ll ready?" questioned George Strong, when the time had come for the
contest.

"All ready on this end," replied Tom, seeing to it that each of his
team was in his proper position and had a proper hold on the rope.

"All ready here," said Rockley, a few seconds later.

"Drop!" cried the teacher, and down went the two teams like a flash,
each pulling for all it knew how. But neither gained an inch at the
fall, so the start-off was perfect.

"Now pull for all you're worth, Rovers!" cried one cadet.

"Haul 'em over, Rockleys!" cried another.

"Steady, boys!" whispered Tom. "Don't get nervous. There is lots of
time."

He was almost flat on his back, with both feet braced firmly in the
soil. Rockley was also down, and it looked as if it might be well-nigh
impossible to budge either.

"This is a dandy tug of war," said Fred Garrison. "Neither has got an
inch of advantage."

"The Rovers will beat!"

"The Rockleys will win!"

"I think it will be a tie," said another.

The strain was terrific and soon each member of the two teams was
bathed in perspiration.

"Here is where you earn your rations!" cried one cadet, and this caused
a general laugh.

"Watch your chances, Tom," whispered Dick, and his brother nodded to
show that he understood.

Both sides were glaring at each other. The strain was beginning to
tell, but so far nobody had thought of letting up in the least.

But now Tom saw two of Rockley's men "getting their wind" as it is
called. They still held on to the rope, but were hardly pulling at all.

"Up!" cried Tom suddenly, and his men went up like a flash. "Down!"
came the cry, an instant later, and down they went, before Rockley's
men could recover.

"Hurrah! the Rovers have gained four inches!" came the shout. And then
those who favored that team set up a cheer.

It was true, the rope had shifted over four inches. Rockley was angry,
but could do nothing.

"Mind yourselves, Wilson and Brady!" he whispered. "Don't let up a
minute."

"I didn't let up," growled Wilson. "It was Chambers."

"Not much!" growled Chambers. "I wasn't--"

"Up!" cried Tom again. "Down! Up! Pull, pull! pull! Down!"

Up and down went the team twice, the second time hauling the rope
forward over a foot. Then they went down once more and anchored as
firmly as ever.

"Good!" shouted Sam enthusiastically. "You're doing it, boys! Keep it
up!"

"Are they?" sneered Lew Flapp. "Just you wait and see."

He had a little ro