“We’ll make you wish you had never seen Putnam Hall,” finished Andy.
“That’s the talk,” cried several.
“I won’t say a word—positively I won’t,” answered Mumps, and then he was led to the door and fairly kicked out on the campus. It may be added here that he was so scared he never did say a word until long afterward. Ritter and his cronies tried to “pump him,” but the sneak put them off by stating the meeting was held to consider baseball matters for the coming season.
For three days, including Sunday, the cadets roamed around the vicinity of Putnam Hall, on the lookout for the two insane men. Occasionally they were watched by Ritter and his cronies and this once led to something of a fight between Jack and the bully. Ritter received a black eye and after that, for the time being, kept his distance.
Wednesday of that week was a half-holiday, and a number of the cadets arranged a hill-climbing contest. This was to consist of reaching the top of Devery Hill, three miles from the school. The contestants were not to go by the road, but must travel in a straight line from Putnam Hall, over two small hills before Devery was reached.
“That is something to take the wind out of a fellow,” said Stuffer.
“You wouldn’t lose your wind so quickly if you didn’t eat so much,” replied Andy. “I am going into the race.”
“So am I,” said Pepper. “Jack says he will go, too.”
Sixteen cadets were to participate, and they were to start from the Hall campus at one o’clock in the afternoon. It was a cloudy day and some were afraid it was going to rain.
“Never mind, who’s afraid of a little rain,” said Jack.