As this announcement was made there was a breathless silence. Then came
a rousing cheer and the various successful ones were congratulated by
the captain and their friends.

"Well, Songbird, it seems you are to be my first lieutenant," said Dick
as he shook hands with Powell. "That suits me first-rate."

"And I am to be second lieutenant," said Tom, coming up. "With Sam in
the company as private this begins to look like a family affair."

"Oh, I'm going to make you fellows toe the mark now," laughed Dick. "No
more skylarking, if you please, Lieutenant Rover."

"All right, Captain Rover," replied Tom, with a stiff salute that was
side-splitting.

Taking it all the way through the election was declared to be a popular
success. Of course some of the defeated candidates were bitterly
disappointed, but they did their best to hide their true feelings.
William Philander Tubbs had declined to vote and Lew Flapp and Gus
Pender had kept entirely out of sight while the voting was going on.
The two cronies took themselves to the gymnasium and there declared
their hatred of Dick Rover.

"He is responsible for this," muttered Flapp, clenching his fists and
grating his teeth. "But for him I might at this minute be major of the
battalion, or one of the captains. Oh, but won't I square up some day!"

"What will you do?" questioned Pender. "Remember, I'm just as down on
him as you are."

"I don't know yet, Gus. But I'll do something."

"All right; when you are ready to act, let me know, and I'll help you
all I can," answered Gus Pender.




CHAPTER XIII

THE FIGHT AT THE BOATHOUSE


Inside of a week the newly-elected officers felt perfectly at home in
their various positions. Captain Putnam's idea of allowing only such
cadets to be candidates as could fill the positions properly had borne
good fruit, and the battalion was now in better condition than ever
before.

Contrary to general expectations, Larry Colby, as major, proved a
strict disciplinarian when on parade. In the playground he was as
"chummy" as ever, but this was cast aside when he buckled on his sword
and took command.

"This is as it should be," was Captain Putnam's comment. "And it is the
same throughout life: play is play and business is business."

As a captain Dick was equally successful and Tom also made a good
second lieutenant. Company A was speedily voted superior to the others,
when drilling and when on the march, and consequently became the flag
bearer for the term.

"This is splendid!" said Dick, when the announcement was made. And then
he went at Company A, to make the cadets drill and march better than
ever.

But though the students gave considerable time to military matters,
they were not permitted to neglect their regular studies, and to their
honor be it said that the three Rover boys pitched in with a will.

"If I can't be an officer I'm going to be a high grade student anyway,"
said Sam, and kept his word. Books suited him better than did military
glories, and soon he was at the top of his class in almost every branch
of learning.

Many of the cadets were anxious to know where the annual encampment
would be held, but for the time being Captain Putnam declined to
discuss the subject.

"We will talk about that as soon as lessons are done for the term,"
said he.

"I don't believe we'll go to Brierroot Grove again," said Powell to
Dick. "A farmer has built a house up there and is clearing off the land
as fast as he can."

"I wish we could go to some place at a distance," returned Dick. "All
of us know this territory pretty well. I like to visit new localities."

"So do I."

During those days the Rover boys received a letter from their father
which proved unusually interesting. Anderson Rover wrote, in part, as
follows:

"You will be surprised to learn, at this late day, that something had
been heard about Arnold Baxter. A man who knows him fairly well met him
a few nights ago in Owego. The news was telegraphed to me at once, and
the local police were informed, but since that time nothing more has
been seen or heard of the rascal. The man said he was well dressed and
had been stopping at a leading hotel. Evidently he is using what was
stolen."

"In Owego!" cried Sam. "Why, that city isn't over fifty miles from
here."

"This is his old stamping ground," put in Tom. "For all we know he may
now be hanging around Ithaca or Cedarville."

"I don't believe he'll come here," said Dick. "He is too well known."

"Oh, if only we could lay hands on him, Dick!"

"Wish we could, Tom. But Arnold Baxter knows enough to keep out of our
clutches."

"Wonder if he knows what became of Dan?"

"Like as not our story was in all the newspapers, and they mentioned
Dan too."

"If that is so, it's more than likely he thinks we are responsible for
Dan being left behind on the island."

"I'm not going to bother my head about Arnold Baxter," put in Sam. "If
he shows himself I'll have him arrested, that's all."

One day after another slipped by and all of the boys continued to study
with a will. Once they received long letters from Dora Stanhope and
Nellie and Grace Laning, and sent long letters in return.

"Wish the girls were back here," said Dick. But this could not be, as
they had decided to remain in California for a while longer, and the
boys had to content themselves by sending the girls keepsakes by which
to be remembered.

On the Friday afternoon preceding the final week of the term Tom and
Sam walked down to the lake, intending to go out in a boat for a short
row.

As they drew close to the boathouse they heard loud talking and then a
cry of pain.

"Please don't," came in the voice of a young cadet. "Please, please
don't, Flapp!"

"But I just will, you little imp!" came in Lew Flapp's harsh voice.
"I'll teach you to play the sneak!"

"But I--I didn't mean to do anything, really I didn't," answered the
other. "But I felt so sick, and I--"

"Oh, I know you, Moss. For two pins I'd break your head for you!" And
then came the sounds of several blows in quick succession.

"It's Flapp!" cried Sam. "He is beating somebody most shamefully."

"It's little Harry Moss," returned Tom, leaping to the front. "The big
bully! Why can't he take a fellow of his own size?"

He rushed around the corner of the boathouse and there beheld a scene
that aroused his warmest indignation. Harry Moss was crowded into a
corner and over him stood Lew Flapp, beating him with a heavy boat
chain.

Flapp had just raised the chain for another blow when Tom ran in and
caught his arm.

"Stop!" he cried. "You let Harry Moss alone!"

Startled at the interruption Lew Flapp turned. When he saw both Tom and
Sam his face fell.

"What do you want here?" he asked sulkily.

"I want you to leave Harry Moss alone," answered Tom.

"Oh, Rover, please make him stop," pleaded Harry. "He's trying to kill
me!"

"No, I ain't," retorted Flapp. "I'm only giving him a whipping that he
deserves."

"It's an outrage to strike anybody with that chain," said Sam.

"You needn't put your oar in, Sam Rover!"

"But he just will, and so will I," said Tom. "Give me that chain," and
he tried to pull it from Lew Flapp's hand.

"Let go!" screamed Lew Flapp, and began a struggle to keep the chain in
his possession. He struck at Tom, hitting him in the shoulder. Then Tom
got mad, doubled up his fist, and Lew Flapp received a blow in the left
eye that made him see stars.

"Oh!" he howled and dropped the chain. "Tom Rover, I'll get even for
that, mind that!"

"What do you mean by attacking Harry Moss in such a disgraceful
fashion?"

"Because he's a sneak, and you know it."

"I know nothing of the kind."

"Didn't he go and blab on me to Captain Putnam?"

"About what?"

Lew Flapp paused and eyed Tom and Sam curiously.

"I reckon you know well enough," he remarked slowly.

"But I don't know anything. Do you, Sam?"

"Not a thing. So far as I know Harry is all right."

"Is he?" sneered Flapp. "Well, I don't think so."

"What was the trouble about, Harry?" asked Tom, turning to the small
boy.

"Don't you say a word!" shouted Lew Flapp, in alarm. "If Tom and Sam
Rover don't know already they needn't know at all, so there."

"Evidently you don't want Harry to talk," said Sam suggestively.

"He's a sneak, I tell you."

"And you are a big, long-legged bully," retorted Tom. "For two pins I'd
give you a good drubbing."

"Humph! Do you think you can lick me?" blustered Flapp, who felt
certain he could best Tom at fisticuffs.

"I don't think so--I know it," said Tom coolly.

"Don't you fight him, Tom," said Sam, in alarm. "He only wants to get
you into trouble. He'd like nothing better than to see you lose your
position as lieutenant."

"He's afraid," sneered Lew Flapp. "All of you Rover boys are mere bags
of wind."

"I don't think you found Dick a bag of wind, Flapp."

"Yes, I did. Now you clear out and let Moss and me settle this affair
between us."

But this was not to be, for Harry Moss was already at the doorway of
the boathouse and now he retreated to a safe distance.

"If you hit Tom Rover, or Sam, I'll call Mr. Strong?" cried the little
cadet.

"Don't you do it," said Tom. "I am not afraid of Flapp."

"But he's so big, Tom."

"I don't care for that."

Tom had scarcely spoken when Lew Flapp, watching his opportunity,
leaped forward and planted a blow on his chin that sent him staggering
back into Sam's arms.

"Now come on, if you dare!" he cried.

"All right!" came from Tom, as he recovered. And like a flash he flew
at Lew Flapp, before Sam could do a thing to stop him. Blow after blow
was taken and given by each of the cadets, and Tom was hit in the
chest, on the shoulder, and in the left cheek. In return Flapp got one
in the right eye that almost closed up that optic and then came a blow
on the nose that made the blood spurt in all directions.

"Good for you, Tom!" cried Sam, dancing around, forgetful of what he
had just said about his brother getting into trouble. "That's the time
you did it. Now give him another!"

Again the two boys went at it and once more Tom was struck in the
shoulder. Then Lew Flapp aimed for Tom's face, but the latter ducked
and, recovering, hit the big boy a heavy blow in the chin that made his
teeth rattle and sent him staggering over the side of an upturned boat
and flat on his back.

"Hurrah!" cried Sam. "That was almost a knockout, Tom. Now give him to
understand--"

Sam broke off short, as a warning cry from Harry Moss reached his ears.
All eyes turned toward the doorway of the boathouse and a second later
George Strong, the head teacher, stepped into view.




CHAPTER XIV

GETTING READY FOR THE ENCAMPMENT


For fully ten seconds after the head teacher appeared nobody spoke. Lew
Flapp arose slowly to his feet, and bringing out his handkerchief
applied it to his bleeding nose.

"What does this mean?" demanded George Strong sternly.

"He--he pitched into me," faltered Flapp.

"That is hardly true," returned Tom hotly.

"Both of you are well aware that it is against the rules of this school
to fight," went on the teacher.

"I know that, Mr. Strong," answered Tom. "But Flapp struck me first."

"It isn't so!" cried the big boy. "I wasn't doing anything, when Rover
came along and started to quarrel."

"My brother Sam and Harry Moss can prove that Flapp struck me first."

"That is true," said Harry Moss, while Sam nodded.

"What was the quarrel about?"

"I caught him here, beating Harry with this boat chain. I told him to
stop and then he pitched into me."

"Is this true, Moss?"

"Ye--yes, sir, but--I--I--didn't want to say anything about it, sir."

"Do you mean to say that Flapp attacked you with that chain?"

Harry Moss was silent.

"Answer me."

"He did. But, Mr. Strong, I don't want to make any complaint. He and
some of the others think I'm a--a sneak already," and now Harry could
hardly keep back his tears.

"I don't know why he attacked Harry," put in Tom. "But I couldn't stand
it, and I took the chain away from him and told him to stop. Then he
struck me, and we pitched into each other--and I guess he got the worst
of it," added Tom, a bit triumphantly.

"Hum! Flapp, you may go and bathe your nose, which I see is bleeding,
and then come to Captain Putnam's office. The others can come to the
office with me."

George Strong led the way, and Tom, Sam, and Harry Moss followed. The
teacher took along the boat chain and made Harry show where he had been
struck.

Captain Putnam looked very grave when the affair was explained to him.
He questioned Harry in private and learned that the attack was made by
Flapp because of what the young cadet had told about drinking and
smoking.

"Rover, it was wrong to fight," said the captain to Tom. "But under the
circumstances I am inclined to be lenient with you. You can retire,
and this evening during off time I want you to write one hundred times,
the proverb beginning, 'Blessed are the peace-makers.'"

"Yes, sir," said Tom humbly. He was glad to escape thus easily, for he
knew that the captain was very strict concerning fighting.

A little later the others were sent off, leaving Lew Flapp alone with
Captain Putnam.

"Flapp," said the owner of the school, with a hardness that made the
big boy's heart sink into his shoes. "I hardly know what to say to you.
Your former conduct was mean enough, and this appears to be on a level
with it. With such a heavy boat chain you might have injured Moss very
seriously. Do you want me to give you another chance or not?"

"Wh--what do you mean, sir?" asked Flapp, much frightened.

"Do you want to remain at Putnam Hall, or shall I send you home in
disgrace?"

"I--I don't want to go home," said the big boy. His father was a rough
man and he knew that if his parent heard of this trouble he would make
him pay dearly for it.

"I expect my pupils to be young gentlemen," went on Captain Putnam.
"This is an academy for the better class of boys only. Bad boys do not
come here, but are sent to the reformatory. If I give you another
chance will you promise to do better in the future?"

"Yes, sir."

"Very well then, I will give you one more chance. I believe you are
somewhat behind in your arithmetic. During the next four days you will
remain in during all off time and apply yourself to such examples as
your teacher gives you."

"Yes, sir."

"Now you can go, and remember, I want to hear of no further fighting,
and no further molesting of Harry Moss."

"I'll remember, sir," answered Lew Flapp meekly, and then left the
office and ran up to his dormitory, to bathe his nose and put
witch-hazel on his hurts. Although outwardly humble he was in reality
burning with rage.

"I'll have to be careful in the future," he told himself, with clenched
fists. "But I'll get square--oh, I'll get square!"

"Hullo, hurt yourself?" asked Pender, as he came in.

"Yes, I fell over a boat down at the boathouse," answered the big boy.

"Is that so? I heard something of a fight, and came up to see about
it."

"Oh, I had a row with Harry Moss and Tom Rover, but it didn't amount to
much, Gus. But, say, I just wish I could square up with Dick Rover, and
Tom, too!"

"You said something like that before."

"I'm going to watch my chances."

"Perhaps something will turn up during the encampment."

"Yes, I was thinking of that. A fellow has more of a chance in camp
than he does in school."

"It would be a fine thing to get Dick Rover into trouble and make him
lose his position as captain," went on Gus Pender.

"Yes, and make Tom Rover lose his position as lieutenant, too," added
Flapp.

The term at Putnam Hall was now drawing to a close and it was not long
before the semi-annual examinations began. All of the Rovers worked
hard over their papers, and with more or less success. Sam came out at
the top of his class, while Tom stood third in his grade, and Dick
third in a still higher class. The boys lost no time in sending the
news home, and received word back that not only their father, but also
Uncle Randolph and Aunt Martha, were much pleased with the result.

"Now we'll feel as if we deserve an outing," said Tom, and Sam and Dick
agreed with him.

It was on the following morning that Captain Putnam made an
announcement that filled all of the cadets with interest.

"You are all anxious, I know, to learn where the annual encampment is
to be held," said he, during general assembly. "I am pleased to be able
to announce that I have arranged to hold it at Pine Island, a fine bit
of ground, located close to the south shore of Bass Lake. The lake is
situated about thirty-five miles from here, and we will make a
two-days' march to the spot, stopping on the road over night, in true
soldier style, weather permitting."

"Hurrah!" burst out half a dozen cadets.

"Three cheers for Captain Putnam!" called out Tom, and they were given
with a will.

"I am told that the lake is an excellent one for fishing and for
bathing, and I have already engaged six boats which the cadets will be
allowed to use from time to time."

Again there was a cheer and with it a loud clapping of hands.

"While in camp you may play such games as you please, during off time,
and we will see if we cannot arrange for contests at swimming, rowing,
and running, and to the winners suitable prizes shall be given."

"Hurrah for Captain Putnam!" came the cry once more, and again a cheer
arose.

"When will we start, captain?"

"Wish we were going right now!"

"We shall start Monday morning," was the answer. "To-morrow we will get
out our tents and camping outfits and see that all are in first-class
order. It is perhaps needless to add that during this encampment the
officers will be in authority during all but off hours, when myself and
my assistants will take charge."

This ended the talk, and the students immediately broke up into little
groups to discuss the good news.

"We ought to have just a boss good time while in camp," cried Sam.
"Think of living in tents, and having nothing to do but fish, and swim,
and make yourself comfortable."

"Sam must be getting lazy," returned Dick. "But I grant you I think it
will be first-class myself."

About the only pupil who did not relish going into camp was William
Philander Tubbs.

"It will be beastly to live out in the open, on the ground," said
Tubbs. "Supposing it should rain? Why, we'll all get wet!"

"Never mind, that will make you grow, Tubby," said Sam.

"Sam Rover, how often must I tell you not to address me as--ah--Tubby.
My full name is--"

"Oh, I know that--William Longfellow Washington Hezekiah Philander
Salamander Tubbs. But you can't expect me to say that every time, can
you?" questioned Sam innocently.

"Mine cracious! vos dot his hull name?" burst in Hans Mueller. "It's
apout as long as a freight drain, ain't it, alretty!"

"No, my name is--"

"Perhaps I forgot one or two syllables," interrupted Sam. "Very sorry,
I'm sure."

"I said my name--"

"I know you said it, half a dozen times, Billy. But you see life is so
very short, and time so precious--"

"I meant to say--"

"Sorry, Billy, but I can't wait to hear it all," cried Sam, and ran
away.

"He is--er--extremely rude," murmured Tubbs.

"Put dot's a long name, ain't it?" said Hans, "I couldn't remember dot
no more as I can remember der names of all der kings py England
alretty."

"Oh, I am disgusted!" sighed William Philander, and started to walk
away.

"Vot is you disgusted apout, Mr. Dubbs?"

"Because they won't call me by my proper name."

"Do da call you by your imbrober name?" asked Hans innocently.

"Eh?"

"I said, do da call you py your imbrober name?" repeated the German
youth.

"Oh, don't talk to me," howled Tubbs, and walked away more disconcerted
than ever.

"Dot fellow vas so sharp like a pox of bebber, ain't it?" sighed Hans
to himself.

The preparations for the annual encampment went forward rapidly. All of
the outfit was inspected with care and found to be in good order. Each
cadet was provided with a blanket, and a knapsack full of extra
underclothing and other necessary things. The captain had already
engaged three big wagons to carry the tents, poles, and cooking utensils,
including several camp stoves, and from another quarter cots were to be
sent to the camp direct, so that the cadets would not be compelled to
lie upon the ground.

"Now, I guess everything is ready," said Dick; late Saturday evening.

Sunday was a day of rest for the most part. In the morning the majority
of the students marched to church under the directions of the captain
and Mr. Strong, and part of the afternoon was spent in writing letters
to the folks at home. "Lights out," sounded half an hour earlier than
usual, so that the cadets might get a good sleep before starting out on
the two days' march.




CHAPTER XV

ON THE MARCH TO CAMP


_Rat-tat-tat!_ _Rat-tat-tat!_ _Rat-tat-tat!_

The cadets got their first taste of the annual encampment early in the
morning, when, instead of hearing the familiar bell, they were awakened
by the rolling of the drum.

"Time to get up, everybody!" cried Sam, flinging the covers from him.
"It won't do to be late this morning."

"That is true, Private Rover," came solemnly from Dick. "I will fine
any soldier of my command who is behind time."

"Thank you, Captain Rover, I'll remember that," came from one of the
other cadets. "And how is Lieutenant Rover this morning"?

"Fine as silk," came from Tom, who was already splashing in the cold
water of his washbowl. "I'll bet a big red apple against a turnip that
I'm down first," and he began to don his uniform with remarkable
rapidity.

All of the students were soon below, and then the various companies
marched into the messroom for their last breakfast at the Hall for some
time to come.

"I see the wagons have already left," said Sam.

"Yes, the drivers are to get the camp in readiness for to-night,"
answered his big brother.

Knowing that they had a long march before them, the majority of the
cadets ate a hearty breakfast. Mrs. Green, the housekeeper, was sorry
to have them leave, and had prepared an unusually fine repast.

"Mrs. Green is just all right," declared Tom. "I move we give her a
vote of thanks." And this was later on done, much to the old lady's
delight.

It was a perfect day. The sun shone brightly, and there was just enough
breeze to keep the atmosphere fresh and exhilarating. Captain Putnam
was to accompany the students on horseback, and the teachers had
already gone off with the wagons.

"Battalion, attention!" shouted Major Larry Colby, when the cadets were
assembled on the parade ground. And the order was immediately obeyed.

"Shoulder arms!" was the next order given, and up went every gun in
unison. The movement was so pretty that the spectators who had gathered
to see the boys march off clapped their hands in approval.

"Forward--march!" came next, and the drums and fifes struck up, and
away went the cadets, company front, toward the road.

"By column of fours!" was the next command, and Captain Dick Rover
turned to his company.

"By column of fours!" he repeated, and Company A broke up into four
abreast and turned into the road leading off in the direction of Pine
Island. The other companies also broke up, and in a minute more the
cadets were really and truly on the march for the camp.

The drums and fifes sounded well on that bracing morning air, and quite
a crowd of boys and not a few girls followed the students over the
first of the hills back of Putnam Hall. But here the crowd dropped
gradually away, until the young soldiers had the country road
practically to themselves.

For a full mile the cadets were made to keep in step. Then came the
order, "Route step!" and they moved forward as pleased them, keeping
together, however, by companies. The route step is given that one may
take the step that is most natural to him, be it longer or shorter than
the regulation step.

Farms were rather scattered in that neighborhood, but occasionally
they passed country homes, when all the folks would rush forth to learn
what the drumming and fifing meant.

"They are the Putnam Hall cadets," said one farm woman. "How neat they
look and how nicely they march!"

"Puts me in mind o' war times, Mirandy," said her husband. "Don't you
remember how the boys marched away in them days"?

"Indeed I do, Ira," answered the woman. "But that was real, while this
is only for fun."

"Well, I reckon some o' those lads would make putty good soldiers, were
they put to it. They handle their guns like veterans."

The cadets marched until ten o'clock and then stopped for a brief rest
near a fine hillside spring, where all procured a drink. Then they
moved forward again until noon, when they reached a small village where
dinner already awaited them.

"We have covered twelve miles," said Captain Putnam. "Eight more, and
the day's march will be over."

The cadets were glad enough to eat their dinner and take it easy on the
porch of the old country hotel at which they had stopped.

"Imagine us marching off to war," observed Sam. "How would you like it,
Tom"?

"Oh, I don't think I would complain," was the answer. "Anything for a
bit of excitement."

The day's march was completed long before sundown, and the battalion
came to a halt in an open field through which flowed a shaded brook.

The tents were at hand and the students lost no time in putting up the
shelters.

Food was supplied for the occasion by a farmer living near, for it was
not deemed advisable to unload the cook stoves and build the necessary
fires.

The farmer gave the students permission to visit his apple orchard, and
this the majority did, returning to the temporary camp with their
pockets fairly bulging with apples.

The weather remained clear and warm, so the first night in the open
proved very agreeable. A camp-fire was lit just for the look of things,
and around this the cadets gathered, telling stories and singing songs
until it was time to turn in.

Sleeping in a tent just suited the Rover boys and none of them awoke
until sunrise. Soon the whole camp was astir, and each cadet took a
good washing up at the brook. Breakfast was supplied by the farmer,
and by nine o'clock the column was once again in motion on its way to
Pine Island.

"Dot sleeping out in der air vos a funny dings," said Hans Mueller to
Sam. "I vake up der middle of der night in und find a pig mouskeeter
mine toe on alretty!"

"Be thankful that it wasn't something worse, Hans," said Sam. "What
would you do if you woke up and saw a big black bear standing beside
your cot"?

"I dink I cofer mine head kvick, Sammy."

"But the bear might chew the cover up."

"Den I vos rund for mine life und holler like sixty!"

"Well, you want to keep your eyes open for bears," added Sam, thinking
he scented fun ahead.

"How vos I going to keep mine eyes oben of I go to sleep, tell me dot"?

"You'll have to figure that out yourself, Hansy, old boy;" and here
the talk had to come to an end.

By the middle of the afternoon they came in sight of Bass Lake, a
beautiful sheet of water about two miles and a half long by nearly half
a mile wide. Close to the south shore lay Pine Island, so called
because it was covered in spots with tall pine trees. Between the main
shore and Pine Island were two smaller islands, and there were low
wooden bridges from one to the other, connecting the big island with
the mainland.

The wagons had already gone over the bridges to the spot selected for
the camp, and now the battalion marched across, from island to island,
under low arching trees and over ground covered with fallen leaves and
moss.

"What a grand spot for a camp!"

It was Dick who uttered the words when the final halt was made. His
words were true, and his fellow students agreed with him that Captain
Putnam could not have made a better selection.

There was an open space nearly an acre in extent, covered with short
grass and sloping slightly toward the lake. At the water's edge was a
small wooden dock, where the boats were tied up, and next to this a
sandy strip excellent for bathing purposes. Back of the open space was
a fine grove of trees, to which the students could retire when the sun
became too hot for them. More trees lined the north shore, some hanging
out far over the water, making ideal spots for reading or fishing.
There were beautiful walks through the woods, and in the center of the
island was a rocky hill from the top of which one could obtain a view
of the country for several miles around.

Captain Putnam insisted upon it that the camp be laid out in true
military fashion, and two students who knew a little about civil
engineering put down the necessary stakes. There was a street for each
company, with a tent for the captain and his lieutenants at the head.
Each tent was of the wall pattern and large enough to accommodate four
soldiers. That the flooring of the tent might be kept dry around each a
trench was dug, by which the water could run off when it rained. On the
bottom pine boughs were strewn, giving a delicious smell to the
interior.

"This smell of pine is very good for a cold in the head," said Major
Larry to Dick. "My sister always uses a pillow filled with pine needles
for that purpose."

The students worked hard that evening getting their tents ready for
occupancy and as a consequence all were glad to retire when the proper
time came. Captain Putnam had expected that there would be some
skylarking, but he was mistaken. That was to come later--when the lads
felt more rested.




CHAPTER XVI

THE FIRST DAY ON PINE ISLAND


"Can anybody tell me where the--er--looking glass is"?

It was William Philander Tubbs who asked the question. He stood in the
middle of one of the tents, gazing helplessly about him.

"Beastly way to live, really now it is," he continued. "How is a fellow
to arrange his toilet without a glass"?

"Better run down to the lake and look into the water," suggested Sam,
who occupied a cot in the tent.

"Look into the water? Beastly!" murmured Tubbs. "Really now, this isn't
like home, is it"? he continued.

"It suits me well enough," went on Sam, leaping up and beginning to
dress. "You'll get used to it before long."

"Never, my dear boy, never!"

As Tubbs spoke he began to put on his coat, but failed to get either of
his hands further than the elbows of the sleeves.

"What's the matter with this coat"? he ejaculated. "Well, I declare!"

"What's up now"? asked another cadet.

"Somebody has gone and sewed up the sleeves."

There was a roar of laughter at this.

"Mustn't mind a little thing like that," said Sam, and he sat down on
the edge of his cot to put on his shoes. "Great Scott, what's this"?

He had forced his foot into one shoe and now withdrew it covered with
soft soap.

"Haw! haw!" roared Tubbs. "Rather fancy the laugh is on you now,
Rover."

"That's a fact," muttered Sam, and began to clean out the shoe as
quickly as he could.

Several other small jokes had been played, showing that the cadets were
"tuning up," as Major Larry expressed it.

"I guess I'll have my hands full before the week is out," he said to
Dick, in private. "Keeping order will be no fool of a job."

"Well, you must remember that you liked to have your fling too, when
you were a private, major," answered the captain of Company A.

The cooking detail were already preparing breakfast and the aroma of
hot coffee floated throughout the camp. Immediately after roll-call
breakfast was served, of fruit, fish, eggs, bread, and coffee, and the
cadets pitched in with a will.

"Gives one an appetite to live out in the open," said Lieutenant Tom.

"As if you didn't carry your appetite with you wherever you go,"
grinned Sam.

"Silence, Private Rover, or I'll fine you half a day's pay," flung back
Tom with a similar grin.

"My, but we are some pumpkins," went on Sam, squaring his shoulders.
"Wonder how soon we'll get to be a general."

"Perhaps at the next general election," suggested George Granbury.

"Lieutenant Granbury is fined a peanut for punning," said Tom severely.
"Don't do it again and the fine will be remitted."

"That's a fine way to do," murmured George, and then Sam shied a tin
plate at him.

As soon as the meal was over there was a drill lasting half an hour,
and then the cadets were permitted to do as they pleased until noon.
Some went boating, some fishing, while others took a swim, or simply
"knocked around" as Sam expressed it.

"I shouldn't mind a swim," said Tom. "Who will go in with me"?

A dozen cadets were willing, including Dick, Larry, and Fred Garrison.
As it was off time, Larry, even though major, did not feel it necessary
to "stand on his dignity."

"I'm just going to be as I've always been," he told the others. "If I
can't be that, I don't want to be major."

Several tents had been erected close to the water's edge, where the
cadets might undress and don their bathing suits. Tom was the first
ready, and with a run he plunged into the lake head-first.

"It's glorious!" he shouted, as he came up and shook the water from his
head. "Worth a dollar a minute. Come on in!" And they came, one after
another, without loss of more time. The water was slightly cool, but
the students at Putnam Hall were required to take cold baths weekly, so
they did not mind the temperature. Laughing and shouting gleefully they
dove around in all directions, and then Tom suggested a race.

"Just the thing!" said another cadet. "Where shall we race to"?

"Over to yonder rock and back," answered Tom. "Line up, everybody. A
stale biscuit to the winner and a sour cream puff for the last man. All
ready"?

There was a pause.

"Start!" yelled Tom, and made a wild splash that sent the water flying
in all directions.

"A race! A race!" shouted one of the students on the shore, and his cry
soon brought a score or more of the others to the spot.

"I think Tom Rover will win that race."

"I'll bet on Major Larry."

"Fred Garrison is ahead. He's the best swimmer in the school."

"He can't swim as well as Dick Rover."

"I'll bet Jackson wins," came from Lew Flapp, who was in the crowd on
the beach. Jackson, it will be remembered, was one of his particular
cronies.

"Jackson can't swim against Dick Rover," came from Songbird Powell, who
had hardly spoken to Flapp since the row at Mike Sherry's resort.

"I'll bet you a dollar he beats Rover," replied the tall boy, in a low
tone.

"I don't bet, Flapp."

"You're afraid to bet," sneered the tall boy.

This statement angered Powell and he quickly dove into his pocket and
pulled out the sum mentioned.

"This is the time you lose, Flapp," he said quietly.

Another student was made stakeholder and each boy passed over his
money.

By this time the race was well underway. Tom was still in the lead, but
Jackson was close behind him, with Larry Colby third and Dick fourth.

"Go it, Tom, you are sure to win!" shouted one of his friends.

"Don't know about that," Tom returned pantingly. "Guess I started too
hard!" And soon he began to drop behind.

"Jackson is ahead!" was the next cry.

"Major Colby is a close second!"

"That is true, but Dick Rover is crawling up!"

So the cries went on until the big rock that was the turning point was
gained.

Jackson touched the rock first, several seconds before either Larry or
Dick came up. It certainly looked as if Lew Flapp's crony had a good
chance of winning.

"Told you he would win," said Flapp to Powell.

"The race isn't over yet," answered Songbird briefly.

"Humph! Do you think Dick Rover can catch Jackson when he is five yards
behind"?

"Not quite as much as that, Flapp, and he is gradually crawling up."

"He won't make it, I tell you."

"Perhaps he will."

"I'll bet you five to one that he won't," insisted the big boy.

"I won't bet any more."

"You're afraid," sneered Flapp.

Again Powell went down into his pocket and drew forth another dollar.

"There you are," he said to the stakeholder.

Lew Flapp had not expected this, but he quickly covered the one dollar
with a five, feeling sure he was going to win.

"You'll never see your two dollars again, Powell," he said.

"Perhaps you'll never see your six again," answered Songbird, and moved
away to watch the race from another point along the island shore.

Jackson was certainly swimming well, although the terrific strain was
beginning to tell upon him.

"Go it, Jackson," roared Lew Flapp. "Go it, old Moneybags!"

"Moneybags" was a signal among many of the cadets, signifying that the
speaker had bet money on the result. Betting at the academy was
strictly prohibited, but wagers were often made on the sly.

Hearing this cry, Jackson renewed his struggles and for a few seconds
held his lead.

But now Dick Rover was crawling up inch by inch. He had passed Tom, who
was left hopelessly in the rear, and now he was pressing Larry.

"The major and the captain are tie!"

"See, Captain Rover is crawling ahead!"

"Swim, Jackson, swim!" yelled Lew Flapp frantically. "You must win!"
And Pender took up the call, and so did Rockley.

Again Jackson did his best. The finish of the race was now but twenty
yards off.

"Go in and win, Dick," came from Larry Colby. "I'm about used up," and
he let Dick go ahead.

Dick was almost as fresh as at the start and slowly but surely he kept
gaining upon Jackson until the two were not over two yards apart.

"Hurrah, Captain Rover is crawling up!"

"Don't give up, Jackson, you can win out yet!" screamed Lew Flapp.

"Go it, Dick!" yelled Sam. "Go it, I say! The race is yours!"

Cheered by the last cry Dick increased his stroke and in a second more
he was alongside of Jackson.

The latter made a side kick, intending to catch Dick in the stomach,
but the eldest Rover was wise enough to keep out of his opponent's
reach.

The kick made Jackson lose ground, and like a flash Dick passed him.

"Dick Rover is ahead!"

"See, Jackson is played out! He can hardly take another stroke!"

"Major Colby is crawling up! See, he is passing Jackson!"

"And here comes Tom Rover, too."

"Wake up, Tom!" cried Sam. "You can beat Jackson yet!"

At this cry Tom did wake up, and seeing Jackson floundering around put
on a final spurt and passed him.

"Dick Rover has won the race!"

"And Major Colby is second, and Tom Rover third."

"Poor Jackson wasn't in it, after all!"




CHAPTER XVII

THE ENEMY PLOT MISCHIEF


The most disgusted cadet on Pine Island was Lew Flapp, and when Jackson
walked out of the water and entered one of the bath-tents he followed
his crony with a face full of bitterness.

"Why didn't you try to keep up and win out"? he asked bitterly, while
Jackson was dressing.

"I did try. But Rover came up like a steam engine."

"You seemed to play out all in a minute."

"And that is just what I did do. The pace was too hot for me, and I
just about collapsed. Those fellows are good swimmers, no two ways
about that."

"Bah! I could have beaten them with ease."

"I'd like to see you do it."

"Do you know I lost six dollars on that race," went on Flapp, after a
pause.

"Who won the money"?

"Songbird Powell."

"How did you come to put up such an odd figure, Lew"?

"I bet a dollar even first, and then, when I felt certain you would
win, I gave him odds of five to one. I was a chump."

"Well, I did my best--honestly I did," returned Jackson, who hated to
have his crony lose.

"I ought to make you pay me back."

"I'd do it if I had the money," said Jackson. He rarely had money in
his pocket, spending everything as fast as received.

"Well, that is one more we owe that crowd," observed Flapp with
increased bitterness.

When Jackson was dressed he and Flapp took themselves to another part
of the camp, and there met Pender, Rockley, and Ben Hurdy.

"Let us take a walk," said Jackson. "I am sick of staying around where
the others can stare at me."

"Come with me," put in Pender. "I have found something I want to show
you."

"A gold mine, perhaps," said Flapp. "I need one just now. Betting on
Jackson nearly cleaned me out."

"It's no gold mine, but it may prove useful to us," answered the other
cadet.

The crowd started off, and Pender led the way through the woods and
partly around the rocky hill in the center of the island.

"I ran into it quite by accident," he said. "You'd never suspect it was
there unless you knew of it."

"Knew of what?" asked Rockley. "What sort of a mystery are you running
us into now?"

"Just wait and see."

Pender stepped from the path they had been pursuing and pushed aside
some overhanging bushes. Beyond was a small clearing, backed up by a
high, rocky wall. In the wall was an opening, blocked up by a heavy
door secured by a rusty iron chain that was passed through a ring in
the rocks.

"Well, this is certainly odd," exclaimed Flapp. "What kind of a place
is it"?

"It's a den of some sort," said Hurdy. "Maybe some counterfeiters
belong here."

"Bosh, you talk as if you were in a dime novel," came from Jackson.
"More than likely some old hermit lived here. When some men get queer
in the head they come to just such a spot as this to end their days.
They hate the sight of other human beings."

"I reckon it is a hermit's den," said Pender. "But if so the hermit
left it years ago, for everything inside is covered with dust and
cobwebs and mildew."

Pender walked up to the stout wooden door, unfastened the iron chain,
and threw the barrier back.

One after the other the boys entered the opening beyond. At first they
could see but little, but gradually their eyes became accustomed to the
gloom and they made out a rocky chamber about twelve feet wide and
running back in irregular shape for a hundred feet or more. At some
points the ceiling was so low they had to stoop, while elsewhere it was
far above their reach. The flooring was fairly level, with rock in some
places and hard dirt in others.

The opening was rudely furnished with a heavy table and a bench, and
close to one wall was a box bed, still filled with pine boughs. On a
big wooden hook hung a man's coat, so decayed that it began to fall
apart when they touched it. The table contained several tin cups and
plates, all rust eaten.

"This is certainly a curious find," said Flapp. "How did you happen to
hit it, Gus?"

"I was exploring the cliff above when I happened to slip and fall into
the bushes just in front of the door. I was shook up but not hurt, and
when I got up I saw the door and wondered what it meant. Then I looked
inside and after that went back to camp to tell you fellows about it."

"It will make a dandy place for secret meetings," suggested Rockley.
"We can come here and do what we please."

"Just what I thought," said Pender. "We can smuggle no end of good
things here from the nearest village and come whenever we have our off
time."

"Perhaps we can do more than that," said Flapp, struck with a sudden
idea.

"What"? asked the others.

"I'll tell you some other time. It's a great find," continued the tall
boy.

In the meantime those left at the camp had surrounded Dick and were
congratulating him on his victory.

"I knew you would win," said Powell, when the excitement was over. "I
bet with Lew Flapp on the result. Garling was stakeholder."

"What did you win, Songbird"?

"Six dollars."

"Gracious! You went in pretty deep.'

"Flapp called me a coward when I told him I didn't want to bet, so I
had to take him up," went on Songbird. "Had it been anybody else I
might have given the money back. But I won't give it back to that
bully."

"It's against the rules to bet, Songbird."

"But you are not going to tell on me, are you?"

"You know me better than to ask the question. Just the same, I am sorry
you bet," said Dick.

"I'm going to treat the boys as soon as I get the chance," went on
Powell. "Six dollars will buy a whole lot of ice cream and cake, not to
mention soda and candy and peanuts." And then he began to hum to
himself:

   "Peanuts and candy and raspberry ice,
    Chocolate cake, and all that's nice,
    Ev'ry student can come if he will,
    And ev'ry student can eat his fill!"

"I believe you'd sing at a funeral," said Dick, laughing.

"I wouldn't sing at my own funeral," answered Powell, and stalked off,
humming as gayly as ever.

The remainder of the day passed quietly enough, although by the
whispering in various tents it was easy to see that something unusual
was in the air.

"Hazing to-night, as sure as guns," said Major Larry to one of the
officers.

"Shall we arrest the hazers"? asked the officer, with a twinkle in his
eye.

"You must obey orders," answered the youthful major, non-committally,
since he had given no orders on the subject.

He could well remember his first year in camp, when he had been dragged
from his cot at midnight, almost stripped, and thrown into a brook of
icy spring water, and then made to run over a rough road in his bare
feet for half a mile, "just to warm up," as the hazers told him. It
was rough sport, not to be approved, but "boys will be boys," and it
is practically impossible to stop hazing even in the highest of our
institutions of learning.

It was poor Hans Mueller who was the first to suffer that night. In the
midst of the darkness, for there was no moon, Hans found himself
suddenly aroused from his slumbers by being dragged out of his cot by
the feet.

"Shtop!" he began, when a hand was thrust over his mouth. Then he was
raised up by six cadets, shoved out of the back of the tent and carried
away to the grove in the rear of the camp. The party had to pass two
sentries, but the sentries were evidently posted, for they appeared to
see nothing wrong.

Hans was not allowed to speak until he was out of hearing distance of
the camp. Then he was dumped on the ground with a dull thud.

"Mine cracious! vot does dis mean annahow"? he demanded, as he
struggled to his feet. "Does you vants to kill me alretty, drowing me
aroundt like a log of vood, hey"?

There was no answer, and now he looked at the cadets, to discover that
each wore a black mask, with a hood from which two black horns
protruded.

"Who you vos alretty"? he spluttered, staring in open-mouthed amazement
at the party. "You vos all look like der Oldt Boy, ain't it! I guess I
go me back to der camp kvick!" and he started to run.

Hans did not get far, for a foot send him sprawling, and by the time he
was again on his feet four masked cadets had him by the hands and arms,
so that he could not get away. He started to yell when of a sudden
somebody threw a handful of dry flour into his wide open mouth.

"Wuog!" he gasped. "Wuog! Do--you--wants--to choke me alretty!" And
then he started to sneeze, as some of the flour entered his nose.

There was a moment of silence and then one of the masked figures
advanced slowly.

"Hans Mueller, are you prepared to meet your doom"? was the question
put, in a deep bass voice.

"Doom? Vot's dot?" asked the German boy, slightly frightened.

"Are you prepared to die?"

"Die? Not by a jugful I ain't. You let me go!"

"Are you prepared to become a full-fledged member of the Order of Black
Skulls."

"Not much, I ton't belong to noddings," gasped Hans.

"Then you must prepare to meet your fate. Away with him, fellows, to
his doom!"

Before Hans could resist he was caught up once again. One of the cadets
had brought with him a large blanket and into this the German youth was
thrown. Then the others caught the blanket around the edges.

"Stop!" roared Hans, and tried to climb out of the blanket. But before
he could manage it, the thing was given a toss and up he went, high
into the air.

"Oh! Mine cracious!" he gasped and came down with a crash, to go up
again an instant later. Then up and down went the boy, turning over and
over, until he was all but dazed.

"Stop! Murder! Fire! Robbers!" he roared. "Let me owid, kvick! I vos
turning outsides in alretty! Oh, stop, von't you, blease!"

"Will you join the Order of Black Skulls"? he was asked again.

"_Yah, yah!_ Anydings, so long as you lets me town kvick!"

"And you will not breathe a word about what has taken place here"?

"I say me noddings, upon my honor, ain't it!"

"Then let him go, fellows," and a moment later Hans was lowered.

"Now you are one of us," said another student, and handed him a mask,
skull-cap and pair of horns, the latter made of stuffed black cloth.
"Do you promise to help us"?

"Anydings vot you vonts."

"Then come with us, and don't dare to open your mouth."




CHAPTER XVIII

HAZERS AT WORK


William Philander Tubbs was dreaming of a fashionable dance he had once
enjoyed when he suddenly found himself bound and gagged and being
carried he knew not where.

"This is awful!" he thought. "What in the world does it mean?"

Then he remembered that some of the cadets had spoken about hazing, and
the cold perspiration came out on his forehead.

The gag in his mouth was made of nothing more than a knot in a clean
towel, but it worried him a good deal and he was afraid he would be
choked to death by it. But nothing of the sort happened, and soon the
gag was removed.

"What does this mean?" he asked, as many cadets had done before him.

He received no answer, and tried to break away from his tormentors. But
their hold on him could not be shaken, and before he was set down he
found himself well out of sight and hearing of Camp Putnam, as the spot
had been named.

"This is a beastly shame," he murmured. "Why do you dare to break into
my night's rest in this fashion?"

He had heard of the mysterious society of Black Skulls before, but so
far had never been hazed by the members. He looked curiously at the
masked cadets, wondering if he could recognize any of them.

"Are you prepared to meet your doom?" he was asked.

"I am prepared to go back to my tent," he answered.

"Away with him!" was the cry.

"Where are you going to take me?" he asked anxiously.

There was no reply, but in a twinkling his hands were caught and bound
tightly behind him, and a bag was thrust over his head and fastened
around his throat. The bag was so thick that he could not see a thing
before him.

"Let him take the cold water cure," said a voice, and he was forced to
move forward.

"It's rather deep there," whispered a voice, just loud enough for him
to hear.