They finished the ride in about two hours, reaching the academy as the last of the other riding squads came in. Dick made no report of the little incident which, but for his promptness, might have had a fatal, or at least a serious, ending.
Rifle practice, and field telegraph work occupied the rest of the day, and there was a final drill and inspection in the late afternoon.
"A pretty strenuous day," remarked Paul to Dick, as they went to their room that evening.
"Yes, and there'll be another to-morrow."
"How so?"
"We must get in some good football practice, for I expect the two coaches soon, perhaps to-day."
"Then Martin and Spencer are both coming?"
"Yes, the good salary and the influence of the old grads, including dad, brought them around."
"I'm glad of it. Now Kentfield will do something."
Out on the gridiron were a score or more of the mole-skin clad warriors, doing all sorts of things to a harmless pigskin spheroid. It was booted and passed about.