And then a wild shouting, intermingled with the tooting of horns and the sounding of rattles, rent the air, while banners went waving on every side.
It was the day of the great game between Colby Hall and Columbus Academy. It had been decided that the contest should take place on the field belonging to the military academy, and once again everything had been put in the best of order for this gala occasion. The grandstand and the bleachers were overflowing with spectators, and in a distant field were parked a hundred automobiles or more, while in another field were numerous carriages and farm wagons.
"We've certainly got a crowd to-day," remarked Randy, who, with his brother, was in the section of the stand reserved for the Colbyites and their friends. In front of the twins and their chums sat Ruth, May, and half a dozen other girls from Clearwater Hall.
"I don't see anything of Nappy Martell or Slugger Brown," remarked Ida Brierley, who was with the girls.
"I hope you don't want to see them, Ida," returned Ruth, promptly.
"Indeed, I do not!" answered the other girl. "I was only wondering what had become of them."
"Jack told me they had both left the Hall for the term. They shot those cows, you know, and they had some other trouble which was hushed up."
"Oh, that was the trouble over that lumber raft," put in Jennie Mason.
"Right you are!" answered Andy, bending over and speaking in a low tone so that no outsider might hear. "Their folks had to pony up a pretty penny, too, for the lumber and for the cows."
"Oh, well, let's forget Martell and Brown," broke in May. "I want to enjoy this game."