“Look here, fellows,” said Blake, when the train was fairly under way, “I am going to suggest to the class that these eighteen friends of ours, who were so prompt to respond to our appeals for help, be invited to fall in and spend the evening with us at Clarendon Hall; what do you say?”
“I say it would be nothing more than right,” replied Forester. “It is true, we did not need their services, but we thought we were going to when we started, and the class will be so glad to get the dinner back, and they will agree to anything we may propose.”
“They’re in Hamilton by this time,” said White, glancing at his watch. “I’d like to have seen their faces when they first discovered that the band was not there to welcome them. Pipe up, Meester Bambreen,” he shouted across the tender to the band-master. “Give us something lively and triumphant—something appropriate to the occasion, you understand?”
The train was now within sight of the depot, and Colonel Mack and President Clark were watching it, as we have recorded. The band struck up “something appropriate,” the colors were given to the breeze, and in this way the good news which the committee was so impatient to communicate, was conveyed to their friends far in advance of them. They were rather surprised at the ovation they received when their train moved into the depot, but they could not linger to ask questions about it. Time was too precious for that.
“Can’t stop to do it now—story’s too long,” said Blake, in answer to Colonel Mack’s demand for an explanation. “But this much I can say to you: We’ve not a single instant to lose; but if we work fast and don’t get in one another’s way, we can make the dinner go off as if nothing had happened.”
As the omnibus and express wagon were driven off with the band, he drew Mack and Clark off on one side, and said, waving his hand toward the students, who were assisting Mr. Taylor in removing the dinner from the flat car:
“You see those fellows? There are eighteen of them, they went with us fully expecting to join us in a fight with Lester and his crowd, and I say that the class ought to do something to show them that their kindness is appreciated. Colonel, suppose you march them down to the depot and bring them up to the hall with the company.”
“I’ll do it,” said Mack, promptly. “It will be a big innovation, but I don’t see how the boys can object to it under the circumstances. Here, you fellows; fall in! Don’t stop to ask any questions, but fall in. Forward, march!”
The boys obeyed, lost in wonder, and Colonel Mack marched them at quick time toward the depot. They found the company gathered about the band-master, who was haranguing them in his broken English, emphasizing his remarks by flourishing his staff so furiously that it fairly whistled as it cut the air. He was telling how neatly Meester Plake had turned the tables on the conspirators, and trying to make the students understand how mad he was because he did not get a chance to take dot Veelliams by the collar for just one little minute. In the midst of it all, Mack marched in with his squad, who were greeted with cheers long and loud. The members of the company gathered about them, shaking their hands and patting their heads, and, when Captain Walker told them to fall in with the rest, there was not so much as a dissenting look seen.
The boys had by this time become aware that the events of the day were pretty well known in the city, but they were not prepared for the greeting that was extended to them all along their line of march from the depot to Clarendon Hall. It was almost as enthusiastic as the welcome Mack and his men received in Bridgeport after their battle with the mob at Hamilton Creek. They were loudly cheered, and now and then some one would run out into the street with a bouquet in his hand and make hurried inquiries for Blake, who had remained behind to assist Mr. Taylor; but he had plenty of friends who were willing to act as his representatives, and by the time they reached the reception room adjoining the hall, they were almost loaded down with flowers.