anies, stepped forward, saluting.

"You will build the bridge today, Mr. Prescott, continued the
instructor, Lieutenant Armstrong, Corps of Engineers, United States
Army.

"Very good, sir," replied Dick.

With a second salute, which was returned, Prescott turned to divide
his command rapidly into smaller detachments.

It was work over which not a moment of time could be lost. All
must be done with the greatest possible despatch, and a real bridge
was called for---not a toy affair or a half-way experiment.

"Mr. Holmes," directed Prescott, "you will take charge of the
boats. Mr. Jordan, take charge of the balk carriers!"

A balk is a heavy timber, used, in this case, in the construction
of the pontoon.

Cadet Jordan, one of the biggest men, physically, in the first
class, scowled as he received this order for what was especially
arduous duty.

"That's mean of you, Prescott," glowered Jordan.

"If you have any complaints to make, sir, make them to the instructor,"
return Cadet Captain Prescott, after a swift, astonished look at
his classmate.

"You know I can't do that," muttered Cadet Jordan. "But you-----"

"Silence, sir, and attend to your duty!"

Then, raising his voice to one of general command, Prescott called:

"Construct the bridge!"

Jordan fell back, with a surly face and a muttered imprecation, to
take command of the squad of yearlings, or third classman who must
serve in carrying the heavy balks.

In the meantime Dick's roommate, Greg Holmes, had hurried his
squad away to the flat-bottomed, square-ended pontoon boats, placing
his crews therein.

Almost instantly, it seemed, Greg had placed the first boat in
position.

"Lay the balks!" ordered Dick Prescott.

Cadet Jordan moved forward with some of his yearlings, who carried
the heavy balks, or flooring timbers, on their shoulders. It was
hot, hard work---"thankless," as the young men often termed it in
private.

These balks were laid across the first pontoon.

As quickly as the balks had been laid the detachment of lashers were
at work securing the balks in place.

"Shove off!"

The first was floated to the mooring stakes and a second boat
was moved into position.

"Chess!"

Another column of yearlings moved forward, each with a heavy plank
on his shoulder. It was heavy, hot, hard and dirty work. Outsiders
who imagine that the Military Academy is engaged in turning out
"uniformed dudes" should see this work done by the