the seemingly freezing and hostile
air of the Military Academy, these same young men were fast
learning that everything has to be done by one's self, and at
steam-engine speed.

"Mr. Danvers, come with me, and I'll place you as right guide,"
called Cadet Brayton with the air and tone of a budding military
martinet.

Candidate Danvers followed meekly. Brayton looked at the lad's
stooping shoulders with frigid, utter disapproval.

"Mr. Danvers, take your hands out of your pockets, sir."

"All right," laughed Mr. Danvers, obeying, and trying to laugh
nonchalantly. "Anything to please."

"Don't address a superior officer, sir, unless he addresses you in a
way to make a reply necessary. And when you do address a
Superior officer, or any other cadet or candidate on official
business always add 'sir.'"

Danvers nodded, but the nod Cadet Corporal Brayton ignored by
turning on his heel and stepping, with a magnificently military air
and carriage, over to another luckless candidate.

When ordered, the candidate fell in next to Mr. Danvers. Then the
other anxious youngsters fell into line.

"Candidates turn out promptly!" sounded snappily in another part
of barracks.

Another lot of newcomers began to tumble downstairs and out of
doors with feverish haste, to be confronted by another cadet
corporal who awaited them.

"Never mind that other squad!" admonished Cadet Corporal
Brayton sharply. "Favor me with your whole attention. Now, then,
listen, and do each thing as I tell you. Button your jackets and
overcoats all the way down! Stand erect, with your heels together,
and your toes pointing out at an angle of sixty degrees. Stand erect.
Throw your shoulders back, your chests out and hold your heads
up. This is called 'the position of the soldier.' Stand as I do."

Corporal Brayton favored his awkward squad with a profile view
of himself, as he took the exact position of a soldier. How the
anxious candidates wished they really could stand as this
handsome young son of Mars did! To them it seemed impossible
ever to acquire such truly military carriage. They did not realize
that, between drills, gymnasium work and the setting-up drills,
they would, in a few weeks, be hard to distinguish in elegance and
perfection from their present instructor.

"Not quite so much like an ostrich, Mr. Prescott!" rasped out
Corporal Brayton severely.

Dick flushed painfully, all the more so because he heard one of the
other candidates