CHAPTER III

THE DOINGS OF A NIGHT


As luck would have it, William Philander Tubbs just then occupied a
tent alone, his two tent-mates being on guard duty for two hours as was
the custom during encampment.

The aristocratic cadet lay flat on his back, with his face and throat
well exposed.

"Now, be careful, Sam, or you'll wake him up," whispered Tom.

One cadet held a candle, while Sam and Tom blackened the face of the
sleeping victim of the joke. The burnt cork was in excellent condition
and soon William Philander looked for all the world like a coal-black
darkey.

"Py chimanatics, he could go on der stage py a nigger minstrel
company," was Hans Mueller's comment.

"Makes almost a better nigger than he does a white man," said Tom,
dryly.

"Wait a minute till I fix up his coat for him," said Fred Garrison, and
turned the garment inside out.