The wall-scaling drills were always enjoyed by the cadets as they offered chances for rough and ready fun. The walls were structures of boards, between ten and fifteen feet high, placed on the open field, and the object was for the lads, by means of a pyramid formation, to get all their comrades over the top, while the men left behind, who had assisted their fellows over, would either scramble up by means of a rope, anchored by lads on the other side, or would be pulled up by their comrades who leaned over the high fence. CHAPTER XV ON THE GRIDIRON When the exercises for the day were over, Dick sought out Captain Handlee, and inquired how he liked the wall-scaling. "Fine! Fine!" exclaimed the veteran. "We never had such practice when I was in the army, but we did pretty near the same in real life. I remember one occasion at Chancellorsville--" "Now Captain Handlee," interrupted Major Webster, who had constituted himself host to the veteran, "you keep all such stories for me. If you get telling them to the cadets, first thing I know I'll have to be providing big brick walls for them to scale." He led the veteran away, the aged captain bidding good-bye to Dick. "I hope you'll be successful on your trip," said the young millionaire. "I hope so, too, Dick, for I miss my son more and more as I grow older." In spite of the good record he made in the drills, at artillery practice and in his class, Dick found as the weeks went by, that he was making no progress in becoming popular with the main body of students at Kentfield. He had a few chums among the freshmen, and of course was on speaking terms with all the others, but aside from Paul Drew, his roommate, he had no close friends. This state of affairs made him feel sad, for at home he had been the most popular lad in town. "I'm not succeeding as I thought I would," he said to himself, one day. "I guess I'll have to put my plan into operation. But perhaps I'd better wait a while yet. I'll give this way a fair show." As fall advanced there began to be talk about forming the football eleven. A number of new players were needed, because some of the best had graduated the previous year. "I hope I can make the team," said Dick to Paul one evening during their study period. "I used to be considered a good player at home." "I don't see why you can't get on. Fortunately Dutton has nothing to say about who shall play, though he's considered one of the team's supporters and backers." "Still he may influence Captain Rutledge. I hear they are going to pick candidates this week." "Yes, I heard Harry Hale, the coach, talking about it. I hope you make the eleven, Dick."