written upon some historical event, preferably one connected with
the Hudson.

The poem must be entirely original, but must be unsigned and accompanied
by a sealed envelope containing the writer's name, this not to be
opened until the prize had been awarded to the best poem, at which
time the name of the winner would be made known.

"That makes it fair for everybody," declared Percival. "I am not
much of a poet, Jack, but you might try for this."

"You have had as much training in this line as I have, Dick,"
replied Jack. "There are plenty of subjects to choose from, Arnold's
treason, the capture of Stony Point by Wayne, the firing upon
the Highland Forts, Montgomery and Clinton, the burning of Kingston
and the hanging of the man with the silver bullet and a lot more.
Let your imagination loose, Dick, and I think you can win."

"If it were a case of letting my temper loose," laughed Percival,
"it would be a sure thing, but the imagination is different."

Jack knew that his mother would be pleased if he won the prize, and
so he determined to try for it, and began setting himself to work on
some verses having to do with the very location where the Academy
was situated.

When Billy Manners heard of the contest he said to Arthur, Harry,
young Smith, and a few others who were down on the shore fixing
their boats: