"What do you mean?"
"Simply," said Vance, "that Mallory was playing some kind of a joke on you."
"But he wasn't!" cried the other. "I went back after he was through and the gun was perfect. The wood was polished till it shone like a mirror. I actually did not like to touch it, it was so pretty."
"And how about the rest of the tent?" inquired Vance.
"He hadn't disturbed a thing. I looked particularly. I tell you, man, that Mallory has given in."
"It's not much like him," said Merry, dubiously.
"You don't have to look very far for the cause," began Murray. "You remember how the first class gave him a licking the other day?"
Vance admitted that might have something to do with it.
"It's got everything," chuckled Murray. "It's simply broken his spirit. Why look, man! He was black and blue all over. Even now one of his arms is in a sling. I tell you he's made up his mind that it isn't safe to carry on as he's been, and so he's decided to get meek and mild for a change."
"And, oh, say, if it's true!" cried Baby, excitedly. "If it's true! Gee whiz, won't we have some fun!"