“Stop your wrangling, boys,” exclaimed the exasperated Colonel. “I can’t stay out here all night.”
Norman Redfern interposed.
“See here, fellows,” he said, addressing the Ripleys, “I’m a graduate of Ripley. I ask that you withdraw, as a favor to me.”
This remark caused an immense sensation.
Owen Andrews picked up the tin horn, and blew another tremendous blast, and a salvo of cheers arose on the air.
“That’s the way we always salute our graduates,” said Bill Stiles, when the frantic din had subsided.
“Being skipper of a log hut is doing pretty well for a graduate of Ripley,” said Bates.
This remark caused a hearty burst of laughter, in which Redfern joined.
“Ma foi—he speaks well,” exclaimed Pierre. “But, oh, how much of it we hear. Is it all night that we have ze grand talk?”
“Apparently so,” said Colonel Ellison, with a faint touch of amusement in his voice.