"Pity he wouldn't let us gallop," said Dick, in a low voice to Paul, beside whom he was riding.
"Silence in the ranks!" exclaimed the cadet captain sharply. "Hamilton, if you speak again I'll report you."
Dick felt the hot blood mount to his face, but he kept his temper.
They went around at a slow pace, many of the lads chaffing under the restraint. Then Dutton gave the command to trot, and they let their horses out a trifle.
Whether something frightened Dick's horse, or whether the animal wanted to take a good run and show the others what he could do, it was impossible to say. At any rate our hero's steed gave a sudden spring, and, rushing through the opened ranks of the cadet horsemen ahead of him, sailed past Captain Dutton at a fast gait.
"Halt!" cried the leading cadet. "Where are you going, Hamilton? Come back here at once! I'll report you! Come back!"
Dick tried to rein his horse in, but the animal had the bit in his teeth, and it was useless to pull on the leather. Still the young millionaire was not frightened. He knew he could manage the animal.
But Dutton, with a muttered exclamation, spurred after Dick.
"Halt!" he cried again. "Halt, or I'll place you under arrest for disobeying orders!"
"I can't stop him!" Dick flung back, over his shoulder.