Part 7 (1/2)

”Or from the Smartville Four Corners team?”

”We didn't have anything to do with those schools. We weren't in their cla.s.s.”

”Oh, let up, Mott. We've done enough. Let 'em go now,” suggested one of the soph.o.m.ores.

”Not yet,” responded Mott. ”We must have these freshmen give us an exhibition of what they can do. You fellows take off your collars,” he said, turning again to Will and his cla.s.smate.

For an instant Will Phelps hesitated and there was a sudden tightening of the muscles in his arms, but Hawley, good-natured and imperturbable as ever, at once removed his collar and Will quietly followed his example.

”That's good,” said Mott encouragingly. ”Now take out your collar b.u.t.tons.”

Both freshmen obeyed, wondering what was to be required of them. Their curiosity was speedily relieved when Mott said, ”We'll have a collar-b.u.t.ton race. You two athletes put these b.u.t.tons on the floor and push them across to the other side of the room with your noses. The one that wins will make the track team here I haven't a doubt.”

Hawley again laughed loudly as he and Will took the places a.s.signed them. For a moment their faces were near together and Hawley whispered a few words in Will's ear. His companion's eyes flashed in response, but he did not reply, and in a moment, at Mott's word, the race was begun.

CHAPTER VI

A RACE IN THE DARKNESS

Slowly and steadily the two freshmen began to push the collar b.u.t.tons across the floor. The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made. The soph.o.m.ores in the room were also serious, that is, all were save one, and, as he laughed aloud at the ridiculous aspect of their victims, Mott said savagely, ”Put him out! He's no business here? Get out of this room!”

The offending soph.o.m.ore, despite his protests and his promise to ”be good,” was thrust out from the room, and the race was then resumed.

Whenever either of the contestants lagged or one seemed to be gaining slightly upon the other he was sharply bidden to make good his loss, and when the two freshmen had come near the side of the room which they were seeking to gain the collar b.u.t.tons were close together and each freshman could see the expression on his companion's face. Perhaps it was well for them both that the members of the rival cla.s.s could not see the quiet glance which Hawley gave Will nor its equally keen response, but the look was understood by both freshmen and they were aware that the critical time in the contest was approaching.

They were by this time within two feet of the door which opened into the hall. The soph.o.m.ores who had been standing in front of it now moved back to give the contestants room, and as Hawley perceived that the way was clear, after looking up for a moment and glancing keenly at his cla.s.smate, he suddenly leaped to his feet and Will instantly followed his example. Before the astonished soph.o.m.ores were fully aware of what was occurring both had darted through the doorway after Hawley had with almost incredible quickness flung open the door. Instantly it was closed, and Hawley, seizing the iron handle of the catch and putting forth all his strength, braced his feet against the wall and prepared to hold the inmates prisoners in the room.

”Get Andrews and Briggs!” whispered Hawley, and Will quickly darted across the hallway to the room of his two cla.s.smates. A word was sufficient to inform them of what was occurring, and in an incredibly brief time all three were standing beside Hawley.

The giant freshman was holding the door, which opened inward, easily, though the soph.o.m.ores in the room were striving desperately on their side. But Hawley had the strong handle and only the tiny latch could be seized from within. Numbers counted for nothing in this struggle, as only one could pull at a time.

The silence in the building was unbroken, though the first thought of the bold freshmen had been that their sophs would throw open the window and summon their cla.s.smates to their aid. Whether it was due to their excitement or to the fact that they did not wish to have their predicament known, Will Phelps never learned, but no outcry was made, though the steady pull upon the door continued.

”I've got 'em!” whispered Hawley gleefully. ”If the latch doesn't give way they won't see outdoors again till I give 'em leave. Run, Will!” he added hastily. ”Get twenty of our fellows here as soon as you can and we'll fix 'em yet. I can hold on here forever!”

Leaving his cla.s.smates at the doorway, Will Phelps ran swiftly down the stairs and sped across the campus to his own room. He found his room-mate seated at his desk, evidently hard at work. Foster glanced up reprovingly as Will burst into the room and said, ”I thought, Will, you were--”

He stopped abruptly as he perceived how excited his cla.s.smate was, but before he could make any inquiries Will broke in: ”We've got a lot of sophs shut up in Peter John's room! Get some of the fellows and make for the room! Hawley's holding 'em in! Tell Jones and Camp to come and then tell them to get some more and every one to bring two or three with him.

Get some more yourself and I'll do the same.”

Before his astonished room-mate could make any further inquiries, Will darted out of the room and ran down the stairway covering three steps at a leap. But Foster understood what it was that was demanded of him, and, without hesitating an instant, seized his cap and swiftly followed.

The scheme worked marvelously well, and within five minutes a band of twenty-five freshmen had a.s.sembled in the hall in front of Peter John's and Hawley's room in Leland. Hawley was still holding the door and no outcry from within the room had been heard.

”How many sophs room in this entry?” said Will quickly.

”Four,” replied Hawley. ”Two in the front corner room on the second floor and two in the back corner.”