"I'm afraid this spells trouble for some yearling." "What can I do, though?
I show my own unfitness if I let anyone run the guard past me." "Call again, sentry on three!" directed the voice of Corporal Brodie.
"Here, sir," Dick answered.
Then to the spot ran the corporal, followed by two men of the guard.
"Two or more men attempted to cross this post, sir," Dick reported.

"One tripped, and I'm holding him." "Head him off, if he attempts to run ahead," directed Mr.Brodie, nodding to one of his men of the guard.

"Now, then, get up, and let us see whether you're a cadet, or only a banker's son." But the figure did not rise.
"Get up, sir, I tell you," ordered Corporal Brodie, slowly stepping past Prescott.
But the figure did not stir.
"Perhaps the man fell and stunned himself," muttered Brodie.
Passing his rifle to his left hand the corporal parted the bushes, then bent over the prostrate one.
"Oh, hang you!" growled the cadet corporal.

He seized the figure with his right hand, yanked it upward, then hurled it out, letting it fall again across the post.
"Is that the man you stopped, Mr.Prescott ?" demanded Corporal Brodie in disgust.
But instead of answering, at that moment, Dick straightened up, brought his rifle to port, and hailed: "Halt! Who's there ?" "The officer of the day," came out of the blackness.
"Advance, officer of the day, to be recognized," Dick replied.
Forward out of the deep shadow came Cadet Captain Reynolds.
"What's the trouble, Corporal ?" inquired the latest arrival.
"Mr.Prescott reports that two or more persons attempted to run across his post, sir.

He overtook one, who stumbled.