, where have you been? Why
didn't you come on the boat with us?"

"I got in last night," answered Andy Snow. "How are you, anyway?" And he
shook hands cordially.

"Oh, I'm as fine as a new-tooth comb," answered Pepper Ditmore, with a
grin. "Ready for study and fun."

"Especially fun, I'll wager. How about it, Jack?"

"Oh, Pepper usually manages to get his share," came from the young major
of the Putnam Hall battalion. "But, Andy, did you---- Hi, look where you
are going, will you, Ritter!" cried Jack, rather angrily.

A tall youth, carrying a big dress-suit case, had forced his way through
the crowd, hitting Jack in the knee with his baggage.

"What do you want to block the way for?" demanded Reff Ritter, sourly.
"Think you own the dock?"

"I've got as much right here, Ritter, as you have!" retorted the young
major, sharply. "Don't you knock me again like that."

"I will--if you get in my way."

"If you do, you'll take the consequences."

"Bah! Don't you try to dictate to me, Jack Ruddy!" growled Reff Ritter.
"You got the best of me last term, but you'll not get the best of me
this term, I'll tell you that!"

"Phew! Ritter is somewhat peppery!" whispered Andy Snow.

"I guess I know the reason," came from a student named Dale Blackmore.

"What is it?"

"I'll tell you later--too much of a crowd here," rejoined Dale.

About twenty cadets, all bound for Putnam Hall Military Academy, had
arrived on the boat from Ithaca, and these, along with some others who
had come down to the dock to see the boat come in, gathered around Jack
Ruddy and Reff Ritter to see the outcome of the unexpected encounter.

Jack Ruddy had good cause to consider Reff Ritter his enemy. But he had
hoped that during the term now opening at the school the bully of Putnam
Hall would keep his distance.

"I am not trying to dictate to you, Ritter," answered Jack, as calmly as
he could. "But I don't propose to let you hit me with your suitcase."

"Huh! It was an accident!" growled Reff.

"Oh, come on, Reff!" put in Gus Coulter, the bully's close crony. "Let
us get good seats in the carryall."

"That's the talk! Let us get in before the others take the seats!" came
from Nick Paxton, another crony.

He pushed ahead, and his elbow caught Pepper Ditmore directly in the
ribs.

"Not quite so swift, Paxton!" cried Pepper, and he gave the cadet a
quick shove backwards. Paxton bumped into Reff Ritter, lost his
footing, and fell over the dres