“Oh, Captain Putnam, I—er——”
“Answer me at once!” thundered Captain Putnam, and striding forward he caught the weak-kneed cadet by the arm.
“Yes, sir, I—er—tried a cigarette Reff Ritter gave me,” gasped Sabine, in terror. “But I didn’t set the wood on fire, sir. It was—was the light from Ritter’s cigarette did that!” went on Sabine, shaking from head to foot in fright.
CHAPTER XIX
RITTER GIVES A FEAST
Billy Sabine’s revelation caused a profound sensation in the camp. Captain Putnam turned sternly to Reff Ritter.
“What have you to say to this, Ritter?” he questioned.
“It’s a—er—a mistake,” stammered the bully. “I was only fooling Sabine.”
“You gave him a cigarette, did you not?”
“Why, sir, you see I—I found a box of them, in the woods. I took one myself and let Sabine have the other. We just lit them for a moment and then put them out. Isn’t that true?” and Ritter glared darkly at the cadet who had occupied Post 2.
“Why—er—I—I guess so,” stammered Sabine. “But, oh Captain Putnam, I didn’t mean any harm, really I didn’t!” wailed the weak-kneed cadet.