With the bonfires blazing high, throwing a lurid glare over the campus and parade grounds, the cadets sang and danced and then started an impromptu parade which took them around the various buildings of the school. Many carried torches, while four had drums and bugles. There was a good deal of horseplay, and also something in the way of hazing.
"Here is where we get back at Codfish for some of his meanness!" cried Randy, as he and some of the others caught the sneak.
Then Codfish was made to stand up on an unusually large barrel and sing, after which he was told to hold out each hand for a valuable present.
"I don't want any present! I want to get down!" cried the sneak.
"Oh, this is something very valuable, Codfish," returned Randy, and winked at some of the others.
Just for the fun of it, some of the cadets had obtained some potatoes from the storehouse and started to roast these under one of the bonfires. Two of the potatoes, quite hot and black, were brought forth and thrust into Codfish's hands.
"Ouch! What do you mean by handing me red-hot potatoes!" yelled the sneak, in alarm.
"Oh, we thought you were hungry," cried one of the other cadets.
"You wanted to burn me—that's what you wanted to do!" shrieked Codfish, who, however, was far more scared than hurt. "I want to get down!"
"You've got to give us a dance first, Codfish," ordered Randy.