The zeal for electing officers suddenly died out, and excited discussion ensued as to how and when the object of the organization could be best accomplished.
It was finally agreed that the chairman should appoint a committee of five to decide upon that matter. The rest were to hold themselves in readiness to go, at a moment’s notice, whenever the committee should give the word, and to follow without question the lead of the chief. Among his five advisers Brede did not appoint Brightly.
The drum, sounding the call for the evening session, interrupted the deliberations of the conspirators; and, one by one, they passed quietly into the hall and down the stairs. The short recess preceding tattoo was devoted to proselyting, and before taps sounded that night, many an ink-splashed paper star was pinned in a hidden place on coat or vest.
In the school at large there was feverish excitement. Those who were not in the secret were puzzled by the general air of mystery which prevailed. Those who were in the conspiracy gathered in whispering groups, and discussed the situation.
Morning came, but the excitement had not abated,—indeed, it had grown in intensity. At the breakfast-table the teachers noted the spirit of suppressed turbulence which seemed to be in the air, and feared trouble. Two of them went to Colonel Silsbee as soon as the dining-room was clear, and gave expression to their fear. They related various matters which had attracted their attention during the previous day and evening, and which seemed to indicate that serious mischief was brewing.
In the mean time, in the drill-hall, down in a corner by the armory, Brede was holding a consultation with his committee. The discussion was an animated one.
“I say to-day!” exclaimed Fryant,—“now! There’s no time like the present; we’ll never have a better chance.”
“But we’re not ready,” protested another; “we’ve got no plan; we don’t know where we’re going!”
“It don’t matter where we go,” insisted Drake,—“anywhere to get out of this place; an’ we don’t want a plan,—that ’ud be too much like a regular holiday. It’s a hundred times jollier to let things turn up as they will, an’ take ’em as they come. I say go!”
“The only way to decide it,” said Brede, “is to vote on it. Whatever a majority of us vote to do we’ll do, and we can’t afford to lose any time about it either. All you who want to take a holiday to-day say ‘Ay’!”