CHAPTER XXVI
THE SHAM BATTLE
Forward marched the cadets, keeping step to the lively air of the fifes, and the accompanying rattle and boom of the drums. But regular formation and step were not maintained for long, only until the young soldiers were on the main road, when they were allowed to break step, and proceed as they pleased, the companies, however, keeping together.
It was an all day's tramp to camp, and they stopped midway on the road for lunch, the baggage wagons having been halted while the regular cooks of the academy, who had been taken along, prepared the meal.
"Wait until we get the tents up." said Dick, "then we'll have some fun. Nothing like life under canvas in the summer."
"Right, Captain Dick." replied Paul, trying to talk with part of a chicken sandwich in his mouth. Dick had not yet assumed his new command, but would as soon as camp was pitched.
They got to the place about five o'clock, and found that the tents had been unloaded from the
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