Pepper was the first out, but he was quickly followed by Andy and Jack.
"Let us try to surprise them--if they are after the barrels," said The Imp.
"Maybe they'll set fire to 'em before we get there," suggested the acrobatic youth.
"If they do that, I'll make 'em pay for the barrels," cried Pepper.

"I am not going to put up three dollars for another fellow's fun." "Did you pay the roofer that much for the barrels ?" "Yes." The three boys hurried across the campus and dove into the woods beyond.
Then Pepper put up his hand for silence.
"Let us surprise 'em if we can," he whispered.
"That's the talk," answered the young major.
It did not take the three long to reach the vicinity where the tar-barrels had been left.

As they approached they saw a light flare up.
"They are setting 'em on fire!" cried Andy.
"Stop, Ritter! Stop, Coulter!" yelled Pepper.

"Don't you light those barrels!" "Ha! ha!" came from the bully of the Hall.

"What's an old tar-barrel, anyway?
Guess we can fire them if we want to!" "Those are my barrels," answered Pepper.
He rushed forward, followed by Jack and Andy.