"I mean the officers are going to choose from those who ride to-day, the cadets who can take part in the tests for joining the prize troop."
"Right you are. Say, I'm going to make that troop or bust a leg."
"Well, I hope you don't break any bones. But I guess there's no danger. You seem right at home on a horse."
"I ought to. I've been riding ever since I was a kid. I'm going to do my best to-day."
As Paul had said, this was the final weeding out of candidates among the cadets, who had no chance in the tests that would be held later, to determine who should be members of the prize troop. This troop consisted of the best riders at the academy, and took part in several state evolutions and parades, having won a number of trophies.
Scores of cadets, in their service uniforms, reported on the cavalry plain for practice. They were required to vault into the saddle while their horse was standing still, and at varying speeds, up to a smart gallop. Many failed in this, but Dick did not.
Then came mounting and dismounting at hurdles, which was more difficult, and weeded out a number, and then, the last of the semifinals, was the feat of standing astride on two horses, driving a steed on either side, and, while doing this, to take a difficult hurdle.
More than a score did not succeed at this, and Dick was not a little nervous when it came his turn, as, though he was an expert, he had not practiced this evolution much.
On his steeds thundered over the ground, one being a skittish horse, and hard to manage.
"If they don't jump together," thought Dick, "I'm done for. If one of them knocks down the hurdle bar it's all up with my chances."