Hearing voices coming along the road, indicating a large company of boys and girls, Ralph knew that the main body of his fellow class members must be approaching, having gathered in town somewhere, since the girls refused to attend unless suitably protected. Of course the sophomores would not dare attack this group. Indeed, their plans covered a different field entirely, since they contemplated making way with the provisions that were being carried to the spread. Ralph waited until they were exactly opposite. “Watchman, what of the night?” he asked, suddenly appearing among them. Several of the freshmen, thinking that an attack was about to be sprung on them, had started to grapple with the single figure. The passwords spoken by Ralph, however, reassured them. “Don’t mention my name, anybody,” said Ralph, in an impressive whisper; “for some of the sophomores are hiding near by. They think I’m a prisoner in the old hut of the charcoal burners in the woods. I escaped and came here to tell you that they know all about the place of meeting.” “Then somebody leaked, that’s all,” grumbled one of the boys, angrily. “I suppose so. But they mean to get a chance to steal your grub. Look out for them, fellows. Keep a good watch out,” said Ralph, impressively. “Hey! hold on, where are you going to?” demanded one of the group as Ralph started to slip away. “Sorry, but I can’t be with you to-night, fellows. Some mighty important business of a private character chains me down,” explained the other. “No, you don’t now. You’re needed at the spread more than any other fellow; and we don’t mean to let you off this time. Private matters must wait when the class of Umty Fourteen has the call. Duty before pleasure, you know. Besides, you’re IT to-night, and we just won’t get on without you. Come on!” Ralph thus found himself in another fix, and could well exclaim to be delivered from his friends. First the enemy had captured him and tried to keep him a prisoner until midnight. And now the fellow members of his class, having determined to elect him president for the balance of the season, seemed equally bent on preventing him from keeping his appointment with Smalling. He said nothing further, but walked along with the crowd. All the while he was keeping his eyes open in the hope of seeing a chance to drop out, and giving his classmates the slip. He could not bear the thought of postponing the interview with Sam Smalling that might mean everything in the world to him. They had reached the barn before he found his opportunity. A number of freshmen had come on at dusk to guard the place, so that their enemies might not take possession unawares, and shut them out. While the two divisions were fraternizing Ralph saw his chance, and dodged aside. “Here, where’s Ralph West gone to? We mustn’t let him slip away,” said a voice.