He swung off in the direction of the building where the cavalry horses were kept, and, as he neared the one where his dog slept he saw a dark figure step out from behind a tree. The figure was that of a cadet with a rifle. "Hope that's a friend of mine," mused Dick grimly. A moment later came the command: "Halt!" Dick obeyed. "Who goes there?" was the inquiry as the rifle was swung around. "Friend." "Advance friend, and give the countersign." Dick was startled. Though this was strictly in accordance with the rules, it was something that was seldom enforced. And, to tell the truth, Dick did not have the countersign. "Well?" came the impatient query. Dick wondered who his challenger could be, for the face was in the shadow. "I--I'm afraid I haven't the countersign," faltered Dick, who was somewhat annoyed. "Is it actually necessary?" "Of course it is," was the snapping answer. "Otherwise I shouldn't have asked for it. If you haven't it, you're under arrest." "I'm Dick Hamilton," said our hero, "and I was on my way to see Hatfield about some football matters. Besides taps have only just sounded." "Some time ago," was the curt reply. "Besides Hatfield's rooms aren't in the stable." "I know, but I wanted to see if my dog Grit was safely fastened." "Oh. Well, I'm sorry," but there was no contrition expressed in the voice, "but I'll have to place you under arrest for trying to run guard, Captain Hamilton," and with that the sentry stepped out from under a tree, revealing himself as Sam Porter. CHAPTER XVII UNCLE EZRA ARRIVES For a moment Dick half thought it was a joke, and he was about to laugh it off. The idea of a member of the football squad--even though temporarily deposed from the team, stopping another team member when on athletic business, even though against the rules, was almost unheard of. "I guess it's all right--you might remember the countersign for me," said Dick lightly. "Not much!" snapped Porter. "Why not?" "Because I don't choose to. You're under arrest and you will so report to Major Webster. "Do you mean it?" "I certainly do." "But it's--it's so unusual." "That's just the reason I'm doing it. They make a fellow do guard duty on a frosty night, to catch guard-runners, and then some one kicks when he does it. No, I'm in earnest, and if some of the other fellows who do sentry-go would be the same, they'd stop this. I don't care enough about war tactics to be a sentry, but as long as I am here no one can run the guard on me." "I wasn't running the guard. I told you where I was going. I want to see if Hatfield had heard from the Haskell team yet." "And I find you headed toward the stable where your dog is kept, so I can believe you or not as I choose."