his father had hoped to make by digging -up the barrel of gold and silver that was supposed -to be buried in General Gordon’s potato-patch, -but still it was a lot of money—a much greater -sum than Dan ever expected to earn by honest -labor.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I don’t want you to say anything about it,” -continued Lester, “for it is my opinion that there -are a good many men about here who would not -be any too good to waylay Dave and rob him if -they knew that he was entrusted with the care of -so much money.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Dan protested that he wouldn’t think of such -a thing; but still the information he had -received seemed to make an impression upon him, -for he became very silent and thoughtful after -that, and Lester could hardly get a word out of -him. He seemed to have suddenly lost all -interest in hunting, for he missed several fair -<span class='pageno' id='Page_297'>297</span>shots, and finally declaring that he did not feel in -the humor for sport, he abruptly abandoned his -companion, leaving him to continue the hunt -alone or to go home, just as he pleased. An idea -had suggested itself to Dan, and he wanted to get -off by himself so that he could turn it over in his -mind and see what he could make of it.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Five thousand dollars,” said Dan to himself, -as he hurried through the woods. “That’s a -right smart chance of money, the first thing you -know. And to think that our leetle Dave should -have the handlin’ of it! Dave makes stacks of -greenbacks by ridin’ around the country doin’ -nothin’, he wears good clothes all the time, and -here’s me—Dog-gone my buttons, I’ve got just as -good a right to have five thousand dollars as -Mr. Brigham has. I wish I was mail-carrier. -I wouldn’t ask to go more’n one trip, an’ after -that nobody in this country wouldn’t ever set eyes -onto me again.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Dan seemed to know where he was going and -what he intended to do when he got there, for he -kept straight ahead without once slackening his -pace, paying no heed to the squirrels which -barked at him as he hurried along, and making -<span class='pageno' id='Page_298'>298</span>his way around the foot of Diamond lake, he -finally reached the levee that ran along the bank -of the river. Here he found a dilapidated house-boat -which had been tied up to the bank for a -month or more—long enough, at any rate, for -Dan to become very well acquainted with the -men who owned it. He had met them while -hunting in the woods, had showed them the best -places to set their traps for minks and ’coons, had -taken part with them in shooting-matches at the -landing, and had given them information which -rendered it comparatively easy for them to forage -upon the hen-roosts and smoke-houses of the -planters who lived in the neighborhood. They -had drawn a good many secrets from the boy—one -especially that they intended to use for their -own benefit as soon as the opportunity was -presented.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Dan walked up the plank that ran from the -shore to the bow of the house-boat, and entered -the cabin without ceremony. It was as dismal a -hole as he had ever looked into, and Dan, accustomed -as he was to gloomy surroundings, wondered -how anybody could live there. It contained -but one apartment, and that was used as a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_299'>299</span>kitchen, sitting-room, dining-room and bed-room. -The men were lounging in their bunks, while -their wives were gathered about the rusty stove -puffing vigorously at their well-blackened cob-pipes. -When the boat careened under Dan’s weight, one -of the men sprang from his bunk and made an -effort to conceal a couple of chickens he had just -been picking; but as soon as he saw who the -visitor was, he laid them down again, for he -knew he had nothing to fear.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Mornin’. I reckon I skeered ye jest a trifle, -didn’t I? How wet ye be in here,” said Dan, -glancing at the little pools of water that -filled every depression in the rough, uneven -floor.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Come in an’ take a cheer, Dannie,” said the -man who had tried to hide the chickens, while -the other two sat up in their bunks and nodded -to <a id='corr299.19'></a><span class='htmlonly'><ins class='correction' title='him.”'>him.</ins></span><span class='epubonly'><a href='#c_299.19'><ins class='correction' title='him.”'>him.</ins></a></span> “It is damp, that’s a fact; but, you -see, it rained powerful yesterday, the roof aint by -no means as tight as it might be, an’ the ole scow -leaks water awful. We can’t hardly keep her -pumped out.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Then what makes ye stay here?” asked Dan. -“I know a nice, tight leetle house over thar on -<span class='pageno' id='Page_300'>300</span>the shore of the lake, with two big rooms into it, -an’ thar aint nobody lives thar.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“We’ve seen it; but it’s locked up.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What’s the odds? Take something an’ pull -one of the steeples out, an’ ye kin get in as easy -as fallin’ off a log.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“We don’t want to get into no trouble. Who -owns it?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Don Gordon; but he’s off somewhere goin’ to -school, an’ thar’s no tellin’ when he will be -to hum.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Does he live thar when he’s to home?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“No. He jest stays there a leetle while an’ -shoots ducks an’ geese. That’s what he built it -fur.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Rich folks always has nice things,” said one -of the men who had not spoken before, “but we -poor folks has to take what we can get. We’re -just as good as Gen’ral Gordon too, every day in -the week.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“So be I,” said Dan, “an’ I wouldn’t stand -back if I wanted to go thar. Thar aint no sense -in Don’s livin’ in that shantee when his father’s -got a big house with carpets an’ a pianner into it, -an’ chiny an’ silver to set the table with.”</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_301'>301</span>“No, thar ain’t,” said the man who had done -the most of the talking and who answered to the -name of Barlow. “We’ll move our duds over -thar, if we can get in, an’ stay thar until we can -fix our boat up a little. If everything works right, -we’ll have a better one before long.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>He got upon his feet as he spoke and drew from -under his bunk a short bar of iron, which had -more than once come into play when Barlow -wanted to force an entrance into somebody’s -smoke-house. Carrying this in his hand, he went -ashore with Dan, who led the way through the -woods toward Don Gordon’s shooting-box. It -was the work of scarcely a moment to pull out -one of the staples, and when that had been done, -the door swung open, and Dan and his companion -went in to take a survey of the interior. It was -dry and comfortable, as clean as it could possibly -be, and Barlow at once decided that he would live -there as long as he remained in that neighborhood.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“It’s nice to be rich,” said he, seating himself in -one of the empty bunks, after touching a match -to the pile of light wood which the lawful owner -of the shooting-box had left in the fire-place. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_302'>302</span>“It’s nice to have horses an’ hounds an’ niggers to -work for you, while you have nothing to do but -ride around the country an’ enjoy yourself. That’s -the way I’d live if I had the chance to make -money that your brother’s got.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Yes, Dave makes right smart,” said Dan, -with some pride in his tones, “an’ he don’t do no -work, nuther. But he’s scandalous mean with -what he ’arns. He gives it all to mam, an’ me -an’ pap never have none of it. He’s gettin’ -mighty tired of Dave’s way of doin’, pap is, an’ -t’other night he told Dave that he could jest fork -over every cent of his ’arnin’s, an’ let pap have -the handlin’ of ’em. Dave, he said he wouldn’t -do it, an’ I’m looking for the biggest kind of a -furse up to our house when next pay-day comes.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Your pap has got the right to every cent -Dave makes till he is twenty-one years old, an’ -Dave can’t hender him from takin’ it,” said Barlow. -“I ’spose he carries a heap of money between -the landin’ an’ the county-seat in that mail-bag -of his’n.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I should say he did!” exclaimed Dan. “Only -last night he brought in five thousand dollars for -Mr. Brigham—the father of that boy who was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_303'>303</span>down here with me t’other day. Lester said so -this mornin’. He told me too that Dave brings -in just that much on the fifteenth day of every -month.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Barlow started and looked hard at Dan, and -then he looked down at the floor. “Wal, if I was -Dave,” said he, after a moment’s pause, “I’d bring -in jest one more of them letters, an’ then I’d skip.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“So would I,” said Dan. “What does Brigham -want with that money? He’s got more’n he -can use already. Lester said so.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That’s always the way with rich folks, Dannie. -The more they get the more they want; an’ -me an’ you an’ everybody like us could starve for -all they care. We’re jest as good as they be too. -It’s a wonder to me that somebody don’t go for -Dave an’ take some of them letters away from -him.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I don’t care if they do,” answered Dan. “If -I should see ’em doin’ it, I wouldn’t lift a hand -to hender ’em. That would bring Dave down -from his high hoss, fur Gen’ral Gordon wouldn’t -never hire him to tote the mail agin; an’ then -he’d have to scratch for a livin’ the way me an’ -pap does.”</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_304'>304</span>“It would serve him right, for bein’ so stingy,” -said Barlow.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“But the feller that goes for him had better -watch out,” continued Dan, “fur Dave, he carries -a double-barrel dissolver in his pocket. It shoots -six times, an’ he knows how to use it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I don’t reckon that would stand in the way -of anybody who wanted them letters,” said Barlow, -with a laugh. “If Dave should see a couple -of loaded rifles lookin’ him square in the face, he -wouldn’t think of his six-shooter.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Mebbe he wouldn’t,” said Dan. “But if -<em>I</em> could ride that mail-route the next time Brigham’s -money-letter comes in—if Dave could be -tuk sick, or get lost in the woods, or something -so’t I could take his place—the fellow that wanted -them five thousand wouldn’t have no trouble, for -I shouldn’t have no dissolver with me. But he’d -have to give me half.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>This was the idea that had so suddenly suggested -itself to Dan Evans—to get David out of -the way for one day so that he could carry the -mail, and give Barlow and his two friends a chance -to secure a portion of Mr. Brigham’s money. If -Barlow had jumped at the bait thus adroitly -<span class='pageno' id='Page_305'>305</span>thrown out, Dan would have proposed that, after -the robbery had been accomplished, they should -all take to the flat-boat, push it out into the river, -and let the current take it to New Orleans, where -they would divide the money and separate, Dan -going his way and Barlow and his companions -going theirs. Dan thought it was a splendid idea, -but Barlow knocked it into a cocked hat by the -very next words he uttered.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You couldn’t take your brother’s place even -for a single day,” said he.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What fur?” demanded Dan, who was greatly -surprised. “Can’t I ride that thar colt of his’n as -well as he kin?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I ’spose you can; but that ain’t the pint. -You’ve never been swore in fur a mail-carrier, an’ -so you would have no right to tech that mail-bag. -If Dave should be tuk sick or get lost in the -woods, Gen’ral Gordon would have to carry the -mail himself.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Whoop!” yelled Dan, jumping up and knocking -his heels together. “He’d be a wusser man -to fool with nor Dave, fur he’s an old soldier.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Barlow made no reply. The boy had given him -something to think about, and he was as anxious -<span class='pageno' id='Page_306'>306</span>to be rid of his presence as Dan was to get rid of -his friend Lester Brigham. He left him without -taking the trouble to assign any reason for his -hurried departure, and went back to his boat. In -the course of the day he and his friends transferred -their luggage to the shooting-box, and there they -lived until they were ordered out by its indignant -owner. As their time was not fully occupied they -had leisure to talk about the mail-carrier and Mr. -Brigham’s money; and we shall presently see how -their numerous consultations resulted.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_307'>307</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XVI. <br /> <span class='small'>THE MAIL-CARRIER IN TROUBLE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>“Here, Dandy! Here Punch! To heel,” -said Bert, as he and his four companions -started down the shore of the lake in search of -their supper.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Why do you make the dogs go behind?” -demanded Hopkins. “Why don’t you hie them -on, and perhaps they will stand something for us. -I should think this ought to be good quail -ground.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“So it is,” answered Bert. “And if you want -a chance at some, we’ll——”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“No we won’t,” interrupted Egan. “If little -birds are the height of Hop’s ambition, let him -take the pointers some day and go off by himself. -We are after ducks now, and we want the dogs to -stay with us, and bring our game ashore when we -kill it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Hopkins made no reply. Like all enthusiastic -sportsmen, he had his own ideas of shooting, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_308'>308</span>he was much more successful with some kinds of -game than he was with others. There was no boy -who could beat him in getting over a rough country -on horseback, when the hounds were in pursuit -of a deer or fox; he was almost certain to kill -every snipe, quail, or grouse that got up before -him; but a wild duck, going down wind with -the speed of a lightning express train, bothered -him. With all his practice, he had never been -able to make a respectable bag of water-fowl; so -he stood around, holding his gun in the hollow of -his arm, and watched Egan, who cut down every -duck that passed anywhere within seventy-five -yards of him. The pointers brought them out as -fast as they fell into the lake, and it was not -long before Bert and Fred Packard, who were -polite enough to allow their guests to do all -the shooting, had about as many ducks slung -over their shoulders as they wanted to carry.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“This is like the handle of a jug—all on -one side,” said Hopkins, at length. “I must -find something to shoot at, for I can’t carry these -loads back home with me.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>He gradually drew away from his companions -as he spoke, but he had no intention of going -<span class='pageno' id='Page_309'>309</span>off alone. He kept his eyes on the dogs, and -when he saw them looking at him, he waved his -hand toward the bushes. The intelligent and -well-trained animals understood him, and, believing -no doubt that hunting upland birds was easier -and pleasanter work than retrieving ducks from the -cold waters of the lake, they were prompt to obey -the order thus silently conveyed to them. Egan -and the rest did not see the dogs when they -went away, for their attention was fully occupied -with a fine flock of mallards, some of which -were coming across the lake, holding a course -which promised to bring them within easy range -of Egan’s double-barrel. The latter, who was -snugly hidden in a thicket of bushes, had -cocked both barrels of his gun, and was waiting -for the ducks to come a little nearer to his -place of concealment, when all on a sudden they -took wing and disappeared up the lake. Egan -and his companions looked all around to see -what had frightened them, and discovered Hopkins -and the pointers in the act of crossing a -fence that ran between the woods and a brier-patch.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Now, Hop, that will never do,” cried Egan. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_310'>310</span>“How are we going to get our ducks ashore if you -take the dogs away?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Throw chunks on the other side of them and -let the waves wash them ashore,” was the reply. -“I saw a flock of quails over here, and as soon as -I get some of them, I will bring the dogs back.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You’re not much of a sportsman, Hop,” said -Curtis. “There is no such thing as a flock of -quails. Covey is the proper word.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Aw!” said Hopkins. “Well, I don’t care -what you call them, so long as you will let me -have the dogs long enough to shoot some of them. -I’ll be back in a few minutes.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The duck hunters were obliged to be satisfied -with this promise, and when Hopkins made it he -fully intended to keep it; but in the ardor of the -chase he forgot all about it. The pointers very -soon found the covey, which Hopkins had marked -down very accurately, and when it took wing at his -approach, he brought down five members of it very -handsomely. Punch and Dandy dropped to shot—that -is, when the gun was fired, they laid down -and waited for the hunter to reload—and when -they were ordered to seek dead, they executed a -manœuvre which some of our best artists, who -<span class='pageno' id='Page_311'>311</span>love a dog and gun, have often reproduced on -canvas.</p> - -<p class='c012'>The reason why dogs are taught to drop to shot -is this: The members of the covey do not all fly -away at the same time, but some generally remain -behind, preferring to trust to concealment -rather than to flight. If the dogs were permitted -to rush in at once to secure the dead birds, -they would flush these laggards, which would get -off scot free; for of course the sportsman could -not shoot at them while he held an empty gun in -his hands.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Seek dead,” commanded Hopkins, as soon as -he had reloaded his gun; whereupon the dogs -jumped up, and, after running about among the -bushes for a few minutes, stopped and came to -a point.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Fetch!” said the hunter; and in obedience -to the order each dog seized a bird. They were -coming in with them, when Dandy stopped as -if he had suddenly been deprived of all power -of action, and came to another point. He was -standing a live bird while he held a dead one in -his mouth. Punch backed him splendidly—that -is, he stopped and pointed also, although he did -<span class='pageno' id='Page_312'>312</span>not see or smell the bird—and the two presented -a picture that Hopkins, had he been handy with -the brush or pencil, would have been glad to preserve. -He stood and looked at it for at least five -minutes, the dogs holding their point stanchly -all the while, and then he flushed the bird and -brought it down.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well done, boys,” said Hopkins, after he -had reloaded his gun, and placed the two quails -carefully away in the capacious pockets of his -shooting-coat; “you have been educated by -somebody who understands his business. Seek -dead.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Hopkins had kept his eyes on the surviving -members of the covey, and marked them down -(by that we mean that he had noted the exact -spot on which they alighted); but he did not -intend to pay any further attention to them just -then. He knew that every minute he spent in -hunting them up would be just so much time -wasted. He had learned by experience that after -a covey has once been flushed, it is almost impossible -for the best dogs to find it again. A large -number of quails have been seen to settle down in -a clump of bushes not more than ten feet in circumference, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_313'>313</span>and the dogs have run through their -place of concealment in every direction without -seeing or scenting a single bird. Every sportsman -has noticed this, and some of the best of them -affirm that the birds are endowed with the power -of retaining their scent; but whether that is so -or not—and nobody has ever been able to refute -it—the fact that they are hard to find when once -they have become scattered, remains the same.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I will attend to you in half an hour,” soliloquized -Hopkins, when all the dead birds had been -brought in. “By that time you will begin to run -around, and the dogs will be able to scent you. -Hie on, boys! Hunt up another flock.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Hopkins had never seen so many quails as he -saw that afternoon, not even in Maryland, where -they are found in such numbers that they attract -sportsmen from distant States. He found so many -fresh coveys that he forgot all about the one he -had left in the brier-patch. The pointers led -him on and on, and Hopkins never stopped to -take his bearings, until he had filled the pockets -of his shooting-coat so full of birds that they -would not hold another one. Then he sat down -on a log to rest, and to listen for the roar of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_314'>314</span>Egan’s gun. But he did not hear it, for Egan -and his party were on their way to the shooting-box, -having secured all the birds they wanted.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I declare, it is growing dark,” said Hopkins; -“and if I don’t reach the cabin pretty soon, I -shall have to stay in the woods all night. That -would not be pleasant, for the fellows never would -leave off poking fun at me. Come on, boys. I -think the lake lies in this direction.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>But Hopkins was not the only hunter who has -been “completely turned around” in the woods, -and instead of going toward the lake, he followed -a course that lay parallel with the shore, and -about a mile and a half from it. He walked -rapidly, passing through Godfrey Evans’s old cotton -field—now grown up to briers—and within less -than two hundred yards of his cabin, and finally -found himself sitting on the top rail of a fence -which ran along by the side of a smooth, well-beaten -road. He did not remember that he had -ever seen that road before. He believed that it -ran from the river back into the country; but -which was the river-end of it and which the -country-end, he could not tell. The pointers did -not seem disposed to help him out of his quandary, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_315'>315</span>for when he stopped on the top rail of the -fence to rest, they laid themselves contentedly -down by the side of the road to wait until he was -ready to go on.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I am out of my reckoning as sure as the -world,” said Hopkins to himself, “and there’s no -house in sight. Ah! Here comes somebody. -I’ll ask him if he will tell me which way I must -go to find the river—that is, if I can stop him.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Just then Hopkins heard the clatter of a horse’s -hoofs on the hard road. He knew that the animal -was approaching at the top of his speed, but he -could not see him, for the thick bushes shut out -his view. He jumped off the fence and hurried to -the road to intercept the horseman, and just then -a riderless nag dashed by, running with the speed -of the wind. Hopkins knew him the moment he -caught sight of him, for he had seen him before.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“There, sir!” he exclaimed, “I knew that colt -would do some damage if he ever got the chance. -When you see a horse with a narrow forehead -and peaked ears that almost touch at the tips, -you want to look out for him. He’s gone and -tumbled Dave Evans and his mail bag off into the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_316'>316</span>ditch, and who knows but he may have broken -his neck?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>As this thought passed through the boy’s mind -he shouldered his gun, and set off up the road in -the direction from which the horse came. He -moved along at a rapid trot, looking everywhere -for the dismounted mail-carrier, but he would -certainly have passed him if he had been alone. -The dogs were the first to discover him. After -Hopkins had run about half a mile, Dandy and -Punch, who were fifty yards in advance of him, -suddenly stopped and began barking at something -in the fence-corner—the boy could not see what it -was, for the bushes concealed it from his view. -Believing from the actions of the dogs that they -had found a wild animal of some kind, Hopkins -cocked both barrels of his gun and walked slowly -along the road until he came opposite the fence -corner, but still he could see nothing. He tried -to send the dogs into the bushes, but they positively -refused to go. They barked loudly and -looked very savage, but kept close to Hopkins for -protection.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I don’t much like the idea of going in there -myself,” thought the young hunter, “for there -<span class='pageno' id='Page_317'>317</span>are such, things as bears, panthers and wild-cats -in this country; and neither do I like to go -on without having a shot at that varmint, whatever -it may be. I won’t, either. I am going to -see what it is.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>His gun was loaded with heavy shot, and -Hopkins had the utmost confidence in his skill as -a marksman. Having fully made up his mind -that he would not be driven from the field by an -invisible enemy, he walked cautiously toward the -bushes, stooping down now and then to peer into -them. The pointers kept pace with him, and -finally Dandy, who must have discovered something -that set his fears at rest, made a sudden -bound and disappeared in the thicket. No sooner -was he out of sight than his barking ceased, and -when Hopkins parted the bushes with one hand, -holding his gun in the other in readiness for -a shot, he saw the pointer licking the face of the -mail-carrier, who was lying on the ground so -effectually gagged with a stick that he could not -speak, and so tightly wrapped up in ropes that he -could move neither hand nor foot. Hopkins was -horrified, as almost any boy would have been -under the same circumstances. Although the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_318'>318</span>thicket was pretty dark the hunter recognized -David as readily as he had recognized his horse, -and he thought at first that he was dead; but -when his optics became somewhat accustomed to -the obscurity, he saw that David’s eyes were wide -open, and that they were turned toward him with -a most appealing expression.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, this is a little ahead of any thing I -ever heard of,” said Hopkins, who was profoundly -astonished. “What are you doing -there?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>David made an effort to reply, but the stick -that was tied between his teeth checked his utterance. -Then it appeared to dawn upon Hopkins -that possibly the captive mail-carrier would be -grateful for a little assistance, and he proceeded -to give it without further loss of time. Letting -down the hammers of his gun he laid the weapon -on the ground, pulled his knife from his pocket, -and in less time than it takes to write it, David -was relieved of both gag and bonds and placed -upon his feet.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I have been robbed!” he gasped, as soon as -he could speak.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I suspected as much,” replied Hopkins, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_319'>319</span>calmly. “It could not have happened so very -long ago.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“No, I suppose not. The men have not been -gone more than ten minutes, probably, but it -seems as though I had been a prisoner here for an -hour.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Very likely. Did you recognize the robbers?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I did not. I am quite sure I never saw -them before. They had made an attempt to -disguise themselves as negroes, but I could see -their white skins through the black on their faces -very plainly.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, come on,” said Hopkins. “There’s no -use in standing here and allowing them to get -away with their plunder. Tell me all about it as -we go along.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“There’s not much to tell,” answered David, -after he and Hopkins had worked their way out of -the bushes to the road. “I was jogging along at -a lively pace, never dreaming of danger, when the -first thing I knew, three men jumped out of the -bushes and halted me. One pointed a cocked -rifle straight at my head, another seized my horse -by the bits, while the third pulled me and the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_320'>320</span>mail-bag to the ground. Then the man who was -holding my horse let him go——”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I saw him,” said Hopkins, “and that was a -very lucky thing for you. I lost my way, and -while I was sitting on the fence, trying to make -up my mind which end of this road I ought to -take in order to reach the landing, your horse -went by. I supposed he had thrown you, and so -I came on to see if I could do anything for you.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“And very grateful I am to you for it,” said -David, warmly.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Of course; that’s all understood; but the -credit belongs to your horse and to Don Gordon’s -pointers. If I hadn’t seen the horse, I should not -have known that anything had happened to you; -and if Punch and Dandy had not been with me, -I should have gone right by that thicket of -bushes without once suspecting that there was -anybody hidden there. Well, proceed. The man -let your horse go—then what?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Then they all jumped on me, and before I -fully comprehended the situation, I was helpless -and speechless. They turned my pockets inside -out, but the only thing they found in them that -was worth stealing, was my revolver. One of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_321'>321</span>them grabbed that and the mail-bag and made -off with them, while the other two carried me into -the bushes and left me there.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Did they make much of a haul?” asked -Hopkins.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I can’t answer that question, for I don’t -know what there was in the mail-bag. If they -had robbed me a few days ago, that is, on the -fifteenth, they would have got something to pay -them for their trouble, for I had in my pocket -seven hundred dollars of Silas Jones’s money that -I brought from the county seat for him.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>They would have secured something else, also, -and that was a check that was worth five -thousand dollars to Mr. Brigham, but which -would have been of no more value to the robbers -than so much waste paper. The mail-carrier, -however, was not aware of that fact, and if Lester -Brigham had only been wise enough to keep his -own counsel, no one in the settlement, except -those interested, would have known that David -was ever intrusted with money or its equivalent.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I’ll never carry any more funds for anybody,” -said David, choking back a sob. “Indeed, I -don’t suppose I shall ever have another chance.”</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_322'>322</span>“Why not?” asked Hopkins. “You are in -no way to blame for the-loss of your mail-bag.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I know it; and I am very glad indeed that I -was not found and released by any one who lives -in the settlement. As you are a stranger here -you are, of course, neither a friend nor an enemy -to me, and consequently you can have no object -in defending or condemning me.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What do you mean by that?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I mean just this: There is no one in the -neighborhood who has warmer friends and more -bitter enemies than I have. I know that my -friends will stand by me in my trouble, but there -are a good many in the settlement who will say -that I wasn’t robbed at all—that I stole the mail -and made up a story to cover my guilt. I am -neither blind nor deaf, and I can put my hand on -a dozen men and boys who are watching for a -chance to throw me out of my position so that -they can apply for it themselves. No one ever -thought the mail-carrier’s berth was worth anything -until I got it, and now everybody wants -it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Let ’em want,” said Hopkins, encouragingly. -“You have nothing to fear so long as you retain -<span class='pageno' id='Page_323'>323</span>the confidence of Don’s father. We’ll go and see -him the first thing. Being a magistrate, he will, -of course, know just how to go to work to find -and arrest those fellows.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The boy’s confidence in General Gordon was -not misplaced, but it is doubtful if that gentleman, -with all his shrewdness, could have effected -the capture of the robbers as easily as he did, had -it not been for the fact that the quick-witted Don -obtained a clue for him from a most unexpected -quarter.</p> - -<p class='c012'>We left Don and his friends sitting in their -cosy room at the shooting-box waiting for supper, -which was served in due time. Curtis and Egan -were astonished at the quantity and variety of the -viands which old Cuff spread before them, and -paid the highest possible compliment to his skill -as a cook and caterer by eating until they could -find room for no more. When he pushed his -chair away from the table, after trying in vain to -dispose of the last piece of roast duck that Cuff -had placed before him, Egan declared that he -never could go to bed after such a supper as that, -and proposed that they should make another -effort to find out where Hopkins was. Don said -<span class='pageno' id='Page_324'>324</span>he thought it would be a good plan; so Egan took -down his double-barrel, filled one of his pockets -with cartridges and started for the door. Just as -he opened it the report of a gun, fired twice in -rapid succession, came echoing across the lake. -It sounded from the direction of Godfrey Evans’s -cabin.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“There he is now,” said Bert.</p> - -<p class='c012'>In order to make sure of it Curtis set up a very -fair imitation of a war-whoop (he and the rest of -the academy boys had been practicing on it ever -since the Indians made the attack on their camp) -and before the echoes it awakened had wholly -died away, an answering whoop came from the -other side of the water.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“It <em>is</em> Hop,” said Don, as he ran into the -cabin after his cap. “Shove off the sail-boat, -fellows, and pile in.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>In less than a quarter of an hour the sail-boat -had been launched and pulled across to the -opposite side of the lake. Hopkins was not at -the landing to meet them, so the boat’s painter -was made fast to a tree, and Don and the rest -started toward Godfrey’s cabin. By the aid of -the light which streamed through the open door, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_325'>325</span>Don could see that his friend was standing in the -yard, that David and his mother were with him, -and that all three appeared to be conversing -earnestly with a horseman who had just stopped -there. When the latter saw Don and his party -approaching, he put spurs to his nag and galloped -away.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What did I tell you, Mr. Hopkins?” said -David, bitterly. “There are twenty men and -more in this settlement who believe just as Mr. -Owens does.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What’s the trouble here?” inquired Don, -“and what does Mr. Owens believe?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“O, Mr. Don, it’s dreadful,” cried Mrs. Evans, -covering her face with her hands and sinking -down upon the bench beside the door. “To -think that my David should ever be accused of -such a crime!”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“The trouble is, that the mail has been stolen,” -said Hopkins, “and Mr. Owens, who was ordered -out by the constable to assist in raising a ‘hue -and cry’ after the robbers, has just been down -here to comfort David with the assurance that he -doesn’t believe a word of his story.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“He had the impudence to tell me, to my face, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_326'>326</span>that I was the thief,” exclaimed David, hotly. -“He said that when I first began to ride the -route he told several people about here that that -mail would get into trouble through me sooner or -later, and he seems delighted to find that his -prediction has been fulfilled.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Why—I—I. <em>Eh?</em>” cried Don, who was -utterly astounded; while the rest of the party, -no less astonished and bewildered, crowded up -closer to the speaker in order to catch every -word.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I don’t wonder that you are surprised,” said -Hopkins. “So was I, when I found him back -there in the country, bound and gagged, and laid -away in a fence corner. Mr. Owens declares that -David tied himself, but I know better.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What are you trying to get at, anyhow?” -exclaimed Bert.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That’s what I’d like to know,” chimed in -Don. “Now, Dave, begin at the beginning and -tell your story so that we can understand it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>David complied, and for a few minutes held his -auditors spell-bound. After he had described -how the robbers had tied his hands and feet and -concealed him in the bushes, Hopkins took up the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_327'>327</span>narrative and told his part of it, adding that he -and David had gone straight to the general, who, -after listening to their story, took immediate steps -to effect the capture of the robbers.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“But I am very much afraid that he will never -find them,” said Hopkins. “He acknowledged -that he didn’t suspect anybody, and David says -he never saw the men before. Besides, they were -disguised as negroes.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I don’t care for that,” said Don. “I know -who did it, and so do you. Stay here, everybody.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>To the surprise of all his companions, Don -walked with a firm and rapid step straight into the -cabin and closed the door behind him. A moment -later a frightened scream came from the inside, -followed by the words—</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Go way, Mr. Don! Go way, I tell ye. I -didn’t tuk it—I sw’ar I didn’t; an’ if you lay an -ugly hand onto me I’ll make daylight shine -through you as sure—whoop!”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Just then a rifle cracked, and the cabin shook -all over as some heavy body fell violently to the -floor. These alarming sounds seemed to freeze -the blood in the veins of those who listened to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_328'>328</span>them. The boys were struck dumb and motionless -with horror, while Mrs. Evans wrung her -hands silently for a moment and then fell off the -bench in a dead faint. They knew instinctively -what had happened inside the cabin. Bert was -the first to recover his power of action. He ran for -the door, but it would not open for him. When -Don closed it he had pulled in the latch-string so -that his companions could not follow him.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Stand out of the way, Bert,” cried Hopkins, -“and give me a chance at it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>So saying, Hopkins backed off a few paces and -launched his hundred and eighty pounds against -the door with all the force he could command. -The weak wooden hinges gave way beneath his -weight, and the door landed in the middle of the -cabin with Hopkins on top of it. Bert and the -rest crowded in as soon as the way was opened -for them, and although their fears were instantly -allayed by the scene that was presented to their -gaze, their wonder was greatly increased. Dan -Evans was lying flat upon his back, and Don -Gordon was holding him down with the greatest -ease, in spite of Dan’s frantic efforts to get up.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“O, Don!” cried Bert. “Did he hit you?”</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_329'>329</span>“No,” was the encouraging reply. “I am all -right. You fellows go out, please, and leave us -alone. I want to ask Dan a few questions.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The boys mechanically obeyed, looking inquiringly -at one another and shaking their heads as if -to say that all attempts at explanation would be -useless. The whole proceeding was a deep -mystery, and so it would remain until Don was -ready to clear it up.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_330'>330</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XVII. <br /> <span class='small'>CONCLUSION.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>While Don was listening to the story of the -robbery as related by David and Hopkins, -he stood in such a position that he could look -through the open door of the cabin and command -a view of the interior. There was no one in there -except Dan Evans, who, instead of coming out to -hear the story, as almost any boy would have -done, kept his seat by the fireplace. The light -shone full upon him, and Don could see that he -was ill at ease. He cast furtive glances toward -the excited group in front of the door, twisted -nervously about on his chair, and acted altogether -as if he felt very miserable. Don was surprised -at first, and finally he became suspicious.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“That fellow knows more about this afternoon’s -work than any of us,” said he to himself. -“He doesn’t act that way without some good -reason. I believe it will pay to ask him a few -questions.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The sequel proved that our hero had struck a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_331'>331</span>warm trail the very first time trying. When Dan -found himself shut up in the cabin, and Don -Gordon standing between him and the door and -cutting off his only way of escape, he became -terribly alarmed, and confessed his guilt without -waiting to be questioned. Scarcely realizing what -he was doing, he broke out into loud protestations -of innocence, and seizing his rifle, which stood in -the corner behind him, declared that he would -shoot the intruder if the latter laid a hand upon -him. The threat was by no means an idle one. -Dan fully intended to carry it out, but fortunately -for him and all concerned, he had to deal with -one who always kept a level head upon his -shoulders. Before Dan had fairly ceased speaking, -Don sprang clear across the cabin with one cat-like -bound, seized the threatening rifle with one -hand, laid hold of Dan’s collar with the other, -and, bringing all his strength and skill into play, -threw him to the floor with the greatest violence. -In the struggle the rifle was discharged, but the -bullet passed harmlessly through the roof. A few -seconds later some heavy body came against the -door, which was broken from its hinges, and -Don’s companions came hurrying in, expecting -<span class='pageno' id='Page_332'>332</span>to find him wounded or dead. They did not see -how it could be otherwise, for there was not a -better rifle-shot in the settlement than Dan -Evans. Don quickly set their fears at rest by -assuring them that he was “all right,” and at his -request the boys went out again, leaving him -alone with his captive.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Now, Dan, what do you know about this -miserable business?” said Don, as soon as his -friends had left the cabin. “Believe me when I -tell you that it will be better for you if you tell -the truth. Dave is backed up by the whole -United States government, and the fellows who -waylaid him are bound to be captured. They -cannot possibly escape.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I’m a hoss in the cane an’ hard to curry,” -replied Dan; by which he meant that he was one -who could not be easily conquered. In order to -prove the truth of his assertion, he began struggling -desperately; but Don seized him by both -wrists, and crossing his arms upon his breast -held him as if he had been screwed up in a -vise.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Answer my questions and then you can get -up,” said Don, calmly. “Refuse, and I will -<span class='pageno' id='Page_333'>333</span>take you before my father, who will put you -in the calaboose as an accomplice in this robbery.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Don,” said Bert, thrusting his head in at the -door, “Mrs. Evans says that Dan has been at -home all the afternoon; so, of course, he could -have had no hand in stealing the mail.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“No, I didn’t, Mr. Don. I sw’ar I didn’t,” -exclaimed Dan, who, finding that resistance was -useless, began to shed tears copiously. “I didn’t -tech that thar mail-bag.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I haven’t said that you did,” answered Don. -“But you know who did touch it, and I want -you to tell me all about it. Now be quick: -who’s got it?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I reckon it must be Barlow,” whined Dan.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Who’s Barlow?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“He’s one of the fellers who was in your -shootin’-box when you come thar this mornin’. -He lives in that thar flat-boat that’s tied up to -the river bank.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I thought so from the first,” said Don to himself. -“I knew those vagabonds would raise some -kind of a row before they left.” Then aloud, he -added: “How do you know that they were in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_334'>334</span>the shooting-box when I went there this morning?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Kase I was thar—me an’ Lester Brigham.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Lester Brigham!” repeated Don.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Yes. Me an’ him goes huntin’ a’most every -day.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don was profoundly astonished. He told himself -that Lester must be getting very low down -in the world if he were willing to make a daily -companion of so worthless a fellow as Dan Evans.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Well, this thing was all cut and dried, wasn’t -it?” said he. “You planned the robbery, and -Barlow and his two friends did the work. Was -that the way of it?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I didn’t plan nothin’,” protested Dan. “Don’t -hold me so tight, Mr. Don, an’ I’ll tell ye what’s -the gospel truth. Lester, he told me that Dave -was bringin’ in right smart of money for his pap -every month, an’ I told Barlow of it, an’ Barlow -he said he’d like to have some of it so’t he could -live like rich folks do. That’s all I done, Mr. -Don, sure’s yer born—honor bright, an’ hope to -die if it aint.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You didn’t say anything to Barlow about -going halvers with you?”</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_335'>335</span>“Nary word, Mr. Don. <a id='corr335.1'></a><span class='htmlonly'><ins class='correction' title='“Nary'>Nary</ins></span><span class='epubonly'><a href='#c_335.1'><ins class='correction' title='“Nary'>Nary</ins></a></span> blessed word.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don didn’t believe this, for Dan was almost too -earnest in his denial. But he had obtained a -clue, and that was what he wanted.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Dan,” said he, throwing all the emphasis he -could into his words, “you had better take my -advice and stay right here at home and mind your -own business until this thing is settled. You will -get yourself into trouble if you don’t. Now do as -you please.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>So saying he helped Dan to his feet and joined -his friends in front of the cabin. He spoke encouragingly -to Mrs. Evans who was sobbing -violently, assured David that there was no reason -why he should be so down-hearted, and started -for his sail-boat, followed by his companions. -Of course the latter were full of questions. They -had heard all that passed in the cabin, and knew -that Dan Evans and Lester Brigham were in a -measure responsible for the robbery; but what -had put it into Don’s head to accuse Dan? -That was something they could not understand.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Dan gave himself away by his actions,” said -Don, in explanation. “That’s the whole secret -of the matter. But I don’t know what is to become -<span class='pageno' id='Page_336'>336</span>of those two boys. Lester can’t get much -lower by land, and as for Dan—he’ll end his days -in the penitentiary if he keeps on. He meant to -shoot me to-night; I could see it in his eye. -Now we’ll go home and tell father all about it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Propelled by four oars the sail-boat moved -swiftly through the water, and at the end of -twenty minutes she was made fast to the jetty, -and the boys were on their way to the house. -When they reached the back porch they found -three horses hitched there, and General Gordon -in conversation with the constable and Godfrey -Evans. The latter was stamping about in a great -rage, flourishing his arms over his head, and acting -like one demented.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Why, what brings you boys here?” asked -the general.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“We have news for you,” replied Don, who -then went on to give a circumstantial account of -the incidents that had just transpired at Godfrey’s -cabin. Godfrey could hardly believe his ears. -When he learned that Dan was one of the indirect -causes of the robbery, he jumped up, knocked his -heels together and uttered a yell that could have -been heard a mile away.</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_337'>337</span>“Gen’ral,” said he, picking up his rifle which -he had laid upon the porch, “I’ll go hum an’ take -the cowhide an’ I’ll larrup that thar boy——”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Calm yourself, Godfrey,” interrupted the -general. “You will only make matters worse if -you do that. What do you advise, Mr. Ross?” -he added, turning to the constable.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Is there any way to get Don’s sail-boat out -of the lake into the river?” asked the officer.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Of course there is,” answered Don. “We -can row her up the pass and drag her over -the levee. She’s heavy, but we have the force -here to do it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Then my advice is, that we find and -search that house-boat at once,” said the constable. -“Mr. Don, you would make a first-rate -detective.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The general went into the house to make out -a search-warrant, and the boys hurried back to -the jetty to put the sail-boat in readiness for her -trip down the river. As the mast had been -stepped that morning, the bowsprit put in, the -sails bent on and the running rigging rove, all -they had to do was to loosen the canvas and -select those who were to pull the oars.</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_338'>338</span>“There’s a splendid breeze on,” said Don, who -had never been able to make up his mind which -he liked best—sailing, horse-back riding, or shooting. -“It blows right down the river, too. -We can’t sail out because the pass is so narrow; -but when we get out into the Mississippi, -will go flying. Now, then, why doesn’t -father come?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The general was making out a warrant empowering -the constable to search the house-boat -when they found it, and then he lingered to unsaddle -the horses which he had brought out for -his own use and Godfrey’s. When these duties -had been performed, he and Godfrey and the -constable came down to the jetty and took their -seats in the sail-boat, which was promptly pushed -off and headed up the pass. Half an hour -sufficed for the oarsmen to bring her to the -levee, over which she was hauled without the -least trouble. Then came another short stretch -through which she was propelled by the oars; -and as soon as she was fairly out of the pass and -began to feel the force of the wind and the current, -the oars were drawn in, Don seated himself at the -helm, Bert, with Fred and Joe Packard’s assistance, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_339'>339</span>hoisted the sails, the sheets were let out and -the pursuit was begun.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Keep as close in to shore as you can, Don,” -said Bert. “It’s pretty dark, and we may pass -her before we know it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You don’t expect to see that house-boat -where you found her this morning, do you?” -said Don. “It’s eleven o’clock, isn’t it? Well, -she is twenty miles down the river by this time. -Keep a bright look-out for lights, everybody. -We don’t want to let some steamboat run us -down before we know it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Although he knew he was wasting time in -doing it, Don kept the boat as close to the bank -as he could with safety, but nothing was to be -seen of the piratical craft of which they were in -search. When Bert announced that they had -passed the place where she had been moored in -the morning, Don drew in the sheets a little, and -held the boat’s head diagonally across the river in -order to strike the stronger current of the channel. -Then the sail-boat began to show the speed of -which she was capable; and then, too, the -general enjoined silence upon all her occupants.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“The night is comparatively quiet,” said he, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_340'>340</span>“and the rattling of an oar, or a word spoken in a -loud tone of voice, can be heard a long distance. -We have one advantage over the crew of that flat-boat: -we can get out of the way of a steamboat -and they can’t; so they will have to carry lights -for their protection.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Under Don’s skillful management the little -boat flew swiftly along, keeping in the channel -when her course was clear, and making all haste -to get out of it as often as the vigilant look-out announced -that there were lights ahead. Two hours -passed, and nothing had been seen of the flat-boat.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I reckon we’ve missed her,” said the constable. -“She has tied up to the bank somewhere, and we -have run by her in the dark.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“If that is the case, there is only one thing we -can do,” said Don. “We’ll keep on down the -river until day-light, and then we’ll come about -and beat back again, making a close examination -of each shore. She can’t escape us, unless -she hauls into one of these little bayous and gets -out of sight among the bushes.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“And if her crew know the river and are at -all sharp, that is just what they will do,” said -the constable.</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_341'>341</span>Just then a deep-toned whistle sounded in the -bend below them, and instantly the conversation -ceased and everybody was on the alert, and listening -with all his ears to catch the reply. It came at -length, but it was not a whistle; it was a prolonged -blast from a tin horn. There was a commotion -among the boys, and their excitement -arose to fever heat.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“There she is,” said Bert, confidently.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Don’t be too hasty in jumping at conclusions,” -said his father, in a quiet tone.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“There’s a flat-boat in the bend below us, and -I am sure of it,” answered Bert.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“So am I; but still it may not be the one we -want to find. There is more than one flat-boat on -this river, you know.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don brought his boat close to the wind, and -went scudding across the river to get out of the -steamer’s way. He held well over toward the -eastern shore, and when he stood off on the other -tack the steamer had passed, and Bert announced, -in a low tone, that there were lights straight -ahead. They were close to the water, and the -sail-boat’s crew had but one opinion concerning -them. They belonged to a flat-boat, but whether -<span class='pageno' id='Page_342'>342</span>or not it was the one of which they were in -pursuit, was a question that only time could -solve.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Lay us aboard of her without any ceremony,” -said the general. “Bert, stand by with the boat-hook. -We must move quickly, and give them no -chance to throw the mail overboard, if they have -got it.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Don kept the bow of his little craft pointed -toward the flat-boat, and so silently did she move -through the water that the man who stood at the -steering-oar, keeping a sharp look-out in front of -him, but never thinking to look behind, was -entirely unconscious of her approach. Presently -Bert reached for the boat-hook, at the same time -giving a nod that everybody understood. A few -minutes more would decide whether they were on -the right track or not. Bert stood up in his place; -Don, at a sign from his father, paid out the main-sheet -rapidly, thus bringing his craft broadside to -the house-boat, and just then the man at the -steering-oar awoke from his reverie and turned -quickly about.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Keep away, there!” he shouted, in great -alarm. “Keep away, or you’ll sink us.”</p> - -<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_343'>343</span>Don did not want to sink the house-boat, but -he wanted to come alongside of her, and he did it -a moment later in a very creditable manner. The -instant the two boats touched, General Gordon -and his party sprang over the side and ran into -the cabin, some going in at the back door and the -others at the front, leaving Don and Bert to act -as grappling-irons, and to keep the boats from -drifting apart. The man at the steering-oar was -captured by Egan, who stood guard over him -with his double-barrel, and Barlow and his -companion, who were busy in the cabin, were -covered by the constable’s revolver and Godfrey -Evans’s rifle before they had time to think of -their weapons.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“This looks like business,” said the officer, -handing his six-shooter to Fred Packard, and -drawing three pairs of handcuffs from his pocket.</p> - -<p class='c012'>The others thought so too. David’s mail-bag -lay upon the table—he would never carry it -again, for it had been ruined by being cut open -with a knife—and its contents were scattered -about over the floor and in the bunks. The most -of the letters had been torn open, and the robbers -had reaped a very fair reward for their trouble, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_344'>344</span>having secured about forty dollars in greenbacks, -and a check for three hundred dollars, drawn by a -country merchant in favor of his creditors in -Memphis. The general took charge of the bills -and the check, while the constable lost no time in -putting the irons on Barlow and his confederate.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Where’s the other?” said he. “There -ought to be three of them.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Here he is,” said Egan, who marched his -prisoner into the cabin and turned him over to -the officer, at the same time making a sergeant’s -salute, as he would if he had been at the -academy.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I told you jest how it would be,” said the -steersman, glaring savagely at Barlow as he felt -the cold handcuffs clasped about his wrists. -“Why didn’t you hide, as I wanted you to do, -instead of trying to run?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“You would have showed a little more sense -if you had done that,” said the constable, “but -on the whole, we are very well satisfied. Now -keep still, all of you,” he added, shaking his -finger at the women, who, having checked their -loud lamentations, now showed a disposition to -become abusive. “Godfrey, keep your eye on -<span class='pageno' id='Page_345'>345</span>these men until they are safe under lock and -key.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Godfrey was just the one for this business. -There was only one thing that would have suited -him better, and that was an order to punch the -prisoners’ heads. For the first time his eyes were -opened to the fact that David was a great help -to the family, and that the loss of his position as -mail-carrier would be a serious blow to all of -them.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“If me an’ Dan would only wake up an’ <em>stay</em> -woke up, we’d get along well enough,” he said -to himself, as he leaned on his long rifle and -looked thoughtfully at the floor. “Dave’s doin’ -his shar’, an’ me an’ that lazy, good-for-nothin’ -Dan has got to do our’n from this day on; an’ -that’s just all thar is about it. Dan never would -a thought of puttin’ anybody up to robbin’ Dave -if he had been to work, an’ I’ll see that he has -plenty to do in futur’, I bet ye.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>While General Gordon and the constable were -gathering up the mail and putting it into the -bag, they had much to talk about. They had -secured the robbers, and the next thing was to -get them back to Rochdale. They had about -<span class='pageno' id='Page_346'>346</span>decided that they would tie the house-boat to the -bank and take the prisoners up the river in the -sail-boat, when Curtis came in to say that there -were lights below them; whereupon the general -picked up Barlow’s horn and went out to answer -the steamer’s signals. This having been done, he -waited for her to come abreast of the flat-boat. -She proved to be a large stem-wheeler with a tow -of empty coal barges.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Steamer, ahoy!” shouted the general.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Hallo!” responded a man who was standing -on the hurricane-deck near the bell.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“What steamer is that?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“The ‘B No. 2’ of Pittsburg.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Is that you, Captain Pratt?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Yes; but that can’t be you, Gordon.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The general replied that it <em>was</em> he; and -upon receiving this reply the captain raised -his hand, the pilot rang the stopping-bell, -and the steamer’s wheel hung motionless in -the water.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Why, Gordon, what in the world are you -doing here at this hour in the morning?” -demanded the captain.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Can’t stop to explain now,” answered the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_347'>347</span>general.“ Will you give us a lift as far as -Rochdale?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Of course I will. Can you bring that tub of -yours alongside?”</p> - -<p class='c012'>They could and they did. The sails were hauled -down instantly, the oars were manned and the -flat-boat was hauled over and made fast to the -stern of the steamer’s tow. Then the general -went on board the steamer to explain matters to -Captain Pratt, while the boys lingered to look -after the safety of the sail-boat. Having tied her -to one of the barges so that she would ride easily, -they followed the general on board the “B,” and -seated themselves on the quarter-deck to talk over -the exciting events of the night. Every one of -them gave Don Gordon great credit for what he -had done. If he had not been sharp enough to -see guilt in Dan Evans’s face and actions, there -was no knowing when the robbers would have -been captured.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“Young gemmen,” said the negro steward, -“won’t you step into de cabin an’ hab a bite -of lunch? You mus’ be hungry after your long, -cold ride.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The boys were hungry and cold, too, although -<span class='pageno' id='Page_348'>348</span>they did not know it until that moment. They -did ample justice to the steward’s lunch, and also -to his breakfast which was served at seven o’clock. -At eight they passed Rochdale, and half an hour -later they cast loose from the tow and began -the work of pulling their clumsy prize and its -occupants to the landing.</p> - -<p class='c012'>The “hue and cry” which the constable had -raised the night before had brought the loafers -and the neighboring planters out in full force, -and there was a large crowd to welcome them as -they went ashore with their prisoners. As there -was no place in Rochdale in which the robbers -could be confined, the preliminary examination -was held at once, the women being tried as accessories. -They all pleaded guilty—(as there -were ten witnesses present who could testify that -the stolen mail was found in their possession, and -David Evans easily identified them by their clothing, -they could not do otherwise)—and half an -hour later they were on their way to the county-seat, -where they were to be kept in jail until their -trial came off. When they and their guards -were out of sight, General Gordon and his -party, which included David Evans and his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_349'>349</span>father, got into the sail-boat and started for the -lake.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I didn’t see Lester and Dan anywhere,” said -Bert, when the sail-boat had been made fast to -the jetty, and David and Godfrey had started for -home. “I wonder if they have taken to the -woods.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>“I should think they would want to go there -or somewhere else,” replied Don. “But if Judge -Packard thinks their presence necessary when the -trial comes off, he can easily find means to make -them show themselves. Godfrey won’t sleep -soundly until he gets his hand on Dan’s collar. -That boy will have to work hard now to make -amends for what he has done.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The boys spent an hour or two in the house, -giving Mrs. Gordon and her daughters a graphic -account of their night’s experience, and then set -out for the shooting-box, where a cordial welcome -and a hot dinner awaited them. Old Cuff had -passed the night in a fever of suspense; but, like -the faithful fellow he was, he stuck to his post, -and held himself in readiness to defend the cabin -with the aid of the hounds and a big club. If -Barlow and his friends had tried to burn it, as -<span class='pageno' id='Page_350'>350</span>one of them had threatened to do, they would -have got themselves into business.</p> - -<p class='c012'>The incidents we have just described were by -no means the only interesting or exciting ones -that happened while Egan, Curtis and Hopkins -remained at the shooting-box. The boys shot -water-fowl until they were tired of the sport, -and frequently entertained their friends, both -male and female, who came over to see how they -were getting on. They drove the ridges for deer, -hunted wild turkeys and ate many a dinner of -quails that Hopkins shot for them over Don -Gordon’s pointers. It was a fortunate thing for -David Evans that Hopkins got lost the first time -he went quail hunting, for the story he told and -the results that came of it, effectually silenced -those who had hoped to prove that David stole -the mail himself.</p> - -<p class='c012'>The days flew on, and in a short time—it -seemed a very short time to all of them—Don’s -guests began to talk of going home. They all -dreaded the separation, for they had become very -much attached to one another. “But it won’t be -for any great length of time, fellows,” said Curtis. -“The members of our happy family will all come -<span class='pageno' id='Page_351'>351</span>together again on the fifteenth of January—all -except Fred and Joe, and I really wish they were -coming too—and the next time we go hunting it -will be in the wilds of Maine. I can’t promise that -we shall have a chase after mail-robbers, but I -may be able to show you a moose, and you -Southerners will have a chance to try your hands -at something that will be entirely new to you—I -mean fly-fishing. We shall have just enough of -that to let you see what a five or six-pound trout -can do when he makes up his mind to fight. -I assure you that I shall try by every means -in my power to make your sojourn with me -as pleasant as you have made my visit here.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>The parting time came at last, and the Gray -Eagle took Don’s guests up the river. The four -boys they left behind them were very lonely after -that. Don’s first care was to strip the shooting-box -and lock it. He did not want to go there -any more, for there were too many things in it -that reminded him of his absent friends. The -antlers which had been given up to Egan for the -exclusive use of his “blunderbuss,” the clock-bracket -and wall-pocket that Curtis had fashioned -with his knife, the camp-chair which had given -<span class='pageno' id='Page_352'>352</span>away with a great crash and let Hopkins down -upon the floor—all these spoke eloquently of the -days that were gone, and Don could hardly endure -the sight of them. Of course this feeling of loneliness -wore away after a while, and the brothers -enjoyed themselves during the holidays as they -always did; but when the time came for them to -return to Bridgeport, they were ready and waiting.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Their second year at the academy proved to be -an eventful one. Some things happened which, -like the night attack of the Mount Pleasant -Indians, were not down on the programme; and -what they were, and how Don and Bert behaved -themselves at school, what they saw and what -they did for amusement when they went home -with Curtis at the close of the term, shall be told -in “<span class='sc'>The Rod and Gun Club</span>.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>THE END.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<p class='c012'><a id='endnote'></a></p> -<div class='tnotes'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div><span class='large'>Transcriber’s Note</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c012'>Hyphenation of compound words can be variable. Where it occurs on a line -break, the most commonly used form is assumed.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Errors deemed most likely to be the printer’s have been corrected, and -are noted here, with their resolutions. The references are to the page -and line in the original text.</p> - -<table class='table1' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='12%' /> -<col width='69%' /> -<col width='18%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><a id='c_21.10'></a><a href='#corr21.10'>21.10</a></td> - <td class='c007'>[“]they became as shiftless</td> - <td class='c013'>Added.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><a id='c_30.9'></a><a href='#corr30.9'>30.9</a></td> - <td class='c007'>we have got o[n/u]rselves into trouble already.</td> - <td class='c013'>Replaced.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><a id='c_51.2'></a><a href='#corr51.2'>51.2</a></td> - <td class='c007'>We’ll duck them first.[’/”]</td> - <td class='c013'>Replaced.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><a id='c_53.13'></a><a href='#corr53.13'>53.13</a></td> - <td class='c007'>had better keep their distance.[”]</td> - <td class='c013'>Added.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><a id='c_73.19'></a><a href='#corr73.19'>73.19</a></td> - <td class='c007'>[“]You had better read the rules and regulations</td> - <td class='c013'>Added.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><a id='c_81.24'></a><a href='#corr81.24'>81.24</a></td> - <td class='c007'>of the teachers.[’/”]</td> - <td class='c013'>Replaced.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><a id='c_118.9'></a><a href='#corr118.9'>118.9</a></td> - <td class='c007'>“Is that so?[”] Then he’d better hurry</td> - <td class='c013'>Removed.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><a id='c_150.11'></a><a href='#corr150.11'>150.11</a></td> - <td class='c007'>we can lay our plans accordingly,[”] said Fisher</td> - <td class='c013'>Added.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><a id='c_171.2'></a><a href='#corr171.2'>171.2</a></td> - <td class='c007'>“Not a word[?/!]”</td> - <td class='c013'>Replaced.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><a id='c_209.9'></a><a href='#corr209.9'>209.9</a></td> - <td class='c007'>demanded Egan, in reply[.]</td> - <td class='c013'>Added.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><a id='c_218.22'></a><a href='#corr218.22'>218.22</a></td> - <td class='c007'>[c/C]orporal Mack</td> - <td class='c013'>Replaced.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><a id='c_224.19'></a><a href='#corr224.19'>224.19</a></td> - <td class='c007'>be careful how you talk to him[.]”</td> - <td class='c013'>Added.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><a id='c_227.18'></a><a href='#corr227.18'>227.18</a></td> - <td class='c007'>“See how they stare at ever[y]body.</td> - <td class='c013'>Added.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><a id='c_241.21'></a><a href='#corr241.21'>241.21</a></td> - <td class='c007'>abo[n/u]t in company with their parents,</td> - <td class='c013'>Replaced.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><a id='c_248.25'></a><a href='#corr248.25'>248.25</a></td> - <td class='c007'>ringing report of a musket, [fol-]followed</td> - <td class='c013'>Removed.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><a id='c_276.6'></a><a href='#corr276.6'>276.6</a></td> - <td class='c007'>and see where they go.[’/”]</td> - <td class='c013'>Replaced.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><a id='c_277.21'></a><a href='#corr277.21'>277.21</a></td> - <td class='c007'>very well posted in natural history.[”].</td> - <td class='c013'>Removed.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><a id='c_281.12'></a><a href='#corr281.12'>281.12</a></td> - <td class='c007'>“Hasn’t he returned?” exclaimed Egan. [“]Then he’s lost.</td> - <td class='c013'>Added.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><a id='c_299.19'></a><a href='#corr299.19'>299.19</a></td> - <td class='c007'>and nodded to him.[”]</td> - <td class='c013'>Removed.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><a id='c_335.1'></a><a href='#corr335.1'>335.1</a></td> - <td class='c007'>“Nary word, Mr. Don. [“]Nary blessed word.”</td> - <td class='c013'>Removed.</td> - </tr> -</table> - -</div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Don Gordon's Shooting-Box, by Harry Castlemon - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DON GORDON'S SHOOTING-BOX *** - -***** This file should be named 53479-h.htm or 53479-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/3/4/7/53479/ - -Produced by KD Weeks, David Edwards and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you - are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - - -</pre> - - </body> - <!-- created with ppgen.py 3.56d on 2016-11-08 11:01:58 GMT --> -</html> diff --git a/old/53479-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/53479-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index a96e462..0000000 --- a/old/53479-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/53479-h/images/frontis.jpg b/old/53479-h/images/frontis.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 522804e..0000000 --- a/old/53479-h/images/frontis.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/53479-h/images/p054.jpg b/old/53479-h/images/p054.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 338c0ee..0000000 --- a/old/53479-h/images/p054.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/53479-h/images/p212.jpg b/old/53479-h/images/p212.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 50455cf..0000000 --- a/old/53479-h/images/p212.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/53479-h/images/p272.jpg b/old/53479-h/images/p272.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 01bdef2..0000000 --- a/old/53479-h/images/p272.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/53479-h/images/titlepage.jpg b/old/53479-h/images/titlepage.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 427be56..0000000 --- a/old/53479-h/images/titlepage.jpg +++ /dev/null |
