fore starting out on
the two days' march.

CHAPTER XV

ON THE MARCH TO CAMP

_Rat-tat-tat!_ _Rat-tat-tat!_ _Rat-tat-tat!_

The cadets got their first taste of the annual encampment early in the
morning, when, instead of hearing the familiar bell, they were awakened
by the rolling of the drum.

"Time to get up, everybody!" cried Sam, flinging the covers from him.
"It won't do to be late this morning."

"That is true, Private Rover," came solemnly from Dick. "I will fine
any soldier of my command who is behind time."

"Thank you, Captain Rover, I'll remember that," came from one of the
other cadets. "And how is Lieutenant Rover this morning"?

"Fine as silk," came from Tom, who was already splashing in the cold
water of his washbowl. "I'll bet a big red apple against a turnip that
I'm down first," and he began to don his uniform with remarkable
rapidity.

All of the students were soon below, and then the various companies
marched into the messroom for their last breakfast at the Hall for some
time to come.

"I see the wagons have already left," said Sam.

"Yes, the drivers are to get the camp in readiness for to-night,"
answered his big brother.

Knowing that they had a long march before them, the majority of the
cadets ate a hearty breakfast. Mrs. Green, the housekeeper, was sorry
to have them leave, and had prepared an unusually fine repast.

"Mrs. Green is just all right," declared Tom. "I move we give her a
vote of thanks." And this was later on done, much to the old lady's
delight.

It was a perfect day. The sun shone brightly, and there was just enough
breeze to keep the atmosphere fresh and exhilarating. Captain Putnam
was to accompany the students on horseback, and the teachers had
already gone off with the wagons.

"Battalion, attention!" shouted Major Larry Colby, when the cadets were
assembled on the parade ground. And the order was immediately obeyed.

"Shoulder arms!" was the next order given, and up went every gun in
unison. The movement was so pretty that the spectators who had gathered
to see the boys march off clapped their hands in approval.

"Forward--march!" came next, and the drums and fifes struck up, and
away went the cadets, company front, toward the road.

"By column of fours!" was the next command, and Captain Dick Rover
turned to his company.

"By column of fours!" he repeated, and Company A broke up into four
abreast and turned into the road leading off in the