Here and there, a lighter cadet staggered somewhat under the plank he was carrying, yet hastened forward to finish his duty of the moment with military speed.
Another pontoon was ready.
"Balks!" called Cadet Prescott.

"Balks!" Jordan got his squad started at last.
Dick glanced swiftly, but in wonder at Lieutenant Armstrong.
That Army officer, however, seemed industriously thinking about something else.
"Jordan is truly taking charge of the balks!" muttered Prescott to himself.

"He is going to balk me so that I can't get the bridge constructed before recall!" "Running the balk chasers" is always unpopular work among the cadets.

Properly done, this work calls for a great deal of alertness, speed and precision.

It is work that takes every moment of the cadet's time and attention, and incessant running in the hot sun.
Yet Prescott had, before this, chased the balk carriers, and had not objected.