"That's the wind-up of this trail," sighed Tom. "Water leaves no
trail."

"That's so. But supposing we skirt the lake some more."

They went on, and did not give up until the declining sun told them
the day was done.

When they reached the Hall they found that all of the others had
come in, and that preparations were already going forward for the
feast in the evening. For once Captain Putnam and George Strong,
his main assistant, were going to allow the cadets to have their
own way. Secretly the captain was tremendously pleased over the
showing his pupils had made on the football field, for this
happened to be a year when college athletics were in the ascendancy
in all of the States.

But the regular evening drill must not be neglected, and soon the
sound of the drum was heard, calling the members of companies A and
B to the parade ground. A rush was made for uniforms, swords, and
guns, and soon the boys come pouring forth, Dick as a captain, and
his two brothers as under officers.

"Attention!" shouted the major of the command. "Forward! march!"

"Boom! boom! boom, boom, boom!" went the drums, and then the fifers
struck up a lively tune, and around the academy marched the two
companies at company front. Then they went around again by column
of fours, and then marched into the messroom, where they stacked
arms and sat down at the long mess tables. The movements were