ixon, had brought the brief contests to a close, and Slugger and Nappy
had lost no time in hurrying below, where the auto-stage was already in
waiting to take them and their baggage to Haven Point. Many of the
cadets assembled had jeered at the departing youths, and they, in their
rage, had shaken their fists at those left behind as the auto-stage
departed.

"I hope we never see those fellows again," remarked Randy. But this wish
was doomed to disappointment--the Rovers were to see a good deal more of
Slugger Brown and Nappy Martell.

The boys had now to apply themselves to their examinations, and they
went at this with a will, resolved to make the best showing possible.

"We've got to do it," was the way Jack expressed himself. "We want the
folks at home to know that we are keeping at our studies. Then, if they
happen to hear of some of the jokes we play, they will know that we're
doing something else here besides having fun."

The lads had already written home regarding the Christmas holidays and
what they would like to do. In return, they received word that they
could have Gif and Spouter down for the week between Christmas and New
Year's if they so desired. And Jack's mother also sent a letter to
Spouter inviting him to bring along his Cousin May and her friend, Ruth.

"All of us, including Martha and Mary, will be glad to become
acquainted with your cousin and her school chum," wrote Mrs. Dick
Rover. "The girls are very anxious to learn more about Clearwater
Hall, and it is just possible that we may send them to that school
later on."

"Hurrah! that's fine!" cried Jack, when Spouter showed him the letter.
"If only May and Ruth go to New York, I'm sure they'll be able to
persuade Martha and Mary that there is no better girls' school on earth
than Clearwater Hall."

"You leave that to me, Jack," answered Spouter. "I'll tell May just what
to do."

Of course the Rover boys were all very anxious after the examinations
were over to find out how they had fared. On the following Friday
afternoon Colonel Colby read the results. Fred and Randy had received
ninety-four per cent., Jack had gotten ninety-two, and Andy had reached
eighty-eight. As seventy per cent. was the passing mark, it can be seen
that the boys had passed with considerable to spare.

"My, that's a relief!" sighed Andy. "Somehow, at the last minute, I was
afraid I had fallen down completely. There were a few examples in
alg