The Lakewood Boys in the South Sea Islands by L.P. Wyman

Taps had sounded at the close of the sham battle and all the "dead" had sprung to life. The last note of the call officially brought to a close the work of the year at The Fortress and, together with the larger part of the corps of cadets, Bob and Jack Lakewood were hurrying toward the barracks in their eagerness to "get into cits" as soon as possible. But, just as Bob rushed into the wash room with Jack close at his heels, he felt a strong hand grasp him by the arm, and turning he looked into the face of a tall well built man whose lips were parted in at broad smile.

"Well, of all the -- -- "

"Uncle Silas! " Jack interrupted with a shout as he threw his arms about the man's neck and treated him to a bear-like hug.

"Sa-save the pieces," the man gasped as he returned the caress with one arm while Bob pumped the other up and down.

"When did you get here? " he asked a moment later.

"About an hour ago," his uncle told them. "And I'll say you kids sure do know how to drill."

"Where you bound for? " Jack asked.

"Why, I suppose you're going home and I kind of thought I'd drift along with you. You see, it's been quite some time since I've been up in Maine."

"That's great," Bob declared. "You come up to the room while we get dressed and we'll be off in no time. Trunks went this morning. We'll get supper in Philly and catch the Bar Harbor express in New York. Father and mother'll be tickled to death to see you."

While he was talking, Bob was leading the way up stairs to their room and, a moment later, the two boys were stripping off their uniforms, while their uncle sat by the window asking them a steady stream of questions regarding their life there.

"Like it here, do you? " he finally asked, just as Bob was taking a final look around to see if he had forgotten anything.

"It's the greatest school in the world," he replied.

"Hum, well, I believe you," Mr. Lakewood smiled. "I've always said that if military training of the right sort wouldn't make a man of a boy nothing would, and you two sure are good advertisements for it. " And he gazed with much pride at the well knit bodies of his nephews.

An hour later, the three were eating supper together in Philadelphia, and between bites, as Jack put it, were talking over old times.

"We'll show you some real woods up in Maine," Jack told his uncle while they were waiting for dessert. "And some real fishing too," he added.

"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I won't have time for that, much as I would enjoy it," Mr. Lakewood smiled.

"Why not? You're going to spend the summer with us, aren't you?"

"I'm afraid not this time. If all goes well, I shall sail from New York a week from next Tuesday."

"Where to? " Bob asked disappointedly.

"For the South Sea Islands."