“Three cheers for Major Rover!” called out Captain Dale, and once again the cheering was renewed. Then came cheers for the captains of the three commands and the other officers, after which there was a final parade around the campus, and then those who were to graduate from the Hall discarded their arms for the last time.
“I’m going to take my sword home with me. Colonel Colby said I might,” said Jack.
“I’m to take my sword, too,” answered Fred.
“What are Randy and I to take home?” demanded Andy.
“Oh, you can take an arithmetic or a grammar,” answered Fred.
“Not on your tintype!” came from the fun-loving Rover.
“We might take our guns,” suggested Randy jokingly. “Then we’d be fully prepared to meet Davenport and his pals.”
The dinner held by those who were to graduate from the Hall was one long to be remembered. The mess hall was decorated especially for the occasion and the spread was one of the most elaborate ever prepared at that institution.
“I want you boys to remember Colby Hall as long as you live,” said Colonel Colby, addressing a number of the cadets but looking squarely at the Rover boys as he spoke. He did not say so, but the lads knew he was thinking of his own school days at Putnam Hall with their fathers.
“I couldn’t forget Colby Hall if I tried,” answered Major Jack feelingly. “I am sure it’s one of the best schools on earth.”