“But you must actually prove your nerve,” asserted Halliday.
“That’s right! that’s right!” cried others.
“If you say I must,” grimly spoke Jack, “I suppose that settles it. I’m not fool enough to say I won’t. What am I to do?”
A sudden air of mystery seemed to fall on the party. There were strange looks and awesome whisperings.
“He’ll die with fright,” muttered one.
“Better find out if he has heart trouble,” whispered another.
“You know what happened to the last freshman,” said a third.
“It is a terrible test,” declared a fourth.
Jack’s curiosity was aroused.
“Gents,” he said; “pardon me for calling you gents, but it seems so appropriate—gents, I am ready for any old thing. While you are having fun with me, you may as well have lots of it. Go the limit, and never mind the result.”