D’ye think I’d wallop him? No, no, no.’ On the contrary, I would endeavor, if possible, to secure his cooperation with our plans by the gentler method of moral suasion--oats, for instance.” “Or a good fat thistle.” “Or a handful of sorrel.” “Or a cold boiled turnip.” “Or some delicate chickweed.” After some further consideration they came to the conclusion to make an attempt to carry out the donkey proposal that very night. In the course of the evening various things were prepared. A number of bits of old carpet with some cord were most conspicuous among these preparations. Their plan was based on the supposition that Pat had not heard this donkey bray, and was, perhaps, unaware of its existence here. They were quite sure that he had not been up near the pasture field since the donkey came, and so he was probably unaware of its presence. Consequently when Pat began his little tricks to-night, he would find a startling cooperator. The boys waited till all were in bed, and then brought down the donkey. They had but little trouble in leading him along. They took him into a grove in front of the Academy, and there tied bits of carpet around each foot. Then began their efforts to get him up stairs. Here was where they anticipated failure. But to their surprise this was accomplished without any very great difficulty. The little animal, tempted by turnips held in front of his nose, encouraged by strokings, and pulled and pushed along, made a rush up the first flight. He went up as nimbly as a goat, and didn’t make more noise than six men pounding up with all their might. The noise certainly exceeded all that they had calculated upon. Then came the second flight. The donkey went up triumphantly; but by the time he reached the top he had lost three of the four bandages in which his feet were tied. Here they heard a door open at the foot of the stairs, and Bogud’s voice calling,-- “What’s all that? Who’s there?” “O, nothing. It’s only a new student,” said Bart, quietly. Bogud’s door closed again. They then led the donkey on. But just as they reached Jiggins’s door, it opened, and Jiggins put forth his head, holding a candle out, and blinking at them. To his horror he saw immediately in front of him the shaggy companion of the “B. O. W. C.” But at the same moment he recognized the boys, and this reassured him. “What--what’s all this?” he gasped. “It’s a nightmare,” said Bart; “we’re taking him up to fight the ghost.” At this the donkey looked amiably at the figure in the doorway, and making a step forward, put his head through, and was about entering when the occupant of the room banged the door in his face. The boys then resumed their journey. But the last flight was not passed without a fearful racket, and the donkey lost the remaining bandage. At length, however, they reached the top, and walking softly themselves, they led the donkey over to a point near where Pat’s room was.