stant this
uneasy animal would rear and unhorse him.

At last the detachment was halted and the line faced about. Now
the detachment rode in reverse direction around the tan-bark.

By this means Dodge became the leader.

Through the walk and the trot, he managed to get along all right,
though he was nervous.

"Stick to your saddle, Mr. Dodge!" called Captain Hall. "Don't
bump it, sir. Settle down and ride steadily."

Then, an instant later, just as Dodge was beginning to feel secure:

"Gallop!"

Dodge's wild mount gave a snort, then bolted.

"Whoa, you unruly beast!" roared Dodge. Behind him rode the
detachment, grimly merry, though with not a flicker of a smile
showing.

Bert's horse pulled away, and bolted, with Dodge tugging at the
bridle.

Greg, riding behind him, endeavored to bridge the gap.

"Steady, Mr. Holmes!" shouted the cavalry instructor. "You may
set the pace until Mr. Dodge regains control of his mount."

Straight around the tan-bark went Dodge and his mount, until the
animal was in danger of colliding with Haskins' mount.

"Hard on your off rein, Mr. Dodge! Swing out into the center
and bring your horse down!" ordered Captain Hall sternly.

Bert managed to swing out of the line, but that was all. He shot
along on the inside, for the horse seemed to have a notion that
it was racing the entire detachment, lap by lap.

"Have you utterly lost control of your horse, Mr. Dodge?" shouted
Captain Hall.

Plainly enough the young man had, for, at that moment, the beast,
its mouth sore from the continued tugging against the bits, slackened
its pace, then plunged on its forefeet, throwing its heels high
in the air.

With a gasp of terror Dodge struck the tan-bark, one shoulder
landing first. But he still retained the bridle, and was dragged.
The vicious animal wheeled, rearing, and its fore-feet came down
aimed at Dodge's face.

Dick Prescott was the nearest cadet horseman at this moment.
Suspecting what might happen, Prescott had swung his own mount
sharply out of line, riding straight after Dodge.

"Drop your bridle!" called Dick sternly.

Then, just as Dodge's horse was bringing its fore-feet down, Prescott
rode against the angry animal, striking it against the flank and
shoving it sideways and back. The brute's forefeet struck the
tan-bark, but more than two feet from Dodge's head. Bert had
presence of mind enough to roll to one side.

In an instant Prescott was down out o