Peleg Snuggers breathed on the square of tin as directed, and then there slowly came to view the picture of a donkey's head! The boys gathered around set up a shout. "Hurrah, Peleg, what a fine picture!" "You've changed a little in your looks, Peleg, since you had the last taken, eh?" "Your girl will fall in love with that picture, Peleg, I'm certain of it." "Sam Rover, I'll git square, see if I don't!" roared the utility man, as he dashed the square of tin to the ground. "I knowed you was goin' to play a joke on me." And he started to walk off. "Why, what's the matter?" demanded Sam innocently. "Isn't it a good picture?' "I'll picture you!" "I thought I was doing my best." "Show me off for a donkey! If it wasn't against the rules I'd--I'd wollop you!" "A donkey! Oh, Peleg, I did nothing of the kind! Here is your picture, on my word of honor." "It's a donkey's head, I say." "And I say it's your picture. I'll leave it to anybody in the crowd." "I guess I know a donkey's head when I see it, Master Rover. I didn't expect no such joke from you, though your brother Tom might have played it." "Boys, isn't this a good picture?" demanded Sam, showing up the other side of the tin square. "Why, splendid!" came from the crowd. "Peleg, there is some mistake here." "Oh, you can't joke me no more!" returned the utility man. "But just look!" pleaded Sam. "Isn't that a good picture of you? If you don't say so yourself I'll give you five dollars." He handed the tin over again, this time with the opposite side toward Snuggers. He had just breathed on it heavily. "Now blow on it," he continued, and Snuggers did as directed. The moisture cleared away, revealing the face of the utility man in a bit of looking-glass! "Oh, you're tremendously smart, you are!" muttered Snuggers, and walked off. But he was not half as angry as he had been a few minutes before. CHAPTER XII DICK VISITS DORA STANHOPE "Battalion, fall in. Attention! Carry arms!" It was several days later, and the cadets were out for their first parade around the grounds. Dick still retained his position as second lieutenant of Company A, having been re-elected the term previous. Tom was first sergeant of Company B, while Sam was still "a high private in the rear rank," as the saying goes. The day was an ideal one in the early autumn, and Captain Putnam and George Strong were both on hand to watch the drilling. Major Bart Conners had graduated the year before, and his place was now filled by Harry Blossom, formerly captain of Company A. "Shoulder arms!" came the next order. "Battalion, forward march!" Tap! tap! tap, tap, tap! went the drums, and then the bass drum joined in, and the two companies moved off. Soon the fifers struck up a lively air, and away went the cadets, down the road, around grounds, and to the mess hall for supper. The boys felt good to be in the ranks once more, and Captain Putnam congratulated them on their soldierly appearance.