"Tom's crowd will win that match," said Sam.
"What makes you so sure? " questioned Ben Hurdy.
"Oh, Tom knows how to pull and how to manage the others."
"And so does Rockley know how to pull," continued Hurdy. "And what is more, he knows a trick or two that will pull your fellows over the line in no time."
"I don't believe it, Hurdy."
"Want to bet?"
"No, I don't bet. Just the same, I think Rockley's crowd will lose."
Although Sam would not bet, some of the other students did, so that by the time the match was to come off quite a sum was up.
George Strong had been chosen as starter and umpire. On the green a line of white was laid down, and the team pulling the other over this line would be the winner.
For the contest Captain Putnam provided a new rope of proper size. To each end was attached a belt for the anchor men, and there was ample room on each side of the line for the eight cadets on the rope.
"All ready?" questioned George Strong, when the time had come for the contest.
"All ready on this end," replied Tom, seeing
