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 of saddle, holding his own splendidly disciplined mount by the bridle while he bent over his class-mate.

Dodge lay on the tan-bark, his uniform awry and dirty, and his face blanched with fear of the horse.

“Are you much hurt, Dodge?” asked Dick.

“No, confound you!” muttered Bert under his breath.

As if to prove his lack of injury, he sat up, then rose to his feet.

“Mount, Mr. Prescott, and join the line,” noting all with quick eyes.  “Mr. Dodge, recapture your horse, mount and fall in.”