He ran his eyes over the two companies, to see that every cadet was "toeing the mark." He did not see Reff Ritter.
"Present arms! Carry arms! Shoulder arms!" came the various commands, and the cadets made the movements with their guns. The drilling was so well done that Captain Putnam, who always looked on, nodded in approval.
"By column of fours, forward march!" came the next command, and then the drums struck up once more, the fifes joined in, and four abreast the cadets moved off, down the parade ground. They marched up and down several times, and executed various movements, and then marched into the mess-hall, or dining-room, put away their guns, and took their seats.
"Ritter isn't here," whispered Pepper to Jack.
"So I see," was the reply.
"I'll bet he caught it from Captain Putnam," put in Dale.
"Silence at the table!" came harshly from Josiah Crabtree. "I want less talking at meals!"
"My, but he's a cheerful beggar!" muttered Dale.
"Imagine him at the head of the school," observed Pepper.
"Ditmore, did you hear me?" snarled the teacher. "I want you to keep quiet."