ent in one day to buy a few cents worth of candy. They were
difficult to please and insisted that Philip should hand them some from
a jar on an upper shelf. While his back was turned Paul reached far into
a barrel where a few nice, red apples lay on the bottom. As he balanced
on his stomach over the chime of the barrel, Stockie saw his
opportunity for mischief and gave him a push that toppled him down on
his head. The noise caused old Philip to turn around. He thought the
lads only intended to fool him when they asked for the candy. He rushed
from behind the counter, easily capturing Paul, who was helpless in the
barrel, while Stockie dashed through the door roaring with laughter.
This was the reason that Philip would never allow either boy in his
store, so Paul and Stockie had to buy their candy by proxy.

But to return to the "Wild Geese." As the various committees reported,
they would find a roaring fire and everything ready for cooking. The
banquet table was generally prepared in the upper story or loft and
consisted of two long boards on trestles. The seats were round blocks
of wood. The chief luxuries of the banquet itself, besides the store
supplies, were chicken and potatoes. The chickens had been prepared
by rolling them in mud; then baking them. When fully cooked the feathers
came off. A sharp knife ripped them open and the baked entrails were
easily removed. The potatoes were simply roasted in the hot ashes. The
commoner articles of the banquet menu, such as bread, butter, salt and
pepper were always appropriated from the college table. The first
banquet that ever took place in the old log cabin followed the
election of officers. Paul was unanimously elected chief and escorted
to the head of the table. Stockie and Billy O'Meara, of Washington, as
first and second lieutenants, sat on either side. It is doubtful if
ever a pirate captain looked with more pride on his gallant crew, or
if a real banquet was ever more thoroughly enjoyed by the
participants.

Several times during the winter the "Wild Geese" were attacked by the
"Wild Hens." They were always repulsed excepting one day when the latter
were re-enforced by an alien crowd. The "Wild Geese" defended their
cabin bravely, but, were driven foot by foot, until they wore compelled
to retreat to the loft and draw up the ladder. The lower portion of the
cabin was in full possession of the besiegers, who demolished
everythi