Andy's determination to haze Chet found unexpected favor with several students. It appears that when Chet found out that the school was in poor circumstances, which he did very soon after his arrival, he made many mean and slighting remarks about not only that, but about the lads who attended.
Now it is one thing to disparage yourself or your possessions, but it is quite another matter when some one else does it. Consequently Chet got himself heartily disliked before he had been at Riverview two hours.
His conduct in the dining hall at supper time added to this. He appeared in a dress suit—something that had never been known to happen at the school save at some formal banquet. Then Chet found fault with the food and with those who sat next him at table, for being a late arrival he was placed with the lowest form boys, a sort of grammar grade.
"I'm not going to eat here!" Chet complained. "I want to be at the head table."
"You will have to speak to Dr. Doolittle about it," said one of the monitors who waited on the table.
"I will, and I'll have my seat changed too!" threatened the dude.
"Positively he must be hazed to-night," whispered Andy to Frank and a select crowd of his chums, and they agreed to it. "Be ready then," ordered the younger Racer lad, who had assumed charge of the arrangements.
On the campus of Riverview there had been recently erected a large, new and very strong flag pole. It was the gift of a former graduate, but as yet the flag had not arrived. The halyards were all rigged, however, and this suggested something to Andy.
"We'll tie Chet to the ropes and hoist him to the top," he said. "That will be a sign that he's better than the rest of us, as he's so much above us. It ought to satisfy him."
"Will it be safe?" asked Frank, who was more cautious.