“Never mind, that will make you grow, Tubby,” said Sam.

“Sam Rover, how often must I tell you not to address me as—­ah—­Tubby.  My full name is—­”

“Oh, I know that—­William Longfellow Washington Hezekiah Philander Salamander Tubbs.  But you can’t expect me to say that every time, can you?” questioned Sam innocently.

“Mine cracious! vos dot his hull name?” burst in Hans Mueller.  “It’s apout as long as a freight drain, ain’t it, alretty!”

“No, my name is—­”

“Perhaps I forgot one or two syllables,” interrupted Sam.  “Very sorry, I’m sure.”

“I said my name—­”

“I know you said it, half a dozen times, Billy.  But you see life is so very short, and time so precious—­”

“I meant to say—­”

“Sorry, Billy, but I can’t wait to hear it all,” cried Sam, and ran away.

“He is—­er—­extremely rude,” murmured Tubbs.

“Put dot’s a long name, ain’t it?” said Hans, “I couldn’t remember dot no more as I can remember der names of all der kings py England alretty.”

“Oh, I am disgusted!” sighed William Philander, and started to walk away.

“Vot is you disgusted apout, Mr. Dubbs?”

“Because they won’t call me by my proper name.”

“Do da call you by your imbrober name?” asked Hans innocently.

“Eh?”

“I said, do da call you py your imbrober name?” repeated the German youth.

“Oh, don’t talk to me,” howled Tubbs, and walked away more disconcerted than ever.

“Dot fellow vas so sharp like a pox of bebber, ain’t it?” sighed Hans to himself.

The preparations for the annual encampment went forward rapidly.  All of the outfit was inspected with care and found to be in good order.  Each cadet was provided with a blanket, and a knapsack full of extra underclothing and other necessary things.  The captain had already engaged three big wagons to carry the tents, poles, and cooking utensils, including several camp stoves, and from another quarter cots were to be sent to the camp direct, so that the cadets would not be compelled to lie upon the ground.

“Now, I guess everything is ready,” said Dick; late Saturday evening.

Sunday was a day of rest for the most part.  In the morning the majority of the students marched to church under the directions of the captain and Mr. Strong, and part of the afternoon was spent in writing letters to the folks at home.  “Lights out,” sounded half an hour earlier than usual, so that the cadets might get a good sleep before starting out on the two days’ march.

CHAPTER XV

ON THE MARCH TO CAMP

Rat-tat-tat! Rat-tat-tat! Rat-tat-tat!

The cadets got their first taste of the annual encampment early in the morning, when, instead of hearing the familiar bell, they were awakened by the rolling of the drum.