Several turned to clutch at Sam's legs and feet, but he thrashed out wildly and all but one fell back, fearing injury. The undaunted student caught Sam by a heel and held on very much as might a bulldog.
"Let go there," came from Spud, and the next instant he raised a chunk of snow and shoved it directly into the open mouth of the boy who had the grip. This was too much for the student, and he fell back among his fellows.
"Only two minutes more!" yelled the timekeeper. "Two minutes more!"
"We won't need more than fifteen seconds," came triumphantly from Sam, and as he spoke he commenced to climb the pole.
A sophomore followed, clutching again at one of his feet, but now the Rover boy had his hand on the first of the banners, and down it came in a twinkling, and the second quickly followed.
"Here you are, boys; catch them!" Sam cried and, wadding the banners into something of a ball, he hurled them out into the midst of a group of seniors.
"Hurrah! we've got 'em!" was the triumphant cry. "We've got 'em!"
"Time's up!" yelled the timekeeper.
A cheer arose from the juniors and seniors, who quickly held the captured banners aloft. The freshmen and sophomores were, of course, keenly disappointed, and a number of them showed it.
"Let's drive them out of the fort, anyway!" was the sudden cry. "Give it to 'em! Send 'em flying!"