ob is done we'll wake
him up and tell him Captain Putnam wants to see him at once."
Several boys were let into the secret, and then all waited impatiently
for Tubbs to retire. This he soon did, and in a few minutes was sound
asleep.
"Now then, come on," said Sam, and led the way to carry out the
anticipated fun.
CHAPTER III
THE DOINGS OF A NIGHT
As luck would have it, William Philander Tubbs just then occupied a
tent alone, his two tent-mates being on guard duty for two hours as was
the custom during encampment.
The aristocratic cadet lay flat on his back, with his face and throat
well exposed.
"Now, be careful, Sam, or you'll wake him up," whispered Tom.
One cadet held a candle, while Sam and Tom blackened the face of the
sleeping victim of the joke. The burnt cork was in excellent condition
and soon William Philander looked for all the world like a coal-black
darkey.
"Py chimanatics, he could go on der stage py a nigger minstrel
company," was Hans Mueller's comment.
"Makes almost a better nigger than he does a white man," said Tom,
dryly.
"Wait a minute till I fix up his coat for him," said Fred Garrison, and
turned the garment inside out.
A moment later all of the cadets withdrew, leaving the tent in total
darkness. Then one stuck his head in through the flap.
"Hi, there, Private Tubbs!" he called out. "Wake up!"
"What--ah--what's the mattah?" drawled the aristocratic cadet, sleepily.
"Captain Putnam wants you to report to him or to Mr. Strong at once,"
went on the cadet outside, in a heavy, assumed voice.
"Wants me to report?" questioned Tubbs, sitting up in astonishment.
"Yes, and at once. Hurry up, for it's very important."
"Well, this is assuredly strange," murmured William Philander to
himself. "Wonder what is up?"
He felt around in the dark for a light, but it had been removed by Tom
and so had all the matches.
"Beastly luck, not a match!" growled Tubbs, and then began to dress in
the dark. In his hurry he did not notice that his coat was inside out,
nor did he discover that his face and hands were blacked.
Captain Putnam's quarters were at the opposite end of the camp, and in
that direction William Philander hurried until suddenly stopped by a
guard who chanced to be coming in from duty.
"Halt!" cried the cadet. "What are you doing in this camp?" he
demanded.
"Captain Putnam wants me," answered Tubbs, thinking the guard wanted to
know why he was as
|