lads," announced Andy. "And see, they have spotted us!"
He was right, the other crowd, nine strong, were students from Pornell.
They were led by Roy Bock and a fellow named Grimes. They had been
good-naturedly snowballing each other, but now they stopped.
"Three Putnam Hall cadets!" cried Bock. "Come on, fellows, here's a
chance for sport."
"Let's snowball 'em good and proper!" exclaimed Grimes.
"Everybody on the jump!" yelled another Pornell youth.
"Let's surround 'em," was the suggestion offered.
"We'll hammer the daylights out of 'em," came from one lad, who could
only be brave when backed up by a crowd.
"Yes, surround 'em, don't let 'em get away!" cried Bock. "Come on!" And
he led the way on the run, making snowballs as he moved.
CHAPTER XIX
ABOUT A SET OF TEETH
"I am afraid we are in for it!" whispered the young major, as he saw the
rush of the Pornell students, each armed with all the snowballs he could
carry.
"Shall we run away?" asked Andy. "I guess we can run as fast as they
can."
"Never!" replied Pepper. "I am going to the Hall and on this road."
"So am I!" added Jack.
"Then let us rush 'em?" suggested Andy. "We can't stand and fight nine
of 'em--we'll be snowed under."
"Rush it is," returned the young major. "Wait till I give the signal."
On came the enemy, and soon the snowballs were flying at a lively rate.
It was growing dark, but the aim of the Pornell students was good and
the chums were hit several times. They threw snowballs in return,
hitting Bock in the breast and Grimes in the chin.
"Come on, throw 'em over!" roared Bock. "Roll 'em in the snow!"
"And stuff some snow down their backs!" added Grimes.
"Now then, all together!" cried Jack. "Keep as close as possible! One,
two, three!"
Side by side the three chums bounded forward, straight for the line of
Pornellites. They came on swiftly and took the enemy by surprise. Jack
bumped into Bock, hurling him flat, and Pepper bowled over Grimes. Andy
bent low and caught another student by the legs, sending him over into a
fourth, and both went flat. Then the three cadets caught a fifth and ran
him along the road and into a hollow, where he went into snow up to his
waist.
"Stop 'em! Stop 'em!" was the cry, but the Putnam Hall boys could not be
stopped. Turning, they delivered a parting shower of snowballs, and then
ran on, in the direction of the school.
"I guess the Pornell fellows will remember that
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