"Williams! Billy Williams. Get up, Billy! Speech!"
And "Billy" arose from the ground as the cry grew louder, and said that he was "very much honored," and that if the class really selected him he would be most happy to do the best he possibly could.
"Hooray! Billy's going to lick him! 'Ray for Billy."
"I move, Mr. Chairman, that a committee be appointed to convey the challenge on behalf of the class."
"Carried," said the chairman. "I appoint Corporal Jasper and Cadet Spencer. This meeting stands adjourned."
And the yearlings scattered, bearing "Billy Williams" off in triumph.
The committee, much as it hated to, was obliged to delay the sending of the challenge. There were two reasons: In the first place, Mark Mallory, together with the rest of the plebes, was being bullied and tormented just then in the course of a squad drill; and, in the second place, one of the committee, Cadet Spencer, was engaged in doing the bullying, having been appointed "on duty over plebes."
After supper, however, came a blissful half hour of rest to the last-named unfortunates; and then the three yearlings gathered together, took an extra quantity of dignity, and sallied forth to find the three "B. J.'s."
"B. J.," it may be added, is West Point for fresh, and stands for "before June."
Entering barracks, the committee made straight for Mark Mallory's room and knocked.