," said he, "in behalf of all the cadets here assembled
I wish to thank you for your kind words, which we deeply appreciate.

"I have been chosen by my fellows to present you with this as a token
of our esteem. We trust it will prove to your liking, and that whenever
you look upon it you will remember us all."

As Dick spoke he brought into view a fair-sized package wrapped in
tissue paper. When unrolled, it proved to be a small figure of a cadet,
done in silver and gold. On the base was the inscription: "From the
Cadets of Putnam Hall, to Their Beloved Head Master, Captain Victor
Putnam."

After that Mr. Strong was presented with a set of Cooper's works and
the other teachers were likewise remembered. More addresses of thanks
followed, and then the battalion was dismissed for dinner.

"It's a fine wind-up for this season's encampment," said Tom, after it
was over. "I don't believe we'll ever have another encampment like it."

"And now, ho, for the rolling river!" cried Sam. "Say, I'm just crazy
to begin that trip on the houseboat."

"So am I," came from both of his brothers. But they might not have been
so anxious had they dreamed of the many adventures and perils in store
for them.

CHAPTER II

ON THE WAY TO PUTNAM HALL

"Boys, we start the march back to Putnam Hall in fifteen minutes!"

Such was the news which flew around the camp not long after the dinner
hour had passed. Already the tents had been taken down, the baggage
strapped, and six big wagons fairly groaned with the loads of goods to
be taken back to the military institution.

The cadets had marched to the camp by one route and were to return to
the academy by another. All was bustle and excitement, for in spite of
the general order a few things had gone astray.

"Weally, this is most--ah--remarkable, don't you know," came from that
aristocratic cadet named William Philander Tubbs.

"What's remarkable, Tublets?" asked Tom, who was near by, putting away
a pair of blankets.

"Lieutenant Rover, how many times must I--ah--tell you not to address me
as Tublets?" sighed the fashionable young cadet.

"Oh, all right, Tubhouse, it shan't occur again, upon my honor."

"Tubhouse! Oh, Rover, please let up!"

"What's wrong, Billy?"

"That is better, but it is bad enough," sighed William Philander.
"I've--ah--lost one of my walking shoes."

"Perhaps, being a walking shoe, it walked off."

"Maybe it got in that beefsteak we had this morning