The West Point Rivals: or, Mark Mallory's Stratagem

At West Point’s summer encampment a tight‑knit group of plebes call themselves the Banded Seven, a secret society that thrives on daring exploits and brotherly rivalry. Their charismatic leader, Mark Mallory, has already earned a reputation for outwitting hazing officers and rescuing a fellow cadet from danger, making him the heart of the camp’s legends. When a traveling circus rolls into nearby Highland Falls, the cadets seize the chance for one more bold stunt, spurring a lively debate about honor, rules, and the thrill of the unknown.

The plot thickens when “Texas” Powers, a fiery Texan with a taste for adventure, vows to ride the circus’s notorious bronco—an act officially off‑limits to cadets. He promises a disguise and a daring plan, rallying his friends with humor and bravado while testing the limits of their camaraderie. As the boys prepare for the reckless ride, the story captures the mix of youthful exuberance, military discipline, and the secret bonds that keep the Banded Seven together.