“I could hardly keep still,” returned his twin. “When Gabe threw his own flashlight away and busted it I nearly exploded.”
“But wait until to-morrow—oh, boy!” cried Andy.
Both of the fun-loving youths slept soundly that night, but each was up early, and they lost no time in acquainting their cousins and Spouter and Gif and a few of the others with what was likely to happen next.
As was usual with them, Werner and Gabe were late in getting up, so they had to hustle in order not to be late at roll call. Then they hurried back to their tents to get their mess kits, for this camp was conducted on real military lines when it came to eating. Each cadet had been provided with his own kit, including a big covered cup, plate, and knife, fork and spoon.
“Now watch!” cried Randy to his chums. “I think you’ll see something.”
“And maybe you’ll smell something,” added Andy, slyly.
The cadets formed in a long line to be served by the cook and his helpers. Glutts was behind Werner, and the Rovers and their friends got close by, but not too close, being warned by the twins to keep a respectable distance.
As they came up to receive their food, both Werner and Glutts opened their kits, and as they did this a powerful, penetrating smell filled the air around them.
“Hello! what in blazes have you got in your kits?” cried one of the cook’s helpers, who was ready to serve them.
“Why, I ain’t got——” began Werner, and then stopped short. The smell coming from his mess kit was sickening, and it made his eyes water until the tears ran down his cheeks.