“I don’t want another duckin’, sir. It was terribul, that was!” And the general utility man shivered.
“Perhaps we can get under the shelter of the doorway.”
They left the barn once more, and sneaking around the campus, came at last to the front of the hall.
“Why, the door’s on a crack!” ejaculated the hired man. “I thought it was locked!”
“So it was locked!” returned Josiah Crabtree. “Can it be possible that the rascals have left the building?”
“Oh, Mr. Crabtree, perhaps they are after us with them guns!”
“I—I don’t think so. Anyway, let us get inside. Then we can lock the door on them. Some of the cadets must have gone crazy!”
The two passed into the Hall, and the teacher lost no time in locking and bolting the door. All was pitch-dark, and Josiah Crabtree scarcely knew what to do next.
“I don’t see nuthin’,” was Peleg Snuggers’ comment.
“It is not to be expected without a light,” answered the teacher, sarcastically. “Have you a match?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then light up, and I’ll try to get to the bottom of this piece of villainy.”
“Are you certain we ain’t in danger o’ bein’ shot?” queried the hired man.
“Light up, I tell you!” thundered the teacher.
The hallway was soon a blaze of lights. Nothing appeared to be out of its place, and Josiah Crabtree passed from one classroom to the next, and then to the messroom, the kitchen, and to Captain Putnam’s private office.
“They have gone!” murmured Snuggers, and breathed a sigh of relief.
“They are either outside or upstairs,” answered Josiah Crabtree. “Come, we will go up.”
“Hadn’t you better get a club—or somethin’?”
“I’ll take this,” answered the teacher, and brought forth a heavy ruler. Then he gave the hired man a cane, and both mounted to the second floor of the Hall. Here all was as dark as it had been below, and again Snuggers was called on to light up.
Without further hesitation Josiah Crabtree pushed open the door of Dormitory No. 1. A glance inside showed him all of the cadets in bed, apparently fast asleep. He scratched his head in amazement.
“Am I dreaming, or is this a trick?” he murmured.
“Are the rascals there?” queried Peleg Snuggers.
“These—er—cadets seem to be asleep.”
“Asleep!”
“Yes, let us look in the next dormitory,” said Crabtree.
This was done, and then the other sleeping rooms were visited. Not a bed was found vacant, and all of the boys looked as if they were sleeping soundly.
“Snuggers, am I awake?” demanded the teacher.
“I reckon you are, sir. I know I ain’t asleep—an’ I ain’t dry nuther.”
“But what do you make of this?”
“I dunno, unless they be a-playin’ off on you, sir.”
“Did you recognize any of those who—er—attacked us?”
“No, sir.”
“But we were attacked?”
“Yes, sir.”
“We were doused with water?”
“Yes, sir—very cold water at that.”
“And we were fired upon?”
“Yes, sir—I heard the bullets whistle past our heads, sir,” added the hired man, drawing on his imagination.
“And yet all of these cadets are asleep—or pretend to be.”
“It’s a mystery, sir, that’s wot it is, sir. But what’s to do?” and the general utility man scratched his head.
For once in his life Josiah Crabtree was nonplused. He rubbed his chin and cleared his throat several times.
“If I thought they were playing off on me——” he began.
“They couldn’t have all been in it, sir,” interrupted Snuggers.
“I don’t know about that. But that’s the point—I do not know which to accuse.”
“Well, what do you want me to do?”
“I—er—I don’t know.”
“Hadn’t we better change our clothes an’ go to bed?”
“You may change your clothes, and I’ll do the same. But I am going to investigate further before I retire for the night.”
The pair separated, and Peleg Snuggers lost no time in getting to his room. Josiah Crabtree stalked to his own apartment and there proceeded to don dry clothing.
The head teacher was furious, but the more he mused over the problem before him, the more was he perplexed. He could not call all of the boys to account, and, to tell the truth, he was just a bit afraid of the whole school. With Captain Putnam and George Strong absent, there was no telling what the pupils might do.
“I don’t want to get shot, or something like that,” he told himself. “Perhaps I had better wait until the captain gets back.”
“Do you want me again?” came presently from Peleg Snuggers, from outside the door.
“No, you can go to bed. But sleep with one ear open, in case there are more disturbances.”
“Yes, sir; good-night, sir,” and the general utility man tiptoed away. “Don’t catch me a-gittin’ up again to-night,” he muttered to himself. “One sech duckin’ is enough fer me.”
“I fancy he has given up the battle,” said Pepper to his chums, after a long spell of silence.
“He is afraid of us.” came from Andy. “Those shots frightened him.”
“I’ll wager we hear something in the morning,” put in Jack. “We ought to bind every fellow to absolute secrecy.”
“Let’s do it!” cried Pepper. “We can visit every dormitory.”
This plan was agreed to, and soon a dozen cadets were making the rounds, and each student was made to promise on his honor not to say a word concerning the doings of the night.
“Let me catch you opening your trap and I’ll make it warm for you,” said Jack to Mumps, and the sneak promised faithfully to keep mum.
In the morning the cadets were on hand as usual, and they came down to roll call as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Josiah Crabtree was on hand, looking as dark as a thunder cloud.
“Phew, but his face is enough to sour the milk!” whispered Andy.
“Take care, he is watching us,” returned Pepper, and then the chums became silent.
Nothing was said during breakfast, and it was not until the school was assembled for the first session of the day that Josiah Crabtree opened up upon them.
“Last night a most disgraceful thing happened at this academy,” he began. “A number of headstrong pupils locked me out of this building, and attacked me with their guns. I have some information concerning this affair, but I am bound to get at all the details. I, therefore, demand that each pupil tell all he knows of the affair. I shall ask each pupil by roll order. Dale Blackmore, what have you to say?”
“Nothing, sir,” answered Dale, rising.
“Don’t you know anything of this affair?”
“I have nothing to say,” returned the cadet, stiffly.
“Um! Sit down. Harry Blossom.”
“I have nothing to say, sir,” answered Harry, as he arose.
“You know nothing?”
“I have nothing to say.”
“Bart Conners!”
“I have nothing to say, Mr. Crabtree,” answered the captain of Company B.
“Augustus Coulter!”
As Coulter arose, Jack, Pepper, Andy, and a number of others eyed him sharply.
“I—er—I don’t know anything much,” stammered Dan Baxter’s crony. “I was—er—very sleepy last night. I heard some noise, but I didn’t pay any attention.”
“Really?” returned the teacher, sarcastically. “You must have slept very sound, indeed, not to have heard the gun-shots.”
“That wasn’t so bad for Coulter,” whispered Jack to Pepper.
One after another the pupils were questioned, but all had nothing to say. Even Mumps said “Nothing to say!” in a voice that was as stiff as starch.
“He’s afraid of his life,” whispered Andy. “I told him he’d be treated to an icy bath if he said two words.”
“School will come to order!” thundered Josiah Crabtree, after the name of the last cadet had been called out. “I shall inquire into this later on. We will now take up our studies for the day.”
“He’s beaten!” said Jack, and the young major spoke the truth. Try his best Josiah Crabtree could not get at the bottom of the mystery, and at last he had to give it up, for fear of being ridiculed by Captain Putnam and George Strong.
One morning the cadets of Putnam Hall awoke to find the ground covered with snow. The storm had started in about midnight, and was still raging, the wind sending the flakes whirling in all directions.
“Hurrah for the snow!” shouted Andy, as he rushed to one of the windows to look out. “Pep, this is glorious!”
“Fine!” came from the Imp. “Oh, but won’t we have a dandy time snowballing each other!”
“And building a snow house,” put in Stuffer. “I love to build a snow house, and after it’s all done, we can put benches inside, and a little table, and have——”
“Something to eat,” interrupted Jack. “Wasn’t you going to say that, Stuffer?”
“Yes, but—but how did you guess it?”
“Oh, I’ve got a way of knowing things,” returned the young major. “But this is grand and no mistake. Somehow, a good old snowstorm always makes me feel jolly.”
Pepper was at the window, and opening it a few inches he brought in a handful of snow. Gazing around he saw that Henry Lee was still sleeping peacefully.
“Hush!” he whispered, and going up to Henry laid the soft snow directly over his mouth. “Hi, wake up!” he shouted.
Henry started, and opened his eyes. Then he started to speak, when some of the snow dropped into his mouth, and he commenced to splutter.
“Wha—what—who—gug—gug—who put snow in my mouth?” he gasped, at last.
“Wake up, Henry!” sang out Pepper. “Don’t you see how it’s snowing?”
“Oh, well, you needn’t try to fill me up with it, Pep.”
“Get up, you’re missing it.”
Slowly Henry Lee arose and started to dress himself. Then Pepper turned away. Like a flash Henry ran to a window, got some snow, and whacked it on Pepper’s neck, allowing some to run down the Imp’s backbone.
“Great mackerels!” howled Pepper. “Let up! I’ll turn into an icicle!” And he began to dance around.
“It’s all right—you don’t want to miss the benefits of the storm,” said Henry, calmly.
The cadets were soon below, and snowballs flew fast and furious across the campus. All of the boys were happy, and all too soon they had to go in to breakfast and then take up their studies.
“I wish old Crabtree would come outside during recess,” murmured Pepper to Jack. “Maybe we wouldn’t do a thing to him, eh?”
“He’ll know better than to show himself,” answered Jack, and he was right, the teacher kept indoors all day.
But George Strong came out, and took a snowballing in good part. He even threw a few balls himself, showing that his aim was as good as any of the boys.
“He’s the kind of a teacher to have,” was Andy’s comment. “A fellow can’t help but take to him.”
The snow continued all of that day, and by nightfall was nearly a foot deep. It was very blustery, and in some spots the drifts reached up to one’s head.
“This will make traveling bad,” said Jack, and he was right. On the roads in that vicinity horses with their turnouts could scarcely get through.
Poor Peleg Snuggers came in for his full share of the snowballing. As soon as the general utility man appeared, he was bombarded from all sides, and had to run for his life.
POOR PELEG SNUGGERS CAME IN FOR HIS FULL SHARE OF THE SNOWBALLING.
“Let up, please let up!” he bawled. “You ain’t fer killin’ an old man, be you?”
“The snow will do you good, Peleg. It will make you grow,” sang out Pepper.
“It will make you handsome,” put in Dave Kearney. “You want to be handsome, don’t you, Peleg?”
“It will teach you how to dance,” came from Harry Blossom. “See, he is dancing already.” And Peleg was dancing, with pain, for a big snowball had just landed in his left ear.
“Oh, dear, I knowed it!” he groaned. “The minit the snow comes, there ain’t no rest fer me. I’m goin’ to resign!” And then he rushed for the barn.
On the following day the sun shone brightly, and this caused the snow to pack down. A dozen of the boys set to work to build a snow house and a fort.
“This is going to be the biggest house yet,” announced Pepper. And he and his chums worked with a will. They kept at it during all of their spare time for two days, and when done the top of the house was fifteen feet high.
“This is a regular snow palace,” cried Andy. “Let us stick a flag on the top.”
“I don’t see how you are going to get it up there,” returned Jack. “If you climb up, now the windows are cut out, you’ll cave in the roof.”
“I’ll be careful,” said Andy, and ran off to get a small flag which they had had on their tent during the brief encampment.
In the meantime, Pepper and Harry Blossom were inside of the snow house, leveling off the flooring with their shovels. Jack went off to get a bench, and Dale to get a stool.
Having procured his flag, Andy crawled up on the top of the house with care and placed it in position. Then he came down and went around to the doorway.
“Our colors are up,” he announced. “Say, it’s all right in here,” he added, looking around. “A fellow could live in here if he had to.”
“Why not, since the Esquimaux live in snow huts,” returned Harry. “It might prove pretty cold, unless a fellow could start up a fire.”
While the friends were talking, Dan Baxter came up, accompanied by Paxton and Coulter.
“Hullo, look at the snow house!” exclaimed the bully. “Let us make one.”
“I guess we can make a better one than this,” growled Paxton.
“Say, let us cave it in on ’em,” whispered Coulter.
“All right,” answered Baxter, eagerly. “How shall we do it?”
“Let’s all run up to the top. Come on!”
Andy had gone into the house, to aid Pepper and Harry, and nobody was near. Looking around, to make sure they were not observed, Baxter, Paxton, and Coulter ran up on the snow house and began to jump up and down. There came a crack, several others, and then with scarcely a sound the top of the snow house went down, burying the boys above up to their knees.
“Get out of this!” exclaimed Baxter, and pulled himself free, followed by his cronies. Soon they were clear of the snow and running across the campus.
It was at that moment that Jack re-appeared, followed by Dale.
“Hullo, the house has caved in!” ejaculated the young major.
“Somebody is under the snow,” came from Dale. “Don’t you see the end of that shovel moving?”
“Whoever is in there will be smothered to death, if we don’t get him out,” went on Jack. “Come, get the snow out of the way as fast as you can.”
The pair set to work, and in a moment more several other cadets were helping them. Then somebody ran off and called George Strong, who came to the spot on the double-quick.
“Yes, yes, we must get them out at once,” said the assistant teacher. “It doesn’t take much to smother a person under the snow. Work lively, boys!”
They did work lively, throwing the snow on all sides. The teacher worked with them.
“Look out that you don’t hurt somebody with your shovels,” said Jack, cautiously.
Soon he caught sight of a foot and then a leg. He began to pull, and George Strong aided him, and up came Harry Blossom, almost black in the face.
“Oh!” gasped the cadet.
“Who is under there?” demanded George Strong.
“Andy Snow and Pepper Ditmore,” answered Harry. “Oh, get them out if you can! If you don’t, they’ll surely be smothered to death!”
“Yes, we must get them out,” came from Jack. “Come on—work harder than ever!”
It was soon noised around the Hall that two of the cadets had been buried alive in the snow, and the whole school gathered around the collapsed snow house, and as many went to work to dig out Pepper and Andy as could get close enough.
On the outside of the crowd stood Baxter, Paxton, and Coulter, and the face of each was pale and full of fear.
“I—I didn’t think it was going to end this way,” muttered Coulter, hoarsely.
“Hush!” returned the bully, fiercely. “Do you want to be found out?”
“That’s it—mum’s the word,” put in Paxton. “If we are found out, it may mean our dismissal from the school.”
“But if one or the other is dead——” Coulter could not finish the sentence. Baxter clapped a hand over his mouth.
“Shut up, I say!” he cried. “Not a word more.”
The workers had now gotten almost to the bottom of the snow house. Presently they uncovered the form of Pepper. Close beside him lay Andy. Both were partly unconscious.
“Give them air!” ordered George Strong. “Get back, boys!” And then the two sufferers were laid out on the snow and several went to work to revive them.
“Oh, I hope they get over it!” murmured Jack. He could not bear to think of anything serious happening to his chums.
For several minutes all were in doubt. Then Pepper began to move, and Andy gave a faint gasp.
“They are reviving!”
“Thank Heaven for that!” murmured Jack.
A little later the two sufferers sat up and stared around them.
“How do you feel, Pepper?” asked Dale.
“I—I don’t know. The—the house came down on our heads, didn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“I remember now,” came from Andy. “It came down awful sudden like, too.”
“Do you feel anyway ill, boys?” questioned George Strong, kindly.
“I—I’m weak in the knees,” answered Pepper, and Andy said the same.
“We’ll carry them into the Hall,” said Jack, and soon the two sufferers were made comfortable indoors. Andy soon declared he felt as well as ever.
“How did the snow house come to cave in?” questioned Jack, after the excitement had somewhat subsided.
“I give it up,” answered Andy. “The roof came down on us without warning.”
“Some fellows climbed up on the snow house,” put in Bart Conners.
“Climbed up on it?” queried Jack.
“Yes, three fellows. I saw it go down with them. Then the three fellows ran away as fast as they could go.”
“Who were those three fellows?” questioned Andy.
“I can’t tell you. I had been down to the lake looking to see if there was any clear ice for skating. I was too far off to recognize them.”
“Humph! that explains it,” murmured the young major. “The snow house was caved in on purpose.”
“I’d like to know who would be so mean!” exclaimed Andy. “Those chaps must have known that we were inside.”
“Perhaps they didn’t think it would be anything serious,” came from Stuffer, who was near. “Maybe they got scared after it went down, and then they ran away.”
The news that three cadets had caved in the snow house spread, and before the day was over Captain Putnam did his best to locate the offenders. But Baxter, Paxton, and Coulter said nothing, and they were not exposed.
“This was a mean and serious trick to play,” said the captain, on addressing the scholars. “Had it not been for the prompt work done to rescue those under the snow, one or more lives might have been lost. I wish to hear of no more such actions at Putnam Hall. If I learn who is responsible I shall punish that party severely.”
“Phew! we had a narrow escape,” said Baxter, when he and his cronies were safe in their dormitory. “Bart Conners saw us from the lake shore.”
“Yes, but he didn’t recognize us,” added Coulter.
“I hope no one else saw us,” said Paxton.
“I reckon we are safe. But we want to stop talking of it, or somebody may overhear us,” said the bully; and there the subject was dropped.
On the following day the boys had a big snow fight. Company A went into the snow fort to defend it, while Company B did its best to capture the stronghold. Andy and Pepper did not take part, as Captain Putnam thought it best for them to keep quiet. But the other lads went at the fight with a will, and the contest lasted for three hours, when the fort capitulated. During the fight Stuffer was hit a heavy blow in the ear, and Dan Baxter got a black eye from a “soaker.”
“I wish I knew who threw that soaker!” howled the bully of Putnam Hall. “I’d give him something, and don’t you forget it!”
“I think Jack Ruddy threw it,” said Mumps, although he had no reason for such a statement.
During the fort fight Jack and Baxter had had something of a row, and the bully was willing enough to believe what the sneak said. When Jack went down to the gymnasium after the fight was over, the bully followed him.
“You think you’re smart to hit me with a soaker,” he said harshly. “For two pins I’d knock you down.”
Jack was angry, too, and without answering he took two pins from his coat lapel and held them out.
“Do you mean that?” blustered the bully. He had not expected to have his challenge accepted thus quickly.
“I do,” was Jack’s cool answer. “You are itching for a thrashing, Baxter, and if you don’t shut up pretty quick you’ll get it.”
“A fight! A fight!” cried several cadets, and the news spread like wildfire that the young major was going to fight the bully of Putnam Hall.
“Baxter is too heavy for Major Ruddy,” said one.
“Jack will be knocked out clean and clear.”
“I don’t know about that. Jack can do some pretty good bag-punching,” said another, which was true.
“Don’t fight here, Jack,” whispered Dale, who was present. “You are sure to be found out, and then there will be a big row. Baxter wouldn’t like anything better than to see you lose your majorship.”
“But I am not going to take his insults, Dale,” returned Jack.
“Then fight some other place. I know a good spot. Down back of the bathing houses. There is a clear space there.”
“Are you going to fight?” blustered Baxter, doubling up his fists.
“If you wish to, Baxter.”
“But not here,” broke in Dale. “Come on back of the bathing houses.”
“Yes, yes, that’s a good spot!” came from several. “Come on!” And they hurried from the gymnasium.
“I’d just as soon fight here,” said the bully.
“Because you have nothing to lose by being found out,” retorted Dale. “Come on—unless you are afraid.” And he led Jack out of the building.
“I won’t——” began Baxter.
“Don’t be a quitter, Baxter!” cried several. “Come on—unless you really are afraid.”
“I’m afraid of nobody in this school!” roared Baxter. “I’ll fight him here or anywhere he wants. Just you see me do him up in no time!”
“Talk is cheap,” said Stuffer, who had come up. “After Jack is down and out I’ll believe you, not before.”
The crowd was soon at a convenient spot behind the bathing houses. Here the wind had swept the snow from the ground. The word had circulated thoroughly, and fully fifty cadets were assembled to see the fight.
“Watch him closely, Jack!” whispered Andy. “He may try to play you foul.”
“I’ll be on my guard,” answered the young major.
Each of the contestants took off his coat, and likewise his collar. Then they faced each other; and the all-important fight was on.
It must be admitted that Jack was a little in doubt as to the outcome of the fight before him. Dan Baxter was large, and was something of a boxer and an athlete. In fact, he could fight better than he could learn his lessons.
“I’ve got to go at him from the start, otherwise he may wear me out,” the young major told himself.
With clenched fists the two cadets circled around, each watching for a chance to deliver a blow. Those watching the contest formed a large circle, and numerous were the words of advice given.
“Land him a good one, Jack!”
“Paste him hard, Dan!”
Suddenly Baxter’s fist shot out and landed on Jack’s breast, sending the young major back a step or two. Then Jack sent in a blow on the bully’s arm. Next came several hits which were of small consequence.
“Give it to him good, Jack,” came from Andy. “Don’t fool.”
“How do you like that?” cried the bully, and hit Jack a stinging blow in the cheek.
It was just what was needed to wake the young major up. All of his real fighting blood leaped to the surface, and an instant later he sent out his fist on the bully’s nose. Then, before Baxter could recover, he hit out once more, and struck Baxter on the chin, lifting him from his feet and sending him on his back in the snow.
“Hurrah! Jack has knocked Baxter down!”
“Time!” called out Paxton, and rushed to his crony’s assistance. He caught the bully by the arm and dragged him to his feet.
“Are you much hurt?” he demanded.
“What did—did he hi-hit me with?” stammered the fallen one.
“With his fist,” answered Dale. “I reckon it was hard enough, wasn’t it?”
“He struck me with something else—a stone,” cried the bully.
“No, I didn’t,” ejaculated Jack. He held up his open hands. “I haven’t a thing but my fingers and thumbs.”
Again the pair faced each other. Baxter was in a rage, and after a few light passes he rushed in and clinched. Around and around the ring went the two cadets, each trying to get the better of the other.
“Break away!” was the cry. “Break away!” But neither Jack nor Baxter paid attention. Baxter had Jack bent far over and was hitting him on the neck.
“That’s not fair!” cried Andy, but scarcely had he spoken when Jack ducked still lower, and like a flash Baxter was raised in the air and thrown over the young major’s back. He came down with a thud, and before he could get up Jack was on top of him.
“Do you give in, Baxter?” he demanded.
“I—er—I——”
“Get off of him!” cried Paxton. “That’s no fair way to fight. Let him up.”
“I’ll let him up,” came from Jack, and he leaped up and away. Baxter sat up, stared around, and arose slowly to his feet.
“Come on!” cried the young major. “Unless you have had enough.”
“Oh, I’m all right,” was the reply. “I’ll fix you yet; see if I don’t.”
Once more the pair went at it, hammer and tongs. Blows flew thick and fast, but to the majority of the boys it was easily to be seen that Jack was getting the better of it. Baxter was almost winded, and stood up with difficulty. He felt that another blow or two would make him fall. Watching his chance, he tipped a wink to Paxton.
“Cheese it! Here comes one of the teachers!” called out Paxton. “Run for it unless you want to be caught.”
The cry was taken up on all sides, even though nobody saw the teacher. At once Dan Baxter stepped back and reached for his collar and coat.
“I’ll fix you another time, Jack Ruddy,” he muttered, and hurried away before the young major could reply.
Slipping on his own coat and adjusting his collar, Jack gazed around and then, with his chums, walked toward the gymnasium.
“That was a fake, I believe,” said he. “I don’t see anybody.”
“Paxton gave the alarm,” came from Dale.
“Baxter winked at him—I saw him do it,” said Stuffer. “I guess he wanted to stop. He was pretty dizzy. Another blow or two would have finished him.”
“Never mind, I’ll finish him some other time,” answered Jack. “He won’t behave himself until he is well whipped.”
Baxter did not stop until he reached his dormitory. He sank into a chair, and, later on, bathed his swollen face and eyes.
“He’s a pretty hard fighter,” said Paxton.
“Pooh! I am not afraid of him, Nick,” growled the bully. “The truth is I—I shouldn’t have tried to fight to-day,” he went on, lamely. “I’m not feeling well. My—er—my stomach is all out of order.”
“I knew there must be something the matter,” said Paxton, sympathetically. “You didn’t hit out like I expected.”
“Wait till I’m myself; I’ll lay him out cold,” said the bully, boastingly.
But for the present he was content to keep out of Jack’s sight, and in public he said little about the contest. Behind it all he was frightened.
“I’ve got to be careful how I go at him,” he told himself. “He knows how to handle his fists better than I thought.”
After the fight matters remained quiet for some time to come. A brisk wind cleared some of the snow from the lake, and the cadets spent a large portion of their off time in skating. Some of the cadets built themselves ice-boats, and had not a little fun in sailing up and down the lake shore. One ice-boat was the property of Dale and Harry Blossom, and on an afternoon Coulter, Paxton, and Mumps made off with the craft, without asking permission to use it.
“That is what I call nerve!” Dale declared, when he heard the news. “Just wait till they get back! I’ll give them a piece of my mind!”
“And so will I!” added Harry. “Our friends can use the ice-boat if they wish, but not such fellows as Paxton, Coulter, and Mumps.”
The cadets who had gone off with the ice-boat did not know much about running such a craft, although Mumps knew all about ordinary sailing boats, having come from the Hudson River, as previously stated. The wind carried the trio out of sight of the Hall, and they sat down to enjoy themselves.
“This is all right!” said Coulter, enthusiastically. “Nick, we ought to build a boat of our own.”
“Too much labor,” grumbled Paxton. “What’s the use, when you can get someone else’s craft for nothing?” And he laughed.
“They’ll be angry when they hear how we went off,” came from Mumps.
“Perhaps, but I don’t think they’ll do anything.”
Sailing with the wind was easy enough, and soon several miles were covered.
“We had better turn around,” said the sneak of the school. “Remember, it won’t be near so easy tacking back.”
“Oh, don’t turn back yet,” said Paxton. “It’s fine to spin along. Let her go!” And on they went for another mile.
“Hi! hi!” shouted Coulter, suddenly. “Look ahead! What’s that?”
“It’s open water!” gasped Mumps. “Stop her! Lower the sail! We’ll be drowned!”
As speedily as possible they lowered the sail of the ice-boat. But the momentum carried them closer and closer to the water, and at last they had to jump out on the ice to try to save themselves. All rolled over and over.
“Help! I’ll drown!” shrieked Mumps, when he found himself in the water. He floundered around, and so did his companions. Then Paxton stood up.
“Stand up—it’s not deep,” he called out, and they stood up and found the water only up to their waists. The ice-boat lay near, floating around on its side. Not far off was the bank of the lake.
“Birr! how cold!” came from Coulter.
“Don’t sa—say a wo—word!” chattered Mumps. “I—I—can—can’t get my br—br—breath!”
“Haul the ice-boat in,” came from Paxton, and in disgust they brought the craft to shore. Here they huddled close together, shivering from head to feet.
“I—I wi—wish we ha—had—hadn’t ta—ta—ta—taken the con—confounded bo—boat!” chattered Mumps. “Oh, this is dreadful! I’ll be frozen stiff in another minute!”
“How are we to get back?” questioned Coulter. “If we sail back we’ll be frozen to death before we re—reach th—the Hall.”
They stared at each other in dismay. They were in a pickle truly, and did not know how to help themselves.
While the boys were staring around helplessly, and shaking from head to feet from the cold, Coulter espied another ice-boat coming along the lake shore.
“Let us stop those chaps!” he called. “Come on! Run!”
The others needed no second bidding. Anything was better than standing still, and they set off at a dog-trot, and soon came up to the ice-boat. It was a craft belonging to Bart Conners and some of his intimates.
“Stop! Stop!” yelled Coulter, Paxton, and Mumps. “Stop! There is open water ahead!”
These cries were heard, and without hesitation Bart Conners turned his craft into shore, allowing it to slide deep into a snowdrift.
“Oh, pshaw! Why didn’t we think to run our boat ashore?” muttered Coulter. Such a simple move had never entered the heads of the ill-fated trio.
“What’s the matter with you fellows?” demanded Bart Conners. “Why, you look frozen to death!”
“W—we are—al—almost!” gasped Paxton. “Ca—can’t you help us?”
“Did your boat go into the water?”
“Yes.”
“Here’s a blanket, we’ve been using it for a seat,” sang out a cadet in Conners’ crowd. “Wrap yourself in that.”
“Here’s my overcoat, Mumps,” said another. “I’ve got my sweater on and don’t need it.”
“Coulter, you can take my overcoat,” came from Bart Conners.
The three wet cadets were willing enough to don the things handed out to them. But even with these dry coverings all were intensely chilled.
“Jump on and we’ll take you back to the Hall as fast as we can,” said Conners. “It’s dreadful to take a plunge in the lake in such weather as this.”
“Who lent you the ice-boat?” asked a cadet in the crowd.
“Oh—we—er—we only thought we’d have a bit of fun,” stammered Mumps.
“Phew! if you took that boat without permission, I guess you got paid for it,” was Bart’s comment.
The ice-boat was turned back, and as speedily as it could be done, they brought the craft up to the Putnam Hall landing. Here they met Dale and Harry.
“What do you fellows mean by running off with our ice-boat?” demanded Dale.
“It was a mean piece of business,” put in Harry. “You ought to be pounded good for it!”
“Don’t scold them now,” said Bart. “They’ve been punished enough. They got a ducking in the ice-cold water.”
“Oh!”
“The ice-boat ran into the open water, and they might have been drowned, only the water wasn’t deep enough,” put in another cadet.
“Where is the ice-boat now?” questioned Dale.
“In the open water near shore. I guess you can pull her in by throwing a line over her,” answered Bart.
Like so many half-drowned rats, Paxton, Coulter, and Mumps sneaked into the Hall, and up to their rooms. The news soon circulated that they had fallen into the lake, and Captain Putnam ordered them to bed, and had Mrs. Green prepare some hot tea for them. In the meantime Dale and Harry took a ride on Bart’s ice-boat, and soon succeeded in hauling the overturned craft to the firm ice once more. The ice-boat was not damaged, and a little while later Dale and Harry were sailing her as before.