“I’ve got news!” cried Pepper, a few days before the game was to come off.  “Some of the Pornell students are coming to the game, and I understand they are going to try to make trouble for our team.”

“Is it the Roy Bock crowd?” questioned Jack.

“Yes.”

“Then it is up to you to keep an eye on them, Pepper.  We can’t do it while we are playing.”

“I’ll keep an eye on ’em, don’t fear,” was the answer.

The eleven practiced every afternoon, under the direction of Mr. Strong, who had once been a player on a college team.  Josiah Crabtree took no interest in the sport, declaring it was a waste of valuable time.

“I’ve got a plan to outwit the Pornellites, if they try any funny work,” said Pepper, the day before the game.  And then he took about a dozen cadets aside and told them what his plan was.  All agreed to help him, and did what he asked of them without delay.

The day for the game dawned clear and bright, and promptly on time the eleven started for Cedarville in the carryall, which had just come from the repair shop.  Some of the cadets went on their bicycles, and Captain Putnam and some of the teachers drove over in carriages.

When the cadets arrived at the grounds they found quite a crowd assembled.  Horns and banners were in evidence, and from a flagpole floated the Stars and Stripes.  On one side was a grandstand and this was about three-quarters filled.

“I see some friends of mine,” cried Pepper, and advanced to the stand.

He had caught sight of Laura Ford, and her sister, Flossie, two young ladies who lived on the lake-shore at a place called Point View Lodge.  In the past Pepper and his chums had done the Ford sisters several valuable services, for which Laura and Flossie were profoundly grateful.

“Oh, how do you do, Pepper?” called out Laura, on catching sight of him.

“Aren’t you playing?” questioned Flossie.

“No, I’m merely an onlooker to-day,” answered Pepper, and he raised his cap and shook hands.  “How have you been since I saw you last?”

“Very well, thank you,” answered Laura.

“We hope Putnam Hall will win,” came from her sister.

“You can’t hope it any more than I do,” answered Pepper, and then he introduced several cadets to the young ladies, and all sat down to enjoy the game.

Pepper has his eyes open for the appearance of the students from Pornell.  At first a few came in and took a stand in a corner, out of the way.  They did not belong to the Bock crowd and seemed to be content to behave themselves.

“Maybe Roy Bock got cold feet and stayed away,” said a cadet named Melmore.

“No, here he comes!” cried Bob Grenwood.  “And Sedley and four others are with him.”

Pepper looked in the direction pointed out and saw Roy Bock and his cronies approaching.  All had big tin horns and immense wooden rattles, and their pockets bulged with apples and peanuts.