Suddenly we shot out from the shadow of the trees that darkened the bank of the river at that point, and came upon a stretch of open land rising gently to a plateau on which the college rested. In some respects the situation of Park College was not unlike our own, although Belmont had more shade, stood on higher ground, and close to a lake of considerable size, while Berkeley had no water beyond the narrow river. There was a dock somewhat similar to ours, though smaller, which jutted out into the stream, and toward this we faced. The bell sounded faintly from the engine room, the wheels ceased their beating, and we glided gently through the smooth water that rippled softly away from our bow. Slower and slower we moved until we had almost reached the dock, when one of our men dropped quietly over, with a rope on his arm. Then came a gentle bump as the boat grated against the dock, a quick knotting of the hawser, a slight straining and creaking of timbers, and the first step in our expedition was taken. We had “crossed the Rubicon.” CHAPTER XI A STARTLING DÉNOUEMENT “Now then, Jerry,” said Clinton Edwards to old Captain Bunce, “you and your men stay quietly here and watch for us. Be ready to put off quickly, for we shall have no time to spare when we return.” Falling naturally into ranks of three and four abreast, we moved cautiously up the rising land until we reached the level of the college ground, and stood in the shade of the trees at the outskirts of the rear campus. There we halted a moment, while Percy Randall gave the fellows a few whispered directions. “What is your plan of action, Percy?” asked Edwards. “To keep the rest here while four of us search the grounds. The moment we discover the location of the cannons we will return.” “Good,” said Edwards; “and who is to go ahead to reconnoiter?” “My idea was to have you, Ray Wendell, Harry Elder, and perhaps Tony Larcom accompany me, but you have no masks.” “Oh, pshaw!” exclaimed Ray, “what has that to do with it? We don’t need to hide our faces. Go ahead; we’ll follow.” “All right,” answered Percy; “don’t waste a minute, then, but come on.” Then, turning to the rest, he said in a louder whisper: “Lie low, fellows, till we want you.” All dropped flat upon the ground, where the high grass hid them completely from view. Percy Randall had them well in hand, and had evidently given them minute instructions. Whatever might be said of Percy, he was certainly in thorough command of the situation, and his coolness and courage made him a valuable leader for our party at this critical period of our expedition. Leading the rest, the five of us crept stealthily forward under the shadow of the campus trees, looking sharply to right and left for the least indication as to the whereabouts of our old artillery pieces.