"Ah!" said Sam.
His keen eyes showed no sign of wavering.
"You know how to take a hot proposition very coolly," said "Crackers," in soft tones. "Is there any use of arguing the matter?"
"I don't think so."
"Neither do I. But, to make sure, I'll hunt up the rest of the officers, and see what they think about having the match shoved so close to the gunpowder."
"Remember this," retorted Randall: "Some one has just said that the fellows won't stand for any dictatorial methods. You must include yourself as well as the rest. So-long."
"Crackers" immediately reported to his lieutenants outside the gymnasium.
"Well?" queried Lawrence, eagerly.
"He won't listen to reason," said Brown, shaking his head gravely. "His abruptness almost pained me."
"Why not call all this thing off?" asked Earl Roycroft, with a disturbed expression. "Suppose we give 'em another week?"