CHAPTER XIV
GETTING READY FOR THE ENCAMPMENT
For fully ten seconds after the head teacher appeared nobody spoke. Lew Flapp arose slowly to his feet, and bringing out his handkerchief applied it to his bleeding nose.
"What does this mean?" demanded George Strong sternly.
"He—he pitched into me," faltered Flapp.
"That is hardly true," returned Tom hotly.
"Both of you are well aware that it is against the rules of this school to fight," went on the teacher.
"I know that, Mr. Strong," answered Tom. "But Flapp struck me first."
"It isn't so!" cried the big boy. "I wasn't doing anything, when Rover came along and started to quarrel."
"My brother Sam and Harry Moss can prove that Flapp struck me first."
"That is true," said Harry Moss, while Sam nodded.
"What was the quarrel about?"
"I caught him here, beating Harry with this boat chain. I told him to stop and then he pitched into me."
"Is this true, Moss?"
"Ye—yes, sir, but—I—I—didn't want to say anything about it, sir."
"Do you mean to say that Flapp attacked you with that chain?"
Harry Moss was silent.
"Answer me."
"He did. But, Mr. Strong, I don't want to make any complaint. He and some of the others think I'm a—a sneak already," and now Harry could hardly keep back his tears.
"I don't know why he attacked Harry," put in Tom. "But I couldn't stand it, and I took the chain away from him and told him to stop. Then he struck me, and we pitched into each other—and I guess he got the worst of it," added Tom, a bit triumphantly.
"Hum! Flapp, you may go and bathe your nose, which I see is bleeding, and then come to Captain Putnam's office. The others can come to the office with me."
George Strong led the way, and Tom, Sam, and Harry Moss followed. The teacher took along the boat chain and made Harry show where he had been struck.
Captain Putnam looked very grave when the affair was explained to him. He questioned Harry in private and learned that the attack was made by Flapp because of what the young cadet had told about drinking and smoking.
"Rover, it was wrong to fight," said the captain to Tom. "But under the circumstances I am inclined to be lenient with you. You can retire, and this evening during off time I want you to write one hundred times, the proverb beginning, 'Blessed are the peace-makers.'"
"Yes, sir," said Tom humbly. He was glad to escape thus easily, for he knew that the captain was very strict concerning fighting.
A little later the others were sent off, leaving Lew Flapp alone with Captain Putnam.
"Flapp," said the owner of the school, with a hardness that made the big boy's heart sink into his shoes. "I hardly know what to say to you. Your former conduct was mean enough, and this appears to be on a level with it. With such a heavy boat chain you might have injured Moss very seriously. Do you want me to give you another chance or not?"
"Wh—what do you mean, sir? " asked Flapp, much frightened.
"Do you want to remain at Putnam Hall, or shall I send you home in disgrace?"
"I—I don't want to go home," said the big boy. His father was a rough man and he knew that if his parent heard of this trouble he would make him pay dearly for it.
"I expect my pupils to be young gentlemen," went on Captain Putnam. "This is an academy for the better class of boys only. Bad boys do not come here, but are sent to the reformatory. If I give you another chance will you promise to do better in the future?"
"Yes, sir."
"Very well then, I will give you one more chance. I believe you are somewhat behind in your arithmetic. During the next four days you will remain in during all off time and apply yourself to such examples as your teacher gives you."
"Yes, sir."
"Now you can go, and remember, I want to hear of no further fighting, and no further molesting of Harry Moss."
"I'll remember, sir," answered Lew Flapp meekly, and then left the office and ran up to his dormitory, to bathe his nose and put witch-hazel on his hurts. Although outwardly humble he was in reality burning with rage.
"I'll have to be careful in the future," he told himself, with clenched fists. "But I'll get square—oh, I'll get square!"
"Hullo, hurt yourself?" asked Pender, as he came in.
"Yes, I fell over a boat down at the boathouse," answered the big boy.
"Is that so? I heard something of a fight, and came up to see about it."
"Oh, I had a row with Harry Moss and Tom Rover, but it didn't amount to much, Gus. But, say, I just wish I could square up with Dick Rover, and Tom, too!"
"You said something like that before."
"I'm going to watch my chances."
"Perhaps something will turn up during the encampment."
"Yes, I was thinking of that. A fellow has more of a chance in camp than he does in school."
"It would be a fine thing to get Dick Rover into trouble and make him lose his position as captain," went on Gus Pender.
"Yes, and make Tom Rover lose his position as lieutenant, too," added Flapp.
The term at Putnam Hall was now drawing to a close and it was not long before the semi-annual examinations began. All of the Rovers worked hard over their papers, and with more or less success. Sam came out at the top of his class, while Tom stood third in his grade, and Dick third in a still higher class. The boys lost no time in sending the news home, and received word back that not only their father, but also Uncle Randolph and Aunt Martha, were much pleased with the result.
"Now we'll feel as if we deserve an outing," said Tom, and Sam and Dick agreed with him.
It was on the following morning that Captain Putnam made an announcement that filled all of the cadets with interest.
"You are all anxious, I know, to learn where the annual encampment is to be held," said he, during general assembly. "I am pleased to be able to announce that I have arranged to hold it at Pine Island., a fine bit of ground, located close to the south shore of Bass Lake. The lake is situated about thirty-five miles from here, and we will make a two-days' march to the spot, stopping on the road over night, in true soldier style, weather permitting."
"Hurrah!" burst out half a dozen cadets.
"Three cheers for Captain Putnam!" called out Tom, and they were given with a will.
"I am told that the lake is an excellent one for fishing and for bathing, and I have already engaged six boats which the cadets will be allowed to use from time to time."
Again there was a cheer and with it a loud clapping of hands.
"While in camp you may play such games as you please, during off time, and we will see if we cannot arrange for contests at swimming, rowing, and running, and to the winners suitable prizes shall be given."
"Hurrah for Captain Putnam!" came the cry once more, and again a cheer arose.
"When will we start, captain?"
"Wish we were going right now!"
"We shall start Monday morning," was the answer. "To-morrow we will get out our tents and camping outfits and see that all are in first-class order. It is perhaps needless to add that during this encampment the officers will be in authority during all but off hours, when myself and my assistants will take charge."
This ended the talk, and the students immediately broke up into little groups to discuss the good news.
"We ought to have just a boss good time while in camp," cried Sam. "Think of living in tents, and having nothing to do but fish, and swim, and make yourself comfortable."
"Sam must be getting lazy," returned Dick. "But I grant you I think it will be first-class myself."
About the only pupil who did not relish going into camp was William Philander Tubbs.
"It will be beastly to live out in the open, on the ground," said Tubbs. "Supposing it should rain? Why, we'll all get wet!"
"Never mind, that will make you grow, Tubby," said Sam.
"Sam Rover, how often must I tell you not to address me as—ah—Tubby. My full name"
"Oh, I know that William Longfellow Washington Hezekiah Philander Salamander Tubbs. But you can't expect me to say that every time, can you?" questioned Sam innocently.
"Mine cracious! vos dot his hull name?" burst in Hans Mueller. "It's apout as long as a freight drain, ain't it, alretty!"
"No, my name is"
"Perhaps I forgot one or two syllables," interrupted Sam. "Very sorry, I'm sure."
"I said my name"
"I know you said it, half a dozen times, Billy. But you see life is so very short, and time so precious"
"I meant to say"
"Sorry, Billy, but I can't wait to hear it all," cried Sam, and ran away.
"He is—er—extremely rude," murmured Tubbs.
"Put dot's a long name, ain't it?" said Hans. "I couldn't remember dot no more as I can remember der names of all der kings py England alretty."
"Oh, I am disgusted!" sighed William Philander, and started to walk away.
"Vot is you disgusted apout, Mr. Dubbs?"
"Because they won't call me by my proper name."
"Do da call you by your imbrober name?" asked Hans innocently.
"Eh?"
"I said, do da call you py your imbrober name?" repeated the German youth.
"Oh, don't talk to me," howled Tubbs, and walked away more disconcerted than ever.
"Dot fellow vas so sharp like a pox of bebber, ain't it?" sighed Hans to himself.
The preparations for the annual encampment went forward rapidly. All of the outfit was inspected with care and found to be in good order. Each cadet was provided with a blanket, and a knapsack full of extra underclothing and other necessary things. The captain had already engaged three big wagons to carry the tents, poles, and cooking utensils, including several camp stoves, and from another quarter cots were to be sent to the camp direct, so that the cadets would not be compelled to lie upon the ground.
"Now, I guess everything is ready," said Dick, late Saturday evening.
Sunday was a day of rest for the most part. In the morning the majority of the students marched to church under the directions of the captain and Mr. Strong, and part of the afternoon was spent in writing letters to the folks at home. "Lights out," sounded half an hour earlier than usual, so that the cadets might get a good sleep before starting out on the two days' march.