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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, On Guard, by Upton Sinclair
+
+
+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: On Guard
+       Mark Mallory's Celebration
+
+
+Author: Upton Sinclair
+
+
+
+Release Date: May 13, 2011  [eBook #36101]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ON GUARD***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Steven desJardins and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net)
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustration.
+      See 36101-h.htm or 36101-h.zip:
+      (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/36101/36101-h/36101-h.htm)
+      or
+      (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/36101/36101-h.zip)
+
+
+Transcriber's note:
+
+      "Lieut. Frederick Garrison" is a pseudonym used by Upton
+      Sinclair.
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "Cadet Mallory received a letter from a friend." (See
+page 7)]
+
+
+ON GUARD
+
+Or
+
+Mark Mallory's Celebration
+
+by
+
+LIEUT. FREDERICK GARRISON, U. S. A.
+
+Author of "Off for West Point," "A West Point Treasure,"
+"A Cadet's Honor," etc.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Boy's Own Library]
+
+Philadelphia
+David Mckay, Publisher
+610 South Washington Square
+
+Copyright, 1903
+By Street & Smith
+
+On Guard
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+  CHAPTER                                      PAGE
+        I.--A Letter from a "Furlough Man"        7
+       II.--Mark's Idea                          15
+      III.--A New Ally                           22
+       IV.--A Surprise for the Seven             31
+        V.--The Scheme Succeeds                  36
+       VI.--What Mark Overheard                  46
+      VII.--Mark's Counterplot                   57
+     VIII.--The Attack on Mark                   65
+       IX.--Three Discomfited Yearlings          74
+        X.--Texas Runs Amuck                     80
+       XI.--Texas Raids West Point               91
+      XII.--The Cause of a Friend               103
+     XIII.--The Reformation of Texas            110
+      XIV.--A Plot of the Yearlings             118
+       XV.--The Plebes Plot, Too                128
+      XVI.--Setting the Trap                    133
+     XVII.--The Result at the Hop               141
+    XVIII.--A Strange Announcement              149
+      XIX.--Texas Turns Highwayman              160
+       XX.--Two Midnight Prowlers               167
+      XXI.--Benny is Exposed                    178
+     XXII.--Mark Receives a Committee           183
+    XXIII.--A Fight, and Other Things           199
+     XXIV.--Six to the Rescue                   208
+      XXV.--Mark in the Hospital                216
+     XXVI.--Texas Has an Interview              224
+    XXVII.--A Plot to Beat "the General"        232
+   XXVIII.--"Bull" Finds an Ally                241
+     XXIX.--Strange Conduct                     250
+      XXX.--A Surprise for Murray               256
+     XXXI.--The Plot Succeeds                   265
+    XXXII.--Triumph--Conclusion                 277
+
+
+
+
+ON GUARD.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+A LETTER FROM A "FURLOUGH MAN."
+
+
+"A letter for me, did you say?"
+
+The speaker was a tall, handsome lad, a plebe at the West Point Military
+Academy. At the moment he was gazing inquiringly out of the tent door at
+a small orderly.
+
+The boy handed him an envelope, and the other glanced at it.
+
+"Cadet Mark Mallory, West Point, N. Y.," was the address.
+
+"I guess that's for me," he said. "Thank you. Hello in there, Texas!
+Here's a letter from Wicks Merritt."
+
+This last remark was addressed to another cadet in the tent. "Texas,"
+officially known as Jeremiah Powers, a tall, rather stoop-shouldered
+youth, with a bronzed skin and a pair of shining gray eyes, appeared in
+the doorway and watched his friend with interest while he read.
+
+"What does he say, Mark?" he inquired, when the latter finished.
+
+"Lots," responded Mark. "Lots that'll interest our crowd. They ought to
+be through sprucing up by this time, so bring 'em over here and I'll
+read it."
+
+"Sprucing up" is West Point for the morning house-cleaning in the summer
+camp. A half hour is allowed to it immediately after breakfast, and it
+is followed by "the A. M. inspection."
+
+In response to Mark's suggestion, Texas slipped over to the tent in back
+of theirs in "B Company" Street, and called its three occupants. They
+came over and joined those in Mark's tent; and then Mark took out the
+letter he had just received.
+
+"I've got something here," said he, "that I think ought to interest all
+of us. I guess I'll have time to read it before inspection. We are a
+secret society, aren't we?"
+
+"That's what we are," assented the other six.
+
+"But what's that got to do with it?" added Texas.
+
+"And we've banded ourselves together for the purpose of preventing the
+yearlings from hazing us?" continued Mark, without noticing his friend's
+inquiry. "Well, it seems that they've been doing about the same thing
+down at Annapolis, too. This is from Wicks Merritt, a second class cadet
+up here, who's home on furlough this summer. He took a trip to
+Annapolis, and this is what he says. Listen very dutifully now, and
+don't get impatient:
+
+      "DEAR MALLORY: I have heard a lot about you since the
+      last time I wrote. Several of the fellows have written
+      to me, and they haven't been able to mention anything
+      but you. They tell me you are kicking up a fine old
+      fuss in West Point during my absence. They say that
+      you won't let anybody haze you. They say that you've
+      gotten a lot of plebes around you to back you up, and
+      that the yearlings are half wild in consequence.
+
+      "I don't know what to make of you. You always were an
+      extraordinary genius, and I suppose you have to do
+      things in your own sweet way, whether it's rescuing
+      ferryboats or sailboats or express trains, or else
+      locking us yearlings in ice houses. I cannot imagine
+      what will be the end of the matter. I am sure the
+      yearlings will never give in.
+
+      "I'm told that when they tried to lick you into
+      submission you did up Billy Williams, the best fighter
+      in the class. Also that Bull Harris, whom I warned you
+      against as being a sneaky fellow, tried to get you
+      dismissed by skinning you on demerits, but that you
+      circumvented that. Also that you and your friends have
+      made it hot for him ever since, upon which fact I
+      congratulate you.
+
+      "I don't know what the yearlings will do next, but I
+      imagine that they're 'stalled.' Since you've started,
+      I suppose the best thing for you to do is to keep up
+      the good work and not let them rest. But for Heaven's
+      sake, don't let any of them see this! They'd cut me
+      for aiding and abetting a plebe rebellion. You are
+      certainly the boldest plebe that every struck West
+      Point; nobody in our class ever dared to do what
+      you've done.
+
+      "It seems, though, that you have imitators, or else
+      that you are imitating somebody. Down here at
+      Annapolis this year pretty much the same state of
+      affairs is going on just now. There's a plebe down
+      here by the name of Clif Faraday (I've met him, and I
+      told him about you), and he's raising the very old boy
+      with the third class fellows. It seems that he
+      outwitted them in all their hazing schemes, and has
+      got them guessing at what he'll do next, which is
+      about as B. J. as anything you ever did, I imagine. It
+      looks as if plebes both at West Point and here would
+      get off with almost no hazing this year. And it's all
+      on account of you, too.
+
+      "Genius knows no precedent, they say. Farewell.
+
+      "Your friend,
+
+      "WICKS MERRITT.
+
+      "P. S.--They tell me you've saved the life of Judge
+      Fuller's daughter. Just take a word of advice--make
+      the most of your opportunity! She's the prettiest girl
+      around the place, and the nicest, too, and she has
+      half the corps wild over her. If you can make friends
+      with her, I think the yearlings would stop hazing you
+      at her command."
+
+Mark finished the reading of the letter and gazed at his comrades,
+smiling.
+
+"You see," he said, "our fame has spread even to Annapolis. Gentlemen, I
+propose three cheers for our crowd!"
+
+"An' three fo' Clif Faraday!" cried Texas.
+
+"Only don't give any of them," added Mark, "for somebody might hear us."
+
+There was a moment's pause after that, broken by a protest from one of
+the Seven, Joseph Smith, of Indianapolis, popularly known as "Indian,"
+a fat, gullible youth, who was the laughingstock of the post.
+
+"I tell you," said he, his round eyes swelling with indignation, "I
+don't think what Clif Faraday did was a bit more B. J. than some of our
+tricks!" (B. J. is West Point dialect for "fresh.")
+
+"That's what I say, too, b'gee!" chimed in another, a handsome,
+merry-eyed chap with a happy faculty of putting every one in a good
+humor when he laughed. "Just look at how Mark shut two of 'em up in an
+ice house. Or look at how, when they took Indian off to the observatory
+to haze him, b'gee, we made 'em think the place was afire and had 'em
+all scared to death, and the fire battalion turning out besides. Now,
+b'gee, I want to know where you can beat that!"
+
+And his sentiment was echoed with approval by the remainder of those
+present. The seven had by this time scattered themselves about the tent
+in picturesque and characteristic attitudes, listening to the discussion
+carried on by the excitable Master Dewey.
+
+First of all and foremost was the grave and learned "Parson," the Boston
+geologist. The Parson was stretched on his back in one corner with
+nothing but his long, bony shanks visible. Somehow or other Parson
+Stanard always managed to keep those legs of his with their covering of
+pale green socks the most conspicuous thing about him.
+
+Sitting erect and stately on the locker, was Master Chauncey, the "dude"
+of the party. A few weeks of West Point had already worked wonders with
+Chauncey; his aristocratic friends on Fifth Avenue would scarcely have
+known him. In the first place, he, with the rest of the plebes, were
+compelled to walk, whenever they went abroad, with "head erect, chest
+out, eyes to the front, little fingers on the seams of the trousers,
+palms outward." Try this and you will find, as Chauncey was finding,
+that it is hard to do that and at the same time keep up the correct
+London "stoop." Chauncey had been obliged to leave his cane and monocle
+behind him also, and a few days later, when plebe fatigue uniforms were
+donned, his imported clothes and high collar went by the board, too.
+
+But Chauncey still clung to his accent, "bah Jove;" and was still known
+to the seven as "the man with a tutor and a hyphen"--his name being
+Mount-Bonsall, if you please--and to the rest of the corps as the dude
+who most did up six yearlings.
+
+The corner opposite the Parson's contained the dozing figure of
+Methusalem Zebediah Chelvers, the "farmer" from Kansas, popularly known
+as "Sleepy."
+
+Sleepy never did anything or said anything unless he had to; the seven
+had known him for weeks now, and knew no more about him than at the
+start. Sleepy was still sleepy, and that was all.
+
+The other members of this bold and desperate secret "anti-hazing"
+society were Dewey, the prize story-teller of the party, "b'gee;"
+Indian, the "prize pig;" Texas, a wild and woolly cowboy just from the
+plains, with a right arm that had paralyzed four cadets in as many
+minutes, and, last of all, Mark Mallory, the leader.
+
+"Just look at the things we've done, b'gee!" continued Dewey. "Look at
+the times they've tried to haze us and we've outwitted them! See how we
+had the nerve to yank 'em out of bed the other night, b'gee. Or, if that
+isn't enough, just think of Bull Harris."
+
+This last remark was greeted with a chuckle of laughter from the seven,
+in which even Sleepy found sufficient energy to join. And, indeed, the
+recollection was enough to make one laugh.
+
+As readers of the first books in this series, "Off for West Point" and
+"A Cadet's Honor," know, Bull Harris was the sworn enemy of the seven,
+and of Mark in particular. He never had ceased plotting in his mean,
+cowardly way to get Mark into trouble, and it was the joy of the plebes'
+lives to outwit him. On the day previous they had succeeded beyond their
+wildest dreams. Given a bloodhound that had been sent out from a
+neighboring village to trail a burglar who had stepped into a barrel of
+pitch, the seven had put pitch on Bull Harris' shoe and started the dog
+after him during the evening's dress parade. The dog had chewed Bull's
+trousers to ribbons, had broken up the parade, had made Bull the
+laughingstock of the place and earned him the deathless nickname of
+"Bull, the Burglar." Naturally, Bull was wild with rage, and the seven
+with hilarity.
+
+They were still chuckling over it and the general discomfiture of the
+yearling class and their own future prospects as triumphant plebes, when
+inspection put an end to the discussion and scattered the crowd.
+
+"But just you keep in mind," was Dewey's parting declaration, "that
+we're the B. J.-est plebes that ever were, are, will be or can be. And,
+b'gee, we're going to show it every day, too!"
+
+Which the Parson punctuated with a solemn "Yea, by Zeus!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+MARK'S IDEA.
+
+
+The yearling corporal who did the inspecting had done his criticising
+and gone his way, leaving four of the seven in their tent--Mark, Texas,
+the Parson and Sleepy--who, being the tallest, had been assigned to
+Company A. And the four sat down to await the signal to "fall in" for
+drill.
+
+"I reckon, Mark," said Texas, meditatively surveying his new uniform in
+the looking-glass. "I reckon that we fellows kin say that hazing's most
+over now."
+
+"Assuredly!" said the Parson, gravely, "for indeed we have completely
+broken the spirit of the enemy, and he knows not which way to turn. I
+think that, in words of the song of Miriam, we may say:
+
+  "'Sing, for the sword of the tyrant is broken!
+    His chariots and horsemen are rent in twain.'
+
+"Yea, by Zeus!"
+
+The Parson said this with his usual classic solemnity. Mark smiled to
+himself as he sat down upon the locker and gazed at his friends.
+
+"I've got something to tell you fellows," said he. "I think now's about
+as good a time as any. I haven't said anything about it to the crowd
+yet. When I do they'll have their eyes opened, and realize that if we're
+going to subdue the yearlings, we've got to start right at it all over
+again. We've scarcely begun yet."
+
+The three others looked at him in surprise; Texas rubbed his hands
+gleefully, seeing that Mark's statement, if true, meant lots more fun
+for the future.
+
+"You remember last night," Mark continued, "about midnight, how the
+Parson shouted out in his sleep and woke the whole camp?"
+
+"Yes," added Texas, "and scared me to death. I thought I was down home
+and the ole place was being run in by rustlers or somethin'."
+
+"You met me at the door of the tent," Mark went on. "I didn't tell you
+where I'd been; I'll tell you now. Last night a dozen or two of the
+yearlings took me out of camp--they surprised me, and held me so that I
+couldn't move. They tied me to a tree, and were just on the point of
+beating me."
+
+"What!"
+
+The three were staring at Mark in unutterable amazement.
+
+"Yes," said Mark. "They told me I'd either have to promise to be a
+milk-and-water plebe after this or else be licked until I would. And
+Bull Harris took a big rope and----"
+
+"Did he hit ye?" cried Texas, springing to his feet excitedly. "Wow!
+I'll go out an' I'll----"
+
+"Sit down!" said Mark. "He didn't hit me, for the Parson yelled just
+then and scared 'em all back to camp. And you needn't tackle Bull
+anyhow, for I'm going to do that myself pretty soon. The point just now
+is that the yearlings haven't given up. They're still fighting."
+
+"I didn't know there were so many cowards in the place!" muttered Texas.
+
+"They're desperate," said Mark. "They've got to do something. Now we'll
+watch out for such surprises the next time, and meanwhile we'll show
+them that we're determined not to stop."
+
+And Mark saw by the faces of the other three that that was just what
+they wanted. Texas especially was twitching his fingers nervously and
+looking as if he were wishing for some yearling to tackle right then and
+there.
+
+"I tell you what we'll do, Mark," he broke out, suddenly. "We'll tie
+ourselves together an' sleep that way, an' then if they take one they'll
+have to take all."
+
+"That's quite an idea," said the other, laughing. "But the main point
+now is just this: We're to set out with only one idea in our heads to
+think of; perhaps it might be well to offer a prize to the fellow who
+thinks of the best scheme. We want to keep those cadets fairly on the
+jump from the start."
+
+"Bully!" cried Texas.
+
+"And it seems to me, moreover," continued the leader, "that we make a
+big mistake if we let this day pass without doing something."
+
+"Yea, by Zeus!" vowed the Parson, his solemn face glowing with interest.
+"For this day is the day of all days in the calendar of Freedom. This
+day is the day when our immortal colonies did vow and declare that the
+dragon of tyranny they would trample beneath their feet. This day is the
+day when first the eagle screamed, when humanity cast off its fetters
+and stood in the light of God's truth. This day is the glorious Fourth
+of July!"
+
+The Parson had arisen to his feet, the better to illustrate the casting
+off of the fetters, and his long black hair was waving wildly and his
+long white arms yet more so. Boston and Boston "liberty" were dangerous
+topics with him; he got more excited over them than he did when he found
+his immortal cyathophylloid coral "in a sandstone of Tertiary origin."
+
+"Yea, by Zeus!" he continued. "Such are the auspices, the hallowed
+recollections of this immortal moment that I verily believe no
+revolution can fail on it. I say that if ever we strike boldly, we do it
+to-day. And I, as a citizen of Boston, pledge my aid to any plan."
+
+"Yaas. An' we got a half holiday to-day, tew."
+
+This rather prosaic peroration to the Parson's speech came from one
+corner, where Sleepy sat lazily regarding the scene. That was the first
+hint that the "farmer" had offered, and it had corresponding weight. The
+four shook hands on it then and there, that by the time dinner was over
+they would have a brand new and startling plan to work for the
+yearlings' edification. The signal to fall in for drill found them still
+pledging themselves to that.
+
+Mark said nothing more to any one upon the subject; he left his friends
+to think for themselves, and he, when he got a chance, started out
+likewise on his "own hook." In the first place, it was necessary to find
+out just how the yearlings meant to spend that half-holiday afternoon;
+having found that, it would then be time to think up a plan for spoiling
+the fun.
+
+There was a member of the plebe class who had been a plebe the year
+before, that is, who had failed on examinations and had not been
+advanced. Naturally, he knew all the yearlings, and, having been through
+camp once, knew also what would be apt to happen on the Fourth of July.
+Mark himself knew nothing about it, for no one thought it necessary to
+tell plebes about such things; and so to this "hold-over" Mark went to
+learn.
+
+That gentleman, in response to some diplomatic interrogation, emitted
+the information that there was nothing "on." That a ball game had been
+intended, but prevented at the last moment. That probably most of the
+cadets would go walking, or amuse themselves any way--some of them do a
+little hazing. That it was a pleasant custom to make the plebes dress up
+in masquerade and give a parade or something. And that finally there was
+to be an entertainment in the evening.
+
+What sort? Well, it was dignified and patriotic. There were programmes
+issued--not given to plebes, of course. Would Mallory like to see one?
+Perhaps he could get one, would see after drill, etc., etc. "Much
+obliged. Good-morning."
+
+The affable young gentleman did manage to get Mallory a programme. He
+gave it to him just before dinner. "Thank you." "Oh, not at all, only
+too glad to oblige you," etc. And Mark rushed into the tent and eagerly
+read the handsomely printed pasteboard:
+
+          United States Military Academy.
+               July 4th, 8.30 P. M.
+                    PROGRAMME.
+                    Overture.
+                     Prayer.
+                     Music.
+    Reading of The Declaration of Independence.
+      Cadet George T. Fischer, Pennsylvania.
+                     Music.
+                    Oration.
+           Cadet Edmund S. Harris----
+
+Mark read not another word; he stared at the paper in amazement and
+incredulity, rapidly changing to glee. Harris! Bull Harris delivering an
+oration! Mark turned and faced his companions, feeling about ready to
+burst with hilarity.
+
+"Listen here, fellows!" he cried. "Here's a chance, a chance of a
+lifetime! Oh, say! Bull's going to make a speech! Gee whiz! We'll----"
+
+"Didn't you fellows know about that?" put in a voice in the doorway, as
+Dewey's face appeared there. "I heard the yearlings talking about it.
+They say Bull's a fine orator, that he's been working at an elegant
+speech for months. And, b'gee, he means to bring down the house."
+
+Mark's face was simply a picture of merriment at that.
+
+"Fellows," he said, as soon as he could manage to get breath to say
+anything at all. "Fellows, I'll go you just one bargain more."
+
+"What is it?" cried the others.
+
+"It's very simple. It's just that we spoil that beautiful speech of Bull
+Harris', if we have to bust to do it."
+
+And the seven cried "Done!" in one breath.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+A NEW ALLY.
+
+
+The more they thought over that scheme the better they liked it; the
+more they imagined Bull Harris, pompous and self-conscious, spouting his
+magnificent periods and then brought to an ignominious and ridiculous
+conclusion, the more they chuckled with glee. They felt no prickings of
+conscience in the matter, for Bull was not a personage to inspire such.
+His devices had been cowardly and desperate; only last night he had been
+on the point of lashing Mark with a rope when the latter was helplessly
+tied to a tree. With such a man ordinary standards of fairness did not
+hold good.
+
+The only trouble with the "scheme" was its general indefiniteness. And
+that the seven recognized. It was all very well to say you were going to
+"bust up" Bull Harris' speech. But how? It would not do to guy him, or
+to use any device of which the authors might be found out. It was quite
+a problem.
+
+Texas suggested an alarm of fire, which was outvoted as dangerous,
+likely to produce a panic. Some one else wondered how about kidnaping
+Bull and tying him up. This suggestion was put on file as being
+possible, to be consulted in case no better appeared, which bid fair
+just then to be the case.
+
+Mark and his friends marched down to dinner without any further ideas
+appearing. The plebes still marched separate from the rest of the corps,
+though they were allowed to share the privilege of the spirited band
+which enlivened the proceedings. They still sat at separate tables, too,
+which made most of them feel very much outcast indeed.
+
+The command "Break ranks," after the march from mess hall again, marked
+the beginning of that holiday during which the seven had vowed to do so
+much. And still nobody had seemed to hit upon any suitable plan for the
+discomfiture of Bull Harris.
+
+"We've got to hurry up about it, too," Mark declared. "For, if there's
+any fixing up to be done, we ought to be doing it now."
+
+"Where's the thing to be, anyway?" inquired Dewey.
+
+"In the big gymnasium building, they say," was the answer. "They'll
+probably cover the floor with seats. But I don't think we can do
+anything inside the place. I think we ought to kick up some sort of
+rumpus outside."
+
+And with this advice the seven heads got to work again.
+
+Ideas come slowly when you want them badly. It would seem that with
+those seven minds busy on the same subject something should have
+resulted. But it didn't. The seven strolled away from camp and wandered
+about the grounds cudgeling their brains and calling themselves names
+for their stupidity. And still no plan came forward.
+
+They strolled down to the gymnasium building in hopes that proximity to
+the scene itself would prove efficacious. They stared at the vestibule
+and the windows blankly, wondering what the place might be like inside,
+wondering if there would be much of a crowd, wondering if Bull would
+have much of a speech--wondering about everything except the matter in
+hand.
+
+"Plague take it all!" they muttered. "Let's walk out Professor's Row and
+find some quiet place to sit down. Perhaps we can think better sitting."
+
+Professor's Row is a street that bounds the parade ground on the west.
+It is cool and shady, with benches and camp chairs on the lawn. But
+there were plenty of people to occupy the seats, and so the seven found
+no place there to cogitate.
+
+They had not gotten much farther before all ideas of plots and orations
+were driven from Mark's head a-flying. They were passing a group of
+people standing on the opposite side of the street, and suddenly one of
+them, a girl, hurried away from the others, and cried out:
+
+"Mr. Mallory! Oh, Mr. Mallory!"
+
+Mark turned the moment he heard the voice, and, when he saw who it was,
+he promptly excused himself from his friends and crossed the street. The
+six strolled on, smiling and winking knowingly at one another.
+
+"Hope he'll remember what Wicks Merritt said, b'gee!" laughed Dewey.
+
+Mark had no time to remember anything much. He was too busy, watching
+the vision that was hurrying to meet him.
+
+Grace Fuller certainly was a beautiful girl, beyond a doubt. She was a
+blonde of the fairest type; her complexion was matchless, and set off by
+a wealth of wavy golden hair. She was dressed in white, and made a
+picture that left no room to wonder why "half the cadets in the place
+were wild over her."
+
+"I'm glad I swam out to save her," was the thought in Mark's mind.
+
+A moment later he took the small white hand that was held out to him.
+
+"Mr. Mallory," said the girl, gazing at him earnestly, "I shall not wait
+for any one to introduce you to me. I must tell you that I appreciate
+your bravery."
+
+Mark bowed and thanked her; he could think of nothing more to say.
+
+"They just let me out of the hospital to-day," she continued, "and I
+made up my mind that the very first thing I was going to do was to tell
+you what I thought of your courageous action on my behalf. I want to
+know you better, Mr. Mallory."
+
+She said it in a plain and simple way that Mark liked, and he told her
+that nothing would please him more.
+
+"I would ask you to take a walk with me now," said Grace, "but for all
+those cadets who are with me. I don't think they'd relish that, you
+being a fourth class man."
+
+"I don't think they would," responded Mark, with a queer smile which the
+girl did not fail to notice.
+
+"I don't care!" she exclaimed, suddenly. "They can get mad if they want
+to. I think a great deal more of some plebes than I do of yearlings.
+Excuse me just a moment."
+
+And then, to Mark's infinite glee, this beautiful creature hurried over
+and said something to the group of cadets, at which they all bowed and
+walked off rather stiffly, sheepishly, Mark thought. The girl rejoined
+him, with a smile.
+
+"I told them they'd have to excuse me," she said, as she took Mark's
+arm. "I told them I owed you a debt of gratitude, and I hoped they
+wouldn't mind."
+
+"Probably they won't," observed Mark, smiling again.
+
+"I don't care if they do," vowed Grace, pouting prettily. "They'll get
+over it. And they're awfully stupid, anyway. I hope you're not stupid."
+
+With which Mark quite naturally agreed.
+
+"I don't think the cadets like you much," she went on, laughing. "I had
+such fun teasing them by talking about your heroism. They didn't like it
+a bit, and they'd try all sorts of ways to change the subject, but I
+wouldn't let them. They say you are terribly B. J. Are you?"
+
+"I suppose they think so," answered Mark. "I'm nothing like as B. J. as
+I shall be before I get through."
+
+"That's right!" vowed the girl, shaking her head. "I like B. J. plebes.
+I think I should be B. J. if I were a plebe. I don't like these mild,
+obedient fellows, and I think the plebes stand entirely too much."
+
+"I wish you were one to help me," laughed Mark, noticing the contrast
+between the girl's frail figure and her energetic look.
+
+"I'm stronger than you think," said she. "I could do a lot." And then
+suddenly she broke into one of her merry, animated laughs, during which
+Mark thought her more charming than ever. "If I can't fight," she said,
+"you must let me be a Daughter of the Revolution. You must let me make
+clothes and bake bread the way the colonists' daughters did. It's just
+appropriate for to-day, too."
+
+"I don't want any bread----" began Mark, looking at her thoughtfully.
+
+"Perhaps not," she put in, with a peal of laughter. "If you saw the
+bread I make, you'd be still more emphatic. It's like the fruit of the
+tree of knowledge--'Whoso eateth thereof shall surely die.'"
+
+"I see you read the Bible," said Mark, laughing. "But to get back where
+I was. I'll let the tailor make my clothes, also. What I need most just
+now are tricks to play on the yearlings."
+
+"Do you?" inquired Grace. "I can tell you of lots of tricks the cadets
+have played. But that's the first time I ever heard of a plebe playing
+tricks on yearlings. It's usually the other way."
+
+"Variety is the spice of life," said Mark. "The yearlings have tried
+rather contemptible tricks on me once or twice, very contemptible! I
+could tell you what several of those cadets who were with you did to me
+last night, and I think you'd be angry. Anyway, I'm going to make them
+miserable in return."
+
+"I helped the yearlings get up a beautiful joke last year," said Grace,
+looking at Mark in ill-concealed admiration. "Wicks Merritt was the
+ringleader. He wrote to me, by the way, and told me to be very nice to
+you now that you'd saved my life--just as if he thought I wouldn't!
+Anyway, I got them some powder to use for the scheme."
+
+"Powder!" echoed Mark. "How did you get powder?"
+
+"They couldn't manage to run off with any around here, so I got George
+to buy some. George is our butler. You'll see George when you come over
+to visit me, which I hope you will."
+
+"I thought you lived across the river, beyond cadet limits," put in
+Mark.
+
+"So I do, but the cadets come, all the same, lots of them."
+
+"So will I, then!" laughed the other. "But you haven't told me what you
+did with the powder."
+
+"Do you see that big gun over there?" she answered, indicating Trophy
+Point. "Well, they stood that upon end and fired it off late one night.
+Wasn't that a fine joke?"
+
+"Ye-es," said Mark, very slowly. "Ye-es, it was."
+
+He was staring at the girl, a look as of an inspiration on his face.
+
+"They stood that gun up on end and fired it off late one night," he
+repeated, scarcely heeding what he was saying, so rapt was he in his
+thought.
+
+"Yes," said Grace, gazing at him curiously, and meeting his eyes. "Yes.
+Why?"
+
+Mark studied her look for a moment; he saw mischief and fun dancing in
+it, and, in a moment more, he had made up his mind.
+
+"Tell me, Miss Fuller," he said, speaking very low. "Would you--would
+you like to have 'George' buy some more powder?"
+
+"More powder!" she echoed. "What do you----"
+
+And then she caught the gleam in her escort's eye.
+
+"Are you--do you mean you want to do it?" she cried.
+
+"Yes," said Mark, simply. "Will you help?"
+
+"Yes, yes!"
+
+"Do you mean it?"
+
+"I'll give you my hand on it," responded Grace.
+
+Mark took it.
+
+"When?" asked she.
+
+And Mark answered, with a laugh, almost a shout of triumph.
+
+"To-night!" he said. "To-night! Ye gods!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+A SURPRISE FOR THE SEVEN.
+
+
+Six disconsolate plebes sat on a bench at the extreme northern end of
+Professor's Row late that afternoon, gazing unappreciatively at the
+magnificent view of the upper Hudson. Those plebes had been cudgeling
+their stupid heads ever since dinner time to no purpose.
+
+"Durnation!" growled one of them. "I dunno what we air goin' to do. Mark
+won't let us blow up the durnation ole building. He won't let me hold up
+the crowd, cuz they'd expel me. He don't want to kidnap Bull, cuz Bull
+would tell. I dunno what!"
+
+"B'gee!" added another. "I wish he'd come help us think instead of
+chasing around town with girls. He's been with her all afternoon----"
+
+"Here they come now!" interrupted Texas, pointing down the street.
+
+"Yea, by Zeus!" assented the Parson. "And our friend is much smitten
+already."
+
+"Who wouldn't be?" laughed Dewey. "Isn't she a beauty, though? B'gee, I
+wish he'd bring her over and introduce her."
+
+"Reckon she ain't a-hankerin' after plebes," drawled Sleepy, who, as
+usual, had half the bench for his tired form to cover.
+
+This observation put a damper on Dewey's enthusiasm. It was true, and,
+besides that, it came from the silent member of the firm.
+
+"She's beautiful, all the same," he vowed, as the two drew nearer still.
+"And, b'gee, she seems to be lively, too."
+
+"If I mistake not," put in the Parson, gravely, "our friend is vastly
+excited over something."
+
+This last observation seemed to be correct. The two were laughing; in
+fact, their faces seemed to express about as much glee as they could
+very well express, and once Mark was seen to slap his knee excitedly.
+The six were carried away by curiosity, which curiosity changed suddenly
+to the wildest alarm. For when the two were just opposite, what must
+Mark do but turn and lead the girl over to his friends?
+
+The effect upon the latter was amusing. Chauncey made a wild grab for
+his collar to see if it were straight; Sleepy sat up and rubbed his
+eyes; the Parson cleared his throat--"ahem!" Indian gave vent to a
+startled "Bless my soul!" Dewey exclaimed "b'gee!" and poor Texas turned
+pale and trembled in his bold cowboy legs.
+
+A moment later the vision in white was upon them.
+
+"Miss Fuller," said Mark, "allow me to present my friends," etc., etc.
+
+The Parson inclined his head gravely, with dignity becoming the immortal
+discoverer of a cyathophylloid coral in a sandstone of Tertiary origin;
+Chauncey put on his best Fifth Avenue salute; Indian gasped and hunted
+in vain for his hat; the "farmer" swept the ground with his; Dewey
+looked all broke up and Texas hid behind everybody.
+
+There was vague uncertainty after that, changing to horror at the next
+speech.
+
+"Miss Fuller," said Mark, smiling, "has proclaimed herself an ardent
+sympathizer and admirer of the purposes and principles of the Banded
+Seven. Miss Fuller desires to be known as a 'Daughter of the
+Revolution.' Miss Fuller knows about Bull Harris, and doesn't like him,
+and suggests a first-rate method of busting--if you will pardon my
+slang, Miss Fuller--to-night's celebration. Miss Fuller likes to hear
+cannon go off at night. She offers to procure the powder if we will do
+the loading; she even offers to fire it, if we'll allow her. Also,
+gentlemen, allow me to propose member number eight of the seven, and
+incidentally to suggest that the name Banded Seven be changed and that
+in future we go down to posterity as----"
+
+Mark paused one solemn moment, and cleared his throat----
+
+"The Banded Seven and One Angel!"
+
+And after that there was a deep, long, wide, and altogether
+comprehensive silence, while the six stared at Mark and his thoroughly
+amused friend in incredulity, amazement, alarm, horror--who can say
+what?
+
+It was fully a minute before any of them found breath. And then a
+perfect torrent of Bah Joves! Durnations! B'gees! Bless my souls! and By
+Zeuses! burst out upon the air, to be followed by another silence even
+longer and larger than the last.
+
+What on earth had happened! The six couldn't seem to get it through
+their heads. Could it be possible that this girl, the belle of West
+Point, the beauty over whom half the cadets were wild, the daughter of a
+famous judge, was sympathizing with a few, poor, miserable plebes in an
+effort to upset West Point? And that she had actually offered to help
+them in a trick, the boldness of which was enough to make the boldest
+hesitate? Good stars! The world must be coming to an end! No wonder the
+amazed plebes gasped and stared, and then stared and gasped, unable to
+believe that they stood on the same earth as half a minute previously.
+
+Mark and his companion, who understood their perplexity entirely, and
+who seemed to have gotten amazingly in sympathy during a brief
+afternoon's conversation, stood and regarded them meanwhile with
+considerable amusement.
+
+Well, it must be true! Mark said so, and the girl heard him and seemed
+to say "yes" with her laughing blue eyes.
+
+That was the conviction which finally forced itself upon the incredulous
+and befuddled six, and with it came a dim, undefined consciousness of
+the fact that possibly they were not doing the very politest thing in
+the world in staring at their "angel."
+
+First to realize it was Texas, last of all to whom one would have looked
+for any species of gallantry.
+
+Texas sprang forward and seized the girl's fair white hand in his own
+mighty paw.
+
+"Hi, Miss Fuller!" he cried, "I'm glad to have you join! Whoop!"
+
+Which broke the ice.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE SCHEME SUCCEEDS.
+
+
+Dress parade in all its Fourth of July holiday splendor had passed, and
+the sunset gun marked the ending of that day of celebration. Through the
+dusk of evening the battalion had marched back from supper, to the tune
+of "Marching Through Georgia" from the band and the popping of sundry
+small firecrackers from mischievous small boys on the way. And then the
+cadets had scattered, still in their dress uniforms, each to join his
+own party of friends and go to the evening's entertainment.
+
+Cadets are famous as "ladies' men," and during the gay holiday season,
+which was now on, West Point was crowded with girls, so that every cadet
+had his opportunities for gallantry, excepting, of course, the plebes,
+who do not go into "society."
+
+As the hour approached, the big gymnasium hall took on a lively aspect.
+It ceased to be a gymnasium for a while; rings and trapezes were hung
+up, and rows of seats occupied the floor, instead of parallel bars. The
+big West Point Band was seated in front, and the rest of the room was
+devoted to pretty girls and their cadet escorts. The Fourth of July
+celebration was a cadet affair; the "president" occupied the small
+platform in solitary grandeur; the commandant and his staff were
+present, but they sat among the audience.
+
+The plebes were there, too, on sufferance. The gallery was given up to
+their use, and they filled it entirely, and gazed on the scene below.
+The room with its decorations of flags and bunting, making them feel
+very patriotic indeed.
+
+The plebes we are interested in were there with the rest. They sat off
+in one corner where they could whisper and keep their secret all to
+themselves. If any one had overheard them, which they took good care
+should not happen, he would have learned, to his amazement, that the
+night's plot was all perfected. He might have learned that "George" had
+done his duty with fully as much delight as any of the Seven.
+
+He might have learned that having been taken into the secret "George"
+had not only gotten the powder, but had volunteered to do the work
+himself, to save the seven "young gintlemen" all danger of discovery. He
+might have learned that down in a secluded woody hollow just east of
+camp lay three big siege guns in "Battery Knox," loaded and stuffed to
+the muzzle with powder and paper and rags.
+
+There was lots more he might have learned. He might have learned that at
+the present moment the jolly, red-faced butler was lurking about the
+neighborhood of the Battery, anxiously surveying his watch at intervals
+of every minute or so, waiting for half-past nine, the precise minute
+when he was to touch off the fuse and run. Also that Grace was down with
+her father, in the audience, occasionally stealing a sly glance at Mark;
+also that Mark was bearing a good deal of merry banter upon his
+conquest; also that the Seven, having spent two hours or so with Grace,
+were vowing her the most original, daring and altogether charming girl
+that ever was anywhere, a most undoubtable and valuable ally of Mark and
+his anti-hazing society.
+
+The seven were about as nervous and anxious as seven plebes could
+possibly be. What if "George" should be found out? What if the guns
+should not go off? It was such a colossal and magnificent plot that the
+mere thought of its failure was enough to make one's hair turn gray.
+What if the thing should begin too late, the guns go off before Bull
+started? Or on the other hand, suppose his speech was short and he
+shouldn't be interrupted!
+
+Mark had calculated the time carefully. He had allowed five minutes for
+the "prelude." But suppose it should be longer, or shorter, or should
+begin after eight-thirty? As the hour drew near Mark and his friends
+sat and wriggled in their seats and glanced at their watches and----
+
+"It's half past now," growled Texas. "Durnation, it's a minute after
+that! Ain't they ever--ah!"
+
+The bandmaster arose from his seat, and raised his baton in the air. It
+was the "Star Spangled Banner," and the sound shook the flags that
+graced the walls and shook the hearts of the audience, too, and made
+them rise as one man.
+
+  "'Tis the Star Spangled Banner
+      And long may it wave.
+    O'er the land of the free
+      And the home of the brave!"
+
+The notes died out and the Seven remembered that for a moment they had
+forgotten to be nervous.
+
+The grave young chaplain arose, and raised his hands. His prayer was
+earnest, and his voice trembled as he spoke of the flag and its country.
+But alas! our friends had no eye or ear for beauty. It was time--time!
+Would he take more than the calculated five minutes? It was time for him
+to stop! Plague take it--six!--six and a half!--ah! There he had said
+"Finally," no, he was going off on another tack! Gee whiz--eight--thank
+heavens!
+
+The sigh of relief that came at last from the Seven almost shook the
+roof.
+
+Then came "music;" that had been problematical. Music might mean
+anything from two minutes to twenty. But there is no need of torturing
+the reader, even if the seven were tortured correspondingly. The piece
+took some ten minutes of agony, and then Cadet Captain Fischer stepped
+forward on the platform.
+
+Fischer was an immensely popular man with his class, and they applauded
+him to the echo. He looked handsome, too, in his chevrons and sash. He
+read "The Declaration of Independence," and he read it in the voice that
+had made him first captain, a voice that was clear and deep and ringing,
+a voice that sounded in the open above the thunder and rattle of
+artillery drill, and that sounded still better in the hall, as it spoke
+the words that had made a continent tremble.
+
+There was nothing in that to worry the Seven--they had gotten a copy of
+the "Declaration" and practiced it by the watch. Fischer finished on
+schedule time; but then came the tussle. And some poor plebes up in the
+gallery nearly had apoplexy from waiting.
+
+There were fifteen minutes left. That allowed say ten minutes for the
+music, and five for Bull to get warmed up to his work.
+
+The bandmaster arose; he played "Hail Columbia." The audience, wild with
+fervor, stormed and shouted; he played it again. The minutes fled by.
+The Seven gasped! The audience kept up their applause, and the music
+struck up "My Country, 'Tis of Thee," while the time fled yet faster
+still.
+
+Great heavens! and still the fools--the fools!--in that crowd clapped
+and waved handkerchiefs--would they never stop, would they never let
+Bull step forward? He was dying to. The Seven could see him in his seat,
+half-risen, waiting doubtless as impatiently as they. And still the
+people wouldn't behave themselves.
+
+Bull rose up. Ah, at last. There was a cessation in the infernal racket!
+The amount of torture the plebes suffered during those brief moments
+cannot be told. The gun might go off at any moment now! It might go off
+before Bull started, might ruin the whole thing. Plague take him, what
+made him walk so slowly? Would he never get up on that platform? And the
+foolish audience, why didn't they stop and let him start? What did they
+want to be applauding that ugly old yearling for? And why didn't he stop
+that fool bowing and scraping? Some people are such chumps!
+
+The applause stopped at last. An expectant hush fell upon the crowd.
+Bull Harris stood pompous and self-conscious, gazing upon the scene for
+a moment, and then began. The Seven gasped: "We've got him."
+
+"Ladies and Gentlemen: We have assembled upon this memorable occasion to
+celebrate (Now let that gun go, b'gee!) one of the most glorious
+achievements (You bet we have!) that ever was attained by man. We have
+assembled (What on earth's the matter with "George?") to applaud with
+the voices of the present, words that echo from memories of the past,
+(Can his watch have stopped?) words that will ring through the halls of
+time (Plague take the luck!) as long as time shall be counted in the
+heart throbs of living men. The deeds of our ancestors live in the----"
+
+At last!
+
+With a boom and a rattle and a crash gun No. 1 of Battery Knox thundered
+out upon the still night air. Bull stopped in amazement; the audience
+sprang up in alarm; the seven shrieked--silently--for joy. And then----
+
+Boom!
+
+It was No. 2. The room rang with shouts of confusion; cadets stared and
+ran hastily about; women cried out in alarm.
+
+Boom!
+
+It was No. 3, and at the same instant from a hundred throats came the
+dreaded cry of "Fire!"
+
+Three guns is West Point's fire alarm. Quick as a flash, before the
+audience had time to think of flight, of panic, the commandant of cadets
+sprang to the platform.
+
+"Company fire battalion form on the street outside, immediately!"
+
+At the same moment, in response to a command from outside, a drum
+orderly sounded the "long roll." The band struck up a quick march, and
+tramp, tramp, tramp, the grave cadets marched out of the hall,
+forgetting friends and entertainment, forgetting everything in the one
+important thought--discipline--obedience to orders.
+
+And in half a minute more the gymnasium was empty; the street was
+crowded with the anxious audience, and the battalion was tramping
+steadily across the parade ground in a vain search for an imaginary
+fire.
+
+In that battalion were seven wildly delighted plebes. They hugged
+themselves for joy; they gasped, choked with repressed laughter. They
+punched each other in the ribs and whispered:
+
+"Didn't we do it? Oh, didn't we do it? Three cheers for the Banded
+Seven--B. B. J.!"
+
+The fire, of course was not found. Near camp the corps halted, to wait
+for the person who fired the alarm guns to come out and lead the way. He
+didn't do it, and gradually it began to dawn upon the commandant and the
+assembled "tacs" that the whole thing was a hoax. "And then indeed the
+Philistines were wroth."
+
+Captain Quincey, the commandant, stepped to the head of the line,
+determined to investigate the matter on the spot. Roll call disclosed
+the fact that no one was absent; that made him think the guns were fired
+with a time fuse, and so he tried another way to find out the culprits.
+
+It is not good form in West Point to lie; cadets who do soon find
+themselves cut by the class. So Captain Quincey, knowing that, gave this
+order:
+
+"Parties who fired those guns will remain standing. Those who are
+innocent will advance one step. March!"
+
+Now that any plebe had dared to do such a bold trick had never occurred
+to the cadets. They were convinced that some of their number were
+guilty, and they protected them in the usual way. Not a man moved. They
+refused to obey the order.
+
+The commandant was furious, of course. He tried it the other way,
+ordered the guilty ones to advance. Whereupon the whole corps stepped
+forward to share the blame. To punish them he tried the dodge of keeping
+them standing at attention for half an hour or so, but several dropped
+from well-feigned exhaustion, which stopped that scheme.
+
+He ordered one of the "tacs" to march them around the parade ground. The
+cadets, who were out for fun by this time and angry besides, guyed the
+unpopular "tac" with a vengeance. It was too dark for him to distinguish
+any one, and so every one obeyed orders wrong, producing chaos and
+finally compelling him to summon the commandant to preserve order.
+
+With the commandant watching, those weary cadets marched for an hour
+more. Then he asked some questions and again got no answers. And finally
+in disgust he sent them off to their tents, most of them still puzzled
+as to who did it, some of them wild with joy.
+
+These last were the Banded Seven--"B. B. J."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+WHAT MARK OVERHEARD.
+
+
+"Now, captain, there are no two ways about it, this business has got to
+stop, and stop right where it is."
+
+The speaker was Colonel Harvey, superintendent of the West Point
+Military Academy. He was sitting in the guardhouse tent of the camp and
+talking to Captain Quincey.
+
+"Yes," he repeated, slapping his leg for emphasis, "it's got to stop."
+
+"I quite agree with you, colonel," responded the other, deprecatingly.
+"Quite. But the only question is to find out the offenders."
+
+"If the offenders are not found out," cried the other, "I shall punish
+the whole class until they confess. Discipline shall not be laughed at
+while I am in command of this academy. And that is just exactly what
+that matter amounts to."
+
+"It certainly does seem," admitted the other, "that the yearling class
+has such an idea in mind."
+
+"Never since I have been here has a class of yearlings dared to
+celebrate their release from plebehood by such a set of lawless acts. It
+began the very first night that the plebes entered camp. I do not know
+what had been going on before that, but the yearlings had evidently
+become entirely reckless of consequences, and careless of discovery.
+They woke the camp by a series of outrageous noises; one of them fired
+off a gun, I believe."
+
+"Lieutenant Allen," put in the other, "told me that he made an
+investigation on the spot and could find nothing suspicious."
+
+"The yearlings had probably seen to it that he wouldn't. Then night
+before last Lieutenant Allen, who was again on duty, reported to me
+personally that he was awakened about midnight by a shout, and going
+outside of his tent found that about half the cadets had been out of bed
+and over in Fort Clinton, probably hazing some one. They were all
+rushing back to camp; he says that it was so dark he could recognize no
+one."
+
+"It is perfectly outrageous!" exclaimed the commandant.
+
+"It has got to be stopped, too," vowed the other. "That incident of the
+gun last night capped the climax. I have heard of the cadets playing
+that prank before, loading one of the guns and firing it at night. But
+this time they did it for the evident purpose of breaking up the
+entertainment, and moreover, they fired three so as to make people think
+it was an alarm of fire. I think myself that was carrying the matter a
+trifle too far. And as I said, I propose to see that it is punished."
+
+The above was meant to be private. Neither the superintendent nor the
+commandant meant that their conversation should reach any one but
+themselves. There was one other auditor, however, and it was Mark.
+
+He was a sentry and his beat lay by the tent. As he paced up and down
+every word that was said was audible to him.
+
+Early that same morning, after having been spruced up and polished by
+his friends, he had turned out and received an elaborate set of
+instructions from a yearling corporal. Now he was putting them into
+effect during his two hours' turn "on guard."
+
+One of his instructions had been silence. Yet he was only human--and as
+the angry remarks of the high and mighty Colonel Harvey reached his ears
+it must be confessed that between chuckles and grins he was far from
+silent indeed. And a few minutes later when he was relieved from duty
+till his next turn, he rushed off with unconcealed excitement to his
+tent.
+
+There were three seated therein; and Mark greeted them with a burst of
+long-repressed merriment.
+
+"Hello, fellows!" he cried. "Oh, say, I've got the greatest news of the
+century!"
+
+"What's up?" they inquired eagerly.
+
+"I thought I'd die laughing," responded Mark. "You know all the tricks
+we've been playing on the yearlings? Well, I just overheard the
+superintendent talking to the commandant of cadets and he's blamed it
+all on the yearlings."
+
+"What?"
+
+"Yes, I heard it. And he may punish them. You see, it's always the
+yearlings who have played pranks before. The plebes have never dared.
+And so the superintendent doesn't think of blaming us. Isn't that fine?
+And, oh, say! won't the yearlings be mad!"
+
+The Parson arose solemnly to his feet.
+
+"Yea, by Zeus," said he. "Gentlemen, I propose three cheers for the
+Banded Seven."
+
+They were given with a will--and in a whisper.
+
+"Wow!" roared Texas. "An' to think that the ole man--Colonel Harvey, if
+you please--went an' blamed the firin' o' them guns on the yearlin's!
+Whoop! Say, didn't it come out great? It scared the place most blue; an'
+that coward, Bull Harris, the feller that wanted to lick Mark when he
+was tied to a tree, had his ole speech busted up in the middle, too.
+Whoop!"
+
+"I think," laughed Mark, "I shall have to go around and carry this news
+to Grace Fuller."
+
+That remark started Texas on another speech no less vehement.
+
+"I tell you, sah, she's a treasure!" he vowed. "Jes' think of a girl
+that had sense enough to think up that air scheme fo' firin' the gun an'
+nerve enough to offer to do it, too. An' she's jined with us to bust
+them ole yearlings. Whoop! It's all on account o' Mark, though."
+
+"Yea, by Zeus," put in the Parson, gravely. "As I have said before, our
+friend is much smitten, and she likewise. I do not blame her, since he
+saved her life."
+
+A rattle of drums interrupted the conversation just then, summoning the
+plebes to drill. Mark alone had an hour of leisure, he having been on
+guard duty, and during that hour having secured a permit, he set out for
+the hotel in search for the object of all their talk.
+
+Grace Fuller was sitting on the piazza as he approached. She was dressed
+in white and the color just seemed to set off the brightness and beauty
+of her complexion. She greeted her friend with one of her pleasant
+smiles that seemed to make every one near her feel happy.
+
+"Come up and sit down," she said. "I've been waiting for you all
+morning. I'm just dying to have some one to talk to about our adventure
+last night."
+
+Mark ascended the steps with alacrity and took a seat. And for the next
+half hour the two talked about nothing else but their glorious triumph,
+and the way they had fooled everybody, and how mad the commandant was,
+and how puzzled the cadets.
+
+"I suppose you noticed," said the girl, "that George was about two
+minutes late? Well, it seems there were two people sitting on one of the
+guns, and he didn't know what to do. He waited and waited, and finally
+crept up and lit the fuse and ran. The gun went off while those two were
+sitting on it."
+
+There was a hearty laugh over this rather ludicrous picture.
+
+And then a few moment's silence, during which the girl gazed
+thoughtfully into space.
+
+"I've got something important to tell you, by the way," she said,
+suddenly. "Last night the cadets all thought one of themselves had
+played the joke. Well, it seems that they've found out since."
+
+"They have! How do you know?"
+
+"I was talking to Corporal Jasper this morning. Jasper's a mighty nice
+boy, only he thinks he's a man. All the yearlings are that way, so
+pompous and self-conscious! I think plebes are delicious for a change. I
+told Mr. Jasper that and he didn't like it a bit. Anyhow, they must have
+inquired among themselves and found out that nobody in their class had
+anything to do with it. For the 'corporal'--ahem!--was pretty sure you
+were the guilty one, and he said the class was mad as hops about it."
+
+"That's good," laughed Mark, rubbing his hands gleefully. "Perhaps we'll
+have some fun now."
+
+"You will. That's just the point. I don't know that I ought to tell you
+this, but I didn't promise Mr. Jasper I wouldn't, and I suppose my
+duties as a member of the Seven are paramount to all others."
+
+"Yes," responded Mark, "we'll expel you if you play us false. But don't
+keep me in suspense. What's all this about?"
+
+"I like to get you excited," laughed the girl, teasingly. "I think I'll
+hold off a while so as to be sure you're interested, so as to make you
+realize the importance of what I have to say. For you must know that
+this is a really important plot that I've discovered, a plot that
+will----"
+
+"I think it is going to rain," remarked the cadet, gazing off dreamily
+into space. "I hope it will not, because it is liable to damage the corn
+crop, the farmers say that----"
+
+"I'll give up," laughed the girl. "I'll tell you right away. You are to
+be on sentry duty to-night, aren't you?"
+
+"Yes," said Mark, "I am. I wouldn't be here now if I were not."
+
+"And your post is No. 3, isn't it?"
+
+"Yes! How did you know?"
+
+"All this is what my small boy friend the corporal told me. You see that
+my information comes right from headquarters. I suppose you know that
+Post No. 3 runs along Fort Clinton ditch."
+
+"But what's that got to do with the plot?" cried Mark.
+
+"Everything. The plot is to 'dump' you, as the slang has it."
+
+"Dump me?"
+
+"Yes; take away your gun and roll you head over heels into the mud."
+
+"Oh!" responded Mark, thoughtfully, "I see. Take my gun away and roll me
+head over heels into the mud. Well, well!"
+
+There was a silence for a few moments after that during which Mark
+tapped the chair reflectively.
+
+"Are you going to let them do it?" inquired Grace at last.
+
+"From what you know of me," inquired he, "do you suppose I will?"
+
+"Hardly."
+
+"And I won't, either. I think the yearlings that try it will have some
+fun. I only hope there are enough of them."
+
+"There will be," said the girl. "There'll be three."
+
+"I'm very glad you told me," said Mark, "very. I'm beginning to perceive
+that our ally will be a very serviceable ally indeed."
+
+"She will be faithful anyway," said the girl. "The Daughters of the
+Revolution always are. She has a debt of gratitude to pay to the chief
+rebel which she will not very soon forget; and she hopes he will not,
+either."
+
+Whereupon Mark bowed and arose to take his leave.
+
+"I must get back to camp," he explained, "to tell the Seven about this
+new plan. We shall find a way to circumvent it, I think; we always do.
+And I'll promise you that the yearlings who 'dump' me will have a very
+lively evening of it. Good-by."
+
+And Mark left.
+
+Now it must be explained that the plebes had lately been given guns.
+
+The instruction in marching, halting, etc., which they had gotten in
+barracks was supplemented by all sorts of evolutions, and by drill in
+the manual of arms.
+
+This latter of course necessitated guns; and great was the joy of the
+ambitious and warlike plebe on the momentous day that "guns" were given
+out. The guns were regulation army muskets, heavy beyond imagination. So
+the plebe soon wished he hadn't wished for them. Besides drilling with
+them, which he found harder work than digging trenches, he had to clean
+them daily; and cleaning a gun under the watchful eye of a merciless
+yearling proved to be a matter of weeping and gnashing of teeth. It had
+to be done; for he had a number on his gun, so that he couldn't steal
+his neighbor's well-cleaned one; and if his own wasn't clean he got
+into trouble at the very next inspection.
+
+Besides the three drills a day, there were other duties galore. There
+was policing twice a day, "policing" meaning the sweeping clean of the
+acre or two of ground within the limits of Camp McPherson. Then also
+there was "guard-mounting."
+
+Guard-mounting is the daily ceremony of placing the sentries about the
+camp; the cadets who go on duty then remain until the following morning.
+This ceremony has already been described within the pages of this
+series; it will have much to do with our present story.
+
+The plebes of course were not put on guard until they had been fairly
+well trained in other duties. They had to know how to march, halt,
+salute, present arms, etc. Also they had to be accoutered in their dress
+uniforms, which were issued about this time.
+
+Mark Mallory had been notified to report for guard duty that morning,
+greatly to the joy of his friends, the Seven, who had rubbed and
+polished him till he shone. He had "fallen in" at the summons and
+received a long and appalling list of instructions from his corporal.
+Then he had been put on Post No. 3 for his first tour of duty.
+
+The sentries about the camp march for two hours, and then have four
+hours off duty, thus having eight hours "on" in the twenty. During this
+time they speak to no one, except to challenge parties who cross their
+beats. This last duty is where the yearlings have all the fun with the
+new plebe.
+
+"Deviling" sentries is an old, old amusement at West Point. The plebe
+goes on duty, solemn and anxious, awed to silence and gravity by the
+sternness of his superiors. He is proud of his important office and
+thoroughly resolved to do his duty, come what may, and to die in the
+last ditch. He seizes his gun resolutely; feels of the bayonet point
+valiantly; puts on his sternest and most forbidding look; strides forth
+with a step that is bold and unwavering. And the yearlings "don't do a
+thing" to him.
+
+What they did to Mark and his friends will be described later on.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+MARK'S COUNTERPLOT.
+
+
+Mark returned to the camp to find his six friends just returned from
+drill and enjoying a brief respite until the summons came for their next
+duty. He gathered them together in solemn conclave, and then in whisper
+imparted to them the information he had just received from the "angel."
+
+The effects of Mark's announcement upon his friends varied considerably
+with each.
+
+Indian was terrified beyond measure; the possibility of such tricks
+being tried upon him, too, made his fat eyes bulge. Texas, on the other
+hand, was wild with excitement and joy, and a little good-natured envy.
+
+"Wow! Mark," he cried. "Why is it you always have all the fun? Them ole
+cadets always go fo' you; nobody else kin ever do anything. Ef them
+fellers don't git roun' to me some day I'm goin' off an' raise a rumpus
+some other way."
+
+"What'll you do?" inquired Mark, laughing.
+
+"I'll go off'n git on a roarin' ole spree!" vowed the other, solemnly.
+"An' I'll ride into this yere ole camp an' raise such a rumpus as it
+ain't ever seen afore. Jes' you watch me now! What you fellers
+a-laughin' at?"
+
+"I'm sorry I can't let you go on in my place," said Mark, smiling. "Or
+perhaps I'll let you come out and help me 'do' them when they tackle
+me."
+
+Texas was somewhat mollified by that; and then the Seven settled down to
+a serious discussion of the situation.
+
+"Fellows," said Mark, "I want to tell you something. You know I'm
+getting tired of the notion those yearlings have in their heads, that
+they can haze us without its costing them anything. Now I've been
+thinking this business over and I've got an idea. If they try to dump me
+to-night I'm going to fool them and I'm going to fix it so that they'll
+be the laughingstock of the corps. After I get through with them then
+we'll go dump some of their sentries instead. And now, what I want to
+know is, will you help me?"
+
+"Help you!" gasped the others, excitedly. "Help you! What are we banded
+for?"
+
+"Oo-oo!" wailed Indian. "I can't. I'll be on duty, too! And suppose they
+attack me! Bless my soul!"
+
+"You'll have to fight your own battle!" laughed Mark. "They won't try
+anything very desperate on you. But now let me tell you of my plot."
+
+The six gathered about him to listen to his whispered instructions.
+From the contortions their faces went through one would have supposed
+they liked the scheme. And in the end Mark, finding that it met with
+approval, sat down and wrote a brief note:
+
+      "DEAR MISS FULLER: We have a plan to punish those
+      yearlings, and we want you to help us once more. Ask
+      George, the butler, to go down to Highland Falls and
+      buy us a quart of peroxide of hydrogen. The Parson
+      says it must be very strong, a ninety per cent.
+      saturated solution. We'll explain to you afterward
+      what we want the stuff for. Please do not fail us.
+
+      "Your friend,
+
+      "MARK MALLORY."
+
+They sealed that note and put it together with a coin into the hands of
+a drum orderly. And after that there was nothing to do but wait in
+suspense and impatience for the momentous hours of evening, when the
+yearling class was to make one more effort to subdue "the B. J.-est
+plebe that ever struck the place."
+
+Night came, as night always does, no matter how anxiously it is waited
+for. Mark and his friend Indian went on guard that afternoon from two to
+four; and soon after that came dress parade and the sunset gun, then
+supper and finally darkness at last. With eight o'clock the two went on
+once more.
+
+Though Mark did not once relax his vigilance during the time from then
+till taps he was inclined to think that the attack upon him would not
+take place until his next watch, which began at two. For now there were
+numbers of people strolling about and hazing was decidedly unsafe. So
+sure was he of this that his allies did not even prepare their plot.
+
+Mark's judgment proved to be correct; he marched back and forth along
+the path that marked his beat and no one offered to disturb him. What
+"deviling" was being done at that hour was of a milder sort, a sort that
+was not intended for such B. J. plebes as he.
+
+Among the victims of this, however, was our unfortunate friend Indian.
+What happened to Indian happens to nearly all plebes at the present day.
+It is our purpose to describe it in this chapter.
+
+Indian was a gullible, innocent sort of a lad; life was a solemn and
+serious business with him. Most plebes take their hazing as fun, rather
+unpleasant, but still nothing dangerous. With Indian on the other hand
+it was torture; he dreaded the yearlings as his mortal enemies, and to
+his poor miserable soul everything they did was aimed at his life.
+
+This curious state of affairs the yearlings were not slow to discover,
+and the result had been that fully half the hazing that was done had
+fallen on the head of this unfortunate plebe. And one may readily
+believe that the merry cadets were waiting with indescribable glee for
+the first night when poor Joseph Smith turned out on sentry duty.
+
+Sentry duty at the camp is of course a mere formality; no enemies are
+expected to attack West Point, and there is no necessity for an
+all-night guard. But it was precisely this fact that our friend could
+not understand, and that was where the fun came in.
+
+To Indian, the sentry was put on guard to ward off some real and
+terrible danger. Everything that happened confirmed this view in his
+mind. In the first place the solemnity and businesslike reality he found
+in the guard tent impressed him. Then the sepulchral tones of the
+corporal who gave him instructions, and who, it may readily be believed,
+lost no opportunity to impress the gravity of the situation upon his
+charge and to frighten him more and more, strengthened his conviction.
+Then they gave him a gun, a heavy, dangerous-looking gun, with a
+cold-steel bayonet sharp as a knife, that made him see all sorts of
+harrowing visions of himself in the act of plunging it, all bloody, into
+the body of some gasping foe.
+
+After that, with all these uncanny ideas in his head, they marched him
+solemnly out to his post and left him there alone in the darkness.
+
+Indian's post lay alongside the camp, but in his fright he did not
+recognize anything. All he knew was that it ran along a dark deserted
+path beneath trees that groaned and creaked in the moonlight. And
+Indian paced tremblingly up and down clutching his cold steel gun
+nervously, seeing an enemy in every waving shadow and in every tree
+stump, hearing one in every distant voice and tread, consoling his mind
+with visions of all sorts of horrors, wishing he had some one to talk
+to, and wondering if it were not almost ten o'clock and time for that
+other sentry to relieve him. The very clanking of his own bayonet
+scabbard made this bold young soldier jump.
+
+This continued as the night wore on. Indian strode back and forth losing
+heart every moment, and beginning to believe that the relief guard had
+forgotten him. Tramp, tramp--and then suddenly he halted, his heart
+leaped up and began to thump in a frenzy. Could that be? Yes, surely it
+was! Some one was crossing his beat, stealing along in the moonlight!
+
+Half mechanically, Indian obeyed his instructions, brought down his gun
+to the charge position and gave the challenge:
+
+"Who goes there?"
+
+The voice was so weak that Indian scarcely heard it. He stood trembling,
+to await the answer. When the answer came he was still more mystified.
+
+"The Prince of Wales!" called the intruder.
+
+The Prince of Wales? What on earth was he doing here? Poor Indian had
+received no instructions about the Prince of Wales. But he was given no
+time to find out, for a step way back at the other end of the post took
+him down there on the run, where in response to his second challenge the
+ghost of Horace Greeley made itself known. And scarcely had the ghost
+been warned away before the confused sentry had to rush back to the
+original place to find that the prince had given place to a band of
+Potawottamie squaws combined with Julius Caesar and the Second
+Continental Congress.
+
+Indian of course should have summoned the corporal of the guard. But in
+the alarm he had forgotten everything except that he must challenge
+everybody he saw. The result was that the poor lad was kept flying up
+and down until nearly dead from exhaustion, challenging ghosts and
+colonels, armed parties, patrols, grand rounds, reliefs, and other
+things military and otherwise. Occasionally a "friend with the
+countersign" would hail, and then inform the rattled sentry that the
+countersign was "butter beans," or "Kalamazoo," or "kangaroo," or "any
+old thing you please," as one joker told him. Poor Indian was fast being
+reduced to a state of nervous prostration.
+
+He was in this condition when the climax came. Hurrying down the path he
+was suddenly electrified to see a red can lying in the middle of the
+path. Staring out in great black letters that made the sentry gasp were
+the letters d-y-n-a-m-i-t-e! Indian started back in alarm. He saw a
+spark, as if from a fuse; and in an instant more before he had a chance
+to run, that can--which contained a firecracker--went up into the air
+with a terrific flash and roar.
+
+That was the last straw for Joseph.
+
+He dropped his gun; gave vent to one shriek of terror and then turned
+and fled wildly into camp!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+THE ATTACK ON MARK.
+
+
+There was confusion indescribable in a moment; cadets rushed out of
+their tents, and every one who chanced to be in the neighborhood started
+on a run for the scene of the trouble, most of them just in time to see
+the figure of the frightened plebe flying down a company street to the
+guard tent. Indian's hair was sailing out behind, his eyes were staring
+and his cheeks bulging with fright.
+
+In response to the first yell, Lieutenant Allen, the tactical officer in
+charge, had rushed to the tent door, followed by the corporal of the
+guard, the officer of the day, and a host of other cadet officials. The
+figure in blue, however, was the only one the plebe saw. That meant an
+army officer and safety for him. So to that figure he rushed with a gasp
+of fright.
+
+"What's the matter?" cried Lieutenant Allen.
+
+"Dynamite, sir, anarchists!"
+
+"What!"
+
+"Yes, sir, oh, please, sir, bless my soul, sir, I saw it,
+sir--puff--oh!"
+
+It took the amazed officer several moments to take in the situation.
+
+"Anarchists," he repeated. "Dynamite! Why, what on earth?"
+
+And then suddenly the whole thing flashed across him. It was another
+prank of the yearlings! And, what was worse, a thousand times worse,
+here was a sentry off his beat, in direct violation of his orders of all
+military law.
+
+"Didn't you receive a command, sir," he demanded severely, "not to leave
+your post for any reason whatsoever? Don't you know that in time of war
+your offense would mean hanging?"
+
+"Bless my soul, sir!" gasped the sorely perplexed plebe, frightful
+visions of gallows rising up before his bulging eyes. "Yes,
+sir--er--that is, no, sir--bless my soul! They're going to attack the
+place!"
+
+The officer gazed at the lad incredulously for a moment; he thought the
+plebe was trying to fool him. But that look on Indian's face could not
+possibly be feigned; and the officer when he spoke again was a trifle
+more consoling.
+
+"Don't you know, my boy," he said, "this is all a joke? It was not real
+dynamite."
+
+"Not real dynamite!" cried the other in amazement. "Why, I saw it!
+It----"
+
+"It was the yearlings trying to fool you," said the lieutenant.
+
+"Yearlings trying to fool me!" echoed the other as if unable to grasp
+the meaning. "Why--er--bless my soul! Yearlings trying to fool me!"
+
+The thought filtered through gradually, but it reached Indian's excited
+brain at last. The change it produced when it got there was marvelous to
+behold. The look of terror on his face vanished. So he had been fooled!
+So he had let the yearlings outwit him! Yearlings--his sworn enemies!
+And he a member of the Banded Seven at that! It was too awful to be
+true! It was----
+
+And then suddenly before Lieutenant Allen could raise a hand or say a
+word the plebe wheeled, sprang forward and tore back down the company
+street.
+
+There was a look on Indian's face that his friends had seen there just
+once before. The yearlings had tied him to a stake that day to "burn"
+him, and they had set fire to his trousers by accident. Indian had
+broken loose, and it was then that the look was on his face, a look of
+the wildest fury of convulsive rage. Now it was there again, and Indian
+was too mad to speak, almost too mad to see.
+
+He rushed down the street, he tore in between two of the tents and burst
+out upon the path where the sentry beat lay. It was dark and he could
+see little, but off to one side he made out a group of cadets. He heard
+a sound of muffled laughter. Here were his tormentors! Here! And with a
+gasp and gurgle of rage Indian plunged into the midst of them.
+
+After that there was just about as lively a time as those yearlings had
+ever seen. Indian's arms were windmills and sledge hammers combined,
+with the added quality of hitting the nail on the head every time they
+hit. The result ten eyes could not have followed, and as many pens could
+not describe it. Suffice it to say that the plebe plowed a path straight
+through the crowd, then whirled about and started on another tack. And
+that a few moments later he was in undisturbed possession of his post,
+the yearlings having fled in every direction.
+
+Then Indian picked up his musket, shouldered it, and strode away down
+the path.
+
+"I guess they'll leave me alone now," he said.
+
+They did. Indian marched courageously after that, his head high and his
+step firm, conscious of having done his duty and signally retrieved his
+honor.
+
+Pacing patiently, he heard tattoo sound and saw the cadets line up in
+the company street beyond. He heard the roll call and the order to break
+ranks. He saw the cadets scatter to their tents, his own friends among
+them. Indian knew that it was half-past nine then and that he had but
+half an hour more.
+
+As he marched he was thinking about Mark. He was wondering if the
+yearlings had had the temerity to try their "dumping" so early in the
+evening. And he wondered, too, if Mark had prevailed, and if he had
+dared to put into execution the daring act of retribution he had
+planned.
+
+Mark meantime was also walking his post, over on the other side of the
+camp. He had marched there in silence and solitude since eight. He, too,
+had heard tattoo; he had seen his five friends enter their tents which
+lay very close to his beat, and he had nodded to them and signaled that
+all was well.
+
+Time passed rapidly. He saw the cadets undressing, saw most of them
+extinguish their lights and lie down. And then suddenly came a roll upon
+the drum--ten o'clock--"lights out and all quiet." And at the same
+moment he heard the clank of a sword, and the tramp of marching feet
+coming down the path. It was the relief.
+
+They left another sentry there in Mark's stead and marched on around the
+camp, picking up the others. Among these was the weary fat Indian, who
+joined them with a sigh that it is no pun to call one of "relief." A few
+minutes later they were in the guard tent, where Indian learned that the
+attack had not yet come, at which he sighed again.
+
+Cadets who are members of the guard sleep in the big "guard tent," which
+is situated at the western end of the camp. Here they can be awakened
+and can fall in and join the relief when their time comes without
+disturbing the rest of the corps. Mark and Indian did not go on duty
+again until two o'clock in the morning, and so they "turned in," in no
+time and were soon fast asleep.
+
+When they are awakened again we shall follow Mark to "Post No. 3."
+Nothing more was done to poor Indian that night.
+
+It was the "corporal of the relief," who touched Mark on the shoulder
+and brought him out of the land of dreams. He sprang up hastily and
+began to dress; cadets sleep in their underclothing, so that they may be
+ready to "fall in" promptly, all dressed in case of an emergency. Mark,
+gazing about him, saw a big white tent, with sleeping forms scattered
+about it. A yawning cadet officer sat at a table, a candle by his side.
+And five other sentries, about to go "on" like himself, were sleepily
+dressing.
+
+Promptly at the minute of two the six fell in, in response to the low
+command of the corporal. At the same time the sentry's call of the hour
+sounded:
+
+"Two o'clock and all's well!"
+
+And then out into the cold night air marched the six and away to their
+posts of duty. There was a bright moon and the whole camp was light as
+day as they marched. At number three, in response to the corporal's
+order, Mallory fell out. And then "Forward, march!" and away down the
+dim vista of trees swept the rest and around a turn and were gone. Mark
+Mallory was alone, waiting for the enemy.
+
+He was not afraid. He had made up his mind as to what he should do, and
+now he was here to do it. He realized that from the very first moment he
+set foot on this post, the word must be vigilance, vigilance! And he
+gritted his teeth and set his square, sunburned jaws and seized his
+rifle with a grip of determination, striding meanwhile on down the path.
+
+He had not gotten halfway down to the end, the tramp of the relief was
+still in the air, when suddenly came a low, faint whistle. Mark was
+expecting that, and he faced about, started off the other way. He heard
+a faint sound of hurrying feet and knew that his friends, the five, had
+crossed. He saw shadows flitting in the deep grass of the ditch beside
+him and knew that they were scattering to hide and wait in accordance
+with the agreement. And he set his teeth with a still more grinding snap
+and strode on. Vigilance, vigilance!
+
+The moon was high in the heavens by this time; one could almost have
+seen to read.
+
+"They won't dare to try it," thought Mark. "A snake couldn't creep up on
+me now. They'll have to come from the camp, too, for they can't cross
+any sentry beat. But I'll watch, all the same."
+
+His heart was beating fast then, he could almost regulate his step by
+it. Outside of that all was ghostly and silent, except for the breathing
+of the sleepers in the nearest tents of Company A. Once, too, he heard
+the distant roar of a train as it whirled down the river valley, and
+once the faint chug chug of a steamboat that passed on the water. But
+for the most part the camp was unbroken in its peacefulness.
+
+Tramp, tramp. Down the path to the sentry box, right about, and back
+again. His post--number three--extended from the upper end of the
+colorline on which two and six were marching, down along the north side
+of the camp skirting the tents of Company A--his own--with the deep
+ditch of Fort Clinton right to the left, past the tent of Fischer, the
+first captain, and that of the adjutant, and ending near the water tank.
+Tramp! tramp!
+
+It was just a few minutes more before the corporal of the relief came
+around, testing the sentries' knowledge of the orders of the night.
+Later still came the cadet officer of the guard, with a clank of sword;
+and he passed on, too. Tramp, tramp. And still no sign of trouble.
+Mark's challenge, "Who comes there?" had been heard but once, and that
+by the corporal.
+
+"Will they try it?" he thought. "Now's the time. Will they try it?"
+
+The answer came soon. Peering ahead with the stealthiness of a cat,
+glancing back over his shoulder every minute, watching every moving
+shadow, listening for every faintest sound. Tramp, tramp. Eastward
+toward the river; he reached the water tank, where the shade was the
+thickest, where stood the only bushes that could conceal a lurking foe.
+Opposite the tent of the bootblack he halted and started back again,
+where the path lay clear in the moonlight. Tramp, tramp. He could see
+number two, far down in the distance, his white trousers glistening as
+he marched. He saw the shadows of the trees waving, he heard the
+breathing of the sleepers.
+
+Then suddenly came the attack. There was a quick step behind him, and
+everything grew dark. A cloth was flung about his mouth, and two pair of
+hands about his writhing, sinewy body. Down he went to the ground,
+fighting with every ounce of muscle that was in him. And after that
+there was fun to spare.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+THREE DISCOMFITED YEARLINGS.
+
+
+It was Mark's duty to summon the corporal of the guard at the very first
+sign of danger. But he didn't. He was going to settle this himself, and
+he meant to punish those yearlings without any official aid.
+
+He wanted to keep them busy, so that his friends could approach unseen,
+and he set out to do it with all the strength of his powerful frame.
+There were three of the yearlings, just as Grace had said, and they were
+big fellows, selected for that reason; the yearling class knew Mark
+Mallory--knew that he could fight when he wanted to, and he wanted to
+then. He went down struggling, kicking, hitting right and left; on the
+ground he was writhing and twisting as no eel had ever done. And then
+suddenly he heard a muttered exclamation, felt the hands that were
+gripping him relax; he flung off his enemies and sprang up to find each
+of them struggling desperately in the grip of the triumphant five.
+
+There were two for each of the yearlings. That was not quite so unfair
+as the three to one that had prevailed a moment before; but it was
+enough to make victory certain. The yearlings did not dare cry out; they
+were more to blame than the plebes and they knew it. The plebes knew
+it, too, knew that they had only to hold their enemies, not trying to
+keep them quiet.
+
+The six had the yearlings flat upon their backs in a very brief space of
+time. To bind them hand and foot was a still easier task. And then the
+mighty Texas flung one over his shoulder, the rest carrying the other
+two; they sprang down into the ditch; they climbed the parapet of the
+fort beyond; and a moment later were safe, out of sight or hearing.
+
+Then Mark Mallory, sentry number three, brushed off his soiled clothing,
+picked up his soiled gun, shouldered it and marched calmly away down the
+path. Tramp, tramp.
+
+Sentry number three would have loved dearly to "see the fun," but there
+is no worse offense known at West Point than deserting a sentry post. He
+did not dare take the risk, so we shall have to leave him alone and go
+see for ourselves.
+
+The five rascals with their securely-bound and gagged victims did not go
+very far. They stopped in the middle of old Fort Clinton and dropped
+their mummy burdens to the ground. Texas pulled from under his coat a
+bottle, one quart of peroxide of hydrogen, very strong, "a ninety per
+cent. saturated solution." And he got right to work, too.
+
+You ask what he did? Any one ought to guess that. As a hair dye,
+peroxide of hydrogen is pretty well known, we fancy.
+
+Add Texas was a liberal hair dyer, too. He put plenty of it on. He was
+not careful to apply it evenly, to get it on everywhere. In fact, he was
+rather careful not to. Texas was not seeking for any beautiful effects,
+mind you; all he wanted to do was to put some mark on those yearlings
+that would cure them of their hazing habits, that would make them the
+laughingstock of the class.
+
+Having finished one, doused him well, Texas went on to the next. And
+more miserable looking and feeling cadets than the three a human being
+cannot imagine. They had some vague idea of what their tormentors were
+doing, and visions arose up before them, visions of themselves dancing
+in the ballroom, or walking about with their best girls, or marching on
+parade, with half yellow and half black or brown hair, stamped and
+labeled before all to their shame as the yearlings who tried to haze
+Mallory. And the worst of it was they daren't tell the authorities; they
+were more to blame than anybody!
+
+Texas knew that; and he soaked on the peroxide of hydrogen the
+more--ninety per cent. saturated solution.
+
+Having finished this they left their victims there for a while, so that
+their hair might dry and the bleach have a good chance to work. It would
+never have done in the world to let them run back to camp and wash it
+all out. Oh, no! And, besides, it might be well to leave them there a
+while to reflect upon the sin of hazing.
+
+As to this last point a mild bit of sarcasm occurred to the Parson. "The
+Parson" was just the man to preach a sermon; and he got down upon his
+knees and whispered very softly into the ears of each of the three:
+
+"Gentlemen," said he, "the epistle for the day is written in the sixth
+chapter of Galatians, the seventh verse. 'Be not deceived, brethren. For
+whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.' Here endeth the first
+lesson. Yea, by Zeus!"
+
+And then the five hair dyers stole away, and likewise the one quart
+bottle, peroxide of hydrogen, ninety per cent. saturated solution.
+
+They were not through yet. Oh, not by a long shot! They rejoined sentry
+number three and held a whispered consultation.
+
+"Who's on to-night?" was the question.
+
+"Only one to interest us. Bull Harris!" was the answer.
+
+"Where?"
+
+"Number two."
+
+And then the five figures disappeared once more in the darkness--the
+moon had kindly hidden for a while. Mark could see number two from his
+post, and he watched with the utmost eagerness. He saw three horrified
+yearlings dash across his own beat and vanish in their tents. He let
+them pass without challenge, even if it was against the orders, for he
+knew that they were the three unhappy heroes of the peroxide of hydrogen
+bottle, just released by the plebes.
+
+After that there was a silence of perhaps five minutes. Mark, in
+disobedience of all orders, was actually standing still, peering across
+at the sentry on the next beat. He could see that gentleman's white
+"pants" shining out; and then suddenly he saw several dark figures steal
+up behind him, saw the sentry shoot up into the air and take a header to
+the grass. The next moment came rapid footfalls and some quick shadows
+flying across the path. The shadows disappeared in the tents and Camp
+McPherson was once more silent as the night.
+
+Sentry number two got up from the ground in a meditative way; his
+look--though Mark did not see it--was what is often described as an
+injured one. He made no sound, because for one thing he was too
+surprised, and for another because he had an idea some of his own class
+had done that trick--mistaken him for Mallory! For though Bull Harris
+had watched long and anxiously he hadn't seen Mark "dumped."
+
+Mark meanwhile had faced about and was strolling on down the path, a
+rather happy and satisfied expression upon his face. Tramp, tramp.
+
+This chapter would not be complete without a word--just a word--about
+three yearling friends of ours. They woke up--if they slept at all that
+night--with three startling crops of beautiful golden shining hair,
+rather piebald in places. One likes to lavish adjectives upon that hair;
+the piebald is not meant to be a pun. Now, as to how that hair got dyed
+during the night, not a man of them would tell. But the Seven told
+Grace, of course; and Grace told the cadets, which amounted to the same
+thing in the end. The story was all about the post that morning.
+
+By that time the three had been to the barber's and their heads looked
+like a wheat field, a field of golden grain after the reaping machine
+had been hauled across. But that didn't save the three. They were guyed
+unmercifully; one of them had three fights at Fort Clinton before he
+could convince his classmates that he really didn't want to be called
+"Peroxide."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+"TEXAS" RUNS AMUCK.
+
+
+"Drunk! Drunk! For Heaven's sake what do you mean?"
+
+Mark had been sitting in the door of a tent in "A" company street,
+vigorously polishing a musket. At the moment he had dropped the gun and
+the cleaning kit to the ground and was gazing in amazement at Indian,
+who had halted, breathless, in front of him.
+
+"Drunk!" the first speaker repeated. "Texas drunk! What on earth are you
+talking about?"
+
+The other was so red in the face and out of breath from what had
+evidently been a long run that he could scarcely manage to answer. His
+eyes were staring, and his face a picture of excitement and alarm.
+
+"Bless my soul!" he gasped. "I tell you--I saw him! He's wild!"
+
+"What do you mean? Where is he?"
+
+"He--he's got a horse! He's ridden off! Oh--bless my soul--he's killing
+everybody!"
+
+Mark sprang to his feet in excitement. At the same moment another head
+appeared in the opening, preceded by a hasty "What's that?" It was
+Parson Stanard, and his learned classical face was a picture of
+amazement.
+
+"Texas drunk!" he echoed. "Where did he get anything to drink?"
+
+"I don't know!" gasped Indian. "Bless my soul--I only saw him one
+moment; he dashed down the road. Oh! And had a horse, and his
+guns--Lord, I was scared nearly to death."
+
+"Which way did he go?" inquired Mark, quickly, a sudden resolution
+taking possession of his mind.
+
+"Down toward Highland Falls," answered the other.
+
+And before he could say another word, Mark had seized his hat, sprang
+out of the tent, and bounded away down the company street to the great
+amazement of the cadets who chanced to see him.
+
+"Texas'll be expelled! Expelled!" he muttered. "And then what on earth
+will I do?"
+
+The time was morning. The plebe class had just been dismissed a short
+while ago from an hour of drill, and most of them were over by the
+cavalry plain, watching the preparations of the rest of the corps for
+"light artillery drill," which was the programme of the morning.
+
+Scarcely half an hour ago Mark had left Texas and now he was drunk! And
+he was drunk after the fashion of the cowboys, reckless of everything,
+shooting and yelling, ready to raid a town if need be. Where he had
+gotten his whiskey, or his horse, what on earth had led him to such an
+extraordinary proceeding, were questions that Mark could not solve; but
+he knew that his friend was in imminent danger, that expulsion stared
+him in the face. And that was all Mark needed to know.
+
+He did not notice that the plain on his right was crowded with
+spectators of the drill, and that those same spectators were staring at
+him curiously as he dashed past. He had eyes for but one thing, and that
+was a building to one side, down the hill toward the shore of the
+Hudson. He did not stop for paths; he plunged down the bank, and finally
+wound up breathless in front of the cavalry stables.
+
+Most of the men were off to one side, at that moment engaged in
+harnessing the horses for the drill on the plain above. But one was
+left, and he sat in the doorway, calmly smoking his pipe, and gazing
+curiously at the figure before him.
+
+"What d'ye want?" he demanded.
+
+"A horse!" gasped Mark.
+
+"Plebe?" inquired the other, with exasperating slowness.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Where's yer permit?"
+
+"Haven't got any."
+
+"Don't get no horse then!"
+
+Mark gazed at the man in consternation--he hadn't thought of that
+difficulty. Then a sudden idea occurred to him, and he thrust his hand
+into the watch pocket of his uniform. There was money there, money which
+as a cadet Mark had no business to have. But he thanked his stars for it
+all the same. There was a five-dollar bill, and he handed it to the man.
+
+"For Heaven's sake," he panted, "give me a horse! Quick! Don't lose a
+moment! I'll see you don't get blamed--say I took it away from you if
+you want to."
+
+The man fingered the bill for a few moments, lost in thought.
+
+"It'd take more'n you to take a horse away from me," he said at last.
+"But since you're in such a hurry----"
+
+He stepped inside the building, and a moment later reappeared, leading
+one of the government cavalry horses.
+
+"Saddle?" he inquired.
+
+By way of answer Mark sprang at the animal's head, and in one bound was
+on his back.
+
+"Get up!" he cried, digging his heels into the horse's side. "Get up!"
+and a moment later was dashing down the road as if he had been shot from
+a catapult.
+
+"Terrible hurry that!" muttered the stableman, shaking his head, as he
+turned away. "Terrible hurry! Something wrong 'bout that 'ere."
+
+There was; and Mark thought so, too, as he galloped down the road. He
+feared there would be much more wrong in a very short while. In half an
+hour or so the plebe class, his class, would be called to quarters once
+more for drill, and if he and Texas were not on hand then, there would
+be trouble, indeed. If they were, there was prospect of no less
+excitement. From what Mark knew of his hot-tempered and excitable
+comrade when sober, he could form a vague idea of what a terror he might
+be when he was mad with drink; and being thus he would not be apt to
+behave as the meek and gentle thing a plebe is supposed to be. Mark had
+had great trouble in keeping Texas quiet, even under ordinary
+circumstances.
+
+Mark, it may be mentioned, had met this wild and uncivilized lad down at
+the hotel at Highland Falls, some weeks before either of them had been
+admitted to the academy. Texas had then with recklessness helped Mark in
+outwitting some hazers among the candidates. Mark had been drawn to the
+other by his frank and open nature, by their mutual love of fun and
+adventure, and by a certain respect each felt for the other's prowess.
+The story of the heroic efforts by which Mark had earned his cadetship
+was known to Texas, as indeed it was to every one on the post.
+
+The two had come up to the Point together, and passed their
+examinations; and they had been fast friends ever since. Mark had
+backed Texas in a battle in which Texas had "licked" no less than four
+of the yearlings. Texas had been Mark's second in a fight with the
+picked champion of the same class. And since then the two had set out
+together on a crusade against hazing which had turned West Point customs
+topsy-turvy and made the yearlings fairly wild with desperation.
+
+Through all this the two had fought side by side, and were stanch
+friends. And now! The Texan's wild passions had led him to an act that
+might mean instant expulsion. And Mark felt that West Point was losing
+half its charm.
+
+All this he was rapidly revolving in his mind as the horse sped down the
+road. Texas might be found! He might be brought back in time, if indeed
+he had not already shot some one! Mark felt that the chance was worth
+the risk, and he leaned forward over the flying horse's neck and urged
+him on with every trick he could think of.
+
+On, on they sped. Down the road past the riding hall, up the hill, past
+the mess hall, the hospital and then on southward toward Highland Falls.
+The passers-by stopped to look at the hurrying figure in astonishment;
+people rushed to the windows to see what the clatter of hoofs might
+mean; but before they got there the horse and rider had vanished down
+the street in a swirling cloud of dust.
+
+As if there were not enough to perplex Mark, a new problem rose up
+before him just then. The village he had left behind him, and was
+speeding down the road--when he chanced to think of the fact that he was
+almost at "Cadet limits." There was a fork in the road just below; to go
+beyond it meant instant expulsion if discovered! And how could he hope
+to be undiscovered, he in a cadet uniform and on that public highway?
+
+The risk was desperate, but Mark had almost resolved to take it, when a
+startling sound broke upon his ears.
+
+"Wow! Whoop!" Bang! Bang! "Wow!"
+
+And a moment later, sweeping around a turn, a cloud of dust appeared to
+Mark's straining eyes. The cloud drew nearer; the shouts and yells
+swelled louder, accompanied now and then by a fusillade as from a dozen
+revolvers; and at last, in the midst of the cloud, as if racing with it,
+a horse and rider came into view, the rider with a huge revolver in each
+hand and a dozen in his belt, flinging his arms, shouting and yelling as
+if forty demons were on his trail.
+
+"Heaven help him!" Mark thought to himself. "Heaven help him, for I
+can't!"
+
+The rider was Texas.
+
+Mark had scarcely had time to take in the startling situation, before
+the horse and rider were upon him with a rush and a whirl.
+
+"Wow! Whoop!" roared Texas, with all the power of his mighty throat; and
+at the same moment Mark heard a bullet whistle past his head.
+
+Texas had not recognized his friend at the pace he was riding; he and
+his flying steed were past and started up the road in the direction
+whence Mark had come, when the latter turned and shouted:
+
+"Texas! Oh, Texas! come back here!"
+
+Texas gave a mighty tug upon the reins which brought his horse to his
+haunches; he swung him around with a whirl that would have flung any
+ordinary rider from the saddle; and then he dashed back, on his face a
+broad grin of recognition and delight.
+
+"Hi, Mark!" he roared. "Durnation glad to see you! Whoop!"
+
+Mark's mind was working with desperate swiftness just then. He saw in a
+moment that there was yet hope. Texas was not staggering; he sat his
+saddle erect and graceful. His voice, too, was natural, and it was
+evident that he had drunk only enough to excite him, to make him wild
+and blind to the consequences. There was room for lots of diplomacy in
+managing him, Mark thought. The only obstacle was time--or lack of it.
+
+He reached over from his horse and seized the hand which the other held
+out to him.
+
+"How are you, old man?" he said.
+
+"Bully!" cried Texas. "Ain't felt so jolly, man, fo' weeks! Whoop! 'Ray!
+Got a horse, Mark, ain't you? Wow! that's great! Come along, thar! Git
+up! We'll go bust up the hull camp. Wow!"
+
+And Texas had actually turned to gallop ahead. Mark had but a moment to
+think; he thought quickly, though, in that moment, and resolved on a
+desperate expedient.
+
+"Texas!" he called, and then as his friend turned, he added: "Texas, get
+down from that horse!"
+
+The other stared at him in amazement, and Mark returned that stare with
+a stern and determined look. There was fire in Powers' eye, more so than
+usually; but there was a quiet, unflinching purpose in Mark's that the
+other had learned to respect.
+
+That had been a hard lesson. Texas had lost his temper once and struck
+Mark, and Mark thrashed him then as he had never been thrashed before.
+Texas knew his master after that, and now as he stared, a glimmering
+recollection of the time returned to his whirling brain.
+
+"Texas, get down from that horse."
+
+There was a moment more during which the two stared at each other in
+silence; and then the right one gave way. Texas leaned forward, flung
+his leg over the saddle, and sprang lightly to the ground. And after
+that he stood silent and watched his friend, with a worried and puzzled
+look upon his face.
+
+Mark breathed a sigh of relief as he saw that he had won. He dismounted,
+led his horse over to the side of the road, and sat down. Texas followed
+him, though his unwillingness was written on his face.
+
+"Now see here, old man," Mark began, having gotten him quiet, as he
+thought. "I want to talk to you some."
+
+"Pshaw!" growled Texas. "I don't want to talk. I want to git up an' git,
+an' have some fun."
+
+"Well, now, see here, Texas," Mark continued. "Don't you know if you are
+seen carrying on this way you'll get into trouble? How about drill in a
+few minutes?"
+
+"Ain't goin' to drill!" cried the other, wriggling nervously in his
+seat, and twitching his fingers with excitement. "Tired o' drillin'! I'm
+a-goin' to have some fun!"
+
+"But don't you know, man, that you'll be expelled?" Mark pleaded.
+
+"Expelled! Wow!"
+
+That was the spark that started the conflagration again. Texas leaped to
+his feet with fury.
+
+"Expelled!" he roared. "Who'll expel me? Whoop! I'd like to see anybody
+in this place try it naow, by thunder! I'll show 'em! I'll hold up the
+hull place! Watch me scare 'em! Whoop!"
+
+And almost before Mark could move or say anything, the wild lad sprang
+forward at a bound and landed upon his horse's back. A moment later he
+was off like a shot, leaving only a cloud of dust and an echo of yells
+behind him.
+
+"Wow! Whoop! Who'll expel me? Come out yere, you ole officers, an' try
+it! Wow!"
+
+Texas was on the warpath again. This time headed straight for West
+Point.
+
+And riding behind him with desperate speed, scarcely fifty yards in the
+rear, was Mark, pursuing with all his might, and trembling with alarm as
+he thought of what that desperate cowboy might do when once he reached
+the post.
+
+For West Point, and the crowded parade ground, were not a quarter of a
+mile away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+TEXAS RAIDS WEST POINT.
+
+
+The summer season is a gay one at West Point. During the winter cadet
+life is a serious round of drill and duty, but after that comes a three
+months' holiday, when cadets put on their best uniforms and welcome
+mothers and sisters and other fellows' sisters to the post. There are
+hops then, and full dress parades, and exhibition drills galore.
+
+It was one of these drills that was going on that morning, perhaps of
+all of them the most showy and interesting to the stranger. And the
+mothers and sisters and other fellows' sisters were out in full force to
+see it.
+
+"Light artillery drill" is practice in the handling and firing of field
+cannon. The cadets learn to handle heavy guns also, practicing with the
+"siege and seacoast batteries" that front on the southern shore of the
+Hudson. But the drill with the field pieces is held on the cavalry
+plain, a broad, turfless field just south of the camp.
+
+The field presented a pretty sight on that morning. It was surrounded
+with a wall of trees, behind which, to the south, the somber gray stone
+of barracks stood out, with the academy building, the chapel and the
+library. To the north the white tents of the camp shone through the
+trees and a little further to the left, the Battle Monument rose above
+them and caught on its marble sides the glistening rays of the sun.
+Beneath the trees all around the plain and crowding the steps of the
+buildings, were scattered groups of spectators, the gay dresses of the
+women helping to make a setting of color.
+
+There was a jingling of harness, a rumbling of wheels, and a murmur of
+excitement among the spectators as the cadet corps put in an appearance,
+natty and handsome in their uniforms, the officers riding on horseback,
+and the privates mounted on the cannon or the caissons. Platoon after
+platoon they swept out upon the field; then formed in accordance with
+the sharp commands of the officers; and in a few minutes more "artillery
+drill" was under way.
+
+It is rather an inspiring sight at times. There are over a dozen of the
+cannon, with four horses each to draw them, and when the whole squadron
+gets into motion at once, there is a thundering of hoofs and a cloud of
+dust behind to mark the path. And then when they wheel, and aim and
+fire, the roar of the discharge echoes among the hills and makes the
+post seem very military and warlike indeed.
+
+So thought the spectators as they sat and watched, too much interested
+to have any eyes for what might happen elsewhere. But those who sat on
+the southern edge of the plain, where the road from Highland Falls
+emerged, were destined to witness a far more exciting incident than
+that, an incident which was not down on the programme, and which the
+tactical officers and the commandant of cadets, who stood by their
+horses at one side, had not planned or prepared for.
+
+The last discharge of the morning's drill was yet ringing in the
+spectators' ears, and the sound barely had time to make its way down the
+road, before it was answered and flung back by another volley that was
+all the louder for its unexpectedness.
+
+Bang! Bang!
+
+The people turned and gazed in alarm. The cadet captain out upon the
+field stopped in the very midst of a command and leaned forward in his
+saddle to see; a sentry marching up the street forgot his orders and
+wheeled about in surprise. There was the wildest kind of excitement in a
+moment.
+
+A horseman was racing up the road, galloping blindly ahead at full tilt.
+He wore the uniform of a cadet, and his face was red with excitement. He
+leaned forward over his horse, firing right and left into the air, while
+from his throat proceeded a series of yells such as no one in that vast
+crowd had ever heard before.
+
+"Wow! Wow! Whoop!"
+
+There was no time for exclamations from the spectators, no time for
+questions or anything else. It was scarcely a second more before the
+wild rider was upon them and he drove straight through the crowd with
+the speed of an express train, neither he or his horse heeding any one.
+
+The panic-stricken people fled in all directions, some of them barely
+escaping the flying animal's hoofs. And in a moment more he was out on
+the open plain, heading straight for the squadron.
+
+"Wow! Wow!" yelled the rider. "Expel me, will ye? What ye got them guns
+for, hey? Hold up yer hands! Whoop!"
+
+Shouting thus at the top of his lungs, he was almost upon the cadets
+when the frightened spectators heard another rattle of hoofs and another
+rider burst through the open space in full pursuit. It was Mark, and he
+was desperate then, galloping even more furiously than the cowboy in
+front, for he knew that no one but he could ever stop Texas now.
+
+The amazement and fright of the spectators cannot be pictured; nor the
+anger of the officers who saw it all. These latter put spurs to their
+horses and galloped out to the two; but Texas and Mark behind him had
+already reached the dumfounded cadets.
+
+Texas had emptied the two revolvers in his hands, and he raced yelling
+across the plain. With a whoop he flung them at the nearest cadet, and
+whipping two more from his belt, opened fire point-blank.
+
+"Wow! Whoop!" he howled. "Expel me, will ye? Take that!"
+
+Bang! Bang!
+
+Half the horrified cadets turned to run; some dropped down behind the
+cannon and the horses, when Texas fired there was not a man in sight.
+
+Mark was almost upon him when the first bullet struck. It hit one of the
+horses upon the flank, and tore a deep gash. The animal reared and
+snorted with terror. His companions in harness took the alarm, and
+almost at that same instant started on a wild dash across the field, the
+four of them whirling the heavy cannon along as if it had been a toy.
+
+A few yards ahead was the end of the field, and there, crowded in a
+dense mass, people who had rushed to that side to avoid the Texan's
+flying speed. And toward that surging, frightened mass the four horses
+plunged with might and main.
+
+It was a terrible moment. Those who saw the danger gasped, cried out in
+horror, but those who stood in the path of the flying steeds were too
+frightened to move. The move had come so suddenly, so unexpectedly. The
+crowd stood huddled together; the crash came before they had time to
+realize what was happening.
+
+In the moment's excitement, the two horsemen had remained unnoticed.
+Texas had seen the runaway, seen the crowd an instant later. Through his
+confused and excited brain the consequences of his acts seemed to flash
+with the sharpness of a thunderbolt. He had acted with the quickness of
+a man who lives, knowing that at any moment he may be called upon to
+"pull his gun," and defend his life. He had wheeled his horse about,
+plunged his heels into the horse's sides, and at that moment was
+sweeping around in a wild race for the leaders of the runaway four.
+
+Quick as Texas was, Mark was a moment ahead of him. As he raced across
+the plain toward his friend he had seen the horses start and swerve and
+made for them, approaching from the opposite side to the Texan.
+
+All this had happened in the snapping of a finger--the dash of the four,
+and two racing from each side to head them off. And it was all over
+before the imperiled crowd could turn to flee.
+
+Texas was seen to leap out over his horse's head and seize the bridle of
+one of the leaders as he fell. The crowd saw Mark's horse, dashing in
+from the other side, barely a foot from the mass of the spectators,
+crash into the Texan's flying steed. They saw the horse go down; they
+saw Mark disappear. And then in the crush that followed he was lost to
+sight beneath the plunging hoofs of the four.
+
+There was a moment of blind confusion after that in which each one in
+the crowd had time to think and see for himself alone. The spectators
+were pushing wildly back before the onslaught of the approaching horses.
+Several of the cadets and officers had sprung forward to seize the
+horses' heads; Texas was clinging to the bridle with all his strength.
+And Mark--Mark's was the greatest peril of all. He had fallen over his
+horse's neck; he had seen the two leaders plunging toward him, stumbling
+over the body of his own prostrate horse, crushing down upon him--and
+then before his dazed eyes had swept a flying rein. He saw it, and
+clutched at it, as a drowning man might do; raised himself upon it with
+a mighty tug, and then a moment later was hurled far out over the plain,
+as the horse he clung to, stopped in its rush, went down in a heap with
+the cannon on top.
+
+It was all over then. The spectators had been saved as by a miracle, the
+barrier interposed by Mark's horse. And there was left a pale,
+half-fainting lot of people crowded around a tangled mass of horses and
+harness, with Texas clinging to one of the bridles, unconscious from a
+wound in his head.
+
+They loosened his deathlike grip, and laid him on the ground, while
+Mark, having picked himself up in a more or less dazed condition,
+burrowed frantically through the crowd to reach his side.
+
+"Is he hurt? Is he hurt?" he cried.
+
+The surgeon was at that moment bending over the Texan's body, where he
+had hurried as soon as he saw the accident.
+
+"It is only a scratch," he said, hastily. "He will get well."
+
+And Mark breathed freely again; he turned pale, however, a moment later,
+as he saw the doctor, catching the odor of the lad's breath, shake his
+head and look serious.
+
+"He knows! He knows!" Mark muttered to himself, "and it is all up with
+poor Texas."
+
+They carried the lad over to the hospital; and then West Point set to
+work to get over its amazement and alarm as best it could.
+
+They cleared up the wreck for one thing. Two of the horses had broken
+their legs and had to be led off and shot. The rest trotted behind the
+corps as it marched away--marched, for no amount of excitement could
+interfere with West Point discipline. And then there was left down at
+that end of the cavalry plain only a crowd of curious people, with a
+scattering of army officers and plebes, all discussing excitedly the
+amazing happenings of scarcely five minutes ago, and wondering what on
+earth had taken possession of the two reckless cadets that had started
+all the trouble.
+
+They looked for Mark, but Mark had disappeared while the excitement was
+at its height. He did not welcome the questions or the stares of the
+curious. Moreover, he saw the superintendent, Colonel Harvey, excitedly
+questioning several of the staff about the matter. Mark feared that the
+superintendent might turn upon him any moment, and he wanted time to
+think before that happened.
+
+He dodged behind the library building, the Parson with him, and made his
+way around to the now deserted camp. Once beneath its protection, the
+two sat down and stared at each other in dismay. There was no need to
+say anything, for each knew how the other felt. Texas was up the spout;
+Mark was but little better off; and the universe was coming to an end.
+
+That was all.
+
+"Well," said Mark at last, "we're busted!"
+
+And the Parson assented with a solemn "Yea, by Zeus!" and relapsed into
+a glum silence again.
+
+Neither of them felt called upon to say anything after that; neither
+could think of the least thing to say. There wasn't a glimmering of
+hope--they were simply "busted," and that was all there was to it.
+
+There is a saying that in multitude of council there is safety. The tent
+door was pushed aside a few minutes later and Indian's lugubrious,
+tear-stained, horrified face peered in. Indian followed, and seated
+himself in one corner, and then the tent relapsed into silence and
+solemnity once more.
+
+Three more disgruntled persons it would be hard to find, excepting
+possibly the other three of the Banded Seven, who at the moment were
+wandering disconsolately about the camp. The whole situation was so
+unutterably amazing, dumfounding. Texas had often talked in his wild
+Texas way about getting on a "rousing ole spree jest once," and of his
+intention to "hold up" the cadet battalion some fine day just for a
+joke; but nobody had ever taken him seriously. And now he had gone to
+work and done it, and killed two horses, and Heaven only knew how many
+people besides--for who could say what the crazy cowboy might not have
+done down at Highland Falls? Why, it made his friends shiver to think of
+the whole thing! But the situation only grew worse with the thinking;
+and the three in the tent stared at one another in undiminished
+consternation and despair.
+
+"Well," muttered Mark a second time. "We're busted!"
+
+And he had two to agree with him.
+
+They would probably have sat there all morning if it had not been for a
+small drum orderly outside--the drum orderly sounded the "call to
+quarters," and a few minutes later the plebes were lined up in the
+company street, muskets in hand, for drill. And it did not take a very
+sharp eye to notice that every man in the class was staring curiously at
+Mark Mallory, the plebe who but a few minutes before had been riding
+across the parade ground in an attempt to put a whole artillery squadron
+to flight, and that, too, under the superintendent's very nose.
+
+"I wonder if he's crazy?" muttered one.
+
+"Or drunk?" suggested another, laughing. "Oh, say, but I'd hate to be in
+his place!"
+
+Which last sentiment was held unanimously by the class, and by the rest
+of the corps, too, as they scattered to their tents. A storm was going
+to break over Mallory's head in a very, very short while, the cadets
+predicted.
+
+The prediction proved to be true. One of the cadet officers had barely
+managed to run over the list of names at roll call before an orderly
+raced into camp and handed him a message. He read it, and then he read
+it again, aloud:
+
+"Cadet Mallory will report to the superintendent at once."
+
+And a moment later, while a murmur of excitement ran down the line, Mark
+stepped out and hurried away down the street.
+
+"The storm breaks now in just about five minutes," thought the corps.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+THE CAUSE OF A FRIEND.
+
+
+Mark was doing a desperate lot of thinking during that brief walk down
+to the headquarters building. Every one he passed turned to stare at
+him, but he did not notice that. He knew that in a very short while now
+the critical moment was coming. Texas could not speak for himself; Mark
+must tell his story for him, and save him from disgrace and dismissal if
+the thing could possibly be done.
+
+The headquarters building lies behind the chapel, just beyond the scene
+of the runaway. There was still a crowd of people standing around, and
+Mark saw them nod to one another with an "I-told-you-so" look as he
+turned to enter the superintendent's office.
+
+"Oh, just won't he catch it!" thought they.
+
+Mark thought so, too, as he entered. A man met him at the door, and
+without an inquiry or a moment's delay led him to Colonel Harvey's door
+and knocked. He evidently knew just why Mark came.
+
+The door was opened as the man stepped to it. Mark entered and the door
+shut. He turned, and found himself confronted by the tall and stately
+officer. Mark gazed at him anxiously and found his worst fears
+confirmed. There was wrath and indignation upon the superintendents'
+face, a far different look from the one Mark had seen there the last
+time he stood in that office.
+
+Colonel Harvey started to speak the instant Mark entered the room.
+
+"Mr. Mallory," said he, "will you please have the goodness to explain to
+me your extraordinary conduct of this morning?"
+
+Mark looked him squarely in the eye as he answered, for he knew that he
+had nothing to be ashamed of.
+
+"I can explain my conduct better," he said, "by explaining that of Cadet
+Powers first."
+
+The colonel frowned impatiently.
+
+"I want to know about it; I do not care how. I want to know whatever
+induced a cadet of this academy to behave in the disgraceful way that
+you two did this morning."
+
+"I can explain it very easily, sir. It was simply that Cadet Powers was
+drunk."
+
+"Drunk!" echoed the superintendent.
+
+He started back and stared at Mark in amazement. Mark returned his look
+unflinchingly.
+
+"Yes, sir," he said. "Drunk. You will probably receive a report from the
+hospital to that effect this afternoon."
+
+"And now," thought Mark to himself, "the cat is out of the bag. I wonder
+what will happen."
+
+The superintendent still continued to gaze at him in consternation.
+
+"And pray," he inquired at last, "were you drunk, too?"
+
+It was a rather bold question, to say the least, and that flashed over
+the officer's mind a moment later, as he saw the handsome lad in front
+of him start a trifle and color visibly. He was sorry then that he had
+said it, and more so when he heard Mark's response.
+
+"I have never touched liquor in my life," said the latter, in a low,
+quiet tone that was a rebuke unspoken.
+
+Mark saw a vexed look sweep over the colonel's face, caused by that
+gentleman's recognition of his own rudeness; and Mark's heart bounded at
+that.
+
+"He'll be extra kind to me now," he thought, "to make up for it. Score
+one point for our side."
+
+"If you please," Mark continued, after a moment's pause, "I will tell
+you the story."
+
+"Do," said the colonel, briefly.
+
+"I was in my tent about ten minutes before the accident happened, and a
+cadet ran in and told me that Texas----"
+
+"Texas?"
+
+"Pardon me. Texas is our name for Cadet Powers. Told me that Powers was
+drunk. I set out to find him. The horse which I had I--er--ran away with
+from the stables. I met Powers down the road and I tried to keep him
+quiet. He broke away from me, and I followed him. You saw the rest."
+
+"I see," said Colonel Harvey, reflectively. "I see. I am very glad, Mr.
+Mallory, to find that you are not as much to blame as I thought. This is
+a bad business, sir, very bad. It was almost murder, and to all
+appearances you were as much to blame as the other. But I have no doubt
+that I shall find your story true."
+
+Mark bowed, and waited for the other to continue; the crisis was almost
+at hand now.
+
+"Mr. Powers," the colonel went on, "will of course be dismissed at once.
+And by the way, Mr. Mallory, you deserve to be congratulated upon your
+promptness and bravery."
+
+There was a silence after that, and Mark, drawing a long breath, was
+about to go. The superintendent had one thing more to add, however, and
+it was a singularly fortunate remark at the moment.
+
+"I wish," he said, "that I could reward you."
+
+"You can!"
+
+It burst from Mark almost involuntarily, and he sprang forward with
+eagerness that surprised the other.
+
+"If there is anything you wish," he said, quietly, "anything that I can
+do, I shall be most happy."
+
+"There is something!" Mark cried, speaking rapidly. "There is something.
+And if you do it I'll never forget it as long as I may live. If you do
+not--oh!"
+
+Mark stopped, unable to express the thought that was in his mind. The
+colonel saw his agitation.
+
+"What is your wish?" he inquired.
+
+"Powers!" cried Mark. "He must not be dismissed."
+
+The colonel started then and gazed at him in amazement.
+
+"Not be dismissed!" he echoed. "What on earth is Powers to you?"
+
+"To me? He is everything that one friend can be to another. I have known
+him but two months, sir, but in those two months I have come to care
+more for him than for any human being I have ever known--except my
+mother. He has stood by me in every danger; he has been as true as ever
+a friend on earth. He would die for me, sir--you saw what he did to-day.
+I have seen him do braver things than that, and I know that he has the
+heart of a lion. If he goes--I--I do not see how I can stay!"
+
+"But, my dear sir," cried the colonel, still surprised, "think of the
+discipline! You do not know what you ask. I cannot have my cadets carry
+on in that manner."
+
+"What I have told you no one knows but you and I, and two others I can
+trust. The surgeon knows it, and that is all. He can call it temporary
+insanity, sunstroke--a thousand things!"
+
+"That is not the point. It is the man himself, his contempt for
+authority, for law and order, his lacking the instincts of a gentleman,
+his----"
+
+"You are mistaken," interrupted Mark, forgetting entirely in his
+excitement that he was talking to the dreaded superintendent. "You were
+never more mistaken in your life! Texas has all the instincts of a
+gentleman; he has a true heart, sir. But think where he was brought up.
+He is a cowboy, and to get drunk is the only amusement he knows at home.
+He has no more idea right now that it is wrong to drink than to eat. His
+own father, he told me, got him drunk when he was ten years old."
+
+"But, my boy," expostulated the colonel, "I can't have such a man as
+that here. Think of an army officer with such a habit."
+
+"It is not a habit," cried Mark. "He did it for fun--he knows no better.
+And I will guarantee that he does not do it again. If I had only known
+beforehand he would not have done it this time."
+
+"Do you mean to say," demanded the other, "that you have sufficient
+influence over him to see that he behaves himself?"
+
+"I mean to say just that," responded Mark, eagerly, "just that! And I
+will risk my commission on it, too! I offer you my word of honor as a
+gentleman that Mr. Powers will give you his word never to touch another
+drop of liquor in his life. And there's no man on earth whose promise
+you could trust more."
+
+Mark halted, out of breath and eager. He had said all he could say; he
+had fired his last cartridge, and could only sit and wait for the
+result.
+
+"You said you would like to reward me!" he cried. "And oh, if you only
+knew what a favor you could do! If you will only give him one chance,
+one chance after he has realized his danger. It is in your power to do
+it--the secret is yours to keep."
+
+Colonel Harvey was pacing the room in his agitation; he continued
+striding up and down for several minutes in thought, while Mark gazed at
+him in suspense and dread.
+
+At last he halted suddenly in front of Mark.
+
+"You may go now, Mr. Mallory," said he. "I must have time to think this
+over."
+
+Mark arose and left the room in silence. He could not tell what might be
+Texas' fate, and yet as he went he could not help thinking that the
+colonel's hesitation meant nine points won of the ten--thinking that one
+more chance was to be granted.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+THE REFORMATION OF TEXAS.
+
+
+"Well?"
+
+There were five of them--Indian, the Parson, Dewey, Chauncey and Sleepy.
+They sat in a tent in Company A and at that moment were gazing anxiously
+at a figure who stood in the doorway.
+
+"Well?"
+
+"There is hope," said Mark. "Hope for poor Texas."
+
+And then he came in and sat down to tell the story of his interview with
+the colonel. The plebes listened anxiously; and when he finished they
+set to work to compose themselves as best they could to wait.
+
+"The answer will come to-night," Mark said, "when they read off the
+reports. And until then--nothing."
+
+Which just expressed the situation.
+
+The day passed somehow; between police duties and drills, the six were
+kept busy enough to relieve the suspense of waiting. And after supper
+the battalion lined up, the roll was called, and the orders of the
+following day were read, while Mark and his friends fretted and gasped
+with impatience. There were reports, and finally miscellaneous notices,
+among them the sick list!
+
+"Fourth class," read the officer, then halted a moment. "Powers"--every
+man in the line was straining eyes and ears, half dead with
+curiosity--then, "excused indefinitely--temporary mental aberration,
+caused by heat."
+
+Safe!
+
+And a moment later the line broke ranks, the cadets discussing with
+added interest the case of that extraordinary plebe. But the six had
+danced off in joy.
+
+"He's safe! He's safe!" they cried. "Hooray!"
+
+"And now," said Mark, "there's only one thing more. We've got to reform
+him, make sure he don't do it again!"
+
+"We will," said the others.
+
+It was two days after that, one evening after supper, that the door of
+the hospital building was opened and Texas came forth, spruce and
+handsome in a brand new uniform, looking none the worse for his
+"sunstroke" treatment--_i. e._, plenty of cold water, inside and out.
+Texas felt moderately contented, too. He had held up the corps as he had
+promised--not a man in the crowd had dared to fire a shot at him. He had
+a vague recollection of having done something heroic, besides. He saw
+that every one was staring at him in "admiration;" in short, our friend
+Powers was prepared for a rousing and hearty reception from the rest of
+the Seven.
+
+He strode up the company street, not failing to notice meanwhile that
+plebes, and old cadets, too, made way for him in awe and respect. He
+stopped at Mark's place, pushed the flap aside, and entered with a rush.
+
+"Oh!" he cried. "Whar be you? How's everybody?"
+
+The first person he saw was Master Dewey, and to him Texas rushed and
+held out his hand. To his indescribable amazement that young gentleman
+calmly stared at him, and put both his hands behind his back.
+
+"W--w--why!" gasped Texas.
+
+Whereupon Dewey turned upon his heel and walked out of the tent.
+
+Texas was dumfounded. He stared at the others; they were all there
+except Mark, and they gazed at the intruder in cold indifference. None
+of them apparently had ever seen him before.
+
+"Look a yere!" demanded Texas at last. "Ain't you fellows a-goin' to
+speak to me?"
+
+Evidently they were not, for they didn't even answer his question. Texas
+stood and stared at them for a few moments more, wondering whether he
+ought not to sail in and do up the crowd. Finally, as the silence grew
+even more embarrassing, he decided to go out and find Mark to learn what
+on earth was the matter. With this intention he turned and hurriedly
+left the tent, while the five inmates looked at one another and smiled.
+
+Mark was walking up the street; Texas espied him and made a dash for
+him.
+
+"Hi, Mark!" he roared. "What's the matter with them----"
+
+Texas stopped in alarm; a feather might have laid him flat. Mark, his
+chum, his tent mate, was staring at him without a sign of recognition!
+And a moment later Mark turned on his heel and strode away in silence,
+while Texas gasped, "Great Scott!"
+
+That evening, seated on one of the guns up by Trophy Point, was visible
+a solitary figure, looking about as lonely and wretched as a human being
+can. It was "the Texas madman." Everybody kept a safe distance away from
+him, and so no one had a chance to notice that the madman's eyes were
+filled with tears.
+
+"Poor Texas," Mark was thinking. "He'll come to terms pretty soon."
+
+He did, for a fact. That same evening, just before tattoo, Mark felt a
+grip upon his arm that made him wince. He turned and found it was his
+friend, a look of misery upon his face that went to the other's heart.
+
+"Look a-yere, old man," he pleaded. "Won't you--oh, for Heaven's sake,
+tell me what's the matter?"
+
+"I don't mind telling you," responded Mark, slowly. "You have behaved
+yourself as no gentleman should, and as no friend of mine shall!"
+
+"I!" cried Texas, in amazement. "I! What on earth have I done?"
+
+"Done!" echoed Mark. "Didn't you go off and get drunk? For shame,
+Texas!"
+
+Texas was too dumfounded to say a word. He could only stare and gasp.
+Here was a state of affairs indeed!
+
+"Yes!" chimed in Dewey, approaching at this moment. "And you nearly
+killed dozens of people, too. Mark was within an ace of being dismissed;
+and as for you! why, you'd have been fired long ago if Mark hadn't
+pleaded for hours with the superintendent!"
+
+Texas turned his wondering eyes upon Dewey then. He was fairly choking
+with amazement.
+
+"Do you mean to say," he gasped at last, "that you fellows are mad with
+me because I got drunk?"
+
+"Exactly," responded Mark.
+
+"And do you mean to tell me that you call that disgraceful conduct?"
+
+"I do. And I mean to tell you, moreover, that you can't be a friend of
+ours while you do it. I don't know how people feel about such things
+where you come from, Texas, but I do know that if people up here knew
+you had been in that condition not a soul would speak to you. There's
+very little room among decent people for the fellow who thinks it smart
+to make a fool of himself, and he usually finds it out, too, after it is
+too late. I never spent my time hanging around saloons, and I don't
+think much of fellows that do, either."
+
+Mark could scarcely repress a smile as he watched the effect this brief
+sermon produced on the astounded Texan.
+
+"I wonder what dad would say if he heard that!" was the thought in the
+latter's mind.
+
+Texas was brought back from this thought rather suddenly to his own
+situation. For Mark and Dewey both turned away to leave him again.
+
+"Look a-yere, Mark," he cried, seizing him by the arm again. "Look
+a-yere, ole man, won't you forgive me jest this once. Oh, please!"
+
+And there were tears in the Texan's big gray eyes as he said it.
+
+"But you'll do it again," Mark objected.
+
+"'Deed I won't, man! 'Deed I won't. I'll swear I'll never do it again
+s'long as I live."
+
+"But will you keep your promise?"
+
+"I never broke one yit as I know," responded Texas with an injured look.
+
+And Mark, rejoicing inwardly at his success, but outwardly very grave
+and solemn, said that he'd go in and ask the other six about it.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Texas sat with his feet against the tent pole and a pen in one hand. He
+held a letter to his father in the other; he was just through writing
+it, and he was going to read it for the edification of the Banded Seven.
+
+"'Dear Scrap,'" he began. "You see," added Texas, in an explanatory
+note, "I call him Scrap sometimes just to make him feel comfortable. All
+the boys call him that. 'Dear Scrap. This yere is the first letter I've
+written you since I hit this place. I ain't heard from you, so I don't
+know whether you got 'lected fo' Congress or not. I been havin' piles o'
+sport up yere. Took in three quarts 'tother day, an' I held up the hull
+corps on the strength of it. Busted two horses' legs, though, an' I
+reckon you'll have to send on the price. Don't think they'll mount to
+over a thousan' or two. I've still got my guns----'
+
+"Guns is spelt with one 'n,' ain't it?" Texas inquired, interrupting
+himself. "I put two--makes it seem bigger and more important, sorter.
+
+"'They're the queerest folks up this way! They gave me thunder fer
+gittin' drunk, said twarn't gentlemanly. Reckon after you licked a few
+they'd call you a gentleman all right 'nough! They made me swear off,
+else they wouldn't let me stay. What do you reckon the boys'll say to
+that? Had to do it, though--you needn't git mad over it--I'm havin' so
+much fun a-doin' of the yearlings that I wanted to stay. They kain't one
+of 'em lick me.'
+
+"I didn't mention you, Mark," Texas added, laughing. "Cause if I'd told
+dad that you did lick me, he'd probably want to come up an' try a whack
+himself, jes' to see ef you really could hit hard. Dad won't ever
+acknowledge that I kin do him, though I almost licked him twice, when he
+got riled. Reckon I'll end this yere letter now. I jest wanted to tell
+him to send 'long some money.
+
+"Now let's go out and hunt up some o' them old yearlin's."
+
+And that was the beginning of Texas' reformation.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+A PLOT OF THE YEARLINGS.
+
+
+"An invitation! Why, surely, man, you must be mistaken. They never
+invite plebes to the hops."
+
+The speaker was Mark. He was sitting with a book in his hand beneath the
+shade trees at one side of the summer encampment of the corps. At that
+moment he was looking up from the book at Chauncey, who had just
+approached him.
+
+"An invitation!" he repeated. "I can hardly believe it possible."
+
+"Perhaps if you see it you'll believe it more readily, ye know,"
+remarked the dudish cadet.
+
+"Seeing's believing, they say," laughed Mark, taking it and glancing at
+the address. "Mr. Chauncey Van Renssalaer Mount-Bonsall," he read. "Yes,
+I guess that's for you. I don't believe there are two persons on earth
+with that name, or with one so altogether aristocratic and impressive."
+
+Mark was glancing at the other out of the corner of his eye with a
+roguish look as he said that. He saw a rather pleased expression sweep
+over his face and knew that he had touched his friend Chauncey in his
+weak spot. Mark had been removing the contents of the envelope as he
+spoke. He found a square card, handsomely engraved; and he read it with
+a look of amazement upon his face--amazement which the other noticed
+with evident pleasure.
+
+The card had the words "Camp McPherson" over the top, and below in a
+monogram, "U. S. C. C."--United States Cadet Corps. At one side was a
+view of the camp, the Highlands of the Hudson in the distance. And in
+the center were the words that had caused all the surprise:
+
+      "The pleasure of your company is requested at the hops
+      to be given by the Corp of Cadets every Monday,
+      Wednesday and Friday evening during the encampment.
+
+      "West Point, N. Y.,
+
+      "July 6, 18--."
+
+That was all, except for the list of "hop managers" below. But such as
+it was, it was enough to cause Mark no end of perplexity.
+
+"A plebe invited to the hop," he muttered. "I can hardly believe it yet.
+There must be some mistake surely. Why, man, no plebe has ever danced at
+a hop in all West Point's history. They scarcely know there are such
+things. Just think of it once--we miserable beasts who hardly dare raise
+our heads, and who have to obey everyone on earth!"
+
+"We've raised our heads pretty well, bah Jove," drawled the other. "And
+we've shown ourselves a deuced bit livelier than the yearlings, don't ye
+know."
+
+"Yes, but we've only done that by force. We've licked them and outwitted
+them at every turn, something no plebes have ever dared to do before.
+But simply because we've made them recognize our rights that way is no
+reason why they should ask one of us to a hop."
+
+"No," responded Chauncey, "it isn't. But I know what is."
+
+"What?"
+
+"I've a cousin in New York by the name of Sturtevant--deuced
+aristocratic folks are the Sturtevants! Ever hear of the Sturtevants of
+New York?"
+
+"Er--yes," responded Mark, that same sly look in his eyes again. "I've
+heard of them very often. They are related to the Smiths, aren't they?"
+
+"Well, not that I know of, bah Jove--but come to think of it, my second
+cousin was a Sturtevant and she married one of the De Smythes, if that's
+who you're thinking of."
+
+"I guess that's it," said Mark, solemnly. "Let it go at that, anyway.
+But what have the Sturtevants, the Sturtevants of New York, got to do
+with a West Point hop?"
+
+"It's simply that this cousin of mine, ye know, has a friend up here, a
+first class man, an adjutant or sergeant quartermaster, or some such
+deuced animal, I forget just what, bah Jove! Anyway, I've an idea he got
+me the invitation."
+
+Mark let himself down to the ground on his back and lay there for a few
+moments after his friend's "explanation," while he thought over it and
+incidentally kicked a tree trunk for exercise. Chauncey waited
+anxiously, wondering what sort of an effect his announcement of his
+influential friends would have upon Mark.
+
+"Those yearlings," began the latter at last, in a meditative, half
+soliloquizing tone, "have never yet lost an opportunity to annoy us."
+
+"What's this got to do with the hop, bah Jove?" interrupted Chauncey.
+
+"Lots. It's simply this. You have been just as fresh as any of us,
+Chauncey. With all your aristocratic blood, ye know. I saw you nearly
+whip half a dozen of them one day when they wouldn't stop hazing
+Indian."
+
+"I didn't whip them, bah Jove," began Chauncey, modestly.
+
+"Well, anyhow, they couldn't whip you, and so it was all the same. The
+point is that they have never done anything to be revenged for the
+insult. I have an idea that this may be an attempt."
+
+"This!" echoed the other in surprise. "Pray how?"
+
+"Simply that they'd like to see you come to the hop and have nobody to
+dance with--for no girl will dance with a plebe, you know, I don't care
+who he is--and so have to go home feeling pretty cheap. Then you'd be
+the laughingstock of the corps, as the plebe who wanted to dance at the
+hop."
+
+It was Chauncey's turn to be thoughtful then. And to his credit be it
+said that he recognized the truth there was in Mark's explanation of
+that surprising card. For Chauncey was no fool, even if he was dudish
+and aristocratic.
+
+"I'm afraid that's it," said he. "I'm deuced glad I thought of asking
+you, Mark, ye know. I'll not go to-night. And we'll let the matter drop,
+bah Jove."
+
+"Let it drop!" echoed Mark; and then he added, with emphasis, "Not
+much!"
+
+"What'll ye do?"
+
+"Do? What's the use of having a secret society for the purpose of
+avenging insults, if you don't avenge 'em? And don't you call it an
+insult that the yearlings should suppose us big enough fools to take
+that bait and go to their old hop?"
+
+"It was rather insulting," admitted Chauncey.
+
+"It was," said Mark. "And what's more, I move that we retaliate this
+very day. Let's go up and find the rest of the Seven, and by Jingo,
+perhaps we'll bust up their plaguey old hop!"
+
+With which words Mark slammed his book to and arose to his feet and set
+out in a hurry for camp.
+
+They entered Camp McPherson and hurried up the A Company "street" to
+their own tent. They entered without ceremony, and Mark scarcely waited
+to greet the rest before he plunged right into the subject in hand.
+
+"Fellows," he said, "the yearlings have tried a new trick on us; and
+Chauncey and I have vowed to get square, right off."
+
+Texas sprang up with a whoop that scared the sentry on the path nearby,
+and a "Wow!" scarcely less voluble. He demanded to know instanter what
+was up, and danced about anxiously until he managed to learn; when he
+did learn he was more excited still.
+
+The Parson forgot his fossils, and even his "Dana" when he heard Mark's
+news, and he rose up and stretched his long, bony arms, inquiring with
+almost as much anxiety as Texas. In fact, the only one of the three who
+was not excited was "Sleepy." His state was that of the tramp, who
+answered: "Why did you come here?" "To rest." "What made you tired?"
+"Gittin' here."
+
+The two other members of the Banded Seven popped into the tent just then
+and Mark sat down and told them all of the yearlings' plan, as soon as
+he could manage to get the excitable Texas quiet enough. He passed
+around the invitation which the rest stared at as incredulously as Mark
+had; and then he offered his explanation, and finding that they all
+seemed to agree with him, stated his purpose to retaliate, with which
+they agreed still more.
+
+"Yes!" cried Texas. "Come on, let's do it. Let's bust up their ole hop!
+Let's raise a rumpus an' scare 'em to death! What d'ye say?"
+
+"I don't think we had better do that," responded Mark, laughing.
+"Whatever trick we play has got to have something to do with hop, so as
+to let them know why we did it. But we broke up one entertainment not a
+week ago. I think it had better be a quiet trick on some of them, for
+you know they say that a man may play the same trick once too often."
+
+"Let's hold up their ole band," suggested Texas, "an' run 'em into the
+woods an' hide 'em."
+
+"Or else," laughed Mark, "we might dress up in the band players'
+uniforms and go in and play hymns for 'em. But I think somebody ought to
+suggest something that's possible."
+
+"Let's put glue on the floor," hinted Indian.
+
+"Let's dress up as girls and go," laughed Dewey.
+
+"Or make the Parson put in some of his chemicals, ye know, an' smoke 'em
+all out, bah Jove," put in Chauncey.
+
+"B'gee!" cried Dewey. "That reminds me of another story. You fellows
+needn't groan," he added, "because this is a good one. And I'm going to
+tell it whether you like it or not. It's true, too. There was an old
+professor of chemistry gave a lecture, and there were whole lots of
+ladies present. We might work this trick some time. A good many of the
+complexions of those ladies weren't very genuine, b'gee, and not
+warranted to wear. And some of the chemicals the professor mixed made a
+gas that turned 'em all blue!"
+
+Dewey breathed a sigh of relief at having been allowed to deliver
+himself of a whole story without interruption; and the Parson cleared
+his throat with a solemn "ahem!"
+
+"The chemicals to which you refer," he began, "were probably a mixture
+of hydrofluosilicic acid with bitartrate of potassium and
+deflagisticated oxygen, which produces by precipitation and reduction a
+vaporous oxide of silicate of potassium and combines----"
+
+"We've only half an hour left before drill," interrupted Mark solemnly.
+"I move that the Parson discontinue his lecture until he'll have time to
+finish it."
+
+The Parson halted with an aggrieved look upon his face; and after
+remarking the surprising lack of interest in so fascinating a subject as
+chemistry, buried himself in silence and "Dana's Geology."
+
+"It seems to me," continued Mark, after a few minutes' pause, "that we
+haven't gotten very far in our planning. Now I have an idea."
+
+The effect was that of a rainbow bursting through a stormcloud. The
+Seven were all smiles in an instant, and the Parson came out of his
+shell once more and leaned forward with interest.
+
+"What is it?" he cried.
+
+"It won't take long," said Mark, "to tell it. You may not like it. It'll
+take lots of planning beforehand if we do try it. It seems to me that
+the yearlings have set a trap for us, and want us to walk into it. Now,
+I think we might bid them defiance, and show how little we care for
+them, by going in right boldly and outwitting them in their own country,
+that's the plan."
+
+The six stared at him in amazement.
+
+"You don't mean," cried Dewey, "that Chauncey ought to go to the hop?"
+
+"That's just exactly what I mean," was the answer. "And I mean,
+moreover, that we ought every one of us to go with him."
+
+"But nobody'll dance with us, man!"
+
+"They won't? That's just exactly the part we ought to fix. Grace Fuller
+will, for one, I'm sure. And I'm also sure she can find other girls who
+will. What do you say?"
+
+They scarcely knew what to say. The proposition was so bizarre, so
+altogether startling. Plebes go to the hop! Why, the thought was enough
+to take a man's breath away. No plebe had ever dared to do such a thing
+in West Point's history. One might almost as well think of a plebe's
+becoming a captain! And here was Mark seriously proposing it!
+
+They had a perfect right to go. They had an invitation, and no one could
+ask for more. But the freezing glances they would get from every one!
+The stares, and perhaps insults from the cadets! Still, as Mark said,
+suppose Grace Fuller, the belle of West Point, danced with them? Suppose
+all the girls did? Suppose, swept away by the fun of "jollying" the
+yearlings, the girls should even prefer plebes! The more you thought
+over that scheme the better you liked it. Its possibilities were so
+boundless, so awe-inspiring! And suddenly Master Dewey leaped up with an
+excited "b'gee!"
+
+"I'm one!" he cried. "I'll go you!"
+
+"Wow!" roared Texas. "Me too!"
+
+And in a few moments more those seven B. J. plebes had vowed to dance at
+the hop that night if it was the last thing they ever did on this earth.
+
+"By George!" cried Mark, as they finished, leaping up and seizing his
+hat, "I'm going over to see Grace Fuller about it now! Just you wait!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+THE PLEBES PLOT, TOO.
+
+
+Mark found the object of his search on the hotel piazza, looking as
+beautiful and attractive as his mind could imagine. As it proved, she
+was fully as anxious to see him as he was to see her; she was curious to
+hear about "Texas."
+
+"So he has promised never to do it again!" she said, when Mark had told
+her of Powers' "reformation." "I thought he would do anything for you.
+Poor Texas fairly worships the ground you walk on."
+
+"He has promised never to drink, anyhow," responded Mark. "It was very
+funny to see how long it took him to get the idea into his head that it
+was wrong. It's just as I told you, and as I told the superintendent,
+too; down where he comes from it's the custom when a man wants to have
+fun he drinks all the whiskey he can to start him. And Texas thought
+he'd try it up here."
+
+"He certainly did have fun," exclaimed the girl, breaking into one of
+her merry laughs at the recollection of the scene.
+
+"I had been having a pretty exciting time myself," he said, "trying to
+keep Texas quiet. And when those huge horses took fright and started to
+dash into the crowd, I had still more of it."
+
+"I think you were perfectly splendid!" cried the girl, clasping her
+hands in alarm even as she thought of the occurrence. "When you came
+dashing down on your horse and sprang in to head them off, my heart
+fairly stopped beating. But I knew you would do it; I have always said
+you would never stop at any danger, and father agrees with me, too."
+
+There was a moment's silence after that; and then Mark, who was anxious
+to get at the important business of the morning, thought it a good time
+to begin.
+
+"I've something more interesting to discuss, anyway," he added. "And
+I've only a very few minutes before drill in which to talk it over with
+you. I've taken the trouble to get a permit from headquarters and all to
+run over and ask you, so you mustn't delay me by compliments. That's my
+province, anyway--and duty."
+
+"That was a very neat one," laughed Grace Fuller. "I declare, you are
+quite a cavalier. But excuse me for wasting the valuable time of the
+house. What is the matter?"
+
+"I've a scheme," responded Mark.
+
+The girl lost all her bantering manner in a moment; she saw the twinkle
+in Mark's eyes, and knew that some fun was coming.
+
+"Is this another plan for worrying the unfortunate yearlings?" she
+inquired.
+
+"It is," said he. "I've no time to think up any other kind of plans just
+at present. You see they get up so many against me that I am busy all
+the time holding up my end. If it were not for your aid I am afraid I
+should have failed before this."
+
+"Have they prepared a new one already?"
+
+By way of answer Mark took out the "invitation."
+
+"Read that," he said, "and see."
+
+Grace took it and glanced at it, a look of surprise spreading over her
+face.
+
+"Why, I have one just like it!" she cried. "But where on earth did you
+get this?"
+
+"It was sent to our friend Chauncey," answered the plebe. "You see the
+yearlings thought he would take the bait and come; being rather weak on
+the point of his aristocracy, he was supposed to fall right into the
+trap and consider it a recognition of his social rank. Then when he came
+he'd have no one to dance with, and would be a laughingstock generally."
+
+"I see," said the girl. "It was a nice tribute to our common sense."
+
+"Ours!" laughed Mark. "The yearlings have small idea that you are
+sympathizing with the plebes."
+
+"Well, I am," vowed the other. "With you, anyway, and I do not care in
+the least how soon they know it. I told father, and he said I was quite
+right. I don't like hazing."
+
+"You may have a chance to let them know it publicly very soon,"
+responded Mark, gazing at her sweet face gratefully. "That's what I came
+over to see you about. You see we want to accept the invitation."
+
+"Accept it! Why, that would be walking right into the trap!"
+
+"That's just exactly what I mean to do. Only I mean to put a hole in the
+other side first, so that I can walk out again and run off with traps
+and trappers and trappings and all."
+
+"How do you mean?"
+
+"You are not as acute as usual," laughed Mark. "I had expected that by
+this time you would have guessed the secret."
+
+"You don't mean to go and dance?"
+
+"Exactly," said Mark.
+
+Grace Fuller glanced at him in horror for a moment, and then as she saw
+his merry eyes twinkle a vague idea of what he meant began to occur to
+her. She began to see the possibilities of the affair, just as Mark had
+seen them. He might get all the girls to dance with him; he might have
+the yearlings perfectly furious, raving; he might dump West Point
+traditions all at once, all in a heap, and with a dull, sickening thud
+at that.
+
+As she began to realize all this, Mark was gazing into her eyes; he saw
+them begin to dance and twinkle just as his had. And he laughed softly
+to himself.
+
+"Our angel has not failed us," he whispered. "I knew she would not. Will
+you help us?"
+
+And Grace answered simply that she would. But she set her teeth together
+with a snap that meant much.
+
+It meant that Mark Mallory was to be the first plebe ever to dance at a
+West Point hop.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+SETTING THE TRAP.
+
+
+The dinner hour had passed, likewise the second policing of the day had
+been attended to by the humble plebes. The afternoon's drill was over;
+it was time for full dress parade.
+
+Company streets were alive with bustling cadets. Officers were winding
+themselves into their red sashes, privates were giving the last
+polishing touches to spotlessly shining guns. And the plebes, lonely and
+disconsolate, were watching the preparations for the ceremony and
+wondering if the time really would ever come when they too might be
+esteemed handsome enough to be put on parade.
+
+There was one plebe, however, to whom no such foolish idea occurred. For
+indeed, he was quite convinced that he was better looking in his new
+uniform than most of them, and a great deal more aristocratic than all.
+He was, at the moment we stole in upon his thoughts, marching with much
+dignity down the street of Company B.
+
+He carried his hands at his sides, "palms to the front, little fingers
+on the seams of the trousers," as plebes used to be obliged to do
+whenever they walked about in public. But even with all that stiff and
+awkward pose he could not lose the characteristic dudish "Fifth Avenue"
+gait without which our friend Chauncey would not have been himself.
+
+For it was Chauncey, and he was bound upon an all important duty.
+
+He stopped at one of the tents; there was only one occupant in it, a
+yearling, red-headed, hot-tempered looking chap, with a turned-up nose
+and a wealth of freckles, Corporal Spencer, known to his classmates as
+"Chick."
+
+Master Chauncey Van Rensselaer Mount-Bonsall stood in the doorway and
+bowed with his most genteel, perfect and inimitable bow. He would have
+knocked had he seen anything but canvas to knock on.
+
+"Mr. Spencer?" he inquired.
+
+The yearling stared at the plebe in amazement; but Chauncey's politeness
+and urbanity were contagious, and Corporal Spencer could not help
+bowing, too.
+
+"May I have the privilege of a few moments' conversation with you?" the
+plebe next inquired.
+
+"Ahem!" said Mr. Spencer. "Why--er--I suppose so."
+
+"Corporal Spencer, I have a favor to ask of you, don't cher know, bah
+Jove!"
+
+Corporal Spencer was silent.
+
+"I do not know why I should look to you for it, except--aw--ye know,
+you were my drill master, and so I look to you as my superior, my
+guardian, so to speak."
+
+"That's a little taffy for him," Chauncey added--to himself. "Bah Jove,
+I think the deuced idiot has taken the bait."
+
+The plebe lost no time in taking advantage of his opportunity; he opened
+an envelope he held in his hand.
+
+"I received to-day," he began, "a card, ye know, an invitation to the
+hop. I do not know who sent it, bah Jove, but I'm deuced grateful, for
+I'm awfully fond of dawncing. I need scarcely tell you that I shall
+hasten to accept it, don't cher know."
+
+The look of delight which spread over the yearling's face was not lost
+upon the plebe.
+
+"So the idiot is going to fall into the trap," thought the former.
+
+"So the idiot thinks I'm idiot enough to be fooled," thought Chauncey.
+
+Chauncey continued, delighted with his success, no less than the
+corporal was with his supposed one.
+
+"Now, I have two friends," he said, "plebes, don't cher know, who are
+deuced anxious to come with me. And I wanted to awsk you, bah Jove, if
+you could get me two invitations. I know it is a great deal for one to
+do for a plebe, but----"
+
+Corporal Spencer was in such a hurry to assent that he could not wait
+for the plebe to finish.
+
+"Not at all!" he cried. "Not at all. Why, I shall be most happy to do it
+for you, Mr. Mount-Bonsall. Really, it is a very small favor, for I have
+plenty of invitations at my disposal. Wait just one moment, and you
+shall have them. The yearling class will be delighted to--ahem--welcome
+your two friends."
+
+A minute or two later Master Chauncey's Fifth Avenue gait was carrying
+him swiftly up the street again, with two more of the much coveted
+invitations in his hand. And Chick Spencer was rushing into another tent
+to seize his friend Corporal Jasper wildly by the arm.
+
+"What do you think? What do you think?" he cried. "The plebes are coming
+to the hop!"
+
+"What! Why!"
+
+"That fool dude has fallen into the trap. He's coming to dance, and
+bring two more plebes with him. Oh, say, oh say!"
+
+The whole yearling class knew of it a few moments later when the
+companies fell in for parade. And the wildest hilarity resulted.
+
+"A plebe at the hop! A plebe at the hop!" was the cry. "A plebe without
+a soul to dance with him. Oh! but won't there be fun."
+
+There was indeed to be fun; the yearlings would have thought so if they
+could have seen Chauncey and read his thoughts. Oh, yes, there was fun.
+
+But the question was, who was to enjoy it?
+
+Chauncey, when he reached his own tent, found Mark standing in front of
+it; and Mark was dancing about with excitement, too.
+
+"Did you get them?" he cried.
+
+"Yes, I did, ye know, and--where are you going?"
+
+Mark had started hastily down the street. He stopped long enough to
+shove a note into his friend's hand and give a warning word as to
+secrecy; then he turned and was gone.
+
+"Read it! Read it!" was echoing in Chauncey's ears.
+
+He did; and this was what he read:
+
+      "DEAR MR. MALLORY: I am writing this in great haste.
+      Come over to see me at once; things are coming out
+      beautifully. Did you get the extra invitations?
+
+      "Your friend,
+
+      "GRACE FULLER."
+
+And Chauncey nodded his head in delight, gave vent to an extra "bah
+Jove," and then dived into his tent to talk it over with the others.
+
+What the others had to say is of little moment; the all important person
+was Mark, and Mark was hurrying over to the hotel, keeping step to the
+tune of the band that was just then marching across the parade ground
+at the head of the battalion.
+
+He found Grace waiting for him.
+
+"You got the invitations?" she inquired.
+
+"Yes, Chauncey did," responded the other, laughing.
+
+"I told you," said the girl, "that Corporal Spencer would do it. I knew
+his handwriting on the envelope at once, and I was sure that he was in
+the plot to fool Mr. Chauncey. And I'd just love to outwit him, too."
+
+"You say you were successful?" inquired Mark.
+
+For answer Grace Fuller presented three dance cards, at which Mark
+glanced with amazement and delight indescribable.
+
+"Why, they're full!" he cried. "You've gotten some one for every dance!"
+
+"Yes," she said, laughing gleefully as she went over the names with him.
+"I put your names over the top, you and Mr. Dewey and Mr. Chauncey--that
+last name of his is too long to say. And I could have filled a dozen
+just as well, only you said that you three were the only ones who cared
+for dancing. I hope you all dance well. Mr. Dewey looks as if he might;
+and our Fifth Avenue friend I'm sure is a perfect sylph. I think you do
+everything gracefully."
+
+"I hope you have a chance to find out," laughed Mark. "I hope you have
+put yourself down on my card."
+
+"I have put you down for the very first dance," said she, simply. "You
+told me to fix it all the way I liked."
+
+"But who are the other girls?" inquired Mark. "I haven't met any of
+them."
+
+"You will in plenty of time. I'll introduce you to them. They're all
+friends of mine; you see, I know nearly every one about the post. And
+I've picked all the very prettiest and nicest girls of them all, too."
+
+"And arranged them in order of merit," added Mark, slyly glancing at his
+own card, whereat the girl shook her fan at him.
+
+"But tell me," he continued, in perplexity, after a few moments' pause,
+"how did you ever manage to get so many girls into the conspiracy? Why,
+I had no idea that one-tenth as many cared anything about plebes."
+
+"I used a little diplomacy," laughed Grace. "I made myself as charming
+as I could. I found two, three in fact, whose brothers are plebes, and
+one whose brother will be next year. I think most of the girls really
+sympathize with the plebes, and then, too, I'm sure all of them like to
+tease. Did you ever know one who did not? And this will make the
+yearlings fairly wild. But the chief reason I urged I can't tell to you;
+you wouldn't like it."
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"It would make you conceited, as you say. You must know--you ought to
+if you don't--that you're a regular hero among West Point girls. In the
+first place, every one knows how you saved me; and then all of them saw
+you the other day stop that runaway. You're famous, besides, as the
+boldest plebe that ever came here; the yearlings are the laughingstock
+of the place because of you. And that makes you a sort of romantic
+creature, a Sir Galahad in disguise. To dance with you is a whole fairy
+tale."
+
+Mark laughed heartily over this description, which he chose to consider
+exaggerated. But whatever might be the cause of Grace Fuller's success,
+he was heartily and undisguisedly delighted at the success itself. Here
+were three dance cards, one for each of the conspirators; and all of
+them were full, which meant that there were a score or more of girls who
+had pledged themselves to join in that plot.
+
+It was a triumph indeed, and Mark thanked Grace for it most heartily.
+And when he left the hotel and hurried over to camp again, his chuckles
+of delight were audible and numerous.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+THE RESULT AT THE HOP.
+
+
+Every one goes to hops promptly on time at West Point. In select society
+it is the thing nowadays to go late everywhere, so Chauncey assured his
+friends. But at the academy relentless tattoo sounds on hop-nights at
+half-past nine as usual. The cadets have to be in line at camp five
+minutes later. And so, anxious to dance all they can, everybody who
+intends to dance is on hand by the hour of eight.
+
+The dances were held, in Mark's day, in the academy building, in two big
+rooms on the second floor. Those rooms are used as examination rooms;
+luckless and frightened candidates were sent there to show what they do
+not know. This evening, however, it was gay and festive.
+
+The West Point Military Band, in full plumage, occupied a small platform
+and dispensed an overture previous to the first waltz. The walls were
+gay with flags and an abundance of decorations in general. And the floor
+and seats about the room were still more beautifully adorned.
+
+A person who "knew the ropes," who was familiar with hops and hop ways,
+would not have failed to notice that there was something unusual going
+on that night, that everybody seemed to be waiting for something. Cadets
+talking to damsels could not keep their eyes from straying to the
+doorway, while at the doorway sauntered about, waiting, a considerable
+group of anxious cadets. There was one thought in the minds of all of
+them.
+
+"Will they come? Oh, say, will they come?"
+
+And then, suddenly, a ripple of excitement ran around the room; cadets
+crowded to the doorway, girls strained their necks to get a view, the
+leader of the band in all his finery nearly let his orchestra run wild
+in his interest. And across the floor rushed Corporal Spencer, hop
+manager, and grasped his friend Jasper by the arm.
+
+"They're here! They're here, man!" he gasped. "Oh, say!"
+
+And the next instant the bandmaster waved his baton, the music crashed
+all at once, and the first dance was begun.
+
+A dance with plebes present!
+
+To say that the three, Mark, Chauncey and "B'gee," were the cynosure of
+all eyes would not begin to express the situation. Every one's glance
+was fairly glued upon them. Girls forgot their dance partners, cadets
+stopped still in their tracks. Not a soul offered to dance. Not a soul
+did anything but stare at those three idiots.
+
+They did not seem the least bit ill at ease. All of them seemed quite
+in their element. Their attire was surely immaculate; Chauncey was
+fairly radiant in an elegantly handled monocle. And they did not seem to
+notice the stares, intentionally rude, that came from the cadets. They
+knew just what to do, and they did it, while the whole room watched and
+gasped.
+
+Grace Fuller, belle of West Point, sat in one corner of the room, a
+perfect vision of loveliness indescribable. About her were half a dozen
+cadets. Her stern old father sat nearby, with Mrs. Fuller beside him.
+And toward that group those idiotic plebes were going!
+
+The yearlings gasped in horror, bit their lips in vexation. For Judge
+Fuller arose from his seat and welcomed Mark Mallory heartily; his wife
+did likewise. The three sat down and began to talk to them and to Grace,
+at which the cadets with that party went off in horror and amazement.
+
+Well, there was no use staring any more, for the three plebes were safe
+behind that bulwark; and vexed and aggravated, the cadets went their
+ways and began to dance. They kept their eyes on the three, however.
+They saw Mrs. Fuller rise suddenly and cross the room, with Chauncey and
+Dewey at her side. And then what must she do but introduce them to two
+girls? Oh!
+
+This was terrible! Bull Harris, Mark's old enemy, was in the very act of
+asking one of the girls, a tall, stately creature clad in pink, if he
+might have the pleasure, etc.
+
+"I'm sorry, Mr. Harris," said she. "But I'm already engaged for this
+dance."
+
+And then up stepped Mrs. Fuller.
+
+"Miss Evens," she said, "allow me to present Mr. Dewey, with whom I
+believe you have promised to dance."
+
+A moment later, to the indescribable horror of the cadets in the place,
+three plebes set out upon that floor to dance, each of them leading
+girls with whom to dance was a privilege that came only to the best. And
+how those plebes did dance! The yearlings had never seen better; they
+could not but acknowledge that. For the plebes were on their mettle
+then, and if ever they danced in their lives, they did then, radiant
+with triumph, swept away by the excitement distributing benignant smiles
+upon every one.
+
+There is only one heaven that lasts an eternity. All others, that dance
+included, have their finish. The three plebes returned the delighted
+girls to their seats, and the cadets, excusing themselves from every
+one, rushed out into the hall, there to hold an angry and excited
+consultation. For this was indeed a desperate, a terrible thing!
+Evidently three girls, relying upon their charms, were going to insult
+the corps wantonly, dance with some beastly plebes.
+
+"They shall pay for it!" was the cry. "Not a man shall dance with them.
+Cut them dead!"
+
+But if the yearlings supposed that Mark and his friends proposed to
+dance with just three girls all that night, they were woefully and badly
+mistaken. The fever had spread in the interim; introductions had been
+going on. When the yearlings returned, behold, Mark was making himself
+charming to another girl, and Chauncey, perfectly in his element at
+last, was busily engaged in describing the streets of Paris to a group
+of half a dozen!
+
+"Cut them all!" whispered the yearlings.
+
+Well, they tried it. To be brief, Grace and the other two danced with no
+one that next dance. But three more girls went down on the blacklist,
+and the plebes' triumph was yet greater.
+
+"We'll leave 'em no one to dance with," chuckled Mark. "We'll send them
+all home!"
+
+The next dance was a lanciers. Three couples joined the groups upon the
+floor and lo and behold, from the spot where the plebes stood every
+cadet fell away with obvious meaning. The rudeness was seen by every one
+in the room; it was the worst insult of all. The three couples stood
+lost for a moment; and then, suddenly, red with indignation, the
+dignified judge sprang to his feet.
+
+He and his daughter made up that set. And once more the yearlings fairly
+ground their teeth with rage.
+
+They did not know what to do then. They were fairly baffled. The plebes
+had entered the trap--and here was the result!
+
+"Oh, if we only hadn't been fools enough to send those invitations!" was
+their thought.
+
+Meanwhile dance after dance passed, girl after girl was "out of it."
+There is always a scarcity of girls at a place like West Point. There
+are always sure to be more cadets at every hop than there are partners,
+and with those three vile plebes sending three to the wall every
+dance--and the prettiest and most liked ones, too--things soon began to
+arrive at a crisis. It looks funny to see the pretty girls sitting and
+the ugly ones dancing; and every one began to see that the plebes were
+having decidedly the best of the bargain. They were dancing with whom
+they pleased; most of the cadets were soon unable to dance at all,
+finding it necessary to hang about the doorway and discuss the
+situation.
+
+It was a distinct triumph for the plebes; even the yearlings could not
+deny that, and that made them all the angrier.
+
+Ten dances had passed; by actual count there were thirty girls "out of
+it," and something less than twenty still left to the cadets. And then
+the matter came to a head.
+
+Cadet Lieutenant Wright, a first class man, captain of the football
+team, and a hop manager for his class, caused the trouble. Urged by all
+his desperate classmates and urged still more by the spectacle of Mark's
+dancing with a certain sweet creature who had hitherto devoted all her
+energies to making herself charming to him, he stepped forward in the
+middle of the dance and with his badge of manager upon his coat, touched
+Mark upon the arm.
+
+Mark halted abruptly. The whole room stared.
+
+"Mr. Mallory," said the lieutenant, "the cadets who are giving this hop
+request you to leave the floor."
+
+Mark's face turned white; he bit his lip savagely to choke down his
+anger, and when he spoke at last his voice was hard and calm.
+
+"The cadets who are giving this hop," he said, drawing the invitation
+from under his coat, "invited me by this to come. I shall consider your
+remark, sir, as a personal insult, for which you will be called upon to
+answer at Fort Clinton."
+
+"And do you refuse to leave?"
+
+"As an invited guest and a cadet of this academy I most decidedly do."
+
+And the whole room heard him, too.
+
+Wright returned to his classmates; a brief consultation was held, ending
+in his stepping across the room and speaking to the leader of the band.
+The music stopped abruptly.
+
+The hop was over for the night.
+
+Three heartily delighted plebes escorted three heartily delighted
+damsels home that night. And wild indeed was the hilarity of them and of
+the Banded Seven.
+
+"Victory! Victory!" was the cry. "We danced and we have conquered!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+A STRANGE ANNOUNCEMENT.
+
+
+"Hey, fellows! What do you think? Mark Mallory's in disgrace."
+
+"In disgrace!"
+
+"Yes, and he's going to be fired. Whoop!"
+
+The first speaker was Bull Harris. At the moment he was red in the face
+and breathless as the result of a long run across the parade ground. At
+the end of it he had burst suddenly into the midst of a crowd of his
+classmates with the excited exclamation above.
+
+The effect upon them of the startling announcement was electrical. To a
+man they had leaped to their feet, with expressions of delight they made
+no effort to conceal.
+
+"How do you know it, Bull?" demanded one of the crowd.
+
+"The superintendent has sent for him right in the middle of drill,"
+cried Bull.
+
+"What for?"
+
+"I don't know. It's something he's been doing. One of the orderlies told
+me he heard the old man say he'd fire him. And that's all I know."
+
+The babel of confusion and excited voices that resulted from this bit of
+news lasted without interruption for several minutes.
+
+"It's too good to be true," they vowed. "By George, just as we were
+talking about him, wondering how we could get square with the confounded
+plebe, for his tricks! And now he's going to be fired."
+
+And then suddenly Bull's voice rose above the excitement again.
+
+"Look! Look!" he cried. "If you don't believe me look and see for
+yourselves. There he goes now!"
+
+The cadets stared across the parade ground and then shouted aloud for
+joy.
+
+Down on the road by the cavalry plain a single lone figure was walking,
+a figure clad in the "plebe" uniform. And the figure was that of
+Mallory!
+
+Mark as he walked did not observe the group of cadets who were glaring
+at him so angrily. It would not have worried him if he had, for he had
+something a good deal more important to occupy his mind just then. He
+was racking his brains to think of some plausible reason to account for
+his errand at the moment.
+
+He had been, along with the rest of the plebe company, lined up on one
+side of the camp for drill. A tactical officer had been rigidly putting
+them through the manual of arms, with half a dozen yearling corporals
+and file closers aiding him. And then, breathless with running, an
+orderly had burst upon the scene.
+
+He had a note in his hand, and he handed it to the "tac." The latter
+read it, then read it aloud--again.
+
+"Cadet Mallory will report to the superintendent at once."
+
+That was all; the rest of the class stared and wondered, and Mark
+stepped out of the line, handed his gun to the orderly, and strode away
+from the scene.
+
+The yearlings, as we have seen, had a good deal clearer notion of why
+Mark was wanted than he had himself. To Mark it was an absolute mystery.
+He knew no reason on earth why the superintendent should want him, and
+he quickened his pace so as to get there and find out the sooner.
+
+Erect and firmly stepping as was the plebe's habit by this time, he
+marched down the road toward the academy building, between the parade
+ground and the Cavalry Plain. He passed the chapel, and then the
+headquarters building, his destination, lay before him. Mark had entered
+that building just three times before this. He could not help thinking
+of them then.
+
+The first time, he had felt, was the most momentous moment of all his
+life. Months of struggling were there crowned with a triumph that had
+seemed to leave no more worlds to conquer. For he had entered that
+building then to take the oath of allegiance as a duly certified and
+admitted "conditional" cadet.
+
+What that had meant to Mark only those who have followed his history can
+appreciate. Poor and friendless, he had seen West Point as a heaven, the
+object of all his future hopes, an object far away from his home in
+Colorado, but one to be struggled for and hoped for none the less. He
+had earned the money to come by a sudden stroke of cleverness--one step.
+After that he had striven for the appointment, a step far longer and
+harder, yet one that must be taken.
+
+The congressman of that Colorado district had held a competitive
+examination. Mark had tried, and also his deadly enemy, one Benny
+Bartlett, a rather weak, malicious youth, spoiled by the old squire, his
+father. Benny had sworn to win, and was desperate when he realized he
+couldn't; he had bribed a printer's devil, gotten the examination
+papers, and so passed ahead of Mark, who was made alternate. But Mark
+had afterward beaten Benny at the West Point examination, where cheating
+was impossible, and had thus secured the long coveted cadetship.
+
+While we are talking about him he has gone inside. It would be well to
+stop and follow him, for momentous things were destined to result from
+that visit, too. It was indeed true, as the yearlings so joyfully
+learned, Mark Mallory was in deep and serious danger.
+
+An orderly showed him promptly to the office of Colonel Harvey. Mark
+found that gentleman alone in the room, the same room where he had been
+received so kindly before. But this time the stern old officer seemed
+less cordial. There was a chilly air about it all that made the plebe
+feel rather uncomfortable. Colonel Harvey did not speak; he did not even
+look up from the paper on which he was writing; and Mark stood by at
+attention, waiting respectfully.
+
+The first movement did not come from either of them. Mark strove to keep
+his eyes to the front, which was in accordance with orders. But he could
+not help glancing about the room a little. And to his surprise he saw a
+side door open and another figure enter the room.
+
+Mark did not see that just at the moment the colonel's glance was fixed
+upon him steadfastly; he was too busy staring at the stranger. The
+stranger was a young fellow with coarse features, evidently a
+workingman. He twisted his hat in his hand nervously, obviously ill at
+ease. He stared at Mark and at the officer alternately. Mark, who did
+not know him from Adam, turned away after the first glance, giving no
+more thought to the intruder except to wonder what he was doing in that
+office.
+
+When Mark turned his eyes upon Colonel Harvey again he saw then that
+the latter was watching him. And a moment later the colonel laid down
+his pen and spoke:
+
+"Cadet Mallory," he said sternly, "I wish you to observe this man. Do
+you know him?"
+
+Mark stared at the stranger in amazement.
+
+"No, sir," he said. "I never saw him before, to my knowledge."
+
+"Are you sure?"
+
+"Perfectly."
+
+There was a moment's pause after that, and then the superintendent
+tapped a bell upon his desk. It was answered at once. The same door
+opened again, and two persons entered suddenly. Mark knew them, and he
+knew them well. He stared at them incredulously, gasping; and he sprang
+back in amazement.
+
+"Benny Bartlett!" he cried. "You here! And the squire!"
+
+It was Benny Bartlett sure enough; Mark knew his sallow deceptive look
+too well to be mistaken. And the squire was the same stout and
+blustering, self-assertive old man. He banged his cane on the floor as
+he heard Mark's exclamation and saw his look of surprise.
+
+"Yes, sir," he cried. "It is the squire. And I observe you start with
+guilt when you see him, too."
+
+Mark stared at the two all the harder then. And there was a brief
+silence during which every one stared at every one else. Mark thought
+he saw the stranger twist his cap yet more nervously.
+
+"Mr. Mallory," began the superintendent at last. "Mr. Mallory, do you
+know why these three are here?"
+
+"No, sir," said Mark, with evident emphasis.
+
+"Is this upon your honor as a gentleman?"
+
+"It is," was the answer.
+
+"Humph!" snorted the squire. "Your word of honor isn't worth much!
+I----"
+
+"If you please," interrupted Colonel Harvey with dignity, "that question
+is for me to settle. Mr.--er--what did you say this man's name was?"
+
+"Nick," put in the squire.
+
+"Nick," said the superintendent, turning toward the strange youth, "will
+you please have the goodness to tell again the story which you told to
+me."
+
+Nick looked frightened and hesitated.
+
+"Come, come!" cried the squire, impatiently. "Out with it now, and no
+lies about it!"
+
+Thus enjoined Nick cleared his throat and began.
+
+"I'm a printer's boy," he said, "and I works for the Roberts in Denver.
+I was a-walking along the street one day, I was and up comes this
+feller--indicating Mark--and he says, says he to me, 'Your people are
+printing the examination papers for Congressman Wheeler, ain't they?'
+'Yes,' says I, and then after that a little while he says that he wants
+to win them examinations, 'cause there was a feller trying 'em that he
+wanted to beat. So he gimme a hundred--that was the next day; he said
+he'd earned it in a railroad smash up, or something--and then I got them
+papers and gave 'em to him. And that's all I know."
+
+"Very good," commented the squire, tapping his cane with approval. "Very
+good! And what did he say about these West Point examinations?"
+
+"He said, says he, 'If I win these here and git the appointment, I ain't
+a-going to do nothin' but skin through the others with cribs.'"
+
+"That's right!" cried the squire, triumphantly. "There now! What more do
+you want?"
+
+He glanced at the superintendent inquiringly, and the superintendent
+gazed at Mark. As for Mark, he was simply too dumfounded to move. He
+stood as if glued to the spot and stared in blank consternation from one
+to the other.
+
+"Well," said the colonel at last, "what have you to say for yourself?"
+
+Mark was too amazed to say much.
+
+"So that is their plan!" he gasped. "So they seek to rob me of my
+cadetship by this--this----"
+
+He stopped then, unable to express his feelings.
+
+"Colonel Harvey," he inquired at last, "may I ask if you believe this
+story?"
+
+"I do not see, Mr. Mallory," was the response, "what else I am to
+believe. I do not like to accuse these three gentlemen of a plot to ruin
+you. And yet--and yet----"
+
+"May I ask a question or two?" inquired Mark, noticing the puzzled and
+worried look upon his superior's face.
+
+"Most certainly," was the answer.
+
+"In the first place, if you please, according to this story, if I gave
+this man a hundred dollars, why did he tell about it afterward?"
+
+"His conscience troubled him," cried the old squire excitedly. "As yours
+would have if you had any. He knew that he had done wrong, robbed my
+son, and he came and told me. And I was wild, sir, wild with anger. I
+have brought this man on all the way from Colorado, and I propose to see
+my son into his rights, if I die for it!"
+
+"Oh!" said Mark. "So you want Benny made a cadet. But tell me how, if I
+had the papers, did Benny beat me so badly, anyhow?"
+
+"My son always was brighter than you," sneered the old man.
+
+"And all the examinations weren't from printed papers," chimed in
+Benny's crowing voice. "There was spelling, and reading and
+writing--that was where I beat you."
+
+"I see," responded Mark. "It is a clever scheme. And I'm told I passed
+here because I cheated; how came you to fail?"
+
+"My son was sick at the time," cried Squire Bartlett, "and I can prove
+it, too."
+
+Mark smiled incredulously at that; Benny Bartlett nodded his head in
+support of his father's assertion.
+
+"Well?" inquired the squire. "Is there anything more you want to know?"
+
+"No," said Mark. "Nothing."
+
+"Satisfied now, are ye?" sneered the other; and then he turned to
+Colonel Harvey. "I think that is all, sir," he said. "What more do you
+want?"
+
+The colonel stood gazing into space with a troubled look. He did not
+know what to say; he did not know what to think. He could not call these
+three men conspirators; and yet the handsome, sturdy lad who had done so
+much to win his approval, surely he did not look like a thief!
+
+"Mr. Mallory," he inquired at last. "What have you to say to this?"
+
+"Nothing," responded Mark. "Nothing, except to denounce it as an
+absolute and unmitigated lie from beginning to end."
+
+"But what proof can you bring?"
+
+"None whatever, except my word."
+
+After that there was no more said for some minutes. The silence was
+broken by the superintendent's rising.
+
+"Mr. Mallory," he said, "you may go now. I must think this matter over."
+
+And Mark went out of the door, his brain fairly reeling. He was lost!
+lost! West Point, his aim in life, his one and only hope, was going! He
+was to be dismissed in disgrace, sent home branded as a criminal! And
+all for a lie! An infamous lie!
+
+A few minutes later Benny and the printer's devil, his accomplice, came
+out of that same door. But it was with a far different look. Benny was
+chuckling with triumph.
+
+"It worked!" he cried. "By Heaven, it worked to perfection! Even the old
+man hasn't caught on!"
+
+"Squire Bartlett's as blind as Mallory," laughed the other. "And
+Mallory'll be out in a week. Remember, you owe me that hundred to-day."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+TEXAS TURNS HIGHWAYMAN.
+
+
+There were six terrified plebes up at Camp McPherson, when Mark rushed
+in, pale and breathless, to tell them the reason for his summons to
+headquarters. The Banded Seven had not had such a shock since they
+organized to resist the yearlings.
+
+"Benny Bartlett!" cried Texas, springing up in rage. "Do you mean that
+little rascal I licked the day he got sassy during exams?"
+
+"That's he," said Mark, "and he's come back to get his revenge."
+
+"And you don't mean," cried the six, almost in one breath, "Colonel
+Harvey believes it?"
+
+"Why shouldn't he?" responded Mark, despairingly. "I cannot see any way
+out of it. The whole thing's a dirty lie from beginning to end, but it
+makes a straight story when it is told, and I can't disprove it."
+
+"But I thought you said," cried Texas, "that you saw Benny himself
+cheating, or tryin' to, at the examinations right hyar."
+
+"So I did," said the other. "But I cannot prove that. I know lots of
+things about him, but I can't prove one of them. They've simply got me
+and that's all there is of it. There are three of them, and it's almost
+impossible to make the superintendent think they're lying. Think of a
+rich old man like the squire's doing a trick like that!"
+
+"Perhaps he ain't," suggested Texas, shrewdly.
+
+"Perhaps not," admitted Mark. "Benny would not hesitate to lie to his
+own father. But all the same I have no proof. And what in Heaven's name
+am I to do?"
+
+Mark sat down upon the locker in his tent and buried his face in his
+hands. His wretchedness is left to the imagination. The whole thing had
+come so suddenly, so unexpectedly, right in the midst of his triumph!
+And it was so horrible!
+
+The six could think of no word of comfort; for they were as cast down,
+as thunderstruck, as he. Their regard for Mark was deep and true, and
+his ruin they felt was theirs. They sat or stood about the tent in
+characteristic attitudes, and with dejection written upon every line of
+their countenances.
+
+First to move was the wild Texas, ever impulsive and excitable. And
+Texas leaped to his feet, with a muttered whoop!
+
+"I'm a-goin' to prove them air fellers are lyin', by thunder, ef I have
+to resign to do it!"
+
+By the time that brief resolution was finished Texas was out of the tent
+and gone. The six glanced up as he left, and then once more resumed
+their dejected and bewildered discussion.
+
+"I can see no way out of it. No way!" groaned Mark. "I am gone."
+
+And the others could see no other way to look at it.
+
+Texas was rather more bizarre and unconventional, more daring than his
+companions from the "effete East," and his detective efforts were apt to
+be more interesting for that reason. He paced up and down the company
+street, hearing and seeing no one, thinking, thinking for all he was
+worth.
+
+"Proof! Proof!" he kept muttering to himself over and over again.
+"Proof! Proof!"
+
+Perhaps it was ten minutes before he did anything else. Texas was like a
+fisherman waiting for a bite during that time. He was waiting for an
+inspiration. And then suddenly the inspiration came. He stopped short in
+his tracks, opened his eyes wide and staring, and his mouth also; his
+fingers began to twitch with a sudden wave of excitement; his face
+flushed and he trembled all over. The next moment with a joyful
+"durnation!" he had turned and was off like a shot down the street.
+
+"I've got it! I've got it! Whoop!"
+
+And then suddenly he halted again.
+
+"I won't tell 'em," he muttered to himself. "I'll keep it for a
+surprise! But then, I'll want some one to help me. Who'll I--oh, yes!"
+
+Texas had turned and started with no less haste the other way.
+
+"I'll git one o' them ole cadets," he chuckled, "some one the ole man'll
+believe. I know!"
+
+At the eastern side of the camp, in A Company Street, and facing the
+sentry post of Number Three, stood a single spacious tent. It belonged
+to the first cadet captain, Fischer by name. And at that tent, trembling
+with impatience, the plebe halted and knocked.
+
+"Come in," called a voice, and Texas entered.
+
+There was but one occupant in the tent--the first captain has a tent to
+himself, if you please. It was Fischer, tall and stately and handsome as
+usual, with his magnificent uniform and sash and chevrons. He was
+engaged in writing a letter at the moment; he looked up and then arose
+to his feet, a look of surprise upon his face as he recognized the
+plebe.
+
+"Mr. Powers," said he.
+
+Texas bowed; and then he started right in to business.
+
+"Mr. Fischer," he began, "I know it ain't customary for plebes to visit
+first classmen, and especially B. J. plebes. But I got something to say
+right naow that's important, more important than ceremonies an' such.
+Will you listen?"
+
+The officer bowed courteously, though he still looked surprised.
+
+"It's about Mr. Mallory," said Texas. "I reckon you've heard the stories
+'bout him?"
+
+"I have heard rumors," said the other. "I shall be glad to hear more."
+
+Texas told him the story then, just as Mark had told it a few minutes
+ago. And the look of surprise on the captain's face deepened.
+
+"This is a serious business, Mr. Powers," he said.
+
+"It's one lie from beginning to end!" growled the other. "Now look
+a-yere. You been a pretty good friend o' Mark's, Mr. Fischer. You're the
+only man I know of in this place that's tried to see fair play. When
+Mark had to fight them yearlings it was you saw he had his rights. When
+they tried to get him dismissed on demerits, you were the one to stop
+'em. Now, I don't know why you did it, 'cept perhaps you're an honest,
+fair an' square man yourself, an' saw he was, too. Anyhow, you've been
+his friend."
+
+"I have tried to see fair play," responded the other, slowly. "I have
+not approved of many of his acts, what he did last night at the hop, for
+instance. But still----"
+
+"If you knew this yere plot was a lie, would you say so?" interrupted
+Texas.
+
+"I most certainly should."
+
+"An' if you saw a chance to prove it, knowin' that Mark'd be dismissed
+if you didn't, would you?"
+
+"It would be my duty, I think, as captain of his company. I should do it
+anyway, for I respect Mr. Mallory."
+
+And Texas seized the surprised Fischer by the hand and gave him a mighty
+squeeze.
+
+"Wow!" he cried. "I knew you would! Whoop! We'll fool them ole liars
+yet!"
+
+Then, to the still greater surprise of the cadet captain--who wasn't
+used to Texas' ways--the plebe dragged him over to the corner of the
+tent and whispered in a trembling, excited voice.
+
+"Don't you tell a soul, naow, not a soul. S-sh! Do you want to turn
+highwayman?"
+
+Fischer stared at the other in alarm.
+
+"Turn highwayman!" he echoed.
+
+"Yes," whispered Texas. "Don't you know what a highwayman is? He's a man
+what robs folks at night?"
+
+Fischer gasped and looked dumfounded. The day that Texas had gone on his
+"spree" and tried to wreck West Point he had been reported by the
+surgeon on the sick list for "temporary mental aberration due to the
+heat."
+
+"This is an awfully hot day," thought Fischer. "I hope to gracious he
+hasn't got any guns!"
+
+Texas waited a moment longer, and then he went on to whisper. He had
+lots to say, and one would have been interested to observe its effect
+upon the officer. His look of consternation faded; one of interest,
+doubt, and then finally of delight replaced it. And by the time the
+other was through he had forgotten the lad was a plebe. He seized his
+hand and slapped him upon the back.
+
+"By George!" he cried. "I'll do it! It's a slim chance, slim as thunder,
+but if it'll clear Mark Mallory I'll try it if it costs me my chevrons!"
+
+At which Texas gave vent to a whoop that awoke the echoes of the
+Highlands.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+TWO MIDNIGHT PROWLERS.
+
+
+On the night of the day we are writing about, there was something
+unusual happening. It was neither a sentry nor an officer, this stealthy
+figure that stole out of a tent in the street of Company A. He waited
+cautiously until the sentry behind his tent had passed on to the other
+end, and then with the slyness of an Indian he crept down the path. And
+when he disappeared again, it was the big tent of the first captain that
+swallowed him up.
+
+Fischer was expecting that visit. He was up and dressing, and ready for
+the other.
+
+"There are the clothes, Mr. Powers," he whispered. "Leave your uniform
+here and slip into them quickly."
+
+The captain's voice was trembling with excitement, and some little
+nervousness, too. This was a desperate errand for him. It might cost him
+his chevrons, if not worse; for he had desperate deeds to do that night.
+
+"Have you got the guns?" he whispered.
+
+By way of answer Texas slipped two shining revolvers into the other's
+hands. Fischer gripped the cold steel for a moment to steady his nerves,
+and then thrust the weapons into the pocket of the rough coat he wore.
+
+"Come on," he said. "I'm ready."
+
+He stepped out of the tent, Texas close at his heels. The two crept
+around the side, then crouched and waited. Suddenly Fischer put his
+fingers to his lips and gave a low whistle. The effect was
+instantaneous. Sentries Number Three and Four promptly faced about and
+marched off the other way. It was contrary to orders for sentries to
+face in opposite directions at the same time. But it was handy, for it
+kept them from "seeing any one cross their beats." Texas and his
+companion had sprung up and dashed across the path and disappeared over
+the earthworks of old Fort Clinton.
+
+"That was neatly done," chuckled Texas. "We're safe now."
+
+"It would be a sad state of affairs, indeed," laughed the other, "if a
+first captain couldn't 'fix' two sentries of his own class. We're all
+right if we don't make any noise."
+
+A person who glanced at the two would not have taken them for cadets.
+They were clad in old dilapidated clothing, with collars turned up to
+increase the effect. To complete this disguise, they took two black
+handkerchiefs from their pockets, and in a few minutes more were as
+desperate-looking burglars as ever roamed the night.
+
+"Burglary's not much worse than conspiracy, anyway," muttered Fischer,
+as he hurried along. "I wonder what time it is."
+
+"Twelve o'clock and all's we-ell!" rang the voice of the sentry
+from camp just then--an answer to the question. And the two
+villainous-looking men crept on in silence, gripping their weapons the
+tighter as they went.
+
+The hotel lies very near the camp; it was only a short walk for the two,
+even creeping and dodging as they were, before they were safely hidden
+close to the porch of the building. The house is in Colonial style, with
+big, high pillars, painted white. It was a difficult climb, but the two
+lost not one moment in hesitation. They evidently knew just why they
+came, and had planned their task beforehand. Texas sprang up on the
+shoulders of the other, and a short while later was lying breathless
+upon the tin roof of the piazza.
+
+Fischer had dodged back into the shadow to wait. The other lay where he
+was for a short while, to glance about him and recover his breath; then
+he rolled over and crept softly and silently along until he reached one
+of the windows. Texas had found out which one beforehand; he could
+afford to waste no time now, for this was a State's prison offense he
+was at.
+
+He raised himself and glanced over the sill of the open window; he
+glanced hastily about the room inside, and then dropped down again and
+crept to the edge of the roof.
+
+"They aren't there," he whispered. "S-sh!"
+
+"Not there!" echoed the other. "Then they haven't come home yet. Drop
+down."
+
+Texas slid down that pillar with alacrity that would have scared a cat.
+And the two were hiding in the bushes a moment or two later.
+
+"Gee whiz!" muttered Fischer. "Just think of the risks we took. They
+might have come in on us."
+
+"Where can they be?" whispered Texas, anxiously. "I hadn't any idea they
+wouldn't be in by twelve."
+
+"There's nothing they can be doing around here," said Fischer. "I don't
+know----"
+
+"Look a here!" muttered Texas, excitedly, as a sudden idea occurred to
+him. "I saw 'em a-goin' down to Highland Falls this evenin', an----"
+
+Fischer gripped him by the arm.
+
+"Jove!" he cried. "We'll go down and lay for 'em. It's a faint chance,
+but if we catch 'em there it'll be a thousand times less dangerous for
+us. And if we miss them we can come back. Let's hurry."
+
+It was a dangerous business, that getting down to Highland Falls. There
+were the camp sentries and the sentries of the regular army, besides,
+patroling most of the paths. And any of them would have stopped those
+two rough-looking men if they had seen them skulking about the post. But
+Fischer had been there three years, and he knew most of the "ropes." He
+dodged from building to building, always keeping the road in view so as
+to see their victims if they passed--and finally came out upon the road
+just at the beginning to cadet limits. Here they hid in a thick clump of
+bushes and lay down to wait amid the silence of that dark, deserted
+spot.
+
+"I wonder if they'll come," whispered Texas. "I wish I had one of 'em by
+the neck. The rascals----"
+
+The words were choked in their utterance; for the officer suddenly
+nudged his companion and pointed down the road.
+
+"Look!"
+
+That was all he said. Texas turned and glanced as he directed. There
+were two figures, clearly outlined in the moonlight, walking slowly up
+the road.
+
+"It's they," whispered Fischer. "Shall we try it?"
+
+And Texas gripped the two revolvers in his pocket and muttered, "Yes, we
+shall!"
+
+The two came nearer and nearer. Out of the black shadows where they lay
+the cadets stared hard, watching them anxiously, waiting, panting with
+impatience and excitement. The strangers were slightly built, both of
+them, and young; Texas recognized one of them plainly. It was Benny
+Bartlett; that the other was the printer's boy, he took for granted.
+Then suddenly he noticed one of them stagger.
+
+"That solves it," whispered Fischer. "They've been down to Cranston's
+getting drunk. The beasts!"
+
+That last word cut Texas like a knife; he had been that way not a week
+ago himself. Texas was slowly learning the civilized view of
+drunkenness.
+
+He forgot that in a few moments more, however. There was excitement,
+plenty of it, to fill his mind. The pair drew nearer still in the bright
+moonlight, and the time for their desperate deed was almost upon the
+cadets.
+
+"For Heaven's sake don't let them get away," whispered Fischer. "If they
+cry out, make a break for camp, and I'll fix it."
+
+That word was the last to be spoken; they lay in silence after that,
+listening to the others. Benny Bartlett, it appeared, was the more
+hilarious of the two, as such feeble hilarity goes. The other was trying
+hard to keep him quiet. The bushes that hid the cadets were right beside
+the road; and as Benny drew near they made out that he was trying to
+sing.
+
+"We won't go home till morning; we won't go----"
+
+"Shut up, you fool!" the other muttered, shaking him by no means gently.
+"You'll wake the old man, and----"
+
+The two watchers rose upon their knees. Two revolvers clicked gently,
+which made the printer's boy start in alarm, and then came a subdued
+"Now!"
+
+Before the victims could move or utter a sound two stalwart, roughly
+dressed, black-masked figures sprang out into the road. And the
+half-drunken pair found themselves gazing into the muzzles of two
+glistening revolvers.
+
+"Hold up your hands!"
+
+Half dead with terror the printer obeyed; the other sunk in a heap to
+the ground, his teeth fairly chattering.
+
+"Not a sound!" was the next gruff order, obeyed equally well; and then
+the robbers got quickly to work.
+
+It was all done so expeditiously that the victims scarcely realized it.
+One of the men covered the two with his weapons and the other went
+swiftly through the pockets of both.
+
+He did not seem to care for watches or money. It was papers he looked
+for, and he glanced at what he found with feverish impatience. He had a
+matchbox in his hand, and he turned away from the party as he struck a
+light and read one after the other, tossing them aside with an angry
+exclamation. He searched the printer first and seemed to find nothing.
+Then he went for Benny, tumbling him about the ground and not forgetting
+to administer sundry vigorous kicks.
+
+He had almost searched Benny, too, without success, when suddenly he
+gave an exclamation of joy, an exclamation which almost caused the other
+to drop his revolvers. The searcher had put his hand into a small,
+out-of-the-way pocket, and found a bit of carefully folded paper.
+
+"This'll do it!" he whispered. "Come on."
+
+Texas' heart began to throb with joy--Texas was the one with the gun.
+
+"Victory! Victory!" he muttered. "Wow!"
+
+Ready to shout with excitement at his success he started to follow the
+other, who was already making for the dense woods at the side of the
+road. He backed away slowly, still facing the two horrified lads, still
+leveling his weapons at them.
+
+"Not a sound!" he muttered gruffly. "Remember!"
+
+He reached the edge of the shadow in safety, and then suddenly a noise
+caught his sharp ear. It was not from the two, but from up the road. It
+was the sound of a horse's hoofs, accompanied by a jingling of sword and
+spur. Texas glanced around quickly; it was a horseman trotting up the
+road, an officer from the cavalry post! And in an instant more Texas had
+sprung into the woods and was dashing away with all his speed.
+
+"Run, run!" he whispered to the cadet just in front. "Somebody's
+coming."
+
+Benny Bartlett had not nerve to give an alarm; but the printer's boy
+had. The fleeing pair heard his voice shouting:
+
+"Help! help! Murder!"
+
+And an instant later came a clatter and thunder of hoofs as the soldier
+dashed up.
+
+"What's the matter?" he cried.
+
+"Robbers!" shrieked the two. "We've been held up! They ran in there!
+Help! Help!"
+
+The rescuer wheeled his horse sharply about; he whipped his sword from
+its scabbard and plunged furiously into the woods. The two heard his
+horse dashing up, and they knew their danger was great indeed.
+
+Texas was flying on ahead, running for his life; but Fischer, who was a
+good deal the cooler of the two in the emergency, seized him by the arm
+and forced him into a clump of bushes on one side.
+
+"Lie there!" he cried. "S-sh! Not a sound!"
+
+The wisdom of the ruse was apparent. Crashing footsteps gave the officer
+something to follow; without it he might not find them in the black
+woods. They heard his horse thrashing about in the underbrush; the man
+was evidently afraid of nothing even in the darkness, for he plunged
+through it furiously, riding back and forth and beating the bushes. Once
+he passed so near to them that Texas heard the sword swish and felt for
+his revolvers instinctively. But that was the best the man could do,
+and finally he gave it up in disgust and rode out to the road again.
+
+Then the two highwaymen arose and stole softly away in the darkness,
+congratulating themselves upon that narrow escape and still more upon
+their success.
+
+When they reached the camp, which they did in a great hurry, for they
+knew the officer would alarm the post, they passed the sentry in the
+same way, and separated, Texas hurrying into his own tent. To his
+amazement he found his tent mates awake and sitting up, for what reason
+he had no idea.
+
+"What's the matter?" he cried anxiously, for he saw at once that
+something horrible had happened.
+
+"Matter enough!" cried Mark in just as much anxiety. "It's not enough
+for me to get dismissed, but you have to go to work and get yourself in
+the same scrape."
+
+"I dismissed!" echoed Texas, in amazement. "How?"
+
+"Your absence has been noticed," groaned Mark. "Lieutenant Allen has
+ordered an inspection of the tent every half hour until you return.
+They've been here twice now, and you're a goner. And what makes it ten
+thousand times worse, I know it's on account of me. You've been doing
+something to clear me."
+
+All this was said in about as lugubrious a tone as one could well
+imagine. But as for Texas, he merely chuckled as if he didn't care in
+the least.
+
+"I reckon it'll be all right," he chuckled, as he began to shed his
+"cits" clothing. "Jes' you fellers go to bed an' be good. I reckon it'll
+all come out all right. Good-night."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+BENNY IS EXPOSED.
+
+
+"Well, sir, I've come to ask what you propose to do about it."
+
+It was the pompous old squire, and he stood once more in the
+superintendent's office, impatience written in every line of his face.
+
+"Yes, sir," he continued, "I should like to know your decision."
+
+"But, my dear sir," exclaimed Colonel Harvey, "I have not made up my
+mind entirely. It is only yesterday you stated your case. What is the
+hurry?"
+
+"Hurry, sir?" returned the squire, "I am in a hurry for my rights. I
+mean that my son shall have the cadetship he has earned."
+
+"Where is your son?" inquired the other, after a moment's thought.
+
+"He is up at the hotel," answered the squire. "Why?"
+
+"I should like to see him for just a moment. I have one question to ask
+him, if you please. I'll send an orderly for him."
+
+The old man bowed stiffly; he sat up very straight in his chair and
+waited with dignity until his young hopeful appeared, wondering
+meanwhile what more the obdurate officer could want.
+
+Master Benjamin entered the room obviously pale and flushed. He did not
+feel very well as the result of his last night's "manliness," and he had
+dim visions of robbers and stolen papers besides. He bowed to his father
+and the grave superintendent.
+
+"Take a seat," said the latter. "I shall not keep you long. Take this
+pen and paper. I am anxious to see your handwriting. Please write these
+words as I dictate them."
+
+Benny, puzzled and alarmed, prepared to obey; he saw that the army
+officer was watching him narrowly, which did not increase his ease of
+manner.
+
+"Write," said Colonel Harvey, "I--promise--to--pay-to--Nick---- What's
+the matter?"
+
+Benny had begun to write promptly. At the sixth word he had turned pale
+as death, and his hand was trembling.
+
+"What's the matter?" thundered the colonel again. "Why don't you write?"
+
+"I--I----" stammered Benny. "I'm not very well."
+
+"I should say not!" responded the other, angrily. "Let me see that
+paper."
+
+He took it from the trembling lad's hand.
+
+"Is that your son's handwriting?" he demanded, turning to the squire.
+
+Old Mr. Bartlett glanced at it quickly, a look of amazement upon his
+face.
+
+"No," he said, "it isn't. Benny, why don't you write in your usual way?
+Why don't you do as the gentleman tells you? And what's the meaning of
+this, anyway?"
+
+Benny took the pen again, this time weakly.
+
+"I'll write it," he said. "Here."
+
+Colonel Harvey dictated it again relentlessly.
+
+"I--promise--to--pay--to--Nick--Flynn--one--hundred--dollars--when
+M.--M.--is--fired. Benjamin Bartlett. Received--payment--July--13. Nick
+Flynn."
+
+The officer took the result, laid it on his desk and took another from
+his pocket to compare.
+
+"That settles it," said he, looking up at last. "Conspiracy."
+
+"What does this mean, sir?" demanded the angry old squire, who had been
+waxing more and more impatient under the ordeal. "Why should my son be
+insulted like a common criminal? Why----"
+
+"Because he is one," responded the other, just as warmly. "Look at those
+two papers, sir! Your son wrote both, and I know it."
+
+"Where did you get that other?"
+
+"The story is briefly told," said Colonel Harvey. "Two cadets of my
+academy turned highwaymen yesterday and held up your son at the point of
+a revolver. I presume he has told you."
+
+"So that's who it was!" cried the furious squire. "So that's the kind of
+cadets you have! I shall have them both in jail."
+
+"You will not," laughed the other, "for several reasons. In the first
+place, you do not know who they are, and I do not propose to tell you.
+In the second, if you do, your son is guilty of conspiracy, and I shall
+see him punished for that."
+
+"This is preposterous!" exclaimed Squire Bartlett. "That paper proves
+absolutely nothing----"
+
+"His manner when I asked him to write it, and his attempt to disguise
+his hand, prove a good deal to me. It proves to me, sir, that he is
+lying, and that you are a very foolish and indulgent father to believe
+him as you do. He has lied to me and to you, and he lies still when he
+denies it. Look at him cower now, sir! I knew that this whole thing was
+an outrageous plot the very moment the cadets showed me that paper this
+morning. One of them is one of my most trusted officers, and I believe
+his account. And what is more----"
+
+Here the colonel stopped and glared at Benny.
+
+"I say this for the benefit of your son, who evidently hates Mark
+Mallory. I believed and was glad to believe, that Mallory, who is the
+finest lad I had seen for many a day, is as honest as he is brave. And I
+shall take great pleasure in telling him so, and in apologizing for my
+doubts. And in conclusion----"
+
+Colonel Harvey arose to his feet and bowed.
+
+"I bid you a good-day, Squire Bartlett. Cadet Mallory will not be
+expelled from this academy, if I can help it."
+
+And Benny and the squire left West Point that morning, which was the end
+of Mark's peril in that direction.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+MARK RECEIVES A COMMITTEE.
+
+
+"Oh, say, Mark, I wish you'd fight that ole cadet! An' ef you do, jest
+won't we whoop her up! Gee whiz!"
+
+The speaker was Texas. His quiet gray eyes were glistening as he spoke,
+and his face was alive with excitement.
+
+The two were resting from the morning's drill, and were lounging about a
+shady nook in the corner of the siege battery inclosure. Grouped about
+them, and equally interested in the important discussion were five
+plebes, the other members of the Banded Seven.
+
+It will be remembered that one of the "hop managers," a first classman
+and an officer, Cadet Lieutenant Wright, had ventured in behalf of his
+class to request Mark to leave the floor. Mark, who was in the midst of
+a dance at the moment, had been justly indignant. He had informed the
+other that an apology would be demanded; and that as a cadet, having an
+invitation, he proposed to stay and dance. Whereupon the hop managers
+had stopped the music and "busted up their ole hop" and gone home in a
+rage.
+
+That was the end of the matter, except that there was a fight on
+between Cadet Mallory and Lieutenant Wright. It was to that fight that
+Texas was alluding.
+
+"An' ef you lick him," he repeated, "won't we whoop her up!"
+
+"There will certainly be a fight," responded Mark, after a moment's
+thought. "That is, unless Wright apologizes, which he will not do of
+course. I do not like to fight; I'd a great deal rather get along
+without it; for it is a brutal sort of an amusement at best."
+
+"Rats!" growled Texas.
+
+"But it's necessary all the same," continued the other. "I do not see
+how I can keep my dignity otherwise. The notion that a plebe is a
+creature without any feelings who may be slammed about at will is
+altogether too prevalent to suit my taste; and I propose to have the
+cadets understand once and for all that they may haze me all they want
+to if they can, but that when they insult me they are going to get
+hurt."
+
+"Bully, b'gee!" chimed in Dewey, with a chuckle of delight.
+
+"Do you think you can do him?" inquired one.
+
+"I don't know," said Mark. "And what is more I don't want to know. If I
+knew I could whip him I wouldn't want to fight. I mean to try."
+
+"Wow!" growled Texas, angry at the mere supposition of Mark's not being
+able to thrash any one on earth. "Didn't he whop Billy Williams? An'
+ain't he the best man in the yearlin' class?"
+
+"They said he was," said Mark. "And I had a hard time with him. But
+Wright's been here two years longer and is trained to the top notch.
+He's stronger than Williams, but I doubt if he's so quick. And still
+he's captain of the football team, which means a good deal, I'll tell
+you."
+
+"I wish 'twar my chance to fight him!" exclaimed Texas. "Say, Mark, you
+always were lucky."
+
+"I don't even know if he'll fight yet," laughed the other.
+
+"B'gee!" chimed in Dewey, "I think it's about time you began to think of
+getting ready to start to send over and find out. Reminds me of a story
+I once heard, b'gee----"
+
+"Good Heavens!" groaned Mark, with a look of anguish, "I'll send at
+once. Everything I do seems to remind you of something. I'll send."
+
+"You will, hey?" laughed Dewey. "B'gee, that reminds me of another.
+There was a fellow lived in Kalamazoo, and he----"
+
+"You go!" said Mark. "I'll make you my ambassador to keep you quiet. Or
+at least you can tell your stories to the enemy. Hurry up now!"
+
+Dewey arose from his seat and prepared to start upon his errand. Texas
+was on his feet in an instant.
+
+"Naow look a yere, Mark!" he cried. "Why kain't I go? I want some fun,
+too. You wouldn't let me go that time to Billy Williams!"
+
+"I won't let you go now for the same reason," laughed Mark. "You'd be in
+a free-for-all fight in half a minute yourself. You go ahead, Dewey.
+Tell Mr. Wright that I demand an apology or else that he name the time
+and place. Throw in a few 'b'gees' for good measure, tell him a yarn or
+two, and make yourself charming and agreeable and handsome as usual.
+Tra, la, la."
+
+Dewey tossed him an effusive kiss by way of thanks for the compliment,
+and then vaulted over the embankment and set out for camp, marching
+right merrily to the tune of "The Girl I Left Behind Me," hands at the
+side, chest out, palms to the front, little fingers on the seams of the
+trousers!
+
+The remainder of the Banded Seven waited in considerable anxiety for the
+return of the "ambassador." They were one and all of them interested in
+their leader and hero; his triumph was theirs and theirs his.
+
+"He'll take half an hour, anyway," said Mark. "So there's no use
+beginning to get impatient yet. Let's take it easy."
+
+"Yea, by Zeus!" said the Parson. "And in the meantime allow me to call
+your attention to a most interesting and as yet unclassified fossil
+which I unearthed this very morning."
+
+The Parson cleared his throat with his usual "Ahem!" and Mark cast up
+his eyes.
+
+"I wish I had found an embassy for the Parson, too," he groaned.
+
+But there was no necessity for Mark's alarm, as it proved. The Parson
+had barely time to give a few introductory bits of information about
+"the pteroreptian genera of the Triassic and Jurassic periods," when the
+"Girl I Left Behind Me" once more made herself audible and Dewey
+appeared upon the scene, obviously excited.
+
+"What are you back so soon for?" inquired Mark.
+
+"I hadn't anything to do," responded the other, hurriedly. "Wright
+wouldn't see me."
+
+"What! Why not?"
+
+"He says there's a committee from his class coming to see you about it,
+b'gee."
+
+"A committee!" echoed Mark. "I've got nothing to do with any committee.
+It's my business to challenge him."
+
+"I know. But that don't make any difference. He wouldn't talk about it,
+he just said the committee would see you about it and explain the
+situation. And to make it more exciting, b'gee, they're coming now."
+
+"How do you know?" inquired Mark.
+
+"I saw 'em," answered Dewey, "and I told 'em where you were and, b'gee,
+they're on the way in a hurry. Something's up, b'gee, and I'm going to
+be right here to see it, too."
+
+Dewey dropped into his corner once more, and after that the Seven said
+nothing, but waited in considerable suspense for the arrival of the
+distinguished first classmen, wondering meanwhile what on earth they
+could want and why on earth they found it necessary to interfere in
+Mark's quarrel with the officer.
+
+They came, three of them, in due time. The Parson immediately arose to
+his feet.
+
+"_Hoi presbeis tou Basileos!_" he said in his mist stately tone, and
+with his most solemn bow. "That's Greek," he added, condescendingly--to
+the six; he took it for granted that the learned cadets knew what it
+was. "It's a quotation from the celebrated comedy, the _Acharnians_, and
+it----"
+
+They were shockingly rude, that committee. They paid not the least
+attention to the Parson and his classical salutation, but instead, after
+a stiff, formal bow, proceeded right to their business with Mark. The
+Parson felt very much hurt, of course; he even thought of challenging to
+a duel at once. But a moment later he found himself listening with rapt
+attention to the amazing information which that committee had to give.
+
+Mark did not know the names of the three cadets who confronted him.
+Their faces were familiar and he knew that they were first classmen.
+That was evidently all that the committee considered necessary, for they
+did not stop for an introduction.
+
+All of the Banded Seven's fun had, up to this point, been manifested
+against the yearlings, and it had been the yearlings, chiefly, whose
+wrath they had incurred. But that hop was too much; that had been an
+insult to every cadet, and Mark knew that he had made new and more
+powerful enemies. He could see that in the looks of the three stern and
+forbidding cadets who glared at him in silence, with folded arms.
+
+"Mr. Mallory," said the spokesman.
+
+Mark arose and bowed politely.
+
+"What is it you wish?" said he.
+
+"We have been sent to say a few words to you from the first class."
+
+Another bow.
+
+"In the first place Mr. Mallory, the class instructs us to say that your
+conduct at the hop the other night deserves their severest censure. You
+had no business to go."
+
+"As a cadet of this academy," responded Mark, calmly, "I considered it
+my right."
+
+"It has not been customary, sir," said the other, "for new cadets to go
+to the hops."
+
+"Precedent may be changed," was Mark's answer. "It should be when it is
+bad."
+
+There was a moment's silence after that and then he continued:
+
+"Let us not discuss the point," he said. "I always consider carefully
+the consequences of my acts beforehand. I am prepared for the
+consequences of this one."
+
+"That is fortunate for you," returned the "committee," with very mild
+sarcasm. "To proceed however, Lieutenant Wright, one of our hop
+managers, acting, please understand, in behalf of the class, requested
+you to leave."
+
+"To continue the story," said Mark, keeping up the sarcastic tone, "I
+was naturally insulted by his unwarranted act. And I mean to demand an
+apology."
+
+"And if you do not get it?" inquired the other.
+
+"Then I mean to demand a fight."
+
+"Which is precisely what we were sent to see you about," responded the
+cadet.
+
+Mark was a trifle surprised at that.
+
+"I thought," he said, "that my second should arrange the matter with Mr.
+Wright's. However, I shall be glad to fix it with you."
+
+"You will fix nothing with us," retorted the other. "The class has
+instructed me to tell you that most emphatically you will not be
+allowed to fight with the lieutenant."
+
+Mark stared at the three solemn cadets in amazement, and Texas gave vent
+to a muttered "Wow!"
+
+"Not be allowed to fight!" echoed Mark.
+
+"No, sir, you will not. Mr. Wright was the class' delegate; your quarrel
+is with the class."
+
+"B'gee!" put in Dewey, wriggling with excitement, "let's lick the class,
+b'gee!"
+
+Mark was silent for a while, thinking over the strange turn of affairs;
+and then the committee continued:
+
+"Mr. Wright will not do you the honor of a fight or of an apology."
+
+Mark flushed at that stinging remark. The speaker never turned a hair,
+but stared at him just as sternly as ever, seeing that his thrust had
+landed.
+
+Mark had a way of saying nothing when he was angry, of thinking
+carefully what it would be best to do. And now he gazed into space, his
+brows knitted, while his six friends leaned forward anxiously, wondering
+what was coming next.
+
+"Suppose," the plebe inquired at last, "suppose, sir, I were to force a
+fight with Mr. Wright?"
+
+"If you do," said the other, "the class will take it upon itself to
+prevent that fight, using brute force if necessary, and punishing you
+severely for your impertinence. And moreover you will be required to
+defend your right to resist their authority, to defend it against every
+member of the class."
+
+"All at once?" inquired Mark, with a tinge of irony.
+
+"No, sir. Separately, and in fair fight."
+
+Mark was thoughtful and silent again.
+
+"The consequences," he said, at last, "are unpleasant. The consequences
+of swallowing so gross and unmerited an insult as Mr. Wright's, given
+before hundreds of people, are more unpleasant still. Dewey!"
+
+That young man sprang to his feet with an excited "B'gee!"
+
+"Dewey," said Mark, in slow and measured tones, and never once taking
+his eyes off the three stern cadets, "Dewey, you will return for me,
+please, to Mr. Wright's tent. Tell Mr. Wright for me that I demand an
+apology by this evening--or else that he name a time and place. And tell
+him finally that if he refuses I shall consider myself unfortunately
+obliged to knock him down the first time I see him."
+
+"Bully, b'gee!"
+
+"Wow!"
+
+The six plebes had leaped to their feet as one man, with a wild hurrah!
+Oh, could anything have been better than that? Those three cadets had
+fairly quailed before Mark's bold and sudden, yet calm defiance.
+
+"I think, gentlemen," said he, "that my purposes are clear to you now.
+And I bid you good-morning."
+
+Half a minute later Mark was buried in the wild embraces and
+congratulations of his hilarious friends; Texas was dancing a Spanish
+fandango about the inclosure, and Dewey, red and excited, was on his way
+to camp as fast as his delighted legs could carry him.
+
+"B'gee!" he kept chuckling. "B'gee, we'll wipe the spots off of 'em,
+b'gee. Whoop!" The more excited Dewey got the more b'gees he was
+accustomed to put in.
+
+He was back again at the Siege Battery ten minutes later, this time even
+more excited, more red, more breathless than ever.
+
+"B'gee!" he gasped. "I got it. He'll--he'll--b'gee, he'll fight."
+
+"Whoop!" roared Texas.
+
+"Yes," continued Dewey, "and b'gee, you can bet there'll be fun! You
+see, he wants to fight. He's no coward, I could see that, and he's mad
+as thunder because the class won't let him. And b'gee, I chucked in a
+few hints about his being afraid, which made him madder still, so that
+when I fired out that last part about knocking him down if he didn't,
+b'gee, he was wild. Oh, say! He hopped about that tent like--like Texas
+is doing now--and b'gee he wanted to have it out right away."
+
+"Whoop!" roared Texas. "Let's go up now! I'll help! Let's----"
+
+"Sit on him and keep him quiet," laughed Mark, shoving Texas into a
+corner. "Now go on."
+
+"We couldn't fight at Fort Clinton, b'gee," continued Dewey still
+gasping for breath, "because the cadets would have learned. And so
+finally, b'gee, he said we'd get a boat and cross the Hudson. How's
+that?"
+
+"When?" cried Mark.
+
+"To-morrow morning first thing, b'gee!"
+
+Texas had escaped by this time and was dancing about once more. And the
+rest of the Seven were about ready to join him. This was the greatest
+bit of excitement of all. The most B. J. thing they had ever done,
+defying the whole first class and going out of cadet limits besides.
+There never were seven lads more full of fun than these boys; and never
+had they seen a chance for quite so much fun as in this daring venture.
+
+The seven adjourned for dinner soon after that. As they "fell in" on the
+company street it was evident to Mark that the story of his bold
+defiance, his desperate stroke, was all about the place even then. It
+was known to the first class, and to the yearling enemies, and even to
+the plebes, who stared at him in awe and wondered where on earth he had
+gotten the "nerve" to dare to do what he had. For Mark Mallory stood
+pledged by his defiance to fight the whole corps of cadets.
+
+He bore his notoriety easily; he returned the stares of his enemies with
+cool and merry indifference, and as he cleaned his musket and turned out
+for drill, or made the dust about the camp fly while on "police duty,"
+there was nothing about him to lead any one to suspect that he was, of
+all West Point's plebes and even cadets, the most conspicuous, the most
+talked of.
+
+The story spread so far that it reached the ears of a certain very dear
+friend of his. An orderly handed him a note late that afternoon; he knew
+the handwriting well by this time and he opened the letter and read it
+hastily:
+
+      "DEAR MR. MALLORY: Please come over to the hotel as
+      soon as you can. I have some important news for the
+      Seven, and for you particularly.
+
+      "Your friend,
+
+      "GRACE FULLER."
+
+Mark went, wondering what could be "up," and he found that it was about
+that same all-important affair that Grace wanted to see him.
+
+"I hear you are going to fight," she began as soon as she saw him; there
+was a worried smile on her face which made Mark smile involuntarily.
+
+"It's nothing very desperate," he answered. "So you needn't be alarmed.
+You see it's necessary for me to fight once in a while else you and I
+couldn't play all our beautiful B. J. tricks."
+
+"I guess you'd better go then," she laughed. "But I don't like it a bit.
+You'll come home all bruised up and covered with court-plaster, and I
+shan't have anything to do with you until you get handsome again."
+
+"Thanks for that last word 'again,'" responded he with a laugh. Then, he
+added, more seriously, "How did you find all this out? I thought none of
+the cadets were going to speak to you since the hop?"
+
+"Pooh!" said Grace. "You didn't suppose they meant that, did you? Half
+of them are beginning to capitulate already. I knew they wouldn't hold
+out."
+
+"I knew it too," thought Mark to himself; he was watching the girl's
+beautiful face, with its expression of action and life.
+
+"It seems then that all my rivals are back again," he said, aloud.
+
+"None of them are your rivals," answered the girl; and then she added,
+quickly: "But that wasn't what I sent for you to tell you. I have been
+finding out some more secrets. I think if I keep on practicing on the
+cadets I'll be quite a diplomatist and confidence man by and by."
+
+"What have you found out now?"
+
+"Simply that the whole first class proposes to keep you from fighting."
+
+"I knew that before," said Mark.
+
+"Yes," answered Grace. "But you didn't know that they knew you and
+Wright were going to cross the river to settle it."
+
+"Do they know that, too?" cried Mark.
+
+"They do; and moreover they intend to keep watch on you, and if you
+leave camp to-night you'll have the whole class to follow you."
+
+Mark looked interested at that.
+
+"I can see," he said, "that I am going to have no small amount of fun
+out of this business. I wish you could manage to use a little of your
+diplomacy in helping me escape."
+
+"And I wish," added Grace, gazing at him with the same anxious look he
+had noticed before, "I wish I could help you do the fighting too. I hate
+to think of your being hurt."
+
+"It hurts me to have you look so unhappy," said Mark, seriously. "I can
+stand the other. As a fighter I don't think you would make much of a
+success. This is a case of 'angels for council; devils for war.'"
+
+"Go ahead," sighed Grace, "if you have to go to hospital I'll come over
+and nurse you."
+
+Mark took his departure soon after that; he set out for camp, revolving
+in his mind all sorts of impracticable schemes for outwitting the first
+classmen that night. His thoughts were interrupted by hearing his name.
+He looked up; a cadet was addressing him.
+
+"Mr. Mallory," he said, "good-afternoon. My name is Harden. Mr. Wright
+has asked me to be his second."
+
+Mark bowed.
+
+"Also to say that if you will be outside of your tent, dressed, at two
+to-morrow morning he will have a boat ready to take us to a quiet
+place."
+
+Mark bowed again.
+
+"Bring one second with you," the cadet continued, "Mr. Wright will have
+but one. And keep this very secret; tell no one, for the cadets will
+surely stop us if they learn. Mr. Wright has great doubts of our success
+anyway."
+
+"I shall do my best," answered Mark. "I am as anxious to succeed as he.
+And I'm much obliged to you for your trouble."
+
+Mark turned away and entered his tent.
+
+"There'll be fun to-night," he muttered; "plenty of fun to-night."
+
+There was.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+A FIGHT, AND OTHER THINGS.
+
+
+"Are you ready in there? S-sh!"
+
+"Yes, I'll be out in a moment."
+
+"Two o'clock and all's we-ell!"
+
+The first speaker was Harden, the first classman, the second was Mark,
+and the third the sentry, calling the hour.
+
+The moonlight, clear and white, shone down on the glistening, snowy
+tents; the camp was almost as bright as day. Two figures who stood
+crouching in the company street were plainly visible, dressed in old
+contraband "cit's clothing" for disguise. And presently two more
+appeared, similarly clad, Mark and his old friend, the learned and
+pugilistic Parson.
+
+The four said not a word, but stole silently down the street to the park
+that bounded the camp on the east, the river side, the beat of sentry
+No. 4. One of them gave a low whistle, a signal to the sentry to face
+about so that he might not "see any one cross his beat." The four sped
+across the line and were lost a moment later in the shadow of the woods.
+
+The sound of their whistle had an echo, though they did not know it. It
+came from another tent and was the signal for a strange scene, one that
+probably that camp had never before witnessed. In an instant, it seemed,
+the white ground was alive with dark figures and black hurrying shadows.
+One-third of the whole cadet corps, all the first class, in fact, were
+about to engage in the perilous task of dodging camp!
+
+There was no delay, no hesitation; the whole crowd fell in under one
+leader, stole down the street, signaled the sentry; and then came a dash
+and a tramp of feet that almost shook the ground. The class was gone.
+Gone to stop that fight or die!
+
+One hates to tax a reader's credulity. To say that that sleepy moonlit
+camp was once more a witness of the same unusual scene not half a minute
+later seems beyond the possibility of belief. Yet so it was. There was
+no signal this time; they simply met, five of them, all plebes, two from
+an A Company and three from a B Company tent just in the rear. They,
+too, fell in under a leader, a leader who punctuated his orders with a
+whispered "Wow!" And they, too, crossed the sentry post and vanished in
+the woods.
+
+There was some one to trail the trailers!
+
+We shall skip forward to those in advance. The four would-be duelists
+had no idea of their detection. They thought that their early start had
+done the work. They climbed down the bank of the river, passed the
+riding hall, and came out on the railroad track below, just at the mouth
+of the tunnel.
+
+"The boat is down near Highland Falls," said Harden, briefly; and then
+there was silence again. Wright had not said one word since the start.
+
+They set out down the track. They stole by the little station, with its
+single light and its half-sleeping telegraph operator. And then--hark!
+What was that?
+
+Tramp, tramp! The four turned in amazement. Great heavens, they were
+followed! Clearly visible in the moonlight, their white trousers
+glittering, the company was marching steadily behind them. They were in
+line and had a captain. At concealment there was no attempt; they seemed
+to say, every one of them. "Well, here we are. Now what are you going to
+do about it?" And the four stared at each other in amazement.
+
+"Shall we resort to flight?" inquired the learned Parson.
+
+"They're too many; they'd catch us," said Harden, emphatically. "I don't
+know just what to do. I rather think we're outwitted. I--what's that?"
+
+"Ding! dong! Woow-oo!"
+
+"A train!" exclaimed Mark. "That'll scatter 'em. But it'll do us no
+good."
+
+A moment later there was a glare of light in the tunnel, light that
+shone upon the figures on the track; and then the heavy train shot out
+and came rushing down upon them. The cadets scattered of course; and in
+the temporary confusion Mark saw a golden chance. It was a slow train;
+he could see. A freight! And a moment later as the engine rushed past
+them, he shouted to the other three:
+
+"Catch it! Catch it as it passes!"
+
+It was all done so quickly they had scarcely time to think. They saw the
+last car whirl past the cadets; they saw the company reforming to march.
+And a moment later all four of them leaped toward the train and flung
+themselves aboard the last platform of the way car.
+
+It was going faster than they had thought; the sudden jerk they got
+nearly tore their arms from their sockets, and the Parson's loose joints
+cracked ominously. But they hung on, all of them, with a grip like
+death. And they had the intense satisfaction of hearing a yell of rage
+from the cadets in the rear, and of seeing, as they clambered up and
+looked behind them, the whole crowd break into a run and set out in
+furious, though vain pursuit.
+
+"That settles it," said Mark, joyfully. "We're safe! now then."
+
+But his words were just a trifle premature. The cadets were fast being
+left behind, running though they were; but there was a new danger
+hitherto unthought of. The car they were on was the caboose. The door
+was flung open; a rough figure strode out.
+
+"Hey, there, git off o' that! What the divil are yez doin' there?"
+
+The four stared at each other in consternation. Here was a rub! They
+looked for all the world like tramps, to be kicked off unceremoniously
+into the hands of the enemy again. But before the man could move Harden
+thrust his hand into his pocket.
+
+"Here," he said. "Take that, and shut up."
+
+The man gazed at them dubiously. They might be burglars, robbers--but
+then it was good money, and nobody the wiser. That was none of his
+business anyhow. He muttered an apology and slammed the door again,
+while the four sighed with relief.
+
+"I wonder what next," said Mark.
+
+There was nothing more; the long train rumbled on down the river bank
+and the party waited in silence until Harden gave the signal. Then they
+made more or less ungraceful and uncomfortable leaps from the platform,
+sprang down the bank into the rushes, and a moment or so later were on
+their way across the river in a rowboat.
+
+"Which means," whispered the Parson to Mark, "that we'll have our fight
+after all."
+
+Mark had thought of that. He was already calculating the chances. Wright
+had a great, powerful frame, with massive, bull shoulders and a face
+that showed no end of grit. That much Mark could see. He knew, too, that
+the man was a gymnast of three years' practice under a master as skilled
+as Uncle Sam could find; that every muscle had been worked and trained,
+that he was lithe and quick and active, skilled with foil and bayonet
+and broadsword, a perfect horseman, and the captain of West Point's
+crack eleven besides. Mark thought of all this; and then he clinched his
+own broad hands and gritted his teeth and waited.
+
+There was not a word said on the trip; all were too solemn and anxious.
+Harden rowed--working silently and swiftly. The waves lapped against the
+boat, and the ripples spread out in long, silvery, moonlit trail behind
+them. And then the boat sped in under the shadow of the trees on the
+eastern bank, and a moment later grated on the pebbly beach.
+
+Harden sprang ashore and drew up the boat. The rest landed and he went
+on into the woods. The three followed him a short ways, and then at a
+little clearing he stopped.
+
+"Here," said he, "is the spot."
+
+Mark halted and gazed about him. He saw a small turf-covered inclosure
+surrounded by the deep black shadows of a wall of trees. The moon
+strayed down through the center furnishing the only light. It was not
+three o'clock yet, and the sun was far below the horizon. Mark whipped
+off his coat.
+
+"I am ready," said he. "Let us lose no time."
+
+Wright and his second were just as prompt and businesslike. The
+lieutenant stripped his brawny frame to the waist and bound his
+suspenders about him to hold his trousers. Mark was ready then, too.
+
+"It is your choice," said he to the other. "How shall we fight?"
+
+"By rounds," he answered simply. He was a man of few words. "My second
+has a watch," he added. "Mr. Stanard may look on if he cares to, though
+we shall each have to rely upon the other's honor mostly. We have no
+referee."
+
+"I am willing," said Mark. "Let Mr. Harden manage it. And let us be
+quick. Will you shake hands?"
+
+They shook. And then the "referee" pronounced the word.
+
+"Go!"
+
+And they went, hammer and tongs.
+
+A man who chanced to be strolling along the river bank in the moonlight
+at three o'clock that July morning would have met with a startling
+scene. Just picture it to yourself, a quiet glade in the deep shadows of
+the trees, and in the center of it two white half-naked figures battling
+to the death, landing blows that shook the air. And all in silence and
+mystery. The two seconds, kneeling in the shadows watching anxiously,
+feverishly, were hidden from view.
+
+Wright had one advantage over Mark. He had seen him fight, and he knew
+his method. He knew that in skill and agility Mark was his equal; it was
+agility that had beaten Billy Williams, the yearlings' choice. And so
+Wright relying on his strength and training pitched right in, for he and
+his second had agreed that a "slugging match" was the best way to beat
+Mallory.
+
+Mark was willing to have it so; time was short, and they might be
+interrupted any moment. The sooner that unpleasant episode were over the
+better. And he answered the officer's forward spring by another no less
+sudden and fierce.
+
+A fight such as this one could not last very long, for human bodies
+cannot stand many blows as crushing as human arms can deal. The two had
+leaped in, each bent on forcing the other back; and for a moment they
+swayed, as in a deadlock, landing blow after blow with thuds that woke
+the stillness of the forest depths. The two seconds sprang forward,
+staring anxiously. They could scarcely follow the flying white arms,
+they could not see the effects of the crashes they heard; but they
+realized that any one of them might end it all, that their man might go
+down at any moment.
+
+The end came, however, sooner than either had thought. Harden, glancing
+feverishly at the watch, had counted off the first minute, was counting
+for the end of the second. He had opened his mouth to call time, when he
+heard the Parson give a gasp. He looked up just in time to see one of
+the white figures--they had been bounding all about the inclosure and he
+knew not which it was--tottering backward from one mighty blow upon the
+head.
+
+A moment later the figure was lying gasping upon the ground, and Harden
+sprang forward to see who it was. But he had hardly moved before he
+heard a shout, and glancing about him, saw a sight that made him start
+in alarm. The black woods were fairly alive with flitting white figures.
+And the figures with one accord were rushing wildly down upon the group.
+
+"Kill 'em! Soak 'em!" was the cry. "Where's that plebe? Hooray!"
+
+It was the baffled first class.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+SIX TO THE RESCUE.
+
+
+Be it said in the first place, for the reader's comfort and relief, that
+the figure who lay upon the ground stunned and gasping was not that of
+Mark Mallory. Harden saw that as he turned again, and he groaned. The
+Parson saw it, too, and uttered a geological and classical exclamation
+of satisfaction, completely forgetful of his peril at the present
+moment. And as for Mark, he had known it long ago; he had meant that it
+should be just so.
+
+The first classmen as they poured in upon the scene, furious and out of
+breath, took in the situation in one glance. They saw their friend and
+classmate, the mighty Wright, stretched helpless on the turf, and they
+knew that Mark Mallory, the hated plebe, had defied them successfully,
+had outwitted them, and stood now in all his impudence, his purposes
+completely achieved. And their rage rose to bounds beyond the
+possibility of description.
+
+But they had him now! Though triumphant, he was in their power, alone
+with no soul to help him in all that lonely forest! And like so many
+wild animals they leaped upon him.
+
+You have read of the fury of a mob? And you know what a mob may do? It
+is far more than any single one of them, any half dozen of them, would
+ever dream of doing. This mob had everything to urge them on, nothing to
+restrain them. Had not this plebe tormented their very eyes out? Had
+they not sworn to punish him within an inch of his life if he dared to
+fight with their lieutenant? And was not the lieutenant lying there now,
+half dead, calling upon them for vengeance?
+
+One and all they sprang upon him. The leader seized him roughly by the
+shoulder, flung him backward; the next moment Mark's arm shot out and
+the man went down like a log. That made the crowd still more furious; a
+dozen of them reached the bold plebe at once, and then there was the
+wildest kind of a time.
+
+Mark could not tell very clearly what happened; he was vaguely conscious
+of shouts and imprecations; of flying arms and closely pressing bodies;
+of blows and kicks that blinded him, stifled him. He himself was
+striking out right and left, and he felt that he was landing, too. He
+saw another figure beside him doing likewise, and he knew that the
+gallant old Parson was at his side. And after that his head began to
+swim; lights danced before his eyes, and his strength began to fail him.
+He went down, and that was all he knew.
+
+There was no restraining those wild cadets, though fully half among them
+were manly enough to try. The brute passions of the rest were let loose
+and there was no stopping them. They still pressed about the two
+struggling plebes, a crowd roaring for vengeance and satisfaction. And
+they meant that nothing should prevent their having it, either.
+
+Something did, none the less. And it was something startling and
+unexpected. The reader will remember that we left the five hot upon the
+trail. The five were upon the trail still.
+
+They had followed the crowd down the railroad track. The crowd had hired
+a schooner the day before, having learned that Mallory and Wright were
+going to attempt to cross the next morning; they had followed in that,
+and the five under the leadership of Texas had broken the lock on a
+rowboat they found and had pursued the cadets across. They had landed a
+few minutes later; they had heard the shouts of the crowd; and now, wild
+and reckless with rage at what they saw, they were rushing from the
+woods to the rescue.
+
+To the rescue? It bid fair to be a weak attempt, for there were just
+five to attempt it, and of the others there may have been fifty. No one
+could count them; they were a mob, a wild-eyed, furious mob. But of the
+unevenness of the conflict the gallant five never once thought. They
+knew that their leader was in peril, and that it was their business to
+rescue him. And that was all.
+
+Foremost among them was the wild Texan and he was a sight to put a
+hundred in a panic, a sight to rival Hercules and his club. Texas had
+snatched an oar from the boat, and as he ran he was brandishing that.
+His hair was ruffled, his face was red, and his eyes staring and wild.
+From his mouth came a series of yells and whoops that made the forest
+echo. And a moment later he struck the crowd of cadets.
+
+How that mighty oar did cut the air! If it had been a broadsword it
+could not have swept a clearer furrow. And behind it came the other
+four, all armed with clubs, making a V formation that was simply
+irresistible.
+
+So long as the cadets were unarmed the fight was very one-sided, indeed,
+and the five might have rescued Mark in no time. But quick as a wink one
+of the cadets stooped and seized a stick; his example was followed
+instantly, and in half a minute the gallant rescuers were confronted
+with a score of clubs and assailed by a shower of stones that beat them
+back in confusion--stalled!
+
+No, not quite! There was one rescuer left, a resource that Texas alone
+had. Texas had received a cut across the face that made him simply
+crazy. He dropped the oar, slung his hands around to his hip pockets,
+and a moment later with two huge six-shooters opened fire point-blank at
+the crowd.
+
+It happened that those revolvers held only "blanks." Mark had insisted
+upon that beforehand, for he knew his friend's sudden temper. But that
+made no difference to the cadets. When they saw those weapons flash in
+the pale moonlight, saw them in the hands of that wild-haired, wild-eyed
+figure, heard the deafening reports and saw the powder flash blindingly
+in their faces, they turned as one man and fled in terror to the cover
+of the woods.
+
+And they left their victims lying on the ground!
+
+Texas was not so mad but that he had some cunning left. He saw his
+chance, and shouted to his companions. The four seized the
+half-unconscious, sorely-battered pair in their arms, and whirling
+suddenly, made a dash for the shore. Texas himself scorned to run. He
+gazed about him defiantly, balancing his revolvers in his hands; and
+when he saw that the alarmed cadets did not contemplate a sally, he
+backed slowly through the woods and rejoined the other plebes.
+
+The cadets had not the nerve to face those revolvers again, at least not
+at once. They had a moment later when they discovered to their horror
+what the plebes were going to do.
+
+It was a horrible revenge. Instead of going to their own rowboat, the
+crowd deliberately marched out upon a little dock where the schooner
+lay. They put their charges into that, and then while the big Texan
+coolly faced about with his guns, the others seized the two rowboats and
+deliberately proceeded to tie them on behind.
+
+They were going to leave the whole class stranded!
+
+A yell of fury, of horror, of fright went up from the crowd! Leave them!
+Impossible! It lacked then two hours of reveille. And for them to be
+absent meant disgrace, court-martial, dismissal! Wild with alarm the
+crowd made a dash for the schooner, leaping into the water, running for
+the dock, shouting and yelling. And Texas calmly raised his revolvers,
+and stood thus, firm and terrible in the clear moonlight.
+
+Before that figure they quailed an instant; that instant was enough. The
+big vessel swung off from the dock, the night breeze filling her sails.
+And Texas turned like an antelope and made a leap for the boat.
+
+The crowd saw him land on the stern; they saw the white glistening track
+bubble up as the vessel glided away; then in blank horror they turned
+and gazed at each other--lost!
+
+Texas meanwhile, soon as he saw the boat clear, had but one thought in
+his devoted mind. He made a dash for Mark and staring in horror and
+anguish at his white and bloody face, fell to flinging water upon him.
+And he gasped with relief when he saw Mark open his eyes.
+
+Mark's body was still stripped, and Texas, even Texas, shuddered as he
+saw the bruises upon it. There was one that made the victim cry out as
+his friend touched it, and Texas started back in alarm.
+
+"Good heavens!" he cried; "his shoulder is broken."
+
+Mark smiled feebly; and at the same instant a chorus of cries arose from
+the despairing cadets on the shore.
+
+"Tell Mallory we'll leave him alone if he'll come back," was one of
+them.
+
+"B'gee!" cried Dewey, "did you hear that? What do you say?"
+
+And Mark raised himself with a struggle.
+
+"No, no," he gasped. "Don't! I mean to fight them."
+
+"Fight them! How can you fight with a broken shoulder?"
+
+"I--I won't tell them it's broken!" panted Mark.
+
+"Wow!" roared Texas, wildly. "Ef you don't lick 'em I will! Whoop! An'
+as fo' them cowards on the shore, let 'em get fired an' bust!"
+
+"Bully, b'gee!" echoed Dewey.
+
+And the battered old Parson chimed in with a feeble and gasping "Yea, by
+Zeus!" while the schooner sailed on in disdainful triumph.
+
+The first class, as it seemed, did not get fired. They ran all the way
+to Garrisons, the town opposite the point, and there begged a boat
+secretly to cross. But the news when it spread next morning made them
+the laughingstock of all creation. And Mark, in the hospital, was the
+hero of the whole cadet corps.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+MARK IN THE HOSPITAL.
+
+
+"General Miles here? Who told you so?"
+
+"I saw him myself. He just got off the train. And there's going to be a
+review of the corps and a whole lot of stuff. Don't you hear those guns.
+That's the salute, b'gee!"
+
+Texas and Dewey paused in their excited conversation to listen to the
+booming of the cannon to the west of the camp. And scarcely had the
+sound ceased before the roll of a drum was heard coming from the guard
+tent at the head of the A Company Street.
+
+"That's the call to quarters, b'gee," continued the bearer of the news
+excitedly. "I bet we're going to see some fun, Texas."
+
+That "call to quarters" brought cadets from every direction hurrying
+into camp to "spruce up," and "fall in;" but the two, who were seated on
+a bench over by Trophy Point, did not even offer to move. For that call
+to quarters had nothing to do with them; that was for old cadets, the
+first classmen, and the yearlings.
+
+When the battalion turned out for review in honor of its distinguished
+guest nobody thought of putting them on exhibition.
+
+The two sat looking at the line forming over by camp, and also at a
+group of figures way down at the other end of the parade ground, a group
+of blue-uniformed officers, with the West Point band at the head. It was
+evidently the superintendent and his staff and the distinguished visitor
+with him.
+
+"Looks as if there's goin' to be high jinks roun' hyar," observed Texas.
+"It's a shame Mark ain't hyar to see it."
+
+Dewey assented to that emphatically, and Texas after a few moments of
+moody thoughtfulness, continued:
+
+"Hang them ole cadets!" he growled. "It makes me want to git up and
+slash round some whenever I think of half o' that whole battalion
+pitchin' in to punch a feller, because not one of 'em was man enough to
+lick him in a square, stand-up fight. Tell you, it makes my blood boil!
+An' they broke his shoulder, an' sent him to hospital, an' he too much
+of a man to tell on 'em at that! The cowards!"
+
+"That's what I say, too, b'gee!" chimed in Dewey. "Mark's the spunkiest
+man that ever they laid eyes on."
+
+"That's what he is," growled Texas. "Jes' think o' whar we'd be ef
+twan't for him. We'd be lettin' them cadets haze us, that's what we
+would."
+
+"Never mind," said Dewey, prophetically. "Just wait till he's well
+again, b'gee! And we'll stick by him meanwhile."
+
+"Will we?" echoed Texas. "I couldn't tell in a thousands years what that
+aire feller's done fo' me. An' I know one other besides us that'll stand
+by him, too."
+
+"Grace Fuller, you mean?"
+
+"That's what I do! Ever since Mark swam out and near killed himself
+savin' her from drownin' that girl's been the best friend ever he had.
+You jes' ought to go over to the hospital an' see how she sends him
+flowers an' fruit an' things. They let her in to sit with him an' talk
+to him where they won't let us plebes near him."
+
+"B'gee, I don't blame 'em!" laughed Dewey. "They're afraid of you over
+there, since they had to nurse you after you rode out and 'held up' the
+artillery squadron at drill. But I tell you, Mark's in luck to have
+Grace spooney over him. She's the most beautiful girl I ever saw, and
+she's the belle of this place. I declare I can hardly believe it, that
+she's joined with us plebes to fool the yearlings."
+
+"She's jes' full o' fun," laughed Texas, "but I reckon the great
+reason's cause she's so fond o' Mark. I wish I had his luck. I jes'
+stand off, 'n look at her and wonder s'posin' 'twas me--dog gone it!"
+
+Texas saw an amused smile begin to flit about his companion's merry
+face; he suspected he was about to "remind" that cheerful recounter of a
+yarn; so he stopped.
+
+"Tell you what," he continued after some more thinking. "I know 'nother
+girl that's dead gone on Mark."
+
+"B'gee!" cried Dewey in surprise. "Who's that?"
+
+"'Moll' Adams."
+
+"Who on earth is she?"
+
+"I reckon she came in afore you met us," mused Texas. "Yes, 'twas 'fore
+you joined the Banded Seven. You know Bull Harris?"
+
+"B'gee!" laughed Dewey. "Didn't I lick the cuss once?"
+
+"That's so," said Texas. "I forgot. Well, Bull--'twas jes' like him--was
+botherin' this girl down on the road to Highland Falls one day. He had
+hold of her arm an' she was fightin' to git away or somethin'. Anyhow
+Mark knocked him down, which was the beginnin' of all this hazin'
+business. Bull got all his yearlin' gang after Mark. After that Mark did
+her 'nother favor, got her brother out of a terrible scrape. An' I think
+she's been mighty fond of him ever since."
+
+"B'gee!" laughed Dewey. "This is real romantic. What makes you think
+so?"
+
+"I've seen her hangin' roun' the hospital inquirin' fo' Mark. An' I can
+tell by the way she looks at him. I don't think she likes to see him so
+chummy with Grace."
+
+"That's more romantic yet," chuckled Dewey. "Why don't Mark care for
+her?"
+
+"You see," said Texas, "some o' the cadets, one of 'em a pretty decent
+feller, a friend o' Mark's, told him that she waren't--she waren't quite
+right. She's somethin' of a flirt, you know. I don't like girls that
+kind much myself an' I'm sure Mark don't. He's kep' pretty shy o' her,
+an' I kinder think she's noticed it."
+
+"Is she pretty?" inquired the other.
+
+"She's mos' as pretty as Grace," responded Texas. "An' that's sayin' a
+deal. She's what you call a brunette--black hair an' eyes. There's some
+girls a feller feels are all right; he feels he's a better feller when
+he's with them. Grace Fuller's one of 'em. She's jes' the angel we call
+her. Then there's some that ain't, an' this girl's one of them."
+
+"Quite a character analysis," laughed the other. "But I guess, b'gee,
+you're right, all the same. And speaking of unpleasant characters,
+there's that Bull Harris. We haven't heard from him for a long time."
+
+"I reckon," said Texas, "Bull's been wantin' to see what the first
+class'd do to Mark since he'd failed to haze him. I reckon the durty ole
+rascal's right well satisfied now."
+
+"You don't love him much," observed the other.
+
+"Why should I? Ain't he tried every mean kid trick he could think of on
+Mark an' me, too? He's all right to bully girls but when he tried Mark
+now, he found he'd hit a snag. He's been doin' nothin' ever since but
+tryin' to get us into scrapes. An' I was thinkin' to-day, 'tain't no
+lucky sign he's quiet. I jes' reckon he's plottin' some new durnation
+trick."
+
+"I wish he'd come on with it," laughed Dewey. "Life is getting really
+monotonous the last two days since Mark's been in hospital. We've been
+having so many lively and interesting brushes with the cadets, b'gee,
+that I can't get along without some excitement at least every day."
+
+"I reckon it'll come soon enough," observed Texas. "An' they say when
+you speak of angels they flap their wings. I wonder how 'bout devils.
+There's ole Bull Harris now, the third feller from the right in the
+front rank of A."
+
+"And he's going out to salute the general," observed Dewey. "I wish we
+had another bloodhound now so's we could put it on his trail the way we
+did once. B'gee, but he was mad!"
+
+As the two had been talking the battalion had formed on the company
+ground; roll call had passed quickly, and the cadet adjutant had turned
+the parade over to the charge of the tactical officer, Lieutenant Allen.
+The latter's sharp commands had rung out a moment later and the
+firmly-stepping lines had swung around and were now well on their way
+down the parade ground, at the other end of which stood the famous
+general and his staff.
+
+It was an inspiring moment. The air seemed fairly to shake with the gay
+music of the band. The cadet's uniforms and equipments were glittering
+in the sunlight, their banners waving on the breeze. They wheeled like
+so many splendid pieces of mechanism and in a few moments more were
+standing at "present arms" in one long line that extended the width of
+the field.
+
+The officers brought their swords up to the salute and the spectators
+cheered, as a handsome figure rode out from the group of officers and
+cantered down the line. It was General Miles himself, a fine military
+figure, striking and imposing. The cadets would have cheered him, too,
+if they had dared.
+
+During this interesting ceremony our two friends of the plebe class had
+gotten up and started on a run for the scene. They had been so much
+interested in their discussion of "Meg" Adams and Bull Harris that they
+had forgotten all about watching this. But by the time they got there
+the review was over, and the cadets had scattered once more. This time
+to prepare for exhibition drill of the afternoon.
+
+The two wandered about disconsolately after that, Texas growling at
+Dewey for having talked too much. And then suddenly the former stopped
+short and stared at his friend.
+
+"I know what I'm going to do!" he declared.
+
+"What?"
+
+"I'm a-goin' to see Mark."
+
+"I thought they wouldn't let you in," laughed Dewey.
+
+"I'm a-goin' all the same," vowed the other. "Ef they won't let me I'll
+make 'em. Jes' you watch me!"
+
+And with that the impulsive Texan faced about and set out for the
+hospital in a hurry.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+TEXAS HAS AN INTERVIEW.
+
+
+Texas' promised "fun" in the effort to see Mark did not, as it proved,
+materialize; because, whereas Texas had expected to be refused
+admittance and to raise a rumpus about it, he was allowed to enter and
+was escorted to Mark's room with all politeness.
+
+"Well!" thought Texas, "I reckon he must be gittin' better."
+
+This eventually proved to be the case; and Texas shrewdly guessed the
+reason for it as he approached the room and heard the sound of voices
+through the open door.
+
+"With her to talk to," he muttered, "anybody could get well."
+
+Grace Fuller was sitting by the window, dressed in white, an angel of
+loveliness, as she appeared to Powers. She was reading aloud to Mark,
+but she stopped suddenly as Texas burst into the room. And a moment
+later the newcomer had seized his chum by his one well arm and was
+shaking it vigorously.
+
+"Hello, ole man!" he cried. "I kain't tell you how glad I am to see
+you."
+
+"Take it easy," said Mark, smiling. "I've got better news still. They
+found that my shoulder was only dislocated; and I'll be out to-day."
+
+Texas uttered a whoop that brought the attendants in on a run. He
+subsided after a threat of expulsion and sat down by the bedside and
+stared at Mark. It was still the same old Mark, handsome and sturdy, but
+just a little pale.
+
+"Say," growled Texas, "you've got no idee how lonely things are 'thout
+you. There's nobody to lick the cadets, or anything."
+
+"What's all the fuss I hear?" inquired Mark.
+
+Texas explained to him what was happening; and went into ecstasies when
+he was told that Mark would be out to see that afternoon's drill. With
+just the same startling impulsiveness as that which had led him to pay
+his brief visit, Texas sprang up again and made for the door.
+
+"Wow!" he cried. "I'm a-goin' out to tell the fellers 'bout this. Whoop!
+See you later, Mark. I reckon you're in pretty good company."
+
+Mark "reckoned" so too, and said so, as he laughed over his friend's
+hot-headed manner.
+
+Texas in the meantime was bounding down the hall and out of the door of
+the building; he meant to turn up toward camp on a run, and he had even
+started up the street. But something happened just then that made him
+change his mind in a hurry. In the first place he heard some one call
+his name:
+
+"Mr. Powers! Oh, Mr. Powers!"
+
+It was a sweet girlish voice, and "Mr. Powers" faced about with
+alacrity, to find himself, to his infinite surprise, face to face with
+Mary Adams, the girl he had not long ago been discussing.
+
+"Hello!" thought he, "what on earth's up?"
+
+His surprise was the greater because he did not know the girl; he had
+never been introduced to her, and he wondered how she even knew his
+name. She was indeed a beautiful girl, with a full round figure, deep
+black hair and eyes, and a complexion that was warm and red. There was a
+look of anxiety upon her face that the cadet did not fail to notice.
+
+"Tell me!" she cried. "Mr. Powers, how is he?"
+
+"Why--why----" stammered Texas, adding, "Bless my soul!" after the
+fashion of his fat friend Indian. "He's all right. He'll be out this
+afternoon."
+
+"I thought he was nearly killed," said the girl. "I have been so
+worried."
+
+There was a brief silence after that, during which Texas shifted his
+feet in embarrassment.
+
+"Tell me," she exclaimed, suddenly. "Do you--do you think he would like
+to see me?"
+
+"Why, er!" stammered Texas. "To be sure. Why wouldn't he?"
+
+The girl noticed his hesitating tone, and her dark eyes flashed as she
+spoke again.
+
+"Answer me," she cried. "Is she there?"
+
+"If by 'she,'" answered the other, "you mean Miss Fuller?"
+
+"Yes, yes, I mean her."
+
+"Then she is," said Texas, defiantly.
+
+He said that with a dogged, none-of-your-business sort of an air, though
+rather sheepishly for all that. The girl stared at him for a moment, and
+then to Texas' indescribable consternation and bewilderment, she buried
+her head in her hands and burst into a passionate flood of tears.
+
+"My Lord!" gasped the astounded plebe.
+
+Poor Texas wasn't used to girls; the only things he knew of that cried
+were babies, and a baby he would have taken in his arms and rocked until
+it stopped. But he had an instinctive impression that that wouldn't do
+in this case. Beyond that he was at a loss.
+
+"Bless my soul, Miss Adams!" he cried--no exclamation seemed to do quite
+so well as Indian's in that case. "Please don't do that! What on earth's
+the matter?"
+
+Texas had a vague idea that some one might come that way any moment; and
+he wondered what that person would think to look at them. Texas just
+then wished himself anywhere on earth but there.
+
+In response to his embarrassed pleading, the girl finally looked through
+her tears. And her eyes, red with weeping, gave her beautiful face a
+look of anguish that touched the Texan's big heart.
+
+"Lord bless me!" said he. "Miss Adams, is there anything I can do?"
+
+She looked at him for a moment and then she answered "Yes," and turned
+slowly down the street.
+
+"Come," she said. "Mr. Powers, I want to talk to you."
+
+If he had wanted to, Texas could not have disobeyed; the fact of the
+matter was that Texas was too bewildered to have any wants. The true
+state of affairs had not dawned upon his unromantic mind.
+
+The two hurried down the road toward Highland Falls, the cadet following
+meekly. They came almost to "cadet limits," to an old lonely road that
+turned off to the right. Up that the girl turned, and when she was well
+out of sight of the main road, turned and faced her companion.
+
+"Now," she said, "I will tell you. Oh, why is it you do not see?"
+
+The look upon her face made Texas fear she was going to burst into tears
+again, and he shifted about uncomfortably.
+
+And just then came the crash.
+
+"Tell me, Mr. Powers," demanded the girl, with a suddenness that almost
+took the other's breath away, "Tell me, Mr. Powers, do you think
+he--he--likes me?"
+
+Texas started; he stared at the girl's anxious face; a sudden light
+breaking in upon him. And the girl gazed into his deep gray eyes and
+saw--she knew not what.
+
+"Why--why----" stammered Texas.
+
+"I have thought so much of him," cried Mary Adams, pouring out her
+feelings, in a passionate flood of words. "I have followed him about, I
+have watched him all day! Ever since he befriended me so that night when
+he saved my brother, I have thought of no one but him. He is so splendid
+and brave and handsome! He--never even looks at me!"
+
+The girl's last words were said in a tone of anguish and despair, and
+she buried her head in her hands once more.
+
+"It is all that other girl!" she continued, after a moment's pause. "He
+thinks of no one but her! Oh, how I hate her! He is with her all the
+time; he asked her to join that society----"
+
+"How--how on earth did you know?" gasped Texas.
+
+"Do you think I am blind?" cried the girl, fiercely. "Do you suppose I
+cannot see what Mark Mallory is doing? It is all that Grace Fuller--all!
+And, oh, what shall I do?"
+
+In a perfect convulsion of sobbing the girl flung herself down upon the
+bank at the side of the road. And Texas stood and gazed at her in
+consternation and embarrassment, and vowing if the gods ever got him out
+of that most incomprehensible fix, he'd never look at a girl again. A
+dozen Comanches could not have inspired Texas with half the awe that
+this one passionate and beautiful creature did.
+
+"Miss Adams," he said, at last, "I--I really don't think Mark knows how
+you regard him."
+
+"I know it," sobbed the girl; "he doesn't! But I cannot tell him!"
+
+A sudden and brilliant idea flashed across Texas' mind.
+
+"I can!" he exclaimed. "I can, an' I will."
+
+The girl sprang to her feet and stared at him.
+
+"No! no!" she cried, in horror. "What would----"
+
+But Texas had already turned and was striding off in excitement.
+
+"Gosh!" he muttered. "That's jes' the thing! I'll tell Mark fo' her, ef
+she kaint. An' anyhow, I couldn't keep a secret from Mark. Dog gone it,
+I'd have to ask his advice. This yere's a 'portant matter."
+
+Texas heard Mary Adams crying out to him to come back, imploring him to
+listen to her. But Texas, once well out of that embarrassing fix and
+beyond the spell of the beautiful girl had no idea of returning to his
+uncomfortable position. And to his rough old heart there was no reason
+on earth why he should not tell Mark. Who else ought to know it but
+Mark?
+
+"An'," muttered Texas, "ef she ain't got sense 'nough to tell him, I
+will."
+
+So, deaf to the girl's entreaties, he left her to bemoan her fate alone
+and set out in hot haste for camp.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+A PLOT TO BEAT "THE GENERAL."
+
+
+Now the adventures of Texas were wild and exciting, to him, anyway. But
+up at camp in the meantime another plebe was having adventures that
+fairly put Texas into the shade. The plebe was "Indian," and you may
+listen and judge for yourself of the adventures.
+
+Indian had been rather less credulous of late, but the yearlings were
+still anxiously watching for another chance to have some fun with him.
+The chance came that day.
+
+Nelson A. Miles is a hero of a hundred fights, and as major general he
+commands the United States army. The more they considered the importance
+of that mighty visitor, the more the yearlings began to think of that
+plan. There were a dozen of them got together that morning and swore
+they'd fool Indian or die in the effort.
+
+Indian of course had seen the review and had been mightily impressed in
+his innocent soul. From the distance he had admired the military figure
+and imposing features of the great man. And then, filled with resolves
+to fight loyally under him and perhaps some day to be like him, he had
+turned away and strolled solemnly back to camp.
+
+He entered his tent, still in that serious, that really heroic mood.
+There was no one in the tent, and so Indian had it all alone for his
+meditations philosophical.
+
+"Oh, what a fine thing it must be to be a great hero like that!" he
+mused. "To gaze upon the world from a large, ethereal standpoint"--an
+ethereal standpoint would have made unsteady standing even for a hero;
+but Indian did not think of that. "I can have no higher ambition in life
+than to imitate that man. As the poet has said:
+
+   'Lives of great men all remind us,
+      We can make our lives sublime,
+    And departing, leave behind us
+      Footprints----'
+
+"Bless my soul!"
+
+Indian had stopped his meditations with startling suddenness; and this
+was the reason thereof.
+
+He had heard mysterious sounds in the Company B tent next door. It was a
+yearling tent. Two cadets had crept into it silently; and Indian heard
+one of them mutter a subdued "S-sh!"
+
+Have you seen a pointer dog prick up his ears suddenly? That was the way
+Indian did.
+
+"A plot?" said one of the yearlings. "A plot did you say? What is it?
+Tell me? I'll come in!"
+
+"S-sh!" said the other. "Do you swear eternal secrecy, swear it by the
+bones of the saints?"
+
+"I swear!" growled the other in a low, sepulchral voice. "Out with it!"
+
+"All the fellows know," continued the other. "They'll all help. But not
+the plebes! Do you hear? Not a word to the plebes! If any plebe should
+hear he'd surely tell on us, and that would ruin us. He might do it, you
+know, for he'd get no end of reward. They might even promote him, make
+him a yearling."
+
+Indian's little fat heart was bounding with delight. A plot! And he knew
+it! Ye gods! Bless my soul! He crept close to the wall of his tent,
+straining eyes and ears to listen, not to lose the faintest sound of
+this most important news.
+
+"It must be something desperate," gasped the other.
+
+"Yes, it is. S-sh! You'll nearly drop I know when I tell you. We're----"
+
+Indian's eyes were like walnuts, half out of his head.
+
+"We're going," continued the yearling, slowly, "we're going to beat the
+general!"
+
+"Beat the general!" echoed the other. "By George, I'll help! I'm glad of
+it. I----"
+
+Indian heard no more. Quietly he had arisen from the tent floor,
+glancing about like a serpent rearing his glittering head from the
+grass. He arose; he crept to the tent door; and a moment later he was
+striding down the street as fast as his little legs could carry him.
+
+So that was the plot! Those wicked and reckless cadets who had hazed him
+so much were now going to beat the general! The general could, of
+course, mean only one general, the great general. There was no general
+at West Point but Major General Miles.
+
+Indian never once stopped until he was well out of camp, out of the
+enemies' hands. A man with so mighty a secret as that could afford to
+take no risks; he must lurk in the shadows until he saw his chance to
+reveal the whole daring conspiracy. Visions rose up before his delighted
+mind, visions of himself a hero like Mark, congratulated by all, even
+made a yearling as the cadets had hinted. Indian even imagined himself
+already as hazing the rest of the plebes.
+
+These thoughts in his mind, he was suddenly startled by seeing two
+yearlings coming near. Were they after him? Indian trembled. Nearer and
+nearer. No, they had passed him. And then, once more, he heard the
+words:
+
+"Yes, yes! We're going to beat the general!"
+
+"What! Heavens, suppose some one should find it out."
+
+That settled it. Indian sprang up boldly and strode away, determination
+in his very waddle. He knew! And he would tell!
+
+At that moment Indian saw Cadet Fischer crossing the parade ground.
+Surely, thought Indian, so high and responsible an officer as this had
+nothing to do with the plot! Why not tell him? And so at him Indian made
+a dash.
+
+"Mr. Fischer! Oh, Captain Fischer!"
+
+The officer turned in surprise. Hailed by a common plebe.
+
+"Mr. Fischer!" gasped Indian. "Bless my soul! I hear they're going to
+beat the general!"
+
+"Yes," said the other. "In half an hour. But why----"
+
+Good heavens, he knew it too! And like a flash, the frightened plebe
+wheeled and dashed away. There was only one resource left now. He would
+tell the general himself.
+
+Across the parade ground dashed Indian, panting, gasping. Down by the
+headquarters building, he saw a group of horses standing. One charger he
+recognized instantly. The general was inside the building, and a moment
+later a group of officers appeared in the doorway. The handsome,
+commanding figure in front. Indian's heart bounded for joy; and then
+suddenly the amazed General Miles was greeted by a gasping, excited
+cadet in plebe fatigue uniform.
+
+"General, oh, general! Bless my soul!"
+
+The officer stared at him.
+
+"A plot!" panted Indian. "Oh, general, please don't go"--puff--"near the
+camp--bless my soul! A plot!"
+
+"A plot!" echoed the other. "A plot! What do you mean?"
+
+"They're going to hurt you--bless my soul!"
+
+"Hurt me! Who?"
+
+"The cadets, sir! Bless my soul, I--puff--heard them say, they
+were--puff--oh!--going to b-b-beat the general."
+
+There was a moment of silence, then a perfect roar of laughter came from
+the staff officers. The general laughed too, for a moment, but when he
+saw the plebe's alarm and perplexity he stopped and gazed at him with a
+kindly expression. "My boy," he said, "you've been letting the yearlings
+fool you."
+
+"Fool me!" echoed Indian in horror. "Bless my soul!--how?"
+
+"Beating the general means," answered the officer, "beating the general
+assembly, which is a drum call."
+
+The officers shook with laughter again, and as for poor Indian, he was
+thunderstruck. So he had been fooled again! So he had let those mean
+cadets haze him once more! And--and----
+
+Poor Indian's eyes began to fill with tears. And he choked down a great
+big sob. The old officer saw his look of misery.
+
+"Do they fool you often that way, my boy?" he asked, sympathetically.
+
+"Ye--yes!" answered Indian, at the verge of a weeping spell. "Ye--yes,
+th-they do. And I think it's real mean."
+
+"So do I," said the general, smiling. "I tell you how we'll fix it.
+Don't you let on they succeeded."
+
+"I can't help it," moaned Indian. "They know! L-look!"
+
+With trembling finger he pointed across the street to where in the
+shadow of the sally port of the academy stood a group of hilarious
+yearlings, fully half the class, wild with glee. The general shook his
+head as he looked, and poor Indian got out his handkerchief as a
+precaution.
+
+"Too bad!" said the former. "Too bad, I declare! We'll have to turn that
+joke on them somehow or other. Let me see. Let me see. How would you
+like it for me to help you get square, as you boys say?"
+
+Indian gazed up at the stalwart and kindly form confidingly; he was all
+smiles in a moment.
+
+"I'll tell you," said the general at last, "you and I'll take a walk.
+And when they see you with me, they'll be sorry they sent you. Come on."
+
+He took the arm of the delighted Indian, who was scarcely able to
+realize the extent of his good fortune.
+
+"You'll excuse me a short while, gentlemen," said General Miles to his
+military staff. "I'll return shortly. And now," to Indian, "where shall
+we go? I guess I'll let you show me about camp."
+
+And sure enough, pinching himself to make sure if he really were awake,
+Indian, on the arm of the mighty guest of West Point, commander of Uncle
+Sam's whole army, marched away up the road past the parade ground and
+all through Camp McPherson.
+
+The general was enjoying the joke hugely, but he affected not to notice
+it, and plied the plebe with questions.
+
+Why did the yearlings haze him so much? Was he B. J.? Oh, it was because
+he was a friend of Mark Mallory's, was it! General Miles had heard of
+Mark Mallory. He was the plebe who had saved the life of the general's
+friend, Judge Fuller's daughter. A beautiful girl that! And a splendid
+act! Indian had seen it, had he? Colonel Harvey had described it to the
+general. The general would like to meet Mark Mallory. No, he was not
+joking; he really would. Mr. Mallory was in hospital, was he? Too bad!
+Had been too B. J., had he? The general liked B. J. plebes. He hoped
+Mark was not badly hurt. And----
+
+Then suddenly the conversation was interrupted by a cry of joy from
+Indian.
+
+"There's Mark now! He's out of hospital!"
+
+"That handsome lad down the street there?" inquired the general, "let us
+go down by all means."
+
+A moment later, Mark, to his great amazement, was confronted by the
+curiously contrasted pair. Indian was beaming like a sunflower.
+
+"Mr. Mallory," he said, with a flourish, "allow me to present my friend,
+General Miles."
+
+Mark bowed, and the general took the hand he held out.
+
+"Mr. Mallory," he said, "I am proud to meet you. I have heard of what
+you have done. The service needs such men as you."
+
+And the whole corps heard him say so, too. The general had been very
+careful to say those words in a loud and clear voice that made the camp
+ring. Then he turned and spoke to an orderly who was passing.
+
+"Tell my staff to ride up here for me," he said, and added, turning to
+the two radiant plebes: "Now, my young friends, I must ask you to excuse
+me. I am very pleased to have met you both. Good-morning, Mr. Smith, and
+Mr. Mallory."
+
+With which he turned and strode away up the street again, smiling at the
+recollection of the incident. And Mark stood and stared at his grinning
+friend Indian.
+
+"Well," said he, "you blessed idiot, you certainly do beat the Dutch!"
+
+And then he turned and went into the tent.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+"BULL" FINDS AN ALLY.
+
+
+"For Heaven's sake, man, you don't mean this for a fact, do you?"
+
+It was Mark who spoke; he sat alone in his tent with Texas late that
+evening, and Texas was telling him the story of Mary Adams and what she
+had done during the day.
+
+"And did she tell you to tell me this?" Mark continued, in amazement.
+
+"No," said Texas; "she didn't want me to a bit. I couldn't make her out
+'t all. She wanted you to know it, but she didn't want me to tell it."
+
+"I'm afraid," laughed the other, "that you haven't a very delicate sense
+of propriety. I'm afraid you're no ladies' man, Texas."
+
+"That's all right," answered Texas. "I think I managed this yere affair
+right well. Now, what I want to know is, what you're goin' to do 'bout
+it?"
+
+"That's just what I want to know," said his friend. "I'm as puzzled as
+you. Why, I hadn't the least idea the poor girl felt that way about me."
+
+"Don't you care for her?"
+
+"Why, of course, man. I like her well enough, from what I know of her.
+But I don't want any of that sickly, sentimental business in mine, and
+especially about a girl like her. I'm afraid of her, and I don't know
+what on earth to say to her. I wish to gracious, old man, you hadn't
+said a word to me about it."
+
+Texas gazed at Mark with a grieved expression. That was a nice thing to
+say to a man who was just priding himself on having managed a delicate
+affair so nicely. And Texas arose to his feet.
+
+"Well," said he, "I'm sorry you don't like it. An' ef that's all I git,
+I'll keep out of it."
+
+With which he bounced out of the tent and strode away. Mark also left
+the tent for a walk a moment later, still thinking.
+
+The girl was sincere, that was certain. And he knew it all, and so did
+she. The question was, what could Mark do without hurting her feelings.
+She was wildly jealous of Grace. Now Mark had not the remotest idea of
+dropping Grace Fuller, his "angel"; he did not like even to think of her
+in connection with this girl. He knew in his heart it would be best to
+let Mary Adams alone from this time on. But what would she think then?
+
+Mark was weighing this question as he went. He was not noticing,
+meanwhile, where he was going. It was within half an hour or so of
+tattoo he knew, and a dark, cloudy night. He had taken the path down
+through "Flirtation Walk," heeding no one; he had strolled to the other
+end, and turned to retrace his steps when suddenly he halted in
+surprise. A dark figure was hurrying past him, and as he gazed at it and
+recognized it, he exclaimed aloud:
+
+"Miss Adams!" he cried. "You here!"
+
+The girl turned and faced him, pushing aside the shawl she wore and
+disclosing her face in all its passionate beauty.
+
+"Mr. Mallory!" she cried, in just as much surprise; and then gazed at
+him trembling.
+
+"Miss Adams," said Mark, quietly, after a moment's thought. "I want to
+have a talk with you, if you please. May I?"
+
+"Yes," she cried. "Yes, but not here. I want to see you alone."
+
+She turned, and Mark followed her, almost having to run to keep up with
+the girl's excited pace. They descended the hill at the end of the path,
+and then on they went almost to the Hudson's shore. It was a dark,
+deserted spot, and there the girl halted. Mark stopped too, and she
+turned about and gazed at him.
+
+"Now, then," said she.
+
+Mark said nothing at first; he was watching her features, admiring them
+and at the same time wondering at the emotion they showed. Her cheeks
+became red as fire under his gaze.
+
+"Mr. Powers has told you all?" she demanded at last. "He has; I can see
+it!"
+
+Mark started as he noticed the tone of her voice; he had never heard her
+speak that way before. Usually her voice was soft and melodious, a voice
+with a hidden, musical charm. Now it was cold and harsh, and Mark knew
+at once what that meant.
+
+The girl was angry already. She saw that he was about to cast her aside,
+after all her passionate, humiliating confession. And she was putting a
+bold, brazen front upon it.
+
+"I can see!" she cried, suddenly. "I can see it all in your face. You do
+not care for me!"
+
+"Miss Adams," he began, quietly; the girl shook her head impatiently.
+
+"Call me Mary or Moll!" she exclaimed. "Call me Mary and be done with
+it. They all do."
+
+Mark was puzzled. He did not wish to call her Mary, he did not wish to
+indicate any familiarity. He saw on the other hand that to refuse would
+be to cut her to the quick; but he chose the latter course.
+
+"I shall call you Miss Adams," he said, decisively. "And I want to
+explain to you----"
+
+The girl stamped her foot upon the ground.
+
+"There is no need for you to explain!" she cried. "I know! I know it
+all! I have watched you, followed you, dreamed of you, and you have
+flung me off."
+
+As she spoke, the girl had been striding about the spot. As she finished
+she bowed her head and broke into a passion of tears.
+
+"But, Miss Adams," expostulated Mark, "you will not let me explain."
+
+"'Explain!'" The girl raised her head and tossed her dark hair in anger,
+while her eyes flashed. "I do not want you to explain! Your explanations
+are simply honeyed words to hide the facts. I know the facts. You want
+to tell me why. I know why! It is because of her, of her! I hate her,
+the yellow-haired creature. And I hate you! Yes, I hate you! You have
+treated me as if I were a puppet, as if I had no right to live. And I do
+not want to live. I have no use for life. I wish I were dead!"
+
+The girl had raised her hands to the sky, a weird figure; she gazed
+about her despairingly as she finished.
+
+"I wish I were dead!" she cried, again.
+
+The wind whistled through the lonely trees as she spoke, and made a
+strange accompaniment to her impassioned voice. A steamboat, plying the
+river, was softly churning little waves that lapped against the shore
+and made a low, gurgling sound upon the rocks. The girl gazed over the
+steep, dark bank as she cried out in her wretchedness, and the next
+instant she sprang forward.
+
+The thought had flashed over Mark at the same moment. He saw the girl
+move, and seized her. She turned upon him with the fury of a tiger, a
+tiger she was, with all a tiger's passions. For a moment they struggled
+and wrestled, the girl crying out all the time. And then she tore
+herself loose with one mighty effort--Mark had only one free hand--and
+lunged down, down into the darkness.
+
+Mark heard a splash and a gurgle of the black invisible waters. And then
+all was silent as the grave.
+
+Mark Mallory hesitated, hesitated for the first time in his life. One
+arm was bound tight in a sling and helpless. He was weak and faint yet
+from his maltreatment. Still he could not see her die without trying to
+save her. His hesitation gone, he took a step forward, but he was too
+late.
+
+There was a quick noise behind him; he heard the word "coward!" hissed
+in his ear, and a white figure shot past him and dived out into the
+darkness.
+
+Mark gasped with relief; and quick to act, he turned, and helpless
+though he was, clambered down around the side to reach the spot. He
+heard sounds of a struggle out beyond him; he heard some whispered
+words, and a moment later the figure of the rescuer arose out of the
+water and confronted him, bearing the girl in his arms.
+
+It was Bull Harris!
+
+Mark started back instinctively; and Bull sneered as he saw it.
+
+"Coward!" he repeated. "Coward! The corps shall know of this!"
+
+Mark knew that expostulation and explanation were useless and
+unnecessary. He said not a word, but saw the girl safely brought to
+shore. And then, sad and heavy at heart, he turned and walked back
+toward the camp.
+
+Bull Harris stayed, to reap the fruit of his labors. He held the
+half-fainting, half-hysterical girl in his arms and wiped her straying
+hair from her face and sought to calm her. He seemed to like his task,
+for when she was better he made no move to stop.
+
+"Did he push you over?" inquired Bull, insinuatingly.
+
+"No," cried the girl, with fierceness. "He did not. But I hate him!"
+
+"You might say he did then!" the yearling whispered softly.
+
+Mary Adams glanced at him with a sharp look.
+
+"I might," she said, "if I chose. And I may. What's that to you?"
+
+"To me!" cried Bull clinching the girl's hand in his until she cried
+out. "To me! I hate him! I could kill him!"
+
+"You were rude to me once," she muttered.
+
+"Yes," exclaimed Bull. "I was. You liked him, and I hated you for it."
+
+That was a lie, but the girl did not choose, for some reason, to say so.
+
+"Come," she said, striving to arise. "Help me home."
+
+"One moment!" cried Bull, holding her back. "Promise me one thing, one
+thing before you go."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"I know the whole story, Mary," he said. "I know how he has treated you,
+how he has cast you off, made a puppet of you, and all for that Grace
+Fuller! You say you hate him. So do I. Promise me, promise me to be
+revenged if you have to die for it."
+
+"I will!" cried she, furiously.
+
+"Will you give me your hand on it?"
+
+"I will."
+
+Bull took her home that night, though he was in no hurry about it. He
+came in after taps, for he thought it would do him good to hand in his
+explanation that he had been saving a girl's life, and restoring her to
+consciousness. A girl; perhaps a girl upon whom murder had been
+attempted.
+
+He evaded all details, however, and went to his tent chuckling
+triumphantly at his evil work that night.
+
+He had laid a foundation for trouble, but would success follow?
+
+Only the future could tell.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+STRANGE CONDUCT.
+
+
+"Say, fellows, what do you think?"
+
+"What's the matter?"
+
+"Mallory's given in!"
+
+"Given in! How do you mean?"
+
+"He's going to let himself be hazed."
+
+"What!"
+
+Two more surprised cadets than the two who uttered this last exclamation
+it would be hard to imagine. They had been sitting on a bench near
+Trophy Point, and one of them had been carelessly tinkling a mandolin.
+He had dropped the instrument and leaped to his feet. Now he was staring
+with open mouth at the new arrival, who bore the extraordinary tidings.
+
+"Mallory given up! Gus Murray, what on earth do you mean?"
+
+The three were yearlings, all of them. The crowd which has usually been
+designated in these stories as "Bull Harris' gang." There was Gus
+Murray, the new arrival, a low, brutal-looking chap. There was the
+sickly and disagreeable "Merry" Vance. And there was the little fellow
+"Baby" Edwards, the meanest of them all.
+
+"You surely can't mean," cried Vance, "that Mallory has consented to
+allow the fellows to haze him?"
+
+"Better than that even," chuckled Murray. "Better than that!"
+
+"For Heaven's sake," gasped the other, "sit down and tell us what you do
+mean. What is the use of talking riddles?"
+
+Thus enjoined, Gus Murray explained; he was nothing loath to tell the
+tale.
+
+"I'll tell you how it was," he said. "I was never more astounded in my
+life. I saw that plebe strolling down the street a while ago, holding
+his head high as ever and looking as if he owned the place."
+
+"Confound him!" muttered Vance.
+
+"You know," the other continued, "he's never done any work like the rest
+of the plebes. Usually we yearlings make them fix our tents and guns,
+and carry water, and so on. Mallory never has, and of course nobody's
+succeeded in making him. I thought I'd guy him a little just now and see
+how he'd take it. So I stopped and said, 'See here, plebe. Let me show
+you how to clean a gun.'"
+
+"And what did he say?" cried Vance.
+
+"Just as B. J. as ever," growled Murray. "'Thank you,' he said, 'I'll go
+get mine and let you do it.' Of course he knew perfectly well that I
+wanted to show him on mine and let him do the work. I said to him,
+'I've a gun to show you on, if you please.' And by George----"
+
+"You don't mean he cleaned your gun for you!" gasped Baby.
+
+"That's just exactly what I do! You might have knocked me over with a
+feather. He said, 'Certainly, sir.' Yes, by jiminy, he actually said
+'sir.' And when I left him he was working away like a beaver. He had the
+gun half cleaned. What do you think of that?"
+
+Gus finished and gazed at his two companions triumphantly. He felt that
+he had accomplished something that no other member of his class ever
+had.
+
+"I'll bet Mallory was afraid of you," chirruped Baby Edwards. "Don't you
+suppose that's it, Merry?"
+
+Vance picked up his mandolin and resumed his cynical smile.
+
+"I'll tell you what I think," he said.
+
+"What?" demanded Murray.
+
+"That you're a fool."
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"Simply," said Vance, "that Mallory was playing some kind of a joke on
+you."
+
+"But he wasn't!" cried the other. "I went back after he was through and
+the gun was perfect. The wood was polished till it shone like a mirror.
+I actually did not like to touch it, it was so pretty."
+
+"And how about the rest of the tent?" inquired Vance.
+
+"He hadn't disturbed a thing. I looked particularly. I tell you, man,
+that Mallory has given in."
+
+"It's not much like him," said Merry, dubiously.
+
+"You don't have to look very far for the cause," began Murray. "You
+remember how the first class gave him a licking the other day?"
+
+Vance admitted that might have something to do with it.
+
+"It's got everything," chuckled Murray. "It's simply broken his spirit.
+Why look, man! He was black and blue all over. Even now one of his arms
+is in a sling. I tell you he's made up his mind that it isn't safe to
+carry on as he's been, and so he's decided to get meek and mild for a
+change."
+
+"And, oh, say, if it's true!" cried Baby, excitedly. "If it's true! Gee
+whiz, won't we have some fun!"
+
+"Just won't we!" responded Murray, doubling up his fists and glaring as
+if the hated plebe were really in front of him. "I just tell you I mean
+to make him wish he'd never been born. I've been waiting for a chance to
+get even with that confounded beast, and now I'll have him."
+
+For the next half hour there was joy unbounded among those three young
+gentlemen. Only those who are familiar with their dispositions can
+comprehend the amount of satisfaction they felt; and only those who know
+our friend Mark Mallory's character as they did can appreciate their
+surprise at his "flunk."
+
+"I wish Bull were here to hear about it," remarked Baby at last.
+
+"Where is Bull anyhow?" inquired Murray, who was chief lieutenant in
+Bull's gang and an invaluable assistant in all of Bull's schemes for
+revenge upon Mark.
+
+That question changed the topic of conversation for a few minutes. It
+was Vance who answered it.
+
+"There's something mysterious about Bull," he said. "I've been puzzling
+my head to think what it means. You know Bull was absent from taps last
+night."
+
+"What!"
+
+"Yes, he was. And you know that's a pretty serious offense. It may mean
+court-martial, you know."
+
+"Good gracious!" gasped Baby. "What would we do without Bull?"
+
+"I guess we won't have to," laughed Vance. "You needn't begin to worry.
+I was corporal of the guard last night when Bull came in to report. It
+was way after eleven."
+
+"Where on earth had he been?"
+
+"He wouldn't tell me. He was very mysterious. It seems that he had been
+in the water somehow and was soaking wet; all I could get out of him was
+that the business had something to do with Mary Adams."
+
+"Mary Adams!" cried Gus. "I thought she wouldn't speak to him."
+
+"Well, I don't know," said Vance. "That was what Bull told me. Anyhow he
+didn't seem a bit alarmed about his absence."
+
+"The superintendent sent for him this afternoon," put in Murray. "I
+suppose that was to give him a chance to explain the matter."
+
+"Yes, and I saw Bull with Mary a while ago," added the other, shrewdly.
+"I shouldn't wonder if Bull were getting up some scheme. He hasn't said
+much about Mallory to-day. He's been very mysterious."
+
+The mystery, whatever it was, was destined to remain unsolved, however,
+for just then the rattle of a drum echoed across the field, and the
+three sprang up hastily.
+
+"It's dress parade," said Murray.
+
+"Yes," responded Vance, dryly. "And now you'll have a chance to show off
+that beautifully cleaned gun of yours. Come on."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX.
+
+A SURPRISE FOR MURRAY.
+
+
+Gus Murray went straight to his tent when the group broke up. He hastily
+dusted off his clothes and looked at himself in the glass to make sure
+that nothing was out of place. Then he took up his gun from the rack and
+hurried out to "fall in."
+
+A moment later the order was given, "'Tention company!" and after roll
+call the battalion wheeled and marched out upon the parade ground.
+
+The ceremony of dress parade has been described in these pages before.
+The solemn cadet adjutant formed the parade and then turned it over to
+his superior. The gayly-dressed band marched down the line and took its
+station. A few moments later the battalion was in the midst of its
+evolutions.
+
+It was not very long before they halted again, down toward the southern
+end of the plain, to go through the manual of arms. It was then that Gus
+Murray received a shock.
+
+The cadets had been marching with their guns at a "carry." Gus had held
+his that way ever since he picked it up, and then suddenly the
+lieutenant in command gave the order:
+
+"Present--arms!"
+
+In a "carry" the soldier holds his gun in the right hand, with thumb and
+first finger around the trigger guard. In coming to "present" he swings
+it up in front of him and seizes the stock in the left hand, at the same
+time letting go with the right and reversing his grip.
+
+The cadet lines work like a perfect machine in that drill. Every gun
+swings up at the same instant, every hand moves in unison, so that the
+sound of the many motions is but one. This time, however, there was a
+break, and the cause of it was our dear friend Gus.
+
+Gus got through the first part of the motion all right. On the second
+part he got "stuck"--in more senses than one. When he went to let go
+with his right hand--he couldn't!
+
+At first he could hardly understand what was happening. He pulled and
+tugged with all his might. But it did no good; his hand was fast. And in
+an instant the horrible truth flashed over him--Mallory--he had polished
+the gun with glue!
+
+Every spectator on the grounds was staring at Gus. As for him, he was
+still tugging and wrestling, blushing, and gasping with rage. Finally he
+saw that his efforts were useless, and he gave it up in despair; he
+stood silent and helpless, gazing into space.
+
+Lieutenant Ross was the name of tac in command, and he was noted for
+being a crank. He gave no more orders, of course, but stood and stared
+at the offending cadet in horror and indignation, while the cadets, who
+did not dare to look, but who knew that something was "up," waited and
+wondered.
+
+How long this suspense and torture would last no one could tell; the tac
+broke in at last.
+
+"Mr. Murray!" he demanded. "What is the matter?"
+
+"My gun!" stammered Murray. "I--I--why--that is----"
+
+"Mr. Murray, leave the ranks!"
+
+Blushing scarlet, the yearling obeyed, conscious of the fact that
+hundreds of eyes were upon him. He strode furiously down the line and
+once clear, set out on a run for camp, almost ready to cry with
+vexation. He reached his tent, rushed in, tore off his glove, and hurled
+his musket into the corner. And then he stood in the middle of his tent
+and clinched his fists until his nails cut the palms of his hands.
+
+"By Heaven!" he cried, "I'll be revenged on that plebe if I have to kill
+him to do it!"
+
+He stayed in his tent, nursing his wrath and resentment, until the
+battalion marched back to camp. And he refused to come out then; his
+classmates who inquired as to what was the matter received angry replies
+for their pains. And when the corps marched down to supper Murray still
+sat where he was. He didn't want any supper.
+
+He was in just the mood to welcome a visitor who came then. The visitor
+was Murray's chum and crony, Bull Harris.
+
+"Hello, old man," said he, pushing aside the tent flap. "What's up?"
+
+"Go to blazes!" responded Murray, by way of answer.
+
+"Come, come," said Bull, pleasantly. "You don't want to get mad with me,
+Gus. Tell me what's wrong."
+
+"It's that confounded plebe!" snapped Murray.
+
+"I thought so," said Bull. "Well, that's what my news is about. I've got
+a plot."
+
+And the other's sullen glare gave place to a look of delight in an
+instant. He leaped to his feet with an exclamation of joy.
+
+"By George, I knew it!" he cried. "Quick! quick! Out with it! Nothing's
+too desperate for me to-night."
+
+"That's good," chuckled Bull. "Very good. Come, let us go and take a
+walk. This is a long story; and no one must overhear it, either."
+
+Such is the effect of bad motives upon men. Those two precious rascals
+stooped instinctively as they hurried down the company street and
+dodged out of camp. Bull led his company down through "Flirtation Walk"
+and out to the far end of it. Here they scrambled down the hillside
+until they were in a lonely, deserted glen almost at the river's edge.
+It was already growing dark with the shadows of the evening. And here
+Bull stopped and took a seat.
+
+"I hope this is quiet enough for you," said Murray.
+
+"I had an especial reason for bringing you here!" responded Bull. "All
+I've got to tell you about happened here. Do you know, old man, I jumped
+into the river off that high bank last night."
+
+"What!" gasped the other. "For Heaven's sake, why?"
+
+"That's in the story," answered Harris. "I'll begin at the beginning.
+Listen. You remember how I told you a a while ago when that plebe
+Mallory first came here, how Mary Adams and I had a quarrel and that
+fool came along and knocked me down."
+
+"You never told me what you were doing," said Murray.
+
+"Never mind. I was a fool to try it, that way. Anyhow, she's hated me
+ever since. And oh, how she has struggled to get that plebe. Murray, I'm
+smarter than you think. I've been watching this business night and day,
+waiting for my chance. And now it's come. I found that plebe and Mary
+on this very spot just before taps last night."
+
+"What doing?" gasped Murray.
+
+Bull told the particulars.
+
+"And, by George, I'll be hanged if she didn't end it by flinging herself
+head first over that bank!" he concluded.
+
+"What!" gasped Murray.
+
+"Yes, sir. And then I saw my chance. Oh, it was a bonanza for me, Gus!
+Mallory was lame, you know, and he hesitated. I rushed past him and
+saved her life. Throwing in some heroic flourishes, so's to have the
+right effect upon her. I carried her out, and upbraided him as a coward.
+He was lame, I knew, and couldn't do anything if he wanted to. And it
+made her hate him all the more."
+
+"How did it turn out?"
+
+"Splendidly. He went back to camp, and I took her all the way home. And
+you can bet I fixed it all right with her on the way. I made up for what
+she was mad about before; and I talked about Mallory and that other girl
+until she was wild. And, Gus, we've got her!"
+
+"Got her for what?"
+
+"Mallory! She's our tool, man; we can do just what we please. She'll do
+anything on earth for revenge. I almost think she'd kill him."
+
+"You don't mean," gasped Gus, "that she's going to swear he pushed her
+into the river?"
+
+"She wanted to," said Bull. "Oh, Murray, you can't imagine how simply
+desperate that girl was! She'd simply thrown herself at Mallory's feet,
+and he'd kicked her away. At least that was the way it seemed to her,
+and you can bet I didn't try to change her view. And she was crying with
+rage all the way home. Her face was simply scarlet, and she was
+trembling like a leaf. I was honestly afraid of her. She vowed she'd
+swear to anything I said if she could only ruin him, and to get that
+Grace Fuller away from him. She said she'd swear to it and stick to it
+that he tried to murder her. She was even mad because I wouldn't let
+her."
+
+"Why didn't you?" cried the other.
+
+"In the first place, I doubt if the superintendent would believe her.
+There have been several plots like that tried, but he has too much faith
+in that fool of a plebe. Then, too, I doubt if the girl's rage'll last
+that long. We must use it while it does. All we want to do is to get
+that plebe dismissed."
+
+"That's all!" exclaimed Murray. "But in Heaven's name, how?"
+
+"Didn't I tell you I had a plot?"
+
+"Yes, but what? and when?"
+
+"To-night!" cried Bull. "To-night! And I want you to help us."
+
+Murray sprang up in excitement and joy. Bull hushed his exclamations,
+and after glancing cautiously about him to make sure that no one was
+near in that now black and shadowy glade, went on in a low, muttering
+tone:
+
+"It's very simple," he whispered. "It's because it's so simple it's sure
+to work. It won't leave Mallory the ghost of a chance. I'm just as sure,
+man, sure as I stand on this spot of ground, that Mallory will be
+court-martialed in a week."
+
+"What is it?" cried Murray.
+
+"Listen. Mary's going to write him a letter to-night, send it to him
+about midnight, asking him to come to her. Then----"
+
+"But will he come?"
+
+"Certainly. We can make it strong. She will. She can say she's dying,
+anything to make sure. He'll go. She lives beyond cadet limits. Some of
+us'll be there, catch him, tie him--anything, I don't care. And I know
+the girl don't. I think she'd tear his eyes out. Anyhow, we'll fix him
+there, beyond limits, and then back to camp we go, make some infernal
+racket and have the tac out in no time. Then there'll be an inspection,
+and Mallory'll be 'hived' absent after taps. They'll ask him next
+morning where he's been, and he'll tell."
+
+"He may lie."
+
+"He won't. He couldn't. I know him too well. And he'll be
+court-martialed, and there you are!"
+
+And Gus Murray leaped up with a cry of joy. He seized his companion by
+the hand.
+
+"That's it!" he cried. "That's it! By Heaven, it'll do him. And if
+there's any blame to bear that fool of a girl shall bear it."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI.
+
+THE PLOT SUCCEEDS.
+
+
+That beautiful July evening, while those precious rascals sat whispering
+and discussing the details of their plan, while first classmen and
+yearlings were all down in the academy building at the "hop," a certain
+plebe sat in a tent of Company A, all by himself. A candle flickered
+beside him, and he held a writing pad in his hand. The plebe was Mark,
+his clear-cut, handsome features shining in the yellow light.
+
+      "Dear Mother," he was writing. "It is hard for one to
+      get time to write a letter here. We plebes have so
+      much to do. But I have promised you to write once a
+      week, and so I have stolen off from my friends to drop
+      you a line.
+
+      "This is the fifth letter I have written now, the
+      close of the fifth week. And I like West Point as much
+      as I ever did. You know how much that is. You know how
+      I have worked and striven for this chance I have. West
+      Point has always been the goal of all my hopes, and I
+      am still happy to have reached it. If I should forfeit
+      my chance now, it would be by my own fault, I think; I
+      know that it would break my heart.
+
+      "We plebes have to work hard nowadays. They wake us up
+      at five with a big gun, and after that it is drill all
+      day. But I like it, for I am learning lots of things.
+      If you could see me sweeping and dusting I know you
+      would laugh. Texas says if 'the boys' saw him they'd
+      lynch him 'sho'.
+
+      "I told you a lot about Texas the last time I wrote.
+      He is the most delightful character I have ever met in
+      my life. He is just fresh from the plains, and his
+      cowboy ways of looking at things keep me laughing all
+      day. But he is just as true as steel, and as fine a
+      friend as I ever knew.
+
+      "I believe I told you all about the Banded Seven, the
+      secret society we have gotten up to stop hazing. Well,
+      we are having high jinks with 'the ole ya'rlin's,' as
+      Texas calls them. We have outwitted them at every
+      point, and I think they are about ready to give up in
+      despair. We plebes even went to the hop the other
+      night. I can hear the music of the hop now as it comes
+      over the parade ground. It is very alluring, so you
+      must appreciate this letter all the more.
+
+      "I shan't tell you about the fight I had, for it would
+      worry you. And I haven't time to tell you how I saved
+      the life of a girl last week. I inclose a newspaper
+      clipping about it, but you mustn't believe it was so
+      absurdly heroic. The girl's father is a very rich man
+      here, and, mother, she is very sweet and attractive.
+      She has joined the Seven to help me fool the
+      yearlings.
+
+      "I guess I shall have to stop now. I hear some sounds
+      that make me think it is time for tattoo, and besides,
+      I am getting very homesick, writing to you way out in
+      Colorado. You need not be fearing any rival to my
+      affections, mother dear, even if I am fond of Grace
+      Fuller. I wish I could see you just once to-night to
+      tell you how much I miss you. And I am still
+
+      "Your devoted son,
+
+      "MARK."
+
+Mark laid down his pencil with a sigh. He folded the letter and sealed
+it, and then arose slowly to his feet. Outside of his tent he heard
+quick steps and voices, and a moment later the rattle of a drum broke
+forth.
+
+"Tattoo," he observed. "I thought so."
+
+He turned toward the door as the flap was pushed aside--and a tall,
+slender lad entered, a lad with bronzed, sun-tanned features and merry
+gray eyes.
+
+"Hello, Texas!" said Mark.
+
+"Hello," growled Texas. "Look a yere! What do you mean by runnin' off
+an' hidin' all evenin'? I been a huntin' you everywhere."
+
+"I've been right here," said Mark, "writing a letter home. Did you want
+me to go to the hop?"
+
+"No, I didn't. But I wanted you to tell me all 'bout that crazy Mary
+Adams last night an' what you did. You ain't had time to tell me all
+day."
+
+Mark told him the story then. They were still discussing it when they
+turned out and lined up for roll call; and that ceremony being over,
+they scattered again, Texas still eagerly asking questions about the
+strange affair.
+
+Taps sounded half an hour later--ten o'clock--"lights out and all
+quiet." They stopped then.
+
+Sentry No. 3 that night was "Baby" Edwards. His beat lay along the
+northern edge of the camp, skirting the tents of Company A. And Baby
+Edwards let quite a number pass his beat that night.
+
+For instance, he was on duty from midnight until two. It was bright
+moonlight then, and Baby could have seen any one who crossed his post;
+but he heard a signaling whistle and faced out in order not to see any
+one. The person who entered was a boy clad in a blue uniform, an
+"orderly," as they are called.
+
+He ran silently and swiftly in and made straight for one tent. When he
+got there he hesitated not a moment, but stepped in and crept up to one
+of the sleepers.
+
+It was Mark who awoke at his touch, and Mark sat up in alarm and stared
+at him.
+
+"Sh!" said the boy. "Sh! Don't wake any one."
+
+"What do you want?" Mark demanded.
+
+"I've a letter, sir, a letter from her again."
+
+Mark stared at the boy and recognized him at once as a messenger who had
+given him a note from Mary Adams about a month ago. And he sprang to his
+feet in surprise.
+
+"She writing again!" he whispered. "Quick, give it to me."
+
+He broke the seal, stepped to the tent door, where, in the white
+moonlight, he could read every letter plainly. And this was what he
+saw:
+
+      "DEAR MR. MALLORY: Oh, once more I have to write you
+      to call upon you for aid. You cannot imagine the
+      terrible distress I am in. And I have no one to call
+      upon but you. If you respect me as a woman, come to my
+      aid to-night and at once. And come alone, for I could
+      not bear to have any one but you know of my terrible
+      affliction. Oh, please do not fail me! You may imagine
+      my state of mind when I write you like this. And let
+      me call myself
+
+      Your friend,
+
+      "MARY ADAMS."
+
+Mark finished the reading of that letter in amazement, even alarm.
+
+"Did she give you this?" he demanded of the boy.
+
+"Yes, sir, she did, not five minutes ago," replied the lad. "And she
+told me to run. She seemed scared to death, sir, and I know she'd been
+crying."
+
+Mark stared into his earnest face a moment, and then he turned away in
+thought.
+
+"You may go," he said to the boy. "I know my way to her house alone."
+
+The lad disappeared; and Mark, without a moment's hesitation, went over
+and woke one of the cadets.
+
+"Wake up, Texas," he whispered. "Wake up and read this."
+
+Texas arose from his couch in surprise and sleepy alarm. He read the
+letter, gasping; then he stared at Mark.
+
+"Do you think she wrote it?" he inquired.
+
+That problem was puzzling Mark, too. He had received two letters before
+from the girl, under exactly similar circumstances. One had been a trick
+of the cadets to lure him out. The other had been genuine, and had
+resulted in Mark's saving the girl's brother from disgrace and ruin. But
+which was this?
+
+Mark made up his mind quickly.
+
+"I think she wrote it, old man," he said. "The drum boy who gave me this
+gave me the other she wrote, too, and he swears she wrote this. He said
+she was frightened and crying. Texas, she lives way off there with her
+old mother, who's blind and helpless. And there's no telling what may
+have happened to her. Just see how urgent that note is. I must go, old
+man. I'd be a coward if I didn't. She don't know a soul to call on but
+me."
+
+And Mark, generous and noble to a fault, had turned and begun to fling
+on his clothing. Texas was doing likewise.
+
+"I'm a-goin' too," he vowed.
+
+"She says not," whispered Mark.
+
+"I know," was the answer. "She ain't a-goin' to know it. I'm a-goin' in
+case it's them ole yearlin's. Ef I see it's all right, and she wrote it,
+I reckon I kin sneak home."
+
+Nothing could deter the faithful and vigilant Texan from his resolution,
+and when Mark stole out of his tent his friend was at his heels. They
+passed the sentry, Baby Edwards, with the usual signal, Mark fooled for
+once, was chuckling at his deception, thinking Baby thought them
+yearlings. But Baby knew who it was, and laughed.
+
+The two, once clear of camp, set out on a dead run. They dashed across
+the Cavalry Plain and down the road to Highland Falls. It was nearly a
+mile to where Mary Adams lived, but Mark never stopped once, not even
+when he came to the dreaded cadet limits, to be found beyond which meant
+court-martial and dismissal in disgrace. He took the risk grimly,
+however, and ran on. When they finally reached the girl's house the
+Texan was panting and exhausted.
+
+"You stay there," whispered Mark, pointing to a clump of bushes nearby.
+
+Texas crouched behind them, and doubled his fists in determination. Mark
+just as promptly stepped up to the door and softly rapped.
+
+There was a light in one of the rooms on the ground floor. The curtain
+was carefully drawn, but Texas, watching closely, saw a shadow swiftly
+flit across. And just after that the door was flung open, and the girl
+stood before them.
+
+"I knew you would come!" Texas heard her cry. "Oh, thank fortune!"
+
+Then Mark stepped inside, and the door shut again.
+
+Texas waited in suspense and curiosity. He did not know how long Mark
+might be in there, but he was resolved to stick it out. Then suddenly,
+to his surprise, the door was opened again, and Mark and the girl
+stepped out.
+
+She was leaning upon his arm, and hurrying him forward quickly. She was
+evidently in great distress, and from what the hidden listener heard,
+Mark was striving his best to comfort her. The two figures hurried
+across the clearing and vanished in the woods. Texas arose from his
+position.
+
+"I reckon it's all right," he muttered. "It's blamed mysterious, but
+there's nothin' mo' fo' me to do."
+
+And suiting the action to the word the faithful Southerner turned and
+set out rapidly for camp.
+
+Mark, when he entered Mary Adams' house, found her standing before him,
+a picture of misery and fright. He demanded to know what was wrong.
+
+"Come, come!" the girl cried. "Quick. I cannot tell you. Oh! Come and
+see."
+
+She flung a shawl about her shoulders, seized Mark by the arm in a
+convulsive grip, and together they hurried through the woods.
+
+It was a little footpath they followed. Mark had no idea where they were
+going in the deep black darkness. He abandoned himself entirely to the
+girl's guidance, trusting that no slight matter could have taken her
+there, and he was right.
+
+The girl said not a word during the trip. She kept her face hidden in
+the shawl, and only a sob told Mark the state of her feelings. He was
+growing more mystified and curious every moment.
+
+On, on they went. They must have been hurrying continually for at least
+five minutes, the girl dragging the cadet faster and faster, when
+suddenly she turned and left the path.
+
+There was a dense thicket before them; she paused not a moment to
+hesitate, but plunged into the midst of it. The briars tore her clothing
+and hands, but she forced her way in. And when they were in the very
+center, without a word, she stopped and faced about.
+
+She pushed aside her veil and hair and stared wildly at Mark. He gazed
+at her blood-red, burning cheeks and saw her black eyes glitter.
+
+"What is the matter?" he cried.
+
+She made not a sound, but suddenly to Mark's infinite horror flung
+herself upon him and wrapped her arms about his neck.
+
+"Why, Miss Adams," he gasped. "I----"
+
+His words stuck in his throat. His surprise changed to the wildest
+dismay and consternation. For he felt a pair of sinewy arms flung about
+his ankles, binding his feet together as in a vise. He had only one
+free arm, the other being bound to his chest with the bandages of the
+surgeon; the free arm was seized by the wrist with a grip that almost
+crushed it. And to his mouth another pair of hands were pressed, making
+outcry impossible as it would have been futile anyway.
+
+Mark was as motionless and helpless as if he had been turned to stone!
+
+The swift emotions that surged through his excited brain defy
+description. He saw the plot in an instant, apprehended it in all its
+fiendish heartlessness; and he knew that he was ruined. He could not see
+behind him; he could not identify his assailants; but he was sure they
+were cadets, Bull and his crowd leagued with this wretched girl to play
+upon his kind-heartedness.
+
+And that girl! Oh, what a figure she was! She made no attempt to hide
+herself, however much Bull Harris might. She stood before her helpless
+victim's eyes a perfect figure of vengeance and triumph.
+
+There is a famous painting by Sichel of the Grecian sorceress, Medea.
+The woman is standing clad in white that contrasts with her jet black
+hair. In one hand, half hidden, she clutches a shining dagger; her mouth
+is set in a firm, determined way, and her eyes are dark and gleaming.
+Imagine that figure in the moment of victory, every feature convulsed
+with joy, with hatred gratified, and that is the girl Mary Adams. She
+was dancing about Mark in fury, flinging her hands in his face, taunting
+him, jeering at him, threatening him so as to frighten even the
+desperate cadets.
+
+They, meanwhile, were working quickly; they bound his legs together, his
+arms to his side. They forced a gag into his mouth, and then lastly shut
+off his view of the wildly shrieking girl by tying a handkerchief about
+his eyes. And then they tumbled him to the ground and turned away and
+left him.
+
+Mary Adams stayed behind them a moment to vent her fury upon the
+helpless prisoner.
+
+"Satisfied!" she cried. "How do you like it? I told you I would have
+revenge. I told you I hated you! And now, and now it is mine! You are
+mine, too! Do you hear me? I can do what I please with you!"
+
+Mark could not see her, but he felt a stinging pain in his cheek and he
+felt the warm blood flow.
+
+The girl's sharp heel had cut his flesh. And a moment later he heard a
+low voice mutter:
+
+"Come away, you fool! Come on."
+
+They dragged her reluctantly with them. Mark heard the steps recede into
+the distance, heard the silence settling down about the place. They had
+left him alone, deserted and helpless, lost in the midst of the woods,
+left him to die for all he knew, certainly to be missed, to be expelled,
+to be ruined.
+
+And the poor fellow groaned within him as he realized the triumph of his
+enemies.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII.
+
+TRIUMPH--CONCLUSION.
+
+
+Texas made his way back to camp in silence. Texas felt it was none of
+his business, and yet he could not help trying to guess the errand upon
+which those two had gone. It was certainly a mystery. Texas reached the
+camp without succeeding in forming the least guess.
+
+He raced past the same sentry in the same style as usual. He entered his
+tent and found the other two sleeping soundly, having not the least
+suspicion of the night's occurrences.
+
+"I reckon," he mused, reflectively, "there ain't much use o' my sittin'
+round. I'll go to bed."
+
+With which resolution he undressed and lay down to sleep.
+
+After such an exciting and lively half hour as the one Texas had just
+spent, one does not usually drop off to sleep very easily. It was
+fortunate that Texas did not; wide-awake as he was, he had a cooler and
+steadier head to think when the hour of trial came. For the "hour of
+trial" was coming very soon now.
+
+Bull Harris and his cowardly allies first took the precaution to calm
+the angry girl, and then set out on a run for camp. Their hearts were
+beating high with hope and triumph. Their time had come at last; their
+enemy was theirs, and theirs without any blame falling on them. It was a
+great day for the vengeful Bull.
+
+They passed their sentry ally in safety and vanished in their tents. In
+a minute more they were all safely in bed, as Texas was, and then the
+time had come.
+
+Texas, lying in his silent tent, was just beginning to doze, when
+suddenly came a wild yell that shook the air, that made the hills to
+echo. It rang through the sleeping camp, and it was followed by a series
+of shouts.
+
+"Help! help! help!"
+
+The place was in an uproar in an instant; and Texas was almost paralyzed
+with horror. An alarm! The camp awake! Inspection! And Mark, his Mark,
+his friend and hero, absent!
+
+He sprang to his feet with a hoarse cry; at the same moment the other
+two plebes sat up and stared about them wildly.
+
+"What's that?" cried one.
+
+"Mark's gone!" fairly shrieked Texas.
+
+"Mark gone! How?"
+
+"He's out of bounds! Great Heavens, he went to see Mary Adams! And he'll
+be found out!"
+
+The two crowded about him, their faces pale with fright, their eyes
+staring.
+
+Mark gone! Mark, their leader! What on earth would they do?
+
+The Texan's wild exclamation had been heard in the Company B tent to the
+rear, and its occupants had rushed in regardless of rules, of discovery,
+of everything. An alarm! An inspection! And Mark beyond limits!
+
+Things were happening with incredible swiftness outside. The shouts had
+been echoed by excited inquiries from awakened cadets, by the cries of
+sentries for the corporal of the guard, and by the quick, sharp commands
+of officers.
+
+Lieutenant Allen, the "tac" in command, had sprung up from his bed at
+the very first cry. And in half a minute more, dressed and with lighted
+lantern in hand, he was rushing down the company street.
+
+"What's the matter?" he cried.
+
+No one knew. He saw cadets gathered in almost every tent door, staring
+out anxiously. Thus he did not notice the state of affairs in Mark's
+tent, where six horrified, frightened plebes were huddled, gasping.
+
+Night alarms had been getting too frequent at Camp McPherson that year,
+and had excited the ire of the authorities. The lieutenant meant to find
+out the authors of this one, if such a thing were within the realms of
+possibility.
+
+First he thought of sounding the "long roll," the fire or mutiny signal,
+summoning the cadets out on the street for roll call. Then it occurred
+to him that an inspection of the tents might do better. Another "tac,"
+Lieutenant Ross, had joined him at this moment. And without a moment's
+delay, the two set to work. And Lieutenant Allen started with Company A,
+the very street in which Mark Mallory's tent stood!
+
+A thousand wild plans had occurred to the six, to Texas in particular.
+He might "hold up" the tac, prevent the inspection! Or dress up as Mark
+and have himself reported! Great Heavens! he must do something!
+
+The officer began at the head of the street. It was the work of but one
+second to glance into each tent. It would take but five seconds more to
+reach Mark's, to note the fact that there were but three in that tent,
+and that Cadet Mallory was absent out of camp, out of limits!
+
+Texas turned to his comrades as the officer drew near. There were tears
+in Texas' eyes, and his voice was choked.
+
+"You fellows," he said, to the three from the B tent, "you--you'd better
+go back, or you'll get soaked, too."
+
+Nearer still came the officer. One tent more! The three had turned to
+go--and then suddenly Texas uttered a cry of joy and staggered back
+against the tent wall! An instant later he leaped forward, seized
+Dewey, one of the three, by the shoulders and fairly flung him to the
+ground.
+
+"Lie there! Lie there!" he gasped, hoarsely. "Durnation!"
+
+Dewey, quick as a wink, saw the ruse. The other two, confused and
+frightened, dashed across to their tent and hid, wondering what was up,
+what Texas was trying to do. But Dewey slid into the blankets that made
+Mark's "bed," drew the sheet over him, all but his head, and then lay
+still, gasping and trembling like a leaf.
+
+Texas and the other two sprang for their places and imitated him. And an
+instant later the white light of the officer's lantern flashed into the
+tent.
+
+The four held their breath; their hearts fairly ceased to beat as the
+tac glanced around. He saw a tent undisturbed; he saw Texas, and the
+Parson and Sleepy; and he saw the brown curly hair of the fourth
+occupant, lying upon his stomach, his face turned away from the light.
+
+A second more and he passed on; and the four almost fainted with the
+reaction of relief.
+
+It was not over yet, though. "Allen" had two more tents to visit up that
+row, and then he would turn to B Company. Texas peered out and watched
+him reach the last tent, and then uttered a whispered "Now!"
+
+Quick as a flash, Dewey slid under the wall at the rear, whisked across
+the open space, and dived into his own tent--safe!
+
+The camp settled down into quietness a few minutes after that. But the
+six never slept another wink. Mark had escaped that danger, he was safe
+for a moment. But another alarm might come any moment! And reveille was
+sure to come in a few hours! And where was Mark?
+
+Texas, ever sly, had become suspicious by that time; ever bold and
+faithful, he lost not a moment in hesitation. He left camp again! He ran
+straight to Mary Adams' house, and from it straight out the path he had
+seen the two take. It was a forlorn hope, but it met with fulfillment.
+Texas heard a low groan, the only signal Mark could make when he heard
+the step of a possible rescuer.
+
+And in half an hour more Mark Mallory was back in camp again, safe,
+telling to his furious friends the tale of his betrayal and hearing from
+them the tale of his "escape."
+
+"We must get square, b'gee!" cried Dewey.
+
+"Yes, we must get square, by Zeus!" came from the Parson.
+
+"Give me time, boys, give me time," put in Mark. "I will think up a
+plan."
+
+"Gosh, but it was a night o' nights," was the comment from Texas. "But
+we fooled them ole yearlin's nicely, didn't we?"
+
+"Oh, they can't down us," chimed in Dewey. "We'll go 'em one better,
+b'gee, every time, b'gee!"
+
+And the Banded Seven agreed to a man.
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+_THE CREAM OF JUVENILE FICTION_
+
+
+THE BOYS' OWN LIBRARY
+
+A Selection of the Best Books for Boys by the Most Popular Authors
+
+
+The titles in this splendid juvenile series have been selected with
+care, and as a result all the stories can be relied upon for their
+excellence. They are bright and sparkling; not over-burdened with
+lengthy descriptions, but brimful of adventure from the first page to
+the last--in fact they are just the kind of yarns that appeal strongly
+to the healthy boy who is fond of thrilling exploits and deeds of
+heroism. Among the authors whose names are included in the Boys' Own
+Library are Horatio Alger, Jr., Edward S. Ellis, James Otis, Capt. Ralph
+Bonehill, Burt L. Standish, Gilbert Patten and Frank H. Converse.
+
+
+SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE BOYS' OWN LIBRARY
+
+All the books in this series are copyrighted, printed on good paper,
+large type, illustrated, printed wrappers, handsome cloth covers stamped
+in inks and gold--fifteen special cover designs.
+
+_146 Titles--Price, per Volume, 75 cents_
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent, postpaid, on receipt of price by
+the publisher.
+
+
+DAVID McKAY, 610 SO. WASHINGTON SQUARE, PHILADELPHIA, PA.
+
+
+
+
+HORATIO ALGER, Jr.
+
+One of the best known and most popular writers. Good, clean, healthy
+stories for the American Boy.
+
+    Adventures of a Telegraph Boy
+    Dean Dunham
+    Erie Train Boy, The
+    Five Hundred Dollar Check
+    From Canal Boy to President
+    From Farm Boy to Senator
+    Backwoods Boy, The
+    Mark Stanton
+    Ned Newton
+    New York Boy
+    Tom Brace
+    Tom Tracy
+    Walter Griffith
+    Young Acrobat
+
+
+C. B. ASHLEY.
+
+One of the best stories ever written on hunting, trapping and adventure
+in the West, after the Custer Massacre.
+
+    Gilbert, the Boy Trapper
+
+
+ANNIE ASHMORE.
+
+A splendid story, recording the adventures of a boy with smugglers.
+
+    Smuggler's Cave, The
+
+
+CAPT. RALPH BONEHILL.
+
+Capt. Bonehill is in the very front rank as an author of boys' stories.
+These are two of his best works.
+
+    Neka, the Boy Conjurer
+    Tour of the Zero Club
+
+
+WALTER F. BRUNS.
+
+An excellent story of adventure in the celebrated Sunk Lands of Missouri
+and Kansas.
+
+    In the Sunk Lands
+
+
+FRANK H. CONVERSE.
+
+This writer has established a splendid reputation as a boys' author, and
+although his books usually command $1.25 per volume, we offer the
+following at a more popular price.
+
+    Gold of Flat Top Mountain
+    Happy-Go-Lucky Jack
+    Heir to a Million
+    In Search of An Unknown Race
+    In Southern Seas
+    Mystery of a Diamond
+    That Treasure
+    Voyage to the Gold Coast
+
+
+HARRY COLLINGWOOD.
+
+One of England's most successful writers of stories for boys. His best
+story is
+
+    Pirate Island
+
+
+GEORGE H. COOMER.
+
+Two books we highly recommend. One is a splendid story of adventure at
+sea, when American ships were in every port in the world, and the other
+tells of adventures while the first railway in the Andes Mountains was
+being built.
+
+    Boys in the Forecastle
+    Old Man of the Mountain
+
+
+WILLIAM DALTON.
+
+Three stories by one of the very greatest writers for boys. The stories
+deal with boys' adventures in India, China and Abyssinia. These books
+are strongly recommended for boys' reading, as they contain a large
+amount of historical information.
+
+    Tiger Prince
+    War Tiger
+    White Elephant
+
+
+EDWARD S. ELLIS.
+
+These books are considered the best works this well-known writer ever
+produced. No better reading for bright young Americans.
+
+    Arthur Helmuth
+    Check No. 2134
+    From Tent to White House
+    Perils of the Jungle
+    On the Trail of Geronimo
+    White Mustang
+
+
+GEORGE MANVILLE FENN.
+
+For the past fifty years Mr. Fenn has been writing books for boys and
+popular fiction. His books are justly popular throughout the
+English-speaking world. We publish the following select list of his
+boys' books, which we consider the best he ever wrote.
+
+    Commodore Junk
+    Dingo Boys
+    Weathercock
+    Golden Magnet
+    Grand Chaco
+
+
+ENSIGN CLARKE FITCH, U. S. N.
+
+A graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, and thoroughly
+familiar with all naval matters. Mr. Fitch has devoted himself to
+literature, and has written a series of books for boys that every young
+American should read. His stories are full of very interesting
+information about the navy, training ships, etc.
+
+    Bound for Annapolis
+    Clif, the Naval Cadet
+    Cruise of the Training Ship
+    From Port to Port
+    Strange Cruise, A
+
+
+WILLIAM MURRAY GRAYDON.
+
+An author of world-wide popularity. Mr. Graydon is essentially a friend
+of young people, and we offer herewith ten of his best works, wherein he
+relates a great diversity of interesting adventures in various parts of
+the world, combined with accurate historical data.
+
+    Butcher of Cawnpore, The
+    Camp in the Snow, The
+    Campaigning with Braddock
+    Cryptogram, The
+    From Lake to Wilderness
+    In Barracks and Wigwam
+    In Fort and Prison
+    Jungles and Traitors
+    Rajah's Fortress, The
+    White King of Africa, The
+
+
+LIEUT. FREDERICK GARRISON, U. S. A.
+
+Every American boy takes a keen interest in the affairs of West Point.
+No more capable writer on this popular subject could be found than
+Lieut. Garrison, who vividly describes the life, adventures and unique
+incidents that have occurred in that great institution--in these famous
+West Point stories.
+
+    Off for West Point
+    Cadet's Honor, A
+    On Guard
+    West Point Treasure, The
+    West Point Rivals, The
+
+
+HEADON HILL.
+
+The hunt for gold has always been a popular subject for consideration,
+and Mr. Hill has added a splendid story on the subject in this romance
+of the Klondyke.
+
+    Spectre Gold
+
+
+HENRY HARRISON LEWIS.
+
+Mr. Lewis is a graduate of the Naval Academy at Annapolis, and has
+written a great many books for boys. Among his best works are the
+following titles--the subjects include a vast series of adventures in
+all parts of the world. The historical data is correct, and they should
+be read by all boys, for the excellent information they contain.
+
+    Centreboard Jim
+    King of the Island
+    Midshipman Merrill
+    Yankee Boys in Japan
+    Ensign Merrill
+    Sword and Pen
+    Valley of Mystery, The
+
+
+LIEUT. LIONEL LOUNSBERRY.
+
+A series of books embracing many adventures under our famous naval
+commanders, and with our army during the War of 1812 and the Civil War.
+Founded on sound history, these books are written for boys, with the
+idea of combining pleasure with profit; to cultivate a fondness for
+study--especially of what has been accomplished by our army and navy.
+
+    Cadet Kit Carey
+    Captain Carey
+    Kit Carey's Protegé
+    Lieut. Carey's Luck
+    Out With Commodore Decatur
+    Randy, the Pilot
+    Tom Truxton's School Days
+    Tom Truxton's Ocean Trip
+    Treasure of the Golden Crater
+    Won at West Point
+
+
+BROOKS McCORMICK.
+
+Four splendid books of adventure on sea and land, by this well-known
+writer for boys.
+
+    Giant Islanders, The
+    How He Won
+    Nature's Young Nobleman
+    Rival Battalions
+
+
+WALTER MORRIS.
+
+This charming story contains thirty-two chapters of just the sort of
+school life that charms the boy readers.
+
+    Bob Porter at Lakeview Academy
+
+
+STANLEY NORRIS.
+
+Mr. Norris is without a rival as a writer of "Circus Stories" for boys.
+These four books are full of thrilling adventures, but good, wholesome
+reading for young Americans.
+
+    Phil, the Showman
+    Young Showman's Rivals, The
+    Young Showman's Pluck, The
+    Young Showman's Triumph
+
+
+LIEUT. JAMES K. ORTON.
+
+When a boy has read one of Lieut. Orton's books, it requires no urging
+to induce him to read the others. Not a dull page in any of them.
+
+    Beach Boy Joe
+    Last Chance Mine
+    Secret Chart, The
+    Tom Havens with the White Squadron
+
+
+JAMES OTIS.
+
+Mr. Otis is known by nearly every American boy, and needs no
+introduction here. The following copyrights are among his best:
+
+    Chased Through Norway
+    Inland Waterways
+    Reuben Green's Adventures at Yale
+    Unprovoked Mutiny
+    Wheeling for Fortune
+
+
+GILBERT PATTEN.
+
+Mr. Patten has had the distinction of having his books adopted by the
+U. S. Government for all naval libraries on board our war ships. While
+aiming to avoid the extravagant and sensational, the stories contain
+enough thrilling incidents to please the lad who loves action and
+adventure. In the Rockspur stories the description of their Baseball and
+Football Games and other contests with rival clubs and teams make very
+exciting and absorbing reading; and few boys with warm blood in their
+veins, having once begun the perusal of one of these books, will
+willingly lay it down till it is finished.
+
+    Boy Boomers
+    Boy Cattle King
+    Boy from the West
+    Don Kirke's Mine
+    Jud and Joe
+    Rockspur Nine, The
+    Rockspur Eleven, The
+    Rockspur Rivals, The
+
+
+ST. GEORGE RATHBORNE.
+
+Mr. Rathborne's stories for boys have the peculiar charm of dealing with
+localities and conditions with which he is thoroughly familiar. The
+scenes of these excellent stories are along the Florida coast and on the
+western prairies.
+
+    Canoe and Camp Fire
+    Paddling Under Palmettos
+    Rival Canoe Boys
+    Sunset Ranch
+    Chums of the Prairie
+    Young Range Riders
+    Gulf Cruisers
+    Shifting Winds
+
+
+ARTHUR SEWELL.
+
+An American story by an American author. It relates how a Yankee boy
+overcame many obstacles in school and out. Thoroughly interesting from
+start to finish.
+
+    Gay Dashleigh's Academy Days
+
+
+CAPT. DAVID SOUTHWICK.
+
+An exceptionally good story of frontier life among the Indians in the
+far West, during the early settlement period.
+
+    Jack Wheeler
+
+
+The Famous Frank Merriwell Stories.
+
+BURT L. STANDISH.
+
+No modern series of tales for boys and youths has met with anything like
+the cordial reception and popularity accorded to the Frank Merriwell
+Stories. There must be a reason for this and there is. Frank Merriwell,
+as portrayed by the author, is a jolly whole-souled, honest, courageous
+American lad, who appeals to the hearts of the boys. He has no bad
+habits, and his manliness inculcates the idea that it is not necessary
+for a boy to indulge in petty vices to be a hero. Frank Merriwell's
+example is a shining light for every ambitious lad to follow. Six
+volumes now ready:
+
+    Frank Merriwell's School Days
+    Frank Merriwell's Chums
+    Frank Merriwell's Foes
+    Frank Merriwell's Trip West
+    Frank Merriwell Down South
+    Frank Merriwell's Bravery
+    Frank Merriwell's Hunting Tour
+    Frank Merriwell's Races
+    Frank Merriwell's Sports Afield
+    Frank Merriwell at Yale
+
+
+VICTOR ST. CLAIR.
+
+These books are full of good, clean adventure, thrilling enough to
+please the full-blooded wide-awake boy, yet containing nothing to which
+there can be any objection from those who are careful as to the kind of
+books they put into the hands of the young.
+
+    Cast Away in the Jungle
+    Comrades Under Castro
+    For Home and Honor
+    Zip, the Acrobat
+    From Switch to Lever
+    Little Snap, the Post Boy
+    Zig-Zag, the Boy Conjurer
+
+
+MATTHEW WHITE, JR.
+
+Good, healthy, strong books for the American lad. No more interesting
+books for the young appear on our lists.
+
+    Adventures of a Young Athlete
+    Eric Dane
+    Guy Hammersley
+    My Mysterious Fortune
+    Tour of a Private Car
+    Young Editor, The
+
+
+ARTHUR M. WINFIELD.
+
+One of the most popular authors of boys' books. Here are three of his
+best.
+
+    Mark Dale's Stage Venture
+    Young Bank Clerk, The
+    Young Bridge Tender, The
+
+
+GAYLE WINTERTON.
+
+This very interesting story relates the trials and triumphs of a Young
+American Actor, including the solution of a very puzzling mystery.
+
+    Young Actor, The
+
+
+ERNEST A. YOUNG.
+
+This book is not a treatise on sports, as the title would indicate, but
+relates a series of thrilling adventures among boy campers in the woods
+of Maine.
+
+    Boats, Bats and Bicycles
+
+
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's note:
+
+The following typographical errors present in the original edition
+have been corrected.
+
+In Chapter II, "sword of the tryant" was changed to "sword of the
+tyrant", and "meant to spent that half-holiday" was changed to "meant to
+spend that half-holiday".
+
+In Chapter III, "wondering about everythings" was changed to "wondering
+about everything".
+
+In Chapter V, a missing period was added after "from two minutes to
+twenty", and "B. B. J!" was changed to "B. B. J.!".
+
+In Chapter VII, "the B. J-est plebe" was changed to "the B. J.-est
+plebe", "as those yearlings had even seen" was changed to "as those
+yearlings had ever seen", and "'Will they try it' he thought?" was
+changed to "'Will they try it?' he thought."
+
+In Chapter X, "his face on a broad grin" was changed to "on his face a
+broad grin".
+
+In Chapter XI, a missing question mark was added after "Is he hurt".
+
+In Chapter XIV, "a rougish look" was changed to "a roguish look", and a
+quotation mark was removed before "It'll take lots of planning
+beforehand".
+
+In Chapter XX, "some little nervousness, to" was changed to "some little
+nervousness, too".
+
+In Chapter XXII, "the corner of the seige battery inclosure" was changed
+to "the corner of the siege battery inclosure", "that reminds be of
+another" was changed to "that reminds me of another", "his mist stately
+tone" was changed to "his mist stately tone", and a period was changed
+to a comma after "he added, more seriously".
+
+In Chapter XXIII, "bound his supenders about him" was changed to "bound
+his suspenders about him".
+
+In Chapter XXIV, a period was changed to a comma after "as his friend
+touched it".
+
+In Chapter XXVII, a quotation mark was removed after "And--and----".
+
+In Chapter XXVIII, "He knew in his hear it would be best" was changed to
+"He knew in his heart it would be best".
+
+In Chapter XXX, "Murray still sat where he was was" was changed to
+"Murray still sat where he was".
+
+In Chapter XXXI, "her mouth it set in a firm, determined way" was
+changed to "her mouth is set in a firm, determined way".
+
+In the advertisements, "to cutivate a fondness for study" was changed to
+"to cultivate a fondness for study", and "good, wholsome reading" was
+changed to "good, wholesome reading".
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ON GUARD***
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+<body>
+<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, On Guard, by Upton Sinclair</h1>
+<pre>
+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 <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre>
+<p>Title: On Guard</p>
+<p>       Mark Mallory's Celebration</p>
+<p>Author: Upton Sinclair</p>
+<p>Release Date: May 13, 2011  [eBook #36101]</p>
+<p>Language: English</p>
+<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p>
+<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ON GUARD***</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h3>E-text prepared by Steven desJardins<br />
+    and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br />
+    (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p class="blockquot">Transcriber's Note: "Lieut. Frederick Garrison" is a pseudonym used by
+Upton Sinclair.</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 325px;">
+<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="325" height="500" alt="Cover of On Guard by Lieut. Frederick Garrison" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 326px;">
+<img src="images/frontispiece.jpg" width="326" height="500" alt="Cadet Mallory received a letter from a friend." title="" />
+</div>
+<p class="caption">&quot;Cadet Mallory received a letter from a friend.&quot; (See
+<a href="#CHAPTER_I">page 7</a>)</p>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<h1>ON GUARD<br />
+<span class="smallertext">OR</span><br />
+<span class="smalltext">MARK MALLORY'S CELEBRATION</span></h1>
+
+<p class="center">BY<br />
+<span class="bigtext">LIEUT. FREDERICK GARRISON, U.&nbsp;S.&nbsp;A.</span></p>
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smalltext">AUTHOR OF</span><br />
+"Off for West Point," "A West Point Treasure," "A Cadet's Honor," etc.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 120px;">
+<img src="images/logo.png" width="120" height="117" alt="publisher's logo" title="Boy's Own Library" />
+</div>
+
+<p class="center">PHILADELPHIA<br />
+DAVID McKAY, PUBLISHER<br />
+<span class="smcap">610 South Washington Square</span></p>
+
+<p class="center">Copyright, 1903<br />
+By STREET &amp; SMITH</p>
+
+<p class="center smalltext">On Guard</p>
+
+<hr class="wide" />
+
+<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS</h2>
+
+<table class="figcenter" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" summary="Table of Contents">
+<tr>
+<td class="smalltext chapnum">CHAPTER</td>
+<td class="smalltext chapname">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="smalltext chappage">PAGE</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">I.&mdash;</td>
+<td class="chapname">A Letter from a "Furlough Man"</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">7</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">II.&mdash;</td>
+<td class="chapname">Mark's Idea</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">15</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">III.&mdash;</td>
+<td class="chapname">A New Ally</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">22</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">IV.&mdash;</td>
+<td class="chapname">A Surprise for the Seven</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">31</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">V.&mdash;</td>
+<td class="chapname">The Scheme Succeeds</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">36</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">VI.&mdash;</td>
+<td class="chapname">What Mark Overheard</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">46</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">VII.&mdash;</td>
+<td class="chapname">Mark's Counterplot</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">57</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">VIII.&mdash;</td>
+<td class="chapname">The Attack on Mark</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">65</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">IX.&mdash;</td>
+<td class="chapname">Three Discomfited Yearlings</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">74</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">X.&mdash;</td>
+<td class="chapname">Texas Runs Amuck</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">80</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XI.&mdash;</td>
+<td class="chapname">Texas Raids West Point</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">91</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XII.&mdash;</td>
+<td class="chapname">The Cause of a Friend</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">103</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XIII.&mdash;</td>
+<td class="chapname">The Reformation of Texas</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">110</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XIV.&mdash;</td>
+<td class="chapname">A Plot of the Yearlings</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">118</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XV.&mdash;</td>
+<td class="chapname">The Plebes Plot, Too</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">128</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XVI.&mdash;</td>
+<td class="chapname">Setting the Trap</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">133</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XVII.&mdash;</td>
+<td class="chapname">The Result at the Hop</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">141</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XVIII.&mdash;</td>
+<td class="chapname">A Strange Announcement</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">149</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XIX.&mdash;</td>
+<td class="chapname">Texas Turns Highwayman</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">160</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XX.&mdash;</td>
+<td class="chapname">Two Midnight Prowlers</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">167</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XXI.&mdash;</td>
+<td class="chapname">Benny is Exposed</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">178</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XXII.&mdash;</td>
+<td class="chapname">Mark Receives a Committee</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">183</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XXIII.&mdash;</td>
+<td class="chapname">A Fight, and Other Things</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">199</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XXIV.&mdash;</td>
+<td class="chapname">Six to the Rescue</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">208</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XXV.&mdash;</td>
+<td class="chapname">Mark in the Hospital</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">216</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XXVI.&mdash;</td>
+<td class="chapname">Texas Has an Interview</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">224</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XXVII.&mdash;</td>
+<td class="chapname">A Plot to Beat "the General"</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">232</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XXVIII.&mdash;</td>
+<td class="chapname">"Bull" Finds an Ally</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">241</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XXIX.&mdash;</td>
+<td class="chapname">Strange Conduct</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">250</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XXX.&mdash;</td>
+<td class="chapname">A Surprise for Murray</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">256</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XXXI.&mdash;</td>
+<td class="chapname">The Plot Succeeds</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI">265</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XXXII.&mdash;</td>
+<td class="chapname">Triumph&mdash;Conclusion</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII">277</a></td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+<hr class="wide" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="ON_GUARD" id="ON_GUARD"></a>ON GUARD.</h2>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.<br />
+<span class="smalltext">A LETTER FROM A "FURLOUGH MAN."</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>"A letter for me, did you say?"</p>
+
+<p>The speaker was a tall, handsome lad, a plebe at the West Point Military
+Academy. At the moment he was gazing inquiringly out of the tent door at
+a small orderly.</p>
+
+<p>The boy handed him an envelope, and the other glanced at it.</p>
+
+<p>"Cadet Mark Mallory, West Point, N.&nbsp;Y.," was the address.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess that's for me," he said. "Thank you. Hello in there, Texas!
+Here's a letter from Wicks Merritt."</p>
+
+<p>This last remark was addressed to another cadet in the tent. "Texas,"
+officially known as Jeremiah Powers, a tall, rather stoop-shouldered
+youth, with a bronzed skin and a pair of shining gray eyes, appeared in
+the doorway and watched his friend with interest while he read.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span>"What does he say, Mark?" he inquired, when the latter finished.</p>
+
+<p>"Lots," responded Mark. "Lots that'll interest our crowd. They ought to
+be through sprucing up by this time, so bring 'em over here and I'll
+read it."</p>
+
+<p>"Sprucing up" is West Point for the morning house-cleaning in the summer
+camp. A half hour is allowed to it immediately after breakfast, and it
+is followed by "the A.&nbsp;M. inspection."</p>
+
+<p>In response to Mark's suggestion, Texas slipped over to the tent in back
+of theirs in "B Company" Street, and called its three occupants. They
+came over and joined those in Mark's tent; and then Mark took out the
+letter he had just received.</p>
+
+<p>"I've got something here," said he, "that I think ought to interest all
+of us. I guess I'll have time to read it before inspection. We are a
+secret society, aren't we?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's what we are," assented the other six.</p>
+
+<p>"But what's that got to do with it?" added Texas.</p>
+
+<p>"And we've banded ourselves together for the purpose of preventing the
+yearlings from hazing us?" continued Mark, without noticing his friend's
+inquiry. "Well, it seems that they've been doing about the same thing
+down at Annapolis, too. This is from Wicks Merritt, a second class cadet
+up here, who's home on furlough this summer. He took a trip to
+Annapolis, and this is what he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> says. Listen very dutifully now, and
+don't get impatient:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Mallory</span>: I have heard a lot about you since the
+last time I wrote. Several of the fellows have written
+to me, and they haven't been able to mention anything
+but you. They tell me you are kicking up a fine old
+fuss in West Point during my absence. They say that
+you won't let anybody haze you. They say that you've
+gotten a lot of plebes around you to back you up, and
+that the yearlings are half wild in consequence.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know what to make of you. You always were an
+extraordinary genius, and I suppose you have to do
+things in your own sweet way, whether it's rescuing
+ferryboats or sailboats or express trains, or else
+locking us yearlings in ice houses. I cannot imagine
+what will be the end of the matter. I am sure the
+yearlings will never give in.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm told that when they tried to lick you into
+submission you did up Billy Williams, the best fighter
+in the class. Also that Bull Harris, whom I warned you
+against as being a sneaky fellow, tried to get you
+dismissed by skinning you on demerits, but that you
+circumvented that. Also that you and your friends have
+made it hot for him ever since, upon which fact I
+congratulate you.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know what the yearlings will do next, but I
+imagine that they're 'stalled.' Since you've started,
+I suppose the best thing for you to do is to keep up
+the good work and not let them rest. But for Heaven's
+sake, don't let any of them see this! They'd cut me
+for aiding and abetting a plebe rebellion. You are
+certainly the boldest plebe that every struck West
+Point; nobody in our class ever dared to do what
+you've done.</p>
+
+<p>"It seems, though, that you have imitators, or else
+that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> you are imitating somebody. Down here at
+Annapolis this year pretty much the same state of
+affairs is going on just now. There's a plebe down
+here by the name of Clif Faraday (I've met him, and I
+told him about you), and he's raising the very old boy
+with the third class fellows. It seems that he
+outwitted them in all their hazing schemes, and has
+got them guessing at what he'll do next, which is
+about as B.&nbsp;J. as anything you ever did, I imagine. It
+looks as if plebes both at West Point and here would
+get off with almost no hazing this year. And it's all
+on account of you, too.</p>
+
+<p>"Genius knows no precedent, they say. Farewell.</p>
+
+<p class="sig1">"Your friend,</p>
+
+<p class="sig2">"Wicks Merritt.</p>
+
+<p>"P.&nbsp;S.&mdash;They tell me you've saved the life of Judge
+Fuller's daughter. Just take a word of advice&mdash;make
+the most of your opportunity! She's the prettiest girl
+around the place, and the nicest, too, and she has
+half the corps wild over her. If you can make friends
+with her, I think the yearlings would stop hazing you
+at her command."</p></div>
+
+<p>Mark finished the reading of the letter and gazed at his comrades,
+smiling.</p>
+
+<p>"You see," he said, "our fame has spread even to Annapolis. Gentlemen, I
+propose three cheers for our crowd!"</p>
+
+<p>"An' three fo' Clif Faraday!" cried Texas.</p>
+
+<p>"Only don't give any of them," added Mark, "for somebody might hear us."</p>
+
+<p>There was a moment's pause after that, broken by a protest from one of
+the Seven, Joseph Smith, of Indian<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span>apolis, popularly known as "Indian,"
+a fat, gullible youth, who was the laughingstock of the post.</p>
+
+<p>"I tell you," said he, his round eyes swelling with indignation, "I
+don't think what Clif Faraday did was a bit more B.&nbsp;J. than some of our
+tricks!" (B.&nbsp;J. is West Point dialect for "fresh.")</p>
+
+<p>"That's what I say, too, b'gee!" chimed in another, a handsome,
+merry-eyed chap with a happy faculty of putting every one in a good
+humor when he laughed. "Just look at how Mark shut two of 'em up in an
+ice house. Or look at how, when they took Indian off to the observatory
+to haze him, b'gee, we made 'em think the place was afire and had 'em
+all scared to death, and the fire battalion turning out besides. Now,
+b'gee, I want to know where you can beat that!"</p>
+
+<p>And his sentiment was echoed with approval by the remainder of those
+present. The seven had by this time scattered themselves about the tent
+in picturesque and characteristic attitudes, listening to the discussion
+carried on by the excitable Master Dewey.</p>
+
+<p>First of all and foremost was the grave and learned "Parson," the Boston
+geologist. The Parson was stretched on his back in one corner with
+nothing but his long, bony shanks visible. Somehow or other Parson
+Stanard always managed to keep those legs of his with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> their covering of
+pale green socks the most conspicuous thing about him.</p>
+
+<p>Sitting erect and stately on the locker, was Master Chauncey, the "dude"
+of the party. A few weeks of West Point had already worked wonders with
+Chauncey; his aristocratic friends on Fifth Avenue would scarcely have
+known him. In the first place, he, with the rest of the plebes, were
+compelled to walk, whenever they went abroad, with "head erect, chest
+out, eyes to the front, little fingers on the seams of the trousers,
+palms outward." Try this and you will find, as Chauncey was finding,
+that it is hard to do that and at the same time keep up the correct
+London "stoop." Chauncey had been obliged to leave his cane and monocle
+behind him also, and a few days later, when plebe fatigue uniforms were
+donned, his imported clothes and high collar went by the board, too.</p>
+
+<p>But Chauncey still clung to his accent, "bah Jove;" and was still known
+to the seven as "the man with a tutor and a hyphen"&mdash;his name being
+Mount-Bonsall, if you please&mdash;and to the rest of the corps as the dude
+who most did up six yearlings.</p>
+
+<p>The corner opposite the Parson's contained the dozing figure of
+Methusalem Zebediah Chelvers, the "farmer" from Kansas, popularly known
+as "Sleepy."</p>
+
+<p>Sleepy never did anything or said anything unless he had to; the seven
+had known him for weeks now, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> knew no more about him than at the
+start. Sleepy was still sleepy, and that was all.</p>
+
+<p>The other members of this bold and desperate secret "anti-hazing"
+society were Dewey, the prize story-teller of the party, "b'gee;"
+Indian, the "prize pig;" Texas, a wild and woolly cowboy just from the
+plains, with a right arm that had paralyzed four cadets in as many
+minutes, and, last of all, Mark Mallory, the leader.</p>
+
+<p>"Just look at the things we've done, b'gee!" continued Dewey. "Look at
+the times they've tried to haze us and we've outwitted them! See how we
+had the nerve to yank 'em out of bed the other night, b'gee. Or, if that
+isn't enough, just think of Bull Harris."</p>
+
+<p>This last remark was greeted with a chuckle of laughter from the seven,
+in which even Sleepy found sufficient energy to join. And, indeed, the
+recollection was enough to make one laugh.</p>
+
+<p>As readers of the first books in this series, "Off for West Point" and
+"A Cadet's Honor," know, Bull Harris was the sworn enemy of the seven,
+and of Mark in particular. He never had ceased plotting in his mean,
+cowardly way to get Mark into trouble, and it was the joy of the plebes'
+lives to outwit him. On the day previous they had succeeded beyond their
+wildest dreams. Given a bloodhound that had been sent out from a
+neighboring village to trail a burglar who had stepped into a barrel of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span>
+pitch, the seven had put pitch on Bull Harris' shoe and started the dog
+after him during the evening's dress parade. The dog had chewed Bull's
+trousers to ribbons, had broken up the parade, had made Bull the
+laughingstock of the place and earned him the deathless nickname of
+"Bull, the Burglar." Naturally, Bull was wild with rage, and the seven
+with hilarity.</p>
+
+<p>They were still chuckling over it and the general discomfiture of the
+yearling class and their own future prospects as triumphant plebes, when
+inspection put an end to the discussion and scattered the crowd.</p>
+
+<p>"But just you keep in mind," was Dewey's parting declaration, "that
+we're the B.&nbsp;J.-est plebes that ever were, are, will be or can be. And,
+b'gee, we're going to show it every day, too!"</p>
+
+<p>Which the Parson punctuated with a solemn "Yea, by Zeus!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.<br />
+<span class="smalltext">MARK'S IDEA.</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>The yearling corporal who did the inspecting had done his criticising
+and gone his way, leaving four of the seven in their tent&mdash;Mark, Texas,
+the Parson and Sleepy&mdash;who, being the tallest, had been assigned to
+Company A. And the four sat down to await the signal to "fall in" for
+drill.</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon, Mark," said Texas, meditatively surveying his new uniform in
+the looking-glass. "I reckon that we fellows kin say that hazing's most
+over now."</p>
+
+<p>"Assuredly!" said the Parson, gravely, "for indeed we have completely
+broken the spirit of the enemy, and he knows not which way to turn. I
+think that, in words of the song of Miriam, we may say:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0qq">"'Sing, for the sword of the tyrant is broken!<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">His chariots and horsemen are rent in twain.'<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>"Yea, by Zeus!"</p>
+
+<p>The Parson said this with his usual classic solemnity. Mark smiled to
+himself as he sat down upon the locker and gazed at his friends.</p>
+
+<p>"I've got something to tell you fellows," said he. "I think now's about
+as good a time as any. I haven't said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> anything about it to the crowd
+yet. When I do they'll have their eyes opened, and realize that if we're
+going to subdue the yearlings, we've got to start right at it all over
+again. We've scarcely begun yet."</p>
+
+<p>The three others looked at him in surprise; Texas rubbed his hands
+gleefully, seeing that Mark's statement, if true, meant lots more fun
+for the future.</p>
+
+<p>"You remember last night," Mark continued, "about midnight, how the
+Parson shouted out in his sleep and woke the whole camp?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," added Texas, "and scared me to death. I thought I was down home
+and the ole place was being run in by rustlers or somethin'."</p>
+
+<p>"You met me at the door of the tent," Mark went on. "I didn't tell you
+where I'd been; I'll tell you now. Last night a dozen or two of the
+yearlings took me out of camp&mdash;they surprised me, and held me so that I
+couldn't move. They tied me to a tree, and were just on the point of
+beating me."</p>
+
+<p>"What!"</p>
+
+<p>The three were staring at Mark in unutterable amazement.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Mark. "They told me I'd either have to promise to be a
+milk-and-water plebe after this or else be licked until I would. And
+Bull Harris took a big rope and&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span>"Did he hit ye?" cried Texas, springing to his feet excitedly. "Wow!
+I'll go out an' I'll&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Sit down!" said Mark. "He didn't hit me, for the Parson yelled just
+then and scared 'em all back to camp. And you needn't tackle Bull
+anyhow, for I'm going to do that myself pretty soon. The point just now
+is that the yearlings haven't given up. They're still fighting."</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't know there were so many cowards in the place!" muttered Texas.</p>
+
+<p>"They're desperate," said Mark. "They've got to do something. Now we'll
+watch out for such surprises the next time, and meanwhile we'll show
+them that we're determined not to stop."</p>
+
+<p>And Mark saw by the faces of the other three that that was just what
+they wanted. Texas especially was twitching his fingers nervously and
+looking as if he were wishing for some yearling to tackle right then and
+there.</p>
+
+<p>"I tell you what we'll do, Mark," he broke out, suddenly. "We'll tie
+ourselves together an' sleep that way, an' then if they take one they'll
+have to take all."</p>
+
+<p>"That's quite an idea," said the other, laughing. "But the main point
+now is just this: We're to set out with only one idea in our heads to
+think of; perhaps it might be well to offer a prize to the fellow who
+thinks of the best scheme. We want to keep those cadets fairly on the
+jump from the start."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span>"Bully!" cried Texas.</p>
+
+<p>"And it seems to me, moreover," continued the leader, "that we make a
+big mistake if we let this day pass without doing something."</p>
+
+<p>"Yea, by Zeus!" vowed the Parson, his solemn face glowing with interest.
+"For this day is the day of all days in the calendar of Freedom. This
+day is the day when our immortal colonies did vow and declare that the
+dragon of tyranny they would trample beneath their feet. This day is the
+day when first the eagle screamed, when humanity cast off its fetters
+and stood in the light of God's truth. This day is the glorious Fourth
+of July!"</p>
+
+<p>The Parson had arisen to his feet, the better to illustrate the casting
+off of the fetters, and his long black hair was waving wildly and his
+long white arms yet more so. Boston and Boston "liberty" were dangerous
+topics with him; he got more excited over them than he did when he found
+his immortal cyathophylloid coral "in a sandstone of Tertiary origin."</p>
+
+<p>"Yea, by Zeus!" he continued. "Such are the auspices, the hallowed
+recollections of this immortal moment that I verily believe no
+revolution can fail on it. I say that if ever we strike boldly, we do it
+to-day. And I, as a citizen of Boston, pledge my aid to any plan."</p>
+
+<p>"Yaas. An' we got a half holiday to-day, tew."</p>
+
+<p>This rather prosaic peroration to the Parson's speech<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> came from one
+corner, where Sleepy sat lazily regarding the scene. That was the first
+hint that the "farmer" had offered, and it had corresponding weight. The
+four shook hands on it then and there, that by the time dinner was over
+they would have a brand new and startling plan to work for the
+yearlings' edification. The signal to fall in for drill found them still
+pledging themselves to that.</p>
+
+<p>Mark said nothing more to any one upon the subject; he left his friends
+to think for themselves, and he, when he got a chance, started out
+likewise on his "own hook." In the first place, it was necessary to find
+out just how the yearlings meant to spend that half-holiday afternoon;
+having found that, it would then be time to think up a plan for spoiling
+the fun.</p>
+
+<p>There was a member of the plebe class who had been a plebe the year
+before, that is, who had failed on examinations and had not been
+advanced. Naturally, he knew all the yearlings, and, having been through
+camp once, knew also what would be apt to happen on the Fourth of July.
+Mark himself knew nothing about it, for no one thought it necessary to
+tell plebes about such things; and so to this "hold-over" Mark went to
+learn.</p>
+
+<p>That gentleman, in response to some diplomatic interrogation, emitted
+the information that there was nothing "on." That a ball game had been
+intended, but prevented at the last moment. That probably most of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span>
+cadets would go walking, or amuse themselves any way&mdash;some of them do a
+little hazing. That it was a pleasant custom to make the plebes dress up
+in masquerade and give a parade or something. And that finally there was
+to be an entertainment in the evening.</p>
+
+<p>What sort? Well, it was dignified and patriotic. There were programmes
+issued&mdash;not given to plebes, of course. Would Mallory like to see one?
+Perhaps he could get one, would see after drill, etc., etc. "Much
+obliged. Good-morning."</p>
+
+<p>The affable young gentleman did manage to get Mallory a programme. He
+gave it to him just before dinner. "Thank you." "Oh, not at all, only
+too glad to oblige you," etc. And Mark rushed into the tent and eagerly
+read the handsomely printed pasteboard:</p>
+
+<p class="center">United States Military Academy.<br />
+July 4th, 8.30 P.&nbsp;M.<br />
+PROGRAMME.<br />
+Overture.<br />
+Prayer.<br />
+Music.<br />
+Reading of The Declaration of Independence.<br />
+Cadet George T. Fischer, Pennsylvania.<br />
+Music.<br />
+Oration.<br />
+Cadet Edmund S. Harris&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>Mark read not another word; he stared at the paper in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> amazement and
+incredulity, rapidly changing to glee. Harris! Bull Harris delivering an
+oration! Mark turned and faced his companions, feeling about ready to
+burst with hilarity.</p>
+
+<p>"Listen here, fellows!" he cried. "Here's a chance, a chance of a
+lifetime! Oh, say! Bull's going to make a speech! Gee whiz! We'll&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Didn't you fellows know about that?" put in a voice in the doorway, as
+Dewey's face appeared there. "I heard the yearlings talking about it.
+They say Bull's a fine orator, that he's been working at an elegant
+speech for months. And, b'gee, he means to bring down the house."</p>
+
+<p>Mark's face was simply a picture of merriment at that.</p>
+
+<p>"Fellows," he said, as soon as he could manage to get breath to say
+anything at all. "Fellows, I'll go you just one bargain more."</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" cried the others.</p>
+
+<p>"It's very simple. It's just that we spoil that beautiful speech of Bull
+Harris', if we have to bust to do it."</p>
+
+<p>And the seven cried "Done!" in one breath.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.<br />
+<span class="smalltext">A NEW ALLY.</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>The more they thought over that scheme the better they liked it; the
+more they imagined Bull Harris, pompous and self-conscious, spouting his
+magnificent periods and then brought to an ignominious and ridiculous
+conclusion, the more they chuckled with glee. They felt no prickings of
+conscience in the matter, for Bull was not a personage to inspire such.
+His devices had been cowardly and desperate; only last night he had been
+on the point of lashing Mark with a rope when the latter was helplessly
+tied to a tree. With such a man ordinary standards of fairness did not
+hold good.</p>
+
+<p>The only trouble with the "scheme" was its general indefiniteness. And
+that the seven recognized. It was all very well to say you were going to
+"bust up" Bull Harris' speech. But how? It would not do to guy him, or
+to use any device of which the authors might be found out. It was quite
+a problem.</p>
+
+<p>Texas suggested an alarm of fire, which was outvoted as dangerous,
+likely to produce a panic. Some one else wondered how about kidnaping
+Bull and tying him up. This suggestion was put on file as being
+possible, to be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> consulted in case no better appeared, which bid fair
+just then to be the case.</p>
+
+<p>Mark and his friends marched down to dinner without any further ideas
+appearing. The plebes still marched separate from the rest of the corps,
+though they were allowed to share the privilege of the spirited band
+which enlivened the proceedings. They still sat at separate tables, too,
+which made most of them feel very much outcast indeed.</p>
+
+<p>The command "Break ranks," after the march from mess hall again, marked
+the beginning of that holiday during which the seven had vowed to do so
+much. And still nobody had seemed to hit upon any suitable plan for the
+discomfiture of Bull Harris.</p>
+
+<p>"We've got to hurry up about it, too," Mark declared. "For, if there's
+any fixing up to be done, we ought to be doing it now."</p>
+
+<p>"Where's the thing to be, anyway?" inquired Dewey.</p>
+
+<p>"In the big gymnasium building, they say," was the answer. "They'll
+probably cover the floor with seats. But I don't think we can do
+anything inside the place. I think we ought to kick up some sort of
+rumpus outside."</p>
+
+<p>And with this advice the seven heads got to work again.</p>
+
+<p>Ideas come slowly when you want them badly. It would seem that with
+those seven minds busy on the same<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> subject something should have
+resulted. But it didn't. The seven strolled away from camp and wandered
+about the grounds cudgeling their brains and calling themselves names
+for their stupidity. And still no plan came forward.</p>
+
+<p>They strolled down to the gymnasium building in hopes that proximity to
+the scene itself would prove efficacious. They stared at the vestibule
+and the windows blankly, wondering what the place might be like inside,
+wondering if there would be much of a crowd, wondering if Bull would
+have much of a speech&mdash;wondering about everything except the matter in
+hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Plague take it all!" they muttered. "Let's walk out Professor's Row and
+find some quiet place to sit down. Perhaps we can think better sitting."</p>
+
+<p>Professor's Row is a street that bounds the parade ground on the west.
+It is cool and shady, with benches and camp chairs on the lawn. But
+there were plenty of people to occupy the seats, and so the seven found
+no place there to cogitate.</p>
+
+<p>They had not gotten much farther before all ideas of plots and orations
+were driven from Mark's head a-flying. They were passing a group of
+people standing on the opposite side of the street, and suddenly one of
+them, a girl, hurried away from the others, and cried out:</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Mallory! Oh, Mr. Mallory!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span>Mark turned the moment he heard the voice, and, when he saw who it was,
+he promptly excused himself from his friends and crossed the street. The
+six strolled on, smiling and winking knowingly at one another.</p>
+
+<p>"Hope he'll remember what Wicks Merritt said, b'gee!" laughed Dewey.</p>
+
+<p>Mark had no time to remember anything much. He was too busy, watching
+the vision that was hurrying to meet him.</p>
+
+<p>Grace Fuller certainly was a beautiful girl, beyond a doubt. She was a
+blonde of the fairest type; her complexion was matchless, and set off by
+a wealth of wavy golden hair. She was dressed in white, and made a
+picture that left no room to wonder why "half the cadets in the place
+were wild over her."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad I swam out to save her," was the thought in Mark's mind.</p>
+
+<p>A moment later he took the small white hand that was held out to him.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Mallory," said the girl, gazing at him earnestly, "I shall not wait
+for any one to introduce you to me. I must tell you that I appreciate
+your bravery."</p>
+
+<p>Mark bowed and thanked her; he could think of nothing more to say.</p>
+
+<p>"They just let me out of the hospital to-day," she continued, "and I
+made up my mind that the very first thing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> I was going to do was to tell
+you what I thought of your courageous action on my behalf. I want to
+know you better, Mr. Mallory."</p>
+
+<p>She said it in a plain and simple way that Mark liked, and he told her
+that nothing would please him more.</p>
+
+<p>"I would ask you to take a walk with me now," said Grace, "but for all
+those cadets who are with me. I don't think they'd relish that, you
+being a fourth class man."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think they would," responded Mark, with a queer smile which the
+girl did not fail to notice.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care!" she exclaimed, suddenly. "They can get mad if they want
+to. I think a great deal more of some plebes than I do of yearlings.
+Excuse me just a moment."</p>
+
+<p>And then, to Mark's infinite glee, this beautiful creature hurried over
+and said something to the group of cadets, at which they all bowed and
+walked off rather stiffly, sheepishly, Mark thought. The girl rejoined
+him, with a smile.</p>
+
+<p>"I told them they'd have to excuse me," she said, as she took Mark's
+arm. "I told them I owed you a debt of gratitude, and I hoped they
+wouldn't mind."</p>
+
+<p>"Probably they won't," observed Mark, smiling again.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care if they do," vowed Grace, pouting prettily. "They'll get
+over it. And they're awfully stupid, anyway. I hope you're not stupid."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span>With which Mark quite naturally agreed.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think the cadets like you much," she went on, laughing. "I had
+such fun teasing them by talking about your heroism. They didn't like it
+a bit, and they'd try all sorts of ways to change the subject, but I
+wouldn't let them. They say you are terribly B.&nbsp;J. Are you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose they think so," answered Mark. "I'm nothing like as B.&nbsp;J. as
+I shall be before I get through."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right!" vowed the girl, shaking her head. "I like B.&nbsp;J. plebes.
+I think I should be B.&nbsp;J. if I were a plebe. I don't like these mild,
+obedient fellows, and I think the plebes stand entirely too much."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you were one to help me," laughed Mark, noticing the contrast
+between the girl's frail figure and her energetic look.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm stronger than you think," said she. "I could do a lot." And then
+suddenly she broke into one of her merry, animated laughs, during which
+Mark thought her more charming than ever. "If I can't fight," she said,
+"you must let me be a Daughter of the Revolution. You must let me make
+clothes and bake bread the way the colonists' daughters did. It's just
+appropriate for to-day, too."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't want any bread&mdash;&mdash;" began Mark, looking at her thoughtfully.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps not," she put in, with a peal of laughter. "If<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> you saw the
+bread I make, you'd be still more emphatic. It's like the fruit of the
+tree of knowledge&mdash;'Whoso eateth thereof shall surely die.'"</p>
+
+<p>"I see you read the Bible," said Mark, laughing. "But to get back where
+I was. I'll let the tailor make my clothes, also. What I need most just
+now are tricks to play on the yearlings."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you?" inquired Grace. "I can tell you of lots of tricks the cadets
+have played. But that's the first time I ever heard of a plebe playing
+tricks on yearlings. It's usually the other way."</p>
+
+<p>"Variety is the spice of life," said Mark. "The yearlings have tried
+rather contemptible tricks on me once or twice, very contemptible! I
+could tell you what several of those cadets who were with you did to me
+last night, and I think you'd be angry. Anyway, I'm going to make them
+miserable in return."</p>
+
+<p>"I helped the yearlings get up a beautiful joke last year," said Grace,
+looking at Mark in ill-concealed admiration. "Wicks Merritt was the
+ringleader. He wrote to me, by the way, and told me to be very nice to
+you now that you'd saved my life&mdash;just as if he thought I wouldn't!
+Anyway, I got them some powder to use for the scheme."</p>
+
+<p>"Powder!" echoed Mark. "How did you get powder?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span>"They couldn't manage to run off with any around here, so I got George
+to buy some. George is our butler. You'll see George when you come over
+to visit me, which I hope you will."</p>
+
+<p>"I thought you lived across the river, beyond cadet limits," put in
+Mark.</p>
+
+<p>"So I do, but the cadets come, all the same, lots of them."</p>
+
+<p>"So will I, then!" laughed the other. "But you haven't told me what you
+did with the powder."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you see that big gun over there?" she answered, indicating Trophy
+Point. "Well, they stood that upon end and fired it off late one night.
+Wasn't that a fine joke?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ye-es," said Mark, very slowly. "Ye-es, it was."</p>
+
+<p>He was staring at the girl, a look as of an inspiration on his face.</p>
+
+<p>"They stood that gun up on end and fired it off late one night," he
+repeated, scarcely heeding what he was saying, so rapt was he in his
+thought.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Grace, gazing at him curiously, and meeting his eyes. "Yes.
+Why?"</p>
+
+<p>Mark studied her look for a moment; he saw mischief and fun dancing in
+it, and, in a moment more, he had made up his mind.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me, Miss Fuller," he said, speaking very low.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> "Would you&mdash;would
+you like to have 'George' buy some more powder?"</p>
+
+<p>"More powder!" she echoed. "What do you&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>And then she caught the gleam in her escort's eye.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you&mdash;do you mean you want to do it?" she cried.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Mark, simply. "Will you help?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, yes!"</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'll give you my hand on it," responded Grace.</p>
+
+<p>Mark took it.</p>
+
+<p>"When?" asked she.</p>
+
+<p>And Mark answered, with a laugh, almost a shout of triumph.</p>
+
+<p>"To-night!" he said. "To-night! Ye gods!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.<br />
+<span class="smalltext">A SURPRISE FOR THE SEVEN.</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>Six disconsolate plebes sat on a bench at the extreme northern end of
+Professor's Row late that afternoon, gazing unappreciatively at the
+magnificent view of the upper Hudson. Those plebes had been cudgeling
+their stupid heads ever since dinner time to no purpose.</p>
+
+<p>"Durnation!" growled one of them. "I dunno what we air goin' to do. Mark
+won't let us blow up the durnation ole building. He won't let me hold up
+the crowd, cuz they'd expel me. He don't want to kidnap Bull, cuz Bull
+would tell. I dunno what!"</p>
+
+<p>"B'gee!" added another. "I wish he'd come help us think instead of
+chasing around town with girls. He's been with her all afternoon&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Here they come now!" interrupted Texas, pointing down the street.</p>
+
+<p>"Yea, by Zeus!" assented the Parson. "And our friend is much smitten
+already."</p>
+
+<p>"Who wouldn't be?" laughed Dewey. "Isn't she a beauty, though? B'gee, I
+wish he'd bring her over and introduce her."</p>
+
+<p>"Reckon she ain't a-hankerin' after plebes," drawled<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> Sleepy, who, as
+usual, had half the bench for his tired form to cover.</p>
+
+<p>This observation put a damper on Dewey's enthusiasm. It was true, and,
+besides that, it came from the silent member of the firm.</p>
+
+<p>"She's beautiful, all the same," he vowed, as the two drew nearer still.
+"And, b'gee, she seems to be lively, too."</p>
+
+<p>"If I mistake not," put in the Parson, gravely, "our friend is vastly
+excited over something."</p>
+
+<p>This last observation seemed to be correct. The two were laughing; in
+fact, their faces seemed to express about as much glee as they could
+very well express, and once Mark was seen to slap his knee excitedly.
+The six were carried away by curiosity, which curiosity changed suddenly
+to the wildest alarm. For when the two were just opposite, what must
+Mark do but turn and lead the girl over to his friends?</p>
+
+<p>The effect upon the latter was amusing. Chauncey made a wild grab for
+his collar to see if it were straight; Sleepy sat up and rubbed his
+eyes; the Parson cleared his throat&mdash;"ahem!" Indian gave vent to a
+startled "Bless my soul!" Dewey exclaimed "b'gee!" and poor Texas turned
+pale and trembled in his bold cowboy legs.</p>
+
+<p>A moment later the vision in white was upon them.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span>"Miss Fuller," said Mark, "allow me to present my friends," etc., etc.</p>
+
+<p>The Parson inclined his head gravely, with dignity becoming the immortal
+discoverer of a cyathophylloid coral in a sandstone of Tertiary origin;
+Chauncey put on his best Fifth Avenue salute; Indian gasped and hunted
+in vain for his hat; the "farmer" swept the ground with his; Dewey
+looked all broke up and Texas hid behind everybody.</p>
+
+<p>There was vague uncertainty after that, changing to horror at the next
+speech.</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Fuller," said Mark, smiling, "has proclaimed herself an ardent
+sympathizer and admirer of the purposes and principles of the Banded
+Seven. Miss Fuller desires to be known as a 'Daughter of the
+Revolution.' Miss Fuller knows about Bull Harris, and doesn't like him,
+and suggests a first-rate method of busting&mdash;if you will pardon my
+slang, Miss Fuller&mdash;to-night's celebration. Miss Fuller likes to hear
+cannon go off at night. She offers to procure the powder if we will do
+the loading; she even offers to fire it, if we'll allow her. Also,
+gentlemen, allow me to propose member number eight of the seven, and
+incidentally to suggest that the name Banded Seven be changed and that
+in future we go down to posterity as&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span>Mark paused one solemn moment, and cleared his throat&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"The Banded Seven and One Angel!"</p>
+
+<p>And after that there was a deep, long, wide, and altogether
+comprehensive silence, while the six stared at Mark and his thoroughly
+amused friend in incredulity, amazement, alarm, horror&mdash;who can say
+what?</p>
+
+<p>It was fully a minute before any of them found breath. And then a
+perfect torrent of Bah Joves! Durnations! B'gees! Bless my souls! and By
+Zeuses! burst out upon the air, to be followed by another silence even
+longer and larger than the last.</p>
+
+<p>What on earth had happened! The six couldn't seem to get it through
+their heads. Could it be possible that this girl, the belle of West
+Point, the beauty over whom half the cadets were wild, the daughter of a
+famous judge, was sympathizing with a few, poor, miserable plebes in an
+effort to upset West Point? And that she had actually offered to help
+them in a trick, the boldness of which was enough to make the boldest
+hesitate? Good stars! The world must be coming to an end! No wonder the
+amazed plebes gasped and stared, and then stared and gasped, unable to
+believe that they stood on the same earth as half a minute previously.</p>
+
+<p>Mark and his companion, who understood their perplexity entirely, and
+who seemed to have gotten amazingly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> in sympathy during a brief
+afternoon's conversation, stood and regarded them meanwhile with
+considerable amusement.</p>
+
+<p>Well, it must be true! Mark said so, and the girl heard him and seemed
+to say "yes" with her laughing blue eyes.</p>
+
+<p>That was the conviction which finally forced itself upon the incredulous
+and befuddled six, and with it came a dim, undefined consciousness of
+the fact that possibly they were not doing the very politest thing in
+the world in staring at their "angel."</p>
+
+<p>First to realize it was Texas, last of all to whom one would have looked
+for any species of gallantry.</p>
+
+<p>Texas sprang forward and seized the girl's fair white hand in his own
+mighty paw.</p>
+
+<p>"Hi, Miss Fuller!" he cried, "I'm glad to have you join! Whoop!"</p>
+
+<p>Which broke the ice.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.<br />
+<span class="smalltext">THE SCHEME SUCCEEDS.</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>Dress parade in all its Fourth of July holiday splendor had passed, and
+the sunset gun marked the ending of that day of celebration. Through the
+dusk of evening the battalion had marched back from supper, to the tune
+of "Marching Through Georgia" from the band and the popping of sundry
+small firecrackers from mischievous small boys on the way. And then the
+cadets had scattered, still in their dress uniforms, each to join his
+own party of friends and go to the evening's entertainment.</p>
+
+<p>Cadets are famous as "ladies' men," and during the gay holiday season,
+which was now on, West Point was crowded with girls, so that every cadet
+had his opportunities for gallantry, excepting, of course, the plebes,
+who do not go into "society."</p>
+
+<p>As the hour approached, the big gymnasium hall took on a lively aspect.
+It ceased to be a gymnasium for a while; rings and trapezes were hung
+up, and rows of seats occupied the floor, instead of parallel bars. The
+big West Point Band was seated in front, and the rest of the room was
+devoted to pretty girls and their cadet escorts. The Fourth of July
+celebration was a cadet affair;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> the "president" occupied the small
+platform in solitary grandeur; the commandant and his staff were
+present, but they sat among the audience.</p>
+
+<p>The plebes were there, too, on sufferance. The gallery was given up to
+their use, and they filled it entirely, and gazed on the scene below.
+The room with its decorations of flags and bunting, making them feel
+very patriotic indeed.</p>
+
+<p>The plebes we are interested in were there with the rest. They sat off
+in one corner where they could whisper and keep their secret all to
+themselves. If any one had overheard them, which they took good care
+should not happen, he would have learned, to his amazement, that the
+night's plot was all perfected. He might have learned that "George" had
+done his duty with fully as much delight as any of the Seven.</p>
+
+<p>He might have learned that having been taken into the secret "George"
+had not only gotten the powder, but had volunteered to do the work
+himself, to save the seven "young gintlemen" all danger of discovery. He
+might have learned that down in a secluded woody hollow just east of
+camp lay three big siege guns in "Battery Knox," loaded and stuffed to
+the muzzle with powder and paper and rags.</p>
+
+<p>There was lots more he might have learned. He might have learned that at
+the present moment the jolly, red-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span>faced butler was lurking about the
+neighborhood of the Battery, anxiously surveying his watch at intervals
+of every minute or so, waiting for half-past nine, the precise minute
+when he was to touch off the fuse and run. Also that Grace was down with
+her father, in the audience, occasionally stealing a sly glance at Mark;
+also that Mark was bearing a good deal of merry banter upon his
+conquest; also that the Seven, having spent two hours or so with Grace,
+were vowing her the most original, daring and altogether charming girl
+that ever was anywhere, a most undoubtable and valuable ally of Mark and
+his anti-hazing society.</p>
+
+<p>The seven were about as nervous and anxious as seven plebes could
+possibly be. What if "George" should be found out? What if the guns
+should not go off? It was such a colossal and magnificent plot that the
+mere thought of its failure was enough to make one's hair turn gray.
+What if the thing should begin too late, the guns go off before Bull
+started? Or on the other hand, suppose his speech was short and he
+shouldn't be interrupted!</p>
+
+<p>Mark had calculated the time carefully. He had allowed five minutes for
+the "prelude." But suppose it should be longer, or shorter, or should
+begin after eight-thirty? As the hour drew near Mark and his friends
+sat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> and wriggled in their seats and glanced at their watches and&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"It's half past now," growled Texas. "Durnation, it's a minute after
+that! Ain't they ever&mdash;ah!"</p>
+
+<p>The bandmaster arose from his seat, and raised his baton in the air. It
+was the "Star Spangled Banner," and the sound shook the flags that
+graced the walls and shook the hearts of the audience, too, and made
+them rise as one man.</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0qq">"'Tis the Star Spangled Banner<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">And long may it wave.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">O'er the land of the free<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">And the home of the brave!"<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The notes died out and the Seven remembered that for a moment they had
+forgotten to be nervous.</p>
+
+<p>The grave young chaplain arose, and raised his hands. His prayer was
+earnest, and his voice trembled as he spoke of the flag and its country.
+But alas! our friends had no eye or ear for beauty. It was time&mdash;time!
+Would he take more than the calculated five minutes? It was time for him
+to stop! Plague take it&mdash;six!&mdash;six and a half!&mdash;ah! There he had said
+"Finally," no, he was going off on another tack! Gee whiz&mdash;eight&mdash;thank
+heavens!</p>
+
+<p>The sigh of relief that came at last from the Seven almost shook the
+roof.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span>Then came "music;" that had been problematical. Music might mean
+anything from two minutes to twenty. But there is no need of torturing
+the reader, even if the seven were tortured correspondingly. The piece
+took some ten minutes of agony, and then Cadet Captain Fischer stepped
+forward on the platform.</p>
+
+<p>Fischer was an immensely popular man with his class, and they applauded
+him to the echo. He looked handsome, too, in his chevrons and sash. He
+read "The Declaration of Independence," and he read it in the voice that
+had made him first captain, a voice that was clear and deep and ringing,
+a voice that sounded in the open above the thunder and rattle of
+artillery drill, and that sounded still better in the hall, as it spoke
+the words that had made a continent tremble.</p>
+
+<p>There was nothing in that to worry the Seven&mdash;they had gotten a copy of
+the "Declaration" and practiced it by the watch. Fischer finished on
+schedule time; but then came the tussle. And some poor plebes up in the
+gallery nearly had apoplexy from waiting.</p>
+
+<p>There were fifteen minutes left. That allowed say ten minutes for the
+music, and five for Bull to get warmed up to his work.</p>
+
+<p>The bandmaster arose; he played "Hail Columbia." The audience, wild with
+fervor, stormed and shouted; he played it again. The minutes fled by.
+The Seven gasped!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> The audience kept up their applause, and the music
+struck up "My Country, 'Tis of Thee," while the time fled yet faster
+still.</p>
+
+<p>Great heavens! and still the fools&mdash;the fools!&mdash;in that crowd clapped
+and waved handkerchiefs&mdash;would they never stop, would they never let
+Bull step forward? He was dying to. The Seven could see him in his seat,
+half-risen, waiting doubtless as impatiently as they. And still the
+people wouldn't behave themselves.</p>
+
+<p>Bull rose up. Ah, at last. There was a cessation in the infernal racket!
+The amount of torture the plebes suffered during those brief moments
+cannot be told. The gun might go off at any moment now! It might go off
+before Bull started, might ruin the whole thing. Plague take him, what
+made him walk so slowly? Would he never get up on that platform? And the
+foolish audience, why didn't they stop and let him start? What did they
+want to be applauding that ugly old yearling for? And why didn't he stop
+that fool bowing and scraping? Some people are such chumps!</p>
+
+<p>The applause stopped at last. An expectant hush fell upon the crowd.
+Bull Harris stood pompous and self-conscious, gazing upon the scene for
+a moment, and then began. The Seven gasped: "We've got him."</p>
+
+<p>"Ladies and Gentlemen: We have assembled upon this memorable occasion to
+celebrate (Now let that gun go,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> b'gee!) one of the most glorious
+achievements (You bet we have!) that ever was attained by man. We have
+assembled (What on earth's the matter with "George?") to applaud with
+the voices of the present, words that echo from memories of the past,
+(Can his watch have stopped?) words that will ring through the halls of
+time (Plague take the luck!) as long as time shall be counted in the
+heart throbs of living men. The deeds of our ancestors live in the&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>At last!</p>
+
+<p>With a boom and a rattle and a crash gun No. 1 of Battery Knox thundered
+out upon the still night air. Bull stopped in amazement; the audience
+sprang up in alarm; the seven shrieked&mdash;silently&mdash;for joy. And then&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>Boom!</p>
+
+<p>It was No. 2. The room rang with shouts of confusion; cadets stared and
+ran hastily about; women cried out in alarm.</p>
+
+<p>Boom!</p>
+
+<p>It was No. 3, and at the same instant from a hundred throats came the
+dreaded cry of "Fire!"</p>
+
+<p>Three guns is West Point's fire alarm. Quick as a flash, before the
+audience had time to think of flight, of panic, the commandant of cadets
+sprang to the platform.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span>"Company fire battalion form on the street outside, immediately!"</p>
+
+<p>At the same moment, in response to a command from outside, a drum
+orderly sounded the "long roll." The band struck up a quick march, and
+tramp, tramp, tramp, the grave cadets marched out of the hall,
+forgetting friends and entertainment, forgetting everything in the one
+important thought&mdash;discipline&mdash;obedience to orders.</p>
+
+<p>And in half a minute more the gymnasium was empty; the street was
+crowded with the anxious audience, and the battalion was tramping
+steadily across the parade ground in a vain search for an imaginary
+fire.</p>
+
+<p>In that battalion were seven wildly delighted plebes. They hugged
+themselves for joy; they gasped, choked with repressed laughter. They
+punched each other in the ribs and whispered:</p>
+
+<p>"Didn't we do it? Oh, didn't we do it? Three cheers for the Banded
+Seven&mdash;B.&nbsp;B. J.!"</p>
+
+<p>The fire, of course was not found. Near camp the corps halted, to wait
+for the person who fired the alarm guns to come out and lead the way. He
+didn't do it, and gradually it began to dawn upon the commandant and the
+assembled "tacs" that the whole thing was a hoax. "And then indeed the
+Philistines were wroth."</p>
+
+<p>Captain Quincey, the commandant, stepped to the head of the line,
+determined to investigate the matter on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> spot. Roll call disclosed
+the fact that no one was absent; that made him think the guns were fired
+with a time fuse, and so he tried another way to find out the culprits.</p>
+
+<p>It is not good form in West Point to lie; cadets who do soon find
+themselves cut by the class. So Captain Quincey, knowing that, gave this
+order:</p>
+
+<p>"Parties who fired those guns will remain standing. Those who are
+innocent will advance one step. March!"</p>
+
+<p>Now that any plebe had dared to do such a bold trick had never occurred
+to the cadets. They were convinced that some of their number were
+guilty, and they protected them in the usual way. Not a man moved. They
+refused to obey the order.</p>
+
+<p>The commandant was furious, of course. He tried it the other way,
+ordered the guilty ones to advance. Whereupon the whole corps stepped
+forward to share the blame. To punish them he tried the dodge of keeping
+them standing at attention for half an hour or so, but several dropped
+from well-feigned exhaustion, which stopped that scheme.</p>
+
+<p>He ordered one of the "tacs" to march them around the parade ground. The
+cadets, who were out for fun by this time and angry besides, guyed the
+unpopular "tac" with a vengeance. It was too dark for him to distinguish
+any one, and so every one obeyed orders wrong, pro<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span>ducing chaos and
+finally compelling him to summon the commandant to preserve order.</p>
+
+<p>With the commandant watching, those weary cadets marched for an hour
+more. Then he asked some questions and again got no answers. And finally
+in disgust he sent them off to their tents, most of them still puzzled
+as to who did it, some of them wild with joy.</p>
+
+<p>These last were the Banded Seven&mdash;"B.&nbsp;B.&nbsp;J."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.<br />
+<span class="smalltext">WHAT MARK OVERHEARD.</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>"Now, captain, there are no two ways about it, this business has got to
+stop, and stop right where it is."</p>
+
+<p>The speaker was Colonel Harvey, superintendent of the West Point
+Military Academy. He was sitting in the guardhouse tent of the camp and
+talking to Captain Quincey.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he repeated, slapping his leg for emphasis, "it's got to stop."</p>
+
+<p>"I quite agree with you, colonel," responded the other, deprecatingly.
+"Quite. But the only question is to find out the offenders."</p>
+
+<p>"If the offenders are not found out," cried the other, "I shall punish
+the whole class until they confess. Discipline shall not be laughed at
+while I am in command of this academy. And that is just exactly what
+that matter amounts to."</p>
+
+<p>"It certainly does seem," admitted the other, "that the yearling class
+has such an idea in mind."</p>
+
+<p>"Never since I have been here has a class of yearlings dared to
+celebrate their release from plebehood by such a set of lawless acts. It
+began the very first night that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> the plebes entered camp. I do not know
+what had been going on before that, but the yearlings had evidently
+become entirely reckless of consequences, and careless of discovery.
+They woke the camp by a series of outrageous noises; one of them fired
+off a gun, I believe."</p>
+
+<p>"Lieutenant Allen," put in the other, "told me that he made an
+investigation on the spot and could find nothing suspicious."</p>
+
+<p>"The yearlings had probably seen to it that he wouldn't. Then night
+before last Lieutenant Allen, who was again on duty, reported to me
+personally that he was awakened about midnight by a shout, and going
+outside of his tent found that about half the cadets had been out of bed
+and over in Fort Clinton, probably hazing some one. They were all
+rushing back to camp; he says that it was so dark he could recognize no
+one."</p>
+
+<p>"It is perfectly outrageous!" exclaimed the commandant.</p>
+
+<p>"It has got to be stopped, too," vowed the other. "That incident of the
+gun last night capped the climax. I have heard of the cadets playing
+that prank before, loading one of the guns and firing it at night. But
+this time they did it for the evident purpose of breaking up the
+entertainment, and moreover, they fired three so as to make people think
+it was an alarm of fire. I think myself that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> was carrying the matter a
+trifle too far. And as I said, I propose to see that it is punished."</p>
+
+<p>The above was meant to be private. Neither the superintendent nor the
+commandant meant that their conversation should reach any one but
+themselves. There was one other auditor, however, and it was Mark.</p>
+
+<p>He was a sentry and his beat lay by the tent. As he paced up and down
+every word that was said was audible to him.</p>
+
+<p>Early that same morning, after having been spruced up and polished by
+his friends, he had turned out and received an elaborate set of
+instructions from a yearling corporal. Now he was putting them into
+effect during his two hours' turn "on guard."</p>
+
+<p>One of his instructions had been silence. Yet he was only human&mdash;and as
+the angry remarks of the high and mighty Colonel Harvey reached his ears
+it must be confessed that between chuckles and grins he was far from
+silent indeed. And a few minutes later when he was relieved from duty
+till his next turn, he rushed off with unconcealed excitement to his
+tent.</p>
+
+<p>There were three seated therein; and Mark greeted them with a burst of
+long-repressed merriment.</p>
+
+<p>"Hello, fellows!" he cried. "Oh, say, I've got the greatest news of the
+century!"</p>
+
+<p>"What's up?" they inquired eagerly.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span>"I thought I'd die laughing," responded Mark. "You know all the tricks
+we've been playing on the yearlings? Well, I just overheard the
+superintendent talking to the commandant of cadets and he's blamed it
+all on the yearlings."</p>
+
+<p>"What?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I heard it. And he may punish them. You see, it's always the
+yearlings who have played pranks before. The plebes have never dared.
+And so the superintendent doesn't think of blaming us. Isn't that fine?
+And, oh, say! won't the yearlings be mad!"</p>
+
+<p>The Parson arose solemnly to his feet.</p>
+
+<p>"Yea, by Zeus," said he. "Gentlemen, I propose three cheers for the
+Banded Seven."</p>
+
+<p>They were given with a will&mdash;and in a whisper.</p>
+
+<p>"Wow!" roared Texas. "An' to think that the ole man&mdash;Colonel Harvey, if
+you please&mdash;went an' blamed the firin' o' them guns on the yearlin's!
+Whoop! Say, didn't it come out great? It scared the place most blue; an'
+that coward, Bull Harris, the feller that wanted to lick Mark when he
+was tied to a tree, had his ole speech busted up in the middle, too.
+Whoop!"</p>
+
+<p>"I think," laughed Mark, "I shall have to go around and carry this news
+to Grace Fuller."</p>
+
+<p>That remark started Texas on another speech no less vehement.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span>"I tell you, sah, she's a treasure!" he vowed. "Jes' think of a girl
+that had sense enough to think up that air scheme fo' firin' the gun an'
+nerve enough to offer to do it, too. An' she's jined with us to bust
+them ole yearlings. Whoop! It's all on account o' Mark, though."</p>
+
+<p>"Yea, by Zeus," put in the Parson, gravely. "As I have said before, our
+friend is much smitten, and she likewise. I do not blame her, since he
+saved her life."</p>
+
+<p>A rattle of drums interrupted the conversation just then, summoning the
+plebes to drill. Mark alone had an hour of leisure, he having been on
+guard duty, and during that hour having secured a permit, he set out for
+the hotel in search for the object of all their talk.</p>
+
+<p>Grace Fuller was sitting on the piazza as he approached. She was dressed
+in white and the color just seemed to set off the brightness and beauty
+of her complexion. She greeted her friend with one of her pleasant
+smiles that seemed to make every one near her feel happy.</p>
+
+<p>"Come up and sit down," she said. "I've been waiting for you all
+morning. I'm just dying to have some one to talk to about our adventure
+last night."</p>
+
+<p>Mark ascended the steps with alacrity and took a seat. And for the next
+half hour the two talked about nothing else but their glorious triumph,
+and the way they had fooled everybody, and how mad the commandant was,
+and how puzzled the cadets.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span>"I suppose you noticed," said the girl, "that George was about two
+minutes late? Well, it seems there were two people sitting on one of the
+guns, and he didn't know what to do. He waited and waited, and finally
+crept up and lit the fuse and ran. The gun went off while those two were
+sitting on it."</p>
+
+<p>There was a hearty laugh over this rather ludicrous picture.</p>
+
+<p>And then a few moment's silence, during which the girl gazed
+thoughtfully into space.</p>
+
+<p>"I've got something important to tell you, by the way," she said,
+suddenly. "Last night the cadets all thought one of themselves had
+played the joke. Well, it seems that they've found out since."</p>
+
+<p>"They have! How do you know?"</p>
+
+<p>"I was talking to Corporal Jasper this morning. Jasper's a mighty nice
+boy, only he thinks he's a man. All the yearlings are that way, so
+pompous and self-conscious! I think plebes are delicious for a change. I
+told Mr. Jasper that and he didn't like it a bit. Anyhow, they must have
+inquired among themselves and found out that nobody in their class had
+anything to do with it. For the 'corporal'&mdash;ahem!&mdash;was pretty sure you
+were the guilty one, and he said the class was mad as hops about it."</p>
+
+<p>"That's good," laughed Mark, rubbing his hands gleefully. "Perhaps we'll
+have some fun now."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span>"You will. That's just the point. I don't know that I ought to tell you
+this, but I didn't promise Mr. Jasper I wouldn't, and I suppose my
+duties as a member of the Seven are paramount to all others."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," responded Mark, "we'll expel you if you play us false. But don't
+keep me in suspense. What's all this about?"</p>
+
+<p>"I like to get you excited," laughed the girl, teasingly. "I think I'll
+hold off a while so as to be sure you're interested, so as to make you
+realize the importance of what I have to say. For you must know that
+this is a really important plot that I've discovered, a plot that
+will&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I think it is going to rain," remarked the cadet, gazing off dreamily
+into space. "I hope it will not, because it is liable to damage the corn
+crop, the farmers say that&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I'll give up," laughed the girl. "I'll tell you right away. You are to
+be on sentry duty to-night, aren't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Mark, "I am. I wouldn't be here now if I were not."</p>
+
+<p>"And your post is No. 3, isn't it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes! How did you know?"</p>
+
+<p>"All this is what my small boy friend the corporal told me. You see that
+my information comes right from head<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span>quarters. I suppose you know that
+Post No. 3 runs along Fort Clinton ditch."</p>
+
+<p>"But what's that got to do with the plot?" cried Mark.</p>
+
+<p>"Everything. The plot is to 'dump' you, as the slang has it."</p>
+
+<p>"Dump me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; take away your gun and roll you head over heels into the mud."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh!" responded Mark, thoughtfully, "I see. Take my gun away and roll me
+head over heels into the mud. Well, well!"</p>
+
+<p>There was a silence for a few moments after that during which Mark
+tapped the chair reflectively.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you going to let them do it?" inquired Grace at last.</p>
+
+<p>"From what you know of me," inquired he, "do you suppose I will?"</p>
+
+<p>"Hardly."</p>
+
+<p>"And I won't, either. I think the yearlings that try it will have some
+fun. I only hope there are enough of them."</p>
+
+<p>"There will be," said the girl. "There'll be three."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm very glad you told me," said Mark, "very. I'm beginning to perceive
+that our ally will be a very serviceable ally indeed."</p>
+
+<p>"She will be faithful anyway," said the girl. "The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> Daughters of the
+Revolution always are. She has a debt of gratitude to pay to the chief
+rebel which she will not very soon forget; and she hopes he will not,
+either."</p>
+
+<p>Whereupon Mark bowed and arose to take his leave.</p>
+
+<p>"I must get back to camp," he explained, "to tell the Seven about this
+new plan. We shall find a way to circumvent it, I think; we always do.
+And I'll promise you that the yearlings who 'dump' me will have a very
+lively evening of it. Good-by."</p>
+
+<p>And Mark left.</p>
+
+<p>Now it must be explained that the plebes had lately been given guns.</p>
+
+<p>The instruction in marching, halting, etc., which they had gotten in
+barracks was supplemented by all sorts of evolutions, and by drill in
+the manual of arms.</p>
+
+<p>This latter of course necessitated guns; and great was the joy of the
+ambitious and warlike plebe on the momentous day that "guns" were given
+out. The guns were regulation army muskets, heavy beyond imagination. So
+the plebe soon wished he hadn't wished for them. Besides drilling with
+them, which he found harder work than digging trenches, he had to clean
+them daily; and cleaning a gun under the watchful eye of a merciless
+yearling proved to be a matter of weeping and gnashing of teeth. It had
+to be done; for he had a number on his gun, so that he couldn't steal
+his neighbor's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> well-cleaned one; and if his own wasn't clean he got
+into trouble at the very next inspection.</p>
+
+<p>Besides the three drills a day, there were other duties galore. There
+was policing twice a day, "policing" meaning the sweeping clean of the
+acre or two of ground within the limits of Camp McPherson. Then also
+there was "guard-mounting."</p>
+
+<p>Guard-mounting is the daily ceremony of placing the sentries about the
+camp; the cadets who go on duty then remain until the following morning.
+This ceremony has already been described within the pages of this
+series; it will have much to do with our present story.</p>
+
+<p>The plebes of course were not put on guard until they had been fairly
+well trained in other duties. They had to know how to march, halt,
+salute, present arms, etc. Also they had to be accoutered in their dress
+uniforms, which were issued about this time.</p>
+
+<p>Mark Mallory had been notified to report for guard duty that morning,
+greatly to the joy of his friends, the Seven, who had rubbed and
+polished him till he shone. He had "fallen in" at the summons and
+received a long and appalling list of instructions from his corporal.
+Then he had been put on Post No. 3 for his first tour of duty.</p>
+
+<p>The sentries about the camp march for two hours, and then have four
+hours off duty, thus having eight hours "on" in the twenty. During this
+time they speak to no<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> one, except to challenge parties who cross their
+beats. This last duty is where the yearlings have all the fun with the
+new plebe.</p>
+
+<p>"Deviling" sentries is an old, old amusement at West Point. The plebe
+goes on duty, solemn and anxious, awed to silence and gravity by the
+sternness of his superiors. He is proud of his important office and
+thoroughly resolved to do his duty, come what may, and to die in the
+last ditch. He seizes his gun resolutely; feels of the bayonet point
+valiantly; puts on his sternest and most forbidding look; strides forth
+with a step that is bold and unwavering. And the yearlings "don't do a
+thing" to him.</p>
+
+<p>What they did to Mark and his friends will be described later on.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.<br />
+<span class="smalltext">MARK'S COUNTERPLOT.</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>Mark returned to the camp to find his six friends just returned from
+drill and enjoying a brief respite until the summons came for their next
+duty. He gathered them together in solemn conclave, and then in whisper
+imparted to them the information he had just received from the "angel."</p>
+
+<p>The effects of Mark's announcement upon his friends varied considerably
+with each.</p>
+
+<p>Indian was terrified beyond measure; the possibility of such tricks
+being tried upon him, too, made his fat eyes bulge. Texas, on the other
+hand, was wild with excitement and joy, and a little good-natured envy.</p>
+
+<p>"Wow! Mark," he cried. "Why is it you always have all the fun? Them ole
+cadets always go fo' you; nobody else kin ever do anything. Ef them
+fellers don't git roun' to me some day I'm goin' off an' raise a rumpus
+some other way."</p>
+
+<p>"What'll you do?" inquired Mark, laughing.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll go off'n git on a roarin' ole spree!" vowed the other, solemnly.
+"An' I'll ride into this yere ole camp<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> an' raise such a rumpus as it
+ain't ever seen afore. Jes' you watch me now! What you fellers
+a-laughin' at?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sorry I can't let you go on in my place," said Mark, smiling. "Or
+perhaps I'll let you come out and help me 'do' them when they tackle
+me."</p>
+
+<p>Texas was somewhat mollified by that; and then the Seven settled down to
+a serious discussion of the situation.</p>
+
+<p>"Fellows," said Mark, "I want to tell you something. You know I'm
+getting tired of the notion those yearlings have in their heads, that
+they can haze us without its costing them anything. Now I've been
+thinking this business over and I've got an idea. If they try to dump me
+to-night I'm going to fool them and I'm going to fix it so that they'll
+be the laughingstock of the corps. After I get through with them then
+we'll go dump some of their sentries instead. And now, what I want to
+know is, will you help me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Help you!" gasped the others, excitedly. "Help you! What are we banded
+for?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oo-oo!" wailed Indian. "I can't. I'll be on duty, too! And suppose they
+attack me! Bless my soul!"</p>
+
+<p>"You'll have to fight your own battle!" laughed Mark. "They won't try
+anything very desperate on you. But now let me tell you of my plot."</p>
+
+<p>The six gathered about him to listen to his whispered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> instructions.
+From the contortions their faces went through one would have supposed
+they liked the scheme. And in the end Mark, finding that it met with
+approval, sat down and wrote a brief note:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Miss Fuller</span>: We have a plan to punish those
+yearlings, and we want you to help us once more. Ask
+George, the butler, to go down to Highland Falls and
+buy us a quart of peroxide of hydrogen. The Parson
+says it must be very strong, a ninety per cent.
+saturated solution. We'll explain to you afterward
+what we want the stuff for. Please do not fail us.</p>
+
+<p class="sig1">"Your friend,</p>
+
+<p class="sig2">"Mark Mallory."</p></div>
+
+<p>They sealed that note and put it together with a coin into the hands of
+a drum orderly. And after that there was nothing to do but wait in
+suspense and impatience for the momentous hours of evening, when the
+yearling class was to make one more effort to subdue "the B.&nbsp;J.-est
+plebe that ever struck the place."</p>
+
+<p>Night came, as night always does, no matter how anxiously it is waited
+for. Mark and his friend Indian went on guard that afternoon from two to
+four; and soon after that came dress parade and the sunset gun, then
+supper and finally darkness at last. With eight o'clock the two went on
+once more.</p>
+
+<p>Though Mark did not once relax his vigilance during the time from then
+till taps he was inclined to think that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> the attack upon him would not
+take place until his next watch, which began at two. For now there were
+numbers of people strolling about and hazing was decidedly unsafe. So
+sure was he of this that his allies did not even prepare their plot.</p>
+
+<p>Mark's judgment proved to be correct; he marched back and forth along
+the path that marked his beat and no one offered to disturb him. What
+"deviling" was being done at that hour was of a milder sort, a sort that
+was not intended for such B.&nbsp;J. plebes as he.</p>
+
+<p>Among the victims of this, however, was our unfortunate friend Indian.
+What happened to Indian happens to nearly all plebes at the present day.
+It is our purpose to describe it in this chapter.</p>
+
+<p>Indian was a gullible, innocent sort of a lad; life was a solemn and
+serious business with him. Most plebes take their hazing as fun, rather
+unpleasant, but still nothing dangerous. With Indian on the other hand
+it was torture; he dreaded the yearlings as his mortal enemies, and to
+his poor miserable soul everything they did was aimed at his life.</p>
+
+<p>This curious state of affairs the yearlings were not slow to discover,
+and the result had been that fully half the hazing that was done had
+fallen on the head of this unfortunate plebe. And one may readily
+believe that the merry cadets were waiting with indescribable glee for
+the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> first night when poor Joseph Smith turned out on sentry duty.</p>
+
+<p>Sentry duty at the camp is of course a mere formality; no enemies are
+expected to attack West Point, and there is no necessity for an
+all-night guard. But it was precisely this fact that our friend could
+not understand, and that was where the fun came in.</p>
+
+<p>To Indian, the sentry was put on guard to ward off some real and
+terrible danger. Everything that happened confirmed this view in his
+mind. In the first place the solemnity and businesslike reality he found
+in the guard tent impressed him. Then the sepulchral tones of the
+corporal who gave him instructions, and who, it may readily be believed,
+lost no opportunity to impress the gravity of the situation upon his
+charge and to frighten him more and more, strengthened his conviction.
+Then they gave him a gun, a heavy, dangerous-looking gun, with a
+cold-steel bayonet sharp as a knife, that made him see all sorts of
+harrowing visions of himself in the act of plunging it, all bloody, into
+the body of some gasping foe.</p>
+
+<p>After that, with all these uncanny ideas in his head, they marched him
+solemnly out to his post and left him there alone in the darkness.</p>
+
+<p>Indian's post lay alongside the camp, but in his fright he did not
+recognize anything. All he knew was that it ran along a dark deserted
+path beneath trees that groaned<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> and creaked in the moonlight. And
+Indian paced tremblingly up and down clutching his cold steel gun
+nervously, seeing an enemy in every waving shadow and in every tree
+stump, hearing one in every distant voice and tread, consoling his mind
+with visions of all sorts of horrors, wishing he had some one to talk
+to, and wondering if it were not almost ten o'clock and time for that
+other sentry to relieve him. The very clanking of his own bayonet
+scabbard made this bold young soldier jump.</p>
+
+<p>This continued as the night wore on. Indian strode back and forth losing
+heart every moment, and beginning to believe that the relief guard had
+forgotten him. Tramp, tramp&mdash;and then suddenly he halted, his heart
+leaped up and began to thump in a frenzy. Could that be? Yes, surely it
+was! Some one was crossing his beat, stealing along in the moonlight!</p>
+
+<p>Half mechanically, Indian obeyed his instructions, brought down his gun
+to the charge position and gave the challenge:</p>
+
+<p>"Who goes there?"</p>
+
+<p>The voice was so weak that Indian scarcely heard it. He stood trembling,
+to await the answer. When the answer came he was still more mystified.</p>
+
+<p>"The Prince of Wales!" called the intruder.</p>
+
+<p>The Prince of Wales? What on earth was he doing here? Poor Indian had
+received no instructions about<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> the Prince of Wales. But he was given no
+time to find out, for a step way back at the other end of the post took
+him down there on the run, where in response to his second challenge the
+ghost of Horace Greeley made itself known. And scarcely had the ghost
+been warned away before the confused sentry had to rush back to the
+original place to find that the prince had given place to a band of
+Potawottamie squaws combined with Julius Caesar and the Second
+Continental Congress.</p>
+
+<p>Indian of course should have summoned the corporal of the guard. But in
+the alarm he had forgotten everything except that he must challenge
+everybody he saw. The result was that the poor lad was kept flying up
+and down until nearly dead from exhaustion, challenging ghosts and
+colonels, armed parties, patrols, grand rounds, reliefs, and other
+things military and otherwise. Occasionally a "friend with the
+countersign" would hail, and then inform the rattled sentry that the
+countersign was "butter beans," or "Kalamazoo," or "kangaroo," or "any
+old thing you please," as one joker told him. Poor Indian was fast being
+reduced to a state of nervous prostration.</p>
+
+<p>He was in this condition when the climax came. Hurrying down the path he
+was suddenly electrified to see a red can lying in the middle of the
+path. Staring out in great black letters that made the sentry gasp were
+the letters d-y-n-a-m-i-t-e! Indian started back in alarm. He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> saw a
+spark, as if from a fuse; and in an instant more before he had a chance
+to run, that can&mdash;which contained a firecracker&mdash;went up into the air
+with a terrific flash and roar.</p>
+
+<p>That was the last straw for Joseph.</p>
+
+<p>He dropped his gun; gave vent to one shriek of terror and then turned
+and fled wildly into camp!</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.<br />
+<span class="smalltext">THE ATTACK ON MARK.</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>There was confusion indescribable in a moment; cadets rushed out of
+their tents, and every one who chanced to be in the neighborhood started
+on a run for the scene of the trouble, most of them just in time to see
+the figure of the frightened plebe flying down a company street to the
+guard tent. Indian's hair was sailing out behind, his eyes were staring
+and his cheeks bulging with fright.</p>
+
+<p>In response to the first yell, Lieutenant Allen, the tactical officer in
+charge, had rushed to the tent door, followed by the corporal of the
+guard, the officer of the day, and a host of other cadet officials. The
+figure in blue, however, was the only one the plebe saw. That meant an
+army officer and safety for him. So to that figure he rushed with a gasp
+of fright.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter?" cried Lieutenant Allen.</p>
+
+<p>"Dynamite, sir, anarchists!"</p>
+
+<p>"What!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir, oh, please, sir, bless my soul, sir, I saw it,
+sir&mdash;puff&mdash;oh!"</p>
+
+<p>It took the amazed officer several moments to take in the situation.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span>"Anarchists," he repeated. "Dynamite! Why, what on earth?"</p>
+
+<p>And then suddenly the whole thing flashed across him. It was another
+prank of the yearlings! And, what was worse, a thousand times worse,
+here was a sentry off his beat, in direct violation of his orders of all
+military law.</p>
+
+<p>"Didn't you receive a command, sir," he demanded severely, "not to leave
+your post for any reason whatsoever? Don't you know that in time of war
+your offense would mean hanging?"</p>
+
+<p>"Bless my soul, sir!" gasped the sorely perplexed plebe, frightful
+visions of gallows rising up before his bulging eyes. "Yes,
+sir&mdash;er&mdash;that is, no, sir&mdash;bless my soul! They're going to attack the
+place!"</p>
+
+<p>The officer gazed at the lad incredulously for a moment; he thought the
+plebe was trying to fool him. But that look on Indian's face could not
+possibly be feigned; and the officer when he spoke again was a trifle
+more consoling.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you know, my boy," he said, "this is all a joke? It was not real
+dynamite."</p>
+
+<p>"Not real dynamite!" cried the other in amazement. "Why, I saw it!
+It&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"It was the yearlings trying to fool you," said the lieutenant.</p>
+
+<p>"Yearlings trying to fool me!" echoed the other as if<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> unable to grasp
+the meaning. "Why&mdash;er&mdash;bless my soul! Yearlings trying to fool me!"</p>
+
+<p>The thought filtered through gradually, but it reached Indian's excited
+brain at last. The change it produced when it got there was marvelous to
+behold. The look of terror on his face vanished. So he had been fooled!
+So he had let the yearlings outwit him! Yearlings&mdash;his sworn enemies!
+And he a member of the Banded Seven at that! It was too awful to be
+true! It was&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>And then suddenly before Lieutenant Allen could raise a hand or say a
+word the plebe wheeled, sprang forward and tore back down the company
+street.</p>
+
+<p>There was a look on Indian's face that his friends had seen there just
+once before. The yearlings had tied him to a stake that day to "burn"
+him, and they had set fire to his trousers by accident. Indian had
+broken loose, and it was then that the look was on his face, a look of
+the wildest fury of convulsive rage. Now it was there again, and Indian
+was too mad to speak, almost too mad to see.</p>
+
+<p>He rushed down the street, he tore in between two of the tents and burst
+out upon the path where the sentry beat lay. It was dark and he could
+see little, but off to one side he made out a group of cadets. He heard
+a sound of muffled laughter. Here were his tormentors! Here! And with a
+gasp and gurgle of rage Indian plunged into the midst of them.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span>After that there was just about as lively a time as those yearlings had
+ever seen. Indian's arms were windmills and sledge hammers combined,
+with the added quality of hitting the nail on the head every time they
+hit. The result ten eyes could not have followed, and as many pens could
+not describe it. Suffice it to say that the plebe plowed a path straight
+through the crowd, then whirled about and started on another tack. And
+that a few moments later he was in undisturbed possession of his post,
+the yearlings having fled in every direction.</p>
+
+<p>Then Indian picked up his musket, shouldered it, and strode away down
+the path.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess they'll leave me alone now," he said.</p>
+
+<p>They did. Indian marched courageously after that, his head high and his
+step firm, conscious of having done his duty and signally retrieved his
+honor.</p>
+
+<p>Pacing patiently, he heard tattoo sound and saw the cadets line up in
+the company street beyond. He heard the roll call and the order to break
+ranks. He saw the cadets scatter to their tents, his own friends among
+them. Indian knew that it was half-past nine then and that he had but
+half an hour more.</p>
+
+<p>As he marched he was thinking about Mark. He was wondering if the
+yearlings had had the temerity to try their "dumping" so early in the
+evening. And he wondered, too, if Mark had prevailed, and if he had
+dared to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> put into execution the daring act of retribution he had
+planned.</p>
+
+<p>Mark meantime was also walking his post, over on the other side of the
+camp. He had marched there in silence and solitude since eight. He, too,
+had heard tattoo; he had seen his five friends enter their tents which
+lay very close to his beat, and he had nodded to them and signaled that
+all was well.</p>
+
+<p>Time passed rapidly. He saw the cadets undressing, saw most of them
+extinguish their lights and lie down. And then suddenly came a roll upon
+the drum&mdash;ten o'clock&mdash;"lights out and all quiet." And at the same
+moment he heard the clank of a sword, and the tramp of marching feet
+coming down the path. It was the relief.</p>
+
+<p>They left another sentry there in Mark's stead and marched on around the
+camp, picking up the others. Among these was the weary fat Indian, who
+joined them with a sigh that it is no pun to call one of "relief." A few
+minutes later they were in the guard tent, where Indian learned that the
+attack had not yet come, at which he sighed again.</p>
+
+<p>Cadets who are members of the guard sleep in the big "guard tent," which
+is situated at the western end of the camp. Here they can be awakened
+and can fall in and join the relief when their time comes without
+disturbing the rest of the corps. Mark and Indian did not go<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> on duty
+again until two o'clock in the morning, and so they "turned in," in no
+time and were soon fast asleep.</p>
+
+<p>When they are awakened again we shall follow Mark to "Post No. 3."
+Nothing more was done to poor Indian that night.</p>
+
+<p>It was the "corporal of the relief," who touched Mark on the shoulder
+and brought him out of the land of dreams. He sprang up hastily and
+began to dress; cadets sleep in their underclothing, so that they may be
+ready to "fall in" promptly, all dressed in case of an emergency. Mark,
+gazing about him, saw a big white tent, with sleeping forms scattered
+about it. A yawning cadet officer sat at a table, a candle by his side.
+And five other sentries, about to go "on" like himself, were sleepily
+dressing.</p>
+
+<p>Promptly at the minute of two the six fell in, in response to the low
+command of the corporal. At the same time the sentry's call of the hour
+sounded:</p>
+
+<p>"Two o'clock and all's well!"</p>
+
+<p>And then out into the cold night air marched the six and away to their
+posts of duty. There was a bright moon and the whole camp was light as
+day as they marched. At number three, in response to the corporal's
+order, Mallory fell out. And then "Forward, march!" and away down the
+dim vista of trees swept the rest and around a turn and were gone. Mark
+Mallory was alone, waiting for the enemy.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span>He was not afraid. He had made up his mind as to what he should do, and
+now he was here to do it. He realized that from the very first moment he
+set foot on this post, the word must be vigilance, vigilance! And he
+gritted his teeth and set his square, sunburned jaws and seized his
+rifle with a grip of determination, striding meanwhile on down the path.</p>
+
+<p>He had not gotten halfway down to the end, the tramp of the relief was
+still in the air, when suddenly came a low, faint whistle. Mark was
+expecting that, and he faced about, started off the other way. He heard
+a faint sound of hurrying feet and knew that his friends, the five, had
+crossed. He saw shadows flitting in the deep grass of the ditch beside
+him and knew that they were scattering to hide and wait in accordance
+with the agreement. And he set his teeth with a still more grinding snap
+and strode on. Vigilance, vigilance!</p>
+
+<p>The moon was high in the heavens by this time; one could almost have
+seen to read.</p>
+
+<p>"They won't dare to try it," thought Mark. "A snake couldn't creep up on
+me now. They'll have to come from the camp, too, for they can't cross
+any sentry beat. But I'll watch, all the same."</p>
+
+<p>His heart was beating fast then, he could almost regulate his step by
+it. Outside of that all was ghostly and silent, except for the breathing
+of the sleepers in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> nearest tents of Company A. Once, too, he heard
+the distant roar of a train as it whirled down the river valley, and
+once the faint chug chug of a steamboat that passed on the water. But
+for the most part the camp was unbroken in its peacefulness.</p>
+
+<p>Tramp, tramp. Down the path to the sentry box, right about, and back
+again. His post&mdash;number three&mdash;extended from the upper end of the
+colorline on which two and six were marching, down along the north side
+of the camp skirting the tents of Company A&mdash;his own&mdash;with the deep
+ditch of Fort Clinton right to the left, past the tent of Fischer, the
+first captain, and that of the adjutant, and ending near the water tank.
+Tramp! tramp!</p>
+
+<p>It was just a few minutes more before the corporal of the relief came
+around, testing the sentries' knowledge of the orders of the night.
+Later still came the cadet officer of the guard, with a clank of sword;
+and he passed on, too. Tramp, tramp. And still no sign of trouble.
+Mark's challenge, "Who comes there?" had been heard but once, and that
+by the corporal.</p>
+
+<p>"Will they try it?" he thought. "Now's the time. Will they try it?"</p>
+
+<p>The answer came soon. Peering ahead with the stealthiness of a cat,
+glancing back over his shoulder every minute, watching every moving
+shadow, listening for every faintest sound. Tramp, tramp. Eastward<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span>
+toward the river; he reached the water tank, where the shade was the
+thickest, where stood the only bushes that could conceal a lurking foe.
+Opposite the tent of the bootblack he halted and started back again,
+where the path lay clear in the moonlight. Tramp, tramp. He could see
+number two, far down in the distance, his white trousers glistening as
+he marched. He saw the shadows of the trees waving, he heard the
+breathing of the sleepers.</p>
+
+<p>Then suddenly came the attack. There was a quick step behind him, and
+everything grew dark. A cloth was flung about his mouth, and two pair of
+hands about his writhing, sinewy body. Down he went to the ground,
+fighting with every ounce of muscle that was in him. And after that
+there was fun to spare.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.<br />
+<span class="smalltext">THREE DISCOMFITED YEARLINGS.</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>It was Mark's duty to summon the corporal of the guard at the very first
+sign of danger. But he didn't. He was going to settle this himself, and
+he meant to punish those yearlings without any official aid.</p>
+
+<p>He wanted to keep them busy, so that his friends could approach unseen,
+and he set out to do it with all the strength of his powerful frame.
+There were three of the yearlings, just as Grace had said, and they were
+big fellows, selected for that reason; the yearling class knew Mark
+Mallory&mdash;knew that he could fight when he wanted to, and he wanted to
+then. He went down struggling, kicking, hitting right and left; on the
+ground he was writhing and twisting as no eel had ever done. And then
+suddenly he heard a muttered exclamation, felt the hands that were
+gripping him relax; he flung off his enemies and sprang up to find each
+of them struggling desperately in the grip of the triumphant five.</p>
+
+<p>There were two for each of the yearlings. That was not quite so unfair
+as the three to one that had prevailed a moment before; but it was
+enough to make victory certain. The yearlings did not dare cry out; they
+were more<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> to blame than the plebes and they knew it. The plebes knew
+it, too, knew that they had only to hold their enemies, not trying to
+keep them quiet.</p>
+
+<p>The six had the yearlings flat upon their backs in a very brief space of
+time. To bind them hand and foot was a still easier task. And then the
+mighty Texas flung one over his shoulder, the rest carrying the other
+two; they sprang down into the ditch; they climbed the parapet of the
+fort beyond; and a moment later were safe, out of sight or hearing.</p>
+
+<p>Then Mark Mallory, sentry number three, brushed off his soiled clothing,
+picked up his soiled gun, shouldered it and marched calmly away down the
+path. Tramp, tramp.</p>
+
+<p>Sentry number three would have loved dearly to "see the fun," but there
+is no worse offense known at West Point than deserting a sentry post. He
+did not dare take the risk, so we shall have to leave him alone and go
+see for ourselves.</p>
+
+<p>The five rascals with their securely-bound and gagged victims did not go
+very far. They stopped in the middle of old Fort Clinton and dropped
+their mummy burdens to the ground. Texas pulled from under his coat a
+bottle, one quart of peroxide of hydrogen, very strong, "a ninety per
+cent. saturated solution." And he got right to work, too.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span>You ask what he did? Any one ought to guess that. As a hair dye,
+peroxide of hydrogen is pretty well known, we fancy.</p>
+
+<p>Add Texas was a liberal hair dyer, too. He put plenty of it on. He was
+not careful to apply it evenly, to get it on everywhere. In fact, he was
+rather careful not to. Texas was not seeking for any beautiful effects,
+mind you; all he wanted to do was to put some mark on those yearlings
+that would cure them of their hazing habits, that would make them the
+laughingstock of the class.</p>
+
+<p>Having finished one, doused him well, Texas went on to the next. And
+more miserable looking and feeling cadets than the three a human being
+cannot imagine. They had some vague idea of what their tormentors were
+doing, and visions arose up before them, visions of themselves dancing
+in the ballroom, or walking about with their best girls, or marching on
+parade, with half yellow and half black or brown hair, stamped and
+labeled before all to their shame as the yearlings who tried to haze
+Mallory. And the worst of it was they daren't tell the authorities; they
+were more to blame than anybody!</p>
+
+<p>Texas knew that; and he soaked on the peroxide of hydrogen the
+more&mdash;ninety per cent. saturated solution.</p>
+
+<p>Having finished this they left their victims there for a while, so that
+their hair might dry and the bleach have a good chance to work. It would
+never have done in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> world to let them run back to camp and wash it
+all out. Oh, no! And, besides, it might be well to leave them there a
+while to reflect upon the sin of hazing.</p>
+
+<p>As to this last point a mild bit of sarcasm occurred to the Parson. "The
+Parson" was just the man to preach a sermon; and he got down upon his
+knees and whispered very softly into the ears of each of the three:</p>
+
+<p>"Gentlemen," said he, "the epistle for the day is written in the sixth
+chapter of Galatians, the seventh verse. 'Be not deceived, brethren. For
+whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.' Here endeth the first
+lesson. Yea, by Zeus!"</p>
+
+<p>And then the five hair dyers stole away, and likewise the one quart
+bottle, peroxide of hydrogen, ninety per cent. saturated solution.</p>
+
+<p>They were not through yet. Oh, not by a long shot! They rejoined sentry
+number three and held a whispered consultation.</p>
+
+<p>"Who's on to-night?" was the question.</p>
+
+<p>"Only one to interest us. Bull Harris!" was the answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Where?"</p>
+
+<p>"Number two."</p>
+
+<p>And then the five figures disappeared once more in the darkness&mdash;the
+moon had kindly hidden for a while. Mark could see number two from his
+post, and he watched with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> the utmost eagerness. He saw three horrified
+yearlings dash across his own beat and vanish in their tents. He let
+them pass without challenge, even if it was against the orders, for he
+knew that they were the three unhappy heroes of the peroxide of hydrogen
+bottle, just released by the plebes.</p>
+
+<p>After that there was a silence of perhaps five minutes. Mark, in
+disobedience of all orders, was actually standing still, peering across
+at the sentry on the next beat. He could see that gentleman's white
+"pants" shining out; and then suddenly he saw several dark figures steal
+up behind him, saw the sentry shoot up into the air and take a header to
+the grass. The next moment came rapid footfalls and some quick shadows
+flying across the path. The shadows disappeared in the tents and Camp
+McPherson was once more silent as the night.</p>
+
+<p>Sentry number two got up from the ground in a meditative way; his
+look&mdash;though Mark did not see it&mdash;was what is often described as an
+injured one. He made no sound, because for one thing he was too
+surprised, and for another because he had an idea some of his own class
+had done that trick&mdash;mistaken him for Mallory! For though Bull Harris
+had watched long and anxiously he hadn't seen Mark "dumped."</p>
+
+<p>Mark meanwhile had faced about and was strolling on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> down the path, a
+rather happy and satisfied expression upon his face. Tramp, tramp.</p>
+
+<p>This chapter would not be complete without a word&mdash;just a word&mdash;about
+three yearling friends of ours. They woke up&mdash;if they slept at all that
+night&mdash;with three startling crops of beautiful golden shining hair,
+rather piebald in places. One likes to lavish adjectives upon that hair;
+the piebald is not meant to be a pun. Now, as to how that hair got dyed
+during the night, not a man of them would tell. But the Seven told
+Grace, of course; and Grace told the cadets, which amounted to the same
+thing in the end. The story was all about the post that morning.</p>
+
+<p>By that time the three had been to the barber's and their heads looked
+like a wheat field, a field of golden grain after the reaping machine
+had been hauled across. But that didn't save the three. They were guyed
+unmercifully; one of them had three fights at Fort Clinton before he
+could convince his classmates that he really didn't want to be called
+"Peroxide."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.<br />
+<span class="smalltext">"TEXAS" RUNS AMUCK.</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>"Drunk! Drunk! For Heaven's sake what do you mean?"</p>
+
+<p>Mark had been sitting in the door of a tent in "A" company street,
+vigorously polishing a musket. At the moment he had dropped the gun and
+the cleaning kit to the ground and was gazing in amazement at Indian,
+who had halted, breathless, in front of him.</p>
+
+<p>"Drunk!" the first speaker repeated. "Texas drunk! What on earth are you
+talking about?"</p>
+
+<p>The other was so red in the face and out of breath from what had
+evidently been a long run that he could scarcely manage to answer. His
+eyes were staring, and his face a picture of excitement and alarm.</p>
+
+<p>"Bless my soul!" he gasped. "I tell you&mdash;I saw him! He's wild!"</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean? Where is he?"</p>
+
+<p>"He&mdash;he's got a horse! He's ridden off! Oh&mdash;bless my soul&mdash;he's killing
+everybody!"</p>
+
+<p>Mark sprang to his feet in excitement. At the same moment another head
+appeared in the opening, preceded<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> by a hasty "What's that?" It was
+Parson Stanard, and his learned classical face was a picture of
+amazement.</p>
+
+<p>"Texas drunk!" he echoed. "Where did he get anything to drink?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know!" gasped Indian. "Bless my soul&mdash;I only saw him one
+moment; he dashed down the road. Oh! And had a horse, and his
+guns&mdash;Lord, I was scared nearly to death."</p>
+
+<p>"Which way did he go?" inquired Mark, quickly, a sudden resolution
+taking possession of his mind.</p>
+
+<p>"Down toward Highland Falls," answered the other.</p>
+
+<p>And before he could say another word, Mark had seized his hat, sprang
+out of the tent, and bounded away down the company street to the great
+amazement of the cadets who chanced to see him.</p>
+
+<p>"Texas'll be expelled! Expelled!" he muttered. "And then what on earth
+will I do?"</p>
+
+<p>The time was morning. The plebe class had just been dismissed a short
+while ago from an hour of drill, and most of them were over by the
+cavalry plain, watching the preparations of the rest of the corps for
+"light artillery drill," which was the programme of the morning.</p>
+
+<p>Scarcely half an hour ago Mark had left Texas and now he was drunk! And
+he was drunk after the fashion of the cowboys, reckless of everything,
+shooting and yelling, ready to raid a town if need be. Where he had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span>
+gotten his whiskey, or his horse, what on earth had led him to such an
+extraordinary proceeding, were questions that Mark could not solve; but
+he knew that his friend was in imminent danger, that expulsion stared
+him in the face. And that was all Mark needed to know.</p>
+
+<p>He did not notice that the plain on his right was crowded with
+spectators of the drill, and that those same spectators were staring at
+him curiously as he dashed past. He had eyes for but one thing, and that
+was a building to one side, down the hill toward the shore of the
+Hudson. He did not stop for paths; he plunged down the bank, and finally
+wound up breathless in front of the cavalry stables.</p>
+
+<p>Most of the men were off to one side, at that moment engaged in
+harnessing the horses for the drill on the plain above. But one was
+left, and he sat in the doorway, calmly smoking his pipe, and gazing
+curiously at the figure before him.</p>
+
+<p>"What d'ye want?" he demanded.</p>
+
+<p>"A horse!" gasped Mark.</p>
+
+<p>"Plebe?" inquired the other, with exasperating slowness.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"Where's yer permit?"</p>
+
+<p>"Haven't got any."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't get no horse then!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span>Mark gazed at the man in consternation&mdash;he hadn't thought of that
+difficulty. Then a sudden idea occurred to him, and he thrust his hand
+into the watch pocket of his uniform. There was money there, money which
+as a cadet Mark had no business to have. But he thanked his stars for it
+all the same. There was a five-dollar bill, and he handed it to the man.</p>
+
+<p>"For Heaven's sake," he panted, "give me a horse! Quick! Don't lose a
+moment! I'll see you don't get blamed&mdash;say I took it away from you if
+you want to."</p>
+
+<p>The man fingered the bill for a few moments, lost in thought.</p>
+
+<p>"It'd take more'n you to take a horse away from me," he said at last.
+"But since you're in such a hurry&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>He stepped inside the building, and a moment later reappeared, leading
+one of the government cavalry horses.</p>
+
+<p>"Saddle?" he inquired.</p>
+
+<p>By way of answer Mark sprang at the animal's head, and in one bound was
+on his back.</p>
+
+<p>"Get up!" he cried, digging his heels into the horse's side. "Get up!"
+and a moment later was dashing down the road as if he had been shot from
+a catapult.</p>
+
+<p>"Terrible hurry that!" muttered the stableman, shaking his head, as he
+turned away. "Terrible hurry! Something wrong 'bout that 'ere."</p>
+
+<p>There was; and Mark thought so, too, as he galloped<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> down the road. He
+feared there would be much more wrong in a very short while. In half an
+hour or so the plebe class, his class, would be called to quarters once
+more for drill, and if he and Texas were not on hand then, there would
+be trouble, indeed. If they were, there was prospect of no less
+excitement. From what Mark knew of his hot-tempered and excitable
+comrade when sober, he could form a vague idea of what a terror he might
+be when he was mad with drink; and being thus he would not be apt to
+behave as the meek and gentle thing a plebe is supposed to be. Mark had
+had great trouble in keeping Texas quiet, even under ordinary
+circumstances.</p>
+
+<p>Mark, it may be mentioned, had met this wild and uncivilized lad down at
+the hotel at Highland Falls, some weeks before either of them had been
+admitted to the academy. Texas had then with recklessness helped Mark in
+outwitting some hazers among the candidates. Mark had been drawn to the
+other by his frank and open nature, by their mutual love of fun and
+adventure, and by a certain respect each felt for the other's prowess.
+The story of the heroic efforts by which Mark had earned his cadetship
+was known to Texas, as indeed it was to every one on the post.</p>
+
+<p>The two had come up to the Point together, and passed their
+examinations; and they had been fast friends ever<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> since. Mark had
+backed Texas in a battle in which Texas had "licked" no less than four
+of the yearlings. Texas had been Mark's second in a fight with the
+picked champion of the same class. And since then the two had set out
+together on a crusade against hazing which had turned West Point customs
+topsy-turvy and made the yearlings fairly wild with desperation.</p>
+
+<p>Through all this the two had fought side by side, and were stanch
+friends. And now! The Texan's wild passions had led him to an act that
+might mean instant expulsion. And Mark felt that West Point was losing
+half its charm.</p>
+
+<p>All this he was rapidly revolving in his mind as the horse sped down the
+road. Texas might be found! He might be brought back in time, if indeed
+he had not already shot some one! Mark felt that the chance was worth
+the risk, and he leaned forward over the flying horse's neck and urged
+him on with every trick he could think of.</p>
+
+<p>On, on they sped. Down the road past the riding hall, up the hill, past
+the mess hall, the hospital and then on southward toward Highland Falls.
+The passers-by stopped to look at the hurrying figure in astonishment;
+people rushed to the windows to see what the clatter of hoofs might
+mean; but before they got there the horse<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> and rider had vanished down
+the street in a swirling cloud of dust.</p>
+
+<p>As if there were not enough to perplex Mark, a new problem rose up
+before him just then. The village he had left behind him, and was
+speeding down the road&mdash;when he chanced to think of the fact that he was
+almost at "Cadet limits." There was a fork in the road just below; to go
+beyond it meant instant expulsion if discovered! And how could he hope
+to be undiscovered, he in a cadet uniform and on that public highway?</p>
+
+<p>The risk was desperate, but Mark had almost resolved to take it, when a
+startling sound broke upon his ears.</p>
+
+<p>"Wow! Whoop!" Bang! Bang! "Wow!"</p>
+
+<p>And a moment later, sweeping around a turn, a cloud of dust appeared to
+Mark's straining eyes. The cloud drew nearer; the shouts and yells
+swelled louder, accompanied now and then by a fusillade as from a dozen
+revolvers; and at last, in the midst of the cloud, as if racing with it,
+a horse and rider came into view, the rider with a huge revolver in each
+hand and a dozen in his belt, flinging his arms, shouting and yelling as
+if forty demons were on his trail.</p>
+
+<p>"Heaven help him!" Mark thought to himself. "Heaven help him, for I
+can't!"</p>
+
+<p>The rider was Texas.</p>
+
+<p>Mark had scarcely had time to take in the startling<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> situation, before
+the horse and rider were upon him with a rush and a whirl.</p>
+
+<p>"Wow! Whoop!" roared Texas, with all the power of his mighty throat; and
+at the same moment Mark heard a bullet whistle past his head.</p>
+
+<p>Texas had not recognized his friend at the pace he was riding; he and
+his flying steed were past and started up the road in the direction
+whence Mark had come, when the latter turned and shouted:</p>
+
+<p>"Texas! Oh, Texas! come back here!"</p>
+
+<p>Texas gave a mighty tug upon the reins which brought his horse to his
+haunches; he swung him around with a whirl that would have flung any
+ordinary rider from the saddle; and then he dashed back, on his face a
+broad grin of recognition and delight.</p>
+
+<p>"Hi, Mark!" he roared. "Durnation glad to see you! Whoop!"</p>
+
+<p>Mark's mind was working with desperate swiftness just then. He saw in a
+moment that there was yet hope. Texas was not staggering; he sat his
+saddle erect and graceful. His voice, too, was natural, and it was
+evident that he had drunk only enough to excite him, to make him wild
+and blind to the consequences. There was room for lots of diplomacy in
+managing him, Mark thought. The only obstacle was time&mdash;or lack of it.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span>He reached over from his horse and seized the hand which the other held
+out to him.</p>
+
+<p>"How are you, old man?" he said.</p>
+
+<p>"Bully!" cried Texas. "Ain't felt so jolly, man, fo' weeks! Whoop! 'Ray!
+Got a horse, Mark, ain't you? Wow! that's great! Come along, thar! Git
+up! We'll go bust up the hull camp. Wow!"</p>
+
+<p>And Texas had actually turned to gallop ahead. Mark had but a moment to
+think; he thought quickly, though, in that moment, and resolved on a
+desperate expedient.</p>
+
+<p>"Texas!" he called, and then as his friend turned, he added: "Texas, get
+down from that horse!"</p>
+
+<p>The other stared at him in amazement, and Mark returned that stare with
+a stern and determined look. There was fire in Powers' eye, more so than
+usually; but there was a quiet, unflinching purpose in Mark's that the
+other had learned to respect.</p>
+
+<p>That had been a hard lesson. Texas had lost his temper once and struck
+Mark, and Mark thrashed him then as he had never been thrashed before.
+Texas knew his master after that, and now as he stared, a glimmering
+recollection of the time returned to his whirling brain.</p>
+
+<p>"Texas, get down from that horse."</p>
+
+<p>There was a moment more during which the two stared at each other in
+silence; and then the right one gave way. Texas leaned forward, flung
+his leg over the saddle, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> sprang lightly to the ground. And after
+that he stood silent and watched his friend, with a worried and puzzled
+look upon his face.</p>
+
+<p>Mark breathed a sigh of relief as he saw that he had won. He dismounted,
+led his horse over to the side of the road, and sat down. Texas followed
+him, though his unwillingness was written on his face.</p>
+
+<p>"Now see here, old man," Mark began, having gotten him quiet, as he
+thought. "I want to talk to you some."</p>
+
+<p>"Pshaw!" growled Texas. "I don't want to talk. I want to git up an' git,
+an' have some fun."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, now, see here, Texas," Mark continued. "Don't you know if you are
+seen carrying on this way you'll get into trouble? How about drill in a
+few minutes?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ain't goin' to drill!" cried the other, wriggling nervously in his
+seat, and twitching his fingers with excitement. "Tired o' drillin'! I'm
+a-goin' to have some fun!"</p>
+
+<p>"But don't you know, man, that you'll be expelled?" Mark pleaded.</p>
+
+<p>"Expelled! Wow!"</p>
+
+<p>That was the spark that started the conflagration again. Texas leaped to
+his feet with fury.</p>
+
+<p>"Expelled!" he roared. "Who'll expel me? Whoop! I'd like to see anybody
+in this place try it naow, by thun<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span>der! I'll show 'em! I'll hold up the
+hull place! Watch me scare 'em! Whoop!"</p>
+
+<p>And almost before Mark could move or say anything, the wild lad sprang
+forward at a bound and landed upon his horse's back. A moment later he
+was off like a shot, leaving only a cloud of dust and an echo of yells
+behind him.</p>
+
+<p>"Wow! Whoop! Who'll expel me? Come out yere, you ole officers, an' try
+it! Wow!"</p>
+
+<p>Texas was on the warpath again. This time headed straight for West
+Point.</p>
+
+<p>And riding behind him with desperate speed, scarcely fifty yards in the
+rear, was Mark, pursuing with all his might, and trembling with alarm as
+he thought of what that desperate cowboy might do when once he reached
+the post.</p>
+
+<p>For West Point, and the crowded parade ground, were not a quarter of a
+mile away.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.<br />
+<span class="smalltext">TEXAS RAIDS WEST POINT.</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>The summer season is a gay one at West Point. During the winter cadet
+life is a serious round of drill and duty, but after that comes a three
+months' holiday, when cadets put on their best uniforms and welcome
+mothers and sisters and other fellows' sisters to the post. There are
+hops then, and full dress parades, and exhibition drills galore.</p>
+
+<p>It was one of these drills that was going on that morning, perhaps of
+all of them the most showy and interesting to the stranger. And the
+mothers and sisters and other fellows' sisters were out in full force to
+see it.</p>
+
+<p>"Light artillery drill" is practice in the handling and firing of field
+cannon. The cadets learn to handle heavy guns also, practicing with the
+"siege and seacoast batteries" that front on the southern shore of the
+Hudson. But the drill with the field pieces is held on the cavalry
+plain, a broad, turfless field just south of the camp.</p>
+
+<p>The field presented a pretty sight on that morning. It was surrounded
+with a wall of trees, behind which, to the south, the somber gray stone
+of barracks stood out,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> with the academy building, the chapel and the
+library. To the north the white tents of the camp shone through the
+trees and a little further to the left, the Battle Monument rose above
+them and caught on its marble sides the glistening rays of the sun.
+Beneath the trees all around the plain and crowding the steps of the
+buildings, were scattered groups of spectators, the gay dresses of the
+women helping to make a setting of color.</p>
+
+<p>There was a jingling of harness, a rumbling of wheels, and a murmur of
+excitement among the spectators as the cadet corps put in an appearance,
+natty and handsome in their uniforms, the officers riding on horseback,
+and the privates mounted on the cannon or the caissons. Platoon after
+platoon they swept out upon the field; then formed in accordance with
+the sharp commands of the officers; and in a few minutes more "artillery
+drill" was under way.</p>
+
+<p>It is rather an inspiring sight at times. There are over a dozen of the
+cannon, with four horses each to draw them, and when the whole squadron
+gets into motion at once, there is a thundering of hoofs and a cloud of
+dust behind to mark the path. And then when they wheel, and aim and
+fire, the roar of the discharge echoes among the hills and makes the
+post seem very military and warlike indeed.</p>
+
+<p>So thought the spectators as they sat and watched, too<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> much interested
+to have any eyes for what might happen elsewhere. But those who sat on
+the southern edge of the plain, where the road from Highland Falls
+emerged, were destined to witness a far more exciting incident than
+that, an incident which was not down on the programme, and which the
+tactical officers and the commandant of cadets, who stood by their
+horses at one side, had not planned or prepared for.</p>
+
+<p>The last discharge of the morning's drill was yet ringing in the
+spectators' ears, and the sound barely had time to make its way down the
+road, before it was answered and flung back by another volley that was
+all the louder for its unexpectedness.</p>
+
+<p>Bang! Bang!</p>
+
+<p>The people turned and gazed in alarm. The cadet captain out upon the
+field stopped in the very midst of a command and leaned forward in his
+saddle to see; a sentry marching up the street forgot his orders and
+wheeled about in surprise. There was the wildest kind of excitement in a
+moment.</p>
+
+<p>A horseman was racing up the road, galloping blindly ahead at full tilt.
+He wore the uniform of a cadet, and his face was red with excitement. He
+leaned forward over his horse, firing right and left into the air, while
+from his throat proceeded a series of yells such as no one in that vast
+crowd had ever heard before.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span>"Wow! Wow! Whoop!"</p>
+
+<p>There was no time for exclamations from the spectators, no time for
+questions or anything else. It was scarcely a second more before the
+wild rider was upon them and he drove straight through the crowd with
+the speed of an express train, neither he or his horse heeding any one.</p>
+
+<p>The panic-stricken people fled in all directions, some of them barely
+escaping the flying animal's hoofs. And in a moment more he was out on
+the open plain, heading straight for the squadron.</p>
+
+<p>"Wow! Wow!" yelled the rider. "Expel me, will ye? What ye got them guns
+for, hey? Hold up yer hands! Whoop!"</p>
+
+<p>Shouting thus at the top of his lungs, he was almost upon the cadets
+when the frightened spectators heard another rattle of hoofs and another
+rider burst through the open space in full pursuit. It was Mark, and he
+was desperate then, galloping even more furiously than the cowboy in
+front, for he knew that no one but he could ever stop Texas now.</p>
+
+<p>The amazement and fright of the spectators cannot be pictured; nor the
+anger of the officers who saw it all. These latter put spurs to their
+horses and galloped out to the two; but Texas and Mark behind him had
+already reached the dumfounded cadets.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span>Texas had emptied the two revolvers in his hands, and he raced yelling
+across the plain. With a whoop he flung them at the nearest cadet, and
+whipping two more from his belt, opened fire point-blank.</p>
+
+<p>"Wow! Whoop!" he howled. "Expel me, will ye? Take that!"</p>
+
+<p>Bang! Bang!</p>
+
+<p>Half the horrified cadets turned to run; some dropped down behind the
+cannon and the horses, when Texas fired there was not a man in sight.</p>
+
+<p>Mark was almost upon him when the first bullet struck. It hit one of the
+horses upon the flank, and tore a deep gash. The animal reared and
+snorted with terror. His companions in harness took the alarm, and
+almost at that same instant started on a wild dash across the field, the
+four of them whirling the heavy cannon along as if it had been a toy.</p>
+
+<p>A few yards ahead was the end of the field, and there, crowded in a
+dense mass, people who had rushed to that side to avoid the Texan's
+flying speed. And toward that surging, frightened mass the four horses
+plunged with might and main.</p>
+
+<p>It was a terrible moment. Those who saw the danger gasped, cried out in
+horror, but those who stood in the path of the flying steeds were too
+frightened to move. The move had come so suddenly, so unexpectedly. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span>
+crowd stood huddled together; the crash came before they had time to
+realize what was happening.</p>
+
+<p>In the moment's excitement, the two horsemen had remained unnoticed.
+Texas had seen the runaway, seen the crowd an instant later. Through his
+confused and excited brain the consequences of his acts seemed to flash
+with the sharpness of a thunderbolt. He had acted with the quickness of
+a man who lives, knowing that at any moment he may be called upon to
+"pull his gun," and defend his life. He had wheeled his horse about,
+plunged his heels into the horse's sides, and at that moment was
+sweeping around in a wild race for the leaders of the runaway four.</p>
+
+<p>Quick as Texas was, Mark was a moment ahead of him. As he raced across
+the plain toward his friend he had seen the horses start and swerve and
+made for them, approaching from the opposite side to the Texan.</p>
+
+<p>All this had happened in the snapping of a finger&mdash;the dash of the four,
+and two racing from each side to head them off. And it was all over
+before the imperiled crowd could turn to flee.</p>
+
+<p>Texas was seen to leap out over his horse's head and seize the bridle of
+one of the leaders as he fell. The crowd saw Mark's horse, dashing in
+from the other side, barely a foot from the mass of the spectators,
+crash into the Texan's flying steed. They saw the horse go down;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> they
+saw Mark disappear. And then in the crush that followed he was lost to
+sight beneath the plunging hoofs of the four.</p>
+
+<p>There was a moment of blind confusion after that in which each one in
+the crowd had time to think and see for himself alone. The spectators
+were pushing wildly back before the onslaught of the approaching horses.
+Several of the cadets and officers had sprung forward to seize the
+horses' heads; Texas was clinging to the bridle with all his strength.
+And Mark&mdash;Mark's was the greatest peril of all. He had fallen over his
+horse's neck; he had seen the two leaders plunging toward him, stumbling
+over the body of his own prostrate horse, crushing down upon him&mdash;and
+then before his dazed eyes had swept a flying rein. He saw it, and
+clutched at it, as a drowning man might do; raised himself upon it with
+a mighty tug, and then a moment later was hurled far out over the plain,
+as the horse he clung to, stopped in its rush, went down in a heap with
+the cannon on top.</p>
+
+<p>It was all over then. The spectators had been saved as by a miracle, the
+barrier interposed by Mark's horse. And there was left a pale,
+half-fainting lot of people crowded around a tangled mass of horses and
+harness, with Texas clinging to one of the bridles, unconscious from a
+wound in his head.</p>
+
+<p>They loosened his deathlike grip, and laid him on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> ground, while
+Mark, having picked himself up in a more or less dazed condition,
+burrowed frantically through the crowd to reach his side.</p>
+
+<p>"Is he hurt? Is he hurt?" he cried.</p>
+
+<p>The surgeon was at that moment bending over the Texan's body, where he
+had hurried as soon as he saw the accident.</p>
+
+<p>"It is only a scratch," he said, hastily. "He will get well."</p>
+
+<p>And Mark breathed freely again; he turned pale, however, a moment later,
+as he saw the doctor, catching the odor of the lad's breath, shake his
+head and look serious.</p>
+
+<p>"He knows! He knows!" Mark muttered to himself, "and it is all up with
+poor Texas."</p>
+
+<p>They carried the lad over to the hospital; and then West Point set to
+work to get over its amazement and alarm as best it could.</p>
+
+<p>They cleared up the wreck for one thing. Two of the horses had broken
+their legs and had to be led off and shot. The rest trotted behind the
+corps as it marched away&mdash;marched, for no amount of excitement could
+interfere with West Point discipline. And then there was left down at
+that end of the cavalry plain only a crowd of curious people, with a
+scattering of army officers and plebes, all discussing excitedly the
+amazing happenings of scarcely five minutes ago, and wondering what on
+earth<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> had taken possession of the two reckless cadets that had started
+all the trouble.</p>
+
+<p>They looked for Mark, but Mark had disappeared while the excitement was
+at its height. He did not welcome the questions or the stares of the
+curious. Moreover, he saw the superintendent, Colonel Harvey, excitedly
+questioning several of the staff about the matter. Mark feared that the
+superintendent might turn upon him any moment, and he wanted time to
+think before that happened.</p>
+
+<p>He dodged behind the library building, the Parson with him, and made his
+way around to the now deserted camp. Once beneath its protection, the
+two sat down and stared at each other in dismay. There was no need to
+say anything, for each knew how the other felt. Texas was up the spout;
+Mark was but little better off; and the universe was coming to an end.</p>
+
+<p>That was all.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Mark at last, "we're busted!"</p>
+
+<p>And the Parson assented with a solemn "Yea, by Zeus!" and relapsed into
+a glum silence again.</p>
+
+<p>Neither of them felt called upon to say anything after that; neither
+could think of the least thing to say. There wasn't a glimmering of
+hope&mdash;they were simply "busted," and that was all there was to it.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span>There is a saying that in multitude of council there is safety. The tent
+door was pushed aside a few minutes later and Indian's lugubrious,
+tear-stained, horrified face peered in. Indian followed, and seated
+himself in one corner, and then the tent relapsed into silence and
+solemnity once more.</p>
+
+<p>Three more disgruntled persons it would be hard to find, excepting
+possibly the other three of the Banded Seven, who at the moment were
+wandering disconsolately about the camp. The whole situation was so
+unutterably amazing, dumfounding. Texas had often talked in his wild
+Texas way about getting on a "rousing ole spree jest once," and of his
+intention to "hold up" the cadet battalion some fine day just for a
+joke; but nobody had ever taken him seriously. And now he had gone to
+work and done it, and killed two horses, and Heaven only knew how many
+people besides&mdash;for who could say what the crazy cowboy might not have
+done down at Highland Falls? Why, it made his friends shiver to think of
+the whole thing! But the situation only grew worse with the thinking;
+and the three in the tent stared at one another in undiminished
+consternation and despair.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," muttered Mark a second time. "We're busted!"</p>
+
+<p>And he had two to agree with him.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span>They would probably have sat there all morning if it had not been for a
+small drum orderly outside&mdash;the drum orderly sounded the "call to
+quarters," and a few minutes later the plebes were lined up in the
+company street, muskets in hand, for drill. And it did not take a very
+sharp eye to notice that every man in the class was staring curiously at
+Mark Mallory, the plebe who but a few minutes before had been riding
+across the parade ground in an attempt to put a whole artillery squadron
+to flight, and that, too, under the superintendent's very nose.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if he's crazy?" muttered one.</p>
+
+<p>"Or drunk?" suggested another, laughing. "Oh, say, but I'd hate to be in
+his place!"</p>
+
+<p>Which last sentiment was held unanimously by the class, and by the rest
+of the corps, too, as they scattered to their tents. A storm was going
+to break over Mallory's head in a very, very short while, the cadets
+predicted.</p>
+
+<p>The prediction proved to be true. One of the cadet officers had barely
+managed to run over the list of names at roll call before an orderly
+raced into camp and handed him a message. He read it, and then he read
+it again, aloud:</p>
+
+<p>"Cadet Mallory will report to the superintendent at once."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span>And a moment later, while a murmur of excitement ran down the line, Mark
+stepped out and hurried away down the street.</p>
+
+<p>"The storm breaks now in just about five minutes," thought the corps.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.<br />
+<span class="smalltext">THE CAUSE OF A FRIEND.</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>Mark was doing a desperate lot of thinking during that brief walk down
+to the headquarters building. Every one he passed turned to stare at
+him, but he did not notice that. He knew that in a very short while now
+the critical moment was coming. Texas could not speak for himself; Mark
+must tell his story for him, and save him from disgrace and dismissal if
+the thing could possibly be done.</p>
+
+<p>The headquarters building lies behind the chapel, just beyond the scene
+of the runaway. There was still a crowd of people standing around, and
+Mark saw them nod to one another with an "I-told-you-so" look as he
+turned to enter the superintendent's office.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, just won't he catch it!" thought they.</p>
+
+<p>Mark thought so, too, as he entered. A man met him at the door, and
+without an inquiry or a moment's delay led him to Colonel Harvey's door
+and knocked. He evidently knew just why Mark came.</p>
+
+<p>The door was opened as the man stepped to it. Mark entered and the door
+shut. He turned, and found himself confronted by the tall and stately
+officer. Mark gazed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> at him anxiously and found his worst fears
+confirmed. There was wrath and indignation upon the superintendents'
+face, a far different look from the one Mark had seen there the last
+time he stood in that office.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Harvey started to speak the instant Mark entered the room.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Mallory," said he, "will you please have the goodness to explain to
+me your extraordinary conduct of this morning?"</p>
+
+<p>Mark looked him squarely in the eye as he answered, for he knew that he
+had nothing to be ashamed of.</p>
+
+<p>"I can explain my conduct better," he said, "by explaining that of Cadet
+Powers first."</p>
+
+<p>The colonel frowned impatiently.</p>
+
+<p>"I want to know about it; I do not care how. I want to know whatever
+induced a cadet of this academy to behave in the disgraceful way that
+you two did this morning."</p>
+
+<p>"I can explain it very easily, sir. It was simply that Cadet Powers was
+drunk."</p>
+
+<p>"Drunk!" echoed the superintendent.</p>
+
+<p>He started back and stared at Mark in amazement. Mark returned his look
+unflinchingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," he said. "Drunk. You will probably receive a report from the
+hospital to that effect this afternoon."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span>"And now," thought Mark to himself, "the cat is out of the bag. I wonder
+what will happen."</p>
+
+<p>The superintendent still continued to gaze at him in consternation.</p>
+
+<p>"And pray," he inquired at last, "were you drunk, too?"</p>
+
+<p>It was a rather bold question, to say the least, and that flashed over
+the officer's mind a moment later, as he saw the handsome lad in front
+of him start a trifle and color visibly. He was sorry then that he had
+said it, and more so when he heard Mark's response.</p>
+
+<p>"I have never touched liquor in my life," said the latter, in a low,
+quiet tone that was a rebuke unspoken.</p>
+
+<p>Mark saw a vexed look sweep over the colonel's face, caused by that
+gentleman's recognition of his own rudeness; and Mark's heart bounded at
+that.</p>
+
+<p>"He'll be extra kind to me now," he thought, "to make up for it. Score
+one point for our side."</p>
+
+<p>"If you please," Mark continued, after a moment's pause, "I will tell
+you the story."</p>
+
+<p>"Do," said the colonel, briefly.</p>
+
+<p>"I was in my tent about ten minutes before the accident happened, and a
+cadet ran in and told me that Texas&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Texas?"</p>
+
+<p>"Pardon me. Texas is our name for Cadet Powers.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> Told me that Powers was
+drunk. I set out to find him. The horse which I had I&mdash;er&mdash;ran away with
+from the stables. I met Powers down the road and I tried to keep him
+quiet. He broke away from me, and I followed him. You saw the rest."</p>
+
+<p>"I see," said Colonel Harvey, reflectively. "I see. I am very glad, Mr.
+Mallory, to find that you are not as much to blame as I thought. This is
+a bad business, sir, very bad. It was almost murder, and to all
+appearances you were as much to blame as the other. But I have no doubt
+that I shall find your story true."</p>
+
+<p>Mark bowed, and waited for the other to continue; the crisis was almost
+at hand now.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Powers," the colonel went on, "will of course be dismissed at once.
+And by the way, Mr. Mallory, you deserve to be congratulated upon your
+promptness and bravery."</p>
+
+<p>There was a silence after that, and Mark, drawing a long breath, was
+about to go. The superintendent had one thing more to add, however, and
+it was a singularly fortunate remark at the moment.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish," he said, "that I could reward you."</p>
+
+<p>"You can!"</p>
+
+<p>It burst from Mark almost involuntarily, and he sprang forward with
+eagerness that surprised the other.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span>"If there is anything you wish," he said, quietly, "anything that I can
+do, I shall be most happy."</p>
+
+<p>"There is something!" Mark cried, speaking rapidly. "There is something.
+And if you do it I'll never forget it as long as I may live. If you do
+not&mdash;oh!"</p>
+
+<p>Mark stopped, unable to express the thought that was in his mind. The
+colonel saw his agitation.</p>
+
+<p>"What is your wish?" he inquired.</p>
+
+<p>"Powers!" cried Mark. "He must not be dismissed."</p>
+
+<p>The colonel started then and gazed at him in amazement.</p>
+
+<p>"Not be dismissed!" he echoed. "What on earth is Powers to you?"</p>
+
+<p>"To me? He is everything that one friend can be to another. I have known
+him but two months, sir, but in those two months I have come to care
+more for him than for any human being I have ever known&mdash;except my
+mother. He has stood by me in every danger; he has been as true as ever
+a friend on earth. He would die for me, sir&mdash;you saw what he did to-day.
+I have seen him do braver things than that, and I know that he has the
+heart of a lion. If he goes&mdash;I&mdash;I do not see how I can stay!"</p>
+
+<p>"But, my dear sir," cried the colonel, still surprised, "think of the
+discipline! You do not know what you ask. I cannot have my cadets carry
+on in that manner."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span>"What I have told you no one knows but you and I, and two others I can
+trust. The surgeon knows it, and that is all. He can call it temporary
+insanity, sunstroke&mdash;a thousand things!"</p>
+
+<p>"That is not the point. It is the man himself, his contempt for
+authority, for law and order, his lacking the instincts of a gentleman,
+his&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"You are mistaken," interrupted Mark, forgetting entirely in his
+excitement that he was talking to the dreaded superintendent. "You were
+never more mistaken in your life! Texas has all the instincts of a
+gentleman; he has a true heart, sir. But think where he was brought up.
+He is a cowboy, and to get drunk is the only amusement he knows at home.
+He has no more idea right now that it is wrong to drink than to eat. His
+own father, he told me, got him drunk when he was ten years old."</p>
+
+<p>"But, my boy," expostulated the colonel, "I can't have such a man as
+that here. Think of an army officer with such a habit."</p>
+
+<p>"It is not a habit," cried Mark. "He did it for fun&mdash;he knows no better.
+And I will guarantee that he does not do it again. If I had only known
+beforehand he would not have done it this time."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean to say," demanded the other, "that you have sufficient
+influence over him to see that he behaves himself?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span>"I mean to say just that," responded Mark, eagerly, "just that! And I
+will risk my commission on it, too! I offer you my word of honor as a
+gentleman that Mr. Powers will give you his word never to touch another
+drop of liquor in his life. And there's no man on earth whose promise
+you could trust more."</p>
+
+<p>Mark halted, out of breath and eager. He had said all he could say; he
+had fired his last cartridge, and could only sit and wait for the
+result.</p>
+
+<p>"You said you would like to reward me!" he cried. "And oh, if you only
+knew what a favor you could do! If you will only give him one chance,
+one chance after he has realized his danger. It is in your power to do
+it&mdash;the secret is yours to keep."</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Harvey was pacing the room in his agitation; he continued
+striding up and down for several minutes in thought, while Mark gazed at
+him in suspense and dread.</p>
+
+<p>At last he halted suddenly in front of Mark.</p>
+
+<p>"You may go now, Mr. Mallory," said he. "I must have time to think this
+over."</p>
+
+<p>Mark arose and left the room in silence. He could not tell what might be
+Texas' fate, and yet as he went he could not help thinking that the
+colonel's hesitation meant nine points won of the ten&mdash;thinking that one
+more chance was to be granted.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.<br />
+<span class="smalltext">THE REFORMATION OF TEXAS.</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>"Well?"</p>
+
+<p>There were five of them&mdash;Indian, the Parson, Dewey, Chauncey and Sleepy.
+They sat in a tent in Company A and at that moment were gazing anxiously
+at a figure who stood in the doorway.</p>
+
+<p>"Well?"</p>
+
+<p>"There is hope," said Mark. "Hope for poor Texas."</p>
+
+<p>And then he came in and sat down to tell the story of his interview with
+the colonel. The plebes listened anxiously; and when he finished they
+set to work to compose themselves as best they could to wait.</p>
+
+<p>"The answer will come to-night," Mark said, "when they read off the
+reports. And until then&mdash;nothing."</p>
+
+<p>Which just expressed the situation.</p>
+
+<p>The day passed somehow; between police duties and drills, the six were
+kept busy enough to relieve the suspense of waiting. And after supper
+the battalion lined up, the roll was called, and the orders of the
+following day were read, while Mark and his friends fretted and gasped
+with impatience. There were reports, and finally miscellaneous notices,
+among them the sick list!</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span>"Fourth class," read the officer, then halted a moment. "Powers"&mdash;every
+man in the line was straining eyes and ears, half dead with
+curiosity&mdash;then, "excused indefinitely&mdash;temporary mental aberration,
+caused by heat."</p>
+
+<p>Safe!</p>
+
+<p>And a moment later the line broke ranks, the cadets discussing with
+added interest the case of that extraordinary plebe. But the six had
+danced off in joy.</p>
+
+<p>"He's safe! He's safe!" they cried. "Hooray!"</p>
+
+<p>"And now," said Mark, "there's only one thing more. We've got to reform
+him, make sure he don't do it again!"</p>
+
+<p>"We will," said the others.</p>
+
+<p>It was two days after that, one evening after supper, that the door of
+the hospital building was opened and Texas came forth, spruce and
+handsome in a brand new uniform, looking none the worse for his
+"sunstroke" treatment&mdash;<i>i.&nbsp;e.</i>, plenty of cold water, inside and out.
+Texas felt moderately contented, too. He had held up the corps as he had
+promised&mdash;not a man in the crowd had dared to fire a shot at him. He had
+a vague recollection of having done something heroic, besides. He saw
+that every one was staring at him in "admiration;" in short, our friend
+Powers was prepared for a rousing and hearty reception from the rest of
+the Seven.</p>
+
+<p>He strode up the company street, not failing to notice<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> meanwhile that
+plebes, and old cadets, too, made way for him in awe and respect. He
+stopped at Mark's place, pushed the flap aside, and entered with a rush.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh!" he cried. "Whar be you? How's everybody?"</p>
+
+<p>The first person he saw was Master Dewey, and to him Texas rushed and
+held out his hand. To his indescribable amazement that young gentleman
+calmly stared at him, and put both his hands behind his back.</p>
+
+<p>"W&mdash;w&mdash;why!" gasped Texas.</p>
+
+<p>Whereupon Dewey turned upon his heel and walked out of the tent.</p>
+
+<p>Texas was dumfounded. He stared at the others; they were all there
+except Mark, and they gazed at the intruder in cold indifference. None
+of them apparently had ever seen him before.</p>
+
+<p>"Look a yere!" demanded Texas at last. "Ain't you fellows a-goin' to
+speak to me?"</p>
+
+<p>Evidently they were not, for they didn't even answer his question. Texas
+stood and stared at them for a few moments more, wondering whether he
+ought not to sail in and do up the crowd. Finally, as the silence grew
+even more embarrassing, he decided to go out and find Mark to learn what
+on earth was the matter. With this intention he turned and hurriedly
+left the tent, while the five inmates looked at one another and smiled.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span>Mark was walking up the street; Texas espied him and made a dash for
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"Hi, Mark!" he roared. "What's the matter with them&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Texas stopped in alarm; a feather might have laid him flat. Mark, his
+chum, his tent mate, was staring at him without a sign of recognition!
+And a moment later Mark turned on his heel and strode away in silence,
+while Texas gasped, "Great Scott!"</p>
+
+<p>That evening, seated on one of the guns up by Trophy Point, was visible
+a solitary figure, looking about as lonely and wretched as a human being
+can. It was "the Texas madman." Everybody kept a safe distance away from
+him, and so no one had a chance to notice that the madman's eyes were
+filled with tears.</p>
+
+<p>"Poor Texas," Mark was thinking. "He'll come to terms pretty soon."</p>
+
+<p>He did, for a fact. That same evening, just before tattoo, Mark felt a
+grip upon his arm that made him wince. He turned and found it was his
+friend, a look of misery upon his face that went to the other's heart.</p>
+
+<p>"Look a-yere, old man," he pleaded. "Won't you&mdash;oh, for Heaven's sake,
+tell me what's the matter?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't mind telling you," responded Mark, slowly. "You have behaved
+yourself as no gentleman should, and as no friend of mine shall!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span>"I!" cried Texas, in amazement. "I! What on earth have I done?"</p>
+
+<p>"Done!" echoed Mark. "Didn't you go off and get drunk? For shame,
+Texas!"</p>
+
+<p>Texas was too dumfounded to say a word. He could only stare and gasp.
+Here was a state of affairs indeed!</p>
+
+<p>"Yes!" chimed in Dewey, approaching at this moment. "And you nearly
+killed dozens of people, too. Mark was within an ace of being dismissed;
+and as for you! why, you'd have been fired long ago if Mark hadn't
+pleaded for hours with the superintendent!"</p>
+
+<p>Texas turned his wondering eyes upon Dewey then. He was fairly choking
+with amazement.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean to say," he gasped at last, "that you fellows are mad with
+me because I got drunk?"</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly," responded Mark.</p>
+
+<p>"And do you mean to tell me that you call that disgraceful conduct?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do. And I mean to tell you, moreover, that you can't be a friend of
+ours while you do it. I don't know how people feel about such things
+where you come from, Texas, but I do know that if people up here knew
+you had been in that condition not a soul would speak to you. There's
+very little room among decent people for the fellow who thinks it smart
+to make a fool of himself, and he usually finds it out, too, after it is
+too late. I never<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> spent my time hanging around saloons, and I don't
+think much of fellows that do, either."</p>
+
+<p>Mark could scarcely repress a smile as he watched the effect this brief
+sermon produced on the astounded Texan.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder what dad would say if he heard that!" was the thought in the
+latter's mind.</p>
+
+<p>Texas was brought back from this thought rather suddenly to his own
+situation. For Mark and Dewey both turned away to leave him again.</p>
+
+<p>"Look a-yere, Mark," he cried, seizing him by the arm again. "Look
+a-yere, ole man, won't you forgive me jest this once. Oh, please!"</p>
+
+<p>And there were tears in the Texan's big gray eyes as he said it.</p>
+
+<p>"But you'll do it again," Mark objected.</p>
+
+<p>"'Deed I won't, man! 'Deed I won't. I'll swear I'll never do it again
+s'long as I live."</p>
+
+<p>"But will you keep your promise?"</p>
+
+<p>"I never broke one yit as I know," responded Texas with an injured look.</p>
+
+<p>And Mark, rejoicing inwardly at his success, but outwardly very grave
+and solemn, said that he'd go in and ask the other six about it.</p>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p>Texas sat with his feet against the tent pole and a pen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> in one hand. He
+held a letter to his father in the other; he was just through writing
+it, and he was going to read it for the edification of the Banded Seven.</p>
+
+<p>"'Dear Scrap,'" he began. "You see," added Texas, in an explanatory
+note, "I call him Scrap sometimes just to make him feel comfortable. All
+the boys call him that. 'Dear Scrap. This yere is the first letter I've
+written you since I hit this place. I ain't heard from you, so I don't
+know whether you got 'lected fo' Congress or not. I been havin' piles o'
+sport up yere. Took in three quarts 'tother day, an' I held up the hull
+corps on the strength of it. Busted two horses' legs, though, an' I
+reckon you'll have to send on the price. Don't think they'll mount to
+over a thousan' or two. I've still got my guns&mdash;&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>"Guns is spelt with one 'n,' ain't it?" Texas inquired, interrupting
+himself. "I put two&mdash;makes it seem bigger and more important, sorter.</p>
+
+<p>"'They're the queerest folks up this way! They gave me thunder fer
+gittin' drunk, said twarn't gentlemanly. Reckon after you licked a few
+they'd call you a gentleman all right 'nough! They made me swear off,
+else they wouldn't let me stay. What do you reckon the boys'll say to
+that? Had to do it, though&mdash;you needn't git mad over it&mdash;I'm havin' so
+much fun a-doin' of the yearlings that I wanted to stay. They kain't one
+of 'em lick me.'</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't mention you, Mark," Texas added, laughing.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> "Cause if I'd told
+dad that you did lick me, he'd probably want to come up an' try a whack
+himself, jes' to see ef you really could hit hard. Dad won't ever
+acknowledge that I kin do him, though I almost licked him twice, when he
+got riled. Reckon I'll end this yere letter now. I jest wanted to tell
+him to send 'long some money.</p>
+
+<p>"Now let's go out and hunt up some o' them old yearlin's."</p>
+
+<p>And that was the beginning of Texas' reformation.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.<br />
+<span class="smalltext">A PLOT OF THE YEARLINGS.</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>"An invitation! Why, surely, man, you must be mistaken. They never
+invite plebes to the hops."</p>
+
+<p>The speaker was Mark. He was sitting with a book in his hand beneath the
+shade trees at one side of the summer encampment of the corps. At that
+moment he was looking up from the book at Chauncey, who had just
+approached him.</p>
+
+<p>"An invitation!" he repeated. "I can hardly believe it possible."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps if you see it you'll believe it more readily, ye know,"
+remarked the dudish cadet.</p>
+
+<p>"Seeing's believing, they say," laughed Mark, taking it and glancing at
+the address. "Mr. Chauncey Van Renssalaer Mount-Bonsall," he read. "Yes,
+I guess that's for you. I don't believe there are two persons on earth
+with that name, or with one so altogether aristocratic and impressive."</p>
+
+<p>Mark was glancing at the other out of the corner of his eye with a
+roguish look as he said that. He saw a rather pleased expression sweep
+over his face and knew that he had touched his friend Chauncey in his
+weak spot. Mark<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> had been removing the contents of the envelope as he
+spoke. He found a square card, handsomely engraved; and he read it with
+a look of amazement upon his face&mdash;amazement which the other noticed
+with evident pleasure.</p>
+
+<p>The card had the words "Camp McPherson" over the top, and below in a
+monogram, "U.&nbsp;S.&nbsp;C.&nbsp;C."&mdash;United States Cadet Corps. At one side was a
+view of the camp, the Highlands of the Hudson in the distance. And in
+the center were the words that had caused all the surprise:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"The pleasure of your company is requested at the hops
+to be given by the Corp of Cadets every Monday,
+Wednesday and Friday evening during the encampment.</p>
+
+<p style="padding-left: 50%; text-indent: -8em; margin-bottom: 0em;">"West Point, N.&nbsp;Y.,</p>
+
+<p style="padding-left: 50%; text-indent: -4em; margin-top: 0em;">"July 6, 18&mdash;."</p></div>
+
+<p>That was all, except for the list of "hop managers" below. But such as
+it was, it was enough to cause Mark no end of perplexity.</p>
+
+<p>"A plebe invited to the hop," he muttered. "I can hardly believe it yet.
+There must be some mistake surely. Why, man, no plebe has ever danced at
+a hop in all West Point's history. They scarcely know there are such
+things. Just think of it once&mdash;we miserable beasts who hardly dare raise
+our heads, and who have to obey everyone on earth!"</p>
+
+<p>"We've raised our heads pretty well, bah Jove," drawled<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> the other. "And
+we've shown ourselves a deuced bit livelier than the yearlings, don't ye
+know."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, but we've only done that by force. We've licked them and outwitted
+them at every turn, something no plebes have ever dared to do before.
+But simply because we've made them recognize our rights that way is no
+reason why they should ask one of us to a hop."</p>
+
+<p>"No," responded Chauncey, "it isn't. But I know what is."</p>
+
+<p>"What?"</p>
+
+<p>"I've a cousin in New York by the name of Sturtevant&mdash;deuced
+aristocratic folks are the Sturtevants! Ever hear of the Sturtevants of
+New York?"</p>
+
+<p>"Er&mdash;yes," responded Mark, that same sly look in his eyes again. "I've
+heard of them very often. They are related to the Smiths, aren't they?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, not that I know of, bah Jove&mdash;but come to think of it, my second
+cousin was a Sturtevant and she married one of the De Smythes, if that's
+who you're thinking of."</p>
+
+<p>"I guess that's it," said Mark, solemnly. "Let it go at that, anyway.
+But what have the Sturtevants, the Sturtevants of New York, got to do
+with a West Point hop?"</p>
+
+<p>"It's simply that this cousin of mine, ye know, has a friend up here, a
+first class man, an adjutant or sergeant<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> quartermaster, or some such
+deuced animal, I forget just what, bah Jove! Anyway, I've an idea he got
+me the invitation."</p>
+
+<p>Mark let himself down to the ground on his back and lay there for a few
+moments after his friend's "explanation," while he thought over it and
+incidentally kicked a tree trunk for exercise. Chauncey waited
+anxiously, wondering what sort of an effect his announcement of his
+influential friends would have upon Mark.</p>
+
+<p>"Those yearlings," began the latter at last, in a meditative, half
+soliloquizing tone, "have never yet lost an opportunity to annoy us."</p>
+
+<p>"What's this got to do with the hop, bah Jove?" interrupted Chauncey.</p>
+
+<p>"Lots. It's simply this. You have been just as fresh as any of us,
+Chauncey. With all your aristocratic blood, ye know. I saw you nearly
+whip half a dozen of them one day when they wouldn't stop hazing
+Indian."</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't whip them, bah Jove," began Chauncey, modestly.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, anyhow, they couldn't whip you, and so it was all the same. The
+point is that they have never done anything to be revenged for the
+insult. I have an idea that this may be an attempt."</p>
+
+<p>"This!" echoed the other in surprise. "Pray how?"</p>
+
+<p>"Simply that they'd like to see you come to the hop<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> and have nobody to
+dance with&mdash;for no girl will dance with a plebe, you know, I don't care
+who he is&mdash;and so have to go home feeling pretty cheap. Then you'd be
+the laughingstock of the corps, as the plebe who wanted to dance at the
+hop."</p>
+
+<p>It was Chauncey's turn to be thoughtful then. And to his credit be it
+said that he recognized the truth there was in Mark's explanation of
+that surprising card. For Chauncey was no fool, even if he was dudish
+and aristocratic.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm afraid that's it," said he. "I'm deuced glad I thought of asking
+you, Mark, ye know. I'll not go to-night. And we'll let the matter drop,
+bah Jove."</p>
+
+<p>"Let it drop!" echoed Mark; and then he added, with emphasis, "Not
+much!"</p>
+
+<p>"What'll ye do?"</p>
+
+<p>"Do? What's the use of having a secret society for the purpose of
+avenging insults, if you don't avenge 'em? And don't you call it an
+insult that the yearlings should suppose us big enough fools to take
+that bait and go to their old hop?"</p>
+
+<p>"It was rather insulting," admitted Chauncey.</p>
+
+<p>"It was," said Mark. "And what's more, I move that we retaliate this
+very day. Let's go up and find the rest of the Seven, and by Jingo,
+perhaps we'll bust up their plaguey old hop!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span>With which words Mark slammed his book to and arose to his feet and set
+out in a hurry for camp.</p>
+
+<p>They entered Camp McPherson and hurried up the A Company "street" to
+their own tent. They entered without ceremony, and Mark scarcely waited
+to greet the rest before he plunged right into the subject in hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Fellows," he said, "the yearlings have tried a new trick on us; and
+Chauncey and I have vowed to get square, right off."</p>
+
+<p>Texas sprang up with a whoop that scared the sentry on the path nearby,
+and a "Wow!" scarcely less voluble. He demanded to know instanter what
+was up, and danced about anxiously until he managed to learn; when he
+did learn he was more excited still.</p>
+
+<p>The Parson forgot his fossils, and even his "Dana" when he heard Mark's
+news, and he rose up and stretched his long, bony arms, inquiring with
+almost as much anxiety as Texas. In fact, the only one of the three who
+was not excited was "Sleepy." His state was that of the tramp, who
+answered: "Why did you come here?" "To rest." "What made you tired?"
+"Gittin' here."</p>
+
+<p>The two other members of the Banded Seven popped into the tent just then
+and Mark sat down and told them all of the yearlings' plan, as soon as
+he could manage to get the excitable Texas quiet enough. He passed
+around<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> the invitation which the rest stared at as incredulously as Mark
+had; and then he offered his explanation, and finding that they all
+seemed to agree with him, stated his purpose to retaliate, with which
+they agreed still more.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes!" cried Texas. "Come on, let's do it. Let's bust up their ole hop!
+Let's raise a rumpus an' scare 'em to death! What d'ye say?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think we had better do that," responded Mark, laughing.
+"Whatever trick we play has got to have something to do with hop, so as
+to let them know why we did it. But we broke up one entertainment not a
+week ago. I think it had better be a quiet trick on some of them, for
+you know they say that a man may play the same trick once too often."</p>
+
+<p>"Let's hold up their ole band," suggested Texas, "an' run 'em into the
+woods an' hide 'em."</p>
+
+<p>"Or else," laughed Mark, "we might dress up in the band players'
+uniforms and go in and play hymns for 'em. But I think somebody ought to
+suggest something that's possible."</p>
+
+<p>"Let's put glue on the floor," hinted Indian.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's dress up as girls and go," laughed Dewey.</p>
+
+<p>"Or make the Parson put in some of his chemicals, ye know, an' smoke 'em
+all out, bah Jove," put in Chauncey.</p>
+
+<p>"B'gee!" cried Dewey. "That reminds me of another story. You fellows
+needn't groan," he added, "because<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> this is a good one. And I'm going to
+tell it whether you like it or not. It's true, too. There was an old
+professor of chemistry gave a lecture, and there were whole lots of
+ladies present. We might work this trick some time. A good many of the
+complexions of those ladies weren't very genuine, b'gee, and not
+warranted to wear. And some of the chemicals the professor mixed made a
+gas that turned 'em all blue!"</p>
+
+<p>Dewey breathed a sigh of relief at having been allowed to deliver
+himself of a whole story without interruption; and the Parson cleared
+his throat with a solemn "ahem!"</p>
+
+<p>"The chemicals to which you refer," he began, "were probably a mixture
+of hydrofluosilicic acid with bitartrate of potassium and
+deflagisticated oxygen, which produces by precipitation and reduction a
+vaporous oxide of silicate of potassium and combines&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"We've only half an hour left before drill," interrupted Mark solemnly.
+"I move that the Parson discontinue his lecture until he'll have time to
+finish it."</p>
+
+<p>The Parson halted with an aggrieved look upon his face; and after
+remarking the surprising lack of interest in so fascinating a subject as
+chemistry, buried himself in silence and "Dana's Geology."</p>
+
+<p>"It seems to me," continued Mark, after a few minutes' pause, "that we
+haven't gotten very far in our planning. Now I have an idea."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span>The effect was that of a rainbow bursting through a stormcloud. The
+Seven were all smiles in an instant, and the Parson came out of his
+shell once more and leaned forward with interest.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" he cried.</p>
+
+<p>"It won't take long," said Mark, "to tell it. You may not like it. It'll
+take lots of planning beforehand if we do try it. It seems to me that
+the yearlings have set a trap for us, and want us to walk into it. Now,
+I think we might bid them defiance, and show how little we care for
+them, by going in right boldly and outwitting them in their own country,
+that's the plan."</p>
+
+<p>The six stared at him in amazement.</p>
+
+<p>"You don't mean," cried Dewey, "that Chauncey ought to go to the hop?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's just exactly what I mean," was the answer. "And I mean,
+moreover, that we ought every one of us to go with him."</p>
+
+<p>"But nobody'll dance with us, man!"</p>
+
+<p>"They won't? That's just exactly the part we ought to fix. Grace Fuller
+will, for one, I'm sure. And I'm also sure she can find other girls who
+will. What do you say?"</p>
+
+<p>They scarcely knew what to say. The proposition was so bizarre, so
+altogether startling. Plebes go to the hop! Why, the thought was enough
+to take a man's breath<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> away. No plebe had ever dared to do such a thing
+in West Point's history. One might almost as well think of a plebe's
+becoming a captain! And here was Mark seriously proposing it!</p>
+
+<p>They had a perfect right to go. They had an invitation, and no one could
+ask for more. But the freezing glances they would get from every one!
+The stares, and perhaps insults from the cadets! Still, as Mark said,
+suppose Grace Fuller, the belle of West Point, danced with them? Suppose
+all the girls did? Suppose, swept away by the fun of "jollying" the
+yearlings, the girls should even prefer plebes! The more you thought
+over that scheme the better you liked it. Its possibilities were so
+boundless, so awe-inspiring! And suddenly Master Dewey leaped up with an
+excited "b'gee!"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm one!" he cried. "I'll go you!"</p>
+
+<p>"Wow!" roared Texas. "Me too!"</p>
+
+<p>And in a few moments more those seven B.&nbsp;J. plebes had vowed to dance at
+the hop that night if it was the last thing they ever did on this earth.</p>
+
+<p>"By George!" cried Mark, as they finished, leaping up and seizing his
+hat, "I'm going over to see Grace Fuller about it now! Just you wait!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.<br />
+<span class="smalltext">THE PLEBES PLOT, TOO.</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>Mark found the object of his search on the hotel piazza, looking as
+beautiful and attractive as his mind could imagine. As it proved, she
+was fully as anxious to see him as he was to see her; she was curious to
+hear about "Texas."</p>
+
+<p>"So he has promised never to do it again!" she said, when Mark had told
+her of Powers' "reformation." "I thought he would do anything for you.
+Poor Texas fairly worships the ground you walk on."</p>
+
+<p>"He has promised never to drink, anyhow," responded Mark. "It was very
+funny to see how long it took him to get the idea into his head that it
+was wrong. It's just as I told you, and as I told the superintendent,
+too; down where he comes from it's the custom when a man wants to have
+fun he drinks all the whiskey he can to start him. And Texas thought
+he'd try it up here."</p>
+
+<p>"He certainly did have fun," exclaimed the girl, breaking into one of
+her merry laughs at the recollection of the scene.</p>
+
+<p>"I had been having a pretty exciting time myself," he said, "trying to
+keep Texas quiet. And when those huge<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> horses took fright and started to
+dash into the crowd, I had still more of it."</p>
+
+<p>"I think you were perfectly splendid!" cried the girl, clasping her
+hands in alarm even as she thought of the occurrence. "When you came
+dashing down on your horse and sprang in to head them off, my heart
+fairly stopped beating. But I knew you would do it; I have always said
+you would never stop at any danger, and father agrees with me, too."</p>
+
+<p>There was a moment's silence after that; and then Mark, who was anxious
+to get at the important business of the morning, thought it a good time
+to begin.</p>
+
+<p>"I've something more interesting to discuss, anyway," he added. "And
+I've only a very few minutes before drill in which to talk it over with
+you. I've taken the trouble to get a permit from headquarters and all to
+run over and ask you, so you mustn't delay me by compliments. That's my
+province, anyway&mdash;and duty."</p>
+
+<p>"That was a very neat one," laughed Grace Fuller. "I declare, you are
+quite a cavalier. But excuse me for wasting the valuable time of the
+house. What is the matter?"</p>
+
+<p>"I've a scheme," responded Mark.</p>
+
+<p>The girl lost all her bantering manner in a moment; she saw the twinkle
+in Mark's eyes, and knew that some fun was coming.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span>"Is this another plan for worrying the unfortunate yearlings?" she
+inquired.</p>
+
+<p>"It is," said he. "I've no time to think up any other kind of plans just
+at present. You see they get up so many against me that I am busy all
+the time holding up my end. If it were not for your aid I am afraid I
+should have failed before this."</p>
+
+<p>"Have they prepared a new one already?"</p>
+
+<p>By way of answer Mark took out the "invitation."</p>
+
+<p>"Read that," he said, "and see."</p>
+
+<p>Grace took it and glanced at it, a look of surprise spreading over her
+face.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I have one just like it!" she cried. "But where on earth did you
+get this?"</p>
+
+<p>"It was sent to our friend Chauncey," answered the plebe. "You see the
+yearlings thought he would take the bait and come; being rather weak on
+the point of his aristocracy, he was supposed to fall right into the
+trap and consider it a recognition of his social rank. Then when he came
+he'd have no one to dance with, and would be a laughingstock generally."</p>
+
+<p>"I see," said the girl. "It was a nice tribute to our common sense."</p>
+
+<p>"Ours!" laughed Mark. "The yearlings have small idea that you are
+sympathizing with the plebes."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I am," vowed the other. "With you, anyway,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> and I do not care in
+the least how soon they know it. I told father, and he said I was quite
+right. I don't like hazing."</p>
+
+<p>"You may have a chance to let them know it publicly very soon,"
+responded Mark, gazing at her sweet face gratefully. "That's what I came
+over to see you about. You see we want to accept the invitation."</p>
+
+<p>"Accept it! Why, that would be walking right into the trap!"</p>
+
+<p>"That's just exactly what I mean to do. Only I mean to put a hole in the
+other side first, so that I can walk out again and run off with traps
+and trappers and trappings and all."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"You are not as acute as usual," laughed Mark. "I had expected that by
+this time you would have guessed the secret."</p>
+
+<p>"You don't mean to go and dance?"</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly," said Mark.</p>
+
+<p>Grace Fuller glanced at him in horror for a moment, and then as she saw
+his merry eyes twinkle a vague idea of what he meant began to occur to
+her. She began to see the possibilities of the affair, just as Mark had
+seen them. He might get all the girls to dance with him; he might have
+the yearlings perfectly furious, raving; he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> might dump West Point
+traditions all at once, all in a heap, and with a dull, sickening thud
+at that.</p>
+
+<p>As she began to realize all this, Mark was gazing into her eyes; he saw
+them begin to dance and twinkle just as his had. And he laughed softly
+to himself.</p>
+
+<p>"Our angel has not failed us," he whispered. "I knew she would not. Will
+you help us?"</p>
+
+<p>And Grace answered simply that she would. But she set her teeth together
+with a snap that meant much.</p>
+
+<p>It meant that Mark Mallory was to be the first plebe ever to dance at a
+West Point hop.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.<br />
+<span class="smalltext">SETTING THE TRAP.</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>The dinner hour had passed, likewise the second policing of the day had
+been attended to by the humble plebes. The afternoon's drill was over;
+it was time for full dress parade.</p>
+
+<p>Company streets were alive with bustling cadets. Officers were winding
+themselves into their red sashes, privates were giving the last
+polishing touches to spotlessly shining guns. And the plebes, lonely and
+disconsolate, were watching the preparations for the ceremony and
+wondering if the time really would ever come when they too might be
+esteemed handsome enough to be put on parade.</p>
+
+<p>There was one plebe, however, to whom no such foolish idea occurred. For
+indeed, he was quite convinced that he was better looking in his new
+uniform than most of them, and a great deal more aristocratic than all.
+He was, at the moment we stole in upon his thoughts, marching with much
+dignity down the street of Company B.</p>
+
+<p>He carried his hands at his sides, "palms to the front, little fingers
+on the seams of the trousers," as plebes used to be obliged to do
+whenever they walked about in pub<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span>lic. But even with all that stiff and
+awkward pose he could not lose the characteristic dudish "Fifth Avenue"
+gait without which our friend Chauncey would not have been himself.</p>
+
+<p>For it was Chauncey, and he was bound upon an all important duty.</p>
+
+<p>He stopped at one of the tents; there was only one occupant in it, a
+yearling, red-headed, hot-tempered looking chap, with a turned-up nose
+and a wealth of freckles, Corporal Spencer, known to his classmates as
+"Chick."</p>
+
+<p>Master Chauncey Van Rensselaer Mount-Bonsall stood in the doorway and
+bowed with his most genteel, perfect and inimitable bow. He would have
+knocked had he seen anything but canvas to knock on.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Spencer?" he inquired.</p>
+
+<p>The yearling stared at the plebe in amazement; but Chauncey's politeness
+and urbanity were contagious, and Corporal Spencer could not help
+bowing, too.</p>
+
+<p>"May I have the privilege of a few moments' conversation with you?" the
+plebe next inquired.</p>
+
+<p>"Ahem!" said Mr. Spencer. "Why&mdash;er&mdash;I suppose so."</p>
+
+<p>"Corporal Spencer, I have a favor to ask of you, don't cher know, bah
+Jove!"</p>
+
+<p>Corporal Spencer was silent.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not know why I should look to you for it, ex<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span>cept&mdash;aw&mdash;ye know,
+you were my drill master, and so I look to you as my superior, my
+guardian, so to speak."</p>
+
+<p>"That's a little taffy for him," Chauncey added&mdash;to himself. "Bah Jove,
+I think the deuced idiot has taken the bait."</p>
+
+<p>The plebe lost no time in taking advantage of his opportunity; he opened
+an envelope he held in his hand.</p>
+
+<p>"I received to-day," he began, "a card, ye know, an invitation to the
+hop. I do not know who sent it, bah Jove, but I'm deuced grateful, for
+I'm awfully fond of dawncing. I need scarcely tell you that I shall
+hasten to accept it, don't cher know."</p>
+
+<p>The look of delight which spread over the yearling's face was not lost
+upon the plebe.</p>
+
+<p>"So the idiot is going to fall into the trap," thought the former.</p>
+
+<p>"So the idiot thinks I'm idiot enough to be fooled," thought Chauncey.</p>
+
+<p>Chauncey continued, delighted with his success, no less than the
+corporal was with his supposed one.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, I have two friends," he said, "plebes, don't cher know, who are
+deuced anxious to come with me. And I wanted to awsk you, bah Jove, if
+you could get me two invitations. I know it is a great deal for one to
+do for a plebe, but&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span>Corporal Spencer was in such a hurry to assent that he could not wait
+for the plebe to finish.</p>
+
+<p>"Not at all!" he cried. "Not at all. Why, I shall be most happy to do it
+for you, Mr. Mount-Bonsall. Really, it is a very small favor, for I have
+plenty of invitations at my disposal. Wait just one moment, and you
+shall have them. The yearling class will be delighted to&mdash;ahem&mdash;welcome
+your two friends."</p>
+
+<p>A minute or two later Master Chauncey's Fifth Avenue gait was carrying
+him swiftly up the street again, with two more of the much coveted
+invitations in his hand. And Chick Spencer was rushing into another tent
+to seize his friend Corporal Jasper wildly by the arm.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you think? What do you think?" he cried. "The plebes are coming
+to the hop!"</p>
+
+<p>"What! Why!"</p>
+
+<p>"That fool dude has fallen into the trap. He's coming to dance, and
+bring two more plebes with him. Oh, say, oh say!"</p>
+
+<p>The whole yearling class knew of it a few moments later when the
+companies fell in for parade. And the wildest hilarity resulted.</p>
+
+<p>"A plebe at the hop! A plebe at the hop!" was the cry. "A plebe without
+a soul to dance with him. Oh! but won't there be fun."</p>
+
+<p>There was indeed to be fun; the yearlings would have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> thought so if they
+could have seen Chauncey and read his thoughts. Oh, yes, there was fun.</p>
+
+<p>But the question was, who was to enjoy it?</p>
+
+<p>Chauncey, when he reached his own tent, found Mark standing in front of
+it; and Mark was dancing about with excitement, too.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you get them?" he cried.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I did, ye know, and&mdash;where are you going?"</p>
+
+<p>Mark had started hastily down the street. He stopped long enough to
+shove a note into his friend's hand and give a warning word as to
+secrecy; then he turned and was gone.</p>
+
+<p>"Read it! Read it!" was echoing in Chauncey's ears.</p>
+
+<p>He did; and this was what he read:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Mr. Mallory</span>: I am writing this in great haste.
+Come over to see me at once; things are coming out
+beautifully. Did you get the extra invitations?</p>
+
+<p class="sig1">"Your friend,</p>
+
+<p class="sig2">"Grace Fuller."</p></div>
+
+<p>And Chauncey nodded his head in delight, gave vent to an extra "bah
+Jove," and then dived into his tent to talk it over with the others.</p>
+
+<p>What the others had to say is of little moment; the all important person
+was Mark, and Mark was hurrying over to the hotel, keeping step to the
+tune of the band that was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> just then marching across the parade ground
+at the head of the battalion.</p>
+
+<p>He found Grace waiting for him.</p>
+
+<p>"You got the invitations?" she inquired.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Chauncey did," responded the other, laughing.</p>
+
+<p>"I told you," said the girl, "that Corporal Spencer would do it. I knew
+his handwriting on the envelope at once, and I was sure that he was in
+the plot to fool Mr. Chauncey. And I'd just love to outwit him, too."</p>
+
+<p>"You say you were successful?" inquired Mark.</p>
+
+<p>For answer Grace Fuller presented three dance cards, at which Mark
+glanced with amazement and delight indescribable.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, they're full!" he cried. "You've gotten some one for every dance!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," she said, laughing gleefully as she went over the names with him.
+"I put your names over the top, you and Mr. Dewey and Mr. Chauncey&mdash;that
+last name of his is too long to say. And I could have filled a dozen
+just as well, only you said that you three were the only ones who cared
+for dancing. I hope you all dance well. Mr. Dewey looks as if he might;
+and our Fifth Avenue friend I'm sure is a perfect sylph. I think you do
+everything gracefully."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you have a chance to find out," laughed Mark. "I hope you have
+put yourself down on my card."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span>"I have put you down for the very first dance," said she, simply. "You
+told me to fix it all the way I liked."</p>
+
+<p>"But who are the other girls?" inquired Mark. "I haven't met any of
+them."</p>
+
+<p>"You will in plenty of time. I'll introduce you to them. They're all
+friends of mine; you see, I know nearly every one about the post. And
+I've picked all the very prettiest and nicest girls of them all, too."</p>
+
+<p>"And arranged them in order of merit," added Mark, slyly glancing at his
+own card, whereat the girl shook her fan at him.</p>
+
+<p>"But tell me," he continued, in perplexity, after a few moments' pause,
+"how did you ever manage to get so many girls into the conspiracy? Why,
+I had no idea that one-tenth as many cared anything about plebes."</p>
+
+<p>"I used a little diplomacy," laughed Grace. "I made myself as charming
+as I could. I found two, three in fact, whose brothers are plebes, and
+one whose brother will be next year. I think most of the girls really
+sympathize with the plebes, and then, too, I'm sure all of them like to
+tease. Did you ever know one who did not? And this will make the
+yearlings fairly wild. But the chief reason I urged I can't tell to you;
+you wouldn't like it."</p>
+
+<p>"Why not?"</p>
+
+<p>"It would make you conceited, as you say. You must<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> know&mdash;you ought to
+if you don't&mdash;that you're a regular hero among West Point girls. In the
+first place, every one knows how you saved me; and then all of them saw
+you the other day stop that runaway. You're famous, besides, as the
+boldest plebe that ever came here; the yearlings are the laughingstock
+of the place because of you. And that makes you a sort of romantic
+creature, a Sir Galahad in disguise. To dance with you is a whole fairy
+tale."</p>
+
+<p>Mark laughed heartily over this description, which he chose to consider
+exaggerated. But whatever might be the cause of Grace Fuller's success,
+he was heartily and undisguisedly delighted at the success itself. Here
+were three dance cards, one for each of the conspirators; and all of
+them were full, which meant that there were a score or more of girls who
+had pledged themselves to join in that plot.</p>
+
+<p>It was a triumph indeed, and Mark thanked Grace for it most heartily.
+And when he left the hotel and hurried over to camp again, his chuckles
+of delight were audible and numerous.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.<br />
+<span class="smalltext">THE RESULT AT THE HOP.</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>Every one goes to hops promptly on time at West Point. In select society
+it is the thing nowadays to go late everywhere, so Chauncey assured his
+friends. But at the academy relentless tattoo sounds on hop-nights at
+half-past nine as usual. The cadets have to be in line at camp five
+minutes later. And so, anxious to dance all they can, everybody who
+intends to dance is on hand by the hour of eight.</p>
+
+<p>The dances were held, in Mark's day, in the academy building, in two big
+rooms on the second floor. Those rooms are used as examination rooms;
+luckless and frightened candidates were sent there to show what they do
+not know. This evening, however, it was gay and festive.</p>
+
+<p>The West Point Military Band, in full plumage, occupied a small platform
+and dispensed an overture previous to the first waltz. The walls were
+gay with flags and an abundance of decorations in general. And the floor
+and seats about the room were still more beautifully adorned.</p>
+
+<p>A person who "knew the ropes," who was familiar with hops and hop ways,
+would not have failed to notice<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> that there was something unusual going
+on that night, that everybody seemed to be waiting for something. Cadets
+talking to damsels could not keep their eyes from straying to the
+doorway, while at the doorway sauntered about, waiting, a considerable
+group of anxious cadets. There was one thought in the minds of all of
+them.</p>
+
+<p>"Will they come? Oh, say, will they come?"</p>
+
+<p>And then, suddenly, a ripple of excitement ran around the room; cadets
+crowded to the doorway, girls strained their necks to get a view, the
+leader of the band in all his finery nearly let his orchestra run wild
+in his interest. And across the floor rushed Corporal Spencer, hop
+manager, and grasped his friend Jasper by the arm.</p>
+
+<p>"They're here! They're here, man!" he gasped. "Oh, say!"</p>
+
+<p>And the next instant the bandmaster waved his baton, the music crashed
+all at once, and the first dance was begun.</p>
+
+<p>A dance with plebes present!</p>
+
+<p>To say that the three, Mark, Chauncey and "B'gee," were the cynosure of
+all eyes would not begin to express the situation. Every one's glance
+was fairly glued upon them. Girls forgot their dance partners, cadets
+stopped still in their tracks. Not a soul offered to dance. Not a soul
+did anything but stare at those three idiots.</p>
+
+<p>They did not seem the least bit ill at ease. All of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> them seemed quite
+in their element. Their attire was surely immaculate; Chauncey was
+fairly radiant in an elegantly handled monocle. And they did not seem to
+notice the stares, intentionally rude, that came from the cadets. They
+knew just what to do, and they did it, while the whole room watched and
+gasped.</p>
+
+<p>Grace Fuller, belle of West Point, sat in one corner of the room, a
+perfect vision of loveliness indescribable. About her were half a dozen
+cadets. Her stern old father sat nearby, with Mrs. Fuller beside him.
+And toward that group those idiotic plebes were going!</p>
+
+<p>The yearlings gasped in horror, bit their lips in vexation. For Judge
+Fuller arose from his seat and welcomed Mark Mallory heartily; his wife
+did likewise. The three sat down and began to talk to them and to Grace,
+at which the cadets with that party went off in horror and amazement.</p>
+
+<p>Well, there was no use staring any more, for the three plebes were safe
+behind that bulwark; and vexed and aggravated, the cadets went their
+ways and began to dance. They kept their eyes on the three, however.
+They saw Mrs. Fuller rise suddenly and cross the room, with Chauncey and
+Dewey at her side. And then what must she do but introduce them to two
+girls? Oh!</p>
+
+<p>This was terrible! Bull Harris, Mark's old enemy, was in the very act of
+asking one of the girls, a tall,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> stately creature clad in pink, if he
+might have the pleasure, etc.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sorry, Mr. Harris," said she. "But I'm already engaged for this
+dance."</p>
+
+<p>And then up stepped Mrs. Fuller.</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Evens," she said, "allow me to present Mr. Dewey, with whom I
+believe you have promised to dance."</p>
+
+<p>A moment later, to the indescribable horror of the cadets in the place,
+three plebes set out upon that floor to dance, each of them leading
+girls with whom to dance was a privilege that came only to the best. And
+how those plebes did dance! The yearlings had never seen better; they
+could not but acknowledge that. For the plebes were on their mettle
+then, and if ever they danced in their lives, they did then, radiant
+with triumph, swept away by the excitement distributing benignant smiles
+upon every one.</p>
+
+<p>There is only one heaven that lasts an eternity. All others, that dance
+included, have their finish. The three plebes returned the delighted
+girls to their seats, and the cadets, excusing themselves from every
+one, rushed out into the hall, there to hold an angry and excited
+consultation. For this was indeed a desperate, a terrible thing!
+Evidently three girls, relying upon their charms, were going to insult
+the corps wantonly, dance with some beastly plebes.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span>"They shall pay for it!" was the cry. "Not a man shall dance with them.
+Cut them dead!"</p>
+
+<p>But if the yearlings supposed that Mark and his friends proposed to
+dance with just three girls all that night, they were woefully and badly
+mistaken. The fever had spread in the interim; introductions had been
+going on. When the yearlings returned, behold, Mark was making himself
+charming to another girl, and Chauncey, perfectly in his element at
+last, was busily engaged in describing the streets of Paris to a group
+of half a dozen!</p>
+
+<p>"Cut them all!" whispered the yearlings.</p>
+
+<p>Well, they tried it. To be brief, Grace and the other two danced with no
+one that next dance. But three more girls went down on the blacklist,
+and the plebes' triumph was yet greater.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll leave 'em no one to dance with," chuckled Mark. "We'll send them
+all home!"</p>
+
+<p>The next dance was a lanciers. Three couples joined the groups upon the
+floor and lo and behold, from the spot where the plebes stood every
+cadet fell away with obvious meaning. The rudeness was seen by every one
+in the room; it was the worst insult of all. The three couples stood
+lost for a moment; and then, suddenly, red with indignation, the
+dignified judge sprang to his feet.</p>
+
+<p>He and his daughter made up that set. And once more the yearlings fairly
+ground their teeth with rage.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span>They did not know what to do then. They were fairly baffled. The plebes
+had entered the trap&mdash;and here was the result!</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, if we only hadn't been fools enough to send those invitations!" was
+their thought.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile dance after dance passed, girl after girl was "out of it."
+There is always a scarcity of girls at a place like West Point. There
+are always sure to be more cadets at every hop than there are partners,
+and with those three vile plebes sending three to the wall every
+dance&mdash;and the prettiest and most liked ones, too&mdash;things soon began to
+arrive at a crisis. It looks funny to see the pretty girls sitting and
+the ugly ones dancing; and every one began to see that the plebes were
+having decidedly the best of the bargain. They were dancing with whom
+they pleased; most of the cadets were soon unable to dance at all,
+finding it necessary to hang about the doorway and discuss the
+situation.</p>
+
+<p>It was a distinct triumph for the plebes; even the yearlings could not
+deny that, and that made them all the angrier.</p>
+
+<p>Ten dances had passed; by actual count there were thirty girls "out of
+it," and something less than twenty still left to the cadets. And then
+the matter came to a head.</p>
+
+<p>Cadet Lieutenant Wright, a first class man, captain of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> the football
+team, and a hop manager for his class, caused the trouble. Urged by all
+his desperate classmates and urged still more by the spectacle of Mark's
+dancing with a certain sweet creature who had hitherto devoted all her
+energies to making herself charming to him, he stepped forward in the
+middle of the dance and with his badge of manager upon his coat, touched
+Mark upon the arm.</p>
+
+<p>Mark halted abruptly. The whole room stared.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Mallory," said the lieutenant, "the cadets who are giving this hop
+request you to leave the floor."</p>
+
+<p>Mark's face turned white; he bit his lip savagely to choke down his
+anger, and when he spoke at last his voice was hard and calm.</p>
+
+<p>"The cadets who are giving this hop," he said, drawing the invitation
+from under his coat, "invited me by this to come. I shall consider your
+remark, sir, as a personal insult, for which you will be called upon to
+answer at Fort Clinton."</p>
+
+<p>"And do you refuse to leave?"</p>
+
+<p>"As an invited guest and a cadet of this academy I most decidedly do."</p>
+
+<p>And the whole room heard him, too.</p>
+
+<p>Wright returned to his classmates; a brief consultation was held, ending
+in his stepping across the room and speaking to the leader of the band.
+The music stopped abruptly.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span>The hop was over for the night.</p>
+
+<p>Three heartily delighted plebes escorted three heartily delighted
+damsels home that night. And wild indeed was the hilarity of them and of
+the Banded Seven.</p>
+
+<p>"Victory! Victory!" was the cry. "We danced and we have conquered!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.<br />
+<span class="smalltext">A STRANGE ANNOUNCEMENT.</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>"Hey, fellows! What do you think? Mark Mallory's in disgrace."</p>
+
+<p>"In disgrace!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and he's going to be fired. Whoop!"</p>
+
+<p>The first speaker was Bull Harris. At the moment he was red in the face
+and breathless as the result of a long run across the parade ground. At
+the end of it he had burst suddenly into the midst of a crowd of his
+classmates with the excited exclamation above.</p>
+
+<p>The effect upon them of the startling announcement was electrical. To a
+man they had leaped to their feet, with expressions of delight they made
+no effort to conceal.</p>
+
+<p>"How do you know it, Bull?" demanded one of the crowd.</p>
+
+<p>"The superintendent has sent for him right in the middle of drill,"
+cried Bull.</p>
+
+<p>"What for?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know. It's something he's been doing. One of the orderlies told
+me he heard the old man say he'd fire him. And that's all I know."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span>The babel of confusion and excited voices that resulted from this bit of
+news lasted without interruption for several minutes.</p>
+
+<p>"It's too good to be true," they vowed. "By George, just as we were
+talking about him, wondering how we could get square with the confounded
+plebe, for his tricks! And now he's going to be fired."</p>
+
+<p>And then suddenly Bull's voice rose above the excitement again.</p>
+
+<p>"Look! Look!" he cried. "If you don't believe me look and see for
+yourselves. There he goes now!"</p>
+
+<p>The cadets stared across the parade ground and then shouted aloud for
+joy.</p>
+
+<p>Down on the road by the cavalry plain a single lone figure was walking,
+a figure clad in the "plebe" uniform. And the figure was that of
+Mallory!</p>
+
+<p>Mark as he walked did not observe the group of cadets who were glaring
+at him so angrily. It would not have worried him if he had, for he had
+something a good deal more important to occupy his mind just then. He
+was racking his brains to think of some plausible reason to account for
+his errand at the moment.</p>
+
+<p>He had been, along with the rest of the plebe company, lined up on one
+side of the camp for drill. A tactical officer had been rigidly putting
+them through the manual of arms, with half a dozen yearling corporals<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span>
+and file closers aiding him. And then, breathless with running, an
+orderly had burst upon the scene.</p>
+
+<p>He had a note in his hand, and he handed it to the "tac." The latter
+read it, then read it aloud&mdash;again.</p>
+
+<p>"Cadet Mallory will report to the superintendent at once."</p>
+
+<p>That was all; the rest of the class stared and wondered, and Mark
+stepped out of the line, handed his gun to the orderly, and strode away
+from the scene.</p>
+
+<p>The yearlings, as we have seen, had a good deal clearer notion of why
+Mark was wanted than he had himself. To Mark it was an absolute mystery.
+He knew no reason on earth why the superintendent should want him, and
+he quickened his pace so as to get there and find out the sooner.</p>
+
+<p>Erect and firmly stepping as was the plebe's habit by this time, he
+marched down the road toward the academy building, between the parade
+ground and the Cavalry Plain. He passed the chapel, and then the
+headquarters building, his destination, lay before him. Mark had entered
+that building just three times before this. He could not help thinking
+of them then.</p>
+
+<p>The first time, he had felt, was the most momentous moment of all his
+life. Months of struggling were there crowned with a triumph that had
+seemed to leave no more worlds to conquer. For he had entered that
+build<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span>ing then to take the oath of allegiance as a duly certified and
+admitted "conditional" cadet.</p>
+
+<p>What that had meant to Mark only those who have followed his history can
+appreciate. Poor and friendless, he had seen West Point as a heaven, the
+object of all his future hopes, an object far away from his home in
+Colorado, but one to be struggled for and hoped for none the less. He
+had earned the money to come by a sudden stroke of cleverness&mdash;one step.
+After that he had striven for the appointment, a step far longer and
+harder, yet one that must be taken.</p>
+
+<p>The congressman of that Colorado district had held a competitive
+examination. Mark had tried, and also his deadly enemy, one Benny
+Bartlett, a rather weak, malicious youth, spoiled by the old squire, his
+father. Benny had sworn to win, and was desperate when he realized he
+couldn't; he had bribed a printer's devil, gotten the examination
+papers, and so passed ahead of Mark, who was made alternate. But Mark
+had afterward beaten Benny at the West Point examination, where cheating
+was impossible, and had thus secured the long coveted cadetship.</p>
+
+<p>While we are talking about him he has gone inside. It would be well to
+stop and follow him, for momentous things were destined to result from
+that visit, too. It<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> was indeed true, as the yearlings so joyfully
+learned, Mark Mallory was in deep and serious danger.</p>
+
+<p>An orderly showed him promptly to the office of Colonel Harvey. Mark
+found that gentleman alone in the room, the same room where he had been
+received so kindly before. But this time the stern old officer seemed
+less cordial. There was a chilly air about it all that made the plebe
+feel rather uncomfortable. Colonel Harvey did not speak; he did not even
+look up from the paper on which he was writing; and Mark stood by at
+attention, waiting respectfully.</p>
+
+<p>The first movement did not come from either of them. Mark strove to keep
+his eyes to the front, which was in accordance with orders. But he could
+not help glancing about the room a little. And to his surprise he saw a
+side door open and another figure enter the room.</p>
+
+<p>Mark did not see that just at the moment the colonel's glance was fixed
+upon him steadfastly; he was too busy staring at the stranger. The
+stranger was a young fellow with coarse features, evidently a
+workingman. He twisted his hat in his hand nervously, obviously ill at
+ease. He stared at Mark and at the officer alternately. Mark, who did
+not know him from Adam, turned away after the first glance, giving no
+more thought to the intruder except to wonder what he was doing in that
+office.</p>
+
+<p>When Mark turned his eyes upon Colonel Harvey<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> again he saw then that
+the latter was watching him. And a moment later the colonel laid down
+his pen and spoke:</p>
+
+<p>"Cadet Mallory," he said sternly, "I wish you to observe this man. Do
+you know him?"</p>
+
+<p>Mark stared at the stranger in amazement.</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir," he said. "I never saw him before, to my knowledge."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you sure?"</p>
+
+<p>"Perfectly."</p>
+
+<p>There was a moment's pause after that, and then the superintendent
+tapped a bell upon his desk. It was answered at once. The same door
+opened again, and two persons entered suddenly. Mark knew them, and he
+knew them well. He stared at them incredulously, gasping; and he sprang
+back in amazement.</p>
+
+<p>"Benny Bartlett!" he cried. "You here! And the squire!"</p>
+
+<p>It was Benny Bartlett sure enough; Mark knew his sallow deceptive look
+too well to be mistaken. And the squire was the same stout and
+blustering, self-assertive old man. He banged his cane on the floor as
+he heard Mark's exclamation and saw his look of surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," he cried. "It is the squire. And I observe you start with
+guilt when you see him, too."</p>
+
+<p>Mark stared at the two all the harder then. And there was a brief
+silence during which every one stared at every<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> one else. Mark thought
+he saw the stranger twist his cap yet more nervously.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Mallory," began the superintendent at last. "Mr. Mallory, do you
+know why these three are here?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir," said Mark, with evident emphasis.</p>
+
+<p>"Is this upon your honor as a gentleman?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is," was the answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Humph!" snorted the squire. "Your word of honor isn't worth much!
+I&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"If you please," interrupted Colonel Harvey with dignity, "that question
+is for me to settle. Mr.&mdash;er&mdash;what did you say this man's name was?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nick," put in the squire.</p>
+
+<p>"Nick," said the superintendent, turning toward the strange youth, "will
+you please have the goodness to tell again the story which you told to
+me."</p>
+
+<p>Nick looked frightened and hesitated.</p>
+
+<p>"Come, come!" cried the squire, impatiently. "Out with it now, and no
+lies about it!"</p>
+
+<p>Thus enjoined Nick cleared his throat and began.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm a printer's boy," he said, "and I works for the Roberts in Denver.
+I was a-walking along the street one day, I was and up comes this
+feller&mdash;indicating Mark&mdash;and he says, says he to me, 'Your people are
+printing the examination papers for Congressman Wheeler, ain't they?'
+'Yes,' says I, and then after that a little while he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> says that he wants
+to win them examinations, 'cause there was a feller trying 'em that he
+wanted to beat. So he gimme a hundred&mdash;that was the next day; he said
+he'd earned it in a railroad smash up, or something&mdash;and then I got them
+papers and gave 'em to him. And that's all I know."</p>
+
+<p>"Very good," commented the squire, tapping his cane with approval. "Very
+good! And what did he say about these West Point examinations?"</p>
+
+<p>"He said, says he, 'If I win these here and git the appointment, I ain't
+a-going to do nothin' but skin through the others with cribs.'"</p>
+
+<p>"That's right!" cried the squire, triumphantly. "There now! What more do
+you want?"</p>
+
+<p>He glanced at the superintendent inquiringly, and the superintendent
+gazed at Mark. As for Mark, he was simply too dumfounded to move. He
+stood as if glued to the spot and stared in blank consternation from one
+to the other.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said the colonel at last, "what have you to say for yourself?"</p>
+
+<p>Mark was too amazed to say much.</p>
+
+<p>"So that is their plan!" he gasped. "So they seek to rob me of my
+cadetship by this&mdash;this&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>He stopped then, unable to express his feelings.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span>"Colonel Harvey," he inquired at last, "may I ask if you believe this
+story?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do not see, Mr. Mallory," was the response, "what else I am to
+believe. I do not like to accuse these three gentlemen of a plot to ruin
+you. And yet&mdash;and yet&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"May I ask a question or two?" inquired Mark, noticing the puzzled and
+worried look upon his superior's face.</p>
+
+<p>"Most certainly," was the answer.</p>
+
+<p>"In the first place, if you please, according to this story, if I gave
+this man a hundred dollars, why did he tell about it afterward?"</p>
+
+<p>"His conscience troubled him," cried the old squire excitedly. "As yours
+would have if you had any. He knew that he had done wrong, robbed my
+son, and he came and told me. And I was wild, sir, wild with anger. I
+have brought this man on all the way from Colorado, and I propose to see
+my son into his rights, if I die for it!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh!" said Mark. "So you want Benny made a cadet. But tell me how, if I
+had the papers, did Benny beat me so badly, anyhow?"</p>
+
+<p>"My son always was brighter than you," sneered the old man.</p>
+
+<p>"And all the examinations weren't from printed papers," chimed in
+Benny's crowing voice. "There was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> spelling, and reading and
+writing&mdash;that was where I beat you."</p>
+
+<p>"I see," responded Mark. "It is a clever scheme. And I'm told I passed
+here because I cheated; how came you to fail?"</p>
+
+<p>"My son was sick at the time," cried Squire Bartlett, "and I can prove
+it, too."</p>
+
+<p>Mark smiled incredulously at that; Benny Bartlett nodded his head in
+support of his father's assertion.</p>
+
+<p>"Well?" inquired the squire. "Is there anything more you want to know?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Mark. "Nothing."</p>
+
+<p>"Satisfied now, are ye?" sneered the other; and then he turned to
+Colonel Harvey. "I think that is all, sir," he said. "What more do you
+want?"</p>
+
+<p>The colonel stood gazing into space with a troubled look. He did not
+know what to say; he did not know what to think. He could not call these
+three men conspirators; and yet the handsome, sturdy lad who had done so
+much to win his approval, surely he did not look like a thief!</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Mallory," he inquired at last. "What have you to say to this?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing," responded Mark. "Nothing, except to denounce it as an
+absolute and unmitigated lie from beginning to end."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span>"But what proof can you bring?"</p>
+
+<p>"None whatever, except my word."</p>
+
+<p>After that there was no more said for some minutes. The silence was
+broken by the superintendent's rising.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Mallory," he said, "you may go now. I must think this matter over."</p>
+
+<p>And Mark went out of the door, his brain fairly reeling. He was lost!
+lost! West Point, his aim in life, his one and only hope, was going! He
+was to be dismissed in disgrace, sent home branded as a criminal! And
+all for a lie! An infamous lie!</p>
+
+<p>A few minutes later Benny and the printer's devil, his accomplice, came
+out of that same door. But it was with a far different look. Benny was
+chuckling with triumph.</p>
+
+<p>"It worked!" he cried. "By Heaven, it worked to perfection! Even the old
+man hasn't caught on!"</p>
+
+<p>"Squire Bartlett's as blind as Mallory," laughed the other. "And
+Mallory'll be out in a week. Remember, you owe me that hundred to-day."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.<br />
+<span class="smalltext">TEXAS TURNS HIGHWAYMAN.</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>There were six terrified plebes up at Camp McPherson, when Mark rushed
+in, pale and breathless, to tell them the reason for his summons to
+headquarters. The Banded Seven had not had such a shock since they
+organized to resist the yearlings.</p>
+
+<p>"Benny Bartlett!" cried Texas, springing up in rage. "Do you mean that
+little rascal I licked the day he got sassy during exams?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's he," said Mark, "and he's come back to get his revenge."</p>
+
+<p>"And you don't mean," cried the six, almost in one breath, "Colonel
+Harvey believes it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why shouldn't he?" responded Mark, despairingly. "I cannot see any way
+out of it. The whole thing's a dirty lie from beginning to end, but it
+makes a straight story when it is told, and I can't disprove it."</p>
+
+<p>"But I thought you said," cried Texas, "that you saw Benny himself
+cheating, or tryin' to, at the examinations right hyar."</p>
+
+<p>"So I did," said the other. "But I cannot prove that. I know lots of
+things about him, but I can't prove one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> of them. They've simply got me
+and that's all there is of it. There are three of them, and it's almost
+impossible to make the superintendent think they're lying. Think of a
+rich old man like the squire's doing a trick like that!"</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps he ain't," suggested Texas, shrewdly.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps not," admitted Mark. "Benny would not hesitate to lie to his
+own father. But all the same I have no proof. And what in Heaven's name
+am I to do?"</p>
+
+<p>Mark sat down upon the locker in his tent and buried his face in his
+hands. His wretchedness is left to the imagination. The whole thing had
+come so suddenly, so unexpectedly, right in the midst of his triumph!
+And it was so horrible!</p>
+
+<p>The six could think of no word of comfort; for they were as cast down,
+as thunderstruck, as he. Their regard for Mark was deep and true, and
+his ruin they felt was theirs. They sat or stood about the tent in
+characteristic attitudes, and with dejection written upon every line of
+their countenances.</p>
+
+<p>First to move was the wild Texas, ever impulsive and excitable. And
+Texas leaped to his feet, with a muttered whoop!</p>
+
+<p>"I'm a-goin' to prove them air fellers are lyin', by thunder, ef I have
+to resign to do it!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span>By the time that brief resolution was finished Texas was out of the tent
+and gone. The six glanced up as he left, and then once more resumed
+their dejected and bewildered discussion.</p>
+
+<p>"I can see no way out of it. No way!" groaned Mark. "I am gone."</p>
+
+<p>And the others could see no other way to look at it.</p>
+
+<p>Texas was rather more bizarre and unconventional, more daring than his
+companions from the "effete East," and his detective efforts were apt to
+be more interesting for that reason. He paced up and down the company
+street, hearing and seeing no one, thinking, thinking for all he was
+worth.</p>
+
+<p>"Proof! Proof!" he kept muttering to himself over and over again.
+"Proof! Proof!"</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps it was ten minutes before he did anything else. Texas was like a
+fisherman waiting for a bite during that time. He was waiting for an
+inspiration. And then suddenly the inspiration came. He stopped short in
+his tracks, opened his eyes wide and staring, and his mouth also; his
+fingers began to twitch with a sudden wave of excitement; his face
+flushed and he trembled all over. The next moment with a joyful
+"durnation!" he had turned and was off like a shot down the street.</p>
+
+<p>"I've got it! I've got it! Whoop!"</p>
+
+<p>And then suddenly he halted again.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span>"I won't tell 'em," he muttered to himself. "I'll keep it for a
+surprise! But then, I'll want some one to help me. Who'll I&mdash;oh, yes!"</p>
+
+<p>Texas had turned and started with no less haste the other way.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll git one o' them ole cadets," he chuckled, "some one the ole man'll
+believe. I know!"</p>
+
+<p>At the eastern side of the camp, in A Company Street, and facing the
+sentry post of Number Three, stood a single spacious tent. It belonged
+to the first cadet captain, Fischer by name. And at that tent, trembling
+with impatience, the plebe halted and knocked.</p>
+
+<p>"Come in," called a voice, and Texas entered.</p>
+
+<p>There was but one occupant in the tent&mdash;the first captain has a tent to
+himself, if you please. It was Fischer, tall and stately and handsome as
+usual, with his magnificent uniform and sash and chevrons. He was
+engaged in writing a letter at the moment; he looked up and then arose
+to his feet, a look of surprise upon his face as he recognized the
+plebe.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Powers," said he.</p>
+
+<p>Texas bowed; and then he started right in to business.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Fischer," he began, "I know it ain't customary for plebes to visit
+first classmen, and especially B.&nbsp;J. plebes. But I got something to say
+right naow that's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> important, more important than ceremonies an' such.
+Will you listen?"</p>
+
+<p>The officer bowed courteously, though he still looked surprised.</p>
+
+<p>"It's about Mr. Mallory," said Texas. "I reckon you've heard the stories
+'bout him?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have heard rumors," said the other. "I shall be glad to hear more."</p>
+
+<p>Texas told him the story then, just as Mark had told it a few minutes
+ago. And the look of surprise on the captain's face deepened.</p>
+
+<p>"This is a serious business, Mr. Powers," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"It's one lie from beginning to end!" growled the other. "Now look
+a-yere. You been a pretty good friend o' Mark's, Mr. Fischer. You're the
+only man I know of in this place that's tried to see fair play. When
+Mark had to fight them yearlings it was you saw he had his rights. When
+they tried to get him dismissed on demerits, you were the one to stop
+'em. Now, I don't know why you did it, 'cept perhaps you're an honest,
+fair an' square man yourself, an' saw he was, too. Anyhow, you've been
+his friend."</p>
+
+<p>"I have tried to see fair play," responded the other, slowly. "I have
+not approved of many of his acts, what he did last night at the hop, for
+instance. But still&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span>"If you knew this yere plot was a lie, would you say so?" interrupted
+Texas.</p>
+
+<p>"I most certainly should."</p>
+
+<p>"An' if you saw a chance to prove it, knowin' that Mark'd be dismissed
+if you didn't, would you?"</p>
+
+<p>"It would be my duty, I think, as captain of his company. I should do it
+anyway, for I respect Mr. Mallory."</p>
+
+<p>And Texas seized the surprised Fischer by the hand and gave him a mighty
+squeeze.</p>
+
+<p>"Wow!" he cried. "I knew you would! Whoop! We'll fool them ole liars
+yet!"</p>
+
+<p>Then, to the still greater surprise of the cadet captain&mdash;who wasn't
+used to Texas' ways&mdash;the plebe dragged him over to the corner of the
+tent and whispered in a trembling, excited voice.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you tell a soul, naow, not a soul. S-sh! Do you want to turn
+highwayman?"</p>
+
+<p>Fischer stared at the other in alarm.</p>
+
+<p>"Turn highwayman!" he echoed.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," whispered Texas. "Don't you know what a highwayman is? He's a man
+what robs folks at night?"</p>
+
+<p>Fischer gasped and looked dumfounded. The day that Texas had gone on his
+"spree" and tried to wreck West Point he had been reported by the
+surgeon on the sick list for "temporary mental aberration due to the
+heat."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span>"This is an awfully hot day," thought Fischer. "I hope to gracious he
+hasn't got any guns!"</p>
+
+<p>Texas waited a moment longer, and then he went on to whisper. He had
+lots to say, and one would have been interested to observe its effect
+upon the officer. His look of consternation faded; one of interest,
+doubt, and then finally of delight replaced it. And by the time the
+other was through he had forgotten the lad was a plebe. He seized his
+hand and slapped him upon the back.</p>
+
+<p>"By George!" he cried. "I'll do it! It's a slim chance, slim as thunder,
+but if it'll clear Mark Mallory I'll try it if it costs me my chevrons!"</p>
+
+<p>At which Texas gave vent to a whoop that awoke the echoes of the
+Highlands.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.<br />
+<span class="smalltext">TWO MIDNIGHT PROWLERS.</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>On the night of the day we are writing about, there was something
+unusual happening. It was neither a sentry nor an officer, this stealthy
+figure that stole out of a tent in the street of Company A. He waited
+cautiously until the sentry behind his tent had passed on to the other
+end, and then with the slyness of an Indian he crept down the path. And
+when he disappeared again, it was the big tent of the first captain that
+swallowed him up.</p>
+
+<p>Fischer was expecting that visit. He was up and dressing, and ready for
+the other.</p>
+
+<p>"There are the clothes, Mr. Powers," he whispered. "Leave your uniform
+here and slip into them quickly."</p>
+
+<p>The captain's voice was trembling with excitement, and some little
+nervousness, too. This was a desperate errand for him. It might cost him
+his chevrons, if not worse; for he had desperate deeds to do that night.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you got the guns?" he whispered.</p>
+
+<p>By way of answer Texas slipped two shining revolvers into the other's
+hands. Fischer gripped the cold steel for a moment to steady his nerves,
+and then thrust the weapons into the pocket of the rough coat he wore.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span>"Come on," he said. "I'm ready."</p>
+
+<p>He stepped out of the tent, Texas close at his heels. The two crept
+around the side, then crouched and waited. Suddenly Fischer put his
+fingers to his lips and gave a low whistle. The effect was
+instantaneous. Sentries Number Three and Four promptly faced about and
+marched off the other way. It was contrary to orders for sentries to
+face in opposite directions at the same time. But it was handy, for it
+kept them from "seeing any one cross their beats." Texas and his
+companion had sprung up and dashed across the path and disappeared over
+the earthworks of old Fort Clinton.</p>
+
+<p>"That was neatly done," chuckled Texas. "We're safe now."</p>
+
+<p>"It would be a sad state of affairs, indeed," laughed the other, "if a
+first captain couldn't 'fix' two sentries of his own class. We're all
+right if we don't make any noise."</p>
+
+<p>A person who glanced at the two would not have taken them for cadets.
+They were clad in old dilapidated clothing, with collars turned up to
+increase the effect. To complete this disguise, they took two black
+handkerchiefs from their pockets, and in a few minutes more were as
+desperate-looking burglars as ever roamed the night.</p>
+
+<p>"Burglary's not much worse than conspiracy, any<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span>way," muttered Fischer,
+as he hurried along. "I wonder what time it is."</p>
+
+<p>"Twelve o'clock and all's we-ell!" rang the voice of the sentry from
+camp just then&mdash;an answer to the question. And the two
+villainous-looking men crept on in silence, gripping their weapons the
+tighter as they went.</p>
+
+<p>The hotel lies very near the camp; it was only a short walk for the two,
+even creeping and dodging as they were, before they were safely hidden
+close to the porch of the building. The house is in Colonial style, with
+big, high pillars, painted white. It was a difficult climb, but the two
+lost not one moment in hesitation. They evidently knew just why they
+came, and had planned their task beforehand. Texas sprang up on the
+shoulders of the other, and a short while later was lying breathless
+upon the tin roof of the piazza.</p>
+
+<p>Fischer had dodged back into the shadow to wait. The other lay where he
+was for a short while, to glance about him and recover his breath; then
+he rolled over and crept softly and silently along until he reached one
+of the windows. Texas had found out which one beforehand; he could
+afford to waste no time now, for this was a State's prison offense he
+was at.</p>
+
+<p>He raised himself and glanced over the sill of the open window; he
+glanced hastily about the room inside,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> and then dropped down again and
+crept to the edge of the roof.</p>
+
+<p>"They aren't there," he whispered. "S-sh!"</p>
+
+<p>"Not there!" echoed the other. "Then they haven't come home yet. Drop
+down."</p>
+
+<p>Texas slid down that pillar with alacrity that would have scared a cat.
+And the two were hiding in the bushes a moment or two later.</p>
+
+<p>"Gee whiz!" muttered Fischer. "Just think of the risks we took. They
+might have come in on us."</p>
+
+<p>"Where can they be?" whispered Texas, anxiously. "I hadn't any idea they
+wouldn't be in by twelve."</p>
+
+<p>"There's nothing they can be doing around here," said Fischer. "I don't
+know&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Look a here!" muttered Texas, excitedly, as a sudden idea occurred to
+him. "I saw 'em a-goin' down to Highland Falls this evenin', an&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Fischer gripped him by the arm.</p>
+
+<p>"Jove!" he cried. "We'll go down and lay for 'em. It's a faint chance,
+but if we catch 'em there it'll be a thousand times less dangerous for
+us. And if we miss them we can come back. Let's hurry."</p>
+
+<p>It was a dangerous business, that getting down to Highland Falls. There
+were the camp sentries and the sentries of the regular army, besides,
+patroling most of the paths. And any of them would have stopped those<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span>
+two rough-looking men if they had seen them skulking about the post. But
+Fischer had been there three years, and he knew most of the "ropes." He
+dodged from building to building, always keeping the road in view so as
+to see their victims if they passed&mdash;and finally came out upon the road
+just at the beginning to cadet limits. Here they hid in a thick clump of
+bushes and lay down to wait amid the silence of that dark, deserted
+spot.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if they'll come," whispered Texas. "I wish I had one of 'em by
+the neck. The rascals&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>The words were choked in their utterance; for the officer suddenly
+nudged his companion and pointed down the road.</p>
+
+<p>"Look!"</p>
+
+<p>That was all he said. Texas turned and glanced as he directed. There
+were two figures, clearly outlined in the moonlight, walking slowly up
+the road.</p>
+
+<p>"It's they," whispered Fischer. "Shall we try it?"</p>
+
+<p>And Texas gripped the two revolvers in his pocket and muttered, "Yes, we
+shall!"</p>
+
+<p>The two came nearer and nearer. Out of the black shadows where they lay
+the cadets stared hard, watching them anxiously, waiting, panting with
+impatience and excitement. The strangers were slightly built, both of
+them, and young; Texas recognized one of them plainly. It was Benny
+Bartlett; that the other was the printer's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> boy, he took for granted.
+Then suddenly he noticed one of them stagger.</p>
+
+<p>"That solves it," whispered Fischer. "They've been down to Cranston's
+getting drunk. The beasts!"</p>
+
+<p>That last word cut Texas like a knife; he had been that way not a week
+ago himself. Texas was slowly learning the civilized view of
+drunkenness.</p>
+
+<p>He forgot that in a few moments more, however. There was excitement,
+plenty of it, to fill his mind. The pair drew nearer still in the bright
+moonlight, and the time for their desperate deed was almost upon the
+cadets.</p>
+
+<p>"For Heaven's sake don't let them get away," whispered Fischer. "If they
+cry out, make a break for camp, and I'll fix it."</p>
+
+<p>That word was the last to be spoken; they lay in silence after that,
+listening to the others. Benny Bartlett, it appeared, was the more
+hilarious of the two, as such feeble hilarity goes. The other was trying
+hard to keep him quiet. The bushes that hid the cadets were right beside
+the road; and as Benny drew near they made out that he was trying to
+sing.</p>
+
+<p>"We won't go home till morning; we won't go&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Shut up, you fool!" the other muttered, shaking him by no means gently.
+"You'll wake the old man, and&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>The two watchers rose upon their knees. Two re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span>volvers clicked gently,
+which made the printer's boy start in alarm, and then came a subdued
+"Now!"</p>
+
+<p>Before the victims could move or utter a sound two stalwart, roughly
+dressed, black-masked figures sprang out into the road. And the
+half-drunken pair found themselves gazing into the muzzles of two
+glistening revolvers.</p>
+
+<p>"Hold up your hands!"</p>
+
+<p>Half dead with terror the printer obeyed; the other sunk in a heap to
+the ground, his teeth fairly chattering.</p>
+
+<p>"Not a sound!" was the next gruff order, obeyed equally well; and then
+the robbers got quickly to work.</p>
+
+<p>It was all done so expeditiously that the victims scarcely realized it.
+One of the men covered the two with his weapons and the other went
+swiftly through the pockets of both.</p>
+
+<p>He did not seem to care for watches or money. It was papers he looked
+for, and he glanced at what he found with feverish impatience. He had a
+matchbox in his hand, and he turned away from the party as he struck a
+light and read one after the other, tossing them aside with an angry
+exclamation. He searched the printer first and seemed to find nothing.
+Then he went for Benny, tumbling him about the ground and not forgetting
+to administer sundry vigorous kicks.</p>
+
+<p>He had almost searched Benny, too, without success,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> when suddenly he
+gave an exclamation of joy, an exclamation which almost caused the other
+to drop his revolvers. The searcher had put his hand into a small,
+out-of-the-way pocket, and found a bit of carefully folded paper.</p>
+
+<p>"This'll do it!" he whispered. "Come on."</p>
+
+<p>Texas' heart began to throb with joy&mdash;Texas was the one with the gun.</p>
+
+<p>"Victory! Victory!" he muttered. "Wow!"</p>
+
+<p>Ready to shout with excitement at his success he started to follow the
+other, who was already making for the dense woods at the side of the
+road. He backed away slowly, still facing the two horrified lads, still
+leveling his weapons at them.</p>
+
+<p>"Not a sound!" he muttered gruffly. "Remember!"</p>
+
+<p>He reached the edge of the shadow in safety, and then suddenly a noise
+caught his sharp ear. It was not from the two, but from up the road. It
+was the sound of a horse's hoofs, accompanied by a jingling of sword and
+spur. Texas glanced around quickly; it was a horseman trotting up the
+road, an officer from the cavalry post! And in an instant more Texas had
+sprung into the woods and was dashing away with all his speed.</p>
+
+<p>"Run, run!" he whispered to the cadet just in front. "Somebody's
+coming."</p>
+
+<p>Benny Bartlett had not nerve to give an alarm; but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> the printer's boy
+had. The fleeing pair heard his voice shouting:</p>
+
+<p>"Help! help! Murder!"</p>
+
+<p>And an instant later came a clatter and thunder of hoofs as the soldier
+dashed up.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter?" he cried.</p>
+
+<p>"Robbers!" shrieked the two. "We've been held up! They ran in there!
+Help! Help!"</p>
+
+<p>The rescuer wheeled his horse sharply about; he whipped his sword from
+its scabbard and plunged furiously into the woods. The two heard his
+horse dashing up, and they knew their danger was great indeed.</p>
+
+<p>Texas was flying on ahead, running for his life; but Fischer, who was a
+good deal the cooler of the two in the emergency, seized him by the arm
+and forced him into a clump of bushes on one side.</p>
+
+<p>"Lie there!" he cried. "S-sh! Not a sound!"</p>
+
+<p>The wisdom of the ruse was apparent. Crashing footsteps gave the officer
+something to follow; without it he might not find them in the black
+woods. They heard his horse thrashing about in the underbrush; the man
+was evidently afraid of nothing even in the darkness, for he plunged
+through it furiously, riding back and forth and beating the bushes. Once
+he passed so near to them that Texas heard the sword swish and felt for
+his revolvers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> instinctively. But that was the best the man could do,
+and finally he gave it up in disgust and rode out to the road again.</p>
+
+<p>Then the two highwaymen arose and stole softly away in the darkness,
+congratulating themselves upon that narrow escape and still more upon
+their success.</p>
+
+<p>When they reached the camp, which they did in a great hurry, for they
+knew the officer would alarm the post, they passed the sentry in the
+same way, and separated, Texas hurrying into his own tent. To his
+amazement he found his tent mates awake and sitting up, for what reason
+he had no idea.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter?" he cried anxiously, for he saw at once that
+something horrible had happened.</p>
+
+<p>"Matter enough!" cried Mark in just as much anxiety. "It's not enough
+for me to get dismissed, but you have to go to work and get yourself in
+the same scrape."</p>
+
+<p>"I dismissed!" echoed Texas, in amazement. "How?"</p>
+
+<p>"Your absence has been noticed," groaned Mark. "Lieutenant Allen has
+ordered an inspection of the tent every half hour until you return.
+They've been here twice now, and you're a goner. And what makes it ten
+thousand times worse, I know it's on account of me. You've been doing
+something to clear me."</p>
+
+<p>All this was said in about as lugubrious a tone as one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> could well
+imagine. But as for Texas, he merely chuckled as if he didn't care in
+the least.</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon it'll be all right," he chuckled, as he began to shed his
+"cits" clothing. "Jes' you fellers go to bed an' be good. I reckon it'll
+all come out all right. Good-night."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.<br />
+<span class="smalltext">BENNY IS EXPOSED.</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>"Well, sir, I've come to ask what you propose to do about it."</p>
+
+<p>It was the pompous old squire, and he stood once more in the
+superintendent's office, impatience written in every line of his face.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," he continued, "I should like to know your decision."</p>
+
+<p>"But, my dear sir," exclaimed Colonel Harvey, "I have not made up my
+mind entirely. It is only yesterday you stated your case. What is the
+hurry?"</p>
+
+<p>"Hurry, sir?" returned the squire, "I am in a hurry for my rights. I
+mean that my son shall have the cadetship he has earned."</p>
+
+<p>"Where is your son?" inquired the other, after a moment's thought.</p>
+
+<p>"He is up at the hotel," answered the squire. "Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"I should like to see him for just a moment. I have one question to ask
+him, if you please. I'll send an orderly for him."</p>
+
+<p>The old man bowed stiffly; he sat up very straight in his chair and
+waited with dignity until his young hopeful<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> appeared, wondering
+meanwhile what more the obdurate officer could want.</p>
+
+<p>Master Benjamin entered the room obviously pale and flushed. He did not
+feel very well as the result of his last night's "manliness," and he had
+dim visions of robbers and stolen papers besides. He bowed to his father
+and the grave superintendent.</p>
+
+<p>"Take a seat," said the latter. "I shall not keep you long. Take this
+pen and paper. I am anxious to see your handwriting. Please write these
+words as I dictate them."</p>
+
+<p>Benny, puzzled and alarmed, prepared to obey; he saw that the army
+officer was watching him narrowly, which did not increase his ease of
+manner.</p>
+
+<p>"Write," said Colonel Harvey, "I&mdash;promise&mdash;to&mdash;pay-to&mdash;Nick&mdash;&mdash; What's
+the matter?"</p>
+
+<p>Benny had begun to write promptly. At the sixth word he had turned pale
+as death, and his hand was trembling.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter?" thundered the colonel again. "Why don't you write?"</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;I&mdash;&mdash;" stammered Benny. "I'm not very well."</p>
+
+<p>"I should say not!" responded the other, angrily. "Let me see that
+paper."</p>
+
+<p>He took it from the trembling lad's hand.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span>"Is that your son's handwriting?" he demanded, turning to the squire.</p>
+
+<p>Old Mr. Bartlett glanced at it quickly, a look of amazement upon his
+face.</p>
+
+<p>"No," he said, "it isn't. Benny, why don't you write in your usual way?
+Why don't you do as the gentleman tells you? And what's the meaning of
+this, anyway?"</p>
+
+<p>Benny took the pen again, this time weakly.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll write it," he said. "Here."</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Harvey dictated it again relentlessly.</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;promise&mdash;to&mdash;pay&mdash;to&mdash;Nick&mdash;Flynn&mdash;one&mdash;hundred&mdash;dollars&mdash;when
+M.&mdash;M.&mdash;is&mdash;fired. Benjamin Bartlett. Received&mdash;payment&mdash;July&mdash;13. Nick
+Flynn."</p>
+
+<p>The officer took the result, laid it on his desk and took another from
+his pocket to compare.</p>
+
+<p>"That settles it," said he, looking up at last. "Conspiracy."</p>
+
+<p>"What does this mean, sir?" demanded the angry old squire, who had been
+waxing more and more impatient under the ordeal. "Why should my son be
+insulted like a common criminal? Why&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Because he is one," responded the other, just as warmly. "Look at those
+two papers, sir! Your son wrote both, and I know it."</p>
+
+<p>"Where did you get that other?"</p>
+
+<p>"The story is briefly told," said Colonel Harvey. "Two<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> cadets of my
+academy turned highwaymen yesterday and held up your son at the point of
+a revolver. I presume he has told you."</p>
+
+<p>"So that's who it was!" cried the furious squire. "So that's the kind of
+cadets you have! I shall have them both in jail."</p>
+
+<p>"You will not," laughed the other, "for several reasons. In the first
+place, you do not know who they are, and I do not propose to tell you.
+In the second, if you do, your son is guilty of conspiracy, and I shall
+see him punished for that."</p>
+
+<p>"This is preposterous!" exclaimed Squire Bartlett. "That paper proves
+absolutely nothing&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"His manner when I asked him to write it, and his attempt to disguise
+his hand, prove a good deal to me. It proves to me, sir, that he is
+lying, and that you are a very foolish and indulgent father to believe
+him as you do. He has lied to me and to you, and he lies still when he
+denies it. Look at him cower now, sir! I knew that this whole thing was
+an outrageous plot the very moment the cadets showed me that paper this
+morning. One of them is one of my most trusted officers, and I believe
+his account. And what is more&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Here the colonel stopped and glared at Benny.</p>
+
+<p>"I say this for the benefit of your son, who evidently hates Mark
+Mallory. I believed and was glad to believe,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> that Mallory, who is the
+finest lad I had seen for many a day, is as honest as he is brave. And I
+shall take great pleasure in telling him so, and in apologizing for my
+doubts. And in conclusion&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Harvey arose to his feet and bowed.</p>
+
+<p>"I bid you a good-day, Squire Bartlett. Cadet Mallory will not be
+expelled from this academy, if I can help it."</p>
+
+<p>And Benny and the squire left West Point that morning, which was the end
+of Mark's peril in that direction.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII.<br />
+<span class="smalltext">MARK RECEIVES A COMMITTEE.</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>"Oh, say, Mark, I wish you'd fight that ole cadet! An' ef you do, jest
+won't we whoop her up! Gee whiz!"</p>
+
+<p>The speaker was Texas. His quiet gray eyes were glistening as he spoke,
+and his face was alive with excitement.</p>
+
+<p>The two were resting from the morning's drill, and were lounging about a
+shady nook in the corner of the siege battery inclosure. Grouped about
+them, and equally interested in the important discussion were five
+plebes, the other members of the Banded Seven.</p>
+
+<p>It will be remembered that one of the "hop managers," a first classman
+and an officer, Cadet Lieutenant Wright, had ventured in behalf of his
+class to request Mark to leave the floor. Mark, who was in the midst of
+a dance at the moment, had been justly indignant. He had informed the
+other that an apology would be demanded; and that as a cadet, having an
+invitation, he proposed to stay and dance. Whereupon the hop managers
+had stopped the music and "busted up their ole hop" and gone home in a
+rage.</p>
+
+<p>That was the end of the matter, except that there was a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> fight on
+between Cadet Mallory and Lieutenant Wright. It was to that fight that
+Texas was alluding.</p>
+
+<p>"An' ef you lick him," he repeated, "won't we whoop her up!"</p>
+
+<p>"There will certainly be a fight," responded Mark, after a moment's
+thought. "That is, unless Wright apologizes, which he will not do of
+course. I do not like to fight; I'd a great deal rather get along
+without it; for it is a brutal sort of an amusement at best."</p>
+
+<p>"Rats!" growled Texas.</p>
+
+<p>"But it's necessary all the same," continued the other. "I do not see
+how I can keep my dignity otherwise. The notion that a plebe is a
+creature without any feelings who may be slammed about at will is
+altogether too prevalent to suit my taste; and I propose to have the
+cadets understand once and for all that they may haze me all they want
+to if they can, but that when they insult me they are going to get
+hurt."</p>
+
+<p>"Bully, b'gee!" chimed in Dewey, with a chuckle of delight.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think you can do him?" inquired one.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know," said Mark. "And what is more I don't want to know. If I
+knew I could whip him I wouldn't want to fight. I mean to try."</p>
+
+<p>"Wow!" growled Texas, angry at the mere supposition of Mark's not being
+able to thrash any one on earth.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> "Didn't he whop Billy Williams? An'
+ain't he the best man in the yearlin' class?"</p>
+
+<p>"They said he was," said Mark. "And I had a hard time with him. But
+Wright's been here two years longer and is trained to the top notch.
+He's stronger than Williams, but I doubt if he's so quick. And still
+he's captain of the football team, which means a good deal, I'll tell
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish 'twar my chance to fight him!" exclaimed Texas. "Say, Mark, you
+always were lucky."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't even know if he'll fight yet," laughed the other.</p>
+
+<p>"B'gee!" chimed in Dewey, "I think it's about time you began to think of
+getting ready to start to send over and find out. Reminds me of a story
+I once heard, b'gee&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Good Heavens!" groaned Mark, with a look of anguish, "I'll send at
+once. Everything I do seems to remind you of something. I'll send."</p>
+
+<p>"You will, hey?" laughed Dewey. "B'gee, that reminds me of another.
+There was a fellow lived in Kalamazoo, and he&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"You go!" said Mark. "I'll make you my ambassador to keep you quiet. Or
+at least you can tell your stories to the enemy. Hurry up now!"</p>
+
+<p>Dewey arose from his seat and prepared to start upon his errand. Texas
+was on his feet in an instant.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span>"Naow look a yere, Mark!" he cried. "Why kain't I go? I want some fun,
+too. You wouldn't let me go that time to Billy Williams!"</p>
+
+<p>"I won't let you go now for the same reason," laughed Mark. "You'd be in
+a free-for-all fight in half a minute yourself. You go ahead, Dewey.
+Tell Mr. Wright that I demand an apology or else that he name the time
+and place. Throw in a few 'b'gees' for good measure, tell him a yarn or
+two, and make yourself charming and agreeable and handsome as usual.
+Tra, la, la."</p>
+
+<p>Dewey tossed him an effusive kiss by way of thanks for the compliment,
+and then vaulted over the embankment and set out for camp, marching
+right merrily to the tune of "The Girl I Left Behind Me," hands at the
+side, chest out, palms to the front, little fingers on the seams of the
+trousers!</p>
+
+<p>The remainder of the Banded Seven waited in considerable anxiety for the
+return of the "ambassador." They were one and all of them interested in
+their leader and hero; his triumph was theirs and theirs his.</p>
+
+<p>"He'll take half an hour, anyway," said Mark. "So there's no use
+beginning to get impatient yet. Let's take it easy."</p>
+
+<p>"Yea, by Zeus!" said the Parson. "And in the meantime allow me to call
+your attention to a most interesting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> and as yet unclassified fossil
+which I unearthed this very morning."</p>
+
+<p>The Parson cleared his throat with his usual "Ahem!" and Mark cast up
+his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish I had found an embassy for the Parson, too," he groaned.</p>
+
+<p>But there was no necessity for Mark's alarm, as it proved. The Parson
+had barely time to give a few introductory bits of information about
+"the pteroreptian genera of the Triassic and Jurassic periods," when the
+"Girl I Left Behind Me" once more made herself audible and Dewey
+appeared upon the scene, obviously excited.</p>
+
+<p>"What are you back so soon for?" inquired Mark.</p>
+
+<p>"I hadn't anything to do," responded the other, hurriedly. "Wright
+wouldn't see me."</p>
+
+<p>"What! Why not?"</p>
+
+<p>"He says there's a committee from his class coming to see you about it,
+b'gee."</p>
+
+<p>"A committee!" echoed Mark. "I've got nothing to do with any committee.
+It's my business to challenge him."</p>
+
+<p>"I know. But that don't make any difference. He wouldn't talk about it,
+he just said the committee would see you about it and explain the
+situation. And to make it more exciting, b'gee, they're coming now."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you know?" inquired Mark.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span>"I saw 'em," answered Dewey, "and I told 'em where you were and, b'gee,
+they're on the way in a hurry. Something's up, b'gee, and I'm going to
+be right here to see it, too."</p>
+
+<p>Dewey dropped into his corner once more, and after that the Seven said
+nothing, but waited in considerable suspense for the arrival of the
+distinguished first classmen, wondering meanwhile what on earth they
+could want and why on earth they found it necessary to interfere in
+Mark's quarrel with the officer.</p>
+
+<p>They came, three of them, in due time. The Parson immediately arose to
+his feet.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Hoi presbeis tou Basileos!</i>" he said in his mist stately tone, and
+with his most solemn bow. "That's Greek," he added, condescendingly&mdash;to
+the six; he took it for granted that the learned cadets knew what it
+was. "It's a quotation from the celebrated comedy, the <i>Acharnians</i>, and
+it&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>They were shockingly rude, that committee. They paid not the least
+attention to the Parson and his classical salutation, but instead, after
+a stiff, formal bow, proceeded right to their business with Mark. The
+Parson felt very much hurt, of course; he even thought of challenging to
+a duel at once. But a moment later he found himself listening with rapt
+attention to the amazing information which that committee had to give.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span>Mark did not know the names of the three cadets who confronted him.
+Their faces were familiar and he knew that they were first classmen.
+That was evidently all that the committee considered necessary, for they
+did not stop for an introduction.</p>
+
+<p>All of the Banded Seven's fun had, up to this point, been manifested
+against the yearlings, and it had been the yearlings, chiefly, whose
+wrath they had incurred. But that hop was too much; that had been an
+insult to every cadet, and Mark knew that he had made new and more
+powerful enemies. He could see that in the looks of the three stern and
+forbidding cadets who glared at him in silence, with folded arms.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Mallory," said the spokesman.</p>
+
+<p>Mark arose and bowed politely.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it you wish?" said he.</p>
+
+<p>"We have been sent to say a few words to you from the first class."</p>
+
+<p>Another bow.</p>
+
+<p>"In the first place Mr. Mallory, the class instructs us to say that your
+conduct at the hop the other night deserves their severest censure. You
+had no business to go."</p>
+
+<p>"As a cadet of this academy," responded Mark, calmly, "I considered it
+my right."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span>"It has not been customary, sir," said the other, "for new cadets to go
+to the hops."</p>
+
+<p>"Precedent may be changed," was Mark's answer. "It should be when it is
+bad."</p>
+
+<p>There was a moment's silence after that and then he continued:</p>
+
+<p>"Let us not discuss the point," he said. "I always consider carefully
+the consequences of my acts beforehand. I am prepared for the
+consequences of this one."</p>
+
+<p>"That is fortunate for you," returned the "committee," with very mild
+sarcasm. "To proceed however, Lieutenant Wright, one of our hop
+managers, acting, please understand, in behalf of the class, requested
+you to leave."</p>
+
+<p>"To continue the story," said Mark, keeping up the sarcastic tone, "I
+was naturally insulted by his unwarranted act. And I mean to demand an
+apology."</p>
+
+<p>"And if you do not get it?" inquired the other.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I mean to demand a fight."</p>
+
+<p>"Which is precisely what we were sent to see you about," responded the
+cadet.</p>
+
+<p>Mark was a trifle surprised at that.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought," he said, "that my second should arrange the matter with Mr.
+Wright's. However, I shall be glad to fix it with you."</p>
+
+<p>"You will fix nothing with us," retorted the other. "The class has
+instructed me to tell you that most em<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span>phatically you will not be
+allowed to fight with the lieutenant."</p>
+
+<p>Mark stared at the three solemn cadets in amazement, and Texas gave vent
+to a muttered "Wow!"</p>
+
+<p>"Not be allowed to fight!" echoed Mark.</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir, you will not. Mr. Wright was the class' delegate; your quarrel
+is with the class."</p>
+
+<p>"B'gee!" put in Dewey, wriggling with excitement, "let's lick the class,
+b'gee!"</p>
+
+<p>Mark was silent for a while, thinking over the strange turn of affairs;
+and then the committee continued:</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Wright will not do you the honor of a fight or of an apology."</p>
+
+<p>Mark flushed at that stinging remark. The speaker never turned a hair,
+but stared at him just as sternly as ever, seeing that his thrust had
+landed.</p>
+
+<p>Mark had a way of saying nothing when he was angry, of thinking
+carefully what it would be best to do. And now he gazed into space, his
+brows knitted, while his six friends leaned forward anxiously, wondering
+what was coming next.</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose," the plebe inquired at last, "suppose, sir, I were to force a
+fight with Mr. Wright?"</p>
+
+<p>"If you do," said the other, "the class will take it upon itself to
+prevent that fight, using brute force if necessary, and punishing you
+severely for your impertinence. And<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> moreover you will be required to
+defend your right to resist their authority, to defend it against every
+member of the class."</p>
+
+<p>"All at once?" inquired Mark, with a tinge of irony.</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir. Separately, and in fair fight."</p>
+
+<p>Mark was thoughtful and silent again.</p>
+
+<p>"The consequences," he said, at last, "are unpleasant. The consequences
+of swallowing so gross and unmerited an insult as Mr. Wright's, given
+before hundreds of people, are more unpleasant still. Dewey!"</p>
+
+<p>That young man sprang to his feet with an excited "B'gee!"</p>
+
+<p>"Dewey," said Mark, in slow and measured tones, and never once taking
+his eyes off the three stern cadets, "Dewey, you will return for me,
+please, to Mr. Wright's tent. Tell Mr. Wright for me that I demand an
+apology by this evening&mdash;or else that he name a time and place. And tell
+him finally that if he refuses I shall consider myself unfortunately
+obliged to knock him down the first time I see him."</p>
+
+<p>"Bully, b'gee!"</p>
+
+<p>"Wow!"</p>
+
+<p>The six plebes had leaped to their feet as one man, with a wild hurrah!
+Oh, could anything have been better than that? Those three cadets had
+fairly quailed before Mark's bold and sudden, yet calm defiance.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span>"I think, gentlemen," said he, "that my purposes are clear to you now.
+And I bid you good-morning."</p>
+
+<p>Half a minute later Mark was buried in the wild embraces and
+congratulations of his hilarious friends; Texas was dancing a Spanish
+fandango about the inclosure, and Dewey, red and excited, was on his way
+to camp as fast as his delighted legs could carry him.</p>
+
+<p>"B'gee!" he kept chuckling. "B'gee, we'll wipe the spots off of 'em,
+b'gee. Whoop!" The more excited Dewey got the more b'gees he was
+accustomed to put in.</p>
+
+<p>He was back again at the Siege Battery ten minutes later, this time even
+more excited, more red, more breathless than ever.</p>
+
+<p>"B'gee!" he gasped. "I got it. He'll&mdash;he'll&mdash;b'gee, he'll fight."</p>
+
+<p>"Whoop!" roared Texas.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," continued Dewey, "and b'gee, you can bet there'll be fun! You
+see, he wants to fight. He's no coward, I could see that, and he's mad
+as thunder because the class won't let him. And b'gee, I chucked in a
+few hints about his being afraid, which made him madder still, so that
+when I fired out that last part about knocking him down if he didn't,
+b'gee, he was wild. Oh, say! He hopped about that tent like&mdash;like Texas
+is doing now&mdash;and b'gee he wanted to have it out right away."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span>"Whoop!" roared Texas. "Let's go up now! I'll help! Let's&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Sit on him and keep him quiet," laughed Mark, shoving Texas into a
+corner. "Now go on."</p>
+
+<p>"We couldn't fight at Fort Clinton, b'gee," continued Dewey still
+gasping for breath, "because the cadets would have learned. And so
+finally, b'gee, he said we'd get a boat and cross the Hudson. How's
+that?"</p>
+
+<p>"When?" cried Mark.</p>
+
+<p>"To-morrow morning first thing, b'gee!"</p>
+
+<p>Texas had escaped by this time and was dancing about once more. And the
+rest of the Seven were about ready to join him. This was the greatest
+bit of excitement of all. The most B.&nbsp;J. thing they had ever done,
+defying the whole first class and going out of cadet limits besides.
+There never were seven lads more full of fun than these boys; and never
+had they seen a chance for quite so much fun as in this daring venture.</p>
+
+<p>The seven adjourned for dinner soon after that. As they "fell in" on the
+company street it was evident to Mark that the story of his bold
+defiance, his desperate stroke, was all about the place even then. It
+was known to the first class, and to the yearling enemies, and even to
+the plebes, who stared at him in awe and wondered where on earth he had
+gotten the "nerve" to dare to do<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> what he had. For Mark Mallory stood
+pledged by his defiance to fight the whole corps of cadets.</p>
+
+<p>He bore his notoriety easily; he returned the stares of his enemies with
+cool and merry indifference, and as he cleaned his musket and turned out
+for drill, or made the dust about the camp fly while on "police duty,"
+there was nothing about him to lead any one to suspect that he was, of
+all West Point's plebes and even cadets, the most conspicuous, the most
+talked of.</p>
+
+<p>The story spread so far that it reached the ears of a certain very dear
+friend of his. An orderly handed him a note late that afternoon; he knew
+the handwriting well by this time and he opened the letter and read it
+hastily:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Mr. Mallory</span>: Please come over to the hotel as
+soon as you can. I have some important news for the
+Seven, and for you particularly.</p>
+
+<p class="sig1">"Your friend,</p>
+
+<p class="sig2">"<span class="smcap">Grace Fuller</span>."</p></div>
+
+<p>Mark went, wondering what could be "up," and he found that it was about
+that same all-important affair that Grace wanted to see him.</p>
+
+<p>"I hear you are going to fight," she began as soon as she saw him; there
+was a worried smile on her face which made Mark smile involuntarily.</p>
+
+<p>"It's nothing very desperate," he answered. "So you needn't be alarmed.
+You see it's necessary for me to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> fight once in a while else you and I
+couldn't play all our beautiful B.&nbsp;J. tricks."</p>
+
+<p>"I guess you'd better go then," she laughed. "But I don't like it a bit.
+You'll come home all bruised up and covered with court-plaster, and I
+shan't have anything to do with you until you get handsome again."</p>
+
+<p>"Thanks for that last word 'again,'" responded he with a laugh. Then, he
+added, more seriously, "How did you find all this out? I thought none of
+the cadets were going to speak to you since the hop?"</p>
+
+<p>"Pooh!" said Grace. "You didn't suppose they meant that, did you? Half
+of them are beginning to capitulate already. I knew they wouldn't hold
+out."</p>
+
+<p>"I knew it too," thought Mark to himself; he was watching the girl's
+beautiful face, with its expression of action and life.</p>
+
+<p>"It seems then that all my rivals are back again," he said, aloud.</p>
+
+<p>"None of them are your rivals," answered the girl; and then she added,
+quickly: "But that wasn't what I sent for you to tell you. I have been
+finding out some more secrets. I think if I keep on practicing on the
+cadets I'll be quite a diplomatist and confidence man by and by."</p>
+
+<p>"What have you found out now?"</p>
+
+<p>"Simply that the whole first class proposes to keep you from fighting."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span>"I knew that before," said Mark.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," answered Grace. "But you didn't know that they knew you and
+Wright were going to cross the river to settle it."</p>
+
+<p>"Do they know that, too?" cried Mark.</p>
+
+<p>"They do; and moreover they intend to keep watch on you, and if you
+leave camp to-night you'll have the whole class to follow you."</p>
+
+<p>Mark looked interested at that.</p>
+
+<p>"I can see," he said, "that I am going to have no small amount of fun
+out of this business. I wish you could manage to use a little of your
+diplomacy in helping me escape."</p>
+
+<p>"And I wish," added Grace, gazing at him with the same anxious look he
+had noticed before, "I wish I could help you do the fighting too. I hate
+to think of your being hurt."</p>
+
+<p>"It hurts me to have you look so unhappy," said Mark, seriously. "I can
+stand the other. As a fighter I don't think you would make much of a
+success. This is a case of 'angels for council; devils for war.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Go ahead," sighed Grace, "if you have to go to hospital I'll come over
+and nurse you."</p>
+
+<p>Mark took his departure soon after that; he set out for camp, revolving
+in his mind all sorts of impracticable schemes for outwitting the first
+classmen that night. His<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> thoughts were interrupted by hearing his name.
+He looked up; a cadet was addressing him.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Mallory," he said, "good-afternoon. My name is Harden. Mr. Wright
+has asked me to be his second."</p>
+
+<p>Mark bowed.</p>
+
+<p>"Also to say that if you will be outside of your tent, dressed, at two
+to-morrow morning he will have a boat ready to take us to a quiet
+place."</p>
+
+<p>Mark bowed again.</p>
+
+<p>"Bring one second with you," the cadet continued, "Mr. Wright will have
+but one. And keep this very secret; tell no one, for the cadets will
+surely stop us if they learn. Mr. Wright has great doubts of our success
+anyway."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall do my best," answered Mark. "I am as anxious to succeed as he.
+And I'm much obliged to you for your trouble."</p>
+
+<p>Mark turned away and entered his tent.</p>
+
+<p>"There'll be fun to-night," he muttered; "plenty of fun to-night."</p>
+
+<p>There was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span>.</p>
+
+
+
+<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.<br />
+<span class="smalltext">A FIGHT, AND OTHER THINGS.</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>"Are you ready in there? S-sh!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I'll be out in a moment."</p>
+
+<p>"Two o'clock and all's we-ell!"</p>
+
+<p>The first speaker was Harden, the first classman, the second was Mark,
+and the third the sentry, calling the hour.</p>
+
+<p>The moonlight, clear and white, shone down on the glistening, snowy
+tents; the camp was almost as bright as day. Two figures who stood
+crouching in the company street were plainly visible, dressed in old
+contraband "cit's clothing" for disguise. And presently two more
+appeared, similarly clad, Mark and his old friend, the learned and
+pugilistic Parson.</p>
+
+<p>The four said not a word, but stole silently down the street to the park
+that bounded the camp on the east, the river side, the beat of sentry
+No. 4. One of them gave a low whistle, a signal to the sentry to face
+about so that he might not "see any one cross his beat." The four sped
+across the line and were lost a moment later in the shadow of the woods.</p>
+
+<p>The sound of their whistle had an echo, though they did<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> not know it. It
+came from another tent and was the signal for a strange scene, one that
+probably that camp had never before witnessed. In an instant, it seemed,
+the white ground was alive with dark figures and black hurrying shadows.
+One-third of the whole cadet corps, all the first class, in fact, were
+about to engage in the perilous task of dodging camp!</p>
+
+<p>There was no delay, no hesitation; the whole crowd fell in under one
+leader, stole down the street, signaled the sentry; and then came a dash
+and a tramp of feet that almost shook the ground. The class was gone.
+Gone to stop that fight or die!</p>
+
+<p>One hates to tax a reader's credulity. To say that that sleepy moonlit
+camp was once more a witness of the same unusual scene not half a minute
+later seems beyond the possibility of belief. Yet so it was. There was
+no signal this time; they simply met, five of them, all plebes, two from
+an A Company and three from a B Company tent just in the rear. They,
+too, fell in under a leader, a leader who punctuated his orders with a
+whispered "Wow!" And they, too, crossed the sentry post and vanished in
+the woods.</p>
+
+<p>There was some one to trail the trailers!</p>
+
+<p>We shall skip forward to those in advance. The four would-be duelists
+had no idea of their detection. They thought that their early start had
+done the work. They<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> climbed down the bank of the river, passed the
+riding hall, and came out on the railroad track below, just at the mouth
+of the tunnel.</p>
+
+<p>"The boat is down near Highland Falls," said Harden, briefly; and then
+there was silence again. Wright had not said one word since the start.</p>
+
+<p>They set out down the track. They stole by the little station, with its
+single light and its half-sleeping telegraph operator. And then&mdash;hark!
+What was that?</p>
+
+<p>Tramp, tramp! The four turned in amazement. Great heavens, they were
+followed! Clearly visible in the moonlight, their white trousers
+glittering, the company was marching steadily behind them. They were in
+line and had a captain. At concealment there was no attempt; they seemed
+to say, every one of them. "Well, here we are. Now what are you going to
+do about it?" And the four stared at each other in amazement.</p>
+
+<p>"Shall we resort to flight?" inquired the learned Parson.</p>
+
+<p>"They're too many; they'd catch us," said Harden, emphatically. "I don't
+know just what to do. I rather think we're outwitted. I&mdash;what's that?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ding! dong! Woow-oo!"</p>
+
+<p>"A train!" exclaimed Mark. "That'll scatter 'em. But it'll do us no
+good."</p>
+
+<p>A moment later there was a glare of light in the tunnel, light that
+shone upon the figures on the track; and then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> the heavy train shot out
+and came rushing down upon them. The cadets scattered of course; and in
+the temporary confusion Mark saw a golden chance. It was a slow train;
+he could see. A freight! And a moment later as the engine rushed past
+them, he shouted to the other three:</p>
+
+<p>"Catch it! Catch it as it passes!"</p>
+
+<p>It was all done so quickly they had scarcely time to think. They saw the
+last car whirl past the cadets; they saw the company reforming to march.
+And a moment later all four of them leaped toward the train and flung
+themselves aboard the last platform of the way car.</p>
+
+<p>It was going faster than they had thought; the sudden jerk they got
+nearly tore their arms from their sockets, and the Parson's loose joints
+cracked ominously. But they hung on, all of them, with a grip like
+death. And they had the intense satisfaction of hearing a yell of rage
+from the cadets in the rear, and of seeing, as they clambered up and
+looked behind them, the whole crowd break into a run and set out in
+furious, though vain pursuit.</p>
+
+<p>"That settles it," said Mark, joyfully. "We're safe! now then."</p>
+
+<p>But his words were just a trifle premature. The cadets were fast being
+left behind, running though they were; but there was a new danger
+hitherto unthought of. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> car they were on was the caboose. The door
+was flung open; a rough figure strode out.</p>
+
+<p>"Hey, there, git off o' that! What the divil are yez doin' there?"</p>
+
+<p>The four stared at each other in consternation. Here was a rub! They
+looked for all the world like tramps, to be kicked off unceremoniously
+into the hands of the enemy again. But before the man could move Harden
+thrust his hand into his pocket.</p>
+
+<p>"Here," he said. "Take that, and shut up."</p>
+
+<p>The man gazed at them dubiously. They might be burglars, robbers&mdash;but
+then it was good money, and nobody the wiser. That was none of his
+business anyhow. He muttered an apology and slammed the door again,
+while the four sighed with relief.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder what next," said Mark.</p>
+
+<p>There was nothing more; the long train rumbled on down the river bank
+and the party waited in silence until Harden gave the signal. Then they
+made more or less ungraceful and uncomfortable leaps from the platform,
+sprang down the bank into the rushes, and a moment or so later were on
+their way across the river in a rowboat.</p>
+
+<p>"Which means," whispered the Parson to Mark, "that we'll have our fight
+after all."</p>
+
+<p>Mark had thought of that. He was already calculating the chances. Wright
+had a great, powerful frame,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> with massive, bull shoulders and a face
+that showed no end of grit. That much Mark could see. He knew, too, that
+the man was a gymnast of three years' practice under a master as skilled
+as Uncle Sam could find; that every muscle had been worked and trained,
+that he was lithe and quick and active, skilled with foil and bayonet
+and broadsword, a perfect horseman, and the captain of West Point's
+crack eleven besides. Mark thought of all this; and then he clinched his
+own broad hands and gritted his teeth and waited.</p>
+
+<p>There was not a word said on the trip; all were too solemn and anxious.
+Harden rowed&mdash;working silently and swiftly. The waves lapped against the
+boat, and the ripples spread out in long, silvery, moonlit trail behind
+them. And then the boat sped in under the shadow of the trees on the
+eastern bank, and a moment later grated on the pebbly beach.</p>
+
+<p>Harden sprang ashore and drew up the boat. The rest landed and he went
+on into the woods. The three followed him a short ways, and then at a
+little clearing he stopped.</p>
+
+<p>"Here," said he, "is the spot."</p>
+
+<p>Mark halted and gazed about him. He saw a small turf-covered inclosure
+surrounded by the deep black shadows of a wall of trees. The moon
+strayed down through the center furnishing the only light. It was not
+three<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> o'clock yet, and the sun was far below the horizon. Mark whipped
+off his coat.</p>
+
+<p>"I am ready," said he. "Let us lose no time."</p>
+
+<p>Wright and his second were just as prompt and businesslike. The
+lieutenant stripped his brawny frame to the waist and bound his
+suspenders about him to hold his trousers. Mark was ready then, too.</p>
+
+<p>"It is your choice," said he to the other. "How shall we fight?"</p>
+
+<p>"By rounds," he answered simply. He was a man of few words. "My second
+has a watch," he added. "Mr. Stanard may look on if he cares to, though
+we shall each have to rely upon the other's honor mostly. We have no
+referee."</p>
+
+<p>"I am willing," said Mark. "Let Mr. Harden manage it. And let us be
+quick. Will you shake hands?"</p>
+
+<p>They shook. And then the "referee" pronounced the word.</p>
+
+<p>"Go!"</p>
+
+<p>And they went, hammer and tongs.</p>
+
+<p>A man who chanced to be strolling along the river bank in the moonlight
+at three o'clock that July morning would have met with a startling
+scene. Just picture it to yourself, a quiet glade in the deep shadows of
+the trees, and in the center of it two white half-naked figures battling
+to the death, landing blows that shook the air. And all in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> silence and
+mystery. The two seconds, kneeling in the shadows watching anxiously,
+feverishly, were hidden from view.</p>
+
+<p>Wright had one advantage over Mark. He had seen him fight, and he knew
+his method. He knew that in skill and agility Mark was his equal; it was
+agility that had beaten Billy Williams, the yearlings' choice. And so
+Wright relying on his strength and training pitched right in, for he and
+his second had agreed that a "slugging match" was the best way to beat
+Mallory.</p>
+
+<p>Mark was willing to have it so; time was short, and they might be
+interrupted any moment. The sooner that unpleasant episode were over the
+better. And he answered the officer's forward spring by another no less
+sudden and fierce.</p>
+
+<p>A fight such as this one could not last very long, for human bodies
+cannot stand many blows as crushing as human arms can deal. The two had
+leaped in, each bent on forcing the other back; and for a moment they
+swayed, as in a deadlock, landing blow after blow with thuds that woke
+the stillness of the forest depths. The two seconds sprang forward,
+staring anxiously. They could scarcely follow the flying white arms,
+they could not see the effects of the crashes they heard; but they
+realized that any one of them might end it all, that their man might go
+down at any moment.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span>The end came, however, sooner than either had thought. Harden, glancing
+feverishly at the watch, had counted off the first minute, was counting
+for the end of the second. He had opened his mouth to call time, when he
+heard the Parson give a gasp. He looked up just in time to see one of
+the white figures&mdash;they had been bounding all about the inclosure and he
+knew not which it was&mdash;tottering backward from one mighty blow upon the
+head.</p>
+
+<p>A moment later the figure was lying gasping upon the ground, and Harden
+sprang forward to see who it was. But he had hardly moved before he
+heard a shout, and glancing about him, saw a sight that made him start
+in alarm. The black woods were fairly alive with flitting white figures.
+And the figures with one accord were rushing wildly down upon the group.</p>
+
+<p>"Kill 'em! Soak 'em!" was the cry. "Where's that plebe? Hooray!"</p>
+
+<p>It was the baffled first class.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.<br />
+<span class="smalltext">SIX TO THE RESCUE.</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>Be it said in the first place, for the reader's comfort and relief, that
+the figure who lay upon the ground stunned and gasping was not that of
+Mark Mallory. Harden saw that as he turned again, and he groaned. The
+Parson saw it, too, and uttered a geological and classical exclamation
+of satisfaction, completely forgetful of his peril at the present
+moment. And as for Mark, he had known it long ago; he had meant that it
+should be just so.</p>
+
+<p>The first classmen as they poured in upon the scene, furious and out of
+breath, took in the situation in one glance. They saw their friend and
+classmate, the mighty Wright, stretched helpless on the turf, and they
+knew that Mark Mallory, the hated plebe, had defied them successfully,
+had outwitted them, and stood now in all his impudence, his purposes
+completely achieved. And their rage rose to bounds beyond the
+possibility of description.</p>
+
+<p>But they had him now! Though triumphant, he was in their power, alone
+with no soul to help him in all that lonely forest! And like so many
+wild animals they leaped upon him.</p>
+
+<p>You have read of the fury of a mob? And you know<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> what a mob may do? It
+is far more than any single one of them, any half dozen of them, would
+ever dream of doing. This mob had everything to urge them on, nothing to
+restrain them. Had not this plebe tormented their very eyes out? Had
+they not sworn to punish him within an inch of his life if he dared to
+fight with their lieutenant? And was not the lieutenant lying there now,
+half dead, calling upon them for vengeance?</p>
+
+<p>One and all they sprang upon him. The leader seized him roughly by the
+shoulder, flung him backward; the next moment Mark's arm shot out and
+the man went down like a log. That made the crowd still more furious; a
+dozen of them reached the bold plebe at once, and then there was the
+wildest kind of a time.</p>
+
+<p>Mark could not tell very clearly what happened; he was vaguely conscious
+of shouts and imprecations; of flying arms and closely pressing bodies;
+of blows and kicks that blinded him, stifled him. He himself was
+striking out right and left, and he felt that he was landing, too. He
+saw another figure beside him doing likewise, and he knew that the
+gallant old Parson was at his side. And after that his head began to
+swim; lights danced before his eyes, and his strength began to fail him.
+He went down, and that was all he knew.</p>
+
+<p>There was no restraining those wild cadets, though fully half among them
+were manly enough to try. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> brute passions of the rest were let loose
+and there was no stopping them. They still pressed about the two
+struggling plebes, a crowd roaring for vengeance and satisfaction. And
+they meant that nothing should prevent their having it, either.</p>
+
+<p>Something did, none the less. And it was something startling and
+unexpected. The reader will remember that we left the five hot upon the
+trail. The five were upon the trail still.</p>
+
+<p>They had followed the crowd down the railroad track. The crowd had hired
+a schooner the day before, having learned that Mallory and Wright were
+going to attempt to cross the next morning; they had followed in that,
+and the five under the leadership of Texas had broken the lock on a
+rowboat they found and had pursued the cadets across. They had landed a
+few minutes later; they had heard the shouts of the crowd; and now, wild
+and reckless with rage at what they saw, they were rushing from the
+woods to the rescue.</p>
+
+<p>To the rescue? It bid fair to be a weak attempt, for there were just
+five to attempt it, and of the others there may have been fifty. No one
+could count them; they were a mob, a wild-eyed, furious mob. But of the
+unevenness of the conflict the gallant five never once thought. They
+knew that their leader was in peril, and that it was their business to
+rescue him. And that was all.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span>Foremost among them was the wild Texan and he was a sight to put a
+hundred in a panic, a sight to rival Hercules and his club. Texas had
+snatched an oar from the boat, and as he ran he was brandishing that.
+His hair was ruffled, his face was red, and his eyes staring and wild.
+From his mouth came a series of yells and whoops that made the forest
+echo. And a moment later he struck the crowd of cadets.</p>
+
+<p>How that mighty oar did cut the air! If it had been a broadsword it
+could not have swept a clearer furrow. And behind it came the other
+four, all armed with clubs, making a V formation that was simply
+irresistible.</p>
+
+<p>So long as the cadets were unarmed the fight was very one-sided, indeed,
+and the five might have rescued Mark in no time. But quick as a wink one
+of the cadets stooped and seized a stick; his example was followed
+instantly, and in half a minute the gallant rescuers were confronted
+with a score of clubs and assailed by a shower of stones that beat them
+back in confusion&mdash;stalled!</p>
+
+<p>No, not quite! There was one rescuer left, a resource that Texas alone
+had. Texas had received a cut across the face that made him simply
+crazy. He dropped the oar, slung his hands around to his hip pockets,
+and a moment later with two huge six-shooters opened fire point-blank at
+the crowd.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span>It happened that those revolvers held only "blanks." Mark had insisted
+upon that beforehand, for he knew his friend's sudden temper. But that
+made no difference to the cadets. When they saw those weapons flash in
+the pale moonlight, saw them in the hands of that wild-haired, wild-eyed
+figure, heard the deafening reports and saw the powder flash blindingly
+in their faces, they turned as one man and fled in terror to the cover
+of the woods.</p>
+
+<p>And they left their victims lying on the ground!</p>
+
+<p>Texas was not so mad but that he had some cunning left. He saw his
+chance, and shouted to his companions. The four seized the
+half-unconscious, sorely-battered pair in their arms, and whirling
+suddenly, made a dash for the shore. Texas himself scorned to run. He
+gazed about him defiantly, balancing his revolvers in his hands; and
+when he saw that the alarmed cadets did not contemplate a sally, he
+backed slowly through the woods and rejoined the other plebes.</p>
+
+<p>The cadets had not the nerve to face those revolvers again, at least not
+at once. They had a moment later when they discovered to their horror
+what the plebes were going to do.</p>
+
+<p>It was a horrible revenge. Instead of going to their own rowboat, the
+crowd deliberately marched out upon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> a little dock where the schooner
+lay. They put their charges into that, and then while the big Texan
+coolly faced about with his guns, the others seized the two rowboats and
+deliberately proceeded to tie them on behind.</p>
+
+<p>They were going to leave the whole class stranded!</p>
+
+<p>A yell of fury, of horror, of fright went up from the crowd! Leave them!
+Impossible! It lacked then two hours of reveille. And for them to be
+absent meant disgrace, court-martial, dismissal! Wild with alarm the
+crowd made a dash for the schooner, leaping into the water, running for
+the dock, shouting and yelling. And Texas calmly raised his revolvers,
+and stood thus, firm and terrible in the clear moonlight.</p>
+
+<p>Before that figure they quailed an instant; that instant was enough. The
+big vessel swung off from the dock, the night breeze filling her sails.
+And Texas turned like an antelope and made a leap for the boat.</p>
+
+<p>The crowd saw him land on the stern; they saw the white glistening track
+bubble up as the vessel glided away; then in blank horror they turned
+and gazed at each other&mdash;lost!</p>
+
+<p>Texas meanwhile, soon as he saw the boat clear, had but one thought in
+his devoted mind. He made a dash for Mark and staring in horror and
+anguish at his white and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> bloody face, fell to flinging water upon him.
+And he gasped with relief when he saw Mark open his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Mark's body was still stripped, and Texas, even Texas, shuddered as he
+saw the bruises upon it. There was one that made the victim cry out as
+his friend touched it, and Texas started back in alarm.</p>
+
+<p>"Good heavens!" he cried; "his shoulder is broken."</p>
+
+<p>Mark smiled feebly; and at the same instant a chorus of cries arose from
+the despairing cadets on the shore.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell Mallory we'll leave him alone if he'll come back," was one of
+them.</p>
+
+<p>"B'gee!" cried Dewey, "did you hear that? What do you say?"</p>
+
+<p>And Mark raised himself with a struggle.</p>
+
+<p>"No, no," he gasped. "Don't! I mean to fight them."</p>
+
+<p>"Fight them! How can you fight with a broken shoulder?"</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;I won't tell them it's broken!" panted Mark.</p>
+
+<p>"Wow!" roared Texas, wildly. "Ef you don't lick 'em I will! Whoop! An'
+as fo' them cowards on the shore, let 'em get fired an' bust!"</p>
+
+<p>"Bully, b'gee!" echoed Dewey.</p>
+
+<p>And the battered old Parson chimed in with a feeble and gasping "Yea, by
+Zeus!" while the schooner sailed on in disdainful triumph.</p>
+
+<p>The first class, as it seemed, did not get fired. They<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> ran all the way
+to Garrisons, the town opposite the point, and there begged a boat
+secretly to cross. But the news when it spread next morning made them
+the laughingstock of all creation. And Mark, in the hospital, was the
+hero of the whole cadet corps.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV.<br />
+<span class="smalltext">MARK IN THE HOSPITAL.</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>"General Miles here? Who told you so?"</p>
+
+<p>"I saw him myself. He just got off the train. And there's going to be a
+review of the corps and a whole lot of stuff. Don't you hear those guns.
+That's the salute, b'gee!"</p>
+
+<p>Texas and Dewey paused in their excited conversation to listen to the
+booming of the cannon to the west of the camp. And scarcely had the
+sound ceased before the roll of a drum was heard coming from the guard
+tent at the head of the A Company Street.</p>
+
+<p>"That's the call to quarters, b'gee," continued the bearer of the news
+excitedly. "I bet we're going to see some fun, Texas."</p>
+
+<p>That "call to quarters" brought cadets from every direction hurrying
+into camp to "spruce up," and "fall in;" but the two, who were seated on
+a bench over by Trophy Point, did not even offer to move. For that call
+to quarters had nothing to do with them; that was for old cadets, the
+first classmen, and the yearlings.</p>
+
+<p>When the battalion turned out for review in honor of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> its distinguished
+guest nobody thought of putting them on exhibition.</p>
+
+<p>The two sat looking at the line forming over by camp, and also at a
+group of figures way down at the other end of the parade ground, a group
+of blue-uniformed officers, with the West Point band at the head. It was
+evidently the superintendent and his staff and the distinguished visitor
+with him.</p>
+
+<p>"Looks as if there's goin' to be high jinks roun' hyar," observed Texas.
+"It's a shame Mark ain't hyar to see it."</p>
+
+<p>Dewey assented to that emphatically, and Texas after a few moments of
+moody thoughtfulness, continued:</p>
+
+<p>"Hang them ole cadets!" he growled. "It makes me want to git up and
+slash round some whenever I think of half o' that whole battalion
+pitchin' in to punch a feller, because not one of 'em was man enough to
+lick him in a square, stand-up fight. Tell you, it makes my blood boil!
+An' they broke his shoulder, an' sent him to hospital, an' he too much
+of a man to tell on 'em at that! The cowards!"</p>
+
+<p>"That's what I say, too, b'gee!" chimed in Dewey. "Mark's the spunkiest
+man that ever they laid eyes on."</p>
+
+<p>"That's what he is," growled Texas. "Jes' think o' whar we'd be ef
+twan't for him. We'd be lettin' them cadets haze us, that's what we
+would."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span>"Never mind," said Dewey, prophetically. "Just wait till he's well
+again, b'gee! And we'll stick by him meanwhile."</p>
+
+<p>"Will we?" echoed Texas. "I couldn't tell in a thousands years what that
+aire feller's done fo' me. An' I know one other besides us that'll stand
+by him, too."</p>
+
+<p>"Grace Fuller, you mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's what I do! Ever since Mark swam out and near killed himself
+savin' her from drownin' that girl's been the best friend ever he had.
+You jes' ought to go over to the hospital an' see how she sends him
+flowers an' fruit an' things. They let her in to sit with him an' talk
+to him where they won't let us plebes near him."</p>
+
+<p>"B'gee, I don't blame 'em!" laughed Dewey. "They're afraid of you over
+there, since they had to nurse you after you rode out and 'held up' the
+artillery squadron at drill. But I tell you, Mark's in luck to have
+Grace spooney over him. She's the most beautiful girl I ever saw, and
+she's the belle of this place. I declare I can hardly believe it, that
+she's joined with us plebes to fool the yearlings."</p>
+
+<p>"She's jes' full o' fun," laughed Texas, "but I reckon the great
+reason's cause she's so fond o' Mark. I wish I had his luck. I jes'
+stand off, 'n look at her and wonder s'posin' 'twas me&mdash;dog gone it!"</p>
+
+<p>Texas saw an amused smile begin to flit about his com<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span>panion's merry
+face; he suspected he was about to "remind" that cheerful recounter of a
+yarn; so he stopped.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell you what," he continued after some more thinking. "I know 'nother
+girl that's dead gone on Mark."</p>
+
+<p>"B'gee!" cried Dewey in surprise. "Who's that?"</p>
+
+<p>"'Moll' Adams."</p>
+
+<p>"Who on earth is she?"</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon she came in afore you met us," mused Texas. "Yes, 'twas 'fore
+you joined the Banded Seven. You know Bull Harris?"</p>
+
+<p>"B'gee!" laughed Dewey. "Didn't I lick the cuss once?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's so," said Texas. "I forgot. Well, Bull&mdash;'twas jes' like him&mdash;was
+botherin' this girl down on the road to Highland Falls one day. He had
+hold of her arm an' she was fightin' to git away or somethin'. Anyhow
+Mark knocked him down, which was the beginnin' of all this hazin'
+business. Bull got all his yearlin' gang after Mark. After that Mark did
+her 'nother favor, got her brother out of a terrible scrape. An' I think
+she's been mighty fond of him ever since."</p>
+
+<p>"B'gee!" laughed Dewey. "This is real romantic. What makes you think
+so?"</p>
+
+<p>"I've seen her hangin' roun' the hospital inquirin' fo' Mark. An' I can
+tell by the way she looks at him. I don't think she likes to see him so
+chummy with Grace."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span>"That's more romantic yet," chuckled Dewey. "Why don't Mark care for
+her?"</p>
+
+<p>"You see," said Texas, "some o' the cadets, one of 'em a pretty decent
+feller, a friend o' Mark's, told him that she waren't&mdash;she waren't quite
+right. She's somethin' of a flirt, you know. I don't like girls that
+kind much myself an' I'm sure Mark don't. He's kep' pretty shy o' her,
+an' I kinder think she's noticed it."</p>
+
+<p>"Is she pretty?" inquired the other.</p>
+
+<p>"She's mos' as pretty as Grace," responded Texas. "An' that's sayin' a
+deal. She's what you call a brunette&mdash;black hair an' eyes. There's some
+girls a feller feels are all right; he feels he's a better feller when
+he's with them. Grace Fuller's one of 'em. She's jes' the angel we call
+her. Then there's some that ain't, an' this girl's one of them."</p>
+
+<p>"Quite a character analysis," laughed the other. "But I guess, b'gee,
+you're right, all the same. And speaking of unpleasant characters,
+there's that Bull Harris. We haven't heard from him for a long time."</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon," said Texas, "Bull's been wantin' to see what the first
+class'd do to Mark since he'd failed to haze him. I reckon the durty ole
+rascal's right well satisfied now."</p>
+
+<p>"You don't love him much," observed the other.</p>
+
+<p>"Why should I? Ain't he tried every mean kid trick he could think of on
+Mark an' me, too? He's all right to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> bully girls but when he tried Mark
+now, he found he'd hit a snag. He's been doin' nothin' ever since but
+tryin' to get us into scrapes. An' I was thinkin' to-day, 'tain't no
+lucky sign he's quiet. I jes' reckon he's plottin' some new durnation
+trick."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish he'd come on with it," laughed Dewey. "Life is getting really
+monotonous the last two days since Mark's been in hospital. We've been
+having so many lively and interesting brushes with the cadets, b'gee,
+that I can't get along without some excitement at least every day."</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon it'll come soon enough," observed Texas. "An' they say when
+you speak of angels they flap their wings. I wonder how 'bout devils.
+There's ole Bull Harris now, the third feller from the right in the
+front rank of A."</p>
+
+<p>"And he's going out to salute the general," observed Dewey. "I wish we
+had another bloodhound now so's we could put it on his trail the way we
+did once. B'gee, but he was mad!"</p>
+
+<p>As the two had been talking the battalion had formed on the company
+ground; roll call had passed quickly, and the cadet adjutant had turned
+the parade over to the charge of the tactical officer, Lieutenant Allen.
+The latter's sharp commands had rung out a moment later and the
+firmly-stepping lines had swung around and were now<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> well on their way
+down the parade ground, at the other end of which stood the famous
+general and his staff.</p>
+
+<p>It was an inspiring moment. The air seemed fairly to shake with the gay
+music of the band. The cadet's uniforms and equipments were glittering
+in the sunlight, their banners waving on the breeze. They wheeled like
+so many splendid pieces of mechanism and in a few moments more were
+standing at "present arms" in one long line that extended the width of
+the field.</p>
+
+<p>The officers brought their swords up to the salute and the spectators
+cheered, as a handsome figure rode out from the group of officers and
+cantered down the line. It was General Miles himself, a fine military
+figure, striking and imposing. The cadets would have cheered him, too,
+if they had dared.</p>
+
+<p>During this interesting ceremony our two friends of the plebe class had
+gotten up and started on a run for the scene. They had been so much
+interested in their discussion of "Meg" Adams and Bull Harris that they
+had forgotten all about watching this. But by the time they got there
+the review was over, and the cadets had scattered once more. This time
+to prepare for exhibition drill of the afternoon.</p>
+
+<p>The two wandered about disconsolately after that, Texas growling at
+Dewey for having talked too much.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> And then suddenly the former stopped
+short and stared at his friend.</p>
+
+<p>"I know what I'm going to do!" he declared.</p>
+
+<p>"What?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm a-goin' to see Mark."</p>
+
+<p>"I thought they wouldn't let you in," laughed Dewey.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm a-goin' all the same," vowed the other. "Ef they won't let me I'll
+make 'em. Jes' you watch me!"</p>
+
+<p>And with that the impulsive Texan faced about and set out for the
+hospital in a hurry.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.<br />
+<span class="smalltext">TEXAS HAS AN INTERVIEW.</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>Texas' promised "fun" in the effort to see Mark did not, as it proved,
+materialize; because, whereas Texas had expected to be refused
+admittance and to raise a rumpus about it, he was allowed to enter and
+was escorted to Mark's room with all politeness.</p>
+
+<p>"Well!" thought Texas, "I reckon he must be gittin' better."</p>
+
+<p>This eventually proved to be the case; and Texas shrewdly guessed the
+reason for it as he approached the room and heard the sound of voices
+through the open door.</p>
+
+<p>"With her to talk to," he muttered, "anybody could get well."</p>
+
+<p>Grace Fuller was sitting by the window, dressed in white, an angel of
+loveliness, as she appeared to Powers. She was reading aloud to Mark,
+but she stopped suddenly as Texas burst into the room. And a moment
+later the newcomer had seized his chum by his one well arm and was
+shaking it vigorously.</p>
+
+<p>"Hello, ole man!" he cried. "I kain't tell you how glad I am to see
+you."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span>"Take it easy," said Mark, smiling. "I've got better news still. They
+found that my shoulder was only dislocated; and I'll be out to-day."</p>
+
+<p>Texas uttered a whoop that brought the attendants in on a run. He
+subsided after a threat of expulsion and sat down by the bedside and
+stared at Mark. It was still the same old Mark, handsome and sturdy, but
+just a little pale.</p>
+
+<p>"Say," growled Texas, "you've got no idee how lonely things are 'thout
+you. There's nobody to lick the cadets, or anything."</p>
+
+<p>"What's all the fuss I hear?" inquired Mark.</p>
+
+<p>Texas explained to him what was happening; and went into ecstasies when
+he was told that Mark would be out to see that afternoon's drill. With
+just the same startling impulsiveness as that which had led him to pay
+his brief visit, Texas sprang up again and made for the door.</p>
+
+<p>"Wow!" he cried. "I'm a-goin' out to tell the fellers 'bout this. Whoop!
+See you later, Mark. I reckon you're in pretty good company."</p>
+
+<p>Mark "reckoned" so too, and said so, as he laughed over his friend's
+hot-headed manner.</p>
+
+<p>Texas in the meantime was bounding down the hall and out of the door of
+the building; he meant to turn up toward camp on a run, and he had even
+started up the street. But something happened just then that made him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span>
+change his mind in a hurry. In the first place he heard some one call
+his name:</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Powers! Oh, Mr. Powers!"</p>
+
+<p>It was a sweet girlish voice, and "Mr. Powers" faced about with
+alacrity, to find himself, to his infinite surprise, face to face with
+Mary Adams, the girl he had not long ago been discussing.</p>
+
+<p>"Hello!" thought he, "what on earth's up?"</p>
+
+<p>His surprise was the greater because he did not know the girl; he had
+never been introduced to her, and he wondered how she even knew his
+name. She was indeed a beautiful girl, with a full round figure, deep
+black hair and eyes, and a complexion that was warm and red. There was a
+look of anxiety upon her face that the cadet did not fail to notice.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me!" she cried. "Mr. Powers, how is he?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why&mdash;why&mdash;&mdash;" stammered Texas, adding, "Bless my soul!" after the
+fashion of his fat friend Indian. "He's all right. He'll be out this
+afternoon."</p>
+
+<p>"I thought he was nearly killed," said the girl. "I have been so
+worried."</p>
+
+<p>There was a brief silence after that, during which Texas shifted his
+feet in embarrassment.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me," she exclaimed, suddenly. "Do you&mdash;do you think he would like
+to see me?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span>"Why, er!" stammered Texas. "To be sure. Why wouldn't he?"</p>
+
+<p>The girl noticed his hesitating tone, and her dark eyes flashed as she
+spoke again.</p>
+
+<p>"Answer me," she cried. "Is she there?"</p>
+
+<p>"If by 'she,'" answered the other, "you mean Miss Fuller?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, yes, I mean her."</p>
+
+<p>"Then she is," said Texas, defiantly.</p>
+
+<p>He said that with a dogged, none-of-your-business sort of an air, though
+rather sheepishly for all that. The girl stared at him for a moment, and
+then to Texas' indescribable consternation and bewilderment, she buried
+her head in her hands and burst into a passionate flood of tears.</p>
+
+<p>"My Lord!" gasped the astounded plebe.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Texas wasn't used to girls; the only things he knew of that cried
+were babies, and a baby he would have taken in his arms and rocked until
+it stopped. But he had an instinctive impression that that wouldn't do
+in this case. Beyond that he was at a loss.</p>
+
+<p>"Bless my soul, Miss Adams!" he cried&mdash;no exclamation seemed to do quite
+so well as Indian's in that case. "Please don't do that! What on earth's
+the matter?"</p>
+
+<p>Texas had a vague idea that some one might come that way any moment; and
+he wondered what that person<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> would think to look at them. Texas just
+then wished himself anywhere on earth but there.</p>
+
+<p>In response to his embarrassed pleading, the girl finally looked through
+her tears. And her eyes, red with weeping, gave her beautiful face a
+look of anguish that touched the Texan's big heart.</p>
+
+<p>"Lord bless me!" said he. "Miss Adams, is there anything I can do?"</p>
+
+<p>She looked at him for a moment and then she answered "Yes," and turned
+slowly down the street.</p>
+
+<p>"Come," she said. "Mr. Powers, I want to talk to you."</p>
+
+<p>If he had wanted to, Texas could not have disobeyed; the fact of the
+matter was that Texas was too bewildered to have any wants. The true
+state of affairs had not dawned upon his unromantic mind.</p>
+
+<p>The two hurried down the road toward Highland Falls, the cadet following
+meekly. They came almost to "cadet limits," to an old lonely road that
+turned off to the right. Up that the girl turned, and when she was well
+out of sight of the main road, turned and faced her companion.</p>
+
+<p>"Now," she said, "I will tell you. Oh, why is it you do not see?"</p>
+
+<p>The look upon her face made Texas fear she was going to burst into tears
+again, and he shifted about uncomfortably.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span>And just then came the crash.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me, Mr. Powers," demanded the girl, with a suddenness that almost
+took the other's breath away, "Tell me, Mr. Powers, do you think
+he&mdash;he&mdash;likes me?"</p>
+
+<p>Texas started; he stared at the girl's anxious face; a sudden light
+breaking in upon him. And the girl gazed into his deep gray eyes and
+saw&mdash;she knew not what.</p>
+
+<p>"Why&mdash;why&mdash;&mdash;" stammered Texas.</p>
+
+<p>"I have thought so much of him," cried Mary Adams, pouring out her
+feelings, in a passionate flood of words. "I have followed him about, I
+have watched him all day! Ever since he befriended me so that night when
+he saved my brother, I have thought of no one but him. He is so splendid
+and brave and handsome! He&mdash;never even looks at me!"</p>
+
+<p>The girl's last words were said in a tone of anguish and despair, and
+she buried her head in her hands once more.</p>
+
+<p>"It is all that other girl!" she continued, after a moment's pause. "He
+thinks of no one but her! Oh, how I hate her! He is with her all the
+time; he asked her to join that society&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"How&mdash;how on earth did you know?" gasped Texas.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think I am blind?" cried the girl, fiercely. "Do you suppose I
+cannot see what Mark Mallory is doing? It is all that Grace Fuller&mdash;all!
+And, oh, what shall I do?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span>In a perfect convulsion of sobbing the girl flung herself down upon the
+bank at the side of the road. And Texas stood and gazed at her in
+consternation and embarrassment, and vowing if the gods ever got him out
+of that most incomprehensible fix, he'd never look at a girl again. A
+dozen Comanches could not have inspired Texas with half the awe that
+this one passionate and beautiful creature did.</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Adams," he said, at last, "I&mdash;I really don't think Mark knows how
+you regard him."</p>
+
+<p>"I know it," sobbed the girl; "he doesn't! But I cannot tell him!"</p>
+
+<p>A sudden and brilliant idea flashed across Texas' mind.</p>
+
+<p>"I can!" he exclaimed. "I can, an' I will."</p>
+
+<p>The girl sprang to her feet and stared at him.</p>
+
+<p>"No! no!" she cried, in horror. "What would&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>But Texas had already turned and was striding off in excitement.</p>
+
+<p>"Gosh!" he muttered. "That's jes' the thing! I'll tell Mark fo' her, ef
+she kaint. An' anyhow, I couldn't keep a secret from Mark. Dog gone it,
+I'd have to ask his advice. This yere's a 'portant matter."</p>
+
+<p>Texas heard Mary Adams crying out to him to come back, imploring him to
+listen to her. But Texas, once well out of that embarrassing fix and
+beyond the spell of the beautiful girl had no idea of returning to his
+uncom<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span>fortable position. And to his rough old heart there was no reason
+on earth why he should not tell Mark. Who else ought to know it but
+Mark?</p>
+
+<p>"An'," muttered Texas, "ef she ain't got sense 'nough to tell him, I
+will."</p>
+
+<p>So, deaf to the girl's entreaties, he left her to bemoan her fate alone
+and set out in hot haste for camp.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII.<br />
+<span class="smalltext">A PLOT TO BEAT "THE GENERAL."</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>Now the adventures of Texas were wild and exciting, to him, anyway. But
+up at camp in the meantime another plebe was having adventures that
+fairly put Texas into the shade. The plebe was "Indian," and you may
+listen and judge for yourself of the adventures.</p>
+
+<p>Indian had been rather less credulous of late, but the yearlings were
+still anxiously watching for another chance to have some fun with him.
+The chance came that day.</p>
+
+<p>Nelson A. Miles is a hero of a hundred fights, and as major general he
+commands the United States army. The more they considered the importance
+of that mighty visitor, the more the yearlings began to think of that
+plan. There were a dozen of them got together that morning and swore
+they'd fool Indian or die in the effort.</p>
+
+<p>Indian of course had seen the review and had been mightily impressed in
+his innocent soul. From the distance he had admired the military figure
+and imposing features of the great man. And then, filled with resolves
+to fight loyally under him and perhaps some day to be like him, he had
+turned away and strolled solemnly back to camp.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span>He entered his tent, still in that serious, that really heroic mood.
+There was no one in the tent, and so Indian had it all alone for his
+meditations philosophical.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, what a fine thing it must be to be a great hero like that!" he
+mused. "To gaze upon the world from a large, ethereal standpoint"&mdash;an
+ethereal standpoint would have made unsteady standing even for a hero;
+but Indian did not think of that. "I can have no higher ambition in life
+than to imitate that man. As the poet has said:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0q">'Lives of great men all remind us,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">We can make our lives sublime,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And departing, leave behind us<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Footprints&mdash;&mdash;'<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>"Bless my soul!"</p>
+
+<p>Indian had stopped his meditations with startling suddenness; and this
+was the reason thereof.</p>
+
+<p>He had heard mysterious sounds in the Company B tent next door. It was a
+yearling tent. Two cadets had crept into it silently; and Indian heard
+one of them mutter a subdued "S-sh!"</p>
+
+<p>Have you seen a pointer dog prick up his ears suddenly? That was the way
+Indian did.</p>
+
+<p>"A plot?" said one of the yearlings. "A plot did you say? What is it?
+Tell me? I'll come in!"</p>
+
+<p>"S-sh!" said the other. "Do you swear eternal secrecy, swear it by the
+bones of the saints?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span>"I swear!" growled the other in a low, sepulchral voice. "Out with it!"</p>
+
+<p>"All the fellows know," continued the other. "They'll all help. But not
+the plebes! Do you hear? Not a word to the plebes! If any plebe should
+hear he'd surely tell on us, and that would ruin us. He might do it, you
+know, for he'd get no end of reward. They might even promote him, make
+him a yearling."</p>
+
+<p>Indian's little fat heart was bounding with delight. A plot! And he knew
+it! Ye gods! Bless my soul! He crept close to the wall of his tent,
+straining eyes and ears to listen, not to lose the faintest sound of
+this most important news.</p>
+
+<p>"It must be something desperate," gasped the other.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it is. S-sh! You'll nearly drop I know when I tell you. We're&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Indian's eyes were like walnuts, half out of his head.</p>
+
+<p>"We're going," continued the yearling, slowly, "we're going to beat the
+general!"</p>
+
+<p>"Beat the general!" echoed the other. "By George, I'll help! I'm glad of
+it. I&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Indian heard no more. Quietly he had arisen from the tent floor,
+glancing about like a serpent rearing his glittering head from the
+grass. He arose; he crept to the tent door; and a moment later he was
+striding down the street as fast as his little legs could carry him.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span>So that was the plot! Those wicked and reckless cadets who had hazed him
+so much were now going to beat the general! The general could, of
+course, mean only one general, the great general. There was no general
+at West Point but Major General Miles.</p>
+
+<p>Indian never once stopped until he was well out of camp, out of the
+enemies' hands. A man with so mighty a secret as that could afford to
+take no risks; he must lurk in the shadows until he saw his chance to
+reveal the whole daring conspiracy. Visions rose up before his delighted
+mind, visions of himself a hero like Mark, congratulated by all, even
+made a yearling as the cadets had hinted. Indian even imagined himself
+already as hazing the rest of the plebes.</p>
+
+<p>These thoughts in his mind, he was suddenly startled by seeing two
+yearlings coming near. Were they after him? Indian trembled. Nearer and
+nearer. No, they had passed him. And then, once more, he heard the
+words:</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, yes! We're going to beat the general!"</p>
+
+<p>"What! Heavens, suppose some one should find it out."</p>
+
+<p>That settled it. Indian sprang up boldly and strode away, determination
+in his very waddle. He knew! And he would tell!</p>
+
+<p>At that moment Indian saw Cadet Fischer crossing the parade ground.
+Surely, thought Indian, so high and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> responsible an officer as this had
+nothing to do with the plot! Why not tell him? And so at him Indian made
+a dash.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Fischer! Oh, Captain Fischer!"</p>
+
+<p>The officer turned in surprise. Hailed by a common plebe.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Fischer!" gasped Indian. "Bless my soul! I hear they're going to
+beat the general!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said the other. "In half an hour. But why&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Good heavens, he knew it too! And like a flash, the frightened plebe
+wheeled and dashed away. There was only one resource left now. He would
+tell the general himself.</p>
+
+<p>Across the parade ground dashed Indian, panting, gasping. Down by the
+headquarters building, he saw a group of horses standing. One charger he
+recognized instantly. The general was inside the building, and a moment
+later a group of officers appeared in the doorway. The handsome,
+commanding figure in front. Indian's heart bounded for joy; and then
+suddenly the amazed General Miles was greeted by a gasping, excited
+cadet in plebe fatigue uniform.</p>
+
+<p>"General, oh, general! Bless my soul!"</p>
+
+<p>The officer stared at him.</p>
+
+<p>"A plot!" panted Indian. "Oh, general, please don't go"&mdash;puff&mdash;"near the
+camp&mdash;bless my soul! A plot!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span>"A plot!" echoed the other. "A plot! What do you mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"They're going to hurt you&mdash;bless my soul!"</p>
+
+<p>"Hurt me! Who?"</p>
+
+<p>"The cadets, sir! Bless my soul, I&mdash;puff&mdash;heard them say, they
+were&mdash;puff&mdash;oh!&mdash;going to b-b-beat the general."</p>
+
+<p>There was a moment of silence, then a perfect roar of laughter came from
+the staff officers. The general laughed too, for a moment, but when he
+saw the plebe's alarm and perplexity he stopped and gazed at him with a
+kindly expression. "My boy," he said, "you've been letting the yearlings
+fool you."</p>
+
+<p>"Fool me!" echoed Indian in horror. "Bless my soul!&mdash;how?"</p>
+
+<p>"Beating the general means," answered the officer, "beating the general
+assembly, which is a drum call."</p>
+
+<p>The officers shook with laughter again, and as for poor Indian, he was
+thunderstruck. So he had been fooled again! So he had let those mean
+cadets haze him once more! And&mdash;and&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>Poor Indian's eyes began to fill with tears. And he choked down a great
+big sob. The old officer saw his look of misery.</p>
+
+<p>"Do they fool you often that way, my boy?" he asked, sympathetically.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span>"Ye&mdash;yes!" answered Indian, at the verge of a weeping spell. "Ye&mdash;yes,
+th-they do. And I think it's real mean."</p>
+
+<p>"So do I," said the general, smiling. "I tell you how we'll fix it.
+Don't you let on they succeeded."</p>
+
+<p>"I can't help it," moaned Indian. "They know! L-look!"</p>
+
+<p>With trembling finger he pointed across the street to where in the
+shadow of the sally port of the academy stood a group of hilarious
+yearlings, fully half the class, wild with glee. The general shook his
+head as he looked, and poor Indian got out his handkerchief as a
+precaution.</p>
+
+<p>"Too bad!" said the former. "Too bad, I declare! We'll have to turn that
+joke on them somehow or other. Let me see. Let me see. How would you
+like it for me to help you get square, as you boys say?"</p>
+
+<p>Indian gazed up at the stalwart and kindly form confidingly; he was all
+smiles in a moment.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell you," said the general at last, "you and I'll take a walk.
+And when they see you with me, they'll be sorry they sent you. Come on."</p>
+
+<p>He took the arm of the delighted Indian, who was scarcely able to
+realize the extent of his good fortune.</p>
+
+<p>"You'll excuse me a short while, gentlemen," said General Miles to his
+military staff. "I'll return shortly. And<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> now," to Indian, "where shall
+we go? I guess I'll let you show me about camp."</p>
+
+<p>And sure enough, pinching himself to make sure if he really were awake,
+Indian, on the arm of the mighty guest of West Point, commander of Uncle
+Sam's whole army, marched away up the road past the parade ground and
+all through Camp McPherson.</p>
+
+<p>The general was enjoying the joke hugely, but he affected not to notice
+it, and plied the plebe with questions.</p>
+
+<p>Why did the yearlings haze him so much? Was he B.&nbsp;J.? Oh, it was because
+he was a friend of Mark Mallory's, was it! General Miles had heard of
+Mark Mallory. He was the plebe who had saved the life of the general's
+friend, Judge Fuller's daughter. A beautiful girl that! And a splendid
+act! Indian had seen it, had he? Colonel Harvey had described it to the
+general. The general would like to meet Mark Mallory. No, he was not
+joking; he really would. Mr. Mallory was in hospital, was he? Too bad!
+Had been too B.&nbsp;J., had he? The general liked B.&nbsp;J. plebes. He hoped
+Mark was not badly hurt. And&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>Then suddenly the conversation was interrupted by a cry of joy from
+Indian.</p>
+
+<p>"There's Mark now! He's out of hospital!"</p>
+
+<p>"That handsome lad down the street there?" inquired the general, "let us
+go down by all means."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span>A moment later, Mark, to his great amazement, was confronted by the
+curiously contrasted pair. Indian was beaming like a sunflower.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Mallory," he said, with a flourish, "allow me to present my friend,
+General Miles."</p>
+
+<p>Mark bowed, and the general took the hand he held out.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Mallory," he said, "I am proud to meet you. I have heard of what
+you have done. The service needs such men as you."</p>
+
+<p>And the whole corps heard him say so, too. The general had been very
+careful to say those words in a loud and clear voice that made the camp
+ring. Then he turned and spoke to an orderly who was passing.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell my staff to ride up here for me," he said, and added, turning to
+the two radiant plebes: "Now, my young friends, I must ask you to excuse
+me. I am very pleased to have met you both. Good-morning, Mr. Smith, and
+Mr. Mallory."</p>
+
+<p>With which he turned and strode away up the street again, smiling at the
+recollection of the incident. And Mark stood and stared at his grinning
+friend Indian.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said he, "you blessed idiot, you certainly do beat the Dutch!"</p>
+
+<p>And then he turned and went into the tent.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII.<br />
+<span class="smalltext">"BULL" FINDS AN ALLY.</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>"For Heaven's sake, man, you don't mean this for a fact, do you?"</p>
+
+<p>It was Mark who spoke; he sat alone in his tent with Texas late that
+evening, and Texas was telling him the story of Mary Adams and what she
+had done during the day.</p>
+
+<p>"And did she tell you to tell me this?" Mark continued, in amazement.</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Texas; "she didn't want me to a bit. I couldn't make her out
+'t all. She wanted you to know it, but she didn't want me to tell it."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm afraid," laughed the other, "that you haven't a very delicate sense
+of propriety. I'm afraid you're no ladies' man, Texas."</p>
+
+<p>"That's all right," answered Texas. "I think I managed this yere affair
+right well. Now, what I want to know is, what you're goin' to do 'bout
+it?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's just what I want to know," said his friend. "I'm as puzzled as
+you. Why, I hadn't the least idea the poor girl felt that way about me."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you care for her?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span>"Why, of course, man. I like her well enough, from what I know of her.
+But I don't want any of that sickly, sentimental business in mine, and
+especially about a girl like her. I'm afraid of her, and I don't know
+what on earth to say to her. I wish to gracious, old man, you hadn't
+said a word to me about it."</p>
+
+<p>Texas gazed at Mark with a grieved expression. That was a nice thing to
+say to a man who was just priding himself on having managed a delicate
+affair so nicely. And Texas arose to his feet.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said he, "I'm sorry you don't like it. An' ef that's all I git,
+I'll keep out of it."</p>
+
+<p>With which he bounced out of the tent and strode away. Mark also left
+the tent for a walk a moment later, still thinking.</p>
+
+<p>The girl was sincere, that was certain. And he knew it all, and so did
+she. The question was, what could Mark do without hurting her feelings.
+She was wildly jealous of Grace. Now Mark had not the remotest idea of
+dropping Grace Fuller, his "angel"; he did not like even to think of her
+in connection with this girl. He knew in his heart it would be best to
+let Mary Adams alone from this time on. But what would she think then?</p>
+
+<p>Mark was weighing this question as he went. He was not noticing,
+meanwhile, where he was going. It was within half an hour or so of
+tattoo he knew, and a dark,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> cloudy night. He had taken the path down
+through "Flirtation Walk," heeding no one; he had strolled to the other
+end, and turned to retrace his steps when suddenly he halted in
+surprise. A dark figure was hurrying past him, and as he gazed at it and
+recognized it, he exclaimed aloud:</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Adams!" he cried. "You here!"</p>
+
+<p>The girl turned and faced him, pushing aside the shawl she wore and
+disclosing her face in all its passionate beauty.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Mallory!" she cried, in just as much surprise; and then gazed at
+him trembling.</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Adams," said Mark, quietly, after a moment's thought. "I want to
+have a talk with you, if you please. May I?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," she cried. "Yes, but not here. I want to see you alone."</p>
+
+<p>She turned, and Mark followed her, almost having to run to keep up with
+the girl's excited pace. They descended the hill at the end of the path,
+and then on they went almost to the Hudson's shore. It was a dark,
+deserted spot, and there the girl halted. Mark stopped too, and she
+turned about and gazed at him.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, then," said she.</p>
+
+<p>Mark said nothing at first; he was watching her features, admiring them
+and at the same time wondering at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> the emotion they showed. Her cheeks
+became red as fire under his gaze.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Powers has told you all?" she demanded at last. "He has; I can see
+it!"</p>
+
+<p>Mark started as he noticed the tone of her voice; he had never heard her
+speak that way before. Usually her voice was soft and melodious, a voice
+with a hidden, musical charm. Now it was cold and harsh, and Mark knew
+at once what that meant.</p>
+
+<p>The girl was angry already. She saw that he was about to cast her aside,
+after all her passionate, humiliating confession. And she was putting a
+bold, brazen front upon it.</p>
+
+<p>"I can see!" she cried, suddenly. "I can see it all in your face. You do
+not care for me!"</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Adams," he began, quietly; the girl shook her head impatiently.</p>
+
+<p>"Call me Mary or Moll!" she exclaimed. "Call me Mary and be done with
+it. They all do."</p>
+
+<p>Mark was puzzled. He did not wish to call her Mary, he did not wish to
+indicate any familiarity. He saw on the other hand that to refuse would
+be to cut her to the quick; but he chose the latter course.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall call you Miss Adams," he said, decisively. "And I want to
+explain to you&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>The girl stamped her foot upon the ground.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span>"There is no need for you to explain!" she cried. "I know! I know it
+all! I have watched you, followed you, dreamed of you, and you have
+flung me off."</p>
+
+<p>As she spoke, the girl had been striding about the spot. As she finished
+she bowed her head and broke into a passion of tears.</p>
+
+<p>"But, Miss Adams," expostulated Mark, "you will not let me explain."</p>
+
+<p>"'Explain!'" The girl raised her head and tossed her dark hair in anger,
+while her eyes flashed. "I do not want you to explain! Your explanations
+are simply honeyed words to hide the facts. I know the facts. You want
+to tell me why. I know why! It is because of her, of her! I hate her,
+the yellow-haired creature. And I hate you! Yes, I hate you! You have
+treated me as if I were a puppet, as if I had no right to live. And I do
+not want to live. I have no use for life. I wish I were dead!"</p>
+
+<p>The girl had raised her hands to the sky, a weird figure; she gazed
+about her despairingly as she finished.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish I were dead!" she cried, again.</p>
+
+<p>The wind whistled through the lonely trees as she spoke, and made a
+strange accompaniment to her impassioned voice. A steamboat, plying the
+river, was softly churning little waves that lapped against the shore
+and made a low, gurgling sound upon the rocks. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> girl gazed over the
+steep, dark bank as she cried out in her wretchedness, and the next
+instant she sprang forward.</p>
+
+<p>The thought had flashed over Mark at the same moment. He saw the girl
+move, and seized her. She turned upon him with the fury of a tiger, a
+tiger she was, with all a tiger's passions. For a moment they struggled
+and wrestled, the girl crying out all the time. And then she tore
+herself loose with one mighty effort&mdash;Mark had only one free hand&mdash;and
+lunged down, down into the darkness.</p>
+
+<p>Mark heard a splash and a gurgle of the black invisible waters. And then
+all was silent as the grave.</p>
+
+<p>Mark Mallory hesitated, hesitated for the first time in his life. One
+arm was bound tight in a sling and helpless. He was weak and faint yet
+from his maltreatment. Still he could not see her die without trying to
+save her. His hesitation gone, he took a step forward, but he was too
+late.</p>
+
+<p>There was a quick noise behind him; he heard the word "coward!" hissed
+in his ear, and a white figure shot past him and dived out into the
+darkness.</p>
+
+<p>Mark gasped with relief; and quick to act, he turned, and helpless
+though he was, clambered down around the side to reach the spot. He
+heard sounds of a struggle out beyond him; he heard some whispered
+words, and a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> moment later the figure of the rescuer arose out of the
+water and confronted him, bearing the girl in his arms.</p>
+
+<p>It was Bull Harris!</p>
+
+<p>Mark started back instinctively; and Bull sneered as he saw it.</p>
+
+<p>"Coward!" he repeated. "Coward! The corps shall know of this!"</p>
+
+<p>Mark knew that expostulation and explanation were useless and
+unnecessary. He said not a word, but saw the girl safely brought to
+shore. And then, sad and heavy at heart, he turned and walked back
+toward the camp.</p>
+
+<p>Bull Harris stayed, to reap the fruit of his labors. He held the
+half-fainting, half-hysterical girl in his arms and wiped her straying
+hair from her face and sought to calm her. He seemed to like his task,
+for when she was better he made no move to stop.</p>
+
+<p>"Did he push you over?" inquired Bull, insinuatingly.</p>
+
+<p>"No," cried the girl, with fierceness. "He did not. But I hate him!"</p>
+
+<p>"You might say he did then!" the yearling whispered softly.</p>
+
+<p>Mary Adams glanced at him with a sharp look.</p>
+
+<p>"I might," she said, "if I chose. And I may. What's that to you?"</p>
+
+<p>"To me!" cried Bull clinching the girl's hand in his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> until she cried
+out. "To me! I hate him! I could kill him!"</p>
+
+<p>"You were rude to me once," she muttered.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," exclaimed Bull. "I was. You liked him, and I hated you for it."</p>
+
+<p>That was a lie, but the girl did not choose, for some reason, to say so.</p>
+
+<p>"Come," she said, striving to arise. "Help me home."</p>
+
+<p>"One moment!" cried Bull, holding her back. "Promise me one thing, one
+thing before you go."</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I know the whole story, Mary," he said. "I know how he has treated you,
+how he has cast you off, made a puppet of you, and all for that Grace
+Fuller! You say you hate him. So do I. Promise me, promise me to be
+revenged if you have to die for it."</p>
+
+<p>"I will!" cried she, furiously.</p>
+
+<p>"Will you give me your hand on it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I will."</p>
+
+<p>Bull took her home that night, though he was in no hurry about it. He
+came in after taps, for he thought it would do him good to hand in his
+explanation that he had been saving a girl's life, and restoring her to
+consciousness. A girl; perhaps a girl upon whom murder had been
+attempted.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span>He evaded all details, however, and went to his tent chuckling
+triumphantly at his evil work that night.</p>
+
+<p>He had laid a foundation for trouble, but would success follow?</p>
+
+<p>Only the future could tell.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX.<br />
+<span class="smalltext">STRANGE CONDUCT.</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>"Say, fellows, what do you think?"</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mallory's given in!"</p>
+
+<p>"Given in! How do you mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"He's going to let himself be hazed."</p>
+
+<p>"What!"</p>
+
+<p>Two more surprised cadets than the two who uttered this last exclamation
+it would be hard to imagine. They had been sitting on a bench near
+Trophy Point, and one of them had been carelessly tinkling a mandolin.
+He had dropped the instrument and leaped to his feet. Now he was staring
+with open mouth at the new arrival, who bore the extraordinary tidings.</p>
+
+<p>"Mallory given up! Gus Murray, what on earth do you mean?"</p>
+
+<p>The three were yearlings, all of them. The crowd which has usually been
+designated in these stories as "Bull Harris' gang." There was Gus
+Murray, the new arrival, a low, brutal-looking chap. There was the
+sickly and disagreeable "Merry" Vance. And there was the little fellow
+"Baby" Edwards, the meanest of them all.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span>"You surely can't mean," cried Vance, "that Mallory has consented to
+allow the fellows to haze him?"</p>
+
+<p>"Better than that even," chuckled Murray. "Better than that!"</p>
+
+<p>"For Heaven's sake," gasped the other, "sit down and tell us what you do
+mean. What is the use of talking riddles?"</p>
+
+<p>Thus enjoined, Gus Murray explained; he was nothing loath to tell the
+tale.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell you how it was," he said. "I was never more astounded in my
+life. I saw that plebe strolling down the street a while ago, holding
+his head high as ever and looking as if he owned the place."</p>
+
+<p>"Confound him!" muttered Vance.</p>
+
+<p>"You know," the other continued, "he's never done any work like the rest
+of the plebes. Usually we yearlings make them fix our tents and guns,
+and carry water, and so on. Mallory never has, and of course nobody's
+succeeded in making him. I thought I'd guy him a little just now and see
+how he'd take it. So I stopped and said, 'See here, plebe. Let me show
+you how to clean a gun.'"</p>
+
+<p>"And what did he say?" cried Vance.</p>
+
+<p>"Just as B.&nbsp;J. as ever," growled Murray. "'Thank you,' he said, 'I'll go
+get mine and let you do it.' Of course he knew perfectly well that I
+wanted to show him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> on mine and let him do the work. I said to him,
+'I've a gun to show you on, if you please.' And by George&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"You don't mean he cleaned your gun for you!" gasped Baby.</p>
+
+<p>"That's just exactly what I do! You might have knocked me over with a
+feather. He said, 'Certainly, sir.' Yes, by jiminy, he actually said
+'sir.' And when I left him he was working away like a beaver. He had the
+gun half cleaned. What do you think of that?"</p>
+
+<p>Gus finished and gazed at his two companions triumphantly. He felt that
+he had accomplished something that no other member of his class ever
+had.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll bet Mallory was afraid of you," chirruped Baby Edwards. "Don't you
+suppose that's it, Merry?"</p>
+
+<p>Vance picked up his mandolin and resumed his cynical smile.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell you what I think," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"What?" demanded Murray.</p>
+
+<p>"That you're a fool."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"Simply," said Vance, "that Mallory was playing some kind of a joke on
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"But he wasn't!" cried the other. "I went back after he was through and
+the gun was perfect. The wood was polished till it shone like a mirror.
+I actually did not like to touch it, it was so pretty."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span>"And how about the rest of the tent?" inquired Vance.</p>
+
+<p>"He hadn't disturbed a thing. I looked particularly. I tell you, man,
+that Mallory has given in."</p>
+
+<p>"It's not much like him," said Merry, dubiously.</p>
+
+<p>"You don't have to look very far for the cause," began Murray. "You
+remember how the first class gave him a licking the other day?"</p>
+
+<p>Vance admitted that might have something to do with it.</p>
+
+<p>"It's got everything," chuckled Murray. "It's simply broken his spirit.
+Why look, man! He was black and blue all over. Even now one of his arms
+is in a sling. I tell you he's made up his mind that it isn't safe to
+carry on as he's been, and so he's decided to get meek and mild for a
+change."</p>
+
+<p>"And, oh, say, if it's true!" cried Baby, excitedly. "If it's true! Gee
+whiz, won't we have some fun!"</p>
+
+<p>"Just won't we!" responded Murray, doubling up his fists and glaring as
+if the hated plebe were really in front of him. "I just tell you I mean
+to make him wish he'd never been born. I've been waiting for a chance to
+get even with that confounded beast, and now I'll have him."</p>
+
+<p>For the next half hour there was joy unbounded among those three young
+gentlemen. Only those who are familiar with their dispositions can
+comprehend the amount of satisfaction they felt; and only those who know
+our<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> friend Mark Mallory's character as they did can appreciate their
+surprise at his "flunk."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish Bull were here to hear about it," remarked Baby at last.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is Bull anyhow?" inquired Murray, who was chief lieutenant in
+Bull's gang and an invaluable assistant in all of Bull's schemes for
+revenge upon Mark.</p>
+
+<p>That question changed the topic of conversation for a few minutes. It
+was Vance who answered it.</p>
+
+<p>"There's something mysterious about Bull," he said. "I've been puzzling
+my head to think what it means. You know Bull was absent from taps last
+night."</p>
+
+<p>"What!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, he was. And you know that's a pretty serious offense. It may mean
+court-martial, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"Good gracious!" gasped Baby. "What would we do without Bull?"</p>
+
+<p>"I guess we won't have to," laughed Vance. "You needn't begin to worry.
+I was corporal of the guard last night when Bull came in to report. It
+was way after eleven."</p>
+
+<p>"Where on earth had he been?"</p>
+
+<p>"He wouldn't tell me. He was very mysterious. It seems that he had been
+in the water somehow and was soaking wet; all I could get out of him was
+that the business had something to do with Mary Adams."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span>"Mary Adams!" cried Gus. "I thought she wouldn't speak to him."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I don't know," said Vance. "That was what Bull told me. Anyhow he
+didn't seem a bit alarmed about his absence."</p>
+
+<p>"The superintendent sent for him this afternoon," put in Murray. "I
+suppose that was to give him a chance to explain the matter."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and I saw Bull with Mary a while ago," added the other, shrewdly.
+"I shouldn't wonder if Bull were getting up some scheme. He hasn't said
+much about Mallory to-day. He's been very mysterious."</p>
+
+<p>The mystery, whatever it was, was destined to remain unsolved, however,
+for just then the rattle of a drum echoed across the field, and the
+three sprang up hastily.</p>
+
+<p>"It's dress parade," said Murray.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," responded Vance, dryly. "And now you'll have a chance to show off
+that beautifully cleaned gun of yours. Come on."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX.<br />
+<span class="smalltext">A SURPRISE FOR MURRAY.</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>Gus Murray went straight to his tent when the group broke up. He hastily
+dusted off his clothes and looked at himself in the glass to make sure
+that nothing was out of place. Then he took up his gun from the rack and
+hurried out to "fall in."</p>
+
+<p>A moment later the order was given, "'Tention company!" and after roll
+call the battalion wheeled and marched out upon the parade ground.</p>
+
+<p>The ceremony of dress parade has been described in these pages before.
+The solemn cadet adjutant formed the parade and then turned it over to
+his superior. The gayly-dressed band marched down the line and took its
+station. A few moments later the battalion was in the midst of its
+evolutions.</p>
+
+<p>It was not very long before they halted again, down toward the southern
+end of the plain, to go through the manual of arms. It was then that Gus
+Murray received a shock.</p>
+
+<p>The cadets had been marching with their guns at a "carry." Gus had held
+his that way ever since he picked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> it up, and then suddenly the
+lieutenant in command gave the order:</p>
+
+<p>"Present&mdash;arms!"</p>
+
+<p>In a "carry" the soldier holds his gun in the right hand, with thumb and
+first finger around the trigger guard. In coming to "present" he swings
+it up in front of him and seizes the stock in the left hand, at the same
+time letting go with the right and reversing his grip.</p>
+
+<p>The cadet lines work like a perfect machine in that drill. Every gun
+swings up at the same instant, every hand moves in unison, so that the
+sound of the many motions is but one. This time, however, there was a
+break, and the cause of it was our dear friend Gus.</p>
+
+<p>Gus got through the first part of the motion all right. On the second
+part he got "stuck"&mdash;in more senses than one. When he went to let go
+with his right hand&mdash;he couldn't!</p>
+
+<p>At first he could hardly understand what was happening. He pulled and
+tugged with all his might. But it did no good; his hand was fast. And in
+an instant the horrible truth flashed over him&mdash;Mallory&mdash;he had polished
+the gun with glue!</p>
+
+<p>Every spectator on the grounds was staring at Gus. As for him, he was
+still tugging and wrestling, blushing, and gasping with rage. Finally he
+saw that his efforts<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> were useless, and he gave it up in despair; he
+stood silent and helpless, gazing into space.</p>
+
+<p>Lieutenant Ross was the name of tac in command, and he was noted for
+being a crank. He gave no more orders, of course, but stood and stared
+at the offending cadet in horror and indignation, while the cadets, who
+did not dare to look, but who knew that something was "up," waited and
+wondered.</p>
+
+<p>How long this suspense and torture would last no one could tell; the tac
+broke in at last.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Murray!" he demanded. "What is the matter?"</p>
+
+<p>"My gun!" stammered Murray. "I&mdash;I&mdash;why&mdash;that is&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Murray, leave the ranks!"</p>
+
+<p>Blushing scarlet, the yearling obeyed, conscious of the fact that
+hundreds of eyes were upon him. He strode furiously down the line and
+once clear, set out on a run for camp, almost ready to cry with
+vexation. He reached his tent, rushed in, tore off his glove, and hurled
+his musket into the corner. And then he stood in the middle of his tent
+and clinched his fists until his nails cut the palms of his hands.</p>
+
+<p>"By Heaven!" he cried, "I'll be revenged on that plebe if I have to kill
+him to do it!"</p>
+
+<p>He stayed in his tent, nursing his wrath and resentment, until the
+battalion marched back to camp. And he re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span>fused to come out then; his
+classmates who inquired as to what was the matter received angry replies
+for their pains. And when the corps marched down to supper Murray still
+sat where he was. He didn't want any supper.</p>
+
+<p>He was in just the mood to welcome a visitor who came then. The visitor
+was Murray's chum and crony, Bull Harris.</p>
+
+<p>"Hello, old man," said he, pushing aside the tent flap. "What's up?"</p>
+
+<p>"Go to blazes!" responded Murray, by way of answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Come, come," said Bull, pleasantly. "You don't want to get mad with me,
+Gus. Tell me what's wrong."</p>
+
+<p>"It's that confounded plebe!" snapped Murray.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought so," said Bull. "Well, that's what my news is about. I've got
+a plot."</p>
+
+<p>And the other's sullen glare gave place to a look of delight in an
+instant. He leaped to his feet with an exclamation of joy.</p>
+
+<p>"By George, I knew it!" he cried. "Quick! quick! Out with it! Nothing's
+too desperate for me to-night."</p>
+
+<p>"That's good," chuckled Bull. "Very good. Come, let us go and take a
+walk. This is a long story; and no one must overhear it, either."</p>
+
+<p>Such is the effect of bad motives upon men. Those two precious rascals
+stooped instinctively as they hurried<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> down the company street and
+dodged out of camp. Bull led his company down through "Flirtation Walk"
+and out to the far end of it. Here they scrambled down the hillside
+until they were in a lonely, deserted glen almost at the river's edge.
+It was already growing dark with the shadows of the evening. And here
+Bull stopped and took a seat.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope this is quiet enough for you," said Murray.</p>
+
+<p>"I had an especial reason for bringing you here!" responded Bull. "All
+I've got to tell you about happened here. Do you know, old man, I jumped
+into the river off that high bank last night."</p>
+
+<p>"What!" gasped the other. "For Heaven's sake, why?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's in the story," answered Harris. "I'll begin at the beginning.
+Listen. You remember how I told you a a while ago when that plebe
+Mallory first came here, how Mary Adams and I had a quarrel and that
+fool came along and knocked me down."</p>
+
+<p>"You never told me what you were doing," said Murray.</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind. I was a fool to try it, that way. Anyhow, she's hated me
+ever since. And oh, how she has struggled to get that plebe. Murray, I'm
+smarter than you think. I've been watching this business night and day,
+waiting for my chance. And now it's come. I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> found that plebe and Mary
+on this very spot just before taps last night."</p>
+
+<p>"What doing?" gasped Murray.</p>
+
+<p>Bull told the particulars.</p>
+
+<p>"And, by George, I'll be hanged if she didn't end it by flinging herself
+head first over that bank!" he concluded.</p>
+
+<p>"What!" gasped Murray.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir. And then I saw my chance. Oh, it was a bonanza for me, Gus!
+Mallory was lame, you know, and he hesitated. I rushed past him and
+saved her life. Throwing in some heroic flourishes, so's to have the
+right effect upon her. I carried her out, and upbraided him as a coward.
+He was lame, I knew, and couldn't do anything if he wanted to. And it
+made her hate him all the more."</p>
+
+<p>"How did it turn out?"</p>
+
+<p>"Splendidly. He went back to camp, and I took her all the way home. And
+you can bet I fixed it all right with her on the way. I made up for what
+she was mad about before; and I talked about Mallory and that other girl
+until she was wild. And, Gus, we've got her!"</p>
+
+<p>"Got her for what?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mallory! She's our tool, man; we can do just what we please. She'll do
+anything on earth for revenge. I almost think she'd kill him."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span>"You don't mean," gasped Gus, "that she's going to swear he pushed her
+into the river?"</p>
+
+<p>"She wanted to," said Bull. "Oh, Murray, you can't imagine how simply
+desperate that girl was! She'd simply thrown herself at Mallory's feet,
+and he'd kicked her away. At least that was the way it seemed to her,
+and you can bet I didn't try to change her view. And she was crying with
+rage all the way home. Her face was simply scarlet, and she was
+trembling like a leaf. I was honestly afraid of her. She vowed she'd
+swear to anything I said if she could only ruin him, and to get that
+Grace Fuller away from him. She said she'd swear to it and stick to it
+that he tried to murder her. She was even mad because I wouldn't let
+her."</p>
+
+<p>"Why didn't you?" cried the other.</p>
+
+<p>"In the first place, I doubt if the superintendent would believe her.
+There have been several plots like that tried, but he has too much faith
+in that fool of a plebe. Then, too, I doubt if the girl's rage'll last
+that long. We must use it while it does. All we want to do is to get
+that plebe dismissed."</p>
+
+<p>"That's all!" exclaimed Murray. "But in Heaven's name, how?"</p>
+
+<p>"Didn't I tell you I had a plot?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, but what? and when?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span>"To-night!" cried Bull. "To-night! And I want you to help us."</p>
+
+<p>Murray sprang up in excitement and joy. Bull hushed his exclamations,
+and after glancing cautiously about him to make sure that no one was
+near in that now black and shadowy glade, went on in a low, muttering
+tone:</p>
+
+<p>"It's very simple," he whispered. "It's because it's so simple it's sure
+to work. It won't leave Mallory the ghost of a chance. I'm just as sure,
+man, sure as I stand on this spot of ground, that Mallory will be
+court-martialed in a week."</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" cried Murray.</p>
+
+<p>"Listen. Mary's going to write him a letter to-night, send it to him
+about midnight, asking him to come to her. Then&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"But will he come?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly. We can make it strong. She will. She can say she's dying,
+anything to make sure. He'll go. She lives beyond cadet limits. Some of
+us'll be there, catch him, tie him&mdash;anything, I don't care. And I know
+the girl don't. I think she'd tear his eyes out. Anyhow, we'll fix him
+there, beyond limits, and then back to camp we go, make some infernal
+racket and have the tac out in no time. Then there'll be an inspection,
+and Mallory'll be 'hived' absent after taps. They'll ask him next
+morning where he's been, and he'll tell."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span>"He may lie."</p>
+
+<p>"He won't. He couldn't. I know him too well. And he'll be
+court-martialed, and there you are!"</p>
+
+<p>And Gus Murray leaped up with a cry of joy. He seized his companion by
+the hand.</p>
+
+<p>"That's it!" he cried. "That's it! By Heaven, it'll do him. And if
+there's any blame to bear that fool of a girl shall bear it."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXXI" id="CHAPTER_XXXI"></a>CHAPTER XXXI.<br />
+<span class="smalltext">THE PLOT SUCCEEDS.</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>That beautiful July evening, while those precious rascals sat whispering
+and discussing the details of their plan, while first classmen and
+yearlings were all down in the academy building at the "hop," a certain
+plebe sat in a tent of Company A, all by himself. A candle flickered
+beside him, and he held a writing pad in his hand. The plebe was Mark,
+his clear-cut, handsome features shining in the yellow light.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"Dear Mother," he was writing. "It is hard for one to
+get time to write a letter here. We plebes have so
+much to do. But I have promised you to write once a
+week, and so I have stolen off from my friends to drop
+you a line.</p>
+
+<p>"This is the fifth letter I have written now, the
+close of the fifth week. And I like West Point as much
+as I ever did. You know how much that is. You know how
+I have worked and striven for this chance I have. West
+Point has always been the goal of all my hopes, and I
+am still happy to have reached it. If I should forfeit
+my chance now, it would be by my own fault, I think; I
+know that it would break my heart.</p>
+
+<p>"We plebes have to work hard nowadays. They wake us up
+at five with a big gun, and after that it is drill all
+day. But I like it, for I am learning lots of things.
+If<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> you could see me sweeping and dusting I know you
+would laugh. Texas says if 'the boys' saw him they'd
+lynch him 'sho'.</p>
+
+<p>"I told you a lot about Texas the last time I wrote.
+He is the most delightful character I have ever met in
+my life. He is just fresh from the plains, and his
+cowboy ways of looking at things keep me laughing all
+day. But he is just as true as steel, and as fine a
+friend as I ever knew.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe I told you all about the Banded Seven, the
+secret society we have gotten up to stop hazing. Well,
+we are having high jinks with 'the ole ya'rlin's,' as
+Texas calls them. We have outwitted them at every
+point, and I think they are about ready to give up in
+despair. We plebes even went to the hop the other
+night. I can hear the music of the hop now as it comes
+over the parade ground. It is very alluring, so you
+must appreciate this letter all the more.</p>
+
+<p>"I shan't tell you about the fight I had, for it would
+worry you. And I haven't time to tell you how I saved
+the life of a girl last week. I inclose a newspaper
+clipping about it, but you mustn't believe it was so
+absurdly heroic. The girl's father is a very rich man
+here, and, mother, she is very sweet and attractive.
+She has joined the Seven to help me fool the
+yearlings.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess I shall have to stop now. I hear some sounds
+that make me think it is time for tattoo, and besides,
+I am getting very homesick, writing to you way out in
+Colorado. You need not be fearing any rival to my
+affections, mother dear, even if I am fond of Grace
+Fuller. I wish I could see you just once to-night to
+tell you how much I miss you. And I am still</p>
+
+<p class="sig1">"Your devoted son,</p>
+
+<p class="sig2">"Mark."</p></div>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span>Mark laid down his pencil with a sigh. He folded the letter and sealed
+it, and then arose slowly to his feet. Outside of his tent he heard
+quick steps and voices, and a moment later the rattle of a drum broke
+forth.</p>
+
+<p>"Tattoo," he observed. "I thought so."</p>
+
+<p>He turned toward the door as the flap was pushed aside&mdash;and a tall,
+slender lad entered, a lad with bronzed, sun-tanned features and merry
+gray eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Hello, Texas!" said Mark.</p>
+
+<p>"Hello," growled Texas. "Look a yere! What do you mean by runnin' off
+an' hidin' all evenin'? I been a huntin' you everywhere."</p>
+
+<p>"I've been right here," said Mark, "writing a letter home. Did you want
+me to go to the hop?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I didn't. But I wanted you to tell me all 'bout that crazy Mary
+Adams last night an' what you did. You ain't had time to tell me all
+day."</p>
+
+<p>Mark told him the story then. They were still discussing it when they
+turned out and lined up for roll call; and that ceremony being over,
+they scattered again, Texas still eagerly asking questions about the
+strange affair.</p>
+
+<p>Taps sounded half an hour later&mdash;ten o'clock&mdash;"lights out and all
+quiet." They stopped then.</p>
+
+<p>Sentry No. 3 that night was "Baby" Edwards. His beat lay along the
+northern edge of the camp, skirting the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> tents of Company A. And Baby
+Edwards let quite a number pass his beat that night.</p>
+
+<p>For instance, he was on duty from midnight until two. It was bright
+moonlight then, and Baby could have seen any one who crossed his post;
+but he heard a signaling whistle and faced out in order not to see any
+one. The person who entered was a boy clad in a blue uniform, an
+"orderly," as they are called.</p>
+
+<p>He ran silently and swiftly in and made straight for one tent. When he
+got there he hesitated not a moment, but stepped in and crept up to one
+of the sleepers.</p>
+
+<p>It was Mark who awoke at his touch, and Mark sat up in alarm and stared
+at him.</p>
+
+<p>"Sh!" said the boy. "Sh! Don't wake any one."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you want?" Mark demanded.</p>
+
+<p>"I've a letter, sir, a letter from her again."</p>
+
+<p>Mark stared at the boy and recognized him at once as a messenger who had
+given him a note from Mary Adams about a month ago. And he sprang to his
+feet in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"She writing again!" he whispered. "Quick, give it to me."</p>
+
+<p>He broke the seal, stepped to the tent door, where, in the white
+moonlight, he could read every letter plainly. And this was what he
+saw:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Mr. Mallory</span>: Oh, once more I have to write you
+to call upon you for aid. You cannot imagine the
+terrible distress I am in. And I have no one to call
+upon but you. If you respect me as a woman, come to my
+aid to-night and at once. And come alone, for I could
+not bear to have any one but you know of my terrible
+affliction. Oh, please do not fail me! You may imagine
+my state of mind when I write you like this. And let
+me call myself</p>
+
+<p class="sig1">Your friend,</p>
+
+<p class="sig2">"Mary Adams."</p></div>
+
+<p>Mark finished the reading of that letter in amazement, even alarm.</p>
+
+<p>"Did she give you this?" he demanded of the boy.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir, she did, not five minutes ago," replied the lad. "And she
+told me to run. She seemed scared to death, sir, and I know she'd been
+crying."</p>
+
+<p>Mark stared into his earnest face a moment, and then he turned away in
+thought.</p>
+
+<p>"You may go," he said to the boy. "I know my way to her house alone."</p>
+
+<p>The lad disappeared; and Mark, without a moment's hesitation, went over
+and woke one of the cadets.</p>
+
+<p>"Wake up, Texas," he whispered. "Wake up and read this."</p>
+
+<p>Texas arose from his couch in surprise and sleepy alarm. He read the
+letter, gasping; then he stared at Mark.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think she wrote it?" he inquired.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span>That problem was puzzling Mark, too. He had received two letters before
+from the girl, under exactly similar circumstances. One had been a trick
+of the cadets to lure him out. The other had been genuine, and had
+resulted in Mark's saving the girl's brother from disgrace and ruin. But
+which was this?</p>
+
+<p>Mark made up his mind quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"I think she wrote it, old man," he said. "The drum boy who gave me this
+gave me the other she wrote, too, and he swears she wrote this. He said
+she was frightened and crying. Texas, she lives way off there with her
+old mother, who's blind and helpless. And there's no telling what may
+have happened to her. Just see how urgent that note is. I must go, old
+man. I'd be a coward if I didn't. She don't know a soul to call on but
+me."</p>
+
+<p>And Mark, generous and noble to a fault, had turned and begun to fling
+on his clothing. Texas was doing likewise.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm a-goin' too," he vowed.</p>
+
+<p>"She says not," whispered Mark.</p>
+
+<p>"I know," was the answer. "She ain't a-goin' to know it. I'm a-goin' in
+case it's them ole yearlin's. Ef I see it's all right, and she wrote it,
+I reckon I kin sneak home."</p>
+
+<p>Nothing could deter the faithful and vigilant Texan from his resolution,
+and when Mark stole out of his tent his friend was at his heels. They
+passed the sentry,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> Baby Edwards, with the usual signal, Mark fooled for
+once, was chuckling at his deception, thinking Baby thought them
+yearlings. But Baby knew who it was, and laughed.</p>
+
+<p>The two, once clear of camp, set out on a dead run. They dashed across
+the Cavalry Plain and down the road to Highland Falls. It was nearly a
+mile to where Mary Adams lived, but Mark never stopped once, not even
+when he came to the dreaded cadet limits, to be found beyond which meant
+court-martial and dismissal in disgrace. He took the risk grimly,
+however, and ran on. When they finally reached the girl's house the
+Texan was panting and exhausted.</p>
+
+<p>"You stay there," whispered Mark, pointing to a clump of bushes nearby.</p>
+
+<p>Texas crouched behind them, and doubled his fists in determination. Mark
+just as promptly stepped up to the door and softly rapped.</p>
+
+<p>There was a light in one of the rooms on the ground floor. The curtain
+was carefully drawn, but Texas, watching closely, saw a shadow swiftly
+flit across. And just after that the door was flung open, and the girl
+stood before them.</p>
+
+<p>"I knew you would come!" Texas heard her cry. "Oh, thank fortune!"</p>
+
+<p>Then Mark stepped inside, and the door shut again.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span>Texas waited in suspense and curiosity. He did not know how long Mark
+might be in there, but he was resolved to stick it out. Then suddenly,
+to his surprise, the door was opened again, and Mark and the girl
+stepped out.</p>
+
+<p>She was leaning upon his arm, and hurrying him forward quickly. She was
+evidently in great distress, and from what the hidden listener heard,
+Mark was striving his best to comfort her. The two figures hurried
+across the clearing and vanished in the woods. Texas arose from his
+position.</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon it's all right," he muttered. "It's blamed mysterious, but
+there's nothin' mo' fo' me to do."</p>
+
+<p>And suiting the action to the word the faithful Southerner turned and
+set out rapidly for camp.</p>
+
+<p>Mark, when he entered Mary Adams' house, found her standing before him,
+a picture of misery and fright. He demanded to know what was wrong.</p>
+
+<p>"Come, come!" the girl cried. "Quick. I cannot tell you. Oh! Come and
+see."</p>
+
+<p>She flung a shawl about her shoulders, seized Mark by the arm in a
+convulsive grip, and together they hurried through the woods.</p>
+
+<p>It was a little footpath they followed. Mark had no idea where they were
+going in the deep black darkness. He abandoned himself entirely to the
+girl's guidance,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> trusting that no slight matter could have taken her
+there, and he was right.</p>
+
+<p>The girl said not a word during the trip. She kept her face hidden in
+the shawl, and only a sob told Mark the state of her feelings. He was
+growing more mystified and curious every moment.</p>
+
+<p>On, on they went. They must have been hurrying continually for at least
+five minutes, the girl dragging the cadet faster and faster, when
+suddenly she turned and left the path.</p>
+
+<p>There was a dense thicket before them; she paused not a moment to
+hesitate, but plunged into the midst of it. The briars tore her clothing
+and hands, but she forced her way in. And when they were in the very
+center, without a word, she stopped and faced about.</p>
+
+<p>She pushed aside her veil and hair and stared wildly at Mark. He gazed
+at her blood-red, burning cheeks and saw her black eyes glitter.</p>
+
+<p>"What is the matter?" he cried.</p>
+
+<p>She made not a sound, but suddenly to Mark's infinite horror flung
+herself upon him and wrapped her arms about his neck.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Miss Adams," he gasped. "I&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>His words stuck in his throat. His surprise changed to the wildest
+dismay and consternation. For he felt a pair of sinewy arms flung about
+his ankles, binding his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> feet together as in a vise. He had only one
+free arm, the other being bound to his chest with the bandages of the
+surgeon; the free arm was seized by the wrist with a grip that almost
+crushed it. And to his mouth another pair of hands were pressed, making
+outcry impossible as it would have been futile anyway.</p>
+
+<p>Mark was as motionless and helpless as if he had been turned to stone!</p>
+
+<p>The swift emotions that surged through his excited brain defy
+description. He saw the plot in an instant, apprehended it in all its
+fiendish heartlessness; and he knew that he was ruined. He could not see
+behind him; he could not identify his assailants; but he was sure they
+were cadets, Bull and his crowd leagued with this wretched girl to play
+upon his kind-heartedness.</p>
+
+<p>And that girl! Oh, what a figure she was! She made no attempt to hide
+herself, however much Bull Harris might. She stood before her helpless
+victim's eyes a perfect figure of vengeance and triumph.</p>
+
+<p>There is a famous painting by Sichel of the Grecian sorceress, Medea.
+The woman is standing clad in white that contrasts with her jet black
+hair. In one hand, half hidden, she clutches a shining dagger; her mouth
+is set in a firm, determined way, and her eyes are dark and gleaming.
+Imagine that figure in the moment of victory, every<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> feature convulsed
+with joy, with hatred gratified, and that is the girl Mary Adams. She
+was dancing about Mark in fury, flinging her hands in his face, taunting
+him, jeering at him, threatening him so as to frighten even the
+desperate cadets.</p>
+
+<p>They, meanwhile, were working quickly; they bound his legs together, his
+arms to his side. They forced a gag into his mouth, and then lastly shut
+off his view of the wildly shrieking girl by tying a handkerchief about
+his eyes. And then they tumbled him to the ground and turned away and
+left him.</p>
+
+<p>Mary Adams stayed behind them a moment to vent her fury upon the
+helpless prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>"Satisfied!" she cried. "How do you like it? I told you I would have
+revenge. I told you I hated you! And now, and now it is mine! You are
+mine, too! Do you hear me? I can do what I please with you!"</p>
+
+<p>Mark could not see her, but he felt a stinging pain in his cheek and he
+felt the warm blood flow.</p>
+
+<p>The girl's sharp heel had cut his flesh. And a moment later he heard a
+low voice mutter:</p>
+
+<p>"Come away, you fool! Come on."</p>
+
+<p>They dragged her reluctantly with them. Mark heard the steps recede into
+the distance, heard the silence settling down about the place. They had
+left him alone, de<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span>serted and helpless, lost in the midst of the woods,
+left him to die for all he knew, certainly to be missed, to be expelled,
+to be ruined.</p>
+
+<p>And the poor fellow groaned within him as he realized the triumph of his
+enemies.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXXII" id="CHAPTER_XXXII"></a>CHAPTER XXXII.<br />
+<span class="smalltext">TRIUMPH&mdash;CONCLUSION.</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>Texas made his way back to camp in silence. Texas felt it was none of
+his business, and yet he could not help trying to guess the errand upon
+which those two had gone. It was certainly a mystery. Texas reached the
+camp without succeeding in forming the least guess.</p>
+
+<p>He raced past the same sentry in the same style as usual. He entered his
+tent and found the other two sleeping soundly, having not the least
+suspicion of the night's occurrences.</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon," he mused, reflectively, "there ain't much use o' my sittin'
+round. I'll go to bed."</p>
+
+<p>With which resolution he undressed and lay down to sleep.</p>
+
+<p>After such an exciting and lively half hour as the one Texas had just
+spent, one does not usually drop off to sleep very easily. It was
+fortunate that Texas did not; wide-awake as he was, he had a cooler and
+steadier head to think when the hour of trial came. For the "hour of
+trial" was coming very soon now.</p>
+
+<p>Bull Harris and his cowardly allies first took the precaution to calm
+the angry girl, and then set out on a run<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> for camp. Their hearts were
+beating high with hope and triumph. Their time had come at last; their
+enemy was theirs, and theirs without any blame falling on them. It was a
+great day for the vengeful Bull.</p>
+
+<p>They passed their sentry ally in safety and vanished in their tents. In
+a minute more they were all safely in bed, as Texas was, and then the
+time had come.</p>
+
+<p>Texas, lying in his silent tent, was just beginning to doze, when
+suddenly came a wild yell that shook the air, that made the hills to
+echo. It rang through the sleeping camp, and it was followed by a series
+of shouts.</p>
+
+<p>"Help! help! help!"</p>
+
+<p>The place was in an uproar in an instant; and Texas was almost paralyzed
+with horror. An alarm! The camp awake! Inspection! And Mark, his Mark,
+his friend and hero, absent!</p>
+
+<p>He sprang to his feet with a hoarse cry; at the same moment the other
+two plebes sat up and stared about them wildly.</p>
+
+<p>"What's that?" cried one.</p>
+
+<p>"Mark's gone!" fairly shrieked Texas.</p>
+
+<p>"Mark gone! How?"</p>
+
+<p>"He's out of bounds! Great Heavens, he went to see Mary Adams! And he'll
+be found out!"</p>
+
+<p>The two crowded about him, their faces pale with fright, their eyes
+staring.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span>Mark gone! Mark, their leader! What on earth would they do?</p>
+
+<p>The Texan's wild exclamation had been heard in the Company B tent to the
+rear, and its occupants had rushed in regardless of rules, of discovery,
+of everything. An alarm! An inspection! And Mark beyond limits!</p>
+
+<p>Things were happening with incredible swiftness outside. The shouts had
+been echoed by excited inquiries from awakened cadets, by the cries of
+sentries for the corporal of the guard, and by the quick, sharp commands
+of officers.</p>
+
+<p>Lieutenant Allen, the "tac" in command, had sprung up from his bed at
+the very first cry. And in half a minute more, dressed and with lighted
+lantern in hand, he was rushing down the company street.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter?" he cried.</p>
+
+<p>No one knew. He saw cadets gathered in almost every tent door, staring
+out anxiously. Thus he did not notice the state of affairs in Mark's
+tent, where six horrified, frightened plebes were huddled, gasping.</p>
+
+<p>Night alarms had been getting too frequent at Camp McPherson that year,
+and had excited the ire of the authorities. The lieutenant meant to find
+out the authors of this one, if such a thing were within the realms of
+possibility.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span>First he thought of sounding the "long roll," the fire or mutiny signal,
+summoning the cadets out on the street for roll call. Then it occurred
+to him that an inspection of the tents might do better. Another "tac,"
+Lieutenant Ross, had joined him at this moment. And without a moment's
+delay, the two set to work. And Lieutenant Allen started with Company A,
+the very street in which Mark Mallory's tent stood!</p>
+
+<p>A thousand wild plans had occurred to the six, to Texas in particular.
+He might "hold up" the tac, prevent the inspection! Or dress up as Mark
+and have himself reported! Great Heavens! he must do something!</p>
+
+<p>The officer began at the head of the street. It was the work of but one
+second to glance into each tent. It would take but five seconds more to
+reach Mark's, to note the fact that there were but three in that tent,
+and that Cadet Mallory was absent out of camp, out of limits!</p>
+
+<p>Texas turned to his comrades as the officer drew near. There were tears
+in Texas' eyes, and his voice was choked.</p>
+
+<p>"You fellows," he said, to the three from the B tent, "you&mdash;you'd better
+go back, or you'll get soaked, too."</p>
+
+<p>Nearer still came the officer. One tent more! The three had turned to
+go&mdash;and then suddenly Texas uttered a cry of joy and staggered back
+against the tent wall!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> An instant later he leaped forward, seized
+Dewey, one of the three, by the shoulders and fairly flung him to the
+ground.</p>
+
+<p>"Lie there! Lie there!" he gasped, hoarsely. "Durnation!"</p>
+
+<p>Dewey, quick as a wink, saw the ruse. The other two, confused and
+frightened, dashed across to their tent and hid, wondering what was up,
+what Texas was trying to do. But Dewey slid into the blankets that made
+Mark's "bed," drew the sheet over him, all but his head, and then lay
+still, gasping and trembling like a leaf.</p>
+
+<p>Texas and the other two sprang for their places and imitated him. And an
+instant later the white light of the officer's lantern flashed into the
+tent.</p>
+
+<p>The four held their breath; their hearts fairly ceased to beat as the
+tac glanced around. He saw a tent undisturbed; he saw Texas, and the
+Parson and Sleepy; and he saw the brown curly hair of the fourth
+occupant, lying upon his stomach, his face turned away from the light.</p>
+
+<p>A second more and he passed on; and the four almost fainted with the
+reaction of relief.</p>
+
+<p>It was not over yet, though. "Allen" had two more tents to visit up that
+row, and then he would turn to B Company. Texas peered out and watched
+him reach the last tent, and then uttered a whispered "Now!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span>Quick as a flash, Dewey slid under the wall at the rear, whisked across
+the open space, and dived into his own tent&mdash;safe!</p>
+
+<p>The camp settled down into quietness a few minutes after that. But the
+six never slept another wink. Mark had escaped that danger, he was safe
+for a moment. But another alarm might come any moment! And reveille was
+sure to come in a few hours! And where was Mark?</p>
+
+<p>Texas, ever sly, had become suspicious by that time; ever bold and
+faithful, he lost not a moment in hesitation. He left camp again! He ran
+straight to Mary Adams' house, and from it straight out the path he had
+seen the two take. It was a forlorn hope, but it met with fulfillment.
+Texas heard a low groan, the only signal Mark could make when he heard
+the step of a possible rescuer.</p>
+
+<p>And in half an hour more Mark Mallory was back in camp again, safe,
+telling to his furious friends the tale of his betrayal and hearing from
+them the tale of his "escape."</p>
+
+<p>"We must get square, b'gee!" cried Dewey.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, we must get square, by Zeus!" came from the Parson.</p>
+
+<p>"Give me time, boys, give me time," put in Mark. "I will think up a
+plan."</p>
+
+<p>"Gosh, but it was a night o' nights," was the comment<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> from Texas. "But
+we fooled them ole yearlin's nicely, didn't we?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, they can't down us," chimed in Dewey. "We'll go 'em one better,
+b'gee, every time, b'gee!"</p>
+
+<p>And the Banded Seven agreed to a man.</p>
+
+
+<p class="center newchapter">THE END.</p>
+
+<hr class="wide" />
+
+<p class="u bold center bigtext">THE CREAM OF JUVENILE FICTION</p>
+
+<h2>THE BOYS' OWN LIBRARY</h2>
+
+<p class="center">A Selection of the Best Books for Boys by the Most Popular Authors</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>The titles in this splendid juvenile series have been selected with
+care, and as a result all the stories can be relied upon for their
+excellence. They are bright and sparkling; not over-burdened with
+lengthy descriptions, but brimful of adventure from the first page to
+the last&mdash;in fact they are just the kind of yarns that appeal strongly
+to the healthy boy who is fond of thrilling exploits and deeds of
+heroism. Among the authors whose names are included in the Boys' Own
+Library are Horatio Alger, Jr., Edward S. Ellis, James Otis, Capt. Ralph
+Bonehill, Burt L. Standish, Gilbert Patten and Frank H. Converse.</p>
+
+<p class="center bold">SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE BOYS' OWN LIBRARY</p>
+
+<p>All the books in this series are copyrighted, printed on good paper,
+large type, illustrated, printed wrappers, handsome cloth covers stamped
+in inks and gold&mdash;fifteen special cover designs.</p>
+
+<p class="center u"><i>146 Titles&mdash;Price, per Volume, 75 cents</i></p>
+
+<p>For sale by all booksellers, or sent, postpaid, on receipt of price by
+the publisher.</p>
+
+
+<p class="center"><span class="bigtext">DAVID McKAY,</span><br />
+610 SO. WASHINGTON SQUARE, PHILADELPHIA, PA.</p></div>
+
+
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p class="advert1">HORATIO ALGER, Jr.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">One of the best known and most popular writers. Good, clean, healthy
+stories for the American Boy.</p>
+
+<ul class="advert2">
+<li>Adventures of a Telegraph Boy</li>
+<li>Dean Dunham</li>
+<li>Erie Train Boy, The</li>
+<li>Five Hundred Dollar Check</li>
+<li>From Canal Boy to President</li>
+<li>From Farm Boy to Senator</li>
+<li>Backwoods Boy, The</li>
+<li>Mark Stanton</li>
+<li>Ned Newton</li>
+<li>New York Boy</li>
+<li>Tom Brace</li>
+<li>Tom Tracy</li>
+<li>Walter Griffith</li>
+<li>Young Acrobat</li>
+</ul>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p class="advert1">C.&nbsp;B. ASHLEY.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">One of the best stories ever written on hunting, trapping and adventure
+in the West, after the Custer Massacre.</p>
+
+<ul class="advert2">
+<li>Gilbert, the Boy Trapper</li>
+</ul>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p class="advert1">ANNIE ASHMORE.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">A splendid story, recording the adventures of a boy with smugglers.</p>
+
+<ul class="advert2">
+<li>Smuggler's Cave, The</li>
+</ul>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p class="advert1">CAPT. RALPH BONEHILL.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">Capt. Bonehill is in the very front rank as an author of boys' stories.
+These are two of his best works.</p>
+
+<ul class="advert2">
+<li>Neka, the Boy Conjurer</li>
+<li>Tour of the Zero Club</li>
+</ul>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p class="advert1">WALTER F. BRUNS.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">An excellent story of adventure in the celebrated Sunk Lands of Missouri
+and Kansas.</p>
+
+<ul class="advert2">
+<li>In the Sunk Lands</li>
+</ul>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p class="advert1">FRANK H. CONVERSE.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">This writer has established a splendid reputation as a boys' author, and
+although his books usually command $1.25 per volume, we offer the
+following at a more popular price.</p>
+
+<ul class="advert2">
+<li>Gold of Flat Top Mountain</li>
+<li>Happy-Go-Lucky Jack</li>
+<li>Heir to a Million</li>
+<li>In Search of An Unknown Race</li>
+<li>In Southern Seas</li>
+<li>Mystery of a Diamond</li>
+<li>That Treasure</li>
+<li>Voyage to the Gold Coast</li>
+</ul>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p class="advert1">HARRY COLLINGWOOD.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">One of England's most successful writers of stories for boys. His best
+story is</p>
+
+<ul class="advert2">
+<li>Pirate Island</li>
+</ul>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p class="advert1">GEORGE H. COOMER.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">Two books we highly recommend. One is a splendid story of adventure at
+sea, when American ships were in every port in the world, and the other
+tells of adventures while the first railway in the Andes Mountains was
+being built.</p>
+
+<ul class="advert2">
+<li>Boys in the Forecastle</li>
+<li>Old Man of the Mountain</li>
+</ul>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p class="advert1">WILLIAM DALTON.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">Three stories by one of the very greatest writers for boys. The stories
+deal with boys' adventures in India, China and Abyssinia. These books
+are strongly recommended for boys' reading, as they contain a large
+amount of historical information.</p>
+
+<ul class="advert2">
+<li>Tiger Prince</li>
+<li>War Tiger</li>
+<li>White Elephant</li>
+</ul>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p class="advert1">EDWARD S. ELLIS.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">These books are considered the best works this well-known writer ever
+produced. No better reading for bright young Americans.</p>
+
+<ul class="advert2">
+<li>Arthur Helmuth</li>
+<li>Check No. 2134</li>
+<li>From Tent to White House</li>
+<li>Perils of the Jungle</li>
+<li>On the Trail of Geronimo</li>
+<li>White Mustang</li>
+</ul>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p class="advert1">GEORGE MANVILLE FENN.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">For the past fifty years Mr. Fenn has been writing books for boys and
+popular fiction. His books are justly popular throughout the
+English-speaking world. We publish the following select list of his
+boys' books, which we consider the best he ever wrote.</p>
+
+<ul class="advert2">
+<li>Commodore Junk</li>
+<li>Dingo Boys</li>
+<li>Weathercock</li>
+<li>Golden Magnet</li>
+<li>Grand Chaco</li>
+</ul>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p class="advert1">ENSIGN CLARKE FITCH, U.&nbsp;S.&nbsp;N.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">A graduate of the U.&nbsp;S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, and thoroughly
+familiar with all naval matters. Mr. Fitch has devoted himself to
+literature, and has written a series of books for boys that every young
+American should read. His stories are full of very interesting
+information about the navy, training ships, etc.</p>
+
+<ul class="advert2">
+<li>Bound for Annapolis</li>
+<li>Clif, the Naval Cadet</li>
+<li>Cruise of the Training Ship</li>
+<li>From Port to Port</li>
+<li>Strange Cruise, A</li>
+</ul>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p class="advert1">WILLIAM MURRAY GRAYDON.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">An author of world-wide popularity. Mr. Graydon is essentially a friend
+of young people, and we offer herewith ten of his best works, wherein he
+relates a great diversity of interesting adventures in various parts of
+the world, combined with accurate historical data.</p>
+
+<ul class="advert2">
+<li>Butcher of Cawnpore, The</li>
+<li>Camp in the Snow, The</li>
+<li>Campaigning with Braddock</li>
+<li>Cryptogram, The</li>
+<li>From Lake to Wilderness</li>
+<li>In Barracks and Wigwam</li>
+<li>In Fort and Prison</li>
+<li>Jungles and Traitors</li>
+<li>Rajah's Fortress, The</li>
+<li>White King of Africa, The</li>
+</ul>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p class="advert1">LIEUT. FREDERICK GARRISON, U.&nbsp;S.&nbsp;A.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">Every American boy takes a keen interest in the affairs of West Point.
+No more capable writer on this popular subject could be found than
+Lieut. Garrison, who vividly describes the life, adventures and unique
+incidents that have occurred in that great institution&mdash;in these famous
+West Point stories.</p>
+
+<ul class="advert2">
+<li>Off for West Point</li>
+<li>Cadet's Honor, A</li>
+<li>On Guard</li>
+<li>West Point Treasure, The</li>
+<li>West Point Rivals, The</li>
+</ul>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p class="advert1">HEADON HILL.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">The hunt for gold has always been a popular subject for consideration,
+and Mr. Hill has added a splendid story on the subject in this romance
+of the Klondyke.</p>
+
+<ul class="advert2">
+<li>Spectre Gold</li>
+</ul>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p class="advert1">HENRY HARRISON LEWIS.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">Mr. Lewis is a graduate of the Naval Academy at Annapolis, and has
+written a great many books for boys. Among his best works are the
+following titles&mdash;the subjects include a vast series of adventures in
+all parts of the world. The historical data is correct, and they should
+be read by all boys, for the excellent information they contain.</p>
+
+<ul class="advert2">
+<li>Centreboard Jim</li>
+<li>King of the Island</li>
+<li>Midshipman Merrill</li>
+<li>Yankee Boys in Japan</li>
+<li>Ensign Merrill</li>
+<li>Sword and Pen</li>
+<li>Valley of Mystery, The</li>
+</ul>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p class="advert1">LIEUT. LIONEL LOUNSBERRY.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">A series of books embracing many adventures under our famous naval
+commanders, and with our army during the War of 1812 and the Civil War.
+Founded on sound history, these books are written for boys, with the
+idea of combining pleasure with profit; to cultivate a fondness for
+study&mdash;especially of what has been accomplished by our army and navy.</p>
+
+<ul class="advert2">
+<li>Cadet Kit Carey</li>
+<li>Captain Carey</li>
+<li>Kit Carey's Proteg&eacute;</li>
+<li>Lieut. Carey's Luck</li>
+<li>Out With Commodore Decatur</li>
+<li>Randy, the Pilot</li>
+<li>Tom Truxton's School Days</li>
+<li>Tom Truxton's Ocean Trip</li>
+<li>Treasure of the Golden Crater</li>
+<li>Won at West Point</li>
+</ul>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p class="advert1">BROOKS McCORMICK.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">Four splendid books of adventure on sea and land, by this well-known
+writer for boys.</p>
+
+<ul class="advert2">
+<li>Giant Islanders, The</li>
+<li>How He Won</li>
+<li>Nature's Young Nobleman</li>
+<li>Rival Battalions</li>
+</ul>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p class="advert1">WALTER MORRIS.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">This charming story contains thirty-two chapters of just the sort of
+school life that charms the boy readers.</p>
+
+<ul class="advert2">
+<li>Bob Porter at Lakeview Academy</li>
+</ul>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p class="advert1">STANLEY NORRIS.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">Mr. Norris is without a rival as a writer of "Circus Stories" for boys.
+These four books are full of thrilling adventures, but good, wholesome
+reading for young Americans.</p>
+
+<ul class="advert2">
+<li>Phil, the Showman</li>
+<li>Young Showman's Rivals, The</li>
+<li>Young Showman's Pluck, The</li>
+<li>Young Showman's Triumph</li>
+</ul>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p class="advert1">LIEUT. JAMES K. ORTON.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">When a boy has read one of Lieut. Orton's books, it requires no urging
+to induce him to read the others. Not a dull page in any of them.</p>
+
+<ul class="advert2">
+<li>Beach Boy Joe</li>
+<li>Last Chance Mine</li>
+<li>Secret Chart, The</li>
+<li>Tom Havens with the White Squadron</li>
+</ul>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p class="advert1">JAMES OTIS.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">Mr. Otis is known by nearly every American boy, and needs no
+introduction here. The following copyrights are among his best:</p>
+
+<ul class="advert2">
+<li>Chased Through Norway</li>
+<li>Inland Waterways</li>
+<li>Reuben Green's Adventures at Yale</li>
+<li>Unprovoked Mutiny</li>
+<li>Wheeling for Fortune</li>
+</ul>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p class="advert1">GILBERT PATTEN.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">Mr. Patten has had the distinction of having his books adopted by the
+U.&nbsp;S. Government for all naval libraries on board our war ships. While
+aiming to avoid the extravagant and sensational, the stories contain
+enough thrilling incidents to please the lad who loves action and
+adventure. In the Rockspur stories the description of their Baseball and
+Football Games and other contests with rival clubs and teams make very
+exciting and absorbing reading; and few boys with warm blood in their
+veins, having once begun the perusal of one of these books, will
+willingly lay it down till it is finished.</p>
+
+<ul class="advert2">
+<li>Boy Boomers</li>
+<li>Boy Cattle King</li>
+<li>Boy from the West</li>
+<li>Don Kirke's Mine</li>
+<li>Jud and Joe</li>
+<li>Rockspur Nine, The</li>
+<li>Rockspur Eleven, The</li>
+<li>Rockspur Rivals, The</li>
+</ul>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p class="advert1">ST. GEORGE RATHBORNE.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">Mr. Rathborne's stories for boys have the peculiar charm of dealing with
+localities and conditions with which he is thoroughly familiar. The
+scenes of these excellent stories are along the Florida coast and on the
+western prairies.</p>
+
+<ul class="advert2">
+<li>Canoe and Camp Fire</li>
+<li>Paddling Under Palmettos</li>
+<li>Rival Canoe Boys</li>
+<li>Sunset Ranch</li>
+<li>Chums of the Prairie</li>
+<li>Young Range Riders</li>
+<li>Gulf Cruisers</li>
+<li>Shifting Winds</li>
+</ul>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p class="advert1">ARTHUR SEWELL.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">An American story by an American author. It relates how a Yankee boy
+overcame many obstacles in school and out. Thoroughly interesting from
+start to finish.</p>
+
+<ul class="advert2">
+<li>Gay Dashleigh's Academy Days</li>
+</ul>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p class="advert1">CAPT. DAVID SOUTHWICK.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">An exceptionally good story of frontier life among the Indians in the
+far West, during the early settlement period.</p>
+
+<ul class="advert2">
+<li>Jack Wheeler</li>
+</ul>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p class="center">The Famous Frank Merriwell Stories.</p>
+
+<p class="advert1">BURT L. STANDISH.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">No modern series of tales for boys and youths has met with anything like
+the cordial reception and popularity accorded to the Frank Merriwell
+Stories. There must be a reason for this and there is. Frank Merriwell,
+as portrayed by the author, is a jolly whole-souled, honest, courageous
+American lad, who appeals to the hearts of the boys. He has no bad
+habits, and his manliness inculcates the idea that it is not necessary
+for a boy to indulge in petty vices to be a hero. Frank Merriwell's
+example is a shining light for every ambitious lad to follow. Six
+volumes now ready:</p>
+
+<ul class="advert2">
+<li>Frank Merriwell's School Days</li>
+<li>Frank Merriwell's Chums</li>
+<li>Frank Merriwell's Foes</li>
+<li>Frank Merriwell's Trip West</li>
+<li>Frank Merriwell Down South</li>
+<li>Frank Merriwell's Bravery</li>
+<li>Frank Merriwell's Hunting Tour</li>
+<li>Frank Merriwell's Races</li>
+<li>Frank Merriwell's Sports Afield</li>
+<li>Frank Merriwell at Yale</li>
+</ul>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p class="advert1">VICTOR ST. CLAIR.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">These books are full of good, clean adventure, thrilling enough to
+please the full-blooded wide-awake boy, yet containing nothing to which
+there can be any objection from those who are careful as to the kind of
+books they put into the hands of the young.</p>
+
+<ul class="advert2">
+<li>Cast Away in the Jungle</li>
+<li>Comrades Under Castro</li>
+<li>For Home and Honor</li>
+<li>Zip, the Acrobat</li>
+<li>From Switch to Lever</li>
+<li>Little Snap, the Post Boy</li>
+<li>Zig-Zag, the Boy Conjurer</li>
+</ul>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p class="advert1">MATTHEW WHITE, JR.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">Good, healthy, strong books for the American lad. No more interesting
+books for the young appear on our lists.</p>
+
+<ul class="advert2">
+<li>Adventures of a Young Athlete</li>
+<li>Eric Dane</li>
+<li>Guy Hammersley</li>
+<li>My Mysterious Fortune</li>
+<li>Tour of a Private Car</li>
+<li>Young Editor, The</li>
+</ul>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p class="advert1">ARTHUR M. WINFIELD.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">One of the most popular authors of boys' books. Here are three of his
+best.</p>
+
+<ul class="advert2">
+<li>Mark Dale's Stage Venture</li>
+<li>Young Bank Clerk, The</li>
+<li>Young Bridge Tender, The</li>
+</ul>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p class="advert1">GAYLE WINTERTON.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">This very interesting story relates the trials and triumphs of a Young
+American Actor, including the solution of a very puzzling mystery.</p>
+
+<ul class="advert2">
+<li>Young Actor, The</li>
+</ul>
+
+<hr class="thin" />
+
+<p class="advert1">ERNEST A. YOUNG.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">This book is not a treatise on sports, as the title would indicate, but
+relates a series of thrilling adventures among boy campers in the woods
+of Maine.</p>
+
+<ul class="advert2">
+<li>Boats, Bats and Bicycles</li>
+</ul>
+
+<hr class="wide" />
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>Transcriber's Note:</p>
+
+<p>The following typographical errors present in the
+original edition have been corrected.</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter II, "sword of the tryant" was changed to "sword of the
+tyrant", and "meant to spent that half-holiday" was changed to "meant to
+spend that half-holiday".</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter III, "wondering about everythings" was changed to "wondering
+about everything".</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter V, a missing period was added after "from two minutes to
+twenty", and "B.&nbsp;B. J!" was changed to "B.&nbsp;B. J.!".</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter VII, "the B.&nbsp;J-est plebe" was changed to "the B.&nbsp;J.-est
+plebe", "as those yearlings had even seen" was changed to "as those
+yearlings had ever seen", and "'Will they try it' he thought?" was
+changed to "'Will they try it?' he thought."</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter X, "his face on a broad grin" was changed to "on his face a
+broad grin".</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter XI, a missing question mark was added after "Is he hurt".</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter XIV, "a rougish look" was changed to "a roguish look", and a
+quotation mark was removed before "It'll take lots of planning
+beforehand".</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter XX, "some little nervousness, to" was changed to "some little
+nervousness, too".</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter XXII, "the corner of the seige battery inclosure" was changed
+to "the corner of the siege battery inclosure", "that reminds be of
+another" was changed to "that reminds me of another", "his mist stately
+tone" was changed to "his mist stately tone", and a period was changed
+to a comma after "he added, more seriously".</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter XXIII, "bound his supenders about him" was changed to "bound
+his suspenders about him".</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter XXIV, a period was changed to a comma after "as his friend
+touched it".</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter XXVII, a quotation mark was removed after "And&mdash;and&mdash;&mdash;".</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter XXVIII, "He knew in his hear it would be best" was changed to
+"He knew in his heart it would be best".</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter XXX, "Murray still sat where he was was" was changed to
+"Murray still sat where he was".</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter XXXI, "her mouth it set in a firm, determined way" was
+changed to "her mouth is set in a firm, determined way".</p>
+
+<p>In the advertisements, "to cutivate a fondness for study" was changed to
+"to cultivate a fondness for study", and "good, wholsome reading" was
+changed to "good, wholesome reading".</p></div>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ON GUARD***</p>
+<p>******* This file should be named 36101-h.txt or 36101-h.zip *******</p>
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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, On Guard, by Upton Sinclair
+
+
+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: On Guard
+       Mark Mallory's Celebration
+
+
+Author: Upton Sinclair
+
+
+
+Release Date: May 13, 2011  [eBook #36101]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ON GUARD***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Steven desJardins and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net)
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustration.
+      See 36101-h.htm or 36101-h.zip:
+      (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/36101/36101-h/36101-h.htm)
+      or
+      (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/36101/36101-h.zip)
+
+
+Transcriber's note:
+
+      "Lieut. Frederick Garrison" is a pseudonym used by Upton
+      Sinclair.
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "Cadet Mallory received a letter from a friend." (See
+page 7)]
+
+
+ON GUARD
+
+Or
+
+Mark Mallory's Celebration
+
+by
+
+LIEUT. FREDERICK GARRISON, U. S. A.
+
+Author of "Off for West Point," "A West Point Treasure,"
+"A Cadet's Honor," etc.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Boy's Own Library]
+
+Philadelphia
+David Mckay, Publisher
+610 South Washington Square
+
+Copyright, 1903
+By Street & Smith
+
+On Guard
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+  CHAPTER                                      PAGE
+        I.--A Letter from a "Furlough Man"        7
+       II.--Mark's Idea                          15
+      III.--A New Ally                           22
+       IV.--A Surprise for the Seven             31
+        V.--The Scheme Succeeds                  36
+       VI.--What Mark Overheard                  46
+      VII.--Mark's Counterplot                   57
+     VIII.--The Attack on Mark                   65
+       IX.--Three Discomfited Yearlings          74
+        X.--Texas Runs Amuck                     80
+       XI.--Texas Raids West Point               91
+      XII.--The Cause of a Friend               103
+     XIII.--The Reformation of Texas            110
+      XIV.--A Plot of the Yearlings             118
+       XV.--The Plebes Plot, Too                128
+      XVI.--Setting the Trap                    133
+     XVII.--The Result at the Hop               141
+    XVIII.--A Strange Announcement              149
+      XIX.--Texas Turns Highwayman              160
+       XX.--Two Midnight Prowlers               167
+      XXI.--Benny is Exposed                    178
+     XXII.--Mark Receives a Committee           183
+    XXIII.--A Fight, and Other Things           199
+     XXIV.--Six to the Rescue                   208
+      XXV.--Mark in the Hospital                216
+     XXVI.--Texas Has an Interview              224
+    XXVII.--A Plot to Beat "the General"        232
+   XXVIII.--"Bull" Finds an Ally                241
+     XXIX.--Strange Conduct                     250
+      XXX.--A Surprise for Murray               256
+     XXXI.--The Plot Succeeds                   265
+    XXXII.--Triumph--Conclusion                 277
+
+
+
+
+ON GUARD.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+A LETTER FROM A "FURLOUGH MAN."
+
+
+"A letter for me, did you say?"
+
+The speaker was a tall, handsome lad, a plebe at the West Point Military
+Academy. At the moment he was gazing inquiringly out of the tent door at
+a small orderly.
+
+The boy handed him an envelope, and the other glanced at it.
+
+"Cadet Mark Mallory, West Point, N. Y.," was the address.
+
+"I guess that's for me," he said. "Thank you. Hello in there, Texas!
+Here's a letter from Wicks Merritt."
+
+This last remark was addressed to another cadet in the tent. "Texas,"
+officially known as Jeremiah Powers, a tall, rather stoop-shouldered
+youth, with a bronzed skin and a pair of shining gray eyes, appeared in
+the doorway and watched his friend with interest while he read.
+
+"What does he say, Mark?" he inquired, when the latter finished.
+
+"Lots," responded Mark. "Lots that'll interest our crowd. They ought to
+be through sprucing up by this time, so bring 'em over here and I'll
+read it."
+
+"Sprucing up" is West Point for the morning house-cleaning in the summer
+camp. A half hour is allowed to it immediately after breakfast, and it
+is followed by "the A. M. inspection."
+
+In response to Mark's suggestion, Texas slipped over to the tent in back
+of theirs in "B Company" Street, and called its three occupants. They
+came over and joined those in Mark's tent; and then Mark took out the
+letter he had just received.
+
+"I've got something here," said he, "that I think ought to interest all
+of us. I guess I'll have time to read it before inspection. We are a
+secret society, aren't we?"
+
+"That's what we are," assented the other six.
+
+"But what's that got to do with it?" added Texas.
+
+"And we've banded ourselves together for the purpose of preventing the
+yearlings from hazing us?" continued Mark, without noticing his friend's
+inquiry. "Well, it seems that they've been doing about the same thing
+down at Annapolis, too. This is from Wicks Merritt, a second class cadet
+up here, who's home on furlough this summer. He took a trip to
+Annapolis, and this is what he says. Listen very dutifully now, and
+don't get impatient:
+
+      "DEAR MALLORY: I have heard a lot about you since the
+      last time I wrote. Several of the fellows have written
+      to me, and they haven't been able to mention anything
+      but you. They tell me you are kicking up a fine old
+      fuss in West Point during my absence. They say that
+      you won't let anybody haze you. They say that you've
+      gotten a lot of plebes around you to back you up, and
+      that the yearlings are half wild in consequence.
+
+      "I don't know what to make of you. You always were an
+      extraordinary genius, and I suppose you have to do
+      things in your own sweet way, whether it's rescuing
+      ferryboats or sailboats or express trains, or else
+      locking us yearlings in ice houses. I cannot imagine
+      what will be the end of the matter. I am sure the
+      yearlings will never give in.
+
+      "I'm told that when they tried to lick you into
+      submission you did up Billy Williams, the best fighter
+      in the class. Also that Bull Harris, whom I warned you
+      against as being a sneaky fellow, tried to get you
+      dismissed by skinning you on demerits, but that you
+      circumvented that. Also that you and your friends have
+      made it hot for him ever since, upon which fact I
+      congratulate you.
+
+      "I don't know what the yearlings will do next, but I
+      imagine that they're 'stalled.' Since you've started,
+      I suppose the best thing for you to do is to keep up
+      the good work and not let them rest. But for Heaven's
+      sake, don't let any of them see this! They'd cut me
+      for aiding and abetting a plebe rebellion. You are
+      certainly the boldest plebe that every struck West
+      Point; nobody in our class ever dared to do what
+      you've done.
+
+      "It seems, though, that you have imitators, or else
+      that you are imitating somebody. Down here at
+      Annapolis this year pretty much the same state of
+      affairs is going on just now. There's a plebe down
+      here by the name of Clif Faraday (I've met him, and I
+      told him about you), and he's raising the very old boy
+      with the third class fellows. It seems that he
+      outwitted them in all their hazing schemes, and has
+      got them guessing at what he'll do next, which is
+      about as B. J. as anything you ever did, I imagine. It
+      looks as if plebes both at West Point and here would
+      get off with almost no hazing this year. And it's all
+      on account of you, too.
+
+      "Genius knows no precedent, they say. Farewell.
+
+      "Your friend,
+
+      "WICKS MERRITT.
+
+      "P. S.--They tell me you've saved the life of Judge
+      Fuller's daughter. Just take a word of advice--make
+      the most of your opportunity! She's the prettiest girl
+      around the place, and the nicest, too, and she has
+      half the corps wild over her. If you can make friends
+      with her, I think the yearlings would stop hazing you
+      at her command."
+
+Mark finished the reading of the letter and gazed at his comrades,
+smiling.
+
+"You see," he said, "our fame has spread even to Annapolis. Gentlemen, I
+propose three cheers for our crowd!"
+
+"An' three fo' Clif Faraday!" cried Texas.
+
+"Only don't give any of them," added Mark, "for somebody might hear us."
+
+There was a moment's pause after that, broken by a protest from one of
+the Seven, Joseph Smith, of Indianapolis, popularly known as "Indian,"
+a fat, gullible youth, who was the laughingstock of the post.
+
+"I tell you," said he, his round eyes swelling with indignation, "I
+don't think what Clif Faraday did was a bit more B. J. than some of our
+tricks!" (B. J. is West Point dialect for "fresh.")
+
+"That's what I say, too, b'gee!" chimed in another, a handsome,
+merry-eyed chap with a happy faculty of putting every one in a good
+humor when he laughed. "Just look at how Mark shut two of 'em up in an
+ice house. Or look at how, when they took Indian off to the observatory
+to haze him, b'gee, we made 'em think the place was afire and had 'em
+all scared to death, and the fire battalion turning out besides. Now,
+b'gee, I want to know where you can beat that!"
+
+And his sentiment was echoed with approval by the remainder of those
+present. The seven had by this time scattered themselves about the tent
+in picturesque and characteristic attitudes, listening to the discussion
+carried on by the excitable Master Dewey.
+
+First of all and foremost was the grave and learned "Parson," the Boston
+geologist. The Parson was stretched on his back in one corner with
+nothing but his long, bony shanks visible. Somehow or other Parson
+Stanard always managed to keep those legs of his with their covering of
+pale green socks the most conspicuous thing about him.
+
+Sitting erect and stately on the locker, was Master Chauncey, the "dude"
+of the party. A few weeks of West Point had already worked wonders with
+Chauncey; his aristocratic friends on Fifth Avenue would scarcely have
+known him. In the first place, he, with the rest of the plebes, were
+compelled to walk, whenever they went abroad, with "head erect, chest
+out, eyes to the front, little fingers on the seams of the trousers,
+palms outward." Try this and you will find, as Chauncey was finding,
+that it is hard to do that and at the same time keep up the correct
+London "stoop." Chauncey had been obliged to leave his cane and monocle
+behind him also, and a few days later, when plebe fatigue uniforms were
+donned, his imported clothes and high collar went by the board, too.
+
+But Chauncey still clung to his accent, "bah Jove;" and was still known
+to the seven as "the man with a tutor and a hyphen"--his name being
+Mount-Bonsall, if you please--and to the rest of the corps as the dude
+who most did up six yearlings.
+
+The corner opposite the Parson's contained the dozing figure of
+Methusalem Zebediah Chelvers, the "farmer" from Kansas, popularly known
+as "Sleepy."
+
+Sleepy never did anything or said anything unless he had to; the seven
+had known him for weeks now, and knew no more about him than at the
+start. Sleepy was still sleepy, and that was all.
+
+The other members of this bold and desperate secret "anti-hazing"
+society were Dewey, the prize story-teller of the party, "b'gee;"
+Indian, the "prize pig;" Texas, a wild and woolly cowboy just from the
+plains, with a right arm that had paralyzed four cadets in as many
+minutes, and, last of all, Mark Mallory, the leader.
+
+"Just look at the things we've done, b'gee!" continued Dewey. "Look at
+the times they've tried to haze us and we've outwitted them! See how we
+had the nerve to yank 'em out of bed the other night, b'gee. Or, if that
+isn't enough, just think of Bull Harris."
+
+This last remark was greeted with a chuckle of laughter from the seven,
+in which even Sleepy found sufficient energy to join. And, indeed, the
+recollection was enough to make one laugh.
+
+As readers of the first books in this series, "Off for West Point" and
+"A Cadet's Honor," know, Bull Harris was the sworn enemy of the seven,
+and of Mark in particular. He never had ceased plotting in his mean,
+cowardly way to get Mark into trouble, and it was the joy of the plebes'
+lives to outwit him. On the day previous they had succeeded beyond their
+wildest dreams. Given a bloodhound that had been sent out from a
+neighboring village to trail a burglar who had stepped into a barrel of
+pitch, the seven had put pitch on Bull Harris' shoe and started the dog
+after him during the evening's dress parade. The dog had chewed Bull's
+trousers to ribbons, had broken up the parade, had made Bull the
+laughingstock of the place and earned him the deathless nickname of
+"Bull, the Burglar." Naturally, Bull was wild with rage, and the seven
+with hilarity.
+
+They were still chuckling over it and the general discomfiture of the
+yearling class and their own future prospects as triumphant plebes, when
+inspection put an end to the discussion and scattered the crowd.
+
+"But just you keep in mind," was Dewey's parting declaration, "that
+we're the B. J.-est plebes that ever were, are, will be or can be. And,
+b'gee, we're going to show it every day, too!"
+
+Which the Parson punctuated with a solemn "Yea, by Zeus!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+MARK'S IDEA.
+
+
+The yearling corporal who did the inspecting had done his criticising
+and gone his way, leaving four of the seven in their tent--Mark, Texas,
+the Parson and Sleepy--who, being the tallest, had been assigned to
+Company A. And the four sat down to await the signal to "fall in" for
+drill.
+
+"I reckon, Mark," said Texas, meditatively surveying his new uniform in
+the looking-glass. "I reckon that we fellows kin say that hazing's most
+over now."
+
+"Assuredly!" said the Parson, gravely, "for indeed we have completely
+broken the spirit of the enemy, and he knows not which way to turn. I
+think that, in words of the song of Miriam, we may say:
+
+  "'Sing, for the sword of the tyrant is broken!
+    His chariots and horsemen are rent in twain.'
+
+"Yea, by Zeus!"
+
+The Parson said this with his usual classic solemnity. Mark smiled to
+himself as he sat down upon the locker and gazed at his friends.
+
+"I've got something to tell you fellows," said he. "I think now's about
+as good a time as any. I haven't said anything about it to the crowd
+yet. When I do they'll have their eyes opened, and realize that if we're
+going to subdue the yearlings, we've got to start right at it all over
+again. We've scarcely begun yet."
+
+The three others looked at him in surprise; Texas rubbed his hands
+gleefully, seeing that Mark's statement, if true, meant lots more fun
+for the future.
+
+"You remember last night," Mark continued, "about midnight, how the
+Parson shouted out in his sleep and woke the whole camp?"
+
+"Yes," added Texas, "and scared me to death. I thought I was down home
+and the ole place was being run in by rustlers or somethin'."
+
+"You met me at the door of the tent," Mark went on. "I didn't tell you
+where I'd been; I'll tell you now. Last night a dozen or two of the
+yearlings took me out of camp--they surprised me, and held me so that I
+couldn't move. They tied me to a tree, and were just on the point of
+beating me."
+
+"What!"
+
+The three were staring at Mark in unutterable amazement.
+
+"Yes," said Mark. "They told me I'd either have to promise to be a
+milk-and-water plebe after this or else be licked until I would. And
+Bull Harris took a big rope and----"
+
+"Did he hit ye?" cried Texas, springing to his feet excitedly. "Wow!
+I'll go out an' I'll----"
+
+"Sit down!" said Mark. "He didn't hit me, for the Parson yelled just
+then and scared 'em all back to camp. And you needn't tackle Bull
+anyhow, for I'm going to do that myself pretty soon. The point just now
+is that the yearlings haven't given up. They're still fighting."
+
+"I didn't know there were so many cowards in the place!" muttered Texas.
+
+"They're desperate," said Mark. "They've got to do something. Now we'll
+watch out for such surprises the next time, and meanwhile we'll show
+them that we're determined not to stop."
+
+And Mark saw by the faces of the other three that that was just what
+they wanted. Texas especially was twitching his fingers nervously and
+looking as if he were wishing for some yearling to tackle right then and
+there.
+
+"I tell you what we'll do, Mark," he broke out, suddenly. "We'll tie
+ourselves together an' sleep that way, an' then if they take one they'll
+have to take all."
+
+"That's quite an idea," said the other, laughing. "But the main point
+now is just this: We're to set out with only one idea in our heads to
+think of; perhaps it might be well to offer a prize to the fellow who
+thinks of the best scheme. We want to keep those cadets fairly on the
+jump from the start."
+
+"Bully!" cried Texas.
+
+"And it seems to me, moreover," continued the leader, "that we make a
+big mistake if we let this day pass without doing something."
+
+"Yea, by Zeus!" vowed the Parson, his solemn face glowing with interest.
+"For this day is the day of all days in the calendar of Freedom. This
+day is the day when our immortal colonies did vow and declare that the
+dragon of tyranny they would trample beneath their feet. This day is the
+day when first the eagle screamed, when humanity cast off its fetters
+and stood in the light of God's truth. This day is the glorious Fourth
+of July!"
+
+The Parson had arisen to his feet, the better to illustrate the casting
+off of the fetters, and his long black hair was waving wildly and his
+long white arms yet more so. Boston and Boston "liberty" were dangerous
+topics with him; he got more excited over them than he did when he found
+his immortal cyathophylloid coral "in a sandstone of Tertiary origin."
+
+"Yea, by Zeus!" he continued. "Such are the auspices, the hallowed
+recollections of this immortal moment that I verily believe no
+revolution can fail on it. I say that if ever we strike boldly, we do it
+to-day. And I, as a citizen of Boston, pledge my aid to any plan."
+
+"Yaas. An' we got a half holiday to-day, tew."
+
+This rather prosaic peroration to the Parson's speech came from one
+corner, where Sleepy sat lazily regarding the scene. That was the first
+hint that the "farmer" had offered, and it had corresponding weight. The
+four shook hands on it then and there, that by the time dinner was over
+they would have a brand new and startling plan to work for the
+yearlings' edification. The signal to fall in for drill found them still
+pledging themselves to that.
+
+Mark said nothing more to any one upon the subject; he left his friends
+to think for themselves, and he, when he got a chance, started out
+likewise on his "own hook." In the first place, it was necessary to find
+out just how the yearlings meant to spend that half-holiday afternoon;
+having found that, it would then be time to think up a plan for spoiling
+the fun.
+
+There was a member of the plebe class who had been a plebe the year
+before, that is, who had failed on examinations and had not been
+advanced. Naturally, he knew all the yearlings, and, having been through
+camp once, knew also what would be apt to happen on the Fourth of July.
+Mark himself knew nothing about it, for no one thought it necessary to
+tell plebes about such things; and so to this "hold-over" Mark went to
+learn.
+
+That gentleman, in response to some diplomatic interrogation, emitted
+the information that there was nothing "on." That a ball game had been
+intended, but prevented at the last moment. That probably most of the
+cadets would go walking, or amuse themselves any way--some of them do a
+little hazing. That it was a pleasant custom to make the plebes dress up
+in masquerade and give a parade or something. And that finally there was
+to be an entertainment in the evening.
+
+What sort? Well, it was dignified and patriotic. There were programmes
+issued--not given to plebes, of course. Would Mallory like to see one?
+Perhaps he could get one, would see after drill, etc., etc. "Much
+obliged. Good-morning."
+
+The affable young gentleman did manage to get Mallory a programme. He
+gave it to him just before dinner. "Thank you." "Oh, not at all, only
+too glad to oblige you," etc. And Mark rushed into the tent and eagerly
+read the handsomely printed pasteboard:
+
+          United States Military Academy.
+               July 4th, 8.30 P. M.
+                    PROGRAMME.
+                    Overture.
+                     Prayer.
+                     Music.
+    Reading of The Declaration of Independence.
+      Cadet George T. Fischer, Pennsylvania.
+                     Music.
+                    Oration.
+           Cadet Edmund S. Harris----
+
+Mark read not another word; he stared at the paper in amazement and
+incredulity, rapidly changing to glee. Harris! Bull Harris delivering an
+oration! Mark turned and faced his companions, feeling about ready to
+burst with hilarity.
+
+"Listen here, fellows!" he cried. "Here's a chance, a chance of a
+lifetime! Oh, say! Bull's going to make a speech! Gee whiz! We'll----"
+
+"Didn't you fellows know about that?" put in a voice in the doorway, as
+Dewey's face appeared there. "I heard the yearlings talking about it.
+They say Bull's a fine orator, that he's been working at an elegant
+speech for months. And, b'gee, he means to bring down the house."
+
+Mark's face was simply a picture of merriment at that.
+
+"Fellows," he said, as soon as he could manage to get breath to say
+anything at all. "Fellows, I'll go you just one bargain more."
+
+"What is it?" cried the others.
+
+"It's very simple. It's just that we spoil that beautiful speech of Bull
+Harris', if we have to bust to do it."
+
+And the seven cried "Done!" in one breath.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+A NEW ALLY.
+
+
+The more they thought over that scheme the better they liked it; the
+more they imagined Bull Harris, pompous and self-conscious, spouting his
+magnificent periods and then brought to an ignominious and ridiculous
+conclusion, the more they chuckled with glee. They felt no prickings of
+conscience in the matter, for Bull was not a personage to inspire such.
+His devices had been cowardly and desperate; only last night he had been
+on the point of lashing Mark with a rope when the latter was helplessly
+tied to a tree. With such a man ordinary standards of fairness did not
+hold good.
+
+The only trouble with the "scheme" was its general indefiniteness. And
+that the seven recognized. It was all very well to say you were going to
+"bust up" Bull Harris' speech. But how? It would not do to guy him, or
+to use any device of which the authors might be found out. It was quite
+a problem.
+
+Texas suggested an alarm of fire, which was outvoted as dangerous,
+likely to produce a panic. Some one else wondered how about kidnaping
+Bull and tying him up. This suggestion was put on file as being
+possible, to be consulted in case no better appeared, which bid fair
+just then to be the case.
+
+Mark and his friends marched down to dinner without any further ideas
+appearing. The plebes still marched separate from the rest of the corps,
+though they were allowed to share the privilege of the spirited band
+which enlivened the proceedings. They still sat at separate tables, too,
+which made most of them feel very much outcast indeed.
+
+The command "Break ranks," after the march from mess hall again, marked
+the beginning of that holiday during which the seven had vowed to do so
+much. And still nobody had seemed to hit upon any suitable plan for the
+discomfiture of Bull Harris.
+
+"We've got to hurry up about it, too," Mark declared. "For, if there's
+any fixing up to be done, we ought to be doing it now."
+
+"Where's the thing to be, anyway?" inquired Dewey.
+
+"In the big gymnasium building, they say," was the answer. "They'll
+probably cover the floor with seats. But I don't think we can do
+anything inside the place. I think we ought to kick up some sort of
+rumpus outside."
+
+And with this advice the seven heads got to work again.
+
+Ideas come slowly when you want them badly. It would seem that with
+those seven minds busy on the same subject something should have
+resulted. But it didn't. The seven strolled away from camp and wandered
+about the grounds cudgeling their brains and calling themselves names
+for their stupidity. And still no plan came forward.
+
+They strolled down to the gymnasium building in hopes that proximity to
+the scene itself would prove efficacious. They stared at the vestibule
+and the windows blankly, wondering what the place might be like inside,
+wondering if there would be much of a crowd, wondering if Bull would
+have much of a speech--wondering about everything except the matter in
+hand.
+
+"Plague take it all!" they muttered. "Let's walk out Professor's Row and
+find some quiet place to sit down. Perhaps we can think better sitting."
+
+Professor's Row is a street that bounds the parade ground on the west.
+It is cool and shady, with benches and camp chairs on the lawn. But
+there were plenty of people to occupy the seats, and so the seven found
+no place there to cogitate.
+
+They had not gotten much farther before all ideas of plots and orations
+were driven from Mark's head a-flying. They were passing a group of
+people standing on the opposite side of the street, and suddenly one of
+them, a girl, hurried away from the others, and cried out:
+
+"Mr. Mallory! Oh, Mr. Mallory!"
+
+Mark turned the moment he heard the voice, and, when he saw who it was,
+he promptly excused himself from his friends and crossed the street. The
+six strolled on, smiling and winking knowingly at one another.
+
+"Hope he'll remember what Wicks Merritt said, b'gee!" laughed Dewey.
+
+Mark had no time to remember anything much. He was too busy, watching
+the vision that was hurrying to meet him.
+
+Grace Fuller certainly was a beautiful girl, beyond a doubt. She was a
+blonde of the fairest type; her complexion was matchless, and set off by
+a wealth of wavy golden hair. She was dressed in white, and made a
+picture that left no room to wonder why "half the cadets in the place
+were wild over her."
+
+"I'm glad I swam out to save her," was the thought in Mark's mind.
+
+A moment later he took the small white hand that was held out to him.
+
+"Mr. Mallory," said the girl, gazing at him earnestly, "I shall not wait
+for any one to introduce you to me. I must tell you that I appreciate
+your bravery."
+
+Mark bowed and thanked her; he could think of nothing more to say.
+
+"They just let me out of the hospital to-day," she continued, "and I
+made up my mind that the very first thing I was going to do was to tell
+you what I thought of your courageous action on my behalf. I want to
+know you better, Mr. Mallory."
+
+She said it in a plain and simple way that Mark liked, and he told her
+that nothing would please him more.
+
+"I would ask you to take a walk with me now," said Grace, "but for all
+those cadets who are with me. I don't think they'd relish that, you
+being a fourth class man."
+
+"I don't think they would," responded Mark, with a queer smile which the
+girl did not fail to notice.
+
+"I don't care!" she exclaimed, suddenly. "They can get mad if they want
+to. I think a great deal more of some plebes than I do of yearlings.
+Excuse me just a moment."
+
+And then, to Mark's infinite glee, this beautiful creature hurried over
+and said something to the group of cadets, at which they all bowed and
+walked off rather stiffly, sheepishly, Mark thought. The girl rejoined
+him, with a smile.
+
+"I told them they'd have to excuse me," she said, as she took Mark's
+arm. "I told them I owed you a debt of gratitude, and I hoped they
+wouldn't mind."
+
+"Probably they won't," observed Mark, smiling again.
+
+"I don't care if they do," vowed Grace, pouting prettily. "They'll get
+over it. And they're awfully stupid, anyway. I hope you're not stupid."
+
+With which Mark quite naturally agreed.
+
+"I don't think the cadets like you much," she went on, laughing. "I had
+such fun teasing them by talking about your heroism. They didn't like it
+a bit, and they'd try all sorts of ways to change the subject, but I
+wouldn't let them. They say you are terribly B. J. Are you?"
+
+"I suppose they think so," answered Mark. "I'm nothing like as B. J. as
+I shall be before I get through."
+
+"That's right!" vowed the girl, shaking her head. "I like B. J. plebes.
+I think I should be B. J. if I were a plebe. I don't like these mild,
+obedient fellows, and I think the plebes stand entirely too much."
+
+"I wish you were one to help me," laughed Mark, noticing the contrast
+between the girl's frail figure and her energetic look.
+
+"I'm stronger than you think," said she. "I could do a lot." And then
+suddenly she broke into one of her merry, animated laughs, during which
+Mark thought her more charming than ever. "If I can't fight," she said,
+"you must let me be a Daughter of the Revolution. You must let me make
+clothes and bake bread the way the colonists' daughters did. It's just
+appropriate for to-day, too."
+
+"I don't want any bread----" began Mark, looking at her thoughtfully.
+
+"Perhaps not," she put in, with a peal of laughter. "If you saw the
+bread I make, you'd be still more emphatic. It's like the fruit of the
+tree of knowledge--'Whoso eateth thereof shall surely die.'"
+
+"I see you read the Bible," said Mark, laughing. "But to get back where
+I was. I'll let the tailor make my clothes, also. What I need most just
+now are tricks to play on the yearlings."
+
+"Do you?" inquired Grace. "I can tell you of lots of tricks the cadets
+have played. But that's the first time I ever heard of a plebe playing
+tricks on yearlings. It's usually the other way."
+
+"Variety is the spice of life," said Mark. "The yearlings have tried
+rather contemptible tricks on me once or twice, very contemptible! I
+could tell you what several of those cadets who were with you did to me
+last night, and I think you'd be angry. Anyway, I'm going to make them
+miserable in return."
+
+"I helped the yearlings get up a beautiful joke last year," said Grace,
+looking at Mark in ill-concealed admiration. "Wicks Merritt was the
+ringleader. He wrote to me, by the way, and told me to be very nice to
+you now that you'd saved my life--just as if he thought I wouldn't!
+Anyway, I got them some powder to use for the scheme."
+
+"Powder!" echoed Mark. "How did you get powder?"
+
+"They couldn't manage to run off with any around here, so I got George
+to buy some. George is our butler. You'll see George when you come over
+to visit me, which I hope you will."
+
+"I thought you lived across the river, beyond cadet limits," put in
+Mark.
+
+"So I do, but the cadets come, all the same, lots of them."
+
+"So will I, then!" laughed the other. "But you haven't told me what you
+did with the powder."
+
+"Do you see that big gun over there?" she answered, indicating Trophy
+Point. "Well, they stood that upon end and fired it off late one night.
+Wasn't that a fine joke?"
+
+"Ye-es," said Mark, very slowly. "Ye-es, it was."
+
+He was staring at the girl, a look as of an inspiration on his face.
+
+"They stood that gun up on end and fired it off late one night," he
+repeated, scarcely heeding what he was saying, so rapt was he in his
+thought.
+
+"Yes," said Grace, gazing at him curiously, and meeting his eyes. "Yes.
+Why?"
+
+Mark studied her look for a moment; he saw mischief and fun dancing in
+it, and, in a moment more, he had made up his mind.
+
+"Tell me, Miss Fuller," he said, speaking very low. "Would you--would
+you like to have 'George' buy some more powder?"
+
+"More powder!" she echoed. "What do you----"
+
+And then she caught the gleam in her escort's eye.
+
+"Are you--do you mean you want to do it?" she cried.
+
+"Yes," said Mark, simply. "Will you help?"
+
+"Yes, yes!"
+
+"Do you mean it?"
+
+"I'll give you my hand on it," responded Grace.
+
+Mark took it.
+
+"When?" asked she.
+
+And Mark answered, with a laugh, almost a shout of triumph.
+
+"To-night!" he said. "To-night! Ye gods!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+A SURPRISE FOR THE SEVEN.
+
+
+Six disconsolate plebes sat on a bench at the extreme northern end of
+Professor's Row late that afternoon, gazing unappreciatively at the
+magnificent view of the upper Hudson. Those plebes had been cudgeling
+their stupid heads ever since dinner time to no purpose.
+
+"Durnation!" growled one of them. "I dunno what we air goin' to do. Mark
+won't let us blow up the durnation ole building. He won't let me hold up
+the crowd, cuz they'd expel me. He don't want to kidnap Bull, cuz Bull
+would tell. I dunno what!"
+
+"B'gee!" added another. "I wish he'd come help us think instead of
+chasing around town with girls. He's been with her all afternoon----"
+
+"Here they come now!" interrupted Texas, pointing down the street.
+
+"Yea, by Zeus!" assented the Parson. "And our friend is much smitten
+already."
+
+"Who wouldn't be?" laughed Dewey. "Isn't she a beauty, though? B'gee, I
+wish he'd bring her over and introduce her."
+
+"Reckon she ain't a-hankerin' after plebes," drawled Sleepy, who, as
+usual, had half the bench for his tired form to cover.
+
+This observation put a damper on Dewey's enthusiasm. It was true, and,
+besides that, it came from the silent member of the firm.
+
+"She's beautiful, all the same," he vowed, as the two drew nearer still.
+"And, b'gee, she seems to be lively, too."
+
+"If I mistake not," put in the Parson, gravely, "our friend is vastly
+excited over something."
+
+This last observation seemed to be correct. The two were laughing; in
+fact, their faces seemed to express about as much glee as they could
+very well express, and once Mark was seen to slap his knee excitedly.
+The six were carried away by curiosity, which curiosity changed suddenly
+to the wildest alarm. For when the two were just opposite, what must
+Mark do but turn and lead the girl over to his friends?
+
+The effect upon the latter was amusing. Chauncey made a wild grab for
+his collar to see if it were straight; Sleepy sat up and rubbed his
+eyes; the Parson cleared his throat--"ahem!" Indian gave vent to a
+startled "Bless my soul!" Dewey exclaimed "b'gee!" and poor Texas turned
+pale and trembled in his bold cowboy legs.
+
+A moment later the vision in white was upon them.
+
+"Miss Fuller," said Mark, "allow me to present my friends," etc., etc.
+
+The Parson inclined his head gravely, with dignity becoming the immortal
+discoverer of a cyathophylloid coral in a sandstone of Tertiary origin;
+Chauncey put on his best Fifth Avenue salute; Indian gasped and hunted
+in vain for his hat; the "farmer" swept the ground with his; Dewey
+looked all broke up and Texas hid behind everybody.
+
+There was vague uncertainty after that, changing to horror at the next
+speech.
+
+"Miss Fuller," said Mark, smiling, "has proclaimed herself an ardent
+sympathizer and admirer of the purposes and principles of the Banded
+Seven. Miss Fuller desires to be known as a 'Daughter of the
+Revolution.' Miss Fuller knows about Bull Harris, and doesn't like him,
+and suggests a first-rate method of busting--if you will pardon my
+slang, Miss Fuller--to-night's celebration. Miss Fuller likes to hear
+cannon go off at night. She offers to procure the powder if we will do
+the loading; she even offers to fire it, if we'll allow her. Also,
+gentlemen, allow me to propose member number eight of the seven, and
+incidentally to suggest that the name Banded Seven be changed and that
+in future we go down to posterity as----"
+
+Mark paused one solemn moment, and cleared his throat----
+
+"The Banded Seven and One Angel!"
+
+And after that there was a deep, long, wide, and altogether
+comprehensive silence, while the six stared at Mark and his thoroughly
+amused friend in incredulity, amazement, alarm, horror--who can say
+what?
+
+It was fully a minute before any of them found breath. And then a
+perfect torrent of Bah Joves! Durnations! B'gees! Bless my souls! and By
+Zeuses! burst out upon the air, to be followed by another silence even
+longer and larger than the last.
+
+What on earth had happened! The six couldn't seem to get it through
+their heads. Could it be possible that this girl, the belle of West
+Point, the beauty over whom half the cadets were wild, the daughter of a
+famous judge, was sympathizing with a few, poor, miserable plebes in an
+effort to upset West Point? And that she had actually offered to help
+them in a trick, the boldness of which was enough to make the boldest
+hesitate? Good stars! The world must be coming to an end! No wonder the
+amazed plebes gasped and stared, and then stared and gasped, unable to
+believe that they stood on the same earth as half a minute previously.
+
+Mark and his companion, who understood their perplexity entirely, and
+who seemed to have gotten amazingly in sympathy during a brief
+afternoon's conversation, stood and regarded them meanwhile with
+considerable amusement.
+
+Well, it must be true! Mark said so, and the girl heard him and seemed
+to say "yes" with her laughing blue eyes.
+
+That was the conviction which finally forced itself upon the incredulous
+and befuddled six, and with it came a dim, undefined consciousness of
+the fact that possibly they were not doing the very politest thing in
+the world in staring at their "angel."
+
+First to realize it was Texas, last of all to whom one would have looked
+for any species of gallantry.
+
+Texas sprang forward and seized the girl's fair white hand in his own
+mighty paw.
+
+"Hi, Miss Fuller!" he cried, "I'm glad to have you join! Whoop!"
+
+Which broke the ice.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE SCHEME SUCCEEDS.
+
+
+Dress parade in all its Fourth of July holiday splendor had passed, and
+the sunset gun marked the ending of that day of celebration. Through the
+dusk of evening the battalion had marched back from supper, to the tune
+of "Marching Through Georgia" from the band and the popping of sundry
+small firecrackers from mischievous small boys on the way. And then the
+cadets had scattered, still in their dress uniforms, each to join his
+own party of friends and go to the evening's entertainment.
+
+Cadets are famous as "ladies' men," and during the gay holiday season,
+which was now on, West Point was crowded with girls, so that every cadet
+had his opportunities for gallantry, excepting, of course, the plebes,
+who do not go into "society."
+
+As the hour approached, the big gymnasium hall took on a lively aspect.
+It ceased to be a gymnasium for a while; rings and trapezes were hung
+up, and rows of seats occupied the floor, instead of parallel bars. The
+big West Point Band was seated in front, and the rest of the room was
+devoted to pretty girls and their cadet escorts. The Fourth of July
+celebration was a cadet affair; the "president" occupied the small
+platform in solitary grandeur; the commandant and his staff were
+present, but they sat among the audience.
+
+The plebes were there, too, on sufferance. The gallery was given up to
+their use, and they filled it entirely, and gazed on the scene below.
+The room with its decorations of flags and bunting, making them feel
+very patriotic indeed.
+
+The plebes we are interested in were there with the rest. They sat off
+in one corner where they could whisper and keep their secret all to
+themselves. If any one had overheard them, which they took good care
+should not happen, he would have learned, to his amazement, that the
+night's plot was all perfected. He might have learned that "George" had
+done his duty with fully as much delight as any of the Seven.
+
+He might have learned that having been taken into the secret "George"
+had not only gotten the powder, but had volunteered to do the work
+himself, to save the seven "young gintlemen" all danger of discovery. He
+might have learned that down in a secluded woody hollow just east of
+camp lay three big siege guns in "Battery Knox," loaded and stuffed to
+the muzzle with powder and paper and rags.
+
+There was lots more he might have learned. He might have learned that at
+the present moment the jolly, red-faced butler was lurking about the
+neighborhood of the Battery, anxiously surveying his watch at intervals
+of every minute or so, waiting for half-past nine, the precise minute
+when he was to touch off the fuse and run. Also that Grace was down with
+her father, in the audience, occasionally stealing a sly glance at Mark;
+also that Mark was bearing a good deal of merry banter upon his
+conquest; also that the Seven, having spent two hours or so with Grace,
+were vowing her the most original, daring and altogether charming girl
+that ever was anywhere, a most undoubtable and valuable ally of Mark and
+his anti-hazing society.
+
+The seven were about as nervous and anxious as seven plebes could
+possibly be. What if "George" should be found out? What if the guns
+should not go off? It was such a colossal and magnificent plot that the
+mere thought of its failure was enough to make one's hair turn gray.
+What if the thing should begin too late, the guns go off before Bull
+started? Or on the other hand, suppose his speech was short and he
+shouldn't be interrupted!
+
+Mark had calculated the time carefully. He had allowed five minutes for
+the "prelude." But suppose it should be longer, or shorter, or should
+begin after eight-thirty? As the hour drew near Mark and his friends
+sat and wriggled in their seats and glanced at their watches and----
+
+"It's half past now," growled Texas. "Durnation, it's a minute after
+that! Ain't they ever--ah!"
+
+The bandmaster arose from his seat, and raised his baton in the air. It
+was the "Star Spangled Banner," and the sound shook the flags that
+graced the walls and shook the hearts of the audience, too, and made
+them rise as one man.
+
+  "'Tis the Star Spangled Banner
+      And long may it wave.
+    O'er the land of the free
+      And the home of the brave!"
+
+The notes died out and the Seven remembered that for a moment they had
+forgotten to be nervous.
+
+The grave young chaplain arose, and raised his hands. His prayer was
+earnest, and his voice trembled as he spoke of the flag and its country.
+But alas! our friends had no eye or ear for beauty. It was time--time!
+Would he take more than the calculated five minutes? It was time for him
+to stop! Plague take it--six!--six and a half!--ah! There he had said
+"Finally," no, he was going off on another tack! Gee whiz--eight--thank
+heavens!
+
+The sigh of relief that came at last from the Seven almost shook the
+roof.
+
+Then came "music;" that had been problematical. Music might mean
+anything from two minutes to twenty. But there is no need of torturing
+the reader, even if the seven were tortured correspondingly. The piece
+took some ten minutes of agony, and then Cadet Captain Fischer stepped
+forward on the platform.
+
+Fischer was an immensely popular man with his class, and they applauded
+him to the echo. He looked handsome, too, in his chevrons and sash. He
+read "The Declaration of Independence," and he read it in the voice that
+had made him first captain, a voice that was clear and deep and ringing,
+a voice that sounded in the open above the thunder and rattle of
+artillery drill, and that sounded still better in the hall, as it spoke
+the words that had made a continent tremble.
+
+There was nothing in that to worry the Seven--they had gotten a copy of
+the "Declaration" and practiced it by the watch. Fischer finished on
+schedule time; but then came the tussle. And some poor plebes up in the
+gallery nearly had apoplexy from waiting.
+
+There were fifteen minutes left. That allowed say ten minutes for the
+music, and five for Bull to get warmed up to his work.
+
+The bandmaster arose; he played "Hail Columbia." The audience, wild with
+fervor, stormed and shouted; he played it again. The minutes fled by.
+The Seven gasped! The audience kept up their applause, and the music
+struck up "My Country, 'Tis of Thee," while the time fled yet faster
+still.
+
+Great heavens! and still the fools--the fools!--in that crowd clapped
+and waved handkerchiefs--would they never stop, would they never let
+Bull step forward? He was dying to. The Seven could see him in his seat,
+half-risen, waiting doubtless as impatiently as they. And still the
+people wouldn't behave themselves.
+
+Bull rose up. Ah, at last. There was a cessation in the infernal racket!
+The amount of torture the plebes suffered during those brief moments
+cannot be told. The gun might go off at any moment now! It might go off
+before Bull started, might ruin the whole thing. Plague take him, what
+made him walk so slowly? Would he never get up on that platform? And the
+foolish audience, why didn't they stop and let him start? What did they
+want to be applauding that ugly old yearling for? And why didn't he stop
+that fool bowing and scraping? Some people are such chumps!
+
+The applause stopped at last. An expectant hush fell upon the crowd.
+Bull Harris stood pompous and self-conscious, gazing upon the scene for
+a moment, and then began. The Seven gasped: "We've got him."
+
+"Ladies and Gentlemen: We have assembled upon this memorable occasion to
+celebrate (Now let that gun go, b'gee!) one of the most glorious
+achievements (You bet we have!) that ever was attained by man. We have
+assembled (What on earth's the matter with "George?") to applaud with
+the voices of the present, words that echo from memories of the past,
+(Can his watch have stopped?) words that will ring through the halls of
+time (Plague take the luck!) as long as time shall be counted in the
+heart throbs of living men. The deeds of our ancestors live in the----"
+
+At last!
+
+With a boom and a rattle and a crash gun No. 1 of Battery Knox thundered
+out upon the still night air. Bull stopped in amazement; the audience
+sprang up in alarm; the seven shrieked--silently--for joy. And then----
+
+Boom!
+
+It was No. 2. The room rang with shouts of confusion; cadets stared and
+ran hastily about; women cried out in alarm.
+
+Boom!
+
+It was No. 3, and at the same instant from a hundred throats came the
+dreaded cry of "Fire!"
+
+Three guns is West Point's fire alarm. Quick as a flash, before the
+audience had time to think of flight, of panic, the commandant of cadets
+sprang to the platform.
+
+"Company fire battalion form on the street outside, immediately!"
+
+At the same moment, in response to a command from outside, a drum
+orderly sounded the "long roll." The band struck up a quick march, and
+tramp, tramp, tramp, the grave cadets marched out of the hall,
+forgetting friends and entertainment, forgetting everything in the one
+important thought--discipline--obedience to orders.
+
+And in half a minute more the gymnasium was empty; the street was
+crowded with the anxious audience, and the battalion was tramping
+steadily across the parade ground in a vain search for an imaginary
+fire.
+
+In that battalion were seven wildly delighted plebes. They hugged
+themselves for joy; they gasped, choked with repressed laughter. They
+punched each other in the ribs and whispered:
+
+"Didn't we do it? Oh, didn't we do it? Three cheers for the Banded
+Seven--B. B. J.!"
+
+The fire, of course was not found. Near camp the corps halted, to wait
+for the person who fired the alarm guns to come out and lead the way. He
+didn't do it, and gradually it began to dawn upon the commandant and the
+assembled "tacs" that the whole thing was a hoax. "And then indeed the
+Philistines were wroth."
+
+Captain Quincey, the commandant, stepped to the head of the line,
+determined to investigate the matter on the spot. Roll call disclosed
+the fact that no one was absent; that made him think the guns were fired
+with a time fuse, and so he tried another way to find out the culprits.
+
+It is not good form in West Point to lie; cadets who do soon find
+themselves cut by the class. So Captain Quincey, knowing that, gave this
+order:
+
+"Parties who fired those guns will remain standing. Those who are
+innocent will advance one step. March!"
+
+Now that any plebe had dared to do such a bold trick had never occurred
+to the cadets. They were convinced that some of their number were
+guilty, and they protected them in the usual way. Not a man moved. They
+refused to obey the order.
+
+The commandant was furious, of course. He tried it the other way,
+ordered the guilty ones to advance. Whereupon the whole corps stepped
+forward to share the blame. To punish them he tried the dodge of keeping
+them standing at attention for half an hour or so, but several dropped
+from well-feigned exhaustion, which stopped that scheme.
+
+He ordered one of the "tacs" to march them around the parade ground. The
+cadets, who were out for fun by this time and angry besides, guyed the
+unpopular "tac" with a vengeance. It was too dark for him to distinguish
+any one, and so every one obeyed orders wrong, producing chaos and
+finally compelling him to summon the commandant to preserve order.
+
+With the commandant watching, those weary cadets marched for an hour
+more. Then he asked some questions and again got no answers. And finally
+in disgust he sent them off to their tents, most of them still puzzled
+as to who did it, some of them wild with joy.
+
+These last were the Banded Seven--"B. B. J."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+WHAT MARK OVERHEARD.
+
+
+"Now, captain, there are no two ways about it, this business has got to
+stop, and stop right where it is."
+
+The speaker was Colonel Harvey, superintendent of the West Point
+Military Academy. He was sitting in the guardhouse tent of the camp and
+talking to Captain Quincey.
+
+"Yes," he repeated, slapping his leg for emphasis, "it's got to stop."
+
+"I quite agree with you, colonel," responded the other, deprecatingly.
+"Quite. But the only question is to find out the offenders."
+
+"If the offenders are not found out," cried the other, "I shall punish
+the whole class until they confess. Discipline shall not be laughed at
+while I am in command of this academy. And that is just exactly what
+that matter amounts to."
+
+"It certainly does seem," admitted the other, "that the yearling class
+has such an idea in mind."
+
+"Never since I have been here has a class of yearlings dared to
+celebrate their release from plebehood by such a set of lawless acts. It
+began the very first night that the plebes entered camp. I do not know
+what had been going on before that, but the yearlings had evidently
+become entirely reckless of consequences, and careless of discovery.
+They woke the camp by a series of outrageous noises; one of them fired
+off a gun, I believe."
+
+"Lieutenant Allen," put in the other, "told me that he made an
+investigation on the spot and could find nothing suspicious."
+
+"The yearlings had probably seen to it that he wouldn't. Then night
+before last Lieutenant Allen, who was again on duty, reported to me
+personally that he was awakened about midnight by a shout, and going
+outside of his tent found that about half the cadets had been out of bed
+and over in Fort Clinton, probably hazing some one. They were all
+rushing back to camp; he says that it was so dark he could recognize no
+one."
+
+"It is perfectly outrageous!" exclaimed the commandant.
+
+"It has got to be stopped, too," vowed the other. "That incident of the
+gun last night capped the climax. I have heard of the cadets playing
+that prank before, loading one of the guns and firing it at night. But
+this time they did it for the evident purpose of breaking up the
+entertainment, and moreover, they fired three so as to make people think
+it was an alarm of fire. I think myself that was carrying the matter a
+trifle too far. And as I said, I propose to see that it is punished."
+
+The above was meant to be private. Neither the superintendent nor the
+commandant meant that their conversation should reach any one but
+themselves. There was one other auditor, however, and it was Mark.
+
+He was a sentry and his beat lay by the tent. As he paced up and down
+every word that was said was audible to him.
+
+Early that same morning, after having been spruced up and polished by
+his friends, he had turned out and received an elaborate set of
+instructions from a yearling corporal. Now he was putting them into
+effect during his two hours' turn "on guard."
+
+One of his instructions had been silence. Yet he was only human--and as
+the angry remarks of the high and mighty Colonel Harvey reached his ears
+it must be confessed that between chuckles and grins he was far from
+silent indeed. And a few minutes later when he was relieved from duty
+till his next turn, he rushed off with unconcealed excitement to his
+tent.
+
+There were three seated therein; and Mark greeted them with a burst of
+long-repressed merriment.
+
+"Hello, fellows!" he cried. "Oh, say, I've got the greatest news of the
+century!"
+
+"What's up?" they inquired eagerly.
+
+"I thought I'd die laughing," responded Mark. "You know all the tricks
+we've been playing on the yearlings? Well, I just overheard the
+superintendent talking to the commandant of cadets and he's blamed it
+all on the yearlings."
+
+"What?"
+
+"Yes, I heard it. And he may punish them. You see, it's always the
+yearlings who have played pranks before. The plebes have never dared.
+And so the superintendent doesn't think of blaming us. Isn't that fine?
+And, oh, say! won't the yearlings be mad!"
+
+The Parson arose solemnly to his feet.
+
+"Yea, by Zeus," said he. "Gentlemen, I propose three cheers for the
+Banded Seven."
+
+They were given with a will--and in a whisper.
+
+"Wow!" roared Texas. "An' to think that the ole man--Colonel Harvey, if
+you please--went an' blamed the firin' o' them guns on the yearlin's!
+Whoop! Say, didn't it come out great? It scared the place most blue; an'
+that coward, Bull Harris, the feller that wanted to lick Mark when he
+was tied to a tree, had his ole speech busted up in the middle, too.
+Whoop!"
+
+"I think," laughed Mark, "I shall have to go around and carry this news
+to Grace Fuller."
+
+That remark started Texas on another speech no less vehement.
+
+"I tell you, sah, she's a treasure!" he vowed. "Jes' think of a girl
+that had sense enough to think up that air scheme fo' firin' the gun an'
+nerve enough to offer to do it, too. An' she's jined with us to bust
+them ole yearlings. Whoop! It's all on account o' Mark, though."
+
+"Yea, by Zeus," put in the Parson, gravely. "As I have said before, our
+friend is much smitten, and she likewise. I do not blame her, since he
+saved her life."
+
+A rattle of drums interrupted the conversation just then, summoning the
+plebes to drill. Mark alone had an hour of leisure, he having been on
+guard duty, and during that hour having secured a permit, he set out for
+the hotel in search for the object of all their talk.
+
+Grace Fuller was sitting on the piazza as he approached. She was dressed
+in white and the color just seemed to set off the brightness and beauty
+of her complexion. She greeted her friend with one of her pleasant
+smiles that seemed to make every one near her feel happy.
+
+"Come up and sit down," she said. "I've been waiting for you all
+morning. I'm just dying to have some one to talk to about our adventure
+last night."
+
+Mark ascended the steps with alacrity and took a seat. And for the next
+half hour the two talked about nothing else but their glorious triumph,
+and the way they had fooled everybody, and how mad the commandant was,
+and how puzzled the cadets.
+
+"I suppose you noticed," said the girl, "that George was about two
+minutes late? Well, it seems there were two people sitting on one of the
+guns, and he didn't know what to do. He waited and waited, and finally
+crept up and lit the fuse and ran. The gun went off while those two were
+sitting on it."
+
+There was a hearty laugh over this rather ludicrous picture.
+
+And then a few moment's silence, during which the girl gazed
+thoughtfully into space.
+
+"I've got something important to tell you, by the way," she said,
+suddenly. "Last night the cadets all thought one of themselves had
+played the joke. Well, it seems that they've found out since."
+
+"They have! How do you know?"
+
+"I was talking to Corporal Jasper this morning. Jasper's a mighty nice
+boy, only he thinks he's a man. All the yearlings are that way, so
+pompous and self-conscious! I think plebes are delicious for a change. I
+told Mr. Jasper that and he didn't like it a bit. Anyhow, they must have
+inquired among themselves and found out that nobody in their class had
+anything to do with it. For the 'corporal'--ahem!--was pretty sure you
+were the guilty one, and he said the class was mad as hops about it."
+
+"That's good," laughed Mark, rubbing his hands gleefully. "Perhaps we'll
+have some fun now."
+
+"You will. That's just the point. I don't know that I ought to tell you
+this, but I didn't promise Mr. Jasper I wouldn't, and I suppose my
+duties as a member of the Seven are paramount to all others."
+
+"Yes," responded Mark, "we'll expel you if you play us false. But don't
+keep me in suspense. What's all this about?"
+
+"I like to get you excited," laughed the girl, teasingly. "I think I'll
+hold off a while so as to be sure you're interested, so as to make you
+realize the importance of what I have to say. For you must know that
+this is a really important plot that I've discovered, a plot that
+will----"
+
+"I think it is going to rain," remarked the cadet, gazing off dreamily
+into space. "I hope it will not, because it is liable to damage the corn
+crop, the farmers say that----"
+
+"I'll give up," laughed the girl. "I'll tell you right away. You are to
+be on sentry duty to-night, aren't you?"
+
+"Yes," said Mark, "I am. I wouldn't be here now if I were not."
+
+"And your post is No. 3, isn't it?"
+
+"Yes! How did you know?"
+
+"All this is what my small boy friend the corporal told me. You see that
+my information comes right from headquarters. I suppose you know that
+Post No. 3 runs along Fort Clinton ditch."
+
+"But what's that got to do with the plot?" cried Mark.
+
+"Everything. The plot is to 'dump' you, as the slang has it."
+
+"Dump me?"
+
+"Yes; take away your gun and roll you head over heels into the mud."
+
+"Oh!" responded Mark, thoughtfully, "I see. Take my gun away and roll me
+head over heels into the mud. Well, well!"
+
+There was a silence for a few moments after that during which Mark
+tapped the chair reflectively.
+
+"Are you going to let them do it?" inquired Grace at last.
+
+"From what you know of me," inquired he, "do you suppose I will?"
+
+"Hardly."
+
+"And I won't, either. I think the yearlings that try it will have some
+fun. I only hope there are enough of them."
+
+"There will be," said the girl. "There'll be three."
+
+"I'm very glad you told me," said Mark, "very. I'm beginning to perceive
+that our ally will be a very serviceable ally indeed."
+
+"She will be faithful anyway," said the girl. "The Daughters of the
+Revolution always are. She has a debt of gratitude to pay to the chief
+rebel which she will not very soon forget; and she hopes he will not,
+either."
+
+Whereupon Mark bowed and arose to take his leave.
+
+"I must get back to camp," he explained, "to tell the Seven about this
+new plan. We shall find a way to circumvent it, I think; we always do.
+And I'll promise you that the yearlings who 'dump' me will have a very
+lively evening of it. Good-by."
+
+And Mark left.
+
+Now it must be explained that the plebes had lately been given guns.
+
+The instruction in marching, halting, etc., which they had gotten in
+barracks was supplemented by all sorts of evolutions, and by drill in
+the manual of arms.
+
+This latter of course necessitated guns; and great was the joy of the
+ambitious and warlike plebe on the momentous day that "guns" were given
+out. The guns were regulation army muskets, heavy beyond imagination. So
+the plebe soon wished he hadn't wished for them. Besides drilling with
+them, which he found harder work than digging trenches, he had to clean
+them daily; and cleaning a gun under the watchful eye of a merciless
+yearling proved to be a matter of weeping and gnashing of teeth. It had
+to be done; for he had a number on his gun, so that he couldn't steal
+his neighbor's well-cleaned one; and if his own wasn't clean he got
+into trouble at the very next inspection.
+
+Besides the three drills a day, there were other duties galore. There
+was policing twice a day, "policing" meaning the sweeping clean of the
+acre or two of ground within the limits of Camp McPherson. Then also
+there was "guard-mounting."
+
+Guard-mounting is the daily ceremony of placing the sentries about the
+camp; the cadets who go on duty then remain until the following morning.
+This ceremony has already been described within the pages of this
+series; it will have much to do with our present story.
+
+The plebes of course were not put on guard until they had been fairly
+well trained in other duties. They had to know how to march, halt,
+salute, present arms, etc. Also they had to be accoutered in their dress
+uniforms, which were issued about this time.
+
+Mark Mallory had been notified to report for guard duty that morning,
+greatly to the joy of his friends, the Seven, who had rubbed and
+polished him till he shone. He had "fallen in" at the summons and
+received a long and appalling list of instructions from his corporal.
+Then he had been put on Post No. 3 for his first tour of duty.
+
+The sentries about the camp march for two hours, and then have four
+hours off duty, thus having eight hours "on" in the twenty. During this
+time they speak to no one, except to challenge parties who cross their
+beats. This last duty is where the yearlings have all the fun with the
+new plebe.
+
+"Deviling" sentries is an old, old amusement at West Point. The plebe
+goes on duty, solemn and anxious, awed to silence and gravity by the
+sternness of his superiors. He is proud of his important office and
+thoroughly resolved to do his duty, come what may, and to die in the
+last ditch. He seizes his gun resolutely; feels of the bayonet point
+valiantly; puts on his sternest and most forbidding look; strides forth
+with a step that is bold and unwavering. And the yearlings "don't do a
+thing" to him.
+
+What they did to Mark and his friends will be described later on.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+MARK'S COUNTERPLOT.
+
+
+Mark returned to the camp to find his six friends just returned from
+drill and enjoying a brief respite until the summons came for their next
+duty. He gathered them together in solemn conclave, and then in whisper
+imparted to them the information he had just received from the "angel."
+
+The effects of Mark's announcement upon his friends varied considerably
+with each.
+
+Indian was terrified beyond measure; the possibility of such tricks
+being tried upon him, too, made his fat eyes bulge. Texas, on the other
+hand, was wild with excitement and joy, and a little good-natured envy.
+
+"Wow! Mark," he cried. "Why is it you always have all the fun? Them ole
+cadets always go fo' you; nobody else kin ever do anything. Ef them
+fellers don't git roun' to me some day I'm goin' off an' raise a rumpus
+some other way."
+
+"What'll you do?" inquired Mark, laughing.
+
+"I'll go off'n git on a roarin' ole spree!" vowed the other, solemnly.
+"An' I'll ride into this yere ole camp an' raise such a rumpus as it
+ain't ever seen afore. Jes' you watch me now! What you fellers
+a-laughin' at?"
+
+"I'm sorry I can't let you go on in my place," said Mark, smiling. "Or
+perhaps I'll let you come out and help me 'do' them when they tackle
+me."
+
+Texas was somewhat mollified by that; and then the Seven settled down to
+a serious discussion of the situation.
+
+"Fellows," said Mark, "I want to tell you something. You know I'm
+getting tired of the notion those yearlings have in their heads, that
+they can haze us without its costing them anything. Now I've been
+thinking this business over and I've got an idea. If they try to dump me
+to-night I'm going to fool them and I'm going to fix it so that they'll
+be the laughingstock of the corps. After I get through with them then
+we'll go dump some of their sentries instead. And now, what I want to
+know is, will you help me?"
+
+"Help you!" gasped the others, excitedly. "Help you! What are we banded
+for?"
+
+"Oo-oo!" wailed Indian. "I can't. I'll be on duty, too! And suppose they
+attack me! Bless my soul!"
+
+"You'll have to fight your own battle!" laughed Mark. "They won't try
+anything very desperate on you. But now let me tell you of my plot."
+
+The six gathered about him to listen to his whispered instructions.
+From the contortions their faces went through one would have supposed
+they liked the scheme. And in the end Mark, finding that it met with
+approval, sat down and wrote a brief note:
+
+      "DEAR MISS FULLER: We have a plan to punish those
+      yearlings, and we want you to help us once more. Ask
+      George, the butler, to go down to Highland Falls and
+      buy us a quart of peroxide of hydrogen. The Parson
+      says it must be very strong, a ninety per cent.
+      saturated solution. We'll explain to you afterward
+      what we want the stuff for. Please do not fail us.
+
+      "Your friend,
+
+      "MARK MALLORY."
+
+They sealed that note and put it together with a coin into the hands of
+a drum orderly. And after that there was nothing to do but wait in
+suspense and impatience for the momentous hours of evening, when the
+yearling class was to make one more effort to subdue "the B. J.-est
+plebe that ever struck the place."
+
+Night came, as night always does, no matter how anxiously it is waited
+for. Mark and his friend Indian went on guard that afternoon from two to
+four; and soon after that came dress parade and the sunset gun, then
+supper and finally darkness at last. With eight o'clock the two went on
+once more.
+
+Though Mark did not once relax his vigilance during the time from then
+till taps he was inclined to think that the attack upon him would not
+take place until his next watch, which began at two. For now there were
+numbers of people strolling about and hazing was decidedly unsafe. So
+sure was he of this that his allies did not even prepare their plot.
+
+Mark's judgment proved to be correct; he marched back and forth along
+the path that marked his beat and no one offered to disturb him. What
+"deviling" was being done at that hour was of a milder sort, a sort that
+was not intended for such B. J. plebes as he.
+
+Among the victims of this, however, was our unfortunate friend Indian.
+What happened to Indian happens to nearly all plebes at the present day.
+It is our purpose to describe it in this chapter.
+
+Indian was a gullible, innocent sort of a lad; life was a solemn and
+serious business with him. Most plebes take their hazing as fun, rather
+unpleasant, but still nothing dangerous. With Indian on the other hand
+it was torture; he dreaded the yearlings as his mortal enemies, and to
+his poor miserable soul everything they did was aimed at his life.
+
+This curious state of affairs the yearlings were not slow to discover,
+and the result had been that fully half the hazing that was done had
+fallen on the head of this unfortunate plebe. And one may readily
+believe that the merry cadets were waiting with indescribable glee for
+the first night when poor Joseph Smith turned out on sentry duty.
+
+Sentry duty at the camp is of course a mere formality; no enemies are
+expected to attack West Point, and there is no necessity for an
+all-night guard. But it was precisely this fact that our friend could
+not understand, and that was where the fun came in.
+
+To Indian, the sentry was put on guard to ward off some real and
+terrible danger. Everything that happened confirmed this view in his
+mind. In the first place the solemnity and businesslike reality he found
+in the guard tent impressed him. Then the sepulchral tones of the
+corporal who gave him instructions, and who, it may readily be believed,
+lost no opportunity to impress the gravity of the situation upon his
+charge and to frighten him more and more, strengthened his conviction.
+Then they gave him a gun, a heavy, dangerous-looking gun, with a
+cold-steel bayonet sharp as a knife, that made him see all sorts of
+harrowing visions of himself in the act of plunging it, all bloody, into
+the body of some gasping foe.
+
+After that, with all these uncanny ideas in his head, they marched him
+solemnly out to his post and left him there alone in the darkness.
+
+Indian's post lay alongside the camp, but in his fright he did not
+recognize anything. All he knew was that it ran along a dark deserted
+path beneath trees that groaned and creaked in the moonlight. And
+Indian paced tremblingly up and down clutching his cold steel gun
+nervously, seeing an enemy in every waving shadow and in every tree
+stump, hearing one in every distant voice and tread, consoling his mind
+with visions of all sorts of horrors, wishing he had some one to talk
+to, and wondering if it were not almost ten o'clock and time for that
+other sentry to relieve him. The very clanking of his own bayonet
+scabbard made this bold young soldier jump.
+
+This continued as the night wore on. Indian strode back and forth losing
+heart every moment, and beginning to believe that the relief guard had
+forgotten him. Tramp, tramp--and then suddenly he halted, his heart
+leaped up and began to thump in a frenzy. Could that be? Yes, surely it
+was! Some one was crossing his beat, stealing along in the moonlight!
+
+Half mechanically, Indian obeyed his instructions, brought down his gun
+to the charge position and gave the challenge:
+
+"Who goes there?"
+
+The voice was so weak that Indian scarcely heard it. He stood trembling,
+to await the answer. When the answer came he was still more mystified.
+
+"The Prince of Wales!" called the intruder.
+
+The Prince of Wales? What on earth was he doing here? Poor Indian had
+received no instructions about the Prince of Wales. But he was given no
+time to find out, for a step way back at the other end of the post took
+him down there on the run, where in response to his second challenge the
+ghost of Horace Greeley made itself known. And scarcely had the ghost
+been warned away before the confused sentry had to rush back to the
+original place to find that the prince had given place to a band of
+Potawottamie squaws combined with Julius Caesar and the Second
+Continental Congress.
+
+Indian of course should have summoned the corporal of the guard. But in
+the alarm he had forgotten everything except that he must challenge
+everybody he saw. The result was that the poor lad was kept flying up
+and down until nearly dead from exhaustion, challenging ghosts and
+colonels, armed parties, patrols, grand rounds, reliefs, and other
+things military and otherwise. Occasionally a "friend with the
+countersign" would hail, and then inform the rattled sentry that the
+countersign was "butter beans," or "Kalamazoo," or "kangaroo," or "any
+old thing you please," as one joker told him. Poor Indian was fast being
+reduced to a state of nervous prostration.
+
+He was in this condition when the climax came. Hurrying down the path he
+was suddenly electrified to see a red can lying in the middle of the
+path. Staring out in great black letters that made the sentry gasp were
+the letters d-y-n-a-m-i-t-e! Indian started back in alarm. He saw a
+spark, as if from a fuse; and in an instant more before he had a chance
+to run, that can--which contained a firecracker--went up into the air
+with a terrific flash and roar.
+
+That was the last straw for Joseph.
+
+He dropped his gun; gave vent to one shriek of terror and then turned
+and fled wildly into camp!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+THE ATTACK ON MARK.
+
+
+There was confusion indescribable in a moment; cadets rushed out of
+their tents, and every one who chanced to be in the neighborhood started
+on a run for the scene of the trouble, most of them just in time to see
+the figure of the frightened plebe flying down a company street to the
+guard tent. Indian's hair was sailing out behind, his eyes were staring
+and his cheeks bulging with fright.
+
+In response to the first yell, Lieutenant Allen, the tactical officer in
+charge, had rushed to the tent door, followed by the corporal of the
+guard, the officer of the day, and a host of other cadet officials. The
+figure in blue, however, was the only one the plebe saw. That meant an
+army officer and safety for him. So to that figure he rushed with a gasp
+of fright.
+
+"What's the matter?" cried Lieutenant Allen.
+
+"Dynamite, sir, anarchists!"
+
+"What!"
+
+"Yes, sir, oh, please, sir, bless my soul, sir, I saw it,
+sir--puff--oh!"
+
+It took the amazed officer several moments to take in the situation.
+
+"Anarchists," he repeated. "Dynamite! Why, what on earth?"
+
+And then suddenly the whole thing flashed across him. It was another
+prank of the yearlings! And, what was worse, a thousand times worse,
+here was a sentry off his beat, in direct violation of his orders of all
+military law.
+
+"Didn't you receive a command, sir," he demanded severely, "not to leave
+your post for any reason whatsoever? Don't you know that in time of war
+your offense would mean hanging?"
+
+"Bless my soul, sir!" gasped the sorely perplexed plebe, frightful
+visions of gallows rising up before his bulging eyes. "Yes,
+sir--er--that is, no, sir--bless my soul! They're going to attack the
+place!"
+
+The officer gazed at the lad incredulously for a moment; he thought the
+plebe was trying to fool him. But that look on Indian's face could not
+possibly be feigned; and the officer when he spoke again was a trifle
+more consoling.
+
+"Don't you know, my boy," he said, "this is all a joke? It was not real
+dynamite."
+
+"Not real dynamite!" cried the other in amazement. "Why, I saw it!
+It----"
+
+"It was the yearlings trying to fool you," said the lieutenant.
+
+"Yearlings trying to fool me!" echoed the other as if unable to grasp
+the meaning. "Why--er--bless my soul! Yearlings trying to fool me!"
+
+The thought filtered through gradually, but it reached Indian's excited
+brain at last. The change it produced when it got there was marvelous to
+behold. The look of terror on his face vanished. So he had been fooled!
+So he had let the yearlings outwit him! Yearlings--his sworn enemies!
+And he a member of the Banded Seven at that! It was too awful to be
+true! It was----
+
+And then suddenly before Lieutenant Allen could raise a hand or say a
+word the plebe wheeled, sprang forward and tore back down the company
+street.
+
+There was a look on Indian's face that his friends had seen there just
+once before. The yearlings had tied him to a stake that day to "burn"
+him, and they had set fire to his trousers by accident. Indian had
+broken loose, and it was then that the look was on his face, a look of
+the wildest fury of convulsive rage. Now it was there again, and Indian
+was too mad to speak, almost too mad to see.
+
+He rushed down the street, he tore in between two of the tents and burst
+out upon the path where the sentry beat lay. It was dark and he could
+see little, but off to one side he made out a group of cadets. He heard
+a sound of muffled laughter. Here were his tormentors! Here! And with a
+gasp and gurgle of rage Indian plunged into the midst of them.
+
+After that there was just about as lively a time as those yearlings had
+ever seen. Indian's arms were windmills and sledge hammers combined,
+with the added quality of hitting the nail on the head every time they
+hit. The result ten eyes could not have followed, and as many pens could
+not describe it. Suffice it to say that the plebe plowed a path straight
+through the crowd, then whirled about and started on another tack. And
+that a few moments later he was in undisturbed possession of his post,
+the yearlings having fled in every direction.
+
+Then Indian picked up his musket, shouldered it, and strode away down
+the path.
+
+"I guess they'll leave me alone now," he said.
+
+They did. Indian marched courageously after that, his head high and his
+step firm, conscious of having done his duty and signally retrieved his
+honor.
+
+Pacing patiently, he heard tattoo sound and saw the cadets line up in
+the company street beyond. He heard the roll call and the order to break
+ranks. He saw the cadets scatter to their tents, his own friends among
+them. Indian knew that it was half-past nine then and that he had but
+half an hour more.
+
+As he marched he was thinking about Mark. He was wondering if the
+yearlings had had the temerity to try their "dumping" so early in the
+evening. And he wondered, too, if Mark had prevailed, and if he had
+dared to put into execution the daring act of retribution he had
+planned.
+
+Mark meantime was also walking his post, over on the other side of the
+camp. He had marched there in silence and solitude since eight. He, too,
+had heard tattoo; he had seen his five friends enter their tents which
+lay very close to his beat, and he had nodded to them and signaled that
+all was well.
+
+Time passed rapidly. He saw the cadets undressing, saw most of them
+extinguish their lights and lie down. And then suddenly came a roll upon
+the drum--ten o'clock--"lights out and all quiet." And at the same
+moment he heard the clank of a sword, and the tramp of marching feet
+coming down the path. It was the relief.
+
+They left another sentry there in Mark's stead and marched on around the
+camp, picking up the others. Among these was the weary fat Indian, who
+joined them with a sigh that it is no pun to call one of "relief." A few
+minutes later they were in the guard tent, where Indian learned that the
+attack had not yet come, at which he sighed again.
+
+Cadets who are members of the guard sleep in the big "guard tent," which
+is situated at the western end of the camp. Here they can be awakened
+and can fall in and join the relief when their time comes without
+disturbing the rest of the corps. Mark and Indian did not go on duty
+again until two o'clock in the morning, and so they "turned in," in no
+time and were soon fast asleep.
+
+When they are awakened again we shall follow Mark to "Post No. 3."
+Nothing more was done to poor Indian that night.
+
+It was the "corporal of the relief," who touched Mark on the shoulder
+and brought him out of the land of dreams. He sprang up hastily and
+began to dress; cadets sleep in their underclothing, so that they may be
+ready to "fall in" promptly, all dressed in case of an emergency. Mark,
+gazing about him, saw a big white tent, with sleeping forms scattered
+about it. A yawning cadet officer sat at a table, a candle by his side.
+And five other sentries, about to go "on" like himself, were sleepily
+dressing.
+
+Promptly at the minute of two the six fell in, in response to the low
+command of the corporal. At the same time the sentry's call of the hour
+sounded:
+
+"Two o'clock and all's well!"
+
+And then out into the cold night air marched the six and away to their
+posts of duty. There was a bright moon and the whole camp was light as
+day as they marched. At number three, in response to the corporal's
+order, Mallory fell out. And then "Forward, march!" and away down the
+dim vista of trees swept the rest and around a turn and were gone. Mark
+Mallory was alone, waiting for the enemy.
+
+He was not afraid. He had made up his mind as to what he should do, and
+now he was here to do it. He realized that from the very first moment he
+set foot on this post, the word must be vigilance, vigilance! And he
+gritted his teeth and set his square, sunburned jaws and seized his
+rifle with a grip of determination, striding meanwhile on down the path.
+
+He had not gotten halfway down to the end, the tramp of the relief was
+still in the air, when suddenly came a low, faint whistle. Mark was
+expecting that, and he faced about, started off the other way. He heard
+a faint sound of hurrying feet and knew that his friends, the five, had
+crossed. He saw shadows flitting in the deep grass of the ditch beside
+him and knew that they were scattering to hide and wait in accordance
+with the agreement. And he set his teeth with a still more grinding snap
+and strode on. Vigilance, vigilance!
+
+The moon was high in the heavens by this time; one could almost have
+seen to read.
+
+"They won't dare to try it," thought Mark. "A snake couldn't creep up on
+me now. They'll have to come from the camp, too, for they can't cross
+any sentry beat. But I'll watch, all the same."
+
+His heart was beating fast then, he could almost regulate his step by
+it. Outside of that all was ghostly and silent, except for the breathing
+of the sleepers in the nearest tents of Company A. Once, too, he heard
+the distant roar of a train as it whirled down the river valley, and
+once the faint chug chug of a steamboat that passed on the water. But
+for the most part the camp was unbroken in its peacefulness.
+
+Tramp, tramp. Down the path to the sentry box, right about, and back
+again. His post--number three--extended from the upper end of the
+colorline on which two and six were marching, down along the north side
+of the camp skirting the tents of Company A--his own--with the deep
+ditch of Fort Clinton right to the left, past the tent of Fischer, the
+first captain, and that of the adjutant, and ending near the water tank.
+Tramp! tramp!
+
+It was just a few minutes more before the corporal of the relief came
+around, testing the sentries' knowledge of the orders of the night.
+Later still came the cadet officer of the guard, with a clank of sword;
+and he passed on, too. Tramp, tramp. And still no sign of trouble.
+Mark's challenge, "Who comes there?" had been heard but once, and that
+by the corporal.
+
+"Will they try it?" he thought. "Now's the time. Will they try it?"
+
+The answer came soon. Peering ahead with the stealthiness of a cat,
+glancing back over his shoulder every minute, watching every moving
+shadow, listening for every faintest sound. Tramp, tramp. Eastward
+toward the river; he reached the water tank, where the shade was the
+thickest, where stood the only bushes that could conceal a lurking foe.
+Opposite the tent of the bootblack he halted and started back again,
+where the path lay clear in the moonlight. Tramp, tramp. He could see
+number two, far down in the distance, his white trousers glistening as
+he marched. He saw the shadows of the trees waving, he heard the
+breathing of the sleepers.
+
+Then suddenly came the attack. There was a quick step behind him, and
+everything grew dark. A cloth was flung about his mouth, and two pair of
+hands about his writhing, sinewy body. Down he went to the ground,
+fighting with every ounce of muscle that was in him. And after that
+there was fun to spare.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+THREE DISCOMFITED YEARLINGS.
+
+
+It was Mark's duty to summon the corporal of the guard at the very first
+sign of danger. But he didn't. He was going to settle this himself, and
+he meant to punish those yearlings without any official aid.
+
+He wanted to keep them busy, so that his friends could approach unseen,
+and he set out to do it with all the strength of his powerful frame.
+There were three of the yearlings, just as Grace had said, and they were
+big fellows, selected for that reason; the yearling class knew Mark
+Mallory--knew that he could fight when he wanted to, and he wanted to
+then. He went down struggling, kicking, hitting right and left; on the
+ground he was writhing and twisting as no eel had ever done. And then
+suddenly he heard a muttered exclamation, felt the hands that were
+gripping him relax; he flung off his enemies and sprang up to find each
+of them struggling desperately in the grip of the triumphant five.
+
+There were two for each of the yearlings. That was not quite so unfair
+as the three to one that had prevailed a moment before; but it was
+enough to make victory certain. The yearlings did not dare cry out; they
+were more to blame than the plebes and they knew it. The plebes knew
+it, too, knew that they had only to hold their enemies, not trying to
+keep them quiet.
+
+The six had the yearlings flat upon their backs in a very brief space of
+time. To bind them hand and foot was a still easier task. And then the
+mighty Texas flung one over his shoulder, the rest carrying the other
+two; they sprang down into the ditch; they climbed the parapet of the
+fort beyond; and a moment later were safe, out of sight or hearing.
+
+Then Mark Mallory, sentry number three, brushed off his soiled clothing,
+picked up his soiled gun, shouldered it and marched calmly away down the
+path. Tramp, tramp.
+
+Sentry number three would have loved dearly to "see the fun," but there
+is no worse offense known at West Point than deserting a sentry post. He
+did not dare take the risk, so we shall have to leave him alone and go
+see for ourselves.
+
+The five rascals with their securely-bound and gagged victims did not go
+very far. They stopped in the middle of old Fort Clinton and dropped
+their mummy burdens to the ground. Texas pulled from under his coat a
+bottle, one quart of peroxide of hydrogen, very strong, "a ninety per
+cent. saturated solution." And he got right to work, too.
+
+You ask what he did? Any one ought to guess that. As a hair dye,
+peroxide of hydrogen is pretty well known, we fancy.
+
+Add Texas was a liberal hair dyer, too. He put plenty of it on. He was
+not careful to apply it evenly, to get it on everywhere. In fact, he was
+rather careful not to. Texas was not seeking for any beautiful effects,
+mind you; all he wanted to do was to put some mark on those yearlings
+that would cure them of their hazing habits, that would make them the
+laughingstock of the class.
+
+Having finished one, doused him well, Texas went on to the next. And
+more miserable looking and feeling cadets than the three a human being
+cannot imagine. They had some vague idea of what their tormentors were
+doing, and visions arose up before them, visions of themselves dancing
+in the ballroom, or walking about with their best girls, or marching on
+parade, with half yellow and half black or brown hair, stamped and
+labeled before all to their shame as the yearlings who tried to haze
+Mallory. And the worst of it was they daren't tell the authorities; they
+were more to blame than anybody!
+
+Texas knew that; and he soaked on the peroxide of hydrogen the
+more--ninety per cent. saturated solution.
+
+Having finished this they left their victims there for a while, so that
+their hair might dry and the bleach have a good chance to work. It would
+never have done in the world to let them run back to camp and wash it
+all out. Oh, no! And, besides, it might be well to leave them there a
+while to reflect upon the sin of hazing.
+
+As to this last point a mild bit of sarcasm occurred to the Parson. "The
+Parson" was just the man to preach a sermon; and he got down upon his
+knees and whispered very softly into the ears of each of the three:
+
+"Gentlemen," said he, "the epistle for the day is written in the sixth
+chapter of Galatians, the seventh verse. 'Be not deceived, brethren. For
+whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.' Here endeth the first
+lesson. Yea, by Zeus!"
+
+And then the five hair dyers stole away, and likewise the one quart
+bottle, peroxide of hydrogen, ninety per cent. saturated solution.
+
+They were not through yet. Oh, not by a long shot! They rejoined sentry
+number three and held a whispered consultation.
+
+"Who's on to-night?" was the question.
+
+"Only one to interest us. Bull Harris!" was the answer.
+
+"Where?"
+
+"Number two."
+
+And then the five figures disappeared once more in the darkness--the
+moon had kindly hidden for a while. Mark could see number two from his
+post, and he watched with the utmost eagerness. He saw three horrified
+yearlings dash across his own beat and vanish in their tents. He let
+them pass without challenge, even if it was against the orders, for he
+knew that they were the three unhappy heroes of the peroxide of hydrogen
+bottle, just released by the plebes.
+
+After that there was a silence of perhaps five minutes. Mark, in
+disobedience of all orders, was actually standing still, peering across
+at the sentry on the next beat. He could see that gentleman's white
+"pants" shining out; and then suddenly he saw several dark figures steal
+up behind him, saw the sentry shoot up into the air and take a header to
+the grass. The next moment came rapid footfalls and some quick shadows
+flying across the path. The shadows disappeared in the tents and Camp
+McPherson was once more silent as the night.
+
+Sentry number two got up from the ground in a meditative way; his
+look--though Mark did not see it--was what is often described as an
+injured one. He made no sound, because for one thing he was too
+surprised, and for another because he had an idea some of his own class
+had done that trick--mistaken him for Mallory! For though Bull Harris
+had watched long and anxiously he hadn't seen Mark "dumped."
+
+Mark meanwhile had faced about and was strolling on down the path, a
+rather happy and satisfied expression upon his face. Tramp, tramp.
+
+This chapter would not be complete without a word--just a word--about
+three yearling friends of ours. They woke up--if they slept at all that
+night--with three startling crops of beautiful golden shining hair,
+rather piebald in places. One likes to lavish adjectives upon that hair;
+the piebald is not meant to be a pun. Now, as to how that hair got dyed
+during the night, not a man of them would tell. But the Seven told
+Grace, of course; and Grace told the cadets, which amounted to the same
+thing in the end. The story was all about the post that morning.
+
+By that time the three had been to the barber's and their heads looked
+like a wheat field, a field of golden grain after the reaping machine
+had been hauled across. But that didn't save the three. They were guyed
+unmercifully; one of them had three fights at Fort Clinton before he
+could convince his classmates that he really didn't want to be called
+"Peroxide."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+"TEXAS" RUNS AMUCK.
+
+
+"Drunk! Drunk! For Heaven's sake what do you mean?"
+
+Mark had been sitting in the door of a tent in "A" company street,
+vigorously polishing a musket. At the moment he had dropped the gun and
+the cleaning kit to the ground and was gazing in amazement at Indian,
+who had halted, breathless, in front of him.
+
+"Drunk!" the first speaker repeated. "Texas drunk! What on earth are you
+talking about?"
+
+The other was so red in the face and out of breath from what had
+evidently been a long run that he could scarcely manage to answer. His
+eyes were staring, and his face a picture of excitement and alarm.
+
+"Bless my soul!" he gasped. "I tell you--I saw him! He's wild!"
+
+"What do you mean? Where is he?"
+
+"He--he's got a horse! He's ridden off! Oh--bless my soul--he's killing
+everybody!"
+
+Mark sprang to his feet in excitement. At the same moment another head
+appeared in the opening, preceded by a hasty "What's that?" It was
+Parson Stanard, and his learned classical face was a picture of
+amazement.
+
+"Texas drunk!" he echoed. "Where did he get anything to drink?"
+
+"I don't know!" gasped Indian. "Bless my soul--I only saw him one
+moment; he dashed down the road. Oh! And had a horse, and his
+guns--Lord, I was scared nearly to death."
+
+"Which way did he go?" inquired Mark, quickly, a sudden resolution
+taking possession of his mind.
+
+"Down toward Highland Falls," answered the other.
+
+And before he could say another word, Mark had seized his hat, sprang
+out of the tent, and bounded away down the company street to the great
+amazement of the cadets who chanced to see him.
+
+"Texas'll be expelled! Expelled!" he muttered. "And then what on earth
+will I do?"
+
+The time was morning. The plebe class had just been dismissed a short
+while ago from an hour of drill, and most of them were over by the
+cavalry plain, watching the preparations of the rest of the corps for
+"light artillery drill," which was the programme of the morning.
+
+Scarcely half an hour ago Mark had left Texas and now he was drunk! And
+he was drunk after the fashion of the cowboys, reckless of everything,
+shooting and yelling, ready to raid a town if need be. Where he had
+gotten his whiskey, or his horse, what on earth had led him to such an
+extraordinary proceeding, were questions that Mark could not solve; but
+he knew that his friend was in imminent danger, that expulsion stared
+him in the face. And that was all Mark needed to know.
+
+He did not notice that the plain on his right was crowded with
+spectators of the drill, and that those same spectators were staring at
+him curiously as he dashed past. He had eyes for but one thing, and that
+was a building to one side, down the hill toward the shore of the
+Hudson. He did not stop for paths; he plunged down the bank, and finally
+wound up breathless in front of the cavalry stables.
+
+Most of the men were off to one side, at that moment engaged in
+harnessing the horses for the drill on the plain above. But one was
+left, and he sat in the doorway, calmly smoking his pipe, and gazing
+curiously at the figure before him.
+
+"What d'ye want?" he demanded.
+
+"A horse!" gasped Mark.
+
+"Plebe?" inquired the other, with exasperating slowness.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Where's yer permit?"
+
+"Haven't got any."
+
+"Don't get no horse then!"
+
+Mark gazed at the man in consternation--he hadn't thought of that
+difficulty. Then a sudden idea occurred to him, and he thrust his hand
+into the watch pocket of his uniform. There was money there, money which
+as a cadet Mark had no business to have. But he thanked his stars for it
+all the same. There was a five-dollar bill, and he handed it to the man.
+
+"For Heaven's sake," he panted, "give me a horse! Quick! Don't lose a
+moment! I'll see you don't get blamed--say I took it away from you if
+you want to."
+
+The man fingered the bill for a few moments, lost in thought.
+
+"It'd take more'n you to take a horse away from me," he said at last.
+"But since you're in such a hurry----"
+
+He stepped inside the building, and a moment later reappeared, leading
+one of the government cavalry horses.
+
+"Saddle?" he inquired.
+
+By way of answer Mark sprang at the animal's head, and in one bound was
+on his back.
+
+"Get up!" he cried, digging his heels into the horse's side. "Get up!"
+and a moment later was dashing down the road as if he had been shot from
+a catapult.
+
+"Terrible hurry that!" muttered the stableman, shaking his head, as he
+turned away. "Terrible hurry! Something wrong 'bout that 'ere."
+
+There was; and Mark thought so, too, as he galloped down the road. He
+feared there would be much more wrong in a very short while. In half an
+hour or so the plebe class, his class, would be called to quarters once
+more for drill, and if he and Texas were not on hand then, there would
+be trouble, indeed. If they were, there was prospect of no less
+excitement. From what Mark knew of his hot-tempered and excitable
+comrade when sober, he could form a vague idea of what a terror he might
+be when he was mad with drink; and being thus he would not be apt to
+behave as the meek and gentle thing a plebe is supposed to be. Mark had
+had great trouble in keeping Texas quiet, even under ordinary
+circumstances.
+
+Mark, it may be mentioned, had met this wild and uncivilized lad down at
+the hotel at Highland Falls, some weeks before either of them had been
+admitted to the academy. Texas had then with recklessness helped Mark in
+outwitting some hazers among the candidates. Mark had been drawn to the
+other by his frank and open nature, by their mutual love of fun and
+adventure, and by a certain respect each felt for the other's prowess.
+The story of the heroic efforts by which Mark had earned his cadetship
+was known to Texas, as indeed it was to every one on the post.
+
+The two had come up to the Point together, and passed their
+examinations; and they had been fast friends ever since. Mark had
+backed Texas in a battle in which Texas had "licked" no less than four
+of the yearlings. Texas had been Mark's second in a fight with the
+picked champion of the same class. And since then the two had set out
+together on a crusade against hazing which had turned West Point customs
+topsy-turvy and made the yearlings fairly wild with desperation.
+
+Through all this the two had fought side by side, and were stanch
+friends. And now! The Texan's wild passions had led him to an act that
+might mean instant expulsion. And Mark felt that West Point was losing
+half its charm.
+
+All this he was rapidly revolving in his mind as the horse sped down the
+road. Texas might be found! He might be brought back in time, if indeed
+he had not already shot some one! Mark felt that the chance was worth
+the risk, and he leaned forward over the flying horse's neck and urged
+him on with every trick he could think of.
+
+On, on they sped. Down the road past the riding hall, up the hill, past
+the mess hall, the hospital and then on southward toward Highland Falls.
+The passers-by stopped to look at the hurrying figure in astonishment;
+people rushed to the windows to see what the clatter of hoofs might
+mean; but before they got there the horse and rider had vanished down
+the street in a swirling cloud of dust.
+
+As if there were not enough to perplex Mark, a new problem rose up
+before him just then. The village he had left behind him, and was
+speeding down the road--when he chanced to think of the fact that he was
+almost at "Cadet limits." There was a fork in the road just below; to go
+beyond it meant instant expulsion if discovered! And how could he hope
+to be undiscovered, he in a cadet uniform and on that public highway?
+
+The risk was desperate, but Mark had almost resolved to take it, when a
+startling sound broke upon his ears.
+
+"Wow! Whoop!" Bang! Bang! "Wow!"
+
+And a moment later, sweeping around a turn, a cloud of dust appeared to
+Mark's straining eyes. The cloud drew nearer; the shouts and yells
+swelled louder, accompanied now and then by a fusillade as from a dozen
+revolvers; and at last, in the midst of the cloud, as if racing with it,
+a horse and rider came into view, the rider with a huge revolver in each
+hand and a dozen in his belt, flinging his arms, shouting and yelling as
+if forty demons were on his trail.
+
+"Heaven help him!" Mark thought to himself. "Heaven help him, for I
+can't!"
+
+The rider was Texas.
+
+Mark had scarcely had time to take in the startling situation, before
+the horse and rider were upon him with a rush and a whirl.
+
+"Wow! Whoop!" roared Texas, with all the power of his mighty throat; and
+at the same moment Mark heard a bullet whistle past his head.
+
+Texas had not recognized his friend at the pace he was riding; he and
+his flying steed were past and started up the road in the direction
+whence Mark had come, when the latter turned and shouted:
+
+"Texas! Oh, Texas! come back here!"
+
+Texas gave a mighty tug upon the reins which brought his horse to his
+haunches; he swung him around with a whirl that would have flung any
+ordinary rider from the saddle; and then he dashed back, on his face a
+broad grin of recognition and delight.
+
+"Hi, Mark!" he roared. "Durnation glad to see you! Whoop!"
+
+Mark's mind was working with desperate swiftness just then. He saw in a
+moment that there was yet hope. Texas was not staggering; he sat his
+saddle erect and graceful. His voice, too, was natural, and it was
+evident that he had drunk only enough to excite him, to make him wild
+and blind to the consequences. There was room for lots of diplomacy in
+managing him, Mark thought. The only obstacle was time--or lack of it.
+
+He reached over from his horse and seized the hand which the other held
+out to him.
+
+"How are you, old man?" he said.
+
+"Bully!" cried Texas. "Ain't felt so jolly, man, fo' weeks! Whoop! 'Ray!
+Got a horse, Mark, ain't you? Wow! that's great! Come along, thar! Git
+up! We'll go bust up the hull camp. Wow!"
+
+And Texas had actually turned to gallop ahead. Mark had but a moment to
+think; he thought quickly, though, in that moment, and resolved on a
+desperate expedient.
+
+"Texas!" he called, and then as his friend turned, he added: "Texas, get
+down from that horse!"
+
+The other stared at him in amazement, and Mark returned that stare with
+a stern and determined look. There was fire in Powers' eye, more so than
+usually; but there was a quiet, unflinching purpose in Mark's that the
+other had learned to respect.
+
+That had been a hard lesson. Texas had lost his temper once and struck
+Mark, and Mark thrashed him then as he had never been thrashed before.
+Texas knew his master after that, and now as he stared, a glimmering
+recollection of the time returned to his whirling brain.
+
+"Texas, get down from that horse."
+
+There was a moment more during which the two stared at each other in
+silence; and then the right one gave way. Texas leaned forward, flung
+his leg over the saddle, and sprang lightly to the ground. And after
+that he stood silent and watched his friend, with a worried and puzzled
+look upon his face.
+
+Mark breathed a sigh of relief as he saw that he had won. He dismounted,
+led his horse over to the side of the road, and sat down. Texas followed
+him, though his unwillingness was written on his face.
+
+"Now see here, old man," Mark began, having gotten him quiet, as he
+thought. "I want to talk to you some."
+
+"Pshaw!" growled Texas. "I don't want to talk. I want to git up an' git,
+an' have some fun."
+
+"Well, now, see here, Texas," Mark continued. "Don't you know if you are
+seen carrying on this way you'll get into trouble? How about drill in a
+few minutes?"
+
+"Ain't goin' to drill!" cried the other, wriggling nervously in his
+seat, and twitching his fingers with excitement. "Tired o' drillin'! I'm
+a-goin' to have some fun!"
+
+"But don't you know, man, that you'll be expelled?" Mark pleaded.
+
+"Expelled! Wow!"
+
+That was the spark that started the conflagration again. Texas leaped to
+his feet with fury.
+
+"Expelled!" he roared. "Who'll expel me? Whoop! I'd like to see anybody
+in this place try it naow, by thunder! I'll show 'em! I'll hold up the
+hull place! Watch me scare 'em! Whoop!"
+
+And almost before Mark could move or say anything, the wild lad sprang
+forward at a bound and landed upon his horse's back. A moment later he
+was off like a shot, leaving only a cloud of dust and an echo of yells
+behind him.
+
+"Wow! Whoop! Who'll expel me? Come out yere, you ole officers, an' try
+it! Wow!"
+
+Texas was on the warpath again. This time headed straight for West
+Point.
+
+And riding behind him with desperate speed, scarcely fifty yards in the
+rear, was Mark, pursuing with all his might, and trembling with alarm as
+he thought of what that desperate cowboy might do when once he reached
+the post.
+
+For West Point, and the crowded parade ground, were not a quarter of a
+mile away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+TEXAS RAIDS WEST POINT.
+
+
+The summer season is a gay one at West Point. During the winter cadet
+life is a serious round of drill and duty, but after that comes a three
+months' holiday, when cadets put on their best uniforms and welcome
+mothers and sisters and other fellows' sisters to the post. There are
+hops then, and full dress parades, and exhibition drills galore.
+
+It was one of these drills that was going on that morning, perhaps of
+all of them the most showy and interesting to the stranger. And the
+mothers and sisters and other fellows' sisters were out in full force to
+see it.
+
+"Light artillery drill" is practice in the handling and firing of field
+cannon. The cadets learn to handle heavy guns also, practicing with the
+"siege and seacoast batteries" that front on the southern shore of the
+Hudson. But the drill with the field pieces is held on the cavalry
+plain, a broad, turfless field just south of the camp.
+
+The field presented a pretty sight on that morning. It was surrounded
+with a wall of trees, behind which, to the south, the somber gray stone
+of barracks stood out, with the academy building, the chapel and the
+library. To the north the white tents of the camp shone through the
+trees and a little further to the left, the Battle Monument rose above
+them and caught on its marble sides the glistening rays of the sun.
+Beneath the trees all around the plain and crowding the steps of the
+buildings, were scattered groups of spectators, the gay dresses of the
+women helping to make a setting of color.
+
+There was a jingling of harness, a rumbling of wheels, and a murmur of
+excitement among the spectators as the cadet corps put in an appearance,
+natty and handsome in their uniforms, the officers riding on horseback,
+and the privates mounted on the cannon or the caissons. Platoon after
+platoon they swept out upon the field; then formed in accordance with
+the sharp commands of the officers; and in a few minutes more "artillery
+drill" was under way.
+
+It is rather an inspiring sight at times. There are over a dozen of the
+cannon, with four horses each to draw them, and when the whole squadron
+gets into motion at once, there is a thundering of hoofs and a cloud of
+dust behind to mark the path. And then when they wheel, and aim and
+fire, the roar of the discharge echoes among the hills and makes the
+post seem very military and warlike indeed.
+
+So thought the spectators as they sat and watched, too much interested
+to have any eyes for what might happen elsewhere. But those who sat on
+the southern edge of the plain, where the road from Highland Falls
+emerged, were destined to witness a far more exciting incident than
+that, an incident which was not down on the programme, and which the
+tactical officers and the commandant of cadets, who stood by their
+horses at one side, had not planned or prepared for.
+
+The last discharge of the morning's drill was yet ringing in the
+spectators' ears, and the sound barely had time to make its way down the
+road, before it was answered and flung back by another volley that was
+all the louder for its unexpectedness.
+
+Bang! Bang!
+
+The people turned and gazed in alarm. The cadet captain out upon the
+field stopped in the very midst of a command and leaned forward in his
+saddle to see; a sentry marching up the street forgot his orders and
+wheeled about in surprise. There was the wildest kind of excitement in a
+moment.
+
+A horseman was racing up the road, galloping blindly ahead at full tilt.
+He wore the uniform of a cadet, and his face was red with excitement. He
+leaned forward over his horse, firing right and left into the air, while
+from his throat proceeded a series of yells such as no one in that vast
+crowd had ever heard before.
+
+"Wow! Wow! Whoop!"
+
+There was no time for exclamations from the spectators, no time for
+questions or anything else. It was scarcely a second more before the
+wild rider was upon them and he drove straight through the crowd with
+the speed of an express train, neither he or his horse heeding any one.
+
+The panic-stricken people fled in all directions, some of them barely
+escaping the flying animal's hoofs. And in a moment more he was out on
+the open plain, heading straight for the squadron.
+
+"Wow! Wow!" yelled the rider. "Expel me, will ye? What ye got them guns
+for, hey? Hold up yer hands! Whoop!"
+
+Shouting thus at the top of his lungs, he was almost upon the cadets
+when the frightened spectators heard another rattle of hoofs and another
+rider burst through the open space in full pursuit. It was Mark, and he
+was desperate then, galloping even more furiously than the cowboy in
+front, for he knew that no one but he could ever stop Texas now.
+
+The amazement and fright of the spectators cannot be pictured; nor the
+anger of the officers who saw it all. These latter put spurs to their
+horses and galloped out to the two; but Texas and Mark behind him had
+already reached the dumfounded cadets.
+
+Texas had emptied the two revolvers in his hands, and he raced yelling
+across the plain. With a whoop he flung them at the nearest cadet, and
+whipping two more from his belt, opened fire point-blank.
+
+"Wow! Whoop!" he howled. "Expel me, will ye? Take that!"
+
+Bang! Bang!
+
+Half the horrified cadets turned to run; some dropped down behind the
+cannon and the horses, when Texas fired there was not a man in sight.
+
+Mark was almost upon him when the first bullet struck. It hit one of the
+horses upon the flank, and tore a deep gash. The animal reared and
+snorted with terror. His companions in harness took the alarm, and
+almost at that same instant started on a wild dash across the field, the
+four of them whirling the heavy cannon along as if it had been a toy.
+
+A few yards ahead was the end of the field, and there, crowded in a
+dense mass, people who had rushed to that side to avoid the Texan's
+flying speed. And toward that surging, frightened mass the four horses
+plunged with might and main.
+
+It was a terrible moment. Those who saw the danger gasped, cried out in
+horror, but those who stood in the path of the flying steeds were too
+frightened to move. The move had come so suddenly, so unexpectedly. The
+crowd stood huddled together; the crash came before they had time to
+realize what was happening.
+
+In the moment's excitement, the two horsemen had remained unnoticed.
+Texas had seen the runaway, seen the crowd an instant later. Through his
+confused and excited brain the consequences of his acts seemed to flash
+with the sharpness of a thunderbolt. He had acted with the quickness of
+a man who lives, knowing that at any moment he may be called upon to
+"pull his gun," and defend his life. He had wheeled his horse about,
+plunged his heels into the horse's sides, and at that moment was
+sweeping around in a wild race for the leaders of the runaway four.
+
+Quick as Texas was, Mark was a moment ahead of him. As he raced across
+the plain toward his friend he had seen the horses start and swerve and
+made for them, approaching from the opposite side to the Texan.
+
+All this had happened in the snapping of a finger--the dash of the four,
+and two racing from each side to head them off. And it was all over
+before the imperiled crowd could turn to flee.
+
+Texas was seen to leap out over his horse's head and seize the bridle of
+one of the leaders as he fell. The crowd saw Mark's horse, dashing in
+from the other side, barely a foot from the mass of the spectators,
+crash into the Texan's flying steed. They saw the horse go down; they
+saw Mark disappear. And then in the crush that followed he was lost to
+sight beneath the plunging hoofs of the four.
+
+There was a moment of blind confusion after that in which each one in
+the crowd had time to think and see for himself alone. The spectators
+were pushing wildly back before the onslaught of the approaching horses.
+Several of the cadets and officers had sprung forward to seize the
+horses' heads; Texas was clinging to the bridle with all his strength.
+And Mark--Mark's was the greatest peril of all. He had fallen over his
+horse's neck; he had seen the two leaders plunging toward him, stumbling
+over the body of his own prostrate horse, crushing down upon him--and
+then before his dazed eyes had swept a flying rein. He saw it, and
+clutched at it, as a drowning man might do; raised himself upon it with
+a mighty tug, and then a moment later was hurled far out over the plain,
+as the horse he clung to, stopped in its rush, went down in a heap with
+the cannon on top.
+
+It was all over then. The spectators had been saved as by a miracle, the
+barrier interposed by Mark's horse. And there was left a pale,
+half-fainting lot of people crowded around a tangled mass of horses and
+harness, with Texas clinging to one of the bridles, unconscious from a
+wound in his head.
+
+They loosened his deathlike grip, and laid him on the ground, while
+Mark, having picked himself up in a more or less dazed condition,
+burrowed frantically through the crowd to reach his side.
+
+"Is he hurt? Is he hurt?" he cried.
+
+The surgeon was at that moment bending over the Texan's body, where he
+had hurried as soon as he saw the accident.
+
+"It is only a scratch," he said, hastily. "He will get well."
+
+And Mark breathed freely again; he turned pale, however, a moment later,
+as he saw the doctor, catching the odor of the lad's breath, shake his
+head and look serious.
+
+"He knows! He knows!" Mark muttered to himself, "and it is all up with
+poor Texas."
+
+They carried the lad over to the hospital; and then West Point set to
+work to get over its amazement and alarm as best it could.
+
+They cleared up the wreck for one thing. Two of the horses had broken
+their legs and had to be led off and shot. The rest trotted behind the
+corps as it marched away--marched, for no amount of excitement could
+interfere with West Point discipline. And then there was left down at
+that end of the cavalry plain only a crowd of curious people, with a
+scattering of army officers and plebes, all discussing excitedly the
+amazing happenings of scarcely five minutes ago, and wondering what on
+earth had taken possession of the two reckless cadets that had started
+all the trouble.
+
+They looked for Mark, but Mark had disappeared while the excitement was
+at its height. He did not welcome the questions or the stares of the
+curious. Moreover, he saw the superintendent, Colonel Harvey, excitedly
+questioning several of the staff about the matter. Mark feared that the
+superintendent might turn upon him any moment, and he wanted time to
+think before that happened.
+
+He dodged behind the library building, the Parson with him, and made his
+way around to the now deserted camp. Once beneath its protection, the
+two sat down and stared at each other in dismay. There was no need to
+say anything, for each knew how the other felt. Texas was up the spout;
+Mark was but little better off; and the universe was coming to an end.
+
+That was all.
+
+"Well," said Mark at last, "we're busted!"
+
+And the Parson assented with a solemn "Yea, by Zeus!" and relapsed into
+a glum silence again.
+
+Neither of them felt called upon to say anything after that; neither
+could think of the least thing to say. There wasn't a glimmering of
+hope--they were simply "busted," and that was all there was to it.
+
+There is a saying that in multitude of council there is safety. The tent
+door was pushed aside a few minutes later and Indian's lugubrious,
+tear-stained, horrified face peered in. Indian followed, and seated
+himself in one corner, and then the tent relapsed into silence and
+solemnity once more.
+
+Three more disgruntled persons it would be hard to find, excepting
+possibly the other three of the Banded Seven, who at the moment were
+wandering disconsolately about the camp. The whole situation was so
+unutterably amazing, dumfounding. Texas had often talked in his wild
+Texas way about getting on a "rousing ole spree jest once," and of his
+intention to "hold up" the cadet battalion some fine day just for a
+joke; but nobody had ever taken him seriously. And now he had gone to
+work and done it, and killed two horses, and Heaven only knew how many
+people besides--for who could say what the crazy cowboy might not have
+done down at Highland Falls? Why, it made his friends shiver to think of
+the whole thing! But the situation only grew worse with the thinking;
+and the three in the tent stared at one another in undiminished
+consternation and despair.
+
+"Well," muttered Mark a second time. "We're busted!"
+
+And he had two to agree with him.
+
+They would probably have sat there all morning if it had not been for a
+small drum orderly outside--the drum orderly sounded the "call to
+quarters," and a few minutes later the plebes were lined up in the
+company street, muskets in hand, for drill. And it did not take a very
+sharp eye to notice that every man in the class was staring curiously at
+Mark Mallory, the plebe who but a few minutes before had been riding
+across the parade ground in an attempt to put a whole artillery squadron
+to flight, and that, too, under the superintendent's very nose.
+
+"I wonder if he's crazy?" muttered one.
+
+"Or drunk?" suggested another, laughing. "Oh, say, but I'd hate to be in
+his place!"
+
+Which last sentiment was held unanimously by the class, and by the rest
+of the corps, too, as they scattered to their tents. A storm was going
+to break over Mallory's head in a very, very short while, the cadets
+predicted.
+
+The prediction proved to be true. One of the cadet officers had barely
+managed to run over the list of names at roll call before an orderly
+raced into camp and handed him a message. He read it, and then he read
+it again, aloud:
+
+"Cadet Mallory will report to the superintendent at once."
+
+And a moment later, while a murmur of excitement ran down the line, Mark
+stepped out and hurried away down the street.
+
+"The storm breaks now in just about five minutes," thought the corps.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+THE CAUSE OF A FRIEND.
+
+
+Mark was doing a desperate lot of thinking during that brief walk down
+to the headquarters building. Every one he passed turned to stare at
+him, but he did not notice that. He knew that in a very short while now
+the critical moment was coming. Texas could not speak for himself; Mark
+must tell his story for him, and save him from disgrace and dismissal if
+the thing could possibly be done.
+
+The headquarters building lies behind the chapel, just beyond the scene
+of the runaway. There was still a crowd of people standing around, and
+Mark saw them nod to one another with an "I-told-you-so" look as he
+turned to enter the superintendent's office.
+
+"Oh, just won't he catch it!" thought they.
+
+Mark thought so, too, as he entered. A man met him at the door, and
+without an inquiry or a moment's delay led him to Colonel Harvey's door
+and knocked. He evidently knew just why Mark came.
+
+The door was opened as the man stepped to it. Mark entered and the door
+shut. He turned, and found himself confronted by the tall and stately
+officer. Mark gazed at him anxiously and found his worst fears
+confirmed. There was wrath and indignation upon the superintendents'
+face, a far different look from the one Mark had seen there the last
+time he stood in that office.
+
+Colonel Harvey started to speak the instant Mark entered the room.
+
+"Mr. Mallory," said he, "will you please have the goodness to explain to
+me your extraordinary conduct of this morning?"
+
+Mark looked him squarely in the eye as he answered, for he knew that he
+had nothing to be ashamed of.
+
+"I can explain my conduct better," he said, "by explaining that of Cadet
+Powers first."
+
+The colonel frowned impatiently.
+
+"I want to know about it; I do not care how. I want to know whatever
+induced a cadet of this academy to behave in the disgraceful way that
+you two did this morning."
+
+"I can explain it very easily, sir. It was simply that Cadet Powers was
+drunk."
+
+"Drunk!" echoed the superintendent.
+
+He started back and stared at Mark in amazement. Mark returned his look
+unflinchingly.
+
+"Yes, sir," he said. "Drunk. You will probably receive a report from the
+hospital to that effect this afternoon."
+
+"And now," thought Mark to himself, "the cat is out of the bag. I wonder
+what will happen."
+
+The superintendent still continued to gaze at him in consternation.
+
+"And pray," he inquired at last, "were you drunk, too?"
+
+It was a rather bold question, to say the least, and that flashed over
+the officer's mind a moment later, as he saw the handsome lad in front
+of him start a trifle and color visibly. He was sorry then that he had
+said it, and more so when he heard Mark's response.
+
+"I have never touched liquor in my life," said the latter, in a low,
+quiet tone that was a rebuke unspoken.
+
+Mark saw a vexed look sweep over the colonel's face, caused by that
+gentleman's recognition of his own rudeness; and Mark's heart bounded at
+that.
+
+"He'll be extra kind to me now," he thought, "to make up for it. Score
+one point for our side."
+
+"If you please," Mark continued, after a moment's pause, "I will tell
+you the story."
+
+"Do," said the colonel, briefly.
+
+"I was in my tent about ten minutes before the accident happened, and a
+cadet ran in and told me that Texas----"
+
+"Texas?"
+
+"Pardon me. Texas is our name for Cadet Powers. Told me that Powers was
+drunk. I set out to find him. The horse which I had I--er--ran away with
+from the stables. I met Powers down the road and I tried to keep him
+quiet. He broke away from me, and I followed him. You saw the rest."
+
+"I see," said Colonel Harvey, reflectively. "I see. I am very glad, Mr.
+Mallory, to find that you are not as much to blame as I thought. This is
+a bad business, sir, very bad. It was almost murder, and to all
+appearances you were as much to blame as the other. But I have no doubt
+that I shall find your story true."
+
+Mark bowed, and waited for the other to continue; the crisis was almost
+at hand now.
+
+"Mr. Powers," the colonel went on, "will of course be dismissed at once.
+And by the way, Mr. Mallory, you deserve to be congratulated upon your
+promptness and bravery."
+
+There was a silence after that, and Mark, drawing a long breath, was
+about to go. The superintendent had one thing more to add, however, and
+it was a singularly fortunate remark at the moment.
+
+"I wish," he said, "that I could reward you."
+
+"You can!"
+
+It burst from Mark almost involuntarily, and he sprang forward with
+eagerness that surprised the other.
+
+"If there is anything you wish," he said, quietly, "anything that I can
+do, I shall be most happy."
+
+"There is something!" Mark cried, speaking rapidly. "There is something.
+And if you do it I'll never forget it as long as I may live. If you do
+not--oh!"
+
+Mark stopped, unable to express the thought that was in his mind. The
+colonel saw his agitation.
+
+"What is your wish?" he inquired.
+
+"Powers!" cried Mark. "He must not be dismissed."
+
+The colonel started then and gazed at him in amazement.
+
+"Not be dismissed!" he echoed. "What on earth is Powers to you?"
+
+"To me? He is everything that one friend can be to another. I have known
+him but two months, sir, but in those two months I have come to care
+more for him than for any human being I have ever known--except my
+mother. He has stood by me in every danger; he has been as true as ever
+a friend on earth. He would die for me, sir--you saw what he did to-day.
+I have seen him do braver things than that, and I know that he has the
+heart of a lion. If he goes--I--I do not see how I can stay!"
+
+"But, my dear sir," cried the colonel, still surprised, "think of the
+discipline! You do not know what you ask. I cannot have my cadets carry
+on in that manner."
+
+"What I have told you no one knows but you and I, and two others I can
+trust. The surgeon knows it, and that is all. He can call it temporary
+insanity, sunstroke--a thousand things!"
+
+"That is not the point. It is the man himself, his contempt for
+authority, for law and order, his lacking the instincts of a gentleman,
+his----"
+
+"You are mistaken," interrupted Mark, forgetting entirely in his
+excitement that he was talking to the dreaded superintendent. "You were
+never more mistaken in your life! Texas has all the instincts of a
+gentleman; he has a true heart, sir. But think where he was brought up.
+He is a cowboy, and to get drunk is the only amusement he knows at home.
+He has no more idea right now that it is wrong to drink than to eat. His
+own father, he told me, got him drunk when he was ten years old."
+
+"But, my boy," expostulated the colonel, "I can't have such a man as
+that here. Think of an army officer with such a habit."
+
+"It is not a habit," cried Mark. "He did it for fun--he knows no better.
+And I will guarantee that he does not do it again. If I had only known
+beforehand he would not have done it this time."
+
+"Do you mean to say," demanded the other, "that you have sufficient
+influence over him to see that he behaves himself?"
+
+"I mean to say just that," responded Mark, eagerly, "just that! And I
+will risk my commission on it, too! I offer you my word of honor as a
+gentleman that Mr. Powers will give you his word never to touch another
+drop of liquor in his life. And there's no man on earth whose promise
+you could trust more."
+
+Mark halted, out of breath and eager. He had said all he could say; he
+had fired his last cartridge, and could only sit and wait for the
+result.
+
+"You said you would like to reward me!" he cried. "And oh, if you only
+knew what a favor you could do! If you will only give him one chance,
+one chance after he has realized his danger. It is in your power to do
+it--the secret is yours to keep."
+
+Colonel Harvey was pacing the room in his agitation; he continued
+striding up and down for several minutes in thought, while Mark gazed at
+him in suspense and dread.
+
+At last he halted suddenly in front of Mark.
+
+"You may go now, Mr. Mallory," said he. "I must have time to think this
+over."
+
+Mark arose and left the room in silence. He could not tell what might be
+Texas' fate, and yet as he went he could not help thinking that the
+colonel's hesitation meant nine points won of the ten--thinking that one
+more chance was to be granted.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+THE REFORMATION OF TEXAS.
+
+
+"Well?"
+
+There were five of them--Indian, the Parson, Dewey, Chauncey and Sleepy.
+They sat in a tent in Company A and at that moment were gazing anxiously
+at a figure who stood in the doorway.
+
+"Well?"
+
+"There is hope," said Mark. "Hope for poor Texas."
+
+And then he came in and sat down to tell the story of his interview with
+the colonel. The plebes listened anxiously; and when he finished they
+set to work to compose themselves as best they could to wait.
+
+"The answer will come to-night," Mark said, "when they read off the
+reports. And until then--nothing."
+
+Which just expressed the situation.
+
+The day passed somehow; between police duties and drills, the six were
+kept busy enough to relieve the suspense of waiting. And after supper
+the battalion lined up, the roll was called, and the orders of the
+following day were read, while Mark and his friends fretted and gasped
+with impatience. There were reports, and finally miscellaneous notices,
+among them the sick list!
+
+"Fourth class," read the officer, then halted a moment. "Powers"--every
+man in the line was straining eyes and ears, half dead with
+curiosity--then, "excused indefinitely--temporary mental aberration,
+caused by heat."
+
+Safe!
+
+And a moment later the line broke ranks, the cadets discussing with
+added interest the case of that extraordinary plebe. But the six had
+danced off in joy.
+
+"He's safe! He's safe!" they cried. "Hooray!"
+
+"And now," said Mark, "there's only one thing more. We've got to reform
+him, make sure he don't do it again!"
+
+"We will," said the others.
+
+It was two days after that, one evening after supper, that the door of
+the hospital building was opened and Texas came forth, spruce and
+handsome in a brand new uniform, looking none the worse for his
+"sunstroke" treatment--_i. e._, plenty of cold water, inside and out.
+Texas felt moderately contented, too. He had held up the corps as he had
+promised--not a man in the crowd had dared to fire a shot at him. He had
+a vague recollection of having done something heroic, besides. He saw
+that every one was staring at him in "admiration;" in short, our friend
+Powers was prepared for a rousing and hearty reception from the rest of
+the Seven.
+
+He strode up the company street, not failing to notice meanwhile that
+plebes, and old cadets, too, made way for him in awe and respect. He
+stopped at Mark's place, pushed the flap aside, and entered with a rush.
+
+"Oh!" he cried. "Whar be you? How's everybody?"
+
+The first person he saw was Master Dewey, and to him Texas rushed and
+held out his hand. To his indescribable amazement that young gentleman
+calmly stared at him, and put both his hands behind his back.
+
+"W--w--why!" gasped Texas.
+
+Whereupon Dewey turned upon his heel and walked out of the tent.
+
+Texas was dumfounded. He stared at the others; they were all there
+except Mark, and they gazed at the intruder in cold indifference. None
+of them apparently had ever seen him before.
+
+"Look a yere!" demanded Texas at last. "Ain't you fellows a-goin' to
+speak to me?"
+
+Evidently they were not, for they didn't even answer his question. Texas
+stood and stared at them for a few moments more, wondering whether he
+ought not to sail in and do up the crowd. Finally, as the silence grew
+even more embarrassing, he decided to go out and find Mark to learn what
+on earth was the matter. With this intention he turned and hurriedly
+left the tent, while the five inmates looked at one another and smiled.
+
+Mark was walking up the street; Texas espied him and made a dash for
+him.
+
+"Hi, Mark!" he roared. "What's the matter with them----"
+
+Texas stopped in alarm; a feather might have laid him flat. Mark, his
+chum, his tent mate, was staring at him without a sign of recognition!
+And a moment later Mark turned on his heel and strode away in silence,
+while Texas gasped, "Great Scott!"
+
+That evening, seated on one of the guns up by Trophy Point, was visible
+a solitary figure, looking about as lonely and wretched as a human being
+can. It was "the Texas madman." Everybody kept a safe distance away from
+him, and so no one had a chance to notice that the madman's eyes were
+filled with tears.
+
+"Poor Texas," Mark was thinking. "He'll come to terms pretty soon."
+
+He did, for a fact. That same evening, just before tattoo, Mark felt a
+grip upon his arm that made him wince. He turned and found it was his
+friend, a look of misery upon his face that went to the other's heart.
+
+"Look a-yere, old man," he pleaded. "Won't you--oh, for Heaven's sake,
+tell me what's the matter?"
+
+"I don't mind telling you," responded Mark, slowly. "You have behaved
+yourself as no gentleman should, and as no friend of mine shall!"
+
+"I!" cried Texas, in amazement. "I! What on earth have I done?"
+
+"Done!" echoed Mark. "Didn't you go off and get drunk? For shame,
+Texas!"
+
+Texas was too dumfounded to say a word. He could only stare and gasp.
+Here was a state of affairs indeed!
+
+"Yes!" chimed in Dewey, approaching at this moment. "And you nearly
+killed dozens of people, too. Mark was within an ace of being dismissed;
+and as for you! why, you'd have been fired long ago if Mark hadn't
+pleaded for hours with the superintendent!"
+
+Texas turned his wondering eyes upon Dewey then. He was fairly choking
+with amazement.
+
+"Do you mean to say," he gasped at last, "that you fellows are mad with
+me because I got drunk?"
+
+"Exactly," responded Mark.
+
+"And do you mean to tell me that you call that disgraceful conduct?"
+
+"I do. And I mean to tell you, moreover, that you can't be a friend of
+ours while you do it. I don't know how people feel about such things
+where you come from, Texas, but I do know that if people up here knew
+you had been in that condition not a soul would speak to you. There's
+very little room among decent people for the fellow who thinks it smart
+to make a fool of himself, and he usually finds it out, too, after it is
+too late. I never spent my time hanging around saloons, and I don't
+think much of fellows that do, either."
+
+Mark could scarcely repress a smile as he watched the effect this brief
+sermon produced on the astounded Texan.
+
+"I wonder what dad would say if he heard that!" was the thought in the
+latter's mind.
+
+Texas was brought back from this thought rather suddenly to his own
+situation. For Mark and Dewey both turned away to leave him again.
+
+"Look a-yere, Mark," he cried, seizing him by the arm again. "Look
+a-yere, ole man, won't you forgive me jest this once. Oh, please!"
+
+And there were tears in the Texan's big gray eyes as he said it.
+
+"But you'll do it again," Mark objected.
+
+"'Deed I won't, man! 'Deed I won't. I'll swear I'll never do it again
+s'long as I live."
+
+"But will you keep your promise?"
+
+"I never broke one yit as I know," responded Texas with an injured look.
+
+And Mark, rejoicing inwardly at his success, but outwardly very grave
+and solemn, said that he'd go in and ask the other six about it.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Texas sat with his feet against the tent pole and a pen in one hand. He
+held a letter to his father in the other; he was just through writing
+it, and he was going to read it for the edification of the Banded Seven.
+
+"'Dear Scrap,'" he began. "You see," added Texas, in an explanatory
+note, "I call him Scrap sometimes just to make him feel comfortable. All
+the boys call him that. 'Dear Scrap. This yere is the first letter I've
+written you since I hit this place. I ain't heard from you, so I don't
+know whether you got 'lected fo' Congress or not. I been havin' piles o'
+sport up yere. Took in three quarts 'tother day, an' I held up the hull
+corps on the strength of it. Busted two horses' legs, though, an' I
+reckon you'll have to send on the price. Don't think they'll mount to
+over a thousan' or two. I've still got my guns----'
+
+"Guns is spelt with one 'n,' ain't it?" Texas inquired, interrupting
+himself. "I put two--makes it seem bigger and more important, sorter.
+
+"'They're the queerest folks up this way! They gave me thunder fer
+gittin' drunk, said twarn't gentlemanly. Reckon after you licked a few
+they'd call you a gentleman all right 'nough! They made me swear off,
+else they wouldn't let me stay. What do you reckon the boys'll say to
+that? Had to do it, though--you needn't git mad over it--I'm havin' so
+much fun a-doin' of the yearlings that I wanted to stay. They kain't one
+of 'em lick me.'
+
+"I didn't mention you, Mark," Texas added, laughing. "Cause if I'd told
+dad that you did lick me, he'd probably want to come up an' try a whack
+himself, jes' to see ef you really could hit hard. Dad won't ever
+acknowledge that I kin do him, though I almost licked him twice, when he
+got riled. Reckon I'll end this yere letter now. I jest wanted to tell
+him to send 'long some money.
+
+"Now let's go out and hunt up some o' them old yearlin's."
+
+And that was the beginning of Texas' reformation.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+A PLOT OF THE YEARLINGS.
+
+
+"An invitation! Why, surely, man, you must be mistaken. They never
+invite plebes to the hops."
+
+The speaker was Mark. He was sitting with a book in his hand beneath the
+shade trees at one side of the summer encampment of the corps. At that
+moment he was looking up from the book at Chauncey, who had just
+approached him.
+
+"An invitation!" he repeated. "I can hardly believe it possible."
+
+"Perhaps if you see it you'll believe it more readily, ye know,"
+remarked the dudish cadet.
+
+"Seeing's believing, they say," laughed Mark, taking it and glancing at
+the address. "Mr. Chauncey Van Renssalaer Mount-Bonsall," he read. "Yes,
+I guess that's for you. I don't believe there are two persons on earth
+with that name, or with one so altogether aristocratic and impressive."
+
+Mark was glancing at the other out of the corner of his eye with a
+roguish look as he said that. He saw a rather pleased expression sweep
+over his face and knew that he had touched his friend Chauncey in his
+weak spot. Mark had been removing the contents of the envelope as he
+spoke. He found a square card, handsomely engraved; and he read it with
+a look of amazement upon his face--amazement which the other noticed
+with evident pleasure.
+
+The card had the words "Camp McPherson" over the top, and below in a
+monogram, "U. S. C. C."--United States Cadet Corps. At one side was a
+view of the camp, the Highlands of the Hudson in the distance. And in
+the center were the words that had caused all the surprise:
+
+      "The pleasure of your company is requested at the hops
+      to be given by the Corp of Cadets every Monday,
+      Wednesday and Friday evening during the encampment.
+
+      "West Point, N. Y.,
+
+      "July 6, 18--."
+
+That was all, except for the list of "hop managers" below. But such as
+it was, it was enough to cause Mark no end of perplexity.
+
+"A plebe invited to the hop," he muttered. "I can hardly believe it yet.
+There must be some mistake surely. Why, man, no plebe has ever danced at
+a hop in all West Point's history. They scarcely know there are such
+things. Just think of it once--we miserable beasts who hardly dare raise
+our heads, and who have to obey everyone on earth!"
+
+"We've raised our heads pretty well, bah Jove," drawled the other. "And
+we've shown ourselves a deuced bit livelier than the yearlings, don't ye
+know."
+
+"Yes, but we've only done that by force. We've licked them and outwitted
+them at every turn, something no plebes have ever dared to do before.
+But simply because we've made them recognize our rights that way is no
+reason why they should ask one of us to a hop."
+
+"No," responded Chauncey, "it isn't. But I know what is."
+
+"What?"
+
+"I've a cousin in New York by the name of Sturtevant--deuced
+aristocratic folks are the Sturtevants! Ever hear of the Sturtevants of
+New York?"
+
+"Er--yes," responded Mark, that same sly look in his eyes again. "I've
+heard of them very often. They are related to the Smiths, aren't they?"
+
+"Well, not that I know of, bah Jove--but come to think of it, my second
+cousin was a Sturtevant and she married one of the De Smythes, if that's
+who you're thinking of."
+
+"I guess that's it," said Mark, solemnly. "Let it go at that, anyway.
+But what have the Sturtevants, the Sturtevants of New York, got to do
+with a West Point hop?"
+
+"It's simply that this cousin of mine, ye know, has a friend up here, a
+first class man, an adjutant or sergeant quartermaster, or some such
+deuced animal, I forget just what, bah Jove! Anyway, I've an idea he got
+me the invitation."
+
+Mark let himself down to the ground on his back and lay there for a few
+moments after his friend's "explanation," while he thought over it and
+incidentally kicked a tree trunk for exercise. Chauncey waited
+anxiously, wondering what sort of an effect his announcement of his
+influential friends would have upon Mark.
+
+"Those yearlings," began the latter at last, in a meditative, half
+soliloquizing tone, "have never yet lost an opportunity to annoy us."
+
+"What's this got to do with the hop, bah Jove?" interrupted Chauncey.
+
+"Lots. It's simply this. You have been just as fresh as any of us,
+Chauncey. With all your aristocratic blood, ye know. I saw you nearly
+whip half a dozen of them one day when they wouldn't stop hazing
+Indian."
+
+"I didn't whip them, bah Jove," began Chauncey, modestly.
+
+"Well, anyhow, they couldn't whip you, and so it was all the same. The
+point is that they have never done anything to be revenged for the
+insult. I have an idea that this may be an attempt."
+
+"This!" echoed the other in surprise. "Pray how?"
+
+"Simply that they'd like to see you come to the hop and have nobody to
+dance with--for no girl will dance with a plebe, you know, I don't care
+who he is--and so have to go home feeling pretty cheap. Then you'd be
+the laughingstock of the corps, as the plebe who wanted to dance at the
+hop."
+
+It was Chauncey's turn to be thoughtful then. And to his credit be it
+said that he recognized the truth there was in Mark's explanation of
+that surprising card. For Chauncey was no fool, even if he was dudish
+and aristocratic.
+
+"I'm afraid that's it," said he. "I'm deuced glad I thought of asking
+you, Mark, ye know. I'll not go to-night. And we'll let the matter drop,
+bah Jove."
+
+"Let it drop!" echoed Mark; and then he added, with emphasis, "Not
+much!"
+
+"What'll ye do?"
+
+"Do? What's the use of having a secret society for the purpose of
+avenging insults, if you don't avenge 'em? And don't you call it an
+insult that the yearlings should suppose us big enough fools to take
+that bait and go to their old hop?"
+
+"It was rather insulting," admitted Chauncey.
+
+"It was," said Mark. "And what's more, I move that we retaliate this
+very day. Let's go up and find the rest of the Seven, and by Jingo,
+perhaps we'll bust up their plaguey old hop!"
+
+With which words Mark slammed his book to and arose to his feet and set
+out in a hurry for camp.
+
+They entered Camp McPherson and hurried up the A Company "street" to
+their own tent. They entered without ceremony, and Mark scarcely waited
+to greet the rest before he plunged right into the subject in hand.
+
+"Fellows," he said, "the yearlings have tried a new trick on us; and
+Chauncey and I have vowed to get square, right off."
+
+Texas sprang up with a whoop that scared the sentry on the path nearby,
+and a "Wow!" scarcely less voluble. He demanded to know instanter what
+was up, and danced about anxiously until he managed to learn; when he
+did learn he was more excited still.
+
+The Parson forgot his fossils, and even his "Dana" when he heard Mark's
+news, and he rose up and stretched his long, bony arms, inquiring with
+almost as much anxiety as Texas. In fact, the only one of the three who
+was not excited was "Sleepy." His state was that of the tramp, who
+answered: "Why did you come here?" "To rest." "What made you tired?"
+"Gittin' here."
+
+The two other members of the Banded Seven popped into the tent just then
+and Mark sat down and told them all of the yearlings' plan, as soon as
+he could manage to get the excitable Texas quiet enough. He passed
+around the invitation which the rest stared at as incredulously as Mark
+had; and then he offered his explanation, and finding that they all
+seemed to agree with him, stated his purpose to retaliate, with which
+they agreed still more.
+
+"Yes!" cried Texas. "Come on, let's do it. Let's bust up their ole hop!
+Let's raise a rumpus an' scare 'em to death! What d'ye say?"
+
+"I don't think we had better do that," responded Mark, laughing.
+"Whatever trick we play has got to have something to do with hop, so as
+to let them know why we did it. But we broke up one entertainment not a
+week ago. I think it had better be a quiet trick on some of them, for
+you know they say that a man may play the same trick once too often."
+
+"Let's hold up their ole band," suggested Texas, "an' run 'em into the
+woods an' hide 'em."
+
+"Or else," laughed Mark, "we might dress up in the band players'
+uniforms and go in and play hymns for 'em. But I think somebody ought to
+suggest something that's possible."
+
+"Let's put glue on the floor," hinted Indian.
+
+"Let's dress up as girls and go," laughed Dewey.
+
+"Or make the Parson put in some of his chemicals, ye know, an' smoke 'em
+all out, bah Jove," put in Chauncey.
+
+"B'gee!" cried Dewey. "That reminds me of another story. You fellows
+needn't groan," he added, "because this is a good one. And I'm going to
+tell it whether you like it or not. It's true, too. There was an old
+professor of chemistry gave a lecture, and there were whole lots of
+ladies present. We might work this trick some time. A good many of the
+complexions of those ladies weren't very genuine, b'gee, and not
+warranted to wear. And some of the chemicals the professor mixed made a
+gas that turned 'em all blue!"
+
+Dewey breathed a sigh of relief at having been allowed to deliver
+himself of a whole story without interruption; and the Parson cleared
+his throat with a solemn "ahem!"
+
+"The chemicals to which you refer," he began, "were probably a mixture
+of hydrofluosilicic acid with bitartrate of potassium and
+deflagisticated oxygen, which produces by precipitation and reduction a
+vaporous oxide of silicate of potassium and combines----"
+
+"We've only half an hour left before drill," interrupted Mark solemnly.
+"I move that the Parson discontinue his lecture until he'll have time to
+finish it."
+
+The Parson halted with an aggrieved look upon his face; and after
+remarking the surprising lack of interest in so fascinating a subject as
+chemistry, buried himself in silence and "Dana's Geology."
+
+"It seems to me," continued Mark, after a few minutes' pause, "that we
+haven't gotten very far in our planning. Now I have an idea."
+
+The effect was that of a rainbow bursting through a stormcloud. The
+Seven were all smiles in an instant, and the Parson came out of his
+shell once more and leaned forward with interest.
+
+"What is it?" he cried.
+
+"It won't take long," said Mark, "to tell it. You may not like it. It'll
+take lots of planning beforehand if we do try it. It seems to me that
+the yearlings have set a trap for us, and want us to walk into it. Now,
+I think we might bid them defiance, and show how little we care for
+them, by going in right boldly and outwitting them in their own country,
+that's the plan."
+
+The six stared at him in amazement.
+
+"You don't mean," cried Dewey, "that Chauncey ought to go to the hop?"
+
+"That's just exactly what I mean," was the answer. "And I mean,
+moreover, that we ought every one of us to go with him."
+
+"But nobody'll dance with us, man!"
+
+"They won't? That's just exactly the part we ought to fix. Grace Fuller
+will, for one, I'm sure. And I'm also sure she can find other girls who
+will. What do you say?"
+
+They scarcely knew what to say. The proposition was so bizarre, so
+altogether startling. Plebes go to the hop! Why, the thought was enough
+to take a man's breath away. No plebe had ever dared to do such a thing
+in West Point's history. One might almost as well think of a plebe's
+becoming a captain! And here was Mark seriously proposing it!
+
+They had a perfect right to go. They had an invitation, and no one could
+ask for more. But the freezing glances they would get from every one!
+The stares, and perhaps insults from the cadets! Still, as Mark said,
+suppose Grace Fuller, the belle of West Point, danced with them? Suppose
+all the girls did? Suppose, swept away by the fun of "jollying" the
+yearlings, the girls should even prefer plebes! The more you thought
+over that scheme the better you liked it. Its possibilities were so
+boundless, so awe-inspiring! And suddenly Master Dewey leaped up with an
+excited "b'gee!"
+
+"I'm one!" he cried. "I'll go you!"
+
+"Wow!" roared Texas. "Me too!"
+
+And in a few moments more those seven B. J. plebes had vowed to dance at
+the hop that night if it was the last thing they ever did on this earth.
+
+"By George!" cried Mark, as they finished, leaping up and seizing his
+hat, "I'm going over to see Grace Fuller about it now! Just you wait!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+THE PLEBES PLOT, TOO.
+
+
+Mark found the object of his search on the hotel piazza, looking as
+beautiful and attractive as his mind could imagine. As it proved, she
+was fully as anxious to see him as he was to see her; she was curious to
+hear about "Texas."
+
+"So he has promised never to do it again!" she said, when Mark had told
+her of Powers' "reformation." "I thought he would do anything for you.
+Poor Texas fairly worships the ground you walk on."
+
+"He has promised never to drink, anyhow," responded Mark. "It was very
+funny to see how long it took him to get the idea into his head that it
+was wrong. It's just as I told you, and as I told the superintendent,
+too; down where he comes from it's the custom when a man wants to have
+fun he drinks all the whiskey he can to start him. And Texas thought
+he'd try it up here."
+
+"He certainly did have fun," exclaimed the girl, breaking into one of
+her merry laughs at the recollection of the scene.
+
+"I had been having a pretty exciting time myself," he said, "trying to
+keep Texas quiet. And when those huge horses took fright and started to
+dash into the crowd, I had still more of it."
+
+"I think you were perfectly splendid!" cried the girl, clasping her
+hands in alarm even as she thought of the occurrence. "When you came
+dashing down on your horse and sprang in to head them off, my heart
+fairly stopped beating. But I knew you would do it; I have always said
+you would never stop at any danger, and father agrees with me, too."
+
+There was a moment's silence after that; and then Mark, who was anxious
+to get at the important business of the morning, thought it a good time
+to begin.
+
+"I've something more interesting to discuss, anyway," he added. "And
+I've only a very few minutes before drill in which to talk it over with
+you. I've taken the trouble to get a permit from headquarters and all to
+run over and ask you, so you mustn't delay me by compliments. That's my
+province, anyway--and duty."
+
+"That was a very neat one," laughed Grace Fuller. "I declare, you are
+quite a cavalier. But excuse me for wasting the valuable time of the
+house. What is the matter?"
+
+"I've a scheme," responded Mark.
+
+The girl lost all her bantering manner in a moment; she saw the twinkle
+in Mark's eyes, and knew that some fun was coming.
+
+"Is this another plan for worrying the unfortunate yearlings?" she
+inquired.
+
+"It is," said he. "I've no time to think up any other kind of plans just
+at present. You see they get up so many against me that I am busy all
+the time holding up my end. If it were not for your aid I am afraid I
+should have failed before this."
+
+"Have they prepared a new one already?"
+
+By way of answer Mark took out the "invitation."
+
+"Read that," he said, "and see."
+
+Grace took it and glanced at it, a look of surprise spreading over her
+face.
+
+"Why, I have one just like it!" she cried. "But where on earth did you
+get this?"
+
+"It was sent to our friend Chauncey," answered the plebe. "You see the
+yearlings thought he would take the bait and come; being rather weak on
+the point of his aristocracy, he was supposed to fall right into the
+trap and consider it a recognition of his social rank. Then when he came
+he'd have no one to dance with, and would be a laughingstock generally."
+
+"I see," said the girl. "It was a nice tribute to our common sense."
+
+"Ours!" laughed Mark. "The yearlings have small idea that you are
+sympathizing with the plebes."
+
+"Well, I am," vowed the other. "With you, anyway, and I do not care in
+the least how soon they know it. I told father, and he said I was quite
+right. I don't like hazing."
+
+"You may have a chance to let them know it publicly very soon,"
+responded Mark, gazing at her sweet face gratefully. "That's what I came
+over to see you about. You see we want to accept the invitation."
+
+"Accept it! Why, that would be walking right into the trap!"
+
+"That's just exactly what I mean to do. Only I mean to put a hole in the
+other side first, so that I can walk out again and run off with traps
+and trappers and trappings and all."
+
+"How do you mean?"
+
+"You are not as acute as usual," laughed Mark. "I had expected that by
+this time you would have guessed the secret."
+
+"You don't mean to go and dance?"
+
+"Exactly," said Mark.
+
+Grace Fuller glanced at him in horror for a moment, and then as she saw
+his merry eyes twinkle a vague idea of what he meant began to occur to
+her. She began to see the possibilities of the affair, just as Mark had
+seen them. He might get all the girls to dance with him; he might have
+the yearlings perfectly furious, raving; he might dump West Point
+traditions all at once, all in a heap, and with a dull, sickening thud
+at that.
+
+As she began to realize all this, Mark was gazing into her eyes; he saw
+them begin to dance and twinkle just as his had. And he laughed softly
+to himself.
+
+"Our angel has not failed us," he whispered. "I knew she would not. Will
+you help us?"
+
+And Grace answered simply that she would. But she set her teeth together
+with a snap that meant much.
+
+It meant that Mark Mallory was to be the first plebe ever to dance at a
+West Point hop.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+SETTING THE TRAP.
+
+
+The dinner hour had passed, likewise the second policing of the day had
+been attended to by the humble plebes. The afternoon's drill was over;
+it was time for full dress parade.
+
+Company streets were alive with bustling cadets. Officers were winding
+themselves into their red sashes, privates were giving the last
+polishing touches to spotlessly shining guns. And the plebes, lonely and
+disconsolate, were watching the preparations for the ceremony and
+wondering if the time really would ever come when they too might be
+esteemed handsome enough to be put on parade.
+
+There was one plebe, however, to whom no such foolish idea occurred. For
+indeed, he was quite convinced that he was better looking in his new
+uniform than most of them, and a great deal more aristocratic than all.
+He was, at the moment we stole in upon his thoughts, marching with much
+dignity down the street of Company B.
+
+He carried his hands at his sides, "palms to the front, little fingers
+on the seams of the trousers," as plebes used to be obliged to do
+whenever they walked about in public. But even with all that stiff and
+awkward pose he could not lose the characteristic dudish "Fifth Avenue"
+gait without which our friend Chauncey would not have been himself.
+
+For it was Chauncey, and he was bound upon an all important duty.
+
+He stopped at one of the tents; there was only one occupant in it, a
+yearling, red-headed, hot-tempered looking chap, with a turned-up nose
+and a wealth of freckles, Corporal Spencer, known to his classmates as
+"Chick."
+
+Master Chauncey Van Rensselaer Mount-Bonsall stood in the doorway and
+bowed with his most genteel, perfect and inimitable bow. He would have
+knocked had he seen anything but canvas to knock on.
+
+"Mr. Spencer?" he inquired.
+
+The yearling stared at the plebe in amazement; but Chauncey's politeness
+and urbanity were contagious, and Corporal Spencer could not help
+bowing, too.
+
+"May I have the privilege of a few moments' conversation with you?" the
+plebe next inquired.
+
+"Ahem!" said Mr. Spencer. "Why--er--I suppose so."
+
+"Corporal Spencer, I have a favor to ask of you, don't cher know, bah
+Jove!"
+
+Corporal Spencer was silent.
+
+"I do not know why I should look to you for it, except--aw--ye know,
+you were my drill master, and so I look to you as my superior, my
+guardian, so to speak."
+
+"That's a little taffy for him," Chauncey added--to himself. "Bah Jove,
+I think the deuced idiot has taken the bait."
+
+The plebe lost no time in taking advantage of his opportunity; he opened
+an envelope he held in his hand.
+
+"I received to-day," he began, "a card, ye know, an invitation to the
+hop. I do not know who sent it, bah Jove, but I'm deuced grateful, for
+I'm awfully fond of dawncing. I need scarcely tell you that I shall
+hasten to accept it, don't cher know."
+
+The look of delight which spread over the yearling's face was not lost
+upon the plebe.
+
+"So the idiot is going to fall into the trap," thought the former.
+
+"So the idiot thinks I'm idiot enough to be fooled," thought Chauncey.
+
+Chauncey continued, delighted with his success, no less than the
+corporal was with his supposed one.
+
+"Now, I have two friends," he said, "plebes, don't cher know, who are
+deuced anxious to come with me. And I wanted to awsk you, bah Jove, if
+you could get me two invitations. I know it is a great deal for one to
+do for a plebe, but----"
+
+Corporal Spencer was in such a hurry to assent that he could not wait
+for the plebe to finish.
+
+"Not at all!" he cried. "Not at all. Why, I shall be most happy to do it
+for you, Mr. Mount-Bonsall. Really, it is a very small favor, for I have
+plenty of invitations at my disposal. Wait just one moment, and you
+shall have them. The yearling class will be delighted to--ahem--welcome
+your two friends."
+
+A minute or two later Master Chauncey's Fifth Avenue gait was carrying
+him swiftly up the street again, with two more of the much coveted
+invitations in his hand. And Chick Spencer was rushing into another tent
+to seize his friend Corporal Jasper wildly by the arm.
+
+"What do you think? What do you think?" he cried. "The plebes are coming
+to the hop!"
+
+"What! Why!"
+
+"That fool dude has fallen into the trap. He's coming to dance, and
+bring two more plebes with him. Oh, say, oh say!"
+
+The whole yearling class knew of it a few moments later when the
+companies fell in for parade. And the wildest hilarity resulted.
+
+"A plebe at the hop! A plebe at the hop!" was the cry. "A plebe without
+a soul to dance with him. Oh! but won't there be fun."
+
+There was indeed to be fun; the yearlings would have thought so if they
+could have seen Chauncey and read his thoughts. Oh, yes, there was fun.
+
+But the question was, who was to enjoy it?
+
+Chauncey, when he reached his own tent, found Mark standing in front of
+it; and Mark was dancing about with excitement, too.
+
+"Did you get them?" he cried.
+
+"Yes, I did, ye know, and--where are you going?"
+
+Mark had started hastily down the street. He stopped long enough to
+shove a note into his friend's hand and give a warning word as to
+secrecy; then he turned and was gone.
+
+"Read it! Read it!" was echoing in Chauncey's ears.
+
+He did; and this was what he read:
+
+      "DEAR MR. MALLORY: I am writing this in great haste.
+      Come over to see me at once; things are coming out
+      beautifully. Did you get the extra invitations?
+
+      "Your friend,
+
+      "GRACE FULLER."
+
+And Chauncey nodded his head in delight, gave vent to an extra "bah
+Jove," and then dived into his tent to talk it over with the others.
+
+What the others had to say is of little moment; the all important person
+was Mark, and Mark was hurrying over to the hotel, keeping step to the
+tune of the band that was just then marching across the parade ground
+at the head of the battalion.
+
+He found Grace waiting for him.
+
+"You got the invitations?" she inquired.
+
+"Yes, Chauncey did," responded the other, laughing.
+
+"I told you," said the girl, "that Corporal Spencer would do it. I knew
+his handwriting on the envelope at once, and I was sure that he was in
+the plot to fool Mr. Chauncey. And I'd just love to outwit him, too."
+
+"You say you were successful?" inquired Mark.
+
+For answer Grace Fuller presented three dance cards, at which Mark
+glanced with amazement and delight indescribable.
+
+"Why, they're full!" he cried. "You've gotten some one for every dance!"
+
+"Yes," she said, laughing gleefully as she went over the names with him.
+"I put your names over the top, you and Mr. Dewey and Mr. Chauncey--that
+last name of his is too long to say. And I could have filled a dozen
+just as well, only you said that you three were the only ones who cared
+for dancing. I hope you all dance well. Mr. Dewey looks as if he might;
+and our Fifth Avenue friend I'm sure is a perfect sylph. I think you do
+everything gracefully."
+
+"I hope you have a chance to find out," laughed Mark. "I hope you have
+put yourself down on my card."
+
+"I have put you down for the very first dance," said she, simply. "You
+told me to fix it all the way I liked."
+
+"But who are the other girls?" inquired Mark. "I haven't met any of
+them."
+
+"You will in plenty of time. I'll introduce you to them. They're all
+friends of mine; you see, I know nearly every one about the post. And
+I've picked all the very prettiest and nicest girls of them all, too."
+
+"And arranged them in order of merit," added Mark, slyly glancing at his
+own card, whereat the girl shook her fan at him.
+
+"But tell me," he continued, in perplexity, after a few moments' pause,
+"how did you ever manage to get so many girls into the conspiracy? Why,
+I had no idea that one-tenth as many cared anything about plebes."
+
+"I used a little diplomacy," laughed Grace. "I made myself as charming
+as I could. I found two, three in fact, whose brothers are plebes, and
+one whose brother will be next year. I think most of the girls really
+sympathize with the plebes, and then, too, I'm sure all of them like to
+tease. Did you ever know one who did not? And this will make the
+yearlings fairly wild. But the chief reason I urged I can't tell to you;
+you wouldn't like it."
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"It would make you conceited, as you say. You must know--you ought to
+if you don't--that you're a regular hero among West Point girls. In the
+first place, every one knows how you saved me; and then all of them saw
+you the other day stop that runaway. You're famous, besides, as the
+boldest plebe that ever came here; the yearlings are the laughingstock
+of the place because of you. And that makes you a sort of romantic
+creature, a Sir Galahad in disguise. To dance with you is a whole fairy
+tale."
+
+Mark laughed heartily over this description, which he chose to consider
+exaggerated. But whatever might be the cause of Grace Fuller's success,
+he was heartily and undisguisedly delighted at the success itself. Here
+were three dance cards, one for each of the conspirators; and all of
+them were full, which meant that there were a score or more of girls who
+had pledged themselves to join in that plot.
+
+It was a triumph indeed, and Mark thanked Grace for it most heartily.
+And when he left the hotel and hurried over to camp again, his chuckles
+of delight were audible and numerous.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+THE RESULT AT THE HOP.
+
+
+Every one goes to hops promptly on time at West Point. In select society
+it is the thing nowadays to go late everywhere, so Chauncey assured his
+friends. But at the academy relentless tattoo sounds on hop-nights at
+half-past nine as usual. The cadets have to be in line at camp five
+minutes later. And so, anxious to dance all they can, everybody who
+intends to dance is on hand by the hour of eight.
+
+The dances were held, in Mark's day, in the academy building, in two big
+rooms on the second floor. Those rooms are used as examination rooms;
+luckless and frightened candidates were sent there to show what they do
+not know. This evening, however, it was gay and festive.
+
+The West Point Military Band, in full plumage, occupied a small platform
+and dispensed an overture previous to the first waltz. The walls were
+gay with flags and an abundance of decorations in general. And the floor
+and seats about the room were still more beautifully adorned.
+
+A person who "knew the ropes," who was familiar with hops and hop ways,
+would not have failed to notice that there was something unusual going
+on that night, that everybody seemed to be waiting for something. Cadets
+talking to damsels could not keep their eyes from straying to the
+doorway, while at the doorway sauntered about, waiting, a considerable
+group of anxious cadets. There was one thought in the minds of all of
+them.
+
+"Will they come? Oh, say, will they come?"
+
+And then, suddenly, a ripple of excitement ran around the room; cadets
+crowded to the doorway, girls strained their necks to get a view, the
+leader of the band in all his finery nearly let his orchestra run wild
+in his interest. And across the floor rushed Corporal Spencer, hop
+manager, and grasped his friend Jasper by the arm.
+
+"They're here! They're here, man!" he gasped. "Oh, say!"
+
+And the next instant the bandmaster waved his baton, the music crashed
+all at once, and the first dance was begun.
+
+A dance with plebes present!
+
+To say that the three, Mark, Chauncey and "B'gee," were the cynosure of
+all eyes would not begin to express the situation. Every one's glance
+was fairly glued upon them. Girls forgot their dance partners, cadets
+stopped still in their tracks. Not a soul offered to dance. Not a soul
+did anything but stare at those three idiots.
+
+They did not seem the least bit ill at ease. All of them seemed quite
+in their element. Their attire was surely immaculate; Chauncey was
+fairly radiant in an elegantly handled monocle. And they did not seem to
+notice the stares, intentionally rude, that came from the cadets. They
+knew just what to do, and they did it, while the whole room watched and
+gasped.
+
+Grace Fuller, belle of West Point, sat in one corner of the room, a
+perfect vision of loveliness indescribable. About her were half a dozen
+cadets. Her stern old father sat nearby, with Mrs. Fuller beside him.
+And toward that group those idiotic plebes were going!
+
+The yearlings gasped in horror, bit their lips in vexation. For Judge
+Fuller arose from his seat and welcomed Mark Mallory heartily; his wife
+did likewise. The three sat down and began to talk to them and to Grace,
+at which the cadets with that party went off in horror and amazement.
+
+Well, there was no use staring any more, for the three plebes were safe
+behind that bulwark; and vexed and aggravated, the cadets went their
+ways and began to dance. They kept their eyes on the three, however.
+They saw Mrs. Fuller rise suddenly and cross the room, with Chauncey and
+Dewey at her side. And then what must she do but introduce them to two
+girls? Oh!
+
+This was terrible! Bull Harris, Mark's old enemy, was in the very act of
+asking one of the girls, a tall, stately creature clad in pink, if he
+might have the pleasure, etc.
+
+"I'm sorry, Mr. Harris," said she. "But I'm already engaged for this
+dance."
+
+And then up stepped Mrs. Fuller.
+
+"Miss Evens," she said, "allow me to present Mr. Dewey, with whom I
+believe you have promised to dance."
+
+A moment later, to the indescribable horror of the cadets in the place,
+three plebes set out upon that floor to dance, each of them leading
+girls with whom to dance was a privilege that came only to the best. And
+how those plebes did dance! The yearlings had never seen better; they
+could not but acknowledge that. For the plebes were on their mettle
+then, and if ever they danced in their lives, they did then, radiant
+with triumph, swept away by the excitement distributing benignant smiles
+upon every one.
+
+There is only one heaven that lasts an eternity. All others, that dance
+included, have their finish. The three plebes returned the delighted
+girls to their seats, and the cadets, excusing themselves from every
+one, rushed out into the hall, there to hold an angry and excited
+consultation. For this was indeed a desperate, a terrible thing!
+Evidently three girls, relying upon their charms, were going to insult
+the corps wantonly, dance with some beastly plebes.
+
+"They shall pay for it!" was the cry. "Not a man shall dance with them.
+Cut them dead!"
+
+But if the yearlings supposed that Mark and his friends proposed to
+dance with just three girls all that night, they were woefully and badly
+mistaken. The fever had spread in the interim; introductions had been
+going on. When the yearlings returned, behold, Mark was making himself
+charming to another girl, and Chauncey, perfectly in his element at
+last, was busily engaged in describing the streets of Paris to a group
+of half a dozen!
+
+"Cut them all!" whispered the yearlings.
+
+Well, they tried it. To be brief, Grace and the other two danced with no
+one that next dance. But three more girls went down on the blacklist,
+and the plebes' triumph was yet greater.
+
+"We'll leave 'em no one to dance with," chuckled Mark. "We'll send them
+all home!"
+
+The next dance was a lanciers. Three couples joined the groups upon the
+floor and lo and behold, from the spot where the plebes stood every
+cadet fell away with obvious meaning. The rudeness was seen by every one
+in the room; it was the worst insult of all. The three couples stood
+lost for a moment; and then, suddenly, red with indignation, the
+dignified judge sprang to his feet.
+
+He and his daughter made up that set. And once more the yearlings fairly
+ground their teeth with rage.
+
+They did not know what to do then. They were fairly baffled. The plebes
+had entered the trap--and here was the result!
+
+"Oh, if we only hadn't been fools enough to send those invitations!" was
+their thought.
+
+Meanwhile dance after dance passed, girl after girl was "out of it."
+There is always a scarcity of girls at a place like West Point. There
+are always sure to be more cadets at every hop than there are partners,
+and with those three vile plebes sending three to the wall every
+dance--and the prettiest and most liked ones, too--things soon began to
+arrive at a crisis. It looks funny to see the pretty girls sitting and
+the ugly ones dancing; and every one began to see that the plebes were
+having decidedly the best of the bargain. They were dancing with whom
+they pleased; most of the cadets were soon unable to dance at all,
+finding it necessary to hang about the doorway and discuss the
+situation.
+
+It was a distinct triumph for the plebes; even the yearlings could not
+deny that, and that made them all the angrier.
+
+Ten dances had passed; by actual count there were thirty girls "out of
+it," and something less than twenty still left to the cadets. And then
+the matter came to a head.
+
+Cadet Lieutenant Wright, a first class man, captain of the football
+team, and a hop manager for his class, caused the trouble. Urged by all
+his desperate classmates and urged still more by the spectacle of Mark's
+dancing with a certain sweet creature who had hitherto devoted all her
+energies to making herself charming to him, he stepped forward in the
+middle of the dance and with his badge of manager upon his coat, touched
+Mark upon the arm.
+
+Mark halted abruptly. The whole room stared.
+
+"Mr. Mallory," said the lieutenant, "the cadets who are giving this hop
+request you to leave the floor."
+
+Mark's face turned white; he bit his lip savagely to choke down his
+anger, and when he spoke at last his voice was hard and calm.
+
+"The cadets who are giving this hop," he said, drawing the invitation
+from under his coat, "invited me by this to come. I shall consider your
+remark, sir, as a personal insult, for which you will be called upon to
+answer at Fort Clinton."
+
+"And do you refuse to leave?"
+
+"As an invited guest and a cadet of this academy I most decidedly do."
+
+And the whole room heard him, too.
+
+Wright returned to his classmates; a brief consultation was held, ending
+in his stepping across the room and speaking to the leader of the band.
+The music stopped abruptly.
+
+The hop was over for the night.
+
+Three heartily delighted plebes escorted three heartily delighted
+damsels home that night. And wild indeed was the hilarity of them and of
+the Banded Seven.
+
+"Victory! Victory!" was the cry. "We danced and we have conquered!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+A STRANGE ANNOUNCEMENT.
+
+
+"Hey, fellows! What do you think? Mark Mallory's in disgrace."
+
+"In disgrace!"
+
+"Yes, and he's going to be fired. Whoop!"
+
+The first speaker was Bull Harris. At the moment he was red in the face
+and breathless as the result of a long run across the parade ground. At
+the end of it he had burst suddenly into the midst of a crowd of his
+classmates with the excited exclamation above.
+
+The effect upon them of the startling announcement was electrical. To a
+man they had leaped to their feet, with expressions of delight they made
+no effort to conceal.
+
+"How do you know it, Bull?" demanded one of the crowd.
+
+"The superintendent has sent for him right in the middle of drill,"
+cried Bull.
+
+"What for?"
+
+"I don't know. It's something he's been doing. One of the orderlies told
+me he heard the old man say he'd fire him. And that's all I know."
+
+The babel of confusion and excited voices that resulted from this bit of
+news lasted without interruption for several minutes.
+
+"It's too good to be true," they vowed. "By George, just as we were
+talking about him, wondering how we could get square with the confounded
+plebe, for his tricks! And now he's going to be fired."
+
+And then suddenly Bull's voice rose above the excitement again.
+
+"Look! Look!" he cried. "If you don't believe me look and see for
+yourselves. There he goes now!"
+
+The cadets stared across the parade ground and then shouted aloud for
+joy.
+
+Down on the road by the cavalry plain a single lone figure was walking,
+a figure clad in the "plebe" uniform. And the figure was that of
+Mallory!
+
+Mark as he walked did not observe the group of cadets who were glaring
+at him so angrily. It would not have worried him if he had, for he had
+something a good deal more important to occupy his mind just then. He
+was racking his brains to think of some plausible reason to account for
+his errand at the moment.
+
+He had been, along with the rest of the plebe company, lined up on one
+side of the camp for drill. A tactical officer had been rigidly putting
+them through the manual of arms, with half a dozen yearling corporals
+and file closers aiding him. And then, breathless with running, an
+orderly had burst upon the scene.
+
+He had a note in his hand, and he handed it to the "tac." The latter
+read it, then read it aloud--again.
+
+"Cadet Mallory will report to the superintendent at once."
+
+That was all; the rest of the class stared and wondered, and Mark
+stepped out of the line, handed his gun to the orderly, and strode away
+from the scene.
+
+The yearlings, as we have seen, had a good deal clearer notion of why
+Mark was wanted than he had himself. To Mark it was an absolute mystery.
+He knew no reason on earth why the superintendent should want him, and
+he quickened his pace so as to get there and find out the sooner.
+
+Erect and firmly stepping as was the plebe's habit by this time, he
+marched down the road toward the academy building, between the parade
+ground and the Cavalry Plain. He passed the chapel, and then the
+headquarters building, his destination, lay before him. Mark had entered
+that building just three times before this. He could not help thinking
+of them then.
+
+The first time, he had felt, was the most momentous moment of all his
+life. Months of struggling were there crowned with a triumph that had
+seemed to leave no more worlds to conquer. For he had entered that
+building then to take the oath of allegiance as a duly certified and
+admitted "conditional" cadet.
+
+What that had meant to Mark only those who have followed his history can
+appreciate. Poor and friendless, he had seen West Point as a heaven, the
+object of all his future hopes, an object far away from his home in
+Colorado, but one to be struggled for and hoped for none the less. He
+had earned the money to come by a sudden stroke of cleverness--one step.
+After that he had striven for the appointment, a step far longer and
+harder, yet one that must be taken.
+
+The congressman of that Colorado district had held a competitive
+examination. Mark had tried, and also his deadly enemy, one Benny
+Bartlett, a rather weak, malicious youth, spoiled by the old squire, his
+father. Benny had sworn to win, and was desperate when he realized he
+couldn't; he had bribed a printer's devil, gotten the examination
+papers, and so passed ahead of Mark, who was made alternate. But Mark
+had afterward beaten Benny at the West Point examination, where cheating
+was impossible, and had thus secured the long coveted cadetship.
+
+While we are talking about him he has gone inside. It would be well to
+stop and follow him, for momentous things were destined to result from
+that visit, too. It was indeed true, as the yearlings so joyfully
+learned, Mark Mallory was in deep and serious danger.
+
+An orderly showed him promptly to the office of Colonel Harvey. Mark
+found that gentleman alone in the room, the same room where he had been
+received so kindly before. But this time the stern old officer seemed
+less cordial. There was a chilly air about it all that made the plebe
+feel rather uncomfortable. Colonel Harvey did not speak; he did not even
+look up from the paper on which he was writing; and Mark stood by at
+attention, waiting respectfully.
+
+The first movement did not come from either of them. Mark strove to keep
+his eyes to the front, which was in accordance with orders. But he could
+not help glancing about the room a little. And to his surprise he saw a
+side door open and another figure enter the room.
+
+Mark did not see that just at the moment the colonel's glance was fixed
+upon him steadfastly; he was too busy staring at the stranger. The
+stranger was a young fellow with coarse features, evidently a
+workingman. He twisted his hat in his hand nervously, obviously ill at
+ease. He stared at Mark and at the officer alternately. Mark, who did
+not know him from Adam, turned away after the first glance, giving no
+more thought to the intruder except to wonder what he was doing in that
+office.
+
+When Mark turned his eyes upon Colonel Harvey again he saw then that
+the latter was watching him. And a moment later the colonel laid down
+his pen and spoke:
+
+"Cadet Mallory," he said sternly, "I wish you to observe this man. Do
+you know him?"
+
+Mark stared at the stranger in amazement.
+
+"No, sir," he said. "I never saw him before, to my knowledge."
+
+"Are you sure?"
+
+"Perfectly."
+
+There was a moment's pause after that, and then the superintendent
+tapped a bell upon his desk. It was answered at once. The same door
+opened again, and two persons entered suddenly. Mark knew them, and he
+knew them well. He stared at them incredulously, gasping; and he sprang
+back in amazement.
+
+"Benny Bartlett!" he cried. "You here! And the squire!"
+
+It was Benny Bartlett sure enough; Mark knew his sallow deceptive look
+too well to be mistaken. And the squire was the same stout and
+blustering, self-assertive old man. He banged his cane on the floor as
+he heard Mark's exclamation and saw his look of surprise.
+
+"Yes, sir," he cried. "It is the squire. And I observe you start with
+guilt when you see him, too."
+
+Mark stared at the two all the harder then. And there was a brief
+silence during which every one stared at every one else. Mark thought
+he saw the stranger twist his cap yet more nervously.
+
+"Mr. Mallory," began the superintendent at last. "Mr. Mallory, do you
+know why these three are here?"
+
+"No, sir," said Mark, with evident emphasis.
+
+"Is this upon your honor as a gentleman?"
+
+"It is," was the answer.
+
+"Humph!" snorted the squire. "Your word of honor isn't worth much!
+I----"
+
+"If you please," interrupted Colonel Harvey with dignity, "that question
+is for me to settle. Mr.--er--what did you say this man's name was?"
+
+"Nick," put in the squire.
+
+"Nick," said the superintendent, turning toward the strange youth, "will
+you please have the goodness to tell again the story which you told to
+me."
+
+Nick looked frightened and hesitated.
+
+"Come, come!" cried the squire, impatiently. "Out with it now, and no
+lies about it!"
+
+Thus enjoined Nick cleared his throat and began.
+
+"I'm a printer's boy," he said, "and I works for the Roberts in Denver.
+I was a-walking along the street one day, I was and up comes this
+feller--indicating Mark--and he says, says he to me, 'Your people are
+printing the examination papers for Congressman Wheeler, ain't they?'
+'Yes,' says I, and then after that a little while he says that he wants
+to win them examinations, 'cause there was a feller trying 'em that he
+wanted to beat. So he gimme a hundred--that was the next day; he said
+he'd earned it in a railroad smash up, or something--and then I got them
+papers and gave 'em to him. And that's all I know."
+
+"Very good," commented the squire, tapping his cane with approval. "Very
+good! And what did he say about these West Point examinations?"
+
+"He said, says he, 'If I win these here and git the appointment, I ain't
+a-going to do nothin' but skin through the others with cribs.'"
+
+"That's right!" cried the squire, triumphantly. "There now! What more do
+you want?"
+
+He glanced at the superintendent inquiringly, and the superintendent
+gazed at Mark. As for Mark, he was simply too dumfounded to move. He
+stood as if glued to the spot and stared in blank consternation from one
+to the other.
+
+"Well," said the colonel at last, "what have you to say for yourself?"
+
+Mark was too amazed to say much.
+
+"So that is their plan!" he gasped. "So they seek to rob me of my
+cadetship by this--this----"
+
+He stopped then, unable to express his feelings.
+
+"Colonel Harvey," he inquired at last, "may I ask if you believe this
+story?"
+
+"I do not see, Mr. Mallory," was the response, "what else I am to
+believe. I do not like to accuse these three gentlemen of a plot to ruin
+you. And yet--and yet----"
+
+"May I ask a question or two?" inquired Mark, noticing the puzzled and
+worried look upon his superior's face.
+
+"Most certainly," was the answer.
+
+"In the first place, if you please, according to this story, if I gave
+this man a hundred dollars, why did he tell about it afterward?"
+
+"His conscience troubled him," cried the old squire excitedly. "As yours
+would have if you had any. He knew that he had done wrong, robbed my
+son, and he came and told me. And I was wild, sir, wild with anger. I
+have brought this man on all the way from Colorado, and I propose to see
+my son into his rights, if I die for it!"
+
+"Oh!" said Mark. "So you want Benny made a cadet. But tell me how, if I
+had the papers, did Benny beat me so badly, anyhow?"
+
+"My son always was brighter than you," sneered the old man.
+
+"And all the examinations weren't from printed papers," chimed in
+Benny's crowing voice. "There was spelling, and reading and
+writing--that was where I beat you."
+
+"I see," responded Mark. "It is a clever scheme. And I'm told I passed
+here because I cheated; how came you to fail?"
+
+"My son was sick at the time," cried Squire Bartlett, "and I can prove
+it, too."
+
+Mark smiled incredulously at that; Benny Bartlett nodded his head in
+support of his father's assertion.
+
+"Well?" inquired the squire. "Is there anything more you want to know?"
+
+"No," said Mark. "Nothing."
+
+"Satisfied now, are ye?" sneered the other; and then he turned to
+Colonel Harvey. "I think that is all, sir," he said. "What more do you
+want?"
+
+The colonel stood gazing into space with a troubled look. He did not
+know what to say; he did not know what to think. He could not call these
+three men conspirators; and yet the handsome, sturdy lad who had done so
+much to win his approval, surely he did not look like a thief!
+
+"Mr. Mallory," he inquired at last. "What have you to say to this?"
+
+"Nothing," responded Mark. "Nothing, except to denounce it as an
+absolute and unmitigated lie from beginning to end."
+
+"But what proof can you bring?"
+
+"None whatever, except my word."
+
+After that there was no more said for some minutes. The silence was
+broken by the superintendent's rising.
+
+"Mr. Mallory," he said, "you may go now. I must think this matter over."
+
+And Mark went out of the door, his brain fairly reeling. He was lost!
+lost! West Point, his aim in life, his one and only hope, was going! He
+was to be dismissed in disgrace, sent home branded as a criminal! And
+all for a lie! An infamous lie!
+
+A few minutes later Benny and the printer's devil, his accomplice, came
+out of that same door. But it was with a far different look. Benny was
+chuckling with triumph.
+
+"It worked!" he cried. "By Heaven, it worked to perfection! Even the old
+man hasn't caught on!"
+
+"Squire Bartlett's as blind as Mallory," laughed the other. "And
+Mallory'll be out in a week. Remember, you owe me that hundred to-day."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+TEXAS TURNS HIGHWAYMAN.
+
+
+There were six terrified plebes up at Camp McPherson, when Mark rushed
+in, pale and breathless, to tell them the reason for his summons to
+headquarters. The Banded Seven had not had such a shock since they
+organized to resist the yearlings.
+
+"Benny Bartlett!" cried Texas, springing up in rage. "Do you mean that
+little rascal I licked the day he got sassy during exams?"
+
+"That's he," said Mark, "and he's come back to get his revenge."
+
+"And you don't mean," cried the six, almost in one breath, "Colonel
+Harvey believes it?"
+
+"Why shouldn't he?" responded Mark, despairingly. "I cannot see any way
+out of it. The whole thing's a dirty lie from beginning to end, but it
+makes a straight story when it is told, and I can't disprove it."
+
+"But I thought you said," cried Texas, "that you saw Benny himself
+cheating, or tryin' to, at the examinations right hyar."
+
+"So I did," said the other. "But I cannot prove that. I know lots of
+things about him, but I can't prove one of them. They've simply got me
+and that's all there is of it. There are three of them, and it's almost
+impossible to make the superintendent think they're lying. Think of a
+rich old man like the squire's doing a trick like that!"
+
+"Perhaps he ain't," suggested Texas, shrewdly.
+
+"Perhaps not," admitted Mark. "Benny would not hesitate to lie to his
+own father. But all the same I have no proof. And what in Heaven's name
+am I to do?"
+
+Mark sat down upon the locker in his tent and buried his face in his
+hands. His wretchedness is left to the imagination. The whole thing had
+come so suddenly, so unexpectedly, right in the midst of his triumph!
+And it was so horrible!
+
+The six could think of no word of comfort; for they were as cast down,
+as thunderstruck, as he. Their regard for Mark was deep and true, and
+his ruin they felt was theirs. They sat or stood about the tent in
+characteristic attitudes, and with dejection written upon every line of
+their countenances.
+
+First to move was the wild Texas, ever impulsive and excitable. And
+Texas leaped to his feet, with a muttered whoop!
+
+"I'm a-goin' to prove them air fellers are lyin', by thunder, ef I have
+to resign to do it!"
+
+By the time that brief resolution was finished Texas was out of the tent
+and gone. The six glanced up as he left, and then once more resumed
+their dejected and bewildered discussion.
+
+"I can see no way out of it. No way!" groaned Mark. "I am gone."
+
+And the others could see no other way to look at it.
+
+Texas was rather more bizarre and unconventional, more daring than his
+companions from the "effete East," and his detective efforts were apt to
+be more interesting for that reason. He paced up and down the company
+street, hearing and seeing no one, thinking, thinking for all he was
+worth.
+
+"Proof! Proof!" he kept muttering to himself over and over again.
+"Proof! Proof!"
+
+Perhaps it was ten minutes before he did anything else. Texas was like a
+fisherman waiting for a bite during that time. He was waiting for an
+inspiration. And then suddenly the inspiration came. He stopped short in
+his tracks, opened his eyes wide and staring, and his mouth also; his
+fingers began to twitch with a sudden wave of excitement; his face
+flushed and he trembled all over. The next moment with a joyful
+"durnation!" he had turned and was off like a shot down the street.
+
+"I've got it! I've got it! Whoop!"
+
+And then suddenly he halted again.
+
+"I won't tell 'em," he muttered to himself. "I'll keep it for a
+surprise! But then, I'll want some one to help me. Who'll I--oh, yes!"
+
+Texas had turned and started with no less haste the other way.
+
+"I'll git one o' them ole cadets," he chuckled, "some one the ole man'll
+believe. I know!"
+
+At the eastern side of the camp, in A Company Street, and facing the
+sentry post of Number Three, stood a single spacious tent. It belonged
+to the first cadet captain, Fischer by name. And at that tent, trembling
+with impatience, the plebe halted and knocked.
+
+"Come in," called a voice, and Texas entered.
+
+There was but one occupant in the tent--the first captain has a tent to
+himself, if you please. It was Fischer, tall and stately and handsome as
+usual, with his magnificent uniform and sash and chevrons. He was
+engaged in writing a letter at the moment; he looked up and then arose
+to his feet, a look of surprise upon his face as he recognized the
+plebe.
+
+"Mr. Powers," said he.
+
+Texas bowed; and then he started right in to business.
+
+"Mr. Fischer," he began, "I know it ain't customary for plebes to visit
+first classmen, and especially B. J. plebes. But I got something to say
+right naow that's important, more important than ceremonies an' such.
+Will you listen?"
+
+The officer bowed courteously, though he still looked surprised.
+
+"It's about Mr. Mallory," said Texas. "I reckon you've heard the stories
+'bout him?"
+
+"I have heard rumors," said the other. "I shall be glad to hear more."
+
+Texas told him the story then, just as Mark had told it a few minutes
+ago. And the look of surprise on the captain's face deepened.
+
+"This is a serious business, Mr. Powers," he said.
+
+"It's one lie from beginning to end!" growled the other. "Now look
+a-yere. You been a pretty good friend o' Mark's, Mr. Fischer. You're the
+only man I know of in this place that's tried to see fair play. When
+Mark had to fight them yearlings it was you saw he had his rights. When
+they tried to get him dismissed on demerits, you were the one to stop
+'em. Now, I don't know why you did it, 'cept perhaps you're an honest,
+fair an' square man yourself, an' saw he was, too. Anyhow, you've been
+his friend."
+
+"I have tried to see fair play," responded the other, slowly. "I have
+not approved of many of his acts, what he did last night at the hop, for
+instance. But still----"
+
+"If you knew this yere plot was a lie, would you say so?" interrupted
+Texas.
+
+"I most certainly should."
+
+"An' if you saw a chance to prove it, knowin' that Mark'd be dismissed
+if you didn't, would you?"
+
+"It would be my duty, I think, as captain of his company. I should do it
+anyway, for I respect Mr. Mallory."
+
+And Texas seized the surprised Fischer by the hand and gave him a mighty
+squeeze.
+
+"Wow!" he cried. "I knew you would! Whoop! We'll fool them ole liars
+yet!"
+
+Then, to the still greater surprise of the cadet captain--who wasn't
+used to Texas' ways--the plebe dragged him over to the corner of the
+tent and whispered in a trembling, excited voice.
+
+"Don't you tell a soul, naow, not a soul. S-sh! Do you want to turn
+highwayman?"
+
+Fischer stared at the other in alarm.
+
+"Turn highwayman!" he echoed.
+
+"Yes," whispered Texas. "Don't you know what a highwayman is? He's a man
+what robs folks at night?"
+
+Fischer gasped and looked dumfounded. The day that Texas had gone on his
+"spree" and tried to wreck West Point he had been reported by the
+surgeon on the sick list for "temporary mental aberration due to the
+heat."
+
+"This is an awfully hot day," thought Fischer. "I hope to gracious he
+hasn't got any guns!"
+
+Texas waited a moment longer, and then he went on to whisper. He had
+lots to say, and one would have been interested to observe its effect
+upon the officer. His look of consternation faded; one of interest,
+doubt, and then finally of delight replaced it. And by the time the
+other was through he had forgotten the lad was a plebe. He seized his
+hand and slapped him upon the back.
+
+"By George!" he cried. "I'll do it! It's a slim chance, slim as thunder,
+but if it'll clear Mark Mallory I'll try it if it costs me my chevrons!"
+
+At which Texas gave vent to a whoop that awoke the echoes of the
+Highlands.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+TWO MIDNIGHT PROWLERS.
+
+
+On the night of the day we are writing about, there was something
+unusual happening. It was neither a sentry nor an officer, this stealthy
+figure that stole out of a tent in the street of Company A. He waited
+cautiously until the sentry behind his tent had passed on to the other
+end, and then with the slyness of an Indian he crept down the path. And
+when he disappeared again, it was the big tent of the first captain that
+swallowed him up.
+
+Fischer was expecting that visit. He was up and dressing, and ready for
+the other.
+
+"There are the clothes, Mr. Powers," he whispered. "Leave your uniform
+here and slip into them quickly."
+
+The captain's voice was trembling with excitement, and some little
+nervousness, too. This was a desperate errand for him. It might cost him
+his chevrons, if not worse; for he had desperate deeds to do that night.
+
+"Have you got the guns?" he whispered.
+
+By way of answer Texas slipped two shining revolvers into the other's
+hands. Fischer gripped the cold steel for a moment to steady his nerves,
+and then thrust the weapons into the pocket of the rough coat he wore.
+
+"Come on," he said. "I'm ready."
+
+He stepped out of the tent, Texas close at his heels. The two crept
+around the side, then crouched and waited. Suddenly Fischer put his
+fingers to his lips and gave a low whistle. The effect was
+instantaneous. Sentries Number Three and Four promptly faced about and
+marched off the other way. It was contrary to orders for sentries to
+face in opposite directions at the same time. But it was handy, for it
+kept them from "seeing any one cross their beats." Texas and his
+companion had sprung up and dashed across the path and disappeared over
+the earthworks of old Fort Clinton.
+
+"That was neatly done," chuckled Texas. "We're safe now."
+
+"It would be a sad state of affairs, indeed," laughed the other, "if a
+first captain couldn't 'fix' two sentries of his own class. We're all
+right if we don't make any noise."
+
+A person who glanced at the two would not have taken them for cadets.
+They were clad in old dilapidated clothing, with collars turned up to
+increase the effect. To complete this disguise, they took two black
+handkerchiefs from their pockets, and in a few minutes more were as
+desperate-looking burglars as ever roamed the night.
+
+"Burglary's not much worse than conspiracy, anyway," muttered Fischer,
+as he hurried along. "I wonder what time it is."
+
+"Twelve o'clock and all's we-ell!" rang the voice of the sentry
+from camp just then--an answer to the question. And the two
+villainous-looking men crept on in silence, gripping their weapons the
+tighter as they went.
+
+The hotel lies very near the camp; it was only a short walk for the two,
+even creeping and dodging as they were, before they were safely hidden
+close to the porch of the building. The house is in Colonial style, with
+big, high pillars, painted white. It was a difficult climb, but the two
+lost not one moment in hesitation. They evidently knew just why they
+came, and had planned their task beforehand. Texas sprang up on the
+shoulders of the other, and a short while later was lying breathless
+upon the tin roof of the piazza.
+
+Fischer had dodged back into the shadow to wait. The other lay where he
+was for a short while, to glance about him and recover his breath; then
+he rolled over and crept softly and silently along until he reached one
+of the windows. Texas had found out which one beforehand; he could
+afford to waste no time now, for this was a State's prison offense he
+was at.
+
+He raised himself and glanced over the sill of the open window; he
+glanced hastily about the room inside, and then dropped down again and
+crept to the edge of the roof.
+
+"They aren't there," he whispered. "S-sh!"
+
+"Not there!" echoed the other. "Then they haven't come home yet. Drop
+down."
+
+Texas slid down that pillar with alacrity that would have scared a cat.
+And the two were hiding in the bushes a moment or two later.
+
+"Gee whiz!" muttered Fischer. "Just think of the risks we took. They
+might have come in on us."
+
+"Where can they be?" whispered Texas, anxiously. "I hadn't any idea they
+wouldn't be in by twelve."
+
+"There's nothing they can be doing around here," said Fischer. "I don't
+know----"
+
+"Look a here!" muttered Texas, excitedly, as a sudden idea occurred to
+him. "I saw 'em a-goin' down to Highland Falls this evenin', an----"
+
+Fischer gripped him by the arm.
+
+"Jove!" he cried. "We'll go down and lay for 'em. It's a faint chance,
+but if we catch 'em there it'll be a thousand times less dangerous for
+us. And if we miss them we can come back. Let's hurry."
+
+It was a dangerous business, that getting down to Highland Falls. There
+were the camp sentries and the sentries of the regular army, besides,
+patroling most of the paths. And any of them would have stopped those
+two rough-looking men if they had seen them skulking about the post. But
+Fischer had been there three years, and he knew most of the "ropes." He
+dodged from building to building, always keeping the road in view so as
+to see their victims if they passed--and finally came out upon the road
+just at the beginning to cadet limits. Here they hid in a thick clump of
+bushes and lay down to wait amid the silence of that dark, deserted
+spot.
+
+"I wonder if they'll come," whispered Texas. "I wish I had one of 'em by
+the neck. The rascals----"
+
+The words were choked in their utterance; for the officer suddenly
+nudged his companion and pointed down the road.
+
+"Look!"
+
+That was all he said. Texas turned and glanced as he directed. There
+were two figures, clearly outlined in the moonlight, walking slowly up
+the road.
+
+"It's they," whispered Fischer. "Shall we try it?"
+
+And Texas gripped the two revolvers in his pocket and muttered, "Yes, we
+shall!"
+
+The two came nearer and nearer. Out of the black shadows where they lay
+the cadets stared hard, watching them anxiously, waiting, panting with
+impatience and excitement. The strangers were slightly built, both of
+them, and young; Texas recognized one of them plainly. It was Benny
+Bartlett; that the other was the printer's boy, he took for granted.
+Then suddenly he noticed one of them stagger.
+
+"That solves it," whispered Fischer. "They've been down to Cranston's
+getting drunk. The beasts!"
+
+That last word cut Texas like a knife; he had been that way not a week
+ago himself. Texas was slowly learning the civilized view of
+drunkenness.
+
+He forgot that in a few moments more, however. There was excitement,
+plenty of it, to fill his mind. The pair drew nearer still in the bright
+moonlight, and the time for their desperate deed was almost upon the
+cadets.
+
+"For Heaven's sake don't let them get away," whispered Fischer. "If they
+cry out, make a break for camp, and I'll fix it."
+
+That word was the last to be spoken; they lay in silence after that,
+listening to the others. Benny Bartlett, it appeared, was the more
+hilarious of the two, as such feeble hilarity goes. The other was trying
+hard to keep him quiet. The bushes that hid the cadets were right beside
+the road; and as Benny drew near they made out that he was trying to
+sing.
+
+"We won't go home till morning; we won't go----"
+
+"Shut up, you fool!" the other muttered, shaking him by no means gently.
+"You'll wake the old man, and----"
+
+The two watchers rose upon their knees. Two revolvers clicked gently,
+which made the printer's boy start in alarm, and then came a subdued
+"Now!"
+
+Before the victims could move or utter a sound two stalwart, roughly
+dressed, black-masked figures sprang out into the road. And the
+half-drunken pair found themselves gazing into the muzzles of two
+glistening revolvers.
+
+"Hold up your hands!"
+
+Half dead with terror the printer obeyed; the other sunk in a heap to
+the ground, his teeth fairly chattering.
+
+"Not a sound!" was the next gruff order, obeyed equally well; and then
+the robbers got quickly to work.
+
+It was all done so expeditiously that the victims scarcely realized it.
+One of the men covered the two with his weapons and the other went
+swiftly through the pockets of both.
+
+He did not seem to care for watches or money. It was papers he looked
+for, and he glanced at what he found with feverish impatience. He had a
+matchbox in his hand, and he turned away from the party as he struck a
+light and read one after the other, tossing them aside with an angry
+exclamation. He searched the printer first and seemed to find nothing.
+Then he went for Benny, tumbling him about the ground and not forgetting
+to administer sundry vigorous kicks.
+
+He had almost searched Benny, too, without success, when suddenly he
+gave an exclamation of joy, an exclamation which almost caused the other
+to drop his revolvers. The searcher had put his hand into a small,
+out-of-the-way pocket, and found a bit of carefully folded paper.
+
+"This'll do it!" he whispered. "Come on."
+
+Texas' heart began to throb with joy--Texas was the one with the gun.
+
+"Victory! Victory!" he muttered. "Wow!"
+
+Ready to shout with excitement at his success he started to follow the
+other, who was already making for the dense woods at the side of the
+road. He backed away slowly, still facing the two horrified lads, still
+leveling his weapons at them.
+
+"Not a sound!" he muttered gruffly. "Remember!"
+
+He reached the edge of the shadow in safety, and then suddenly a noise
+caught his sharp ear. It was not from the two, but from up the road. It
+was the sound of a horse's hoofs, accompanied by a jingling of sword and
+spur. Texas glanced around quickly; it was a horseman trotting up the
+road, an officer from the cavalry post! And in an instant more Texas had
+sprung into the woods and was dashing away with all his speed.
+
+"Run, run!" he whispered to the cadet just in front. "Somebody's
+coming."
+
+Benny Bartlett had not nerve to give an alarm; but the printer's boy
+had. The fleeing pair heard his voice shouting:
+
+"Help! help! Murder!"
+
+And an instant later came a clatter and thunder of hoofs as the soldier
+dashed up.
+
+"What's the matter?" he cried.
+
+"Robbers!" shrieked the two. "We've been held up! They ran in there!
+Help! Help!"
+
+The rescuer wheeled his horse sharply about; he whipped his sword from
+its scabbard and plunged furiously into the woods. The two heard his
+horse dashing up, and they knew their danger was great indeed.
+
+Texas was flying on ahead, running for his life; but Fischer, who was a
+good deal the cooler of the two in the emergency, seized him by the arm
+and forced him into a clump of bushes on one side.
+
+"Lie there!" he cried. "S-sh! Not a sound!"
+
+The wisdom of the ruse was apparent. Crashing footsteps gave the officer
+something to follow; without it he might not find them in the black
+woods. They heard his horse thrashing about in the underbrush; the man
+was evidently afraid of nothing even in the darkness, for he plunged
+through it furiously, riding back and forth and beating the bushes. Once
+he passed so near to them that Texas heard the sword swish and felt for
+his revolvers instinctively. But that was the best the man could do,
+and finally he gave it up in disgust and rode out to the road again.
+
+Then the two highwaymen arose and stole softly away in the darkness,
+congratulating themselves upon that narrow escape and still more upon
+their success.
+
+When they reached the camp, which they did in a great hurry, for they
+knew the officer would alarm the post, they passed the sentry in the
+same way, and separated, Texas hurrying into his own tent. To his
+amazement he found his tent mates awake and sitting up, for what reason
+he had no idea.
+
+"What's the matter?" he cried anxiously, for he saw at once that
+something horrible had happened.
+
+"Matter enough!" cried Mark in just as much anxiety. "It's not enough
+for me to get dismissed, but you have to go to work and get yourself in
+the same scrape."
+
+"I dismissed!" echoed Texas, in amazement. "How?"
+
+"Your absence has been noticed," groaned Mark. "Lieutenant Allen has
+ordered an inspection of the tent every half hour until you return.
+They've been here twice now, and you're a goner. And what makes it ten
+thousand times worse, I know it's on account of me. You've been doing
+something to clear me."
+
+All this was said in about as lugubrious a tone as one could well
+imagine. But as for Texas, he merely chuckled as if he didn't care in
+the least.
+
+"I reckon it'll be all right," he chuckled, as he began to shed his
+"cits" clothing. "Jes' you fellers go to bed an' be good. I reckon it'll
+all come out all right. Good-night."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+BENNY IS EXPOSED.
+
+
+"Well, sir, I've come to ask what you propose to do about it."
+
+It was the pompous old squire, and he stood once more in the
+superintendent's office, impatience written in every line of his face.
+
+"Yes, sir," he continued, "I should like to know your decision."
+
+"But, my dear sir," exclaimed Colonel Harvey, "I have not made up my
+mind entirely. It is only yesterday you stated your case. What is the
+hurry?"
+
+"Hurry, sir?" returned the squire, "I am in a hurry for my rights. I
+mean that my son shall have the cadetship he has earned."
+
+"Where is your son?" inquired the other, after a moment's thought.
+
+"He is up at the hotel," answered the squire. "Why?"
+
+"I should like to see him for just a moment. I have one question to ask
+him, if you please. I'll send an orderly for him."
+
+The old man bowed stiffly; he sat up very straight in his chair and
+waited with dignity until his young hopeful appeared, wondering
+meanwhile what more the obdurate officer could want.
+
+Master Benjamin entered the room obviously pale and flushed. He did not
+feel very well as the result of his last night's "manliness," and he had
+dim visions of robbers and stolen papers besides. He bowed to his father
+and the grave superintendent.
+
+"Take a seat," said the latter. "I shall not keep you long. Take this
+pen and paper. I am anxious to see your handwriting. Please write these
+words as I dictate them."
+
+Benny, puzzled and alarmed, prepared to obey; he saw that the army
+officer was watching him narrowly, which did not increase his ease of
+manner.
+
+"Write," said Colonel Harvey, "I--promise--to--pay-to--Nick---- What's
+the matter?"
+
+Benny had begun to write promptly. At the sixth word he had turned pale
+as death, and his hand was trembling.
+
+"What's the matter?" thundered the colonel again. "Why don't you write?"
+
+"I--I----" stammered Benny. "I'm not very well."
+
+"I should say not!" responded the other, angrily. "Let me see that
+paper."
+
+He took it from the trembling lad's hand.
+
+"Is that your son's handwriting?" he demanded, turning to the squire.
+
+Old Mr. Bartlett glanced at it quickly, a look of amazement upon his
+face.
+
+"No," he said, "it isn't. Benny, why don't you write in your usual way?
+Why don't you do as the gentleman tells you? And what's the meaning of
+this, anyway?"
+
+Benny took the pen again, this time weakly.
+
+"I'll write it," he said. "Here."
+
+Colonel Harvey dictated it again relentlessly.
+
+"I--promise--to--pay--to--Nick--Flynn--one--hundred--dollars--when
+M.--M.--is--fired. Benjamin Bartlett. Received--payment--July--13. Nick
+Flynn."
+
+The officer took the result, laid it on his desk and took another from
+his pocket to compare.
+
+"That settles it," said he, looking up at last. "Conspiracy."
+
+"What does this mean, sir?" demanded the angry old squire, who had been
+waxing more and more impatient under the ordeal. "Why should my son be
+insulted like a common criminal? Why----"
+
+"Because he is one," responded the other, just as warmly. "Look at those
+two papers, sir! Your son wrote both, and I know it."
+
+"Where did you get that other?"
+
+"The story is briefly told," said Colonel Harvey. "Two cadets of my
+academy turned highwaymen yesterday and held up your son at the point of
+a revolver. I presume he has told you."
+
+"So that's who it was!" cried the furious squire. "So that's the kind of
+cadets you have! I shall have them both in jail."
+
+"You will not," laughed the other, "for several reasons. In the first
+place, you do not know who they are, and I do not propose to tell you.
+In the second, if you do, your son is guilty of conspiracy, and I shall
+see him punished for that."
+
+"This is preposterous!" exclaimed Squire Bartlett. "That paper proves
+absolutely nothing----"
+
+"His manner when I asked him to write it, and his attempt to disguise
+his hand, prove a good deal to me. It proves to me, sir, that he is
+lying, and that you are a very foolish and indulgent father to believe
+him as you do. He has lied to me and to you, and he lies still when he
+denies it. Look at him cower now, sir! I knew that this whole thing was
+an outrageous plot the very moment the cadets showed me that paper this
+morning. One of them is one of my most trusted officers, and I believe
+his account. And what is more----"
+
+Here the colonel stopped and glared at Benny.
+
+"I say this for the benefit of your son, who evidently hates Mark
+Mallory. I believed and was glad to believe, that Mallory, who is the
+finest lad I had seen for many a day, is as honest as he is brave. And I
+shall take great pleasure in telling him so, and in apologizing for my
+doubts. And in conclusion----"
+
+Colonel Harvey arose to his feet and bowed.
+
+"I bid you a good-day, Squire Bartlett. Cadet Mallory will not be
+expelled from this academy, if I can help it."
+
+And Benny and the squire left West Point that morning, which was the end
+of Mark's peril in that direction.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+MARK RECEIVES A COMMITTEE.
+
+
+"Oh, say, Mark, I wish you'd fight that ole cadet! An' ef you do, jest
+won't we whoop her up! Gee whiz!"
+
+The speaker was Texas. His quiet gray eyes were glistening as he spoke,
+and his face was alive with excitement.
+
+The two were resting from the morning's drill, and were lounging about a
+shady nook in the corner of the siege battery inclosure. Grouped about
+them, and equally interested in the important discussion were five
+plebes, the other members of the Banded Seven.
+
+It will be remembered that one of the "hop managers," a first classman
+and an officer, Cadet Lieutenant Wright, had ventured in behalf of his
+class to request Mark to leave the floor. Mark, who was in the midst of
+a dance at the moment, had been justly indignant. He had informed the
+other that an apology would be demanded; and that as a cadet, having an
+invitation, he proposed to stay and dance. Whereupon the hop managers
+had stopped the music and "busted up their ole hop" and gone home in a
+rage.
+
+That was the end of the matter, except that there was a fight on
+between Cadet Mallory and Lieutenant Wright. It was to that fight that
+Texas was alluding.
+
+"An' ef you lick him," he repeated, "won't we whoop her up!"
+
+"There will certainly be a fight," responded Mark, after a moment's
+thought. "That is, unless Wright apologizes, which he will not do of
+course. I do not like to fight; I'd a great deal rather get along
+without it; for it is a brutal sort of an amusement at best."
+
+"Rats!" growled Texas.
+
+"But it's necessary all the same," continued the other. "I do not see
+how I can keep my dignity otherwise. The notion that a plebe is a
+creature without any feelings who may be slammed about at will is
+altogether too prevalent to suit my taste; and I propose to have the
+cadets understand once and for all that they may haze me all they want
+to if they can, but that when they insult me they are going to get
+hurt."
+
+"Bully, b'gee!" chimed in Dewey, with a chuckle of delight.
+
+"Do you think you can do him?" inquired one.
+
+"I don't know," said Mark. "And what is more I don't want to know. If I
+knew I could whip him I wouldn't want to fight. I mean to try."
+
+"Wow!" growled Texas, angry at the mere supposition of Mark's not being
+able to thrash any one on earth. "Didn't he whop Billy Williams? An'
+ain't he the best man in the yearlin' class?"
+
+"They said he was," said Mark. "And I had a hard time with him. But
+Wright's been here two years longer and is trained to the top notch.
+He's stronger than Williams, but I doubt if he's so quick. And still
+he's captain of the football team, which means a good deal, I'll tell
+you."
+
+"I wish 'twar my chance to fight him!" exclaimed Texas. "Say, Mark, you
+always were lucky."
+
+"I don't even know if he'll fight yet," laughed the other.
+
+"B'gee!" chimed in Dewey, "I think it's about time you began to think of
+getting ready to start to send over and find out. Reminds me of a story
+I once heard, b'gee----"
+
+"Good Heavens!" groaned Mark, with a look of anguish, "I'll send at
+once. Everything I do seems to remind you of something. I'll send."
+
+"You will, hey?" laughed Dewey. "B'gee, that reminds me of another.
+There was a fellow lived in Kalamazoo, and he----"
+
+"You go!" said Mark. "I'll make you my ambassador to keep you quiet. Or
+at least you can tell your stories to the enemy. Hurry up now!"
+
+Dewey arose from his seat and prepared to start upon his errand. Texas
+was on his feet in an instant.
+
+"Naow look a yere, Mark!" he cried. "Why kain't I go? I want some fun,
+too. You wouldn't let me go that time to Billy Williams!"
+
+"I won't let you go now for the same reason," laughed Mark. "You'd be in
+a free-for-all fight in half a minute yourself. You go ahead, Dewey.
+Tell Mr. Wright that I demand an apology or else that he name the time
+and place. Throw in a few 'b'gees' for good measure, tell him a yarn or
+two, and make yourself charming and agreeable and handsome as usual.
+Tra, la, la."
+
+Dewey tossed him an effusive kiss by way of thanks for the compliment,
+and then vaulted over the embankment and set out for camp, marching
+right merrily to the tune of "The Girl I Left Behind Me," hands at the
+side, chest out, palms to the front, little fingers on the seams of the
+trousers!
+
+The remainder of the Banded Seven waited in considerable anxiety for the
+return of the "ambassador." They were one and all of them interested in
+their leader and hero; his triumph was theirs and theirs his.
+
+"He'll take half an hour, anyway," said Mark. "So there's no use
+beginning to get impatient yet. Let's take it easy."
+
+"Yea, by Zeus!" said the Parson. "And in the meantime allow me to call
+your attention to a most interesting and as yet unclassified fossil
+which I unearthed this very morning."
+
+The Parson cleared his throat with his usual "Ahem!" and Mark cast up
+his eyes.
+
+"I wish I had found an embassy for the Parson, too," he groaned.
+
+But there was no necessity for Mark's alarm, as it proved. The Parson
+had barely time to give a few introductory bits of information about
+"the pteroreptian genera of the Triassic and Jurassic periods," when the
+"Girl I Left Behind Me" once more made herself audible and Dewey
+appeared upon the scene, obviously excited.
+
+"What are you back so soon for?" inquired Mark.
+
+"I hadn't anything to do," responded the other, hurriedly. "Wright
+wouldn't see me."
+
+"What! Why not?"
+
+"He says there's a committee from his class coming to see you about it,
+b'gee."
+
+"A committee!" echoed Mark. "I've got nothing to do with any committee.
+It's my business to challenge him."
+
+"I know. But that don't make any difference. He wouldn't talk about it,
+he just said the committee would see you about it and explain the
+situation. And to make it more exciting, b'gee, they're coming now."
+
+"How do you know?" inquired Mark.
+
+"I saw 'em," answered Dewey, "and I told 'em where you were and, b'gee,
+they're on the way in a hurry. Something's up, b'gee, and I'm going to
+be right here to see it, too."
+
+Dewey dropped into his corner once more, and after that the Seven said
+nothing, but waited in considerable suspense for the arrival of the
+distinguished first classmen, wondering meanwhile what on earth they
+could want and why on earth they found it necessary to interfere in
+Mark's quarrel with the officer.
+
+They came, three of them, in due time. The Parson immediately arose to
+his feet.
+
+"_Hoi presbeis tou Basileos!_" he said in his mist stately tone, and
+with his most solemn bow. "That's Greek," he added, condescendingly--to
+the six; he took it for granted that the learned cadets knew what it
+was. "It's a quotation from the celebrated comedy, the _Acharnians_, and
+it----"
+
+They were shockingly rude, that committee. They paid not the least
+attention to the Parson and his classical salutation, but instead, after
+a stiff, formal bow, proceeded right to their business with Mark. The
+Parson felt very much hurt, of course; he even thought of challenging to
+a duel at once. But a moment later he found himself listening with rapt
+attention to the amazing information which that committee had to give.
+
+Mark did not know the names of the three cadets who confronted him.
+Their faces were familiar and he knew that they were first classmen.
+That was evidently all that the committee considered necessary, for they
+did not stop for an introduction.
+
+All of the Banded Seven's fun had, up to this point, been manifested
+against the yearlings, and it had been the yearlings, chiefly, whose
+wrath they had incurred. But that hop was too much; that had been an
+insult to every cadet, and Mark knew that he had made new and more
+powerful enemies. He could see that in the looks of the three stern and
+forbidding cadets who glared at him in silence, with folded arms.
+
+"Mr. Mallory," said the spokesman.
+
+Mark arose and bowed politely.
+
+"What is it you wish?" said he.
+
+"We have been sent to say a few words to you from the first class."
+
+Another bow.
+
+"In the first place Mr. Mallory, the class instructs us to say that your
+conduct at the hop the other night deserves their severest censure. You
+had no business to go."
+
+"As a cadet of this academy," responded Mark, calmly, "I considered it
+my right."
+
+"It has not been customary, sir," said the other, "for new cadets to go
+to the hops."
+
+"Precedent may be changed," was Mark's answer. "It should be when it is
+bad."
+
+There was a moment's silence after that and then he continued:
+
+"Let us not discuss the point," he said. "I always consider carefully
+the consequences of my acts beforehand. I am prepared for the
+consequences of this one."
+
+"That is fortunate for you," returned the "committee," with very mild
+sarcasm. "To proceed however, Lieutenant Wright, one of our hop
+managers, acting, please understand, in behalf of the class, requested
+you to leave."
+
+"To continue the story," said Mark, keeping up the sarcastic tone, "I
+was naturally insulted by his unwarranted act. And I mean to demand an
+apology."
+
+"And if you do not get it?" inquired the other.
+
+"Then I mean to demand a fight."
+
+"Which is precisely what we were sent to see you about," responded the
+cadet.
+
+Mark was a trifle surprised at that.
+
+"I thought," he said, "that my second should arrange the matter with Mr.
+Wright's. However, I shall be glad to fix it with you."
+
+"You will fix nothing with us," retorted the other. "The class has
+instructed me to tell you that most emphatically you will not be
+allowed to fight with the lieutenant."
+
+Mark stared at the three solemn cadets in amazement, and Texas gave vent
+to a muttered "Wow!"
+
+"Not be allowed to fight!" echoed Mark.
+
+"No, sir, you will not. Mr. Wright was the class' delegate; your quarrel
+is with the class."
+
+"B'gee!" put in Dewey, wriggling with excitement, "let's lick the class,
+b'gee!"
+
+Mark was silent for a while, thinking over the strange turn of affairs;
+and then the committee continued:
+
+"Mr. Wright will not do you the honor of a fight or of an apology."
+
+Mark flushed at that stinging remark. The speaker never turned a hair,
+but stared at him just as sternly as ever, seeing that his thrust had
+landed.
+
+Mark had a way of saying nothing when he was angry, of thinking
+carefully what it would be best to do. And now he gazed into space, his
+brows knitted, while his six friends leaned forward anxiously, wondering
+what was coming next.
+
+"Suppose," the plebe inquired at last, "suppose, sir, I were to force a
+fight with Mr. Wright?"
+
+"If you do," said the other, "the class will take it upon itself to
+prevent that fight, using brute force if necessary, and punishing you
+severely for your impertinence. And moreover you will be required to
+defend your right to resist their authority, to defend it against every
+member of the class."
+
+"All at once?" inquired Mark, with a tinge of irony.
+
+"No, sir. Separately, and in fair fight."
+
+Mark was thoughtful and silent again.
+
+"The consequences," he said, at last, "are unpleasant. The consequences
+of swallowing so gross and unmerited an insult as Mr. Wright's, given
+before hundreds of people, are more unpleasant still. Dewey!"
+
+That young man sprang to his feet with an excited "B'gee!"
+
+"Dewey," said Mark, in slow and measured tones, and never once taking
+his eyes off the three stern cadets, "Dewey, you will return for me,
+please, to Mr. Wright's tent. Tell Mr. Wright for me that I demand an
+apology by this evening--or else that he name a time and place. And tell
+him finally that if he refuses I shall consider myself unfortunately
+obliged to knock him down the first time I see him."
+
+"Bully, b'gee!"
+
+"Wow!"
+
+The six plebes had leaped to their feet as one man, with a wild hurrah!
+Oh, could anything have been better than that? Those three cadets had
+fairly quailed before Mark's bold and sudden, yet calm defiance.
+
+"I think, gentlemen," said he, "that my purposes are clear to you now.
+And I bid you good-morning."
+
+Half a minute later Mark was buried in the wild embraces and
+congratulations of his hilarious friends; Texas was dancing a Spanish
+fandango about the inclosure, and Dewey, red and excited, was on his way
+to camp as fast as his delighted legs could carry him.
+
+"B'gee!" he kept chuckling. "B'gee, we'll wipe the spots off of 'em,
+b'gee. Whoop!" The more excited Dewey got the more b'gees he was
+accustomed to put in.
+
+He was back again at the Siege Battery ten minutes later, this time even
+more excited, more red, more breathless than ever.
+
+"B'gee!" he gasped. "I got it. He'll--he'll--b'gee, he'll fight."
+
+"Whoop!" roared Texas.
+
+"Yes," continued Dewey, "and b'gee, you can bet there'll be fun! You
+see, he wants to fight. He's no coward, I could see that, and he's mad
+as thunder because the class won't let him. And b'gee, I chucked in a
+few hints about his being afraid, which made him madder still, so that
+when I fired out that last part about knocking him down if he didn't,
+b'gee, he was wild. Oh, say! He hopped about that tent like--like Texas
+is doing now--and b'gee he wanted to have it out right away."
+
+"Whoop!" roared Texas. "Let's go up now! I'll help! Let's----"
+
+"Sit on him and keep him quiet," laughed Mark, shoving Texas into a
+corner. "Now go on."
+
+"We couldn't fight at Fort Clinton, b'gee," continued Dewey still
+gasping for breath, "because the cadets would have learned. And so
+finally, b'gee, he said we'd get a boat and cross the Hudson. How's
+that?"
+
+"When?" cried Mark.
+
+"To-morrow morning first thing, b'gee!"
+
+Texas had escaped by this time and was dancing about once more. And the
+rest of the Seven were about ready to join him. This was the greatest
+bit of excitement of all. The most B. J. thing they had ever done,
+defying the whole first class and going out of cadet limits besides.
+There never were seven lads more full of fun than these boys; and never
+had they seen a chance for quite so much fun as in this daring venture.
+
+The seven adjourned for dinner soon after that. As they "fell in" on the
+company street it was evident to Mark that the story of his bold
+defiance, his desperate stroke, was all about the place even then. It
+was known to the first class, and to the yearling enemies, and even to
+the plebes, who stared at him in awe and wondered where on earth he had
+gotten the "nerve" to dare to do what he had. For Mark Mallory stood
+pledged by his defiance to fight the whole corps of cadets.
+
+He bore his notoriety easily; he returned the stares of his enemies with
+cool and merry indifference, and as he cleaned his musket and turned out
+for drill, or made the dust about the camp fly while on "police duty,"
+there was nothing about him to lead any one to suspect that he was, of
+all West Point's plebes and even cadets, the most conspicuous, the most
+talked of.
+
+The story spread so far that it reached the ears of a certain very dear
+friend of his. An orderly handed him a note late that afternoon; he knew
+the handwriting well by this time and he opened the letter and read it
+hastily:
+
+      "DEAR MR. MALLORY: Please come over to the hotel as
+      soon as you can. I have some important news for the
+      Seven, and for you particularly.
+
+      "Your friend,
+
+      "GRACE FULLER."
+
+Mark went, wondering what could be "up," and he found that it was about
+that same all-important affair that Grace wanted to see him.
+
+"I hear you are going to fight," she began as soon as she saw him; there
+was a worried smile on her face which made Mark smile involuntarily.
+
+"It's nothing very desperate," he answered. "So you needn't be alarmed.
+You see it's necessary for me to fight once in a while else you and I
+couldn't play all our beautiful B. J. tricks."
+
+"I guess you'd better go then," she laughed. "But I don't like it a bit.
+You'll come home all bruised up and covered with court-plaster, and I
+shan't have anything to do with you until you get handsome again."
+
+"Thanks for that last word 'again,'" responded he with a laugh. Then, he
+added, more seriously, "How did you find all this out? I thought none of
+the cadets were going to speak to you since the hop?"
+
+"Pooh!" said Grace. "You didn't suppose they meant that, did you? Half
+of them are beginning to capitulate already. I knew they wouldn't hold
+out."
+
+"I knew it too," thought Mark to himself; he was watching the girl's
+beautiful face, with its expression of action and life.
+
+"It seems then that all my rivals are back again," he said, aloud.
+
+"None of them are your rivals," answered the girl; and then she added,
+quickly: "But that wasn't what I sent for you to tell you. I have been
+finding out some more secrets. I think if I keep on practicing on the
+cadets I'll be quite a diplomatist and confidence man by and by."
+
+"What have you found out now?"
+
+"Simply that the whole first class proposes to keep you from fighting."
+
+"I knew that before," said Mark.
+
+"Yes," answered Grace. "But you didn't know that they knew you and
+Wright were going to cross the river to settle it."
+
+"Do they know that, too?" cried Mark.
+
+"They do; and moreover they intend to keep watch on you, and if you
+leave camp to-night you'll have the whole class to follow you."
+
+Mark looked interested at that.
+
+"I can see," he said, "that I am going to have no small amount of fun
+out of this business. I wish you could manage to use a little of your
+diplomacy in helping me escape."
+
+"And I wish," added Grace, gazing at him with the same anxious look he
+had noticed before, "I wish I could help you do the fighting too. I hate
+to think of your being hurt."
+
+"It hurts me to have you look so unhappy," said Mark, seriously. "I can
+stand the other. As a fighter I don't think you would make much of a
+success. This is a case of 'angels for council; devils for war.'"
+
+"Go ahead," sighed Grace, "if you have to go to hospital I'll come over
+and nurse you."
+
+Mark took his departure soon after that; he set out for camp, revolving
+in his mind all sorts of impracticable schemes for outwitting the first
+classmen that night. His thoughts were interrupted by hearing his name.
+He looked up; a cadet was addressing him.
+
+"Mr. Mallory," he said, "good-afternoon. My name is Harden. Mr. Wright
+has asked me to be his second."
+
+Mark bowed.
+
+"Also to say that if you will be outside of your tent, dressed, at two
+to-morrow morning he will have a boat ready to take us to a quiet
+place."
+
+Mark bowed again.
+
+"Bring one second with you," the cadet continued, "Mr. Wright will have
+but one. And keep this very secret; tell no one, for the cadets will
+surely stop us if they learn. Mr. Wright has great doubts of our success
+anyway."
+
+"I shall do my best," answered Mark. "I am as anxious to succeed as he.
+And I'm much obliged to you for your trouble."
+
+Mark turned away and entered his tent.
+
+"There'll be fun to-night," he muttered; "plenty of fun to-night."
+
+There was.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+A FIGHT, AND OTHER THINGS.
+
+
+"Are you ready in there? S-sh!"
+
+"Yes, I'll be out in a moment."
+
+"Two o'clock and all's we-ell!"
+
+The first speaker was Harden, the first classman, the second was Mark,
+and the third the sentry, calling the hour.
+
+The moonlight, clear and white, shone down on the glistening, snowy
+tents; the camp was almost as bright as day. Two figures who stood
+crouching in the company street were plainly visible, dressed in old
+contraband "cit's clothing" for disguise. And presently two more
+appeared, similarly clad, Mark and his old friend, the learned and
+pugilistic Parson.
+
+The four said not a word, but stole silently down the street to the park
+that bounded the camp on the east, the river side, the beat of sentry
+No. 4. One of them gave a low whistle, a signal to the sentry to face
+about so that he might not "see any one cross his beat." The four sped
+across the line and were lost a moment later in the shadow of the woods.
+
+The sound of their whistle had an echo, though they did not know it. It
+came from another tent and was the signal for a strange scene, one that
+probably that camp had never before witnessed. In an instant, it seemed,
+the white ground was alive with dark figures and black hurrying shadows.
+One-third of the whole cadet corps, all the first class, in fact, were
+about to engage in the perilous task of dodging camp!
+
+There was no delay, no hesitation; the whole crowd fell in under one
+leader, stole down the street, signaled the sentry; and then came a dash
+and a tramp of feet that almost shook the ground. The class was gone.
+Gone to stop that fight or die!
+
+One hates to tax a reader's credulity. To say that that sleepy moonlit
+camp was once more a witness of the same unusual scene not half a minute
+later seems beyond the possibility of belief. Yet so it was. There was
+no signal this time; they simply met, five of them, all plebes, two from
+an A Company and three from a B Company tent just in the rear. They,
+too, fell in under a leader, a leader who punctuated his orders with a
+whispered "Wow!" And they, too, crossed the sentry post and vanished in
+the woods.
+
+There was some one to trail the trailers!
+
+We shall skip forward to those in advance. The four would-be duelists
+had no idea of their detection. They thought that their early start had
+done the work. They climbed down the bank of the river, passed the
+riding hall, and came out on the railroad track below, just at the mouth
+of the tunnel.
+
+"The boat is down near Highland Falls," said Harden, briefly; and then
+there was silence again. Wright had not said one word since the start.
+
+They set out down the track. They stole by the little station, with its
+single light and its half-sleeping telegraph operator. And then--hark!
+What was that?
+
+Tramp, tramp! The four turned in amazement. Great heavens, they were
+followed! Clearly visible in the moonlight, their white trousers
+glittering, the company was marching steadily behind them. They were in
+line and had a captain. At concealment there was no attempt; they seemed
+to say, every one of them. "Well, here we are. Now what are you going to
+do about it?" And the four stared at each other in amazement.
+
+"Shall we resort to flight?" inquired the learned Parson.
+
+"They're too many; they'd catch us," said Harden, emphatically. "I don't
+know just what to do. I rather think we're outwitted. I--what's that?"
+
+"Ding! dong! Woow-oo!"
+
+"A train!" exclaimed Mark. "That'll scatter 'em. But it'll do us no
+good."
+
+A moment later there was a glare of light in the tunnel, light that
+shone upon the figures on the track; and then the heavy train shot out
+and came rushing down upon them. The cadets scattered of course; and in
+the temporary confusion Mark saw a golden chance. It was a slow train;
+he could see. A freight! And a moment later as the engine rushed past
+them, he shouted to the other three:
+
+"Catch it! Catch it as it passes!"
+
+It was all done so quickly they had scarcely time to think. They saw the
+last car whirl past the cadets; they saw the company reforming to march.
+And a moment later all four of them leaped toward the train and flung
+themselves aboard the last platform of the way car.
+
+It was going faster than they had thought; the sudden jerk they got
+nearly tore their arms from their sockets, and the Parson's loose joints
+cracked ominously. But they hung on, all of them, with a grip like
+death. And they had the intense satisfaction of hearing a yell of rage
+from the cadets in the rear, and of seeing, as they clambered up and
+looked behind them, the whole crowd break into a run and set out in
+furious, though vain pursuit.
+
+"That settles it," said Mark, joyfully. "We're safe! now then."
+
+But his words were just a trifle premature. The cadets were fast being
+left behind, running though they were; but there was a new danger
+hitherto unthought of. The car they were on was the caboose. The door
+was flung open; a rough figure strode out.
+
+"Hey, there, git off o' that! What the divil are yez doin' there?"
+
+The four stared at each other in consternation. Here was a rub! They
+looked for all the world like tramps, to be kicked off unceremoniously
+into the hands of the enemy again. But before the man could move Harden
+thrust his hand into his pocket.
+
+"Here," he said. "Take that, and shut up."
+
+The man gazed at them dubiously. They might be burglars, robbers--but
+then it was good money, and nobody the wiser. That was none of his
+business anyhow. He muttered an apology and slammed the door again,
+while the four sighed with relief.
+
+"I wonder what next," said Mark.
+
+There was nothing more; the long train rumbled on down the river bank
+and the party waited in silence until Harden gave the signal. Then they
+made more or less ungraceful and uncomfortable leaps from the platform,
+sprang down the bank into the rushes, and a moment or so later were on
+their way across the river in a rowboat.
+
+"Which means," whispered the Parson to Mark, "that we'll have our fight
+after all."
+
+Mark had thought of that. He was already calculating the chances. Wright
+had a great, powerful frame, with massive, bull shoulders and a face
+that showed no end of grit. That much Mark could see. He knew, too, that
+the man was a gymnast of three years' practice under a master as skilled
+as Uncle Sam could find; that every muscle had been worked and trained,
+that he was lithe and quick and active, skilled with foil and bayonet
+and broadsword, a perfect horseman, and the captain of West Point's
+crack eleven besides. Mark thought of all this; and then he clinched his
+own broad hands and gritted his teeth and waited.
+
+There was not a word said on the trip; all were too solemn and anxious.
+Harden rowed--working silently and swiftly. The waves lapped against the
+boat, and the ripples spread out in long, silvery, moonlit trail behind
+them. And then the boat sped in under the shadow of the trees on the
+eastern bank, and a moment later grated on the pebbly beach.
+
+Harden sprang ashore and drew up the boat. The rest landed and he went
+on into the woods. The three followed him a short ways, and then at a
+little clearing he stopped.
+
+"Here," said he, "is the spot."
+
+Mark halted and gazed about him. He saw a small turf-covered inclosure
+surrounded by the deep black shadows of a wall of trees. The moon
+strayed down through the center furnishing the only light. It was not
+three o'clock yet, and the sun was far below the horizon. Mark whipped
+off his coat.
+
+"I am ready," said he. "Let us lose no time."
+
+Wright and his second were just as prompt and businesslike. The
+lieutenant stripped his brawny frame to the waist and bound his
+suspenders about him to hold his trousers. Mark was ready then, too.
+
+"It is your choice," said he to the other. "How shall we fight?"
+
+"By rounds," he answered simply. He was a man of few words. "My second
+has a watch," he added. "Mr. Stanard may look on if he cares to, though
+we shall each have to rely upon the other's honor mostly. We have no
+referee."
+
+"I am willing," said Mark. "Let Mr. Harden manage it. And let us be
+quick. Will you shake hands?"
+
+They shook. And then the "referee" pronounced the word.
+
+"Go!"
+
+And they went, hammer and tongs.
+
+A man who chanced to be strolling along the river bank in the moonlight
+at three o'clock that July morning would have met with a startling
+scene. Just picture it to yourself, a quiet glade in the deep shadows of
+the trees, and in the center of it two white half-naked figures battling
+to the death, landing blows that shook the air. And all in silence and
+mystery. The two seconds, kneeling in the shadows watching anxiously,
+feverishly, were hidden from view.
+
+Wright had one advantage over Mark. He had seen him fight, and he knew
+his method. He knew that in skill and agility Mark was his equal; it was
+agility that had beaten Billy Williams, the yearlings' choice. And so
+Wright relying on his strength and training pitched right in, for he and
+his second had agreed that a "slugging match" was the best way to beat
+Mallory.
+
+Mark was willing to have it so; time was short, and they might be
+interrupted any moment. The sooner that unpleasant episode were over the
+better. And he answered the officer's forward spring by another no less
+sudden and fierce.
+
+A fight such as this one could not last very long, for human bodies
+cannot stand many blows as crushing as human arms can deal. The two had
+leaped in, each bent on forcing the other back; and for a moment they
+swayed, as in a deadlock, landing blow after blow with thuds that woke
+the stillness of the forest depths. The two seconds sprang forward,
+staring anxiously. They could scarcely follow the flying white arms,
+they could not see the effects of the crashes they heard; but they
+realized that any one of them might end it all, that their man might go
+down at any moment.
+
+The end came, however, sooner than either had thought. Harden, glancing
+feverishly at the watch, had counted off the first minute, was counting
+for the end of the second. He had opened his mouth to call time, when he
+heard the Parson give a gasp. He looked up just in time to see one of
+the white figures--they had been bounding all about the inclosure and he
+knew not which it was--tottering backward from one mighty blow upon the
+head.
+
+A moment later the figure was lying gasping upon the ground, and Harden
+sprang forward to see who it was. But he had hardly moved before he
+heard a shout, and glancing about him, saw a sight that made him start
+in alarm. The black woods were fairly alive with flitting white figures.
+And the figures with one accord were rushing wildly down upon the group.
+
+"Kill 'em! Soak 'em!" was the cry. "Where's that plebe? Hooray!"
+
+It was the baffled first class.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+SIX TO THE RESCUE.
+
+
+Be it said in the first place, for the reader's comfort and relief, that
+the figure who lay upon the ground stunned and gasping was not that of
+Mark Mallory. Harden saw that as he turned again, and he groaned. The
+Parson saw it, too, and uttered a geological and classical exclamation
+of satisfaction, completely forgetful of his peril at the present
+moment. And as for Mark, he had known it long ago; he had meant that it
+should be just so.
+
+The first classmen as they poured in upon the scene, furious and out of
+breath, took in the situation in one glance. They saw their friend and
+classmate, the mighty Wright, stretched helpless on the turf, and they
+knew that Mark Mallory, the hated plebe, had defied them successfully,
+had outwitted them, and stood now in all his impudence, his purposes
+completely achieved. And their rage rose to bounds beyond the
+possibility of description.
+
+But they had him now! Though triumphant, he was in their power, alone
+with no soul to help him in all that lonely forest! And like so many
+wild animals they leaped upon him.
+
+You have read of the fury of a mob? And you know what a mob may do? It
+is far more than any single one of them, any half dozen of them, would
+ever dream of doing. This mob had everything to urge them on, nothing to
+restrain them. Had not this plebe tormented their very eyes out? Had
+they not sworn to punish him within an inch of his life if he dared to
+fight with their lieutenant? And was not the lieutenant lying there now,
+half dead, calling upon them for vengeance?
+
+One and all they sprang upon him. The leader seized him roughly by the
+shoulder, flung him backward; the next moment Mark's arm shot out and
+the man went down like a log. That made the crowd still more furious; a
+dozen of them reached the bold plebe at once, and then there was the
+wildest kind of a time.
+
+Mark could not tell very clearly what happened; he was vaguely conscious
+of shouts and imprecations; of flying arms and closely pressing bodies;
+of blows and kicks that blinded him, stifled him. He himself was
+striking out right and left, and he felt that he was landing, too. He
+saw another figure beside him doing likewise, and he knew that the
+gallant old Parson was at his side. And after that his head began to
+swim; lights danced before his eyes, and his strength began to fail him.
+He went down, and that was all he knew.
+
+There was no restraining those wild cadets, though fully half among them
+were manly enough to try. The brute passions of the rest were let loose
+and there was no stopping them. They still pressed about the two
+struggling plebes, a crowd roaring for vengeance and satisfaction. And
+they meant that nothing should prevent their having it, either.
+
+Something did, none the less. And it was something startling and
+unexpected. The reader will remember that we left the five hot upon the
+trail. The five were upon the trail still.
+
+They had followed the crowd down the railroad track. The crowd had hired
+a schooner the day before, having learned that Mallory and Wright were
+going to attempt to cross the next morning; they had followed in that,
+and the five under the leadership of Texas had broken the lock on a
+rowboat they found and had pursued the cadets across. They had landed a
+few minutes later; they had heard the shouts of the crowd; and now, wild
+and reckless with rage at what they saw, they were rushing from the
+woods to the rescue.
+
+To the rescue? It bid fair to be a weak attempt, for there were just
+five to attempt it, and of the others there may have been fifty. No one
+could count them; they were a mob, a wild-eyed, furious mob. But of the
+unevenness of the conflict the gallant five never once thought. They
+knew that their leader was in peril, and that it was their business to
+rescue him. And that was all.
+
+Foremost among them was the wild Texan and he was a sight to put a
+hundred in a panic, a sight to rival Hercules and his club. Texas had
+snatched an oar from the boat, and as he ran he was brandishing that.
+His hair was ruffled, his face was red, and his eyes staring and wild.
+From his mouth came a series of yells and whoops that made the forest
+echo. And a moment later he struck the crowd of cadets.
+
+How that mighty oar did cut the air! If it had been a broadsword it
+could not have swept a clearer furrow. And behind it came the other
+four, all armed with clubs, making a V formation that was simply
+irresistible.
+
+So long as the cadets were unarmed the fight was very one-sided, indeed,
+and the five might have rescued Mark in no time. But quick as a wink one
+of the cadets stooped and seized a stick; his example was followed
+instantly, and in half a minute the gallant rescuers were confronted
+with a score of clubs and assailed by a shower of stones that beat them
+back in confusion--stalled!
+
+No, not quite! There was one rescuer left, a resource that Texas alone
+had. Texas had received a cut across the face that made him simply
+crazy. He dropped the oar, slung his hands around to his hip pockets,
+and a moment later with two huge six-shooters opened fire point-blank at
+the crowd.
+
+It happened that those revolvers held only "blanks." Mark had insisted
+upon that beforehand, for he knew his friend's sudden temper. But that
+made no difference to the cadets. When they saw those weapons flash in
+the pale moonlight, saw them in the hands of that wild-haired, wild-eyed
+figure, heard the deafening reports and saw the powder flash blindingly
+in their faces, they turned as one man and fled in terror to the cover
+of the woods.
+
+And they left their victims lying on the ground!
+
+Texas was not so mad but that he had some cunning left. He saw his
+chance, and shouted to his companions. The four seized the
+half-unconscious, sorely-battered pair in their arms, and whirling
+suddenly, made a dash for the shore. Texas himself scorned to run. He
+gazed about him defiantly, balancing his revolvers in his hands; and
+when he saw that the alarmed cadets did not contemplate a sally, he
+backed slowly through the woods and rejoined the other plebes.
+
+The cadets had not the nerve to face those revolvers again, at least not
+at once. They had a moment later when they discovered to their horror
+what the plebes were going to do.
+
+It was a horrible revenge. Instead of going to their own rowboat, the
+crowd deliberately marched out upon a little dock where the schooner
+lay. They put their charges into that, and then while the big Texan
+coolly faced about with his guns, the others seized the two rowboats and
+deliberately proceeded to tie them on behind.
+
+They were going to leave the whole class stranded!
+
+A yell of fury, of horror, of fright went up from the crowd! Leave them!
+Impossible! It lacked then two hours of reveille. And for them to be
+absent meant disgrace, court-martial, dismissal! Wild with alarm the
+crowd made a dash for the schooner, leaping into the water, running for
+the dock, shouting and yelling. And Texas calmly raised his revolvers,
+and stood thus, firm and terrible in the clear moonlight.
+
+Before that figure they quailed an instant; that instant was enough. The
+big vessel swung off from the dock, the night breeze filling her sails.
+And Texas turned like an antelope and made a leap for the boat.
+
+The crowd saw him land on the stern; they saw the white glistening track
+bubble up as the vessel glided away; then in blank horror they turned
+and gazed at each other--lost!
+
+Texas meanwhile, soon as he saw the boat clear, had but one thought in
+his devoted mind. He made a dash for Mark and staring in horror and
+anguish at his white and bloody face, fell to flinging water upon him.
+And he gasped with relief when he saw Mark open his eyes.
+
+Mark's body was still stripped, and Texas, even Texas, shuddered as he
+saw the bruises upon it. There was one that made the victim cry out as
+his friend touched it, and Texas started back in alarm.
+
+"Good heavens!" he cried; "his shoulder is broken."
+
+Mark smiled feebly; and at the same instant a chorus of cries arose from
+the despairing cadets on the shore.
+
+"Tell Mallory we'll leave him alone if he'll come back," was one of
+them.
+
+"B'gee!" cried Dewey, "did you hear that? What do you say?"
+
+And Mark raised himself with a struggle.
+
+"No, no," he gasped. "Don't! I mean to fight them."
+
+"Fight them! How can you fight with a broken shoulder?"
+
+"I--I won't tell them it's broken!" panted Mark.
+
+"Wow!" roared Texas, wildly. "Ef you don't lick 'em I will! Whoop! An'
+as fo' them cowards on the shore, let 'em get fired an' bust!"
+
+"Bully, b'gee!" echoed Dewey.
+
+And the battered old Parson chimed in with a feeble and gasping "Yea, by
+Zeus!" while the schooner sailed on in disdainful triumph.
+
+The first class, as it seemed, did not get fired. They ran all the way
+to Garrisons, the town opposite the point, and there begged a boat
+secretly to cross. But the news when it spread next morning made them
+the laughingstock of all creation. And Mark, in the hospital, was the
+hero of the whole cadet corps.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+MARK IN THE HOSPITAL.
+
+
+"General Miles here? Who told you so?"
+
+"I saw him myself. He just got off the train. And there's going to be a
+review of the corps and a whole lot of stuff. Don't you hear those guns.
+That's the salute, b'gee!"
+
+Texas and Dewey paused in their excited conversation to listen to the
+booming of the cannon to the west of the camp. And scarcely had the
+sound ceased before the roll of a drum was heard coming from the guard
+tent at the head of the A Company Street.
+
+"That's the call to quarters, b'gee," continued the bearer of the news
+excitedly. "I bet we're going to see some fun, Texas."
+
+That "call to quarters" brought cadets from every direction hurrying
+into camp to "spruce up," and "fall in;" but the two, who were seated on
+a bench over by Trophy Point, did not even offer to move. For that call
+to quarters had nothing to do with them; that was for old cadets, the
+first classmen, and the yearlings.
+
+When the battalion turned out for review in honor of its distinguished
+guest nobody thought of putting them on exhibition.
+
+The two sat looking at the line forming over by camp, and also at a
+group of figures way down at the other end of the parade ground, a group
+of blue-uniformed officers, with the West Point band at the head. It was
+evidently the superintendent and his staff and the distinguished visitor
+with him.
+
+"Looks as if there's goin' to be high jinks roun' hyar," observed Texas.
+"It's a shame Mark ain't hyar to see it."
+
+Dewey assented to that emphatically, and Texas after a few moments of
+moody thoughtfulness, continued:
+
+"Hang them ole cadets!" he growled. "It makes me want to git up and
+slash round some whenever I think of half o' that whole battalion
+pitchin' in to punch a feller, because not one of 'em was man enough to
+lick him in a square, stand-up fight. Tell you, it makes my blood boil!
+An' they broke his shoulder, an' sent him to hospital, an' he too much
+of a man to tell on 'em at that! The cowards!"
+
+"That's what I say, too, b'gee!" chimed in Dewey. "Mark's the spunkiest
+man that ever they laid eyes on."
+
+"That's what he is," growled Texas. "Jes' think o' whar we'd be ef
+twan't for him. We'd be lettin' them cadets haze us, that's what we
+would."
+
+"Never mind," said Dewey, prophetically. "Just wait till he's well
+again, b'gee! And we'll stick by him meanwhile."
+
+"Will we?" echoed Texas. "I couldn't tell in a thousands years what that
+aire feller's done fo' me. An' I know one other besides us that'll stand
+by him, too."
+
+"Grace Fuller, you mean?"
+
+"That's what I do! Ever since Mark swam out and near killed himself
+savin' her from drownin' that girl's been the best friend ever he had.
+You jes' ought to go over to the hospital an' see how she sends him
+flowers an' fruit an' things. They let her in to sit with him an' talk
+to him where they won't let us plebes near him."
+
+"B'gee, I don't blame 'em!" laughed Dewey. "They're afraid of you over
+there, since they had to nurse you after you rode out and 'held up' the
+artillery squadron at drill. But I tell you, Mark's in luck to have
+Grace spooney over him. She's the most beautiful girl I ever saw, and
+she's the belle of this place. I declare I can hardly believe it, that
+she's joined with us plebes to fool the yearlings."
+
+"She's jes' full o' fun," laughed Texas, "but I reckon the great
+reason's cause she's so fond o' Mark. I wish I had his luck. I jes'
+stand off, 'n look at her and wonder s'posin' 'twas me--dog gone it!"
+
+Texas saw an amused smile begin to flit about his companion's merry
+face; he suspected he was about to "remind" that cheerful recounter of a
+yarn; so he stopped.
+
+"Tell you what," he continued after some more thinking. "I know 'nother
+girl that's dead gone on Mark."
+
+"B'gee!" cried Dewey in surprise. "Who's that?"
+
+"'Moll' Adams."
+
+"Who on earth is she?"
+
+"I reckon she came in afore you met us," mused Texas. "Yes, 'twas 'fore
+you joined the Banded Seven. You know Bull Harris?"
+
+"B'gee!" laughed Dewey. "Didn't I lick the cuss once?"
+
+"That's so," said Texas. "I forgot. Well, Bull--'twas jes' like him--was
+botherin' this girl down on the road to Highland Falls one day. He had
+hold of her arm an' she was fightin' to git away or somethin'. Anyhow
+Mark knocked him down, which was the beginnin' of all this hazin'
+business. Bull got all his yearlin' gang after Mark. After that Mark did
+her 'nother favor, got her brother out of a terrible scrape. An' I think
+she's been mighty fond of him ever since."
+
+"B'gee!" laughed Dewey. "This is real romantic. What makes you think
+so?"
+
+"I've seen her hangin' roun' the hospital inquirin' fo' Mark. An' I can
+tell by the way she looks at him. I don't think she likes to see him so
+chummy with Grace."
+
+"That's more romantic yet," chuckled Dewey. "Why don't Mark care for
+her?"
+
+"You see," said Texas, "some o' the cadets, one of 'em a pretty decent
+feller, a friend o' Mark's, told him that she waren't--she waren't quite
+right. She's somethin' of a flirt, you know. I don't like girls that
+kind much myself an' I'm sure Mark don't. He's kep' pretty shy o' her,
+an' I kinder think she's noticed it."
+
+"Is she pretty?" inquired the other.
+
+"She's mos' as pretty as Grace," responded Texas. "An' that's sayin' a
+deal. She's what you call a brunette--black hair an' eyes. There's some
+girls a feller feels are all right; he feels he's a better feller when
+he's with them. Grace Fuller's one of 'em. She's jes' the angel we call
+her. Then there's some that ain't, an' this girl's one of them."
+
+"Quite a character analysis," laughed the other. "But I guess, b'gee,
+you're right, all the same. And speaking of unpleasant characters,
+there's that Bull Harris. We haven't heard from him for a long time."
+
+"I reckon," said Texas, "Bull's been wantin' to see what the first
+class'd do to Mark since he'd failed to haze him. I reckon the durty ole
+rascal's right well satisfied now."
+
+"You don't love him much," observed the other.
+
+"Why should I? Ain't he tried every mean kid trick he could think of on
+Mark an' me, too? He's all right to bully girls but when he tried Mark
+now, he found he'd hit a snag. He's been doin' nothin' ever since but
+tryin' to get us into scrapes. An' I was thinkin' to-day, 'tain't no
+lucky sign he's quiet. I jes' reckon he's plottin' some new durnation
+trick."
+
+"I wish he'd come on with it," laughed Dewey. "Life is getting really
+monotonous the last two days since Mark's been in hospital. We've been
+having so many lively and interesting brushes with the cadets, b'gee,
+that I can't get along without some excitement at least every day."
+
+"I reckon it'll come soon enough," observed Texas. "An' they say when
+you speak of angels they flap their wings. I wonder how 'bout devils.
+There's ole Bull Harris now, the third feller from the right in the
+front rank of A."
+
+"And he's going out to salute the general," observed Dewey. "I wish we
+had another bloodhound now so's we could put it on his trail the way we
+did once. B'gee, but he was mad!"
+
+As the two had been talking the battalion had formed on the company
+ground; roll call had passed quickly, and the cadet adjutant had turned
+the parade over to the charge of the tactical officer, Lieutenant Allen.
+The latter's sharp commands had rung out a moment later and the
+firmly-stepping lines had swung around and were now well on their way
+down the parade ground, at the other end of which stood the famous
+general and his staff.
+
+It was an inspiring moment. The air seemed fairly to shake with the gay
+music of the band. The cadet's uniforms and equipments were glittering
+in the sunlight, their banners waving on the breeze. They wheeled like
+so many splendid pieces of mechanism and in a few moments more were
+standing at "present arms" in one long line that extended the width of
+the field.
+
+The officers brought their swords up to the salute and the spectators
+cheered, as a handsome figure rode out from the group of officers and
+cantered down the line. It was General Miles himself, a fine military
+figure, striking and imposing. The cadets would have cheered him, too,
+if they had dared.
+
+During this interesting ceremony our two friends of the plebe class had
+gotten up and started on a run for the scene. They had been so much
+interested in their discussion of "Meg" Adams and Bull Harris that they
+had forgotten all about watching this. But by the time they got there
+the review was over, and the cadets had scattered once more. This time
+to prepare for exhibition drill of the afternoon.
+
+The two wandered about disconsolately after that, Texas growling at
+Dewey for having talked too much. And then suddenly the former stopped
+short and stared at his friend.
+
+"I know what I'm going to do!" he declared.
+
+"What?"
+
+"I'm a-goin' to see Mark."
+
+"I thought they wouldn't let you in," laughed Dewey.
+
+"I'm a-goin' all the same," vowed the other. "Ef they won't let me I'll
+make 'em. Jes' you watch me!"
+
+And with that the impulsive Texan faced about and set out for the
+hospital in a hurry.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+TEXAS HAS AN INTERVIEW.
+
+
+Texas' promised "fun" in the effort to see Mark did not, as it proved,
+materialize; because, whereas Texas had expected to be refused
+admittance and to raise a rumpus about it, he was allowed to enter and
+was escorted to Mark's room with all politeness.
+
+"Well!" thought Texas, "I reckon he must be gittin' better."
+
+This eventually proved to be the case; and Texas shrewdly guessed the
+reason for it as he approached the room and heard the sound of voices
+through the open door.
+
+"With her to talk to," he muttered, "anybody could get well."
+
+Grace Fuller was sitting by the window, dressed in white, an angel of
+loveliness, as she appeared to Powers. She was reading aloud to Mark,
+but she stopped suddenly as Texas burst into the room. And a moment
+later the newcomer had seized his chum by his one well arm and was
+shaking it vigorously.
+
+"Hello, ole man!" he cried. "I kain't tell you how glad I am to see
+you."
+
+"Take it easy," said Mark, smiling. "I've got better news still. They
+found that my shoulder was only dislocated; and I'll be out to-day."
+
+Texas uttered a whoop that brought the attendants in on a run. He
+subsided after a threat of expulsion and sat down by the bedside and
+stared at Mark. It was still the same old Mark, handsome and sturdy, but
+just a little pale.
+
+"Say," growled Texas, "you've got no idee how lonely things are 'thout
+you. There's nobody to lick the cadets, or anything."
+
+"What's all the fuss I hear?" inquired Mark.
+
+Texas explained to him what was happening; and went into ecstasies when
+he was told that Mark would be out to see that afternoon's drill. With
+just the same startling impulsiveness as that which had led him to pay
+his brief visit, Texas sprang up again and made for the door.
+
+"Wow!" he cried. "I'm a-goin' out to tell the fellers 'bout this. Whoop!
+See you later, Mark. I reckon you're in pretty good company."
+
+Mark "reckoned" so too, and said so, as he laughed over his friend's
+hot-headed manner.
+
+Texas in the meantime was bounding down the hall and out of the door of
+the building; he meant to turn up toward camp on a run, and he had even
+started up the street. But something happened just then that made him
+change his mind in a hurry. In the first place he heard some one call
+his name:
+
+"Mr. Powers! Oh, Mr. Powers!"
+
+It was a sweet girlish voice, and "Mr. Powers" faced about with
+alacrity, to find himself, to his infinite surprise, face to face with
+Mary Adams, the girl he had not long ago been discussing.
+
+"Hello!" thought he, "what on earth's up?"
+
+His surprise was the greater because he did not know the girl; he had
+never been introduced to her, and he wondered how she even knew his
+name. She was indeed a beautiful girl, with a full round figure, deep
+black hair and eyes, and a complexion that was warm and red. There was a
+look of anxiety upon her face that the cadet did not fail to notice.
+
+"Tell me!" she cried. "Mr. Powers, how is he?"
+
+"Why--why----" stammered Texas, adding, "Bless my soul!" after the
+fashion of his fat friend Indian. "He's all right. He'll be out this
+afternoon."
+
+"I thought he was nearly killed," said the girl. "I have been so
+worried."
+
+There was a brief silence after that, during which Texas shifted his
+feet in embarrassment.
+
+"Tell me," she exclaimed, suddenly. "Do you--do you think he would like
+to see me?"
+
+"Why, er!" stammered Texas. "To be sure. Why wouldn't he?"
+
+The girl noticed his hesitating tone, and her dark eyes flashed as she
+spoke again.
+
+"Answer me," she cried. "Is she there?"
+
+"If by 'she,'" answered the other, "you mean Miss Fuller?"
+
+"Yes, yes, I mean her."
+
+"Then she is," said Texas, defiantly.
+
+He said that with a dogged, none-of-your-business sort of an air, though
+rather sheepishly for all that. The girl stared at him for a moment, and
+then to Texas' indescribable consternation and bewilderment, she buried
+her head in her hands and burst into a passionate flood of tears.
+
+"My Lord!" gasped the astounded plebe.
+
+Poor Texas wasn't used to girls; the only things he knew of that cried
+were babies, and a baby he would have taken in his arms and rocked until
+it stopped. But he had an instinctive impression that that wouldn't do
+in this case. Beyond that he was at a loss.
+
+"Bless my soul, Miss Adams!" he cried--no exclamation seemed to do quite
+so well as Indian's in that case. "Please don't do that! What on earth's
+the matter?"
+
+Texas had a vague idea that some one might come that way any moment; and
+he wondered what that person would think to look at them. Texas just
+then wished himself anywhere on earth but there.
+
+In response to his embarrassed pleading, the girl finally looked through
+her tears. And her eyes, red with weeping, gave her beautiful face a
+look of anguish that touched the Texan's big heart.
+
+"Lord bless me!" said he. "Miss Adams, is there anything I can do?"
+
+She looked at him for a moment and then she answered "Yes," and turned
+slowly down the street.
+
+"Come," she said. "Mr. Powers, I want to talk to you."
+
+If he had wanted to, Texas could not have disobeyed; the fact of the
+matter was that Texas was too bewildered to have any wants. The true
+state of affairs had not dawned upon his unromantic mind.
+
+The two hurried down the road toward Highland Falls, the cadet following
+meekly. They came almost to "cadet limits," to an old lonely road that
+turned off to the right. Up that the girl turned, and when she was well
+out of sight of the main road, turned and faced her companion.
+
+"Now," she said, "I will tell you. Oh, why is it you do not see?"
+
+The look upon her face made Texas fear she was going to burst into tears
+again, and he shifted about uncomfortably.
+
+And just then came the crash.
+
+"Tell me, Mr. Powers," demanded the girl, with a suddenness that almost
+took the other's breath away, "Tell me, Mr. Powers, do you think
+he--he--likes me?"
+
+Texas started; he stared at the girl's anxious face; a sudden light
+breaking in upon him. And the girl gazed into his deep gray eyes and
+saw--she knew not what.
+
+"Why--why----" stammered Texas.
+
+"I have thought so much of him," cried Mary Adams, pouring out her
+feelings, in a passionate flood of words. "I have followed him about, I
+have watched him all day! Ever since he befriended me so that night when
+he saved my brother, I have thought of no one but him. He is so splendid
+and brave and handsome! He--never even looks at me!"
+
+The girl's last words were said in a tone of anguish and despair, and
+she buried her head in her hands once more.
+
+"It is all that other girl!" she continued, after a moment's pause. "He
+thinks of no one but her! Oh, how I hate her! He is with her all the
+time; he asked her to join that society----"
+
+"How--how on earth did you know?" gasped Texas.
+
+"Do you think I am blind?" cried the girl, fiercely. "Do you suppose I
+cannot see what Mark Mallory is doing? It is all that Grace Fuller--all!
+And, oh, what shall I do?"
+
+In a perfect convulsion of sobbing the girl flung herself down upon the
+bank at the side of the road. And Texas stood and gazed at her in
+consternation and embarrassment, and vowing if the gods ever got him out
+of that most incomprehensible fix, he'd never look at a girl again. A
+dozen Comanches could not have inspired Texas with half the awe that
+this one passionate and beautiful creature did.
+
+"Miss Adams," he said, at last, "I--I really don't think Mark knows how
+you regard him."
+
+"I know it," sobbed the girl; "he doesn't! But I cannot tell him!"
+
+A sudden and brilliant idea flashed across Texas' mind.
+
+"I can!" he exclaimed. "I can, an' I will."
+
+The girl sprang to her feet and stared at him.
+
+"No! no!" she cried, in horror. "What would----"
+
+But Texas had already turned and was striding off in excitement.
+
+"Gosh!" he muttered. "That's jes' the thing! I'll tell Mark fo' her, ef
+she kaint. An' anyhow, I couldn't keep a secret from Mark. Dog gone it,
+I'd have to ask his advice. This yere's a 'portant matter."
+
+Texas heard Mary Adams crying out to him to come back, imploring him to
+listen to her. But Texas, once well out of that embarrassing fix and
+beyond the spell of the beautiful girl had no idea of returning to his
+uncomfortable position. And to his rough old heart there was no reason
+on earth why he should not tell Mark. Who else ought to know it but
+Mark?
+
+"An'," muttered Texas, "ef she ain't got sense 'nough to tell him, I
+will."
+
+So, deaf to the girl's entreaties, he left her to bemoan her fate alone
+and set out in hot haste for camp.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+A PLOT TO BEAT "THE GENERAL."
+
+
+Now the adventures of Texas were wild and exciting, to him, anyway. But
+up at camp in the meantime another plebe was having adventures that
+fairly put Texas into the shade. The plebe was "Indian," and you may
+listen and judge for yourself of the adventures.
+
+Indian had been rather less credulous of late, but the yearlings were
+still anxiously watching for another chance to have some fun with him.
+The chance came that day.
+
+Nelson A. Miles is a hero of a hundred fights, and as major general he
+commands the United States army. The more they considered the importance
+of that mighty visitor, the more the yearlings began to think of that
+plan. There were a dozen of them got together that morning and swore
+they'd fool Indian or die in the effort.
+
+Indian of course had seen the review and had been mightily impressed in
+his innocent soul. From the distance he had admired the military figure
+and imposing features of the great man. And then, filled with resolves
+to fight loyally under him and perhaps some day to be like him, he had
+turned away and strolled solemnly back to camp.
+
+He entered his tent, still in that serious, that really heroic mood.
+There was no one in the tent, and so Indian had it all alone for his
+meditations philosophical.
+
+"Oh, what a fine thing it must be to be a great hero like that!" he
+mused. "To gaze upon the world from a large, ethereal standpoint"--an
+ethereal standpoint would have made unsteady standing even for a hero;
+but Indian did not think of that. "I can have no higher ambition in life
+than to imitate that man. As the poet has said:
+
+   'Lives of great men all remind us,
+      We can make our lives sublime,
+    And departing, leave behind us
+      Footprints----'
+
+"Bless my soul!"
+
+Indian had stopped his meditations with startling suddenness; and this
+was the reason thereof.
+
+He had heard mysterious sounds in the Company B tent next door. It was a
+yearling tent. Two cadets had crept into it silently; and Indian heard
+one of them mutter a subdued "S-sh!"
+
+Have you seen a pointer dog prick up his ears suddenly? That was the way
+Indian did.
+
+"A plot?" said one of the yearlings. "A plot did you say? What is it?
+Tell me? I'll come in!"
+
+"S-sh!" said the other. "Do you swear eternal secrecy, swear it by the
+bones of the saints?"
+
+"I swear!" growled the other in a low, sepulchral voice. "Out with it!"
+
+"All the fellows know," continued the other. "They'll all help. But not
+the plebes! Do you hear? Not a word to the plebes! If any plebe should
+hear he'd surely tell on us, and that would ruin us. He might do it, you
+know, for he'd get no end of reward. They might even promote him, make
+him a yearling."
+
+Indian's little fat heart was bounding with delight. A plot! And he knew
+it! Ye gods! Bless my soul! He crept close to the wall of his tent,
+straining eyes and ears to listen, not to lose the faintest sound of
+this most important news.
+
+"It must be something desperate," gasped the other.
+
+"Yes, it is. S-sh! You'll nearly drop I know when I tell you. We're----"
+
+Indian's eyes were like walnuts, half out of his head.
+
+"We're going," continued the yearling, slowly, "we're going to beat the
+general!"
+
+"Beat the general!" echoed the other. "By George, I'll help! I'm glad of
+it. I----"
+
+Indian heard no more. Quietly he had arisen from the tent floor,
+glancing about like a serpent rearing his glittering head from the
+grass. He arose; he crept to the tent door; and a moment later he was
+striding down the street as fast as his little legs could carry him.
+
+So that was the plot! Those wicked and reckless cadets who had hazed him
+so much were now going to beat the general! The general could, of
+course, mean only one general, the great general. There was no general
+at West Point but Major General Miles.
+
+Indian never once stopped until he was well out of camp, out of the
+enemies' hands. A man with so mighty a secret as that could afford to
+take no risks; he must lurk in the shadows until he saw his chance to
+reveal the whole daring conspiracy. Visions rose up before his delighted
+mind, visions of himself a hero like Mark, congratulated by all, even
+made a yearling as the cadets had hinted. Indian even imagined himself
+already as hazing the rest of the plebes.
+
+These thoughts in his mind, he was suddenly startled by seeing two
+yearlings coming near. Were they after him? Indian trembled. Nearer and
+nearer. No, they had passed him. And then, once more, he heard the
+words:
+
+"Yes, yes! We're going to beat the general!"
+
+"What! Heavens, suppose some one should find it out."
+
+That settled it. Indian sprang up boldly and strode away, determination
+in his very waddle. He knew! And he would tell!
+
+At that moment Indian saw Cadet Fischer crossing the parade ground.
+Surely, thought Indian, so high and responsible an officer as this had
+nothing to do with the plot! Why not tell him? And so at him Indian made
+a dash.
+
+"Mr. Fischer! Oh, Captain Fischer!"
+
+The officer turned in surprise. Hailed by a common plebe.
+
+"Mr. Fischer!" gasped Indian. "Bless my soul! I hear they're going to
+beat the general!"
+
+"Yes," said the other. "In half an hour. But why----"
+
+Good heavens, he knew it too! And like a flash, the frightened plebe
+wheeled and dashed away. There was only one resource left now. He would
+tell the general himself.
+
+Across the parade ground dashed Indian, panting, gasping. Down by the
+headquarters building, he saw a group of horses standing. One charger he
+recognized instantly. The general was inside the building, and a moment
+later a group of officers appeared in the doorway. The handsome,
+commanding figure in front. Indian's heart bounded for joy; and then
+suddenly the amazed General Miles was greeted by a gasping, excited
+cadet in plebe fatigue uniform.
+
+"General, oh, general! Bless my soul!"
+
+The officer stared at him.
+
+"A plot!" panted Indian. "Oh, general, please don't go"--puff--"near the
+camp--bless my soul! A plot!"
+
+"A plot!" echoed the other. "A plot! What do you mean?"
+
+"They're going to hurt you--bless my soul!"
+
+"Hurt me! Who?"
+
+"The cadets, sir! Bless my soul, I--puff--heard them say, they
+were--puff--oh!--going to b-b-beat the general."
+
+There was a moment of silence, then a perfect roar of laughter came from
+the staff officers. The general laughed too, for a moment, but when he
+saw the plebe's alarm and perplexity he stopped and gazed at him with a
+kindly expression. "My boy," he said, "you've been letting the yearlings
+fool you."
+
+"Fool me!" echoed Indian in horror. "Bless my soul!--how?"
+
+"Beating the general means," answered the officer, "beating the general
+assembly, which is a drum call."
+
+The officers shook with laughter again, and as for poor Indian, he was
+thunderstruck. So he had been fooled again! So he had let those mean
+cadets haze him once more! And--and----
+
+Poor Indian's eyes began to fill with tears. And he choked down a great
+big sob. The old officer saw his look of misery.
+
+"Do they fool you often that way, my boy?" he asked, sympathetically.
+
+"Ye--yes!" answered Indian, at the verge of a weeping spell. "Ye--yes,
+th-they do. And I think it's real mean."
+
+"So do I," said the general, smiling. "I tell you how we'll fix it.
+Don't you let on they succeeded."
+
+"I can't help it," moaned Indian. "They know! L-look!"
+
+With trembling finger he pointed across the street to where in the
+shadow of the sally port of the academy stood a group of hilarious
+yearlings, fully half the class, wild with glee. The general shook his
+head as he looked, and poor Indian got out his handkerchief as a
+precaution.
+
+"Too bad!" said the former. "Too bad, I declare! We'll have to turn that
+joke on them somehow or other. Let me see. Let me see. How would you
+like it for me to help you get square, as you boys say?"
+
+Indian gazed up at the stalwart and kindly form confidingly; he was all
+smiles in a moment.
+
+"I'll tell you," said the general at last, "you and I'll take a walk.
+And when they see you with me, they'll be sorry they sent you. Come on."
+
+He took the arm of the delighted Indian, who was scarcely able to
+realize the extent of his good fortune.
+
+"You'll excuse me a short while, gentlemen," said General Miles to his
+military staff. "I'll return shortly. And now," to Indian, "where shall
+we go? I guess I'll let you show me about camp."
+
+And sure enough, pinching himself to make sure if he really were awake,
+Indian, on the arm of the mighty guest of West Point, commander of Uncle
+Sam's whole army, marched away up the road past the parade ground and
+all through Camp McPherson.
+
+The general was enjoying the joke hugely, but he affected not to notice
+it, and plied the plebe with questions.
+
+Why did the yearlings haze him so much? Was he B. J.? Oh, it was because
+he was a friend of Mark Mallory's, was it! General Miles had heard of
+Mark Mallory. He was the plebe who had saved the life of the general's
+friend, Judge Fuller's daughter. A beautiful girl that! And a splendid
+act! Indian had seen it, had he? Colonel Harvey had described it to the
+general. The general would like to meet Mark Mallory. No, he was not
+joking; he really would. Mr. Mallory was in hospital, was he? Too bad!
+Had been too B. J., had he? The general liked B. J. plebes. He hoped
+Mark was not badly hurt. And----
+
+Then suddenly the conversation was interrupted by a cry of joy from
+Indian.
+
+"There's Mark now! He's out of hospital!"
+
+"That handsome lad down the street there?" inquired the general, "let us
+go down by all means."
+
+A moment later, Mark, to his great amazement, was confronted by the
+curiously contrasted pair. Indian was beaming like a sunflower.
+
+"Mr. Mallory," he said, with a flourish, "allow me to present my friend,
+General Miles."
+
+Mark bowed, and the general took the hand he held out.
+
+"Mr. Mallory," he said, "I am proud to meet you. I have heard of what
+you have done. The service needs such men as you."
+
+And the whole corps heard him say so, too. The general had been very
+careful to say those words in a loud and clear voice that made the camp
+ring. Then he turned and spoke to an orderly who was passing.
+
+"Tell my staff to ride up here for me," he said, and added, turning to
+the two radiant plebes: "Now, my young friends, I must ask you to excuse
+me. I am very pleased to have met you both. Good-morning, Mr. Smith, and
+Mr. Mallory."
+
+With which he turned and strode away up the street again, smiling at the
+recollection of the incident. And Mark stood and stared at his grinning
+friend Indian.
+
+"Well," said he, "you blessed idiot, you certainly do beat the Dutch!"
+
+And then he turned and went into the tent.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+"BULL" FINDS AN ALLY.
+
+
+"For Heaven's sake, man, you don't mean this for a fact, do you?"
+
+It was Mark who spoke; he sat alone in his tent with Texas late that
+evening, and Texas was telling him the story of Mary Adams and what she
+had done during the day.
+
+"And did she tell you to tell me this?" Mark continued, in amazement.
+
+"No," said Texas; "she didn't want me to a bit. I couldn't make her out
+'t all. She wanted you to know it, but she didn't want me to tell it."
+
+"I'm afraid," laughed the other, "that you haven't a very delicate sense
+of propriety. I'm afraid you're no ladies' man, Texas."
+
+"That's all right," answered Texas. "I think I managed this yere affair
+right well. Now, what I want to know is, what you're goin' to do 'bout
+it?"
+
+"That's just what I want to know," said his friend. "I'm as puzzled as
+you. Why, I hadn't the least idea the poor girl felt that way about me."
+
+"Don't you care for her?"
+
+"Why, of course, man. I like her well enough, from what I know of her.
+But I don't want any of that sickly, sentimental business in mine, and
+especially about a girl like her. I'm afraid of her, and I don't know
+what on earth to say to her. I wish to gracious, old man, you hadn't
+said a word to me about it."
+
+Texas gazed at Mark with a grieved expression. That was a nice thing to
+say to a man who was just priding himself on having managed a delicate
+affair so nicely. And Texas arose to his feet.
+
+"Well," said he, "I'm sorry you don't like it. An' ef that's all I git,
+I'll keep out of it."
+
+With which he bounced out of the tent and strode away. Mark also left
+the tent for a walk a moment later, still thinking.
+
+The girl was sincere, that was certain. And he knew it all, and so did
+she. The question was, what could Mark do without hurting her feelings.
+She was wildly jealous of Grace. Now Mark had not the remotest idea of
+dropping Grace Fuller, his "angel"; he did not like even to think of her
+in connection with this girl. He knew in his heart it would be best to
+let Mary Adams alone from this time on. But what would she think then?
+
+Mark was weighing this question as he went. He was not noticing,
+meanwhile, where he was going. It was within half an hour or so of
+tattoo he knew, and a dark, cloudy night. He had taken the path down
+through "Flirtation Walk," heeding no one; he had strolled to the other
+end, and turned to retrace his steps when suddenly he halted in
+surprise. A dark figure was hurrying past him, and as he gazed at it and
+recognized it, he exclaimed aloud:
+
+"Miss Adams!" he cried. "You here!"
+
+The girl turned and faced him, pushing aside the shawl she wore and
+disclosing her face in all its passionate beauty.
+
+"Mr. Mallory!" she cried, in just as much surprise; and then gazed at
+him trembling.
+
+"Miss Adams," said Mark, quietly, after a moment's thought. "I want to
+have a talk with you, if you please. May I?"
+
+"Yes," she cried. "Yes, but not here. I want to see you alone."
+
+She turned, and Mark followed her, almost having to run to keep up with
+the girl's excited pace. They descended the hill at the end of the path,
+and then on they went almost to the Hudson's shore. It was a dark,
+deserted spot, and there the girl halted. Mark stopped too, and she
+turned about and gazed at him.
+
+"Now, then," said she.
+
+Mark said nothing at first; he was watching her features, admiring them
+and at the same time wondering at the emotion they showed. Her cheeks
+became red as fire under his gaze.
+
+"Mr. Powers has told you all?" she demanded at last. "He has; I can see
+it!"
+
+Mark started as he noticed the tone of her voice; he had never heard her
+speak that way before. Usually her voice was soft and melodious, a voice
+with a hidden, musical charm. Now it was cold and harsh, and Mark knew
+at once what that meant.
+
+The girl was angry already. She saw that he was about to cast her aside,
+after all her passionate, humiliating confession. And she was putting a
+bold, brazen front upon it.
+
+"I can see!" she cried, suddenly. "I can see it all in your face. You do
+not care for me!"
+
+"Miss Adams," he began, quietly; the girl shook her head impatiently.
+
+"Call me Mary or Moll!" she exclaimed. "Call me Mary and be done with
+it. They all do."
+
+Mark was puzzled. He did not wish to call her Mary, he did not wish to
+indicate any familiarity. He saw on the other hand that to refuse would
+be to cut her to the quick; but he chose the latter course.
+
+"I shall call you Miss Adams," he said, decisively. "And I want to
+explain to you----"
+
+The girl stamped her foot upon the ground.
+
+"There is no need for you to explain!" she cried. "I know! I know it
+all! I have watched you, followed you, dreamed of you, and you have
+flung me off."
+
+As she spoke, the girl had been striding about the spot. As she finished
+she bowed her head and broke into a passion of tears.
+
+"But, Miss Adams," expostulated Mark, "you will not let me explain."
+
+"'Explain!'" The girl raised her head and tossed her dark hair in anger,
+while her eyes flashed. "I do not want you to explain! Your explanations
+are simply honeyed words to hide the facts. I know the facts. You want
+to tell me why. I know why! It is because of her, of her! I hate her,
+the yellow-haired creature. And I hate you! Yes, I hate you! You have
+treated me as if I were a puppet, as if I had no right to live. And I do
+not want to live. I have no use for life. I wish I were dead!"
+
+The girl had raised her hands to the sky, a weird figure; she gazed
+about her despairingly as she finished.
+
+"I wish I were dead!" she cried, again.
+
+The wind whistled through the lonely trees as she spoke, and made a
+strange accompaniment to her impassioned voice. A steamboat, plying the
+river, was softly churning little waves that lapped against the shore
+and made a low, gurgling sound upon the rocks. The girl gazed over the
+steep, dark bank as she cried out in her wretchedness, and the next
+instant she sprang forward.
+
+The thought had flashed over Mark at the same moment. He saw the girl
+move, and seized her. She turned upon him with the fury of a tiger, a
+tiger she was, with all a tiger's passions. For a moment they struggled
+and wrestled, the girl crying out all the time. And then she tore
+herself loose with one mighty effort--Mark had only one free hand--and
+lunged down, down into the darkness.
+
+Mark heard a splash and a gurgle of the black invisible waters. And then
+all was silent as the grave.
+
+Mark Mallory hesitated, hesitated for the first time in his life. One
+arm was bound tight in a sling and helpless. He was weak and faint yet
+from his maltreatment. Still he could not see her die without trying to
+save her. His hesitation gone, he took a step forward, but he was too
+late.
+
+There was a quick noise behind him; he heard the word "coward!" hissed
+in his ear, and a white figure shot past him and dived out into the
+darkness.
+
+Mark gasped with relief; and quick to act, he turned, and helpless
+though he was, clambered down around the side to reach the spot. He
+heard sounds of a struggle out beyond him; he heard some whispered
+words, and a moment later the figure of the rescuer arose out of the
+water and confronted him, bearing the girl in his arms.
+
+It was Bull Harris!
+
+Mark started back instinctively; and Bull sneered as he saw it.
+
+"Coward!" he repeated. "Coward! The corps shall know of this!"
+
+Mark knew that expostulation and explanation were useless and
+unnecessary. He said not a word, but saw the girl safely brought to
+shore. And then, sad and heavy at heart, he turned and walked back
+toward the camp.
+
+Bull Harris stayed, to reap the fruit of his labors. He held the
+half-fainting, half-hysterical girl in his arms and wiped her straying
+hair from her face and sought to calm her. He seemed to like his task,
+for when she was better he made no move to stop.
+
+"Did he push you over?" inquired Bull, insinuatingly.
+
+"No," cried the girl, with fierceness. "He did not. But I hate him!"
+
+"You might say he did then!" the yearling whispered softly.
+
+Mary Adams glanced at him with a sharp look.
+
+"I might," she said, "if I chose. And I may. What's that to you?"
+
+"To me!" cried Bull clinching the girl's hand in his until she cried
+out. "To me! I hate him! I could kill him!"
+
+"You were rude to me once," she muttered.
+
+"Yes," exclaimed Bull. "I was. You liked him, and I hated you for it."
+
+That was a lie, but the girl did not choose, for some reason, to say so.
+
+"Come," she said, striving to arise. "Help me home."
+
+"One moment!" cried Bull, holding her back. "Promise me one thing, one
+thing before you go."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"I know the whole story, Mary," he said. "I know how he has treated you,
+how he has cast you off, made a puppet of you, and all for that Grace
+Fuller! You say you hate him. So do I. Promise me, promise me to be
+revenged if you have to die for it."
+
+"I will!" cried she, furiously.
+
+"Will you give me your hand on it?"
+
+"I will."
+
+Bull took her home that night, though he was in no hurry about it. He
+came in after taps, for he thought it would do him good to hand in his
+explanation that he had been saving a girl's life, and restoring her to
+consciousness. A girl; perhaps a girl upon whom murder had been
+attempted.
+
+He evaded all details, however, and went to his tent chuckling
+triumphantly at his evil work that night.
+
+He had laid a foundation for trouble, but would success follow?
+
+Only the future could tell.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+STRANGE CONDUCT.
+
+
+"Say, fellows, what do you think?"
+
+"What's the matter?"
+
+"Mallory's given in!"
+
+"Given in! How do you mean?"
+
+"He's going to let himself be hazed."
+
+"What!"
+
+Two more surprised cadets than the two who uttered this last exclamation
+it would be hard to imagine. They had been sitting on a bench near
+Trophy Point, and one of them had been carelessly tinkling a mandolin.
+He had dropped the instrument and leaped to his feet. Now he was staring
+with open mouth at the new arrival, who bore the extraordinary tidings.
+
+"Mallory given up! Gus Murray, what on earth do you mean?"
+
+The three were yearlings, all of them. The crowd which has usually been
+designated in these stories as "Bull Harris' gang." There was Gus
+Murray, the new arrival, a low, brutal-looking chap. There was the
+sickly and disagreeable "Merry" Vance. And there was the little fellow
+"Baby" Edwards, the meanest of them all.
+
+"You surely can't mean," cried Vance, "that Mallory has consented to
+allow the fellows to haze him?"
+
+"Better than that even," chuckled Murray. "Better than that!"
+
+"For Heaven's sake," gasped the other, "sit down and tell us what you do
+mean. What is the use of talking riddles?"
+
+Thus enjoined, Gus Murray explained; he was nothing loath to tell the
+tale.
+
+"I'll tell you how it was," he said. "I was never more astounded in my
+life. I saw that plebe strolling down the street a while ago, holding
+his head high as ever and looking as if he owned the place."
+
+"Confound him!" muttered Vance.
+
+"You know," the other continued, "he's never done any work like the rest
+of the plebes. Usually we yearlings make them fix our tents and guns,
+and carry water, and so on. Mallory never has, and of course nobody's
+succeeded in making him. I thought I'd guy him a little just now and see
+how he'd take it. So I stopped and said, 'See here, plebe. Let me show
+you how to clean a gun.'"
+
+"And what did he say?" cried Vance.
+
+"Just as B. J. as ever," growled Murray. "'Thank you,' he said, 'I'll go
+get mine and let you do it.' Of course he knew perfectly well that I
+wanted to show him on mine and let him do the work. I said to him,
+'I've a gun to show you on, if you please.' And by George----"
+
+"You don't mean he cleaned your gun for you!" gasped Baby.
+
+"That's just exactly what I do! You might have knocked me over with a
+feather. He said, 'Certainly, sir.' Yes, by jiminy, he actually said
+'sir.' And when I left him he was working away like a beaver. He had the
+gun half cleaned. What do you think of that?"
+
+Gus finished and gazed at his two companions triumphantly. He felt that
+he had accomplished something that no other member of his class ever
+had.
+
+"I'll bet Mallory was afraid of you," chirruped Baby Edwards. "Don't you
+suppose that's it, Merry?"
+
+Vance picked up his mandolin and resumed his cynical smile.
+
+"I'll tell you what I think," he said.
+
+"What?" demanded Murray.
+
+"That you're a fool."
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"Simply," said Vance, "that Mallory was playing some kind of a joke on
+you."
+
+"But he wasn't!" cried the other. "I went back after he was through and
+the gun was perfect. The wood was polished till it shone like a mirror.
+I actually did not like to touch it, it was so pretty."
+
+"And how about the rest of the tent?" inquired Vance.
+
+"He hadn't disturbed a thing. I looked particularly. I tell you, man,
+that Mallory has given in."
+
+"It's not much like him," said Merry, dubiously.
+
+"You don't have to look very far for the cause," began Murray. "You
+remember how the first class gave him a licking the other day?"
+
+Vance admitted that might have something to do with it.
+
+"It's got everything," chuckled Murray. "It's simply broken his spirit.
+Why look, man! He was black and blue all over. Even now one of his arms
+is in a sling. I tell you he's made up his mind that it isn't safe to
+carry on as he's been, and so he's decided to get meek and mild for a
+change."
+
+"And, oh, say, if it's true!" cried Baby, excitedly. "If it's true! Gee
+whiz, won't we have some fun!"
+
+"Just won't we!" responded Murray, doubling up his fists and glaring as
+if the hated plebe were really in front of him. "I just tell you I mean
+to make him wish he'd never been born. I've been waiting for a chance to
+get even with that confounded beast, and now I'll have him."
+
+For the next half hour there was joy unbounded among those three young
+gentlemen. Only those who are familiar with their dispositions can
+comprehend the amount of satisfaction they felt; and only those who know
+our friend Mark Mallory's character as they did can appreciate their
+surprise at his "flunk."
+
+"I wish Bull were here to hear about it," remarked Baby at last.
+
+"Where is Bull anyhow?" inquired Murray, who was chief lieutenant in
+Bull's gang and an invaluable assistant in all of Bull's schemes for
+revenge upon Mark.
+
+That question changed the topic of conversation for a few minutes. It
+was Vance who answered it.
+
+"There's something mysterious about Bull," he said. "I've been puzzling
+my head to think what it means. You know Bull was absent from taps last
+night."
+
+"What!"
+
+"Yes, he was. And you know that's a pretty serious offense. It may mean
+court-martial, you know."
+
+"Good gracious!" gasped Baby. "What would we do without Bull?"
+
+"I guess we won't have to," laughed Vance. "You needn't begin to worry.
+I was corporal of the guard last night when Bull came in to report. It
+was way after eleven."
+
+"Where on earth had he been?"
+
+"He wouldn't tell me. He was very mysterious. It seems that he had been
+in the water somehow and was soaking wet; all I could get out of him was
+that the business had something to do with Mary Adams."
+
+"Mary Adams!" cried Gus. "I thought she wouldn't speak to him."
+
+"Well, I don't know," said Vance. "That was what Bull told me. Anyhow he
+didn't seem a bit alarmed about his absence."
+
+"The superintendent sent for him this afternoon," put in Murray. "I
+suppose that was to give him a chance to explain the matter."
+
+"Yes, and I saw Bull with Mary a while ago," added the other, shrewdly.
+"I shouldn't wonder if Bull were getting up some scheme. He hasn't said
+much about Mallory to-day. He's been very mysterious."
+
+The mystery, whatever it was, was destined to remain unsolved, however,
+for just then the rattle of a drum echoed across the field, and the
+three sprang up hastily.
+
+"It's dress parade," said Murray.
+
+"Yes," responded Vance, dryly. "And now you'll have a chance to show off
+that beautifully cleaned gun of yours. Come on."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX.
+
+A SURPRISE FOR MURRAY.
+
+
+Gus Murray went straight to his tent when the group broke up. He hastily
+dusted off his clothes and looked at himself in the glass to make sure
+that nothing was out of place. Then he took up his gun from the rack and
+hurried out to "fall in."
+
+A moment later the order was given, "'Tention company!" and after roll
+call the battalion wheeled and marched out upon the parade ground.
+
+The ceremony of dress parade has been described in these pages before.
+The solemn cadet adjutant formed the parade and then turned it over to
+his superior. The gayly-dressed band marched down the line and took its
+station. A few moments later the battalion was in the midst of its
+evolutions.
+
+It was not very long before they halted again, down toward the southern
+end of the plain, to go through the manual of arms. It was then that Gus
+Murray received a shock.
+
+The cadets had been marching with their guns at a "carry." Gus had held
+his that way ever since he picked it up, and then suddenly the
+lieutenant in command gave the order:
+
+"Present--arms!"
+
+In a "carry" the soldier holds his gun in the right hand, with thumb and
+first finger around the trigger guard. In coming to "present" he swings
+it up in front of him and seizes the stock in the left hand, at the same
+time letting go with the right and reversing his grip.
+
+The cadet lines work like a perfect machine in that drill. Every gun
+swings up at the same instant, every hand moves in unison, so that the
+sound of the many motions is but one. This time, however, there was a
+break, and the cause of it was our dear friend Gus.
+
+Gus got through the first part of the motion all right. On the second
+part he got "stuck"--in more senses than one. When he went to let go
+with his right hand--he couldn't!
+
+At first he could hardly understand what was happening. He pulled and
+tugged with all his might. But it did no good; his hand was fast. And in
+an instant the horrible truth flashed over him--Mallory--he had polished
+the gun with glue!
+
+Every spectator on the grounds was staring at Gus. As for him, he was
+still tugging and wrestling, blushing, and gasping with rage. Finally he
+saw that his efforts were useless, and he gave it up in despair; he
+stood silent and helpless, gazing into space.
+
+Lieutenant Ross was the name of tac in command, and he was noted for
+being a crank. He gave no more orders, of course, but stood and stared
+at the offending cadet in horror and indignation, while the cadets, who
+did not dare to look, but who knew that something was "up," waited and
+wondered.
+
+How long this suspense and torture would last no one could tell; the tac
+broke in at last.
+
+"Mr. Murray!" he demanded. "What is the matter?"
+
+"My gun!" stammered Murray. "I--I--why--that is----"
+
+"Mr. Murray, leave the ranks!"
+
+Blushing scarlet, the yearling obeyed, conscious of the fact that
+hundreds of eyes were upon him. He strode furiously down the line and
+once clear, set out on a run for camp, almost ready to cry with
+vexation. He reached his tent, rushed in, tore off his glove, and hurled
+his musket into the corner. And then he stood in the middle of his tent
+and clinched his fists until his nails cut the palms of his hands.
+
+"By Heaven!" he cried, "I'll be revenged on that plebe if I have to kill
+him to do it!"
+
+He stayed in his tent, nursing his wrath and resentment, until the
+battalion marched back to camp. And he refused to come out then; his
+classmates who inquired as to what was the matter received angry replies
+for their pains. And when the corps marched down to supper Murray still
+sat where he was. He didn't want any supper.
+
+He was in just the mood to welcome a visitor who came then. The visitor
+was Murray's chum and crony, Bull Harris.
+
+"Hello, old man," said he, pushing aside the tent flap. "What's up?"
+
+"Go to blazes!" responded Murray, by way of answer.
+
+"Come, come," said Bull, pleasantly. "You don't want to get mad with me,
+Gus. Tell me what's wrong."
+
+"It's that confounded plebe!" snapped Murray.
+
+"I thought so," said Bull. "Well, that's what my news is about. I've got
+a plot."
+
+And the other's sullen glare gave place to a look of delight in an
+instant. He leaped to his feet with an exclamation of joy.
+
+"By George, I knew it!" he cried. "Quick! quick! Out with it! Nothing's
+too desperate for me to-night."
+
+"That's good," chuckled Bull. "Very good. Come, let us go and take a
+walk. This is a long story; and no one must overhear it, either."
+
+Such is the effect of bad motives upon men. Those two precious rascals
+stooped instinctively as they hurried down the company street and
+dodged out of camp. Bull led his company down through "Flirtation Walk"
+and out to the far end of it. Here they scrambled down the hillside
+until they were in a lonely, deserted glen almost at the river's edge.
+It was already growing dark with the shadows of the evening. And here
+Bull stopped and took a seat.
+
+"I hope this is quiet enough for you," said Murray.
+
+"I had an especial reason for bringing you here!" responded Bull. "All
+I've got to tell you about happened here. Do you know, old man, I jumped
+into the river off that high bank last night."
+
+"What!" gasped the other. "For Heaven's sake, why?"
+
+"That's in the story," answered Harris. "I'll begin at the beginning.
+Listen. You remember how I told you a a while ago when that plebe
+Mallory first came here, how Mary Adams and I had a quarrel and that
+fool came along and knocked me down."
+
+"You never told me what you were doing," said Murray.
+
+"Never mind. I was a fool to try it, that way. Anyhow, she's hated me
+ever since. And oh, how she has struggled to get that plebe. Murray, I'm
+smarter than you think. I've been watching this business night and day,
+waiting for my chance. And now it's come. I found that plebe and Mary
+on this very spot just before taps last night."
+
+"What doing?" gasped Murray.
+
+Bull told the particulars.
+
+"And, by George, I'll be hanged if she didn't end it by flinging herself
+head first over that bank!" he concluded.
+
+"What!" gasped Murray.
+
+"Yes, sir. And then I saw my chance. Oh, it was a bonanza for me, Gus!
+Mallory was lame, you know, and he hesitated. I rushed past him and
+saved her life. Throwing in some heroic flourishes, so's to have the
+right effect upon her. I carried her out, and upbraided him as a coward.
+He was lame, I knew, and couldn't do anything if he wanted to. And it
+made her hate him all the more."
+
+"How did it turn out?"
+
+"Splendidly. He went back to camp, and I took her all the way home. And
+you can bet I fixed it all right with her on the way. I made up for what
+she was mad about before; and I talked about Mallory and that other girl
+until she was wild. And, Gus, we've got her!"
+
+"Got her for what?"
+
+"Mallory! She's our tool, man; we can do just what we please. She'll do
+anything on earth for revenge. I almost think she'd kill him."
+
+"You don't mean," gasped Gus, "that she's going to swear he pushed her
+into the river?"
+
+"She wanted to," said Bull. "Oh, Murray, you can't imagine how simply
+desperate that girl was! She'd simply thrown herself at Mallory's feet,
+and he'd kicked her away. At least that was the way it seemed to her,
+and you can bet I didn't try to change her view. And she was crying with
+rage all the way home. Her face was simply scarlet, and she was
+trembling like a leaf. I was honestly afraid of her. She vowed she'd
+swear to anything I said if she could only ruin him, and to get that
+Grace Fuller away from him. She said she'd swear to it and stick to it
+that he tried to murder her. She was even mad because I wouldn't let
+her."
+
+"Why didn't you?" cried the other.
+
+"In the first place, I doubt if the superintendent would believe her.
+There have been several plots like that tried, but he has too much faith
+in that fool of a plebe. Then, too, I doubt if the girl's rage'll last
+that long. We must use it while it does. All we want to do is to get
+that plebe dismissed."
+
+"That's all!" exclaimed Murray. "But in Heaven's name, how?"
+
+"Didn't I tell you I had a plot?"
+
+"Yes, but what? and when?"
+
+"To-night!" cried Bull. "To-night! And I want you to help us."
+
+Murray sprang up in excitement and joy. Bull hushed his exclamations,
+and after glancing cautiously about him to make sure that no one was
+near in that now black and shadowy glade, went on in a low, muttering
+tone:
+
+"It's very simple," he whispered. "It's because it's so simple it's sure
+to work. It won't leave Mallory the ghost of a chance. I'm just as sure,
+man, sure as I stand on this spot of ground, that Mallory will be
+court-martialed in a week."
+
+"What is it?" cried Murray.
+
+"Listen. Mary's going to write him a letter to-night, send it to him
+about midnight, asking him to come to her. Then----"
+
+"But will he come?"
+
+"Certainly. We can make it strong. She will. She can say she's dying,
+anything to make sure. He'll go. She lives beyond cadet limits. Some of
+us'll be there, catch him, tie him--anything, I don't care. And I know
+the girl don't. I think she'd tear his eyes out. Anyhow, we'll fix him
+there, beyond limits, and then back to camp we go, make some infernal
+racket and have the tac out in no time. Then there'll be an inspection,
+and Mallory'll be 'hived' absent after taps. They'll ask him next
+morning where he's been, and he'll tell."
+
+"He may lie."
+
+"He won't. He couldn't. I know him too well. And he'll be
+court-martialed, and there you are!"
+
+And Gus Murray leaped up with a cry of joy. He seized his companion by
+the hand.
+
+"That's it!" he cried. "That's it! By Heaven, it'll do him. And if
+there's any blame to bear that fool of a girl shall bear it."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI.
+
+THE PLOT SUCCEEDS.
+
+
+That beautiful July evening, while those precious rascals sat whispering
+and discussing the details of their plan, while first classmen and
+yearlings were all down in the academy building at the "hop," a certain
+plebe sat in a tent of Company A, all by himself. A candle flickered
+beside him, and he held a writing pad in his hand. The plebe was Mark,
+his clear-cut, handsome features shining in the yellow light.
+
+      "Dear Mother," he was writing. "It is hard for one to
+      get time to write a letter here. We plebes have so
+      much to do. But I have promised you to write once a
+      week, and so I have stolen off from my friends to drop
+      you a line.
+
+      "This is the fifth letter I have written now, the
+      close of the fifth week. And I like West Point as much
+      as I ever did. You know how much that is. You know how
+      I have worked and striven for this chance I have. West
+      Point has always been the goal of all my hopes, and I
+      am still happy to have reached it. If I should forfeit
+      my chance now, it would be by my own fault, I think; I
+      know that it would break my heart.
+
+      "We plebes have to work hard nowadays. They wake us up
+      at five with a big gun, and after that it is drill all
+      day. But I like it, for I am learning lots of things.
+      If you could see me sweeping and dusting I know you
+      would laugh. Texas says if 'the boys' saw him they'd
+      lynch him 'sho'.
+
+      "I told you a lot about Texas the last time I wrote.
+      He is the most delightful character I have ever met in
+      my life. He is just fresh from the plains, and his
+      cowboy ways of looking at things keep me laughing all
+      day. But he is just as true as steel, and as fine a
+      friend as I ever knew.
+
+      "I believe I told you all about the Banded Seven, the
+      secret society we have gotten up to stop hazing. Well,
+      we are having high jinks with 'the ole ya'rlin's,' as
+      Texas calls them. We have outwitted them at every
+      point, and I think they are about ready to give up in
+      despair. We plebes even went to the hop the other
+      night. I can hear the music of the hop now as it comes
+      over the parade ground. It is very alluring, so you
+      must appreciate this letter all the more.
+
+      "I shan't tell you about the fight I had, for it would
+      worry you. And I haven't time to tell you how I saved
+      the life of a girl last week. I inclose a newspaper
+      clipping about it, but you mustn't believe it was so
+      absurdly heroic. The girl's father is a very rich man
+      here, and, mother, she is very sweet and attractive.
+      She has joined the Seven to help me fool the
+      yearlings.
+
+      "I guess I shall have to stop now. I hear some sounds
+      that make me think it is time for tattoo, and besides,
+      I am getting very homesick, writing to you way out in
+      Colorado. You need not be fearing any rival to my
+      affections, mother dear, even if I am fond of Grace
+      Fuller. I wish I could see you just once to-night to
+      tell you how much I miss you. And I am still
+
+      "Your devoted son,
+
+      "MARK."
+
+Mark laid down his pencil with a sigh. He folded the letter and sealed
+it, and then arose slowly to his feet. Outside of his tent he heard
+quick steps and voices, and a moment later the rattle of a drum broke
+forth.
+
+"Tattoo," he observed. "I thought so."
+
+He turned toward the door as the flap was pushed aside--and a tall,
+slender lad entered, a lad with bronzed, sun-tanned features and merry
+gray eyes.
+
+"Hello, Texas!" said Mark.
+
+"Hello," growled Texas. "Look a yere! What do you mean by runnin' off
+an' hidin' all evenin'? I been a huntin' you everywhere."
+
+"I've been right here," said Mark, "writing a letter home. Did you want
+me to go to the hop?"
+
+"No, I didn't. But I wanted you to tell me all 'bout that crazy Mary
+Adams last night an' what you did. You ain't had time to tell me all
+day."
+
+Mark told him the story then. They were still discussing it when they
+turned out and lined up for roll call; and that ceremony being over,
+they scattered again, Texas still eagerly asking questions about the
+strange affair.
+
+Taps sounded half an hour later--ten o'clock--"lights out and all
+quiet." They stopped then.
+
+Sentry No. 3 that night was "Baby" Edwards. His beat lay along the
+northern edge of the camp, skirting the tents of Company A. And Baby
+Edwards let quite a number pass his beat that night.
+
+For instance, he was on duty from midnight until two. It was bright
+moonlight then, and Baby could have seen any one who crossed his post;
+but he heard a signaling whistle and faced out in order not to see any
+one. The person who entered was a boy clad in a blue uniform, an
+"orderly," as they are called.
+
+He ran silently and swiftly in and made straight for one tent. When he
+got there he hesitated not a moment, but stepped in and crept up to one
+of the sleepers.
+
+It was Mark who awoke at his touch, and Mark sat up in alarm and stared
+at him.
+
+"Sh!" said the boy. "Sh! Don't wake any one."
+
+"What do you want?" Mark demanded.
+
+"I've a letter, sir, a letter from her again."
+
+Mark stared at the boy and recognized him at once as a messenger who had
+given him a note from Mary Adams about a month ago. And he sprang to his
+feet in surprise.
+
+"She writing again!" he whispered. "Quick, give it to me."
+
+He broke the seal, stepped to the tent door, where, in the white
+moonlight, he could read every letter plainly. And this was what he
+saw:
+
+      "DEAR MR. MALLORY: Oh, once more I have to write you
+      to call upon you for aid. You cannot imagine the
+      terrible distress I am in. And I have no one to call
+      upon but you. If you respect me as a woman, come to my
+      aid to-night and at once. And come alone, for I could
+      not bear to have any one but you know of my terrible
+      affliction. Oh, please do not fail me! You may imagine
+      my state of mind when I write you like this. And let
+      me call myself
+
+      Your friend,
+
+      "MARY ADAMS."
+
+Mark finished the reading of that letter in amazement, even alarm.
+
+"Did she give you this?" he demanded of the boy.
+
+"Yes, sir, she did, not five minutes ago," replied the lad. "And she
+told me to run. She seemed scared to death, sir, and I know she'd been
+crying."
+
+Mark stared into his earnest face a moment, and then he turned away in
+thought.
+
+"You may go," he said to the boy. "I know my way to her house alone."
+
+The lad disappeared; and Mark, without a moment's hesitation, went over
+and woke one of the cadets.
+
+"Wake up, Texas," he whispered. "Wake up and read this."
+
+Texas arose from his couch in surprise and sleepy alarm. He read the
+letter, gasping; then he stared at Mark.
+
+"Do you think she wrote it?" he inquired.
+
+That problem was puzzling Mark, too. He had received two letters before
+from the girl, under exactly similar circumstances. One had been a trick
+of the cadets to lure him out. The other had been genuine, and had
+resulted in Mark's saving the girl's brother from disgrace and ruin. But
+which was this?
+
+Mark made up his mind quickly.
+
+"I think she wrote it, old man," he said. "The drum boy who gave me this
+gave me the other she wrote, too, and he swears she wrote this. He said
+she was frightened and crying. Texas, she lives way off there with her
+old mother, who's blind and helpless. And there's no telling what may
+have happened to her. Just see how urgent that note is. I must go, old
+man. I'd be a coward if I didn't. She don't know a soul to call on but
+me."
+
+And Mark, generous and noble to a fault, had turned and begun to fling
+on his clothing. Texas was doing likewise.
+
+"I'm a-goin' too," he vowed.
+
+"She says not," whispered Mark.
+
+"I know," was the answer. "She ain't a-goin' to know it. I'm a-goin' in
+case it's them ole yearlin's. Ef I see it's all right, and she wrote it,
+I reckon I kin sneak home."
+
+Nothing could deter the faithful and vigilant Texan from his resolution,
+and when Mark stole out of his tent his friend was at his heels. They
+passed the sentry, Baby Edwards, with the usual signal, Mark fooled for
+once, was chuckling at his deception, thinking Baby thought them
+yearlings. But Baby knew who it was, and laughed.
+
+The two, once clear of camp, set out on a dead run. They dashed across
+the Cavalry Plain and down the road to Highland Falls. It was nearly a
+mile to where Mary Adams lived, but Mark never stopped once, not even
+when he came to the dreaded cadet limits, to be found beyond which meant
+court-martial and dismissal in disgrace. He took the risk grimly,
+however, and ran on. When they finally reached the girl's house the
+Texan was panting and exhausted.
+
+"You stay there," whispered Mark, pointing to a clump of bushes nearby.
+
+Texas crouched behind them, and doubled his fists in determination. Mark
+just as promptly stepped up to the door and softly rapped.
+
+There was a light in one of the rooms on the ground floor. The curtain
+was carefully drawn, but Texas, watching closely, saw a shadow swiftly
+flit across. And just after that the door was flung open, and the girl
+stood before them.
+
+"I knew you would come!" Texas heard her cry. "Oh, thank fortune!"
+
+Then Mark stepped inside, and the door shut again.
+
+Texas waited in suspense and curiosity. He did not know how long Mark
+might be in there, but he was resolved to stick it out. Then suddenly,
+to his surprise, the door was opened again, and Mark and the girl
+stepped out.
+
+She was leaning upon his arm, and hurrying him forward quickly. She was
+evidently in great distress, and from what the hidden listener heard,
+Mark was striving his best to comfort her. The two figures hurried
+across the clearing and vanished in the woods. Texas arose from his
+position.
+
+"I reckon it's all right," he muttered. "It's blamed mysterious, but
+there's nothin' mo' fo' me to do."
+
+And suiting the action to the word the faithful Southerner turned and
+set out rapidly for camp.
+
+Mark, when he entered Mary Adams' house, found her standing before him,
+a picture of misery and fright. He demanded to know what was wrong.
+
+"Come, come!" the girl cried. "Quick. I cannot tell you. Oh! Come and
+see."
+
+She flung a shawl about her shoulders, seized Mark by the arm in a
+convulsive grip, and together they hurried through the woods.
+
+It was a little footpath they followed. Mark had no idea where they were
+going in the deep black darkness. He abandoned himself entirely to the
+girl's guidance, trusting that no slight matter could have taken her
+there, and he was right.
+
+The girl said not a word during the trip. She kept her face hidden in
+the shawl, and only a sob told Mark the state of her feelings. He was
+growing more mystified and curious every moment.
+
+On, on they went. They must have been hurrying continually for at least
+five minutes, the girl dragging the cadet faster and faster, when
+suddenly she turned and left the path.
+
+There was a dense thicket before them; she paused not a moment to
+hesitate, but plunged into the midst of it. The briars tore her clothing
+and hands, but she forced her way in. And when they were in the very
+center, without a word, she stopped and faced about.
+
+She pushed aside her veil and hair and stared wildly at Mark. He gazed
+at her blood-red, burning cheeks and saw her black eyes glitter.
+
+"What is the matter?" he cried.
+
+She made not a sound, but suddenly to Mark's infinite horror flung
+herself upon him and wrapped her arms about his neck.
+
+"Why, Miss Adams," he gasped. "I----"
+
+His words stuck in his throat. His surprise changed to the wildest
+dismay and consternation. For he felt a pair of sinewy arms flung about
+his ankles, binding his feet together as in a vise. He had only one
+free arm, the other being bound to his chest with the bandages of the
+surgeon; the free arm was seized by the wrist with a grip that almost
+crushed it. And to his mouth another pair of hands were pressed, making
+outcry impossible as it would have been futile anyway.
+
+Mark was as motionless and helpless as if he had been turned to stone!
+
+The swift emotions that surged through his excited brain defy
+description. He saw the plot in an instant, apprehended it in all its
+fiendish heartlessness; and he knew that he was ruined. He could not see
+behind him; he could not identify his assailants; but he was sure they
+were cadets, Bull and his crowd leagued with this wretched girl to play
+upon his kind-heartedness.
+
+And that girl! Oh, what a figure she was! She made no attempt to hide
+herself, however much Bull Harris might. She stood before her helpless
+victim's eyes a perfect figure of vengeance and triumph.
+
+There is a famous painting by Sichel of the Grecian sorceress, Medea.
+The woman is standing clad in white that contrasts with her jet black
+hair. In one hand, half hidden, she clutches a shining dagger; her mouth
+is set in a firm, determined way, and her eyes are dark and gleaming.
+Imagine that figure in the moment of victory, every feature convulsed
+with joy, with hatred gratified, and that is the girl Mary Adams. She
+was dancing about Mark in fury, flinging her hands in his face, taunting
+him, jeering at him, threatening him so as to frighten even the
+desperate cadets.
+
+They, meanwhile, were working quickly; they bound his legs together, his
+arms to his side. They forced a gag into his mouth, and then lastly shut
+off his view of the wildly shrieking girl by tying a handkerchief about
+his eyes. And then they tumbled him to the ground and turned away and
+left him.
+
+Mary Adams stayed behind them a moment to vent her fury upon the
+helpless prisoner.
+
+"Satisfied!" she cried. "How do you like it? I told you I would have
+revenge. I told you I hated you! And now, and now it is mine! You are
+mine, too! Do you hear me? I can do what I please with you!"
+
+Mark could not see her, but he felt a stinging pain in his cheek and he
+felt the warm blood flow.
+
+The girl's sharp heel had cut his flesh. And a moment later he heard a
+low voice mutter:
+
+"Come away, you fool! Come on."
+
+They dragged her reluctantly with them. Mark heard the steps recede into
+the distance, heard the silence settling down about the place. They had
+left him alone, deserted and helpless, lost in the midst of the woods,
+left him to die for all he knew, certainly to be missed, to be expelled,
+to be ruined.
+
+And the poor fellow groaned within him as he realized the triumph of his
+enemies.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII.
+
+TRIUMPH--CONCLUSION.
+
+
+Texas made his way back to camp in silence. Texas felt it was none of
+his business, and yet he could not help trying to guess the errand upon
+which those two had gone. It was certainly a mystery. Texas reached the
+camp without succeeding in forming the least guess.
+
+He raced past the same sentry in the same style as usual. He entered his
+tent and found the other two sleeping soundly, having not the least
+suspicion of the night's occurrences.
+
+"I reckon," he mused, reflectively, "there ain't much use o' my sittin'
+round. I'll go to bed."
+
+With which resolution he undressed and lay down to sleep.
+
+After such an exciting and lively half hour as the one Texas had just
+spent, one does not usually drop off to sleep very easily. It was
+fortunate that Texas did not; wide-awake as he was, he had a cooler and
+steadier head to think when the hour of trial came. For the "hour of
+trial" was coming very soon now.
+
+Bull Harris and his cowardly allies first took the precaution to calm
+the angry girl, and then set out on a run for camp. Their hearts were
+beating high with hope and triumph. Their time had come at last; their
+enemy was theirs, and theirs without any blame falling on them. It was a
+great day for the vengeful Bull.
+
+They passed their sentry ally in safety and vanished in their tents. In
+a minute more they were all safely in bed, as Texas was, and then the
+time had come.
+
+Texas, lying in his silent tent, was just beginning to doze, when
+suddenly came a wild yell that shook the air, that made the hills to
+echo. It rang through the sleeping camp, and it was followed by a series
+of shouts.
+
+"Help! help! help!"
+
+The place was in an uproar in an instant; and Texas was almost paralyzed
+with horror. An alarm! The camp awake! Inspection! And Mark, his Mark,
+his friend and hero, absent!
+
+He sprang to his feet with a hoarse cry; at the same moment the other
+two plebes sat up and stared about them wildly.
+
+"What's that?" cried one.
+
+"Mark's gone!" fairly shrieked Texas.
+
+"Mark gone! How?"
+
+"He's out of bounds! Great Heavens, he went to see Mary Adams! And he'll
+be found out!"
+
+The two crowded about him, their faces pale with fright, their eyes
+staring.
+
+Mark gone! Mark, their leader! What on earth would they do?
+
+The Texan's wild exclamation had been heard in the Company B tent to the
+rear, and its occupants had rushed in regardless of rules, of discovery,
+of everything. An alarm! An inspection! And Mark beyond limits!
+
+Things were happening with incredible swiftness outside. The shouts had
+been echoed by excited inquiries from awakened cadets, by the cries of
+sentries for the corporal of the guard, and by the quick, sharp commands
+of officers.
+
+Lieutenant Allen, the "tac" in command, had sprung up from his bed at
+the very first cry. And in half a minute more, dressed and with lighted
+lantern in hand, he was rushing down the company street.
+
+"What's the matter?" he cried.
+
+No one knew. He saw cadets gathered in almost every tent door, staring
+out anxiously. Thus he did not notice the state of affairs in Mark's
+tent, where six horrified, frightened plebes were huddled, gasping.
+
+Night alarms had been getting too frequent at Camp McPherson that year,
+and had excited the ire of the authorities. The lieutenant meant to find
+out the authors of this one, if such a thing were within the realms of
+possibility.
+
+First he thought of sounding the "long roll," the fire or mutiny signal,
+summoning the cadets out on the street for roll call. Then it occurred
+to him that an inspection of the tents might do better. Another "tac,"
+Lieutenant Ross, had joined him at this moment. And without a moment's
+delay, the two set to work. And Lieutenant Allen started with Company A,
+the very street in which Mark Mallory's tent stood!
+
+A thousand wild plans had occurred to the six, to Texas in particular.
+He might "hold up" the tac, prevent the inspection! Or dress up as Mark
+and have himself reported! Great Heavens! he must do something!
+
+The officer began at the head of the street. It was the work of but one
+second to glance into each tent. It would take but five seconds more to
+reach Mark's, to note the fact that there were but three in that tent,
+and that Cadet Mallory was absent out of camp, out of limits!
+
+Texas turned to his comrades as the officer drew near. There were tears
+in Texas' eyes, and his voice was choked.
+
+"You fellows," he said, to the three from the B tent, "you--you'd better
+go back, or you'll get soaked, too."
+
+Nearer still came the officer. One tent more! The three had turned to
+go--and then suddenly Texas uttered a cry of joy and staggered back
+against the tent wall! An instant later he leaped forward, seized
+Dewey, one of the three, by the shoulders and fairly flung him to the
+ground.
+
+"Lie there! Lie there!" he gasped, hoarsely. "Durnation!"
+
+Dewey, quick as a wink, saw the ruse. The other two, confused and
+frightened, dashed across to their tent and hid, wondering what was up,
+what Texas was trying to do. But Dewey slid into the blankets that made
+Mark's "bed," drew the sheet over him, all but his head, and then lay
+still, gasping and trembling like a leaf.
+
+Texas and the other two sprang for their places and imitated him. And an
+instant later the white light of the officer's lantern flashed into the
+tent.
+
+The four held their breath; their hearts fairly ceased to beat as the
+tac glanced around. He saw a tent undisturbed; he saw Texas, and the
+Parson and Sleepy; and he saw the brown curly hair of the fourth
+occupant, lying upon his stomach, his face turned away from the light.
+
+A second more and he passed on; and the four almost fainted with the
+reaction of relief.
+
+It was not over yet, though. "Allen" had two more tents to visit up that
+row, and then he would turn to B Company. Texas peered out and watched
+him reach the last tent, and then uttered a whispered "Now!"
+
+Quick as a flash, Dewey slid under the wall at the rear, whisked across
+the open space, and dived into his own tent--safe!
+
+The camp settled down into quietness a few minutes after that. But the
+six never slept another wink. Mark had escaped that danger, he was safe
+for a moment. But another alarm might come any moment! And reveille was
+sure to come in a few hours! And where was Mark?
+
+Texas, ever sly, had become suspicious by that time; ever bold and
+faithful, he lost not a moment in hesitation. He left camp again! He ran
+straight to Mary Adams' house, and from it straight out the path he had
+seen the two take. It was a forlorn hope, but it met with fulfillment.
+Texas heard a low groan, the only signal Mark could make when he heard
+the step of a possible rescuer.
+
+And in half an hour more Mark Mallory was back in camp again, safe,
+telling to his furious friends the tale of his betrayal and hearing from
+them the tale of his "escape."
+
+"We must get square, b'gee!" cried Dewey.
+
+"Yes, we must get square, by Zeus!" came from the Parson.
+
+"Give me time, boys, give me time," put in Mark. "I will think up a
+plan."
+
+"Gosh, but it was a night o' nights," was the comment from Texas. "But
+we fooled them ole yearlin's nicely, didn't we?"
+
+"Oh, they can't down us," chimed in Dewey. "We'll go 'em one better,
+b'gee, every time, b'gee!"
+
+And the Banded Seven agreed to a man.
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+_THE CREAM OF JUVENILE FICTION_
+
+
+THE BOYS' OWN LIBRARY
+
+A Selection of the Best Books for Boys by the Most Popular Authors
+
+
+The titles in this splendid juvenile series have been selected with
+care, and as a result all the stories can be relied upon for their
+excellence. They are bright and sparkling; not over-burdened with
+lengthy descriptions, but brimful of adventure from the first page to
+the last--in fact they are just the kind of yarns that appeal strongly
+to the healthy boy who is fond of thrilling exploits and deeds of
+heroism. Among the authors whose names are included in the Boys' Own
+Library are Horatio Alger, Jr., Edward S. Ellis, James Otis, Capt. Ralph
+Bonehill, Burt L. Standish, Gilbert Patten and Frank H. Converse.
+
+
+SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE BOYS' OWN LIBRARY
+
+All the books in this series are copyrighted, printed on good paper,
+large type, illustrated, printed wrappers, handsome cloth covers stamped
+in inks and gold--fifteen special cover designs.
+
+_146 Titles--Price, per Volume, 75 cents_
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent, postpaid, on receipt of price by
+the publisher.
+
+
+DAVID McKAY, 610 SO. WASHINGTON SQUARE, PHILADELPHIA, PA.
+
+
+
+
+HORATIO ALGER, Jr.
+
+One of the best known and most popular writers. Good, clean, healthy
+stories for the American Boy.
+
+    Adventures of a Telegraph Boy
+    Dean Dunham
+    Erie Train Boy, The
+    Five Hundred Dollar Check
+    From Canal Boy to President
+    From Farm Boy to Senator
+    Backwoods Boy, The
+    Mark Stanton
+    Ned Newton
+    New York Boy
+    Tom Brace
+    Tom Tracy
+    Walter Griffith
+    Young Acrobat
+
+
+C. B. ASHLEY.
+
+One of the best stories ever written on hunting, trapping and adventure
+in the West, after the Custer Massacre.
+
+    Gilbert, the Boy Trapper
+
+
+ANNIE ASHMORE.
+
+A splendid story, recording the adventures of a boy with smugglers.
+
+    Smuggler's Cave, The
+
+
+CAPT. RALPH BONEHILL.
+
+Capt. Bonehill is in the very front rank as an author of boys' stories.
+These are two of his best works.
+
+    Neka, the Boy Conjurer
+    Tour of the Zero Club
+
+
+WALTER F. BRUNS.
+
+An excellent story of adventure in the celebrated Sunk Lands of Missouri
+and Kansas.
+
+    In the Sunk Lands
+
+
+FRANK H. CONVERSE.
+
+This writer has established a splendid reputation as a boys' author, and
+although his books usually command $1.25 per volume, we offer the
+following at a more popular price.
+
+    Gold of Flat Top Mountain
+    Happy-Go-Lucky Jack
+    Heir to a Million
+    In Search of An Unknown Race
+    In Southern Seas
+    Mystery of a Diamond
+    That Treasure
+    Voyage to the Gold Coast
+
+
+HARRY COLLINGWOOD.
+
+One of England's most successful writers of stories for boys. His best
+story is
+
+    Pirate Island
+
+
+GEORGE H. COOMER.
+
+Two books we highly recommend. One is a splendid story of adventure at
+sea, when American ships were in every port in the world, and the other
+tells of adventures while the first railway in the Andes Mountains was
+being built.
+
+    Boys in the Forecastle
+    Old Man of the Mountain
+
+
+WILLIAM DALTON.
+
+Three stories by one of the very greatest writers for boys. The stories
+deal with boys' adventures in India, China and Abyssinia. These books
+are strongly recommended for boys' reading, as they contain a large
+amount of historical information.
+
+    Tiger Prince
+    War Tiger
+    White Elephant
+
+
+EDWARD S. ELLIS.
+
+These books are considered the best works this well-known writer ever
+produced. No better reading for bright young Americans.
+
+    Arthur Helmuth
+    Check No. 2134
+    From Tent to White House
+    Perils of the Jungle
+    On the Trail of Geronimo
+    White Mustang
+
+
+GEORGE MANVILLE FENN.
+
+For the past fifty years Mr. Fenn has been writing books for boys and
+popular fiction. His books are justly popular throughout the
+English-speaking world. We publish the following select list of his
+boys' books, which we consider the best he ever wrote.
+
+    Commodore Junk
+    Dingo Boys
+    Weathercock
+    Golden Magnet
+    Grand Chaco
+
+
+ENSIGN CLARKE FITCH, U. S. N.
+
+A graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, and thoroughly
+familiar with all naval matters. Mr. Fitch has devoted himself to
+literature, and has written a series of books for boys that every young
+American should read. His stories are full of very interesting
+information about the navy, training ships, etc.
+
+    Bound for Annapolis
+    Clif, the Naval Cadet
+    Cruise of the Training Ship
+    From Port to Port
+    Strange Cruise, A
+
+
+WILLIAM MURRAY GRAYDON.
+
+An author of world-wide popularity. Mr. Graydon is essentially a friend
+of young people, and we offer herewith ten of his best works, wherein he
+relates a great diversity of interesting adventures in various parts of
+the world, combined with accurate historical data.
+
+    Butcher of Cawnpore, The
+    Camp in the Snow, The
+    Campaigning with Braddock
+    Cryptogram, The
+    From Lake to Wilderness
+    In Barracks and Wigwam
+    In Fort and Prison
+    Jungles and Traitors
+    Rajah's Fortress, The
+    White King of Africa, The
+
+
+LIEUT. FREDERICK GARRISON, U. S. A.
+
+Every American boy takes a keen interest in the affairs of West Point.
+No more capable writer on this popular subject could be found than
+Lieut. Garrison, who vividly describes the life, adventures and unique
+incidents that have occurred in that great institution--in these famous
+West Point stories.
+
+    Off for West Point
+    Cadet's Honor, A
+    On Guard
+    West Point Treasure, The
+    West Point Rivals, The
+
+
+HEADON HILL.
+
+The hunt for gold has always been a popular subject for consideration,
+and Mr. Hill has added a splendid story on the subject in this romance
+of the Klondyke.
+
+    Spectre Gold
+
+
+HENRY HARRISON LEWIS.
+
+Mr. Lewis is a graduate of the Naval Academy at Annapolis, and has
+written a great many books for boys. Among his best works are the
+following titles--the subjects include a vast series of adventures in
+all parts of the world. The historical data is correct, and they should
+be read by all boys, for the excellent information they contain.
+
+    Centreboard Jim
+    King of the Island
+    Midshipman Merrill
+    Yankee Boys in Japan
+    Ensign Merrill
+    Sword and Pen
+    Valley of Mystery, The
+
+
+LIEUT. LIONEL LOUNSBERRY.
+
+A series of books embracing many adventures under our famous naval
+commanders, and with our army during the War of 1812 and the Civil War.
+Founded on sound history, these books are written for boys, with the
+idea of combining pleasure with profit; to cultivate a fondness for
+study--especially of what has been accomplished by our army and navy.
+
+    Cadet Kit Carey
+    Captain Carey
+    Kit Carey's Protege
+    Lieut. Carey's Luck
+    Out With Commodore Decatur
+    Randy, the Pilot
+    Tom Truxton's School Days
+    Tom Truxton's Ocean Trip
+    Treasure of the Golden Crater
+    Won at West Point
+
+
+BROOKS McCORMICK.
+
+Four splendid books of adventure on sea and land, by this well-known
+writer for boys.
+
+    Giant Islanders, The
+    How He Won
+    Nature's Young Nobleman
+    Rival Battalions
+
+
+WALTER MORRIS.
+
+This charming story contains thirty-two chapters of just the sort of
+school life that charms the boy readers.
+
+    Bob Porter at Lakeview Academy
+
+
+STANLEY NORRIS.
+
+Mr. Norris is without a rival as a writer of "Circus Stories" for boys.
+These four books are full of thrilling adventures, but good, wholesome
+reading for young Americans.
+
+    Phil, the Showman
+    Young Showman's Rivals, The
+    Young Showman's Pluck, The
+    Young Showman's Triumph
+
+
+LIEUT. JAMES K. ORTON.
+
+When a boy has read one of Lieut. Orton's books, it requires no urging
+to induce him to read the others. Not a dull page in any of them.
+
+    Beach Boy Joe
+    Last Chance Mine
+    Secret Chart, The
+    Tom Havens with the White Squadron
+
+
+JAMES OTIS.
+
+Mr. Otis is known by nearly every American boy, and needs no
+introduction here. The following copyrights are among his best:
+
+    Chased Through Norway
+    Inland Waterways
+    Reuben Green's Adventures at Yale
+    Unprovoked Mutiny
+    Wheeling for Fortune
+
+
+GILBERT PATTEN.
+
+Mr. Patten has had the distinction of having his books adopted by the
+U. S. Government for all naval libraries on board our war ships. While
+aiming to avoid the extravagant and sensational, the stories contain
+enough thrilling incidents to please the lad who loves action and
+adventure. In the Rockspur stories the description of their Baseball and
+Football Games and other contests with rival clubs and teams make very
+exciting and absorbing reading; and few boys with warm blood in their
+veins, having once begun the perusal of one of these books, will
+willingly lay it down till it is finished.
+
+    Boy Boomers
+    Boy Cattle King
+    Boy from the West
+    Don Kirke's Mine
+    Jud and Joe
+    Rockspur Nine, The
+    Rockspur Eleven, The
+    Rockspur Rivals, The
+
+
+ST. GEORGE RATHBORNE.
+
+Mr. Rathborne's stories for boys have the peculiar charm of dealing with
+localities and conditions with which he is thoroughly familiar. The
+scenes of these excellent stories are along the Florida coast and on the
+western prairies.
+
+    Canoe and Camp Fire
+    Paddling Under Palmettos
+    Rival Canoe Boys
+    Sunset Ranch
+    Chums of the Prairie
+    Young Range Riders
+    Gulf Cruisers
+    Shifting Winds
+
+
+ARTHUR SEWELL.
+
+An American story by an American author. It relates how a Yankee boy
+overcame many obstacles in school and out. Thoroughly interesting from
+start to finish.
+
+    Gay Dashleigh's Academy Days
+
+
+CAPT. DAVID SOUTHWICK.
+
+An exceptionally good story of frontier life among the Indians in the
+far West, during the early settlement period.
+
+    Jack Wheeler
+
+
+The Famous Frank Merriwell Stories.
+
+BURT L. STANDISH.
+
+No modern series of tales for boys and youths has met with anything like
+the cordial reception and popularity accorded to the Frank Merriwell
+Stories. There must be a reason for this and there is. Frank Merriwell,
+as portrayed by the author, is a jolly whole-souled, honest, courageous
+American lad, who appeals to the hearts of the boys. He has no bad
+habits, and his manliness inculcates the idea that it is not necessary
+for a boy to indulge in petty vices to be a hero. Frank Merriwell's
+example is a shining light for every ambitious lad to follow. Six
+volumes now ready:
+
+    Frank Merriwell's School Days
+    Frank Merriwell's Chums
+    Frank Merriwell's Foes
+    Frank Merriwell's Trip West
+    Frank Merriwell Down South
+    Frank Merriwell's Bravery
+    Frank Merriwell's Hunting Tour
+    Frank Merriwell's Races
+    Frank Merriwell's Sports Afield
+    Frank Merriwell at Yale
+
+
+VICTOR ST. CLAIR.
+
+These books are full of good, clean adventure, thrilling enough to
+please the full-blooded wide-awake boy, yet containing nothing to which
+there can be any objection from those who are careful as to the kind of
+books they put into the hands of the young.
+
+    Cast Away in the Jungle
+    Comrades Under Castro
+    For Home and Honor
+    Zip, the Acrobat
+    From Switch to Lever
+    Little Snap, the Post Boy
+    Zig-Zag, the Boy Conjurer
+
+
+MATTHEW WHITE, JR.
+
+Good, healthy, strong books for the American lad. No more interesting
+books for the young appear on our lists.
+
+    Adventures of a Young Athlete
+    Eric Dane
+    Guy Hammersley
+    My Mysterious Fortune
+    Tour of a Private Car
+    Young Editor, The
+
+
+ARTHUR M. WINFIELD.
+
+One of the most popular authors of boys' books. Here are three of his
+best.
+
+    Mark Dale's Stage Venture
+    Young Bank Clerk, The
+    Young Bridge Tender, The
+
+
+GAYLE WINTERTON.
+
+This very interesting story relates the trials and triumphs of a Young
+American Actor, including the solution of a very puzzling mystery.
+
+    Young Actor, The
+
+
+ERNEST A. YOUNG.
+
+This book is not a treatise on sports, as the title would indicate, but
+relates a series of thrilling adventures among boy campers in the woods
+of Maine.
+
+    Boats, Bats and Bicycles
+
+
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's note:
+
+The following typographical errors present in the original edition
+have been corrected.
+
+In Chapter II, "sword of the tryant" was changed to "sword of the
+tyrant", and "meant to spent that half-holiday" was changed to "meant to
+spend that half-holiday".
+
+In Chapter III, "wondering about everythings" was changed to "wondering
+about everything".
+
+In Chapter V, a missing period was added after "from two minutes to
+twenty", and "B. B. J!" was changed to "B. B. J.!".
+
+In Chapter VII, "the B. J-est plebe" was changed to "the B. J.-est
+plebe", "as those yearlings had even seen" was changed to "as those
+yearlings had ever seen", and "'Will they try it' he thought?" was
+changed to "'Will they try it?' he thought."
+
+In Chapter X, "his face on a broad grin" was changed to "on his face a
+broad grin".
+
+In Chapter XI, a missing question mark was added after "Is he hurt".
+
+In Chapter XIV, "a rougish look" was changed to "a roguish look", and a
+quotation mark was removed before "It'll take lots of planning
+beforehand".
+
+In Chapter XX, "some little nervousness, to" was changed to "some little
+nervousness, too".
+
+In Chapter XXII, "the corner of the seige battery inclosure" was changed
+to "the corner of the siege battery inclosure", "that reminds be of
+another" was changed to "that reminds me of another", "his mist stately
+tone" was changed to "his mist stately tone", and a period was changed
+to a comma after "he added, more seriously".
+
+In Chapter XXIII, "bound his supenders about him" was changed to "bound
+his suspenders about him".
+
+In Chapter XXIV, a period was changed to a comma after "as his friend
+touched it".
+
+In Chapter XXVII, a quotation mark was removed after "And--and----".
+
+In Chapter XXVIII, "He knew in his hear it would be best" was changed to
+"He knew in his heart it would be best".
+
+In Chapter XXX, "Murray still sat where he was was" was changed to
+"Murray still sat where he was".
+
+In Chapter XXXI, "her mouth it set in a firm, determined way" was
+changed to "her mouth is set in a firm, determined way".
+
+In the advertisements, "to cutivate a fondness for study" was changed to
+"to cultivate a fondness for study", and "good, wholsome reading" was
+changed to "good, wholesome reading".
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ON GUARD***
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