The talk concerning Brassy Bangs wanting to run for the office of major was true, and the cadet was much disgusted when he found that the regulations of the Hall forbade this.
"I can beat any one of them at shooting," he grumbled to Paul Halliday, one of his particular cronies and the fellow who had aided in trying to get up the sleighing party.
"Of course you can," was Halliday's quick reply. Then he went on: "Say, Lest, why don't you challenge Jack Rover and his cousin Fred to shoot against you? You can show 'em up in great shape. It would be better than fighting them."
"I'll do it!" announced Brassy promptly, for the idea was one that appealed to him. "I'll shoot against them with either pistols or rifles, just as they may choose. I'll show 'em up for a couple of dubs when it comes to handling firearms."
"That's the talk!" broke in Billy Sands, another of Bangs' chums. "You say the word and Paul and I will take the challenge to the Rovers right away."
"All provided Colonel Colby or Captain Dale will permit the contest," said Brassy sourly. "Maybe that's another one of the things their dirty rules won't allow."
The matter was talked over for a while longer, and the three boys went off to interview Captain Dale. He listened to them with a smile, and then nodded.
"Of course you can have a contest of that sort if you desire, Bangs," he said presently.
Following this the challenge to Jack and Fred was promptly issued. It, of course, came as a surprise to the Rovers.
"We ought not to dirty our hands with a fellow like Bangs," declared the young captain to Fred.
"Oh, we can't afford to refuse, Jack!" cried his cousin. "If we did the fellows in the Hall would think we were afraid."
And thereupon the challenge was accepted.
It was decided that the shooting contest should take place the next day.
"It doesn't give us much time to practice," grumbled Fred.
"We might as well have it over with," answered Jack. "There is no use of allowing it to interfere with our lessons or with the coming election for officers."
"Do you think we can shoot as well as Brassy?"
"We can try, Fred. From all reports he's quite a wonderful shot. It seems he comes from a place where everybody is used to firearms."