ned the battalion. Others came tumbling out of the
fraternity houses in Buckeye Lane, anxious to join in the lark. Before
entering Main Street, Fred gave his last orders, which were accepted
without question from an alumnus whom they had all learned to know of
late as a sympathetic and stimulating visitor to the Gym, and the
adviser for the Thanksgiving football game in which they had scored a
victory over the hosts of Purdue.

Two blocks from the bank they re-formed in four lines, extending from
curb to curb, and went forward to the strains of "Old Madison":--

"What shall we do for Madison, for Madison, for Madison?
What shall we do for Madison, our college and her men?"

To the familiar strains of the college song, Montgomery had frequently
wept not without reason, for the young Madisonians had been much given
in recent years to ebullitions of college spirit. The timid mayor heard
it now, looked out upon the lines of marching students, and pulled down
his office blinds to avoid witnessing the inevitable collision between
town and gown.

As the students approached, women and timorous men began trying to
escape. Fred signaled to the yell leader, who began beating time, and
the street rang with the college cheer. They gave it over and over
again; they cheered the college and every bank in town, and between
cheers Fred moved the lines forward. The mechanics and farmers, who,
alarmed for the security of their savings, had formed the nucleus of the
crowd, began to disperse before the advance of the students, but the
sidewalks filled with those who expected an encounter and wished to view
it in safety. Merchants closed and barred their doors against possible
invasion. The rougher element, that had attached itself to the throng
and given it the semblance of a mob, now organized hastily for a
counter-demonstration.

"Smash the college dudes!" bawled a big fellow, throwing himself forward
as leader. There was a rush and a sharp struggle. The collegians stood
fast. The town phalanx withdrew to Franklin Street, and, considerably
increased, rushed again upon the collegians. A lively fist-fight now
engaged the vanguard for a minute, to the delight of the spectators.
Hard blows were struck on both sides. While this was in progress, Fred
withdrew the rear ranks of his army, massed them compactly, and led them
in a gallant charge through the shattered line of their comrades,
against the enemy. The students wavered at the mome