Tom, being well posted in the movements of the Night-hawks, proceeded to give a glowing description of their recent exploit. The students listened eagerly; and Tom, finding himself surrounded by an appreciative audience, “spread” himself to the best of his ability. He was not mean enough to stoop to actual falsehood, but he so exaggerated the achievements of the Night-hawks, especially that portion of them in which he had been engaged, that it left the impression on the minds of his hearers that Tom had been the daring leader of a very daring lot of fellows. After he had finished his story, he expressed a desire to learn something about the life before him, the duties that would be required of him, the nature of his studies, and the extent of his privileges. Rich volunteered to give him the information, but, just as he was about to begin, some one near the door called out, in a low tone:
“Attention, company!”
The effect of these words not a little surprised Tom, for the boys all hurriedly left him, and running to their beds, picked up their books, and in a moment all appeared to be deeply interested in their studies. Rich and Miller, who did not belong in that dormitory, and who were disobeying the rules by being in there during study hours, hastily retreated into the hall, and made the best of their way to their own quarters. As Tom sat on his bed, wondering at the strange behavior of the students, a step was heard in the hall, and presently one of the assistant teachers entered the dormitory. After looking about the room a moment, to satisfy himself that the boys were all at work, he called out—
“Newcombe!”
Tom, wondering what he was wanted for, arose from his seat and looked at the teacher without answering.
“Newcombe!” said the professor, in a louder tone.
“Well, here I am!” exclaimed Tom—a reply that caused a suppressed laughing among all the students in the room.
“Come here, Newcombe!” said the teacher; “and hereafter, when you are called,” he continued, as Tom approached him, “you will answer ‘Here, sir.’ Come down into the school-room with me, and I will show you your lessons.”
The principal of the academy had learned something of Tom’s past history from his father, and had also been made acquainted with the fact that the boy had accomplished absolutely nothing in his studies. This had been communicated to the assistant teacher, Mr. Hudson, under whose charge Tom was placed, so that he had no difficulty in determining to which class he ought to assign the new student. His lessons for the morrow, in all the different branches, were duly pointed out to him; and Tom was again directed to carefully read the rules and regulations, so that he might know what hours of the day were devoted to study, and what to recreation.
“Now, Newcombe,” said the teacher, “you will begin work to-morrow morning. Captain, Captain Preston!” he added, in a louder tone, calling to a boy who at that moment happened to pass through the hall, “step here a moment, if you please.”