career as a cadet at the United
States Military Academy. Our readers know how hard the fight
had been for Dick Prescott, who, in addition to his early struggles
to keep his place in scholarship in the corps, had been submitted
to the evil work of enemies in the corps. Some of these enemies
had been exposed in the end, and forced to leave the Military
Academy, but many had been the bitter hours that Prescott had
spent under one cloud or another as the result of the wicked work
of these enemies.

At last, however, Prescott and his roommate and chum, Greg Holmes,
had reached the first class. They had now less than a year to go
before they would be graduated and commissioned as officers in the
Army.

On reaching first-class dignity, both Dick and Greg had been delighted
over their appointment as cadet officers. Prescott was captain
of A company and Greg Holmes first lieutenant of the same company.

With Anstey chasing the balk carriers, and all the other squads
attending briskly to business, the pontoon was quickly built, so
that a roadway extended from shore to shore.

Now came the supreme test as to whether Prescott had done his
work well.

In the shade of the nearest trees a team of mules had dozed while
the bridge construction was going on. Behind the mules was hitched
a loaded wagon belonging to the Engineer Corps.

"Sir," reported Prescott, approaching Lieutenant Armstrong and
saluting, "I have the honor to report that the bridge is constructed."

Lieutenant Armstrong returned the salute, next called to an engineer
soldier.

"Carter!"

"Sir," answered the engineer private, saluting.

"Drive your team over the bridge and back."

Mounting to the seat of his wagon, the soldier obeyed.

Dick Prescott and his mates did not watch this test closely.
They were sure enough of the quality of the work that they had
done.

Reaching land at the further side of the bridge, the engineer
soldier turned his team in a half circle, once more drove upon
the bridge and recrossed to the starting point.

"Very well done, Mr. Prescott," nodded the Engineer officer, with
a satisfied smile.

"Take down the bridge," ordered Dick, after having saluted the
Army instructor.

Working as hard as before, the young men of the third and first
classes began to demolish the bridge that they had constructed.

When this had been done, and Dick had officially reported the
fact, Lieutenant Armstrong replied:

"Mr. Prescott, y