so, sir."

"Very good. You may go."

Frank's duties kept him very busy during the most of the day. He had
little time to look after Davis, and he scarcely gave his fag a thought
till after supper, when the dusk of evening was settling over the cove,
and the "plebe hotels" had been surrounded at various points by
mischievous yearlings. Then he took a fancy to stroll around and see
how Baby was getting along.

On his way down the street he passed the tent occupied by Bascomb. He
might have walked on, but the low, fierce voice of the big cadet caught
his ear, and he distinctly heard these words:

"What's that? You refuse to bring water for me? Have done this kind
of work already for Merriwell? So Corporal Merriwell has been
compelling a plebe to perform menial services? Well, that might cost
him those pretty stripes on his sleeves! What do I care for him! I
want you to bring that water, and you will bring it."

"But he told me not to do work of this kind for anybody else but
myself," came the faltering voice of Fred Davis.

"Oh, he did? Well, that's interesting! I suppose by that he means to
lay claim to you. I wonder what Lieutenant Gordan would say if he knew
what one of his particular pets has been up to! We'll see who is best
man in this affair. Bring that water!"

"I--I don't want to, sir."

"Well, it doesn't make any difference about that; you'll bring it,
whether you want to or not. If you don't, I will----"

"What will you do in that case, Bascomb?" quietly asked Frank, as he
stepped lightly and quickly into the tent, and confronted the big
cadet, who was towering over Fred Davis in a threatening attitude.

Bascomb recoiled, with a muttered exclamation of dismay.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

SPORT WITH A PLEBE.

"Merriwell----!"

Bascomb's face showed he was little pleased by the appearance of Frank.

"I believe you were about to tell Mr. Davis what you would do in case
he declined to bring a bucket of water for you, sir," said the yearling
with chevrons. "Pray, proceed!"

"This--this is an intrusion!" grated Bascomb.

"Really so?" And Frank's eyebrows were uplifted in mock surprise. "I
presumed I would be welcome to the tent of a classmate."

"Well, you are not welcome here," growled the big fellow.

"What are you going to do about it?"

"Nothing. If you haven't the instincts of a gentleman----"

Frank interrupted with a laugh.

"Really that sounds fine from your lips, M