The other cadets fell back, so that he might have all the air he desired. This was the chance the bully wanted and with a bound he arose and commenced to run for camp with all the speed he could command. “Corporal of the guard!” he yelled, as he dodged past one of the cadets on guard. “Thieves! Robbers! Help!” he went on, and then he dodged into his tent and threw himself on his cot, pretending to be asleep as before. The loud alarm woke the entire camp, just as the bully had desired, and Captain Putnam came rushing from his tent, followed by George Strong. Then Major Jack appeared and so did Captain Bart Conners and Captain Henry Lee. “What is the trouble?” demanded Captain Putnam. “I don’t know, sir,” answered Major Jack, but he suspected that some of the cadets were out for a lark. “I’ll go the rounds of the guards and find out,” went on the master of the school shortly. He was determined to break up the horseplay if it could possibly be accomplished. In the meantime Andy, Pepper and the others had not yet gotten into camp. They had to put the swing rope away and distribute the belts, and the sudden alarm given by Ritter had taken them all unawares. “Say, fellows, we are going to have a tight squeeze of it getting in,” said Pepper, as the alarm increased. “I didn’t think Ritter would be mean enough to raise such a hullabaloo,” said Dale. “He can’t take a joke.” “He is sour on our crowd and will do all in his power to get us into trouble,” said Joe. “We can’t get past Fred again, for there is Captain Putnam making straight for that post!” said another. “Come on down to the lake front,” said Andy. “But be quick. They may call the roll!” The cadets skirted the woods on the double-quick and came down to the water’s edge. Here, to their relief, they found Hogan on guard. Hale gave a low whistle, to which the Irish cadet responded. Then up into the air went Emerald’s face and he commenced to study the stars, utterly oblivious to his surroundings. “This is our chance!” cried Pepper, and past the guard they sped, Hogan paying not the slightest attention to them. After they had passed Dale whistled once more, and the Irish cadet withdrew his gaze from the stars and resumed his march to the end of his post Scarcely had the boys gotten into camp when the drum rolled out sharply. Wondering what was wrong, those who had been sleeping soundly got up and hurried to the parade ground. Lanterns and torches were lit, and the two companies lined up. “Have the roll called, Major Ruddy,” said Captain Putnam. “Note carefully the names of all those who do not answer.” “I will sir,” answered the young officer, and he wondered how many of his chums would prove to be missing. Pepper dropped into line yawning broadly, as if just aroused from a heavy sleep, and Andy and the others followed suit, Dale stretching himself as if he could not get awake.