ascertain the cause of merriment.

In the center six French soldiers held a blanket and in the center of
this blanket was a man. He rose and fell as the six men alternately
released the blanket and then drew it taut again. He was yelling at the
top of his voice to be let alone and threatening dire vengeance on his
tormentors when he would be able to get at them. But he was laughing and
taking the joke good naturedly.

Hal and Chester joined the circle of spectators and derived as much
amusement as the others from the proceedings. At length, tiring of their
present victim, the men lowered him to the ground. One of them, a large,
strapping fellow, perhaps thirty years of age, cast his eye around the
circle of faces.

"Let's get another one," he shouted.

There was a chorus of assent from the others and all six set to looking
about for a victim who would not prove too willing. As Hal said to
Chester, apparently there was no fun tossing a man who took it good
naturedly.

At last the big fellow gave a howl of delight and dashed forward. Hal
gazed after him. As the big fellow bounded forward, a slight figure in
the first row turned and ran. But the big fellow overtook him and
dragged him back.

"Here's one, men," he cried. "See, he doesn't want to come with me. He
doesn't know what a good time he is going to have. We'll give him a
good one."