after taps. Now, our plebes are men very new to the West Point
discipline, and they do not appreciate the seriousness of their
conduct. Until the young men have had a little more training,
we wish, if possible, to save them from the consequences of their
lighter misdeeds. Of course, if a cadet, plebe or otherwise,
is actually found outside the guard line after taps, then we cannot
excuse his conduct. This is where the ounce of prevention comes
in. Mr. Prescott, I wish you would be up and around the camp
between taps and midnight to-night. Keep yourself in the background
a bit, and see if you can stop any plebes who may be prowling
before they have had a chance to get outside the guard lines.
If you intercept any plebes while they are still within camp
limits, demand of them their reasons for being out of their tents.
If the reasons are not entirely satisfactory, turn them over
to the cadet officer of the day. Any plebe so stopped and turned
over to the cadet officer of the day will be disciplined, of course,
but his punishment will be much lighter than if he were actually
caught outside the guard lines. You understand your instructions,
Mr. Prescott?"

"Perfectly, sir."

"That is all, Mr. Prescott."

Saluting, Dick turned and left the tent.

"That's just like Lieutenant Denton," thought Dick, as he marched
away to his own company street. "Some of the tacs. would just
as soon see the plebe caught cold, poor little beast. But Lieutenant
Denton can remember the time when he was a cadet here himself,