 I know that you're not the only one that's gonna try for that open position on the polo team. Yeah who else is Lee? I heard there were several fellas who would like to make it. Cully Newsom told me that he was gonna try for her. What's he like? Cully Newsom? Yeah. Oh he's all right I guess. He doesn't seem to be very popular with the rest of the cadets though. He's a second-year man but I don't know the fellas just haven't taken him in and made friends with him. Why not? What's the matter with him? Well it's like this. Cully's rich see. Very rich. His father is Mark Newsom the third and his mother was Madeline Cully. Both of those families are just about the wealthiest in the country. Yeah but I don't see why that makes any difference. I'd like to be friends with anybody like that. Well you're right that's the way I feel too. After all it's not his fault that his people are wealthy but it is his fault that he doesn't forget it while he's at school. You mean he thinks he's better than any of the other fellas huh? Well I don't know if he feels that way or not but he certainly does talk an awful lot about his folks and what they've got. I see what you mean. Yeah but maybe he can't help it. He's gonna be stiff competition for you on the riding test. Yeah or why? Well in the first place he's had a pony when he was only a couple of years old and as he grew up he's always had his own horse to ride. He's had the very best of riding instructors too. Uh-oh I guess that lets me out. All I know about riding I learned myself except a few pointers Whitey gave me. Who's Whitey? Oh he was in charge of the horses with the circus. He showed me everything I know about jumping hurdles. Well I don't see how you could ever get a better instructor than that. He was in charge of the horses with a big circus he must know plenty about. Have you ever seen uh what's his name uh uh Cully ride? No I haven't. He's never done any riding here. This is gonna be his first time to try out for him. Well one thing I did find out from him though he's never played polo so you're both starting even that way. Oh well all I can do is try. That's his spirit Jerry. See I wanted to ask you something Lee. Yes. I thought you told me I was gonna have Mrs Gardner for a mathematics teacher. When you went into her classroom the first thing yesterday and today I had to go to study hall. You filled out tests the first day didn't you? Yeah. Well you did that so they can grade you and find out first just how far you are along in your arithmetic. Oh I see. Oh I was wondering. I've been kind of anxious to meet Mrs Gardner. Yeah you're most likely to be in her class if your examinations were okay. Well I sure hope I am. From what Captain Gardner and you and Tubby told me about her she must be awfully nice. Oh she sure is Jerry. She's a real friend all the boys. Well there's a polo field that's a stable right ahead. They sure keep the feel nice. That grass looks like it's never been played on. Oh they keep after it all the time. Hey there's Linwell. He must have been down to the lake. Oh Harold. He's waving he sees us. Hey come here. You know I feel sorry for him Jerry. He's the youngest and smallest boy here. He doesn't go in for any games or anything. I don't know he always seems a lonesome. He's a nice kid though. Oh he sure is. I told you about his dad didn't I. Tubby said something about him the other day when we met him in the gym. He's an airplane pilot isn't he. Yeah he's a test pilot. One of the best in the country too. Haven't you ever heard of Guy Linwell. His name's been in the papers lots of time. He's won a lot of first prizes at air races. Yeah it is kind of familiar at that. Hi Harold where were you going. Back to my room. Oh you've been down to the lake. Uh huh hello Jerry. Hi you Harold. Hey you want to come along with us. Where are you going over to the stable. Yeah Jerry's going to try out for the open position on the second string Polo team. Well yeah I'd like to go. That's the position Red Morrison lost and it's a tough one to it's a goman. Do you think you can handle that Jerry. Well I don't know I never even played Polo but just like I told Lee I can try. I wish I was a little bigger so I could ride. You'll get there yet Harold you're liable to grow up bigger than any of us. Have you heard from your dad lately no I haven't I don't even know where he is what you you don't know where he is how's that well the last letter I got from him was three days ago and he said in that letter that he was going to test some new speed ship for Hayden aircraft he said that it was going to be a secret test and he didn't know just where he'd have to try it out well there's nothing to worry about sometimes those tests last a long time I read once where they tested a ship for weeks yeah I know that he's worked for Hayden before has me sure it was a Hayden ship he flew in the air races last year when he won first prize maybe you'll get a letter from him tomorrow hey look there's Sergeant Alden out back see him Jerry oh yeah did I tell you that he used to be in the army no was he mm-hmm he was a sergeant in the cavalry and he sure knows all there is to know about horses and riding he must be if he was in the cavalry gee I'll say look who's in the back of head in this way we can't quite make up who is it Harold looks like poor Warren doesn't it I believe you're right yeah that is one say if he's gonna take the riding test there's some more competition for you Jerry why who's he well Paul comes from out west his dad has a big ranch he was brought up with cowboys he's been riding since he was just a youngster too is he an upper classman no no he's a plead he's up on the second floor in Hayward Hall he's a little older than we are though and goes to different classes that's why you haven't met him yet no well now that we're here what do I do just wait until the sergeant comes out here he comes now I'll introduce you to him Jerry and then you tell him that you saw in the bulletin board that there was a place open on the second string team okay you want to see me yes this is cadet Jerry Dugan sergeant Alder I'm glad to know you do again I'm glad to know you sir I've come to see about that open place on the second string a polo team you're a new man aren't you yes sir I've only been at Fair Oaks about three days well did you ever do any riding oh yes sir how much tell me about it well I was a Randall brothers Greater Circus you're over the circus there yes sir I did a race act and then I used to ride a little cold that I broke in I had him doing some pretty high jumps just before I left the circus hmm well that should be pretty fair recommendation but did you ever play polo no sir I haven't well now you go and sit on that bench over there I'm expecting a couple more of the boys and I'll call you when I'm ready yes sir he's gonna give you a test I guess sure he is he thought that was pretty good Jerry's being with the circus I sure hope you make it Jerry and I guess Red Morrison will be singing a different tune if you do he wouldn't that be great give the test everything you got Jerry and we'll be pulling for you just as hard as we can thanks hey look there goes that other fella talking to Sergeant Alden Paul Warren yeah he's gonna try for it too I wonder how many are going to try out Cully Newsom said he was who else I don't know I haven't been talking anybody about it hey here comes someone else no over there that's him that's Cully where I don't see him look over there he's coming this way oh yeah I see him now hey Newsom you haven't met him yet have you Jerry no I haven't well you will right now oh come here Cully I want you to meet my new roommate this looks like quite a turnout for the test are you gonna try out Phillips no no not me but my friend is this is Jerry Dugan Cully charm Dugan very happy to make your acquaintance huh oh yeah I'm glad to know you are you a horseman Dugan yeah I can ride a little I do wish I had my own horse to ride there's no telling what kind of nag they might give a person oh I wouldn't say that Cully every horse at Fair Oaks is the very best they could get the best is none too good Phillips when it comes to polo ponies but we'll make the best of it however if I do succeed I shall have father send me a special saddle yes sir coming I'll be back presently I see what you mean Lee special sad you get that well I still think I'm right about him though what do you mean well I don't think he acts like that on purpose he just can't help it he was brought up like that that may be he's always had servants that have bowed to him and made him feel superior but underneath all all this fancy talk I'll bet he's a good guy Sergeant Alden is talking to those fellas on to the field I wonder why he didn't call you Jerry hey do you think he forgot me oh no no he'll call you when he's ready for you look at there's a couple of the pony saddled well maybe he's gonna try them out first that's Dugan the sergeant's calling you now Jerry can't we go along and watch I don't think the sergeant mind come on let's hurry Jerry coming sir hey look at Paul Warren is mining one of the ponies now mm-hmm he's gonna try out first he did you see him get up on that pony he did that like he's been doing it all his life yeah look that way all right here Jerry through here hey you could that stay on that side of the boards if you want to watch yes sir I'm going to let Cadet Warren and Cadet Newsome try out first Dugan but all three of you are going to try it out and you'll be judged equally yes sir all right one whatever you're ready first walk around then let me see a trot then a gallop and then back into a walk again go ahead that's not so hard you can do that can't you Jerry sure that much is easy I'm afraid that's not all there is to the test though Jerry let's wait and see what's next there's his trot hmm that pony sure takes commands nice of course he does but the word is nicely oh yeah takes commands nicely can you imagine Cully calling a swell pony like that a nag look at him go now he sure is a good rider too good what's that Jerry oh nothing let me see some fast turns and quick stops and some fast getaways he didn't hear that oh this is going to be good say he is good I didn't have any idea Warren could handle a horse that well just look at him go wow look at that sharp turn yeah and that's only the start of the test you're not getting frightened are you Jerry oh no Jim and he sure can ride that's enough for now Warren that news him not that other pony now yes sir that can't be all there is to it no but that gives the sergeant an idea of how well he can handle a horse a very good idea I'd say now there goes Kelly now mix it up the same as Warren dead news now we'll see what the great new some can do looks right at home up there in the saddle he sure does sure that getaway was beautiful look at that I guess he wasn't bragging when he said he could ride he's almost as good as the Russoff the Russoffs were there Jerry that's the Russian Cossack riding troop with the circus maybe he's just showing off there's no such thing when it comes to riding you either can or you can't just look at him this is certainly a surprise I think he's even better than Paul Warren he's just as good you know I think I'll pass up the test this time Lee what well both those fellas have been riding longer than I have you can see that Jerry oh well how do you know what you can do until you try those are real polo ponies Jerry you'll be surprised once you get up in the saddle you know I know but well both Warren and Newsome have been here at Faroaks longer than I have and by rights they should get the open position on the team Jerry you're getting cold feet not only that you're letting me down I didn't think you were a quitter Jerry I'm not but well after seeing him ride I don't think I'd pass a test anyhow okay Newsome it's all for now that's doing like that first pony now oh me go on Jerry go on show them Jerry well I don't think I can do what call he just did you're coming to go on a yes sir at a point Jerry good luck do the best you can Jerry and you'll be all right ride like you never wrote before okay I will watch me oh we will and we'll be rooting for you too