“He is responsible for this,” muttered Flapp, clenching his fists and grating his teeth.  “But for him I might at this minute be major of the battalion, or one of the captains.  Oh, but won’t I square up some day!”

“What will you do?” questioned Pender.  “Remember, I’m just as down on him as you are.”

“I don’t know yet, Gus.  But I’ll do something.”

“All right; when you are ready to act, let me know, and I’ll help you all I can,” answered Gus Pender.

CHAPTER XIII

THE FIGHT AT THE BOATHOUSE

Inside of a week the newly-elected officers felt perfectly at home in their various positions.  Captain Putnam’s idea of allowing only such cadets to be candidates as could fill the positions properly had borne good fruit, and the battalion was now in better condition than ever before.

Contrary to general expectations, Larry Colby, as major, proved a strict disciplinarian when on parade.  In the playground he was as “chummy” as ever, but this was cast aside when he buckled on his sword and took command.

“This is as it should be,” was Captain Putnam’s comment.  “And it is the same throughout life:  play is play and business is business.”

As a captain Dick was equally successful and Tom also made a good second lieutenant.  Company A was speedily voted superior to the others, when drilling and when on the march, and consequently became the flag bearer for the term.

“This is splendid!” said Dick, when the announcement was made.  And then he went at Company A, to make the cadets drill and march better than ever.

But though the students gave considerable time to military matters, they were not permitted to neglect their regular studies, and to their honor be it said that the three Rover boys pitched in with a will.

“If I can’t be an officer I’m going to be a high grade student anyway,” said Sam, and kept his word.  Books suited him better than did military glories, and soon he was at the top of his class in almost every branch of learning.

Many of the cadets were anxious to know where the annual encampment would be held, but for the time being Captain Putnam declined to discuss the subject.

“We will talk about that as soon as lessons are done for the term,” said he.

“I don’t believe we’ll go to Brierroot Grove again,” said Powell to Dick.  “A farmer has built a house up there and is clearing off the land as fast as he can.”

“I wish we could go to some place at a distance,” returned Dick.  “All of us know this territory pretty well.  I like to visit new localities.”

“So do I.”

During those days the Rover boys received a letter from their father which proved unusually interesting.  Anderson Rover wrote, in part, as follows: 

“You will be surprised to learn, at this late day, that something had been heard about Arnold Baxter.  A man who knows him fairly well met him a few nights ago in Owego.  The news was telegraphed to me at once, and the local police were informed, but since that time nothing more has been seen or heard of the rascal.  The man said he was well dressed and had been stopping at a leading hotel.  Evidently he is using what was stolen.”