“A splendid game,” was Mr. Strong’s comment.

“I am proud of our cadets,” added Captain Putnam.

“They are an honor to the school, sir.”

“Yes, Mr. Strong, they are.”

Some of the boys remained in Cedarville for the rest of the afternoon.  As soon as Jack and Andy had put aside their football outfits, they joined Pepper and the Ford girls, and all went to meet Mr. Rossmore Ford, who had just arrived in his carriage.

“I am sorry I missed the game,” said the rich gentleman.  “It must have been fine.”

“Oh, papa, it was lovely!” cried Laura.

“I was so pleased to see Putnam Hall win!” added Flossie.

“Were you?” said Mr. Ford, and laughed good-naturedly.  “Now, I imagined you came to encourage the Dauntless boys.”

“Papa, you know better!” cried both girls.

“How would you young gentlemen like to drive home with us and dine at the Lodge?” asked the gentleman.

“Oh, yes, come!” cried Flossie.

“Do!” urged Laura.

“Well, I don’t know,” answered Jack, slowly.  “The eleven is going to celebrate to-night, and they want us.  Otherwise, I’d like it very much.”

“Then come some other time,” answered Rossmore Ford.

“Thank you, we will,” answered Andy; and after a few words more the Fords drove off and the cadets walked away to join their fellows.

It was a jolly crowd that returned to Putnam Hall late that afternoon, and Captain Putnam was willing that they should have all the sport the rules of the institution permitted.

“Bonfires to-night!” cried Andy.

“Biggest ever!” returned Pepper.  “I’ve got a surprise.”

“What is it, Pep?” asked several in a chorus.

“If I tell you, will you keep it to yourselves?”

“Sure!” was the ready answer.

“Well, you saw those tar-roofers at work on the new top of the dock at Cedarville?”

“Yes.”

“I bought three empty tar-barrels from the foreman.  He is going to leave them in the woods yonder for me at seven o’clock.  They’ll make the finest bonfires you ever saw.”

“That’s the cheese!” cried Dale, slangily.  “Do you know what we can do?  Place one barrel on top of another and touch them off.  They’ll make the greatest blaze you ever heard of.”

“But mum’s the word until the right time comes,” warned Pepper.  And then the crowd dispersed for the evening drill.

Two boys had been listening to the talk from behind a nearby clump of bushes.  They were Reff Ritter and Gus Coulter.

Neither of the cronies had gone to the football game, having preferred to walk to a cabin in the woods, where they could smoke and play cards.  The victory of Jack and his friends had put them in a particularly bad humor.

“I suppose they expect a great celebration with those tar-barrels,” muttered Coulter.  “Say, I tell you what let’s do!” he cried.  “Let us sneak to the woods before they arrive and roll the barrels down to the lake!”