Chapter XXIV: A Challenge Accepted

It was soon noised around the Hall that two of the cadets had been buried alive in the snow, and the whole school gathered around the collapsed snow house, and as many went to work to dig out Pepper and Andy as could get close enough.

On the outside of the crowd stood Baxter, Paxton, and Coulter, and the face of each was pale and full of fear.

"I--I didn't think it was going to end this way," muttered Coulter, hoarsely.

"Hush!" returned the bully, fiercely. "Do you want to be found out?"

"That's it--mum's the word," put in Paxton. "If we are found out, it may mean our dismissal from the school."

"But if one or the other is dead----" Coulter could not finish the sentence. Baxter clapped a hand over his mouth.

"Shut up, I say!" he cried. "Not a word more."

The workers had now gotten almost to the bottom of the snow house. Presently they uncovered the form of Pepper. Close beside him lay Andy. Both were partly unconscious.

"Give them air!" ordered George Strong. "Get back, boys!" And then the two sufferers were laid out on the snow and several went to work to revive them.

"Oh, I hope they get over it!" murmured Jack. He could not bear to think of anything serious happening to his chums.

For several minutes all were in doubt. Then Pepper began to move, and Andy gave a faint gasp.

"They are reviving!"

"Thank Heaven for that!" murmured Jack.

A little later the two sufferers sat up and stared around them.

"How do you feel, Pepper?" asked Dale.

"I--I don't know. The--the house came down on our heads, didn't it?"

"Yes."

"I remember now," came from Andy. "It came down awful sudden like, too."

"Do you feel anyway ill, boys?" questioned George Strong, kindly.

"I--I'm weak in the knees," answered Pepper, and Andy said the same.

"We'll carry them into the Hall," said Jack, and soon the two sufferers were made comfortable indoors. Andy soon declared he felt as well as ever.

"How did the snow house come to cave in?" questioned Jack, after the excitement had somewhat subsided.

"I give it up," answered Andy. "The roof came down on us without warning."

"Some fellows climbed up on the snow house," put in Bart Conners.

"Climbed up on it?" queried Jack.

"Yes, three fellows. I saw it go down with them. Then the three fellows ran away as fast as they could go."

"Who were those three fellows?" questioned Andy.

"I can't tell you. I had been down to the lake looking to see if there was any clear ice for skating. I was too far off to recognize them."

"Humph! that explains it," murmured the young major. "The snow house was caved in on purpose."

"I'd like to know who would be so mean!" exclaimed Andy. "Those chaps must have known that we were inside."

"Perhaps they didn't think it would be anything serious," came from Stuffer, who was near. "Maybe they got scared after it went down, and then they ran away."

The news that three cadets had caved in the snow house spread, and before the day was over Captain Putnam did his best to locate the offenders. But Baxter, Paxton, and Coulter said nothing, and they were not exposed.

"This was a mean and serious trick to play," said the captain, on addressing the scholars. "Had it not been for the prompt work done to rescue those under the snow, one or more lives might have been lost. I wish to hear of no more such actions at Putnam Hall. If I learn who is responsible I shall punish that party severely."

"Phew! we had a narrow escape," said Baxter, when he and his cronies were safe in their dormitory. "Bart Conners saw us from the lake shore."

"Yes, but he didn't recognize us," added Coulter.

"I hope no one else saw us," said Paxton.

"I reckon we are safe. But we want to stop talking of it, or somebody may overhear us," said the bully; and there the subject was dropped.

On the following day the boys had a big snow fight. Company A went into the snow fort to defend it, while Company B did its best to capture the stronghold. Andy and Pepper did not take part, as Captain Putnam thought it best for them to keep quiet. But the other lads went at the fight with a will, and the contest lasted for three hours, when the fort capitulated. During the fight Stuffer was hit a heavy blow in the ear, and Dan Baxter got a black eye from a "soaker."

"I wish I knew who threw that soaker!" howled the bully of Putnam Hall. "I'd give him something, and don't you forget it!"

"I think Jack Ruddy threw it," said Mumps, although he had no reason for such a statement.

During the fort fight Jack and Baxter had had something of a row, and the bully was willing enough to believe what the sneak said. When Jack went down to the gymnasium after the fight was over, the bully followed him.

"You think you're smart to hit me with a soaker," he said harshly. "For two pins I'd knock you down."

Jack was angry, too, and without answering he took two pins from his coat lapel and held them out.

"Do you mean that?" blustered the bully. He had not expected to have his challenge accepted thus quickly.

"I do," was Jack's cool answer. "You are itching for a thrashing, Baxter, and if you don't shut up pretty quick you'll get it."

"A fight! A fight!" cried several cadets, and the news spread like wildfire that the young major was going to fight the bully of Putnam Hall.

"Baxter is too heavy for Major Ruddy," said one.

"Jack will be knocked out clean and clear."

"I don't know about that. Jack can do some pretty good bag-punching," said another, which was true.

"Don't fight here, Jack," whispered Dale, who was present. "You are sure to be found out, and then there will be a big row. Baxter wouldn't like anything better than to see you lose your majorship."

"But I am not going to take his insults, Dale," returned Jack.

"Then fight some other place. I know a good spot. Down back of the bathing houses. There is a clear space there."

"Are you going to fight?" blustered Baxter, doubling up his fists.

"If you wish to, Baxter."

"But not here," broke in Dale. "Come on back of the bathing houses."

"Yes, yes, that's a good spot!" came from several. "Come on!" And they hurried from the gymnasium.

"I'd just as soon fight here," said the bully.

"Because you have nothing to lose by being found out," retorted Dale. "Come on--unless you are afraid." And he led Jack out of the building.

"I won't----" began Baxter.

"Don't be a quitter, Baxter!" cried several. "Come on--unless you really are afraid."

"I'm afraid of nobody in this school!" roared Baxter. "I'll fight him here or anywhere he wants. Just you see me do him up in no time!"

"Talk is cheap," said Stuffer, who had come up. "After Jack is down and out I'll believe you, not before."

The crowd was soon at a convenient spot behind the bathing houses. Here the wind had swept the snow from the ground. The word had circulated thoroughly, and fully fifty cadets were assembled to see the fight.

"Watch him closely, Jack!" whispered Andy. "He may try to play you foul."

"I'll be on my guard," answered the young major.

Each of the contestants took off his coat, and likewise his collar. Then they faced each other; and the all-important fight was on.