“Where do you go when you run the guard?”
“Anywhere we please. Sometimes we spend an hour or two in skating or sleigh-riding, and when we get tired of that, we go down to Cony Ryan’s after pancakes and mince-pies.”
“I don’t, for the life of me, see how you can get out,” said Don. “There are sentries all around the grounds.”
“It does require some skill and cunning, that’s a fact, especially when fellows who don’t like you happen to be on duty. But if the members of your own set are on post, it is easy enough. All you have to do is to give them notice of your coming, and they will turn their backs until you can creep by them.”
“Go with us to-night, and we will show you how it is done,” said Fisher.
“That’s so!” exclaimed Clarence, as if the idea had just been suggested to him. “It will be a good time; another like it may not occur for a month. Will you do it, Gordon? I dare you.”
“It is a common saying in my country that a man who will take a dare will steal sheep,” said Don.
“Of course he will,” answered Clarence. “I knew we had not been mistaken in you.”
“We haven’t had any of Cony’s pies and pancakes this winter,” continued Tom, “and we are getting hungry for some. I have taken particular pains to find out who the sentries are, and I know that some of them are good men and true. There are some of our boys now. Come on, Gordon, and we will make you acquainted with them.”
They had by this time entered the gymnasium,—a large building which stood a little apart from the academy, and was fitted up with all the appliances that are supposed to be necessary or useful in such institutions. It was filled with students who were exercising their muscles in various ways, and among them Don recognized some of the boys who had composed the hazing party. Don was introduced to them one after another, and was welcomed by them in the most cordial manner. They spent a few minutes in talking and laughing over the incidents of the previous night; and then, at a sign from Fisher, they drew off on one side so that they could carry on their conversation without danger of being overheard by those who did not belong to their “set.”