ny time," rejoined our hero.

"Boys, we are to have visitors in fifteen minutes!" shouted out Captain
Hooper. "Attention! The captains will form their companies on the campus
and a salute will be fired as the visitors enter the grounds."

Orders were quickly passed, and inside of five minutes the boy cadets
were drawn up in long lines, with the officers of the two companies in
their proper places.

The visitors were old friends of the captain who had come to the Hall
merely out of curiosity. As their carriages approached, a cannon was run
out, and Link and several others were detailed to fire it off.

Link chose Mont to assist, and before long all was in readiness to touch
her off.

"Here they come!" shouted somebody.

"Stand ready to fire!" sang out Captain Hooper, in true military style.
"Steady, boys, now--I expect all to make the best possible appearance.
Fire!"

Link touched the cannon off, while our hero and several others stood
close at hand.

Bang!

The report was terrific. The old cannon was overcharged, and was blown
into a thousand pieces, which flew in all directions.

Both Link and Mont were hurled flat, and while the former was seen to
stagger up again, our hero lay as one dead!

CHAPTER III.

THE GREAT FIGHT.

"He is dead!"

"Run for the doctor!"

"A piece struck me, too!"

"The cannon must have been overloaded!"

Such were some of the cries which went up after the awful explosion.

Captain Hooper stood close at hand, and instantly went to our hero's
assistance.

He caught the youth up in his arms and carried him to a shady spot.

"Bring some water," he commanded, but water was already at hand. With it
he bathed Mont's head.

For a minute there was an intense silence. Then, with a quiver, the lad
opened his eyes.

"Wha--what---- Did the cannon burst?" he asked feebly.

"Hurrah! He's all right!" shouted Link joyfully, and inside of five
minutes more Mont stood up and gazed about him in wonder.

But he was too weak to take part in the review, and while this went on
sat in a rustic chair under the oak tree, with several of the lady
visitors by his side.

The reception to the guests over, the cadets were dismissed, and the
crowd lost no time in dispersing.

Link remained with his chum, and both walked towards the lake.

"How do you feel?" asked Link anxiously.

"Rather faint in the legs, to tell the truth," was the reply. "But I
guess I'll soon get over it."

"