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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Dick Hamilton's Cadet Days, by Howard R. Garis
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Dick Hamilton's Cadet Days
+       The Handicap of a Millionaire's Son
+
+Author: Howard R. Garis
+
+Release Date: October 14, 2010 [EBook #33926]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DICK HAMILTON'S CADET DAYS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Suzanne Shell and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+    [Illustration: "ALLOW ME TO PRESENT MY FRIEND, DICK HAMILTON."
+                                                       _Page_ 175.
+     _Dick Hamilton's Cadet Days._]
+
+
+
+
+    DICK HAMILTON'S CADET DAYS
+    OR
+    THE HANDICAP OF A MILLIONAIRE'S SON
+
+    BY
+    HOWARD R. GARIS
+
+    AUTHOR OF "DICK HAMILTON'S FORTUNE," "FROM OFFICE BOY TO
+    REPORTER," "LARRY DEXTER, REPORTER," "LARRY DEXTER'S GREAT
+    SEARCH," ETC.
+
+    _ILLUSTRATED_
+
+    THE WORLD SYNDICATE PUBLISHING CO.
+    CLEVELAND, O. NEW YORK, N. Y.
+
+
+    Copyright, 1910, by
+    GROSSET & DUNLAP
+
+    _Printed in the United States of America_
+    by
+    THE COMMERCIAL BOOKBINDING CO.
+    CLEVELAND, O.
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+MY DEAR BOYS:
+
+When I had finished the first volume of this series, telling of the
+doings of Dick Hamilton, the young millionaire, I was in some doubt as
+to just how you would like it. I hoped that you would be pleased with
+it, and interested in Dick and his chums, and what they did, but I could
+not be sure of it.
+
+That you did care for it, I am now assured, and I am glad to be able to
+give you the second volume, relating some of Dick's experiences while at
+a leading military school.
+
+You will recall that, after he had come into possession of his great
+fortune, by fulfilling certain conditions of his mother's will, there
+were still other things for him to do; matters that his mother had
+planned before her death. One of these was to make sure that her son
+would get a good military training.
+
+Dick went to Kentfield Academy, but, to his surprise, he met with a very
+cold reception from the other cadets. Ray Dutton, not understanding
+that, in spite of our hero's wealth, he was a fine chap, influenced the
+other students against Dick, and, for a time, the young millionaire was
+very lonely in the big school. But he resolved to fight his own battles,
+and become popular in spite of his wealth.
+
+Uncle Ezra brought him bad news, but it was the means of great good luck
+for Dick, though Grit, the bulldog, seemed to regard the crabbed old man
+as his master's enemy, and chased him from the school.
+
+All this you will find set down in the present volume, and also an
+account of how Dick was instrumental in locating a long missing soldier,
+and how, when the society house of the Sacred Pig burned down, without
+any insurance being in force, Dick, with his wealth, came to the aid of
+the surprised cadets.
+
+    Yours sincerely,
+        HOWARD R. GARIS.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+    CHAPTER                                          PAGE
+
+         I.      DICK GETS A TELEGRAM                   1
+
+        II.      A CHANGE IN PLANS                     14
+
+       III.      GRIT ROUTS UNCLE EZRA                 25
+
+        IV.      IN WHICH DICK STARTS OFF              35
+
+         V.      AN ODD CHARACTER                      42
+
+        VI.      THE HAZING                            51
+
+       VII.      DICK THINKS HE HAS A CLUE             62
+
+      VIII.      DICK GETS A FALL                      72
+
+        IX.      WHO FIRED THE GUN                     78
+
+         X.      DICK HAS A FIGHT                      85
+
+        XI.      DICK GIVES A SPREAD                   92
+
+       XII.      AN ANGRY FARMER                      100
+
+      XIII.      A NARROW ESCAPE                      108
+
+       XIV.      CAPTAIN HANDLEE'S VISIT              117
+
+        XV.      ON THE GRIDIRON                      121
+
+       XVI.      FOR THE PRIZE TROOP                  128
+
+      XVII.      DICK IN TROUBLE                      135
+
+     XVIII.      A DISMAL CHRISTMAS                   144
+
+       XIX.      THE MARKSMAN'S MEDAL                 152
+
+        XX.      DICK DOESN'T TELL                    159
+
+       XXI.      THE FANCY DRESS BALL                 170
+
+      XXII.      THE CHALLENGE                        181
+
+     XXIII.      A WINTER MARCH                       190
+
+      XXIV.      THE RESCUE OF DUTTON                 199
+
+       XXV.      OFF TO CAMP                          208
+
+      XXVI.      THE SHAM BATTLE                      215
+
+     XXVII.      DICK WINS THE CONTEST                228
+
+    XXVIII.      UNCLE EZRA AT KENTFIELD              235
+
+      XXIX.      DICK'S GREAT RUN                     243
+
+       XXX.      A BROADSWORD COMBAT                  251
+
+      XXXI.      DICK WRITES A CHECK--CONCLUSION      261
+
+
+
+
+DICK HAMILTON'S CADET DAYS
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+DICK GETS A TELEGRAM
+
+
+"Hi boys! Here goes for a double summersault!"
+
+"Bet you don't do it, Frank."
+
+"You watch."
+
+"Every time you try it you come down on your back," added another lad of
+the group of those who were watching one of their companions poised on
+the end of a spring-board.
+
+"Well, this time I'm going to do it just like that circus chap did," and
+Frank Bender, who had an ambition to become an acrobat, raised his hands
+above his head and crouched for a spring.
+
+"If you do it I'll follow," said another boy, clad in a bright red
+bathing suit.
+
+"Good for you, Dick!" exclaimed Walter Mead. "Don't let Frank stump
+you."
+
+"Here I go!" cried Frank, and, a moment later, he sprang from the
+spring-board, leaped high into the air, and, turning over twice, came
+down in true diver style, his hands cleaving the water beneath which he
+disappeared.
+
+"Good!" cried the boys on the shore.
+
+"I didn't think he'd do it," remarked "Bricktop" Norton, so called from
+his shock of red hair.
+
+"Me either," added Fred Murdock. "Now it's up to you, Dick."
+
+"That's right."
+
+Dick Hamilton rose from a log on which he was sitting. He was a tall,
+clean-cut chap, straight as an arrow, with an easy grace about him, and
+it needed but a glance to show that he was of athletic build. His red
+bathing suit, from which protruded bronzed arms and legs, was
+particularly becoming to him.
+
+"There--let's--see--you--do--that!" spluttered Frank, as he came up,
+some distance from where he had gone down. He shook his head to rid his
+eyes and ears of water, and struck out for shore.
+
+"Stay there!" called Dick. "I'll swim out farther than you did."
+
+"Dick's cutting out some work for himself," remarked Bricktop, in a low
+tone to Bill Johnson. "Frank's a dandy swimmer."
+
+"Yes, but Dick Hamilton usually does what he sets out to do," replied
+Bill. "There he goes."
+
+Dick walked to the end of the spring-board. He teetered up and down on
+it two or three times, testing the balance of the long plank. Then he
+took a few steps backward, poised for an instant, and ran forward.
+
+"There he goes!" called Walter.
+
+Like a rubber ball Dick Hamilton arose in the air. He curled himself up
+into a lump as he leaped, and then, to the surprise of his companions,
+he turned over not twice, but three times ere he struck the water, which
+closed up over his feet as they disappeared.
+
+"Well--wouldn't that sizzle your side combs!" cried Bricktop. "Three
+times!"
+
+"A triple!" added Walter Mead. "Whoever would think Dick could do it!"
+
+"Aw, he's been practicing," called Frank, as he circled about in the
+water, watching for Dick to come up. "He's been doing it on the sly, and
+he's kept quiet about it."
+
+"Just like Dick," added Bill. "He isn't satisfied to do ordinary
+stunts."
+
+"Well, he's done a good one this time," said Fred Murdock. "Say, isn't
+he staying under a long time?"
+
+There was no sight of the millionaire youth.
+
+"Maybe he hit his head on a rock," suggested Bricktop, in some alarm.
+
+"That's so," went on Fred. "This place isn't any too deep, and he came
+down hard."
+
+"Maybe we'd better go in after him," remarked Walter.
+
+"Dive down!" called Bill to Frank.
+
+The boys were becoming frightened. Not a ripple, save the little waves
+made by Frank, as he stood upright, treading water, disturbed the
+expanse of the swimming hole. There was no sign of Dick Hamilton. Frank
+prepared for a dive, when, suddenly, at some distance from shore
+something shot up through the water. It was the hand and arm of a boy.
+An instant later his head and shoulders popped into view.
+
+"There he is!" cried Walter.
+
+"It's about time he came up," said Bill, somewhat sharply, for Dick's
+long under-water swim had frightened the boys.
+
+"How's that, fellows?" asked Dick, as he shook the water from his face,
+and struck out for shore.
+
+"You win!" cried Frank, "but please don't give us heart disease again."
+
+"Why; what's the matter?"
+
+"We'd thought you'd struck on a stone and weren't going to come up
+again."
+
+"No danger of that," answered Dick, with a laugh. "I'm having too much
+fun at camp here, to stay down there. Did I make a good dive?"
+
+"Did you? Say, you've got us all beat to a pig's whisper on Fourth of
+July," admitted Bricktop. "How'd you do it?"
+
+"Yes, I wish you'd show me," added Frank. "You must have been practicing
+it."
+
+"I have," admitted Dick. "It's easy when you know how. After you do a
+double summersault, all you have to do--is to make another one, making
+three in all, and you can see that I had nothing concealed up my sleeve,
+and----"
+
+"And you did it without the aid of a net," added Fred, after the
+fashion of the ringmaster in a circus announcing some marvelous feat.
+
+"I'm going to try it," said Frank, as he clambered out on the bank.
+
+"No, I think we've been in the water long enough this morning," said
+Dick. "Besides it's most grub time. I don't know how you feel about it,
+but I think I could nibble at a bit of roast chicken, which I happen to
+know that our esteemed cook, Hannibal Cæsar Erastus Jones, has in the
+oven."
+
+"Ah! Um!" murmured Bill Johnson.
+
+"That's it! Make a noise like a lunch-grabber!" objected Fred. "I should
+think you'd be ashamed of yourself."
+
+"Oh, listen to the professor at the breakfast table!" cried Bill with a
+laugh. "I don't s'pose you're going to nibble at any; art thou,
+Reginald?"
+
+"Well, you just watch him," advised Fred. "He's got me beat, all right."
+
+"Come on!" cried Dick suddenly. "First fellow at the dining tent gets
+most of the white meat!"
+
+He started off at a fast clip, the others sprinting after him, and he
+would have won, but that he stubbed his bare toe on a stone, and had to
+finish the rest of the distance on one leg, holding the injured member
+in his hands, making, the while, wry faces at the pain. Bill Johnson won
+the impromptu race.
+
+"Hurt much?" asked Walter, as Dick limped up.
+
+"Like sin. Say, Hannibal Cæsar Erastus Jones, will you do me a favor?"
+he asked, as the colored cook, who did the camp cooking, came from his
+tent.
+
+"Ob co'se, Massa Dick. What am it?"
+
+"Just go back there in the woods and bring me the pieces of that stone I
+broke with my toe. I want 'em for souveniers."
+
+"Ha! Ha! Ho! Ho! Massa Dick, doan yo' go to playin' no tricks on me! Not
+jest at de present auspicious moment," and the colored man grinned
+broadly, showing a big expanse of white teeth, in an area of blackness.
+
+"Why not, Rastus?"
+
+"'Case as how de chicken am all done, an' if it ain't partook of
+immejeet----"
+
+"Never mind those souveniers," said Dick. "We'll be with you in the
+twinkling of a flea's left hand eyelash," and he hopped into his tent,
+and began to dress, an example followed by the other boys.
+
+"Humph!" murmured Hannibal Cæsar Erastus Jones, as he stood in the midst
+of the camp, rapidly blinking his eyes. "Fust I eber knowed a flea had a
+eyelash. But Massa Dick, he must know, 'case he's po'ful smart. But I
+'spects I'd better git ready to serb up de grub, as dey calls it, 'case
+dey's allers pow'ful hungry when dey's been in swimmin'. Come t' t'ink
+ob it, dough, dey's most allers ready t' eat." And, chuckling to
+himself, Hannibal started toward the cook tent.
+
+It did not take the boys long to dress, and as they emerged from the
+tents, their faces glowing with health, and bronzed from their life in
+the open, they were as fine a group of lads as you would meet in a day's
+travel, or, maybe a day and a half. They were all guests of Dick
+Hamilton, who, as had been his custom for several years past, had taken
+a crowd of his chums off to camp on the shores of Lake Dunkirk, a large
+body of water near Hamilton Corners, where Dick lived.
+
+"Ah! Um! Smell that chicken!" murmured Bill Johnson, as he lifted his
+nose high in the air.
+
+"There you go again! Displaying your lack of manners!" objected Fred.
+"Why don't you wait in patience and dignity, as I do."
+
+"Well, wouldn't that melt your collar button!" remarked Bricktop.
+"Where's the glass case they took you out of, Fred?"
+
+"Manners?" asked Dick, as he approached Fred from the side. "Excuse me,
+but there's something sticking out there."
+
+As he spoke he slyly extended his foot, and, a moment later Fred
+measured his length on the carpet of soft, pine needles of the woods.
+
+"Goodness me! Did you fall?" asked Dick, as he looked down, in apparent
+surprise at his chum. "How careless of you."
+
+"Ha! Ha! Ha!" laughed Bill. "Come here, Fred, and I'll pick you up."
+
+Fred arose, smiling rather sheepishly, but not at all angry. He brushed
+off his clothes, and joined in the laugh that followed.
+
+"It's your turn next," observed the young millionaire. "I'll have to
+keep my weather eye open, Fred."
+
+"All right," said the lad who had been tripped.
+
+"Well, Hannibal--Alphabet--Jones; art ready for the gathering of the
+clans who hunger after the flesh-pots of Egypt?" asked Dick.
+
+"All ready, Massa Dick," replied the colored cook. "Come on."
+
+"First down! One wish-bone to gain!" called Walter Mead, as he took his
+place at the table set under the tent fly.
+
+For the next five minutes the boys were so busy eating the roast chicken,
+corn bread and other good things that Hannibal-and-the-rest-of-it-Jones,
+with his knowledge of Southern cookery had provided, that they said not
+a word. Then, with a long-drawn sigh of satisfaction, Bill observed:
+
+"There certainly is nothing like a good meal."
+
+"Unless it's two," added Bricktop. "I didn't much fancy Dick's plan of
+taking a professional cook along when we came to camp this year, because
+it used to be fun to do it ourselves, but our cooking was never like
+this."
+
+"Never, never, never!" exclaimed Fred. "I'll have a little more chicken,
+if you don't mind, Dick."
+
+"Certainly not. There's plenty."
+
+"Yes, this is better than having to do it ourselves," said Frank Bender,
+as he finished polishing off a juicy leg. "No dishes to wash, nothing to
+bother with after you're through, only have a good time. Dick, you're a
+brick!"
+
+"As long as I'm not a gold one, it's all right," said the millionaire's
+son. "But I thought you'd agree with me that it was best to take a cook
+along."
+
+"It sure is all to the pancake batter," observed Bricktop. "Well, I
+don't mind if I do have a little more of the white meat, if you insist,"
+he added, though no one had asked him to pass his plate.
+
+Dick laughed as he helped his chum to some choice bits. Matters were
+moving more slowly, now that the first edge of hunger was dulled, and
+the boys were taking occasional stops to make remarks.
+
+"What's the program for this afternoon?" asked Walter, as he drained his
+coffee cup. "Are we going fishing?"
+
+"Whatever you say," replied Dick, who, like a true host, always
+consulted the wishes of his guests. "We can fish, take a walk, or go out
+in the motor boat."
+
+"The motor boat for mine," said Bill. "I want to get on a pile of
+cushions and take a snooze."
+
+"Well, wouldn't that give you the nightmare!" came from Bricktop.
+"You're getting lazier every day, Bill."
+
+"Help yourself," spoke the sleepy youth, as he slumped from the table
+and stretched out under a tree.
+
+"I guess a trip in the motor boat would suit us all best," observed
+Dick. "Hannibal 'Rastus, just fill up the gasolene tank, will you?"
+
+"Oh, why wasn't I born rich instead of handsome," murmured Bricktop, who
+never would have taken a prize in a beauty show. "But my fatal gift
+of----"
+
+"Cut it out!" cried Walter, throwing a pine cone with such good aim,
+that it went right into Bricktop's open mouth.
+
+"Oh! Ah! Ug! Blug! Chug! Hum!" spluttered the discomfitted one. "Who
+threw that?" he demanded, when he could speak.
+
+Nobody answered, and, feeling in no mood to get up and chastise Walter,
+whose sly grin proclaimed him the culprit, Bricktop stretched out again.
+
+"Hark! That sounds like a wagon coming," observed Fred, as he sat up,
+after a few minutes of silence.
+
+"Guess it's the ice man," said Dick, for he had arranged to have a
+supply left at the camp. He believed in having all the comforts possible
+when he went into the woods.
+
+"Doesn't rumble like an ice wagon," commented Bill.
+
+"Sounds more like a load of steel girders," added Walter.
+
+At this, Dick arose. He peered through the trees toward a seldom-used
+wagon road, which ran near the camp. He caught sight of something
+moving.
+
+"It's a wagon, all right," he said, "but it isn't the ice man."
+
+A few moments later a remarkable rig hove into sight. It consisted of a
+rattle-trap of a wagon, loaded with all sorts of scrap iron, and drawn
+by a horse that looked as if it had escaped from the bone yard. It just
+crawled along. On the seat was a bright-faced youth, who was doing his
+best to excite the animal into a speed a little better than that of a
+snail. He jerked on the reins, called at the horse, and cracked his
+whip, but all to no purpose.
+
+"It's no use!" he exclaimed, as he looked through the trees and caught
+sight of Dick and his chums. "He's got the pip, or something like that."
+
+"Why, hello, Henry," called Dick. "What brings you away off here?
+There's no scrap around here."
+
+"I thought maybe you boys might have had one or two that you'd sell
+cheap," said the young dealer in old iron, and there was a twinkle in
+his eyes.
+
+"They're all too lazy to fight, except me," observed Bricktop, "and I'm
+too good."
+
+"Stow that!" commanded Fred, making a pass at his chum, who jumped back
+out of reach.
+
+"Aren't you quite a way from home?" asked Dick, as he went up and shook
+hands with Henry Darby.
+
+"Yes, I am. But you see I'm driving around the country, collecting old
+iron. This is my dull season, and I took my oldest rig, and started off
+day before yesterday. I'm taking it easy--have to you know, on account
+of my horse's health. His delicate constitution makes it necessary.
+There doesn't seem to be much old iron about, and I've got this far,
+without picking up a full load."
+
+"Why don't you give some to your horse. Iron is good for the
+constitution," said Dick.
+
+"I thought of it, but you see all the iron I have is in long pieces and
+sticks out all sorts of ways. If my horse swallowed any of it he'd have
+more fine points than he's got now. So I guess I'll keep him on grain."
+
+"But you haven't told me why you're away off here in the woods," went on
+Dick. "Is there any iron about here?"
+
+"No, not that I know of. I came to find you."
+
+"To find me?"
+
+"Yes. I have a telegram for you. I happened to stop in the village back
+there, and while I was making some inquiries in the post-office, which
+is also the telegraph station, a message came for you. The operator had
+no one he could send with it, and, as I happened to know where you were
+camping, I said I'd take it. He gave me a quarter for bringing it out,
+and so I've made some profit to-day."
+
+"A telegram!" cried Dick. "Why didn't you say so at first? Give it
+here," and he held out his hand.
+
+"I didn't want to scare you," said Henry. "I was breaking the news
+gently."
+
+He handed over the yellow envelope. Dick tore it open, and, as he read
+the short message, he gave a start.
+
+"No bad news I hope," remarked Walter.
+
+"No, I guess not," replied Dick slowly. "But I've got to leave for home
+at once."
+
+"Leave for home!" cried his chums.
+
+"Yes. This is from dad. It says: 'Dear Dick. Come home as soon as you
+get this. Important.'"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+A CHANGE IN PLANS
+
+
+Following Dick's reading of the telegram there was silence among the
+campers. They all imagined something had happened to Mr. Hamilton,
+Dick's father, and they hesitated to give voice to their thoughts.
+
+"Well, I'd offer to take you home in my chariot," said Henry Darby, with
+a suggestion of a smile, "only I know you'd be two days on the road.
+Though it might be a good thing," he added "for your father would hear
+us coming long before he could see us, with the way this old iron
+rattles. I wish some one would invent noiseless scrap iron."
+
+"Do you--do you s'pose your father is--is hurt?" asked Walter, finally
+putting into words what all the others thought.
+
+"Not a bit of it," replied Dick, stoutly. "Dad knows me well enough to
+say right out what he means. He wants me home, for some reason or other,
+but I don't know what it can be," and he looked at the telegram in a
+puzzled sort of way, as if the slip of paper would solve the mystery for
+him.
+
+"Maybe--maybe he's lost all his money," suggested Frank "and you've got
+to give up the camp."
+
+"No, I guess there's no danger of dad losing all his money so quickly,"
+relied the young millionaire. "He had plenty when I came away, two weeks
+ago, and he's got so many investments that he couldn't lose it all at
+once, even if he tried. No, it's something else. I wonder what it is?"
+
+"I s'pose the best way to find out, is to go and ask him, about it,"
+suggested Henry.
+
+"That's it," assented Dick. "I could telegraph, but he might be away
+from home, and wouldn't get it. I guess I'll have to leave camp,
+fellows."
+
+"Then we'll go, too," said Bricktop.
+
+"No, there's no need of that. I invited you out for three weeks, and
+that time isn't up yet. You might as well stay. Hannibal will cook for
+you, and if I can come back I will. Otherwise you stay here and enjoy
+yourselves."
+
+"We won't enjoy ourselves very much if you leave," said Walter
+regretfully, and the others echoed his sentiment.
+
+"Well, that's a compliment to me," declared Dick, with a smile, "but I
+guess you'll manage to exist. Now I wonder how I'd better go? Henry, I
+s'pose I could ride with you to the village, and take a train."
+
+"I should advise you to," remarked the young iron merchant. "This nag
+went to sleep four times coming out, and he's snoring now. No telling
+what he'll do on the way back. He seems to like life in the woods. I
+guess he must have been a wild horse once, and he's going back to
+nature."
+
+"He's not very wild now," observed Bricktop, tickling the animal with a
+switch. "He won't even move."
+
+"No, it takes quite a while to get him started," said Henry. "Usually I
+have to begin the day before, to get him into action. No, Dick, I
+shouldn't advise you to ride with me."
+
+"What's the matter with the motor boat?" asked Frank. "You can go to the
+village in that."
+
+"That's so," agreed Dick. "You fellows can take me over, and bring her
+back. We'll do it."
+
+"Well," remarked Henry, as he began to take in the slack of the reins,
+preparatory to starting the horse, "I guess I'll be going. I hope you
+find everything all right at home, Dick."
+
+"I guess I will. Probably this has something to do with business
+matters. But, say, don't you want a bite to eat? We just finished grub,
+and there's a little that these cannibals didn't stow away."
+
+"Well, I do begin to feel the need of something," said the young dealer
+in old iron. "The crackers and cheese I got in the village weren't very
+filling."
+
+"Tie your horse, and sit down to the table.
+Hannibal-and-half-a-dozen-other-names will get you something. Ho!
+Rastus!" called Dick.
+
+"No need to tie this horse," said Henry with grim smile. "If I did he'd
+imagine he was home in the stable, and go so sound to sleep that it
+would take two days to wake him. I'll just put some oats down in front
+of him, and, maybe he'll rouse up enough to eat them. That will keep him
+from taking naps."
+
+The youthful iron merchant did this, and, while he was making a
+bountiful meal from what the colored cook set before him, Dick was
+preparing to start for home, wondering, meanwhile, why his father had
+sent for him so suddenly.
+
+Those of you who have read the first book of this series entitled "Dick
+Hamilton's Fortune," will need no introduction to the millionaire youth
+and his chums. But you boys and girls who have not previously met him,
+may desire a little introduction.
+
+Dick Hamilton was the only son of Mortimer Hamilton, of Hamilton
+Corners, not far from New York. The town was named after Mr. Hamilton
+because he was financially interested in many of the industries of the
+place. He was president of the national bank, owned large woolen mills,
+a brass foundry, a lumber concern, and was head of a railroad and a
+trolley line that added much of importance to the place. Mr. Hamilton
+counted his fortune by the millions, and his son, who had inherited a
+large sum from his mother, was also the possessor of substantial bank
+accounts.
+
+In the first volume there was told how, on a certain birthday Dick came
+into control of a large part of his wealth, subject to a peculiar
+condition of his mother's will. That is, he was to make, inside of a
+year, a wise and paying investment of some of his funds, under penalty
+of losing control of his fortune for a time, and having to live with a
+miserly uncle.
+
+This uncle, Ezra Larabee by name, of the town of Dankville, was Mrs.
+Hamilton's brother. One of the conditions of her will was that Dick
+should spend a week with his uncle before entering into possession of
+the money, that he might see what sort of a life he was likely to lead,
+in case he did not comply with the provisions.
+
+Dick had a miserable time at Mr. Larabee's. He was not allowed to have
+any fun, and his uncle even objected to him walking on the paths, for
+fear he would disturb the newly-raked gravel.
+
+Dick returned home, determined to make a paying investment if only to
+escape his uncle's clutches. He did make several investments, by buying
+real estate, some stock in a milk company, and some shares in a gold
+mine. But they all turned out badly, and, while investigating the mine
+by means of which he had been swindled, he had, with his chums, some
+exciting adventures.
+
+In Hamilton Corners, dwelt "Hank" Darby, a shiftless sort of man, and
+his son, Henry, who was as energetic as his father was lazy. Henry
+started to make money, in a small way, by collecting scrap iron, and
+selling it, but his shiftless parent nearly brought the business to
+grief. Dick became interested in Henry's efforts, and, as the young
+millionaire had plenty of money, he loaned Henry two hundred and fifty
+dollars, to buy out the iron business of a man who wished to retire.
+"Hank" Darby, with an exaggerated idea of his own importance, elected
+himself president of the old iron company, made Dick treasurer, and
+Henry secretary.
+
+Dick gave little thought to the money he had loaned his young friend,
+but the time came when it was to prove of great benefit to him. One
+after another his various investments failed, and he saw the time
+approaching when he must go to live with his miserly uncle. His last
+venture was to invest five hundred dollars in an airship, the inventor
+of which hoped to win a government prize, which he promised to divide
+with Dick. But the airship blew up, and Dick saw his next birthday dawn,
+without, as he thought, having made his paying investment.
+
+Uncle Ezra, who was much opposed to his nephew having so much money,
+came, according to agreement, to get Dick to take him to Dankville with
+him. But, at the last moment, something quite unexpected happened and it
+was found that Dick had, after all, complied with the terms of his
+mother's will, and he was, therefore, allowed to keep control of his
+fortune. But, as told in the first volume, there were still other
+stipulations with which he must comply.
+
+Following the events told of in "Dick Hamilton's Fortune," our
+millionaire hero had completed his course at a local academy. When
+summer came he took some of his chums off to camp in the woods, and it
+was there that Henry, who was still in the old iron business, found him.
+
+"Well, I guess I'm ready," remarked Dick, as he came from his tent, one
+of several that formed the camp. "I'll not take any of my things, for I
+may be able to come back and finish out the vacation."
+
+"I certainly hope so," said Bricktop fervently.
+
+"Same here," added Walter and the others.
+
+By this time Henry had made a good meal, and, as his horse showed some
+signs of life, he remarked that he thought he would start, before the
+beast got to sleep again.
+
+"Did you gasolene the motor boat, Rastus?" asked Dick of the colored
+cook.
+
+"Yais sah, Massa Dick."
+
+"All right. Now see that these poor kids don't get hungry while I'm
+gone. Let 'em take pieces of pie to bed with 'em, to keep 'em quiet."
+
+"Ho! Ho! Massa Dick. Deed an' I will. Pie to bed wif 'em! Ha! Ha! Ho!
+Ho!"
+
+The boys entered the motor boat, leaving Hannibal in charge of camp, and
+they soon reached the village, whence Dick could take a train for home.
+
+"Now, fellows, enjoy yourselves," he called to them, as they watched him
+board the train at the depot. "I'll come back if I can. Better practice
+that triple summersault, Frank."
+
+"I will. I'll stump you, when you come back."
+
+"I wish I didn't have to leave them," thought Dick, as he settled
+himself in his seat. "I wonder what dad wants of me? But there's no use
+worrying. I'll be home in about two hours."
+
+He exhibited his pass, on which he was traveling, as his father was
+president of the railroad, and then sat looking at the scenery, vainly
+wondering, in spite of his efforts not to dwell on it, why he had been
+summoned home.
+
+"Well, Dick," greeted his father, when the young millionaire entered the
+house. "You got back sooner than I expected."
+
+"Yes, dad. I started as soon as I got your message. I hope nothing is
+the matter."
+
+"Nothing serious. The fact is I have to leave for Europe next week----"
+
+"For Europe! And are you going to take me?"
+
+"No, I'm sorry to say I can't. But I have other plans for you, which I
+hope you will like. I unexpectedly received a call to England, to settle
+some large financial matters in which I am interested, and, as I shall
+have to be gone six months or more I decided to close the house up and
+let the servants go. As that would make no place for you to stay,
+unless you boarded, which you might not like, I decided to send for you,
+and tell you what I propose. The reason I telegraphed for you is that I
+will be so busy after to-day that I will have no time to attend to
+anything."
+
+"What are you going to do with me?" asked Dick.
+
+"You remember," went on Mr. Hamilton, "that in her will, your mother
+specified, in addition to making a good investment, that you must attend
+a military academy----"
+
+"That's so!" cried Dick. "I'd forgotten about that. Say, when can I go?
+This beats camp!"
+
+"Not so fast," cautioned his father. "There are certain conditions to be
+fulfilled. Your mother had peculiar ideas regarding money. She wished
+her son to become a success in spite of it. So she provided, under
+certain penalties, which you will learn of later, that you were to go to
+a good military academy to complete your education.
+
+"There, as I told you once before, though you may have forgotten it, you
+are to become popular with the students in spite of your wealth. You are
+to make your own way without the aid of your millions. And this is no
+easy matter. While many persons have a false notion of wealth, by far
+the larger class attach to it only the importance it deserves. A rich
+lad can, to a certain extent, become popular, but he will never have
+the real, solid friends that some youth not so well off would win. So
+you've got to make friends in spite of your money."
+
+"That ought to be easy," said Dick, but he was to find it a harder task
+than he had supposed it would be.
+
+"So, as I have to go away, and close up the house," went on Mr.
+Hamilton, "I have arranged that you are to go to the academy a little
+ahead of time, about two weeks before the term opens. That will give you
+a chance to find your way around the place."
+
+"Where is it?"
+
+"It is the Kentfield Military Academy, located in one of the middle
+western states, and is near Lake Wagatook. Colonel James Masterly, a
+friend of mine, is the superintendent, and I have written to him
+concerning you. He gave me permission to send you on ahead of time, and
+that is what I propose to do. You will have to get ready to go at the
+end of this week. I hope you do not object."
+
+"Not in the least, dad. We were having lots of fun at camp, but I'll
+have more fun at Kentfield. Shoulder arms! present arms! Halt! parade
+rest! Wow! Say, dad, this is the best yet!"
+
+"Wait until you've spent a term there," advised his father.
+
+"If I don't have to start until the end of the week, I might as well go
+back to camp," said Dick, when he had calmed down a bit.
+
+"Just as you like. From now on I shall be too busy to see much of you,
+but I will make all arrangements."
+
+"All right, dad. I'll go back to camp then. I can get a late train," and
+Dick went to see what time it left, meanwhile whistling a succession of
+military airs, from "The Girl I left Behind Me," to "Yankee Doodle."
+
+He reached camp late that night, somewhat to the surprise of his chums,
+and they spent the next few days in crowding in as much pleasure as
+possible. When it became time for Dick to leave, the others decided to
+go back home with him, as the three weeks were nearly up.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+GRIT ROUTS UNCLE EZRA
+
+
+"There's a man out in the vestibule who wants to see you, Master Dick,"
+said Gibbs, the butler, one evening, a few days before the time of
+departure to the academy.
+
+"Who is it?"
+
+"Captain Handlee."
+
+"Tell him to come in." Dick knew Captain Handlee as an old soldier, who
+lived in a tumble-down house on the outskirts of the village. The
+veteran, escorted by the butler, entered shyly. Dick greeted him kindly,
+and the old man began almost abruptly:
+
+"Did you ever hear that I had a son?"
+
+"No, I never knew that. Where is he?"
+
+"That is what I want you to help me to find out."
+
+"You want me to help you? Why, how can I?" asked Dick.
+
+"I don't know that you can. I only hope so. Will you?"
+
+"I will do all I can for you, but perhaps you want to see my father,"
+for Dick had an idea that the old man wanted some money for some
+purpose.
+
+"No, I want to see you, Mr. Dick. You see you are going to a military
+academy, and that is why I think you can help me."
+
+"But I don't understand."
+
+"Listen, and I will tell you. As you know, I am an old soldier, but few
+persons around here know that my only son was a soldier, too."
+
+"I certainly did not. I never knew that you had a son."
+
+"Well, I did, and he was a fine chap, too. He enlisted in the regular
+army, where I served my time, but for many years I have heard nothing
+about him."
+
+"What happened?"
+
+"He was among the missing after his company was sent to quell an
+uprising among the Indians, out west, many years ago. No word was ever
+received from him, and I don't know whether he was killed, or taken
+captive. I never heard anything about him, and now I think you can aid
+me in locating him."
+
+"But how can I?"
+
+"By making inquiries at the military academy."
+
+"But it is not likely that any one at Kentfield would know of your son."
+
+"They might. When your father told me you were going there, he mentioned
+that Major Franklin Webster, a retired army officer, was in charge of
+military tactics at the school. Now Major Webster is an old Indian
+fighter, and I thought that if you asked him, he might be able to get
+some news of my son. Will you do this for me?"
+
+"I will, gladly, but I have not much hope of the result."
+
+"Perhaps it will amount to nothing," said the old soldier with a sigh,
+"but it is the first chance I have had in many years. All my inquiries
+of the war department resulted in nothing. Perhaps you may have better
+luck."
+
+"I hope so," replied Dick gently. "I will make some inquiries. What is
+your son's name?"
+
+"He was christened William, but his friends in the army called him
+Corporal Bill."
+
+"How would Major Webster know him?"
+
+"Oh, easily enough. I have his picture."
+
+The veteran drew a faded photograph from his pocket, and held the card
+so that Dick could see it. "That's him," said the old man proudly.
+
+The young millionaire saw the photograph of a youthful soldier in
+uniform.
+
+"Your son would be much older than that now; wouldn't he, Captain
+Handlee?"
+
+"Yes, I suppose so. I think he must have been injured in some way, and
+forgotten his name. Otherwise he would have written to me. But I know
+another way in which you could recognize him."
+
+"How?"
+
+"He was the best shot in his company. He was a sharpshooter, and one of
+the finest. So if you can get track of a soldier, who is a good shot,
+that may be my son, Corporal Bill. Will you try?"
+
+"I will, Captain, I'll do my best."
+
+"God bless you," said the veteran fervently. "And now I'll leave you.
+I'd let you take this photograph, only it's--it's all I have to
+remember--my son by," and his voice choked.
+
+"I don't believe I'll need that," answered Dick. "I'll speak to Major
+Webster, and see what I can do."
+
+The old soldier, murmuring his thanks, left the house.
+
+"Well," mused Dick, as he went to his room, "I'll soon be at Kentfield.
+It'll be lonesome, at first, I expect, but the cadets will soon arrive.
+And I'll try to find the captain's son.
+
+"I wonder how I'll make out with the cadets? I don't see why I should
+have any trouble making friends, or becoming popular, no matter if I am
+a millionaire, and the son of one. Money ought not to make such a
+difference. Still, as dad says, I may find it a handicap."
+
+He looked around the room where he had spent so many pleasant hours. It
+was an ideal boy's apartment, with everything the most exacting youth
+could desire.
+
+"I think I'll make out all right," Dick mused on. "But if worst comes to
+worst, I have a plan up my sleeve which I think will work." His eyes
+sparkled, and it was evident that he had just thought of some scheme.
+"That ought to do it," he said, speaking half aloud. "If I can't win any
+other way, I'll try that."
+
+"Well, Dick," remarked his father, the next morning, "I suppose you are
+all ready to go to Kentfield?"
+
+"Yes. I've got everything packed. What will be your address on the other
+side?"
+
+"Oh, yes, I must leave you that. Here it is. You can forward me letters
+in care of my London bankers, and they will see that I get them. I may
+have to put in some time on the continent. By the way, Dick, I hear that
+Captain Handlee called to see you last night."
+
+"Yes, he wants me to help him locate his missing son," and Dick told his
+father of the interview with the old soldier.
+
+"Poor man," remarked Mr. Hamilton, shaking his head, "I fear there is
+little hope for him. I once aided him in making some inquiries, but they
+came to nothing."
+
+"Do you know him?"
+
+"Oh, yes, I have often aided him, and I would do more for him, but he is
+too proud to accept charity. He is rather odd at times, and does not
+remain at any employment long, or I could give him a good place. His
+whole mind is set on finding his son. If the missing corporal could be
+located it would be the making of Captain Handlee, for he would settle
+down then."
+
+"I don't suppose I can help him."
+
+"No, I'm afraid not. Still, do all you can. It is barely possible that
+Major Webster, or some of the officers who are stationed at Kentfield,
+may be able to put you on the track, but I doubt it. Well, I think I'll
+have to go down to the bank now. I'll see you to-night, and say good-bye
+in the morning."
+
+Not long after Mr. Hamilton had left, and while Dick was in his room,
+packing some of his belongings, a maid who was new in the house came to
+inform him that a visitor was in the library.
+
+"Who is it?" he asked.
+
+"I don't know, but it's someone, Master Dick, who your dog doesn't like,
+for he's growling something fierce."
+
+"I'll come down," said the young millionaire, and he hurried to the
+library. As he entered a tall, thin man, with a curious little bunch of
+whiskers on his chin, arose.
+
+"Well, I must say, Nephew Richard," he began, in a rasping voice, "that
+this is a nice reception for me. Your horrible beast nearly bit me. The
+house is no place for dogs."
+
+"I'm sorry that Grit annoyed you, Uncle Ezra," said Dick as he
+recognized the miserly man whom he had once visited.
+
+"Hum!" grunted the old man. "If I hadn't stood on a chair he would have
+bit me, and then I'd get hydrophobia, and die. Your father would have
+had to pay damages, too."
+
+"I'm glad no such thing as that happened, Uncle Ezra."
+
+"Hum! Where's your father?"
+
+"Down to the bank. I can telephone, and let him know that you are here."
+
+"It isn't necessary. No need of wearing out the wires that way. I can
+wait. I hear he has some foolish notion of sending you to a military
+school."
+
+"I am going to a military academy, Uncle Ezra, in accordance with my
+mother's wishes."
+
+"Stuff and nonsense! A wicked waste of money! The ordinary schools were
+good enough for me, and they ought to be good enough for you. It's a
+sinful waste of money. Mortimer Hamilton ought to be ashamed of himself.
+The money ought to go to the heathen. It's foolish."
+
+"My father doesn't think so," replied Dick as quietly as he could,
+though he was fast becoming angry at the dictatorial tone of his crabbed
+uncle.
+
+"Hum! Much he knows about it! The idea of putting such ideas into boys'
+heads as fighting and killing. Hu!"
+
+"But it might be useful in case of war."
+
+"Stuff and nonsense! It's positively wicked, I tell you. I've come to
+remonstrate with Mortimer about it. If he has to go to Europe, which is
+another waste of money, he could leave you with me. I'd bring you up in
+the way you should go. There's no nonsense about me, nor my wife,
+either. If your father consents to having you come to my place, you'll
+learn more than you would at any military academy. Stuff and nonsense!
+Don't talk to me! I know!"
+
+Dick could not repress a shudder as he thought of his uncle's gloomy
+home in Dankville, a house amid a clump of fir trees, so dark, so quiet
+and so lonesome that it reminded him of a vault in the cemetery.
+
+"I think my father has made up his mind to send me to the military
+academy," said the boy.
+
+"Well, perhaps I can make him change his mind. He doesn't know what's
+good for boys."
+
+How Uncle Ezra Larabee could understand what lads needed, never having
+had any sons of his own, was more than Dick could fathom, but he said
+nothing.
+
+"I'll wait and see your father," went on the crabbed man.
+
+"I can get my automobile and take you to the bank," suggested Dick.
+
+"No, you might burst a tire, and that would cost something to fix."
+
+Dick could hardly repress a smile at the idea of a possible injured tire
+standing in the way of an auto ride.
+
+"What's that girl walking back and forth so much for in the next room?"
+asked Uncle Ezra suddenly.
+
+"That's the maid, clearing away the breakfast things."
+
+"Hum! She'll wear the carpet out," commented the old man. "I must speak
+to Mortimer about it. I think I'll caution her now."
+
+He rose, to do this, but accidentally stepped on one of Grit's legs, as
+the animal was reposing under a chair, where Dick had sent him to get
+him out of the way. The dog let out a howl, and then a savage growl, and
+made for the man he felt had purposely injured him.
+
+"Hold him! Catch him!" cried Uncle Ezra, as he sprang away. "Hold him,
+Nephew Richard!"
+
+"Grit!" called Dick. "Come here!"
+
+But the dog refused to mind. Growling and snarling, he ran after Uncle
+Ezra. The latter did not stop to speak to the maid about wearing out the
+carpet. Instead he kept on to the front hall, and to the entrance door,
+which was, fortunately, open. Down the steps, three at a time, jumped
+Mr. Larabee, the dog close behind him.
+
+But, by this time Dick had caught up to his pet, and grasped him by the
+collar.
+
+"Grit! Aren't you ashamed of yourself?" he asked, but he could hardly
+keep from smiling, while, as for Grit, he nearly wagged off his stump of
+a tail, so glad was he at having routed Uncle Ezra.
+
+"I'll go down and see your father at the bank!" cried the excited man,
+turning when he was safely on the sidewalk. "The idea of having a
+savage beast like that in the house. I'll see Mortimer and make him
+change his plans. And I tell you one thing, Nephew Richard, if you come
+to live with me you'll have to get rid of that bulldog," and, angrily
+shaking his head, Uncle Ezra tramped down the street, walking slowly to
+save shoe leather, though he was a very rich man.
+
+"I hope dad doesn't allow himself to be influenced by Uncle Ezra,"
+thought Dick, as he went back into the house with the dog. "We never
+could stand it at Dankville; could we, Grit?" And the animal whined as
+if he understood.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+IN WHICH DICK STARTS OFF
+
+
+Mr. Hamilton came home early that afternoon, bringing Mr. Larabee, his
+brother-in-law, with him. Dick was anxiously awaiting their arrival.
+
+"Is that fierce beast in the house?" demanded the boy's uncle, as he
+stood on the front steps. "If he is I'll not come in."
+
+"I've sent him to the stable, uncle," replied the young millionaire.
+
+"That's the proper place for him. Dogs are no good. They eat as much as
+a man, and what you spend on keeping them would provide for a heathen
+child in Africa."
+
+Dick wondered if Uncle Ezra provided for any heathen children, from his
+wealth, but did not think it wise to ask.
+
+"Well, Dick," said Mr. Hamilton, when they were all three in the
+library, "your uncle thinks it would be a good plan for me to leave you
+with him, while I'm away."
+
+"Yes?" remarked Dick, his heart beating faster than usual.
+
+"It's the only sensible plan," said Uncle Ezra with a snort. "Your idea
+of a military academy, where he'll learn to shoot and stab his fellow
+citizens, is a foolish one, Mortimer."
+
+"It is not altogether my plan," said Mr. Hamilton softly as he thought
+of his dead wife. "Dick's mother provided for his future in her will,
+and I must see that her wishes are carried out. Besides, I think a
+military training is good for a young man."
+
+"Stuff and nonsense!" exclaimed Uncle Ezra. "Neither you nor I had it,
+Mortimer, and we got along. We're both well off."
+
+"Money isn't everything," said Mr. Hamilton. "No, Ezra, I'm much obliged
+for your offer, but I think Dick will go to Kentfield. He is to start in
+the morning."
+
+"Hum! It's a foolish idea," again snorted Uncle Ezra. "You'll live to
+see the day you'll both be sorry for it."
+
+"I hope not, Ezra."
+
+"Well, you will."
+
+"We'll not discuss that now. Will you have a cigar before dinner?"
+
+"I never smoke. It's a dangerous and expensive habit."
+
+"Slightly dangerous, perhaps, but I smoke very little. As for the
+expense, I think I can afford it. This has been quite a prosperous year
+for me--and Dick."
+
+"What you spend for cigars would pay the interest on a large loan," went
+on Mr. Larabee.
+
+"Yes, but I don't need the loan," declared Mr. Hamilton with a smile,
+"and I do feel that I need a cigar to rest me after my day's work.
+However, I don't advocate tobacco for young men, and Dick has promised
+not to smoke until he is of age, and that will not be for a few years
+yet."
+
+"Stuff and nonsense!" exclaimed Uncle Ezra, as he could thing of nothing
+else to say.
+
+"Perhaps you'd like a glass of lemonade before dinner," suggested Dick.
+
+"No," replied the austere man. "I don't think I'll stop for dinner. My
+visit here has resulted in no good, and the sooner I get back home the
+better. Besides I've got a new hired man, and I'm almost certain he'll
+set the barn afire; he's so careless."
+
+"Oh, I hope not, Ezra," said Mr. Hamilton.
+
+"So do I, but I'd be nervous all night and I wouldn't sleep. Then I
+might get sick, and have to pay out money for a doctor, or some
+medicine. No; I'll take the late train home."
+
+"But that won't get you there until after midnight."
+
+"That's all right. It'll be cooler then, and there won't be so much
+danger of overheating the horse. When you overheat a horse you sometimes
+have to buy medicine for him, and horse medicine is expensive."
+
+Seeing that his brother-in-law could not be prevailed upon to remain,
+Mr. Hamilton bade him good-bye, and Dick offered to take his uncle to
+the depot in the auto, but Mr. Larabee would not hear of it. He would
+walk, he said, and save the car fare.
+
+"He's a queer man--your uncle," said Mr. Hamilton that night. "I guess
+you wouldn't fancy staying with him; eh Dick?"
+
+"No, indeed, dad. A military academy for mine, as Bricktop would say."
+
+Dick was up early the next morning, when both he and his father were to
+go away from home, each for a considerable time. The servants had been
+provided for, and the handsome Hamilton mansion would be closed for
+several months. Dick accompanied his father to the bank after breakfast,
+and planned to go to the depot from there, some of his chums having
+arranged to meet him at the station.
+
+"Ah, good morning, gentlemen!" exclaimed a pompous voice, as Dick and
+his father entered the institution, and the young millionaire saw "Hank"
+Darby, ready to greet them. "I understand you are about to become a
+soldier," he went on to Dick.
+
+"Well, a sort of one," replied our hero.
+
+"Ah, that's a grand and noble calling. I once thought I would be one of
+the defenders of my country, but I was called into other lines of
+activity," said the father of the young proprietor of the scrap iron
+business. He did not specify what the other lines were. "It is indeed
+noble to fight for one's flag," went on the shiftless man, "but it is
+also noble to accumulate wealth with which to fit out armies. That is
+what I am doing. I am accumulating wealth."
+
+"How is it going?" asked Mr. Hamilton, who, as well as did Dick, knew
+that Henry, the son, made all the money, which "Hank" spent as fast as
+he could get any of it.
+
+"Well, it might be better," said the shiftless one. "But I have a scheme
+on hand."
+
+"Another scheme, eh?"
+
+"Yes, this is a very good one. There are enormous possibilities in it,
+sir, _enormous_!" and "Hank" fairly stood on his tiptoes to get this
+last word out with much emphasis.
+
+"Well, I hope you succeed," said Mr. Hamilton, as he and his son went to
+the millionaire's private office.
+
+The final details for the trips of father and son were arranged. Dick
+had his own bank account, and would not want for money. His father gave
+him some advice, and then the two said good-bye to each other, Dick
+having to leave before his father did, as the latter was to take an
+express to New York, where he would get a steamer for Europe. Grit, the
+dog, was to be left in charge of Henry Darby.
+
+"Well, my boy," said Mr. Hamilton, as he shook hands with Dick,
+"remember what you are going for. You're under a big handicap, but I
+guess you will win. You did the other time, though it was a close
+shave."
+
+"Good-bye," said Dick, unable to keep back the suspicion of a tear.
+
+"Good-bye," replied Mr. Hamilton, turning hastily to his desk, and
+fumbling among some papers, which seemed to rattle unnecessarily loud.
+
+On the way to the depot Dick met Captain Handlee. The veteran greeted
+the lad cordially.
+
+"So you're off to learn to be a soldier?" he asked.
+
+"Well, I don't know that the military part of it amounts to much,"
+admitted Dick, who had no false ideas about where he was going, "but dad
+thinks the discipline will be good for me, I guess."
+
+"That's right. Nothing like discipline of the right sort for lads. We
+didn't have to learn to be soldiers in my time."
+
+"No, I s'pose you just went right in and fought," said Dick.
+
+"Indeed we did. That's what my boy did. Poor Bill! I wish I could see
+him, or even hear of him again. You'll not forget your promise; will
+you?"
+
+"No, Captain Handlee."
+
+"Remember he was the best shot in his company. He could drive a tack in
+a board at a hundred yards. You make some inquiries, and I think you'll
+get on the track of him."
+
+"I will," promised Dick, but he had no idea in what a strange way fate
+was to bring about the old captain's desires through him.
+
+Dick found a crowd of his chums awaiting for him at the railroad
+station.
+
+"Here he comes!" cried Frank Bender, as he caught sight of Dick.
+
+"Aren't you going to take your rifle with you?" asked Fred Murdock.
+
+"I guess they'll provide me with a gun at Kentfield," answered Dick.
+
+"But they won't give you such grub as we had at camp," remarked
+Bricktop.
+
+"Oh, I guess they will, but maybe it won't taste so good," replied the
+young millionaire. "Well, boys, I guess this is my train."
+
+All his chums tried to shake hands with Dick at once as the locomotive
+pulled into the station.
+
+"Don't forget to send me a souvenier postal," called Bill Johnson.
+
+"Tell us how you like it," chimed in Walter.
+
+"Maybe my dad will send me," added Bricktop.
+
+"Tell us if you meet any girls as pretty as those here," was Fred's
+contribution.
+
+"Get on the football team," advised Frank.
+
+"And the baseball nine," chimed in Bricktop.
+
+By this time a number of passengers had their heads out of the windows,
+to see who was getting such a send-off. Dick's chums shook him by the
+hand, clapped him on the back, and fairly carried him up the steps of
+the coach.
+
+Then, amid a chorus of good-byes, the train pulled out, and Dick was
+started on his way to become a cadet.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+AN ODD CHARACTER
+
+
+It was evening when Dick arrived at Kentfield, which, from the scenes
+about the station, he judged to be quite a town of little importance.
+There were few signs of life, scarcely anyone being at the depot, and
+only a few passengers alighting.
+
+"I wonder if I can get a carriage to take me out to the academy?" mused
+Dick, as he looked about. "This doesn't strike me as being much of a
+place, but the catalogue dad got showed quite an academy. I wonder where
+it is?"
+
+He saw a rather dilapidated hack standing near the platform, and,
+walking up to it, addressed the driver.
+
+"Can you take me out to the military academy?" he asked.
+
+"Sure," replied the man, "but there's nothing to see. It isn't open yet.
+Term doesn't begin until next week."
+
+"I know," replied Dick. "But I'm going to attend there."
+
+"You?"
+
+The man seemed much surprised, but there was a noticeable change in his
+manner.
+
+"Going to be a student there?" he asked respectfully.
+
+"Yes. I had to come on ahead of time."
+
+"All right. Take you out there in a jiffy," went on the hack driver
+briskly. "Got any baggage?"
+
+Dick handed over his checks, and the man soon returned with his trunk
+and suitcase.
+
+"This doesn't appear to be a very lively place; not as much so as I
+expected," remarked the young millionaire as he got into the vehicle.
+
+"Oh, bless your heart, sir, you just wait until next week," said the
+man. "Then this town will sit up and take notice. This is our off
+season, when the military school is closed. But when the boys
+arrive--wow! Say, then's when you got to look out. My! Oh my! But it's
+fierce!"
+
+"Do they--do they cut up much?" asked Dick, secretly glad that he was to
+have a hand in it if the students did.
+
+"Do they? Say, young man, when I start to drive a party of them cadets
+anywhere I don't never know if we're going to arrive. Never can tell
+when a wheel is coming off, or when my horses will start up, and leave
+the coach behind. That's why I always use quiet animals. Them cadets has
+life enough and to spare. Cut up? Say, jest you wait!"
+
+"Well, maybe it won't be so bad after I get started, and make the
+acquaintance of some of the boys," thought Dick.
+
+But he little knew what was ahead of him.
+
+"Is the academy far out?" asked Dick, for, as the hack was an open one,
+he could converse with the driver.
+
+"About a mile. We'll be there in a jiffy."
+
+A "jiffy" must be quite a period of time, or else the driver's estimate
+of a mile was different from the accepted five thousand two hundred and
+eighty feet, for dusk changed to darkness before the hackman turned in
+between two big, stone pillars, and the man announced:
+
+"Here we are."
+
+"I don't see anything," objected Dick.
+
+"It's too dark. But the buildings are right ahead of you."
+
+Then the lad was able to make out the dim forms of a number of
+structures located in a sort of park.
+
+"Where's the lake?" asked Dick. "I thought the academy was on a lake."
+
+"So it is. That's on the other side. We're sort of coming in from the
+back, but that's the shortest road from the depot. I'll take you right
+to Colonel Masterly's quarters. He's the one you want to see, I guess,
+being as you're a new cadet, and he's the superintendent."
+
+"I suppose so," answered Dick.
+
+A little later he alighted in front of a large brick structure, and the
+hackman lifted down his trunk and suitcase.
+
+"Do they expect you?" asked the driver.
+
+"I think so," replied our hero, hoping that some arrangements had been
+made for him.
+
+A moment later a door opened, and a flood of light streamed out from a
+broad hall. A man in semi-military uniform appeared.
+
+"Who's there?" he asked, and, having spoken he began to whistle a few
+bars from "Marching Through Georgia," ending up with a bugle call.
+
+"Got a cadet for you, Toots," replied the hackman.
+
+"A cadet?" and once more the man in the hall whistled a martial air.
+
+"That's what I said, Toots. Give me a hand with this trunk, will you,
+and tell Colonel Masterly that he's going to have company."
+
+"My name's Hamilton," began Dick. "I believe my father arranged----"
+
+"Oh yes, the colonel told me to look out for you," said the man who
+looked like a soldier. "Come right in. The colonel will be here
+directly. I'll take your baggage."
+
+"Thank you--er Mr.----" and Dick hesitated, for he did not just know how
+to address the person in the hall, and wanted to make no mistake in
+bestowing a military title.
+
+"Me? Oh I'm Sam Sander," said the man in the blue suit, apparently
+surprised that his identity was not known.
+
+"Yes, that's Sam," went on the hack driver, with easy familiarity, "but
+nobody calls him that; do they, Toots?"
+
+The other, who was helping to carry in Dick's trunk did not answer.
+Instead he whistled the bugle call for "Taps," or lights out.
+
+"Do they, Toots?" repeated the hack driver.
+
+"Do they what?" inquired the soldier, who seemed to be rather absent
+minded.
+
+"Do they call you anything but Toots?"
+
+"Nope. That's what they call me. I don't mind. I've almost forgotten
+what my real name is. Toots is good enough I expect."
+
+"He's a queer chap," whispered the hackman to Dick, as our hero paid
+him. "Queer, but all right. He's a sort of general helper around the
+grounds. Well, good night. I'll see you again maybe, when some of the
+other lads begin to arrive. And then won't there be lively times! Wow!
+My! Oh my! But them students certainly know how to have fun!"
+
+The hackman appeared to relish the prospect, and Dick could hear him
+chuckling to himself as he drove off in the darkness.
+
+"Right this way, Mr. Hamilton," said Toots, which name we shall adopt
+for him. "I will find the colonel for you----"
+
+He stopped suddenly, straightened up, in spite of the suitcase which he
+was carrying, and gave a stiff military salute.
+
+"Mr. Hamilton has arrived, sir," he said, and at that Dick caught sight
+of a tall thin man, with an iron gray moustache and imperial, coming
+down the broad, well-lighted hall.
+
+"Ah, Hamilton, glad to see you," said the soldierly-looking gentleman,
+extending his hand. "I'm Colonel Masterly. You are a little early, but I
+understand the case. Have you had dinner?"
+
+Dick had not, and said so.
+
+"Then you can dine with me," went on Colonel Masterly. "Sam, take Mr.
+Hamilton's baggage to the room I told you to get ready for him. I'll
+quarter you here for the present," he added, "until the boys arrive, and
+then you will have a roommate. How is your father?"
+
+"Quite well," replied Dick, and then he followed the superintendent into
+a reception room. There two other military-looking men sat reading
+books. They looked up at the entrance of Dick and the colonel, who
+introduced them to the new student as Major Henry Rockford, commandant
+of the academy, and Major Franklin Webster, U. S. A., retired, who was
+in charge of military tactics at the school.
+
+"That's the man of whom I must inquire about Captain Handlee's missing
+son," thought Dick, as the two instructors shook hands with him. "But I
+guess I'll wait a few days."
+
+Dinner was rather a formal affair, and our hero did not in the least
+enjoy it. The three men talked of matters connected with the prospective
+opening of the school, occasionally addressing a question to Dick, or
+making some general remark.
+
+The academy more than came up to Dick's expectations when he saw it the
+next morning. The school was made up of several buildings, consisting of
+a main barracks, which was where he had spent the night, and which
+contained the executive offices and class rooms, two other barracks, a
+gymnasium, a large mess hall, a riding hall, a small hospital and other
+structures.
+
+They were grouped on a large plain, that lay at the foot of quite a
+mountain range, but, what pleased Dick more than anything else, was a
+large lake that came right to the edge of the academy grounds. It was a
+beautiful sheet of water, and, from the appearance of a large boathouse
+near at hand, Dick guessed rightly that the cadet-students spent
+considerable time rowing and sailing.
+
+After breakfast, under the guidance of Toots, who was detailed by
+Colonel Masterly for that purpose, Dick was taken on a tour of the
+grounds. He was particularly pleased with the big stable, which
+contained a fine lot of horses.
+
+"Are those for the cadets to use?" he asked Toots.
+
+"Of course. Do you know how to ride?"
+
+"A little," replied Dick, who did not believe in boasting, though, in
+reality, he was a fine horseman.
+
+"I'll certainly have a swell time here," he thought, as he strolled
+about. He obtained permission to row out on the lake, and then was left
+to his own resources.
+
+After the first novelty of seeing the buildings had worn off, Dick began
+to feel a little lonesome, and he wished that the week was up, and that
+the other students would begin to arrive. But he found much to interest
+him, and made friends with Toots, who told him many and various stories
+of student life.
+
+"Why do they call you Toots?" asked Dick one day.
+
+"Well, I s'pose it's because I've got in the habit of tooting my whistle
+all the while. I'm always whistling war tunes or bugle calls, the boys
+say."
+
+"That's so. What makes you?"
+
+"I don't know, except that I'm fond of a military life. Some day I'm
+going to war."
+
+"Well, I hope you don't get shot," said Dick, as Toots left him, still
+whistling.
+
+It was a few days after this that Dick saw a new student arrive. The
+lad, for reasons similar to those affecting our hero, had been sent to
+the academy in advance of the opening of the term. Dick soon made his
+acquaintance, and he found the newcomer rather an odd character. His
+name was William Schoop, but he was called "William the Silent" by the
+other cadets, so Major Webster said, from the fact that he did not talk
+much. He used only single words where others would take a sentence, and
+he often made gestures answer for words.
+
+Dick and Will soon became friends, and the latter, who had spent a
+previous term at the school, showed the young millionaire about the
+buildings and grounds.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+THE HAZING
+
+
+One morning, two days after the arrival of the silent lad, when Dick had
+moved his baggage to his permanent room in the south barracks, the two
+lads were strolling about the campus. Dick was beginning to wish his
+companion was more sociable, when Will, with a sudden gesture, pointed
+off toward the town, along the main road that led from the station. Dick
+looked, and saw a cloud of dust approaching.
+
+"What's that?" he inquired.
+
+"Fellows coming," was all Will replied.
+
+He started off toward the main gate, and Dick followed. The dust clouds
+became larger, and approached closer. Then Dick saw that they were made
+by two large stages, and, a little later, he could discern that the
+vehicles were crowded with youths.
+
+Above the rumble of the wheels could be heard laughing, joyous voices.
+There were shouts, yells, cheers, whoops and cries.
+
+"Three cheers for Kentfield!" called some one, and the resulting yells
+caused the horses of the stage to prance more madly than ever.
+
+A few moments later the vehicles had halted at the gate, and from them,
+pell-mell leaped the cadets, returning to the academy after the long,
+summer vacation.
+
+"There's William the Silent!" cried one lad, rushing up to Dick's odd
+friend, and shaking hands with him. "Hello, Will! How are you? Are you
+the only one here, so far?"
+
+William merely nodded. Then he waved his hand toward our hero.
+
+"Dick Hamilton," he said.
+
+Dick stepped forward to greet the students, expecting them to tell him
+their names. From the group of cadets that had gathered around Will, a
+tall, good looking chap, but with rather a hard, cruel gleam in his dark
+eyes, stepped forth.
+
+"What's your name, new chap?" he asked somewhat sneeringly.
+
+"Hamilton--Dick Hamilton," replied the young millionaire.
+
+"Oh, Hamilton--Millionaire Hamilton's son, eh?" asked Dick's questioner,
+with an unpleasant air.
+
+"I believe so," answered Dick, trying to smile good-naturedly in spite
+of the overbearing air of the lad, who was no older than himself.
+
+"I've heard about you," went on the other. "Fellows," he said, turning
+to those surrounding him, "this is the young hostage of fortune who has
+consented to dwell a while in our midst. I saw a little paragraph in the
+paper a few days ago to the effect that Millionaire Hamilton's son had
+decided to take a course at Kentfield Military Academy. That is he
+condescended to inflict his presence on us. I'm sure the academy is
+highly honored," and the lad made a mocking bow.
+
+Dick felt the hot flush rising to his face. He had never been so
+insulted before. An angry reply was on his lips.
+
+"Millions don't go here, Hamilton," said another youth. "Your money
+won't count, and the sooner you find that out the better. Come on,
+fellows, let's see if old Toots is still alive, and then we'll have some
+fun."
+
+"Ta-ta, Hamilton, I suppose you brought a solid gold bedstead with you,"
+said the lad who had first spoken, as he turned on his heel, and
+followed the others. "Maybe you'd like to buy the place," he fired back
+over his shoulder.
+
+"You--you----" began Dick angrily.
+
+He was stopped by a touch on his shoulder. He looked around, to see
+William the Silent standing near him.
+
+"Take it easy," was all Will said, but Dick understood.
+
+Choking down, as best he could, his righteous wrath at the mean
+treatment accorded him, Dick strolled down to the lake. Will did not
+attempt to follow, for he understood.
+
+Sorely puzzled over the conduct of those whom he hoped would be his
+friends, Dick got into a boat, and went out for a solitary row. He
+wanted to be alone and think.
+
+"It's queer they should treat me that way," he mused. "I'm sure I don't
+make any fuss about my money. Maybe they are afraid I'll try to, and
+they're taking no chances. But they ought to give a fellow a show
+first."
+
+After rowing about for an hour Dick felt better. He resolved not to
+force his friendship on the students, but to let matters take their
+course. He had expected a little "stand-offishness" on the part of the
+older cadets, who were always, more or less, inclined to be on their
+dignity with freshmen.
+
+"Well, I'll wait until some new fellows arrive," thought Dick. "I guess
+I can make friends with them."
+
+When he returned to shore he found that many more students had come in,
+the next day marking the opening of the term. Among the lads were a
+number of new cadets, as Dick could easily tell by their bashful,
+diffident manners. He felt that he had somewhat the advantage of them,
+for he had been at the place more than a week.
+
+"Still, my only acquaintances, outside of the teachers are William the
+Silent, Toots and the hostler," he reflected.
+
+There was a notice posted on the campus bulletin board to the effect
+that all new students were to report at the south barrack. Thither Dick
+went, finding Captain Hayden, the head master in charge, showing the
+boys to their rooms.
+
+"Ah, Hamilton," called the captain, as he caught sight of Dick, "you are
+to room with Paul Drew, on the second floor. Room Twenty-six is yours. I
+think you can find your way there. Go up and take Drew with you."
+
+A tall quiet youth greeted Dick with a smile.
+
+"I'm Drew," he said. "I suppose you're Hamilton?"
+
+"What there is of me," answered the millionaire youth. "Is this your
+first term?"
+
+He knew it was, but he wanted to say something.
+
+"Yes. I'm from Kentucky."
+
+"I'm a York Stater. Come on and I'll show you where we bunk."
+
+The two made their way through crowds of new boys and were soon in their
+apartment.
+
+It was like all the others provided for the use of the students. It
+contained two small iron beds, and was simply furnished.
+
+"Here's where we'll be at home," observed Dick. "Have you any choice as
+to a bed?"
+
+"No, either one will suit me."
+
+"All right, we'll toss up for it. Heads is the one nearest the window.
+You call."
+
+Dick spun a coin in the air.
+
+"Tails!" cried young Drew.
+
+"Tails it is," announced Dick.
+
+"Then I'll take the bed away from the window. It's likely to be cold in
+the winter."
+
+"I don't mind. I like a cool breeze now and then. But stow away your
+things and come on down. There's lots to see. I hope we get into our
+uniforms soon. You've got yours, haven't you?"
+
+"Yes," replied Dick's roommate. Dick had been provided with the
+necessary dress uniform before leaving home, and he was anxious to don
+it. The other uniforms were to be obtained at the academy.
+
+The two boys, after hastily putting away their things, went down on the
+campus, which was fairly swarming with old and new students. More boys
+were arriving with every stage, and the shouts and cries, as former
+acquaintances greeted one another, made the green sound like an athletic
+ground with a championship match in progress.
+
+As Dick and Paul stood looking about them, the young millionaire felt
+some one touch him on the arm. He turned and saw William Schoop. Will
+nodded his head to indicate that he wanted Dick to step aside for a
+moment. Excusing himself from his roommate Dick walked a little
+distance, following William the Silent.
+
+"Don't mind Dutton," said William.
+
+"Who's Dutton?" inquired Dick.
+
+"Fellow that rigged you. He's an uppish chap, but he's a leader with
+the upper classmen. Don't let him worry you."
+
+This was a longer speech than Will usually made.
+
+"But why should he be down on me because I've got money?" asked Dick.
+"It isn't my fault."
+
+"Very exclusive school, this," explained Will. "Patronized by old,
+blue-blooded families, who pretend to have a horror of the newly-rich."
+
+"But my father has been wealthy many years."
+
+Will shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"They seem to have a prejudice against you," he went on. "Don't mind.
+It'll wear off. Dutton--Ray Dutton's put 'em up to it. He's a cad. Don't
+mind him," and with that Will turned and walked away.
+
+"Well, I guess I can get along without Dutton and his crowd," thought
+Dick. "Queer, I never supposed money would make this sort of a
+difference. It didn't at home. Well, I'll try to get along, but it's
+evidently going to be up-hill work. Still, I'll do it, and, if money
+stands in the way--well----"
+
+Dick shrugged his shoulders in a sort of helpless fashion, and rejoined
+Paul. The two strolled about, noting the scenes taking place on every
+hand. They saw many cadets, obviously freshmen, and some of the latter
+introduced themselves to Dick and his companion. They were Franklin
+Boardman, Stanley Booker, Lyndon Butler and Eugene Graham.
+
+"Let's stick together for a while," proposed 'Gene, as the boys called
+him. "It'll soon be grub time, I understand, and we'll sit near each
+other."
+
+This suited the others, and, when the gong rang, summoning them to the
+mess hall, the six lads went in a body, finding seats in a row on one
+side of the long tables, which were served by colored waiters.
+
+Discipline had not yet been put into force, and no one was in uniform.
+The mess hall was a lively place, for the older cadets were continually
+calling jokes back and forth to their chums, or jollying the waiters
+whom they knew of old.
+
+Dick and his new acquaintances conversed together, and, in spite of
+their rather awkward feelings, managed to partake of a good meal, for
+Kentfield Academy was noted for the excellence of its cuisine.
+
+When the meal was nearly over Toots appeared in the hall, with a hammer,
+and a piece of paper. He tacked a notice up on the bulletin board.
+
+"Hey, Toots; what's that?" called Ray Dutton.
+
+"Notice about appearing in uniform, Mr. Dutton," replied the odd
+soldier.
+
+"When's it to be?"
+
+"To-morrow morning."
+
+"Aw, tear that down, Toots, you imitation brigadier general you!" called
+another youth.
+
+"Sure. We don't want to tog up until the first of the week," added
+another. "Swallow that, Toots, and tell the commandant you lost it."
+
+"Orders is orders," said Toots firmly, hammering in the last tack, and
+leaving the hall.
+
+The afternoon was spent in assigning the new cadets to their classes,
+and arranging for the courses of study. They were told that formal
+drills would not begin until Monday, this being Thursday, nor would any
+recitations be heard until then.
+
+After supper, or dinner as it was called at the academy, the new boys
+strolled about in little groups, Dick and his five friends keeping
+together.
+
+"I wonder where all the older cadets are?" said Dick, as he looked
+about, and noticed that none was in sight.
+
+"That's so, they have disappeared," added Lyndon Butler. "I wonder what
+that means?"
+
+They did not have long to wait for an answer. A figure slid up to Dick,
+and, almost without turning he knew it to be Will. The silent youth
+spoke but one word:
+
+"Hazing!"
+
+Then he walked away as silently as he had approached, and Dick turned to
+his companions.
+
+"I guess they're getting ready to haze us freshmen," he remarked.
+
+"I thought they didn't haze here," said 'Gene Graham quickly. He was
+rather a small chap, and seemed very nervous.
+
+"I guess they do it in spite of the rules," said Dick. "Well, the best
+way is to take what's coming, and bear it as well as you can. If you
+don't it will be unpleasant for you. I don't believe it will be very
+bad."
+
+"Are you going to let 'em haze you?" asked Paul Drew.
+
+"Sure," answered Dick.
+
+"Then I guess I will, too."
+
+"Well, I s'pose it's got to be," said little 'Gene with a sigh. "I hope
+they don't toss us in a blanket, though."
+
+"If they do, just lie still, and you'll come down easy," advised Dick.
+"It'll soon be over."
+
+That night, in their room, Dick and Paul heard the sound of footsteps
+along the corridor. Then came smothered cries, and strange sounds in the
+apartments adjoining.
+
+"They're coming," whispered Paul.
+
+Dick nodded grimly.
+
+A moment later there came a soft knock on their portal.
+
+"Well?" asked Dick, though he knew who it was.
+
+"Open, in the name of the Ancient and Honorable Order of the Mystic
+Pig," came the demand in a whisper.
+
+Dick opened the door, and in rushed several of the older cadets, led by
+Ray Dutton.
+
+"Oh, we've drawn a millionaire!" Dutton cried, in sneering tones. "Well,
+take the other chap first, fellows. Lively, now, we've got a heap of 'em
+to initiate!"
+
+Several lads seized Paul, who submitted with as good grace as possible.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+DICK THINKS HE HAS A CLUE
+
+
+"What's it to be, Ray, the blanket, outside, or the ordeal of the
+pitcher?" asked one of the cadets holding Paul.
+
+"The pitcher, I guess," answered Dutton. "The blanket's getting too
+tame, and we have so many to look after that we can't take 'em outside.
+Any water in the jug, Beeby?"
+
+"Full," replied a fat lad, taking up one of the two pitchers in the
+room.
+
+"Up with him!" commanded Dutton, and several cadets seized Paul in an
+instant. Before he knew what was happening they had stood him on his
+head, two of them holding each of his rather long legs upright.
+
+"Hold open his trouser legs," said Dutton. "I'll do the pouring."
+
+He had the pitcher full of water, and, as his fellow hazers made a sort
+of funnel of the two legs of the victim's trousers, Ray poured the
+contents of the water pitcher down them. The fluid spurted out at the
+unlucky new student's waist and collar, and ran in a little stream over
+the floor. Paul struggled but could not escape.
+
+"Sop that up, fellows!" cried Dutton. "We don't want it to ruin the
+ceilings below. Use the bed clothes."
+
+The other cadets, who were not holding Paul, grabbed the sheets and
+spreads from the neatly made beds, and piled them in the little pond of
+water on the floor.
+
+"Hand me the other pitcher, Naylor," commanded the leader.
+
+"Better save it for----" and Naylor glanced at Dick, who was standing
+quietly in a corner, under guard of several cadets, awaiting his turn.
+
+"We'll not need it for him," replied Dutton. "Give it here."
+
+Some one handed him the other pitcher full of water, and the fluid in
+that, a moment later, went gurgling down the inside of Paul's clothes,
+spurting out as had the other.
+
+"You're initiated into the Ancient and Honorable Order of the Mystic
+Pig," announced Dutton, making a sign to his comrades to let Paul regain
+his feet. "Do you solemnly promise to be most respectful to your
+superiors, and not to partake of ham and eggs or any form of pork until
+after Christmas?"
+
+"You'd better promise," said one of the cadets to Paul, who hesitated.
+
+"Oh, I promise all right," he said, with a rueful smile as he looked
+down at his soaked garments, and surveyed the confusion in the room.
+There was not a dry article of bed clothing left.
+
+"Now for the other one!" cried Beeby, making a grab for Dick.
+
+The young millionaire was ready to submit to any form of hazing that
+might be inflicted, but, to his surprise Dutton said:
+
+"Never mind him. We'll let him go."
+
+"Why he's a freshman," objected several of the cadets, evidently
+thinking Dutton imagined Dick to be immune.
+
+"I know it, but he's in a different class," went on the leader with a
+covert sneer. "He might buy up the police authorities and have us
+arrested for having a little fun. We'll let him alone. We're only after
+common mortals."
+
+Dick flushed.
+
+"You're mistaken," he said as calmly as he could. "If hazing is in order
+I'm ready to take my share. I assure you I won't squeal. I'm not that
+kind."
+
+It hurt him, to think that he should be taken for a "squealer." He, Dick
+Hamilton, who had done his own share of hazing in the academy at home.
+
+"No, thank you. It's too risky monkeying with millionaires," said
+Dutton. "Come on, fellows."
+
+The band of hazing cadets filed out of Dick's room, bent on subjecting
+other students to their harmless pranks. As they left, Dick heard one of
+them say:
+
+"Aw, Dutton, why didn't we try the rope and window game on him? It would
+have been sport. He looks like an all-right sort."
+
+"He isn't in our class," replied the leader of the hazers. "He thinks
+his money can get him anything he wants, but he'll find out he's
+mistaken. It's a shame the faculty allowed him to come here, where only
+the best families are represented."
+
+Dick heard it all plainly. He realized how he had been misjudged, but he
+resolved to live down the wrong opinion the other students seemed to
+have formed of him. Or perhaps they merely followed Dutton's leadership.
+
+And so Dick was not hazed, though he was the only freshman in all the
+academy who escaped the ordeal, and, though many lads would gladly have
+dispensed with the ceremony, Dick Hamilton felt as if he would have
+parted with some of his fortune to have been included in the unfortunate
+class. For, had he been, it would have meant that he was considered as a
+future chum and comrade of the upperclassmen. But he had been left
+severely alone.
+
+"Well, you got off lucky," commented Paul, as he began to remove his wet
+garments.
+
+"Do you think so?" asked Dick, somewhat bitterly. "I rather wish they
+had given me what you got."
+
+"Why?" asked his roommate.
+
+Dick told his reasons.
+
+"I don't see why they hold my money against me," he added.
+
+"I heard some talk about it," admitted Paul. "Some of the older cadets
+have read the things printed in the papers about you; when you went out
+west to investigate that gold mine, and when you hired the circus to
+come to Hamilton Corners. They evidently think you depend on your money
+to win popularity, and I heard some of them say you were to be taught a
+lesson."
+
+"They're beginning already," said Dick. "Perhaps you would rather not
+room with such an unpopular chap as I seem to be. I guess I could get an
+apartment alone, by paying double rates," he added, sarcastically.
+
+"Nonsense!" exclaimed Paul. "I'm not that sort, and I don't believe
+you'll find many cadets who are. I don't care for money, one way or the
+other. I wish my dad had a little more. Don't let Dutton and his cronies
+worry you. You'll have friends among the freshmen, anyway."
+
+"Not if Dutton has his say."
+
+"Well, perhaps he won't have it. He comes of a very old family, I'm
+told, who have not much money, but who are very proud. I don't care for
+him myself, but he's considered a leader here."
+
+"My, you certainly got a soaking," commented Dick, as Paul stripped. He
+was glad to change the unpleasant subject.
+
+"I sure did," admitted the other "and what's more we've got to sleep in
+a damp bed, unless we ask the housekeeper for other covers."
+
+"No, don't do that. I would give the hazing away, and I might become
+more unpopular than I am," and Dick laughed a little uneasily.
+
+"I don't fancy sleeping between damp sheets, though."
+
+"I've got an extra suit of pajamas in my case," said Dick. "You can put
+them on, and we'll stretch out on the beds without covers.
+
+"It's not cold. We'll take our medicine. Or, rather, I'll share part of
+yours."
+
+They passed a rather uncomfortable night, but did not think of
+complaining. In the morning they compared notes with the other freshmen,
+many of whom had had the same experience.
+
+That day was spent in forming the new cadets into companies, and, to
+Dick's disgust he found that he was in the company of which Ray Dutton
+was the cadet captain, and John Stiver, a crony of the captain, was
+lieutenant. Paul Drew was in Company B, Dick's being designated as
+Company A. But our hero took some consolation from the fact that his odd
+friend William the Silent was a sergeant in his company.
+
+The new cadets were given their rifles, made to don uniforms, put
+through a preliminary drill that afternoon, and told something of the
+routine that would be in order when matters had settled down into their
+usual grooves. Dick picked out his line of studies, received his text
+books and took them to his room, where he found Paul.
+
+The next day being Saturday the cadets had the afternoon free and they
+strolled about the grounds, went off on horseback or rowing, as they
+desired. Somewhat to his regret Dick noticed that a rule was posted
+forbidding freshmen to go out rowing or riding alone after Saturday.
+They must be accompanied by a teacher or cadet officer.
+
+"They must think we're babies," he murmured.
+
+"Well, when we get to know the ropes a little better," said Paul, "we'll
+go out together."
+
+That evening, when the mail was distributed, Dick received a letter from
+his father, posted just as the ship was sailing. There were also several
+missives from his chums at home, and quite a bulky letter, which when
+the young millionaire opened it, he saw was from aged Captain Handlee,
+and contained a photograph.
+
+With many words, and a somewhat lengthy explanation, the old soldier
+stated that he had had copies made of the photograph of his son, and was
+sending one to Dick, to aid him in tracing the missing man.
+
+"There, I nearly forgot about my promise," said Dick, recalling it as he
+saw the picture. "I must make some inquiries of Major Webster as soon as
+possible."
+
+He took the photograph to his room, and placed it on a shelf, where he
+would be sure to see it, to remind him of his quest, though he had
+little hopes that it would amount to anything.
+
+It was Sunday morning when Dick, who had awakened rather early, heard
+steps coming along the corridor, and then came the whistled strains of
+"Just Before the Battle, Mother," followed by the reveille, cheerily
+warbled.
+
+"That's Toots," said Dick to Paul, who awakened just then.
+
+Toots stopped outside Dick's door and knocked.
+
+"Come," cried the young millionaire, and Toots, the odd character,
+entered, carrying a pail of hot water.
+
+"One of the janitors is sick," he explained, "and I'm helping out. You
+can use this for shaving or drink it, just as you like," he added with a
+smile.
+
+He filled the boys' hot water pitchers, and was about to leave the room,
+when he caught sight of the photograph of Corporal Bill Handlee on the
+shelf.
+
+"Where--where did you get that?" he asked, turning quickly to the two
+lads.
+
+"Why?" asked Dick, much impressed by the manner of Toots.
+
+"Because I--I think I know him--or did once," and the man set down his
+pail of water, and drew his hand across his forehead, as if trying to
+brush away some cobwebs. Dick noticed that there was a scar on the man's
+brow.
+
+"Where did you see him? When was it? Where was it?" asked Dick rapidly,
+thinking he had stumbled on a clue.
+
+"I don't know--I can't recollect, but the face--that face seems
+familiar," and Toots, taking up the photo, gazed earnestly at it.
+
+"That is the picture of the missing son of an old soldier who lives in
+Hamilton Corners," said Dick. "Captain Handlee asked me to make some
+inquiries about him. It's queer you should think you recognized it,
+Toots. Were you ever in the army?"
+
+The man shook his head slowly.
+
+"I don't know," he said. "I'm a fine shot though. I ought to be in the
+army."
+
+Dick felt a new hope. The missing man said he was an expert marksman.
+But then Dick recalled what he had heard about Toots; that the man had a
+delusion that he was a sharpshooter, but that he could scarcely hit the
+outer edge of a big target.
+
+"Can't you recall where you have seen this man?" asked Dick earnestly.
+
+Toots slowly shook his head.
+
+"What was his name?" he asked.
+
+"Corporal Bill Handlee."
+
+"No, that name doesn't sound familiar. But I'm sure I've seen him
+somewhere. I can't think--something seems to stop me here," and the man
+again passed his hand across his forehead.
+
+"Try," urged Dick.
+
+Toots made a strong effort to recall the past, but it was of no avail.
+
+He shook his head once more, picked up his pail, and started out.
+
+"I guess I'm mistaken," he said. "But some day you boys must come and
+see me shoot. I'm a dandy at it."
+
+Then he went down the corridor whistling "The Star Spangled Banner," and
+ending up with a spirited rendition of the bugle call to charge.
+
+"That's queer," murmured Dick. "I thought I was going to get some news
+for Captain Handlee. Well, I must inquire of Major Webster."
+
+"Hark," exclaimed Paul, as a bugle sounded clear and crisp on the
+morning air.
+
+"Reveille--first call! Ten minutes to dress and turn out," said Dick,
+who had been studying the rules, and he began to get into his uniform.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+DICK GETS A FALL
+
+
+At the chapel service, which the cadets were required to attend, Dick
+saw, for the first time, all his fellow students gathered together under
+one roof. They were a fine body of young men, and he felt proud that he
+was one of them. Every one was in full dress uniform, and a spick and
+span appearance the lads made, as they marched to and from chapel, to
+the music of the cadet band.
+
+Sunday seemed quite long to Dick, but he managed to spend some pleasant
+hours, strolling about with Paul Drew, and some other new cadets. He was
+glad, however, when Monday came, bringing with it many duties.
+
+For the next two weeks Dick was kept so busy, being initiated into the
+mysteries of the drill, guard mounting, parade, marching in different
+formations, learning the meaning of the military commands, his studies
+and preparing for inspection, that he had little time to think of other
+matters.
+
+He found opportunity to ask Major Webster concerning missing Bill
+Handlee, and the tactical officer made some inquiries of the war office,
+but all to no effect. All trace of the veteran's son seemed to have
+vanished.
+
+"But what do you suppose made Toots--I mean Sam Sander--think he
+recognized the photo?" asked Dick.
+
+"Well, you know poor Sam isn't quite right in his head," replied the
+major kindly. "He received an injury some years ago, I understand. You
+can see the scar on his forehead now. That made him rather simple
+minded, though he is a good worker, and very useful."
+
+"Then I'm afraid I can't send Captain Handlee any good news."
+
+"I'm afraid not, Hamilton."
+
+Dick had to write the sorrowful tidings to the old soldier, much to his
+regret. The young millionaire also sent a missive to his father, telling
+something of the life at the academy, but saying nothing of the manner
+in which he had been treated. Dick bravely resolved to fight his own
+battles.
+
+He found the studies anything but easy, but as he applied himself to his
+books, he stood well in his class.
+
+In the meantime matters were beginning to move with military regularity,
+and the cadets in their natty uniforms, presented at drill, or
+inspection, inspiring pictures.
+
+At first Dick, and all the new cadets, were rather awkward at drill,
+but this was to be expected, and little was thought of it. On several
+occasions though, Captain Dutton, who was in command over Dick, made
+sneering remarks evidently intended for our hero, who, however, did not
+reply.
+
+With the exception of Sunday and Monday, the same general routine was
+followed. Reveille was sounded at six o'clock, with a second call ten
+minutes later. Then came "police" inspection, and woe betide the youth
+who was not spick and span. Sick call followed, but usually it was a
+mere form, for the cadets were as healthy as Spartans.
+
+On Monday there was always general inspection, when it behooved Dick and
+his fellows to have their quarters in good order. Plenty of time was
+allowed for study and recitation, and there was much attention given to
+military life. There were lectures on tactics, and they were followed by
+practical illustrations.
+
+"I wish they'd let us have a chance at the horses," remarked Dick, to
+Paul, when they were studying in their room one evening. "The older
+cadets have plenty of cavalry drill, but we have to march around,
+carrying heavy guns, and doing all sorts of stunts like that."
+
+"I understand we're to have our innings next week."
+
+"Is that so? Good!"
+
+Dick, and many other of the new cadets who loved horses were pleased to
+see a notice posted, a few days after this, stating that instructions in
+riding, and cavalry exercises, were to be given in the big shed and
+would begin the following Monday.
+
+"Now we'll have some fun," said Dick. "Aren't you glad, Paul?"
+
+"Well, I don't care much about horses. I feel safer on my feet."
+
+"Oh, you'll get used to a horse soon enough, and then you'll never want
+to walk."
+
+There were good horses in the academy stables, and, to his delight, a
+fine mount was assigned to Dick. He made friends with the animal at
+once, and when the "awkward squad" was put through their paces, Dick
+earned commendation from the drill master for the excellent seat he
+maintained.
+
+For a week or more Dick and his fellow freshmen practiced every day in
+the riding hall. The cadets who at first sat insecurely in the saddle
+were beginning to learn how to maintain themselves, and one afternoon
+the drill master announced that the next day they would be allowed to go
+out on the cavalry plain.
+
+"That's the stuff!" cried Dick. "I've been wanting a good gallop for a
+long time."
+
+"Guess we won't have much chance to gallop," replied Paul, who had been
+transferred to Dick's company. "Dutton's so mean he'll probably keep us
+at an easy walk. He thinks no one knows how to ride but him."
+
+"I'll show him, if I get a chance," murmured Dick.
+
+The cadets were formed into four companies the next day, and sent out on
+the cavalry plain for practice.
+
+"Now I don't want any exhibitions of fancy riding," announced Ray
+Dutton, as he led the cadets over whom he had charge out from the drill
+hall. "You've got to creep before you walk, you know. Just take it easy,
+and we'll make a few circuits of the grounds."
+
+"Pity he wouldn't let us gallop," said Dick, in a low voice to Paul,
+beside whom he was riding.
+
+"Silence in the ranks!" exclaimed the cadet captain sharply. "Hamilton,
+if you speak again I'll report you."
+
+Dick felt the hot blood mount to his face, but he kept his temper.
+
+They went around at a slow pace, many of the lads chaffing under the
+restraint. Then Dutton gave the command to trot, and they let their
+horses out a trifle.
+
+Whether something frightened Dick's horse, or whether the animal wanted
+to take a good run and show the others what he could do, it was
+impossible to say. At any rate our hero's steed gave a sudden spring,
+and, rushing through the opened ranks of the cadet horsemen ahead of
+him, sailed past Captain Dutton at a fast gait.
+
+"Halt!" cried the leading cadet. "Where are you going, Hamilton? Come
+back here at once! I'll report you! Come back!"
+
+Dick tried to rein his horse in, but the animal had the bit in his
+teeth, and it was useless to pull on the leather. Still the young
+millionaire was not frightened. He knew he could manage the animal.
+
+But Dutton, with a muttered exclamation, spurred after Dick.
+
+"Halt!" he cried again. "Halt, or I'll place you under arrest for
+disobeying orders!"
+
+"I can't stop him!" Dick flung back, over his shoulder.
+
+Dutton's horse was a fast one, and he soon caught up to the young cadet.
+He crossed in front of him, wheeled about and, a moment later the two
+horses collided violently. Dick was flung up in the air, and, the next
+instant, came heavily to the ground, where he lay quiet, while his horse
+bolted.
+
+Dutton, who had retained his seat, looked down on the prostrate figure.
+
+"Come. Get up," he said. "No shamming."
+
+Dick did not move.
+
+"Here, Drew, Butler, Graham!" called Captain Dutton. "Here's a chance to
+practice first aid to the injured. See what's the matter with him."
+
+The three cadets he had named galloped forward, while the remainder of
+the company came to a halt.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+WHO FIRED THE GUN?
+
+
+"Pick him up, and see if he's hurt," ordered Dutton though he did not
+take the trouble to get off his horse to ascertain. "Very likely he's
+only shamming."
+
+But is needed only a look at Dick's pale face to show that he had had a
+hard fall. The breath was knocked out of him.
+
+The three cadets bent over him, and, while one raised him to a sitting
+position, the others chaffed his hands. Dick opened his eyes, and stared
+wonderingly about him.
+
+"What--what--where am I?" he asked, and then he saw the mounted
+students, he added, "I fell."
+
+"Are you hurt?" asked Graham.
+
+"No--no, I guess not."
+
+But when Dick tried to stand he found he was so dizzy that his fellow
+cadets had to support him.
+
+"Take him back to the hospital," ordered Dutton, "and then you three
+rejoin your company."
+
+At that moment Major Webster, who had been drilling some of the older
+cadets, in advanced tactics on a distant part of the field, came
+galloping up.
+
+"What has happened?" he asked. "Ah, Hamilton, eh? Are you hurt?"
+
+"I fell off my horse. He bolted with me," replied Dick.
+
+"Are you sure you're not hurt?"
+
+"Yes; only a trifle dizzy."
+
+"I'm sending him back to the hospital," announced Dutton.
+
+"That's proper. Are you sure you'll be all right, Hamilton?" asked the
+major kindly.
+
+"Oh, yes. I believe I can ride now."
+
+"No, I can't allow it. You must take a rest."
+
+On the way back with the cadets, Dick insisted that he could go alone,
+and did not need help.
+
+"Orders are orders," replied Graham with a smile. "Dutton might make a
+fuss if we didn't do as he said."
+
+"It was all his fault," added Paul Drew. "He deliberately collided with
+you, Dick."
+
+"Oh, no; I hardly think he would do that!"
+
+"But he did," insisted Butler. "He didn't need to gallop in front of you
+that way. I looked just as if he wanted to unseat you, didn't it,
+fellows?"
+
+"That's right," added Paul. "I'd report him if I were you."
+
+"Oh, no," answered Dick quickly. "There's no use making trouble. Even
+if he did do it on purpose, I wouldn't gain anything by reporting him.
+I'm no squealer."
+
+"But you might have been badly hurt," said Butler.
+
+"I wasn't though, and a miss is as good as a mile."
+
+"That's a good way of looking at it," commented Paul. "I'd feel like
+fighting him, if he did that to me."
+
+"Say, I'm all right. There's no need for you fellows to come back with
+me," went on Dick.
+
+"If we don't Dutton may make a row," objected Butler. "We'd better do
+it."
+
+Not wanting to get his fellow cadets into trouble, Dick allowed them to
+accompany him to the hospital, which was maintained by the academy.
+There the surgeon in charge, a grizzled war veteran, felt of our hero's
+bones, and announced, gruffly, that he was all right, but that he had
+better rest a while.
+
+Which Dick was glad enough to do, as his head was beginning to ache.
+
+"Dutton must want to get rid of me," he thought, as he stretched out on
+the bed in his room. "If he keeps on I shall certainly have a clash with
+him, and then I s'pose there'll be trouble. I don't want to fight, but
+I'm not going to submit to his meanness. I certainly am under a handicap
+here. I wish I could ask dad to send me to some other school. No, I
+don't either. I'll fight it out here, and I'll win, too, or I'll know
+the reason why!"
+
+Major Webster, when he returned from the drill, inquired how Dick felt,
+and received the assurance that the lad was all right.
+
+"We must give you a quieter horse," he said with a smile.
+
+"Oh, no, I can manage him all right," said Dick. "Captain Dutton--er--he
+and I happened to collide, or it never would have happened."
+
+"Strange, Dutton is an excellent rider," commented the major as he
+walked away.
+
+A slight headache the next day was all the ill effect that Dick
+experienced from his tumble. He appeared at chapel, and took part in all
+the day's duties. For a week or more life went on rather uneventfully at
+the academy. Dick had a letter from his father, stating that business
+was likely to keep him abroad longer than he expected.
+
+Dick also got a letter from Henry Darby, giving some news of Hamilton
+Corners, and telling how Dick's chums missed him. The letter closed with
+this:
+
+"Grit misses you very much. He doesn't eat hardly anything, and he lies
+in his kennel all day."
+
+"Poor Grit," said Dick to Paul, and he told of his bulldog. "I wish I
+could have him here with me."
+
+"Why don't you?" suggested his roommate. "Some of the other cadets are
+allowed special privileges, why don't you ask if you can bring Grit
+here? You could keep him in the stable."
+
+"I believe I will," said Dick, and he sought and received permission
+from Colonel Masterly to do this.
+
+A few days later Grit arrived, and he was probably the happiest dog
+living, as Dick took him out of the shipping crate. The animal bounded
+about, and fairly leaped over his master's head in the excess of his
+joy.
+
+Grit made friends with such few chums as Dick had among the freshmen,
+and they were not many, for Dutton's influence seemed even to extend to
+them. The advent of the bulldog appeared to further arouse the ire of
+the young captain.
+
+"I expect our millionaire cadet will be having a private menagerie
+next," he said with a sneer. "But I tell you one thing, Hamilton, if I
+catch the brute around my quarters I'll kick him out."
+
+"I shouldn't advise you to try it," said Dick coolly. "It might not be
+healthy--for you."
+
+"Do you mean that you'd attack me?" asked Dutton, taking a step toward
+Dick.
+
+"No, but Grit might; eh, Grit, old boy."
+
+The dog growled in a menacing manner, and Dutton, turning on his heel,
+made off up the campus, but the scowl he gave Dick augured anything but
+well for the young millionaire.
+
+It was about a week after this when, one evening, Dick, who was sitting
+in his room, studying with Paul, suddenly exclaimed:
+
+"There, I've left my algebra out under the three elms. I was studying
+there this afternoon."
+
+The three elms were a clump of giant trees on the campus, and a
+recognized stamping ground for the freshmen, who frequently studied
+there, when it was too hot in their rooms.
+
+"Better go out and get it," advised Paul. "It looks like rain, and you
+know it means a demerit to have soiled books."
+
+"Guess I'll slip out and get it," decided Dick. "I'll have just about
+time enough before taps."
+
+He started down the long corridor, but he had not taken a dozen steps
+before taps was sounded on the bugle, the plaintive call of "lights out"
+vibrating clearly on the night air.
+
+"Better come back," advised Paul, from the open door of their room, as
+he prepared to turn out the electric lamp.
+
+"No, I think I'll chance it," decided Dick. "No one is likely to see me,
+and I might as well get a demerit for this as for having a rain-soaked
+algebra. Leave the door open so I can find the place in the dark."
+
+He kept on, stealing quietly down the hall. Paul went to bed, and was
+just dozing off when he was startled by the loud report of the cannon
+used for firing the sunrise and sunset guns. The echoes thundered among
+the academy buildings, and were re-echoed from the distant hills. Paul
+arose. Clearly some of the cadets were up to a trick, and had fired the
+gun.
+
+A few minutes later Dick came running into the room.
+
+"Did you get the book? Who fired the gun?" asked Paul in a whisper.
+
+"Yes, I got the algebra, and, just as I did the gun went off. I saw some
+of the fellows running, and of course I was running too, but, just as I
+was coming in, Stiver, who is doing guard duty, saw me."
+
+"What did he say?"
+
+"Called to me halt, but I didn't."
+
+"He'll report you, and you may be blamed for--"
+
+An instant later the tramp of feet was heard in the corridor.
+
+"It's inspection!" gasped Paul. "Undress quick, and get into bed!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+DICK HAS A FIGHT
+
+
+But it was too late. The door of Dick's room was pushed open, and, in
+the light of the incandescent that burned in the hall, the two cadets
+could see Captain Hayden and several of the instructors looking in.
+
+"Hamilton--Drew--are you here?" asked Captain Hayden sharply.
+
+"Yes, sir," replied Dick, but an instant later the light revealed him
+fully dressed, whereas he should have been in bed at taps.
+
+"Ha!" exclaimed the head master. "This will bear investigation. Why
+aren't you in bed, Hamilton?"
+
+"I went down to get my algebra, which I left under the elms."
+
+"Did you have anything to do with firing the saluting gun?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"I will have to investigate. Report in my room in ten minutes."
+
+Captain Hayden marched on, and the two cadets could hear distant sounds
+that indicated a general inspection of quarters.
+
+"I guess you're in for it, Dick," said Paul.
+
+"I can prove what I went out for."
+
+"Maybe. But I wonder who fired that gun?"
+
+"I don't know. Some of the older cadets likely. Well, I s'pose I've got
+to go to Captain Hayden's room."
+
+Dick found several other students gathered in the reception apartment of
+the head master. They were lads who had been found still up when their
+rooms were hurriedly entered after the blowing of taps, and the firing
+of the gun.
+
+"Who was captain of the guard?" asked Captain Hayden, when he came in
+and faced a rather frightened lot of cadets.
+
+"I was, sir," replied John Stiver.
+
+"What did you see?"
+
+"I was on duty, sir, near the main entrance of the south barracks, and
+the first I knew I saw the flash of the gun, and heard it go off."
+
+"What else did you see?"
+
+"I saw a cadet run from the campus into the barracks. He would not halt
+when I called to him."
+
+"Who was it?"
+
+"I don't like to say, sir."
+
+"Very likely not, but you must."
+
+"It was--it was Hamilton, sir."
+
+"Ha!" exclaimed the head master.
+
+"I went to the three elms to get my algebra which I had forgotten," said
+Dick.
+
+"After taps?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Then you broke one of the rules."
+
+"Yes, sir, but I thought that if it rained, and my book got wet, I'd get
+a demerit for that, so I decided I would take a chance on going after
+taps. I started before the bugle sounded."
+
+"Ha! I will look into that afterward. You are sure you were not near the
+gun?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I might add," went on Stiver, "that, after I called to Hamilton to
+halt, and he would not, I saw his dog running after him, and the animal
+seemed to have something tied to its tail."
+
+"To it's tail?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"What was it?"
+
+"It seemed like a piece of string."
+
+"A piece of string. That may explain it. Hamilton, what do you know of
+this?"
+
+"Nothing, Captain Hayden. Grit was not with me. I left him in his
+kennel, in the stable, chained up."
+
+"We must look into this. Lieutenant Stiver, tell Sander to bring the
+bulldog here."
+
+"Perhaps I had better go along," suggested Dick. "Grit might make a
+fuss."
+
+"If he goes, you had better make sure he doesn't slip the string off the
+dog's tail," put in Dutton, with a sneer.
+
+Dick started, and looked angrily at his enemy.
+
+"That will do, Dutton," said Captain Hayden quietly. "You may accompany
+Sander, Hamilton."
+
+Toots, who was on hand, started for the stables, followed by Dick.
+
+"Are you going to get into trouble?" asked the old man, who had taken
+quite a fancy to our hero.
+
+"I hope not. If Grit had anything to do with firing the gun, by means of
+a string tied to his tail, some one who had a grudge against me is
+responsible for it."
+
+"I'm sure of it, Mr. Hamilton," and Toots marched on, whistling "Dixy
+Land," ending up with a series of bugle calls.
+
+They found Grit cowering in his kennel, as if much frightened. Dick and
+Toots looked him over. Sure enough there was a stout piece of cord tied
+to his stump of a tail.
+
+"It looks bad," commented Toots.
+
+"I'm not worried," declared Dick.
+
+Captain Hayden looked grave, when Toots handed him the bit of cord. He
+sent Sander to the saluting gun, and Toots returned presently with same
+cord, which matched that taken from Grit's tail.
+
+"Was this on the gun?" asked the head master.
+
+"Attached to a primer, that had been fired," replied Toots.
+
+"Hamilton," began Captain Hayden, "I don't like to accuse you on such
+circumstantial evidence, but it looks--"
+
+"I had nothing to do with firing the gun," said Dick quickly. "If my dog
+did it, some one else tied the string to his tail."
+
+"Whom do you suspect?"
+
+"I don't know."
+
+"If you please, sir," spoke up Graham, "I don't think Hamilton had
+anything to do with firing the gun."
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"Because my window is right opposite it. I was looking out, just before
+it went off, and I saw a crowd of students near it. They had a dog, for
+I could hear him growl, and I heard some one say 'look out or the brute
+will put his teeth in you.' Then some one else said, 'I guess I can
+manage him.' If Hamilton had been there I don't believe Grit would have
+growled."
+
+"He certainly would not," said Dick, noticing that Dutton was scowling
+at Graham.
+
+"Ha! Hum," mused the head master. "I believe you are right, Graham.
+Hamilton, you are practically exonerated, but this matter will not be
+allowed to drop. Firing the gun was a serious infraction of the rules,
+and dangerous in the bargain. Whoever fired it must have stolen into the
+ammunition house, which is a risky thing to do, especially in the dark."
+
+"I am glad you don't think I did it, sir," said Dick to Captain Hayden.
+
+"I am glad, also, but I shall have to mark you five off for being out
+after taps. When I find out who fired the gun I shall punish them
+severely. It seems as though it was done to throw suspicion on you."
+
+"That is what I think," said Dick quickly.
+
+"Whom do you suspect?"
+
+"I had rather not say, sir."
+
+"Of course not, no, I wouldn't want you to on mere suspicion. You young
+gentlemen may retire to your rooms, now. I will look into this matter
+further."
+
+The cadets filed out, all of them breathing easier. As Dutton passed
+Dick in the hall, he said:
+
+"Did you refer to me when you said you suspected some one?"
+
+"Not particularly."
+
+"You looked at me," said the cadet captain angrily.
+
+"Well, a cat may look at a king, I suppose."
+
+"None of your impertinence."
+
+"I'm not impertinent, but I don't propose to have you dictate to me."
+
+"You'll have to, as long as you're a freshman. I say you intimated that
+I fired that gun and tried to throw the blame on you."
+
+"I can't help what you say."
+
+"Do you believe I did it?"
+
+"I refuse to answer."
+
+"Then I'll make you! Take that!" and before Dick could step back Dutton
+had hit him a blow in the face. "You know what that means, I suppose,"
+said Dutton with a sneer.
+
+"A fight?" asked Dick quietly.
+
+"Of course. I'll send a friend to you to-morrow and we'll see if you'll
+back up your words."
+
+"Don't worry. I'll be on hand," replied Dick, as he went to his room.
+
+He told Paul of what had happened, and the latter consented to act as
+second to him in the fight. The matter was quietly arranged, and, the
+next afternoon Dick, and the few chums he had, slipped off after the
+evening parade to a secluded spot, where all the fistic battles of the
+academy took place. Dutton and a large throng of his supporters were on
+hand, and the preliminaries were soon settled.
+
+"Time!" called Lieutenant Stiver, who acted as Dutton's second.
+
+The two youths faced each other, but dispensed with the ceremony of
+shaking hands. The next moment Dutton aimed a blow at Dick's face, but
+our hero cleverly dodged and sent a stiff right hander to the cadet
+captain's jaw.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+DICK GIVES A SPREAD
+
+
+The shock of the blow made Dutton stagger back, but he quickly regained
+his balance, and rushed at Dick, raising his foot to give him a kick.
+
+"Hold on, that's not fair!" cried Paul. "Do you stand for that, Stiver?"
+
+Stiver plainly wanted to side with Dutton, but there were cries of
+"Shame! That's not fair!" from several in the crowd and Dutton's second
+was forced to caution his man.
+
+"Don't do that, Dutton," he said. "You can lick him with your fists."
+
+"Yes, and I'll fix him, all right!" exclaimed the angry cadet captain.
+
+Dick, who had stepped back, out of reach of his opponent's foot, now
+stood up to meet the rush of Dutton.
+
+"There! I guess that will teach you to make insinuations about me!"
+spluttered the angry lad, as he aimed a fierce blow at Dick. Our hero
+easily dodged it, however, and countered with a stiff upper cut, which
+gave Dutton quite a jolt.
+
+Dick was not quite quick enough in getting away, however, and received a
+blow on the chest, which he did not mind, much. Then Dutton closed in,
+and both boys exchanged several severe blows, but Dick had the best of
+it, for he had taken boxing lessons from an experienced instructor at
+home.
+
+"Go in and do him!" called Dutton's friends.
+
+"Stand up to him, Dick," advised Paul, in low tones at the conclusion of
+the first round. "You've got him going."
+
+Dutton tried to be calm as he came up the second time, but he speedily
+lost his temper, as he saw how easily Dick parried his blows.
+
+"Why don't you stand up and fight?" he asked.
+
+"Why don't you hit me?" retorted Dick, as he tapped his antagonist on
+the nose, making it bleed slightly.
+
+"I'll pay you for that!" cried Dutton, rushing forward.
+
+"Not so loud!" cautioned Stiver. "You'll bring some of the professors
+down on us."
+
+Once more Dick dodged a straight left hander, and, in return, sent in a
+terrific right, that caught Dutton on the point of the jaw. The cadet
+went down like a log, and lay still.
+
+"You've knocked him out, Hamilton," remarked one of the older cadets,
+who acted as referee. "I congratulate you."
+
+"Yes, he fought well," added another, but there was no heartiness in his
+tones, and, to Dick, it seemed almost as if they were sorry he had won.
+
+For won he had, as Dutton did not arise. He had been fairly, but
+harmlessly, knocked out.
+
+"Do you throw up the sponge?" asked Paul, of Stiver.
+
+"I guess so," was the rather surly response. "Your man wins."
+
+"I hope I didn't hurt him," said Dick. "I didn't mean to hit so hard,
+but he rushed right into it."
+
+"You didn't hurt me!" suddenly exclaimed Dutton, as he struggled to his
+feet. "I'm game yet."
+
+"You've had enough," said his second. "You can have another try later."
+
+"I can do him," mumbled Dutton, but even his friends were forced to
+admit that he had been well beaten.
+
+"Will you shake hands?" asked Dick, advancing toward his antagonist.
+
+"No!" exclaimed Dutton, surlily.
+
+A hot flush came to Dick's face, and he was about to turn away when, the
+older cadet, who had complimented him said:
+
+"Shake hands, Dutton. Don't be a cad."
+
+This was equivalent to a command, and Dutton grudingly complied.
+
+"Do you think he will be better friends with you after this?" asked
+Paul, as he and Dick walked away together.
+
+"I hope so, but I doubt it."
+
+Dick was right. Though he had gained the victory he had whipped one of
+the most popular cadets, which Dutton was, in spite of his caddishness.
+
+Our hero's victory took nothing away from the regard in which Dutton was
+held, while, as for Dick, save a few friends whom he had made among the
+younger lads, he was not admitted to the comradeship of the older
+cadets, to which place, of right, he belonged. The fight had not made
+him popular, as he had hoped it would, after he had won it, though the
+sporting element in the academy could not but admire his fistic
+abilities.
+
+"I don't seem to be making much progress," remarked Dick to his
+roommate, one afternoon. "You have more friends than I have."
+
+"Oh, I don't think so."
+
+"Yes, you have. It would be different, if I was at home, but here,
+everyone seems to follow Dutton's lead, and turns a cold shoulder to
+me."
+
+"Maybe you'll have more acquaintances next term."
+
+"I doubt it. I wish I could get in with the fellows. They'll be making
+up the football eleven, soon, and I'd like a chance to play."
+
+"Do you play?"
+
+"I did at home. I was right half-back. But I don't s'pose I'll have any
+show here."
+
+"I tell you what you might do," said Paul, after a pause. "Why don't
+you give a spread?"
+
+"A spread?"
+
+"Yes, a feast, you know. You can get permission to have it in one of the
+rooms, and you can invite a lot of the fellows. Several of the new
+fellows have done that, and some of them got proposed for membership in
+the Sacred Pig society."
+
+This was one of the exclusive secret organizations of the academy, and
+Dick, as well as many others, wished to join. But one had to be invited
+to apply for membership, and only those students on whom the seal of
+approval was set by the older cadets had this honor.
+
+"Do you think that would do any good?" asked Dick.
+
+"It might."
+
+"Then I'll try. Here's a chance where I can use some of my money. If
+this plan doesn't work, I have another that I'll spring."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"Well, I don't want to say yet. I may want to get you to help me at it,
+though."
+
+"I'll do anything I can."
+
+"I know you will, Paul. I wish there were more like you."
+
+Dick obtained permission from Colonel Masterly to give a spread in one
+of the barrack rooms, and he made elaborate preparations for it. A town
+caterer was given orders to supply a fine supper, and then Dick sent out
+his invitations. He included all the lads in his class, and every
+member of the so-called "sporting crowd."
+
+"Are you going to invite Dutton?" asked Paul.
+
+"Of course. I want him more than all the others. If he would drop his
+hard feelings we could be friends."
+
+"After he tried to get you into trouble about your dog, and the firing
+of the cannon?"
+
+"Do you think he did?"
+
+"I'm sure of it, and so are lots of others."
+
+"Captain Hayden can't seem to find out anything about it."
+
+"No, because all of Dutton's cronies are keeping mum. But I'm sure he
+did it."
+
+"Well, I'll forgive him, if he'll be friends. I got even by whipping
+him, I guess."
+
+"Perhaps, though I don't believe he thinks so."
+
+Dick received acceptances from nearly all the lads in his class, but
+regarding the others he heard nothing, and did not know whether they
+would come or not. He hoped they would--particularly Dutton and his
+chums.
+
+On the afternoon of the evening on which Dick's spread was to come off,
+he met Dutton and Stiver on the campus.
+
+"Let's see, isn't your spread to-morrow night?" asked Stiver, with
+studied carelessness.
+
+"It's to-night," said Dick, pleasantly. "I hope you are both coming."
+
+"I'll see," answered Stiver.
+
+"Is there going to be anything to drink?" asked Dutton with a covert
+sneer.
+
+"Lemonade," replied Dick promptly.
+
+"Is that all? I should think a millionaire cadet like you would provide
+champagne; or at least beer."
+
+"It's against the rules," said Dick.
+
+"Then you'll have some cigars."
+
+"No."
+
+"Cigarettes then?"
+
+"No."
+
+"I suppose you'll give us malted milk and crackers," sneered Dutton, as
+he turned aside. "I don't think that will suit us. Eh, Stiver?"
+
+"No indeed. I thought you wanted to be a sport, Hamilton?"
+
+"I don't care about breaking rules," replied Dick. "Besides, I don't use
+tobacco or liquor."
+
+"Ah, he's a regular Sunday school brand of millionaire," remarked
+Dutton, with a mean laugh. "He gives his money to the heathen, instead
+of buying cigars. Come on, Stiver."
+
+At Dick's spread, that night, only a few freshmen came, and, though they
+tried to be jolly, the affair was a dismal failure, after the elaborate
+preparations that had been made. None of Dutton's friends came, and not
+a member of the sporting element.
+
+"Dutton told 'em to stay away," said Paul, as he and Dick went to their
+room, after it was all over.
+
+"I suppose so," answered Dick gloomily, and there was a heavy feeling in
+his heart, that the thought of all his wealth could not lighten.
+
+He was beginning to realize what it meant to fulfill the conditions of
+his mother's will.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+AN ANGRY FARMER
+
+
+"Say, Dick," remarked Paul, the next morning, as they leaped out of bed
+at the sound of the bugle giving the first call, "that spread must have
+cost you a pretty penny."
+
+"I don't mind that a bit," replied the young millionaire, as he
+struggled into his uniform. "I'd be willing to spend a lot more if only
+the fellows would have come. But there's no use crying over spilled
+milk, as my dad says. Hurry up, Paul. Get this room in shape, or we'll
+be in for some bad marks at inspection."
+
+The cadets quickly had their apartment in good order, and then got ready
+for breakfast.
+
+They were a fine lot of cadets who filed into the mess hall a little
+later, well set-up young fellows, each with his uniform spick and span,
+marching with regular step that nearly approached the perfection of the
+trained soldier. For, such was the discipline at Kentfield, that even
+green lads quickly fell into the routine, and by this time Dick and the
+other freshmen carried themselves almost as well as did the senior
+students.
+
+"Ah, that'll be some fun," remarked Paul, as they were leaving the
+mess-hall after the meal.
+
+"What?" asked Dick.
+
+"Target practice. There's a notice on the bulletin board that we're to
+have it right after the first study period. Are you a good shot?"
+
+"I used to be, but the guns here are heavier than I'm accustomed to. I
+don't believe I can do as well."
+
+"Oh, I guess you can. I hear that some of the third year lads can't do
+very extra."
+
+There were two target ranges at Kentfield, one for long distance
+shooting, in the open, and the other in a rifle pit, indoors. It was
+there that a number of the cadets and their officers assembled a little
+later. Toots, who was a sort of janitor about the pits, was on hand.
+
+"Ah, Toots, going to show us how to shoot to-day?" asked a student.
+
+"Sure," replied Sam. "I'll give you a few lessons. Lend me your gun."
+
+"Here you go, Tootsy old chap," added another cadet, passing over his
+rifle.
+
+As all the cadets had not yet arrived discipline was rather lax, and the
+officers made no objection.
+
+"Here's where I crack the bullseye first shot!" exclaimed Toots. He
+handled the gun as though he had long been used to it, and took quick
+aim. A sharp report followed, but there was no corresponding "ping" of
+the target to indicate a shot.
+
+"Ha! Ha! Toots, you missed it altogether," cried Russell Glen, a
+first-year and somewhat sporty student in Dick's class.
+
+"No, I didn't neither!" objected Sam. "It went clean through the target,
+that's why you didn't hear it. I'm a crack shot I am."
+
+He really appeared to believe it, and was much disappointed when the
+marker called back that the bullet had gone about a foot over the
+target.
+
+"Try again, Toots," said Glen.
+
+"I will. This time I'll go right in the center."
+
+Once more he fired, and the resulting laugh told that he had again
+missed.
+
+"I guess this is your off day," observed Captain Dutton.
+
+"Looks like it," remarked Toots ruefully, as he walked off, whistling
+"In a Prison Cell I Sit," and ending with the bugle call to charge.
+
+The target practice soon began, and Dick, to his own surprise, made a
+good score, getting forty-nine out of a possible fifty.
+
+"We have decided to have a practice march, around the lake, to-morrow,"
+Major Webster announced to the cadets after target practice was over.
+"Fatigue uniforms of khaki will be worn, and the affair will last all
+day. Lunch will be taken in the field. You know the regulations, Captain
+Dutton, so inform your command of them, and be ready after reveille
+to-morrow."
+
+The major paused, Captain Dutton saluted, and his superior officer
+turned away, his sword clanking at his heels.
+
+"A practice march!" exclaimed Paul to Dick. "That will be sport."
+
+"It sure will," added Dick.
+
+"Silence in the ranks;" cried Dutton, in a dictatorial manner.
+"Lieutenant Stiver, watch Hamilton, I think he talks altogether too
+much."
+
+It was an unjust accusation, but Dick knew better than to answer back.
+
+That afternoon further instructions were issued regarding the practice
+march. The cadets would take one ration with them, and a wagon
+containing utensils for making coffee, etc., would accompany the amateur
+soldiers. They would have their rifles with them, and, during the day
+would have practice in skirmish firing, in throwing up trenches, and
+advancing on an imaginary enemy.
+
+They started off soon after breakfast, led by Colonel Masterly, Major
+Rockford and Major Webster, while the cadet officers were in charge of
+the four companies, A, B, C and D.
+
+It was a fine day in October, just right for a march, and the cadets
+presented a neat appearance, as, headed by the superior officers on
+horseback, they marched along the shores of the lake, off towards a
+wooded plain. The boys were attired in blue flannel shirts, khaki
+trousers and leggings.
+
+"I hope they have more of these hikes before winter," remarked Paul to
+Dick.
+
+"'Hike?' is that what you call 'em?"
+
+"That's what the regulars do. It's a good name, I think."
+
+"It sure is. Say, you get a fine view of the lake here."
+
+The boys talked on, for there were no rules against it, and the
+experience of the march was a new one for many of them, including Dick.
+
+They reached some suitable ground about ten o'clock and on orders from
+Major Webster the companies were formed into one command, under his
+direction. Then, an imaginary enemy having been located in a clump of
+woodland, the cadets were sent forward on the run, in skirmish parties,
+firing at will, and in volleys.
+
+"Advance, and form trenches!" suddenly ordered the major.
+
+The lads, using their bayonets as spades, and scooping the dirt up with
+their hands, soon formed shallow ditches, with an embankment of earth in
+front, and, lying prone behind this, ruthlessly mowed down the ranks of
+the enemy who still refused to show himself.
+
+The rattle and bang of the rifles, the clouds of smoke, the flashes of
+fire, mingled with the hoarse commands of the major who was a war
+veteran; the rushing forward of the cadets, and their activity in
+digging trenches, made the scene one of excitement. It was glorious
+sport, Dick thought.
+
+Tired, dusty and warm, though willing to keep at this war game
+indefinitely, the young soldiers finally reached the edge of the woods,
+where, having dislodged the enemy, they were conceded to have won a
+victory, and the march was again taken up.
+
+A halt for dinner was made beside a little brook. Toots, who had charge
+of the provision wagon brought it up, and proceeded to build fires to
+make coffee.
+
+"Toots, you old scoundrel," affectionately exclaimed a senior cadet,
+"did you bring the cream for my coffee?"
+
+"Yes, Mr. Morton. I brought a jug full," replied Toots, who entered into
+the spirit of the fun.
+
+"And I want a white table cloth," stipulated another.
+
+"I've got one up my sleeve," answered Toots, busying himself about the
+wagon.
+
+Campfires were soon ablaze, and the appetizing smell of coffee and
+steaks filled the air. The cadets opened their haversacks, and were
+preparing to eat, having formed into little informal groups, each
+company by itself.
+
+"Say, Stiver," remarked Dutton, to his lieutenant, looking at a field of
+late sweet corn, which was near where they were camped, "I'd like a few
+of those ears to roast. How about you?"
+
+"Sure's you're a foot high; but you know the orders. Mustn't do any
+foraging."
+
+"Ah, what's the rule between friends? Besides, Colonel Masterly and
+Major Webster are away over on the other side of the woods. Send some of
+the freshmen after some corn."
+
+"I'm not going to. You can if you want to."
+
+"I will. Here, Boardman, you and Booker and Hamilton go and get some of
+that green corn."
+
+"I'll not," replied Dick promptly, who knew that this refusal to obey
+his superior officer would be upheld, if, indeed, Dutton would dare
+prefer a charge against him.
+
+"Afraid, eh?" sneered the young captain. "Very well, then, you take
+Hamilton's place, Butler."
+
+The three lads designated, either being afraid to incur Dutton's
+displeasure, or because they wanted some of the corn, quietly sneaked
+into the field, and quickly returned with big armsful, which were soon
+put to roast, the husks being concealed under the leaves in the woods.
+
+"Maybe, you'll have some?" asked Dutton, in sneering tones, of Dick, as
+the captain and his cronies began eating the roast corn.
+
+"No thank you. Not that I don't like it, but I prefer to get it another
+way."
+
+Dick felt that he was putting himself further than ever beyond the pale
+of his comrades' liking by his conduct, but he could not help it.
+
+The lunch was almost over, and most of the corn had disappeared, when
+an elderly man, evidently a farmer, crawled through the fence near where
+Dick's company was. There was an angry look on his face.
+
+"Which of you lads stole my corn?" he demanded. "And besides that you
+trampled down a lot. Who done it? That's what I want to know."
+
+There was no need to answer. The evidences of the stolen corn were all
+about.
+
+"I'm going to report this to Colonel Masterly," said the farmer,
+striding off toward where the superintendent was talking to the two
+majors.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+A NARROW ESCAPE
+
+
+"Hold on!" cried Dutton, springing to his feet. "Wait a minute,
+Mr.--er--Mr.--"
+
+"No, you can't come any game like that over me!" cried the angry farmer.
+"You stole my corn, and trampled a lot of it down. That's agin orders,
+an' I know it. I'll report to your superior officers, and we'll see how
+you'll like it."
+
+"But--er--but I say--" stammered Dutton, wishing he could do something
+to placate the man, for he knew that all the blame would fall on him,
+and that he would be severely dealt with; perhaps reduced to the ranks.
+
+"No. I'll not listen to you," replied the farmer. "I'm going to report
+to Colonel Masterly."
+
+"Now look at the mess you've got us into, Dutton," said Stiver. "Why
+couldn't you let the corn alone."
+
+"Shut up!" retorted the cadet captain. "I say, Mr.--Mr. Farmer," he
+called after the man.
+
+"My name's not Farmer, but I know what yours will be; it'll be Mud,
+soon. I'll teach you tin soldiers to spoil my corn."
+
+There were murmurs among the cadets. They feared lest the whole company
+might be punished. But a scheme had come into Dick Hamilton's mind.
+Without asking permission from Dutton he hurried after the farmer.
+
+"How much will pay for the damage to your corn, and what the boys took,"
+he asked quietly, holding out a roll of bills, for Dick never was
+without a substantial sum.
+
+"Now you're talking, sonny," said the farmer, a different look coming
+into his face. "Why didn't that captain of yours say so at first?"
+
+"What's the damage?" asked Dick. From experience he had learned that
+cash will make up for almost any kind of a hurt.
+
+"Wa'al, seein' as that was particularly fine corn, I'll have to charge
+you ten dollars for what ye took, and what damage ye done."
+
+"Ten dollars! That's too much!" cried Paul Drew. "Don't pay it, Dick."
+
+"Wa'al, then I'll see the colonel. I guess he'll pay that, rather than
+have his school sued," said the angry man.
+
+"Here are ten dollars," said Dick quietly, handing over a bill. "I guess
+the boys found the corn worth it," he added with a smile.
+
+"That's all right," said the farmer, as he pocketed the money. "I
+wouldn't 'a made a fuss if I'd a knowed you was goin' to pay for it. I'm
+reasonable, I am."
+
+"Not at selling corn," murmured Paul, as the man went back into his
+field.
+
+"Hurrah for Hamilton!" cried several cadets, who realized what Dick's
+action meant for them. "He's all right."
+
+"He got us out of a bad scrape," observed Lieutenant Stiver. "My record
+won't stand many more demerits."
+
+But instead of thanking Dick, Dutton turned aside. He acted as if he
+disliked to be under any obligations to the cadet who he so unreasonably
+hated.
+
+"Hamilton wanted to show off, and let us see that he had money," said
+the captain, contemptuously. "I suppose we ought to vote him a medal--a
+gold one, studded with diamonds, seeing that he's a millionaire."
+
+"That's not right, Ray," murmured Stiver in a low tone. "He's got us out
+of a hole."
+
+"I don't care! I wish he'd take himself out of this academy. We don't
+want millionaires here."
+
+Probably most of Dutton's feeling toward Dick, was due to jealousy, for
+Ray's father, though wealthy, was far from being as rich as Mr.
+Hamilton.
+
+Dick bit his lip, to keep back a sharp reply at the unjust construction
+put upon his act.
+
+"I shouldn't do anything for him again," whispered Paul.
+
+"Well, I did it for the whole company, as much as for him," replied the
+young millionaire. "In another minute Colonel Masterly would have heard
+the row, and there'd been the mischief to pay."
+
+The march was resumed after dinner and academy was reached in time for
+supper. The cadets were much pleased with their practice "hike," while
+the officers were complimented on the order they had maintained.
+
+"I guess the colonel would preach a different sort of a sermon if he
+knew about the corn," remarked Paul, as he and Dick started for their
+quarters.
+
+"Well, as long as he doesn't know, there's no harm done."
+
+"My, but I'm tired," announced Paul, as he undressed. "I'm glad we don't
+have any lessons to-morrow."
+
+"What do we have?"
+
+"Artillery drill. Have you forgotten?"
+
+"That's so. I had. I've got to ride one of the leading horses too. Guess
+there'll be plenty of excitement."
+
+"Shouldn't wonder. I'm on the gun-carriage, where I reckon I'll be
+shaken so my liver pin will fall out."
+
+"I'll try not to let it. There go taps. Douse the glim."
+
+The two cadets crawled into bed and were soon asleep.
+
+Artillery drill at the Kentfield academy was as near like the real
+article as possible. The guns were four-inch field pieces, each drawn by
+six horses, the two leaders being ridden by cadets, while seven men
+were on the gun itself, an arrangement somewhat different from that in
+the regular army. Real ammunition was used in practice, the pieces being
+directed at target placed against a hill of soft dirt, in which the
+balls buried themselves.
+
+The artillery practice began soon after morning inspection. The cadets
+had all been instructed in how to load, aim and fire the field pieces,
+and had also had practice in driving the artillery into place. For the
+first time, however, they were now to indulge in this under the critical
+eye of an officer from the regular army, who was visiting the academy.
+
+The first part of the drill consisted in firing at targets, before
+horses were hitched to the guns. The cadets did well at this, the
+different squads making good scores. Dick, who was detailed at the
+breech, had a chance to aim. He thought he sighted perfectly, but when
+it was fired the ball did not hit the target cleanly. It was the last
+shot in that particular part of the tactics, and it left Dick's squad
+with the lowest record.
+
+"That's all your fault, Hamilton!" cried Captain Dutton angrily. "Why
+didn't you aim that right? Then we'd have had a chance to make a good
+score."
+
+"I did aim it right, but the gun must have shifted. Maybe one of the
+wheels was on a small stone."
+
+"Nonsense. It's your stupidity. You've lost us a good mark."
+
+Dutton angrily slammed the breech-block shut. Dick gave a start, but
+stifled the cry of pain that he was ready to give utterance to, for one
+of his fingers was caught in the breech, and the blood spurted from it,
+as the angry captain closed the gun.
+
+"Open the breech! Quick!" cried Paul, who had seen what had happened.
+
+"What's that?" asked Dutton, who had turned aside.
+
+Dick's roommate did not answer. Instead he took hold of the block with
+both hands, and wrenched it open, releasing our hero, whose white face
+showed the pain he suffered.
+
+"Sorry I hurt you," said Dutton, calmly. "You shouldn't have had your
+finger there. I suppose you can't drive now, in the next test."
+
+"I'll drive," said Dick, grimly, as he bound his handkerchief tightly
+around his finger, to stop the bleeding. The nail was smashed, and it
+was very painful.
+
+"Then hurry up, and get the horses. They're ready to begin."
+
+This test was a difficult one. In turn the different gun squads were to
+approach a certain spot on the gallop. They were to go through a narrow
+passage, indicated by stakes stuck into the ground, and, at the end were
+to suddenly wheel the gun, fire three shots, and continue on at a
+gallop to the end of the course. If any of the stakes were touched it
+counted against the squad, and other points were won or lost by the
+speed and accuracy of firing.
+
+In spite of his pain Dick mounted his horse, and was soon ready, with
+'Gene Graham, who was to ride the other steed, to start off with the
+field piece.
+
+A squad from Company B went first. They cleared the stakes nicely, and
+did good work in wheeling and firing.
+
+"I hope we beat them," murmured Captain Dutton, who was on the gun
+carriage.
+
+Dick grimly resolved that if he had anything to do with it they would.
+
+Company C's team came next, and did well, but the off horse struck a
+stake.
+
+"Don't let that happen, Hamilton," cautioned Captain Dutton, as it came
+their turn.
+
+Dick and Graham urged their animals to a gallop, and with a deep rumble
+the gun followed after them. On and on they went, toward the narrow lane
+formed by the upright stakes. Dick's heart was beating hard as he neared
+them. Would he clear them?
+
+With unerring eye the young millionaire guided his animal, and so did
+Graham. With folded arms, and almost as stiff as ramrods, the cadets sat
+on the gun carriage. The leading horses were at the first stakes now,
+but the real test would come when the wide gun carriage reached them.
+
+"Go on!" yelled Dick to his horse, a swift pace being most essential in
+order to keep on a straight course.
+
+Dick gave a glance back. One wheel seemed about to hit a stake, but he
+quickly swerved his horse and the danger was averted. They got through
+without touching, and at a swifter pace than had any of their
+competitors. A burst of cheers from the watching cadets, and some
+visitors, rewarded them.
+
+"Careful now!" cautioned Captain Dutton, as Dick wheeled his horse
+about.
+
+Whether the animal was frightened at the cheering, or whether Dick,
+because of his injured finger, did not have a proper hold of the reins,
+was never known but, at that instant, the horse suddenly swerved,
+turning almost at right angles, and pulling off the course. So quickly
+was it done that it seemed as if the gun and carriage would upset,
+injuring several of the lads.
+
+But Dick was equal to the occasion. Though the strain, which he had to
+put on the reins hurt his wounded hand very much, he never flinched.
+With a steady pull, and a sharp word of command, he swung his horse's
+head around, and just in time to avoid sending the gun over sideways.
+
+Then, with a smart blow of his hand on the animal's flank Dick set him
+to a sharp gallop. Graham's steed, which had been pulled from his
+stride, regained it, and the horses behind, straightening out of the
+confusion into which they had been thrown, leaped forward, pulling the
+rumbling gun after them. Through it all, and in spite of their narrow
+escape, the cadets on the carriage had not so much as unfolded their
+arms.
+
+On toward the place where they were to fire Dick and Graham rushed their
+horses. A moment later they wheeled them, the cadets leaped down, the
+gun was unlimbered, a shot rammed home, and the men stood at attention.
+
+"Fire!" cried Captain Dutton.
+
+A puff of white smoke, a sliver of flame and then a deep boom, while a
+black ball was hurled toward the distant target.
+
+Twice more this was repeated, and then the gun was limbered, or attached
+to the limber, the forward part of the carriage, and the horses galloped
+off with it. Dick's squad had made a perfect score, in spite of the
+actions of his horse, and the cadets that came after them failed, so
+Captain Dutton's men won in the test.
+
+But Dick felt sick and faint from the pain in his finger which had
+started to bleeding again, because of the strain caused by the reins.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+CAPTAIN HANDLEE'S VISIT
+
+
+"Very well done, young gentlemen--very well done indeed," complimented
+Colonel Masterly, as Dick and his fellow cadets came driving slowly past
+where the head of the academy sat with some visitors, and the army
+officer.
+
+"Indeed, the regulars will have to look to their laurels when such lads
+as these are doing as well as that," observed the officer. "I thought
+they were going to have a spill there, at one time. But the lad on the
+off horse saved the day. Who is he?"
+
+"Millionaire Hamilton's son," said the superintendent in a low voice,
+yet not so low but that Dick heard him.
+
+"I wish they wouldn't refer to me that way," he thought. "I'd like to be
+myself once in a while--just Dick Hamilton. Money isn't what it's
+cracked up to be."
+
+"Why, Hamilton, are you hurt?" asked Major Webster, as Dick guided his
+horse to the place where the animals would be unhitched. He looked at
+the red-stained handkerchief around the young millionaire's hand.
+
+"Just a scratch," replied Dick bravely, though the pain of his crushed
+finger made him wince. "I caught it in the gun. It doesn't amount to
+anything."
+
+He saw Dutton looking at him, and he fancied he detected a sneer on the
+cadet captain's face.
+
+"Well, go to the surgeon, and have it dressed," said the major. "We
+don't want you to get blood poison. Is yours the only injury of the
+day?"
+
+"I guess so," replied Dick, with an attempted laugh.
+
+"A scratch!" exclaimed the surgeon, when Dick had so characterized the
+wound, as he came to have it dressed. "Well, I wouldn't want many
+scratches like that. Why the top of the finger is crushed. You shouldn't
+have kept on after you got this."
+
+"I'd have to if we were fighting in earnest," was all Dick said, and he
+gritted his teeth hard to keep from screaming out when the surgeon
+dressed the wound.
+
+Fortunately the remainder of the week was devoted to the more quieter
+forms of military life, the cadets spending considerable time in
+studying, drilling and reciting.
+
+One afternoon word was sent to Dick, who was studying in his room, that
+a visitor desired to see him.
+
+"Who is it?" he asked the housekeeper, who brought the message.
+
+"I don't know. It's a gentleman from Hamilton Corners."
+
+"I hope it's some of the boys," murmured Dick. "Or even a sight of
+'Hank' Darby would be welcome," for, in spite of the activities at
+Kentfield, Dick was a bit homesick.
+
+He found waiting for him Captain Handlee.
+
+"I come to see if you had any news of my son," said the veteran
+pitifully. "I'm about to go out west on a clue I have, but I thought I'd
+stop off here."
+
+"No," replied Dick, "I'm sorry, but I haven't any news for you. I wrote
+you about my inquiries."
+
+"Yes, I know, but I hoped something might have happened since then."
+
+"No, I regret to say, there hasn't. But how does it come that you're
+going out west?"
+
+"Well, I have an idea I can get some clues there. I'm going to look up
+some old soldiers who were in my son's company. Your father gave me the
+money to go."
+
+"My father? Is he home?" asked Dick quickly, hoping his parent had
+unexpectedly returned from abroad.
+
+"Oh, no. He gave it to me before he left. I mentioned that I'd like to
+go out west, and he gave me a good sum. I don't know what I'd do but for
+him."
+
+"When are you going west?" asked Dick.
+
+"Right away. I guess I'd better be leaving here now."
+
+"If you have any time to spare, captain, perhaps you'd like to stay and
+see the cadets go through some drills."
+
+"I think I would, if the commander will let me."
+
+"Of course he will. Old soldiers are always welcome here. We're going to
+have some wall-scaling drills just before parade this evening. I'd like
+to have you stay and see them."
+
+"I will, thanks."
+
+Dick spoke to Colonel Masterly about Captain Handlee, and the veteran
+not only received a cordial invitation to remain, but was taken in
+charge by Major Webster, who asked him to occupy his quarters, and take
+his meals there.
+
+The wall-scaling drills were always enjoyed by the cadets as they
+offered chances for rough and ready fun. The walls were structures of
+boards, between ten and fifteen feet high, placed on the open field, and
+the object was for the lads, by means of a pyramid formation, to get all
+their comrades over the top, while the men left behind, who had assisted
+their fellows over, would either scramble up by means of a rope,
+anchored by lads on the other side, or would be pulled up by their
+comrades who leaned over the high fence.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+ON THE GRIDIRON
+
+
+When the exercises for the day were over, Dick sought out Captain
+Handlee, and inquired how he liked the wall-scaling.
+
+"Fine! Fine!" exclaimed the veteran. "We never had such practice when I
+was in the army, but we did pretty near the same in real life. I
+remember one occasion at Chancellorsville--"
+
+"Now Captain Handlee," interrupted Major Webster, who had constituted
+himself host to the veteran, "you keep all such stories for me. If you
+get telling them to the cadets, first thing I know I'll have to be
+providing big brick walls for them to scale."
+
+He led the veteran away, the aged captain bidding good-bye to Dick.
+
+"I hope you'll be successful on your trip," said the young millionaire.
+
+"I hope so, too, Dick, for I miss my son more and more as I grow older."
+
+In spite of the good record he made in the drills, at artillery practice
+and in his class, Dick found as the weeks went by, that he was making
+no progress in becoming popular with the main body of students at
+Kentfield. He had a few chums among the freshmen, and of course was on
+speaking terms with all the others, but aside from Paul Drew, his
+roommate, he had no close friends. This state of affairs made him feel
+sad, for at home he had been the most popular lad in town.
+
+"I'm not succeeding as I thought I would," he said to himself, one day.
+"I guess I'll have to put my plan into operation. But perhaps I'd better
+wait a while yet. I'll give this way a fair show."
+
+As fall advanced there began to be talk about forming the football
+eleven. A number of new players were needed, because some of the best
+had graduated the previous year.
+
+"I hope I can make the team," said Dick to Paul one evening during their
+study period. "I used to be considered a good player at home."
+
+"I don't see why you can't get on. Fortunately Dutton has nothing to say
+about who shall play, though he's considered one of the team's
+supporters and backers."
+
+"Still he may influence Captain Rutledge. I hear they are going to pick
+candidates this week."
+
+"Yes, I heard Harry Hale, the coach, talking about it. I hope you make
+the eleven, Dick."
+
+It was the following day, when Dick was out in the field, with some
+other cadets of his class, getting instruction in survey work, that he
+overheard something which made him feel more than ever like giving up
+the fight against his handicap. He was standing near a thick hedge,
+holding the scale rod, while another cadet was reading it through the
+instrument, when he heard voices behind the shrubbery.
+
+"Looks to me like Hamilton would make a good player," he caught, and he
+knew that Coach Hale was speaking.
+
+"You're right," said Captain Rutledge. "He's got the right build, and I
+hear he played at home."
+
+"Aw, you don't want him on the team," expostulated a voice which Dick
+knew at once belonged to Captain Dutton.
+
+"Why not?" asked the coach, in some surprise.
+
+"Well, none of the other fellows like him. You wouldn't get good team
+work if he played."
+
+"Are you sure?" asked Captain Rutledge.
+
+"Sure. He's not popular."
+
+"What's the matter with him?"
+
+"Well, he's got too much money, and he's always trying to make it known.
+He gives himself as many airs as if he came of an old family."
+
+This was an unjust accusation, but the coach and captain did not know
+it, as they were upper-class cadets, and did not mingle much with the
+freshmen.
+
+"Well, we won't want to get an unpopular fellow on the eleven," said the
+coach, dubiously.
+
+"No, indeed," agreed the captain. "Still, we need good players. Suppose
+we give him a trial?"
+
+"You'll be sorry if you do," Dutton assured them.
+
+Dick longed to drop the rod, leap over the hedge and give a
+well-deserved threshing to Dutton, but he knew he would lose more than
+he would gain. He was brought quickly out of his fit of righteous anger
+by the sharp command of the officer in charge of the surveying party.
+
+"Plumb east there! Hamilton!" was the cry, and Dick saw that he had
+allowed the rod to slant too much. He straightened it, and, glancing at
+the hedge saw the three cadets who had been talking, moving away. But,
+before they got out of earshot Dick heard Dutton say:
+
+"I wouldn't put him on the team, if I were you, for I don't think he'll
+be here long."
+
+"Why not? Doesn't he like it?" asked Captain Rutledge.
+
+"Oh, I guess he likes it all right, but we don't like him. I shouldn't
+wonder but what something would happen to make him leave," and Dutton
+laughed sarcastically.
+
+"I guess I'd better be on my guard," thought Dick as he moved the rod to
+another place, in obedience to the instructions from the cadet at the
+instrument.
+
+A few days after this, a notice was posted on the bulletin board in the
+gymnasium, telling all candidates for the football team to report on
+the gridiron that afternoon, as selections for the regular and scrub
+teams would be made. Members of the scrub would act as substitutes on
+the regular.
+
+"Here's where I get my chance," said Dick to Paul.
+
+"Well, I hope you make the regular team," replied his roommate, as the
+young millionaire went to submit himself for examination.
+
+Coach Hale, Captain Rutledge, and a number of the former players were on
+hand, as was Dutton, and some of his cronies. All the candidates were
+looked over, sized up physically, and put through a course of "sprouts"
+in running, leaping, and tackling. Then their football history was
+inquired into.
+
+"I guess you'll do, Hamilton," said the coach, and Dick was delighted.
+
+A moment later, however, he saw his hopes dashed to the ground. Dutton
+called Harry Hale over to him, whispered a bit, and then Captain
+Rutledge joined them.
+
+"You'll be on the scrub, Hamilton," said Hale, a little later. "You'll
+probably have a chance to play in several games, however, for I like
+your form. You've got to be regular at practice however."
+
+Though much disappointed, Dick vowed to do his best at practice. This
+was started a few days later, and, when the regular team lined up
+against the substitutes, Dick resolved that they would make no gains
+through him, for he was playing at left guard, though he preferred being
+back of the line.
+
+"Well, how are we making out," Dick overheard Captain Rutledge asking
+the coach, one afternoon, following some hard scrimmages.
+
+"Pretty good. That Hamilton is like a brick wall, though. We can't gain
+a foot through him. I wish we had him on the regular."
+
+"Well, you know what Dutton said."
+
+"Yes, I know, but I don't believe all Dutton says. He's got queer
+notions. I think Hamilton is every bit as good as he is. Besides, Dutton
+doesn't play football."
+
+"I know it, but he has lots of influence."
+
+Dick fully subscribed to this, for he knew it was due to Dutton that he
+was on the scrub instead of on the regular team. But he resolved to have
+patience.
+
+As Dick walked off the gridiron, following the practice, he was met,
+before he reached his barracks, by Grit, who had been let out of his
+kennel in the stables.
+
+"Hello, Grit old fellow!" exclaimed Dick, and the dog nearly dislocated
+his stump of a tail, so excited was he. Since rejoining his master he
+had picked up wonderfully. "I've got you for a friend, even if I haven't
+many others," said Dick, as he bent over to fondle the dog. As he did so
+he saw some marks on the animal's smooth, satin-like coat, that made him
+start.
+
+"Grit, you've been fighting!" he exclaimed. "How did that happen?" He
+knew there were no other dogs near the academy with whom his pet would
+quarrel. He asked the stableman about it.
+
+"Sure Grit's been in a fight," replied one of the hostlers. "I thought
+you matched him in a scrap wid a dorg in town. Grit won, anyhow. It was
+a couple a' nights ago."
+
+"Matched him in a fight? Why, did some one--some of the cadets take Grit
+to town, and let him fight?"
+
+"Thot's what they done, Muster Hamilton, an' they won a pot of money on
+him too, I understand."
+
+"Who took him?" asked Dick, trying to speak calmly.
+
+"Why, uts no secret. Muster Dutton an' Muster Stiver tuck him one night.
+Ut was a foin foight, I heard 'em say."
+
+Dick started away, after chaining Grit up, a set look on his face.
+
+"I'll have it out with Dutton," he said.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+FOR THE PRIZE TROOP
+
+
+After a bath and rub down in the gymnasium Dick dressed for evening
+parade. When this was over he sought out Dutton, who was strolling off
+the campus with some chums.
+
+"Captain Dutton, I wish to speak to you," said Dick, formally saluting.
+
+"Well, I don't know that I wish to speak to you. What is it?" asked the
+young snob, barely acknowledging Dick's courtesy.
+
+"Did you take my bulldog to town, and match him to fight another?"
+
+Dutton started, then looked insolently at Dick.
+
+"What of it?" he asked sneeringly.
+
+"This much. That you haven't any right to do that, even if you are my
+superior officer. Grit is my personal property, and I won't have him
+fighting."
+
+"Aw, what's the harm, Hamilton. He put up a dandy fight and licked a
+bigger dog than he is," put in one of the cadets.
+
+"I don't care, I don't want him to fight."
+
+"Oh, you don't?" asked Dutton coolly.
+
+"No; and if you take him again----"
+
+"Well, what will you do? Report me, I suppose?" said the captain.
+
+"No, but I'll thrash you worse than I did the other time, Captain
+Dutton, that's what I'll do!" exclaimed Dick, hotly. "You leave Grit
+alone! If you take him again you know what to expect!"
+
+Dutton turned pale. He strode toward Dick, but at that moment Captain
+Grantly, one of the instructors, strolled past. Dutton turned aside.
+
+"You haven't heard the last of this--my fresh millionaire," he said in a
+whisper to Dick, as he and his cronies walked off. "You'll wish you
+hadn't insulted me."
+
+Dick saluted, as the rules required, and marched back to quarters. He
+felt that he would have enjoyed a good stiff fight with his mean enemy.
+
+"I don't suppose this will add to my popularity, among the sporting
+element," he said to himself. "But I don't care; they shan't fight
+Grit!"
+
+Football practice went on every afternoon, and Dick and the other scrubs
+were faithful at it. The regular eleven was being whipped into shape,
+and the first game was close at hand. When it was played Dick found
+himself wishing he could have a chance, but no such thing happened. The
+opponents of Kentfield were light-weight players, and the cadets had no
+difficulty in piling up a big score.
+
+"But it will be different next week," Captain Rutledge warned them. "We
+tackle Mooretown then, and you'll find your work cut out for you."
+
+This game was indeed a stiff one, and several players were hurt. The
+cadets were slightly ahead in the second half, when the right half-back
+was knocked out, and, as there had been one substitute already put in at
+that position, there was a call for another one.
+
+"Try Hamilton," suggested the coach, after a hurried consultation with
+the captain.
+
+Dick's heart gave a wild throb, as he was called, and, stripping off his
+sweater, he bounded in from the side line. He was given the ball for a
+play around the left end, and, getting clear of the opposing players
+started down the field on a run. But, alas for his hopes of making a
+touchdown! The referee's whistle blew when he was on the thirty-five
+yard line, ending the game, in favor of Kentfield.
+
+There was rejoicing among the cadets, for Mooretown was an ancient
+rival, and they played three games with the students of that
+non-military academy every year, for the local championship.
+
+"You didn't get much of a show, Hamilton," said Coach Hale, as the team
+was in the dressing room. "But you started off well. I guess you'll get
+into a game yet."
+
+Dick was grateful for this praise. He knew he could do good work if he
+had half a chance.
+
+"This is Saturday," observed Paul Drew, as he crawled out of bed the
+next morning. "Not so many lessons to-day, and lots of fun for you, I
+suppose on the horses. It's rough-riding to-day."
+
+"So it is," agreed Dick. "I like that best of all, except, maybe, hiking
+on a practice march, and firing from the trenches. I hope I get the
+horse I had last time."
+
+"To-day's the last of the tests," went on Paul, as he slipped into his
+uniform.
+
+"How do you mean?"
+
+"I mean the officers are going to choose from those who ride to-day, the
+cadets who can take part in the tests for joining the prize troop."
+
+"Right you are. Say, I'm going to make that troop or bust a leg."
+
+"Well, I hope you don't break any bones. But I guess there's no danger.
+You seem right at home on a horse."
+
+"I ought to. I've been riding ever since I was a kid. I'm going to do my
+best to-day."
+
+As Paul had said, this was the final weeding out of candidates among the
+cadets, who had no chance in the tests that would be held later, to
+determine who should be members of the prize troop. This troop consisted
+of the best riders at the academy, and took part in several state
+evolutions and parades, having won a number of trophies.
+
+Scores of cadets, in their service uniforms, reported on the cavalry
+plain for practice. They were required to vault into the saddle while
+their horse was standing still, and at varying speeds, up to a smart
+gallop. Many failed in this, but Dick did not.
+
+Then came mounting and dismounting at hurdles, which was more difficult,
+and weeded out a number, and then, the last of the semifinals, was the
+feat of standing astride on two horses, driving a steed on either side,
+and, while doing this, to take a difficult hurdle.
+
+More than a score did not succeed at this, and Dick was not a little
+nervous when it came his turn, as, though he was an expert, he had not
+practiced this evolution much.
+
+On his steeds thundered over the ground, one being a skittish horse, and
+hard to manage.
+
+"If they don't jump together," thought Dick, "I'm done for. If one of
+them knocks down the hurdle bar it's all up with my chances."
+
+He called encouragingly to the animals, and took a tighter hold on the
+reins, while he shifted his weight on the backs of the horses.
+
+"Over you go now, boys!" he exclaimed at the take-off, and he fairly
+lifted the four animals as one, over the bar, clearing it cleanly.
+
+"Good, Hamilton!" was the quiet praise of Major Webster, who acted as
+judge. "That was finely done."
+
+So Dick qualified for the finals.
+
+But there was more hard work ahead of him. Thus far not many of the
+freshmen had kept up to Dick, and there were envious eyes cast at him.
+But those who envied him his good fortune realized that he had earned
+it.
+
+"Now, gentlemen, ready for the finals," ordered Major Webster. "I want
+you all to be careful, and take no unnecessary risks, at the same time,
+don't be afraid, for no one ever became a good horseman who was afraid."
+
+The final tests consisted in riding bareback, in different postures,
+such as might become necessary during a battle, in riding at different
+speeds, in removing the saddle from the horse while at full gallop, in
+leaping hurdles, and taking water jumps.
+
+Other tests were in leaping hurdles four feet high, and as the cadets
+vaulted, taking a suspending ring on a lance, in leaping clean over a
+running horse and in forming pyramids, with ten cadets on four horses.
+
+The last test was, perhaps, the most difficult of all. It consisted in
+one cadet lying on the ground, and another riding toward him at full
+speed. The one on the horse had to pick up his comrade from the earth,
+by leaning over and grasping his up-stretched hand, and then assisting
+him up behind him on his horse, continuing to gallop away.
+
+When it came Dick's turn he noticed, with some uneasiness, that the
+cadet he was to pick up, was one of the heaviest in the school, but he
+resolved to succeed, and he braced himself for the ordeal, as his horse
+galloped toward the prostrate youth.
+
+As he neared the recumbent figure Dick leaned over, holding on as
+tightly as he could with his legs. His hand grasped the belt and part of
+the clothing of the cadet, and then Dick's arm felt as if it would be
+torn from the socket. He feared he would be dragged from his horse.
+
+But, with a sudden pull, he lifted the lad from the ground and swung him
+upon his horse. There was some applause at Dick's feat, as his steed
+galloped on over the course.
+
+"Guess I'm something of a load, old chap," said the cadet to Dick.
+
+"You're no feather," was Dick's comment, as he halted his horse.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+DICK IN TROUBLE
+
+
+"Well, Hamilton, I think we shall admit you to membership in the prize
+troop," said Major Webster. "It was a severe test, and you did well."
+
+"I'm glad you think so, sir," replied Dick, saluting.
+
+There were some further trials, in some of them Dick acting the part of
+the reclining cadet. 'Gene Graham could not succeed in the test, and was
+rejected, much to his disappointment.
+
+Dick was delighted to be a member of the prize troop for it brought with
+it many privileges; and there was a chance to take part in parades and
+similar affairs to which the other cadets were not admitted.
+
+Very few freshmen had won the coveted honor, but it can not be said that
+Dick was received with open arms into the troop. Dutton and many of his
+friends belonged, and they had lost none of their unreasonable feeling
+against Dick. Still they did nothing more than turn a cold shoulder
+toward him, though this was enough to make the young millionaire
+miserable.
+
+However, he managed to forget some of his bad feeling in anticipation of
+another football game, which was to take place two days later. He hoped
+to get a chance to play, as, following a rather tame affair with a team
+which the Kentfield eleven "walked all over," there was to be the second
+of the championship contests with Mooretown.
+
+This was a lively and strenuous game. Mooretown put in some new players,
+and, though they did not score in the first half, when Kentfield made
+one touchdown, the opponents of the cadet warriors of the gridiron took
+such a brace in the second that the score was ten to four, in favor of
+Mooretown, when the referee's whistle blew.
+
+"What's the matter with your men?" asked Coach Hale of Captain Rutledge,
+after the game. "They couldn't hold those fellows for a cent."
+
+"Too much beef for us," replied the captain.
+
+"Yes, and they tore holes in your line that you could drive an ice wagon
+through," went on the coach. "Both your guards were weak. Hamilton
+should have been put in."
+
+"I couldn't very well do it, when no men were hurt."
+
+"No, I suppose not. But if the next game doesn't go better than this one
+did, I'll make a change. We can't afford to lose it."
+
+"We shan't lose it," promised the captain, and Dick, who overheard what
+was said, hoped he would get a chance to play.
+
+Meanwhile he reported regularly for practice, and was a tower of
+strength to the scrub eleven, many of the players on which, regardless
+of Dutton's influence, made of Dick a better friend than heretofore.
+
+Several unimportant games followed, one of which resulted in a tie,
+Kentfield winning the others, and then came the occasion of the final
+struggle with Mooretown. It was the greatest game of the season, as it
+meant much to both academies.
+
+The day before the contest Dick was surprised to receive a visit from
+Russell Glen, one of the freshmen cadets, who, hitherto, had scarcely
+taken the trouble to nod to him. Glen wanted to be considered a "sport,"
+and Dick had heard that he had had a hand in taking Grit off to the dog
+fight.
+
+"I had a letter from a friend of mine to-day," said Glen, by way of
+introduction, as he lolled in one of Dick's easy chairs. "It contained
+some surprising news."
+
+"Yes?" asked Dick politely.
+
+"Yes, it was from Guy Fletcher, of Hamilton Corners. He spoke of you,
+and asked me if I knew you."
+
+"Well?" asked Dick, wondering what was coming.
+
+"I was quite surprised to know that you and Guy were friends," went on
+Glen.
+
+"Oh, yes, I've known Guy for some time," said Dick, not caring to go
+into particulars, and tell what a mean trick Guy, in company with Simon
+Scardale, had once played on him.
+
+"So he says. He speaks very highly of you. I've known him for some time.
+He and I used to be quite chummy. But I had no idea you and he lived in
+the same town, until he spoke of it in his letter. He mentioned that you
+attended this academy, and asked if I was acquainted with you. I wrote
+back and said that I was."
+
+Dick looked rather surprised at this, as well he might, for, beyond a
+mere nod, Glen had never shown that he knew him.
+
+"I don't suppose I am as well acquainted with you as I might be," went
+on the young "sport," calmly, "and that's my fault. I've been so busy
+attending to my studies, that I haven't had much time for social calls."
+
+Neither had many of the other cadets, Dick thought bitterly.
+
+"But I'll make amends now," went on Glen. "I want to get to know you
+better, because we both have the same friend in Guy Fletcher."
+
+Dick didn't think it worth while to state that Guy was no particular
+friend of his, since certain happenings told of in the first volume of
+this series. But Glen continued:
+
+"I wish you'd come to a little spread I'm giving to-night. Just a small
+affair for some of the freshmen."
+
+"I'll come," promised our hero, glad of the chance to meet some of his
+classmates informally.
+
+"It won't be as elaborate as the one I hear you gave," went on Glen,
+"for I'm not a millionaire," and he laughed. "But I'll do the best I
+can."
+
+At first Dick thought he was going to have a good time at the affair,
+for the guests, most of whom were of the "sporting" element, greeted him
+cordially enough. But when Glen produced several bottles of beer, and
+some cigars, Dick felt uneasy.
+
+It was an offense, calling for severe punishment, to have intoxicants or
+tobacco in the academy, and Dick realized that discovery might come any
+moment. Still, he did not want to bring upon himself ridicule, and
+perhaps anger, by leaving.
+
+"Have some beer, Hamilton," urged Glen.
+
+"It's the right sort of stuff. I had it smuggled in from town. And these
+are prime cigars. I snibbled some from dad's stock before I came away."
+
+"No, thank you," replied Dick. "I don't care for any."
+
+"What, don't you drink?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Aw, you don't know what life is. Have a cigar then."
+
+"No, I don't smoke, either."
+
+"Humph! You're a regular molly-coddle, you are," said Glen, with a
+brutal laugh.
+
+Dick flushed.
+
+"Maybe," he admitted, as pleasantly as he could, "but I have an idea I
+shouldn't drink or smoke while in training, if for no other reason."
+
+"Your training doesn't seem to be doing you much good," said another
+cadet. "You haven't had a show in any of the games yet. Better quit
+training and have some beer."
+
+"No, thank you. Maybe I'll get a chance to play to-morrow."
+
+But Dick's refusal had no effect on Glen's other guests. They drank more
+than was good for them, and smoked considerable. They were becoming
+rather noisy and silly, and Dick was in momentary terror lest some guard
+or instructor should come along and discover the violation of the rules.
+The spread was held in an unused room, in the basement of the east
+barrack, and, though permission for it had been given, the officer in
+charge of the building was supposed to keep a sort of lookout over such
+affairs.
+
+If one of the cadet officers discovered the beer and cigars he would
+hardly "squeal" on his comrades, but one of the academy staff would not
+be so lenient.
+
+The fun became more and more noisy, and Dick was thinking of
+withdrawing, no matter if he did offend his host, when he was saved the
+trouble by something that happened.
+
+A cadet officer, who was on night guard knocked on the door, and when
+there came a sudden hush to the merry-making, he whispered that Major
+Webster was approaching, and would almost certainly discover the breach
+of rules.
+
+"Quick fellows, get this stuff out of the way, and then skip!" cried
+Glen, and the boys quickly hid the beer bottles, and threw away their
+cigars. Then, by opening the windows, the smoke was gotten rid of, and
+the cadets prepared to disperse.
+
+"I say, Hamilton," began Glen, a bit thickly, as he walked alongside
+Dick, to his room, "you couldn't lend me twenty-five dollars; could you?
+I spent more on this racket than I intended, and I'm a bit short until I
+get my next allowance. I want to bet a little on the game to-morrow."
+
+"I guess I can let you have it," said Dick good naturedly. "Come to my
+room, and I'll get it."
+
+It was after ten o'clock, but as Dick had received permission to attend
+the spread, he had a permit to be out after taps. Paul, who had not been
+invited, was asleep when Dick and Glen entered.
+
+"I say, Hamilton, you keep your room looking nice," said the "sport" as
+he looked around the neat apartment. "I'm always getting a mark at
+police inspection, for having something out of kilter. You and Drew are
+as neat as girls."
+
+"Hush! Not so loud," cautioned Dick. "You'll wake, Paul."
+
+"Aw, what's the odds. He'll go to sleep again. It's early yet. Be a
+sport!"
+
+Glen was noisy from the beer which he had taken.
+
+"Here is the money," said Dick, handing over some bills.
+
+"Thanks, old chap. I'll see that you get it back all right."
+
+"There's no hurry."
+
+"All right; if I win, though, I'll pay you to-morrow. Do you think we'll
+lick Mooretown?"
+
+"I hope so. But you'd better go to bed now."
+
+"Me? Go to bed? Wha' for?"
+
+"Well, it's getting late, and some one might come along. You'd better
+go."
+
+"That's a' right. I'm goin'. You're a' right, Ham'ton. You're a' right.
+You're sport!"
+
+And, rather unsteady on his legs, poor, foolish Glen went away, much to
+Dick's relief.
+
+"I don't much care for friends, such as he is," thought Dick, as he got
+into bed.
+
+In his generousness it never occurred to him that Glen had cultivated
+his acquaintance merely that he might borrow money from him.
+
+Dick was awakened by the clear, sweet notes of the bugle sounding
+reveille. He and Paul jumped out of bed, and were soon in their
+uniforms. Then they got their room in order for police inspection,
+which, on some days, was made while they were at breakfast. This was one
+of those occasions.
+
+"There, I guess they can't find any fault with that," observed Dick, as
+he and his roommate, putting the finishing touches to their apartment,
+descended to form in line to march to the mess hall.
+
+Dick was leaving the table, to attend chapel, when Cadet Captain Naylor,
+who was in charge of the police inspection, tapped him on the shoulder.
+
+"Hamilton, report to Major Rockford," he said curtly.
+
+"To Major Rockford? What for?"
+
+"Room out of order."
+
+"Room out of order?"
+
+Dick knew that he and Paul had left their apartment in perfect trim.
+
+But Captain Naylor did not answer, and Dick, with a heavy heart, started
+for the commandant's office. It was the first time he had been made to
+report for a breach of discipline of this sort.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+A DISMAL CHRISTMAS
+
+
+"You are reported as not having your room in order, Hamilton," began
+Major Rockford, as Dick entered.
+
+"I don't see how that can be, sir," replied Dick, saluting. "When Paul
+Drew and I left it for breakfast it was in order."
+
+"Drew's side is yet, but your bureau is stated by Captain Naylor to be
+in great disorder."
+
+"I--I left it in order, sir."
+
+"Very well, we will go and take a look at it."
+
+Accompanied by the commandant, Dick went to his apartment. To his
+surprise his neat bureau was in great disorder, the objects on it being
+scattered all about.
+
+"Well?" asked Major Rockford.
+
+"Some one--some one must have been in here, sir," said Dick.
+
+"Ha! Do you wish to accuse any one?"
+
+Dick went closer to his bureau. Something on it caught his eye. It was a
+note written in pencil. It read:
+
+        "DEAR HAMILTON: I am awfully sick this morning. I lost that
+    twenty-five you loaned me. Can you let me have some more? I
+    called but you were out, so I wrote this note here. Please let
+    me have the money.
+            "RUSSELL GLEN."
+
+Then Dick understood. Glen, suffering from the effects of his
+dissipation the night before, had called at the room after our hero and
+Paul had left to go to breakfast. In writing the note Glen had, probably
+unthinkingly, disarranged the things on Dick's bureau, where he wrote
+and left the missive. Then he had gone away, and, Captain Naylor, on
+police inspection, had seen the disorder, and reported Dick.
+
+"Do you wish to accuse any one?" went on Major Rockford.
+
+Dick thought rapidly. To tell the true circumstances, and show Glen's
+note, would mean that the facts of the spread would come out. Glen and
+his chums would be punished, and Dick might be censured. It would be
+better to accept the blame for having his room in disorder, rather than
+incur the displeasure of his comrades by being the means of informing on
+Glen.
+
+So Dick answered:
+
+"I--I guess I was mistaken, sir. I am sorry my room was out of order."
+
+"So am I, Hamilton, for you have a good record. Still there have been
+several violations of late, among the cadets, and I must make an
+example. But, in view of your good conduct, and record I will not give
+you any demerits."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+"Still, I must inflict some punishment You will not be allowed to attend
+the football game this afternoon, but must remain in your room."
+
+That was punishment indeed, for Dick felt that he would have a chance to
+play. Still, like a good soldier, he did not murmur. He concealed Glen's
+note in his hand, saluted the major and then, as chapel was over, he
+marched to his classroom, with a heavy heart.
+
+"I wonder if that was part of a plot to get me into trouble," thought
+Dick, as he recalled what he had overheard Dutton say. "They're trying
+to force me to leave the academy. But I'll not go! I'll fight it out!"
+
+He felt very lonesome as he had to retire to his room that afternoon,
+and heard the merry shouts of the football eleven, the substitutes, and
+the other cadets leaving for the final battle on the gridiron with
+Mooretown.
+
+"How I wish I could go!" thought Dick. "I'm punished for something I
+didn't do. It isn't right. Still, perhaps Glen was so sick he didn't
+know what he was doing."
+
+He had already sent Glen some more money, for he did not want to refuse
+one of the few favors that had been asked of him since coming to the
+academy.
+
+As he was moping in his room, Toots came along, whistling "Three Cheers
+for the Red, White and Blue," and giving a succession of bugle calls.
+
+"What? Not at the game, Mister Hamilton?" asked the jolly janitor.
+
+"No; I'm a prisoner."
+
+"That's nothing. Many a time I got out of the guard house. There's no
+one around now, and I won't look, nor squeal. You can easily slip out,
+and go to the game."
+
+"No," said Dick, though the temptation was strong. "By the way, Toots,
+did you ever call to mind about this picture?" and he showed him the one
+of missing Bill Handlee, which was still on the mantle.
+
+"No," replied Toots, again striving hard to remember about it. "It's
+clean gone from me, Mr. Hamilton. But, are you sure you don't want to
+escape? I can find some work to do at the other side of the barracks, if
+you want to go."
+
+"No. I'll stay."
+
+And stay Dick did, all that long afternoon. It was dusk when the players
+and the other cadets came back, and there was an ominous silence about
+their return.
+
+"It doesn't sound as if they'd won," thought Dick. "If they did they're
+celebrating very quietly."
+
+Paul Drew came in a little later.
+
+"How about the game?" asked Dick eagerly.
+
+"We lost," said Paul. "We might have won, only Henderson, who had a
+chance to score a winning touchdown, couldn't run fast enough with the
+ball, and he was downed on the five-yard line, too late for another try
+to cross the Mooretown goal. I wish you had played. You'd have won the
+game for us."
+
+"Oh, I guess not."
+
+"Yes, you would. Captain Rutledge admitted as much."
+
+"Well, maybe I'll get a chance next time."
+
+"There won't be any next time this year. The game is over for the
+season, and Mooretown did us two contests out of three. It's too bad.
+The fellows are all cut up over it. Say, have you any idea who mussed up
+your bureau? Was it Dutton?"
+
+"No, it wasn't Dutton," said Dick quietly, and that was all he could be
+induced to say about it.
+
+Discipline, which had been somewhat relaxed during the football season,
+was now in force again, and the cadets found they were kept very busy
+with their studies and drills. Dick was standing well in his classes,
+but he made no more progress in gaining the friendship of the students,
+other than a few freshmen.
+
+Even Glen showed no disposition to make much of Dick. He did not repay
+the money borrowed, on the plea that he was in debt quite heavily, and
+had lost much on the football game. Still he had the cheek to ask Dick
+for more, and when the young millionaire properly refused Glen called
+him a "tight-wad," and sneered at him, making no pretense of retaining
+his friendship.
+
+One night, following several spreads, to none of which was Dick invited,
+he wrote a rather discouraged letter to his father, hinting that he
+wished he could attend some other school.
+
+In due time there came an answer, part of which was as follows:
+
+    "You know the terms were that you were to remain at least a full
+    term. Still, if you do not wish to, you have the choice of going
+    to your Uncle Ezra. He will send you to a boarding school of his
+    own selection. Let me know what you will do. I will not be able
+    to get home by Christmas, as I expected, and you had better
+    remain at the academy over the holidays. I know it will be
+    lonesome for you, but it can't be helped."
+
+"Go to a boarding school selected by Uncle Ezra," murmured Dick. "Never!
+I'll stay here a full term, even if no one but the teachers speak to me.
+I never could stand Uncle Ezra and Dankville. This is bad enough, but
+there are some bright spots in it. The sun never shines where Uncle Ezra
+is."
+
+Yet the time was coming when Uncle Ezra was to do Dick a great favor,
+though he himself was not aware of it.
+
+So Dick sent word to his father that he would remain at Kentfield. Fall
+merged into winter, and overcoats were the order of the day at all
+out-door exercises. Much of the drilling and parading was omitted, and
+more study and recitation was indulged in. What maneuvers on horseback
+and afoot were held, took place mainly in the big riding hall or drill
+room, and they were not as attractive as when held out of doors.
+
+"Well, are you going home for Christmas?" asked Paul, about a week
+before the holiday vacation.
+
+"Guess not," replied Dick, somewhat gloomily. "Our house is shut up, and
+I don't care about spending Christmas at a hotel in Hamilton Corners."
+
+"Come home with me."
+
+"No, thank you. I was thinking of visiting some of my chums at home. I
+believe I'll do that. I'll be glad to see them again."
+
+Dick knew he would be welcomed at the homes of any of his friends, and
+he planned to go to Hamilton Corners and surprise them.
+
+But alas for his hopes! When the last day of school came, and the other
+cadets made hurried preparations to leave for home, poor Dick was taken
+with a heavy cold. The surgeon forbade him leaving his room, as the
+weather was cold and stormy, and our hero was forced to remain at
+Kentfield, in charge of the housekeeper and the doctor, while the other
+cadets joyfully departed to happy firesides.
+
+"Sorry to leave you, old chap," said Paul, sympathetically, "but my
+folks wouldn't know what to do if I didn't come home over the holidays."
+
+"That's all right," said Dick, hoarsely, but as cheerfully as he could.
+"I'll see you after New Year's. Have a good time."
+
+"I will. Hope you get better."
+
+It was a gloomy Christmas for the young millionaire, and, as a fever set
+in with his cold, he couldn't even enjoy the good things which the kind
+housekeeper, under orders from Colonel Masterly, provided for the
+patient.
+
+The academy was a very lonely place indeed, Christmas day, for all the
+officers and cadets had gone, leaving only the housekeeper, and some of
+the janitors, including Toots, in charge.
+
+Dick received some tokens from abroad, sent by his father, and a cheery
+letter, which he answered in the same strain.
+
+"But it isn't much like Christmas," thought Dick, as he sat up in bed.
+Then a bright thought came to him.
+
+"Can't Toots have dinner up here with me?" he asked Mrs. Fitzpatrick.
+
+"Of course he can," she said. "Maybe it will cheer you up," and she sent
+for the jolly janitor.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+THE MARKSMAN MEDAL
+
+
+Toots' advance along the corridor leading to Dick's room was announced
+by his rendering of the tune "The Star Spangled Banner," which he ended
+with a spirited bugle call.
+
+"Did you send for me, Mr. Hamilton?" he asked as he came in.
+
+"I did, Toots," said Dick. "I thought maybe you would like to have
+dinner with me here. I'm lonesome, and I suppose you are, too."
+
+"Bless your heart, not exactly lonesome, Mr. Hamilton, but I'm glad to
+come just the same. You see I'm too busy to be lonesome. I've got lots
+to do, cleaning up all the rooms against the cadets coming back in a
+couple of weeks."
+
+"Then maybe you haven't time to spend an hour or so here."
+
+"Oh, I reckon I have. But it's agin the regulations for me to eat here.
+I'm supposed to eat with the other servants."
+
+"We'll make our own regulations for the time being," said Dick. "Here
+comes Mrs. Fitzpatrick with the grub. I hope you're hungry, for I'm not
+particularly."
+
+"Well, I can eat a bit," admitted Toots. "I say, though, that is a
+spread!" he exclaimed, as he saw the good things the housekeeper was
+bringing into Dick's room, where she set them on a table.
+
+"Well, it's Christmas," observed Dick, "though I can't eat much myself.
+However, it'll do me good to see you put it away."
+
+"And I can do that same," admitted Toots cheerfully.
+
+Dick, under the doctor's orders was allowed only a bit of the white meat
+of the turkey, and none of the "stuffing," so he could not make a very
+substantial meal, but Toots ate enough for three.
+
+"I don't suppose you got this sort of thing in the army," ventured Dick,
+wishing to have his odd friend talk somewhat of his experiences, for he
+had learned that Toots had once been janitor at a military post.
+
+"No, indeed," replied Toots. "We did get a little extra at holiday
+times, but nothing like this."
+
+"How did you come to be at the military post?" asked Dick.
+
+"Blessed if I know. I was always a sort of a rover, and I suppose I
+wandered out west. I'm going to join the army some time. I'm a good
+shot, you know. Did you ever see me shoot?"
+
+"Yes," replied Dick, trying not to smile, as he thought of how far
+Toots had come from hitting the target.
+
+"Yes, I'm a good shot," went on the janitor. "But I'm going to improve.
+I'll practice on the range this winter at odd times. You're a pretty
+good shot yourself, ain't you?"
+
+"Fair," admitted Dick, as he watched Toots put away the roast turkey and
+the "fixings."
+
+"A-ker-choo!" suddenly sneezed Toots, pulling out his handkerchief.
+"Aker-choo-choo! Guess I put too much pepper on my potatoes," he said.
+
+Something fell to the floor, as Toots pulled out his handkerchief. It
+lay in sight of Dick, who was propped up in bed.
+
+"What's that?" he asked. "You dropped something."
+
+The man picked it up, and Dick saw that it was a marksman's bronze
+medal.
+
+"Let me see that," he said, quickly, and the janitor passed it over.
+
+"Why this was given to some soldier, for good shooting," went on our
+hero, as he tried to decipher the name on it. "Where did you get it,
+Toots?"
+
+"Blessed if I know, Mr. Hamilton. I've had it a long time. It was given
+to me by some friend, I expect. I found it the other day in my trunk.
+I'd forgotten I had it. But if it's a marksman's badge, I'm going to
+wear it. I'm a good shot."
+
+Dick looked more closely at it. Besides the name of some soldier the
+badge contained the name of the command to which he had belonged, but
+everything save the letters "mie, Wyo." were obliterated by dents and
+scratches.
+
+A sudden thought came to Dick. It was in connection with Toot's
+half-recognition of the picture of missing Bill Handlee. It was evident
+that Toots knew something of the captain's son, but he could not
+straighten out the kink in his memory, and possibly this marksman's
+badge might be a clue. Dick hoped so, and he decided to try to learn
+from what fort or command the medal had been given.
+
+"I wish you'd let me take this for a few days, Toots," he said. "I'll
+take good care of it."
+
+"All right, Mr. Hamilton, but don't lose it. If it's what you say it is,
+I'm going to wear it, to show I'm a good shot. Then I won't have to be
+telling people all the while. They can see it for themselves."
+
+"Can't you recollect where you got it?" asked Dick again.
+
+Toots shook his head.
+
+"It's like--like the time you asked me about his picture," he said,
+pointing to the photo on the mantle. "I get all sort of confused in my
+head. Maybe I always had it. Maybe someone gave it to me when I was
+janitor at the fort out west."
+
+"What fort was that?"
+
+"I've forgotten. It's a good while ago. But don't lose that medal, Mr.
+Hamilton. I'm going to wear it."
+
+"Poor Toots," thought Dick. "All the medals in the world will never make
+you a good shot."
+
+He put the badge carefully away, resolving to ask Major Webster, at the
+first opportunity, from what military post it was likely to have come.
+
+Thanks to the jolly companionship of Toots, Christmas was not as gloomy
+as Dick had feared it would be. The dinner over the janitor left Dick to
+himself, and our hero fell into a refreshing sleep. When he awoke he
+felt much better, and the doctor said he could be out in a couple of
+days, if the weather moderated.
+
+The first of the year dawned; a fine bracing day, and, as there was no
+biting wind, Dick was allowed to stroll about the campus a short time.
+This brought the color to his cheeks, and completed the cure begun by
+the surgeon's medicine.
+
+"Well, things will be lively a week from to-night," said Toots one day,
+as he came in to make up Dick's room.
+
+"Why?"
+
+"The boys will be back then. Vacation will be over."
+
+"I'm glad of it," commented Dick, and then, with pain in his heart, he
+wondered if the coming term would bring him more fellowship than had the
+preceding one.
+
+Major Webster was among the first of the instructors to arrive, in
+anticipation of the return of the students, and to him Dick showed the
+medal.
+
+"Why, yes; that's one given out years ago, at Fort Laramie, Wyoming," he
+said. "I can send it to a friend of mine for you, if you like. Possibly
+they may be able to trace the illegible name from the fort records."
+
+"I wish you would," said Dick. "Maybe I can get a trace of Captain
+Handlee's son for him."
+
+"I doubt it," replied the major, shaking his head. "I tried all the
+sources of information I knew, and it was useless. Still you may have
+better luck."
+
+The medal was sent off, but, fearing nothing would come of it, Dick did
+not say anything to Captain Handlee about it, though he wrote to the
+veteran in answer to a letter the old soldier sent him.
+
+The holiday vacation came to a close, and, one morning Dick awoke to a
+realization that, on that day, the cadets would come pouring back.
+
+It was nearly noon when the first of them arrived. Among them was Paul
+Drew.
+
+"Well, how are you, old chap?" he cried, rushing into Dick's room.
+
+"Pretty good. How about you?"
+
+"Oh, I had a dandy time, home. I almost hated to come back, but I wanted
+to see you, and then I know we'll have some sport this winter. Say,
+there are a lot of new fellows. We're not so fresh as we were. There
+are others. There's going to be hazing to-night, I understand. Thank
+fortune they won't bother me. I don't fancy cold water down my back on a
+winter night."
+
+"Hazing, eh?" remarked Dick. And he wondered if his turn would come.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+DICK DOESN'T TELL
+
+
+All the rest of that day cadets continued to arrive at Kentfield
+Academy, and there were lively scenes on the snow-covered campus, in the
+assembly auditoriums, students' rooms, and in the mess hall.
+
+Several new cadets stood about, looking rather miserable, Dick thought,
+and he spoke to some of them, telling them where to report, and what to
+do, for he appreciated what it meant to be a stranger among a lot of
+lads who ignored new-comers, not because they were heartless so much as
+that they were thoughtless.
+
+Dick rather hoped Dutton would not return, but that cadet was among the
+first he encountered as he strolled over the white campus.
+
+Dutton nodded coolly, and Dick as coolly acknowledged the bow. Then
+Dutton saw a freshman standing near the saluting cannon. It was one of
+the unwritten rules of the school that none below the grade of
+sophomores might stand near the cannon.
+
+"Here, fresh!" cried Dutton roughly, "stand away from that gun!"
+
+The lad, a small chap, did not seem to comprehend.
+
+Dick put in a word.
+
+"You can't stand near there until you're a second year," he told the
+lad. "It's a school rule, that's all."
+
+"I say, Hamilton, I guess I can manage my own affairs," said Dutton,
+angrily. "You mind your own business; will you?"
+
+"I guess I've got as much right to speak as you have," said Dick hotly.
+"I was only telling him what to do."
+
+The freshman looked from one to the other. Quite a group had gathered by
+this time, attracted by Dutton's loud voice. The new lad moved a short
+distance away from the gun.
+
+"Don't you know enough to mind when you're spoken to?" demanded Dutton,
+advancing toward him. "I'll teach you manners, you young cub! Why don't
+you salute when an officer speaks to you? Now get back," and, with that
+he gave the lad such a shove that he went over backward into a snow
+bank, made by shoveling the white crystals away from the gun.
+
+"That's not right, Dutton!" exclaimed Dick.
+
+"You mind your own affairs, or I'll do the same to you, Hamilton,"
+retorted the bully.
+
+"You'd better try it," said Dick quietly. "If you want to fight with me,
+you know what to do. Just lay a finger on me."
+
+He took a step toward his enemy, and stood waiting for him. But Dutton
+knew better than to attack Dick. He had felt the weight of his fists
+once, and he knew he had no chance in a fair fight.
+
+So he strode away, muttering to the lad whom he had knocked down:
+
+"You keep away from this gun, after this, fresh."
+
+Dick did not think it wise to say anything further on the side of the
+mistreated one. Already he saw some unpleasant looks directed toward him
+by Dutton's friends, and he realized that by interfering in what was
+considered one of the rights of upper classmen, to assume a bullying
+attitude toward those in the lower grades, he was not adding to his
+popularity. I am glad to say that such characters as Dutton were in the
+small majority at Kentfield, and that though some of his cronies
+applauded his action in knocking the newcomer down, most of the lads
+were not in sympathy with the bully.
+
+But there were so many things occurring, so many cadets arriving, some
+of whom wanted to change their apartments, to get new roommates, or be
+quartered in other sections of the barracks, that all was in seeming
+confusion.
+
+Colonel Masterly and his aides, however, had matters well in hand, and
+by night, when the cadets lined up for the march to mess, affairs were
+in some sort of order.
+
+"Do you want to make a shift, Paul?" asked Dick, as they went to their
+room early that evening.
+
+"A shift? What do you mean?"
+
+"Why some of your friends have changed over to the east barrack, I hear.
+I thought maybe you'd want to go too?"
+
+"Do you want me to go?"
+
+"Indeed I don't!" and Dick spoke very earnestly.
+
+"All right. When I want to leave you I'll let you know," and Paul
+slapped Dick on the back in a fashion that told what his feelings were
+in the matter.
+
+A little later mysterious steps in the corridor, and subdued knockings
+on nearby doors told Paul and Dick that something unusual was going on.
+
+"Hazing," said Paul. "We're immune. Let's take it in."
+
+"I don't like to haze fellows," said Dick. "It's all right when they're
+your size, but all the chaps who came in lately are smaller than I am."
+
+"That won't make any difference to Dutton and his crowd. They'll haze
+'em anyhow, and we might as well see the fun. A fellow who can't stand a
+little hazing is no good."
+
+"That's so. Guess I'll go. I don't mind it if it isn't too rough. I
+wouldn't mind being hazed myself. It would give me a chance to make a
+rough house for Dutton and his cronies."
+
+"Come on then. Let's go to the gym. I heard that they're going to haze
+a bunch of 'em there."
+
+"What about Major Rockford?"
+
+"Well, I guess he and the colonel know about it, but they won't
+interfere unless it gets too strenuous."
+
+Dick and Paul found a large crowd of the older cadets already gathered
+in the gymnasium. In one corner was huddled a rather frightened group of
+freshmen, who were waiting their turn to be grilled. They had been
+rounded up from their rooms by a committee appointed for that purpose.
+
+"Now, fellows," said Dutton, who, as usual, assumed the leadership,
+"we'll work 'em off in bunches. Put two or three of 'em in a blanket and
+toss 'em up for a starter."
+
+"Some of 'em may get hurt," objected Stiver. "We'd better take 'em one
+at a time."
+
+"Aw, you're afraid! Besides, we haven't time. Here, Beeby, grab a couple
+of 'em and pass 'em over."
+
+Captain Beeby of Company B grasped a cadet in either hand, and shoved
+them toward Dutton The latter already had one, and the three lads were
+pushed down into a large blanket which had been spread for that purpose.
+
+"Grab the corners and up with 'em!" called Dutton. "Toss 'em as high as
+you can."
+
+"Suppose they fall out?" objected Lieutenant Jim Watkins.
+
+"It won't matter. There's a gym. mat under 'em."
+
+Up into the air went the unfortunate lads, clinging together in a sort
+of bunch, and struggling to see which one was to be underneath in the
+fall. Down they came into the blanket, but the impact was so heavy that
+it was torn from the grasp of the cadets holding it, and the freshmen
+landed on the mat with a thump and many squeals.
+
+"That's the way!" cried Dutton with a laugh. "Now, once more."
+
+"Let's take some others," proposed Beeby.
+
+"No, they haven't had enough."
+
+So, in spite of their struggles and protests, the lads were tossed
+again. Then three more took their places. They, too, had a hard time,
+one falling over the edge of the blanket and partly off the mat. But he
+was game and never made a sound.
+
+"Now for the slide of death!" cried Dutton.
+
+"What's that?" asked several of his cronies.
+
+"I'll show you," he said.
+
+From the top of the gymnasium there hung a long rope, running over a
+pulley. Dutton made a loop in one end, and then took hold of the other.
+
+"Tie a couple of 'em up in blankets," he ordered, and two of the
+struggling cadets were made up into a rough bundle. Dutton then passed
+several coils of the long rope about them.
+
+"Pull 'em up!" he ordered next, and willing hands aided him in hoisting
+the lads toward the roof of the gymnasium.
+
+"You are now about to take the slide of death!" called Dutton, when the
+freshmen were close against the pulley, and fully forty feet above the
+floor. "We're going to let you come down on the run----"
+
+A scream from one of the lads in the blanket high up in the air
+interrupted him.
+
+"You'll frighten him!" called Dick.
+
+"What's that to you? Mind your own affairs, and we'll run this," said
+Dutton. "Or maybe you'll get your hazing, which we omitted last time."
+
+"Go ahead," said Dick. "But that's too risky."
+
+"Aw, cut it out, Hamilton," said Stiver. "We ain't going to hurt 'em."
+
+But this assurance could not be heard by the lads in the blanket, who
+could not see.
+
+"Let her slide!" cried Dutton, and he and his chums released their grasp
+on the rope, which was wound about a post.
+
+Down, on the run, came the unfortunate cadets, and from the cries they
+uttered they must have imagined that they were about to be dashed to the
+floor. Then Dick saw that several mats were right under them, in case of
+accident.
+
+But it was not the intention of Dutton to run any risks. At first the
+rope was paid out swiftly, and then it was gradually tightened against
+the post, until the speed of the falling cadets was slackened, and they
+came to a stop a few inches above the mats.
+
+"The next batch won't get off so lucky!" announced Dutton, as he
+commanded that some more be wrapped up in the blanket. "We'll bump
+them."
+
+This news was sufficient to cause a panic among the candidates still
+remaining, but their protests were of no avail, and they came down with
+considerable force on the mats, but no one was hurt.
+
+Then the water cure was administered to a number, the streams being
+poured down their trouser legs, amid the laughter of the unfortunate
+ones who were exempt. As the gymnasium was kept quite warm this ordeal
+was not so bad as might be supposed. Still, it was not pleasant, but it
+was part of the game.
+
+A particularly tall freshman was stretched out, or, rather suspended on
+the flying rings, until he looked like some soaring eagle. He struggled,
+but to no effect, and had to take his medicine. Others were blindfolded,
+and made to fight with blown-up bladders, some were tied in pairs on
+trapezes, and a number were made to do ridiculous stunts, to the more or
+less enjoyment of the older cadets.
+
+"Well, I guess that's all," announced Dutton, a little before it was
+time for taps to sound. "Unless we take Hamilton."
+
+"I'm willing," said Dick, with a grim smile.
+
+"He's too willing. He'd knock a lot of us around," whispered Stiver to
+Dutton.
+
+"We'll postpone your initiation," remarked the Captain of Company A.
+"Come on, fellows, there goes tattoo. Half an hour to lights out."
+
+Matters more quickly adjusted themselves following the opening of the
+winter term, than they did at the beginning of the fall one, as there
+were fewer new cadets. Lessons were quickly under way, together with a
+few drills, out of doors when the weather permitted it, otherwise in the
+big hall.
+
+The lake froze over, and Dick and the other lads had their fill of
+skating, races being held every afternoon. In a number of these,
+particularly the long distance ones, Dick came in a winner.
+
+Then there were snowball fights between the different companies, both on
+foot and mounted on horses, with wooden shields. These were lively
+affairs, and were enjoyed by all.
+
+Dick took his part in the winter sports, but, though he had increased
+his friends by the addition of several freshmen, particularly Payson
+Emery, the lad whose knocking down by Dutton he had resented, he made no
+progress toward getting intimate with the upperclassmen.
+
+"But I've got half a term yet," thought Dick.
+
+With the advent of winter, affairs in the town of Kentfield, which was
+about two miles from where the academy was located, became more lively.
+There were theatrical and other entertainments, and the cadets, when
+they could not get permission to attend these, used to run the guard.
+
+Usually there was little risk in this, as the cadet officers would not
+report their friends, unless some member of the academy faculty happened
+to hear a late-staying party come sneaking in, and then the young
+officer on guard knew he had to make some sort of a report or be
+punished himself.
+
+One night there was a large and rather fashionable dance given in town,
+by some friends of Dutton's family. He was invited, together with some
+of his cronies, but he was refused permission to go, as he had broken
+several rules of late.
+
+"Well, I'm going anyhow," he announced to Stiver. "I guess I can run the
+guard all right, and get back. There are some girls I want to meet."
+
+So Dutton and Stiver, and one or two others, went.
+
+Dick was on guard, as it happened, at the barracks where Dutton and the
+others had their rooms. He was patrolling his post long after midnight,
+expecting soon to be relieved, when he saw some shadowy forms stealing
+along the hedge.
+
+"Halt!" he cried, bringing his rifle up.
+
+"Gee! It's Hamilton!" he heard some one say, and he recognized Stiver's
+voice.
+
+"Then I guess it's all up with us," announced Dutton, straightening up,
+and, with his chums, approaching Dick.
+
+The young millionaire said nothing.
+
+"Are you going to let us in? We haven't the countersign," said Dutton,
+with an uneasy laugh.
+
+"You can go in," replied Dick, producing the key to the front door.
+
+"And I suppose you'll squeal in the morning," went on Dutton, as he and
+his cronies entered.
+
+Dick didn't answer.
+
+"You should have known better than to risk going, Dutton," said Stiver.
+"Of course he'll tell. He owes you too much not to."
+
+But Dick didn't tell, and Dutton's breach of discipline was not
+discovered.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+THE FANCY DRESS BALL
+
+
+"Well, Dick," remarked Paul Drew, one afternoon, as he and his roommate
+came in from drill, "I see you're on the ball committee."
+
+"What ball, and what committee?"
+
+"The fancy dress ball, if I have to go into all the details. You know
+the academy has one every year, and it's a swell affair, let me tell
+you. Lights, gay music, pretty girls----"
+
+"Especially pretty girls," said Dick with a smile. "But what committee
+am I on?"
+
+"Arrangements. Didn't you see the list posted in the mess hall? I don't
+envy you. There will be lots to do."
+
+"Suppose you take pity on my ignorance, and go a little more into
+details."
+
+Whereupon Paul did, describing the affair at length. It was to take
+place, as usual, in February, and this time would be held on
+Washington's birthday.
+
+"Maybe we won't have fun!" exclaimed Paul. "There'll be all sorts of
+costumes, and the decorations will be immense. You'll have to help with
+them."
+
+"Then I'd better get busy," declared Dick. "I must see who's chairman of
+my committee, and report for work. What character are you going to
+portray, Paul?"
+
+"I think I shall go as a Colonial officer. I always did like a powdered
+wig."
+
+"Talcum powder, instead of gun powder," retorted Dick. "That's the
+calibre of such tin soldiers as you."
+
+"Halt!" called Paul, as Dick prepared to run away. "As punishment I'll
+not introduce you to a certain pretty girl I know, who is coming to the
+dance."
+
+"Then I'll surrender and beg your pardon!" cried Dick.
+
+"What part will you play?" asked Paul. "You'd look swell dressed as an
+Indian."
+
+"I think I'll take the part of a cannon swab, and then I'll not have to
+bother about a suit. But more of that later. I'm going to see what I
+have to do."
+
+Dick found out from the chairman of his committee that there was plenty
+of work to prepare for the fête, and he did his share. One day he had to
+go to a nearby town to purchase some of the decorations.
+
+It was two days before the fancy dress ball was to take place, and,
+having made his purchases, Dick prepared to return to the Academy. As
+he was about to board a trolley car, which ran near Kentfield, he heard
+a voice calling:
+
+"How are you, Dick Hamilton?"
+
+He turned, to see a tall, well-built lad, of about his own age, who was
+smiling at him in a friendly fashion. At first he did not recognize the
+youth.
+
+"You don't know me, I see," went on the other. "I once had the pleasure
+of interviewing you about a gold brick game----"
+
+"Why, Larry Dexter! How are you?" cried Dick, turning aside from the
+car, and holding out his hand to the other. "I did not get a good look
+at you, or I would have known you at once. What good wind blows you
+here? Can't you stay and come over to our Academy? Where have you been?
+How is the newspaper business?"
+
+"My, you'd do for a reporter yourself!" exclaimed Larry Dexter, with a
+smile. "I'm glad you haven't forgotten me though. Have you been swindled
+lately? I'd like a good story. The one I came down here after didn't pan
+out."
+
+Those of you who have read my books in the "Newspaper Series" will at
+once recognize the lad who greeted Dick. He was Lawrence Dexter, a
+reporter on the New York _Leader_, and, as related in the volume called
+"Dick Hamilton's Fortune," he had met our hero when the latter had
+narrowly escaped being swindled by a sharper in the metropolis. Larry,
+as all his friends called him, had managed to get a good "story" from
+the experience of Dick, who was on a visit to New York, with a number
+of boy friends. The incident is mentioned in the third volume of the
+Newspaper Series, "Larry Dexter's Great Search," where the young
+reporter does some detective work.
+
+After Dick had given Larry the story of the attempted swindle, the young
+reporter took the millionaire's son to the newspaper office, and showed
+him something of how a great daily is published. The two lads had struck
+up quite a friendship, and they had pleasant memories of each other.
+
+"What are you doing here?" asked Dick, as they walked up the street with
+his newspaper acquaintance.
+
+"Oh, I came here on a peculiar robbery yarn, but it turned out to be an
+ordinary affair, and not worth much of a story. I sent in the account by
+wire, and, as a reward for my past valuable services to the paper, I
+have been given a couple of days' leave of absence. You see, the
+managing editor thinks quite highly of me," and Larry made a mock bow.
+
+"Then you're just in time," said Dick.
+
+"How so?"
+
+"Why, you can spend a few days with me. There's going to be a big masked
+ball at the military academy where I attend, and perhaps you'd like to
+see it."
+
+"I think I would, if the military authorities will admit a mere
+civilian."
+
+"I'm sure they will. Come along back with me. I'll introduce you to
+Colonel Masterly, and you can bunk in with Drew and me. Paul Drew is my
+roommate--a fine fellow."
+
+"Oh, I'm afraid I'll put you out."
+
+"You couldn't do that, Larry. Come on. We'll have some fun."
+
+So Larry Dexter accompanied Dick back to the Academy, where he was
+speedily made welcome by Colonel Masterly and members of the latter's
+staff.
+
+"We would be very glad to have you remain and witness some evolutions of
+the cadets, a day or so after the ball," invited the colonel. "They will
+possibly interest you."
+
+"I should be glad to," replied Larry, "but I can't stay long enough. It
+is very kind of you to invite me to the ball."
+
+Possibly Colonel Masterly had a purpose in seconding Dick's invitation
+to this affair. The head of the military school was not averse to a
+little free advertising for the Academy, and he thought perhaps Larry
+might "write up" an account of the ball. Which, as a matter of fact,
+Larry did, and a fine account it was.
+
+The reporter, though Dick invited him to don a costume, thought it
+better not to, and, when the night of the gay affair came, Larry was in
+sober black, forming a strange contrast to the lads in gay uniforms. The
+dresses of the young ladies and the uniforms or costumes of the cadets,
+with the hundreds of electric lights, the gay streamers and flags
+festooned about the gymnasium, made the apartment a brilliant picture.
+The Academy cadet band struck up a lively march, and the dancers paraded
+around the room, two by two. Dick was not in this, as he had not yet
+made the acquaintance of any of the girls, and after ascertaining that
+Larry Dexter was in a position where he could see well, our hero retired
+rather disconsolately to a secluded corner. He saw Paul Drew dancing
+with a very pretty girl, and was just beginning to envy him, when his
+roommate walked up, and introduced her to Dick.
+
+"Allow me to present my friend, Dick Hamilton," said Paul with a low
+bow. "Mr. Hamilton--Miss Fordice. Dick is a better dancer than I am,"
+added Paul.
+
+It was plainly a hint to Dick, who at once took advantage of it, and
+asked:
+
+"May I have the honor?"
+
+"If it pleases you, sir," replied the girl, with a mischievous smile,
+and an old-fashioned courtesy.
+
+Dick led her into a two-step, and they were soon whirling about. But
+Dick was not selfish, and he knew better than to keep Paul's partner
+away from him for long, so, making some excuse, he led Miss Fordice back
+to his roommate.
+
+"I'll introduce you to some other girls, after this dance, Hamilton,"
+Paul called back to him.
+
+Dick noticed that a tall, dark girl, who was standing near one of the
+pillars, started at the sound of his name. A moment later she advanced
+toward him, appeared to hesitate, and then came forward.
+
+"Excuse me," she said, "but are you Dick Hamilton?"
+
+"I am," said our hero, secretly delighted at the chance of talking to
+the girl.
+
+"I thought I heard Mr. Drew call you that. You must think it dreadfully
+forward of me to speak to you without an introduction----"
+
+"Nothing of the sort," said Dick promptly.
+
+"But I know friends of yours," went on the girl. "I am Miss Mabel
+Hanford, and I know Birdy Lee, who lives in your town--I mean in the
+place where you come from. She and I used to be great chums. We went to
+school together."
+
+"Indeed," said Dick. "Birdy Lee and I are well acquainted."
+
+"So she said when I wrote to her, telling her I was coming to this ball.
+She suggested that I might meet you, and when I heard your name
+mentioned, I couldn't help speaking."
+
+"I am glad you did," said Dick, smiling.
+
+"Won't you come over and let me introduce you to my mother?" went on
+Miss Hanford. "I feel as if I had known you a long time, for Birdy often
+spoke of you in her letters to me."
+
+"I am glad she did," said Dick, gallantly.
+
+Mrs. Hanford greeted him kindly, evidently approving of her daughter's
+action.
+
+"May I have the next dance?" asked Dick of the daughter.
+
+"Yes," said Miss Hanford, blushing a little. "But I hope you don't think
+I spoke to you just to have you dance with me----"
+
+"Not at all," Dick hastened to say.
+
+"Because my card is nearly filled now," she went on.
+
+"I hope I may find room to put my name down in several places."
+
+"You may look. I think the next waltz is open."
+
+"It seems to be the only one," said Dick, ruefully.
+
+A little later he and the girl were sailing about the room to the
+strains of a dreamy waltz. Dick was a fine dancer, Miss Hanford was his
+equal, and the two made a pleasing appearance on the big ballroom floor.
+
+"Where were you?" asked Paul, as Dick came walking up to him after the
+young millionaire had taken his partner back to her mother. "I was
+looking for you to introduce a girl to you."
+
+"I managed to meet one myself."
+
+"Who?"
+
+"Miss Mabel Hanford."
+
+Paul whistled.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Dick. "Isn't she all right?"
+
+"I should say so! Every fellow here is anxious to dance with her, but
+Dutton seems to monopolize her. He seems to think he's engaged to her."
+
+"I don't believe he has any right to think that," spoke Dick warmly.
+"She's a very nice girl. I wish I had met her earlier in the evening."
+The band was playing another waltz.
+
+"So do lots of other fellows, I guess. But you're doing pretty well.
+There goes Dutton with her now," continued Paul.
+
+Dick looked on, with envious eyes. Though Dutton and Miss Hanford were
+waltzing about, she did not seem at ease. Her face was flushed, and
+Dutton looked angry. When the dance came to an end he left her abruptly.
+
+Dick strolled over, casually, though his heart was beating faster than
+usual.
+
+"You look warm," he said to the girl.
+
+"Yes, the room is very close," she replied, and she fanned her face with
+a filmy lace handkerchief.
+
+"Perhaps you would like an ice."
+
+"Indeed I should."
+
+"I'll get you one," promised Dick. Then, waxing bold, he looked at her
+program.
+
+"What are you looking for?" she asked with a laugh. "To see what sort of
+ice I prefer? It's not there, but I'll take orange, if you can get one."
+
+"I was looking to see, if by any good fortune you had another vacant
+place on your card."
+
+"I'll make one for you," she said with a smile, as she crossed out a
+name. "Tantrell can look for another partner," she added.
+
+"Who may Tantrell be?" asked Dick, as he put his name in place of the
+erased one.
+
+"My cousin. He brought me here, but he doesn't care much for dancing. I
+know he'll be glad to have you relieve him."
+
+"Not half so glad as I am," retorted Dick quickly. "Now I'll get you the
+ice."
+
+As he walked away he saw Dutton eyeing him angrily.
+
+"Probably he doesn't like me to be talking to her," thought Dick.
+
+There was quite a crush in the refreshment room, and, in spite of the
+fact that he was a member of the arrangement committee, Dick had some
+difficulty in getting an ice for Miss Hanford. As he struggled through
+the crush of gay dancers with it he tripped, and, to save himself,
+involuntarily threw his hands forward. The ice slipped from the plate,
+and went splashing full against the back of a cadet dressed in an
+elaborate Colonial uniform, with a white satin coat. The highly-colored
+ice made a big, blotchy stain on the garment.
+
+The cadet whirled like a flash. It was Dutton.
+
+"Who did that?" he cried, as he saw a little puddle forming at his feet,
+where the fast melting ice lay.
+
+"I did," answered Dick promptly. "It was an accident, Captain Dutton."
+
+"An accident?" There was a sneer in the other's tone.
+
+"An accident," retorted Dick, as he turned away.
+
+"Here! Where are you going?" cried Dutton. Several turned to stare at
+him, for his manner toward Dick was most insulting.
+
+"I am going after another ice for Miss Hanford," said the young
+millionaire quickly.
+
+"Wait a minute!" ordered Dutton, in the voice he used on parade.
+
+"Not now," drawled Dick. "Wait until I get another ice."
+
+"You wait, I say!" spluttered Dutton.
+
+"It's too hot," replied Dick, for he could not help but notice the
+insulting tones. "I'll see you later. I'm sorry about the accident."
+
+"That was no accident," declared Dutton. "You did that on purpose, and
+I--I want----"
+
+But Dick passed on. He saw Miss Hanford looking at him from among the
+fringe of spectators, and, as he walked back to the refreshment room, he
+noticed that Dutton had one of the mess-hall attendants wiping off as
+much as possible of the stain from the white satin coat.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+THE CHALLENGE
+
+
+When Dick secured another ice, and took it to Miss Hanford, he found her
+sitting in a quiet corner. She was rather pale, and did not seem to care
+much for the ice which he had had such trouble in securing.
+
+"I'm not quite so warm now," she said, in explanation. "It was very kind
+of you to get this for me. Do you--do you think Captain Dutton will be
+very angry at you?" She seemed anxious.
+
+"I don't see why he should be," replied Dick. "It was an accident. I
+could not help tripping."
+
+"After you went back the second time, he talked loudly about you having
+done it on purpose, and he said he was going to demand satisfaction,"
+went on the girl. "Will he?"
+
+"Well, he can demand it, I suppose," said Dick slowly, "but I don't know
+what I can do, except to say I'm sorry, and offer to pay for his coat."
+
+"Do you--do you think he will do anything--anything desperate?" asked
+Miss Hanford, and she looked at Dick sharply.
+
+"Of course not," he replied. "But if we are going to dance, would you
+mind if we began now? I think this is my two-step."
+
+She arose, and they went whirling about the room. But she was strangely
+quiet. Dick's enjoyment of the dance was not a bit lessened by seeing
+Dutton once more scowling at him from behind a draped pillar. The cadet
+captain had doffed his gay coat, and wore one belonging to his uniform.
+It formed a strange contrast to his otherwise Colonial costume. When the
+dance was over Dick saw him beckoning, and, excusing himself from his
+fair partner, he walked to where Dutton stood.
+
+"You wished to speak to me?" asked Dick.
+
+"Yes. Come outside."
+
+"What for?"
+
+"I wish to speak to you."
+
+"Won't it do in here?"
+
+"No!" snapped Dutton.
+
+Dick hesitated a moment, and, not wishing to quarrel with the captain in
+the ballroom, he followed him out on a verandah.
+
+"What do you mean by insulting me, and making me ridiculous?" demanded
+Dutton fiercely.
+
+"Insulting you?" repeated Dick.
+
+"That's what I said. You refused to come back when I called you. I'm
+your superior officer."
+
+"Not on an occasion like this!" exclaimed Dick, and he drew himself up,
+and looked Dutton straight in the eyes. "We are all equal here
+to-night, Captain Dutton. I take no orders from you!"
+
+"We'll see about that. Why did you deliberately spill that ice over me?
+You wanted to make me the laughing stock of everyone in the room!"
+
+"I did not. You have no right to say that. It was an accident, pure and
+simple, and I have already apologized to you for it."
+
+"That is not enough. No one can insult me with impunity. I demand
+satisfaction!"
+
+"I don't see what satisfaction I can give you--unless I buy you a new
+coat. If that is what you what you want I will be happy to send you a
+check for whatever amount----"
+
+"Hold on, Hamilton!" cried Dutton hoarsely. "This is going too far!
+You're getting mighty fresh. I suppose because you are a millionaire you
+think your money will do anything. But I tell you it won't. You can't
+buy a gentleman with money, nor make one either. You come here with a
+lot of millions behind you, and you think all you need to do is to
+insult a gentleman, and then offer to pay for it. I tell you I'll not
+stand it. You did that on purpose and----"
+
+"I have already told you that I did not."
+
+"And I say you did."
+
+There was no mistaking Dutton's meaning. Dick took a step forward. His
+face was slightly pale.
+
+"That will do!" he said sternly. "Are you aware that you have
+practically accused me of telling an untruth?"
+
+"That's what I meant to do," answered Dutton fiercely. "You're a cad--a
+sneak--you threw that ice at me on purpose!"
+
+"If you say that again," exclaimed Dick, "I'll----"
+
+"Well, what will you do?" sneered Dutton.
+
+"I think I shall have to buy you two coats," spoke Dick calmly, for he
+saw that Dutton was losing control of his temper, and the young
+millionaire wanted to end the affair.
+
+"Don't you give me any of your fresh talk!" cried the captain.
+
+"I shall say what I please on an occasion like this," responded Dick. "I
+have that privilege."
+
+"You have, eh? Then look out for yourself!"
+
+Dutton fairly leaped forward, and endeavored to strike Dick, but the
+young millionaire was too quick for him, and stepped to one side, at the
+same time involuntarily shooting out his fist, which caught the bully in
+the side. Dutton stopped short.
+
+"I suppose you know what striking a gentleman means," he said slowly.
+
+"I do when I hit one. I haven't struck any gentleman to-night," said
+Dick coolly.
+
+"You're adding insult to it. You've got to give me satisfaction for
+this!"
+
+"I suppose so. You recall how it turned out last time."
+
+"This time will be different. You won't get off so easily."
+
+"Have your own way about it. I guess Paul Drew will be my second again,
+but I should think you'd had enough of fighting."
+
+"Not with you! I'll never be satisfied until I've beaten you!"
+
+"Then you'll wait a long time."
+
+The two had talked in rather low but tense tones, and they were not
+aware that they were directly beneath a window that had been opened to
+let in the fresh air. Nor did they see the frightened face of a girl at
+the casement.
+
+"Will after the ball suit you?" asked Dutton, as he turned aside.
+
+"Any time."
+
+Dick remained in the cool winter air a little longer, filling his lungs
+with the oxygen, and when he returned to the ballroom he saw no sign of
+Dutton. Nor did he see Miss Hanford, though he looked for her, as he had
+another dance coming.
+
+Supper was served soon after this, and Dick had no sooner risen from the
+table than Paul Drew signalled him to step one side.
+
+"Dutton has sent a challenge to you by Stiver," he said.
+
+"I expected it."
+
+"Yes, but what do you think he wants?"
+
+"What?"
+
+"To fight with swords."
+
+"Swords?"
+
+"Yes. Like the students do in German schools. Heads and body protected
+so you can't either be more than scratched. I think it's silly, but of
+course I said I'd tell you."
+
+"That's right. Swords, eh? Well, with football helmets on, and a
+baseball chest protector, and heavy gloves, I guess it won't be
+dangerous. But what's the use of fighting if some one doesn't get hurt?
+I prefer my fists."
+
+"Dutton's idea seems to be for you both to be rigged out as we are when
+we practice with broadswords on horses," said Paul, referring to one of
+the drills taught at the school.
+
+"Well, I don't like to object," said Dick, "but it strikes me that as
+the challenged party, I have the choice of weapons."
+
+"So you have. I forgot that. Then you don't want swords?"
+
+"I'll tell you later. You can inform Dutton I'll fight him when and
+where he pleases, and that, as it's my right, I'll name the weapons when
+we meet."
+
+"All right. Give him a good lesson, Dick."
+
+Paul went off to carry the message, and Dick, seeing Miss Hanford, went
+up to her for the waltz. She gave him a place made vacant by the
+inability of her partner to claim her, as he was on the supper
+committee. Dick thought the girl seemed nervous and alarmed, but he did
+not speak of it.
+
+The dance lasted until two o'clock in the morning, and then the guests
+began leaving. Dick was somewhat surprised to see Miss Hanford in
+apparently earnest conversation with grizzled Major Webster, but he
+concluded that she was only telling him what a good time she had had.
+
+"Won't you call and see me sometime?" she asked Dick, as she bade him
+good-night.
+
+"I will be pleased to," he said.
+
+"And don't--don't have any quarrel with Captain Dutton," she said, with
+a little smile.
+
+"Er--oh, no, I--I--er--I won't," was all Dick could stammer. He resolved
+that he would have no more quarrels, but it was too late to stop this
+one.
+
+As the last of the guests were leaving, Paul sought out his roommate.
+
+"The clump of trees, down by the lagoon," he whispered. "In an hour.
+What about weapons? Dutton wants to know."
+
+"He'll have to wait. I'll bring them with me. It's my privilege."
+
+A little later Dick went to his room, where he was busy for some time.
+When he emerged he was accompanied by Paul. He wore his long cape
+overcoat, and something bulged beneath it.
+
+"I guess he'll be surprised," commented Paul.
+
+The clump of trees, which Dutton had selected as the place for the duel,
+was located on a little point of land that jutted out into the lake,
+and near a small lagoon. It was some distance from the academy
+buildings, and out of sight. The trees had kept most of the snow from
+the ground, and it was a sheltered place. As there was a full moon there
+was no need of other light.
+
+As Dick and Paul approached the place they saw several dark figures
+moving about.
+
+"They're on time," whispered Paul.
+
+"Yes. I hope the Colonel doesn't hear of it."
+
+As they drew nearer, Stiver stepped forward and said:
+
+"Is your man ready, Drew?"
+
+"All ready."
+
+"Then we demand to know the weapons. My principal will object to
+pistols, as they make too much noise."
+
+"My principal has the choice of weapons, as you know, and unless he is
+allowed to exercise it we must decline to fight."
+
+Paul spoke as though it was very serious.
+
+"I know, but, hang it all, man, we can't fight with pistols. We'd have
+the whole crowd down on us," objected Stiver, in some alarm.
+
+"I'll not fight with pistols," put in Dutton, which was a wrong thing
+for a brave duelist to do.
+
+"Don't be worried," replied Dick coolly "I have not selected pistols.
+But we are delaying too long. I am ready."
+
+"So are we," said Stiver, but it was observed that his voice was not
+very steady. He was beginning to wish he had had nothing to do with
+this. It seemed to be getting serious, and he, as well as Dutton,
+wondered what Dick could be carrying under his overcoat.
+
+"Take your places," said Paul.
+
+"But the weapons," insisted Stiver.
+
+"My principal will hand one to your principal as soon as he takes his
+place," went on Paul. "We seconds must retire to a safe distance."
+
+"They--they aren't rifles, are they?" asked Stiver, and this time his
+voice was very shaky.
+
+"They are not rifles," said Dick, somewhat solemnly. "Come, I can't stay
+here all night. I want to write an account of this to Miss Hanford."
+
+"Don't you dare!" cried Dutton.
+
+"Hush! Take your place," said his second.
+
+Dutton approached Dick, and held out his hand to receive his weapon.
+Dick unfolded his coat and extended--not a sword or gun, but a big
+bladder, fully blown up, and tied to a short stick. He kept a similar
+one for himself.
+
+"These are my weapons," he said.
+
+"I won't fight with those! It's an insult! I demand satisfaction!"
+fairly shouted Dutton.
+
+"Hush!" cried Stiver. "Someone is coming!"
+
+But it was too late. Several figures could be seen running over the snow
+toward the duelists.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+A WINTER MARCH
+
+
+"Quick! Here comes Major Webster!" cried Stiver. There was no mistaking
+the soldierly figure who was approaching.
+
+"And Colonel Masterly is with him!" added Paul.
+
+"Some one has squealed!" added Dutton, but he seemed rather glad than
+otherwise that the duel had been interrupted.
+
+"Cut for it!" said Dick. "Across the ice, and into the grove! We can get
+in the back way, and they won't know who it was out here."
+
+"Say, if they were tipped off that something like this was going to take
+place, they know who was in it," said Paul, as he and Dick headed across
+the ice which covered the inlet at one side of the wooded point.
+
+Dick thought of the conversation he had seen taking place between Miss
+Hanford and the major, and a light came to him.
+
+"She must have overheard the talk about swords, and she got frightened,"
+he said to himself. "That's how the major knew."
+
+On came the dark figures over the snow, but the cadets had a good start.
+Across the ice they went, and were soon lost in the depths of a little
+grove of trees. From there they managed to gain the barracks.
+
+"Queer they didn't call after us," said Dick, as he and Paul were safe
+in their room.
+
+"That is sort of funny. Say, where's the other bladder?"
+
+"Dutton must have it."
+
+But Dutton didn't have it. He had dropped it as he ran, and Major
+Webster picked it up a little later on the dueling ground. The major
+held it out to Colonel Masterly.
+
+"What's this?" asked the colonel.
+
+"One of their weapons, I fancy."
+
+"Then it was all a joke. What Miss Hanford told you about the duel, she
+must have dreamed."
+
+"No, she says she overheard Dutton challenge Hamilton, and later on,
+some talk between Hamilton and Drew. She was very much frightened, and
+came and told me. Of course I know the cadets will fight once in a
+while. They wouldn't be any good if they didn't, and, though you and I
+know that it's against the rules, it's no more than you and I used to
+do. But when she spoke of swords I thought it time to take a hand."
+
+"But they didn't have swords."
+
+"Evidently not. Hamilton reserved to himself the choice of weapons, as
+the challenged party, she said, and it seems that he selected
+bladders."
+
+"But why?"
+
+"I fancy he wanted to teach Dutton a lesson. There is bad blood between
+them, I have heard in roundabout ways, and once Hamilton administered a
+good drubbing to Dutton."
+
+"Hum! Well, I don't see that there is anything for us to do."
+
+"No, only go to bed. I'm sleepy. The time was when I could stay up at a
+ball all night, and attend a duel at sunrise, but those days are past. I
+think we'd better say nothing about this."
+
+"Just as you like, major. You are in charge of the cadets. But perhaps
+we had better let Miss Hanford know that there was no bloody conflict."
+
+"I will. Poor little girl! She was quite worried."
+
+So that was how the duel between Dick and Dutton turned out. It did not
+add to the good feeling between the two cadets. Dick would have been
+glad to be on friendly terms, but Dutton considered that he had been
+made the butt of a joke, and he hated Dick more than ever. He threatened
+to get even until Dick sent word to him that if he liked he would meet
+him with bare fists as weapons, and have the matter out. Dutton knew
+better than to agree to this.
+
+Of course Larry Dexter heard about the duel, but at Dick's request the
+young reporter sent no account of it to his paper, which described the
+fancy dress ball at some length. Larry remained Dick's guest three
+days, and greatly enjoyed his visit to the academy.
+
+In order to give the cadets a taste of as many varieties of military
+life as possible, and to show them that they could not always expect
+summer weather and sunny skies, Major Webster decided to have a winter
+practice march.
+
+This was announced for a date late in January, and some novel features
+were to be incorporated. The cadets were to be divided into several
+small squads, and were to set off at different times from the academy,
+to reach a certain point ten miles distant, report there for dinner, and
+march back. Various routes were selected, with officers stationed at
+checking points, and the squad which made the best time was to receive a
+trophy.
+
+As the ground was quite thickly covered with snow, and as certain
+landmarks, plainly visible in summer, were now obliterated, the march
+would prove no easy one. It was to be made on horses, and only the best
+riders were allowed to participate.
+
+"That's the kind of a stunt I like," said Dick, the morning of the
+proposed winter march. "We'll have some fun to-day, Paul, old boy."
+
+"Yes, if we don't get caught in a blizzard. It looks like snow."
+
+"So much the better. That will make it all the harder. I wish I was
+going to lead a squad."
+
+"I don't. Who is in charge of ours?"
+
+"Allen Rutledge. He's a good rider. Well, it's almost time to start.
+Whew! But it's cold!"
+
+Dick's squad, in charge of Captain Rutledge of the football team, was
+the third to start off. They set their horses into a gentle canter, as
+they knew they would need all the strength of the animals ere the day
+was over.
+
+At first it was pleasant enough, moving along over the snow, but, as it
+grew colder, it was not quite so much fun. Still the lads did not
+complain, as they knew the training was good for them.
+
+When they had gone about five miles some flakes of snow sifted lazily
+down from the gray, leaden clouds overhead.
+
+"I guess we're going to be in for it before we get back," observed
+Captain Rutledge. "Close up the ranks, behind there. Don't straggle."
+
+They kept to their route, were checked at the proper point by an
+officer, and then started for the turning station. This was a hotel in a
+small town ten miles from the academy, and glad enough the cadets were
+to reach it, and find a hot dinner waiting for them.
+
+An hour was allowed for luncheon, and the feeding of the horses, and
+then the start back was made. This was the most difficult part of the
+march, as the way led through an uninhabited part of the country, at the
+edge of the mountain range, and the roads were seldom traveled, and not
+of the best.
+
+About three miles from where they had dinner was another checking
+station. Dick's squad reached this in the midst of quite a snowstorm.
+
+"I guess it will only be a squall," observed Rutledge, as he went in the
+house, where the checking officer was stationed, to report.
+
+"A squall?" observed Dick. "If this doesn't keep up until we get back,
+and for some time after, I'm a Dutchman."
+
+Rutledge came out of the house, followed by the checking officer,
+Captain Nelton. Both looked worried.
+
+"We'll keep watch for them," said Rutledge as he prepared to vault into
+the saddle.
+
+"Yes, I wish you would," said Captain Nelton. "They may have straggled
+behind, and lost the road. Have them join your squad if you see them."
+
+"What's up?" asked Dick, for an air of familiar fellowship was permitted
+on the practice marches.
+
+"Dutton and Stiver didn't report in with their squad, which is just
+ahead of ours," replied Rutledge. "We're to look out for them."
+
+"Most likely they sneaked off to have a good time somewhere," said Dick
+in a low voice to Paul.
+
+The pace was slower now, for the snow was deeper, and the horses were
+beginning to feel the strain of the long march. The flakes were falling
+thicker and faster, and from the rear the leader of the squad could not
+be seen.
+
+"Come, boys, close ranks!" called Rutledge several times. "If you stray
+off now you'll be in danger. Keep together."
+
+They tried to, but some horses went better than others, and it was
+impossible for the stragglers to keep up with the leaders at all times.
+Rutledge saw this and called to Dick:
+
+"Here, Hamilton, you and Drew are good riders. You take the rear, and
+keep it as close to me as you can. This storm is getting fierce."
+
+It was almost a blizzard now, with the wind sobbing and moaning in the
+trees, and the white flakes cutting into one's face with stinging force.
+
+"Take the next turn to the right," called Rutledge to Dick and Paul, as
+they wheeled their horses and started for the rear.
+
+They heard faintly through the noise of the storm, and answered back.
+They succeeded for a time in keeping the end riders up toward the front,
+urging their somewhat jaded horses to a trot. Then, all at once, they
+found themselves out of sight of the tails of the end animals.
+
+"Hit is up a little," suggested Dick to Paul. "They're leaving us."
+
+They spurred their horses ahead, but they never noticed as they bent
+their heads to avoid the blast that they kept straight on, instead of
+taking the turn to the right, where the road divided. So fast was the
+snow falling, drifting as it did so, that the tracks of the horses just
+ahead of them were almost blotted out.
+
+"They must be galloping," said Dick. "Come on, Paul."
+
+They urged their wearied horses to a gallop, expecting soon to come
+within sight of the rear of the squad. But, as they went on and on, the
+road became more impassable. The snow was at least two feet deep now,
+and more was falling every minute.
+
+"I can't see anything of them," said Paul, peering ahead into the white
+mist.
+
+"Me either. Let's give a yell."
+
+They called, but the echo was their only reply.
+
+"Can you see any tracks?" asked Dick, leaning over in the saddle, and
+scanning the ground.
+
+"No. Can you?"
+
+"Not a one."
+
+The lads straightened up, and looked at each other. Their steeds
+whinnied helplessly, complaining thus of the cold.
+
+"Dick," said Paul, "I believe we've taken the wrong turn."
+
+"I didn't see any turn to take. We've come a straight road."
+
+"I don't believe so. Rutledge said something about turning to the
+right."
+
+"I know he did, but I didn't see any turn."
+
+"Neither did I, but we're certainly on the wrong road now. This hasn't
+been traveled this winter."
+
+"Looks that way. Say, we've come up the side of the mountain. I wondered
+what made the horses so blown."
+
+It needed but a glance to show that this was so. Unconsciously they had
+taken a path leading up the mountain, and they were now on what was
+evidently a wood-road, in the midst of a forest.
+
+As they stood there, vainly starting about, there came a fiercer burst
+of the storm, and on the wings of a stinging, cold wind there came such
+a cloud of snow flakes that they could not see ten feet ahead of them.
+
+"We're caught in a blizzard!" shouted Dick. "We must keep close
+together, Paul."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+THE RESCUE OF DUTTON
+
+
+Through the blinding snow the two cadets tried to peer, in order to see
+which way they should take to get back to the academy. Neither of them
+was very familiar with the country, though they had been over part of it
+in drills and practice marches in the fall. But things wore a different
+aspect now.
+
+"Which way had we better go?" asked Paul, after a pause. He had to shout
+to be heard above the noise of the gale.
+
+"I guess the best plan is to keep down the mountain," replied Dick.
+"We'll strike a road sooner or later leading to Kentfield."
+
+The horses did not like to face the blast, but the young cadets forced
+them about, and the unwilling steeds started down the slope.
+
+Protected though they were by their heavy winter clothing and overcoats,
+the two lads felt the cold bitterly. But they were too plucky to give
+up. The horses could not be urged to more than a walk, and, indeed,
+faster pace was not safe, as they did not know what the snow might
+conceal.
+
+As they went down the mountain side they kept a watch for the sight of
+any objects that would indicate a road, or tell them their whereabouts.
+But all they could see was an expanse of snow, a whirling, white cloud
+of flakes, with here and there the black trunks of trees standing up
+like grim sentinels.
+
+"We might as well be a thousand miles from nowhere," called Dick.
+
+"That's right," answered his companion. "I wonder if we're going
+straight?"
+
+"Isn't much choice. We'll be on level ground in a little while, anyhow.
+Then the going will be better."
+
+They emerged from the thickly wooded side of the big hill, and came upon
+a plain, which did not look familiar. It was open country, however, and
+this was better than being in the woods, though the cold wind had more
+of a sweep over it.
+
+"Now, which way?" asked Paul. "I've lost all sense of direction."
+
+"And I'm not much better. Suppose we let the horses go as they please?
+Maybe they'll have sense enough to head toward their stables."
+
+"Good idea, we'll do it."
+
+They let the reins hang loose on the necks of the animals. The steeds
+hesitated for a moment, sniffed the air, and then started off to the
+left.
+
+"I hope that's right, but it doesn't seem so," said Dick ruefully.
+"However, anything's better than standing still in this storm."
+
+There was no let-up to the blizzard, which fairly enveloped the lads in
+its icy grasp.
+
+They had traveled for perhaps a mile when Dick, who was a little in the
+lead, suddenly cried out:
+
+"Hi, Paul! Here's a house, anyhow!"
+
+"A house?"
+
+"Yes. Straight ahead."
+
+Paul looked through the whirling clouds of snow, and saw something dark
+looming up about thirty yards away.
+
+"Maybe it's a barn," he said.
+
+"Even that's all right; but where there's a barn there's most likely to
+be a house. I guess we're all right now."
+
+Their horses stumbled on, over the uneven ground, and soon another big
+object loomed up through the snow.
+
+"There's the house!" cried Dick. "Come on."
+
+They managed to urge their horses to a trot, and, a few moments later,
+were knocking at the door of a large, white farmhouse. A pretty girl who
+opened it exclaimed:
+
+"Come right in. I expect you're most frozen, aren't you?"
+
+"Pretty nearly," replied Dick, as he entered with Paul.
+
+They were soon near a warm fire, partaking of hot tea, though they
+declined the offer of some hard cider, an invitation slyly given by the
+farmer, who introduced himself as Enos Weatherby. His place was about
+eight miles from Kentfield, and, in the course of his talk, Dick and
+Paul learned that Captain Dutton and Lieutenant Stiver had been at the
+house a little while before, and had not refused the cider.
+
+This was news to Dick, but he at once saw how matters stood. Dutton and
+his companion, he learned, knew the two daughters of the farmer, and had
+called on them during the practice march. It was on this account that
+they had not reported at the checking point. Probably they thought they
+could make a circuit, visit their friends, and join their squad in time
+to report at the academy, trusting to luck to explain their temporary
+absence.
+
+They had been gone about an hour, Mr. Weatherby said, and he showed Dick
+and Paul the road they had taken, a short cut to the school.
+
+"Ride down this road," explained the farmer, "cut across my big meadow,
+and you will come to the main highway. Keep along that until you come to
+the first cross road, turn to the left and you'll get to the road that
+leads around the lake. Then it's only a mile to the school. But you're
+welcome to stay all night. The storm is getting worse."
+
+"Thank you, very much," replied Dick, "but we couldn't stay. Colonel
+Masterly would be worried about us. We'll take the short cut home. I
+guess they'll call the march a dead heat as far as picking a winner is
+concerned."
+
+The girls added their entreaties to those of their father and Mrs.
+Weatherby, who had been busy at household duties, entered the dining
+room, to urge the cadets to remain, as she had plenty of room. But Dick
+and Paul would not.
+
+There was obvious disappointment in the good-byes of the two girls, but
+Dick and Paul cared little for that, though the two Miss Weatherbys were
+rather pretty, even if they were a bit silly.
+
+The two wayfarers thanked their hosts, and, feeling much refreshed and
+warmed, while the horses, too, had improved by the halt, they set off
+again.
+
+The snow was not coming down so fast, but it was much colder, and they
+hastened on, anxious to get to the academy.
+
+"Queer about Dutton, wasn't it?" asked Dick.
+
+"It sure was," agreed Paul. "He'll get into trouble if he doesn't look
+out."
+
+"Somehow he always seems to escape, but I s'pose he'll do it once too
+often. This must be where we turn."
+
+"I guess so. Go ahead."
+
+They turned into the big meadow, crossed it, and came out into a road
+that showed some signs of travel. It was deserted now, however, as the
+winter night was settling down.
+
+"A few more miles, and then for a good, hot supper," commented Dick
+"Don't talk about it," said Paul. "It makes me hungry."
+
+Suddenly his horse shied, and the cadet, looking to see what caused it,
+beheld a dark object, half buried in the snow, at the side of the road.
+
+"What's that?" called Dick, who had dropped a little to the rear.
+
+"I don't know. Better take a look."
+
+Dick forced his rather unwilling steed up to the object. The next moment
+he uttered a cry.
+
+"It's a man!" he exclaimed.
+
+He leaped off his horse, and bent closely to the black, huddled mass.
+Then he reached over and took hold of it.
+
+"Here, Paul!" cried Dick. "Help me!"
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"It's Dutton, and he's unconscious and half frozen. Must have fallen
+from his horse and struck on his head! We must get him to shelter in a
+hurry."
+
+Paul was quickly at his companion's side. He helped Dick lift the
+unconscious youth from the pile of snow. Dutton seemed to be trying to
+say something, but though his lips moved no sound came from them.
+
+"What's the matter? Are you hurt?" asked Dick. "How did it happen?"
+
+Dutton murmured something, but the words "horse" and "Stiver" were all
+they could distinguish.
+
+"Maybe he's only fainted," suggested Paul. "Rub some snow on his face."
+
+Dick tried this, but it was evident that Dutton was semi-conscious from
+the effects of some injury.
+
+"What shall we do?" asked Paul, who was not used to acting in
+emergencies.
+
+"We've got to get him to the academy as soon as possible."
+
+"Maybe we had better take him back to the Weatherbys. That's nearer."
+
+"Yes, but they wouldn't know how to take care of him. He needs a doctor.
+No, what we've got to do is to get him on my horse. He's stronger than
+yours, and can carry double. Then you ride on ahead and tell them to
+send a carriage."
+
+Paul realized that this was the best thing to do, and the two, after
+some difficulty, hoisted Dutton to the back of Dick's steed. Then Dick
+mounted behind him, and, supporting in his arms the unconscious cadet,
+he set off through the snow. Paul galloped on ahead, urging his horse to
+a sharp gait, and made good time in reaching the academy.
+
+There he found considerable confusion, and no little alarm, not only
+over the absence of Dutton, but over that of Dick and himself.
+
+Paul quickly explained how he and his chum had become lost, and told how
+they had found Dutton. A carriage was at once sent out, and soon the
+injured lad was in the hospital, where an examination showed that he
+was not badly hurt, having merely received a severe blow on the head.
+
+"We feared something had happened when Dutton's horse came in without
+him," said Colonel Masterly. "Lieutenant Stiver said that he and Dutton
+became separated, after losing their way, and that he could not find
+him. So he came here to get help, and arrived just as Dutton's horse
+galloped in."
+
+Dick told the colonel how he had found the young captain, but did not
+think it necessary to mention about the farmhouse and the two girls.
+
+"I should have stopped the march when I saw that the weather was likely
+to be bad," the colonel said. "However, I am glad it is no worse."
+
+Because of the incidents of the march it was called off, as far as a
+contest was concerned, and so no inquiry was made as to why Dutton and
+Stiver had failed to report at the checking point.
+
+"I tell you what I think happened," said Paul, when he and Dick were
+discussing it in their room that night.
+
+"Well, what?"
+
+"I think Dutton and Stiver had more hard cider than was good for them.
+They must have quarreled, and Stiver left Dutton, who later fell from
+his horse. There was no excuse for them losing each other after they
+left Weatherby's house, and Dutton is too good a horseman to fall off,
+unless he couldn't take care of himself."
+
+"Maybe you're right. I'm glad we found him, though."
+
+"So am I, though I don't believe he'll treat you any better for saving
+his life."
+
+"Oh, I don't know as I did that. Some one would have found him before he
+froze to death," said Dick.
+
+Paul's idea of what had taken place between Dutton and Stiver seemed
+borne out by the coldness that sprang up between the two former cronies,
+as soon as Dutton could leave the hospital. He hardly spoke to the
+lieutenant of his company.
+
+Nor was he specially cordial to our hero. In a stiff sort of fashion he
+thanked him for what he had done, but there was no semblance of real
+friendship, and Dutton's crowd did not take up with Dick, as they might,
+reasonably, have been expected to.
+
+With the approach of spring the baseball fever began to stir in the
+veins of the cadets, and several nines were formed. Dick managed to get
+on a freshman team, much to his delight, for he was an excellent
+pitcher. Nor did the members of the nine regret their choice, for Dick
+pulled them out of several close games by his excellent twirling, which
+offset the errors made by his companions.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+OFF TO CAMP
+
+
+"Hurray!" yelled Paul Drew one afternoon, as he fairly jumped into the
+room which he and Dick shared.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked his chum.
+
+"Matter? Why, lots. You've passed, and so have I. We're going to be
+corporals from now on. That's for making good records in the spring
+examinations. Dutton and Hale are to be majors, I heard. I'm glad for
+Hale's sake, but it's going to be bad for us to have Dutton given so
+much authority."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because he'll lord it over us worse than ever. Well, it can't be
+helped. And there's more good news. Get up and have a war dance, you old
+buzzard!"
+
+"Hold on!" cried Dick protestingly, as Paul yanked him from the easy
+chair. "What's up?"
+
+"Lots. We're going to camp!"
+
+"Camp?"
+
+"Yes; it's just been announced. We're to go and spend one week under
+canvas; with no lessons to worry about, and lots of chance to skylark
+and have fun."
+
+"I guess there'll be instructions in tactics, and recitations, won't
+there?" asked Dick. "It won't be all pie."
+
+"Oh, of course we'll have to do some studying, I think."
+
+"Of course. We'll have to tell what we'd do if, leading a small force of
+men, we happened to meet with an overwhelming army in a mountain pass,
+hemmed in on every side."
+
+"I'd surrender," said Paul, with a laugh.
+
+"I wouldn't; I'd fight," said Dick grimly, and he squared his jaw after
+the manner of Grit, his bulldog.
+
+"Oh, well, we'll have lots of sport," went on Paul. "Of course it's for
+military instruction we're going, but I think we can manage to slip in a
+good time now and again."
+
+"Sure," replied Dick, his eyes brightening. "When do we go?"
+
+"Day after to-morrow. Orders are to get our kits in shape. We're to go
+in light marching order. The tents and grub will be carried in a wagon."
+
+"That's good. I hate to pack my house, and all I want to eat, on my
+back."
+
+The two chums fell to discussing the pleasant prospects ahead of them,
+some of the freshman cadets in neighboring rooms dropping in
+occasionally to get points on what to do and how to do it.
+
+They were interrupted by a knock on Dick's door, and for a moment the
+buzz of voices ceased, as if the owners had been caught in some breach
+of the rules. Then, as the whistled strains of "In the Prison Cell I
+Sit," came to them, Dick exclaimed:
+
+"It's Toots. Come on in, you old Horse Marine."
+
+Toots entered, whistling a reveille with great precision.
+
+"Major Webster wants to see you, Mr. Hamilton," he said, saluting.
+
+"Me?" repeated Dick.
+
+"Yes. In his office."
+
+"You're in for a wigging," consoled Paul.
+
+"Court martial for yours," added 'Gene Graham.
+
+"No, I'm going to be promoted to take entire command of the camp," said
+Dick with a laugh as he went out. He had come nearer the truth than he
+thought in his jesting words. He saluted the major, who returned it, and
+bade him be seated.
+
+"Ah, Hamilton, by the way, before I forget it, let me say that I haven't
+heard anything about that marksman's medal yet," said Major Webster,
+referring to the one that had fallen from the pocket of Toots. "When I
+hear anything I'll let you know. But that wasn't why I sent for you."
+
+Dick thought it couldn't be anything serious, or the major wouldn't
+have begun in this fashion, so he waited.
+
+"I have been looking up your record, Hamilton," went on the old soldier,
+"and I am very much pleased with it. So much so, in fact, that I am
+going to promote you, temporarily, and give you a command."
+
+Dick's heart began to beat rapidly.
+
+"During this encampment," went on the major, "we wish the new cadets to
+get a good idea of the value of military training, and what this academy
+stands for. I think that by this plan of mine they will gain more
+knowledge in a week than they otherwise would in two months. Now I am
+going to take all the cadets who recently arrived and form them into two
+companies. One you will have entire charge of, as captain. The other I
+will select a captain for. Yours will be known as Number One Company, to
+distinguish it from the regular lettered commands I want you to give the
+freshmen as good an idea as you can of what a military life here means."
+
+"What am I to do?" asked Dick.
+
+"Take entire charge of them. See that they are shown everything, from
+how to load a gun, vault upon a horse, put up a tent, build a camp fire,
+mount guard and so on. At the end of the week's camp we are going to
+have a sham battle."
+
+"A sham battle?"
+
+"Yes, off in the woods. The cadets will be divided into two armies, and
+we will play the war game just as the regulars and volunteers do. In a
+sense the lads in your care will be volunteers, and perhaps they will do
+better than the regular cadets. That part is up to you."
+
+Dick resolved that if he could bring it about his company would gain
+some honors.
+
+"Your command will be part of the fighting force in the sham battle,"
+went on the major, "and it will depend on yourself how they behave. The
+rules of the sham battle will be announced later, but I want you to get
+ready for your shoulder straps," and he smiled at our hero.
+
+"Well," thought Dick, as he left the major a little later, "I got to a
+captain's stripes before I knew it--but it won't last very long," he
+added, somewhat regretfully.
+
+Dick thought ruefully that, even with this temporary promotion, he was
+hardly fulfilling the conditions of his mother's will. He was certainly
+not popular with the great body of students, and he began worrying lest
+he be sent to his Uncle Ezra. As he walked back to his room, he recalled
+a letter he had received from his father that day, stating that Mr.
+Hamilton would remain abroad longer than he had originally planned.
+
+"It doesn't look as if I was going to make good," thought Dick,
+gloomily, as he entered his apartment.
+
+"What was it?" asked his chums eagerly, as he came back.
+
+Dick told them.
+
+"A sham battle!" cried Paul. "That's the stuff! Hold me down, somebody,
+or I'll stand on my head, and if I do I'll split my new uniform. Hold
+me, somebody, do."
+
+"I will," volunteered 'Gene Graham, and he obligingly tilted Paul up, so
+that he turned a neat summersault over his bed.
+
+"I guess that'll hold you for a few moments," observed Stanley Booker.
+"Now tell us more about it, Dick."
+
+Which the young millionaire proceeded to do.
+
+Never was there such excitement in Kentfield academy as when it became
+known that, in addition to the camp there was to be a sham battle. On
+every side was heard talk of ambuscades, skirmishing parties, rear
+attacks, retrograde movements, waiting for reinforcements, deploys and
+bases of supplies.
+
+Dutton sneered openly when he heard of Dick's promotion.
+
+"I suppose he thinks he'll do wonders with those freshies," he said.
+"Maybe he hopes he'll win the battle by coming up with them as
+reinforcements."
+
+"Well a small force has turned the tide more than once, Dutton," Allen
+Rutledge reminded him.
+
+"I don't think Hamilton can do it, though," was the reply of the bully.
+
+The start for camp was made on a bright, sunny morning, and the line of
+cadets, in field uniforms, with their guns over their shoulders, the sun
+glinting from the polished barrels, made an inspiring picture.
+
+"Isn't this glorious?" said Dick to Paul, near whom he was marching.
+
+"Silence in the ranks!" snapped Major Dutton, though there was no need
+for the command.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+THE SHAM BATTLE
+
+
+Forward marched the cadets, keeping step to the lively air of the fifes,
+and the accompanying rattle and boom of the drums. But regular formation
+and step were not maintained for long, only until the young soldiers
+were on the main road, when they were allowed to break step, and proceed
+as they pleased, the companies, however, keeping together.
+
+It was an all day's tramp to camp, and they stopped midway on the road
+for lunch, the baggage wagons having been halted while the regular cooks
+of the academy, who had been taken along, prepared the meal.
+
+"Wait until we get the tents up," said Dick, "then we'll have some fun.
+Nothing like life under canvas in the summer."
+
+"Right, Captain Dick," replied Paul, trying to talk with part of a
+chicken sandwich in his mouth. Dick had not yet assumed his new command,
+but would as soon as camp was pitched.
+
+They got to the place about five o'clock, and found that the tents had
+been unloaded from the wagons, and that the cooks had their white
+shelter already set up, and were preparing supper.
+
+"Now, boys," said Major Webster, "I want to see how soldierly you can do
+things. You have had considerable practice in putting up tents, at least
+you older cadets have; now let's see how you have profited by your
+instruction."
+
+In a short time the scene was one of great activity. Cadets were
+straightening out folds of canvas, laying out ropes, driving in tent
+pegs and, in less than half an hour, where there had been a green field,
+it was now dotted with spotless white peaked-roof houses of canvas.
+
+"Very well done," complimented Colonel Masterly, who came out of the
+headquarters tent to look at the sight. "Very fine, indeed, major."
+
+"Yes, I think they did well."
+
+The next work was to dig a trench about each tent so that rain water
+could not settle about it, and this was quickly accomplished. This done
+the camp had a fine appearance, the tents being arranged in rows or
+company "streets."
+
+By this time supper was announced, and the way the cadets put away the
+good things which the cooks had provided made those servants open their
+eyes. They were used to hungry boys eating, but they almost forgot to
+allow for the extra appetites created by work in the open air. It was
+some time since a general camp had been held at the academy.
+
+After guard mount, sentinels were posted and orders given that no cadet
+would be allowed to leave camp. In spite of this some of Dutton's crowd,
+including himself, ran the guard that night and were nearly caught.
+However, this was to be expected, and it was considered no great crime.
+
+The next day Dick was given charge of forty freshmen, and he took great
+delight in starting their instruction. There were drills to attend,
+lessons in tactics to learn, the best method to observe on a march, and
+illustrations given in artillery firing, for several field pieces had
+been brought along to use in the sham battle.
+
+Cavalry exercises occupied a part of every day, and though the cadets
+had plenty of leisure they found that their time was pretty fully
+occupied, for Colonel Masterly and his staff wanted practical benefit to
+be derived from the camp life. Target practice in the open proved to
+many a cadet who had done well on the ranges that he had plenty yet to
+learn.
+
+"I wish they'd hurry up and have that sham battle," remarked Paul to
+Dick one night. "Heard anything about it?"
+
+"It takes place to-morrow," replied our hero. "Blank ammunition will be
+served out the first thing in the morning, and final instructions given.
+My company is to form part of the attacking party."
+
+"That's good. I wonder where my bunch will be stationed? I wish I was an
+officer."
+
+"It will come in time. You're to be on the defense, I believe. So is the
+company of freshmen that Foraker has charge of."
+
+"Well, it won't make much difference. I'll not fire on you, if I can
+help it."
+
+"That's good."
+
+The plan for the sham battle was announced the next morning, after each
+cadet had been supplied with many rounds of blank cartridges. The young
+soldiers were divided into two equal commands. Somewhat to Dick's
+disgust Major Dutton was given charge of the attacking party, of which
+the millionaire's son and his young lads formed a part. Harry Hale, the
+football coach, who had also been elected a major, was to be on the
+defensive. The latter army was to occupy a wooded hill, back of the
+camp. At the foot of it ran a small stream, and to get at the defenders
+of the mound the attacking party would have to build a temporary bridge,
+which work was included in the instruction imparted at the academy.
+
+To cover this operation, the artillery of the attacking party would be
+brought up, but, at the same time, the field pieces of the defenders
+might pour a devastating fire on the bridge builders from above.
+
+The holders of the hill were to be stationed at the rear limits of it,
+while the attackers were to start their march about two miles from the
+foot of the slope. It was figured out that if the defenders could bring
+up their artillery, and other forces, and attack the enemy before a
+bridge could be built across the stream, the holders of the hill would
+win the battle. On the other hand, if the attackers could succeed in
+getting a body of cadets across the stream before a heavy artillery or
+rifle fire could be poured into them, they would win. The promptness of
+firing, the number of shots and general quickness were to count.
+
+At the appointed time, Major Hale and his force took possession of the
+hill, and Major Dutton led his army two miles back, on the plain in
+front of it.
+
+Dutton issued his orders.
+
+"We'll try to surprise them," he said to his young officers. "We'll
+swing around in a half circle, and instead of building the bridge at the
+easiest place to cross the stream we'll try it farther down. They won't
+suspect that we'll come there, and we'll gain some time."
+
+"But they'll have their pickets out," observed Russell Glen. "They'll
+see us."
+
+"I'll send some of you to another point to pretend to build a bridge,"
+decided Dutton. "That'll draw their fire, and they'll start their
+artillery toward that place. Before they find out that it's only a bluff
+we'll have the real bridge half done."
+
+As the cadets had a record of building a thirty-foot bridge of the "A"
+style inside of four minutes, it seemed that Dutton's plan might be a
+good one.
+
+"How are you going to carry the planks and spars for the bridge?" asked
+Glen. "On the field piece carriages?"
+
+"No, we'll carry them ourselves. We can close up ranks so they won't see
+the boards."
+
+This looked like a good plan, and the cadets made ready to carry it out.
+
+"Hamilton," said Dutton sharply to our hero, "you'll take the rear
+guard, and stay there until you get orders to come up."
+
+This was rather hard on Dick. It practically put him and his freshmen
+out of the battle, unless Dutton should order them to the front, and he
+was not very likely to do this. Still Dick could not object, and he made
+the best of it.
+
+"Won't we see any of the fighting?" asked one of his command.
+
+"Maybe so," replied the young millionaire. "They may need us for
+reinforcements."
+
+Dick could not help but give Dutton credit for making his plans well.
+The young major led his men to the designated point, taking advantage of
+such inequalities of the ground as there were to conceal his movements.
+The ropes, beams and planks for the bridge were distributed among the
+cadets, several of them being required to carry the heavier pieces. The
+strongest lads were used for this work, and their rifles were taken in
+charge by their less-burdened comrades.
+
+Then, when all was in readiness, Dutton gave the command to advance. He
+led the way, at the head of a company of infantry, while back of that
+came his cavalry force, and to the rear of that was massed his
+artillery, while Dick led the rear guard of freshmen.
+
+Straight at the hill advanced the attacking army, while from convenient
+points Colonel Masterly and his staff of officers watched to decide who
+won.
+
+"Skirmishers, advance!" ordered Dutton, and several cadets detached
+themselves from the cavalry and rode forward. As they approached there
+were puffs of white smoke from the slope of the hill, and the sharp
+crack of rifles announced that the pickets of Major Hale's force were on
+the alert. The skirmishers returned the fire, and then galloped back to
+report.
+
+"They're waiting for us," Dutton was informed.
+
+"So I see," he replied. "Now, then, we'll halt here a moment. You
+fellows that are to pretend to build the bridge, get ready to rush when
+I give the word. I'll send one field piece as if to cover your
+movements. Are you all ready there, Stiver?" for Lieutenant Stiver, with
+whom Dutton had again gotten on friendly terms, was to lead the fake
+movement.
+
+"All ready," was the answer.
+
+"Then go!"
+
+Out from the attacking force rushed a squad of cadets, bearing light
+planks. Of course, from the hill, it looked as if they were the advance
+guard of bridge builders. Particularly when there dashed out a field
+piece, drawn by galloping horses.
+
+As the cadets approached the bank of the stream, and began to arrange
+their planks, the lads in charge of the cannon quickly wheeled it,
+unlimbered and fired the first shot. There was a white puff of smoke, a
+burst of flame, and a great bang went rattling and echoing among the
+hills. The battle had opened.
+
+As Dutton had expected, his ruse deceived Hale. The latter quickly
+ordered up his entire artillery to shell the intrepid bridge builders.
+Dutton, watching through a field glass, saw the approach of the cannon.
+
+"Forward march!" he cried to his main command. "Double quick!"
+
+Quickness was everything now. Off they started, the real bridge builders
+and nearly his entire force, including Dick and his youngsters in the
+rear.
+
+They circled around a turn in the stream, and, for a time, were out of
+sight of the small force left to bear the attack.
+
+"Build the bridge here!" ordered Dutton. "Lively now, boys. See if you
+can't break the record."
+
+The cadets needed no urging. Two of them quickly plunged into the
+stream, and, partly swimming, partly wading, carried over some ropes. By
+means of these they pulled over spars and planks, which, when several of
+their companions hurriedly joined them, they proceeded to lash
+together. The same operation was going on among the cadets on the other
+side of the brook.
+
+Two long spars were laid down on the ground, at right angles to the
+stream. At the further extremity of these spars a cross piece was
+lashed, projecting on either side. Ropes were attached to the
+projections, and the unconnected ends of the long spars, being held down
+to the ground by several lads, the others quickly raised the connected
+ends, just as a painter hoists a long ladder. The same thing took place
+on the farther side of the brook, and, when both squads were ready, the
+two parts of the bridge that were to form the two slanting sides of a
+double letter "A" were allowed to incline toward each other, from either
+side of the water, cadets having hold of the ropes, regulating and
+guiding the long spars. The big sticks met in mid air, over the centre
+of the stream, and, being well braced at the bottom, held. Then cadets
+climbed up on either side, and united them more firmly by lashing them.
+
+Something like a double letter "A," but without the cross piece, now
+spanned the brook. Or, perhaps, it would be more correct to say that it
+was a double inverted "V." It was necessary to put on cross spars, and
+lay planks on these, or the artillery and cavalry could not get over.
+And, as there were no spars long enough to reach all the way across the
+stream, two sections had to be used on either side of the bridge. They
+were to be tied together, and supported at the centre, or place of
+joining, by long ropes, attached to the apex of the letter "A."
+
+Though up to this time the main attacking party had not been fired on,
+they could not hope to escape much longer. Already puffs of white smoke
+from the hillside indicated that they had been seen by pickets. A minute
+later Dutton's trick was discovered, and Hale ordered his artillery to
+cease firing on the fake bridge builders, and to turn their attack on
+the others.
+
+But Dutton was ready for this. He had his field pieces in position, and,
+as soon as he saw that his soldiers had the bridge well under way, he
+began shelling the defenders, who were rushing down the hill to the
+attack. The infantry also began to pour in a withering fire.
+
+The ropes, by which the long spars had been lowered and inclined across
+the stream, now served as guys to hold them steady and in place, while
+the floor beams were being put in position.
+
+"Lively!" cried Dutton. "They're making it too hot for us! We must cross
+soon, or we'll lose! They came at us quicker than I expected!"
+
+Meanwhile the little force that had started to build the fake bridge had
+(theoretically) been killed.
+
+Now the long floor timbers were in place, being supported at the centre
+by long ropes, hanging from the point of the "A," and the cadets were
+beginning to lay cross planks on them.
+
+"Tell the cavalry to get ready to advance, to protect our crossing,"
+ordered Dutton, to one of his captains, and the troop of lads on their
+restless steeds prepared to rush across the bridge at the first possible
+moment. It had only been a little over three minutes since the building
+of the structure was started, but a heavy artillery fire was being
+concentrated on the attackers, and, in accordance with instructions
+previously given, cadets began dropping out, being supposed to be
+killed.
+
+Dutton's field pieces were pounding away, and there was a thick cloud of
+smoke, which partly concealed the movements of his cadets.
+
+"Bridge is ready, major!" reported a smoke-begrimed lad, running up, and
+saluting. Then he hastened back to continue firing on Hale's soldiers.
+
+"Advance, cavalry!" shouted Dutton. "Lively now! Charge!"
+
+The horses, urged on by their shouting riders, thundered over the frail
+bridge. It trembled and swayed, but it supported them.
+
+"Forward, the infantry!" cried the young major. "On the double quick!
+Here they come down the hill at you! Fire at will! Charge!"
+
+Down the slope of the hill came rushing the defenders. Behind them
+thundered and rumbled their artillery, which was supporting their brave
+advance in the face of the enemy.
+
+"Artillery, forward!" shouted Dutton, waving his sword, and hoping, by
+throwing his entire force suddenly upon Hale's army, to overpower it,
+and get in more shots than could his opponent. That meant he would win
+the battle.
+
+"Shall I stay here?" cried Dick, for he had received no orders what to
+do with his force, and was still on the farther side of the bridge.
+
+"Yes! Until I send for you, or you see that you are needed," called back
+Dutton. "I guess I can get along without you."
+
+Louder roared the cannon; and the cracks of the rifles of the infantry,
+and the carbines of the cavalry, was like the explosion of pack after
+pack of giant firecrackers.
+
+Then something happened. As the three field pieces rumbled across the
+bridge, there was an ominous cracking and splintering sound. Dutton
+heard it and turned back from his rush, which he had started on to be in
+readiness to lead the charge of his artillery. He saw the bridge
+swaying.
+
+"Come on! Come on!" he cried, waving his sword. "Come on!"
+
+But it was too late. The middle supporting ropes had slipped, and the
+bridge collapsed at the centre, letting horses, cannon and cadets down
+into the stream, which, fortunately, was not deep.
+
+Dutton had, at one blow, lost all his artillery, while Hale's was
+advancing to annihilate him and his force. The boom of the defenders'
+field pieces sounded nearer and nearer, while their rifle fire became
+hotter than ever.
+
+Dutton saw himself defeated by the inopportune collapse of the bridge,
+which had been insecurely lashed together. But he would not give up.
+
+"Forward! Forward!" he cried. "Split up and attack 'em on both sides."
+
+His cavalry and infantry rushed forward, firing as they ran. Dick
+Hamilton, left with his little body of troops on the other side of the
+stream, saw his opportunity.
+
+"Quick!" he cried to his lads. "We'll go back and get the guns at the
+fake bridge. Then we'll pull it across and we'll see if we can execute a
+flank movement."
+
+"That's the stuff!" cried some of the lads, who had begun to fear they
+would never get a chance to fire their rifles.
+
+Dick led his men on the double quick to where the field piece, from
+which only a few shots had been fired, had been left. He saw a chance to
+turn defeat into victory.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+DICK WINS THE CONTEST
+
+
+Dutton was desperate when he saw the most efficient arm of his little
+force thus wiped out. He did not turn back to help the cadets in charge
+of the horses and guns, however, as he knew they could look after
+themselves.
+
+And this they did, though they had to cut the traces to get the horses
+loose from the guns, and then haul the field pieces out by hand. This
+took some time, and when the cannon were safe on the other shore they
+could not be used because the harness was cut and the horses could not
+pull them. Besides the guns had turned over and the working parts were
+all wet.
+
+But Major Dutton had not yet given up. He divided his cavalry and
+infantry into two divisions, giving Captain Beeby charge of one, and
+taking the other himself.
+
+Dutton took advantage of a little hollow which, for a few moments
+hindered the advance of the defenders, to execute this move, and he
+hoped to be able to turn the flank of Hale.
+
+"Make as wide a swing as you can," he advised Beeby, "and maybe you can
+get to him before we have to give up," for according to the rules of the
+sham battle about half of Dutton's force was now wiped out. It showed
+his spirit when he was unwilling to send for Dick's reinforcements, but
+he decided he would not owe victory to the lad he hated, if he could
+help it.
+
+Beeby got well away with his cadets before Hale and his forces appeared
+around a little mound on the big hill. Then, though it was hard work to
+handle his artillery there, the major of the defenders made a stand and
+gave pitched battle to the contingent led by Dutton.
+
+For a time the fight waged furiously, but it was unequal, as Dutton had
+no cannon with which to reply to the bombardment he was suffering. Nor
+could his cavalry advance to good advantage up the slope, while Hale's
+had no difficulty in coming down.
+
+"Now, if Beeby would only get there," thought Dutton, "we might win
+yet!"
+
+Alas for his hopes! Hale had suspected some such movement, and had held
+back a reserve force. Skirmishers saw Beeby advancing through the woods,
+and gave the alarm. Then Hale brought up a field piece he had not yet
+used, and opened fire on Beeby's contingent, which Dutton hoped would
+have saved him. There was no help for it. He was on the point of
+ordering a retreat, as the only way of saving a part of his force.
+Still he had a considerable number of cadets left, and they had plenty
+of ammunition.
+
+Meanwhile Dick and his freshmen cadets had not been idle. Under his
+directions they unhitched the six horses from the cannon, and, by
+attaching ropes to the piece they pulled it across the stream on a raft
+they improvised from the boards used to construct the fake bridge. Thus
+the piece was saved from getting wet. The fake bridge builders, who had
+(theoretically) been killed, offered no objection. They could take no
+further part in the battle.
+
+"Who are the best riders?" asked Dick, and several lads modestly offered
+themselves.
+
+"You'll be the cavalry," said the young commander. "You are only six,
+but you'll do for what I want, which is mostly bluff."
+
+He gave the artillery horses to six lads, and bade them ride across the
+stream, which they easily did.
+
+"Wade and swim for the rest of us," said Dick grimly. "Hold your rifles
+above your heads, for, though the cartridges are water-proof, it doesn't
+do the mechanism of a gun any good to get it wet. Lively now. We'll be
+too late if we don't hurry. They're keeping up quite a heavy artillery
+fire."
+
+The eager cadets needed no urging. They crossed the stream in good
+order, not being observed by either Dutton's force, or by the defenders
+of the hill. On the other side Dick looked for the easiest and best way
+of climbing the hill, and going to Dutton's aid.
+
+He saw a sort of trail leading up, and, from the direction of the
+firing, he knew that he could, if undiscovered, take Hale on his left
+flank, Beeby having tried to turn the right unsuccessfully, though Dick
+did not know this then.
+
+It was hard work urging the horses up the steep hill, and harder still
+for the cadets to drag up the field piece, and the limber filled with
+ammunition, little of which had been used. But they did it, and on they
+went.
+
+Dick, coming out on a little projection, could see the battle in
+progress between Dutton and Hale. The latter had all but won, and the
+attackers were fast being driven back. They were a mere handful of
+cadets now, many having been "killed" by the merciless fire. Being
+"killed" in theory meant that a certain number had to drop out every
+minute, and could take no further part in the battle. Of course Hale had
+a number of soldiers "killed" also.
+
+"Hurry!" cried Dick to his lads. "We're only just in time. A little
+farther and we'll plant the field piece and open fire. Then we'll charge
+down."
+
+The lads dragged the cannon a few hundred feet farther up the hill.
+Then, screening it behind some bushes, Dick told off a number of cadets
+to work the gun, they having had previous practice.
+
+"Ready!" he called, and to the surprise of Hale, no less than that of
+Dutton, the woods echoed to the report of artillery where none was
+supposed to be. A white puff of smoke on Hale's left flank told him that
+some movement was in progress over there. He was about to order one of
+his guns to reply to the unexpected bombardment, when there came a
+ringing shout from the same quarter, and, above the cheer, Dick Hamilton
+yelled:
+
+"Charge!"
+
+Down upon the all but victorious defenders of the hill rushed the little
+force of six cavalrymen. Behind them, leading about thirty cadets, who
+were as fresh as daisies, came Dick.
+
+"Charge! Charge!" he yelled, and then he ordered the lads to open fire.
+
+They did it with a will, for they had not had a chance to use their guns
+yet, and they were wild to do so.
+
+What a fire they poured into the ranks of the defenders. How the one
+lone field piece, well screened by bushes, sent shell after shell
+(theoretically) screaming into the midst of the enemy.
+
+Hale was all but demoralized. He had seen victory just within his grasp,
+and now he was attacked by fresh reinforcements. Dutton had been too
+much for him, after all, he thought.
+
+As for Dutton, he hardly knew what to make of it. He could not
+understand how Dick had been able to lead up his forces, to execute a
+successful flank movement, and, above all, to bring a field piece to
+bear.
+
+Hale was now in desperate straits. Encouraged by seeing reinforcements
+Dutton's men turned with cries of gladness to renew the attack. Hale
+tried to reply to them, but his ammunition was getting low. Closer in
+came Dick and his lads, pressing on Hale's flank. On the other side
+Beeby, with the few cadets he had left, returned to the attack. In front
+Dutton and a handful of soldiers poured in a fire. But Dick's was the
+fiercest, aided as it was by the cannon.
+
+There was nothing for Hale to do but to retreat, and he had his bugler
+sound this mournful call. Up the hill he and his men went--what was left
+of them--while after them rushed Dick, now leading the attack.
+
+"Surrender! Surrender!" cried Dutton. "We've got you!"
+
+"I guess you have," admitted Hale. "But if Hamilton hadn't come when he
+did there'd been a different story."
+
+Dutton did not reply, nor did he glance at Dick, who, seeing that the
+battle was over, had ordered his command to cease firing. But, though
+Major Dutton did not acknowledge that Dick had saved the day, he knew
+it, and so did his men.
+
+Major Webster, however, did not withhold his praise.
+
+"Hamilton, you did splendidly!" he cried enthusiastically. "That was a
+master stroke to ford the stream, take the gun over, and use the horses
+for cavalry. Major Dutton, thanks to Captain Hamilton, your forces have
+the honor of having won the sham battle. I congratulate you. I am proud
+of my cadets, even the losers."
+
+"Three cheers for Major Hale!" called Dutton, who was politic, if a
+bully.
+
+The camp rang with the shouts.
+
+"Now three cheers for Major Dutton!" called Hale, and the huzzahs were
+louder than before, for Dutton had a magnetic attractiveness in spite of
+his mean ways with those whom he did not like.
+
+"Three cheers for Captain Hamilton!" called Paul Drew, but, though
+Dick's freshmen nearly yelled the tops of their heads off, the cheer for
+our hero was noticeably weaker than either of the two preceding ones.
+
+Dick smiled grimly, but he knew he had done good work that day.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+UNCLE EZRA AT KENTFIELD
+
+
+The rest of that day, and far into the night, ignoring the warning of
+tattoo and taps, the cadets discussed the sham battle. It had been a
+glorious affair, and they fought it all over again in their tents, the
+defeated ones explaining that if "this" had happened, "that" wouldn't
+have taken place.
+
+"But for all that, you can't deny but that Dick saved the day for
+Dutton," argued Paul.
+
+"He certainly did," was the general reply.
+
+The battle practically ended the military instruction at camp. The next
+day was devoted to resting and light drills. Several lads had received
+severe sprains or bruises, due to their haste or enthusiasm, and one
+horse had a cut leg caused by the accident to the bridge.
+
+There was some disposition to criticize Dutton for not seeing that the
+structure was secure before sending his artillery over, but Major
+Webster declared that as no serious accident had resulted no fault could
+be found. As for the young major it was bitter for him to have to admit,
+as he grudgingly did, that he would have failed but for Dick Hamilton.
+
+Another day spent in camp, when all discipline was relaxed, and the
+cadets were allowed to do about as they pleased, brought the outing to a
+close. Then all sorts of tricks were played, and more than one crowd of
+freshmen found their tent coming down unexpectedly about their heads
+that night, as the mischief makers loosened the pegs.
+
+Bright and early the next morning the tents were struck, the baggage was
+loaded into the wagons, and the "hike" to the academy was begun. The
+cadets fell into line, and with swinging step, to the tune of "The Girl
+I Left Behind Me," paraded off the camping ground.
+
+It was rather hard to settle down again to the grind of lessons, but
+Colonel Masterly and his colleague knew how to handle boys, and in
+between study and recitation periods were drills and cavalry and
+infantry exercises so that gradually the routine was resumed again, and
+every one felt better for the outing.
+
+One day, as Dick and Paul came in from the campus, they saw a notice on
+the bulletin board. It was to the effect that candidates for the
+'Varsity baseball team would report in the gymnasium that night.
+
+"That's the stuff!" cried Dick enthusiastically.
+
+"Are you going to play?" asked Paul.
+
+"Sure. Why not?"
+
+"Well, you didn't get much show at football last year."
+
+"Can't help it. I may this time."
+
+"Dutton is just as much against you as ever."
+
+"I know it, but I may get a chance just the same. I'm going to begin
+training, and I'll keep at it until the last game."
+
+Dick was as good as his word. He rather hoped he might make the regular
+nine, but he learned that Dutton and his set were against him, and the
+best he could do was to be named as a substitute shortstop.
+
+The season opened rather badly for Kentfield, for they lost the first
+game, and that against a small college team. It was because Captain
+Rutledge was so confident that he did not play his men with any vim, and
+several bad fumbles cost them the game.
+
+They won the first of the championship contests with Mooretown academy,
+and lost the second, making it a tie, and so the third game, which would
+be played at Kentfield that spring, would be an important and the
+deciding one.
+
+Dick got an opportunity to play on the regular team once during the last
+few innings, but as the game, which was with a small college, was won by
+the cadets before he went into it, his performance did not receive much
+credit.
+
+"If I only get a chance to play against Mooretown," he said to Paul,
+"I'll be satisfied. Anyhow, I'm one of the subs."
+
+It was the day of the great and deciding game with Mooretown. Dick was
+struggling into his trousers and blouse in his room, when Toots brought
+him word that there was a visitor for him in the reception room.
+
+"Who is it, Toots?" he asked. "I haven't much time. Most of the fellows
+are already on the diamond."
+
+"He says his name is Honeybee, as near as I can make out."
+
+"Honeybee," repeated Dick, much puzzled. "Oh, it must be Larabee. It's
+my Uncle Ezra!"
+
+Then a look of annoyance came over his face.
+
+"If I go down to see him he'll keep me from the game," he thought. "I
+haven't any time to spare. He'll lecture me about the waste of time in
+playing baseball, or the danger of it, or something like that. Or he may
+want me to show him around the academy. No, he's not likely to do that,
+for fear he'd wear out his shoes. I wonder what in the world he can
+want, anyhow? But if I see him now I'll never get a chance to play. I'll
+not see him."
+
+"Toots," he said, "tell my uncle that I have an important engagement,
+and ask him to wait until I come back."
+
+"All right, Mr. Hamilton," replied the janitor. "Shall I tell him what
+it is? Maybe he'd like to see the game," and Toots softly whistled "Just
+Before the Battle, Mother."
+
+"No! No! Don't tell him!" exclaimed Dick. "He thinks baseball is
+wicked. Just say--say anything you like except that. I'll come back as
+soon as the game's over--if I'm alive. He won't mind waiting. It will
+give him a chance to think."
+
+Which perhaps was not exactly polite on Dick's part. He hurried off,
+leaving Uncle Ezra in the reception room, wondering what important
+business his nephew had that kept him so long. And, by not seeing his
+Uncle Ezra, Dick missed hearing a bit of news that was destined to make
+a great change in his affairs. But he heard it later, as you will see.
+
+While our hero was on his way to the field, hoping that he would get a
+chance to play, Uncle Ezra sat in the reception room. He was not very
+impatient at the delay. As Dick had said, it gave him a chance to think.
+
+Presently the door opened, and Russell Glen looked in the apartment. He
+was in search of Dutton, having been told the young major was there. Not
+seeing his friend, he was about to withdraw, with an apology for having
+disturbed Mr. Larabee.
+
+"Are you one of the students here?" asked Dick's uncle, who was getting
+rather tired waiting.
+
+"Yes. I'm in my second year."
+
+"Ah, then you must know my nephew, Richard Hamilton?"
+
+"Oh, yes, I know Dick."
+
+"Richard is his proper name," corrected Mr. Larabee stiffly.
+
+Glen nodded, and was about to go out.
+
+"If you see him, I wish you would tell him to hurry," went on Mr.
+Larabee. "I have been waiting for some time for him, but he sent word
+that he had an important engagement, and would see me later."
+
+Glen guessed what the "engagement" was, so he merely nodded.
+
+"I want to see him very particularly," continued the aged man, "as I
+have some important news for him. It may make a great difference in his
+life. In fact, I'm sure it will."
+
+Glen opened his eyes at this, and decided not to go just yet.
+
+"Has some one left him some more millions?" he asked in a joking tone.
+
+"Far from it," said Mr. Larabee in solemn accents.
+
+"Eh?" asked Glen, wondering what was coming.
+
+"I always said it was foolish for my sister to leave Richard so much
+money," went on Mr. Larabee severely, "and I told Mortimer Hamilton that
+he was risking his money to go to Europe. Now, what I said would happen
+has happened."
+
+"Is Mr. Hamilton in trouble?" asked Glen, not a little rejoiced to find
+that difficulties were in store for Dick.
+
+"Well, I'd call it trouble to lose nearly all my fortune. But it serves
+Mortimer right, and Richard also."
+
+"Has Mr. Hamilton lost his money?" inquired Glen, coming closer to Mr.
+Larabee.
+
+"Practically so."
+
+"And Dick?"
+
+"A large part of his is gone also. It was invested with Mr. Hamilton's.
+I received word of it yesterday, and I hurried to come here and tell
+him. A New York bank, in which Mr. Hamilton was largely interested, and
+in which were most of Dick's funds, as well his father's, has failed."
+
+"Then Mr. Hamilton isn't a millionaire any longer?"
+
+"I fear not."
+
+"And Dick?" asked Glen eagerly.
+
+"He has very little left."
+
+"Whew!" whistled the cadet. This would be news indeed to the students.
+He must hasten and tell them.
+
+"That's what I came to see my nephew about," went on Mr. Larabee. "I
+want him to come away from this expensive school, and live with me until
+his father returns. Oh, the money that young man has wasted! It is
+awful! Terrible!" and Uncle Ezra seemed about to faint with the horror
+of it.
+
+"Shall I find Dick for you?" asked Glen.
+
+"I wish you would, young man. I want to tell him this news, and take him
+back with me. I have a return ticket on the railroad, and if I stay
+over night it will be no good. Besides I am afraid my hired man will use
+kerosene oil in starting the fire if I am not home by morning, and he
+might burn down the house. One can not be too careful of money. Mortimer
+and my nephew are a terrible example. Find him for me, if you will,
+please."
+
+"I will," promised Glen, hurrying away. "My word!" he exclaimed as he
+ran out on the campus. "Hamilton's money all gone! Then he's no better
+than the rest of us now. He'll come down a peg or two."
+
+Considering that Dick had never tried to hang himself on a "peg," this
+seemed a useless as well as cruel remark.
+
+"I wish I had borrowed a hundred from him yesterday, instead of fifty,"
+mused Glen, as he hurried on toward the baseball field. As he neared it
+he heard shouts and cheers.
+
+"The game's started," he exclaimed, as he broke into a run.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+DICK'S GREAT RUN
+
+
+Dick Hamilton hurried across to the players' bench, tightening his belt
+as he ran.
+
+"If I only get a chance to play," he kept thinking. "I don't care what
+happens after that, nor what Uncle Ezra may want."
+
+The game soon started, and it began to look bad for Kentfield, for the
+outfielders made several costly errors, and at the ending of the sixth
+inning the score was eight to three, in favor of Mooretown.
+
+"Looks rather bad," said Captain Rutledge to the coach.
+
+"Nonsense," replied Hale. "You can win yet. Take a brace, that's all."
+
+Kentfield had elected to be last at the bat, and, in the beginning of
+the seventh inning, when Mooretown was up, Perkins, the regular short
+stop, split his hand in stopping a "hot" ball. The other players
+gathered about him.
+
+"I guess it's all up with us now," remarked Dutton, from his seat in the
+grandstand. "We haven't got anyone who can play like Perkins. Hamilton
+is green. Our goose is cooked."
+
+"Say, I've got some news about Hamilton," spoke Russell Glen, worming
+his way to Dutton's side, during the lull in the contest following the
+injury of Perkins.
+
+"I don't care. I want to see how this game is coming out."
+
+Perkins walked to the bench, blood dripping from his hand.
+
+"Hamilton!" cried Captain Rutledge, and Dick sprang from the bench,
+pulling off his sweater. His chance had come.
+
+"Hamilton's going to play," said Dutton. "Oh, what a score they'll roll
+up against us! They'll knock all their balls at him, and he'll miss
+them. What were you saying about Hamilton?" he went on, turning to Glen.
+"This is tough luck, though!"
+
+"Hamilton has lost all his money!" cried Glen, and his tone seemed to
+show that he relished the news.
+
+"No!"
+
+"Fact. His uncle told me," and Glen related the story he had received
+from Mr. Larabee.
+
+Dutton was greatly surprised, and so were several other cadets who
+overheard what Glen had said. But there was little time to speculate on
+it, as the game was under way again.
+
+Whether it was Dick's presence at shortstop, or because the other
+players on his team braced up, was not evident. At any rate, Mooretown
+was held down to a goose egg in that inning, and when it came the turn
+of Kentfield to show what the nine could do in the ending of the seventh
+inning, there were three runs to the credit of the cadets, Dick having
+made one.
+
+"The score is six to eight!" murmured Glen to Dutton. "Hamilton isn't
+doing so bad."
+
+"No, but he would if he knew all his money was gone, I guess."
+
+"Maybe we ought to tell him," suggested the sporty student.
+
+"I wish I could," murmured Dutton.
+
+The game went on fiercely. It was nip and tuck all the while now, for
+Kentfield's chances had improved wonderfully, and they were fighting
+hard to win.
+
+In the eighth inning neither side scored. There was an anxious look on
+the faces of all the players as the ninth opened. Mooretown could afford
+to smile, however, as she was still two runs ahead. At first it looked
+as if she would pile up several more tallies on this score, for the
+Kentfield pitcher gave two men their bases on balls, and the next man
+got to first on an easy fly.
+
+A heavy hitter was up next, and at the first crack he sent a "hot liner"
+straight at Dick. Our hero did not flinch, though the impact was
+terrific. He caught the ball squarely, and the batter was out. Then, by
+a neat double play, Dick and the third baseman put out another man who
+was trying to steal home.
+
+The next batter struck out, retiring Mooretown without a run, but still
+leaving them two ahead.
+
+"Now, fellows, we must show them what we're made of!" cried the captain.
+"We want three runs this inning!"
+
+Captain Rutledge did his share by getting one, and another was brought
+in by a narrow margin, tying the score.
+
+"One to win!" cried the coach.
+
+"Hamilton up!" announced the score keeper.
+
+"And two out!" added Dutton to Glen. "He can never do it. We're dumped
+already."
+
+Dick took his place at the plate. It was a trying ordeal for a
+substitute player, and the eyes of all the spectators were upon him. The
+result of the game, in a great measure, depended on him. If he did not
+get the winning run, it meant that the game would go another inning, and
+the chances of Kentfield would not be improved. For their pitcher's arm
+was going "back on him," and Mooretown's man was still good for much
+twirling.
+
+Amid a silence that was almost painful, Dick waited for the first ball.
+It came, but he did not move his bat.
+
+"One strike!" called the umpire, and there was something like a groan
+among the Kentfield players.
+
+The next was a ball, and the following one looked as if it was going
+fairly over the plate. But Dick did not attempt to hit it.
+
+"Two strikes!"
+
+It was like a death knell.
+
+"He's cutting it pretty fine," murmured the captain nervously.
+
+"Hamilton's all right," said Coach Hale confidently.
+
+A moment later there came a resounding crack, as Dick's bat met the ball
+fairly. The horsehide went up in a graceful curve, and then sailed far
+out toward right field.
+
+"Go on! Go on! Go on!" yelled Captain Rutledge, but his voice was lost
+in the roar that greeted Dick's hit. The young millionaire was leaping
+toward first base, while the right fielder was sprinting after the ball.
+
+"A home run! A home run!" begged the coach, and it looked as if Dick
+would do it.
+
+He got to third, and started for home. The fielder had the ball by this
+time, and relayed it to second. The man there threw it to third just as
+Dick left. Possibly it was an error of judgment, but Dick kept on. He
+could distinguish no coaching instructions now above the yells, though
+Hale was calling to him to remain on the bag. But Dick kept on.
+
+Then, by some curious chance, the third baseman, instead of sending the
+ball home, held it in his hand, and raced after Dick. It was a contest
+of legs now. The baseman ignored the demands of the catcher to throw the
+ball, and leaped after Dick, who ran as he had never run before. He saw
+a vision of the game won, and, though his breath was coming in labored
+gasps, he did not stop. There was a mist before his eyes. His legs were
+tottering.
+
+"Jove! But he can run!" whispered Dutton. "I never saw anything like
+it!"
+
+"You bet!" agreed Glen fervidly.
+
+On and on ran Dick. One quick glance over his shoulder showed him the
+baseman at his heels. He expected every moment to see the catcher get
+the ball, and put him out. But the horsehide did not come, and, the next
+instant, when Dick felt as if he could not go another inch, or draw
+another breath, he dropped, and slid home in a cloud of dust.
+
+"Safe!" cried the umpire, and, as he spoke, the baseman, realizing the
+proper play, threw the ball. But it was too late. Dick had brought in
+the winning run.
+
+"Wow! Wow! Wow! Hamilton! Hamilton! Hamilton! Whoop!" yelled the
+frenzied players. Above their shouts could be heard the shrill cries of
+many girls.
+
+From the stands burst forth mighty cheers. A crowd of the cadet players
+surrounded Dick and would have carried him on their shoulders had he
+allowed them. They patted him on the back, and even punched him in their
+uncontrollable joy.
+
+"Hamilton, you're entitled to the thanks of the entire school!" cried
+Coach Hale, rushing up, and wringing Dick's hand.
+
+"We never could have won but for you!" admitted the captain. "Wow! but
+it was a fierce game!" and he sat down on the grass to recover his wind,
+after his lusty cheers.
+
+They escorted Dick back to the dressing room in a sort of triumphal
+procession, scores of cadets pouring from the stands to join it. Never
+did a hero takes his honors more modestly. It was enough for Dick that
+he had helped win the victory, and he saw coming to him now what he had
+waited nearly a year for--fellowship.
+
+Through the throng came Dutton and Glen.
+
+"I say, Hamilton," called Glen, "your uncle's waiting for you."
+
+"I know it," answered Dick. "But I couldn't talk to him until after the
+game."
+
+"He's got news for you--bad news," went on Glen, with the relish some
+persons seem to take in telling of calamities.
+
+"What is it?" inquired Dick, alarmed by the cadet's words and manner.
+
+"Your father's fortune is wiped out, and so's yours! The New York bank
+has failed!"
+
+For an instant Dick stared at the speaker. Then a changed look came over
+his face. He stepped forward, his suit covered with dirt, his face
+bleeding from a scratch, and still panting from his great run.
+
+"My fortune lost?" he said. "I don't care a hang! We've won the game!"
+
+There was a moment of silence so surprised were the cadets at the
+manner in which Dick took the news. Then Glen cried out:
+
+"My word, but you're plucky! Three cheers for Hamilton--who used to be a
+millionaire--but isn't any longer," he added, and Dick's ears rang with
+the joyous shouts.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+A BROADSWORD COMBAT
+
+
+"Well, Nephew Richard, I've been waiting some time for you," said Uncle
+Ezra Larabee a little later, when Dick, having gotten out of his suit
+and donned his cadet uniform, went into the reception room. "I've been
+here for some time, and very likely I've lost my train, but I couldn't
+go back without seeing you."
+
+"I'm sorry I kept you so long, Uncle Ezra," replied Dick, "but you see I
+was in a baseball game, and I couldn't leave until we won. It was very
+important to win."
+
+"Stuff and nonsense!" exclaimed the old man. "Baseball is a dangerous
+and wicked game. It leads to all sorts of trouble. When I was a boy we
+played such sensible games as tag and blind-man's buff. Baseball! The
+idea!"
+
+"The cadets of Kentfield would look pretty playing tag," thought Dick,
+but he did not say anything.
+
+"I have some bad news for you, Nephew Richard," went on Uncle Ezra. "I
+suppose you wonder what it is."
+
+"I know."
+
+"You know?"
+
+"Yes, Glen told me."
+
+"Oh, he must be the young man whom I was talking to. Well, I regret very
+much to be the bearer of such ill tidings," went on Mr. Larabee, "but,
+if you are hoping that it is not true, you are much mistaken. I received
+word from New York yesterday that the bank in which was most of your
+father's wealth, as well as your own, which your mother, my sister, so
+foolishly left you----"
+
+"Sir!" cried Dick, for he could not bear to hear his mother spoken of in
+that way.
+
+"Well, I think it foolish to leave a youth so much money," said Mr.
+Larabee, "and now my judgment is confirmed. You are no longer a
+millionaire."
+
+"I don't know as I care much," said Dick coolly. "My money didn't do as
+much as I expected it would."
+
+"Foolish, perverse youth," murmured his uncle. "But you must make a
+change in your plans. You can no longer stay at this expensive school.
+You had better pack up your things and come home with me to Dankville. I
+will look after you until your father comes home from Europe. Doubtless
+I may be able to get you a position in a woolen mill in which I am
+interested. If you hurry we can take the late train, and I will be able
+to use the excursion ticket I bought."
+
+Dick considered matters a moment. Then he said:
+
+"I don't think I'll go with you, Uncle Ezra."
+
+"Not go with me? Why, what will you do?"
+
+"Stay here and finish out the spring term. I'm just beginning to enjoy
+himself. There are only a few weeks left."
+
+"But how can you? You have very little, if any, money."
+
+"My tuition and board are paid up to the end of this term," said Dick
+calmly. "I have considerable money on deposit in the Kentfield bank,
+that I drew out from my funds at Hamilton Corners, when I came here.
+That will last me for some time. I think I prefer staying here to going
+back to--to Dankville."
+
+"Well, of all the foolish, idiotic, senseless, rash proceedings I ever
+heard of!" exclaimed Uncle Ezra. "The idea! You will stay here and use
+up what little money is saved from the wreck of your fortune! Why, maybe
+you could get a rebate on what has been paid for board and tuition."
+
+"I shouldn't think of asking for it," said Dick. "No, I think I'll stick
+it out here."
+
+There was a movement at the door, and something came into the room,
+something that slid up to Dick, and began wiggling at his feet.
+
+"Quiet, Grit, old boy," he said.
+
+"Is that your bulldog?" asked Uncle Ezra.
+
+"Yes; he was too lonesome at home without me, so I sent for him. He
+stays in the stable."
+
+"Another foolish and useless expense," murmured the old man. "Oh, what
+is the world coming to!"
+
+Dick didn't know, so he didn't answer.
+
+"Think well," went on Mr. Larabee. "You had better come home with me. I
+can get you work in the woolen mill."
+
+"I'll stay here," replied Dick firmly.
+
+"Then I wash my hands of you!" exclaimed the aged man. "Never appeal to
+me for help! I am done with you! Of all the foolish, thoughtless, rash
+youths I ever met, you are the worst; and your father----"
+
+What Mr. Larabee would have said about Mr. Hamilton he never finished,
+for Grit, hearing the voice of a man he considered his enemy, made a
+rush from under the table where he was lying, and growled as though he
+was going to sample Uncle Ezra's legs.
+
+"Take that brute away!" exclaimed Dick's crabbed relative, but before
+the order could be executed Mr. Larabee turned and fled from the room,
+Grit pursuing him as far as the hall.
+
+"I guess we've seen the last of him for a while," mused Dick. "Eh, Grit,
+old boy?"
+
+The bulldog nearly shook off his stump of a tail.
+
+"Well, I guess I had better write to dad, and find out how bad things
+really are," he went on. "Still, there's no use worrying. I got along
+all right before I knew I was a millionaire, and I guess I can now when
+I'm not."
+
+Someone looked in the reception room. It was Glen.
+
+"I say, Hamilton," he remarked, "the boys are looking all over for you.
+They want you to lead a procession. We're going to have a grand
+celebration, burn the uniforms, and break training to celebrate the
+victory. Hurry up!"
+
+"This is worth losing one's money for," thought Dick, as he took his
+place at the head of the procession of merry, shouting, laughing cadets.
+"I'm getting to be popular, I guess."
+
+Indeed, whether it was his victory on the diamond or the loss of his
+money, it would be hard to say, but, at any rate, more cadets made
+friends with Dick that night than had done so in his whole previous time
+at Kentfield.
+
+But though Dick had won the hearts of the baseball nine and their
+friends, he was still far from being one of the really popular lads in
+the school. Dutton and his cronies held aloof from him, and many
+followed their example.
+
+But, unexpectedly, there came a great change in Dick's life, and Dutton
+was partly responsible for it. Dick and some of his companions were at
+broadsword exercise on horseback one day, while, on the farther side of
+the cavalry plain, there was a class drilling in artillery, under the
+direction of Dutton. Dick was fencing with Lyndon Butler, when suddenly
+Dutton's steed, frightened by the discharge of a cannon near it, reared,
+throwing the young major off.
+
+Dutton's foot caught in the stirrup, and he was dragged along, unable to
+release himself, while six artillery horses, drawing a heavy gun, dashed
+down the field and seemed about to collide with the youthful major's
+animal.
+
+Dick saw a chance to save his enemy, and turned his horse quickly, to
+make a dash. So rapid was his movement that Butler's sword gave him a
+gash in the face, Dick forgetting, in the excitement of the moment, to
+guard himself. With the blood streaming from a cut on his cheek Dick
+urged his horse at a gallop until he had caught Dutton's runaway mount.
+He did it only just in time, for, as he pulled the beast, still dragging
+the young major, to one side, the artillery steeds dashed over the spot.
+Dutton would have been killed but for Dick's prompt act.
+
+Major Webster rode up quickly, and was glad to find that neither Dick
+nor Dutton was seriously hurt.
+
+"Who caught my horse?" asked Dutton, as he struggled to his feet. "The
+last I remember was seeing him running toward the artillery animals, and
+I made up my mind there'd be quite a smash when they met."
+
+"They didn't meet, thanks to Dick Hamilton," said the elderly major. "He
+stopped your horse just in time."
+
+"And got a nasty cut into the bargain," added another cadet.
+
+Dick was beginning to feel a trifle dizzy. He turned aside. Dutton took
+a step forward, in spite of his strained ankle.
+
+"Hamilton," he said, and there was a husky note in his voice.
+
+Dick turned back.
+
+"Hamilton--I--er--I--I--will you shake hands?" asked Dutton suddenly,
+and he seemed much affected.
+
+Dick grasped the outstretched hand, and the two, one of whom had been an
+unrelenting enemy of the other, looked into each other's eyes.
+
+"Hamilton," went on Dutton, still holding Dick's hand, "I don't know how
+to thank you. Will you--will you forgive me?"
+
+"Oh--there's nothing to forgive," said Dick.
+
+"Yes, there is," said Dutton huskily. "I've treated you--I've been a
+cad, that's what I have! I didn't like you at first--I thought you were
+proud of your millions. I didn't like the idea of you being here--I was
+jealous, I guess. I wanted to make you quit. It was I who tied your dog
+to the saluting gun, and tried to throw the blame on you. I've done
+other mean things. I--I----"
+
+"Forget it!" said Dick so heartily that the other cadets laughed, and
+thus broke what was becoming quite a strain.
+
+Major Webster, when he heard the beginning of Dutton's confession,
+walked away. He was a wise old soldier, and he knew that the lads could
+best settle those things among themselves.
+
+"And you don't bear me any grudge?" asked Dutton, after a pause.
+
+"Not a bit. But you'd better get back to the hospital and have your
+ankle looked after," for Dutton was limping.
+
+"Oh, that isn't anything. It might just as well have been my head. But,
+say, you got a nasty dig."
+
+"Only a scratch," replied Dick with a happy laugh. He would have
+welcomed another one if it could have insured him such an outcome as had
+followed this.
+
+"I guess we'd better take you both to the hospital," said Butler, who
+had ridden up, fearful lest he had seriously injured Dick.
+
+And thither the two wounded cadets were taken, though their stay there
+was brief.
+
+It was a week after the sensational rescue of Dutton that a meeting of
+the exclusive society of the Sacred Pig was held in the cosy little
+club-house which had been built by contributions and donations of the
+cadets themselves or their fathers. Dutton arose and proposed Dick for
+membership, the election being unanimous.
+
+The next day being Saturday, was an occasion for the cadets enjoying
+considerable freedom. It was after the evening parade, when Dick and
+some of his new chums had received permission to go to town to a
+theatrical performance, that Major Webster sent for our hero.
+
+"I'll not keep you a moment, Hamilton," he said, "as I know your
+friends are waiting for you. But you remember that battered marksman's
+medal that Toots had, and which you requested me to investigate for
+you?"
+
+"Yes; have you any information about it?"
+
+"I have. I sent it to a friend of mine, an officer at Fort Laramie,
+Wyoming, and he has just returned it. With it he sends some surprising
+news."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"That medal was issued to Corporal William Handlee, a number of years
+ago."
+
+"Corporal Handlee--the missing soldier--Captain Handlee's son?"
+
+"The very same."
+
+"Why, how--where did Toots get it, I wonder? Is it possible that he----"
+
+"We must ask him. I will question him to-night, and let you know the
+result. Hark, there he comes now."
+
+Someone was coming down the corridor, whistling the lively strains of
+"Yankee Doodle."
+
+"That's Toots," said Dick with a smile. "I wonder how he came to have
+Handlee's medal. Can he possibly be----"
+
+But at that instant there came a series of excited shouts from outside.
+
+"Fire! Fire! Fire!"
+
+Dick and the major rushed to the window.
+
+"Fire! Fire!" shouted Toots, as he ran back along the corridor.
+
+Dick saw a black pall of smoke, through which shot red tongues of flame.
+
+"It's the society house of the Sacred Pig," he cried.
+
+And it was from the windows of the meeting place of the cadets' society
+that the flames were shooting.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI
+
+DICK WRITES A CHECK--CONCLUSION
+
+
+As Dick, followed by the major, rushed from the barracks to go to the
+fire, the housekeeper thrust an envelope into the young millionaire's
+hand.
+
+"It is a telegram that just came for you," she explained.
+
+Dick shoved it into his pocket without opening it. Then he joined the
+throng of excited and alarmed students that had gathered about the
+burning society headquarters.
+
+A small fire department was maintained at the academy, but as the
+buildings of the school were all fireproof, the brigade was not a very
+large one, and was only equipped with chemical apparatus.
+
+"We must telephone for the town fire department," cried Dutton.
+
+"They won't get here in time to do much," said Major Webster. "Better
+save what you can inside, boys."
+
+They saw that what he said was true. There was a stiff wind blowing,
+fanning the flames to furnace heat. The blaze had started on the upper
+floor, and had already eaten its way through the roof. No one knew what
+had caused the fire, as there was no one in the place when it started,
+and it had burned for some time before breaking out.
+
+Fortunately, the structure was well away from any of the academy
+buildings, and there was little danger to them.
+
+"Let's save what we can!" cried Dick, and the boys began running in,
+carrying out such of the trophies as they could find on the lower floor.
+But it soon became too hot for them, and Major Webster, fearing someone
+would get hurt, ordered the work of salvage to cease.
+
+"Too bad!" observed Russell Glen, as he and others watched the handsome
+brick and stone building crumbling into ruins. "And we counted on having
+such sport there next term."
+
+"Well, it's insured, isn't it?" asked Dick. "We can collect the money,
+and build a better one."
+
+"Insured!" suddenly cried Dutton. "There, I meant to attend to that, but
+it slipped my mind!"
+
+"What did?" asked Allen Rutledge.
+
+"The insurance. It expired the day before yesterday."
+
+"And do you mean to say you forgot to get it renewed?"
+
+"I forgot all about it."
+
+"And haven't we a cent of insurance on it?" asked Paul Drew.
+
+"Not a penny. It's all my fault. I meant to get new policies, but I put
+it off and now----"
+
+"Now it's too late," said Rutledge. "You're a fine treasurer, you are."
+
+Amazement and chagrin made Dutton incapable of replying. The cadets
+looked on sorrowfully, as they saw their society house being destroyed,
+knowing that it would be no easy matter to get the money for a new one.
+
+Suddenly there was an explosion from within, and a shower of stones from
+one of the walls flew into the air.
+
+"Look out!" cried Dick.
+
+He and the others leaped back in time, but Toots, who was in the front
+rank of spectators, having helped to carry out many valued relics, did
+not seem to hear. A moment later a fragment of stone struck him on the
+head, and he fell down.
+
+"Toots is hurt!" cried Dick, running up to the odd janitor, whom all the
+cadets liked because of his pleasant ways.
+
+"Carry him to the hospital, boys," said the major. "I'll have the
+surgeon attend to him. Maybe he isn't hurt much."
+
+But from the blood on the head of poor Toots, it would seem that the
+wound was not a small one.
+
+Sorrowfully Dick and his chums carried the unconscious man. There was
+little use remaining at the fire now, for it was almost out, having
+consumed everything save the walls.
+
+"He isn't badly hurt," announced the surgeon cheerfully, when he had
+examined Toots. "Only a cut on the head. He'll be all right in a few
+days."
+
+Suddenly the injured man, who had been placed on a couch in the
+hospital, sat up. He felt of the bandage on his head. Then he looked
+around wildly.
+
+"Did we beat the red imps off?" he asked. "Why is it I don't hear the
+firing? Have they retreated? Am I badly hurt? Let me get at 'em again!
+I'm a good shot! I can pick 'em off!"
+
+He started from his couch, but the surgeon gently pressed him back.
+
+"What's the matter, Toots?" he asked. "Where do you think you are?"
+
+"Toots? Who's Toots? I'm Corporal Bill Handlee, and I must get back to
+my post. I'm a sharpshooter, and the Indians are attacking us."
+
+The surgeon looked at the injured man in amazement. He thought Toots was
+delirious. But to Dick the thrilling words meant much. He pressed
+forward. In his hand he held the battered marksman's medal which Major
+Webster had returned to him.
+
+"Is this yours, Corporal Handlee?" he asked.
+
+"Yes; where did you get it?" asked Toots. "But why don't some of you
+speak? Have we beaten off the red imps?"
+
+"Yes," said Dick gently, understanding the whole story now. "They were
+beaten back some years ago, Toots. Oh, I've found you at last! Won't
+your father be glad!"
+
+"My father?" and Toots, or, as we must call him now, Corporal Handlee,
+looked dazed. "My father knows where I am."
+
+"He doesn't, but he soon will," said Dick joyfully, and by degrees, he
+told the story of how he had agreed to help Captain Handlee locate his
+missing son, and how, by a strange trick of fate, he had been found.
+
+And that Toots was this missing son there was no doubt. His memory, a
+blank for many years, because of a bullet wound on the head, received in
+a fight with the Indians out west, had been restored to him. The surgeon
+explained it by saying that the blow from the stone, which exploded from
+the heat, had undone the injury caused by the bullet, by relieving the
+pressure of a certain bone on the brain. Such cases are rare, but not
+altogether unknown, he added, and persons who had forgotten for many
+years who they were suddenly recalled the past.
+
+Of course Toots, or, Corporal Handlee, as we must now call him, could
+not tell where he had been all the years that he was missing. The last
+he remembered was taking part in an Indian fight, and being wounded.
+When he recovered consciousness from the blow of the hot stone, he
+thought he was still at Fort Lamarie. He had forgotten all the
+intervening time, including several years spent at Kentfield.
+
+It was surmised that he must have wandered away after the Indian fight,
+recovered, though with his memory gone, taken another name, and then
+drifted about, until he secured a place at the military academy. That,
+the officers recalled, was five years ago.
+
+The corporal had not recognized his own photograph, though something in
+his hazy memory made him think he knew the man the picture represented.
+His own medal as a marksman he had supposed belong to another.
+
+"I must send Captain Handlee a telegram at once," said Dick, when the
+excitement had calmed down. "It will be great news for him."
+
+Leaving Corporal Handlee in charge of the surgeon, the old soldier being
+quite weak, and hardly able to understand all that had happened, Dick
+started for the telegraph office, which was not far from the school. He
+sent the message to the old captain, and, in getting out his money to
+pay for it, he put his hand in the pocket into which he had thrust the
+telegram the housekeeper had given him.
+
+"Guess I'd better read it," he murmured. "The fire and finding Corporal
+Handlee made me forget all about it."
+
+It was from his father, and was very short, but the news it contained
+made Dick throw his cap up into the air, and yell out in pure delight.
+
+"Wow!" he cried. "Wow! Wow! Wow!"
+
+The operator came running from his little office.
+
+"Got bad news?" he asked.
+
+"Bad?" repeated Dick "No, it's the best in the world! My dad's coming
+home!"
+
+"Seems to me you're making quite a fuss about it."
+
+"So would you if you knew what else he said," spoke Dick, as he rushed
+from the building.
+
+He found most of his chums grouped around the ruins of the society
+house. They were talking about the fire.
+
+"It's all my fault," Dutton was saying. "I guess I'll resign as
+treasurer."
+
+"I guess we won't have any society, if we can't have a meeting place,"
+observed Hale, sorrowfully.
+
+"Say, Dutton, have you a fountain pen?" asked Dick, as he came up beside
+his former enemy.
+
+"I guess so. What do you want it for?"
+
+"I'll show you."
+
+Dick sat down on a pile of debris. From his pocket he took a thin, red
+book, and commenced writing in it by the light of the embers of the
+ruined society house. Presently he tore out a slip of paper and handed
+it to Dutton.
+
+"What--what's this?" stammered the treasurer of the Sacred Pig.
+"Why--why--Hamilton!"
+
+"What is it?" demanded a score of voices, as the cadets crowded up.
+
+"It's a check--a check," stammered Dutton, as he saw the figures which
+Dick had written in, and noted that they occupied four places. "It's a
+check!"
+
+"To rebuild the society house of the Sacred Pig," said our hero simply.
+
+"But I--I thought you lost all your money, Hamilton," said Dutton.
+
+"I thought so, too," replied Dick. "So did Uncle Ezra, but I cabled to
+dad, and it's all a mistake. He took all our funds from the bank that
+failed before he went abroad. We didn't lose a cent."
+
+"Then you're a millionaire yet, aren't you?" asked Dutton.
+
+"I'm--I'm afraid so," answered Dick.
+
+There was silence for a moment, and then the cadets seemed to understand
+what Dick had done. They looked at the piece of paper fluttering in
+Dutton's hand. It meant that they could have a new and better
+headquarters for their society.
+
+"Three cheers for Dick Hamilton!" called several, and Dick's ears rang
+to the sweetest music he had ever heard.
+
+They all wanted to shake hands with him at once, and they made so much
+noise that Colonel Masterly sent one of the teachers out to see if the
+fire had started afresh.
+
+"It's only the cadets cheering Mr. Hamilton, sir," replied the
+instructor, when he returned.
+
+"Hum! He's getting to be quite popular," said the colonel, with a smile,
+for he understood about Dick's handicap.
+
+And there was abundant evidence of his popularity a little later on, for
+they insisted on carrying Dick on their shoulders to the saluting
+cannon, where all important events were celebrated, and there they did a
+sort of war dance about him. Dick would have been glad to escape, but
+they would not let him.
+
+"We don't want your money, honey, we want you!" they sang. And Dick knew
+that they spoke the truth. He had fulfilled another condition of his
+mother's will, and become popular in spite of his wealth, though for a
+time he feared this would never happen. He had thought of a plan to
+pretend that he had suddenly grown poor, but Uncle Ezra's mistake made
+this unnecessary.
+
+"I don't know whether it's more fun to be rich or poor," thought Dick,
+as he went to bed that night. But he had other adventures, in which his
+great wealth played a part, and those of you who care to follow Dick
+Hamilton's fortunes further may read of them in the next volume of this
+series, to be called: "Dick Hamilton's Steam Yacht; or, A Young
+Millionaire and the Kidnappers."
+
+"Well, how are you feeling this morning, Toots--I mean Corporal?" asked
+Dick, about a week later, when the janitor was able to leave the
+hospital.
+
+"Fine. I'd never know I'd been sick. That was a lucky thing to get hit
+with a stone, so I could know who I really was. But I'm anxious to get
+home and see my father, since you say he's not well."
+
+"Oh, he's not seriously ill," said Dick. "I had a letter from Henry
+Darby about him. He's so pleased that you have been located, that a
+sight of you is about all the medicine he needs."
+
+"I can go home to him in a few days, Colonel Masterly says."
+
+"You want to give us an exhibition of shooting before you go," suggested
+Dick.
+
+"I'm afraid I'm all out of practice," objected the former corporal.
+
+But he was not, as he very quickly proved, when he and some chums of
+Dick went to the rifle range. There the soldier made bullseye after
+bullseye with an ease that made the cadets fairly gasp, and he did all
+sorts of fancy shooting, including driving a tack in a board from even a
+greater distance than even Captain Handlee had boasted that his son
+could do it.
+
+"I guess it must have been that my eyes were affected by that Indian
+bullet," said the corporal. "They got all right again when the stone
+from the fire hit me."
+
+Later, the surgeon admitted that this was probably true.
+
+A short time after this Corporal Bill Handlee joined his aged father in
+Hamilton Corners, and the two enjoyed many happy years together, thanks
+to Mr. Hamilton's generosity, and what Dick had done to solve the
+mystery.
+
+"Well, Grit, old boy," said our hero one day near the close of the term,
+as he was strolling over the campus, followed by his ugly pet, and with
+Paul Drew, William the Silent and some other cadets at his side, "well,
+Grit, I think you and I will go home soon. Dad will be home next week,
+and say, maybe we won't have some good times; eh, Grit?"
+
+The bulldog nearly turned a summersault to show how glad, he was. A few
+days later Dick and his dog were at Hamilton Corners, ready for the
+summer vacation.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+    Transcriber's Note:
+
+    Punctuation and hyphenation have been standardised. Changes to the
+    original publication have been made as follows:
+
+    Page 2
+
+    I'll swin out farther than _changed to_
+    I'll swim out farther than
+
+    Page 11
+
+    crawled alone _changed to_
+    crawled along
+
+    Page 15
+
+    as well stay. Hanniabal _changed to_
+    as well stay. Hannibal
+
+    Page 18
+
+    exicting adventures _changed to_
+    exciting adventures
+
+    Page 29
+    Catpain Handlee called _changed to_
+    Captain Handlee called
+
+    Page 33
+
+    but accidently stepped _changed to_
+    but accidentally stepped
+
+    Page 41
+
+    amid a chorous of _changed to_
+    amid a chorus of
+
+    Page 49
+
+    for reasons similiar _changed to_
+    for reasons similar
+
+    Page 58
+
+    rather akward feelings _changed to_
+    rather awkward feelings
+
+    Page 75
+
+    transfered to Dick's company _changed to_
+    transferred to Dick's company
+
+    Page 79
+
+    annouced Dutton _changed to_
+    announced Dutton
+
+    Page 83
+
+    suddently exclaimed _changed to_
+    suddenly exclaimed
+
+    Page 88
+
+    asked the odd man _changed to_
+    asked the old man
+
+    Page 95
+
+    have more acquaintences _changed to_
+    have more acquaintances
+
+    Page 105
+
+    having disloged the enemy _changed to_
+    having dislodged the enemy
+
+    Page 106
+
+    Very well, then, You _changed to_
+    Very well, then, you
+
+    Page 110
+
+    He got us out of bad scrape _changed to_
+    He got us out of a bad scrape
+
+    Page 113
+
+    stiffled the cry of pain _changed to_
+    stifled the cry of pain
+
+    Page 115
+
+    was never know, but _changed to_
+    was never known, but
+
+    Page 120
+
+    enjoyed by the cadtes _changed to_
+    enjoyed by the cadets
+
+    Page 120
+
+    they offered changes _changed to_
+    they offered chances
+
+    Page 125
+
+    All the candiates _changed to_
+    All the candidates
+
+    Page 128
+
+    asked Dutton colly _changed to_
+    asked Dutton coolly
+
+    Page 131
+
+    slippen into his _changed to_
+    slipped into his
+
+    Page 146
+
+    in view of your god conduct _changed to_
+    in view of your good conduct
+
+    Page 147
+
+    and there was an omnious _changed to_
+    and there was an ominous
+
+    Page 149
+
+    discouraged letter to his gather _changed to_
+    discouraged letter to his father
+
+    Page 150
+
+    were not as atractive _changed to_
+    were not as attractive
+
+    Page 151
+
+    even enjoy the good thinks _changed to_
+    even enjoy the good things
+
+    Page 156
+
+    the suregon's medicine _changed to_
+    the surgeon's medicine
+
+    Page 156
+
+    preceeding one _changed to_
+    preceding one
+
+    Page 162
+
+    Dick that something unusal _changed to_
+    Dick that something unusual
+
+    Page 163
+
+    them toward Duton _changed to_
+    them toward Dutton
+
+    Page 163
+
+    Suppose the fall out _changed to_
+    Suppose they fall out
+
+    Page 166
+
+    comanded that some more _changed to_
+    commanded that some more
+
+    Page 166
+
+    trapeezes, and a number _changed to_
+    trapezes, and a number
+
+    Page 167
+
+    few drils, out of doors _changed to_
+    few drills, out of doors
+
+    Page 168
+
+    patroling his post _changed to_
+    patrolling his post
+
+    Page 183
+
+    I that is what you what you _changed to_
+    If that is what you what you
+
+    Page 188
+
+    "Don't be worried," replied Dick cooly _changed to_
+    "Don't be worried," replied Dick coolly
+
+    Page 204
+
+    Dutton seeemd to be _changed to_
+    Dutton seemed to be
+
+    Page 205
+
+    what we've got to is to get him _changed to_
+    what we've got to do is to get him
+
+    Page 208
+
+    asked hi chum _changed to_
+    asked his chum
+
+    Page 208
+
+    as Paul yanked his from _changed to_
+    as Paul yanked him from
+
+    Page 211
+
+    and I am very much pleased with _changed to_
+    and I am very much pleased with it
+
+    Page 211
+
+    regular lettered comands _changed to_
+    regular lettered commands
+
+    Page 217
+
+    to use in the shame battle _changed to_
+    to use in the sham battle
+
+    Page 222
+
+    he cried to his main comand _changed to_
+    he cried to his main command
+
+    Page 227
+
+    advancing to annihiliate _changed to_
+    advancing to annihilate
+
+    Page 230
+
+    defeners of the hill _changed to_
+    defenders of the hill
+
+    Page 240
+
+    said Mr. Larabee in solmen accents _changed to_
+    said Mr. Larabee in solemn accents
+
+    Page 257
+
+    throw the blame on yuo _changed to_
+    throw the blame on you
+
+    Page 264
+
+    but the suregon gently _changed to_
+    but the surgeon gently
+
+    Page 267
+
+    Why--why--Hamitlon _changed to_
+    Why--why--Hamilton
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Dick Hamilton's Cadet Days, by Howard R. Garis
+
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