Tom. "Peleg loves
that, I know he does."

"Don't, neither!" cried the general-utility man. "Now, Tom Rover, you
just let me alone."

"We'll carry you around for your rheumatism, Peleg. You've got
rheumatism, haven't you?"

"No, I haven't."

"It's good for the lumbago, too."

"Ain't got no lumba--Oh, crickey! Let me down, boys. I don't want a
ride!"

"Behold, the conquering hero comes!" announced Sam, as six of the boys
hoisted poor Snuggers up into the air. "Now, sit up straight, Peleg.
Don't you want a sword?"

"Here's a broom," put in Fred Garrison, and handed over an article
which was worn to a stump. "Present arms! Forward, march! General
Washtub will lead the funeral procession."

"If you let me tumble I'll break my neck!" gasped Peleg Snuggers. "Oh,
creation! How can I carry that broom and hold on, too! This is awful!
Shall I call the captain? Let up, I say!"

"Send for Mrs. Green to give him some soothing syrup, he's got the
fits," came from a cadet in the crowd.

"I'll get her," cried Tom, struck with a new idea.

Off ran the fun-loving youth to the kitchen of the academy, where the
matron was superintending the work of several of the hired girls.

"Oh, Mrs. Green, come quick!" he gasped, as he caught the lady by the
arm.

"What is it, Tom?"

"It's poor Peleg! They say he's got a fit! He wants some soothing
syrup, or something!"

"Well, I never!" ejaculated Mrs. Green. "A fit! Poor man! Shall I ring
for the doctor?"

"Perhaps you had better ring for two doctors, or else come and see if
you can help him."

"I'll do what I can," answered the matron, and ran to get some medicine
from a chest. "I know what it is," she added. "It's indigestion. He ate
four ears of green corn for dinner and four for supper,--and it was very
green at that."

"Then he will surely want Mrs. Green to help him," murmured Tom.

Off hurried the matron with some medicine and Tom at her heels.

In the meantime the boys had marched poor Peleg close to the fire.

"Now, steady," cried Sam. "Don't let him fall into the flames and singe
his hair."

"Let us warm his feet for him," cried a cadet. "Take off his shoes and
stockings!"

"Hi, don't you do nuthin' of the kind," cried Peleg Snuggers, in new
alarm. "My feet are warm enough!"

But there was no help for it, and in a twinkling off came his shoes and
his socks followed.

"I ain't a-goin' to have my feet warmed!" groaned the utility man. "You
are worse nor hea