e would be no one in the hall outside, therefore, and so whatever
noise the boys might make would not be heard by the doctor or any of the
professors.

The clock struck ten and as the last stroke sounded the lights went out
and in a moment all was dark in the dormitory.

Then there was a sudden rush and Jack sat up in bed, turned and reached
for the water jug which was just behind him.

Swift but light footsteps were heard approaching the bed on three sides
and then there was a sudden howl, or chorus of howls from all sides.

"Wow! what's that?"

"Ouch! who left tacks on the floor?"

"Gee whiz! stop that!"

Jack had strewn a few small tacks on the floor and the boys who had
meant to give him a little hazing had stepped upon them in the dark.

One of the invaders fell against the bed and at once the water jug
tumbled over upon him or at any rate that was what he supposed had
happened in his confusion.

"What's the matter, boys?" asked Jack, quietly, and then a flash of
light from a pocket searchlight shone from the bed.

"Tacks!" exclaimed one.

"Waterspouts!" ejaculated another, he who had been drenched by the
contents of the jug.

"Do you often have these little affairs, boys?" asked Jack, with
provoking coolness. "Do you enjoy them?"

Two of the boys were sitting on the edge of their beds taking tacks out
of their feet while another was looking for a dry night shirt in his
locker.

The others looked rather sheepish and no attempt was made to rush in
upon Jack who said with the least suspicion of a laugh:

"Better go to bed, boys. Some one might have heard the noise and be
coming up to investigate."

Then the light suddenly went out as steps were heard in the hall outside
and all was still within.

Whoever was outside was evidently unsuspicious of what had happened
within for the footsteps passed the door and went on down the hall and
not a word was heard.

"I guess that was one on us," muttered Billy Manners when all was quiet
again, "and we'd better let it go at that and score a point for the new
fellow."

Evidently, his advice was taken for there was no more disturbance in the
dormitory for the rest of the night and in the morning when the bell
sounded for the boys to get up Jack was out of bed before any of his new
companions.

CHAPTER III

SOME OF THE BOYS AND THEIR WAYS

The boys were awakened at six o'clock, went into chapel at half past
six, had breakfast at seven, went th