means," came from a
voice in the rear. "Pile in, before he runs away, and leaves us to walk
to the Hall!" And into the carryall the boys tumbled, one over another.
Dick got a seat beside the driver, and away they went at a spanking
gait, through Cedarville, and then along the winding road leading to
the academy. Two or three of the cadets had brought tin horns with
them, and they made the welkin ring as the turnout dashed on its way.

"A ginger-snap prize to the first fellow who spots the academy," cried
Sam, as they made the last turn in the highway.

"I see the Hall!" shouted half a dozen voices in chorus. And in a few
seconds they came out into full view of the broad brick and stone
building, with its well-kept parade ground, and its trees and
shrubbery. The parade ground came down to the edge of the wagon road,
and off to the other side the land sloped gradually down to the lake,
glistening like a sheet of gold in the rays of the setting sun.

The boys set up a loud shout and a wild blowing of horns, and in a
moment a score of cadets came running forward to greet them, followed
by Captain Victor Putnam, the master of the academy, and George Strong,
his head assistant.

"I am glad to see you, young gentlemen," said Captain Putnam, as he
shook one and another by the hand. "You look as if your vacation had
done you good."

"It's done me a pile of good," said Sam. "But I don't know as I want
another like it."

"You Rover boys have certainly had some remarkable experiences,"
continued the captain. "I congratulate you on escaping so many grave
perils. Sometime you must give me all the particulars. But now it is
time to prepare for supper. I dare say the trip on the lake has made
you hungry."

"Dot is so," came from Hans Mueller. "I vos so hungry like four lions
alretty."

"I have made some slight changes in your sleeping accommodations," went
on Captain Putnam. "Mr. Strong will show you to your rooms." Then the
boys marched into the academy, led by the head assistant.

The majority of the cadets had their dormitories on the second floor of
the building. Each room held from four to eight students, and was both
bright and clean. The rules of Putnam Hall were similar to those in
force at West Point, and every pupil was expected to keep his clothing,
his books, and his other possessions in perfect order. Each had a cot,
a chair, and a clothes closet to himself, extra closets having been
introduced in the rooms for