Around another corner near by came a company of boys from the Fordham Military Institute. It was followed by a second company, a third and a fourth.
Then, by a further series of commands, one company was sent, on the double quick, to march ahead of the first stage, while another company fell in behind the second stage, while the other companies formed and marched on either side of the stages.
While these hasty maneuvers were being carried out the fine-looking young cadet major of the battalion lifted his fatigue cap to Dick Prescott.
"Captain," called the boyish major, "you gave us such a fine exhibition of gentlemanly football that we beg leave to show our appreciation by marching as your escort of honor to the station."
The rough crowd in the street had fallen back to the sidewalks, a savage mutter going up at the same time.
The Military School boys were without arms, save those Nature had given them, but they, marched in solid ranks and stood for two hundred pairs of fists!
So Barnes's last hope of vengeance vanished. Even his own rough followers turned to eye him in disgust.
Before they left the grounds some of the Military School boys had heard a whisper or two of what Barnes planned.
The soldier is drilled to fair play, and to detestation of cowardice. These young military students passed the word quickly. They left the grounds at once, but formed near by, on a side street near where they learned that Barnes and his rough mob lay in ambush.
"I declare, that's the neatest, most military thing I ever saw done!" laughed Dave Darrin.