As this strange doggerel was sung the masked students danced fantastically around Gus Plum, slapping him with their swords and clubs. Then of a sudden he was tripped up, bound hands and feet, and marched out of the boathouse. Here a bag was tied over his head, so that he could not see a thing, although the bag had holes in the rear, so that he would not be suffocated.
"To the river with him!" came the loud command. "An icy bath will do him a world of good."
Now if there was one thing Gus Plum hated, it was ice-cold water for bathing purposes, and the suggestion of such a bath, in the open air, with the thermometer below the freezing point, caused him to shiver.
"Now, see here——" he began, and then shut his lips tightly. Come what might he resolved to utter no complaint.
"What sayest thou?" demanded a voice by his side.
"Wouldst thou beg off?" demanded another.
"No, I'll take my medicine, no matter what it is," answered the former bully, doggedly.