somebody be kind enough to lend me an overcoat? I'm getting cold for the lack of exercise."
This sally brought forth an unexpected burst of laughter, and then Dave laughed too. The next instant the bandage was torn from his eyes and he found himself at a corner of the shed, with little bonfires in front and behind him. Several boys had firebrands, which they had been waving near him.
"You're true blue, Dave!" came from Phil, as he stepped forward, and unmasked. "Am I right, fellows?"
"Yes, he's O. K!" was the answer.
"And I welcome you as a member of our society," went on the Right Honorable Muck-a-Muck. "I thought sure, Dave, you'd yell like an Indian when we said the house was on fire."
"Come on and initiate Morr and Basswood," commanded Shadow Hamiltoon. "Here, mask yourself, Dave," and he was given a black hood with a yellow tassel.
Roger was taken next and put through a "water test," as it was termed. Back of the boathouse was a pool, and over this he was suspended head downward and lowered until his eyes were on a level with the water. Then the boys pretended to go away. The rope began to slip, and it looked as if Roger might be drowned. But he held his
