The cue was quickly taken up by the others, and in a trice the general-utility man was surrounded.
“Come, Peleg, we want you to make a speech!” cried Pepper.
“Don’t know nuthin’ about makin’ speeches,” grumbled the man.
“Oh, yes, you do,” put in Andy. “Come now, that’s a good man. Get upon the box!”
“Put him on this barrel!” said Stuffer, with a wink at his friends.
In a twinkling Peleg Snuggers was lifted up.
“Hi! hi! let me go!” he roared. “I don’t want to stand on no barrel.”
“It will be good for your health, Peleg,” said another cadet.
“Up he goes!”
The general-utility man was placed on the barrel, which stood on a box. The outfit was a decidedly shaky one, and poor Peleg trembled from head to foot.