long as Gif Garrison is captain!" cried Slugger
to Nappy Martell; and that evening he sent in his resignation, which
Gif promptly accepted.

The game with Columbus Academy was not to take place until two weeks
later, so that, although they kept at their practice, the football
players had considerable time for other things. Jack and his cousins
had continued their target practice, and their shooting was now so
accurate that Captain Dale complimented them upon it.

"The hunting season opens to-morrow," announced Jack one day, as he
came back from an errand to the town. "How I'd like to go out and try
my luck!"

"I'd like to go myself," spoke up Fred.

A number of the senior cadets had received permission to go hunting and
Jack spoke to one of these youths about the prospects.

"I'd like first rate to have you come with me, Rover," said the cadet,
Frank Newberry by name; "and if your cousin Fred wants to come along,
he can do so."

"We'd have to get permission first, and also permission to use a couple
of the shotguns," answered Jack. The gun rack at Colby Hall boasted a
number of these weapons, but none of them could be taken out and used
without special permission from Captain Dale.

It was no easy matter for Jack and Fred to gain the desired permission,
but when Colonel Colby heard from Captain Dale what good shots the boys
had proved to be, he said they might go out, along with Frank Newberry
and some of the others.

"But I want you to be very careful," said the colonel impressively. "I
wouldn't have an accident happen to you for the world. Don't fire a
charge until you are absolutely sure of what you're firing at. Never
point your gun at anybody else; and be very careful how you handle your
weapon in climbing a fence or leaping over rocks or brushwood."

The twins were a bit envious over the prospects for their cousins, but
they wished Jack and Fred the best of luck. All of the cadets who were
to go out had lessons in the morning, but they departed directly after
dinner, and were told that they could remain out as long as they
pleased.

"Now, don't forget to bring back a deer or a bear," cried Andy.

"And if you can, bag a buffalo or a hippopotamus," added his twin.

"We'll be lucky if we bag some rabbits and a squirrel or two or some
woodcock," answered Jack. "Big game doesn't exist around here any more.
The farms are too thick."

"Well, be sure and bring down a pink canary bird, anyway," advised
An