The Red Cloud chief., 1881-01-06

against a second-story window. The
window was raised and o head thrust
out.
els it you, FredT'
"Yes, be quick"
"All ready" whispered Ross, and
slipping through the window TO the
shed beneath, he dropped TO the ground
by aid OF the water-spout. The two
vent on to a by-lane, where they were
presently joined by two other boys
whom they greeted as Brinley and
Tubbs.
"Have you found out where he
sleeps2" asked Fred.
"Yes. on the second floor; but
there S a grape vine trellis right under
it, answered Tubbs. II made an er-
rand to his room. and found out the lay
of the land. The spring is on the right
hand lower pane. Nothing is easier
than To break the glass and reach
through"
ado you suppose he'll resist?' asked
Ross.
No doubt he viii il we give him a
chance" said Brinley. coolly. How
ever, if you're getting scared, you'd
better 20 home TO your mother"
I'm not scared" said Ross, indig-
nantly; but it's "a well To be prepared.
and Lamar is no coward"
THAT remains TO be proved" said
Brinley. "See il he doesn't beg before
we get through with him"
"Have you brought the masks?'
asked Fred.
IL have them" said Tubbs. land the
cord, too" displaying the articles to his
companions.
And now Won will wonder what deed
of darkness these four youths were con-
templating. that they should steal forth
at midnight with mask and cord. but
let me hasten To assure you that YOU are
not reading a tale of rapinc and murder,
but only Of a school-boy %frolic; at least,
70 they considered it.
Not 10 be behind certain higher insti.
t%utiOns. they were about To haze a new
student, who had had the misfortune Ia
render himself unpopular. by keeping
aloof from his fel~low-students, which
they chose to attribute TO pride and
fancied superiority.
They say he's a Spaniard," said
Brinley.
"He NAV be of Spanish descent, but
he halls from Georgia" said Fred.
Hes black enough to be of African
descent" said Tubbs.
And ugly enough to be the missing
link" SAID Ross, at which there was .
general laugh.
Come, bows. this will never do
said Brinley; lit will be morning be.
fore we know it. Now for the m0iu.
opcrandi. Having got into the room
and tied him fast. what are we to dc
with him?"
Look here. fellows, I've a plan
said Fred. Don't lets hurt him; but
lets set him up in the armchair. and
brought grandma's cap and spectacles.'
TOO tame," said Brinley; al say
give him a ducking first, and then put
him in costume if you like"
These, and other plans, all more Of
less brutal were suggested, the final de
cision being in favor of ducking theil
victim, and then securing him in tho
academy yard, arrayed in shawl, cap anu
spectacles, where he would be in full
view ofthc carly-rising part of the com
munity in the morning.
Suddenly a voice SAID, in tones loud
distinct and earnest
Boys, don't do it."
They turned in CONSERVATION and sur
prise, for they heard 10 footsteps, anC
there stood Old Billings.
Boys, don't do it, he repeated.
housekeeping, hcy?" said Brin
ln- Yla urn, thu first tn rnnnuap him
self.
Call it eavesdropping. if you WILL
said the old man; lit matters not to me
so you'll heed my warning"
Suppose wedon't choose to heed it, v
said Brinley, ..what do you propose to
do about it,"
Nothing" said the old a and
. his voice was more in sorrow than il
anger.
Brinley was prepared for threats, ant
would have answered them with def
ance, but to this unexpected reply ht
did not know what to say.
lis Lamar a friend of yOurs?' said
Tubbs.
Il have yet spoken to him.
said Billings.
Then why do you take somuch pain,
to save him from harm?"
81 do it for your sakes as much as
his"
Hes trying to brighten us!' cried
Brinley. ..He thinks Lamar will de
fend himself has warned him, per
hapsr'
Il have not warned him." said the
old man, simply. Whether he defends
himself will depend on whether you
catch him sleeping or waking. As t.
frightening you. why. four against one
is pretty good odds"
Brinley felt himself color at these
words, and Fred Loring cried. That's
true. anyhowr'
$50 it is!' $50 it isl" said Tubb:
and Ross.
Now, boys, take the advice of 9
friend; go home and 60 to bed, and to
morrow night come to my house and
viii tell you a story" said Old Billings,
sadly. "What say you?"
IL am ready to agree to both propo-
~sitions." said Fred. What doyousay,
Brinley?"
ANY way the game is up for to.
night" replied he, land we may rs
well dispense. We can't do anything
now"
The mex day, as Billings was walk,
ing homeward through the woods, q
hand was laid upon his shoulder, and
the dark but expressive face of the new
student appeared beside him.
"Do vou know what you saved me
from last night?' asked he, abruptly.
From nothing worse than being the
subject of some boyish trick, most like.
ly."
1T is more likely you saved me from
being a murderer" said Lamar. Feel
my arm, sir"
Its like iron," said the old man,
surprised.
There's good muscle for a lad o.
seventeen" said Lamar. i've been
%cultivating it since | was eight years
old. l heard of the visit intended for
me last night. No matter how Ineard
1.-THE same way that you did. perhaps
but L knew the fellows were coming.
and l prepared to give them { warm re-
ception. 1 did not rely on ny muscle
alone, either. l had my revolver, and |
know how To use it. From eleven till
A.