“I might go out of my way enough to meet some of the boys, and put them on their guard,” he said, finally.
That was Ralph’s nature all over, ever ready to sacrifice his own interests in order to benefit those with whom he was associated. It was the spirit instilled in the souls of the Delta Pi members—loyalty first of all to the school, and next to one’s class.
So Ralph made his way along cautiously. He was in mortal fear lest he be pounced upon at any moment by others of the prowling sophs, and held once more a prisoner.
In this fashion he drew near the farm where stood the barn hired for the occasion by the freshmen. No doubt it was completely surrounded by a cordon of eager sophs, anxious to accomplish their work of retaliation, for the freshmen had effectually broken up their entertainment earlier in the season.
Hearing voices coming along the road, indicating a large company of boys and girls, Ralph knew that the main body of his fellow class members must be approaching, having gathered in town somewhere, since the girls refused to attend unless suitably protected.
Of course the sophomores would not dare attack this group. Indeed, their plans covered a different field entirely, since they contemplated making way with the provisions that were being carried to the spread.
Ralph waited until they were exactly opposite.
“Watchman, what of the night?” he asked, suddenly appearing among them.
Several of the freshmen, thinking that an attack was about to be sprung on them, had started to grapple with the single figure. The passwords spoken by Ralph, however, reassured them.
“Don’t mention my name, anybody,” said Ralph, in an impressive whisper; “for some of the sophomores are hiding near by. They think I’m a prisoner in the old hut of the charcoal burners in the woods. I escaped and came here to tell you that they know all about the place of meeting.”