PREPARING FOR A MID-NIGHT FEAST

Dick was in a quandary as to how he was to treat all of his friends, and called Sam and Tom to him for consultation.

“I’ve got a dollar and a quarter,” said Sam, “you can use that, and welcome.”

“And here is a dollar and ten,” added Tom, passing over the amount in ten cent pieces and nickels.  “Haven’t you any money of your Own?”

“I have two dollars and thirty cents,” answered Dick.

That makes four dollars and sixty-five cents,” said Tom, summing up.  “That’s enough for a pretty fair blow-out.”

“So it is, Tom, but where is the stuff to come from?  Mrs. Green won’t sell it to me.”

“That’s true.”

“And she has her pantries all locked up.”

“Oh, pshaw!  You don’t want to treat the boys on school stuff,” said Sam.  “Get ’em something from Cedarville —­ some bottled soda, candies, nuts, and things like that.”

“That’s the talk, Dick.  Let us sneak out after dark and go to Cedarville!” cried Tom.  “That would just suit me.”

“I’ll think it over,” answered his big brother slowly.

After supper found most of the cadets indoors, for the night promised to be cold.  About half of the boys remained in the library, while the others betook themselves to their rooms.

“Well?” queried Tom, as he approached Dick on the stairs.

“I’m ready, Tom,” answered his brother.

“But be careful, or we’ll be spotted.”

Like a pair of ghosts they glided up the front stairs, along the broad hallway, and down the stairs in the rear.  The door was unlocked, and they passed into the yard.

“Let us take Peleg Snuggers into our confidence,” whispered Tom.  “For a quarter I am certain he’ll let us have one of the captain’s nags.”

“You can test him if you wish,” answered Dick, who was doubtful.

Peleg Snuggers was found in the harness room’ shining up some buckles by the aid of a stable lantern.

“Hullo, Peleg —­ working rather late,” was Tom’s greeting.

“Yes, sir —­ got behind,” answered the utility man.  “What brought you here?”

“I want a horse, Peleg.  Which one can I have?”

“A horse!  Did the captain send you?”

Instead of replying Tom held out a silver quarter.  “Don’t ask questions, Peleg, but just let me take a horse for an hour or two, that’s a good man.”

“Can’t do it, Master Rover —­ against orders, sir.”

“Oh, yes, you can.  We won’t hurt the beast.  We are bound to get to Cedarville and back before ten o’clock.  Do you want us to drop on the road from exhaustion and be frozen to death?” and Tom put the question in all seriousness.

“No, no, certainly not!”

“Then bring out a horse.  That black will do.  Here, take the quarter, Peleg, and much obliged to you.  Hurry up.”

“Was there ever such a boy!” grumbled the man; but, nevertheless, he arose and got the black horse ready for them, hooking the animal to a small cutter.