“Maybe we can—if Jack is willing. But get out the tents and food first—so we can dust with them if there is any alarm.”
“No, Jack said that wouldn’t be safe. Old Crabtree would hire a steam tug and come after us in no time. But say, I’ll tell you what we can do—hide the boats in the creek! That will throw them off the scent.”
In the storehouse were packed a number of army tents, to be used when the cadets went out on the annual encampment. Here were also boxes and barrels of provisions, for use in the school. Making certain nobody was around, the boys shut the door, pinned some empty potato bags over the windows, and lighted a lantern. Then, with great rapidity, they got out some of the tents, and in them rolled up various kinds of rations, beans, bacon, dried fish, coffee, sugar, butter, crackers and so forth. They also took along a small sack of potatoes and another of apples. Then they got out a camp cook stove, and some tinware, including cups and plates, and pots, kettles and frying pans.
“We can’t carry all this,” said Dale, in dismay. “We’ll simply have to get a horse and wagon.”
“Very well then, we’ll do it,” said Andy. “But it is running an extra risk.”
While Andy and those with him were getting out the things in the storehouse, Jack and some others were searching the pantry and kitchen for such articles as they thought they needed. These included knives, forks and spoons, and also pepper, salt, lard and several smoked hams and tongues, and all the bread in the big wooden bread box.
“Let’s take some jam too,” said one cadet, and several glasses were added, and also such cake as chanced to be in sight. The boys also found a small cheese, some lemons and oranges and a box of raisins.
“I reckon we’ve got all we can carry,” said Fred Century. “Talk about moving day! This looks like one to me!”
As silently as shadows the cadets took the things outside and hurried with them in the direction of the storehouse, where they met some of the others.
“Where is Andy?” asked the young major, anxiously.
“Gone for a horse and wagon,” answered Dale. “It is simply out of the question to carry all this stuff by hand.”
“But the risk!” cried Pepper. “I’m going to see how he is making out.”