When Lane got ready to start for prayers in the morning, he found it impossible to open the door.

As soon as he discovered what was the trouble, he seized his hatchet and undertook to cut his way out.

His chum, Ellis, who had remained quietly in bed, sprang out of bed and placed his back against the door and declared that the door of his room should not be hewn down in that manner.

Lane was obliged to desist.

He however took his monitor's book, marked himself and his chum absent, and submitted.
There were a good many such pranks played by the boys in those days, in the spirit of a harmless and good-natured mischief.
I do not know whether the College has improved in the particular or no.