DICK PRESCOTT'S SECOND YEAR AT WEST POINT or Finding the Glory of the Soldier's Life H. Irving Hancock CONTENTS CHAPTERS I. The Class President Lectures on Hazing II. Plebe Briggs Learns a Few Things III. Greg Debates Between Girls and Mischief IV. The O.C. Wants to Know V. "I Respectfully Decline to Answer, Sir" VI. Greg Prepares for Flirtation Walk VII. The Folks from Home VIII. Cadet Dodge Hears Something IX. Spoony Femme--Flirtation Walk X. The Cure for Plebe Animal Spirits XI. Lieutenant Topham Feels Queer XII. Under a Fearful Charge XIII. In Close Arrest XIV. Friends Who Stand By XV. On Trial by Court-Martial XVI. A Verdict and a Hop XVII. "A Liar and a Coward" XVIII. The Fight in the Barracks XIX. Mr. Dennison's Turn is Served XX. A Discovery at the Riding Drill XXI. Pitching for the Army Nine XXII. Greg's Secret and Another's XXIII. The Committee on Class Honors XXIV. Conclusion CHAPTER I THE CLASS PRESIDENT LECTURES ON HAZING Leaving the road that wound by the officers' quarters at the north end, turning on to the road that passed the hotel, a hot, somewhat tired and rather dusty column of cadets swung along towards their tents in the distance. The column was under arms, as though the cadets had been engaged in target practice or out on a reconnaissance. The young men wore russet shoes, gray trousers and leggings, gray flannel shirts and soft campaign hats. Their appearance was not that of soldiers on parade, but of the grim toilers and fighters who serve in the field. Their work that morning had, in fact, been strictly in line with labor, for the young men, under Captain McAneny, had been engaged in the study of field fortifications. To be more exact, the young men had been digging military trenches---yes---digging them, for at West Point hard labor is not beneath the cadet's dignity. Just as they swung off the road past the officers' quarters the young men, marching in route step, fell quickly into step at the command of the cadet officer at the head of the line. Now they marched along at no greater speed, but with better swing and rhythm. They were, in fact, perfect soldiers---the best to be found on earth. Past the hotel they moved, and out along the road that leads by the summer encampment. The brisk command of "halt" rang out. Immediately afterwards the command was dismissed. Carrying their rifles at ease, the young men stepped briskly through different company streets to their tents. Three of these brought up together at one of the tents. "Home, Sweet Home," hummed Greg Holmes, as he stepped into his tent. "Thank goodness for the luxury of a little rest," muttered Dick Prescott. "Rest?" repeated Tom Anstey, with a look of amazement. "What time have you, now, for a rest?" "I can spare the time to stretch and yawn," laughed Dick. "If I am capable of swift work, after that, I may indulge in two yawns."