"Well, I guess he and the colonel know about it, but they won't interfere unless it gets too strenuous."
Dick and Paul found a large crowd of the older cadets already gathered in the gymnasium. In one corner was huddled a rather frightened group of freshmen, who were waiting their turn to be grilled. They had been rounded up from their rooms by a committee appointed for that purpose.
"Now, fellows," said Dutton, who, as usual, assumed the leadership, "we'll work 'em off in bunches. Put two or three of 'em in a blanket and toss 'em up for a starter."
"Some of 'em may get hurt," objected Stiver. "We'd better take 'em one at a time."
"Aw, you're afraid! Besides, we haven't time. Here, Beeby, grab a couple of 'em and pass 'em over."
Captain Beeby of Company B grasped a cadet in either hand, and shoved them toward Dutton. The latter already had one, and the three lads were pushed down into a large blanket which had been spread for that purpose.
"Grab the corners and up with 'em!" called Dutton. "Toss 'em as high as you can."
"Suppose they fall out?" objected Lieutenant Jim Watkins.
"It won't matter. There's a gym. mat under 'em."
Up into the air went the unfortunate lads, clinging together in a sort of bunch, and struggling to see which one was to be underneath in the fall. Down they came into the blanket, but the impact was so heavy that it was torn from the grasp of the cadets holding it, and the freshmen landed on the mat with a thump and many squeals.