“I’ve been expecting just this for some time,” Mark continued, after a moment’s pause. “You see, ever since we found that secret cavern in the rock, and had the bad luck to let Bull see us go there, I knew he’d be taking his friends up there to spoil our fun. He probably expects to smash everything to pieces.”
“B’gee, I say we lick ’em for daring to think of it, b’gee!” cried Dewey. “That’s what I say! Reminds me of a story I once heard, b’gee——”
“I’ll tell you what we’ll do,” said Mark, interrupting the unfortunate rencontre. “How does this suit you? Let’s follow them to-night, let them get inside, and then take them prisoners.”
Texas sprang up with a whoop of delight at that delicious programme.
“Whoop!” he cried. “Secon’ the motion! We’ll hold ’em up, doggone their boots, an’——”
Texas felt for his revolvers instinctively as he danced about and thought of this. He had no revolvers on him, however, owing to the fact that they would have been visible in his uniform. So Texas had to content himself with squeezing the hands of the others and vowing by all things a Texan holds dear that he’d capture those yearlings for them that night or die in the effort.
Now the plan for the circumvention of Bull Harris was all very well in its way. But there were certain all-important facts that those adventurous plebes forgot to take account of in their calculations. We must mention these at the start, in order that the situation may be appreciated.
According to the New York Globe, there were seven dangerous lunatics wandering about West Point. That fact every one knew. The sheriff of the county was there to investigate the matter, for it was clearly his duty to arrest the fugitives. Also there were the constables from Highland Falls, the reporters from the New York dailies, and numerous private individuals out to see the fun.
They had hunted all day, finding no one but two unfortunate tramps; they meant to hunt likewise all night.
Now, as for the Banded Seven, their situation was just this: They were going out for a lark that night. They dared not wear their cadet uniforms, for fear of being seen by some sentry. The only clothes they owned besides these were the curious disguises already mentioned. Naturally, knowing nothing of the excitement they had created, they resolved to wear those.