“Such as walloping Bull,” suggested Dewey, whereat the ex-cowboy smacked his lips. “Bull is a goin’ to git walloped pretty soon,” observed the latter, “ef he don’t stop his tomfoolery.” “Bull has no idea of doing that,” said Mark. “His enmity is of too long standing for that. And there goes the drum, by the way.” Bull Harris had tried one trick more, a trick the most contemptible of them all. The reader has of course been discerning enough to guess the authorship of that anonymous note. If he has not he has only to read a short way further and see the new method by which Bull proposed to achieve his villainous desire. About the same hour that the plebes were discussing their new resolution certain other cadets, four in number, were also holding a council. They were yearlings, all of them well known to us. They were very much excited over something just then. “Did he get it?” Vance was eagerly inquiring. “He did,” said Bull. “And he read it, too”. “Did you see him?” “Yes. I watched him from the tent across the way.” “And was he mad at all?” “Mad! I guess. By George! he was red as a lobster!” “Do you suppose he’ll do anything about it now?” Bull sneered as he responded. “Do you suppose I was such a fool as to fix it that way? Not much! He’s going to wait to get his proof to-night――that is, if he’s got any sense at all.” “What kind of proof will he get?” “You’re worse than a catechism, Vance,” chuckled Bull. “He, he!” chimed in Baby. “A catechism! Pretty good! See that, Merry? A catechism asks questions, you know――――” “Oh, shut up!” snapped Vance. “You ought to be minding your own business! See here, Bull, I want to know how you’re going to manage this. What’s the use of being so secret about it? How’s Allen going to catch Mallory to-night?” “He’s going to find him out of camp,” answered Bull. “But how do you know Mallory’ll go?” “I’ll fix that!” laughed Bull. “I’ll tell you about it. But here comes Allen now. Wait till after inspection.” The four precious scamps scattered to their respective tents at that and there was a brief cessation of the plotting while every one attended to business. Pretty soon, however, the wheels began to turn again and the little drama to hurry on. It was after the ceremony of guard mounting and inspection had both gone by. The plebes who were so unfortunate as to be assigned to the duty of policing lined up for work. The rest of the corps was at liberty to roam the woods as they pleased after that until dinner time. And then it was that things began to happen again. Our friends, as it chanced, were curious and eager to see what happened to the remainder of the feast left behind them so hurriedly last night. It had occurred to them that it might not be a bad idea to clear away the _débris_, in case Allen should chance to stroll over that way. Accordingly they set out through the woods, all of them together. They did not reach their destination, however. They heard a voice behind them calling: