Here there had been no end of good times and not a little hazing, the most of which was taken in good part.  The boys had made a new enemy in the shape of a bully named Lew Flapp, who was finally expelled from the school for his wrong-doings.  Dan Baxter also turned up, but when the authorities got after him he disappeared as quickly as he had done many times before, leaving his father to his fate, as already mentioned.

“I don’t think we’ll be bothered much with Dan Baxter after this,” Tom had said, but he was mistaken, as later events proved.

Rat, tat, tat!  Rat, tat, tat! went the drum on the parade ground, and soon the three companies which comprised the Putnam Hall Battalion were duly assembled, with Major Larry Colby in command of the whole, and Dick at the head of Company A, Fred Garrison at the head of Company B, and Mark Romer leading Company C. In front of all stood Captain Putnam, the sole owner of the military institution, and George Strong, his chief assistant.

“The boys certainly make a fine showing, on this last day of our encampment,” said Captain Putnam to his assistant.  “And a good deal of the credit is due to you, Mr. Strong.”

“Thank you for saying so, sir,” was the answer.  “Yes, they look well, and I am proud of them, Captain Putnam.  I believe our military school will compare favorably with any in the land.”

After the drill was over Captain Putnam came forward and made a rather extended speech, in which he reviewed the work accomplished at the academy from its first opening, as told by me in another series of books, entitled “The Putnam Hall Series,” starting with “The Putnam Hall Cadets,” down to those later days when the Rover boys appeared on the scene.  He also complimented the cadets on their excellent showing and trusted they would all have a pleasant vacation during the summer.  This speech was followed by a short address by George Strong, and then came a surprise when Dick Rover stepped forward.

“Captain Putnam,” said he, “in behalf of all the cadets here assembled I wish to thank you for your kind words, which we deeply appreciate.

“I have been chosen by my fellows to present you with this as a token of our esteem.  We trust it will prove to your liking, and that whenever you look upon it you will remember us all.”

As Dick spoke he brought into view a fair-sized package wrapped in tissue paper.  When unrolled, it proved to be a small figure of a cadet, done in silver and gold.  On the base was the inscription:  “From the Cadets of Putnam Hall, to Their Beloved Head Master, Captain Victor Putnam.”

After that Mr. Strong was presented with a set of Cooper’s works and the other teachers were likewise remembered.  More addresses of thanks followed, and then the battalion was dismissed for dinner.

“It’s a fine wind-up for this season’s encampment,” said Tom, after it was over.  “I don’t believe we’ll ever have another encampment like it.”