Over came the pole, and when it rested on the boys' hands the top overbalanced the bottom and struck the ground, sending the lower end into the air.

As this happened Billy Dean and Charley Atwood were hauled out of harm's way.

Then the pole was dropped to the campus with a thud.
For several seconds all who stood near were too dazed to speak.

Then a cheer arose for those who had held the flagstaff up long enough for the small youths to be rescued.
"Say, that was a close shave!" exclaimed Sam, He, like a good many others, was quite pale.
"It was indeed," said a senior who had come up.

"The fellows who held the pole up deserve a good deal of credit." "Dick Rover suggested it," said Songbird, "Good for you, Dick!" he added warmly.
The falling of the flagstaff sobered the whole party of students, yet the freshmen were jubilant over the fact that they had won in the colors contest.
"And we'll wear the colors this term," cried Tom proudly.
"So we will!" called out others in a chorus.