Then there were snowball fights between the different companies, both on foot and mounted on horses, with wooden shields. These were lively affairs, and were enjoyed by all. Dick took his part in the winter sports, but, though he had increased his friends by the addition of several freshmen, particularly Payson Emery, the lad whose knocking down by Dutton he had resented, he made no progress toward getting intimate with the upperclassmen. "But I've got half a term yet," thought Dick. With the advent of winter, affairs in the town of Kentfield, which was about two miles from where the academy was located, became more lively. There were theatrical and other entertainments, and the cadets, when they could not get permission to attend these, used to run the guard. Usually there was little risk in this, as the cadet officers would not report their friends, unless some member of the academy faculty happened to hear a late-staying party come sneaking in, and then the young officer on guard knew he had to make some sort of a report or be punished himself. One night there was a large and rather fashionable dance given in town, by some friends of Dutton's family. He was invited, together with some of his cronies, but he was refused permission to go, as he had broken several rules of late. "Well, I'm going anyhow," he announced to Stiver. "I guess I can run the guard all right, and get back. There are some girls I want to meet." So Dutton and Stiver, and one or two others, went. Dick was on guard, as it happened, at the barracks where Dutton and the others had their rooms. He was patrolling his post long after midnight, expecting soon to be relieved, when he saw some shadowy forms stealing along the hedge. "Halt!" he cried, bringing his rifle up. "Gee! It's Hamilton!" he heard some one say, and he recognized Stiver's voice. "Then I guess it's all up with us," announced Dutton, straightening up, and, with his chums, approaching Dick. The young millionaire said nothing. "Are you going to let us in? We haven't the countersign," said Dutton, with an uneasy laugh. "You can go in," replied Dick, producing the key to the front door. "And I suppose you'll squeal in the morning," went on Dutton, as he and his cronies entered. Dick didn't answer. "You should have known better than to risk going, Dutton," said Stiver. "Of course he'll tell. He owes you too much not to." But Dick didn't tell, and Dutton's breach of discipline was not discovered. CHAPTER XXI THE FANCY DRESS BALL "Well, Dick," remarked Paul Drew, one afternoon, as he and his roommate came in from drill, "I see you're on the ball committee." "What ball, and what committee?" "The fancy dress ball, if I have to go into all the details. You know the academy has one every year, and it's a swell affair, let me tell you. Lights, gay music, pretty girls----" "Especially pretty girls," said Dick with a smile. "But what committee am I on?"