“No, and I don’t want any reward,” answered the young major. “I don’t risk my neck for pay.”
The march back to school came to an end that evening at seven o’clock. A hot supper awaited all hands, and the manner in which the students pitched in was astonishing.
“We’re going to have cold weather now,” said Pepper, on turning in. “There’s a heavy frost on the ground already.”
“Frost will be good for the nuts,” came from Andy.
“That’s the idea!” put in Henry Lee. “Let us organize a nutting party. I know where we can get a lot of nuts. The trees are just loaded with them.”
“All right, I’m ready any time Captain Putnam will let us off,” came from Jack. “But I don’t believe he will let us off this week, on account of the outing we have already had,” and he was right.
The cold weather continued, and there was a promise of snow in the air. The week passed, and on the following Saturday the master of the Hall said all of the pupils could go out in the woods for three hours, if they wished.
“But you must be careful of two things,” he said. “Do not get lost, and do not poach on private grounds.”
“I don’t think I’ll get lost,” said Andy. He had been out in the woods a number of times.
The boys divided up into half a dozen parties, and set off with light hearts. Each party carried bags for nuts, and Jack had a pocket compass, in case his party should miss the way.