“I’m not stripped for racing, but I’ll join in for the fun of it,” said Dale. “So will I,” added the young major. Coming to a smooth portion of the road the four bicycle riders drew up abreast. “How far is this race to be?” questioned Dale. “Oh, to Boston and back,” cried Pepper, with a grin. “Make it Hong Kong while you are at it,” added Jack gaily. “We’ll race to the old white post,” said Andy. “That’s a mile and a half from here.” “Done!” cried the others. “All ready?” “Yes.” “Then go!” Off shot the four cadets, keeping abreast for a distant of several rods. Then Andy pedalled to the front. “Here is where I bid you good-bye!” sang out the acrobatic youth. “Not much you don’t!” answered Pepper, and commenced to push on his pedals harder than ever. He soon ranged alongside of Andy, and away they went, side by side, with Dale and Jack dropping further and further behind. “I can’t make time in this uniform,” said the young major. “Let them race it out.” “Just what I say,” answered Dale. “I hate to get in a perspiration right before supper anyway.” On and on went Andy and Pepper. The road was in excellent condition and so were the cadets. Each lad rode well and it remained a question as to who would come in ahead. Half the distance to the post had been covered when the racers reached a turn. Around this they sped, and as they did so an unexpected scream reached their ears. It came from two girls in a buggy. “Don’t run us down!” came the cry. And then the cadets saw that the girls had been in the act of turning their buggy around and that the turnout completely filled the road. There was but one thing to do and that was to turn aside. Andy went to the right and Pepper to the left, and each brought up rather suddenly in a clump of bushes. Andy flew over his handle bars, and it was only his acrobatic agility that saved him from being seriously hurt. [Illustration: There was but one thing to do, and that was to turn aside.] Both of the girls screamed again, this time louder than ever. “They are killed!” moaned one. “Oh, how dreadful!” came from the other. “It’s our fault, Flossie!” “I know it, Laura!” Their horse, greatly startled by the sudden appearance of the bicyclists, had begun to rear and plunge and for the moment the girls had to give all their attention to the animal in an effort to quiet it. “Why, it’s Pepper Ditmore!” cried the older girl, as The Imp arose to his feet from the bushes. “And Andy Snow,” added the other girl. Still somewhat dazed the cadets looked again at the girls and now recognized two old acquaintances, Laura and Flossie Ford. They were the daughters of Rossmore Ford, a rich gentleman who had a fine summer home on a point of the lake shore. As related in “The Putnam Hall Cadets,” Andy, Jack and Pepper had once saved Laura and Flossie from drowning, and for this brave act the Fords were extremely grateful.