In the meantime Werner attempted to get away from Gif. But that athletic youth put out a foot behind the ex-lieutenant, and down went Gabe once more on the panting and bewildered Codfish. Both rolled over among the tree roots, and it was several seconds before they could untangle themselves and get to their feet.
By this time Andy and Randy had come up, and a short while later Jack and the others appeared.
“What’s this all about?” demanded Jack, who, as a captain of the cadets, felt that he was in charge.
“They were sneaking off with the grub and with the girls’ wraps,” answered Fred. “I spotted them just in the nick of time. Another half minute, and they would have been out of sight.”
“We weren’t going to take the things away. We were only going to hide ’em,” said Gabe Werner. He saw that there was now no chance to run for it, because he and his cronies were completely outnumbered.
“Gee, what an awful smell!” broke suddenly from Randy.
“No cologne there,” said Jack.
“Smells like garlic,” said one of the other cadets, holding his nose.
“It’s onions!” declared Andy emphatically. “I guess I know onions when I smell ’em,” he added significantly.
Werner started, and then looked more disturbed than ever, and so did Bill Glutts. Both clapped their hands to their side pockets. Something was soaking through the cloth of their uniforms. The others came closer, and then Andy and Randy set up a roar of laughter.