"All ready?" questioned George Strong, when the time had come for the contest.
"All ready on this end," replied Tom, seeing to it that each of his team was in his proper position and had a proper hold on the rope.
"All ready here," said Rockley, a few seconds later.
"Drop!" cried the teacher, and down went the two teams like a flash, each pulling for all it knew how. But neither gained an inch at the fall, so the start-off was perfect.
"Now pull for all you're worth, Rovers!" cried one cadet.
"Haul 'em over, Rockleys!" cried another.
"Steady, boys!" whispered Tom. "Don't get nervous. There is lots of time."
He was almost flat on his back, with both feet braced firmly in the soil. Rockley was also down, and it looked as if it might be well-nigh impossible to budge either.
"This is a dandy tug of war," said Fred Garrison. "Neither has got an inch of advantage."
"The Rovers will beat!"