The fishermen of squatter's row did not recognize the stranger who slouched along by the side of Tessibel, the night of the freshman banquet. She was on her way to the city with her fish. One after another women poked frowsy heads from the hut windows at the barking of their dogs. But Tess went steadily on, not even heeding her companion who hurried his footsteps to keep close to her. "Ye sells yer fish for a shillin' a pound," said she after a few minutes' walk. The man nodded. Once only did he raise his eyes. They were passing a dingy-looking empty house, with a large broken window. Just then, Ben Letts, accompanied by Ezra Longman, met them. The red head of the squatter girl rose a little higher, the lines growing deeper about the narrowed lids. To the fisherman she deigned no good-morrow, nor had she a thought of them after they had passed. "He air a new squatter," said Ben laconically, turning to look at the queer pair. "He air her uncle," added Ezra pompously; "he air here to help her pappy out of his scrape." Ben did not answer, but stepped to the tracks with another evil backward look at Tess and her squatter friend. * * * * * Forty or fifty sophomores loafed about the opera-house watching the caterers buzz to and fro. Tables had been spread inside for several hundred guests, and the president's chair was decorated with roses and winter ferns. Three little freshmen and Dan Jordan, surrounded by many juniors went calmly in to inspect things. Several underclassmen stood disconsolately inside. "Be on your guard," whispered Dan, passing them. The fifty sophomores outside were waiting for something to happen. Graves would be produced--how, they could not tell. The strangeness of the actions of Frederick's fraternity brothers made the affair more unsolvable. Threatening looks were showered upon them as freshman after freshman, guarded by juniors, filed in. Dan Jordan slouched to the door of the opera-house, his eyes falling mechanically upon Tessibel Skinner across the street. He heard her arguing with the man from the cafe about her fish. Tessibel then crossed to the opera-house. "Does ye want any fish?" she smiled, showing her white teeth. "No," replied Jordan. "What have you?... Eels?" "No, nothin' but bullheads and suckers." Dan looked about, grinning upon the sophomores. "There's enough of them here already.... I want some eels--" The sophomores pretended not to hear. They were not interested in fishermen, but kept their eyes open for a carriage that would dash in from the main street with the rescued president within it. "Sling them eels over here," commanded Tessibel, beckoning to the slouching squatter across the way. The man with the basket offered the contents to Dan. "I'll take what you have, too, girl," said Jordan in a loud voice, "how much do they weigh?" "Don't know," replied Tess. "Take them in and get them weighed," said Swipes, innocently coming to Dan's side.