CHAPTER XXII.
CADET PRESCOTT COMMANDS AT SQUADRON DRILL The Military Academy found itself in a whirling round of recitations and drills, arranged for the delight of the Board of Visitors.
There were other hundreds of spectators at first, and thousands later, to see all that was going on, for there are hosts of citizens who know what inspiring sights are to be found at West Point in Graduation Week.
"Mr.Prescott is directed to report at the office of the commandant of cadets." This order was borne by a soldier orderly immediately after breakfast on the day before graduation.
"Mr.Prescott," said the commandant, when the tall, soldierly looking cadet knocked, entered and saluted, "you will take command at the cavalry squadron drill, which takes place at three this afternoon." Dick's heart bounded with pleasure.

It was an honor that could come to but one man in the first class, and he was greatly delighted that it should have fallen to him.
"Mr.Holmes will command the first troop, and Mr.Anstey the second," continued the commandant of cadets, who then rattled off the names of the cadets who would act as subalterns in the squadron.
It was a splendid detail, that of commanding the squadron in the cavalry drill---splendid because it is one of the most picturesque events of the week, and also because it calls for judgment and high ability to command.
"I must be sure to get word to mother; she mustn't miss a sight that will delight her so greatly," murmured Dick, as he hastened away to notify Greg and Anstey.
This done, he hastened off to other duties, though not without yielding much thought to the belief that Laura Bentley would be here this afternoon, since she was pledged to go with him to the graduation ball in the evening.
"Mother can be sure to see Laura, and they can see the squadron drill together," ran through Prescott's mind.
A splendid, swift bit of pontoon bridge building had been shown the visitors on the day before; one battalion had given a lively glimpse of tent pitching in perfect alignment as to company streets, and in record time.
In the forenoon, there was to be a lively battery drill, to be followed by a dizzying demonstration of the speed at which machine guns may be moved, placed in position and fired so fast that there is a hail of projectiles.
For this afternoon, the cavalry drill in squadron, and after that, infantry drill that would include a picture of infantry on the firing line.

After that, the last dress parade in which the present first classmen would ever take part as cadets.
Oh, it was a stirring picture, full of all the dash, the precision and glamour of the soldier's life! The pity of it all was that every red-blooded American boy could not be there to see it all.
Just before three o'clock every man of the first class turned out through the north sallyport in the full equipment of a cavalryman.
Here they halted before barracks.
Dick caught sight of four figures standing hardly more than across the road.

A swift glance at the time, and Prescott stepped over the road.
"Good afternoon, mother.

Good afternoon, Mrs.Bentley.