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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10045 ***
+
+[Illustration: Darrin's Blow Knocked the Midshipman Down]
+
+
+
+
+DAVE DARRIN'S SECOND YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS
+
+or
+
+Two Midshipmen as Naval Academy "Youngsters"
+
+By
+
+H. IRVING HANCOCK Illustrated
+
+MCMXI
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+CHAPTER
+
+I. A QUESTION OF MIDSHIPMAN HONOR
+
+II. DAVE'S PAP-SHEET ADVICE
+
+III. MIDSHIPMAN PENNINGTON GOES TOO FAR
+
+IV. A LITTLE MEETING ASHORE
+
+V. WHEN THE SECONDS WONDERED
+
+VI. IN TROUBLE ON FOREIGN SOIL
+
+VII. PENNINGTON GETS HIS WISH
+
+VIII. THE TRAGEDY OF THE GALE
+
+IX. THE DESPAIR OF THE "RECALL"
+
+X. THE GRIM WATCH FROM THE WAVES
+
+XI. MIDSHIPMAN PENNINGTON'S ACCIDENT
+
+XII. BACK IN THE HOME TOWN
+
+XIII. DAN RECEIVES A FEARFUL FACER
+
+XIV. THE FIRST HOP WITH THE HOME GIRLS
+
+XV. A DISAGREEABLE FIRST CLASSMAN
+
+XVI. HOW DAN FACED THE BOARD
+
+XVII. LOSING THE TIME-KEEPER'S COUNT
+
+XVIII. FIGHTING THE FAMOUS DOUBLE BATTLE
+
+XIX. THE OFFICER IN CHARGE IS SHOCKED
+
+XX. CONCLUSION
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+
+A QUESTION OF MIDSHIPMAN HONOR
+
+"How can a midshipman and gentleman act in that way?"
+
+The voice of Midshipman David Darrin, United States Navy, vibrated
+uneasily as he turned to his comrades.
+
+"It's a shame--that's what it is," quivered Mr. Farley, also of the
+third class at the United States Naval Academy.
+
+"But the question is," propounded Midshipman Dan Dalzell, "what are we
+going to do about it?"
+
+"Is it any part of our business to bother with the fellow?" demanded
+Farley half savagely.
+
+Now Farley was rather hot-tempered, though he was "all there" in points
+that involved the honor of the brigade of midshipmen.
+
+Five midshipmen stood in the squalid, ill-odored back room of a Chinese
+laundry in the town of Annapolis.
+
+There was a sixth midshipman present in the handsome blue uniform of the
+brigade; and it was upon this sixth one that the anger and disgust of
+the other five had centered.
+
+He lay in a sleep too deep for stirring. On the still, foul air floated
+fumes that were new to those of his comrades who now gazed down on him.
+
+"To think that one of our class could make such a beast of himself!"
+sighed Dave Darrin.
+
+"And on the morning of the very day we're to ship for the summer
+cruise," uttered Farley angrily.
+
+"Oh, well" growled Hallam, "why not let this animal of lower grade sleep
+just where he is? Let him take what he has fairly brought upon himself!"
+
+"That's the very question that is agitating me," declared Dave Darrin,
+to whom these other members of the third class looked as a leader when
+there was a point involving class honor.
+
+Dave had became a leader through suffering.
+
+Readers of the preceding volume in this series, "DAVE DARRIN'S FIRST
+YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS," will need no introduction to this fine specimen of
+spirited and honorable young American.
+
+Readers of that preceding volume will recall how Dave Darrin and Dan
+Dalzell entered the United States Naval Academy, one appointed by a
+Congressman and the other by a United States Senator. Such readers will
+remember the difficult time that Dave and Dan had in getting through the
+work of the first hard, grinding year. They will also recall how Dave
+Darrin, when accused of treachery to his classmates, patiently bided his
+time until he, with the aid of some close friends, was able to
+demonstrate his innocence. Our readers will also remember how two
+evil-minded members of the then fourth class plotted to increase Damn's
+disgrace and to drive him out of the brigade; also how these two
+plotters, Midshipmen Henkel and Brimmer, were caught in their plotting
+and were themselves forced out of the brigade. Our readers know that
+before the end of the first year at the Naval Academy, Dave had fully
+reinstated himself in the esteem of his manly classmates, and how he
+quickly became the most popular and respected member of his class.
+
+It was now only the day after the events whose narration closed the
+preceding volume.
+
+Dave Darrin and Dalzell were first of all brought to notice in "THE HIGH
+SCHOOL BOYS' SERIES." In their High School days, back in Gridley, these
+two had been famous members of Dick & Co., a sextette of youngsters who
+had made a name for themselves in school athletics.
+
+Dick Prescott and Greg Holmes, two other members of the sextette, had
+been appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point,
+where they were serving in the corps of cadets and learning how to
+become Army officers in the not far distant future. All of the
+adventures of Dick and Greg are set forth in "THE WEST POINT SERIES."
+
+The two remaining members of famous old Dick & Co., Tom Reade and Harry
+Hazelton, became civil engineers, and went West for their first taste of
+engineering work. Tom and Harry had some wonderful and startling
+adventures, as fully set forth in "THE YOUNG ENGINEERS' SERIES."
+
+On this early June day when we again encounter Dave Darrin and Dan
+Dalzell in their handsome Naval uniforms, all members of the first,
+second and third classes were due to be aboard one of the three great
+battleships that lay off the Yard at Annapolis at four p.m.
+
+These three great battleships were the "Massachusetts," the "Iowa" and
+the "Indiana." These three huge, turreted fighting craft had their full
+crews aboard. Not one of the battleship commanders would allow a
+"jackie" ashore, except on business, through fear that many of the
+"wilder" ones might find the attractions on shore too alluring, and fail
+to return in time.
+
+With the young midshipmen it was different. These young men were
+officially and actually gentlemen, and could be trusted.
+
+Yet here, in the back room of this laundry, was one who was apparently
+not dependable.
+
+This young midshipman's name was Pennington, and the fact was that he
+lay in deep stupor from the effects of smoking opium!
+
+It had been a storekeeper, with a shop across the street, who had called
+the attention of Dave and his four comrades to the probable fate of
+another of their class.
+
+"Chow Hop runs a laundry, but I have heard evil stories about a lot of
+young fools who flock to his back room and get a chance to 'hit' the
+opium pipe," the storekeeper had stated to Dave. "One of your men, or at
+least, one in a midshipman's uniform, went in there at eleven o'clock
+this forenoon, and he hasn't been out since. It is now nearly two
+o'clock and, I've been looking for some midshipmen to inform."
+
+Such had been the storekeeper's careful statement. The merchants of
+Annapolis always have a kindly feeling toward these fine young
+midshipmen. The storekeeper's purpose was to enable them to help their
+comrade out.
+
+So the five had entered the laundry. The proprietor, Chow Hop, had
+attempted to bar their way to the rear room.
+
+But Dave had seized the yellow man and had flung him aside.
+
+The reader already knows what they discovered, and how it affected these
+young men.
+
+"Bring that copper-colored chink in here, if you'll be so good,"
+directed Dave.
+
+Dan and Hallam departed on the quest.
+
+"You're wanted in there," proclaimed Dalzell, jerking a thumb over his
+shoulder.
+
+"Me no sabby," replied Chow Hop, looking up briefly from his ironing
+board.
+
+"Get in there--do you hear?" commanded Hallam, gripping the other's arm
+with all his force.
+
+"You lemme go chop-chop (quickly), or you get alle samee hurt--you
+sabby?" scowled Chow Hop, using his free hand to raise a heavy flat-iron
+menacingly.
+
+But Dan Dalzell jumped in, giving the Chinaman's wrist a wrench that
+caused him to drop the iron.
+
+Then, without a bit of ceremony, Dan grasped the Oriental by the
+shoulders, wheeled him about, while he protested in guttural tones, and
+bluntly kicked the yellow-faced one through the door into the inner
+room.
+
+At this summary proceeding both the Chinese helpers gripped their
+flat-irons firmly; and leaped forward to fight.
+
+In an ugly temper the Chinaman is a bad man to oppose. But now this pair
+were faced by a pair of quietly smiling midshipmen who were also
+dangerous when angry.
+
+"You two, get back," ordered Dalzell, advancing fearlessly upon the
+pair. "If you don't, we'll drag you out into the street and turn you
+over to the policemen. You 'sabby' that? You heathen are pretty likely
+to get into prison for this day's work!"
+
+Scowling for a moment, then muttering savagely, the two helpers slunk
+back to their ironing boards.
+
+Yet, while Dan turned to go into the rear room, Hallam stood just where
+he was, to keep an eye on two possible sources of swift trouble.
+
+"Chow Hop," began Dave Damn sternly, as the proprietor made his flying
+appearance, "You've done a pretty mean piece of work here"--pointing to
+the unconscious midshipman in the berth. "Do you understand that you're
+pretty likely to go to prison for this?"
+
+"Oh, that no maller," replied Chow, with a sullen grin. "Him plenty
+'shipmen come here and smoke."
+
+"You lie!" hissed Dave, grasping the heathen by the collar and shaking
+him until the latter's teeth rattled.
+
+Then Dave gave him a brief rest, though he still retained his hold on
+the Chinaman's collar. But the yellow man began struggling again, and
+Dave repeated the shaking.
+
+Chow Hop had kept his hands up inside his wide sleeves. Now Farley
+leaped forward as he shouted:
+
+"Look out, Darry! He has a knife!"
+
+Farley attempted to seize the Chinaman's wrist, for the purpose of
+disarming the yellow man, but Dave swiftly threw the Chinaman around out
+of Farley's reach. Then, with a lightning-like move, Dave knocked the
+knife from Chow Hop's hand.
+
+"Pick that up and keep it for a curio, Farley," directed Dave coolly.
+
+In another twinkling Darrin had run the Chinaman up against the wall.
+
+Smack! biff! thump!
+
+With increasing force Dave's hard fist struck the heathen in the face.
+
+"Now stand there and behave yourself," admonished Midshipman Dave,
+dropping his hold on the yellow man's collar, "or we'll stop playing
+with you and hurt you some."
+
+The scowl on Chow Hop's face was ominous, but he stood still, glaring at
+Dave.
+
+"Chow, what can we do to bring this man out of his sleep!" asked Dave
+coolly, and almost in a friendly tone.
+
+"Me no sabby," sulked the Chinaman.
+
+"Yes, you do," retorted Dave warningly. "Now, what can we do to get our
+friend out of this!"
+
+"You allee same cally (carry) him out," retorted Chow, with a suspicion
+of a sulky grin.
+
+"None of that, now, you yellow-face!" glared Dave. "How shall we get our
+comrade out of this opium sleep!"
+
+"Me no sabby no way," insisted Chow.
+
+"Oh, yes, you do!" snapped Dave. "But you won't tell. All right; we'll
+find the way, and we'll punish you into the bargain. Dan, get a piece of
+paper from the other room."
+
+Dalzell was quickly back with the desired item. On the paper Dave wrote
+a name and a telephone number.
+
+"It's near the end of the doctor's office hours," murmured Dave. "Go to
+a telephone and ask the doctor to meet you at the corner above. Tell him
+it's vastly important, and ask him to meet you on the jump."
+
+"Shall I tell him what's up!" asked Dan cautiously.
+
+"Yes; you'd better. Then he'll be sure to bring the necessary remedies
+with him."
+
+Dan Dalzell was off like a shot.
+
+Chow tried to edge around toward the door.
+
+"Here, you get back there," cried Dave, seizing the Chinaman and
+slamming him back against the wall. "Don't you move again, until we tell
+you that you may--or it will be the worse for you."
+
+Ten minutes passed ere Dan returned with Dr. Lawrence.
+
+"You see the job that's cut out for you," said Darrin, pointing to the
+unconscious figure in the bunk. "Can you do it, Doctor?"
+
+The medical man made a hasty examination of the unconscious midshipman
+before he answered briefly:
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Will it be a long job, Doctor?"
+
+"Fifteen minutes, probably."
+
+"Oh, good, if you can do it in that time!"
+
+"Me go now?" asked Chow, with sullen curiosity, as the medical man
+opened his medicine-case.
+
+"Yes; if you don't try to leave the joint," agreed Dave. "And I'm going
+outside with you."
+
+Chow looked very much as though he did not care for company, but
+Midshipman Darrin kept at his side.
+
+"Now, see here, Chow," warned Dave, "this is the last day you sell opium
+for white men to smoke!"
+
+"You heap too flesh (fresh)" growled the Chinaman.
+
+"It's the last day you'll sell opium to white men," insisted Dave, "for,
+as soon as I'm through here I'm going to the police station to inform
+against you. They'll go through here like a twelve-inch shot."
+
+"You alle same tell cop?" grinned Chow, green hatred showing through his
+skin. "Then I tell evelybody about you fliend in there."
+
+"Do just as you please about that," retorted Dave with pretended
+carelessness. "For one thing, you don't know his name."
+
+"Oh, yes, I do," swaggered Chow impudently. "Know heap 'bout him. His
+name alle same Pen'ton."
+
+Seizing a marking brush and a piece of paper, Chow Hop quickly wrote out
+Pennington's name, correctly spelled. His ability to write English with
+a good hand was one of Chow's great vanities, anyway.
+
+"You go back to your ironing board, yellow-face," warned Darrin, and
+something in the young third classman's face showed Chow that it would
+be wise to obey.
+
+Then Hallam drew Darrin to one side, to whisper earnestly in his ear:
+
+"Look out, old man, or you will get Pen into an awful scrape!"
+
+"I shan't do it," maintained Darrin. "If it happens it will have been
+Pen's own work."
+
+"You'd better let the chink go, just to save one of our class."
+
+"Is a fellow who has turned opium fiend worth saving to the class!"
+demanded Dave, looking straight into Hallam's eyes.
+
+"Well, er--er--" stammered the other man.
+
+"You see," smiled Dave, "the doubt hits you just as hard as it does me!"
+
+"Oh, of course, a fellow who has turned opium fiend is no fellow ever to
+be allowed to reach the bridge and the quarter-deck," admitted Hallam.
+"But see here, are you going to report this affair to the commandant of
+midshipmen, or to anyone else in authority?"
+
+"I've no occasion to report," replied Dave dryly. "I am not in any way
+in command over Pennington. But I mean to persuade him to report himself
+for what he has done!"
+
+"But that would ruin him!" protested Hallam, aghast. "He wouldn't even
+be allowed to start on the cruise. He'd be railroaded home without loss
+of a moment."
+
+"Yet you've just said that an opium-user isn't fit to go on in the
+brigade," retorted Darrin.
+
+"Hang it, it's hard to know what to do," rejoined Hallam, wrinkling his
+forehead. "Of course we want to be just to Pen."
+
+"It doesn't strike me as being just exactly a question of justice to
+Pennington," Darrin went on earnestly. "If this is anything it's a
+question of midshipman honor. We fellows are bound to see that all the
+unworthy ones are dropped from the service. Now, a fellow who has
+fastened the opium habit on himself isn't fit to go on, is he?"
+
+"Oh, say, but this is a hard one to settle!" groaned Hallam.
+
+"Then I'll take all the responsibility upon myself," said Dave promptly.
+"I don't want to make any mistake, and I don't believe I'm going to.
+Wait just a moment."
+
+Going to the rear room, Dave faced his three comrades there with the
+question:
+
+"You three are enough to take care of everything here for a few minutes,
+aren't you?"
+
+"Yes," nodded Dan. "What's up?"
+
+"Hallam and I are going for a brief walk."
+
+Then, stepping back into the front room, Darrin nodded to his classmate,
+who followed him outside.
+
+"Just come along, and say nothing about the matter on the street,"
+requested Dave. "It might be overheard."
+
+"Where are you going?" questioned Hallam wonderingly.
+
+"Wait and see, please."
+
+From Chow Hop's wretched establishment it was not far to the other
+building that Dave had in mind as a destination.
+
+But when they arrived, and stood at the foot of the steps, Hallam
+clutched Darrin's arm, holding him back.
+
+"Why, see here, this is the police station!"
+
+"I know it," Dave replied calmly.
+
+"But see here, you're not--"
+
+"I'm not going to drag you into anything that you'd object to," Darrin
+continued. "Come along; all I want you for is as a witness to what I am
+going to say."
+
+"Don't do it, old fel--"
+
+"I've thought that over, and I feel that I must," replied Dave firmly.
+"Come along. Don't attract attention by standing here arguing."
+
+In another instant the two midshipmen were going swiftly up the steps.
+
+The chief of police received his two callers courteously. Dave told the
+official how their attention had been called to the fact that one of
+their number was in an opium joint. Dave named the place, but requested
+the chief to wait a full hour before taking any action.
+
+"That will give us a chance to get out a comrade who may have committed
+only his first offense," Dave continued.
+
+"If there's any opium being smoked in that place I'll surely close the
+joint out!" replied the chief, bringing his fist down upon his desk.
+"But I understand your reasons, Mr.--"
+
+"Darrin is my name, sir," replied Dave quietly.
+
+"So, Mr. Darrin, I give you my word that I won't even start my
+investigations before this evening. And I'll keep all quiet about the
+midshipman end of it."
+
+"Thank you very much, sir," said Dave gratefully.
+
+As the two midshipmen strolled slowly back in the direction of Chow
+Hop's, Dave murmured:
+
+"Now, you see why I took this step?"
+
+"I'm afraid not very clearly," replied Midshipman Hallam.
+
+"That scoundrelly Chow made his boast that other midshipmen patronized
+his place. I don't believe it. Such a vice wouldn't appeal to you, and
+it doesn't to me. But there are more than two hundred new plebes coming
+in just now, and many of these boys have never been away from home
+before. Some of them might foolishly seek the lure of a new vice, and
+might find the habit fastened on them before they were aware of it.
+Chow's vile den might spoil some good material for the quarter-deck,
+and, as a matter of midshipman honor, we're bound to see that the place
+is cleaned out right away."
+
+"I guess, Darry, you come pretty near being right," assented Hallam,
+after thinking for a few moments.
+
+By the time they reached Chow Hop's again they found that Dr. Lawrence
+had brought the unfortunate Pennington to. And a very scared and
+humiliated midshipman it was who now stood up, a bit unsteadily, and
+tried to smooth down his uniform.
+
+"How do you feel now?" asked Dave.
+
+"Awful!" shuddered Pennington. "And now see here, what are you fellows
+going to do? Blab, and see me driven out of the Navy?"
+
+"Don't do any talking in here," advised Dave, with a meaning look over
+his shoulder at the yellow men in the outer room. "Doctor, is our friend
+in shape to walk along with us now?"
+
+"He will be, in two or three minutes, after he drinks something I'm
+going to give him," replied the medical man, shaking a few drops from
+each of three vials into a glass of water. "Here, young man, drink this
+slowly."
+
+Three minutes later the midshipmen left the place, Dave walking beside
+Pennington and holding his arm lightly for the purpose of steadying him.
+
+"How did this happen, Pen?" queried Dave, when the six men of the third
+class at last found themselves walking down Maryland Avenue. "How long
+have you been at this 'hop' trick?"
+
+"Never before to-day," replied Midshipman Pennington quickly.
+
+"Pen, will you tell me that on your honor?" asked Dave gravely.
+
+The other midshipman flared up.
+
+"Why must I give you my word of honor?" he demanded defiantly. "Isn't my
+plain word good enough?"
+
+"Your word of honor that you had never smoked opium before to-day would
+help to ease my mind a whole lot," replied Darrin. "Come, unburden
+yourself, won't you, Pen?"
+
+"I'll tell you, Darry, just how it happened. To-day _was_ the first
+time, on my word of honor, I came out into Annapolis with a raging
+toothache. Now, you know how a fellow gets to hate to go before the
+medical officers of the Academy with a tale about his teeth."
+
+"Yes, I do," nodded Darrin. "If a fellow is too much on the medical
+report for trouble with his teeth, then it makes the surgeons look his
+mouth over with all the more caution, and in the end a fellow may get
+dropped from the brigade just because he has invited over zeal from the
+dentist. But what has all this to do with opium smoking?"
+
+"Just this," replied Pennington, hanging his head. "I went into a drug
+store and asked a clerk that I know what was the best thing for
+toothache. He told me the best he knew was to smoke a pipe of opium, and
+told me where to find Chow Hop, and what to say to the chink. And it's
+all a lie about opium helping a sore tooth," cried the wretched
+midshipman, clapping a hand to his jaw, "for there goes that fiendish
+tooth again! But say! You fellows are not going to leak about my little
+mishap?"
+
+"No," replied Darrin with great promptness. "You're going to do that
+yourself."
+
+"What?" gasped Midshipman Pennington in intense astonishment. "What are
+you talking about?"
+
+"You'll be wise to turn in a report, on what happened," pursued Dave,
+"for it's likely to reach official ears, anyway, and you'll be better
+off if you make the first report on the subject."
+
+"Why is it likely to reach official ears, if you fellows keep your
+mouths shut?"
+
+"You see," Darrin went on very quietly, "I reported the joint at the
+police station, and Chow Hop threatened that, if I did, he'd tell all he
+knew about everybody. So you'd better be first----"
+
+"You broke the game out to the police!" gasped Pennington, staring
+dumfoundedly at his comrade. "What on earth----"
+
+"I did it because I had more than one satisfactory reason for
+considering it my duty," interposed Dave, speaking quietly though
+firmly.
+
+"You--you--bag of wind!" exploded Midshipman Pennington.
+
+"I'll accept your apology when you've had time to think it all over,"
+replied Dave, with a smile, though there was a brief flash in his eyes.
+
+"I'll make no apology to you--at any time, you--you--greaser!"
+
+Marks for efficiency or good conduct, which increase a midshipman's
+standing, are called "grease-marks" or "grease" in midshipman slang.
+Hence a midshipman who is accused of currying favor with his officers in
+order to win "grease" is contemptuously termed a "greaser."
+
+"I don't want to talk with you any more, Mr. Darrin," Pennington went on
+bitterly, "or walk with you, either. When I get over this toothache I'll
+call you out--you greaser!"
+
+Burning with indignation, Midshipman Pennington fell back to walk with
+Hallam.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+
+DAVE'S PAP-SHEET ADVICE
+
+When our party reached the landing a lively scene lay before them.
+
+Fully a hundred midshipmen, belonging to the first, second and third
+classes, were waiting to be transported out to one or another of the
+great, gray battleships.
+
+Several launches were darting back and forth over the water. The baggage
+of the midshipmen had already been taken aboard the battleships. Only
+the young men themselves were now awaited.
+
+Near-by stood a lieutenant of the Navy, who was directing the
+embarkation of the midshipmen of the different classes.
+
+Five minutes after our party arrived a launch from the "Massachusetts"
+lay in alongside the landing.
+
+"Third classmen, this way!" shouted the lieutenant. "How many of you?"
+
+Turning his eyes over the squad that had moved forward, the officer
+continued:
+
+"Twenty-two. You can all crowd into this launch. Move quickly, young
+gentlemen!"
+
+In another couple of minutes the puffing launch was steaming away to the
+massive battleship that lay out in the stream.
+
+Dave stood well up in the bow. Once he barely overheard Pennington
+mutter to a comrade:
+
+"The rascally greaser!"
+
+"That means me," Dave muttered under his breath. "I won't take it up
+now, or in any hurry. I'll wait until Pen has had time to see things
+straight."
+
+As soon as the launch lay alongside, the young midshipmen clambered
+nimbly up the side gangway, each raising his cap to the flag at the
+stern as he passed through the opening in the rail.
+
+Here stood an officer with an open book in his hand. To him each
+midshipman reported, saluting, stated his name, and received his
+berthing.
+
+"Hurry away to find your berthings, and get acquainted with the
+location," ordered this officer. "Every midshipman will report on the
+quarter-deck promptly at five p.m. In the meantime, after locating your
+berthings, you are at liberty to range over the ship, avoiding the ward
+room and the staterooms of officers."
+
+The latest arrivals saluted. Then, under the guidance of messengers
+chosen from among the apprentice members of the crew, the young men
+located their berthings.
+
+"I'm going to get mine changed, if I can," growled Pennington, wheeling
+upon Dave Darrin. "I'm much too close to a greaser. I'm afraid I may get
+my uniforms spotted, as well as my character."
+
+"Stop that, Pen!" warned Dave, stationing himself squarely before the
+angry Pennington. "I don't know just how far you're responsible for what
+you're saying now. To-morrow, if you make any such remarks to me, you'll
+have to pay a mighty big penalty for them."
+
+"You'll make me pay by going to the commandant and telling him all you
+know, I suppose?" sneered Pennington.
+
+"You know better, Pen! Now, begin to practise keeping a civil tongue
+behind your teeth!"
+
+With that, Darrin turned on his heel, seeking the deck.
+
+This left "Pen" to conjecture as to whether he should report his
+misadventure, and, if so, how best to go about it.
+
+"See here, Hallam," began the worried midshipman, "I begin to feel that
+it will be safer to turn in some kind of report on myself."
+
+"Much safer," agreed Hallam. "It will show good faith on your part if
+you report yourself."
+
+"And get me broken from the service, too, I suppose," growled the
+unhappy one.
+
+"I hardly think it will, if you report yourself first," urged Hallam.
+"But you'll be about certain to get your walking papers if you wait for
+the first information to come from other sources."
+
+"Hang it," groaned Pennington, "I wish I could think, but my head aches
+as though it would split and my tooth is putting up more trouble than I
+ever knew there was in the world. And, in this racked condition, I'm to
+go and put myself on the pap-sheet. In what way shall I do it, Hallam?
+Can't you suggest something?"
+
+"Yes," retorted Hallam with great energy. "Go to the medical officer and
+tell him how your tooth troubles you. Tell him what you tried on shore.
+I'll go with you, if you want."
+
+"Will you, old man? I'll be a thousand times obliged!"
+
+So the pair went off in search of the sick-bay, as the hospital part of
+a battleship is called. The surgeon was not in his office adjoining, but
+the hospital steward called him over one of the ship telephones,
+informing him that a midshipman was suffering with an ulcerated tooth.
+
+Dr. Mackenzie came at once, turned on a reflector light, and gazed into
+Midshipman Pennington's mouth.
+
+"Have you tried to treat this tooth yourself, in any way?" queried the
+ship's surgeon.
+
+"Yes, sir; I was so crazy with the pain, while in Annapolis, that I am
+afraid I did something that will get me into trouble," replied
+Pennington, with a quiver in his voice.
+
+"What was that?" asked Dr. Mackenzie, glancing at him sharply. "Did you
+try the aid of liquor?"
+
+"Worse, I'm afraid, sir."
+
+"Worse?"
+
+Pennington told of his experience with the opium pipe.
+
+"That's no good whatever for a toothache, sir," growled Dr. Mackenzie.
+"Besides, it's a serious breach of discipline. I shall have to report
+you, Mr. Pennington."
+
+"I expected it, sir," replied Pennington meekly.
+
+"However, the report won't cure your toothache," continued Dr. Mackenzie
+in a milder tone. "We'll attend to that first."
+
+The surgeon busied himself with dissolving a drug in a small quantity of
+water. This he took up in a hypodermic needle and injected into the
+lower jaw.
+
+"The ache ought to stop in ten minutes, sir," continued the surgeon,
+turning to enter some memoranda in his record book.
+
+After that the surgeon called up the ship's commander over the 'phone,
+and made known Pennington's report.
+
+"Mr. Pennington, Captain Scott directs that you report at his office
+immediately," said the surgeon, as he turned away from the telephone.
+
+"Very good, sir. Thank you, sir."
+
+Both midshipmen saluted, then left the sick-bay.
+
+"This is where you have to go up alone, I guess," hinted Midshipman
+Hallam.
+
+"I'm afraid so," sighed Pennington.
+
+"However, I'll be on the quarter-deck, and, if I'm wanted, you can send
+there for me."
+
+"Thank you, old man. You're worth a brigade of Darrins--confound the
+greasing meddler!"
+
+"Darrin acted according to his best lights on the subject of duty,"
+remonstrated Mr. Hallam mildly.
+
+"His best lights--bah!" snarled Pennington. "I'll take this all out of
+him before I'm through with him!"
+
+Pennington reported to the battleship's commander. After some ten
+minutes a marine orderly found Hallam and directed him to go to Captain
+Scott's office. Here Hallam repeated as much as was asked of him
+concerning the doings of the afternoon. Incidentally, the fact of
+Midshipman Darrin's report to the police was brought out.
+
+"Mr. Pennington, I shall send you at once, in a launch, over to the
+commandant of cadets to report this matter in person to him," said
+Captain Scott gravely. "Mr. Hallam, you will go with Mr. Pennington."
+
+Then, after the two had departed, an apprentice messenger went through
+the ship calling Dave's name. That young man was summoned to Captain
+Scott's office.
+
+"I am in possession of all the facts relating to the unfortunate affair
+of Midshipman Pennington, Mr. Darrin," began Captain Scott, after the
+interchange of salutes. "Will you tell me why you reported the affair to
+the police?"
+
+"I went to the police, sir," Dave replied, "because I was aware that
+many members of the new fourth class are away from home for the first
+time in their lives. I was afraid, sir, that possibly some of the new
+midshipmen might, during one of their town-leaves, be tempted to try for
+a new experience."
+
+"A very excellent reason, Mr. Darrin, and I commend you heartily for it.
+I shall also report your exemplary conduct to the commandant of
+midshipmen. You have, in my opinion, Mr. Darrin, displayed very good
+judgment, and you acted upon that judgment with promptness and decision.
+But I am afraid," continued the Navy captain dryly, "that you have done
+something that will make you highly unpopular, for a while, with some of
+the members of your class."
+
+"I hope not, sir," replied Dave.
+
+"So do I," smiled Captain Scott "I am willing to find myself a poor
+prophet. That is all, Mr. Darrin."
+
+Once more saluting, Dave left the commanding officer's presence. Almost
+the first classmate into whom he stumbled was Dan Dalzell.
+
+"Well, from what quarter does the wind blow!" murmured Dan.
+
+Darrin repeated the interview that he had just had.
+
+"I'm afraid, Dave, little giant, that you've planted something of a mine
+under yourself," murmured Dalzell.
+
+"I feel as much convinced as ever, Danny boy, that I did just what I
+should have done," replied Darrin seriously.
+
+"And so does Captain Scott, and so will the commandant," replied Dan.
+"But winning the commendation of your superior officers doesn't always
+imply that you'll get much praise from your classmates."
+
+"Unfortunately, you are quite right," smiled Dave. "Still, I'd do the
+same thing over again."
+
+"Oh, of course you would," assented Dan. "That's because you're Dave
+Darrin."
+
+Here a voice like a bass horn was heard.
+
+"All third classmen report to the quarter-deck immediately!"
+
+This order was repeated in other parts of the ship. Midshipmen gathered
+with a rush, Pennington and Hallam being the only members absent. As
+soon as the third classmen, or "youngsters," as they are called in
+midshipman parlance, had formed, the orders were read off dividing them
+into sections for practical instruction aboard ship during the cruise.
+
+Dave's name was one of the first read off. He was assigned to duty as
+section leader for the first section in electrical instruction. Dalzell,
+Farley, Hallam, Pennington and others were detailed as members of that
+section.
+
+The same section was also designated for steam instruction, Dalzell
+being made leader of the section in this branch.
+
+The class was then dismissed. Somewhat later Pennington and Hallam
+returned from their interview with the commandant.
+
+Hallam at once sought out Dave.
+
+"Darry, old man," murmured Hallam, "Pen is as crazy as a hornet against
+you. As he had taken the first step by sticking himself on the pap-sheet
+(placing himself on report), the commandant said he would make the
+punishment a lighter one."
+
+"What did Pen get?" queried Dave.
+
+"Fifty demerits, with all the loss of privileges that fifty carry."
+
+"He's lucky," declared Dave promptly. "Had the report come from other
+sources, he would have been dismissed from the service."
+
+"If Pen's lucky," rejoined Hallam, "he doesn't seem to realize the fact.
+He's calling you about everything."
+
+"He can keep that up," flashed Dave, "until his toothache leaves him.
+Then, if he tries to carry it any further, Pen will collide with one of
+my fists!"
+
+Not much later a call sounded summoning the youngsters to the
+midshipmen's mess. Dave was glad to note that Pennington sat at some
+distance from him at table.
+
+While the meal was in progress the "Massachusetts" and the other
+battleships got under way. The midshipmen were on deck, an hour later,
+when the fleet came to anchor for the night, some miles down Chesapeake
+Bay.
+
+Before the youngsters were ordered to their berths that night Third
+Classman Pennington had found opportunity to do a good deal of talking
+to a few comrades who would listen to him.
+
+Pennington was determined to stir up a hornet's nest for Dave Darrin.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+
+MIDSHIPMAN PENNINGTON GOES TOO FAR
+
+At eight o'clock the following morning the various sections were formed
+and marched to the deck.
+
+Dave reported:
+
+"All present, sir."
+
+The chief electrician was now summoned, and to him the section was
+turned over. This young man, Whittam, by name, was an enlisted man, but
+a bright young sample of what the Navy can do for the boy who enlists as
+an apprentice.
+
+"You will take your orders from Mr. Whittam as though he were an
+officer," directed the officer, his words intended for all members of
+the section, though he looked only at Darrin.
+
+Dave saluted, then, as Chief Electrician Whittam turned to lead the way,
+Dave called quietly:
+
+"Section, left wheel--march!"
+
+They followed Whittam down into the dynamo room, an interesting spot for
+a machinist.
+
+"It's fine," muttered Dan, as he stared about him at the bright metal
+work, the switch-board and the revolving machines. "But I'm afraid I
+couldn't learn the use and sense of all this in five years."
+
+"Silence in the section," commanded Dave, turning around upon his chum.
+
+Whittam now began a short, preliminary talk upon the subjects in which
+the midshipmen would be required to qualify.
+
+"One of the first and most important requests I have to make," said
+Whittam presently, "is that none of you touch the switches, except by
+direction. None of you can guess the harm that might follow the careless
+and ignorant handling of a switch."
+
+"It's pretty cheeky for an enlisted man to talk to midshipmen about
+ignorance," whispered Pennington to Farley.
+
+"Oh, I don't know--" Farley started to reply, but Darrin's quiet voice
+broke in with authority:
+
+"Cease talking in section."
+
+Farley knew this to be a merited rebuke, and accepted it as such, but
+Pennington's face went violently red.
+
+"Confound that grease-spot-chaser," growled Pen. "He'll be bound to take
+it out of me as long as the cruise lasts. But I'll get even with him. No
+cheap greaser is going to ride over me!"
+
+That morning none of the midshipmen were called upon to handle any of
+the fascinating-looking machinery. Nearly the whole of this tour of
+practical instruction was taken up by the remarks of the chief
+electrician. As he spoke, Whittam moved over to one piece or another of
+mechanism and explained its uses. Finally, he began to question the
+attentive young men, to see how much of his instruction they had
+absorbed.
+
+"This is a shame, to set an enlisted man up over us as quiz-master, just
+to see how little we know," growled Pennington; but this time he had the
+good sense not to address his remark to anyone.
+
+Pennington was not yet in good shape, after his harrowing experiences of
+the day before.
+
+Ere the tour of instruction was over, he began to shift somewhat
+uneasily.
+
+Then his attention began to wander.
+
+A brilliantly shining brass rod near him caught his eye. Something about
+the glossy metal fascinated him.
+
+Once or twice Pen put out his hand to touch the rod, but as quickly
+reconsidered and drew back his hand.
+
+At last, however, the temptation proved too strong. He slid one hand
+along the rail.
+
+"Here, sir, don't handle that!" rasped in the voice of Whittam.
+
+Pennington drew back his hand, a flush mounting to his face.
+
+"The fellow has no right to talk to a midshipman in that fashion!"
+quivered Pennington to himself. "But it was the fault of that low-minded
+greaser Darrin, anyway. Darrin saw me, and he glanced swiftly at the
+chief electrician to draw attention to me."
+
+It is only just to Pennington to state that he actually believed he had
+seen Dave do this. Darrin, however, was not guilty of the act. He had in
+no way sought to direct attention at Pennington.
+
+Towards the close of the tour the officer in whose department this
+instruction fell passed through the dynamo room.
+
+"Are there any breaches of conduct to be reported, Whittam?" inquired
+the officer, halting.
+
+"Nothing worth mentioning, sir," replied the chief electrician.
+
+"I asked you, Whittam, whether there had been any breaches of conduct,"
+retorted the officer with some asperity.
+
+"One midshipman, sir, after having been instructed to touch nothing,
+rested his hand on one of the brass rods."
+
+"His name?"
+
+"I don't know the names of many of the young gentlemen yet, sir, so I
+don't know the particular midshipman's name, sir."
+
+"Then point him out to me," insisted the officer.
+
+There was hardly any need to do so. Pennington's face, flushed with
+mortification, was sufficient identification. But the chief electrician
+stepped over, halting in front of the hapless one, and said:
+
+"This is the young gentleman, sir."
+
+"Your name, sir?" demanded the officer.
+
+"Pennington, sir."
+
+"Mr. Pennington, you will place yourself on the report, sir, for
+disobedience of orders," commanded the officer. "Is this the only case,
+Whittam?"
+
+"The only case, sir."
+
+The officer passed out of the dynamo room, leaving the unlucky one more
+than ever angry with Darrin, whom he incorrectly charged with his
+present trouble.
+
+The recall sounding, Dave turned to Whittam, saying crisply but
+pleasantly:
+
+"Thank you for our instruction."
+
+"He's thanking the fellow for my new scrape," growled Pennington
+inwardly.
+
+Dave marched his section back to deck and dismissed it. Dan Dalzell, as
+section leader in steam instruction, immediately re-formed it.
+
+"You will report in the engine-room, Mr. Dalzell, to
+Lieutenant-Commander Forman, who is chief engineer of this ship. He will
+assign you to an instructor."
+
+"Aye, aye, sir," Dan replied, saluting. "Section, right wheel--march!"
+
+Dan already knew where, down in the bowels of the great battleship, to
+find the engine room.
+
+Reaching that department, Dan halted his section.
+
+"Section all present, sir," reported Dan, saluting a strange officer,
+who, however, wore the insignia of a lieutenant-commander.
+
+"Your name, sir?" inquired the officer.
+
+"Dalzell, sir."
+
+"Let your section break ranks. Then you may all follow me, and keep your
+eyes open, for you will go through one or two dark places."
+
+"Aye, aye, sir. Section break ranks."
+
+Lieutenant-Commander Forman led the way, with all the members of the
+section wondering what was to be the nature of their first day's work in
+the engineer department.
+
+Descending lower into the ship, the chief engineer led the young middies
+over a grating, and paused at the head of an iron ladder.
+
+"Pass down in orderly fashion, single file," directed the chief
+engineer, halting. "When at the foot of this ladder, cross a grating to
+port side, and then descend a second ladder, which you will find."
+
+All the midshipmen went down the first ladder in silence. Dan, who had
+preceded the others, crossed the grating and found the second ladder.
+
+Once more these youngsters descended. Pennington, as though by mere
+accident, succeeded in following Dave Darrin down the ladder.
+
+Just as they were near the bottom Dave felt a foot descend upon his
+shoulder, almost with a kick, and then rest there with a crushing
+pressure.
+
+It hurt keenly until Darrin was able to dodge out from under and
+hurriedly reach the bottom.
+
+"Pardon, whoever you are," came a gruff voice.
+
+Dave, with his shoulder crippled a good deal, and paining keenly, halted
+as soon as his foot had touched bottom. It was dark down there, though
+some reflected light came from an incandescent light at a distance.
+
+Dave waited, to peer into the face of the man who had stepped on his
+shoulder.
+
+It was Pennington, of course!
+
+"I'll take pains not to go down ahead of you again, or to follow you up
+a ladder," grunted Darrin suspiciously.
+
+"Oh, are you the man on whose shoulder my foot rested?" asked
+Pennington, with apparent curiosity.
+
+"Didn't you know it!" questioned Darrin, looking straight into the
+other's eyes.
+
+Instead of answering intelligibly, Pennington turned and walked away a
+few feet.
+
+"Perhaps that fellow thinks he's going to vent his spite on me in a lot
+of petty ways," murmured Dave. "If that is the idea he has in his head,
+he's going to wake up one of these days!"
+
+Following the last midshipman came Lieutenant-Commander Forman.
+
+"After me, gentlemen," directed the chief engineer. He turned down a
+narrow passage, only a few feet long, and came out in the furnace room.
+
+Here huge fires glowed through the furnace doors. Four of the Navy's
+firemen stood resting on their shovels. Instantly, on perceiving the
+chief engineer, however, the men stood at attention.
+
+"Pass the word for the chief water tender," ordered the engineer,
+turning to one of the firemen.
+
+The messenger soon came back with a pleasant-faced, stalwart man of
+forty.
+
+"Heistand," ordered the chief engineer, "give these members of the first
+section, third: class, steam instruction, a thorough drill in firing."
+
+"Aye, aye, sir," replied the chief water tender, saluting.
+
+"Heistand's orders are mine, Mr. Dalzell," continued the
+lieutenant-commander, facing Dan. "Preserve order in your section."
+
+"Aye, aye, sir," replied Dan, saluting. Acknowledging this courtesy in
+kind, the chief engineer turned and left the furnace room.
+
+Heistand was presumably of German parentage, though he had no accent. He
+struck the midshipmen as being a pleasant, wholesome fellow, though the
+water tenders and firemen of the "Massachusetts" knew that he could be
+extremely strict and grim at need.
+
+"You will now, young gentlemen," began Heistand, "proceed to learn all
+about priming a furnace, lighting, building, cleaning and generally
+taking care of a fire. Two furnaces have been left idle for this
+instruction."
+
+But two of the regular firemen now remained in the room. These were
+ordered to hustle out coal before boilers B and D. Then Heistand taught
+the members of the section how to swing a shovel to the best advantage
+so as to get in a maximum of coal with the least effort. He also
+illustrated two or three incorrect ways of shoveling coal.
+
+"The idea of making coal heavers out of us!" growled a much-disgusted
+voice.
+
+Dan did not see who the speaker was, but his eyes flashed as he turned
+and rasped out:
+
+"Silence in the section! Speak only to ask for information, and then at
+the proper time."
+
+"Another young autocrat!" muttered a voice.
+
+"Wait one moment, please, Heistand," begged Dan. Then, wheeling squarely
+about, and facing all the members of the section, he declared with
+emphasis:
+
+"If there's any more unauthorized talking I shall feel obliged to pass
+the word above that discipline is in a bad way in this section."
+
+Then he wheeled about once more, facing the chief water tender.
+
+"Now, young gentlemen," resumed the chief water tender, "take your
+shovels and fill in lively under boilers B and D."
+
+Three or four times Heistand checked one or another of the midshipmen,
+to show him a more correct way of handling the shovel. Yet, in good
+time, both furnaces were primed.
+
+"Now, Mr. Dalzell, please detail four members of the section to follow
+me with their shovels and bring red coals from under another boiler."
+
+Dan appointed himself, Darrin, Farley and Pennington.
+
+Burning coals were brought and thrown into each furnace, and in a little
+while roaring fires were going. These, though not needed for the
+handling of the battleship, were permitted to burn for a while, Heistand
+explaining to the section practically the uses of the water gauges and
+the test cocks. By this time the midshipmen's white working clothes were
+liberally sprinkled with coal dust and somewhat smeared with oils.
+
+"And now, young gentlemen, as we have no further use for these fires,
+you will next learn how to haul them," announced Heistand.
+
+This was interesting work, but hot and fast. The implements with which
+the middies worked soon became red-hot at the end. Yet, as all entered
+into this novel work with zest, the fires had soon been hauled out on to
+the floor plates.
+
+Just as the last of this work was being done Pennington, as an apparent
+accident due to excess of zeal, dropped the red-hot end of his implement
+across the toe of Darrin's left shoe.
+
+In an instant the leather began to blaze. With swift presence of mind
+Dave stepped his right foot on the flame, smothering it at once.
+
+But he was "mad clean through."
+
+"See here, Pen," he muttered, in a low voice, his eyes blazing fiercely
+into the other midshipman's, "that is the last piece of impudence that
+will be tolerated from you."
+
+Midshipman Pennington's lip curled disdainfully.
+
+Dan had not seen the "accident," but he was near enough to hear the
+talking, and he caught Dave at it. So Dan ordered, impartially:
+
+"Mr. Darrin, you will place yourself on report for unauthorized talking
+in section!"
+
+Dave flushed still more hotly, but said nothing.
+
+Midshipman Dalzell now marched the section from the furnace room, and
+dismissed it. It was near noon, and would soon be time for the middies
+to eat.
+
+Dave hurried away, washed, changed his uniform, and then stepped away
+swiftly to place himself on the report.
+
+"I was sorry to do that, old chum," murmured Dan, as he met Dave
+returning. "But of course I couldn't play favorites. What made you so
+far forget yourself?"
+
+"A something that would have had the same effect on you," retorted Dave
+grimly. Thereupon he described Pennington's two underhanded assaults
+that morning.
+
+"Humph!" muttered Dalzell. "That fellow Pen is bound to go the whole
+limit with you."
+
+"He won't go much further," declared Dave, his eyes flashing.
+
+"And the chump ought to know it, too," mused Dan. "The class history of
+the last year should have taught him that. But see here, Dave, I don't
+believe Pen will do anything openly. He will construct a series of
+plausible accidents."
+
+"There will be one thing about him that will be open, if he goes any
+further," retorted Dave, "and that will be his face when he collides
+with my fist."
+
+"I hope I see that when it happens," grinned Dalzell. "It's bound to be
+entertaining!"
+
+"Wait a second, then. Here comes Pennington now," murmured Dave Darrin
+in an undertone.
+
+Pennington, in his immaculate blue uniform, like the chums, came
+strolling along the passageway between decks.
+
+He affected not to see the chums, and would have passed by. But Dave,
+eyeing him closely, waited until Pen was barely three feet away. Then
+Darrin said tersely:
+
+"Mr. Pennington, I wish an understanding with you."
+
+"I don't want any with you," replied Pennington insolently, as he stared
+at Dave from under much-raised eyebrows. He would have gone by, but Dave
+sprang squarely in front of him.
+
+"Just wait a moment!" warned Dave rather imperiously, for he was aglow
+with justifiable indignation.
+
+"Well?" demanded Pennington halting. "Out with it, whatever you may
+think you have to say."
+
+"I have two things to speak about," replied Dave, trying to control his
+voice. "In the first place, while going down the ladders to the furnaces
+this morning, you stepped on my shoulder."
+
+"Well!" insisted Pennington coldly.
+
+"The second thing you did was, when hauling the fires, to drop red-hot
+metal across one of my shoes, setting it on fire."
+
+"Well?" insisted Pennington more coldly.
+
+"If you mean to contend that either one was an accident," resumed Dave,
+"then--"
+
+But he found himself obliged to pause for a moment in order to steady
+his voice.
+
+"Well?" asked Pennington with more insolence than ever.
+
+"If you make such pretense in either case," tittered Dave Darrin, "then
+you're a liar!"
+
+"Fellow!" sputtered Pennington, turning white with anger.
+
+"I mean what I say, and I can back it up," muttered Darrin.
+
+"Then I'll make you eat your words!" roared Pennington.
+
+Clenching his fists and with the boxer's attitude, Pen aimed two swift
+blows at Darrin.
+
+Neither blow reached, however, for Dave dodged out of the way. Then
+Darrin struck back, a straight, true, forceful blow that landed on the
+other midshipman's nose, knocking him down.
+
+Pennington staggered somewhat when he rose, but he was quickly up, none
+the less, and ready for anything that might happen.
+
+All of a sudden Dan Dalzell felt his own heart going down into his
+shoes. One of the ship's officers had just entered the passageway, in
+time to see what was going on.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+
+A LITTLE MEETING ASHORE
+
+"Stop it, both of you," whispered Dan.
+
+"Stand at attention, ready to salute the officer."
+
+Pennington, with the blood flowing from his damaged nose, would have
+made a most ludicrous figure saluting!
+
+The instant that he saw such evidence as Pen's nose presented the
+officer would be bound to make inquiries.
+
+Then, just as surely, his next step must be to Border the three before
+the commandant of midshipmen.
+
+Fighting carries with it a severe penalty. Even Dan was certain to be
+reported, through the mere fact of his presence there, as aiding in a
+fight. And those who aid are punished as severely as the principals
+themselves.
+
+It was a tense, fearsome instant, for midshipmen have been dismissed
+from the Naval Academy for this very offense.
+
+The passage was not brilliantly lighted.
+
+The on-coming officer, a lieutenant, junior grade, was looking at the
+floor as he came along.
+
+Suddenly he paused, seemed lost in thought, then wheeled and walked back
+whence he had come.
+
+Dan breathed more easily. Dave heaved a sigh of relief.
+
+As for Pennington, that midshipman had wheeled and was stealing rapidly
+down the passageway, intent only on escape.
+
+"That was the closest squeak we'll ever have without being ragged cold,"
+murmured Dalzell tremulously.
+
+"Where is Pennington?" demanded Dave, wheeling about after he had
+watched the Naval lieutenant out of sight.
+
+"Ducked out of sight, like a submarine," chuckled Dan.
+
+At that moment the call for midshipmen's dinner formation sounded. Dave
+and Dan were ready.
+
+Pennington showed up just after the line had started to march into the
+midshipmen's mess tables.
+
+To the inquiry of the officer in charge, Pen lamely explained that he
+had bumped his nose into something hard in a poorly lighted passageway.
+
+Though the officer accepted the excuse, he smiled within himself.
+
+"It wasn't iron or steel that bumped that young man's nose," thought the
+officer.
+
+"Oh, the middies haven't changed a lot since I boned at Annapolis!"
+
+Pennington's nose was no very lovely member of his face at that moment.
+It had been struck hard, mashed rather flat, and now looked like a red
+bulb.
+
+"Meet with an accident, Pen?" asked Hallam curiously at table.
+
+"Quit your kidding, please," requested Pennington sulkily.
+
+That directed the curious glances of other middies at Pennington's new
+bulbous nose.
+
+The young man was so brusque about it, however, that other table mates
+ceased quizzing him.
+
+Yet, as soon as the meal was over, many a youngster asked others of his
+class for news regarding Pen. But none possessed it.
+
+During the brief rest that followed the meal, however, Midshipman
+Pennington made it his business to try to meet Dave Darrin alone. He
+succeeded, finding Dave staring off across the water at the port rail.
+
+"Of course, Mr. Darrin," began the other midshipman, in a voice
+suggestive of ice, "you are aware that the incident of an hour ago
+cannot be allowed to pass unnoticed."
+
+"I don't believe there's any danger of that," retorted Darrin, with an
+ironical glance at Pennington's damaged-looking nose.
+
+"Confound you, sir," hissed the other midshipman, "don't you dare to be
+insolent with me."
+
+"Why, I had thought," observed Dave, "that, of your own choice, the
+period of courtesies between us had passed."
+
+"I shall call you out, Mr. Darrin!"
+
+"You'll find my hearing excellent," smiled Dave. "I shall make but one
+stipulation."
+
+"I'll do you the favor of asking what that stipulation is," sneered
+Pennington.
+
+"Why, after the narrow escape we had from being caught and reported, an
+hour or so ago, I shall ask that the fight be held where we are not so
+likely to be caught at it. I don't care about being dropped from the
+Naval Academy, nor do I believe you do."
+
+"It would be a good thing for the service, if one of us were to be
+dropped," sneered Pennington.
+
+"Yes! Oh, well, you can easily procure writing materials from the
+captain's clerk," volunteered Dave generously. "On a cruise, I believe,
+a resignation is sent direct to the commandant of midshipmen."
+
+This ridicule served only to fan the flame of Pennington's wrath.
+
+"Darrin," he hissed, "the Academy isn't big enough to hold us both!"
+
+"But I've already told you how to get out," protested Dave coolly.
+
+"I don't intend to get out!"
+
+"No more do I," rejoined Dave. "I won't even toss pennies with you to
+find out who quits the service."
+
+"Mr. Darrin, you are merely seeking to divert my mind from what I have
+said."
+
+"What did you say--particularly?"
+
+"That you would have to fight me."
+
+"I have already signified my entire willingness, Mr. Pennington. To that
+I really can add nothing."
+
+Fourth classmen are always addressed as "mister," and they must use the
+same "handle to the name" when addressing upper classmen. But members of
+the three upper classes resort to the use of "mister," in addressing
+classmates, only when they wish to be offensive or nearly so.
+
+"I will send a friend to meet you," Pennington continued.
+
+"Why, I thought," bantered Darrin ironically, "that you were going to
+fight me yourself."
+
+"So I am--be sure of it. I will amend my statement by saying that I will
+send a second to see you."
+
+"Save time by sending him to Dalzell."
+
+"Very good, Mr. Darrin."
+
+"Is that all you wished to say to me?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Very good, Mr. Pennington."
+
+With two very stiff nods the midshipmen parted.
+
+Pennington hastened at once in search of Hallam.
+
+"Will you serve me, old man?" queried Pennington.
+
+"Sorry, but----"
+
+"Well, you see, Pen, not knowing all the facts of the case, I must admit
+that all my sympathies are with Darrin."
+
+"All your sympathies?" echoed Pen, frowning.
+
+"Well, nearly all, anyway. You see, I've known and observed Darrin for a
+full year now, and I don't believe patient old Darry is the one to start
+any trouble."
+
+"He called me a liar," protested Pennington.
+
+"Did he?" gasped Hallam.
+
+"Well, he qualified the statement, but his way of saying it was as
+offensive as the direct lie could have been."
+
+"So you're bent on fighting Darry?"
+
+"I am."
+
+"Too bad!" muttered Hallam, shaking his head.
+
+"Are you anxious for your idol?" asked Pen in a disagreeable tone.
+
+"No, Penny; it's you that I'm concerned about in my own mind. You're
+going next to a very hard proposition. Darry is patient--almost as
+patient as the proverbial camel--but when he fights he fights! You'll be
+hammered to a pulp, Pen."
+
+"Pooh!"
+
+"No one has yet beaten Darrin at a fist fight."
+
+"There always has to be a first time, you know."
+
+"And you think you're It?"
+
+"As far as Darrin is concerned--yes."
+
+"Too bad--too bad!" sighed Hallam. "I'm afraid, Penny, that the heat in
+the furnace room was too much for you this morning."
+
+"Then you won't serve as one of my seconds?"
+
+"The honor is most regretfully declined," replied Hallam in a tone of
+mock sadness.
+
+"You want to see Darrin win?"
+
+"If there has to be a fight, I do," replied Midshipman Hallam.
+
+"Don't bet your money on him, anyway."
+
+"I'm not a gambler, Penny, and I don't bet," replied Hallam, with a
+dignity that, somehow, ended the conversation.
+
+Pennington had considerable difficulty, at first, in finding a second.
+At last, however, he induced Decker and Briggs to represent him.
+
+These two midshipmen went to see Dan Dalzell.
+
+"Wait until I send for Mr. Farley," proposed Dalzell. He soon had that
+midshipman, who was wholly willing to serve Darrin in any capacity.
+
+"We're ready to have the fight this evening," proposed Midshipman
+Decker.
+
+"We're not," retorted Dan, with vigor.
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"This forenoon Pennington deliberately stepped on Darrin's shoulder,
+with such force as to lame it a good deal," replied Dan. "Our man
+insists that he has a right to rest his shoulder, and to wait until
+to-morrow."
+
+"But to-morrow we have a short shore liberty at Hampton Roads,"
+remonstrated Briggs.
+
+"Yes; and during that shore liberty we can have the fight more safely
+than on board ship," insisted Dalzell.
+
+"But we intended to devote our shore leave to pleasure," objected
+Decker.
+
+"You'll find plenty of pleasure, if you accept our proposition," urged
+Dan dryly. "At any rate, we won't hear of Darrin fighting before
+to-morrow. He must have to-night to rest that shoulder."
+
+"All right; so be it," growled Decker, after a side glance at Briggs.
+
+"On shore, at some point to be selected by the seconds?" asked Dan
+Dalzell.
+
+"Yes; that's agreed."
+
+Details as to whom to invite as referee and time-keeper were also
+arranged.
+
+"I suppose we'll have to use up our shore leave that way, then," grunted
+Pennington, when told of the arrangement.
+
+"There's one way you can save the day," grinned Decker.
+
+"How?"
+
+"Put Darrin to sleep in the first round, then hurriedly dress and leave,
+and enjoy your time on shore."
+
+"But Darrin is a very able man with his fists," observed Pennington.
+
+"Yes; but you're a mile bigger and heavier, and you're spry, too. You
+ought to handle him with all the ease in the world."
+
+"I don't know," muttered Pennington, who didn't intend to make the
+mistake of bragging in advance. "I'll do my best, of course."
+
+"Oh, you'll win out, if you're awake," predicted Midshipman Briggs
+confidently.
+
+When the cadets were called, the following morning, they found the
+battleship fleet at anchor in Hampton Roads.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+
+WHEN THE SECONDS WONDERED
+
+One after another the launches sped ashore, carrying their swarms of
+distinguished looking young midshipmen.
+
+The fight party managed to get off all in the same boat, and on one of
+the earliest trips.
+
+Pennington was to have ordinary shore leave on the cruise, his fifty
+demerits to be paid for by loss of privileges on his return to the Naval
+Academy.
+
+"Decker," proposed Dan, "you and I can skip away and find a good place
+in no time. Then we can come back after the others."
+
+"That's agreeable to me," nodded Midshipman Decker.
+
+In twenty minutes the two seconds were back.
+
+"We've found just the place," announced Decker. "And it isn't more than
+three minutes' walk from here. Will you all hurry along?"
+
+"The place" turned out to be a barn that had not been used for a year or
+more. The floor was almost immaculately clean. In consideration of two
+dollars handed him, the owner had agreed to display no curiosity, and
+not to mention the affair to any one.
+
+"How do you like it, Darry?" asked Dan anxiously.
+
+"It will suit me as well as any other place," responded Dave, slipping
+off his blouse, folding it neatly and putting it aside, his uniform cap
+following.
+
+"And you?" asked Decker of his man.
+
+"The floor's hard, but I don't expect to be the man to hit it," replied
+Pennington.
+
+In five minutes both midshipmen were attired for their "affair." Between
+them the different members of the party had smuggled ashore shoes, old
+trousers and belts for the fighters.
+
+It being a class affair, Remington, of the third class, had come along
+as referee, while Dawley; was to be the time-keeper.
+
+"If the principals are ready, let them step forward," ordered Midshipman
+Remington, going to the middle of the floor. "Now, I understand that
+this is to be a finish fight; rounds, two minutes; rests, two minutes. I
+also understand that the principals do not care to shake hands before
+the call to mix up."
+
+Darrin and Pennington nodded their assent.
+
+"Take your places, gentlemen," ordered the referee quickly. "Are you
+ready, gentlemen?"
+
+"Yes," came from both principals.
+
+"Time!"
+
+Both men had their guards up. As the word left the referee's lips each
+tried two or three passes which the other blocked. Midshipman Pennington
+was trying to take his opponent's "measure."
+
+Then Dave ducked, darted, dodged and wheeled about. Pennington had to
+follow him, and it made the latter angry.
+
+"Stand up and fight, can't you," hissed Pen.
+
+"Silence during the rounds, Mr. Pennington," admonished the referee
+quietly. "Let the officials do all the talking that may be necessary."
+
+Dave, as he dodged again, and came up unscathed, grinned broadly over
+this rebuke. That grin made Pen angrier than anything else could have
+done.
+
+"I'll wipe that grin off his face!" muttered Pennington angrily.
+
+And this very thing Pennington tried hard to do. He was quick on his own
+feet, and for a few seconds he followed the dodging Darrin about,
+raining in blows that required all of Dave's adroitness to escape.
+
+Dave's very success, however, made his opponent all the angrier. From
+annoyance, followed by excessive irritation, Pennington went into almost
+blind rage--and the man who does that, anywhere in life, must always pay
+for it.
+
+Suddenly Dave swung his right in on the point of Pen's chin with a force
+that jolted the larger midshipman. As part of the same movement,
+Darrin's left crashed against Pennington's nose.
+
+Then, out of chivalry, Dave dropped back, to give Pen a few moments, in
+case he needed them, to get his wits back.
+
+"Time!" roared Dawley, and Pennington's seconds pounced upon him and
+bore him away to his corner.
+
+"Now I know how that fellow Darrin wins his fights," growled Pennington
+in an undertone. "He keeps on running away until he has the other man
+gasping for breath. Then Darrin jumps in and wins."
+
+"The method doesn't much matter," commented Briggs dryly, as he and
+Decker worked over their man. "It's the result that counts. Rush Darry
+into a tight corner, Pen, and then slam him hard and sufficiently."
+
+"Thanks, fellows; now I'm all right for the second round." muttered
+Midshipman Pennington.
+
+In a few seconds more Dave and his opponent were hard at work.
+
+Dave still used his footwork, and most cleverly. Yet, wherever he went,
+Pen followed him nimbly. It didn't look so one sided now.
+
+Then Pennington, at last, managed to deliver one blow on Darrin's right
+short ribs. It took a lot of Dave's spare wind; he raced about, seeking
+to regain his wind before allowing close quarters. But at last
+Pennington closed in again, and, after a swift feint, tried to land the
+same short-rib blow.
+
+Darrin was watching, and blocked. Then, his temples reddening with
+anger, Dave swung in a huge one that crashed in under Pennington's right
+ear.
+
+"Time!" shouted Dawley, just as Pen went to the floor in a heap. That
+saved the larger midshipman from having to take the count. His seconds
+had him ready at the call for the third round.
+
+Now, suddenly, Darrin seemed to change not only his tactics, but his
+whole personality. To his opponent Dave seemed suddenly transformed into
+a dancing demon.
+
+It was about the same old footwork, but it was aggressive now, instead
+of being defensive.
+
+First, Dave landed a light tap on the already suffering nose. A few
+seconds later he landed on the point of Pen's chin, though not hard
+enough to send his man down. Then a rather light blow on the jaw, just
+under Pen's right ear again. The larger midshipman was now thoroughly
+alarmed. He feared that Darrin could do whatever he willed, and shivered
+with wonder as to when the knockout blow would come.
+
+The truth was, Pennington was still putting up a better battle than he
+himself realized, and Darrin was not disposed to take any foolish
+chances through rushing the affair. Thus, the third round ended.
+
+By the time that they came up for the fourth round, after both men had
+undergone some vigorous handling by their respective seconds, Pennington
+was a good deal revived and far more confident.
+
+Dave's tactics were the same in the fourth round. Pennington didn't find
+time to develop much in the way of tactics for himself, save to defend
+himself.
+
+During the first minute no important blows were landed on either side.
+Then, suddenly, Dave darted in and under, and brought a right-arm hook
+against Pen's nose in a way that started that member to bleeding again,
+and with a steady flow.
+
+That jarred the larger midshipman. He plunged in, heavily and blindly,
+blocking one of Darrin's blows by wrapping both arms around him.
+
+"None of that, Mr. Pennington! Break away fast!" ordered Midshipman
+Remington quickly.
+
+Dave took a fair get away, not attempting to strike as the clinch was
+broken. But an instant later Dave came back, dancing all around his
+dazed opponent, landing on the short ribs, on the breast bone, under
+either ear and finally on the tip of the chin.
+
+Pen was sure that none of these blows had been delivered with the force
+that Darrin could have sent in.
+
+"Time!" shouted Midshipman Dawley.
+
+The principals retired to their corners, Pennington almost wholly afraid
+from the conviction that his antagonist was now merely playing with him
+to keep the interest going.
+
+So Pennington was still rather badly scared when the two came together
+for the fifth round.
+
+"Get lively, now, gentlemen, if you can," begged Referee Remington.
+"Finish this one way or the other, and let us get some of the benefits
+of our shore leave."
+
+Pen started by putting more steam behind every blow. Dave, who had used
+up so much of his wind by his brilliant footwork, began to find it
+harder to keep the upper hand.
+
+Twice, however, he managed to land body blows. He was trying to drive in
+a third when Pennington blocked, following this with a left-arm jab on
+Darrin's left jaw that sent the lighter man to the floor.
+
+Instantly Dawley began to count off the seconds.
+
+"--seven, eight, nine, te----"
+
+Dave was up on his feet. Pen tried to make a quick rush, but Darrin
+dodged cleverly, them wheeled and faced his opponent as the latter
+wheeled about.
+
+After that there was less footwork. Both men stood up to it, as keenly
+alert as they could be, each trying to drive home heavy blows. While
+they were still at it the call of time sounded.
+
+"Don't let him put it over you, David, little giant!" warned Dan, as the
+latter and Farley vigorously massaged Darrin's muscles. "He all but had
+you, and there isn't any need of making Pen a present of the meeting."
+
+"I tried to get him," muttered Dave in an undertone, "and I shall go on
+trying to the last. But Pennington is pretty nearly superior to anyone
+in my class."
+
+"Just waltz in and show him," whispered Dalzell, as the call sounded.
+
+Pennington entered the sixth round with more confidence. He began, at
+the outset, to drive in heavy blows, nor did Dave do much dodging.
+
+Bump! Twenty-five seconds only of this round had gone when Darrin landed
+his right fist with fearful force upon the high point of Pennington's
+jaw.
+
+Down went the larger midshipman again. This time he moaned. His eyes
+were open, though they had a somewhat glassy look in them.
+
+Dawley was counting off the seconds in measured tones.
+
+"--seven, eight, nine--ten!"
+
+Pen had struggled to rise to his feet, but sank back with a gasp of
+despair and rage.
+
+"Mr. Pennington loses the count and the fight," announced Referee
+Remington coolly. "I don't believe we're needed here, Dawley. The
+seconds can handle the wreck. Come along."
+
+As the two officials of the meeting hustled out of the barn, Dalzell
+gave his attention to helping his chum, while Farley went over to offer
+his services in getting the vanquished midshipman into shape.
+
+"There were times when I could have closed both of Pennington's eyes,"
+murmured Dave to Dan. "But I didn't want to give him any disfiguring
+marks that would start questions on board ship."
+
+"You had him whipped from the start," murmured Dan confidently, as he
+sprayed, then rubbed Dave's chest and arms.
+
+"Maybe, but I'm not so sure of that," rejoined Darrin. "That fellow
+isn't so easy a prize for any one in my class. There were times when I
+was all but convinced that he had me."
+
+"Oh, fairy tales!" grunted Dan.
+
+"Have it your own way, then, Danny boy!"
+
+When Darrin and his seconds left the barn they went off to enjoy what
+remained of the shore leave. Pennington's seconds finally, at his own
+request, left him at an ice cream parlor, where he proposed to remain
+until he could return to the big, steel "Massachusetts" without exciting
+any wonder over the little time he had remained ashore. Pennington had
+strength to walk about, but he was far from being in really good shape,
+and preferred to keep quiet.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+
+IN TROUBLE ON FOREIGN SOIL
+
+From Hampton Roads the Battleship Squadron, with the midshipmen on
+board, sailed directly for Plymouth, England.
+
+During most of the voyage over slow cruising speed was used. By the time
+that England's coast was sighted the third-class middies found they knew
+much more about a battleship than they had believed to be possible at
+the start of the voyage.
+
+They had served as firemen; they had mastered many of the electrical
+details of a battleship; they had received instruction and had "stood
+trick" by the engines; there had been some drill with the smaller,
+rapid-fire guns, and finally, they had learned at least the rudiments of
+"wig-wagging," as signaling by means of signal flags is termed.
+
+It was just before the call to supper formation when England's coast
+loomed up. Most of the midshipmen stood at the rail, watching eagerly
+for a better glimpse at the coast.
+
+Some of the midshipmen, especially those who came from wealthier
+families, had been in England before entering the Naval Academy. These
+fortunate ones were questioned eagerly by their comrades.
+
+The battleships were well in sight of Eastern King Point when the
+midshipmen's call for supper formation sounded. Feeling that they would
+much have preferred to wait for their supper, the young men hastened
+below.
+
+After the line was formed it seemed to the impatient young men as though
+it had never taken so long to read the orders.
+
+Yet there came one welcome order, to the effect that, immediately after
+the morning meal, all midshipmen might go to the pay officer and draw
+ten dollars, to be charged against their pay accounts.
+
+"That ten dollars apiece looms up large David, little giant," murmured
+Dan Dalzell, while the evening meal was in progress.
+
+"We ought to have a lot of fun on it," replied Darrin, who was looking
+forward with greatest eagerness to his first visit to any foreign soil.
+"But how much shore leave are we to have?"
+
+"Two days, the word is. We'll get it straight in the morning, at
+breakfast formation."
+
+In defiance of regulations, Midshipman Pennington, whose father was
+wealthy, had several hundred dollars concealed in his baggage. He had
+already invited Hallam, Mossworth and Dickey to keep in his wake on
+shore, and these young men had gladly enough agreed.
+
+"Say, but we're slackening speed!" quivered Dalzell, when the meal was
+nearly finished.
+
+"Headway has stopped," declared Darrin a few moments later.
+
+"Listen, everyone!" called Farley. "Don't you hear the rattle of the
+anchor chains?"
+
+"Gentlemen, as we're forbidden to make too much racket," proposed
+irrepressible Dan, "let us give three silent cheers for Old England!"
+
+Rising in his place, Dan raised his hand aloft, and brought it down, as
+his lips silently formed a "hurrah!"
+
+Three times this was done, each time the lips of the midshipmen forming
+a silent cheer.
+
+Then Dan, with a mighty swoop of his right arm, let his lips form the
+word that everyone knew to be "tiger!"
+
+"Ugh-h-h!" groaned Midshipman Reilly.
+
+"Throw that irresponsible Fenian out!" directed Dan, grinning.
+
+Then the midshipmen turned their attention to the remnants of the meal.
+
+Boom! sounded sharply overhead.
+
+"There goes the twenty-one-gunner," announced Darrin.
+
+When a foreign battleship enters a fortified port the visiting fleet, or
+rather, its flagship, fires a national salute of twenty-one guns. After
+a short interval following the discharge of the last gun, one of the
+forts on shore answers with twenty-one guns. This is one of the methods
+of observing the courtesies between nations by their respective fleets.
+
+Ere all the guns had been fired from the flagship, the third classmen
+received the rising signal; the class marched out and was dismissed.
+Instantly a break was made for deck.
+
+The midshipmen were in good time to see the smoke and hear the roar of
+guns from one of the forts on shore.
+
+In the morning the commandant of cadets, as commanding officer of the
+squadron, would go ashore with his aide and pay a formal call to the
+senior military officer. Later in the day that English officer and one
+or two of his staff officers would return the call by coming out to the
+flagship. That accomplished, all the required courtesies would have been
+observed.
+
+It was still broad daylight, for in summer the English twilight is a
+long one, and darkness does not settle down until late.
+
+"Oh, if we were only going ashore to-night!" murmured Hallam. There were
+many others to echo the thought, but all knew that it could not be done.
+
+"Couldn't we find a trick for slipping ashore after lights out?" eagerly
+queried Dickey, who was not noted as a "greaser."
+
+"Could we?" quivered Hallam, who, with few demerits against him, felt
+inclined to take a chance.
+
+But Pennington, to whom he appealed, shook his head.
+
+"Too big a risk, Hally," replied Pen. "And trebly dangerous, with that
+greaser, Darrin, in the class."
+
+"Oh, stow that," growled Hallam. "Darrin is no greaser. You've got him
+on your black books--that's all."
+
+"He is a greaser, I tell you," cried Pennington fiercely.
+
+There were a score of midshipmen in this group, and many of them nodded
+approvingly at Pennington's statement. Though still a class leader, Dave
+had lost some of his popularity since his report to the police of
+Annapolis.
+
+So the middies turned in, that night, with unsatisfied dreams of shore
+life in England.
+
+Soon after breakfast the next morning, however, every midshipman had
+drawn his ten dollars, even to Pennington, who had no use for such a
+trifling amount.
+
+As fast as possible the launches ranged alongside at the side gangway,
+taking off groups of midshipmen, everyone of whom had been cautioned to
+be at dock in time to board a launch in season for supper formation.
+
+Pennington and his party were among the first to land. They hurried
+away.
+
+It was on the second trip of one of the launches that Dave, Dan and
+Farley made their get away. These three chums had agreed to stick
+together during the day. They landed at the Great Western Docks, to find
+themselves surrounded by eager British cabbies.
+
+"Are we going to take a cab and get more quickly and intelligently to
+the best part of the town to see?" asked Farley.
+
+"I don't vote for it," replied Darrin. "We have only five dollars apiece
+for each of the two days we're to be ashore. I move that we put in the
+forenoon, anyway, in prowling about the town for ourselves. We'll learn
+more than we would by riding."
+
+"Come on, then," approved Dan.
+
+Plymouth is an old-fashioned English seaport that has been rather famous
+ever since the thirteenth century. Many parts of the town, including
+whole streets, look as though the houses had been built since that time.
+This is especially true of many of the streets near the water front.
+
+For two hours the three middies roamed through the streets, often
+meeting fellow classmen. Wherever the young midshipmen went many of the
+English workmen and shopkeepers raised their hats in friendly salute of
+the American uniform.
+
+"We don't seem to run across Pen's gang anywhere," remarked Farley at
+last.
+
+"Oh, no," smiled Dave. "That's a capitalistic crowd. They'll hit only
+the high spots."
+
+Nevertheless, these three poor-in-purse midshipmen enjoyed themselves
+hugely in seeing the quaint old town. At noon they found a real old
+English chop house, where they enjoyed a famous meal.
+
+"I wish we could slip some of these little mutton pies back with us!"
+sighed Dan wistfully.
+
+In the afternoon the three chums saw the newer market place, where all
+three bought small souvenirs for their mothers at home. Darrin also
+secured a little remembrance present for his sweetheart, Belle Meade.
+
+The guild hall and some of the other famous buildings were visited.
+
+Later in the afternoon Dave began to inspect his watch every two or
+three minutes.
+
+"No need for us to worry, with Dave's eye glued to his watch," laughed
+Dan.
+
+"Come on, fellows," summoned Darrin finally. "We haven't more than time
+now to make the dock and get back to supper formation."
+
+"Take a cab?" asked Farley. "You know, we've found that they're vastly
+cheaper than American cabs."
+
+"No-o-o, not for me," decided Dave. "We'll need the rest of our shore
+money to-morrow, and our legs are good and sturdy."
+
+Yet even careful Dave, as it turned out, had allowed no more than time.
+The chums reached the dock in time to see the launches half way between
+the fleet and shore. Some forty other midshipmen stood waiting on the
+dock.
+
+Among these were Pennington and his party, all looking highly satisfied
+with their day's sport, as indeed they were.
+
+Pennington's eyes gleamed when he caught sight of Darrin, Dalzell and
+Farley--for Pen had a scheme of his own in mind.
+
+Not far from Pennington stood a little Englishman with keen eyes and a
+jovial face. Pen stepped over to him.
+
+"There are the three midshipmen I was telling you about," whispered
+Pennington, slipping a half sovereign into the Englishman's hand. "You
+thoroughly understand your part in the joke, don't you?"
+
+"Don't h'I, though--just, sir!" laughed the undersized Englishman, and
+strolled away.
+
+Darrin and his friends were soon informed by classmates that the
+launches now making shore-ward were coming in on their last trip for
+midshipmen.
+
+"Well, we're here in plenty of time," sighed Dave contentedly.
+
+"Oh, I knew we'd be, with you holding the watch," laughed Dan in his
+satisfied way.
+
+As the three stood apart they were joined by the undersized Englishman,
+who touched his hat to them with a show of great respect.
+
+"Young gentlemen," he inquired, "h'I suppose, h'of course, you've 'ad a
+look h'at the anchor h'of Sir Francis Drake's flagship, the time 'e went
+h'out h'and sank the great Spanish h'Armada?"
+
+"Why, no, my friend," replied Dave, looking at the man with interest.
+"Is that here at Plymouth?"
+
+"H'assuredly, sir. H'and h'only a minute's walk h'over to that shed
+yonder, sir. H'if you'll come with me, young gentlemen, h'I'll show h'it
+to you. H'it's one of h'our biggest sights, h'and it's in me own
+custody, at present. Come this way, young gentlemen."
+
+"That sounds like something worth seeing," declared Dave to his
+comrades. "Come along. It'll take the launches at least six minutes to
+get in, and then they'll stay tied up here for another five minutes."
+
+With only a single backward glance at the young midshipmen, the
+undersized Englishman was already leading the way.
+
+At quickened pace the young midshipmen reached the shed that had been
+indicated. Their guide had already drawn a key from a pocket, and had
+unsnapped the heavy padlock.
+
+"Step right in, young gentlemen, h'and h'I'll follow h'and show h'it to
+you."
+
+Unsuspecting, the three middies stepped inside the darkened shed.
+Suddenly the door banged, and a padlock clicked outside.
+
+"Here, stop that, you rascally joker!" roared Dalzell, wheeling about.
+"What does this mean?"
+
+"Big trouble!" spoke Dave Darrin seriously and with a face from which
+the color was fast receding.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+
+PENNINGTON GETS HIS WISH
+
+"The scoundrel!" gasped Farley, his face whiter than any of the others.
+
+Dave was already at the door, trying to force it open. But he might
+almost as well have tried to lift one of the twelve-inch guns of the
+battleship "Massachusetts."
+
+"We're locked in--that's sure!" gasped Dalzell, almost dazed by the
+catastrophe.
+
+"And what's more, we won't get out in a hurry, unless we can make some
+of our classmates hear," declared Dave.
+
+For the next half minute they yelled themselves nearly hoarse, but no
+response came.
+
+"What could have been that little cockney's purpose in playing this
+shabby trick on us?" demanded Farley.
+
+"Perhaps the cockney thinks we're admirals, with our pockets lined with
+gold. Perhaps he and some of his pals intend to rob us, later in the
+evening," proposed Dan, with a ghastly grin.
+
+"Any gang would find something of a fight on their hands, then,"
+muttered Dave Darrin grimly.
+
+All three were equally at a loss to think of any explanation for such a
+"joke" as this. Equally improbable did it seem that any thugs of the
+town would expect to reap any harvest from robbing three midshipmen.
+
+Desperately they turned to survey their surroundings. The shed was an
+old one, yet strongly built. There were no windows, no other door save
+that at which the three middies now stood baffled.
+
+"Another good old yell," proposed Darrin.
+
+It was given with a lusty will, but proved as fruitless as the former
+one.
+
+"We don't take the last launch back to ship," declared Farley, wild with
+rage.
+
+"Which means a long string of demerits," said Dan.
+
+"No shore leave to-morrow, either," groaned Darrin. "Fellows, this
+mishap will affect our shore leave throughout all the cruise."
+
+"We can explain it," suggested Farley with a hopefulness that he did not
+feel at all.
+
+"Of course we can," jeered Dave Darrin. "But what officer is fool enough
+to believe such a cock-and-bull story as this one will seem? At the very
+least, the commandant would believe that we had been playing some pretty
+stiff prank ourselves, in order to get treated in this fashion. No, no,
+fellows! We may just as well undeceive ourselves, and prepare to take
+the full soaking of discipline that we're bound to get. If we attempted
+this sort of explanation, we'd be lucky indeed to get through the affair
+without being tried by general court-martial for lying."
+
+"Drake's anchor, indeed!" exclaimed Dan in deep self disgust.
+
+"We ought to have known better," grunted Farley, equally enraged with
+himself. "What on earth made us so absent-minded as to believe that a
+priceless relic would be kept in an old shed like this?"
+
+"We're sure enough idiots!" groaned Dan.
+
+"Hold on there, fellows," interrupted Dave Darrin. "Vent all your anger
+right on me. I'm the great and only cause of this misfortune. It was I
+who proposed that we take up that cockney's invitation. I'm the real and
+only offender against decent good sense, and yet you both have to suffer
+with me."
+
+"Let's give another yell, bigger than before," suggested Dan weakly.
+
+They did, but with no better result than before.
+
+"The launches are away now, anyway, I guess," groaned Farley, after
+consulting his watch.
+
+"Yes, and we're up the tree with the commandant," grunted Dalzell
+bitterly.
+
+"Yell again?" asked Farley.
+
+"No," retorted Dave, shaking his head. "We've seen the uselessness of
+asking help from outside. Let's supply our own help. Now,
+then--altogether! Shoulder the door!"
+
+A savage assault they hurled upon the door. But they merely caused it to
+vibrate.
+
+"We can't do it," gasped Dan, after the third trial.
+
+Considerable daylight filtered in through the cracks at top, bottom and
+one side of the door. Further back in the shed there was less light.
+
+"Let's explore this old place in search of hope," begged Dave.
+
+Together they started back, looking about keenly in what appeared to be
+an empty room.
+
+"Say! Look at that!" cried Dave suddenly.
+
+He pointed to a solid looking, not very heavy ship's spar.
+
+"What good will that thing do us?" asked Farley rather dubiously.
+
+"Let's see if we can raise it to our shoulders," proposed Dave Darrin
+radiantly. "Then well find out!"
+
+"Hurrah!" quivered Dan Dalzell, bending over the spar at the middle.
+
+"Up with it!" commanded Darrin, placing himself at the head of the spar.
+Farley took hold at the further end.
+
+"Up with it!" heaved Midshipman Darrin.
+
+Right up the spar went. It would have been a heavy job for three young
+men of their size in civil life, but midshipmen are constantly
+undergoing the best sort of physical training.
+
+"Now, then--a fast run and a hard bump!" called Darrin.
+
+At the door they rushed, bearing the spar as a battering ram.
+
+Bump! The door shook and shivered.
+
+"Once more may do it!" cheered Darrin. "Back."
+
+Again they dashed the head of their battering ram against the door. It
+gave way, and, climbing through, they raced back to the pier.
+
+But Dan, who had secured the lead, stopped with a groan, pointing out
+over the water.
+
+"Not a bit of good, fellows! There go the launches, and we're the only
+fellows left! It's all up with our summer's fun!"
+
+"Is it, though?" shouted Dave, spurting ahead. "Come on and find out!"
+
+As they reached the front of the piers, down at the edge of a landing
+stage they espied a little steam tender.
+
+"That boat has to take us out to the 'Massachusetts'!" cried Darrin
+desperately, as he plunged down the steps to the landing stage, followed
+by his two chums.
+
+[Illustration: The Three Midshipmen Raced Toward the Pier.]
+
+"Who's the captain here?" called Dave, racing across the landing stage
+to the tender's gangplank.
+
+"I am, sir," replied a portly, red-faced Englishman, leaning out of the
+wheel-house window.
+
+"What'll you charge to land us in haste aboard the American battleship
+'Massachusetts'?" asked Darrin eagerly.
+
+"Half a sov. will be about right, sir," replied the tender's skipper,
+touching his cap at sight of the American Naval uniform.
+
+"Good enough," glowed Dave, leaping aboard. "Cast off as quickly as you
+can, captain, or we'll be in a heap of trouble with our discipline
+officers."
+
+The English skipper was quick to act. He routed out two deckhands, who
+quickly cast off. Almost while the deckhands were doing this the skipper
+rang the engineer's bell.
+
+"Come into the wheel-'ouse with me," invited the skipper pleasantly,
+which invitation the three middies accepted. "Now, then, young
+gentlemen, 'ow did it 'appen that you missed your own launches."
+
+"It was a mean trick--a scoundrelly one!" cried Darrin resentfully. Then
+he described just what had happened.
+
+The skipper's own bronzed cheeks burned to a deeper color.
+
+"I can 'ardly believe that an Englishman would play such a trick on
+young h'officers of a friendly power," he declared. "But I told you,
+sir, the fare out to your ship would be half a sov. I lied. If a nasty
+little cockney played such a trick on you, it's my place, as a decent
+Englishman, to take you out for nothing--and that's the fare."
+
+"Oh, we'll gladly pay the half sov." protested Darrin.
+
+"Not on this craft you can't, sir," replied the skipper firmly.
+
+Looking eagerly ahead, the three middies saw two of the launches go
+along side of the "Massachusetts" and discharge passengers. As the
+second left the side gangway the Briton, who had been crowding on steam
+well, ranged in along side.
+
+"What craft is that, and what do you want?" hailed the officer of the
+deck, from above.
+
+"The tender 'Lurline,' sir, with three of your gentlemen to put h'aboard
+of you, sir," the Briton bellowed through a window of the wheel-house.
+
+"Very good, then. Come alongside," directed the officer of the deck.
+
+In his most seamanlike style the Briton ranged alongside. Dave tried to
+press the fare upon the skipper, but he would have none of that. So the
+three shook hands swiftly but heartily with him, then sprang across to
+the side gangway, where they paused long enough to lift their caps to
+this stranger and friend. The Briton lifted his own cap, waving it
+heartily, ere he fell off and turned about.
+
+"You didn't get aboard any too soon, gentlemen," remarked the officer of
+the deck, eyeing the three middies keenly as they came up over the side,
+doffing their uniform caps to the colors. "Hustle for the formation."
+
+Midshipman Pennington was chuckling deeply over the supposed fact that
+he had at last succeeded in bringing Darrin in for as many demerits as
+Darrin had helped heap upon him.
+
+"That'll break his heart as an avowed greaser," Pen told himself. "With
+all the demerits Darrin will get, he'll have no heart for greasing the
+rest of this year. It's rough on Farley, but I'm not quite as sorry for
+Dalzell, who, in his way, is almost as bad as Darrin. He's Darrin's
+cuckoo and shadow, anyway. Oh, I wish I could see Darrin's face now!"
+
+This last was uttered just as Midshipman Pennington stepped into line at
+the supper formation.
+
+"I wish I could see Darrin's face now!" Pen repeated to himself.
+
+Seldom has a wish been more quickly gratified. For, just in the nick of
+time to avoid being reported, Midshipmen Darrin, Dalzell and Farley came
+into sight, falling into their respective places.
+
+At that instant it was Midshipman Pennington's face, not Dave Darrin's,
+that was really worth studying.
+
+"Now how did the shameless greaser work this!" Pennington pondered
+uneasily.
+
+But, of course, he couldn't ask. He could only hope that, presently, he
+would hear the whole story from some other man in the class.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+
+THE TRAGEDY OF THE GALE
+
+There is altogether too much to the summer practice cruise for it to be
+related in detail.
+
+Nor would the telling of it prove interesting to the reader. When at
+sea, save on Sundays, the midshipman's day is one of hard toil.
+
+It is no life for the indolent young man. He is routed out early in the
+morning and put at hard work.
+
+On a midshipman's first summer cruise what he learns is largely the work
+that is done by the seamen, stokers, water tenders, electricians, the
+signal men and others.
+
+Yet he must learn every phase of all this work thoroughly, for some day,
+before he becomes an officer, he must be examined as to his knowledge of
+all this great mass of detail.
+
+It is only when in port that some relaxation comes into the midshipman's
+life. He has shore leave, and a large measure of liberty. Yet he must,
+at all times, show all possible respect for the uniform that he wears
+and the great nation that he represents. If a midshipman permits himself
+to be led into scrapes that many college boys regard as merely "larks,"
+he is considered a disgrace to the Naval service.
+
+Always, at home and abroad, the "middy" must maintain his own dignity
+and that of his country and service. Should he fail seriously, he is
+regarded by his superiors and by the Navy Department as being unfit to
+defend the honor of his flag.
+
+The wildest group from the summer practice fleet was that made up of
+Pennington and his friends. Pen received more money in France from his
+fond but foolish father. Wherever Pennington's group went, they cut a
+wide swath of "sport," though they did nothing actually dishonorable.
+Yet they were guilty of many pranks which, had the midshipmen been
+caught, would have resulted in demerits.
+
+Ports in France, Spain, Portugal and Italy were touched briefly. At some
+of these ports the midshipmen received much attention.
+
+But at last the fleet turned back past Gibraltar, and stood on for the
+Azores, the last landing point before reaching home.
+
+When two nights out from Gibraltar a sharp summer gale overtook the
+fleet. Even the huge battleships labored heavily in the seas, the
+"Massachusetts" bringing up the rear.
+
+She was in the same position when the morning broke. The midshipmen,
+after breakfast, enjoyed a few minutes on the deck before going below
+for duty in the engine rooms, the dynamo room, the "stoke hole" and
+other stations.
+
+Suddenly, from the stern rail, there went up the startled cry:
+
+"Man overboard!"
+
+In an instant the marine sentry had tumbled two life-preservers over
+into the water.
+
+With almost the swiftness of telegraphy the cry had reached the bridge.
+Without stopping to back the engine the big battleship's helm was thrown
+hard over, and the great steel fighting craft endeavored to find her own
+wake in the angry waters with a view to going back over it.
+
+Signal men broke out the news to the flagship. The other two great
+battleships turned and headed back in the interests of humanity.
+
+It seemed almost as though the entire fleet had been swung out of its
+course by pressure on an electric button.
+
+Officers who were not on duty poured out. The captain was the first to
+reach the quarter-deck. He strode into the midst of a group of
+stricken-looking midshipmen.
+
+"Who's overboard!" demanded the commanding officer.
+
+"Hallam, sir----"
+
+"And Darrin, sir----"
+
+"And Dalzell, sir----"
+
+"How many?" demanded the captain sharply.
+
+"Three, sir."
+
+"How did so many fall overboard?"
+
+"Mr. Hallam was frolicking, sir," reported Midshipman Farley, "and lost
+his footing."
+
+"But Mr. Darrin and Mr. Dalzell?" inquired the captain sharply.
+
+"As soon as they realized it, sir, Darrin and Dalzell leaped overboard
+to go to Hallam's rescue, sir."
+
+"It's a wonder," muttered the captain, glancing shrewdly at the bronzed,
+fine young fellows around him, "that not more of you went overboard as
+well."
+
+"Many of them would, sir," replied Farley, "but an officer forward
+shouted: 'No more midshipmen go overboard,' So we stopped, sir."
+
+Modest Mr. Farley did not mention the fact that he was running toward
+the stern, intent on following his chums into the rough sea at the very
+instant when the order reached him.
+
+The captain, however, paused for no more information. He was now running
+forward to take the bridge beside the watch officer.
+
+The midshipmen, too, hurried forward, mingling with the crew, as the big
+battleship swung around and tried to find her wake.
+
+The flagship had crowded on extra steam, and was fast coming over the
+seas.
+
+With such a sea running, it was well nigh impossible to make out so
+small a thing as a head or a life-preserver, unless it could be observed
+at the instant when it crested a wave.
+
+Marine glasses were in use by every officer who had brought his pair to
+the deck. Others rushed back to their cabins to get them.
+
+A lieutenant of the marine corps stood forward, close to a big group of
+sorrowing midshipmen.
+
+"There are certain to be three vacancies in the Naval Academy," remarked
+the lieutenant.
+
+"Don't say that, sir," begged Farley, in a choking voice. "The three
+overboard are among the finest fellows in the brigade!"
+
+"I don't want to discourage any of you young gentlemen," continued the
+marine corps lieutenant. "But there's just about one chance in a
+thousand that we shall be able to sight and pick up any one of the
+unlucky three. In the first place, it would take a wonderful swimmer to
+live long in such a furious sea. In the second place, if all three are
+still swimming, it will be almost out of the question to make out their
+heads among the huge waves. You've none of you seen a man overboard
+before in a big sea?"
+
+Several of the mute, anxious midshipmen shook their heads.
+
+"You'll realize the difficulties of the situation within the next few
+minutes," remarked the lieutenant. "I am sorry to crush your hopes for
+your classmates, but this is all a part of the day's work in the Navy."
+
+The largest steam launches from all three of the battleships were being
+swiftly lowered. Officers and men were lowered with the launches. As the
+launch shoved off from each battleship tremendous cheers followed them.
+
+"Stop all unnecessary noise!" bellowed the watch officer from the bridge
+of the "Massachusetts." "You may drown out calls for help with your
+racket."
+
+While the three battleships went back over their courses in more stately
+fashion, the launches darted here and there, until it seemed as though
+they must cover every foot within a square mile.
+
+"I don't see how they can help finding the three," Farley declared
+hopefully.
+
+"That is," put in another third classman, "if any of the three are still
+afloat."
+
+"Stow all talk of that sort," ordered Farley angrily.
+
+Other midshipmen joined in with their protests. When a man is overboard
+in an angry sea all hands left behind try to be optimists.
+
+When fifteen minutes had been spent in the search the onlooking but
+helpless middies began to look worried.
+
+At the end of half an hour some of them looked haggard. Farley's face
+was pitiable to see.
+
+At the end of an hour of constant but fruitless searching hardly any one
+felt any hope of a rescue now.
+
+All three midshipmen, the "man overboard" and his two willing, would-be
+rescuers, were silently conceded to be drowned.
+
+Yet the hardest blow of all came when, at the end of an hour and a
+quarter, the flagship signaled the recall of the small boats.
+
+Then, indeed, all hope was given up. In an utter human silence, save for
+the husky voicing of the necessary orders, the launches were hoisted on
+board. Then the flagship flew the signal for resuming the voyage.
+
+There were few dry eyes among the third class midshipmen when the
+battleships fell in formation again and proceeded on their way.
+
+As a result of more signals flown from the flagship, all unnecessary
+duties of midshipmen for the day were ordered suspended.
+
+In the afternoon the chaplain on each battleship held funeral services
+over the three lost midshipmen. Officers, middies and crew attended on
+board each vessel.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+
+THE DESPAIR OF THE "RECALL"
+
+Dave Darrin stood within ten feet of Hallam when that latter midshipman
+had lost his balance and fallen into the boiling sea.
+
+Dave's spring to the stern rail was all but instantaneous. He was
+overboard, after his classmate, ere the marine had had time to leap to
+the life buoys.
+
+Out of the corner of one eye Dan Dalzell saw the marine start on the
+jump, but Dan was overboard, also, too soon to see exactly what the
+marine sentry was doing.
+
+Both daring midshipmen sank beneath the surface as they struck.
+
+As Dan came up, however, his hand struck something solid and he clutched
+at it. It was one of the life buoys.
+
+As he grasped it, and drew his head up a trifle, Dan saw another
+floating within thirty feet of him. Swimming hard, and pushing, Dan
+succeeded in reaching the other buoy. He now rested, holding on to both
+buoys.
+
+"Now, where's David, that little giant?" muttered Dalzell, striving hard
+to see through the seething waters and over the tops of foam-crested
+waves.
+
+After a few minutes Dan began to feel decidedly nervous.
+
+"Yet Dave can't have gone down, for he's a better swimmer than I am,"
+was Dan's consoling thought.
+
+At last Dalzell caught sight of another head. He could have cheered, but
+he expended his breath on something more sensible.
+
+"Dave!" he shouted. "Old Darry! This way! I have the life buoys."
+
+At the same time, holding to both of them, but kicking frantically with
+his feet, Dalzell managed slowly to push the buoys toward Dave.
+
+Soon after he had started, Dan did utter a cheer, even though it was
+checked by an inrush of salt water that nearly strangled him.
+
+He saw two heads. Dave Darrin was coming toward him, helping Hallam.
+
+The wind carried the cheer faintly to Dave. He raised his head a little
+in the water, and caught sight of Dan and the buoys.
+
+Some three minutes it took the two chums to meet. Dave Darrin was all
+but exhausted, for Hallam was now unconscious.
+
+As Darrin clutched at the buoy he tried to shout, though the voice came
+weakly:
+
+"Catch hold of Hallam. I'm down and----"
+
+But Dan understood, even before he heard. While Dave clutched at one of
+the life buoys Dalzell shot out an arm, dragging Hallam in to safety.
+
+Now, it was Darrin who, with both arms, contrived to link the buoys
+together.
+
+At last the youngsters had a chance to observe the fact that the
+battleships had put about and were coming back.
+
+"We'll soon be all right," sighed Dave contentedly, as soon as he could
+speak. "There are thirty-five hundred officers, middies and sailors of
+the American Navy to look after our safety."
+
+From where they lay as they hung to the buoys the chums could even see
+the launches lowered.
+
+Dan, with some of the emergency lashing about the buoy, succeeded, after
+a good deal of effort, and with some aid from Dave, in passing a cord
+about Hallam and under the latter's armpits that secured that midshipman
+to one of the buoys. The next move of the chums was to lash the buoys
+together.
+
+"Now," declared Dave, "we can't lose. We can hang on and be safe here
+for hours, if need be."
+
+"But what a thundering long time it takes them to bring the battleships
+around to get to us!" murmured Midshipman Dalzell in wonder.
+
+"Be sure not an unnecessary second has been lost," rejoined Dave. "We're
+learning something practical now about the handling of big craft."
+
+"I wonder if Hally's a goner?" murmured Dan in an awe-struck voice.
+
+"I don't believe it," Dave answered promptly. "Once we get him back
+aboard ship the medicos will do a little work over him and he'll sit up
+and want to know if dinner's ready."
+
+Then they fell silent, for, with the roar of wind and waters, it was
+necessary for them to shout when they talked.
+
+As the minutes went by slowly, the two conscious midshipmen found
+themselves filled with amazement.
+
+A dozen times the launches darted by, not far away. It seemed impossible
+that the keen, restless eyes of the seekers should not discover the
+imperiled ones.
+
+At such times Dave and Dan shouted with all the power of their lusty
+young lungs.
+
+Alternately Dan and Dave tried the effect of rising as far as they could
+and frantically waving an arm. There was not a cap to wave among the
+three of them.
+
+"I'm beginning to feel discouraged," grunted Dave in disgust at last.
+"They must have spent a full half day already looking for us."
+
+"Merciful powers!" gasped Dan at last, as they rode half way up the
+slope of a big wave. "I just caught sight of the 'recall of boats'
+flying from the flagship!"
+
+"No!" gasped Dave incredulously.
+
+"Yes, I did!"
+
+"But--"
+
+"They've failed and have given up the search," spoke Dan rather
+despairingly.
+
+"But--"
+
+"We may as well face it," muttered Dan brokenly. "They don't believe
+that any of us has survived, and we've been abandoned."
+
+"Then," spoke Dave Darrin very coolly, "there's nothing left for us but
+to die like men of the American Navy."
+
+"It seems heartless, needless," protested Dan.
+
+"No," broke in Darrin. "They've done their best. They're convinced that
+we're lost. And I should think they would be, after all the time they've
+searched for us--half a day, at least."
+
+Dan said nothing, but tugged until he succeeded in bringing his watch up
+to the light.
+
+"The blamed thing is water-logged," he uttered disgustedly.
+
+"Why?"
+
+"The hands point to less than half past nine!"
+
+Darrin managed to get at his own watch.
+
+"My timepiece doesn't call for half past nine, either," he announced.
+
+"Can it be possible--"
+
+"Yes; the time has only seemed longer, I reckon," observed Dalzell.
+
+"Well, we'll face it like men," proposed Dave.
+
+"Of course," nodded Dan. "At least, we're going down in the ocean, and
+we wear the American Naval uniform. If there's any choice in deaths, I
+guess that's as good and manly a one as we could choose."
+
+"Poor old Hally won't know much about it, anyway, I guess," remarked
+Darrin, who seemed unnaturally cool. Possibly he was a bit dazed by the
+stunning nature of the fate that seemed about to overtake them.
+
+"Maybe the ships will go by us in their final get-away," proposed Dan
+Dalzell very soberly.
+
+"Not if I'm seaman enough to read the compass by what's visible of the
+sun," returned Midshipman Darrin.
+
+"Then there's no help for it," answered Dan, choking slightly. "I wonder
+if we could do anything for Hallam?"
+
+"We won't do anything to bring him to, anyway," muttered Darrin. "Under
+these circumstances I wouldn't do anything as mean as that to a dog!"
+
+"Maybe he's dead already, anyway," proposed Dan, now hopefully.
+
+"I hope so," came from Darrin.
+
+Now they saw the not very distant battleships alter their courses and
+steam slowly away.
+
+All was now desolation over the angry sea, as the battleships gradually
+vanished. The two conscious midshipmen were now resolved to face the end
+bravely. That was all they could do for themselves and their flag.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+
+THE GRIM WATCH FROM THE WAVES
+
+By the time that little more than the mastheads of the departing
+battleships were visible, Hallam opened his eyes.
+
+It would have seemed a vastly kinder fate had he been allowed to remain
+unconscious to the last.
+
+Hallam had not been strangled by the inrush of water. In going
+overboard, this midshipman had struck the water with the back of his
+head and had been stunned. In the absence of attention he had remained a
+long time unconscious.
+
+Even now the hapless midshipman whose frollicking had been the cause of
+the disaster, did not immediately regain his full senses.
+
+"Why, we're all in the water," he remarked after a while.
+
+"Yes," assented Darrin, trying to speak cheerfully.
+
+Midshipman Hallam remained silent for some moments before he next asked:
+
+"How did it happen?"
+
+"Fell overboard," replied Dan laconically, failing to mention who it was
+who had fallen over the stern.
+
+Again a rather long silence on Hallam's part. Then, at last, he
+observed:
+
+"Funny how we all fell over at the same time."
+
+To this neither of his classmates made any rejoinder.
+
+"See here," shouted Hallam, after a considerable period of silent
+wondering, "I remember it all now. I was fooling at the stern rail and I
+toppled overboard."
+
+Dan nodded without words.
+
+"And you fellows jumped in after me," roared Hallam, both his mental and
+bodily powers now beginning to return. "Didn't you?"
+
+"Of course," assented Darrin rather reluctantly.
+
+"And what became of the fleet!"
+
+Dave and Dan looked at each other before the former replied:
+
+"Oh, well, Hally, brace up! The ships searched for us a long time, and
+some launches were put out after us. But they couldn't see our little
+heads above the big waves, and so----"
+
+"They've gone away and left us?" queried Hallam, guessing at once. "Now,
+fellows, I don't mind so much for myself, but it's fearful to think that
+I've dragged you into the same fate. It's awful! Why couldn't you have
+left me to my fate?"
+
+"Would you have done a thing like that?" demanded Dave dryly.
+
+"Oh, well, I suppose not, but--but--well, I wish I had been left to pay
+the price of my tomfoolery all alone. It would have served me right. But
+to drag you two into it--"
+
+Hallam could go no further. He was choking up with honest emotion.
+
+"Don't bother about it, Hally," urged Dave. "It's all in the day's work
+for a sailor. We'll just take it as it comes, old fellow."
+
+To not one of the trio did it occur to let go of the life buoys and sink
+as a means of ending misery. In the first place, human instinct holds to
+hope. In the second place, suicide is the resort of cowards.
+
+"None of you happened to hide any food in his pockets at breakfast, I
+take it?" asked Dan grimly, at last.
+
+Of course they hadn't.
+
+"Too bad," sighed Dan. "I'm growing terribly hungry."
+
+"Catch a fish," smiled back Darrin.
+
+"And eat it raw?" gasped Dalzell. "Darry, you know my tastes better than
+that."
+
+"Then wait a few hours longer," proposed Dave, "until even raw fish will
+be a delicacy."
+
+Hallam took no part in the chaffing. He was miserably conscious, all the
+while, that his own folly had been solely responsible for the present
+plight of these noble messmates.
+
+Thus the time passed on. None kept any track of it; they realized only
+that it was still daylight.
+
+Then suddenly Dave gave a gasp and raised one hand to point.
+
+His two classmates turned and were able to make out the mastheads of a
+craft in the distance.
+
+How they strained their eyes! All three stared and stared, until they
+felt tolerably certain that the craft was headed their way.
+
+"They may see us!" cried Hallam eagerly.
+
+"Three battleships and as many launches failed to find us," retorted
+Dan. "And they were looking for us, too."
+
+As the vessel came nearer and the hull became visible, it took on the
+appearance of a liner.
+
+"Why, it looks as though she'd run right over us when she gets nearer,"
+cried Dave, his eyes kindling with hope.
+
+"Don't get too excited over it," urged Dan. "For my part, I'm growing
+almost accustomed to disappointments."
+
+As the minutes passed and the liner came on and on, it looked still more
+as though she would run down the three middies.
+
+[Illustration: "Look! They See Us!"]
+
+At last, however, the craft was passing, showing her port side, not very
+far distant, to be sure.
+
+Uniting their voices, the three midshipmen yelled with all their power,
+even though they knew that their desperate call for help could not carry
+the distance over the subsiding gale.
+
+Boom! That shot came from the liner, and now her port rail was black
+with people.
+
+"They see us!" cried Hallam joyously. "Look! That craft is slowing up!"
+
+Once more came the cheers of encouragement, as the liner, now some
+distance ahead, put off a heavy launch. A masthead lookout, who had
+first seen the midshipmen, was now signaling the way to the officer in
+command of the launch.
+
+Unable to see for himself, the officer in the launch depended wholly on
+those masthead signals. So the launch steamed a somewhat zig-zag course
+over the waves. Yet, at last, it bore down straight upon the midshipmen.
+
+Darrin, Dalzell and Hallam now came very near to closing their eyes, to
+lessen the suspense.
+
+A short time more and all three were dragged in over the sides of the
+launch.
+
+"Get those life buoys in, if you can," begged Dave, as he sank in the
+bottom of the launch. "They are United States property entrusted to our
+care."
+
+From officer and seamen alike a laugh went up at this request, but the
+life buoys were caught with a boathook and drawn aboard.
+
+What rousing cheers greeted the returning launch, from the decks of the
+liner, "Princess Irene"! When the three midshipmen reached deck and it
+was learned that they were midshipmen of the United States Navy, the
+cheering and interest were redoubled.
+
+But the captain and the ship's doctor cut short any attempt at lionizing
+by rushing the midshipmen to a stateroom containing three berths. Here,
+under the doctor's orders, the trio were stripped and rubbed down. Then
+they were rolled into blankets, and hot coffee brought to them in their
+berths, while their wet clothing was sent below to one of the furnace
+rooms for hurried drying.
+
+As soon as the medical man had examined them, the steamship's captain
+began to question them.
+
+"Headed for the Azores, eh?" demanded the ship's master. "We ought to be
+able to sight your squadron before long."
+
+He hastened out, to give orders to the deck officer.
+
+By the time that the young midshipmen had been satisfactorily warmed,
+and their clothing had been dried, the ship's surgeon consented to their
+dressing. After this they were led to a private cabin where a satisfying
+meal was served them.
+
+"Oh, I don't know," murmured Dan, leaning back, with a contented sigh,
+after the meal was over; "there are worse things than what happened to
+us to-day!"
+
+The greater speed of the liner enabled her to sight the battleship
+squadron something more than two hours afterward. Then the nearest
+vessel of the fleet was steered for directly.
+
+The deck officers of the liner sent their heavy overcoats for the use of
+the midshipmen, who, enveloped in these roomy garments, went out on deck
+to watch the pursuit of their own comrades.
+
+Within another hour it was possible to signal, and from the "Princess
+Irene's" masthead the signal flags were broken out.
+
+"Now, watch for excitement on board your own craft," smiled the liner's
+commander, an Englishman.
+
+As soon as the liner's signal had been read by the vessels of the
+squadron a wild display of signal bunting swiftly broke out.
+
+"Heaven be thanked!" read one set of signal flags.
+
+"We have officially buried the young men, but ask them to go on living,"
+read another.
+
+While the most practical signal of all was:
+
+"The 'Massachusetts' will fall astern of the squadron. Kindly stand by
+to receive her launch."
+
+In a few minutes more the two vessels were close enough. Both stopped
+headway. One of the big battleship's launches put off and steamed over,
+rolling and pitching on the waves.
+
+Most carefully indeed the three midshipmen climbed down a rope ladder
+and were received by an ensign from the "Massachusetts," who next gave
+the American Navy's profound thanks to the rescuers of the middies.
+
+"Kindly lower that United States property that was in our care, sir!"
+Dave Darrin called up.
+
+There was good-humored laughter above, and a look of amazement on Ensign
+White's face until the two buoys, attached to lines, were thrown down
+over the side.
+
+"When your time comes you will make a very capable officer, I believe,
+Mr. Darrin, judging by your care of government property," remarked
+Ensign White, working hard to keep down the laughter.
+
+"I hope to do so, sir," Dave replied, saluting.
+
+Then away to the "Massachusetts" the launch bore, while the whole
+battleship squadron cheered itself hoarse over the happy outcome of the
+day.
+
+Dave, Dan and Hallam all had to do a tremendous amount of handshaking
+among their classmates when they had reached deck. Pennington was the
+only one who did not come forward to hold his hand out to Darrin--a fact
+that was noted at the time by many of the youngsters.
+
+To the captain the trio recounted what had befallen them, as matter for
+official record.
+
+"Mr. Darrin and Mr. Dalzell," announced the battleship's captain, "I
+must commend you both for wholly heroic conduct in going to the aid of
+your classmate. And, Mr. Darrin, I am particularly interested in your
+incidental determination to preserve government property--the life buoys
+that you brought back with you."
+
+"It's possible I may need them again, sir," returned Dave, with a smile,
+though he had no notion of prophetic utterance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+
+MIDSHIPMAN PENNINGTON'S ACCIDENT
+
+The stop at the Azores was uneventful. It remained in the minds of the
+midshipmen only as a pleasant recollection of a quaint and pretty place.
+
+Once more the squadron set sail, and now the homeward-bound pennant was
+flying. The course lay straight across the Atlantic to the entrance of
+Chesapeake Bay.
+
+On the second night out the wind was blowing a little less than half a
+gale.
+
+Darkness had fallen when Dave, Dan, Farley and several other midshipmen
+gathered to talk in low tones at the stern rail.
+
+Presently all of them wandered away but Dave. He stood close to the
+rail, enjoying the bumping motion every time the descending stern hit
+one of the rolling waves.
+
+Presently, thinking he saw a light astern, he raised himself, peering
+astern.
+
+Another group of restless middies had sauntered up. Pennington, after a
+swift look at the pacing officer in charge here, and discovering that
+the officer's back was turned, executed a series of swift cartwheels.
+
+"Look out, Pen!" called Midshipman Dwight, in a low, though sharp voice.
+
+Just too late the warning came.
+
+As Pen leaped to his feet after the last turn, one of his hands struck
+Darrin forcefully.
+
+Dave swayed, tried to clutch at something, then--
+
+"O-o-o-oh!" rang the first startled chorus.
+
+Then, instantly, on top of it, came the rousing hail:
+
+"Man overboard--astern!"
+
+Farley and Hallam were the first to reach the rail. But Lieutenant
+Burton was there almost as quickly.
+
+"Haul back!" commanded the lieutenant sternly. "No one go overboard!"
+
+That held the middies in check, for in no place, more than in the Navy,
+are orders orders.
+
+Clack! was the sound that followed the first cry. Like a flash the
+marine sentry had thrown his rifle to the deck. A single bound carried
+him to one of the night life buoys. This he released, and hurled far
+astern.
+
+As the night buoy struck the water a long-burning red light was fused by
+contact. The glow shone out over the waters.
+
+In the meantime, the "Massachusetts's" speed was being slowed rapidly,
+and a boat's crew stood at quarters.
+
+The boat put off quickly, guided by the glow of the red signal light on
+the buoy. Ere the boat reached the buoy the coxswain made out the head
+and shoulders of a young man above the rim of the floating buoy.
+
+Soon after the boat lay alongside. Dave, with the coxswain's aid, pulled
+himself into the small craft.
+
+Recovering the buoy, the coxswain flashed the red light three times.
+From the deck of the battleship came a cheering yell sent up from
+hundreds of throats.
+
+In the meantime, however, while the boat was on its way to the buoy, a
+pulsing scene had been enacted on board.
+
+Farley went straight up to Midshipman Pennington.
+
+"Sir," demanded Farley hotly, "why did you push Mr. Darrin over the
+rail."
+
+Pennington looked at his questioner as one stunned.
+
+"I--I did push Darrin over," admitted Pennington, "but it was an
+accident."
+
+"An easily contrived one, wasn't it?" demanded Midshipman Farley, rather
+cynically.
+
+"It was pure accident," contended Pennington, paling. "Until it happened
+I hadn't the least idea in the world that I was going to send Mr. Darrin
+or anyone else overboard."
+
+"Huh!" returned Farley dubiously.
+
+"Huh!" quoth Hallam.
+
+Dan Dalzell uttered not a word, but the gaze of his eyes was fixed
+angrily on Pennington.
+
+That latter midshipman turned as white as a sheet. His hands worked as
+though he were attempting to clutch at something to hold himself up.
+
+"Surely, you fellows don't believe, do you--" he stammered weakly, then
+paused.
+
+"One thing we did notice, the other day," continued Farley briskly, "was
+that, when Darrin was rescued from the sea and returned to us, you were
+about the only member of the class who didn't go up to him and
+congratulate him on his marvelous escape."
+
+"How could--"
+
+"Mr. Pennington, I haven't the patience to talk with you now," rejoined
+Farley, turning on his heel.
+
+At that moment the yell started among the midshipmen nearer the rail.
+Farley, Dan, Hallam and others joined in the yell and rushed to better
+points of vantage.
+
+Pennington tried to join in the cheer, but his tongue seemed fixed to
+the roof of his mouth. He stood clenching and unclenching his hands, his
+face an ashen gray in his deep humiliation.
+
+"I don't care what one or two fellows may say," groaned Pennington. "But
+I don't want the class to think such things of me."
+
+He was the most miserable man on board as the small boat came alongside.
+The boat, occupants and all, was hoisted up to the davits and swung
+in-board. To the officer of the deck, who stood near-by, Dave turned,
+with a brisk salute.
+
+"I beg to report that I've come aboard, sir," Darrin uttered.
+
+"And very glad we are of it, Mr. Darrin," replied the officer. "You will
+go to your locker, change your clothing and then report to the captain,
+sir."
+
+"Aye, aye, sir."
+
+With another salute, Dave hastened below, followed by Dan Dalzell, who
+was intent on attending him.
+
+Ten minutes later Dave appeared at the door of the captain's cabin. Just
+a few minutes after that he came out on deck.
+
+A crowd gathered about him, expressing their congratulations.
+
+"Thank you all," laughed Dave, "but don't make so much over a middy
+getting a bath outside of the schedule."
+
+To the rear hung Pennington, waiting his chance. At last, as the crowd
+thinned, Pennington made his way up to Dave.
+
+"Mr. Darrin, I have to apologize for my nonsense, which was the means of
+pushing you overboard. It was purely accidental, on my honor. I did not
+even know it was you at the stern, nor did I realize that my antics
+would result in pushing any one overboard. I trust you will do me the
+honor of believing my statement."
+
+"Of course I believe it, Mr. Pennington," answered Darrin, opening his
+eyes.
+
+"There are some," continued Pennington, "who have intimated to me their
+belief that I did it on purpose. There may be others who half believe or
+suspect that I might, or would, do such a thing."
+
+"Nonsense!" retorted Dave promptly. "There may be differences,
+sometimes, between classmates, but there isn't a midshipman in the Navy
+who would deliberately try to drown a comrade. It's a preposterous
+insult against midshipman honor. If I hear any one make a charge like
+that, I'll call him out promptly."
+
+"Some of your friends--I won't name them--insisted, or at least let me
+feel the force of their suspicions."
+
+"If any of my friends hinted at such a thing, it was done in the heat of
+the moment," replied Dave heartily. "Why, Mr. Pennington, such an act of
+dishonor is impossible to a man bred at Annapolis."
+
+Darrin fully believed what he said. On the spur of the moment he held
+out his hand to his enemy.
+
+Pennington flushed deeply, for a moment, then put out his own hand,
+giving Dave's a hearty, straightforward grasp.
+
+"I was the first to imply the charge," broke in Farley quickly. "I
+withdraw it, and apologize to both of you."
+
+There was more handshaking.
+
+During the next few days, while Darry and Pen did not become by any
+means intimate, they no longer made any effort to avoid each other, but
+spoke frankly when they met.
+
+The remaining days of the voyage passed uneventfully enough, except for
+a great amount of hard work that the middies performed as usual.
+
+On the twenty-second of August they entered Chesapeake Bay. Once well
+inside, they came to anchor. There was considerable practice with the
+sub-caliber and other smaller guns. On the twenty-ninth of August the
+battleship fleet returned to the familiar waters around Annapolis. The
+day after that the young men disembarked.
+
+Then came a hurried skeltering, for the first, second and third classmen
+were entitled to leave during the month of September.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+
+BACK IN THE HOME TOWN
+
+Back in the old, well-known streets of their home town, Gridley!
+
+Dave and Dan, enjoying every minute of their month's leave, had already
+greeted their parents, and had told them much of their life as
+midshipmen.
+
+What hurt was the fact that the skipper of the "Princess Irene" had
+already told the marine reporters in New York the thrilling story of how
+Dave and Dan had nearly come to their own deaths rescuing Midshipman
+Hallam.
+
+Everyone in Gridley, it seemed, had read that newspaper story. Darrin
+and Dalzell, before they had been home twelve hours, were weary of
+hearing their praises sung.
+
+"There go two of the smartest, finest boys that old Gridley ever turned
+out," citizens would say, pointing after Dave and Dan. "They're
+midshipmen at Annapolis; going to be officers of the Navy one of these
+days."
+
+"But what's the matter with Dick Prescott and Greg Holmes? They're at
+West Point."
+
+"Oh, they're all right, too, of course. But Darrin and Dalzell----"
+
+It was the old circumstance of being "the lions of the minute" and of
+being on the spot.
+
+On the first morning of his arrival home Dave Darrin went frankly and
+openly to call on his old schoolgirl sweetheart, Belle Meade.
+
+Dan, having no particular associations with the gentler sex, took a
+stroll around town to meet any old friends who might care to see him
+again.
+
+Dave was shown into the parlor at the Meade home. Soon after Belle came
+swiftly in, her face beaming with delight.
+
+"Oh, but you're not in uniform!" was her first disappointed comment.
+
+"No," smiled Dave. "I'm allowed every possible chance, for one month, to
+forget every detail of the big grind which for a short time I've left
+behind."
+
+"But you're the same old Dave," cried Belle, "only bigger and manlier.
+And that magnificent work you and Dan did in jumping over-bo----"
+
+"Stop!" begged Dave. "You're a friend of mine, aren't you! Then don't
+add to the pain that has been already inflicted on me. If I had had the
+newspapers in mind I wouldn't have the nerve to---- But please let's not
+talk about it anymore."
+
+Then the two young people seated themselves and spent a delightful hour
+in talking over all that had befallen them both since they had last met.
+
+Belle, too, through Laura Bentley, had some much later news of the old
+chums, Dick and Greg, now cadets at West Point.
+
+This news, however, will be found in full in "DICK PRESCOTT'S SECOND
+YEAR AT WEST POINT."
+
+"What are your plans for this afternoon?" Belle asked at last.
+
+"That's what I want your help in making," Dave answered.
+
+"Can you get hold of Dan?"
+
+"No trouble about that. But keeping hold of him may be more difficult,"
+laughed Dave.
+
+"I was going to propose that you get Dan, call here and then we'll all
+go over to Laura Bentley's. I know she'll be anxious to see us."
+
+"Nothing could be better in the way of a plan," assented Dave. "I'll pin
+Danny boy down to that. It would really seem like a slight on good old
+Dick if we didn't make Laura an early call."
+
+"I'll go to the telephone, now, and tell her that we're coming," cried
+Belle, rising quickly.
+
+"Laura is delighted," she reported, on her return to the room. "But
+Dave, didn't you at least bring along a uniform, so that we could see
+what it looks like?"
+
+"I didn't," replied Dave, soberly, then added, quizzically:
+
+"You've seen the district messenger boys on the street, haven't you?"
+
+"Yes, of course; but what--"
+
+"Our uniforms look very much like theirs," declared Dave.
+
+"I'm afraid I can't undertake to believe you," Belle pouted.
+
+"Well, anyway, you girls will soon have a chance to see our uniforms.
+Just as soon as our hops start, this fall, you and Laura will come down
+and gladden our hearts by letting us drag you, won't you!"
+
+"Drag us?" repeated Belle, much mystified.
+
+"Oh, that's middies' slang for escorting a pretty girl to a midshipman
+hop."
+
+"You have a lot of slang, then, I suppose."
+
+"Considerable," admitted Dave readily.
+
+"What, then, is your slang for a pretty girl?"
+
+"Oh, we call her a queen."
+
+"And a girl who is--who isn't--pretty?"
+
+"A gold brick," answered Dave unblushingly.
+
+"A gold brick?" gasped Belle. "Dear me! 'Dragging a gold brick' to a hop
+doesn't sound romantic, does it?"
+
+"It isn't," Darrin admitted.
+
+"Yet you have invited me--"
+
+"Our class hasn't started in with its course of social compliments yet,"
+laughed Dave. "Please go look in the glass. Or, if you won't believe the
+glass, then just wait and see how proud Dan and I are if we can lead you
+and Laura out on the dancing floor."
+
+"But what horrid slang!" protested Belle. "The idea of calling a homely
+girl a gold brick! And I thought you young men received more or less
+training in being gracious to the weaker sex."
+
+"We do," Dave answered, "as soon as we can find any use for the
+accomplishment. Fourth classmen, you know, are considered too young to
+associate with girls. It's only now, when we've made a start in the
+third class, that we're to be allowed to attend the hops at all."
+
+"But why must you have to have such horrid names for girls who have not
+been greatly favored in the way of looks? It doesn't sound exactly
+gallant."
+
+"Oh, well, you know," laughed Dave, "we poor, despised, no-account
+middies must have some sort of sincere language to talk after we get our
+masks off for the day. I suppose we like the privilege, for a few
+minutes in each day, of being fresh, like other young folks."
+
+"What is your name for 'fresh' down at Annapolis!" Belle wanted to know.
+
+"Touge."
+
+"And for being a bit worse than touge?"
+
+"Ratey."
+
+"Which did they call you?" demanded Belle.
+
+Dave started, then sat up straight, staring at Miss Meade.
+
+"I see that your tongue hasn't lost its old incisiveness," he laughed.
+
+"Not among my friends," Belle replied lightly. "But I can't get my mind
+off that uniform of yours that you didn't bring home. What would have
+happened to you if you had been bold enough to do it?"
+
+"I guess I'd have 'frapped the pap,'" hazarded Dave.
+
+"And what on earth is 'frapping the pap'?" gasped Belle.
+
+"Oh, that's a brief way of telling about it when a midshipman gets stuck
+on the conduct report."
+
+"I'm going to buy a notebook," asserted Belle, "and write down and
+classify some of this jargon. I'd hate to visit a strange country, like
+Annapolis, and find I didn't know the language. And, Dave, what sort of
+place is Annapolis, anyway?"
+
+"Oh, it's a suburb of the Naval Academy," Dave answered.
+
+"Is it dreadfully hard to keep one's place in his class there?" asked
+Belle.
+
+"Well, the average fellow is satisfied if he doesn't 'bust cold,'" Dave
+informed her.
+
+"Gracious! What sort of explosion is 'busting cold'?"
+
+"Why, that means getting down pretty close to absolute zero in all
+studies. When a fellow has the hard luck to bust cold the superintendent
+allows him all his time, thereafter, to go home and look up a more
+suitable job than one in the Navy. And when a fellow bilges----"
+
+"Stop!" begged Belle. "Wait!"
+
+She fled from the room, to return presently bearing the prettiest hat
+that Dave ever remembered having seen on her shapely young head. In one
+hand she carried a dainty parasol that she turned over to him.
+
+"What's the cruise?" asked Darrin, rising.
+
+"I'm going out to get that notebook, now. Please don't talk any more
+'midshipman' to me until I get a chance to set the jargon down."
+
+As she stood there, such a pretty and wholesome picture, David Darrin
+thought he never before had seen such a pretty girl, nor one dressed in
+such exquisite taste. Being a boy, it did not occur to him that Belle
+Meade had been engaged for weeks in designing this gown and others that
+she meant to wear during his brief stay at home.
+
+"What are you thinking of?" asked Belle.
+
+"What a pity it is that I am doomed to a short life," sighed Darrin.
+
+"A short life? What do you mean?" Belle asked.
+
+"Why, I'm going to be assassinated, the first hop that you attend at the
+Naval Academy."
+
+"So I'm a gold brick, am I?" frowned Belle.
+
+"You--a--gold brick?" stammered Dave. "Why, you--oh, go look in the
+glass!"
+
+"Who will assassinate you?"
+
+"A committee made up from among the fellows whose names I don't write
+down on your dance card. And there are hundreds of them at Annapolis.
+You can't dance with them all."
+
+"I don't intend to," replied Belle, with a toss of her head. "I'll
+accept, as partners, only those who appear to me the handsomest and most
+distinguished looking of the midshipmen. No one else can write his name
+on my card."
+
+"Dear girl, I'm afraid you don't understand our way of making up dance
+cards at Crabtown."
+
+"Where?"
+
+"Crabtown. That's our local name for Annapolis."
+
+"Gracious! Let me get out quickly and get that notebook!"
+
+"At midshipmen's hops the fellow who drags the----"
+
+"Gold brick," supplied Belle, resignedly.
+
+"No--not for worlds! You're no gold brick, Belle, and you know it, even
+though you do refuse to go to the mirror. But the fellow who drags any
+femme--"
+
+"Please--?"
+
+"'Femme' stands for girl. The fellow who drags any femme makes up her
+dance card for her."
+
+"And she hasn't a word to say about it?"
+
+"Not as a rule."
+
+"Oh!" cried Belle, dramatically.
+
+She moved toward the door. Dave, who could not take his eyes from her
+pretty face, managed, somehow, to delay her.
+
+"Belle, there's something--" he began.
+
+"Good gracious! Where? What?" she cried, looking about her keenly.
+
+"It's something I want to say--must say," Dave went on with more of an
+effort than anyone but himself could guess.
+
+"Tell me, as we're going down the street," invited Belle.
+
+"_Wha-a-at?_" choked Dave. "Well, I guess not!"
+
+He faced her, resting both hands lightly on her shoulders.
+
+"Belle, we were pretty near sweethearts in the High School, I think," he
+went on, huskily, but looking her straight in the eyes. "At least, that
+was my hope, and I hope, most earnestly, that it's going to continue.
+Belle, I am a long way from my real career, yet. It will be five years,
+yet, before I have any right to marry. But I want to look forward, all
+the time, to the sweet belief that my schoolgirl sweetheart is going to
+become my wife one of these days. I want that as a goal to work for,
+along with my commission in the Navy. But to this much I agree: if you
+say 'yes' now, and find later that you have made a mistake, you will
+tell me so frankly."
+
+"Poor boy!" murmured Belle, looking at him fully. "You've been a plebe
+until lately, and you haven't been allowed to see any girls. I'm not
+going to take advantage of you as heartlessly as that."
+
+Yet something in her eyes gave the midshipman hope.
+
+"Belle," he continued eagerly, "don't trifle with me. Tell me--will you
+marry me some day?"
+
+Then there was a little more talk and--well, it's no one's business.
+
+"But we're not so formally engaged," Belle warned him, "that you can't
+write me and draw out of the snare if you wish when you're older. And
+I'm not going to wear any ring until you've graduated from the Naval
+Academy. Do you understand that, Mr. David Darrin?"
+
+"It shall be as you say, either way," Dave replied happily.
+
+"And now, let us get started, or we shan't get out on the street
+to-day," urged Belle.
+
+Then they passed out on the street, and no ordinarily observant person
+would have suspected them of being anything more than school friends.
+
+Being very matter-of-fact in some respects, Belle's first move was to go
+to a stationer's, where she bought a little notebook bound in red
+leather.
+
+Dave tried to pay for that purchase, but Belle forestalled him.
+
+"Why didn't you allow me to make you that little gift?" he asked in a
+low tone, when they had reached the street.
+
+"Wait," replied Belle archly. "Some day you may find your hands full in
+that line."
+
+"One of my instructors at Annapolis complimented me on having very
+capable hands," Dave told her dryly.
+
+"The instructor in boxing?" asked Belle.
+
+It was a wonderfully delightful stroll that the middy and his sweetheart
+enjoyed that September forenoon.
+
+Once Dave sighed, so pronouncedly that Belle shot a quick look of
+questioning at him.
+
+"Tired of our understanding already?" she demanded.
+
+"No; I was thinking how sorry I am for Danny boy! He doesn't know the
+happiness of having a real sweetheart."
+
+"How do you know he doesn't?" asked Belle quickly. "Does he tell you
+everything?"
+
+"No; but I know Danny's sea-going lines pretty well. I'd suspect, at
+least, if he had a sweetheart."
+
+"Are you sure that you would?"
+
+"Oh, yes! By gracious! There's Danny going around the corner above at
+this very moment."
+
+Belle had looked in the same instant.
+
+"Yes; and a skirt swished around the corner with him," declared Belle
+impressively. "It would be funny, wouldn't it, if you didn't happen to
+know all about Dan Dalzell?"
+
+In the early afternoon, however, the mystery was cleared up.
+
+On the street Dalzell had encountered Laura Bentley. Both were full of
+talk and questions concerning Dick Prescott and Greg Holmes, at West
+Point, for which reason Dan had strolled home with Miss Bentley without
+any other thought, on the midshipman's part, than playing substitute
+gallant for his chum, Cadet Richard Prescott, U.S. Military Academy.
+
+A most delightful afternoon the four young people spent together at the
+Bentley home.
+
+These were the forerunners of other afternoons.
+
+Belle and Laura, however, were not able to keep their midshipmen to
+themselves.
+
+Other girls, former students at the High School, arranged a series of
+affairs to which the four young people were invited.
+
+Dave's happiest moments were when he had Belle to himself, for a stroll
+or chat.
+
+Dan's happiest moments, on the other hand, were when he was engaged in
+hunting the old High School fellows, or such of them as were now at
+home. For many of them had entered colleges or technical schools. Tom
+Reade and Harry Hazelton, of the famous old Dick & Co., of High School
+days, were now in the far southwest, under circumstances fully narrated
+in "THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN ARIZONA," the second volume of "THE YOUNG
+ENGINEERS' SERIES.'"
+
+Day by day Belle jotted down in her notebook more specimens of
+midshipman slang.
+
+"I shall soon feel that I can reel off the language like a native of
+Crabtown," she confided laughingly to Dare.
+
+"It won't be very long before you have an opportunity to try," Dave
+declared, "if you and Laura embrace your first opportunity to come to a
+middy hop."
+
+Dan had a happy enough time of it, even though Dave's suspicion was true
+in that Dan had no sweetheart. That, however, was Dan's fault entirely,
+as several of the former High School girls would have been willing to
+assure him.
+
+Since even the happiest times must all end so the latter part of
+September drew near.
+
+Then came the day when Dave and Dan met at the railway station. A host
+of others were there to see them off, for the midshipmen still had
+crowds of friends in the good old home town.
+
+A ringing of bells, signaling brakesmen, a rolling of steel wheels and
+the two young midshipmen swung aboard the train, to wave their hats from
+the platform.
+
+Gridley was gone--lost to sight for another year. Dan was exuberant
+during the first hour of the journey, Dave unusually silent.
+
+"You need a vast amount of cheering up, David, little giant!" exclaimed
+Dalzell.
+
+"Oh, I guess not," smiled Dave Darrin quietly, adding to himself, under
+his breath:
+
+"I carry my own good cheer with me, now."
+
+Lightly his hand touched a breast pocket that carried the latest,
+sweetest likeness of Miss Belle Meade.
+
+One journey by rail is much like another to the traveler who pays little
+heed to the scenery.
+
+At the journey's end two well-rested midshipmen joined the throng of
+others at Crabtown.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+
+DAN RECEIVES A FEARFUL FACER
+
+"Oh, you heap!" sighed Dan Dalzell dismally.
+
+He sat in his chair, in their new quarters in Bancroft Hall, United
+States Naval Academy, gazing in mock despair at the pile of new books
+that he had just drawn.
+
+These text-books contained the subjects in which a midshipman is
+required to qualify in his second academic year.
+
+"Been through the books for a first look?" called Dave from behind his
+own study table.
+
+"Some of 'em," admitted Dalzell. "I'm afraid to glance into the others."
+
+"I've looked in all of my books," continued Darrin, "and I've just come
+to a startling conclusion."
+
+"What?"
+
+"I'm inclined to believe that I have received a complete set of
+text-books for the first and second classes."
+
+"No such luck!" grunted Dan, getting up and going over to his chum. "Let
+me see if you got all the books I did."
+
+Before Dave could prevent it, Dan started a determined over-tossing of
+the book pile. As he did so, Dan suddenly uncovered a photograph from
+which a fair, sweet, laughing face gazed up at him.
+
+"Oh, I beg a million pardons, Dave, old boy!" cried Dalzell.
+
+"You needn't," came Dave's frank answer. "I'm proud of that treasure and
+of all it means to me."
+
+"And I'm glad for you, David, little giant."
+
+Their hands met in hearty clasp, and that was all that was said on that
+subject at the time.
+
+"But, seriously," Dan grumbled on, after a while, "I'm aghast at what an
+exacting government expects and demands that we shall know. Just look
+over the list--mechanical drawing and mechanical processes, analytical
+geometry, calculus, physics, chemistry, English literature, French and
+Spanish, integral calculus, spherical trigonometry, stereographic
+projection and United States Naval history! David, my boy, by the end of
+this year we'll know more than college professors do."
+
+"Aren't you getting a big head, Danny?" queried Darrin, looking up with
+a smile.
+
+"I am," assented Dalzell, "and I admit it. Why, man alive, one has to
+have a big head here. No small head would contain all that the Academic
+Board insists on crowding into it."
+
+By the time that the chums had attended the first section recitations on
+the following day, their despair was increased.
+
+"Davy, I don't see how we are ever going to make it, this year," Dalzell
+gasped, while they were making ready for supper formation. "We'll bilge
+this year without a doubt."
+
+"There's only one reason I see for hoping that we can get through the
+year with fair credit," murmured Darrin.
+
+"And what's that?"
+
+"Others have done it, before us, and many more are going to do it this
+year," replied Dave slowly, as he laid comb and brush away and drew on
+his uniform blouse.
+
+"I know men have gotten through the Naval Academy in years gone by,"
+Dalzell agreed. "But, the first chance that I have, I'm going to look
+the matter up and see whether the middies of old had any such fearful
+grind as we have our noses held to."
+
+"Oh, we'll do it," declared Darrin confidently. "I shall, anyway--for
+I've got to!"
+
+As he spoke he was thinking of Belle Meade, and of her prospects in life
+as well as his own.
+
+As the days went by, however, Dave and Dan became more and more dull of
+spirits. The grind was a fearful one. A few very bright youngsters went
+along all right, but to most of the third classmen graduation began to
+look a thousand years away.
+
+The football squad was out now and training in deadly earnest. There
+were many big games to be played, but most of all the middies longed to
+tow West Point's Army eleven into the port of defeat.
+
+In their first year Dave and Dan had looked forward longingly to joining
+the gridiron squad. They had even practised somewhat. But now they
+realized that playing football in the second year at Annapolis must be,
+for them, merely a foolish dream.
+
+"I'm thankful enough if I can study day and night and keep myself up to
+2.5," confessed Darrin, as he and Dan chatted over their gridiron
+longings.
+
+Two-and-five tenths is the lowest marking, on a scale of four, that will
+suffice to keep a midshipman in the Naval Academy.
+
+"I'm not going to reach 2.5 in some studies this month," groaned Dan. "I
+know that much by way of advance information. The fates be thanked that
+we're allowed until the semi-ans to pick up. But the question is, are we
+ever going to pick up? As I look through my books it seems to me that
+every succeeding lesson is twice as hard as the one before it."
+
+"Other men have gone through, every year."
+
+"And still other men have been dropped every year," Dalzell dolefully
+reminded him.
+
+"We're among those who are going to stay," Dave contended stubbornly.
+
+"Then I'm afraid we'll be among those who are dropped after Christmas
+and come back, next year, as bilgers," Dalzell groaned.
+
+"Now, drop that!" commanded Darrin, almost roughly. "Remember one thing,
+Daniel little lion slayer! My congressman and your senator won't appoint
+us again, if we fail now. No talk of that kind, remember. We've got to
+make our standing secure within the next few weeks."
+
+Before the month was over the football games began in earnest on the
+athletic field. Darrin and Dalzell, however, missed every game. They
+were too busy poring over their text-books. Fortunately for them their
+drills, parades and gym. work furnished them enough exercise.
+
+The end of October found Darrin at or above 2.5 in only three studies.
+Dan was above 2.5 in two studies--below that mark in all others.
+
+"It's a pity my father never taught me to swear," grumbled Dalzell, in
+the privacy of their room.
+
+"Stow that talk," ordered Darrin, "and shove off into the deeper waters
+of greater effort."
+
+"Greater effort?" demanded Dan, in a rage. "Why I study, now, every
+possible moment of the time allowed for such foolishness. And we can't
+run a light. Right after taps the electric light is turned off at the
+master switch."
+
+"We're wasting ninety seconds of precious time, now, in grumbling,"
+uttered Dave, seating himself doggedly at his study table.
+
+"Got any money, Darry?" asked Dalzell suddenly.
+
+"Yes; are you broke?"
+
+"I am, and the next time I go into Annapolis I mean to buy some
+candles."
+
+"Don't try that, Danny. Running a light is dangerous, and doubly so with
+candles. The grease is bound to drip, and to be found in some little
+corner by one of the discipline officers. It would be no use to study if
+you are going to get frapped on the pap continuously."
+
+Immediately after supper both midshipmen forfeited their few minutes of
+recreation, going at once back to their study tables. There they
+remained, boning hard until the brief release sounded before taps was
+due.
+
+Almost at the sound of the release there came a knock at the door.
+Farley and his roommate, Page, came bounding in.
+
+"I've got to say something, or I'll go daffy," cried Farley, rubbing his
+eyes. "Fellows, did you ever hear of such downright abuse as the second
+year course of studies means?"
+
+"It is tough," agreed Dave. "But what can we do about it, except fight
+it out?"
+
+"Can you make head or tail out of calculus?" demanded Farley.
+
+"No," admitted Darrin, "but I hope to, one of these days."
+
+Just then Freeman, of the first class, poked his head in, after a soft
+knock.
+
+"What is this--a despair meeting?" he called cheerily.
+
+"Yes," groaned Page. "We're in a blue funk over the way recitations are
+going."
+
+"Oh, buck up, kiddies!" called Freeman cheerily, as he crossed the
+floor. "Youngsters always get in the doldrums at the beginning of the
+year."
+
+"You're a first classman. When you were in the third class did you have
+all the studies that we have now?"
+
+"Every one of them, sir," affirmed Midshipman Freeman gravely, though
+there was a twinkle in his eyes.
+
+"And did you come through the course easily?" asked Page.
+
+"Not easily," admitted the first classman. "There isn't anything at
+Annapolis that is easy, except the dancing. In fact, during the first
+two months very few of our class came along like anything at all. After
+that, we began to do better. By the time that semi-ans came around
+nearly all of us managed to pull through. But what seems to be the worst
+grind of all--the real blue paint?"
+
+"Calculus!" cried the four youngsters in unison.
+
+"Why, once you begin to see daylight in calculus it's just as easy as
+taking a nap," declared the first classman.
+
+"At present it seems more like suffering from delirium," sighed Dave.
+
+"What's the hard one for to-morrow?" asked Freeman.
+
+"Here it is, right here," continued Dave, opening his text-book. "Here's
+the very proposition."
+
+The others crowded about, nodding.
+
+"I remember that one," laughed Freeman lightly. "Our class named it
+'sticky fly paper.'"
+
+"It was rightly named," grumbled Farley.
+
+"None of you four youngsters see through it?" demanded Midshipman
+Freeman.
+
+"Do you mean to claim, sir, that you ever did?" insisted Dan Dalzell.
+
+"Not only once, but now," grinned Mr. Freeman. "You haven't been looking
+at this torturing proposition from the right angle--that's all. Now,
+listen, while I read it."
+
+"Oh, we all know how it runs, Mr. Freeman," protested Page.
+
+"Nevertheless, listen, while I read it."
+
+As the first classman read through the proposition that was torturing
+them he threw an emphasis upon certain words that opened their eyes
+better as to the meaning.
+
+"Now, it works out this way," continued the first classman, bending over
+the disk and drawing paper and pencil toward him. "In the first place."
+
+Freeman seemed to these youngsters like a born demonstrator. Within five
+minutes he had made the "sticky fly paper" problem so plain to them all
+that they glanced from one to another in astonishment.
+
+"Why, it does seem easy," confessed Farley.
+
+"It sounds foolish, now," grinned Darrin. "I'm beginning to feel ashamed
+of myself."
+
+"Mr. Freeman," protested Page, "you've saved us from suicide, or some
+other gruesome fate."
+
+"Then I'll drop in once in a while again," promised the first classman.
+
+"But that will take time from your own studies," remonstrated Darrin
+generously.
+
+"Not in the least. I won't come around before release. By the time a
+fellow reaches the first class, if he's going to graduate anyway, he
+doesn't have to study as hard as a youngster does. The man who reaches
+the first class has had all the habits of true study ground into him."
+
+Darrin, Dalzell, Farley and Page were all in different sections in
+mathematics. When they recited, next day, it so happened that each was
+the man to have the "sticky fly paper" problem assigned to him by the
+instructor. Each of the quartette received a full "4" for the day's
+marking.
+
+"Did you have any assistance with this problem, Mr. Darrin?" asked
+Dave's instructor.
+
+"Yes, sir; a member of the first class tried to make it plain to me last
+night."
+
+"He appears to have succeeded," remarked the instructor dryly.
+
+There was, however, no discredit attached to having received proper
+assistance before coming into section.
+
+True to his promise Freeman dropped in every fourth or fifth evening, to
+see if he could be of any help to the four youngsters. Always he found
+that he could be.
+
+Even when Thanksgiving came, Dave Darrin did not go to Philadelphia, but
+remained at the Academy, devoting his time to study.
+
+Dan, in sheer desperation, took in the trip to Philadelphia. He hoped to
+meet Dick Prescott and Greg Holmes, but they did not come down from West
+Point.
+
+On the first day of December, Dan Dalzell's name was formally reported
+by the Academic Board in a report to the superintendent which
+recommended that Midshipman Dalzell be dropped from the rolls for
+"inaptitude in his studies."
+
+Poor Dan. It was a staggering blow. Yet it struck Dave Darrin just about
+as hard.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+
+THE FIRST HOP WITH THE HOME GIRLS
+
+That report was allowed to reach Dan's ears on a Friday.
+
+On the evening of the day following there was to be a midshipman hop on
+the floor of the great gym.
+
+Moreover, it was the very hop that Belle Meade and Laura Bentley had
+finally selected to attend. Mrs. Meade was coming with the girls as
+chaperon.
+
+"Oh, but I shall feel fine and light hearted for going to the dance!"
+muttered Dan miserably. "Facing the kick-off from the Academy, and doing
+the light hearted and the fantastic toe with the girls."
+
+"I shan't feel a whole lot more merry myself," sighed Dave, as he gazed
+affectionately, wistfully at his chum. "Danny, this has hit me about as
+hard as it has you. And it warns me, too, that my turn will probably
+come next. I don't stand an awful lot higher in my markings than you
+do."
+
+"Doesn't it feel fine to be a bilger?" gulped Dalzell, staring at the
+floor.
+
+A "bilger," as has been already explained, is a midshipman who has
+failed and has been dropped.
+
+"Oh, but you're not a bilger, yet!" cried Darrin, leaping up and resting
+both hands on his chum's shoulder.
+
+"What's the odds?" demanded Dan grimly. "I shall be, after I've been
+before the Board next Monday forenoon at ten o'clock."
+
+"Nonsense! Not if you make a good fight!"
+
+"Fight--nothing!" sighed Dan wearily. "In a fight there's some one else
+that you can hit back at. But I won't have a blessed soul to fight. I'm
+up against a gang who are all referees, and all down on me at the
+outset."
+
+"Nonsense," combatted Dave. "You----"
+
+"Oh, that's all right, David, little giant," returned Dalzell with an
+attempt at cheeriness. "You mean well, but a fellow isn't reported
+deficient unless he's so far behind that the Board has his case settled
+in advance. From all I can hear it isn't once in a camel's age that a
+fellow so reported, and ordered before the Board, gets off with anything
+less than a hard, wet bilge. What I'm thinking of now is, what am I
+going to pick up as a career when I go home from here as a failure."
+
+If it hadn't been for the pride he felt in still having the uniform on,
+Dalzell might not have been able to check the tears that tried to flow.
+
+"Come on," commanded Dave, leaping up, "we'll run up to the deck above,
+and see if we can't find Mr. Freeman in."
+
+"What good will that do?" demanded Dan. "Freeman is a first classman,
+but he hasn't any particular drag with the Board."
+
+"It won't do any harm, anyway, for us to have a talk with an older
+classman," argued Dave. "Button your blouse, straighten your hair and
+come along."
+
+"So it's as bad as that, is it!" asked Freeman sympathetically, after
+his cheery "come in" had admitted the unhappy youngsters.
+
+"Yes," replied Dave incisively. "Now, the question is, what can be done
+about it?"
+
+"I wish you had asked me an easier one," sighed the first classman.
+"You're mighty well liked, all through the Academy, Dalzell, and every
+one of us will hate to see you go."
+
+"But what can be done to ward off that fate?" insisted Darrin as
+impatiently as a third classman might speak to a venerable first
+classman.
+
+"Well, now, I want to think over that," confessed Freeman frankly. "Of
+course, Dalzell's record, this term, is in black and white, and can't be
+gainsaid. It's just possible our young friend can put up some line of
+talk that will extend his time here, and perhaps enable him to pull
+through. It's a mighty important question, so I'll tell you what we'll
+do. Of course, the hop comes on for to-morrow night. Let me have until
+Sunday evening. Meanwhile I'll talk with some of the other fellows of my
+class. You both come in here Sunday evening, and I'll have the answer
+for you--if there's any possible way of finding one."
+
+With that the chums had to be content. Expressing their gratitude to
+this friendly first classman, they withdrew.
+
+That Saturday forenoon Dan did considerably better with the two
+recitations that he had in hand.
+
+"I got easier questions than usual, I guess," he said to Dave, with a
+mournful smile.
+
+After Saturday dinner, Dave and Dan, having secured permission to visit
+in Annapolis, steered their course through the gate, straight up
+Maryland Avenue, through State Circle and around into Main Street, to
+the Maryland House.
+
+At the desk they sent up their cards to Mrs. Meade, then stepped into
+the parlor.
+
+Barely two minutes had passed when Belle and Laura flew downstairs.
+
+"Mother says she'll be down as soon as she fancies you'll care about
+seeing her," laughed Belle.
+
+"And how are you getting on in your classes?" asked Laura Bentley,
+glancing straight at unhappy Dan.
+
+Both midshipmen had agreed not to mention a word of Dan's heartache to
+either of the girls.
+
+Dan gulped hard, though he managed to conceal the fact.
+
+Darrin, however, was ready with the answer:
+
+"Oh, we're having pretty rough sailing, but we're both still in our
+class."
+
+Which statement was wholly truthful.
+
+"Up at West Point," Laura continued, "Dick told us that the first two
+years were the hardest for a man to keep his place. I fancy it's just
+about the same here, isn't it?"
+
+"Just about," Dave nodded. "The first two years are hardest because it
+takes all that time for a fellow to get himself keyed up to the gait of
+study that is required in the government academies. But won't you let us
+talk about something that's really pleasant, girls?" Dave asked, with
+his charming smile. "Suppose we talk about yourselves. My, but you girls
+are good to look at!"
+
+After that, the conversation was shifted to lighter subjects.
+
+Even Dan, in the joy of meeting two girl friends from home, began to be
+less conscious of his load of misery.
+
+Presently Mrs. Meade came down. She chatted with the two fine-looking
+young midshipmen for a few moments. Then Dave proposed:
+
+"Wouldn't you like us to escort you through the Academy grounds, so that
+you can get a good idea of the place in daylight?"
+
+"We've been waiting only for you to invite us," rejoined Belle.
+
+For the next two hours the time was passed pleasantly.
+
+But Belle, behind all her light chatter, was unusually keen and
+observing.
+
+"Is anything wrong with either of you?" she asked Dave suddenly, when
+this pair were out of easy hearing of the others.
+
+"Why do you ask that?" inquired Dave, looking at her in his direct
+fashion.
+
+"Why, I may be unnecessarily sensitive, but I can't help feeling that
+some sort of disaster is hanging over either you or Dan."
+
+"I hope not," replied Darrin evasively.
+
+"Dave, that isn't a direct answer," warned Belle, raising her eyebrows.
+"Do you consider me entitled to one?"
+
+"Yes. What's the question?"
+
+"Are you in any trouble here?"
+
+"No, I'm thankful to say."
+
+"Then is Dan?"
+
+"Belle, I'd rather not answer that."
+
+"Why----"
+
+"Well, because, if he is, I'd rather not discuss it."
+
+"Has Dan been caught in any scrape?"
+
+"No. His conduct record is fine."
+
+"Then it must be failure in his studies."
+
+Dave did not answer.
+
+"Why don't you tell me?" insisted Belle.
+
+"If anything were in the wind, Belle, we'd rather not tell you and spoil
+your visit. And don't ask Dan anything about it."
+
+"I think I know enough," went on Belle thoughtfully and sympathetically.
+"Poor Dan! He's one of the finest of fellows."
+
+"There are no better made," retorted Dave promptly.
+
+"If anything happens to Dan here, dear, I know you will feel just as
+unhappy about it as if it happened to yourself."
+
+"Mighty close to it," nodded Darrin. "But it would be a double
+heartbreak for me, if I had to leave."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"On account of the future I've planned for you, Belle."
+
+"Oh, you silly boy, then!" Belle answered, smiling into his eyes. "I
+believe I have half committed myself to the idea of marrying you when
+you've made your place in life. But it was Dave Darrin to whom I gave
+that half promise--not a uniform of any sort. Dave, if anything ever
+happens that you have to quit here, don't imagine that it's going to
+make a particle of difference in our understanding."
+
+"You're the real kind of sweetheart, Belle!" murmured Dave, gazing
+admiringly at her flushed face.
+
+"Did you ever suspect that I wasn't?" asked Miss Meade demurely.
+
+"Never!" declared Midshipman Darrin devoutly. "Nevertheless, it's fine
+to be reassured once in a while."
+
+"What a great fellow Dan is!" exclaimed Belle a few minutes later. "See
+how gayly he is chatting with Laura. I don't believe Laura guesses for a
+moment that Dan Dalzell is just as game a fellow as the Spartan boy of
+olden times."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+
+A DISAGREEABLE FIRST CLASSMAN
+
+The hop that night was one of the happiest occasions Dave had ever
+known, yet it was destined to result in trouble for him.
+
+Midshipman Treadwell, of the first class, caught sight of Belle as she
+entered the gym at Dave Darrin's side.
+
+With Treadwell it happened to be one of those violent though unusually
+silly affairs known as "love at first sight."
+
+As for Belle, she was not likely to have eyes for anyone in particular,
+save Dave.
+
+Treadwell, who had come alone, and who was not to be overburdened with
+dances, went after Dave as soon as that youngster left Belle for the
+first time.
+
+"Mighty sweet looking girl you have with you, Darry," observed the first
+classman, though he took pains not to betray too much enthusiasm.
+
+"Right!" nodded Dave.
+
+"You'll present me, won't you?"
+
+"Assuredly, as soon as I come back. I have a little commission to attend
+to."
+
+"And you might be extremely kind, Darry, and write me down for a couple
+of numbers on Miss----"
+
+"Miss Meade is the young lady's name."
+
+"Then delight me by writing down a couple of reservations for me on Miss
+Meade's card."
+
+Darrin's face clouded slightly.
+
+"I'd like to, Treadwell, but the card is pretty crowded, and some other
+fellows--"
+
+"One dance, anyway, then."
+
+"I will, then, if there's a space to be left, and if Miss Meade is
+agreeable," promised Dave, as he hurried away.
+
+Two minutes later, when he returned, looking very handsome, indeed, in
+his short-waisted, gold-laced dress coat, Dave felt his arm touched.
+
+"I'm waiting for you to keep your engagement with me," Midshipman
+Treadwell murmured.
+
+"Come along; I shall be delighted to present you to Miss Meade."
+
+Since every midshipman is granted to be a gentleman, midshipman
+etiquette does not require that the lady be consulted about the
+introduction.
+
+"Miss Meade," began Dave, bowing before his sweetheart, "I wish to
+present Mr. Treadwell"
+
+Belle's greeting was easy. Treadwell, gazing intensely into her eyes,
+exchanged a few commonplaces. Belle, entirely at her ease, did not
+appear to be affected by the battery of Mr. Treadwell's gaze. Then good
+breeding required that the first classman make another bow and stroll
+away.
+
+As he left, Treadwell murmured in Dave's ear:
+
+"Don't forget that dance, Darry! Two if there is any show."
+
+Midshipman Darrin nodded slightly. As he turned to Belle, that young
+lady demanded lightly:
+
+"Is that pirate one of your friends, Dave?"
+
+"Not more so than any other comrades in the brigade," Darrin answered.
+"Why?"
+
+"Nothing, only I saw you two speaking together a little while ago----"
+
+"That was when he was asking me to present him."
+
+"Then, after you left him," continued Belle, in a low voice, "Mr.
+Treadwell scowled after you as though he could have demolished you."
+
+"Why, I've no doubt Mr. Treadwell is very jealous of me," laughed Damn
+happily. "Why shouldn't he be? By the way, will you let me see your
+dance card? Mr. Treadwell asked me to write his name down for one or two
+dances."
+
+"Please don't," begged Belle suddenly, gripping her dance card tightly.
+"I hope you don't mind, Dave," she added in a whisper, "but I've taken
+just a shadow of a dislike to Mr. Treadwell, after the way that he
+scowled after you. I--I really don't want to dance with him."
+
+Dave could only bow, which he did. Then other midshipmen were presented.
+Belle's card was quickly filled, without the appearance of Midshipman
+Treadwell's name on it.
+
+The orchestra struck up. Dave danced the first two numbers with Belle,
+moving through a dream of happiness as he felt her waist against his
+arm, one of her hands resting on his shoulder.
+
+The second dance was a repetition of Dave's pleasure. Then Dave and Dan
+exchanged partners for two more dances.
+
+After their first dance, a waltz, Dave led Laura to a seat.
+
+"Will you get me a glass of water, Dave?" Laura asked, fanning herself.
+
+As Dave hastened away he felt, once more, a light, detaining touch.
+
+"Darry, did you save those two dances for me with Miss Meade?" asked
+Treadwell.
+
+"Oh, I'm sorry," Dave replied. "But there had been many other
+applicants. By the time that Miss Meade's card was filled there were
+many disappointed ones."
+
+"And I'm one of them?" demanded Mr. Treadwell.
+
+"Very sorry," replied Darrin regretfully, "but you were one of the
+left-over ones."
+
+"Very good, sir," replied Treadwell coldly, and moved away.
+
+"Now, I'll wager anything that Treadwell is sore with me," murmured Dave
+to himself. "However, Belle is the one to be pleased."
+
+It was a particularly gay and pleasant hop. When it was over Dave and
+Dan escorted the girls and Mrs. Meade back to the hotel. The little room
+in Bancroft Hall seemed especially small and dingy to the returning
+midshipmen.
+
+Especially was Dan Dalzell in the blues. Though he had been outwardly
+gay with the girls, he now suffered a re-action. Dave, too, shivered for
+his friend.
+
+Mrs. Meade and the girls returned by an early morning train, so the two
+chums did not see the girls again during that visit.
+
+On Sunday, Dave went at his books with a dogged air, after morning
+chapel and dinner.
+
+"I suppose this is the last day of study for me here," grimaced Dan, "so
+I mean to make the most of the pleasure."
+
+"Nonsense," retorted Darrin heartily; "you'll finish out this year, and
+then have two more solid years of study here ahead of you."
+
+"Cut it!" begged Dan dolefully. "Don't try to jolly me along like that."
+
+"You're down in the dumps, just now, Danny boy," smiled Darrin
+wistfully. "Just bombard the Board with rapid-fire talk to-morrow, and
+you'll pull through all right."
+
+Dan sighed, then went on with his half-hearted study.
+
+Later in the afternoon Dave, feeling the need of fresh air, closed his
+books.
+
+"Come for a walk, Danny boy?"
+
+"Don't dare to," replied Dalzell morosely.
+
+So, though Darrin went out, he resolved not to remain long away from his
+moody chum.
+
+Outside, on one of the cement walks, Dave turned toward Flirtation Walk.
+It seemed the best surrounding in which to think of Belle.
+
+"Mr. Darrin!" called a voice.
+
+Dave turned, to behold Mr. Treadwell coming at a fast stride with a
+scowl on his face.
+
+"That was a dirty trick you played me last night, Mr. Darrin!" cried the
+first classman angrily.
+
+"What?" gasped Dave, astonished, for this was not in line with the usual
+conversation of midshipmen.
+
+"You know well enough what I mean," cried Treadwell angrily. "You spiked
+my only chance to dance with Miss Meade."
+
+"You're wrong there," retorted Dave coldly and truthfully "I didn't."
+
+"Then how did it happen?"
+
+"I can't discuss that with you," Darrin rejoined. "I didn't make any
+effort, though, to spoil your chance of a dance with the young lady."
+
+"Mr. Darrin, I don't choose to believe you, sir!"
+
+Dave's face went crimson, then pale.
+
+"Do you realize what you're saying, Mr. Treadwell?"
+
+"Of course"--sneeringly.
+
+"Are you trying to pick trouble with me?" demanded Dave, his eyes
+flashing with spirit.
+
+"I repeat that I don't choose to believe your explanation, sir."
+
+"Then you pass me the lie?"
+
+"As you prefer to consider it," jeered the first classman.
+
+"Oh, very good, then, Mr. Treadwell," retorted Dave, eyeing the first
+classman and sizing him up.
+
+Treadwell was one of the biggest men, physically, in the brigade. He was
+also one of the noted fighters of his class. Beside Treadwell,
+Midshipman Darrin did not size up at all advantageously.
+
+"If you do not retract what you just said," pursued Dave Darrin, growing
+cooler now that he realized the deliberate nature of the affront that
+had been put upon him, "I shall have no choice but to send my friends to
+you."
+
+"Delighted to see them, at any time," replied the first classman,
+turning disdainfully upon his heel and strolling away.
+
+"Now, why on earth does that fellow deliberately pick a fight with me?"
+wondered Darrin, as he strolled along by himself. "Treadwell can thump
+me. He can knock me clean down the Bay and into the Atlantic Ocean, but
+what credit is there in it for a first classman to thrash a youngster?"
+
+It was too big a puzzle. After thinking it over for some time Dave
+turned and strolled back to Bancroft Hall.
+
+"You didn't stay out long!" remarked Dan, looking up with a weary smile
+as his chum re-entered their room.
+
+"No," admitted Dave. "There wasn't much fun in being out alone."
+
+With a sigh, Dan turned back to his book, while Dave seated himself at
+his own study table, in a brown daze.
+
+Things were happening fast--Dan's impending "bilge" from the Naval
+Academy, and his own coming fight with the first classman who would be
+sure to make it a "blood fight"!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+
+HOW DAN FACED THE BOARD
+
+"We trust, Mr. Dalzell, that you can make some statement or explanation
+that will show that we shall be justified in retaining you as a
+midshipman in the Naval Academy."
+
+It was the superintendent of the United States Naval Academy who was
+speaking.
+
+Dan's hour of great ordeal had come upon him. That young midshipman
+found himself in the Board Room, facing the entire Academic Board,
+trying to remember what Freeman had told him the night before.
+
+The time was 10.30 a.m. on that fateful Monday.
+
+Midshipman Dalzell appeared to be collected, but he was also very
+certainly white-faced.
+
+Many a young man, doomed to be sent forth from a Naval career, back into
+the busy, unheeding world, had faced this Board in times past. So it was
+hardly to be expected that Dan would inspire any unusual interest in the
+members of the Board.
+
+Dan swallowed at something hard in his throat, then opened his lips to
+speak.
+
+"I am aware, sir, and gentlemen, that I am at present sufficiently
+deficient in my studies to warrant my being dropped," Dan began rather
+slowly. "Yet I would call attention to the fact that I was nearly as
+badly off, in the matter of markings, at this time last year. It is also
+a matter of record that I pulled myself together, later on, and
+contrived to get through the first year with a considerable margin of
+credits to spare. If I am permitted to finish the present term here I
+believe I can almost positively promise that I will round out this year
+with as good a showing as I did last year."
+
+"You have thought the matter carefully out in making this statement,
+have you, Mr. Dalzell?" asked the superintendent.
+
+"I have, sir."
+
+"Have you any explanation to offer for falling below the standards so
+far this year, Mr. Dalzell?"
+
+"I believe, sir, that I make a much slower start, with new studies, than
+most of my classmates," Dan continued, speaking more rapidly now, but in
+a most respectful manner. "Once I begin to catch the full drift of new
+studies I believe that I will overtake some of my classmates who showed
+a keener comprehension at the first. I think, sir, and gentlemen, that
+my record, as contrasted with the records of some of my classmates who
+achieved about the same standing I did for last year will bear my
+statement out."
+
+[Illustration: "Have You Any Explanation to Offer, Mr. Dalzell?"]
+
+The superintendent turned to a printed pamphlet in which were set forth
+the records of the midshipmen for the year before.
+
+"Mr. Dalzell," asked another member of the Board, "do you feel that you
+are really suited for the life of the Navy? Is it your highest ambition
+to become an officer of the Navy?"
+
+"It's my only ambition, sir, in the way of a career," Dan answered
+solemnly. "As to my being suited for the Navy, sir, I can't make a good
+answer to that. But I most earnestly hope that I shall have an
+opportunity, for the present, to try to keep myself in the service."
+
+"And you feel convinced that you need only to be carried for the balance
+of the term to enable you to make good, and to justify any action that
+we may take looking to that end?" asked another member of the Board.
+
+"That is my firm conviction, sir."
+
+The superintendent, who had been silently examining and marking some
+statements in the pamphlet, now passed it to the nearest member of the
+Board, who, after a glance or two, passed the pamphlet on to another
+member.
+
+Silence fell upon the room while Dan's printed record was being read.
+
+"Have you anything else that you wish to say, Mr. Dalzell?" asked the
+superintendent at last.
+
+"Only this, sir and gentlemen," replied Dan promptly. "If I am permitted
+to go on with the brigade, I promise, as far as any human being may
+promise, that I will not only be found to have passed at the end of this
+term, but that I will also have a higher marking after the annual
+examinations than after the semi-annuals."
+
+These last few words Dan spoke with his whole soul thrown into the
+words. How he longed to remain in the Navy, now that he stood at the
+threshold of the life, uncertain whether he was about to be kicked
+across it into the outer world!
+
+After glancing around the table, the superintendent turned once more to
+the young man.
+
+"That will be all, at present, Mr. Dalzell."
+
+Saluting briskly, crisply, Dan wheeled about, marching from the room.
+
+He was in time to make a section recitation before dinner.
+
+"How did you come out, Danny boy?" anxiously inquired Dave Darrin as the
+two, in their room, hastily prepared to answer the coming call for
+dinner formation.
+
+"I wish I knew," replied Dalzell wistfully. "I said all that I could say
+without being everlastingly fresh."
+
+After the brigade had been formed for dinner, and the brigade adjutant
+had reported the fact, the command was given:
+
+"Publish the orders!"
+
+This the brigade adjutant did rapidly, and in perfunctory tones.
+
+Dalzell jumped, however, when he heard his own name pronounced. He
+strained his ears as the brigade adjutant read:
+
+"In the matter of Daniel Dalzell, summoned before the Academic Board to
+determine his fitness and aptitude for continuing in the brigade, the
+Board has granted Midshipman Dalzell's urgent request that he be
+continued as a midshipman for the present."
+
+There was a great lump, instantly, in Dan's throat. It was a reprieve, a
+chance for official life--but that was all.
+
+"I'll make good--I'll make good!" he told himself, with a violent gulp.
+
+The orders were ringing out sharply now. The midshipmen were being
+marched in to dinner.
+
+Hardly a word did Dalzell speak as he ate. As for Dave Darrin, he was
+too happy over his chum's respite to want to talk.
+
+Yet, when they strolled together in the open air during the brief
+recreation period following the meal, Dalzell suddenly asked:
+
+"Dave when do you fight with Treadwell?"
+
+"To-night, I hope," replied Darrin.
+
+"Oh, then I must get busy!"
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Why, I'm to represent you, Darry. Who are Treadwell's--"
+
+"Danny boy, don't make a fuss about it," replied Dave quietly, "but just
+for this once you are not to be my second."
+
+"Why--"
+
+"Danny boy, you have just gotten by the Board by a hair's breadth. What
+kind of an act of gratitude would it be for you to make your first act a
+breach of discipline? For a fight, though often necessary here, is in
+defiance of the regulations."
+
+"But Dave, I've never been out of your fights!"
+
+"You will be this time, Danny. Don't worry about it, either. Farley and
+Page are going to stand by me. In fact, I think that even now they are
+talking with Treadwell's friends."
+
+"You're wrong," murmured Dalzell, looking very solemn. "Here come Farley
+and Page right now."
+
+In another moment the seconds had reached Darrin and his chum.
+
+"To-night?" asked Dave quietly.
+
+"Yes," nodded Page.
+
+"Time?"
+
+"Just after recall."
+
+"Good," murmured Darrin. "You two come for me, and I'll be ready. And I
+thank both of you fellows for taking up the matter for me."
+
+"We'll be mighty glad to be there, Darry," grinned Farley, "for we look
+to see you finish off that first classman."
+
+"Maybe," smiled Dave quietly. "I'll do all I can, anyway."
+
+"And to think," almost moaned Dan Dalzell, "that you're to be in a
+scrap, David, little giant, and I'm not to be there to see!"
+
+"There'll be other fights, I'm afraid," sighed Darry. "I seem destined
+to displease quite a few of the fellows here at Annapolis."
+
+Dan tried to study, that night, after Darrin had left the room in the
+company of his seconds. Certainly Dan, in the light of his promise made
+to the Board that morning, had need to study. Yet he found it woefully
+hard to settle his mind on mathematics while Dave was fighting the fight
+of his Naval Academy career.
+
+"Oh, well," muttered Dan, picking up a pencil for the third time, "Dave
+and I each have our own styles of fights, just now. Here goes for a
+knockout blow at math!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+
+LOSING THE TIME-KEEPER'S COUNT
+
+Conners and Brayton were Treadwell's seconds.
+
+Since it is not considered fair to have the referee or time-keeper from
+either class represented in a fight, Edgerton and Wheeler, of the second
+class, were referee and time-keeper respectively.
+
+All of the young men were early at the usual fighting ground. The fall
+air was cool and crisp, but it was not yet considered cold enough to
+justify the extra risk of holding a fight in-doors.
+
+Dave was quickly stripped and made ready by his seconds. His
+well-developed chest bespoke fine powers in the way of "wind" and
+endurance. His smooth, hard, trim muscles stood out distinctly.
+
+Treadwell took more time in getting himself ready for the ring. When at
+last, however, the first classman stood bared to the waist, he looked
+like a giant beside Dave Darrin.
+
+"It looks like a shame to take the money, Tread," murmured referee
+Edgerton.
+
+"I don't want to pound the youngster hard," explained Midshipman
+Treadwell, in an undertone. "Yet I've got to teach him both to respect
+my class and myself."
+
+On this point, as an official of the fight, Referee Edgerton did not
+feel called upon to express an opinion.
+
+Farley, at his first glimpse of the waiting first classman, felt a chill
+of coming disaster.
+
+"Page," he growled, "that huge top-classman makes our Darry look like a
+creeping infant."
+
+"Darry will take care of himself," retorted Midshipman Page in an
+undertone.
+
+"Do you believe it?"
+
+"I surely do."
+
+"But Treadwell looks a whole lot more vast now that he's stripped."
+
+"Darry is much smaller, I know; But Darrin is one of those rare fellows
+who don't know what it means to be whipped. He can't be put out of
+business by anything smaller than a twelve-inch gun!"
+
+"I hope you're right," sighed Farley.
+
+Dave, in the meantime, to keep himself from being chilled by the frosty
+air, was running lightly about, swinging his arms.
+
+"Are you both ready, gentlemen?" inquired Midshipman Edgerton, while
+Time-keeper Wheeler drew out his stop watch.
+
+Both stepped to toe the scratch.
+
+"Yes." nodded Dave.
+
+"Ready!" rumbled Treadwell.
+
+The referee briefly made the usual announcement about it being a fight
+to the finish, with two-minute rounds and two minutes between rounds.
+
+"Time!"
+
+As Treadwell leaped forward, both fists in battery, Dave took a swift,
+nimble sidestep. He felt that he had to study this big fellow carefully
+before doing more than keep on the defensive.
+
+Now footwork was one of the fighting tricks for which Darry was famous.
+Yet he had too much courage to rely wholly upon it.
+
+Five times Treadwell swung at his smaller opponent, but each time Dave
+was somewhere else.
+
+Despite his greater size, Treadwell was himself nimble and an adept at
+footwork.
+
+Finding it hard, however, to get about as quickly as his smaller
+opponent, the first classman soon went in for close, in-body fighting,
+following Dave, half-cornering him, and forcing him to stand and take
+it.
+
+Two or three body blows Dave succeeded in parrying so that they glanced,
+doing him little harm.
+
+Then there came an almost crunching sound. Treadwell's right fist had
+landed, almost dazing the youngster with its weight against his nose.
+
+There was a swift, free rush of the red. Darrin had yielded up "first
+blood" in the fight.
+
+"I've got to dodge more, and not let myself be cornered," Darrin told
+himself, keeping his fists busy in warding off blows.
+
+Then, of a sudden, Dave turned on the aggressive. He struck fast and
+furiously, but Treadwell, with a grin, beat down his attack, then soon
+landed a swinging hook on Dave's neck that sent him spinning briefly.
+
+"He expects to finish this fight for his own amusement," flashed angrily
+through Darrin's mind. "I'll get in something that hurts before I toss
+the sponge."
+
+"Time!"
+
+Two minutes were up. To Dave it seemed more like half an hour.
+
+"Steady, now!" murmured Page, in his principal's ear, as the two seconds
+leaped at the task of rubbing down their men. "Unless you let yourself
+get rattled, Darry, that big fellow isn't going to get you. Whenever
+you're on the defensive, and being crowded hard, change like lightning
+and drive in for the top classer's solar plexus."
+
+"I tried that three times in this last round," murmured Dave. "But the
+fellow is too big and powerful for me. He simply pounds me down when I
+go for him."
+
+"Work for more strategy," whispered Page, as he held a sponge to Dave's
+battered nose, while Farley rubbed the muscles of his right arm.
+
+"I haven't given up the fight," muttered Dave, "But, of course, I've
+known from the start that Treadwell is a pretty big fighter for one of
+my weight."
+
+"Oh, you'll get him yet," spoke Page confidently.
+
+The fighters were being called for the second round.
+
+In this Dave received considerable punishment, though he landed three or
+four times on Treadwell's body.
+
+Then twice in succession the champion of the third class was knocked
+down.
+
+Neither, however, was a knockout blow.
+
+Dave took plenty of time, within his rights, about leaping to his feet,
+and in each instance got away from Treadwell's leaping assault.
+
+Just after the second knock-down, time was called for the end of the
+round.
+
+"You'll get him yet, Darry," was Page's prediction, but he did not speak
+as hopefully as before.
+
+Farley, too, was full of loyalty for his friend and fellow-classman, but
+he did not allow this to blind his judgment. Farley's opinion was that
+Dave was done for, unless he could land some lucky fluke in a knockout
+blow.
+
+"Go right in and land that youngster," Treadwell's own seconds were
+advising him. "Don't let him have the satisfaction of standing up to you
+for three whole rounds or more."
+
+"Do you think that little teaser is as easy as he looks?" growled
+Treadwell.
+
+"Oh, Darrin is all right at his own weight," admitted Midshipman
+Conners. "But he has no business with you, Tread. You're quick enough,
+too, when you exert yourself. So jump right in and finish it before this
+round is over."
+
+"I'll try it, then," nodded Treadwell.
+
+Though he had not the slightest notion that he was to be defeated, this
+big top classman was learning a new respect for Darrin's prowess. He
+could thrash Dave, of course, but Treadwell did not expect to do it
+easily.
+
+For the first twenty seconds of the third round the two men sparred
+cautiously. Dave had no relish for standing the full force of those
+sledge-hammer blows, while Treadwell knew that he must look out for the
+unexpected from his still nimble opponent.
+
+"Lie down when you've had enough," jeered Treadwell, as he landed a jolt
+on one of the youngster's shoulders and sent him reeling slightly.
+
+Dave, however, used his feet well enough to get away from the follow-up.
+
+"Are you getting tired?" Darrin shot back at his opponent.
+
+"Silence, both of you," commanded Referee Edgerton. "Do all your talking
+with your fists!"
+
+Just then Treadwell saw an opening, and followed the referee's advice by
+aiming a blow at Dave's left jaw. It landed just back of the ear,
+instead, yet with such force that Dave sank dizzily to the ground, while
+Treadwell drew back from the intended follow-up.
+
+Farley and Page looked on anxiously from their corner. Midshipman
+Wheeler, scanning his watch, was counting off the seconds.
+
+"--five, six, seven, eight, nine--ten!"
+
+At the sound of eight Dave Darrin had made a strenuous effort to rise.
+
+Yet he had swayed, fallen back slightly, then forced himself with a rush
+to his feet.
+
+But Midshipman Treadwell drew back, both fists hanging at his sides, for
+the "ten" had been spoken, and Dave Darrin had lost the count.
+
+While Dave stood there, looking half-dizzily at his opponent, Referee
+Edgerton's voice broke in crisply:
+
+"Mr. Darrin required more than the full count to come back. The fight is
+therefore awarded to Mr. Treadwell."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+
+FIGHTING THE FAMOUS DOUBLE BATTLE
+
+"It wasn't fair," hissed Midshipman Page hotly.
+
+"It was by a mighty small margin, anyway," quivered Farley.
+
+"I don't feel whipped yet," remarked Dave quietly.
+
+"Oh, well, Darry," urged Farley, "don't feel humiliated over being
+thrashed by such a human mountain of a top classer."
+
+Dave, whose chest had been heaving, and whose lungs had been taking in
+great gulps of air, suddenly pushed his second gently away.
+
+"Mr. Treadwell, sir, will you come over here a moment?" he called. "And
+also the officials of the fight?"
+
+Treadwell, with a self-satisfied leer on his face, stepped away from his
+seconds coming jauntily over.
+
+Midshipman Edgerton and Wheeler followed in some wonder.
+
+"Mr. Treadwell," began Dave, looking full into the eyes of his late
+antagonist, "I have no fault, sir, to find with your style of fighting.
+You behaved fairly at every point."
+
+"Thank you, sir," interjected the big midshipman grimly.
+
+"The verdict was also fair enough," Dave continued, "for I am aware that
+I took a hair's-breadth more than the count. Still, I do not feel, Mr.
+Treadwell, that the result was decisive. Therefore I have to ask of you
+the favor of another early meeting, for a more definite try-out."
+
+Treadwell gasped. So did his recent seconds and the late officials of
+the fight. Even Farley's jaw dropped just a trifle, but Page's face
+flushed with new-found pleasure.
+
+"Another fight, sir?" demanded Midshipman Treadwell.
+
+"Yes, sir," replied Darrin quietly.
+
+"Oh, very well," agreed Treadwell, nonchalantly. "At any time that you
+wish, Mr. Darrin--any time."
+
+"How would fifteen minutes from now do?" demanded Dave, smiling coolly.
+
+Treadwell fairly gasped, though only from sheer astonishment.
+
+"Why, if your seconds and the officials think that fair to you, Mr.
+Darrin," replied Treadwell in another moment, "I am sure that I have no
+objection to remaining around here a little longer."
+
+"Do you insist on calling for the second fight within fifteen minutes,
+Mr. Darrin?" asked Second Classman Edgerton.
+
+"For my own part, I do," replied Dave quietly; "I leave the decision to
+Mr. Treadwell's courtesy."
+
+"Well, of all the freaks!" muttered Mr. Wheeler, as the two fight
+officials walked aside to discuss the matter.
+
+"Darry," demanded the agitated Farley, "are you plumb, clean crazy?"
+
+"Do you know what we're fighting about, Farley, old man?" asked Dave
+very quietly.
+
+"No; of course not."
+
+"It's a personal matter."
+
+"O-oh!"
+
+"It's a matter in which I can't accept an imitation whipping."
+
+"But surely you don't expect to whip Treadwell in your present
+condition?"
+
+"I very likely shall get a thorough trouncing," smiled Darrin.
+
+"It's madness," broke in Page worriedly.
+
+"I told you it was a personal matter," laughed Dave softly. "I shan't
+mind getting whacked if it is done up in good shape. It's only this
+near-whipping to which I object."
+
+"Well--great Scott!" gasped Page.
+
+"Hush!" warned Farley. "Here comes Edgerton."
+
+Midshipman Edgerton, looking very much puzzled, stepped over to Dave
+Darrin's corner.
+
+"Darrin," began the referee in a friendly tone, "Tread doesn't like the
+idea of fighting you again to-night."
+
+"Didn't he say he would?" demanded Darrin.
+
+"Yes; but of course, but--"
+
+"I hold him to his word, Mr. Edgerton."
+
+"But of all the crazy--"
+
+"I have my own reasons, sir," Darrin interposed quietly. "I think it
+very likely, too, that Mr. Treadwell will comprehend my reasons."
+
+"But he doesn't like the idea of fighting an already half-whipped man."
+
+"Will it get on his nerves and unsteady him?" asked Dave ironically.
+
+"Are you bound to fight to-night, Mr. Darrin?"
+
+"I am, sir."
+
+"Then I suppose it goes--it has to," assented Midshipman Edgerton
+moodily. "But of all the irrational--"
+
+"Just what I said, sir," nodded Page.
+
+"I shall be ready, sir, when the fifteen minutes are up," continued
+Dave. "But I am certain that I shall need all the time until then for
+getting myself into first-class condition."
+
+"Darry is a fool--and a wonder!" ejaculated Edgerton under his breath,
+as he walked away.
+
+"I'm sorry, Darry," murmured Farley mournfully, "but--well, beat your
+way to it!"
+
+"I intend to," retorted Dave doggedly.
+
+Rubbed down by his seconds, Dave drew on his blouse, without a shirt.
+
+Quitting the others, Dave walked briskly back and forth. At last he
+broke into a jog-trot.
+
+At last he halted, inflating and emptying his lungs with vigorous
+breathing.
+
+"I feel just about as good as ever," he declared, nodding cheerily to
+his seconds.
+
+"Get off that blouse, then," ordered Midshipman Farley, after a glance
+at his watch. "We've two minutes left out of the fifteen."
+
+"I'll go forward at the scratch, then," nodded Dave.
+
+Treadwell, in the meantime, had pulled on his outer clothing and had
+stood moodily by, watching Dave's more workmanlike preparations with a
+disdainful smile.
+
+"I'll get the fellow going quickly this time," Mr. Treadwell told
+Conners. "As soon as I get him going I'll dive in with a punch that will
+wind up the matter in short order. I've planned to do considerable
+reviewing of navigation to-night."
+
+"I hope you have your wish," murmured Conners.
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"Just what I said."
+
+"Do you think I'm going to have any trouble whatever about finishing up
+that touge youngster!" demanded Tread well sarcastically.
+
+"No; I don't imagine you will. But at the same time, Tread, I tell you I
+don't care about having enemies among fellows who come back as swiftly,
+strongly and as much like a bulldog as Darry does."
+
+Seeing Dave pull off his blouse, Treadwell slowly removed his own
+clothing above the waist.
+
+"Rub me down along the arms a bit," said Midshipman Treadwell, after he
+had exercised his arms a moment.
+
+"I reckon we'd better," nodded Conners. "You must have got stiff from
+standing still after the late mix-up."
+
+"No kinks but what will iron out at once," chuckled Treadwell. "I'll
+show you as soon as I get in action."
+
+His two seconds rubbed him down loyally.
+
+"Are you ready, gentlemen?" called Midshipman Edgerton.
+
+Both men stepped quickly forward, but all of the onlookers thought they
+saw rather more spring in Dave Darrin than in his more bulky opponent.
+
+The preliminaries were announced in a few words.
+
+Of course, there was no handshaking.
+
+"Time!" sounded the call.
+
+Dave Darrin quickly proved to be so full of vigor that Treadwell lay
+back on the defensive after the first two or three passes. Dave followed
+him right up with vim.
+
+Yet, for the first forty seconds of the round no real damage was done on
+either side. Then:
+
+Bump!
+
+"O-o-oh!"
+
+That cry came simultaneously from Treadwell and from all the spectators.
+
+Dave's right fist had landed crushingly on the top classman's left eye,
+almost instantly closing that organ.
+
+Darrin leaped nimbly back, both from a chivalrous impulse to give
+Treadwell a chance to recover his steadiness and to save himself from
+any sudden rush and clinch by his big opponent.
+
+But Treadwell, standing with his guard up, showed no inclination to
+follow the one who had just given him such punishment.
+
+"Mix it up, gentlemen--mix it!" called Midshipman Edgerton impatiently.
+
+At that command from the referee Dave Darrin sprang forward.
+
+Treadwell seemed wholly on the defensive now, though he struck as
+heavily as ever. Toward the end of the round Treadwell, having gotten
+over the worst of the stinging from his eye, once more tried to rush
+matters.
+
+Whenever the big fellow's undamaged eye caught sight of the cool,
+hostile smile on Darrin's face, Treadwell muttered savage words.
+
+Some hard body blows were parried and others exchanged.
+
+Both men were panting somewhat when the call of time closed the first
+round.
+
+"Darry, you nervy little rascal, waltz in and put that other eye up in
+black clothes!" begged Page ecstatically, as he and Farley worked over
+their principal.
+
+Dave was ready quite twenty seconds before the call of time for the
+second round.
+
+Treadwell, however, took his full time in responding. At the last moment
+he took another dab with the wet sponge against his swollen left eye.
+
+"Time!"
+
+With a suppressed yell Treadwell rushed at his opponent. Dave had to
+sidestep to his own right, out of range of Treadwell, to save himself.
+
+Then at it they went, all around the ring. Darrin had determined to keep
+himself out of the way of those sledge-hammer fists until he saw his own
+clear opening.
+
+Four or five times Treadwell landed heavily on Darrin's ribs. The
+younger, smaller midshipman was getting seriously winded, but all the
+time he fought to save himself and to get that one opening.
+
+It came.
+
+Pound!
+
+Darrin's hard-clenched left fist dropped in on Treadwell's right eye.
+
+This time there was no exclamation from the bruised one.
+
+Alert Dave was careful to give him no chance. Within a second after that
+eye-closer landed Darrin struck with his right, landing on the jaw bone
+under Treadwell's ear.
+
+Down in a heap sank the top classman. He was unconscious before his body
+struck the ground.
+
+Wheeler counted off the seconds.
+
+"--ten!"
+
+Still Mr. Treadwell lay motionless.
+
+"Do your best for him, gentlemen," begged Referee Edgerton, turning to
+the first classman's seconds. "Mr. Darrin wins the second fight."
+
+Dave, a satisfied look on his face, stepped back to his seconds.
+
+This time he did not require as much attention. Within five minutes he
+was dressed.
+
+By this time Mr. Treadwell, under the ministrations of his seconds and
+of the late officials, was just coming back to consciousness.
+
+"Something happened, eh?" asked the top classman drowsily.
+
+"Rather!" murmured Mr. Edgerton dryly.
+
+"Did I--did I--lose the fight?"
+
+"You did," Edgerton assented. "But don't let that disturb you. You went
+down before the best man in the Naval Academy."
+
+Treadwell sighed gloomily. It was a hard blow to his pride--much harder
+than any that Dave had landed on his head.
+
+"Mr. Treadwell," inquired Dave, stepping over, "we are comrades, even if
+we had a slight disagreement. Do you care to shake hands?"
+
+"Help me to my feet," urged the first classman, who was sitting up.
+
+His seconds complied. Then Midshipman Treadwell held out his hand.
+
+"Here's my hand," he said rather thickly. "And I apologize, too, Mr.
+Darrin."
+
+"Then say no more about it, please," begged Dave, as their hands met in
+a strong clasp.
+
+None of the others present had the least idea of the provocation of this
+strange, spirited double fight. All, however, were glad to see the
+difficulty mended.
+
+Then Dave and his seconds, leaving the field first, made their way back
+to Bancroft Hall. Farley and Page went straight to their own room.
+
+"How did it come out?" demanded Dan Dalzell eagerly, as soon as his chum
+entered their quarters.
+
+Dropping into a chair, Dave told the story of the double fight briefly.
+He told it modestly, too, but Dan could imagine what his chum omitted.
+
+"David, little giant," exclaimed Dalzell, leaping about him, "that fight
+will become historic here! Oh, how I regret having missed it. Don't you
+ever dare to leave me out again!"
+
+"It wasn't such a much," smiled Dave rather wearily, as he went over to
+his study desk.
+
+"Perhaps it's indiscreet, even of a chum," rambled on Dalzell, "but
+what--"
+
+"What was the fight all about?" laughed Dave softly. "Yes; I suppose you
+have a right to know that, Danny boy. But you must never repeat it to
+any one. Treadwell wanted to dance with Belle at the hop, but she had
+already noticed him, and declared she didn't want to dance with him. Of
+course that settled it. But Treadwell accused me of not having asked
+Belle."
+
+"The nerve!" ejaculated Dan in disgust.
+
+"And then he accused me of lying when I declared I had done my best for
+him," continued Dave.
+
+"I feel that I'd like to fight the fellow myself!" declared Dan Dalzell
+hotly.
+
+"Oh, no, you don't; for Treadwell apologized to-night, and we have
+shaken hands. We're all comrades, you know, Danny boy."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Unknown to any of the parties to the fight, there had been spectators of
+the spirited double battle.
+
+Two men, a sailor and a marine, noting groups of midshipmen going toward
+the historic battle ground of midshipmen, had hidden themselves near-by
+in order "to see the fun."
+
+These two enlisted men of the Navy had been spectators and auditors of
+all that had taken place.
+
+Not until the last midshipman had left the ground did the sailor and
+marine emerge from their hiding place.
+
+"Well, of all the game fights!" muttered the marine.
+
+"Me? I'm hoping that some day I fight under that gallant middy," cried
+the sailor.
+
+"Who is this Mr. Darrin?" asked the marine, as the pair strolled away.
+
+"He's a youngster--third classman. But he's one of the chaps who, on the
+cruise, last summer, went over into a gale after another middy--Darrin
+and his chum did it."
+
+"There must be fine stuff in Mr. Darrin," murmured the marine.
+
+"Couldn't you see that much just now?" demanded the sailor, who took the
+remark as almost a personal affront, "My hat's off to Mr. Darrin. He's
+one of our future admirals. If I round out my days in the service it
+will be the height of my ambition to have him for my admiral. And a
+mighty sea-going officer he'll be, at that!"
+
+In their enthusiasm over the spectacle they had seen, the sailor and the
+marine talked rather too much.
+
+They were still talking over the battle as they strolled slowly past one
+of the great, darkened buildings.
+
+In the shadow of this building, not far away, stood an officer whom
+neither of the enlisted men of the Navy saw; else they would have
+saluted him.
+
+That officer, Lieutenant Willow, U.S. Navy, listened with a good deal of
+interest.
+
+Mr. Willow was one of those officers who are known as duty-mad. He
+gathered that there had been a fight, so he deemed it his duty to report
+the fact at once to the discipline officer in charge over at Bancroft
+Hall.
+
+Regretting the necessity, yet full of the idea of doing his duty,
+Lieutenant Willow wended his way promptly towards the office of the
+officer in charge.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+
+THE OFFICER IN CHARGE IS SHOCKED
+
+Through the main entrance of Bancroft Hall, into the stately corridor,
+Lieutenant Willow picked his way.
+
+He looked solemn--unusually so, even for Lieutenant Willow, U.S.N. He
+had the air of a man who hates to do his duty, but who is convinced that
+the heavens would fall if he didn't.
+
+To his left he turned, acknowledging smartly the crisp salute given him
+by the midshipman assistant officer of the day.
+
+Into the outer office of the officer in charge stepped Mr. Willow, and
+thence on into the smaller room where Lieutenant-Commander Stearns sat
+reading.
+
+"Oh, good evening, Willow," hailed Lieut. Stearns heartily.
+
+"Good evening, Stearns," was the almost moody reply.
+
+"Sit down and let's have a chat. I'm glad to see you," urged
+Lieutenant-Commander Stearns.
+
+Mr. Stearns, he of the round, jovial face, gazed at his junior with
+twinkling eyes.
+
+"Willow," he muttered, "I'm half inclined to believe that you've come to
+me to make an official report."
+
+"I guess I have," nodded Lieutenant Willow.
+
+"And against some unfortunate midshipman, at that!"
+
+"Against two, at least," sighed Mr. Willow, "and there were others
+involved in the affair."
+
+"It must be something fearful," said Mr. Stearns, who knew the junior
+officer's inclination to be duty-mad. "But, see here, if you make an
+official report you'll force me to take action, even though it's
+something that I'd secretly slap a midshipman on the shoulder for doing.
+No--don't begin to talk yet, Willow. Try a cigar and then tell me,
+personally, what's worrying you. Then perhaps it won't be altogether
+needful to make an official report."
+
+"I never was able to take you--er--somewhat jovial views of an officer's
+duty, Stearns," sighed Lieutenant Willow.
+
+Nevertheless, he selected a cigar, bit off the end, lighted it and took
+a few whiffs, Lieutenant-Commander Stearns all the while regarding his
+comrade in arms with twinkling eyes.
+
+"Now, fire ahead, Willow," urged the officer in charge, "but please
+don't make your communication an official one--not at first. Fire ahead,
+now, Willow."
+
+"Well--er--just between ourselves," continued Lieutenant Willow slowly,
+"there has been a fight to-night between two midshipmen."
+
+"No!"
+
+Lieutenant-Commander Stearns struck his fist rather heavily against the
+desk.
+
+"A fight--a real fight--with fists?" continued the officer in charge, in
+a tone of mock incredulity. "No, no, no, Willow, you don't mean it--you
+can't mean it!"
+
+"Yes, I do," rejoined the junior officer rather stiffly.
+
+"Oh, dear, what is the service coming to?" gasped Stearns ironically.
+"Why, Willow, we never heard of such things when we were midshipmen
+here. Now, did we?"
+
+"I'm afraid we did--sometimes," admitted the junior officer. "But duty
+is duty, you know, my dear Stearns. And this was an unusual fight, too.
+The man who was whipped insisted on another fight right then and there,
+and--he won the second fight."
+
+"Bully!" chuckled the officer in charge. "Whew, but I wish I had been
+there!"
+
+"Stearns, you surely don't mean that?" gasped duty-mad Mr. Willow.
+
+"You're quite right, Willow. No; I certainly don't want to be a
+spoilsport, and I'm glad I wasn't there--in my official capacity. But
+I'd like to have been divested of my rank for just an hour so that I
+could have taken in such a scene as that."
+
+"I'm--I'm just a bit astonished at your saying it, Stearns," rejoined
+Lieutenant Willow. "But then, you're always joking."
+
+"Perhaps I am joking," assented the officer in charge dryly, "but I
+never lose sight of the fact that our Navy has been built up, at huge
+expense, as a great fighting machine. Now, Willow, it takes fighting men
+to run a fighting machine. Of course, I'm terribly shocked to know that
+two midshipmen really had the grit to fight--but who were they! Mind
+you, I'm not asking you in an official way. This question is purely
+personal--just between ourselves. Who were the men? And, especially, who
+was the fellow who lost the decision, and then had the utter effrontery
+to demand a second chance at once, only to win the second fight?"
+
+"Darrin was the man who lost the first fight and won the second,"
+replied Lieutenant Willow.
+
+"Mr. Darrin? One of our youngsters? Yes; I think I know him. And what
+man of his class did he whip, the second time he tried!"
+
+"It wasn't a man of his own class. It was Mr. Treadwell, of the first
+class," rejoined Lieutenant Willow.
+
+"What?" almost exploded the officer in charge. "Did you say that Mr.
+Darrin fought with Mr. Treadwell, that husky top classman, and, losing
+the decision on the count, insisted on fighting again the same evening?
+Oh, say, what a fellow misses by being cooped up in an office like
+this!"
+
+"But--but the breach of regulations!" stammered the duty-mad lieutenant.
+
+"My dear fellow, neither you nor I know anything about this
+fight--officially. The Navy, after all, is a fighting machine. Do you
+feel that the Navy can afford to lose a fighting man like that
+youngster?"
+
+So Lieutenant Willow left Lieutenant-Commander Stearns' presence, not
+quite convinced he was performing his whole duty, but glad to bow to the
+decision of a ranking officer.
+
+Two days later Dave and Dan were surprised at being halted by
+Lieutenant-Commander Stearns.
+
+"Good afternoon, Mr. Darrin," came the pleasant greeting. "Good
+afternoon, Mr. Dalzell. Mrs. Stearns and I would be greatly pleased if
+you could take dinner with us. Couldn't you come next Sunday?"
+
+The two midshipmen were astonished and delighted at this invitation.
+While it was not uncommon for officers to invite midshipmen to their
+homes, where there were so many midshipmen, it was as a rule only the
+young men who made themselves prominent socially who captured these
+coveted invitations. Darrin and Dalzell concealed their surprise, but
+expressed their pleasure in accepting the gracious invitation.
+
+On entering Mrs. Stearns' drawing room the next Sunday Mr. Darrin and
+Mr. Dalzell were introduced to two pretty girls. Miss Flora Gentle was a
+cousin of their hostess. She had visited Annapolis before, and, being
+pretty and vivacious, at the same time kind and considerate, she had
+many friends among the midshipmen. Marian Stevens, who had accompanied
+her on this visit, was a direct contrast. Flora was blonde. Marian was
+the dark, flashing type. She was spoiled and imperious, yet she had a
+dashing, open way about her that made her a favorite among young people.
+
+The two girls had heard of the double fight. Marian, therefore, was
+pleased when she found that Dave was to be her dinner partner.
+
+"He's handsome," thought the girl, "and he's brave and dashing. He'll
+make his mark in the Navy. He doesn't know it yet, but he'll become
+mine, and mine alone."
+
+Miss Stevens was a calculating young person, and had already decided
+that Navy life was the life for her and that she would marry into it. At
+seventeen, she looked upon the officers as old men, even the youngest of
+them, so was giving her time and her smiles to the midshipmen. That the
+Navy pay is small did not trouble Maid Marian, as she liked to be
+called, as on her twenty-first birthday she would come into a
+considerable fortune of her own.
+
+She exerted herself all through the Stearns' dinner to captivate Dave
+Darrin. He, without diminution of love and loyalty to Belle Mead, was
+glad to be on friendly terms with this dashing and sprightly girl.
+
+Coffee was served in the drawing room. Several officers dropped in.
+Marian, who wished no one to come between her and Dave for a while,
+turned to her host.
+
+"Mr. Stearns, do the regulations make it improper for Flora and me to
+ask Mr. Darrin and Mr. Dalzell to take us for a stroll about the yard?"
+she asked with a pretty air of deference. The "yard" includes all the
+grounds belonging to the Naval Academy.
+
+"They do not, Miss Marian," was the smiling response.
+
+"With our hostess's approval we shall be charmed to grant any request
+the young ladies make," ventured Dave, as Marian smiled into his eyes.
+
+But Marian, the wily and experienced, found herself baffled during this
+walk. Using all her cajoleries, she could bring him to a certain point
+beyond which he would not go. As a matter of fact, Dave Darrin, secure
+in his loyalty to Belle, did not perceive what Maid Marian was striving
+to lead up to, but saw in her only a lively and interesting girl.
+
+"I'll get you yet, Midshipman Darrin," she vowed to herself after they
+had parted.
+
+The gossip of a sweetheart in his home town which in time reached her
+ears only made the girl more determined to get her way. Looking in the
+mirror with satisfaction, she murmured:
+
+"There'll be the added zest of making Midshipman Darrin forget the
+distant face of that home girl."
+
+Not on that visit did Maid Marian succeed in leading Dave beyond the
+point of simple but sincere friendship. However, Miss Stevens could be
+charming to whomsoever she wished, and before she left Annapolis she had
+secured invitations to visit the wife of more than one of the officers.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+
+CONCLUSION
+
+Christmas came and went, and soon after this the semi-annual
+examinations were on in earnest. Some of the midshipmen failed and sadly
+turned their faces homeward to make a place for themselves in some other
+lane of life. Dan Dalzell, however, made good his promise, and by a
+better margin than he had dared hope. Dave came through the examination
+somewhat better than his chum. Both felt assured now that they would
+round out the year with fair credit to themselves.
+
+Marian Stevens came to Annapolis several times during the latter half of
+the year, and as it is expected that the future officer shall have
+social as well as Naval training, Dave Darrin met her often.
+
+Exasperation that she could draw the young midshipman on only so far
+soon changed in Miss Stevens to anger and chagrin. Still Dave, giving
+prolonged thought to no girl except Belle Meade, saw in her only a
+lively companion. Sometimes he was her dinner partner. Always at a dance
+he danced with her more than once.
+
+It was at one such dance that she looked up as they circled the room to
+say:
+
+"I wonder if you know, Mr. Darrin, how much I enjoy dancing with you."
+
+"Not as much as I enjoy dancing with you," he replied smilingly. Just
+then the music stopped suddenly and an officer called in a voice that
+carried over the great floor of the gymnasium and over all the chatter:
+
+"Ladies and gentlemen, one moment's attention, please!"
+
+In an instant all was still.
+
+"Ladies and gentlemen," continued the officer, "official permission has
+been granted for taking a flashlight photograph of the scene to-night.
+Will everybody please remain where he is until after the exposure has
+been made?"
+
+Dave and Marian had paused directly in front of the lens of the camera.
+Maid Marian looked up and made a light, jesting remark, gazing straight
+into the midshipman's eyes. Dave, smiling, bent forward to hear what she
+said.
+
+Just then came the flash, and the photographer, his work finished for
+the time, gathered his paraphernalia together and left. The music
+recommenced and the dancing proceeded.
+
+Three weeks later that photograph was reproduced as a double-page
+illustration in one of the prominent pictorial weeklies.
+
+The day the magazine was on the newsstands Dan Dalzell bought a copy.
+Entering their quarters with it in his hand he opened it at the
+illustration and handed it to Dave.
+
+"You and Miss Stevens show up better than any one else, Dave," remarked
+Dan.
+
+"The photograph is a good piece of work," was Dave's only comment. He
+did not wish to express the annoyance he felt when he noted the
+appearance of intimacy between him and Marian, whose beauty showed, even
+in this reproduction. "I'd a bit rather Belle shouldn't see this paper,"
+he admitted to himself.
+
+"David, old boy, this picture would make a good exhibit in a
+breach-of-promise suit."
+
+"That's an unkind remark to make about a fine girl like Miss Stevens,"
+said Dave coldly.
+
+Dan stared, then went off, pondering.
+
+Belle Meade, in her Gridley home, received one day a large, square, thin
+package. She saw the mark of the Annapolis express office, and hastily
+snatched up scissors to cut the string. Out came a huge photograph.
+
+"A picture of an Annapolis dance! How thoughtful of Dave to send it to
+me!" Then her eyes fell on two figures around which a ring had been
+drawn in ink. They were Dave Darrin and a pretty girl. On the margin of
+the card had been scrawled in bold letters:
+
+"Your affair of the heart will bear close watching if you still
+cherish!"
+
+This was signed, contemptibly and untruthfully, "A Friend."
+
+"Uh!" murmured Belle in hurt pride and loyalty. Then she said resolutely
+to herself: "I will pay no attention to this. An anonymous communication
+is always meant to hurt and to give a false impression."
+
+But there was the picture before her eyes of Dave and the pretty girl in
+seemingly great intimacy. So though she continued to write to the
+midshipman and tried hard to make her letters sound as usual, in spite
+of herself a coldness crept into them that Dave felt.
+
+"She must have seen that pictorial weekly," thought the boy miserably.
+But as Belle said nothing of this, he could not write of it.
+
+The season was well along. Dave and Dan sent Belle Meade and Laura
+Bentley invitations to one of the later spring dances.
+
+"I wonder if she'll come or if she's tiring of me," thought Dave Darrin
+bitterly.
+
+But Belle answered, accepting the invitation for Laura and herself.
+
+When Saturday afternoon came both midshipmen hurried to the hotel in the
+town and sent up their cards. Mrs. Meade soon appeared, saying the girls
+would be down shortly.
+
+"Are they both well?" asked Dave. His tone was as one giving a
+meaningless greeting, but in his heart he waited anxiously to hear what
+her mother should say of Belle.
+
+"Well, yes. But Belle has been moping around the house a great deal,
+Dave, rather unlike her usual self," replied Mrs. Meade slowly.
+
+If Mrs. Meade deplored this, Dave Darrin did not. It showed him at least
+that the girl's apparent coldness was not caused by her interest in some
+other young man.
+
+But when the girls came in and Belle greeted him cordially, to be sure,
+but with something of restraint, his heart sank again.
+
+"What's the matter, Belle? Has something gone wrong?" asked Dave when
+Dan was engaging the attention of Mrs. Meade and Laura.
+
+"Nothing. Is all right with you?"
+
+"Surely!"
+
+"Dave, when we're alone I have something to show you. I fear you have an
+enemy here."
+
+"An enemy! Oh, no. But I shall be glad to see what you have to show me."
+
+It was not long before, at a word from Dave, Dan took Mrs. Meade and
+Laura out for a walk. It was then that Belle got the large photograph
+with the two figures ringed in ink and showed it to Dave.
+
+"Why, what does this mean? Some one must have taken a good deal of
+trouble to secure this photograph. The picture was taken for a pictorial
+weekly. One can get a photograph from which the cut is made, but it is
+troublesome and possibly expensive!"
+
+"You have an enemy, then; some one bent on hurting you?"
+
+"I don't know who it could be. My, how angry Miss Stevens would be if
+she knew of this!"
+
+"Miss Stevens? Is that the girl?"
+
+"Yes. She's visited here often this year. She knows a number of the
+officers' wives. She's vivacious and always has a good time, but she's
+nothing to me, Belle. You know that, don't you?"
+
+"I have never doubted you, Dave. Let us tear this up. I thought at first
+I'd not show it to you; then decided it was best not to begin concealing
+things from you. But let us not think of the thing again."
+
+"Belle, you're a thoroughbred!" and here the matter dropped as far as it
+was between Dave Darrin and Belle Meade.
+
+Miss Stevens was at the dance that evening. Though she tried hard to
+make that impossible, Dave did not dance with her, nor did he introduce
+her to Belle, though there again Marian tried to force this.
+
+It would have been well for Marian if Dan Dalzell had been equally
+circumspect.
+
+This time it was Belle who contrived and got the introduction to the
+other girl, but Marian was by no means reluctant, so it was that they
+managed to get a few moments alone together when they had sent their
+dance partners to get something for them.
+
+"You are a friend of Dave's, aren't you?" asked Marian.
+
+"Of Mr. Darrin's? Oh, yes, we've always known each other."
+
+"Then you've been here to many of these dances?"
+
+"Only two."
+
+"Too bad you could not have been here oftener. This has been an
+unusually brilliant season. Really, many of the young people have lost
+their heads--or their hearts. I often wonder if these midshipmen have
+sweethearts at home." This daring--and impertinent--remark was made
+musingly but smilingly.
+
+"These Annapolis affairs are never very serious, I imagine," Belle
+observed calmly.
+
+"On the contrary, most of the Navy marriages date back to an Annapolis
+first meeting."
+
+"Then you think it well to come often?"
+
+"Unless one has other ways of keeping in touch," was the brazen reply.
+
+"I have," said Belle sweetly. "I receive a good many souvenirs in the
+course of a year. One last winter was a photograph." With the words
+Belle gazed intently into Miss Stevens' eyes. Then she went on: "There
+was an anonymous message written on it. It was a lying message, of
+course, as anonymous messages always are, written in a coarse hand. Did
+you ever study handwriting, Miss Stevens?"
+
+Marian gasped, realizing she was out-maneuvered.
+
+"This writing had all the characteristics of a woman whose instincts are
+coarse, that of a treacherous though not dangerous person--"
+
+"Here's Mr. Sanderson back. Will you excuse me, Miss Meade?" and Marian
+fairly fled.
+
+Belle told Dave she had found out who had sent the photograph, but
+added:
+
+"I wish you wouldn't ask me who it was, Dave. I can assure you that the
+person who did it will never trouble us again," and as Dave did not like
+to think evil of any one, he consented, and continued to think of Marian
+Stevens, when he thought of her at all, as a jolly girl.
+
+The annual examinations were approaching. Dan Dalzell was buried deep in
+gloom. Dave Darrin kept cheerful outwardly, but doubts crept into his
+heart.
+
+The examinations over, Dave felt reasonably safe. But Dan's gloom
+deepened, for he was sure he had failed in "skinny," as the boys termed
+chemistry and physics. So it was that when the grades were posted Dave
+scanned the D's in the list of third classmen who had passed. Dan, on
+the other hand, turned instantly to what he termed the "bust list."
+
+"Why, why, I'm not there!" he muttered.
+
+"Look at the passing list, Danny," laughed Dave.
+
+Unbelieving, Dan turned his eyes on the list and to his utter
+astonishment found his name posted. True, in "skinny" he had a bare
+passing mark. But in other subjects he was somewhat above the minimum.
+
+"So you see, old man, we'll both be here next year as second classmen,"
+said Dave jubilantly.
+
+This was as Dave Darrin said, and what happened during this time may be
+learned in a volume entitled, "DAVE DARRIN'S THIRD YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS;
+or, Leaders of the Second Class Midshipmen."
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Dave Darrin's Second Year at Annapolis
+by H. Irving Hancock
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10045 ***
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+  The Project Gutenberg eBook of Dave Darrin's Second Year At Annapolis, by H. Irving Hancock Illustrated.
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+<body>
+<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10045 ***</div>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+
+<p class="c">[Illustration: Darrin's Blow Knocked the Midshipman Down]</p>
+
+
+<h1>DAVE DARRIN'S SECOND YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS</h1>
+
+<p class="cb">or<br /><br />
+Two Midshipmen as Naval Academy "Youngsters"</p>
+
+<p class="cb">By<br /><br />
+H. IRVING HANCOCK Illustrated</p>
+
+<p class="cb">MCMXI</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS</h3>
+
+<table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align="left"><small>CHAPTER</small></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">I</a>.</td><td align="left">A QUESTION OF MIDSHIPMAN HONOR</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">II</a>.</td><td align="left">DAVE'S PAP-SHEET ADVICE</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">III</a>.</td><td align="left">MIDSHIPMAN PENNINGTON GOES TOO FAR</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">IV</a>.</td><td align="left">A LITTLE MEETING ASHORE</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">V</a>.</td><td align="left">WHEN THE SECONDS WONDERED</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">VI</a>.</td><td align="left">IN TROUBLE ON FOREIGN SOIL</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">VII</a>.</td><td align="left">PENNINGTON GETS HIS WISH</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">VIII</a>.</td><td align="left">THE TRAGEDY OF THE GALE</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">IX</a>.</td><td align="left">THE DESPAIR OF THE "RECALL"</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">X</a>.</td><td align="left">THE GRIM WATCH FROM THE WAVES</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">XI</a>.</td><td align="left">MIDSHIPMAN PENNINGTON'S ACCIDENT</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">XII</a>.</td><td align="left">BACK IN THE HOME TOWN</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">XIII</a>.</td><td align="left">DAN RECEIVES A FEARFUL FACER</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">XIV</a>.</td><td align="left">THE FIRST HOP WITH THE HOME GIRLS</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">XV</a>.</td><td align="left">A DISAGREEABLE FIRST CLASSMAN</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">XVI</a>.</td><td align="left">HOW DAN FACED THE BOARD</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">XVII</a>.</td><td align="left">LOSING THE TIME-KEEPER'S COUNT</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">XVIII</a>.</td><td align="left">FIGHTING THE FAMOUS DOUBLE BATTLE</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">XIX</a>.</td><td align="left">THE OFFICER IN CHARGE IS SHOCKED</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">XX</a>.</td><td align="left">CONCLUSION</td></tr>
+</table>
+
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I<br /><br />
+A QUESTION OF MIDSHIPMAN HONOR</h3>
+
+<p>"How can a midshipman and gentleman act in that way?"</p>
+
+<p>The voice of Midshipman David Darrin, United States Navy, vibrated
+uneasily as he turned to his comrades.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a shame&mdash;that's what it is," quivered Mr. Farley, also of the
+third class at the United States Naval Academy.</p>
+
+<p>"But the question is," propounded Midshipman Dan Dalzell, "what are we
+going to do about it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Is it any part of our business to bother with the fellow?" demanded
+Farley half savagely.</p>
+
+<p>Now Farley was rather hot-tempered, though he was "all there" in points
+that involved the honor of the brigade of midshipmen.</p>
+
+<p>Five midshipmen stood in the squalid, ill-odored back room of a Chinese
+laundry in the town of Annapolis.</p>
+
+<p>There was a sixth midshipman present in the handsome blue uniform of the
+brigade; and it was upon this sixth one that the anger and disgust of
+the other five had centered.</p>
+
+<p>He lay in a sleep too deep for stirring. On the still, foul air floated
+fumes that were new to those of his comrades who now gazed down on him.</p>
+
+<p>"To think that one of our class could make such a beast of himself!"
+sighed Dave Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>"And on the morning of the very day we're to ship for the summer
+cruise," uttered Farley angrily.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, well" growled Hallam, "why not let this animal of lower grade sleep
+just where he is? Let him take what he has fairly brought upon himself!"</p>
+
+<p>"That's the very question that is agitating me," declared Dave Darrin,
+to whom these other members of the third class looked as a leader when
+there was a point involving class honor.</p>
+
+<p>Dave had became a leader through suffering.</p>
+
+<p>Readers of the preceding volume in this series, "DAVE DARRIN'S FIRST
+YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS," will need no introduction to this fine specimen of
+spirited and honorable young American.</p>
+
+<p>Readers of that preceding volume will recall how Dave Darrin and Dan
+Dalzell entered the United States Naval Academy, one appointed by a
+Congressman and the other by a United States Senator. Such readers will
+remember the difficult time that Dave and Dan had in getting through the
+work of the first hard, grinding year. They will also recall how Dave
+Darrin, when accused of treachery to his classmates, patiently bided his
+time until he, with the aid of some close friends, was able to
+demonstrate his innocence. Our readers will also remember how two
+evil-minded members of the then fourth class plotted to increase Damn's
+disgrace and to drive him out of the brigade; also how these two
+plotters, Midshipmen Henkel and Brimmer, were caught in their plotting
+and were themselves forced out of the brigade. Our readers know that
+before the end of the first year at the Naval Academy, Dave had fully
+reinstated himself in the esteem of his manly classmates, and how he
+quickly became the most popular and respected member of his class.</p>
+
+<p>It was now only the day after the events whose narration closed the
+preceding volume.</p>
+
+<p>Dave Darrin and Dalzell were first of all brought to notice in "THE HIGH
+SCHOOL BOYS' SERIES." In their High School days, back in Gridley, these
+two had been famous members of Dick &amp; Co., a sextette of youngsters who
+had made a name for themselves in school athletics.</p>
+
+<p>Dick Prescott and Greg Holmes, two other members of the sextette, had
+been appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point,
+where they were serving in the corps of cadets and learning how to
+become Army officers in the not far distant future. All of the
+adventures of Dick and Greg are set forth in "THE WEST POINT SERIES."</p>
+
+<p>The two remaining members of famous old Dick &amp; Co., Tom Reade and Harry
+Hazelton, became civil engineers, and went West for their first taste of
+engineering work. Tom and Harry had some wonderful and startling
+adventures, as fully set forth in "THE YOUNG ENGINEERS' SERIES."</p>
+
+<p>On this early June day when we again encounter Dave Darrin and Dan
+Dalzell in their handsome Naval uniforms, all members of the first,
+second and third classes were due to be aboard one of the three great
+battleships that lay off the Yard at Annapolis at four p.m.</p>
+
+<p>These three great battleships were the "Massachusetts," the "Iowa" and
+the "Indiana." These three huge, turreted fighting craft had their full
+crews aboard. Not one of the battleship commanders would allow a
+"jackie" ashore, except on business, through fear that many of the
+"wilder" ones might find the attractions on shore too alluring, and fail
+to return in time.</p>
+
+<p>With the young midshipmen it was different. These young men were
+officially and actually gentlemen, and could be trusted.</p>
+
+<p>Yet here, in the back room of this laundry, was one who was apparently
+not dependable.</p>
+
+<p>This young midshipman's name was Pennington, and the fact was that he
+lay in deep stupor from the effects of smoking opium!</p>
+
+<p>It had been a storekeeper, with a shop across the street, who had called
+the attention of Dave and his four comrades to the probable fate of
+another of their class.</p>
+
+<p>"Chow Hop runs a laundry, but I have heard evil stories about a lot of
+young fools who flock to his back room and get a chance to 'hit' the
+opium pipe," the storekeeper had stated to Dave. "One of your men, or at
+least, one in a midshipman's uniform, went in there at eleven o'clock
+this forenoon, and he hasn't been out since. It is now nearly two
+o'clock and, I've been looking for some midshipmen to inform."</p>
+
+<p>Such had been the storekeeper's careful statement. The merchants of
+Annapolis always have a kindly feeling toward these fine young
+midshipmen. The storekeeper's purpose was to enable them to help their
+comrade out.</p>
+
+<p>So the five had entered the laundry. The proprietor, Chow Hop, had
+attempted to bar their way to the rear room.</p>
+
+<p>But Dave had seized the yellow man and had flung him aside.</p>
+
+<p>The reader already knows what they discovered, and how it affected these
+young men.</p>
+
+<p>"Bring that copper-colored chink in here, if you'll be so good,"
+directed Dave.</p>
+
+<p>Dan and Hallam departed on the quest.</p>
+
+<p>"You're wanted in there," proclaimed Dalzell, jerking a thumb over his
+shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>"Me no sabby," replied Chow Hop, looking up briefly from his ironing
+board.</p>
+
+<p>"Get in there&mdash;do you hear?" commanded Hallam, gripping the other's arm
+with all his force.</p>
+
+<p>"You lemme go chop-chop (quickly), or you get alle samee hurt&mdash;you
+sabby?" scowled Chow Hop, using his free hand to raise a heavy flat-iron
+menacingly.</p>
+
+<p>But Dan Dalzell jumped in, giving the Chinaman's wrist a wrench that
+caused him to drop the iron.</p>
+
+<p>Then, without a bit of ceremony, Dan grasped the Oriental by the
+shoulders, wheeled him about, while he protested in guttural tones, and
+bluntly kicked the yellow-faced one through the door into the inner
+room.</p>
+
+<p>At this summary proceeding both the Chinese helpers gripped their
+flat-irons firmly; and leaped forward to fight.</p>
+
+<p>In an ugly temper the Chinaman is a bad man to oppose. But now this pair
+were faced by a pair of quietly smiling midshipmen who were also
+dangerous when angry.</p>
+
+<p>"You two, get back," ordered Dalzell, advancing fearlessly upon the
+pair. "If you don't, we'll drag you out into the street and turn you
+over to the policemen. You 'sabby' that? You heathen are pretty likely
+to get into prison for this day's work!"</p>
+
+<p>Scowling for a moment, then muttering savagely, the two helpers slunk
+back to their ironing boards.</p>
+
+<p>Yet, while Dan turned to go into the rear room, Hallam stood just where
+he was, to keep an eye on two possible sources of swift trouble.</p>
+
+<p>"Chow Hop," began Dave Damn sternly, as the proprietor made his flying
+appearance, "You've done a pretty mean piece of work here"&mdash;pointing to
+the unconscious midshipman in the berth. "Do you understand that you're
+pretty likely to go to prison for this?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that no maller," replied Chow, with a sullen grin. "Him plenty
+'shipmen come here and smoke."</p>
+
+<p>"You lie!" hissed Dave, grasping the heathen by the collar and shaking
+him until the latter's teeth rattled.</p>
+
+<p>Then Dave gave him a brief rest, though he still retained his hold on
+the Chinaman's collar. But the yellow man began struggling again, and
+Dave repeated the shaking.</p>
+
+<p>Chow Hop had kept his hands up inside his wide sleeves. Now Farley
+leaped forward as he shouted:</p>
+
+<p>"Look out, Darry! He has a knife!"</p>
+
+<p>Farley attempted to seize the Chinaman's wrist, for the purpose of
+disarming the yellow man, but Dave swiftly threw the Chinaman around out
+of Farley's reach. Then, with a lightning-like move, Dave knocked the
+knife from Chow Hop's hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Pick that up and keep it for a curio, Farley," directed Dave coolly.</p>
+
+<p>In another twinkling Darrin had run the Chinaman up against the wall.</p>
+
+<p>Smack! biff! thump!</p>
+
+<p>With increasing force Dave's hard fist struck the heathen in the face.</p>
+
+<p>"Now stand there and behave yourself," admonished Midshipman Dave,
+dropping his hold on the yellow man's collar, "or we'll stop playing
+with you and hurt you some."</p>
+
+<p>The scowl on Chow Hop's face was ominous, but he stood still, glaring at
+Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"Chow, what can we do to bring this man out of his sleep!" asked Dave
+coolly, and almost in a friendly tone.</p>
+
+<p>"Me no sabby," sulked the Chinaman.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, you do," retorted Dave warningly. "Now, what can we do to get our
+friend out of this!"</p>
+
+<p>"You allee same cally (carry) him out," retorted Chow, with a suspicion
+of a sulky grin.</p>
+
+<p>"None of that, now, you yellow-face!" glared Dave. "How shall we get our
+comrade out of this opium sleep!"</p>
+
+<p>"Me no sabby no way," insisted Chow.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, you do!" snapped Dave. "But you won't tell. All right; we'll
+find the way, and we'll punish you into the bargain. Dan, get a piece of
+paper from the other room."</p>
+
+<p>Dalzell was quickly back with the desired item. On the paper Dave wrote
+a name and a telephone number.</p>
+
+<p>"It's near the end of the doctor's office hours," murmured Dave. "Go to
+a telephone and ask the doctor to meet you at the corner above. Tell him
+it's vastly important, and ask him to meet you on the jump."</p>
+
+<p>"Shall I tell him what's up!" asked Dan cautiously.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; you'd better. Then he'll be sure to bring the necessary remedies
+with him."</p>
+
+<p>Dan Dalzell was off like a shot.</p>
+
+<p>Chow tried to edge around toward the door.</p>
+
+<p>"Here, you get back there," cried Dave, seizing the Chinaman and
+slamming him back against the wall. "Don't you move again, until we tell
+you that you may&mdash;or it will be the worse for you."</p>
+
+<p>Ten minutes passed ere Dan returned with Dr. Lawrence.</p>
+
+<p>"You see the job that's cut out for you," said Darrin, pointing to the
+unconscious figure in the bunk. "Can you do it, Doctor?"</p>
+
+<p>The medical man made a hasty examination of the unconscious midshipman
+before he answered briefly:</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"Will it be a long job, Doctor?"</p>
+
+<p>"Fifteen minutes, probably."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, good, if you can do it in that time!"</p>
+
+<p>"Me go now?" asked Chow, with sullen curiosity, as the medical man
+opened his medicine-case.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; if you don't try to leave the joint," agreed Dave. "And I'm going
+outside with you."</p>
+
+<p>Chow looked very much as though he did not care for company, but
+Midshipman Darrin kept at his side.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, see here, Chow," warned Dave, "this is the last day you sell opium
+for white men to smoke!"</p>
+
+<p>"You heap too flesh (fresh)" growled the Chinaman.</p>
+
+<p>"It's the last day you'll sell opium to white men," insisted Dave, "for,
+as soon as I'm through here I'm going to the police station to inform
+against you. They'll go through here like a twelve-inch shot."</p>
+
+<p>"You alle same tell cop?" grinned Chow, green hatred showing through his
+skin. "Then I tell evelybody about you fliend in there."</p>
+
+<p>"Do just as you please about that," retorted Dave with pretended
+carelessness. "For one thing, you don't know his name."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, I do," swaggered Chow impudently. "Know heap 'bout him. His
+name alle same Pen'ton."</p>
+
+<p>Seizing a marking brush and a piece of paper, Chow Hop quickly wrote out
+Pennington's name, correctly spelled. His ability to write English with
+a good hand was one of Chow's great vanities, anyway.</p>
+
+<p>"You go back to your ironing board, yellow-face," warned Darrin, and
+something in the young third classman's face showed Chow that it would
+be wise to obey.</p>
+
+<p>Then Hallam drew Darrin to one side, to whisper earnestly in his ear:</p>
+
+<p>"Look out, old man, or you will get Pen into an awful scrape!"</p>
+
+<p>"I shan't do it," maintained Darrin. "If it happens it will have been
+Pen's own work."</p>
+
+<p>"You'd better let the chink go, just to save one of our class."</p>
+
+<p>"Is a fellow who has turned opium fiend worth saving to the class!"
+demanded Dave, looking straight into Hallam's eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, er&mdash;er&mdash;" stammered the other man.</p>
+
+<p>"You see," smiled Dave, "the doubt hits you just as hard as it does me!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, of course, a fellow who has turned opium fiend is no fellow ever to
+be allowed to reach the bridge and the quarter-deck," admitted Hallam.
+"But see here, are you going to report this affair to the commandant of
+midshipmen, or to anyone else in authority?"</p>
+
+<p>"I've no occasion to report," replied Dave dryly. "I am not in any way
+in command over Pennington. But I mean to persuade him to report himself
+for what he has done!"</p>
+
+<p>"But that would ruin him!" protested Hallam, aghast. "He wouldn't even
+be allowed to start on the cruise. He'd be railroaded home without loss
+of a moment."</p>
+
+<p>"Yet you've just said that an opium-user isn't fit to go on in the
+brigade," retorted Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>"Hang it, it's hard to know what to do," rejoined Hallam, wrinkling his
+forehead. "Of course we want to be just to Pen."</p>
+
+<p>"It doesn't strike me as being just exactly a question of justice to
+Pennington," Darrin went on earnestly. "If this is anything it's a
+question of midshipman honor. We fellows are bound to see that all the
+unworthy ones are dropped from the service. Now, a fellow who has
+fastened the opium habit on himself isn't fit to go on, is he?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, say, but this is a hard one to settle!" groaned Hallam.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I'll take all the responsibility upon myself," said Dave promptly.
+"I don't want to make any mistake, and I don't believe I'm going to.
+Wait just a moment."</p>
+
+<p>Going to the rear room, Dave faced his three comrades there with the
+question:</p>
+
+<p>"You three are enough to take care of everything here for a few minutes,
+aren't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," nodded Dan. "What's up?"</p>
+
+<p>"Hallam and I are going for a brief walk."</p>
+
+<p>Then, stepping back into the front room, Darrin nodded to his classmate,
+who followed him outside.</p>
+
+<p>"Just come along, and say nothing about the matter on the street,"
+requested Dave. "It might be overheard."</p>
+
+<p>"Where are you going?" questioned Hallam wonderingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Wait and see, please."</p>
+
+<p>From Chow Hop's wretched establishment it was not far to the other
+building that Dave had in mind as a destination.</p>
+
+<p>But when they arrived, and stood at the foot of the steps, Hallam
+clutched Darrin's arm, holding him back.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, see here, this is the police station!"</p>
+
+<p>"I know it," Dave replied calmly.</p>
+
+<p>"But see here, you're not&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not going to drag you into anything that you'd object to," Darrin
+continued. "Come along; all I want you for is as a witness to what I am
+going to say."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't do it, old fel&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I've thought that over, and I feel that I must," replied Dave firmly.
+"Come along. Don't attract attention by standing here arguing."</p>
+
+<p>In another instant the two midshipmen were going swiftly up the steps.</p>
+
+<p>The chief of police received his two callers courteously. Dave told the
+official how their attention had been called to the fact that one of
+their number was in an opium joint. Dave named the place, but requested
+the chief to wait a full hour before taking any action.</p>
+
+<p>"That will give us a chance to get out a comrade who may have committed
+only his first offense," Dave continued.</p>
+
+<p>"If there's any opium being smoked in that place I'll surely close the
+joint out!" replied the chief, bringing his fist down upon his desk.
+"But I understand your reasons, Mr.&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Darrin is my name, sir," replied Dave quietly.</p>
+
+<p>"So, Mr. Darrin, I give you my word that I won't even start my
+investigations before this evening. And I'll keep all quiet about the
+midshipman end of it."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you very much, sir," said Dave gratefully.</p>
+
+<p>As the two midshipmen strolled slowly back in the direction of Chow
+Hop's, Dave murmured:</p>
+
+<p>"Now, you see why I took this step?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm afraid not very clearly," replied Midshipman Hallam.</p>
+
+<p>"That scoundrelly Chow made his boast that other midshipmen patronized
+his place. I don't believe it. Such a vice wouldn't appeal to you, and
+it doesn't to me. But there are more than two hundred new plebes coming
+in just now, and many of these boys have never been away from home
+before. Some of them might foolishly seek the lure of a new vice, and
+might find the habit fastened on them before they were aware of it.
+Chow's vile den might spoil some good material for the quarter-deck,
+and, as a matter of midshipman honor, we're bound to see that the place
+is cleaned out right away."</p>
+
+<p>"I guess, Darry, you come pretty near being right," assented Hallam,
+after thinking for a few moments.</p>
+
+<p>By the time they reached Chow Hop's again they found that Dr. Lawrence
+had brought the unfortunate Pennington to. And a very scared and
+humiliated midshipman it was who now stood up, a bit unsteadily, and
+tried to smooth down his uniform.</p>
+
+<p>"How do you feel now?" asked Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"Awful!" shuddered Pennington. "And now see here, what are you fellows
+going to do? Blab, and see me driven out of the Navy?"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't do any talking in here," advised Dave, with a meaning look over
+his shoulder at the yellow men in the outer room. "Doctor, is our friend
+in shape to walk along with us now?"</p>
+
+<p>"He will be, in two or three minutes, after he drinks something I'm
+going to give him," replied the medical man, shaking a few drops from
+each of three vials into a glass of water. "Here, young man, drink this
+slowly."</p>
+
+<p>Three minutes later the midshipmen left the place, Dave walking beside
+Pennington and holding his arm lightly for the purpose of steadying him.</p>
+
+<p>"How did this happen, Pen?" queried Dave, when the six men of the third
+class at last found themselves walking down Maryland Avenue. "How long
+have you been at this 'hop' trick?"</p>
+
+<p>"Never before to-day," replied Midshipman Pennington quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"Pen, will you tell me that on your honor?" asked Dave gravely.</p>
+
+<p>The other midshipman flared up.</p>
+
+<p>"Why must I give you my word of honor?" he demanded defiantly. "Isn't my
+plain word good enough?"</p>
+
+<p>"Your word of honor that you had never smoked opium before to-day would
+help to ease my mind a whole lot," replied Darrin. "Come, unburden
+yourself, won't you, Pen?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell you, Darry, just how it happened. To-day <i>was</i> the first
+time, on my word of honor, I came out into Annapolis with a raging
+toothache. Now, you know how a fellow gets to hate to go before the
+medical officers of the Academy with a tale about his teeth."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I do," nodded Darrin. "If a fellow is too much on the medical
+report for trouble with his teeth, then it makes the surgeons look his
+mouth over with all the more caution, and in the end a fellow may get
+dropped from the brigade just because he has invited over zeal from the
+dentist. But what has all this to do with opium smoking?"</p>
+
+<p>"Just this," replied Pennington, hanging his head. "I went into a drug
+store and asked a clerk that I know what was the best thing for
+toothache. He told me the best he knew was to smoke a pipe of opium, and
+told me where to find Chow Hop, and what to say to the chink. And it's
+all a lie about opium helping a sore tooth," cried the wretched
+midshipman, clapping a hand to his jaw, "for there goes that fiendish
+tooth again! But say! You fellows are not going to leak about my little
+mishap?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," replied Darrin with great promptness. "You're going to do that
+yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"What?" gasped Midshipman Pennington in intense astonishment. "What are
+you talking about?"</p>
+
+<p>"You'll be wise to turn in a report, on what happened," pursued Dave,
+"for it's likely to reach official ears, anyway, and you'll be better
+off if you make the first report on the subject."</p>
+
+<p>"Why is it likely to reach official ears, if you fellows keep your
+mouths shut?"</p>
+
+<p>"You see," Darrin went on very quietly, "I reported the joint at the
+police station, and Chow Hop threatened that, if I did, he'd tell all he
+knew about everybody. So you'd better be first&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"You broke the game out to the police!" gasped Pennington, staring
+dumfoundedly at his comrade. "What on earth&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I did it because I had more than one satisfactory reason for
+considering it my duty," interposed Dave, speaking quietly though
+firmly.</p>
+
+<p>"You&mdash;you&mdash;bag of wind!" exploded Midshipman Pennington.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll accept your apology when you've had time to think it all over,"
+replied Dave, with a smile, though there was a brief flash in his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll make no apology to you&mdash;at any time, you&mdash;you&mdash;greaser!"</p>
+
+<p>Marks for efficiency or good conduct, which increase a midshipman's
+standing, are called "grease-marks" or "grease" in midshipman slang.
+Hence a midshipman who is accused of currying favor with his officers in
+order to win "grease" is contemptuously termed a "greaser."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't want to talk with you any more, Mr. Darrin," Pennington went on
+bitterly, "or walk with you, either. When I get over this toothache I'll
+call you out&mdash;you greaser!"</p>
+
+<p>Burning with indignation, Midshipman Pennington fell back to walk with
+Hallam.</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II<br /><br />
+DAVE'S PAP-SHEET ADVICE</h3>
+
+<p>When our party reached the landing a lively scene lay before them.</p>
+
+<p>Fully a hundred midshipmen, belonging to the first, second and third
+classes, were waiting to be transported out to one or another of the
+great, gray battleships.</p>
+
+<p>Several launches were darting back and forth over the water. The baggage
+of the midshipmen had already been taken aboard the battleships. Only
+the young men themselves were now awaited.</p>
+
+<p>Near-by stood a lieutenant of the Navy, who was directing the
+embarkation of the midshipmen of the different classes.</p>
+
+<p>Five minutes after our party arrived a launch from the "Massachusetts"
+lay in alongside the landing.</p>
+
+<p>"Third classmen, this way!" shouted the lieutenant. "How many of you?"</p>
+
+<p>Turning his eyes over the squad that had moved forward, the officer
+continued:</p>
+
+<p>"Twenty-two. You can all crowd into this launch. Move quickly, young
+gentlemen!"</p>
+
+<p>In another couple of minutes the puffing launch was steaming away to the
+massive battleship that lay out in the stream.</p>
+
+<p>Dave stood well up in the bow. Once he barely overheard Pennington
+mutter to a comrade:</p>
+
+<p>"The rascally greaser!"</p>
+
+<p>"That means me," Dave muttered under his breath. "I won't take it up
+now, or in any hurry. I'll wait until Pen has had time to see things
+straight."</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the launch lay alongside, the young midshipmen clambered
+nimbly up the side gangway, each raising his cap to the flag at the
+stern as he passed through the opening in the rail.</p>
+
+<p>Here stood an officer with an open book in his hand. To him each
+midshipman reported, saluting, stated his name, and received his
+berthing.</p>
+
+<p>"Hurry away to find your berthings, and get acquainted with the
+location," ordered this officer. "Every midshipman will report on the
+quarter-deck promptly at five p.m. In the meantime, after locating your
+berthings, you are at liberty to range over the ship, avoiding the ward
+room and the staterooms of officers."</p>
+
+<p>The latest arrivals saluted. Then, under the guidance of messengers
+chosen from among the apprentice members of the crew, the young men
+located their berthings.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm going to get mine changed, if I can," growled Pennington, wheeling
+upon Dave Darrin. "I'm much too close to a greaser. I'm afraid I may get
+my uniforms spotted, as well as my character."</p>
+
+<p>"Stop that, Pen!" warned Dave, stationing himself squarely before the
+angry Pennington. "I don't know just how far you're responsible for what
+you're saying now. To-morrow, if you make any such remarks to me, you'll
+have to pay a mighty big penalty for them."</p>
+
+<p>"You'll make me pay by going to the commandant and telling him all you
+know, I suppose?" sneered Pennington.</p>
+
+<p>"You know better, Pen! Now, begin to practise keeping a civil tongue
+behind your teeth!"</p>
+
+<p>With that, Darrin turned on his heel, seeking the deck.</p>
+
+<p>This left "Pen" to conjecture as to whether he should report his
+misadventure, and, if so, how best to go about it.</p>
+
+<p>"See here, Hallam," began the worried midshipman, "I begin to feel that
+it will be safer to turn in some kind of report on myself."</p>
+
+<p>"Much safer," agreed Hallam. "It will show good faith on your part if
+you report yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"And get me broken from the service, too, I suppose," growled the
+unhappy one.</p>
+
+<p>"I hardly think it will, if you report yourself first," urged Hallam.
+"But you'll be about certain to get your walking papers if you wait for
+the first information to come from other sources."</p>
+
+<p>"Hang it," groaned Pennington, "I wish I could think, but my head aches
+as though it would split and my tooth is putting up more trouble than I
+ever knew there was in the world. And, in this racked condition, I'm to
+go and put myself on the pap-sheet. In what way shall I do it, Hallam?
+Can't you suggest something?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," retorted Hallam with great energy. "Go to the medical officer and
+tell him how your tooth troubles you. Tell him what you tried on shore.
+I'll go with you, if you want."</p>
+
+<p>"Will you, old man? I'll be a thousand times obliged!"</p>
+
+<p>So the pair went off in search of the sick-bay, as the hospital part of
+a battleship is called. The surgeon was not in his office adjoining, but
+the hospital steward called him over one of the ship telephones,
+informing him that a midshipman was suffering with an ulcerated tooth.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Mackenzie came at once, turned on a reflector light, and gazed into
+Midshipman Pennington's mouth.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you tried to treat this tooth yourself, in any way?" queried the
+ship's surgeon.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; I was so crazy with the pain, while in Annapolis, that I am
+afraid I did something that will get me into trouble," replied
+Pennington, with a quiver in his voice.</p>
+
+<p>"What was that?" asked Dr. Mackenzie, glancing at him sharply. "Did you
+try the aid of liquor?"</p>
+
+<p>"Worse, I'm afraid, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Worse?"</p>
+
+<p>Pennington told of his experience with the opium pipe.</p>
+
+<p>"That's no good whatever for a toothache, sir," growled Dr. Mackenzie.
+"Besides, it's a serious breach of discipline. I shall have to report
+you, Mr. Pennington."</p>
+
+<p>"I expected it, sir," replied Pennington meekly.</p>
+
+<p>"However, the report won't cure your toothache," continued Dr. Mackenzie
+in a milder tone. "We'll attend to that first."</p>
+
+<p>The surgeon busied himself with dissolving a drug in a small quantity of
+water. This he took up in a hypodermic needle and injected into the
+lower jaw.</p>
+
+<p>"The ache ought to stop in ten minutes, sir," continued the surgeon,
+turning to enter some memoranda in his record book.</p>
+
+<p>After that the surgeon called up the ship's commander over the 'phone,
+and made known Pennington's report.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Pennington, Captain Scott directs that you report at his office
+immediately," said the surgeon, as he turned away from the telephone.</p>
+
+<p>"Very good, sir. Thank you, sir."</p>
+
+<p>Both midshipmen saluted, then left the sick-bay.</p>
+
+<p>"This is where you have to go up alone, I guess," hinted Midshipman
+Hallam.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm afraid so," sighed Pennington.</p>
+
+<p>"However, I'll be on the quarter-deck, and, if I'm wanted, you can send
+there for me."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, old man. You're worth a brigade of Darrins&mdash;confound the
+greasing meddler!"</p>
+
+<p>"Darrin acted according to his best lights on the subject of duty,"
+remonstrated Mr. Hallam mildly.</p>
+
+<p>"His best lights&mdash;bah!" snarled Pennington. "I'll take this all out of
+him before I'm through with him!"</p>
+
+<p>Pennington reported to the battleship's commander. After some ten
+minutes a marine orderly found Hallam and directed him to go to Captain
+Scott's office. Here Hallam repeated as much as was asked of him
+concerning the doings of the afternoon. Incidentally, the fact of
+Midshipman Darrin's report to the police was brought out.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Pennington, I shall send you at once, in a launch, over to the
+commandant of cadets to report this matter in person to him," said
+Captain Scott gravely. "Mr. Hallam, you will go with Mr. Pennington."</p>
+
+<p>Then, after the two had departed, an apprentice messenger went through
+the ship calling Dave's name. That young man was summoned to Captain
+Scott's office.</p>
+
+<p>"I am in possession of all the facts relating to the unfortunate affair
+of Midshipman Pennington, Mr. Darrin," began Captain Scott, after the
+interchange of salutes. "Will you tell me why you reported the affair to
+the police?"</p>
+
+<p>"I went to the police, sir," Dave replied, "because I was aware that
+many members of the new fourth class are away from home for the first
+time in their lives. I was afraid, sir, that possibly some of the new
+midshipmen might, during one of their town-leaves, be tempted to try for
+a new experience."</p>
+
+<p>"A very excellent reason, Mr. Darrin, and I commend you heartily for it.
+I shall also report your exemplary conduct to the commandant of
+midshipmen. You have, in my opinion, Mr. Darrin, displayed very good
+judgment, and you acted upon that judgment with promptness and decision.
+But I am afraid," continued the Navy captain dryly, "that you have done
+something that will make you highly unpopular, for a while, with some of
+the members of your class."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope not, sir," replied Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"So do I," smiled Captain Scott "I am willing to find myself a poor
+prophet. That is all, Mr. Darrin."</p>
+
+<p>Once more saluting, Dave left the commanding officer's presence. Almost
+the first classmate into whom he stumbled was Dan Dalzell.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, from what quarter does the wind blow!" murmured Dan.</p>
+
+<p>Darrin repeated the interview that he had just had.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm afraid, Dave, little giant, that you've planted something of a mine
+under yourself," murmured Dalzell.</p>
+
+<p>"I feel as much convinced as ever, Danny boy, that I did just what I
+should have done," replied Darrin seriously.</p>
+
+<p>"And so does Captain Scott, and so will the commandant," replied Dan.
+"But winning the commendation of your superior officers doesn't always
+imply that you'll get much praise from your classmates."</p>
+
+<p>"Unfortunately, you are quite right," smiled Dave. "Still, I'd do the
+same thing over again."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, of course you would," assented Dan. "That's because you're Dave
+Darrin."</p>
+
+<p>Here a voice like a bass horn was heard.</p>
+
+<p>"All third classmen report to the quarter-deck immediately!"</p>
+
+<p>This order was repeated in other parts of the ship. Midshipmen gathered
+with a rush, Pennington and Hallam being the only members absent. As
+soon as the third classmen, or "youngsters," as they are called in
+midshipman parlance, had formed, the orders were read off dividing them
+into sections for practical instruction aboard ship during the cruise.</p>
+
+<p>Dave's name was one of the first read off. He was assigned to duty as
+section leader for the first section in electrical instruction. Dalzell,
+Farley, Hallam, Pennington and others were detailed as members of that
+section.</p>
+
+<p>The same section was also designated for steam instruction, Dalzell
+being made leader of the section in this branch.</p>
+
+<p>The class was then dismissed. Somewhat later Pennington and Hallam
+returned from their interview with the commandant.</p>
+
+<p>Hallam at once sought out Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"Darry, old man," murmured Hallam, "Pen is as crazy as a hornet against
+you. As he had taken the first step by sticking himself on the pap-sheet
+(placing himself on report), the commandant said he would make the
+punishment a lighter one."</p>
+
+<p>"What did Pen get?" queried Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"Fifty demerits, with all the loss of privileges that fifty carry."</p>
+
+<p>"He's lucky," declared Dave promptly. "Had the report come from other
+sources, he would have been dismissed from the service."</p>
+
+<p>"If Pen's lucky," rejoined Hallam, "he doesn't seem to realize the fact.
+He's calling you about everything."</p>
+
+<p>"He can keep that up," flashed Dave, "until his toothache leaves him.
+Then, if he tries to carry it any further, Pen will collide with one of
+my fists!"</p>
+
+<p>Not much later a call sounded summoning the youngsters to the
+midshipmen's mess. Dave was glad to note that Pennington sat at some
+distance from him at table.</p>
+
+<p>While the meal was in progress the "Massachusetts" and the other
+battleships got under way. The midshipmen were on deck, an hour later,
+when the fleet came to anchor for the night, some miles down Chesapeake
+Bay.</p>
+
+<p>Before the youngsters were ordered to their berths that night Third
+Classman Pennington had found opportunity to do a good deal of talking
+to a few comrades who would listen to him.</p>
+
+<p>Pennington was determined to stir up a hornet's nest for Dave Darrin.</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III<br /><br />
+MIDSHIPMAN PENNINGTON GOES TOO FAR</h3>
+
+<p>At eight o'clock the following morning the various sections were formed
+and marched to the deck.</p>
+
+<p>Dave reported:</p>
+
+<p>"All present, sir."</p>
+
+<p>The chief electrician was now summoned, and to him the section was
+turned over. This young man, Whittam, by name, was an enlisted man, but
+a bright young sample of what the Navy can do for the boy who enlists as
+an apprentice.</p>
+
+<p>"You will take your orders from Mr. Whittam as though he were an
+officer," directed the officer, his words intended for all members of
+the section, though he looked only at Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>Dave saluted, then, as Chief Electrician Whittam turned to lead the way,
+Dave called quietly:</p>
+
+<p>"Section, left wheel&mdash;march!"</p>
+
+<p>They followed Whittam down into the dynamo room, an interesting spot for
+a machinist.</p>
+
+<p>"It's fine," muttered Dan, as he stared about him at the bright metal
+work, the switch-board and the revolving machines. "But I'm afraid I
+couldn't learn the use and sense of all this in five years."</p>
+
+<p>"Silence in the section," commanded Dave, turning around upon his chum.</p>
+
+<p>Whittam now began a short, preliminary talk upon the subjects in which
+the midshipmen would be required to qualify.</p>
+
+<p>"One of the first and most important requests I have to make," said
+Whittam presently, "is that none of you touch the switches, except by
+direction. None of you can guess the harm that might follow the careless
+and ignorant handling of a switch."</p>
+
+<p>"It's pretty cheeky for an enlisted man to talk to midshipmen about
+ignorance," whispered Pennington to Farley.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I don't know&mdash;" Farley started to reply, but Darrin's quiet voice
+broke in with authority:</p>
+
+<p>"Cease talking in section."</p>
+
+<p>Farley knew this to be a merited rebuke, and accepted it as such, but
+Pennington's face went violently red.</p>
+
+<p>"Confound that grease-spot-chaser," growled Pen. "He'll be bound to take
+it out of me as long as the cruise lasts. But I'll get even with him. No
+cheap greaser is going to ride over me!"</p>
+
+<p>That morning none of the midshipmen were called upon to handle any of
+the fascinating-looking machinery. Nearly the whole of this tour of
+practical instruction was taken up by the remarks of the chief
+electrician. As he spoke, Whittam moved over to one piece or another of
+mechanism and explained its uses. Finally, he began to question the
+attentive young men, to see how much of his instruction they had
+absorbed.</p>
+
+<p>"This is a shame, to set an enlisted man up over us as quiz-master, just
+to see how little we know," growled Pennington; but this time he had the
+good sense not to address his remark to anyone.</p>
+
+<p>Pennington was not yet in good shape, after his harrowing experiences of
+the day before.</p>
+
+<p>Ere the tour of instruction was over, he began to shift somewhat
+uneasily.</p>
+
+<p>Then his attention began to wander.</p>
+
+<p>A brilliantly shining brass rod near him caught his eye. Something about
+the glossy metal fascinated him.</p>
+
+<p>Once or twice Pen put out his hand to touch the rod, but as quickly
+reconsidered and drew back his hand.</p>
+
+<p>At last, however, the temptation proved too strong. He slid one hand
+along the rail.</p>
+
+<p>"Here, sir, don't handle that!" rasped in the voice of Whittam.</p>
+
+<p>Pennington drew back his hand, a flush mounting to his face.</p>
+
+<p>"The fellow has no right to talk to a midshipman in that fashion!"
+quivered Pennington to himself. "But it was the fault of that low-minded
+greaser Darrin, anyway. Darrin saw me, and he glanced swiftly at the
+chief electrician to draw attention to me."</p>
+
+<p>It is only just to Pennington to state that he actually believed he had
+seen Dave do this. Darrin, however, was not guilty of the act. He had in
+no way sought to direct attention at Pennington.</p>
+
+<p>Towards the close of the tour the officer in whose department this
+instruction fell passed through the dynamo room.</p>
+
+<p>"Are there any breaches of conduct to be reported, Whittam?" inquired
+the officer, halting.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing worth mentioning, sir," replied the chief electrician.</p>
+
+<p>"I asked you, Whittam, whether there had been any breaches of conduct,"
+retorted the officer with some asperity.</p>
+
+<p>"One midshipman, sir, after having been instructed to touch nothing,
+rested his hand on one of the brass rods."</p>
+
+<p>"His name?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know the names of many of the young gentlemen yet, sir, so I
+don't know the particular midshipman's name, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Then point him out to me," insisted the officer.</p>
+
+<p>There was hardly any need to do so. Pennington's face, flushed with
+mortification, was sufficient identification. But the chief electrician
+stepped over, halting in front of the hapless one, and said:</p>
+
+<p>"This is the young gentleman, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Your name, sir?" demanded the officer.</p>
+
+<p>"Pennington, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Pennington, you will place yourself on the report, sir, for
+disobedience of orders," commanded the officer. "Is this the only case,
+Whittam?"</p>
+
+<p>"The only case, sir."</p>
+
+<p>The officer passed out of the dynamo room, leaving the unlucky one more
+than ever angry with Darrin, whom he incorrectly charged with his
+present trouble.</p>
+
+<p>The recall sounding, Dave turned to Whittam, saying crisply but
+pleasantly:</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you for our instruction."</p>
+
+<p>"He's thanking the fellow for my new scrape," growled Pennington
+inwardly.</p>
+
+<p>Dave marched his section back to deck and dismissed it. Dan Dalzell, as
+section leader in steam instruction, immediately re-formed it.</p>
+
+<p>"You will report in the engine-room, Mr. Dalzell, to
+Lieutenant-Commander Forman, who is chief engineer of this ship. He will
+assign you to an instructor."</p>
+
+<p>"Aye, aye, sir," Dan replied, saluting. "Section, right wheel&mdash;march!"</p>
+
+<p>Dan already knew where, down in the bowels of the great battleship, to
+find the engine room.</p>
+
+<p>Reaching that department, Dan halted his section.</p>
+
+<p>"Section all present, sir," reported Dan, saluting a strange officer,
+who, however, wore the insignia of a lieutenant-commander.</p>
+
+<p>"Your name, sir?" inquired the officer.</p>
+
+<p>"Dalzell, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Let your section break ranks. Then you may all follow me, and keep your
+eyes open, for you will go through one or two dark places."</p>
+
+<p>"Aye, aye, sir. Section break ranks."</p>
+
+<p>Lieutenant-Commander Forman led the way, with all the members of the
+section wondering what was to be the nature of their first day's work in
+the engineer department.</p>
+
+<p>Descending lower into the ship, the chief engineer led the young middies
+over a grating, and paused at the head of an iron ladder.</p>
+
+<p>"Pass down in orderly fashion, single file," directed the chief
+engineer, halting. "When at the foot of this ladder, cross a grating to
+port side, and then descend a second ladder, which you will find."</p>
+
+<p>All the midshipmen went down the first ladder in silence. Dan, who had
+preceded the others, crossed the grating and found the second ladder.</p>
+
+<p>Once more these youngsters descended. Pennington, as though by mere
+accident, succeeded in following Dave Darrin down the ladder.</p>
+
+<p>Just as they were near the bottom Dave felt a foot descend upon his
+shoulder, almost with a kick, and then rest there with a crushing
+pressure.</p>
+
+<p>It hurt keenly until Darrin was able to dodge out from under and
+hurriedly reach the bottom.</p>
+
+<p>"Pardon, whoever you are," came a gruff voice.</p>
+
+<p>Dave, with his shoulder crippled a good deal, and paining keenly, halted
+as soon as his foot had touched bottom. It was dark down there, though
+some reflected light came from an incandescent light at a distance.</p>
+
+<p>Dave waited, to peer into the face of the man who had stepped on his
+shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>It was Pennington, of course!</p>
+
+<p>"I'll take pains not to go down ahead of you again, or to follow you up
+a ladder," grunted Darrin suspiciously.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, are you the man on whose shoulder my foot rested?" asked
+Pennington, with apparent curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>"Didn't you know it!" questioned Darrin, looking straight into the
+other's eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Instead of answering intelligibly, Pennington turned and walked away a
+few feet.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps that fellow thinks he's going to vent his spite on me in a lot
+of petty ways," murmured Dave. "If that is the idea he has in his head,
+he's going to wake up one of these days!"</p>
+
+<p>Following the last midshipman came Lieutenant-Commander Forman.</p>
+
+<p>"After me, gentlemen," directed the chief engineer. He turned down a
+narrow passage, only a few feet long, and came out in the furnace room.</p>
+
+<p>Here huge fires glowed through the furnace doors. Four of the Navy's
+firemen stood resting on their shovels. Instantly, on perceiving the
+chief engineer, however, the men stood at attention.</p>
+
+<p>"Pass the word for the chief water tender," ordered the engineer,
+turning to one of the firemen.</p>
+
+<p>The messenger soon came back with a pleasant-faced, stalwart man of
+forty.</p>
+
+<p>"Heistand," ordered the chief engineer, "give these members of the first
+section, third: class, steam instruction, a thorough drill in firing."</p>
+
+<p>"Aye, aye, sir," replied the chief water tender, saluting.</p>
+
+<p>"Heistand's orders are mine, Mr. Dalzell," continued the
+lieutenant-commander, facing Dan. "Preserve order in your section."</p>
+
+<p>"Aye, aye, sir," replied Dan, saluting. Acknowledging this courtesy in
+kind, the chief engineer turned and left the furnace room.</p>
+
+<p>Heistand was presumably of German parentage, though he had no accent. He
+struck the midshipmen as being a pleasant, wholesome fellow, though the
+water tenders and firemen of the "Massachusetts" knew that he could be
+extremely strict and grim at need.</p>
+
+<p>"You will now, young gentlemen," began Heistand, "proceed to learn all
+about priming a furnace, lighting, building, cleaning and generally
+taking care of a fire. Two furnaces have been left idle for this
+instruction."</p>
+
+<p>But two of the regular firemen now remained in the room. These were
+ordered to hustle out coal before boilers B and D. Then Heistand taught
+the members of the section how to swing a shovel to the best advantage
+so as to get in a maximum of coal with the least effort. He also
+illustrated two or three incorrect ways of shoveling coal.</p>
+
+<p>"The idea of making coal heavers out of us!" growled a much-disgusted
+voice.</p>
+
+<p>Dan did not see who the speaker was, but his eyes flashed as he turned
+and rasped out:</p>
+
+<p>"Silence in the section! Speak only to ask for information, and then at
+the proper time."</p>
+
+<p>"Another young autocrat!" muttered a voice.</p>
+
+<p>"Wait one moment, please, Heistand," begged Dan. Then, wheeling squarely
+about, and facing all the members of the section, he declared with
+emphasis:</p>
+
+<p>"If there's any more unauthorized talking I shall feel obliged to pass
+the word above that discipline is in a bad way in this section."</p>
+
+<p>Then he wheeled about once more, facing the chief water tender.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, young gentlemen," resumed the chief water tender, "take your
+shovels and fill in lively under boilers B and D."</p>
+
+<p>Three or four times Heistand checked one or another of the midshipmen,
+to show him a more correct way of handling the shovel. Yet, in good
+time, both furnaces were primed.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Mr. Dalzell, please detail four members of the section to follow
+me with their shovels and bring red coals from under another boiler."</p>
+
+<p>Dan appointed himself, Darrin, Farley and Pennington.</p>
+
+<p>Burning coals were brought and thrown into each furnace, and in a little
+while roaring fires were going. These, though not needed for the
+handling of the battleship, were permitted to burn for a while, Heistand
+explaining to the section practically the uses of the water gauges and
+the test cocks. By this time the midshipmen's white working clothes were
+liberally sprinkled with coal dust and somewhat smeared with oils.</p>
+
+<p>"And now, young gentlemen, as we have no further use for these fires,
+you will next learn how to haul them," announced Heistand.</p>
+
+<p>This was interesting work, but hot and fast. The implements with which
+the middies worked soon became red-hot at the end. Yet, as all entered
+into this novel work with zest, the fires had soon been hauled out on to
+the floor plates.</p>
+
+<p>Just as the last of this work was being done Pennington, as an apparent
+accident due to excess of zeal, dropped the red-hot end of his implement
+across the toe of Darrin's left shoe.</p>
+
+<p>In an instant the leather began to blaze. With swift presence of mind
+Dave stepped his right foot on the flame, smothering it at once.</p>
+
+<p>But he was "mad clean through."</p>
+
+<p>"See here, Pen," he muttered, in a low voice, his eyes blazing fiercely
+into the other midshipman's, "that is the last piece of impudence that
+will be tolerated from you."</p>
+
+<p>Midshipman Pennington's lip curled disdainfully.</p>
+
+<p>Dan had not seen the "accident," but he was near enough to hear the
+talking, and he caught Dave at it. So Dan ordered, impartially:</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Darrin, you will place yourself on report for unauthorized talking
+in section!"</p>
+
+<p>Dave flushed still more hotly, but said nothing.</p>
+
+<p>Midshipman Dalzell now marched the section from the furnace room, and
+dismissed it. It was near noon, and would soon be time for the middies
+to eat.</p>
+
+<p>Dave hurried away, washed, changed his uniform, and then stepped away
+swiftly to place himself on the report.</p>
+
+<p>"I was sorry to do that, old chum," murmured Dan, as he met Dave
+returning. "But of course I couldn't play favorites. What made you so
+far forget yourself?"</p>
+
+<p>"A something that would have had the same effect on you," retorted Dave
+grimly. Thereupon he described Pennington's two underhanded assaults
+that morning.</p>
+
+<p>"Humph!" muttered Dalzell. "That fellow Pen is bound to go the whole
+limit with you."</p>
+
+<p>"He won't go much further," declared Dave, his eyes flashing.</p>
+
+<p>"And the chump ought to know it, too," mused Dan. "The class history of
+the last year should have taught him that. But see here, Dave, I don't
+believe Pen will do anything openly. He will construct a series of
+plausible accidents."</p>
+
+<p>"There will be one thing about him that will be open, if he goes any
+further," retorted Dave, "and that will be his face when he collides
+with my fist."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope I see that when it happens," grinned Dalzell. "It's bound to be
+entertaining!"</p>
+
+<p>"Wait a second, then. Here comes Pennington now," murmured Dave Darrin
+in an undertone.</p>
+
+<p>Pennington, in his immaculate blue uniform, like the chums, came
+strolling along the passageway between decks.</p>
+
+<p>He affected not to see the chums, and would have passed by. But Dave,
+eyeing him closely, waited until Pen was barely three feet away. Then
+Darrin said tersely:</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Pennington, I wish an understanding with you."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't want any with you," replied Pennington insolently, as he stared
+at Dave from under much-raised eyebrows. He would have gone by, but Dave
+sprang squarely in front of him.</p>
+
+<p>"Just wait a moment!" warned Dave rather imperiously, for he was aglow
+with justifiable indignation.</p>
+
+<p>"Well?" demanded Pennington halting. "Out with it, whatever you may
+think you have to say."</p>
+
+<p>"I have two things to speak about," replied Dave, trying to control his
+voice. "In the first place, while going down the ladders to the furnaces
+this morning, you stepped on my shoulder."</p>
+
+<p>"Well!" insisted Pennington coldly.</p>
+
+<p>"The second thing you did was, when hauling the fires, to drop red-hot
+metal across one of my shoes, setting it on fire."</p>
+
+<p>"Well?" insisted Pennington more coldly.</p>
+
+<p>"If you mean to contend that either one was an accident," resumed Dave,
+"then&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>But he found himself obliged to pause for a moment in order to steady
+his voice.</p>
+
+<p>"Well?" asked Pennington with more insolence than ever.</p>
+
+<p>"If you make such pretense in either case," tittered Dave Darrin, "then
+you're a liar!"</p>
+
+<p>"Fellow!" sputtered Pennington, turning white with anger.</p>
+
+<p>"I mean what I say, and I can back it up," muttered Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I'll make you eat your words!" roared Pennington.</p>
+
+<p>Clenching his fists and with the boxer's attitude, Pen aimed two swift
+blows at Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>Neither blow reached, however, for Dave dodged out of the way. Then
+Darrin struck back, a straight, true, forceful blow that landed on the
+other midshipman's nose, knocking him down.</p>
+
+<p>Pennington staggered somewhat when he rose, but he was quickly up, none
+the less, and ready for anything that might happen.</p>
+
+<p>All of a sudden Dan Dalzell felt his own heart going down into his
+shoes. One of the ship's officers had just entered the passageway, in
+time to see what was going on.</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV<br /><br />
+A LITTLE MEETING ASHORE</h3>
+
+<p>"Stop it, both of you," whispered Dan.</p>
+
+<p>"Stand at attention, ready to salute the officer."</p>
+
+<p>Pennington, with the blood flowing from his damaged nose, would have
+made a most ludicrous figure saluting!</p>
+
+<p>The instant that he saw such evidence as Pen's nose presented the
+officer would be bound to make inquiries.</p>
+
+<p>Then, just as surely, his next step must be to Border the three before
+the commandant of midshipmen.</p>
+
+<p>Fighting carries with it a severe penalty. Even Dan was certain to be
+reported, through the mere fact of his presence there, as aiding in a
+fight. And those who aid are punished as severely as the principals
+themselves.</p>
+
+<p>It was a tense, fearsome instant, for midshipmen have been dismissed
+from the Naval Academy for this very offense.</p>
+
+<p>The passage was not brilliantly lighted.</p>
+
+<p>The on-coming officer, a lieutenant, junior grade, was looking at the
+floor as he came along.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly he paused, seemed lost in thought, then wheeled and walked back
+whence he had come.</p>
+
+<p>Dan breathed more easily. Dave heaved a sigh of relief.</p>
+
+<p>As for Pennington, that midshipman had wheeled and was stealing rapidly
+down the passageway, intent only on escape.</p>
+
+<p>"That was the closest squeak we'll ever have without being ragged cold,"
+murmured Dalzell tremulously.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is Pennington?" demanded Dave, wheeling about after he had
+watched the Naval lieutenant out of sight.</p>
+
+<p>"Ducked out of sight, like a submarine," chuckled Dan.</p>
+
+<p>At that moment the call for midshipmen's dinner formation sounded. Dave
+and Dan were ready.</p>
+
+<p>Pennington showed up just after the line had started to march into the
+midshipmen's mess tables.</p>
+
+<p>To the inquiry of the officer in charge, Pen lamely explained that he
+had bumped his nose into something hard in a poorly lighted passageway.</p>
+
+<p>Though the officer accepted the excuse, he smiled within himself.</p>
+
+<p>"It wasn't iron or steel that bumped that young man's nose," thought the
+officer.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, the middies haven't changed a lot since I boned at Annapolis!"</p>
+
+<p>Pennington's nose was no very lovely member of his face at that moment.
+It had been struck hard, mashed rather flat, and now looked like a red
+bulb.</p>
+
+<p>"Meet with an accident, Pen?" asked Hallam curiously at table.</p>
+
+<p>"Quit your kidding, please," requested Pennington sulkily.</p>
+
+<p>That directed the curious glances of other middies at Pennington's new
+bulbous nose.</p>
+
+<p>The young man was so brusque about it, however, that other table mates
+ceased quizzing him.</p>
+
+<p>Yet, as soon as the meal was over, many a youngster asked others of his
+class for news regarding Pen. But none possessed it.</p>
+
+<p>During the brief rest that followed the meal, however, Midshipman
+Pennington made it his business to try to meet Dave Darrin alone. He
+succeeded, finding Dave staring off across the water at the port rail.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course, Mr. Darrin," began the other midshipman, in a voice
+suggestive of ice, "you are aware that the incident of an hour ago
+cannot be allowed to pass unnoticed."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe there's any danger of that," retorted Darrin, with an
+ironical glance at Pennington's damaged-looking nose.</p>
+
+<p>"Confound you, sir," hissed the other midshipman, "don't you dare to be
+insolent with me."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I had thought," observed Dave, "that, of your own choice, the
+period of courtesies between us had passed."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall call you out, Mr. Darrin!"</p>
+
+<p>"You'll find my hearing excellent," smiled Dave. "I shall make but one
+stipulation."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll do you the favor of asking what that stipulation is," sneered
+Pennington.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, after the narrow escape we had from being caught and reported, an
+hour or so ago, I shall ask that the fight be held where we are not so
+likely to be caught at it. I don't care about being dropped from the
+Naval Academy, nor do I believe you do."</p>
+
+<p>"It would be a good thing for the service, if one of us were to be
+dropped," sneered Pennington.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes! Oh, well, you can easily procure writing materials from the
+captain's clerk," volunteered Dave generously. "On a cruise, I believe,
+a resignation is sent direct to the commandant of midshipmen."</p>
+
+<p>This ridicule served only to fan the flame of Pennington's wrath.</p>
+
+<p>"Darrin," he hissed, "the Academy isn't big enough to hold us both!"</p>
+
+<p>"But I've already told you how to get out," protested Dave coolly.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't intend to get out!"</p>
+
+<p>"No more do I," rejoined Dave. "I won't even toss pennies with you to
+find out who quits the service."</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Darrin, you are merely seeking to divert my mind from what I have
+said."</p>
+
+<p>"What did you say&mdash;particularly?"</p>
+
+<p>"That you would have to fight me."</p>
+
+<p>"I have already signified my entire willingness, Mr. Pennington. To that
+I really can add nothing."</p>
+
+<p>Fourth classmen are always addressed as "mister," and they must use the
+same "handle to the name" when addressing upper classmen. But members of
+the three upper classes resort to the use of "mister," in addressing
+classmates, only when they wish to be offensive or nearly so.</p>
+
+<p>"I will send a friend to meet you," Pennington continued.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I thought," bantered Darrin ironically, "that you were going to
+fight me yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"So I am&mdash;be sure of it. I will amend my statement by saying that I will
+send a second to see you."</p>
+
+<p>"Save time by sending him to Dalzell."</p>
+
+<p>"Very good, Mr. Darrin."</p>
+
+<p>"Is that all you wished to say to me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"Very good, Mr. Pennington."</p>
+
+<p>With two very stiff nods the midshipmen parted.</p>
+
+<p>Pennington hastened at once in search of Hallam.</p>
+
+<p>"Will you serve me, old man?" queried Pennington.</p>
+
+<p>"Sorry, but&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you see, Pen, not knowing all the facts of the case, I must admit
+that all my sympathies are with Darrin."</p>
+
+<p>"All your sympathies?" echoed Pen, frowning.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, nearly all, anyway. You see, I've known and observed Darrin for a
+full year now, and I don't believe patient old Darry is the one to start
+any trouble."</p>
+
+<p>"He called me a liar," protested Pennington.</p>
+
+<p>"Did he?" gasped Hallam.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, he qualified the statement, but his way of saying it was as
+offensive as the direct lie could have been."</p>
+
+<p>"So you're bent on fighting Darry?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am."</p>
+
+<p>"Too bad!" muttered Hallam, shaking his head.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you anxious for your idol?" asked Pen in a disagreeable tone.</p>
+
+<p>"No, Penny; it's you that I'm concerned about in my own mind. You're
+going next to a very hard proposition. Darry is patient&mdash;almost as
+patient as the proverbial camel&mdash;but when he fights he fights! You'll be
+hammered to a pulp, Pen."</p>
+
+<p>"Pooh!"</p>
+
+<p>"No one has yet beaten Darrin at a fist fight."</p>
+
+<p>"There always has to be a first time, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"And you think you're It?"</p>
+
+<p>"As far as Darrin is concerned&mdash;yes."</p>
+
+<p>"Too bad&mdash;too bad!" sighed Hallam. "I'm afraid, Penny, that the heat in
+the furnace room was too much for you this morning."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you won't serve as one of my seconds?"</p>
+
+<p>"The honor is most regretfully declined," replied Hallam in a tone of
+mock sadness.</p>
+
+<p>"You want to see Darrin win?"</p>
+
+<p>"If there has to be a fight, I do," replied Midshipman Hallam.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't bet your money on him, anyway."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not a gambler, Penny, and I don't bet," replied Hallam, with a
+dignity that, somehow, ended the conversation.</p>
+
+<p>Pennington had considerable difficulty, at first, in finding a second.
+At last, however, he induced Decker and Briggs to represent him.</p>
+
+<p>These two midshipmen went to see Dan Dalzell.</p>
+
+<p>"Wait until I send for Mr. Farley," proposed Dalzell. He soon had that
+midshipman, who was wholly willing to serve Darrin in any capacity.</p>
+
+<p>"We're ready to have the fight this evening," proposed Midshipman
+Decker.</p>
+
+<p>"We're not," retorted Dan, with vigor.</p>
+
+<p>"Why not?"</p>
+
+<p>"This forenoon Pennington deliberately stepped on Darrin's shoulder,
+with such force as to lame it a good deal," replied Dan. "Our man
+insists that he has a right to rest his shoulder, and to wait until
+to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>"But to-morrow we have a short shore liberty at Hampton Roads,"
+remonstrated Briggs.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; and during that shore liberty we can have the fight more safely
+than on board ship," insisted Dalzell.</p>
+
+<p>"But we intended to devote our shore leave to pleasure," objected
+Decker.</p>
+
+<p>"You'll find plenty of pleasure, if you accept our proposition," urged
+Dan dryly. "At any rate, we won't hear of Darrin fighting before
+to-morrow. He must have to-night to rest that shoulder."</p>
+
+<p>"All right; so be it," growled Decker, after a side glance at Briggs.</p>
+
+<p>"On shore, at some point to be selected by the seconds?" asked Dan
+Dalzell.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; that's agreed."</p>
+
+<p>Details as to whom to invite as referee and time-keeper were also
+arranged.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose we'll have to use up our shore leave that way, then," grunted
+Pennington, when told of the arrangement.</p>
+
+<p>"There's one way you can save the day," grinned Decker.</p>
+
+<p>"How?"</p>
+
+<p>"Put Darrin to sleep in the first round, then hurriedly dress and leave,
+and enjoy your time on shore."</p>
+
+<p>"But Darrin is a very able man with his fists," observed Pennington.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; but you're a mile bigger and heavier, and you're spry, too. You
+ought to handle him with all the ease in the world."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know," muttered Pennington, who didn't intend to make the
+mistake of bragging in advance. "I'll do my best, of course."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you'll win out, if you're awake," predicted Midshipman Briggs
+confidently.</p>
+
+<p>When the cadets were called, the following morning, they found the
+battleship fleet at anchor in Hampton Roads.</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V<br /><br />
+WHEN THE SECONDS WONDERED</h3>
+
+<p>One after another the launches sped ashore, carrying their swarms of
+distinguished looking young midshipmen.</p>
+
+<p>The fight party managed to get off all in the same boat, and on one of
+the earliest trips.</p>
+
+<p>Pennington was to have ordinary shore leave on the cruise, his fifty
+demerits to be paid for by loss of privileges on his return to the Naval
+Academy.</p>
+
+<p>"Decker," proposed Dan, "you and I can skip away and find a good place
+in no time. Then we can come back after the others."</p>
+
+<p>"That's agreeable to me," nodded Midshipman Decker.</p>
+
+<p>In twenty minutes the two seconds were back.</p>
+
+<p>"We've found just the place," announced Decker. "And it isn't more than
+three minutes' walk from here. Will you all hurry along?"</p>
+
+<p>"The place" turned out to be a barn that had not been used for a year or
+more. The floor was almost immaculately clean. In consideration of two
+dollars handed him, the owner had agreed to display no curiosity, and
+not to mention the affair to any one.</p>
+
+<p>"How do you like it, Darry?" asked Dan anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"It will suit me as well as any other place," responded Dave, slipping
+off his blouse, folding it neatly and putting it aside, his uniform cap
+following.</p>
+
+<p>"And you?" asked Decker of his man.</p>
+
+<p>"The floor's hard, but I don't expect to be the man to hit it," replied
+Pennington.</p>
+
+<p>In five minutes both midshipmen were attired for their "affair." Between
+them the different members of the party had smuggled ashore shoes, old
+trousers and belts for the fighters.</p>
+
+<p>It being a class affair, Remington, of the third class, had come along
+as referee, while Dawley; was to be the time-keeper.</p>
+
+<p>"If the principals are ready, let them step forward," ordered Midshipman
+Remington, going to the middle of the floor. "Now, I understand that
+this is to be a finish fight; rounds, two minutes; rests, two minutes. I
+also understand that the principals do not care to shake hands before
+the call to mix up."</p>
+
+<p>Darrin and Pennington nodded their assent.</p>
+
+<p>"Take your places, gentlemen," ordered the referee quickly. "Are you
+ready, gentlemen?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," came from both principals.</p>
+
+<p>"Time!"</p>
+
+<p>Both men had their guards up. As the word left the referee's lips each
+tried two or three passes which the other blocked. Midshipman Pennington
+was trying to take his opponent's "measure."</p>
+
+<p>Then Dave ducked, darted, dodged and wheeled about. Pennington had to
+follow him, and it made the latter angry.</p>
+
+<p>"Stand up and fight, can't you," hissed Pen.</p>
+
+<p>"Silence during the rounds, Mr. Pennington," admonished the referee
+quietly. "Let the officials do all the talking that may be necessary."</p>
+
+<p>Dave, as he dodged again, and came up unscathed, grinned broadly over
+this rebuke. That grin made Pen angrier than anything else could have
+done.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll wipe that grin off his face!" muttered Pennington angrily.</p>
+
+<p>And this very thing Pennington tried hard to do. He was quick on his own
+feet, and for a few seconds he followed the dodging Darrin about,
+raining in blows that required all of Dave's adroitness to escape.</p>
+
+<p>Dave's very success, however, made his opponent all the angrier. From
+annoyance, followed by excessive irritation, Pennington went into almost
+blind rage&mdash;and the man who does that, anywhere in life, must always pay
+for it.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly Dave swung his right in on the point of Pen's chin with a force
+that jolted the larger midshipman. As part of the same movement,
+Darrin's left crashed against Pennington's nose.</p>
+
+<p>Then, out of chivalry, Dave dropped back, to give Pen a few moments, in
+case he needed them, to get his wits back.</p>
+
+<p>"Time!" roared Dawley, and Pennington's seconds pounced upon him and
+bore him away to his corner.</p>
+
+<p>"Now I know how that fellow Darrin wins his fights," growled Pennington
+in an undertone. "He keeps on running away until he has the other man
+gasping for breath. Then Darrin jumps in and wins."</p>
+
+<p>"The method doesn't much matter," commented Briggs dryly, as he and
+Decker worked over their man. "It's the result that counts. Rush Darry
+into a tight corner, Pen, and then slam him hard and sufficiently."</p>
+
+<p>"Thanks, fellows; now I'm all right for the second round." muttered
+Midshipman Pennington.</p>
+
+<p>In a few seconds more Dave and his opponent were hard at work.</p>
+
+<p>Dave still used his footwork, and most cleverly. Yet, wherever he went,
+Pen followed him nimbly. It didn't look so one sided now.</p>
+
+<p>Then Pennington, at last, managed to deliver one blow on Darrin's right
+short ribs. It took a lot of Dave's spare wind; he raced about, seeking
+to regain his wind before allowing close quarters. But at last
+Pennington closed in again, and, after a swift feint, tried to land the
+same short-rib blow.</p>
+
+<p>Darrin was watching, and blocked. Then, his temples reddening with
+anger, Dave swung in a huge one that crashed in under Pennington's right
+ear.</p>
+
+<p>"Time!" shouted Dawley, just as Pen went to the floor in a heap. That
+saved the larger midshipman from having to take the count. His seconds
+had him ready at the call for the third round.</p>
+
+<p>Now, suddenly, Darrin seemed to change not only his tactics, but his
+whole personality. To his opponent Dave seemed suddenly transformed into
+a dancing demon.</p>
+
+<p>It was about the same old footwork, but it was aggressive now, instead
+of being defensive.</p>
+
+<p>First, Dave landed a light tap on the already suffering nose. A few
+seconds later he landed on the point of Pen's chin, though not hard
+enough to send his man down. Then a rather light blow on the jaw, just
+under Pen's right ear again. The larger midshipman was now thoroughly
+alarmed. He feared that Darrin could do whatever he willed, and shivered
+with wonder as to when the knockout blow would come.</p>
+
+<p>The truth was, Pennington was still putting up a better battle than he
+himself realized, and Darrin was not disposed to take any foolish
+chances through rushing the affair. Thus, the third round ended.</p>
+
+<p>By the time that they came up for the fourth round, after both men had
+undergone some vigorous handling by their respective seconds, Pennington
+was a good deal revived and far more confident.</p>
+
+<p>Dave's tactics were the same in the fourth round. Pennington didn't find
+time to develop much in the way of tactics for himself, save to defend
+himself.</p>
+
+<p>During the first minute no important blows were landed on either side.
+Then, suddenly, Dave darted in and under, and brought a right-arm hook
+against Pen's nose in a way that started that member to bleeding again,
+and with a steady flow.</p>
+
+<p>That jarred the larger midshipman. He plunged in, heavily and blindly,
+blocking one of Darrin's blows by wrapping both arms around him.</p>
+
+<p>"None of that, Mr. Pennington! Break away fast!" ordered Midshipman
+Remington quickly.</p>
+
+<p>Dave took a fair get away, not attempting to strike as the clinch was
+broken. But an instant later Dave came back, dancing all around his
+dazed opponent, landing on the short ribs, on the breast bone, under
+either ear and finally on the tip of the chin.</p>
+
+<p>Pen was sure that none of these blows had been delivered with the force
+that Darrin could have sent in.</p>
+
+<p>"Time!" shouted Midshipman Dawley.</p>
+
+<p>The principals retired to their corners, Pennington almost wholly afraid
+from the conviction that his antagonist was now merely playing with him
+to keep the interest going.</p>
+
+<p>So Pennington was still rather badly scared when the two came together
+for the fifth round.</p>
+
+<p>"Get lively, now, gentlemen, if you can," begged Referee Remington.
+"Finish this one way or the other, and let us get some of the benefits
+of our shore leave."</p>
+
+<p>Pen started by putting more steam behind every blow. Dave, who had used
+up so much of his wind by his brilliant footwork, began to find it
+harder to keep the upper hand.</p>
+
+<p>Twice, however, he managed to land body blows. He was trying to drive in
+a third when Pennington blocked, following this with a left-arm jab on
+Darrin's left jaw that sent the lighter man to the floor.</p>
+
+<p>Instantly Dawley began to count off the seconds.</p>
+
+<p>"&mdash;seven, eight, nine, te&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Dave was up on his feet. Pen tried to make a quick rush, but Darrin
+dodged cleverly, them wheeled and faced his opponent as the latter
+wheeled about.</p>
+
+<p>After that there was less footwork. Both men stood up to it, as keenly
+alert as they could be, each trying to drive home heavy blows. While
+they were still at it the call of time sounded.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't let him put it over you, David, little giant!" warned Dan, as the
+latter and Farley vigorously massaged Darrin's muscles. "He all but had
+you, and there isn't any need of making Pen a present of the meeting."</p>
+
+<p>"I tried to get him," muttered Dave in an undertone, "and I shall go on
+trying to the last. But Pennington is pretty nearly superior to anyone
+in my class."</p>
+
+<p>"Just waltz in and show him," whispered Dalzell, as the call sounded.</p>
+
+<p>Pennington entered the sixth round with more confidence. He began, at
+the outset, to drive in heavy blows, nor did Dave do much dodging.</p>
+
+<p>Bump! Twenty-five seconds only of this round had gone when Darrin landed
+his right fist with fearful force upon the high point of Pennington's
+jaw.</p>
+
+<p>Down went the larger midshipman again. This time he moaned. His eyes
+were open, though they had a somewhat glassy look in them.</p>
+
+<p>Dawley was counting off the seconds in measured tones.</p>
+
+<p>"&mdash;seven, eight, nine&mdash;ten!"</p>
+
+<p>Pen had struggled to rise to his feet, but sank back with a gasp of
+despair and rage.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Pennington loses the count and the fight," announced Referee
+Remington coolly. "I don't believe we're needed here, Dawley. The
+seconds can handle the wreck. Come along."</p>
+
+<p>As the two officials of the meeting hustled out of the barn, Dalzell
+gave his attention to helping his chum, while Farley went over to offer
+his services in getting the vanquished midshipman into shape.</p>
+
+<p>"There were times when I could have closed both of Pennington's eyes,"
+murmured Dave to Dan. "But I didn't want to give him any disfiguring
+marks that would start questions on board ship."</p>
+
+<p>"You had him whipped from the start," murmured Dan confidently, as he
+sprayed, then rubbed Dave's chest and arms.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe, but I'm not so sure of that," rejoined Darrin. "That fellow
+isn't so easy a prize for any one in my class. There were times when I
+was all but convinced that he had me."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, fairy tales!" grunted Dan.</p>
+
+<p>"Have it your own way, then, Danny boy!"</p>
+
+<p>When Darrin and his seconds left the barn they went off to enjoy what
+remained of the shore leave. Pennington's seconds finally, at his own
+request, left him at an ice cream parlor, where he proposed to remain
+until he could return to the big, steel "Massachusetts" without exciting
+any wonder over the little time he had remained ashore. Pennington had
+strength to walk about, but he was far from being in really good shape,
+and preferred to keep quiet.</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI<br /><br />
+IN TROUBLE ON FOREIGN SOIL</h3>
+
+<p>From Hampton Roads the Battleship Squadron, with the midshipmen on
+board, sailed directly for Plymouth, England.</p>
+
+<p>During most of the voyage over slow cruising speed was used. By the time
+that England's coast was sighted the third-class middies found they knew
+much more about a battleship than they had believed to be possible at
+the start of the voyage.</p>
+
+<p>They had served as firemen; they had mastered many of the electrical
+details of a battleship; they had received instruction and had "stood
+trick" by the engines; there had been some drill with the smaller,
+rapid-fire guns, and finally, they had learned at least the rudiments of
+"wig-wagging," as signaling by means of signal flags is termed.</p>
+
+<p>It was just before the call to supper formation when England's coast
+loomed up. Most of the midshipmen stood at the rail, watching eagerly
+for a better glimpse at the coast.</p>
+
+<p>Some of the midshipmen, especially those who came from wealthier
+families, had been in England before entering the Naval Academy. These
+fortunate ones were questioned eagerly by their comrades.</p>
+
+<p>The battleships were well in sight of Eastern King Point when the
+midshipmen's call for supper formation sounded. Feeling that they would
+much have preferred to wait for their supper, the young men hastened
+below.</p>
+
+<p>After the line was formed it seemed to the impatient young men as though
+it had never taken so long to read the orders.</p>
+
+<p>Yet there came one welcome order, to the effect that, immediately after
+the morning meal, all midshipmen might go to the pay officer and draw
+ten dollars, to be charged against their pay accounts.</p>
+
+<p>"That ten dollars apiece looms up large David, little giant," murmured
+Dan Dalzell, while the evening meal was in progress.</p>
+
+<p>"We ought to have a lot of fun on it," replied Darrin, who was looking
+forward with greatest eagerness to his first visit to any foreign soil.
+"But how much shore leave are we to have?"</p>
+
+<p>"Two days, the word is. We'll get it straight in the morning, at
+breakfast formation."</p>
+
+<p>In defiance of regulations, Midshipman Pennington, whose father was
+wealthy, had several hundred dollars concealed in his baggage. He had
+already invited Hallam, Mossworth and Dickey to keep in his wake on
+shore, and these young men had gladly enough agreed.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, but we're slackening speed!" quivered Dalzell, when the meal was
+nearly finished.</p>
+
+<p>"Headway has stopped," declared Darrin a few moments later.</p>
+
+<p>"Listen, everyone!" called Farley. "Don't you hear the rattle of the
+anchor chains?"</p>
+
+<p>"Gentlemen, as we're forbidden to make too much racket," proposed
+irrepressible Dan, "let us give three silent cheers for Old England!"</p>
+
+<p>Rising in his place, Dan raised his hand aloft, and brought it down, as
+his lips silently formed a "hurrah!"</p>
+
+<p>Three times this was done, each time the lips of the midshipmen forming
+a silent cheer.</p>
+
+<p>Then Dan, with a mighty swoop of his right arm, let his lips form the
+word that everyone knew to be "tiger!"</p>
+
+<p>"Ugh-h-h!" groaned Midshipman Reilly.</p>
+
+<p>"Throw that irresponsible Fenian out!" directed Dan, grinning.</p>
+
+<p>Then the midshipmen turned their attention to the remnants of the meal.</p>
+
+<p>Boom! sounded sharply overhead.</p>
+
+<p>"There goes the twenty-one-gunner," announced Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>When a foreign battleship enters a fortified port the visiting fleet, or
+rather, its flagship, fires a national salute of twenty-one guns. After
+a short interval following the discharge of the last gun, one of the
+forts on shore answers with twenty-one guns. This is one of the methods
+of observing the courtesies between nations by their respective fleets.</p>
+
+<p>Ere all the guns had been fired from the flagship, the third classmen
+received the rising signal; the class marched out and was dismissed.
+Instantly a break was made for deck.</p>
+
+<p>The midshipmen were in good time to see the smoke and hear the roar of
+guns from one of the forts on shore.</p>
+
+<p>In the morning the commandant of cadets, as commanding officer of the
+squadron, would go ashore with his aide and pay a formal call to the
+senior military officer. Later in the day that English officer and one
+or two of his staff officers would return the call by coming out to the
+flagship. That accomplished, all the required courtesies would have been
+observed.</p>
+
+<p>It was still broad daylight, for in summer the English twilight is a
+long one, and darkness does not settle down until late.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, if we were only going ashore to-night!" murmured Hallam. There were
+many others to echo the thought, but all knew that it could not be done.</p>
+
+<p>"Couldn't we find a trick for slipping ashore after lights out?" eagerly
+queried Dickey, who was not noted as a "greaser."</p>
+
+<p>"Could we?" quivered Hallam, who, with few demerits against him, felt
+inclined to take a chance.</p>
+
+<p>But Pennington, to whom he appealed, shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>"Too big a risk, Hally," replied Pen. "And trebly dangerous, with that
+greaser, Darrin, in the class."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, stow that," growled Hallam. "Darrin is no greaser. You've got him
+on your black books&mdash;that's all."</p>
+
+<p>"He is a greaser, I tell you," cried Pennington fiercely.</p>
+
+<p>There were a score of midshipmen in this group, and many of them nodded
+approvingly at Pennington's statement. Though still a class leader, Dave
+had lost some of his popularity since his report to the police of
+Annapolis.</p>
+
+<p>So the middies turned in, that night, with unsatisfied dreams of shore
+life in England.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after breakfast the next morning, however, every midshipman had
+drawn his ten dollars, even to Pennington, who had no use for such a
+trifling amount.</p>
+
+<p>As fast as possible the launches ranged alongside at the side gangway,
+taking off groups of midshipmen, everyone of whom had been cautioned to
+be at dock in time to board a launch in season for supper formation.</p>
+
+<p>Pennington and his party were among the first to land. They hurried
+away.</p>
+
+<p>It was on the second trip of one of the launches that Dave, Dan and
+Farley made their get away. These three chums had agreed to stick
+together during the day. They landed at the Great Western Docks, to find
+themselves surrounded by eager British cabbies.</p>
+
+<p>"Are we going to take a cab and get more quickly and intelligently to
+the best part of the town to see?" asked Farley.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't vote for it," replied Darrin. "We have only five dollars apiece
+for each of the two days we're to be ashore. I move that we put in the
+forenoon, anyway, in prowling about the town for ourselves. We'll learn
+more than we would by riding."</p>
+
+<p>"Come on, then," approved Dan.</p>
+
+<p>Plymouth is an old-fashioned English seaport that has been rather famous
+ever since the thirteenth century. Many parts of the town, including
+whole streets, look as though the houses had been built since that time.
+This is especially true of many of the streets near the water front.</p>
+
+<p>For two hours the three middies roamed through the streets, often
+meeting fellow classmen. Wherever the young midshipmen went many of the
+English workmen and shopkeepers raised their hats in friendly salute of
+the American uniform.</p>
+
+<p>"We don't seem to run across Pen's gang anywhere," remarked Farley at
+last.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no," smiled Dave. "That's a capitalistic crowd. They'll hit only
+the high spots."</p>
+
+<p>Nevertheless, these three poor-in-purse midshipmen enjoyed themselves
+hugely in seeing the quaint old town. At noon they found a real old
+English chop house, where they enjoyed a famous meal.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish we could slip some of these little mutton pies back with us!"
+sighed Dan wistfully.</p>
+
+<p>In the afternoon the three chums saw the newer market place, where all
+three bought small souvenirs for their mothers at home. Darrin also
+secured a little remembrance present for his sweetheart, Belle Meade.</p>
+
+<p>The guild hall and some of the other famous buildings were visited.</p>
+
+<p>Later in the afternoon Dave began to inspect his watch every two or
+three minutes.</p>
+
+<p>"No need for us to worry, with Dave's eye glued to his watch," laughed
+Dan.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on, fellows," summoned Darrin finally. "We haven't more than time
+now to make the dock and get back to supper formation."</p>
+
+<p>"Take a cab?" asked Farley. "You know, we've found that they're vastly
+cheaper than American cabs."</p>
+
+<p>"No-o-o, not for me," decided Dave. "We'll need the rest of our shore
+money to-morrow, and our legs are good and sturdy."</p>
+
+<p>Yet even careful Dave, as it turned out, had allowed no more than time.
+The chums reached the dock in time to see the launches half way between
+the fleet and shore. Some forty other midshipmen stood waiting on the
+dock.</p>
+
+<p>Among these were Pennington and his party, all looking highly satisfied
+with their day's sport, as indeed they were.</p>
+
+<p>Pennington's eyes gleamed when he caught sight of Darrin, Dalzell and
+Farley&mdash;for Pen had a scheme of his own in mind.</p>
+
+<p>Not far from Pennington stood a little Englishman with keen eyes and a
+jovial face. Pen stepped over to him.</p>
+
+<p>"There are the three midshipmen I was telling you about," whispered
+Pennington, slipping a half sovereign into the Englishman's hand. "You
+thoroughly understand your part in the joke, don't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't h'I, though&mdash;just, sir!" laughed the undersized Englishman, and
+strolled away.</p>
+
+<p>Darrin and his friends were soon informed by classmates that the
+launches now making shore-ward were coming in on their last trip for
+midshipmen.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we're here in plenty of time," sighed Dave contentedly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I knew we'd be, with you holding the watch," laughed Dan in his
+satisfied way.</p>
+
+<p>As the three stood apart they were joined by the undersized Englishman,
+who touched his hat to them with a show of great respect.</p>
+
+<p>"Young gentlemen," he inquired, "h'I suppose, h'of course, you've 'ad a
+look h'at the anchor h'of Sir Francis Drake's flagship, the time 'e went
+h'out h'and sank the great Spanish h'Armada?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, no, my friend," replied Dave, looking at the man with interest.
+"Is that here at Plymouth?"</p>
+
+<p>"H'assuredly, sir. H'and h'only a minute's walk h'over to that shed
+yonder, sir. H'if you'll come with me, young gentlemen, h'I'll show h'it
+to you. H'it's one of h'our biggest sights, h'and it's in me own
+custody, at present. Come this way, young gentlemen."</p>
+
+<p>"That sounds like something worth seeing," declared Dave to his
+comrades. "Come along. It'll take the launches at least six minutes to
+get in, and then they'll stay tied up here for another five minutes."</p>
+
+<p>With only a single backward glance at the young midshipmen, the
+undersized Englishman was already leading the way.</p>
+
+<p>At quickened pace the young midshipmen reached the shed that had been
+indicated. Their guide had already drawn a key from a pocket, and had
+unsnapped the heavy padlock.</p>
+
+<p>"Step right in, young gentlemen, h'and h'I'll follow h'and show h'it to
+you."</p>
+
+<p>Unsuspecting, the three middies stepped inside the darkened shed.
+Suddenly the door banged, and a padlock clicked outside.</p>
+
+<p>"Here, stop that, you rascally joker!" roared Dalzell, wheeling about.
+"What does this mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"Big trouble!" spoke Dave Darrin seriously and with a face from which
+the color was fast receding.</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII<br /><br />
+PENNINGTON GETS HIS WISH</h3>
+
+<p>"The scoundrel!" gasped Farley, his face whiter than any of the others.</p>
+
+<p>Dave was already at the door, trying to force it open. But he might
+almost as well have tried to lift one of the twelve-inch guns of the
+battleship "Massachusetts."</p>
+
+<p>"We're locked in&mdash;that's sure!" gasped Dalzell, almost dazed by the
+catastrophe.</p>
+
+<p>"And what's more, we won't get out in a hurry, unless we can make some
+of our classmates hear," declared Dave.</p>
+
+<p>For the next half minute they yelled themselves nearly hoarse, but no
+response came.</p>
+
+<p>"What could have been that little cockney's purpose in playing this
+shabby trick on us?" demanded Farley.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps the cockney thinks we're admirals, with our pockets lined with
+gold. Perhaps he and some of his pals intend to rob us, later in the
+evening," proposed Dan, with a ghastly grin.</p>
+
+<p>"Any gang would find something of a fight on their hands, then,"
+muttered Dave Darrin grimly.</p>
+
+<p>All three were equally at a loss to think of any explanation for such a
+"joke" as this. Equally improbable did it seem that any thugs of the
+town would expect to reap any harvest from robbing three midshipmen.</p>
+
+<p>Desperately they turned to survey their surroundings. The shed was an
+old one, yet strongly built. There were no windows, no other door save
+that at which the three middies now stood baffled.</p>
+
+<p>"Another good old yell," proposed Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>It was given with a lusty will, but proved as fruitless as the former
+one.</p>
+
+<p>"We don't take the last launch back to ship," declared Farley, wild with
+rage.</p>
+
+<p>"Which means a long string of demerits," said Dan.</p>
+
+<p>"No shore leave to-morrow, either," groaned Darrin. "Fellows, this
+mishap will affect our shore leave throughout all the cruise."</p>
+
+<p>"We can explain it," suggested Farley with a hopefulness that he did not
+feel at all.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course we can," jeered Dave Darrin. "But what officer is fool enough
+to believe such a cock-and-bull story as this one will seem? At the very
+least, the commandant would believe that we had been playing some pretty
+stiff prank ourselves, in order to get treated in this fashion. No, no,
+fellows! We may just as well undeceive ourselves, and prepare to take
+the full soaking of discipline that we're bound to get. If we attempted
+this sort of explanation, we'd be lucky indeed to get through the affair
+without being tried by general court-martial for lying."</p>
+
+<p>"Drake's anchor, indeed!" exclaimed Dan in deep self disgust.</p>
+
+<p>"We ought to have known better," grunted Farley, equally enraged with
+himself. "What on earth made us so absent-minded as to believe that a
+priceless relic would be kept in an old shed like this?"</p>
+
+<p>"We're sure enough idiots!" groaned Dan.</p>
+
+<p>"Hold on there, fellows," interrupted Dave Darrin. "Vent all your anger
+right on me. I'm the great and only cause of this misfortune. It was I
+who proposed that we take up that cockney's invitation. I'm the real and
+only offender against decent good sense, and yet you both have to suffer
+with me."</p>
+
+<p>"Let's give another yell, bigger than before," suggested Dan weakly.</p>
+
+<p>They did, but with no better result than before.</p>
+
+<p>"The launches are away now, anyway, I guess," groaned Farley, after
+consulting his watch.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and we're up the tree with the commandant," grunted Dalzell
+bitterly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yell again?" asked Farley.</p>
+
+<p>"No," retorted Dave, shaking his head. "We've seen the uselessness of
+asking help from outside. Let's supply our own help. Now,
+then&mdash;altogether! Shoulder the door!"</p>
+
+<p>A savage assault they hurled upon the door. But they merely caused it to
+vibrate.</p>
+
+<p>"We can't do it," gasped Dan, after the third trial.</p>
+
+<p>Considerable daylight filtered in through the cracks at top, bottom and
+one side of the door. Further back in the shed there was less light.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's explore this old place in search of hope," begged Dave.</p>
+
+<p>Together they started back, looking about keenly in what appeared to be
+an empty room.</p>
+
+<p>"Say! Look at that!" cried Dave suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>He pointed to a solid looking, not very heavy ship's spar.</p>
+
+<p>"What good will that thing do us?" asked Farley rather dubiously.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's see if we can raise it to our shoulders," proposed Dave Darrin
+radiantly. "Then well find out!"</p>
+
+<p>"Hurrah!" quivered Dan Dalzell, bending over the spar at the middle.</p>
+
+<p>"Up with it!" commanded Darrin, placing himself at the head of the spar.
+Farley took hold at the further end.</p>
+
+<p>"Up with it!" heaved Midshipman Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>Right up the spar went. It would have been a heavy job for three young
+men of their size in civil life, but midshipmen are constantly
+undergoing the best sort of physical training.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, then&mdash;a fast run and a hard bump!" called Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>At the door they rushed, bearing the spar as a battering ram.</p>
+
+<p>Bump! The door shook and shivered.</p>
+
+<p>"Once more may do it!" cheered Darrin. "Back."</p>
+
+<p>Again they dashed the head of their battering ram against the door. It
+gave way, and, climbing through, they raced back to the pier.</p>
+
+<p>But Dan, who had secured the lead, stopped with a groan, pointing out
+over the water.</p>
+
+<p>"Not a bit of good, fellows! There go the launches, and we're the only
+fellows left! It's all up with our summer's fun!"</p>
+
+<p>"Is it, though?" shouted Dave, spurting ahead. "Come on and find out!"</p>
+
+<p>As they reached the front of the piers, down at the edge of a landing
+stage they espied a little steam tender.</p>
+
+<p>"That boat has to take us out to the 'Massachusetts'!" cried Darrin
+desperately, as he plunged down the steps to the landing stage, followed
+by his two chums.</p>
+
+<p>[Illustration: The Three Midshipmen Raced Toward the Pier.]</p>
+
+<p>"Who's the captain here?" called Dave, racing across the landing stage
+to the tender's gangplank.</p>
+
+<p>"I am, sir," replied a portly, red-faced Englishman, leaning out of the
+wheel-house window.</p>
+
+<p>"What'll you charge to land us in haste aboard the American battleship
+'Massachusetts'?" asked Darrin eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Half a sov. will be about right, sir," replied the tender's skipper,
+touching his cap at sight of the American Naval uniform.</p>
+
+<p>"Good enough," glowed Dave, leaping aboard. "Cast off as quickly as you
+can, captain, or we'll be in a heap of trouble with our discipline
+officers."</p>
+
+<p>The English skipper was quick to act. He routed out two deckhands, who
+quickly cast off. Almost while the deckhands were doing this the skipper
+rang the engineer's bell.</p>
+
+<p>"Come into the wheel-'ouse with me," invited the skipper pleasantly,
+which invitation the three middies accepted. "Now, then, young
+gentlemen, 'ow did it 'appen that you missed your own launches."</p>
+
+<p>"It was a mean trick&mdash;a scoundrelly one!" cried Darrin resentfully. Then
+he described just what had happened.</p>
+
+<p>The skipper's own bronzed cheeks burned to a deeper color.</p>
+
+<p>"I can 'ardly believe that an Englishman would play such a trick on
+young h'officers of a friendly power," he declared. "But I told you,
+sir, the fare out to your ship would be half a sov. I lied. If a nasty
+little cockney played such a trick on you, it's my place, as a decent
+Englishman, to take you out for nothing&mdash;and that's the fare."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we'll gladly pay the half sov." protested Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>"Not on this craft you can't, sir," replied the skipper firmly.</p>
+
+<p>Looking eagerly ahead, the three middies saw two of the launches go
+along side of the "Massachusetts" and discharge passengers. As the
+second left the side gangway the Briton, who had been crowding on steam
+well, ranged in along side.</p>
+
+<p>"What craft is that, and what do you want?" hailed the officer of the
+deck, from above.</p>
+
+<p>"The tender 'Lurline,' sir, with three of your gentlemen to put h'aboard
+of you, sir," the Briton bellowed through a window of the wheel-house.</p>
+
+<p>"Very good, then. Come alongside," directed the officer of the deck.</p>
+
+<p>In his most seamanlike style the Briton ranged alongside. Dave tried to
+press the fare upon the skipper, but he would have none of that. So the
+three shook hands swiftly but heartily with him, then sprang across to
+the side gangway, where they paused long enough to lift their caps to
+this stranger and friend. The Briton lifted his own cap, waving it
+heartily, ere he fell off and turned about.</p>
+
+<p>"You didn't get aboard any too soon, gentlemen," remarked the officer of
+the deck, eyeing the three middies keenly as they came up over the side,
+doffing their uniform caps to the colors. "Hustle for the formation."</p>
+
+<p>Midshipman Pennington was chuckling deeply over the supposed fact that
+he had at last succeeded in bringing Darrin in for as many demerits as
+Darrin had helped heap upon him.</p>
+
+<p>"That'll break his heart as an avowed greaser," Pen told himself. "With
+all the demerits Darrin will get, he'll have no heart for greasing the
+rest of this year. It's rough on Farley, but I'm not quite as sorry for
+Dalzell, who, in his way, is almost as bad as Darrin. He's Darrin's
+cuckoo and shadow, anyway. Oh, I wish I could see Darrin's face now!"</p>
+
+<p>This last was uttered just as Midshipman Pennington stepped into line at
+the supper formation.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish I could see Darrin's face now!" Pen repeated to himself.</p>
+
+<p>Seldom has a wish been more quickly gratified. For, just in the nick of
+time to avoid being reported, Midshipmen Darrin, Dalzell and Farley came
+into sight, falling into their respective places.</p>
+
+<p>At that instant it was Midshipman Pennington's face, not Dave Darrin's,
+that was really worth studying.</p>
+
+<p>"Now how did the shameless greaser work this!" Pennington pondered
+uneasily.</p>
+
+<p>But, of course, he couldn't ask. He could only hope that, presently, he
+would hear the whole story from some other man in the class.</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII<br /><br />
+THE TRAGEDY OF THE GALE</h3>
+
+<p>There is altogether too much to the summer practice cruise for it to be
+related in detail.</p>
+
+<p>Nor would the telling of it prove interesting to the reader. When at
+sea, save on Sundays, the midshipman's day is one of hard toil.</p>
+
+<p>It is no life for the indolent young man. He is routed out early in the
+morning and put at hard work.</p>
+
+<p>On a midshipman's first summer cruise what he learns is largely the work
+that is done by the seamen, stokers, water tenders, electricians, the
+signal men and others.</p>
+
+<p>Yet he must learn every phase of all this work thoroughly, for some day,
+before he becomes an officer, he must be examined as to his knowledge of
+all this great mass of detail.</p>
+
+<p>It is only when in port that some relaxation comes into the midshipman's
+life. He has shore leave, and a large measure of liberty. Yet he must,
+at all times, show all possible respect for the uniform that he wears
+and the great nation that he represents. If a midshipman permits himself
+to be led into scrapes that many college boys regard as merely "larks,"
+he is considered a disgrace to the Naval service.</p>
+
+<p>Always, at home and abroad, the "middy" must maintain his own dignity
+and that of his country and service. Should he fail seriously, he is
+regarded by his superiors and by the Navy Department as being unfit to
+defend the honor of his flag.</p>
+
+<p>The wildest group from the summer practice fleet was that made up of
+Pennington and his friends. Pen received more money in France from his
+fond but foolish father. Wherever Pennington's group went, they cut a
+wide swath of "sport," though they did nothing actually dishonorable.
+Yet they were guilty of many pranks which, had the midshipmen been
+caught, would have resulted in demerits.</p>
+
+<p>Ports in France, Spain, Portugal and Italy were touched briefly. At some
+of these ports the midshipmen received much attention.</p>
+
+<p>But at last the fleet turned back past Gibraltar, and stood on for the
+Azores, the last landing point before reaching home.</p>
+
+<p>When two nights out from Gibraltar a sharp summer gale overtook the
+fleet. Even the huge battleships labored heavily in the seas, the
+"Massachusetts" bringing up the rear.</p>
+
+<p>She was in the same position when the morning broke. The midshipmen,
+after breakfast, enjoyed a few minutes on the deck before going below
+for duty in the engine rooms, the dynamo room, the "stoke hole" and
+other stations.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly, from the stern rail, there went up the startled cry:</p>
+
+<p>"Man overboard!"</p>
+
+<p>In an instant the marine sentry had tumbled two life-preservers over
+into the water.</p>
+
+<p>With almost the swiftness of telegraphy the cry had reached the bridge.
+Without stopping to back the engine the big battleship's helm was thrown
+hard over, and the great steel fighting craft endeavored to find her own
+wake in the angry waters with a view to going back over it.</p>
+
+<p>Signal men broke out the news to the flagship. The other two great
+battleships turned and headed back in the interests of humanity.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed almost as though the entire fleet had been swung out of its
+course by pressure on an electric button.</p>
+
+<p>Officers who were not on duty poured out. The captain was the first to
+reach the quarter-deck. He strode into the midst of a group of
+stricken-looking midshipmen.</p>
+
+<p>"Who's overboard!" demanded the commanding officer.</p>
+
+<p>"Hallam, sir&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"And Darrin, sir&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"And Dalzell, sir&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"How many?" demanded the captain sharply.</p>
+
+<p>"Three, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"How did so many fall overboard?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Hallam was frolicking, sir," reported Midshipman Farley, "and lost
+his footing."</p>
+
+<p>"But Mr. Darrin and Mr. Dalzell?" inquired the captain sharply.</p>
+
+<p>"As soon as they realized it, sir, Darrin and Dalzell leaped overboard
+to go to Hallam's rescue, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"It's a wonder," muttered the captain, glancing shrewdly at the bronzed,
+fine young fellows around him, "that not more of you went overboard as
+well."</p>
+
+<p>"Many of them would, sir," replied Farley, "but an officer forward
+shouted: 'No more midshipmen go overboard,' So we stopped, sir."</p>
+
+<p>Modest Mr. Farley did not mention the fact that he was running toward
+the stern, intent on following his chums into the rough sea at the very
+instant when the order reached him.</p>
+
+<p>The captain, however, paused for no more information. He was now running
+forward to take the bridge beside the watch officer.</p>
+
+<p>The midshipmen, too, hurried forward, mingling with the crew, as the big
+battleship swung around and tried to find her wake.</p>
+
+<p>The flagship had crowded on extra steam, and was fast coming over the
+seas.</p>
+
+<p>With such a sea running, it was well nigh impossible to make out so
+small a thing as a head or a life-preserver, unless it could be observed
+at the instant when it crested a wave.</p>
+
+<p>Marine glasses were in use by every officer who had brought his pair to
+the deck. Others rushed back to their cabins to get them.</p>
+
+<p>A lieutenant of the marine corps stood forward, close to a big group of
+sorrowing midshipmen.</p>
+
+<p>"There are certain to be three vacancies in the Naval Academy," remarked
+the lieutenant.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't say that, sir," begged Farley, in a choking voice. "The three
+overboard are among the finest fellows in the brigade!"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't want to discourage any of you young gentlemen," continued the
+marine corps lieutenant. "But there's just about one chance in a
+thousand that we shall be able to sight and pick up any one of the
+unlucky three. In the first place, it would take a wonderful swimmer to
+live long in such a furious sea. In the second place, if all three are
+still swimming, it will be almost out of the question to make out their
+heads among the huge waves. You've none of you seen a man overboard
+before in a big sea?"</p>
+
+<p>Several of the mute, anxious midshipmen shook their heads.</p>
+
+<p>"You'll realize the difficulties of the situation within the next few
+minutes," remarked the lieutenant. "I am sorry to crush your hopes for
+your classmates, but this is all a part of the day's work in the Navy."</p>
+
+<p>The largest steam launches from all three of the battleships were being
+swiftly lowered. Officers and men were lowered with the launches. As the
+launch shoved off from each battleship tremendous cheers followed them.</p>
+
+<p>"Stop all unnecessary noise!" bellowed the watch officer from the bridge
+of the "Massachusetts." "You may drown out calls for help with your
+racket."</p>
+
+<p>While the three battleships went back over their courses in more stately
+fashion, the launches darted here and there, until it seemed as though
+they must cover every foot within a square mile.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see how they can help finding the three," Farley declared
+hopefully.</p>
+
+<p>"That is," put in another third classman, "if any of the three are still
+afloat."</p>
+
+<p>"Stow all talk of that sort," ordered Farley angrily.</p>
+
+<p>Other midshipmen joined in with their protests. When a man is overboard
+in an angry sea all hands left behind try to be optimists.</p>
+
+<p>When fifteen minutes had been spent in the search the onlooking but
+helpless middies began to look worried.</p>
+
+<p>At the end of half an hour some of them looked haggard. Farley's face
+was pitiable to see.</p>
+
+<p>At the end of an hour of constant but fruitless searching hardly any one
+felt any hope of a rescue now.</p>
+
+<p>All three midshipmen, the "man overboard" and his two willing, would-be
+rescuers, were silently conceded to be drowned.</p>
+
+<p>Yet the hardest blow of all came when, at the end of an hour and a
+quarter, the flagship signaled the recall of the small boats.</p>
+
+<p>Then, indeed, all hope was given up. In an utter human silence, save for
+the husky voicing of the necessary orders, the launches were hoisted on
+board. Then the flagship flew the signal for resuming the voyage.</p>
+
+<p>There were few dry eyes among the third class midshipmen when the
+battleships fell in formation again and proceeded on their way.</p>
+
+<p>As a result of more signals flown from the flagship, all unnecessary
+duties of midshipmen for the day were ordered suspended.</p>
+
+<p>In the afternoon the chaplain on each battleship held funeral services
+over the three lost midshipmen. Officers, middies and crew attended on
+board each vessel.</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX<br /><br />
+THE DESPAIR OF THE "RECALL"</h3>
+
+<p>Dave Darrin stood within ten feet of Hallam when that latter midshipman
+had lost his balance and fallen into the boiling sea.</p>
+
+<p>Dave's spring to the stern rail was all but instantaneous. He was
+overboard, after his classmate, ere the marine had had time to leap to
+the life buoys.</p>
+
+<p>Out of the corner of one eye Dan Dalzell saw the marine start on the
+jump, but Dan was overboard, also, too soon to see exactly what the
+marine sentry was doing.</p>
+
+<p>Both daring midshipmen sank beneath the surface as they struck.</p>
+
+<p>As Dan came up, however, his hand struck something solid and he clutched
+at it. It was one of the life buoys.</p>
+
+<p>As he grasped it, and drew his head up a trifle, Dan saw another
+floating within thirty feet of him. Swimming hard, and pushing, Dan
+succeeded in reaching the other buoy. He now rested, holding on to both
+buoys.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, where's David, that little giant?" muttered Dalzell, striving hard
+to see through the seething waters and over the tops of foam-crested
+waves.</p>
+
+<p>After a few minutes Dan began to feel decidedly nervous.</p>
+
+<p>"Yet Dave can't have gone down, for he's a better swimmer than I am,"
+was Dan's consoling thought.</p>
+
+<p>At last Dalzell caught sight of another head. He could have cheered, but
+he expended his breath on something more sensible.</p>
+
+<p>"Dave!" he shouted. "Old Darry! This way! I have the life buoys."</p>
+
+<p>At the same time, holding to both of them, but kicking frantically with
+his feet, Dalzell managed slowly to push the buoys toward Dave.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after he had started, Dan did utter a cheer, even though it was
+checked by an inrush of salt water that nearly strangled him.</p>
+
+<p>He saw two heads. Dave Darrin was coming toward him, helping Hallam.</p>
+
+<p>The wind carried the cheer faintly to Dave. He raised his head a little
+in the water, and caught sight of Dan and the buoys.</p>
+
+<p>Some three minutes it took the two chums to meet. Dave Darrin was all
+but exhausted, for Hallam was now unconscious.</p>
+
+<p>As Darrin clutched at the buoy he tried to shout, though the voice came
+weakly:</p>
+
+<p>"Catch hold of Hallam. I'm down and&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>But Dan understood, even before he heard. While Dave clutched at one of
+the life buoys Dalzell shot out an arm, dragging Hallam in to safety.</p>
+
+<p>Now, it was Darrin who, with both arms, contrived to link the buoys
+together.</p>
+
+<p>At last the youngsters had a chance to observe the fact that the
+battleships had put about and were coming back.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll soon be all right," sighed Dave contentedly, as soon as he could
+speak. "There are thirty-five hundred officers, middies and sailors of
+the American Navy to look after our safety."</p>
+
+<p>From where they lay as they hung to the buoys the chums could even see
+the launches lowered.</p>
+
+<p>Dan, with some of the emergency lashing about the buoy, succeeded, after
+a good deal of effort, and with some aid from Dave, in passing a cord
+about Hallam and under the latter's armpits that secured that midshipman
+to one of the buoys. The next move of the chums was to lash the buoys
+together.</p>
+
+<p>"Now," declared Dave, "we can't lose. We can hang on and be safe here
+for hours, if need be."</p>
+
+<p>"But what a thundering long time it takes them to bring the battleships
+around to get to us!" murmured Midshipman Dalzell in wonder.</p>
+
+<p>"Be sure not an unnecessary second has been lost," rejoined Dave. "We're
+learning something practical now about the handling of big craft."</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if Hally's a goner?" murmured Dan in an awe-struck voice.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe it," Dave answered promptly. "Once we get him back
+aboard ship the medicos will do a little work over him and he'll sit up
+and want to know if dinner's ready."</p>
+
+<p>Then they fell silent, for, with the roar of wind and waters, it was
+necessary for them to shout when they talked.</p>
+
+<p>As the minutes went by slowly, the two conscious midshipmen found
+themselves filled with amazement.</p>
+
+<p>A dozen times the launches darted by, not far away. It seemed impossible
+that the keen, restless eyes of the seekers should not discover the
+imperiled ones.</p>
+
+<p>At such times Dave and Dan shouted with all the power of their lusty
+young lungs.</p>
+
+<p>Alternately Dan and Dave tried the effect of rising as far as they could
+and frantically waving an arm. There was not a cap to wave among the
+three of them.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm beginning to feel discouraged," grunted Dave in disgust at last.
+"They must have spent a full half day already looking for us."</p>
+
+<p>"Merciful powers!" gasped Dan at last, as they rode half way up the
+slope of a big wave. "I just caught sight of the 'recall of boats'
+flying from the flagship!"</p>
+
+<p>"No!" gasped Dave incredulously.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I did!"</p>
+
+<p>"But&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"They've failed and have given up the search," spoke Dan rather
+despairingly.</p>
+
+<p>"But&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"We may as well face it," muttered Dan brokenly. "They don't believe
+that any of us has survived, and we've been abandoned."</p>
+
+<p>"Then," spoke Dave Darrin very coolly, "there's nothing left for us but
+to die like men of the American Navy."</p>
+
+<p>"It seems heartless, needless," protested Dan.</p>
+
+<p>"No," broke in Darrin. "They've done their best. They're convinced that
+we're lost. And I should think they would be, after all the time they've
+searched for us&mdash;half a day, at least."</p>
+
+<p>Dan said nothing, but tugged until he succeeded in bringing his watch up
+to the light.</p>
+
+<p>"The blamed thing is water-logged," he uttered disgustedly.</p>
+
+<p>"Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"The hands point to less than half past nine!"</p>
+
+<p>Darrin managed to get at his own watch.</p>
+
+<p>"My timepiece doesn't call for half past nine, either," he announced.</p>
+
+<p>"Can it be possible&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; the time has only seemed longer, I reckon," observed Dalzell.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we'll face it like men," proposed Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course," nodded Dan. "At least, we're going down in the ocean, and
+we wear the American Naval uniform. If there's any choice in deaths, I
+guess that's as good and manly a one as we could choose."</p>
+
+<p>"Poor old Hally won't know much about it, anyway, I guess," remarked
+Darrin, who seemed unnaturally cool. Possibly he was a bit dazed by the
+stunning nature of the fate that seemed about to overtake them.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe the ships will go by us in their final get-away," proposed Dan
+Dalzell very soberly.</p>
+
+<p>"Not if I'm seaman enough to read the compass by what's visible of the
+sun," returned Midshipman Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>"Then there's no help for it," answered Dan, choking slightly. "I wonder
+if we could do anything for Hallam?"</p>
+
+<p>"We won't do anything to bring him to, anyway," muttered Darrin. "Under
+these circumstances I wouldn't do anything as mean as that to a dog!"</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe he's dead already, anyway," proposed Dan, now hopefully.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope so," came from Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>Now they saw the not very distant battleships alter their courses and
+steam slowly away.</p>
+
+<p>All was now desolation over the angry sea, as the battleships gradually
+vanished. The two conscious midshipmen were now resolved to face the end
+bravely. That was all they could do for themselves and their flag.</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X<br /><br />
+THE GRIM WATCH FROM THE WAVES</h3>
+
+<p>By the time that little more than the mastheads of the departing
+battleships were visible, Hallam opened his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>It would have seemed a vastly kinder fate had he been allowed to remain
+unconscious to the last.</p>
+
+<p>Hallam had not been strangled by the inrush of water. In going
+overboard, this midshipman had struck the water with the back of his
+head and had been stunned. In the absence of attention he had remained a
+long time unconscious.</p>
+
+<p>Even now the hapless midshipman whose frollicking had been the cause of
+the disaster, did not immediately regain his full senses.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, we're all in the water," he remarked after a while.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," assented Darrin, trying to speak cheerfully.</p>
+
+<p>Midshipman Hallam remained silent for some moments before he next asked:</p>
+
+<p>"How did it happen?"</p>
+
+<p>"Fell overboard," replied Dan laconically, failing to mention who it was
+who had fallen over the stern.</p>
+
+<p>Again a rather long silence on Hallam's part. Then, at last, he
+observed:</p>
+
+<p>"Funny how we all fell over at the same time."</p>
+
+<p>To this neither of his classmates made any rejoinder.</p>
+
+<p>"See here," shouted Hallam, after a considerable period of silent
+wondering, "I remember it all now. I was fooling at the stern rail and I
+toppled overboard."</p>
+
+<p>Dan nodded without words.</p>
+
+<p>"And you fellows jumped in after me," roared Hallam, both his mental and
+bodily powers now beginning to return. "Didn't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course," assented Darrin rather reluctantly.</p>
+
+<p>"And what became of the fleet!"</p>
+
+<p>Dave and Dan looked at each other before the former replied:</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, well, Hally, brace up! The ships searched for us a long time, and
+some launches were put out after us. But they couldn't see our little
+heads above the big waves, and so&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"They've gone away and left us?" queried Hallam, guessing at once. "Now,
+fellows, I don't mind so much for myself, but it's fearful to think that
+I've dragged you into the same fate. It's awful! Why couldn't you have
+left me to my fate?"</p>
+
+<p>"Would you have done a thing like that?" demanded Dave dryly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, well, I suppose not, but&mdash;but&mdash;well, I wish I had been left to pay
+the price of my tomfoolery all alone. It would have served me right. But
+to drag you two into it&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Hallam could go no further. He was choking up with honest emotion.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't bother about it, Hally," urged Dave. "It's all in the day's work
+for a sailor. We'll just take it as it comes, old fellow."</p>
+
+<p>To not one of the trio did it occur to let go of the life buoys and sink
+as a means of ending misery. In the first place, human instinct holds to
+hope. In the second place, suicide is the resort of cowards.</p>
+
+<p>"None of you happened to hide any food in his pockets at breakfast, I
+take it?" asked Dan grimly, at last.</p>
+
+<p>Of course they hadn't.</p>
+
+<p>"Too bad," sighed Dan. "I'm growing terribly hungry."</p>
+
+<p>"Catch a fish," smiled back Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>"And eat it raw?" gasped Dalzell. "Darry, you know my tastes better than
+that."</p>
+
+<p>"Then wait a few hours longer," proposed Dave, "until even raw fish will
+be a delicacy."</p>
+
+<p>Hallam took no part in the chaffing. He was miserably conscious, all the
+while, that his own folly had been solely responsible for the present
+plight of these noble messmates.</p>
+
+<p>Thus the time passed on. None kept any track of it; they realized only
+that it was still daylight.</p>
+
+<p>Then suddenly Dave gave a gasp and raised one hand to point.</p>
+
+<p>His two classmates turned and were able to make out the mastheads of a
+craft in the distance.</p>
+
+<p>How they strained their eyes! All three stared and stared, until they
+felt tolerably certain that the craft was headed their way.</p>
+
+<p>"They may see us!" cried Hallam eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Three battleships and as many launches failed to find us," retorted
+Dan. "And they were looking for us, too."</p>
+
+<p>As the vessel came nearer and the hull became visible, it took on the
+appearance of a liner.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, it looks as though she'd run right over us when she gets nearer,"
+cried Dave, his eyes kindling with hope.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't get too excited over it," urged Dan. "For my part, I'm growing
+almost accustomed to disappointments."</p>
+
+<p>As the minutes passed and the liner came on and on, it looked still more
+as though she would run down the three middies.</p>
+
+<p>[Illustration: "Look! They See Us!"]</p>
+
+<p>At last, however, the craft was passing, showing her port side, not very
+far distant, to be sure.</p>
+
+<p>Uniting their voices, the three midshipmen yelled with all their power,
+even though they knew that their desperate call for help could not carry
+the distance over the subsiding gale.</p>
+
+<p>Boom! That shot came from the liner, and now her port rail was black
+with people.</p>
+
+<p>"They see us!" cried Hallam joyously. "Look! That craft is slowing up!"</p>
+
+<p>Once more came the cheers of encouragement, as the liner, now some
+distance ahead, put off a heavy launch. A masthead lookout, who had
+first seen the midshipmen, was now signaling the way to the officer in
+command of the launch.</p>
+
+<p>Unable to see for himself, the officer in the launch depended wholly on
+those masthead signals. So the launch steamed a somewhat zig-zag course
+over the waves. Yet, at last, it bore down straight upon the midshipmen.</p>
+
+<p>Darrin, Dalzell and Hallam now came very near to closing their eyes, to
+lessen the suspense.</p>
+
+<p>A short time more and all three were dragged in over the sides of the
+launch.</p>
+
+<p>"Get those life buoys in, if you can," begged Dave, as he sank in the
+bottom of the launch. "They are United States property entrusted to our
+care."</p>
+
+<p>From officer and seamen alike a laugh went up at this request, but the
+life buoys were caught with a boathook and drawn aboard.</p>
+
+<p>What rousing cheers greeted the returning launch, from the decks of the
+liner, "Princess Irene"! When the three midshipmen reached deck and it
+was learned that they were midshipmen of the United States Navy, the
+cheering and interest were redoubled.</p>
+
+<p>But the captain and the ship's doctor cut short any attempt at lionizing
+by rushing the midshipmen to a stateroom containing three berths. Here,
+under the doctor's orders, the trio were stripped and rubbed down. Then
+they were rolled into blankets, and hot coffee brought to them in their
+berths, while their wet clothing was sent below to one of the furnace
+rooms for hurried drying.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the medical man had examined them, the steamship's captain
+began to question them.</p>
+
+<p>"Headed for the Azores, eh?" demanded the ship's master. "We ought to be
+able to sight your squadron before long."</p>
+
+<p>He hastened out, to give orders to the deck officer.</p>
+
+<p>By the time that the young midshipmen had been satisfactorily warmed,
+and their clothing had been dried, the ship's surgeon consented to their
+dressing. After this they were led to a private cabin where a satisfying
+meal was served them.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I don't know," murmured Dan, leaning back, with a contented sigh,
+after the meal was over; "there are worse things than what happened to
+us to-day!"</p>
+
+<p>The greater speed of the liner enabled her to sight the battleship
+squadron something more than two hours afterward. Then the nearest
+vessel of the fleet was steered for directly.</p>
+
+<p>The deck officers of the liner sent their heavy overcoats for the use of
+the midshipmen, who, enveloped in these roomy garments, went out on deck
+to watch the pursuit of their own comrades.</p>
+
+<p>Within another hour it was possible to signal, and from the "Princess
+Irene's" masthead the signal flags were broken out.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, watch for excitement on board your own craft," smiled the liner's
+commander, an Englishman.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the liner's signal had been read by the vessels of the
+squadron a wild display of signal bunting swiftly broke out.</p>
+
+<p>"Heaven be thanked!" read one set of signal flags.</p>
+
+<p>"We have officially buried the young men, but ask them to go on living,"
+read another.</p>
+
+<p>While the most practical signal of all was:</p>
+
+<p>"The 'Massachusetts' will fall astern of the squadron. Kindly stand by
+to receive her launch."</p>
+
+<p>In a few minutes more the two vessels were close enough. Both stopped
+headway. One of the big battleship's launches put off and steamed over,
+rolling and pitching on the waves.</p>
+
+<p>Most carefully indeed the three midshipmen climbed down a rope ladder
+and were received by an ensign from the "Massachusetts," who next gave
+the American Navy's profound thanks to the rescuers of the middies.</p>
+
+<p>"Kindly lower that United States property that was in our care, sir!"
+Dave Darrin called up.</p>
+
+<p>There was good-humored laughter above, and a look of amazement on Ensign
+White's face until the two buoys, attached to lines, were thrown down
+over the side.</p>
+
+<p>"When your time comes you will make a very capable officer, I believe,
+Mr. Darrin, judging by your care of government property," remarked
+Ensign White, working hard to keep down the laughter.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope to do so, sir," Dave replied, saluting.</p>
+
+<p>Then away to the "Massachusetts" the launch bore, while the whole
+battleship squadron cheered itself hoarse over the happy outcome of the
+day.</p>
+
+<p>Dave, Dan and Hallam all had to do a tremendous amount of handshaking
+among their classmates when they had reached deck. Pennington was the
+only one who did not come forward to hold his hand out to Darrin&mdash;a fact
+that was noted at the time by many of the youngsters.</p>
+
+<p>To the captain the trio recounted what had befallen them, as matter for
+official record.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Darrin and Mr. Dalzell," announced the battleship's captain, "I
+must commend you both for wholly heroic conduct in going to the aid of
+your classmate. And, Mr. Darrin, I am particularly interested in your
+incidental determination to preserve government property&mdash;the life buoys
+that you brought back with you."</p>
+
+<p>"It's possible I may need them again, sir," returned Dave, with a smile,
+though he had no notion of prophetic utterance.</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI<br /><br />
+MIDSHIPMAN PENNINGTON'S ACCIDENT</h3>
+
+<p>The stop at the Azores was uneventful. It remained in the minds of the
+midshipmen only as a pleasant recollection of a quaint and pretty place.</p>
+
+<p>Once more the squadron set sail, and now the homeward-bound pennant was
+flying. The course lay straight across the Atlantic to the entrance of
+Chesapeake Bay.</p>
+
+<p>On the second night out the wind was blowing a little less than half a
+gale.</p>
+
+<p>Darkness had fallen when Dave, Dan, Farley and several other midshipmen
+gathered to talk in low tones at the stern rail.</p>
+
+<p>Presently all of them wandered away but Dave. He stood close to the
+rail, enjoying the bumping motion every time the descending stern hit
+one of the rolling waves.</p>
+
+<p>Presently, thinking he saw a light astern, he raised himself, peering
+astern.</p>
+
+<p>Another group of restless middies had sauntered up. Pennington, after a
+swift look at the pacing officer in charge here, and discovering that
+the officer's back was turned, executed a series of swift cartwheels.</p>
+
+<p>"Look out, Pen!" called Midshipman Dwight, in a low, though sharp voice.</p>
+
+<p>Just too late the warning came.</p>
+
+<p>As Pen leaped to his feet after the last turn, one of his hands struck
+Darrin forcefully.</p>
+
+<p>Dave swayed, tried to clutch at something, then&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"O-o-o-oh!" rang the first startled chorus.</p>
+
+<p>Then, instantly, on top of it, came the rousing hail:</p>
+
+<p>"Man overboard&mdash;astern!"</p>
+
+<p>Farley and Hallam were the first to reach the rail. But Lieutenant
+Burton was there almost as quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"Haul back!" commanded the lieutenant sternly. "No one go overboard!"</p>
+
+<p>That held the middies in check, for in no place, more than in the Navy,
+are orders orders.</p>
+
+<p>Clack! was the sound that followed the first cry. Like a flash the
+marine sentry had thrown his rifle to the deck. A single bound carried
+him to one of the night life buoys. This he released, and hurled far
+astern.</p>
+
+<p>As the night buoy struck the water a long-burning red light was fused by
+contact. The glow shone out over the waters.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime, the "Massachusetts's" speed was being slowed rapidly,
+and a boat's crew stood at quarters.</p>
+
+<p>The boat put off quickly, guided by the glow of the red signal light on
+the buoy. Ere the boat reached the buoy the coxswain made out the head
+and shoulders of a young man above the rim of the floating buoy.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after the boat lay alongside. Dave, with the coxswain's aid, pulled
+himself into the small craft.</p>
+
+<p>Recovering the buoy, the coxswain flashed the red light three times.
+From the deck of the battleship came a cheering yell sent up from
+hundreds of throats.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime, however, while the boat was on its way to the buoy, a
+pulsing scene had been enacted on board.</p>
+
+<p>Farley went straight up to Midshipman Pennington.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," demanded Farley hotly, "why did you push Mr. Darrin over the
+rail."</p>
+
+<p>Pennington looked at his questioner as one stunned.</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;I did push Darrin over," admitted Pennington, "but it was an
+accident."</p>
+
+<p>"An easily contrived one, wasn't it?" demanded Midshipman Farley, rather
+cynically.</p>
+
+<p>"It was pure accident," contended Pennington, paling. "Until it happened
+I hadn't the least idea in the world that I was going to send Mr. Darrin
+or anyone else overboard."</p>
+
+<p>"Huh!" returned Farley dubiously.</p>
+
+<p>"Huh!" quoth Hallam.</p>
+
+<p>Dan Dalzell uttered not a word, but the gaze of his eyes was fixed
+angrily on Pennington.</p>
+
+<p>That latter midshipman turned as white as a sheet. His hands worked as
+though he were attempting to clutch at something to hold himself up.</p>
+
+<p>"Surely, you fellows don't believe, do you&mdash;" he stammered weakly, then
+paused.</p>
+
+<p>"One thing we did notice, the other day," continued Farley briskly, "was
+that, when Darrin was rescued from the sea and returned to us, you were
+about the only member of the class who didn't go up to him and
+congratulate him on his marvelous escape."</p>
+
+<p>"How could&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Pennington, I haven't the patience to talk with you now," rejoined
+Farley, turning on his heel.</p>
+
+<p>At that moment the yell started among the midshipmen nearer the rail.
+Farley, Dan, Hallam and others joined in the yell and rushed to better
+points of vantage.</p>
+
+<p>Pennington tried to join in the cheer, but his tongue seemed fixed to
+the roof of his mouth. He stood clenching and unclenching his hands, his
+face an ashen gray in his deep humiliation.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care what one or two fellows may say," groaned Pennington. "But
+I don't want the class to think such things of me."</p>
+
+<p>He was the most miserable man on board as the small boat came alongside.
+The boat, occupants and all, was hoisted up to the davits and swung
+in-board. To the officer of the deck, who stood near-by, Dave turned,
+with a brisk salute.</p>
+
+<p>"I beg to report that I've come aboard, sir," Darrin uttered.</p>
+
+<p>"And very glad we are of it, Mr. Darrin," replied the officer. "You will
+go to your locker, change your clothing and then report to the captain,
+sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Aye, aye, sir."</p>
+
+<p>With another salute, Dave hastened below, followed by Dan Dalzell, who
+was intent on attending him.</p>
+
+<p>Ten minutes later Dave appeared at the door of the captain's cabin. Just
+a few minutes after that he came out on deck.</p>
+
+<p>A crowd gathered about him, expressing their congratulations.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you all," laughed Dave, "but don't make so much over a middy
+getting a bath outside of the schedule."</p>
+
+<p>To the rear hung Pennington, waiting his chance. At last, as the crowd
+thinned, Pennington made his way up to Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Darrin, I have to apologize for my nonsense, which was the means of
+pushing you overboard. It was purely accidental, on my honor. I did not
+even know it was you at the stern, nor did I realize that my antics
+would result in pushing any one overboard. I trust you will do me the
+honor of believing my statement."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I believe it, Mr. Pennington," answered Darrin, opening his
+eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"There are some," continued Pennington, "who have intimated to me their
+belief that I did it on purpose. There may be others who half believe or
+suspect that I might, or would, do such a thing."</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense!" retorted Dave promptly. "There may be differences,
+sometimes, between classmates, but there isn't a midshipman in the Navy
+who would deliberately try to drown a comrade. It's a preposterous
+insult against midshipman honor. If I hear any one make a charge like
+that, I'll call him out promptly."</p>
+
+<p>"Some of your friends&mdash;I won't name them&mdash;insisted, or at least let me
+feel the force of their suspicions."</p>
+
+<p>"If any of my friends hinted at such a thing, it was done in the heat of
+the moment," replied Dave heartily. "Why, Mr. Pennington, such an act of
+dishonor is impossible to a man bred at Annapolis."</p>
+
+<p>Darrin fully believed what he said. On the spur of the moment he held
+out his hand to his enemy.</p>
+
+<p>Pennington flushed deeply, for a moment, then put out his own hand,
+giving Dave's a hearty, straightforward grasp.</p>
+
+<p>"I was the first to imply the charge," broke in Farley quickly. "I
+withdraw it, and apologize to both of you."</p>
+
+<p>There was more handshaking.</p>
+
+<p>During the next few days, while Darry and Pen did not become by any
+means intimate, they no longer made any effort to avoid each other, but
+spoke frankly when they met.</p>
+
+<p>The remaining days of the voyage passed uneventfully enough, except for
+a great amount of hard work that the middies performed as usual.</p>
+
+<p>On the twenty-second of August they entered Chesapeake Bay. Once well
+inside, they came to anchor. There was considerable practice with the
+sub-caliber and other smaller guns. On the twenty-ninth of August the
+battleship fleet returned to the familiar waters around Annapolis. The
+day after that the young men disembarked.</p>
+
+<p>Then came a hurried skeltering, for the first, second and third classmen
+were entitled to leave during the month of September.</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII<br /><br />
+BACK IN THE HOME TOWN</h3>
+
+<p>Back in the old, well-known streets of their home town, Gridley!</p>
+
+<p>Dave and Dan, enjoying every minute of their month's leave, had already
+greeted their parents, and had told them much of their life as
+midshipmen.</p>
+
+<p>What hurt was the fact that the skipper of the "Princess Irene" had
+already told the marine reporters in New York the thrilling story of how
+Dave and Dan had nearly come to their own deaths rescuing Midshipman
+Hallam.</p>
+
+<p>Everyone in Gridley, it seemed, had read that newspaper story. Darrin
+and Dalzell, before they had been home twelve hours, were weary of
+hearing their praises sung.</p>
+
+<p>"There go two of the smartest, finest boys that old Gridley ever turned
+out," citizens would say, pointing after Dave and Dan. "They're
+midshipmen at Annapolis; going to be officers of the Navy one of these
+days."</p>
+
+<p>"But what's the matter with Dick Prescott and Greg Holmes? They're at
+West Point."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, they're all right, too, of course. But Darrin and Dalzell&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>It was the old circumstance of being "the lions of the minute" and of
+being on the spot.</p>
+
+<p>On the first morning of his arrival home Dave Darrin went frankly and
+openly to call on his old schoolgirl sweetheart, Belle Meade.</p>
+
+<p>Dan, having no particular associations with the gentler sex, took a
+stroll around town to meet any old friends who might care to see him
+again.</p>
+
+<p>Dave was shown into the parlor at the Meade home. Soon after Belle came
+swiftly in, her face beaming with delight.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, but you're not in uniform!" was her first disappointed comment.</p>
+
+<p>"No," smiled Dave. "I'm allowed every possible chance, for one month, to
+forget every detail of the big grind which for a short time I've left
+behind."</p>
+
+<p>"But you're the same old Dave," cried Belle, "only bigger and manlier.
+And that magnificent work you and Dan did in jumping over-bo&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Stop!" begged Dave. "You're a friend of mine, aren't you! Then don't
+add to the pain that has been already inflicted on me. If I had had the
+newspapers in mind I wouldn't have the nerve to&mdash;&mdash; But please let's not
+talk about it anymore."</p>
+
+<p>Then the two young people seated themselves and spent a delightful hour
+in talking over all that had befallen them both since they had last met.</p>
+
+<p>Belle, too, through Laura Bentley, had some much later news of the old
+chums, Dick and Greg, now cadets at West Point.</p>
+
+<p>This news, however, will be found in full in "DICK PRESCOTT'S SECOND
+YEAR AT WEST POINT."</p>
+
+<p>"What are your plans for this afternoon?" Belle asked at last.</p>
+
+<p>"That's what I want your help in making," Dave answered.</p>
+
+<p>"Can you get hold of Dan?"</p>
+
+<p>"No trouble about that. But keeping hold of him may be more difficult,"
+laughed Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"I was going to propose that you get Dan, call here and then we'll all
+go over to Laura Bentley's. I know she'll be anxious to see us."</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing could be better in the way of a plan," assented Dave. "I'll pin
+Danny boy down to that. It would really seem like a slight on good old
+Dick if we didn't make Laura an early call."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll go to the telephone, now, and tell her that we're coming," cried
+Belle, rising quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"Laura is delighted," she reported, on her return to the room. "But
+Dave, didn't you at least bring along a uniform, so that we could see
+what it looks like?"</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't," replied Dave, soberly, then added, quizzically:</p>
+
+<p>"You've seen the district messenger boys on the street, haven't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, of course; but what&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Our uniforms look very much like theirs," declared Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm afraid I can't undertake to believe you," Belle pouted.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, anyway, you girls will soon have a chance to see our uniforms.
+Just as soon as our hops start, this fall, you and Laura will come down
+and gladden our hearts by letting us drag you, won't you!"</p>
+
+<p>"Drag us?" repeated Belle, much mystified.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that's middies' slang for escorting a pretty girl to a midshipman
+hop."</p>
+
+<p>"You have a lot of slang, then, I suppose."</p>
+
+<p>"Considerable," admitted Dave readily.</p>
+
+<p>"What, then, is your slang for a pretty girl?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we call her a queen."</p>
+
+<p>"And a girl who is&mdash;who isn't&mdash;pretty?"</p>
+
+<p>"A gold brick," answered Dave unblushingly.</p>
+
+<p>"A gold brick?" gasped Belle. "Dear me! 'Dragging a gold brick' to a hop
+doesn't sound romantic, does it?"</p>
+
+<p>"It isn't," Darrin admitted.</p>
+
+<p>"Yet you have invited me&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Our class hasn't started in with its course of social compliments yet,"
+laughed Dave. "Please go look in the glass. Or, if you won't believe the
+glass, then just wait and see how proud Dan and I are if we can lead you
+and Laura out on the dancing floor."</p>
+
+<p>"But what horrid slang!" protested Belle. "The idea of calling a homely
+girl a gold brick! And I thought you young men received more or less
+training in being gracious to the weaker sex."</p>
+
+<p>"We do," Dave answered, "as soon as we can find any use for the
+accomplishment. Fourth classmen, you know, are considered too young to
+associate with girls. It's only now, when we've made a start in the
+third class, that we're to be allowed to attend the hops at all."</p>
+
+<p>"But why must you have to have such horrid names for girls who have not
+been greatly favored in the way of looks? It doesn't sound exactly
+gallant."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, well, you know," laughed Dave, "we poor, despised, no-account
+middies must have some sort of sincere language to talk after we get our
+masks off for the day. I suppose we like the privilege, for a few
+minutes in each day, of being fresh, like other young folks."</p>
+
+<p>"What is your name for 'fresh' down at Annapolis!" Belle wanted to know.</p>
+
+<p>"Touge."</p>
+
+<p>"And for being a bit worse than touge?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ratey."</p>
+
+<p>"Which did they call you?" demanded Belle.</p>
+
+<p>Dave started, then sat up straight, staring at Miss Meade.</p>
+
+<p>"I see that your tongue hasn't lost its old incisiveness," he laughed.</p>
+
+<p>"Not among my friends," Belle replied lightly. "But I can't get my mind
+off that uniform of yours that you didn't bring home. What would have
+happened to you if you had been bold enough to do it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I guess I'd have 'frapped the pap,'" hazarded Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"And what on earth is 'frapping the pap'?" gasped Belle.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that's a brief way of telling about it when a midshipman gets stuck
+on the conduct report."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm going to buy a notebook," asserted Belle, "and write down and
+classify some of this jargon. I'd hate to visit a strange country, like
+Annapolis, and find I didn't know the language. And, Dave, what sort of
+place is Annapolis, anyway?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, it's a suburb of the Naval Academy," Dave answered.</p>
+
+<p>"Is it dreadfully hard to keep one's place in his class there?" asked
+Belle.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, the average fellow is satisfied if he doesn't 'bust cold,'" Dave
+informed her.</p>
+
+<p>"Gracious! What sort of explosion is 'busting cold'?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, that means getting down pretty close to absolute zero in all
+studies. When a fellow has the hard luck to bust cold the superintendent
+allows him all his time, thereafter, to go home and look up a more
+suitable job than one in the Navy. And when a fellow bilges&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Stop!" begged Belle. "Wait!"</p>
+
+<p>She fled from the room, to return presently bearing the prettiest hat
+that Dave ever remembered having seen on her shapely young head. In one
+hand she carried a dainty parasol that she turned over to him.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the cruise?" asked Darrin, rising.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm going out to get that notebook, now. Please don't talk any more
+'midshipman' to me until I get a chance to set the jargon down."</p>
+
+<p>As she stood there, such a pretty and wholesome picture, David Darrin
+thought he never before had seen such a pretty girl, nor one dressed in
+such exquisite taste. Being a boy, it did not occur to him that Belle
+Meade had been engaged for weeks in designing this gown and others that
+she meant to wear during his brief stay at home.</p>
+
+<p>"What are you thinking of?" asked Belle.</p>
+
+<p>"What a pity it is that I am doomed to a short life," sighed Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>"A short life? What do you mean?" Belle asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I'm going to be assassinated, the first hop that you attend at the
+Naval Academy."</p>
+
+<p>"So I'm a gold brick, am I?" frowned Belle.</p>
+
+<p>"You&mdash;a&mdash;gold brick?" stammered Dave. "Why, you&mdash;oh, go look in the
+glass!"</p>
+
+<p>"Who will assassinate you?"</p>
+
+<p>"A committee made up from among the fellows whose names I don't write
+down on your dance card. And there are hundreds of them at Annapolis.
+You can't dance with them all."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't intend to," replied Belle, with a toss of her head. "I'll
+accept, as partners, only those who appear to me the handsomest and most
+distinguished looking of the midshipmen. No one else can write his name
+on my card."</p>
+
+<p>"Dear girl, I'm afraid you don't understand our way of making up dance
+cards at Crabtown."</p>
+
+<p>"Where?"</p>
+
+<p>"Crabtown. That's our local name for Annapolis."</p>
+
+<p>"Gracious! Let me get out quickly and get that notebook!"</p>
+
+<p>"At midshipmen's hops the fellow who drags the&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Gold brick," supplied Belle, resignedly.</p>
+
+<p>"No&mdash;not for worlds! You're no gold brick, Belle, and you know it, even
+though you do refuse to go to the mirror. But the fellow who drags any
+femme&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Please&mdash;?"</p>
+
+<p>"'Femme' stands for girl. The fellow who drags any femme makes up her
+dance card for her."</p>
+
+<p>"And she hasn't a word to say about it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not as a rule."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh!" cried Belle, dramatically.</p>
+
+<p>She moved toward the door. Dave, who could not take his eyes from her
+pretty face, managed, somehow, to delay her.</p>
+
+<p>"Belle, there's something&mdash;" he began.</p>
+
+<p>"Good gracious! Where? What?" she cried, looking about her keenly.</p>
+
+<p>"It's something I want to say&mdash;must say," Dave went on with more of an
+effort than anyone but himself could guess.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me, as we're going down the street," invited Belle.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Wha-a-at?</i>" choked Dave. "Well, I guess not!"</p>
+
+<p>He faced her, resting both hands lightly on her shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>"Belle, we were pretty near sweethearts in the High School, I think," he
+went on, huskily, but looking her straight in the eyes. "At least, that
+was my hope, and I hope, most earnestly, that it's going to continue.
+Belle, I am a long way from my real career, yet. It will be five years,
+yet, before I have any right to marry. But I want to look forward, all
+the time, to the sweet belief that my schoolgirl sweetheart is going to
+become my wife one of these days. I want that as a goal to work for,
+along with my commission in the Navy. But to this much I agree: if you
+say 'yes' now, and find later that you have made a mistake, you will
+tell me so frankly."</p>
+
+<p>"Poor boy!" murmured Belle, looking at him fully. "You've been a plebe
+until lately, and you haven't been allowed to see any girls. I'm not
+going to take advantage of you as heartlessly as that."</p>
+
+<p>Yet something in her eyes gave the midshipman hope.</p>
+
+<p>"Belle," he continued eagerly, "don't trifle with me. Tell me&mdash;will you
+marry me some day?"</p>
+
+<p>Then there was a little more talk and&mdash;well, it's no one's business.</p>
+
+<p>"But we're not so formally engaged," Belle warned him, "that you can't
+write me and draw out of the snare if you wish when you're older. And
+I'm not going to wear any ring until you've graduated from the Naval
+Academy. Do you understand that, Mr. David Darrin?"</p>
+
+<p>"It shall be as you say, either way," Dave replied happily.</p>
+
+<p>"And now, let us get started, or we shan't get out on the street
+to-day," urged Belle.</p>
+
+<p>Then they passed out on the street, and no ordinarily observant person
+would have suspected them of being anything more than school friends.</p>
+
+<p>Being very matter-of-fact in some respects, Belle's first move was to go
+to a stationer's, where she bought a little notebook bound in red
+leather.</p>
+
+<p>Dave tried to pay for that purchase, but Belle forestalled him.</p>
+
+<p>"Why didn't you allow me to make you that little gift?" he asked in a
+low tone, when they had reached the street.</p>
+
+<p>"Wait," replied Belle archly. "Some day you may find your hands full in
+that line."</p>
+
+<p>"One of my instructors at Annapolis complimented me on having very
+capable hands," Dave told her dryly.</p>
+
+<p>"The instructor in boxing?" asked Belle.</p>
+
+<p>It was a wonderfully delightful stroll that the middy and his sweetheart
+enjoyed that September forenoon.</p>
+
+<p>Once Dave sighed, so pronouncedly that Belle shot a quick look of
+questioning at him.</p>
+
+<p>"Tired of our understanding already?" she demanded.</p>
+
+<p>"No; I was thinking how sorry I am for Danny boy! He doesn't know the
+happiness of having a real sweetheart."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you know he doesn't?" asked Belle quickly. "Does he tell you
+everything?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; but I know Danny's sea-going lines pretty well. I'd suspect, at
+least, if he had a sweetheart."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you sure that you would?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes! By gracious! There's Danny going around the corner above at
+this very moment."</p>
+
+<p>Belle had looked in the same instant.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; and a skirt swished around the corner with him," declared Belle
+impressively. "It would be funny, wouldn't it, if you didn't happen to
+know all about Dan Dalzell?"</p>
+
+<p>In the early afternoon, however, the mystery was cleared up.</p>
+
+<p>On the street Dalzell had encountered Laura Bentley. Both were full of
+talk and questions concerning Dick Prescott and Greg Holmes, at West
+Point, for which reason Dan had strolled home with Miss Bentley without
+any other thought, on the midshipman's part, than playing substitute
+gallant for his chum, Cadet Richard Prescott, U.S. Military Academy.</p>
+
+<p>A most delightful afternoon the four young people spent together at the
+Bentley home.</p>
+
+<p>These were the forerunners of other afternoons.</p>
+
+<p>Belle and Laura, however, were not able to keep their midshipmen to
+themselves.</p>
+
+<p>Other girls, former students at the High School, arranged a series of
+affairs to which the four young people were invited.</p>
+
+<p>Dave's happiest moments were when he had Belle to himself, for a stroll
+or chat.</p>
+
+<p>Dan's happiest moments, on the other hand, were when he was engaged in
+hunting the old High School fellows, or such of them as were now at
+home. For many of them had entered colleges or technical schools. Tom
+Reade and Harry Hazelton, of the famous old Dick &amp; Co., of High School
+days, were now in the far southwest, under circumstances fully narrated
+in "THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN ARIZONA," the second volume of "THE YOUNG
+ENGINEERS' SERIES.'"</p>
+
+<p>Day by day Belle jotted down in her notebook more specimens of
+midshipman slang.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall soon feel that I can reel off the language like a native of
+Crabtown," she confided laughingly to Dare.</p>
+
+<p>"It won't be very long before you have an opportunity to try," Dave
+declared, "if you and Laura embrace your first opportunity to come to a
+middy hop."</p>
+
+<p>Dan had a happy enough time of it, even though Dave's suspicion was true
+in that Dan had no sweetheart. That, however, was Dan's fault entirely,
+as several of the former High School girls would have been willing to
+assure him.</p>
+
+<p>Since even the happiest times must all end so the latter part of
+September drew near.</p>
+
+<p>Then came the day when Dave and Dan met at the railway station. A host
+of others were there to see them off, for the midshipmen still had
+crowds of friends in the good old home town.</p>
+
+<p>A ringing of bells, signaling brakesmen, a rolling of steel wheels and
+the two young midshipmen swung aboard the train, to wave their hats from
+the platform.</p>
+
+<p>Gridley was gone&mdash;lost to sight for another year. Dan was exuberant
+during the first hour of the journey, Dave unusually silent.</p>
+
+<p>"You need a vast amount of cheering up, David, little giant!" exclaimed
+Dalzell.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I guess not," smiled Dave Darrin quietly, adding to himself, under
+his breath:</p>
+
+<p>"I carry my own good cheer with me, now."</p>
+
+<p>Lightly his hand touched a breast pocket that carried the latest,
+sweetest likeness of Miss Belle Meade.</p>
+
+<p>One journey by rail is much like another to the traveler who pays little
+heed to the scenery.</p>
+
+<p>At the journey's end two well-rested midshipmen joined the throng of
+others at Crabtown.</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII<br /><br />
+DAN RECEIVES A FEARFUL FACER</h3>
+
+<p>"Oh, you heap!" sighed Dan Dalzell dismally.</p>
+
+<p>He sat in his chair, in their new quarters in Bancroft Hall, United
+States Naval Academy, gazing in mock despair at the pile of new books
+that he had just drawn.</p>
+
+<p>These text-books contained the subjects in which a midshipman is
+required to qualify in his second academic year.</p>
+
+<p>"Been through the books for a first look?" called Dave from behind his
+own study table.</p>
+
+<p>"Some of 'em," admitted Dalzell. "I'm afraid to glance into the others."</p>
+
+<p>"I've looked in all of my books," continued Darrin, "and I've just come
+to a startling conclusion."</p>
+
+<p>"What?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm inclined to believe that I have received a complete set of
+text-books for the first and second classes."</p>
+
+<p>"No such luck!" grunted Dan, getting up and going over to his chum. "Let
+me see if you got all the books I did."</p>
+
+<p>Before Dave could prevent it, Dan started a determined over-tossing of
+the book pile. As he did so, Dan suddenly uncovered a photograph from
+which a fair, sweet, laughing face gazed up at him.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I beg a million pardons, Dave, old boy!" cried Dalzell.</p>
+
+<p>"You needn't," came Dave's frank answer. "I'm proud of that treasure and
+of all it means to me."</p>
+
+<p>"And I'm glad for you, David, little giant."</p>
+
+<p>Their hands met in hearty clasp, and that was all that was said on that
+subject at the time.</p>
+
+<p>"But, seriously," Dan grumbled on, after a while, "I'm aghast at what an
+exacting government expects and demands that we shall know. Just look
+over the list&mdash;mechanical drawing and mechanical processes, analytical
+geometry, calculus, physics, chemistry, English literature, French and
+Spanish, integral calculus, spherical trigonometry, stereographic
+projection and United States Naval history! David, my boy, by the end of
+this year we'll know more than college professors do."</p>
+
+<p>"Aren't you getting a big head, Danny?" queried Darrin, looking up with
+a smile.</p>
+
+<p>"I am," assented Dalzell, "and I admit it. Why, man alive, one has to
+have a big head here. No small head would contain all that the Academic
+Board insists on crowding into it."</p>
+
+<p>By the time that the chums had attended the first section recitations on
+the following day, their despair was increased.</p>
+
+<p>"Davy, I don't see how we are ever going to make it, this year," Dalzell
+gasped, while they were making ready for supper formation. "We'll bilge
+this year without a doubt."</p>
+
+<p>"There's only one reason I see for hoping that we can get through the
+year with fair credit," murmured Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>"And what's that?"</p>
+
+<p>"Others have done it, before us, and many more are going to do it this
+year," replied Dave slowly, as he laid comb and brush away and drew on
+his uniform blouse.</p>
+
+<p>"I know men have gotten through the Naval Academy in years gone by,"
+Dalzell agreed. "But, the first chance that I have, I'm going to look
+the matter up and see whether the middies of old had any such fearful
+grind as we have our noses held to."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we'll do it," declared Darrin confidently. "I shall, anyway&mdash;for
+I've got to!"</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke he was thinking of Belle Meade, and of her prospects in life
+as well as his own.</p>
+
+<p>As the days went by, however, Dave and Dan became more and more dull of
+spirits. The grind was a fearful one. A few very bright youngsters went
+along all right, but to most of the third classmen graduation began to
+look a thousand years away.</p>
+
+<p>The football squad was out now and training in deadly earnest. There
+were many big games to be played, but most of all the middies longed to
+tow West Point's Army eleven into the port of defeat.</p>
+
+<p>In their first year Dave and Dan had looked forward longingly to joining
+the gridiron squad. They had even practised somewhat. But now they
+realized that playing football in the second year at Annapolis must be,
+for them, merely a foolish dream.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm thankful enough if I can study day and night and keep myself up to
+2.5," confessed Darrin, as he and Dan chatted over their gridiron
+longings.</p>
+
+<p>Two-and-five tenths is the lowest marking, on a scale of four, that will
+suffice to keep a midshipman in the Naval Academy.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not going to reach 2.5 in some studies this month," groaned Dan. "I
+know that much by way of advance information. The fates be thanked that
+we're allowed until the semi-ans to pick up. But the question is, are we
+ever going to pick up? As I look through my books it seems to me that
+every succeeding lesson is twice as hard as the one before it."</p>
+
+<p>"Other men have gone through, every year."</p>
+
+<p>"And still other men have been dropped every year," Dalzell dolefully
+reminded him.</p>
+
+<p>"We're among those who are going to stay," Dave contended stubbornly.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I'm afraid we'll be among those who are dropped after Christmas
+and come back, next year, as bilgers," Dalzell groaned.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, drop that!" commanded Darrin, almost roughly. "Remember one thing,
+Daniel little lion slayer! My congressman and your senator won't appoint
+us again, if we fail now. No talk of that kind, remember. We've got to
+make our standing secure within the next few weeks."</p>
+
+<p>Before the month was over the football games began in earnest on the
+athletic field. Darrin and Dalzell, however, missed every game. They
+were too busy poring over their text-books. Fortunately for them their
+drills, parades and gym. work furnished them enough exercise.</p>
+
+<p>The end of October found Darrin at or above 2.5 in only three studies.
+Dan was above 2.5 in two studies&mdash;below that mark in all others.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a pity my father never taught me to swear," grumbled Dalzell, in
+the privacy of their room.</p>
+
+<p>"Stow that talk," ordered Darrin, "and shove off into the deeper waters
+of greater effort."</p>
+
+<p>"Greater effort?" demanded Dan, in a rage. "Why I study, now, every
+possible moment of the time allowed for such foolishness. And we can't
+run a light. Right after taps the electric light is turned off at the
+master switch."</p>
+
+<p>"We're wasting ninety seconds of precious time, now, in grumbling,"
+uttered Dave, seating himself doggedly at his study table.</p>
+
+<p>"Got any money, Darry?" asked Dalzell suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; are you broke?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am, and the next time I go into Annapolis I mean to buy some
+candles."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't try that, Danny. Running a light is dangerous, and doubly so with
+candles. The grease is bound to drip, and to be found in some little
+corner by one of the discipline officers. It would be no use to study if
+you are going to get frapped on the pap continuously."</p>
+
+<p>Immediately after supper both midshipmen forfeited their few minutes of
+recreation, going at once back to their study tables. There they
+remained, boning hard until the brief release sounded before taps was
+due.</p>
+
+<p>Almost at the sound of the release there came a knock at the door.
+Farley and his roommate, Page, came bounding in.</p>
+
+<p>"I've got to say something, or I'll go daffy," cried Farley, rubbing his
+eyes. "Fellows, did you ever hear of such downright abuse as the second
+year course of studies means?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is tough," agreed Dave. "But what can we do about it, except fight
+it out?"</p>
+
+<p>"Can you make head or tail out of calculus?" demanded Farley.</p>
+
+<p>"No," admitted Darrin, "but I hope to, one of these days."</p>
+
+<p>Just then Freeman, of the first class, poked his head in, after a soft
+knock.</p>
+
+<p>"What is this&mdash;a despair meeting?" he called cheerily.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," groaned Page. "We're in a blue funk over the way recitations are
+going."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, buck up, kiddies!" called Freeman cheerily, as he crossed the
+floor. "Youngsters always get in the doldrums at the beginning of the
+year."</p>
+
+<p>"You're a first classman. When you were in the third class did you have
+all the studies that we have now?"</p>
+
+<p>"Every one of them, sir," affirmed Midshipman Freeman gravely, though
+there was a twinkle in his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"And did you come through the course easily?" asked Page.</p>
+
+<p>"Not easily," admitted the first classman. "There isn't anything at
+Annapolis that is easy, except the dancing. In fact, during the first
+two months very few of our class came along like anything at all. After
+that, we began to do better. By the time that semi-ans came around
+nearly all of us managed to pull through. But what seems to be the worst
+grind of all&mdash;the real blue paint?"</p>
+
+<p>"Calculus!" cried the four youngsters in unison.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, once you begin to see daylight in calculus it's just as easy as
+taking a nap," declared the first classman.</p>
+
+<p>"At present it seems more like suffering from delirium," sighed Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the hard one for to-morrow?" asked Freeman.</p>
+
+<p>"Here it is, right here," continued Dave, opening his text-book. "Here's
+the very proposition."</p>
+
+<p>The others crowded about, nodding.</p>
+
+<p>"I remember that one," laughed Freeman lightly. "Our class named it
+'sticky fly paper.'"</p>
+
+<p>"It was rightly named," grumbled Farley.</p>
+
+<p>"None of you four youngsters see through it?" demanded Midshipman
+Freeman.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean to claim, sir, that you ever did?" insisted Dan Dalzell.</p>
+
+<p>"Not only once, but now," grinned Mr. Freeman. "You haven't been looking
+at this torturing proposition from the right angle&mdash;that's all. Now,
+listen, while I read it."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we all know how it runs, Mr. Freeman," protested Page.</p>
+
+<p>"Nevertheless, listen, while I read it."</p>
+
+<p>As the first classman read through the proposition that was torturing
+them he threw an emphasis upon certain words that opened their eyes
+better as to the meaning.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, it works out this way," continued the first classman, bending over
+the disk and drawing paper and pencil toward him. "In the first place."</p>
+
+<p>Freeman seemed to these youngsters like a born demonstrator. Within five
+minutes he had made the "sticky fly paper" problem so plain to them all
+that they glanced from one to another in astonishment.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, it does seem easy," confessed Farley.</p>
+
+<p>"It sounds foolish, now," grinned Darrin. "I'm beginning to feel ashamed
+of myself."</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Freeman," protested Page, "you've saved us from suicide, or some
+other gruesome fate."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I'll drop in once in a while again," promised the first classman.</p>
+
+<p>"But that will take time from your own studies," remonstrated Darrin
+generously.</p>
+
+<p>"Not in the least. I won't come around before release. By the time a
+fellow reaches the first class, if he's going to graduate anyway, he
+doesn't have to study as hard as a youngster does. The man who reaches
+the first class has had all the habits of true study ground into him."</p>
+
+<p>Darrin, Dalzell, Farley and Page were all in different sections in
+mathematics. When they recited, next day, it so happened that each was
+the man to have the "sticky fly paper" problem assigned to him by the
+instructor. Each of the quartette received a full "4" for the day's
+marking.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you have any assistance with this problem, Mr. Darrin?" asked
+Dave's instructor.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; a member of the first class tried to make it plain to me last
+night."</p>
+
+<p>"He appears to have succeeded," remarked the instructor dryly.</p>
+
+<p>There was, however, no discredit attached to having received proper
+assistance before coming into section.</p>
+
+<p>True to his promise Freeman dropped in every fourth or fifth evening, to
+see if he could be of any help to the four youngsters. Always he found
+that he could be.</p>
+
+<p>Even when Thanksgiving came, Dave Darrin did not go to Philadelphia, but
+remained at the Academy, devoting his time to study.</p>
+
+<p>Dan, in sheer desperation, took in the trip to Philadelphia. He hoped to
+meet Dick Prescott and Greg Holmes, but they did not come down from West
+Point.</p>
+
+<p>On the first day of December, Dan Dalzell's name was formally reported
+by the Academic Board in a report to the superintendent which
+recommended that Midshipman Dalzell be dropped from the rolls for
+"inaptitude in his studies."</p>
+
+<p>Poor Dan. It was a staggering blow. Yet it struck Dave Darrin just about
+as hard.</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV<br /><br />
+THE FIRST HOP WITH THE HOME GIRLS</h3>
+
+<p>That report was allowed to reach Dan's ears on a Friday.</p>
+
+<p>On the evening of the day following there was to be a midshipman hop on
+the floor of the great gym.</p>
+
+<p>Moreover, it was the very hop that Belle Meade and Laura Bentley had
+finally selected to attend. Mrs. Meade was coming with the girls as
+chaperon.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, but I shall feel fine and light hearted for going to the dance!"
+muttered Dan miserably. "Facing the kick-off from the Academy, and doing
+the light hearted and the fantastic toe with the girls."</p>
+
+<p>"I shan't feel a whole lot more merry myself," sighed Dave, as he gazed
+affectionately, wistfully at his chum. "Danny, this has hit me about as
+hard as it has you. And it warns me, too, that my turn will probably
+come next. I don't stand an awful lot higher in my markings than you
+do."</p>
+
+<p>"Doesn't it feel fine to be a bilger?" gulped Dalzell, staring at the
+floor.</p>
+
+<p>A "bilger," as has been already explained, is a midshipman who has
+failed and has been dropped.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, but you're not a bilger, yet!" cried Darrin, leaping up and resting
+both hands on his chum's shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the odds?" demanded Dan grimly. "I shall be, after I've been
+before the Board next Monday forenoon at ten o'clock."</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense! Not if you make a good fight!"</p>
+
+<p>"Fight&mdash;nothing!" sighed Dan wearily. "In a fight there's some one else
+that you can hit back at. But I won't have a blessed soul to fight. I'm
+up against a gang who are all referees, and all down on me at the
+outset."</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense," combatted Dave. "You&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that's all right, David, little giant," returned Dalzell with an
+attempt at cheeriness. "You mean well, but a fellow isn't reported
+deficient unless he's so far behind that the Board has his case settled
+in advance. From all I can hear it isn't once in a camel's age that a
+fellow so reported, and ordered before the Board, gets off with anything
+less than a hard, wet bilge. What I'm thinking of now is, what am I
+going to pick up as a career when I go home from here as a failure."</p>
+
+<p>If it hadn't been for the pride he felt in still having the uniform on,
+Dalzell might not have been able to check the tears that tried to flow.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on," commanded Dave, leaping up, "we'll run up to the deck above,
+and see if we can't find Mr. Freeman in."</p>
+
+<p>"What good will that do?" demanded Dan. "Freeman is a first classman,
+but he hasn't any particular drag with the Board."</p>
+
+<p>"It won't do any harm, anyway, for us to have a talk with an older
+classman," argued Dave. "Button your blouse, straighten your hair and
+come along."</p>
+
+<p>"So it's as bad as that, is it!" asked Freeman sympathetically, after
+his cheery "come in" had admitted the unhappy youngsters.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," replied Dave incisively. "Now, the question is, what can be done
+about it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you had asked me an easier one," sighed the first classman.
+"You're mighty well liked, all through the Academy, Dalzell, and every
+one of us will hate to see you go."</p>
+
+<p>"But what can be done to ward off that fate?" insisted Darrin as
+impatiently as a third classman might speak to a venerable first
+classman.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, now, I want to think over that," confessed Freeman frankly. "Of
+course, Dalzell's record, this term, is in black and white, and can't be
+gainsaid. It's just possible our young friend can put up some line of
+talk that will extend his time here, and perhaps enable him to pull
+through. It's a mighty important question, so I'll tell you what we'll
+do. Of course, the hop comes on for to-morrow night. Let me have until
+Sunday evening. Meanwhile I'll talk with some of the other fellows of my
+class. You both come in here Sunday evening, and I'll have the answer
+for you&mdash;if there's any possible way of finding one."</p>
+
+<p>With that the chums had to be content. Expressing their gratitude to
+this friendly first classman, they withdrew.</p>
+
+<p>That Saturday forenoon Dan did considerably better with the two
+recitations that he had in hand.</p>
+
+<p>"I got easier questions than usual, I guess," he said to Dave, with a
+mournful smile.</p>
+
+<p>After Saturday dinner, Dave and Dan, having secured permission to visit
+in Annapolis, steered their course through the gate, straight up
+Maryland Avenue, through State Circle and around into Main Street, to
+the Maryland House.</p>
+
+<p>At the desk they sent up their cards to Mrs. Meade, then stepped into
+the parlor.</p>
+
+<p>Barely two minutes had passed when Belle and Laura flew downstairs.</p>
+
+<p>"Mother says she'll be down as soon as she fancies you'll care about
+seeing her," laughed Belle.</p>
+
+<p>"And how are you getting on in your classes?" asked Laura Bentley,
+glancing straight at unhappy Dan.</p>
+
+<p>Both midshipmen had agreed not to mention a word of Dan's heartache to
+either of the girls.</p>
+
+<p>Dan gulped hard, though he managed to conceal the fact.</p>
+
+<p>Darrin, however, was ready with the answer:</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we're having pretty rough sailing, but we're both still in our
+class."</p>
+
+<p>Which statement was wholly truthful.</p>
+
+<p>"Up at West Point," Laura continued, "Dick told us that the first two
+years were the hardest for a man to keep his place. I fancy it's just
+about the same here, isn't it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Just about," Dave nodded. "The first two years are hardest because it
+takes all that time for a fellow to get himself keyed up to the gait of
+study that is required in the government academies. But won't you let us
+talk about something that's really pleasant, girls?" Dave asked, with
+his charming smile. "Suppose we talk about yourselves. My, but you girls
+are good to look at!"</p>
+
+<p>After that, the conversation was shifted to lighter subjects.</p>
+
+<p>Even Dan, in the joy of meeting two girl friends from home, began to be
+less conscious of his load of misery.</p>
+
+<p>Presently Mrs. Meade came down. She chatted with the two fine-looking
+young midshipmen for a few moments. Then Dave proposed:</p>
+
+<p>"Wouldn't you like us to escort you through the Academy grounds, so that
+you can get a good idea of the place in daylight?"</p>
+
+<p>"We've been waiting only for you to invite us," rejoined Belle.</p>
+
+<p>For the next two hours the time was passed pleasantly.</p>
+
+<p>But Belle, behind all her light chatter, was unusually keen and
+observing.</p>
+
+<p>"Is anything wrong with either of you?" she asked Dave suddenly, when
+this pair were out of easy hearing of the others.</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you ask that?" inquired Dave, looking at her in his direct
+fashion.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I may be unnecessarily sensitive, but I can't help feeling that
+some sort of disaster is hanging over either you or Dan."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope not," replied Darrin evasively.</p>
+
+<p>"Dave, that isn't a direct answer," warned Belle, raising her eyebrows.
+"Do you consider me entitled to one?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. What's the question?"</p>
+
+<p>"Are you in any trouble here?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I'm thankful to say."</p>
+
+<p>"Then is Dan?"</p>
+
+<p>"Belle, I'd rather not answer that."</p>
+
+<p>"Why&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, because, if he is, I'd rather not discuss it."</p>
+
+<p>"Has Dan been caught in any scrape?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. His conduct record is fine."</p>
+
+<p>"Then it must be failure in his studies."</p>
+
+<p>Dave did not answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Why don't you tell me?" insisted Belle.</p>
+
+<p>"If anything were in the wind, Belle, we'd rather not tell you and spoil
+your visit. And don't ask Dan anything about it."</p>
+
+<p>"I think I know enough," went on Belle thoughtfully and sympathetically.
+"Poor Dan! He's one of the finest of fellows."</p>
+
+<p>"There are no better made," retorted Dave promptly.</p>
+
+<p>"If anything happens to Dan here, dear, I know you will feel just as
+unhappy about it as if it happened to yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"Mighty close to it," nodded Darrin. "But it would be a double
+heartbreak for me, if I had to leave."</p>
+
+<p>"Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"On account of the future I've planned for you, Belle."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you silly boy, then!" Belle answered, smiling into his eyes. "I
+believe I have half committed myself to the idea of marrying you when
+you've made your place in life. But it was Dave Darrin to whom I gave
+that half promise&mdash;not a uniform of any sort. Dave, if anything ever
+happens that you have to quit here, don't imagine that it's going to
+make a particle of difference in our understanding."</p>
+
+<p>"You're the real kind of sweetheart, Belle!" murmured Dave, gazing
+admiringly at her flushed face.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you ever suspect that I wasn't?" asked Miss Meade demurely.</p>
+
+<p>"Never!" declared Midshipman Darrin devoutly. "Nevertheless, it's fine
+to be reassured once in a while."</p>
+
+<p>"What a great fellow Dan is!" exclaimed Belle a few minutes later. "See
+how gayly he is chatting with Laura. I don't believe Laura guesses for a
+moment that Dan Dalzell is just as game a fellow as the Spartan boy of
+olden times."</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV<br /><br />
+A DISAGREEABLE FIRST CLASSMAN</h3>
+
+<p>The hop that night was one of the happiest occasions Dave had ever
+known, yet it was destined to result in trouble for him.</p>
+
+<p>Midshipman Treadwell, of the first class, caught sight of Belle as she
+entered the gym at Dave Darrin's side.</p>
+
+<p>With Treadwell it happened to be one of those violent though unusually
+silly affairs known as "love at first sight."</p>
+
+<p>As for Belle, she was not likely to have eyes for anyone in particular,
+save Dave.</p>
+
+<p>Treadwell, who had come alone, and who was not to be overburdened with
+dances, went after Dave as soon as that youngster left Belle for the
+first time.</p>
+
+<p>"Mighty sweet looking girl you have with you, Darry," observed the first
+classman, though he took pains not to betray too much enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p>"Right!" nodded Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"You'll present me, won't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Assuredly, as soon as I come back. I have a little commission to attend
+to."</p>
+
+<p>"And you might be extremely kind, Darry, and write me down for a couple
+of numbers on Miss&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Meade is the young lady's name."</p>
+
+<p>"Then delight me by writing down a couple of reservations for me on Miss
+Meade's card."</p>
+
+<p>Darrin's face clouded slightly.</p>
+
+<p>"I'd like to, Treadwell, but the card is pretty crowded, and some other
+fellows&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"One dance, anyway, then."</p>
+
+<p>"I will, then, if there's a space to be left, and if Miss Meade is
+agreeable," promised Dave, as he hurried away.</p>
+
+<p>Two minutes later, when he returned, looking very handsome, indeed, in
+his short-waisted, gold-laced dress coat, Dave felt his arm touched.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm waiting for you to keep your engagement with me," Midshipman
+Treadwell murmured.</p>
+
+<p>"Come along; I shall be delighted to present you to Miss Meade."</p>
+
+<p>Since every midshipman is granted to be a gentleman, midshipman
+etiquette does not require that the lady be consulted about the
+introduction.</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Meade," began Dave, bowing before his sweetheart, "I wish to
+present Mr. Treadwell"</p>
+
+<p>Belle's greeting was easy. Treadwell, gazing intensely into her eyes,
+exchanged a few commonplaces. Belle, entirely at her ease, did not
+appear to be affected by the battery of Mr. Treadwell's gaze. Then good
+breeding required that the first classman make another bow and stroll
+away.</p>
+
+<p>As he left, Treadwell murmured in Dave's ear:</p>
+
+<p>"Don't forget that dance, Darry! Two if there is any show."</p>
+
+<p>Midshipman Darrin nodded slightly. As he turned to Belle, that young
+lady demanded lightly:</p>
+
+<p>"Is that pirate one of your friends, Dave?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not more so than any other comrades in the brigade," Darrin answered.
+"Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing, only I saw you two speaking together a little while ago&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"That was when he was asking me to present him."</p>
+
+<p>"Then, after you left him," continued Belle, in a low voice, "Mr.
+Treadwell scowled after you as though he could have demolished you."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I've no doubt Mr. Treadwell is very jealous of me," laughed Damn
+happily. "Why shouldn't he be? By the way, will you let me see your
+dance card? Mr. Treadwell asked me to write his name down for one or two
+dances."</p>
+
+<p>"Please don't," begged Belle suddenly, gripping her dance card tightly.
+"I hope you don't mind, Dave," she added in a whisper, "but I've taken
+just a shadow of a dislike to Mr. Treadwell, after the way that he
+scowled after you. I&mdash;I really don't want to dance with him."</p>
+
+<p>Dave could only bow, which he did. Then other midshipmen were presented.
+Belle's card was quickly filled, without the appearance of Midshipman
+Treadwell's name on it.</p>
+
+<p>The orchestra struck up. Dave danced the first two numbers with Belle,
+moving through a dream of happiness as he felt her waist against his
+arm, one of her hands resting on his shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>The second dance was a repetition of Dave's pleasure. Then Dave and Dan
+exchanged partners for two more dances.</p>
+
+<p>After their first dance, a waltz, Dave led Laura to a seat.</p>
+
+<p>"Will you get me a glass of water, Dave?" Laura asked, fanning herself.</p>
+
+<p>As Dave hastened away he felt, once more, a light, detaining touch.</p>
+
+<p>"Darry, did you save those two dances for me with Miss Meade?" asked
+Treadwell.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I'm sorry," Dave replied. "But there had been many other
+applicants. By the time that Miss Meade's card was filled there were
+many disappointed ones."</p>
+
+<p>"And I'm one of them?" demanded Mr. Treadwell.</p>
+
+<p>"Very sorry," replied Darrin regretfully, "but you were one of the
+left-over ones."</p>
+
+<p>"Very good, sir," replied Treadwell coldly, and moved away.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, I'll wager anything that Treadwell is sore with me," murmured Dave
+to himself. "However, Belle is the one to be pleased."</p>
+
+<p>It was a particularly gay and pleasant hop. When it was over Dave and
+Dan escorted the girls and Mrs. Meade back to the hotel. The little room
+in Bancroft Hall seemed especially small and dingy to the returning
+midshipmen.</p>
+
+<p>Especially was Dan Dalzell in the blues. Though he had been outwardly
+gay with the girls, he now suffered a re-action. Dave, too, shivered for
+his friend.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Meade and the girls returned by an early morning train, so the two
+chums did not see the girls again during that visit.</p>
+
+<p>On Sunday, Dave went at his books with a dogged air, after morning
+chapel and dinner.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose this is the last day of study for me here," grimaced Dan, "so
+I mean to make the most of the pleasure."</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense," retorted Darrin heartily; "you'll finish out this year, and
+then have two more solid years of study here ahead of you."</p>
+
+<p>"Cut it!" begged Dan dolefully. "Don't try to jolly me along like that."</p>
+
+<p>"You're down in the dumps, just now, Danny boy," smiled Darrin
+wistfully. "Just bombard the Board with rapid-fire talk to-morrow, and
+you'll pull through all right."</p>
+
+<p>Dan sighed, then went on with his half-hearted study.</p>
+
+<p>Later in the afternoon Dave, feeling the need of fresh air, closed his
+books.</p>
+
+<p>"Come for a walk, Danny boy?"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't dare to," replied Dalzell morosely.</p>
+
+<p>So, though Darrin went out, he resolved not to remain long away from his
+moody chum.</p>
+
+<p>Outside, on one of the cement walks, Dave turned toward Flirtation Walk.
+It seemed the best surrounding in which to think of Belle.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Darrin!" called a voice.</p>
+
+<p>Dave turned, to behold Mr. Treadwell coming at a fast stride with a
+scowl on his face.</p>
+
+<p>"That was a dirty trick you played me last night, Mr. Darrin!" cried the
+first classman angrily.</p>
+
+<p>"What?" gasped Dave, astonished, for this was not in line with the usual
+conversation of midshipmen.</p>
+
+<p>"You know well enough what I mean," cried Treadwell angrily. "You spiked
+my only chance to dance with Miss Meade."</p>
+
+<p>"You're wrong there," retorted Dave coldly and truthfully "I didn't."</p>
+
+<p>"Then how did it happen?"</p>
+
+<p>"I can't discuss that with you," Darrin rejoined. "I didn't make any
+effort, though, to spoil your chance of a dance with the young lady."</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Darrin, I don't choose to believe you, sir!"</p>
+
+<p>Dave's face went crimson, then pale.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you realize what you're saying, Mr. Treadwell?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course"&mdash;sneeringly.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you trying to pick trouble with me?" demanded Dave, his eyes
+flashing with spirit.</p>
+
+<p>"I repeat that I don't choose to believe your explanation, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you pass me the lie?"</p>
+
+<p>"As you prefer to consider it," jeered the first classman.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, very good, then, Mr. Treadwell," retorted Dave, eyeing the first
+classman and sizing him up.</p>
+
+<p>Treadwell was one of the biggest men, physically, in the brigade. He was
+also one of the noted fighters of his class. Beside Treadwell,
+Midshipman Darrin did not size up at all advantageously.</p>
+
+<p>"If you do not retract what you just said," pursued Dave Darrin, growing
+cooler now that he realized the deliberate nature of the affront that
+had been put upon him, "I shall have no choice but to send my friends to
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"Delighted to see them, at any time," replied the first classman,
+turning disdainfully upon his heel and strolling away.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, why on earth does that fellow deliberately pick a fight with me?"
+wondered Darrin, as he strolled along by himself. "Treadwell can thump
+me. He can knock me clean down the Bay and into the Atlantic Ocean, but
+what credit is there in it for a first classman to thrash a youngster?"</p>
+
+<p>It was too big a puzzle. After thinking it over for some time Dave
+turned and strolled back to Bancroft Hall.</p>
+
+<p>"You didn't stay out long!" remarked Dan, looking up with a weary smile
+as his chum re-entered their room.</p>
+
+<p>"No," admitted Dave. "There wasn't much fun in being out alone."</p>
+
+<p>With a sigh, Dan turned back to his book, while Dave seated himself at
+his own study table, in a brown daze.</p>
+
+<p>Things were happening fast&mdash;Dan's impending "bilge" from the Naval
+Academy, and his own coming fight with the first classman who would be
+sure to make it a "blood fight"!</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI<br /><br />
+HOW DAN FACED THE BOARD</h3>
+
+<p>"We trust, Mr. Dalzell, that you can make some statement or explanation
+that will show that we shall be justified in retaining you as a
+midshipman in the Naval Academy."</p>
+
+<p>It was the superintendent of the United States Naval Academy who was
+speaking.</p>
+
+<p>Dan's hour of great ordeal had come upon him. That young midshipman
+found himself in the Board Room, facing the entire Academic Board,
+trying to remember what Freeman had told him the night before.</p>
+
+<p>The time was 10.30 a.m. on that fateful Monday.</p>
+
+<p>Midshipman Dalzell appeared to be collected, but he was also very
+certainly white-faced.</p>
+
+<p>Many a young man, doomed to be sent forth from a Naval career, back into
+the busy, unheeding world, had faced this Board in times past. So it was
+hardly to be expected that Dan would inspire any unusual interest in the
+members of the Board.</p>
+
+<p>Dan swallowed at something hard in his throat, then opened his lips to
+speak.</p>
+
+<p>"I am aware, sir, and gentlemen, that I am at present sufficiently
+deficient in my studies to warrant my being dropped," Dan began rather
+slowly. "Yet I would call attention to the fact that I was nearly as
+badly off, in the matter of markings, at this time last year. It is also
+a matter of record that I pulled myself together, later on, and
+contrived to get through the first year with a considerable margin of
+credits to spare. If I am permitted to finish the present term here I
+believe I can almost positively promise that I will round out this year
+with as good a showing as I did last year."</p>
+
+<p>"You have thought the matter carefully out in making this statement,
+have you, Mr. Dalzell?" asked the superintendent.</p>
+
+<p>"I have, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you any explanation to offer for falling below the standards so
+far this year, Mr. Dalzell?"</p>
+
+<p>"I believe, sir, that I make a much slower start, with new studies, than
+most of my classmates," Dan continued, speaking more rapidly now, but in
+a most respectful manner. "Once I begin to catch the full drift of new
+studies I believe that I will overtake some of my classmates who showed
+a keener comprehension at the first. I think, sir, and gentlemen, that
+my record, as contrasted with the records of some of my classmates who
+achieved about the same standing I did for last year will bear my
+statement out."</p>
+
+<p>[Illustration: "Have You Any Explanation to Offer, Mr. Dalzell?"]</p>
+
+<p>The superintendent turned to a printed pamphlet in which were set forth
+the records of the midshipmen for the year before.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Dalzell," asked another member of the Board, "do you feel that you
+are really suited for the life of the Navy? Is it your highest ambition
+to become an officer of the Navy?"</p>
+
+<p>"It's my only ambition, sir, in the way of a career," Dan answered
+solemnly. "As to my being suited for the Navy, sir, I can't make a good
+answer to that. But I most earnestly hope that I shall have an
+opportunity, for the present, to try to keep myself in the service."</p>
+
+<p>"And you feel convinced that you need only to be carried for the balance
+of the term to enable you to make good, and to justify any action that
+we may take looking to that end?" asked another member of the Board.</p>
+
+<p>"That is my firm conviction, sir."</p>
+
+<p>The superintendent, who had been silently examining and marking some
+statements in the pamphlet, now passed it to the nearest member of the
+Board, who, after a glance or two, passed the pamphlet on to another
+member.</p>
+
+<p>Silence fell upon the room while Dan's printed record was being read.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you anything else that you wish to say, Mr. Dalzell?" asked the
+superintendent at last.</p>
+
+<p>"Only this, sir and gentlemen," replied Dan promptly. "If I am permitted
+to go on with the brigade, I promise, as far as any human being may
+promise, that I will not only be found to have passed at the end of this
+term, but that I will also have a higher marking after the annual
+examinations than after the semi-annuals."</p>
+
+<p>These last few words Dan spoke with his whole soul thrown into the
+words. How he longed to remain in the Navy, now that he stood at the
+threshold of the life, uncertain whether he was about to be kicked
+across it into the outer world!</p>
+
+<p>After glancing around the table, the superintendent turned once more to
+the young man.</p>
+
+<p>"That will be all, at present, Mr. Dalzell."</p>
+
+<p>Saluting briskly, crisply, Dan wheeled about, marching from the room.</p>
+
+<p>He was in time to make a section recitation before dinner.</p>
+
+<p>"How did you come out, Danny boy?" anxiously inquired Dave Darrin as the
+two, in their room, hastily prepared to answer the coming call for
+dinner formation.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish I knew," replied Dalzell wistfully. "I said all that I could say
+without being everlastingly fresh."</p>
+
+<p>After the brigade had been formed for dinner, and the brigade adjutant
+had reported the fact, the command was given:</p>
+
+<p>"Publish the orders!"</p>
+
+<p>This the brigade adjutant did rapidly, and in perfunctory tones.</p>
+
+<p>Dalzell jumped, however, when he heard his own name pronounced. He
+strained his ears as the brigade adjutant read:</p>
+
+<p>"In the matter of Daniel Dalzell, summoned before the Academic Board to
+determine his fitness and aptitude for continuing in the brigade, the
+Board has granted Midshipman Dalzell's urgent request that he be
+continued as a midshipman for the present."</p>
+
+<p>There was a great lump, instantly, in Dan's throat. It was a reprieve, a
+chance for official life&mdash;but that was all.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll make good&mdash;I'll make good!" he told himself, with a violent gulp.</p>
+
+<p>The orders were ringing out sharply now. The midshipmen were being
+marched in to dinner.</p>
+
+<p>Hardly a word did Dalzell speak as he ate. As for Dave Darrin, he was
+too happy over his chum's respite to want to talk.</p>
+
+<p>Yet, when they strolled together in the open air during the brief
+recreation period following the meal, Dalzell suddenly asked:</p>
+
+<p>"Dave when do you fight with Treadwell?"</p>
+
+<p>"To-night, I hope," replied Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, then I must get busy!"</p>
+
+<p>"Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I'm to represent you, Darry. Who are Treadwell's&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Danny boy, don't make a fuss about it," replied Dave quietly, "but just
+for this once you are not to be my second."</p>
+
+<p>"Why&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Danny boy, you have just gotten by the Board by a hair's breadth. What
+kind of an act of gratitude would it be for you to make your first act a
+breach of discipline? For a fight, though often necessary here, is in
+defiance of the regulations."</p>
+
+<p>"But Dave, I've never been out of your fights!"</p>
+
+<p>"You will be this time, Danny. Don't worry about it, either. Farley and
+Page are going to stand by me. In fact, I think that even now they are
+talking with Treadwell's friends."</p>
+
+<p>"You're wrong," murmured Dalzell, looking very solemn. "Here come Farley
+and Page right now."</p>
+
+<p>In another moment the seconds had reached Darrin and his chum.</p>
+
+<p>"To-night?" asked Dave quietly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," nodded Page.</p>
+
+<p>"Time?"</p>
+
+<p>"Just after recall."</p>
+
+<p>"Good," murmured Darrin. "You two come for me, and I'll be ready. And I
+thank both of you fellows for taking up the matter for me."</p>
+
+<p>"We'll be mighty glad to be there, Darry," grinned Farley, "for we look
+to see you finish off that first classman."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe," smiled Dave quietly. "I'll do all I can, anyway."</p>
+
+<p>"And to think," almost moaned Dan Dalzell, "that you're to be in a
+scrap, David, little giant, and I'm not to be there to see!"</p>
+
+<p>"There'll be other fights, I'm afraid," sighed Darry. "I seem destined
+to displease quite a few of the fellows here at Annapolis."</p>
+
+<p>Dan tried to study, that night, after Darrin had left the room in the
+company of his seconds. Certainly Dan, in the light of his promise made
+to the Board that morning, had need to study. Yet he found it woefully
+hard to settle his mind on mathematics while Dave was fighting the fight
+of his Naval Academy career.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, well," muttered Dan, picking up a pencil for the third time, "Dave
+and I each have our own styles of fights, just now. Here goes for a
+knockout blow at math!"</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII<br /><br />
+LOSING THE TIME-KEEPER'S COUNT</h3>
+
+<p>Conners and Brayton were Treadwell's seconds.</p>
+
+<p>Since it is not considered fair to have the referee or time-keeper from
+either class represented in a fight, Edgerton and Wheeler, of the second
+class, were referee and time-keeper respectively.</p>
+
+<p>All of the young men were early at the usual fighting ground. The fall
+air was cool and crisp, but it was not yet considered cold enough to
+justify the extra risk of holding a fight in-doors.</p>
+
+<p>Dave was quickly stripped and made ready by his seconds. His
+well-developed chest bespoke fine powers in the way of "wind" and
+endurance. His smooth, hard, trim muscles stood out distinctly.</p>
+
+<p>Treadwell took more time in getting himself ready for the ring. When at
+last, however, the first classman stood bared to the waist, he looked
+like a giant beside Dave Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>"It looks like a shame to take the money, Tread," murmured referee
+Edgerton.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't want to pound the youngster hard," explained Midshipman
+Treadwell, in an undertone. "Yet I've got to teach him both to respect
+my class and myself."</p>
+
+<p>On this point, as an official of the fight, Referee Edgerton did not
+feel called upon to express an opinion.</p>
+
+<p>Farley, at his first glimpse of the waiting first classman, felt a chill
+of coming disaster.</p>
+
+<p>"Page," he growled, "that huge top-classman makes our Darry look like a
+creeping infant."</p>
+
+<p>"Darry will take care of himself," retorted Midshipman Page in an
+undertone.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you believe it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I surely do."</p>
+
+<p>"But Treadwell looks a whole lot more vast now that he's stripped."</p>
+
+<p>"Darry is much smaller, I know; But Darrin is one of those rare fellows
+who don't know what it means to be whipped. He can't be put out of
+business by anything smaller than a twelve-inch gun!"</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you're right," sighed Farley.</p>
+
+<p>Dave, in the meantime, to keep himself from being chilled by the frosty
+air, was running lightly about, swinging his arms.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you both ready, gentlemen?" inquired Midshipman Edgerton, while
+Time-keeper Wheeler drew out his stop watch.</p>
+
+<p>Both stepped to toe the scratch.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes." nodded Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"Ready!" rumbled Treadwell.</p>
+
+<p>The referee briefly made the usual announcement about it being a fight
+to the finish, with two-minute rounds and two minutes between rounds.</p>
+
+<p>"Time!"</p>
+
+<p>As Treadwell leaped forward, both fists in battery, Dave took a swift,
+nimble sidestep. He felt that he had to study this big fellow carefully
+before doing more than keep on the defensive.</p>
+
+<p>Now footwork was one of the fighting tricks for which Darry was famous.
+Yet he had too much courage to rely wholly upon it.</p>
+
+<p>Five times Treadwell swung at his smaller opponent, but each time Dave
+was somewhere else.</p>
+
+<p>Despite his greater size, Treadwell was himself nimble and an adept at
+footwork.</p>
+
+<p>Finding it hard, however, to get about as quickly as his smaller
+opponent, the first classman soon went in for close, in-body fighting,
+following Dave, half-cornering him, and forcing him to stand and take
+it.</p>
+
+<p>Two or three body blows Dave succeeded in parrying so that they glanced,
+doing him little harm.</p>
+
+<p>Then there came an almost crunching sound. Treadwell's right fist had
+landed, almost dazing the youngster with its weight against his nose.</p>
+
+<p>There was a swift, free rush of the red. Darrin had yielded up "first
+blood" in the fight.</p>
+
+<p>"I've got to dodge more, and not let myself be cornered," Darrin told
+himself, keeping his fists busy in warding off blows.</p>
+
+<p>Then, of a sudden, Dave turned on the aggressive. He struck fast and
+furiously, but Treadwell, with a grin, beat down his attack, then soon
+landed a swinging hook on Dave's neck that sent him spinning briefly.</p>
+
+<p>"He expects to finish this fight for his own amusement," flashed angrily
+through Darrin's mind. "I'll get in something that hurts before I toss
+the sponge."</p>
+
+<p>"Time!"</p>
+
+<p>Two minutes were up. To Dave it seemed more like half an hour.</p>
+
+<p>"Steady, now!" murmured Page, in his principal's ear, as the two seconds
+leaped at the task of rubbing down their men. "Unless you let yourself
+get rattled, Darry, that big fellow isn't going to get you. Whenever
+you're on the defensive, and being crowded hard, change like lightning
+and drive in for the top classer's solar plexus."</p>
+
+<p>"I tried that three times in this last round," murmured Dave. "But the
+fellow is too big and powerful for me. He simply pounds me down when I
+go for him."</p>
+
+<p>"Work for more strategy," whispered Page, as he held a sponge to Dave's
+battered nose, while Farley rubbed the muscles of his right arm.</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't given up the fight," muttered Dave, "But, of course, I've
+known from the start that Treadwell is a pretty big fighter for one of
+my weight."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you'll get him yet," spoke Page confidently.</p>
+
+<p>The fighters were being called for the second round.</p>
+
+<p>In this Dave received considerable punishment, though he landed three or
+four times on Treadwell's body.</p>
+
+<p>Then twice in succession the champion of the third class was knocked
+down.</p>
+
+<p>Neither, however, was a knockout blow.</p>
+
+<p>Dave took plenty of time, within his rights, about leaping to his feet,
+and in each instance got away from Treadwell's leaping assault.</p>
+
+<p>Just after the second knock-down, time was called for the end of the
+round.</p>
+
+<p>"You'll get him yet, Darry," was Page's prediction, but he did not speak
+as hopefully as before.</p>
+
+<p>Farley, too, was full of loyalty for his friend and fellow-classman, but
+he did not allow this to blind his judgment. Farley's opinion was that
+Dave was done for, unless he could land some lucky fluke in a knockout
+blow.</p>
+
+<p>"Go right in and land that youngster," Treadwell's own seconds were
+advising him. "Don't let him have the satisfaction of standing up to you
+for three whole rounds or more."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think that little teaser is as easy as he looks?" growled
+Treadwell.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Darrin is all right at his own weight," admitted Midshipman
+Conners. "But he has no business with you, Tread. You're quick enough,
+too, when you exert yourself. So jump right in and finish it before this
+round is over."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll try it, then," nodded Treadwell.</p>
+
+<p>Though he had not the slightest notion that he was to be defeated, this
+big top classman was learning a new respect for Darrin's prowess. He
+could thrash Dave, of course, but Treadwell did not expect to do it
+easily.</p>
+
+<p>For the first twenty seconds of the third round the two men sparred
+cautiously. Dave had no relish for standing the full force of those
+sledge-hammer blows, while Treadwell knew that he must look out for the
+unexpected from his still nimble opponent.</p>
+
+<p>"Lie down when you've had enough," jeered Treadwell, as he landed a jolt
+on one of the youngster's shoulders and sent him reeling slightly.</p>
+
+<p>Dave, however, used his feet well enough to get away from the follow-up.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you getting tired?" Darrin shot back at his opponent.</p>
+
+<p>"Silence, both of you," commanded Referee Edgerton. "Do all your talking
+with your fists!"</p>
+
+<p>Just then Treadwell saw an opening, and followed the referee's advice by
+aiming a blow at Dave's left jaw. It landed just back of the ear,
+instead, yet with such force that Dave sank dizzily to the ground, while
+Treadwell drew back from the intended follow-up.</p>
+
+<p>Farley and Page looked on anxiously from their corner. Midshipman
+Wheeler, scanning his watch, was counting off the seconds.</p>
+
+<p>"&mdash;five, six, seven, eight, nine&mdash;ten!"</p>
+
+<p>At the sound of eight Dave Darrin had made a strenuous effort to rise.</p>
+
+<p>Yet he had swayed, fallen back slightly, then forced himself with a rush
+to his feet.</p>
+
+<p>But Midshipman Treadwell drew back, both fists hanging at his sides, for
+the "ten" had been spoken, and Dave Darrin had lost the count.</p>
+
+<p>While Dave stood there, looking half-dizzily at his opponent, Referee
+Edgerton's voice broke in crisply:</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Darrin required more than the full count to come back. The fight is
+therefore awarded to Mr. Treadwell."</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII<br /><br />
+FIGHTING THE FAMOUS DOUBLE BATTLE</h3>
+
+<p>"It wasn't fair," hissed Midshipman Page hotly.</p>
+
+<p>"It was by a mighty small margin, anyway," quivered Farley.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't feel whipped yet," remarked Dave quietly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, well, Darry," urged Farley, "don't feel humiliated over being
+thrashed by such a human mountain of a top classer."</p>
+
+<p>Dave, whose chest had been heaving, and whose lungs had been taking in
+great gulps of air, suddenly pushed his second gently away.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Treadwell, sir, will you come over here a moment?" he called. "And
+also the officials of the fight?"</p>
+
+<p>Treadwell, with a self-satisfied leer on his face, stepped away from his
+seconds coming jauntily over.</p>
+
+<p>Midshipman Edgerton and Wheeler followed in some wonder.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Treadwell," began Dave, looking full into the eyes of his late
+antagonist, "I have no fault, sir, to find with your style of fighting.
+You behaved fairly at every point."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, sir," interjected the big midshipman grimly.</p>
+
+<p>"The verdict was also fair enough," Dave continued, "for I am aware that
+I took a hair's-breadth more than the count. Still, I do not feel, Mr.
+Treadwell, that the result was decisive. Therefore I have to ask of you
+the favor of another early meeting, for a more definite try-out."</p>
+
+<p>Treadwell gasped. So did his recent seconds and the late officials of
+the fight. Even Farley's jaw dropped just a trifle, but Page's face
+flushed with new-found pleasure.</p>
+
+<p>"Another fight, sir?" demanded Midshipman Treadwell.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," replied Darrin quietly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, very well," agreed Treadwell, nonchalantly. "At any time that you
+wish, Mr. Darrin&mdash;any time."</p>
+
+<p>"How would fifteen minutes from now do?" demanded Dave, smiling coolly.</p>
+
+<p>Treadwell fairly gasped, though only from sheer astonishment.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, if your seconds and the officials think that fair to you, Mr.
+Darrin," replied Treadwell in another moment, "I am sure that I have no
+objection to remaining around here a little longer."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you insist on calling for the second fight within fifteen minutes,
+Mr. Darrin?" asked Second Classman Edgerton.</p>
+
+<p>"For my own part, I do," replied Dave quietly; "I leave the decision to
+Mr. Treadwell's courtesy."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, of all the freaks!" muttered Mr. Wheeler, as the two fight
+officials walked aside to discuss the matter.</p>
+
+<p>"Darry," demanded the agitated Farley, "are you plumb, clean crazy?"</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know what we're fighting about, Farley, old man?" asked Dave
+very quietly.</p>
+
+<p>"No; of course not."</p>
+
+<p>"It's a personal matter."</p>
+
+<p>"O-oh!"</p>
+
+<p>"It's a matter in which I can't accept an imitation whipping."</p>
+
+<p>"But surely you don't expect to whip Treadwell in your present
+condition?"</p>
+
+<p>"I very likely shall get a thorough trouncing," smiled Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>"It's madness," broke in Page worriedly.</p>
+
+<p>"I told you it was a personal matter," laughed Dave softly. "I shan't
+mind getting whacked if it is done up in good shape. It's only this
+near-whipping to which I object."</p>
+
+<p>"Well&mdash;great Scott!" gasped Page.</p>
+
+<p>"Hush!" warned Farley. "Here comes Edgerton."</p>
+
+<p>Midshipman Edgerton, looking very much puzzled, stepped over to Dave
+Darrin's corner.</p>
+
+<p>"Darrin," began the referee in a friendly tone, "Tread doesn't like the
+idea of fighting you again to-night."</p>
+
+<p>"Didn't he say he would?" demanded Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; but of course, but&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I hold him to his word, Mr. Edgerton."</p>
+
+<p>"But of all the crazy&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I have my own reasons, sir," Darrin interposed quietly. "I think it
+very likely, too, that Mr. Treadwell will comprehend my reasons."</p>
+
+<p>"But he doesn't like the idea of fighting an already half-whipped man."</p>
+
+<p>"Will it get on his nerves and unsteady him?" asked Dave ironically.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you bound to fight to-night, Mr. Darrin?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I suppose it goes&mdash;it has to," assented Midshipman Edgerton
+moodily. "But of all the irrational&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Just what I said, sir," nodded Page.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall be ready, sir, when the fifteen minutes are up," continued
+Dave. "But I am certain that I shall need all the time until then for
+getting myself into first-class condition."</p>
+
+<p>"Darry is a fool&mdash;and a wonder!" ejaculated Edgerton under his breath,
+as he walked away.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sorry, Darry," murmured Farley mournfully, "but&mdash;well, beat your
+way to it!"</p>
+
+<p>"I intend to," retorted Dave doggedly.</p>
+
+<p>Rubbed down by his seconds, Dave drew on his blouse, without a shirt.</p>
+
+<p>Quitting the others, Dave walked briskly back and forth. At last he
+broke into a jog-trot.</p>
+
+<p>At last he halted, inflating and emptying his lungs with vigorous
+breathing.</p>
+
+<p>"I feel just about as good as ever," he declared, nodding cheerily to
+his seconds.</p>
+
+<p>"Get off that blouse, then," ordered Midshipman Farley, after a glance
+at his watch. "We've two minutes left out of the fifteen."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll go forward at the scratch, then," nodded Dave.</p>
+
+<p>Treadwell, in the meantime, had pulled on his outer clothing and had
+stood moodily by, watching Dave's more workmanlike preparations with a
+disdainful smile.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll get the fellow going quickly this time," Mr. Treadwell told
+Conners. "As soon as I get him going I'll dive in with a punch that will
+wind up the matter in short order. I've planned to do considerable
+reviewing of navigation to-night."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you have your wish," murmured Conners.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"Just what I said."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think I'm going to have any trouble whatever about finishing up
+that touge youngster!" demanded Tread well sarcastically.</p>
+
+<p>"No; I don't imagine you will. But at the same time, Tread, I tell you I
+don't care about having enemies among fellows who come back as swiftly,
+strongly and as much like a bulldog as Darry does."</p>
+
+<p>Seeing Dave pull off his blouse, Treadwell slowly removed his own
+clothing above the waist.</p>
+
+<p>"Rub me down along the arms a bit," said Midshipman Treadwell, after he
+had exercised his arms a moment.</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon we'd better," nodded Conners. "You must have got stiff from
+standing still after the late mix-up."</p>
+
+<p>"No kinks but what will iron out at once," chuckled Treadwell. "I'll
+show you as soon as I get in action."</p>
+
+<p>His two seconds rubbed him down loyally.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you ready, gentlemen?" called Midshipman Edgerton.</p>
+
+<p>Both men stepped quickly forward, but all of the onlookers thought they
+saw rather more spring in Dave Darrin than in his more bulky opponent.</p>
+
+<p>The preliminaries were announced in a few words.</p>
+
+<p>Of course, there was no handshaking.</p>
+
+<p>"Time!" sounded the call.</p>
+
+<p>Dave Darrin quickly proved to be so full of vigor that Treadwell lay
+back on the defensive after the first two or three passes. Dave followed
+him right up with vim.</p>
+
+<p>Yet, for the first forty seconds of the round no real damage was done on
+either side. Then:</p>
+
+<p>Bump!</p>
+
+<p>"O-o-oh!"</p>
+
+<p>That cry came simultaneously from Treadwell and from all the spectators.</p>
+
+<p>Dave's right fist had landed crushingly on the top classman's left eye,
+almost instantly closing that organ.</p>
+
+<p>Darrin leaped nimbly back, both from a chivalrous impulse to give
+Treadwell a chance to recover his steadiness and to save himself from
+any sudden rush and clinch by his big opponent.</p>
+
+<p>But Treadwell, standing with his guard up, showed no inclination to
+follow the one who had just given him such punishment.</p>
+
+<p>"Mix it up, gentlemen&mdash;mix it!" called Midshipman Edgerton impatiently.</p>
+
+<p>At that command from the referee Dave Darrin sprang forward.</p>
+
+<p>Treadwell seemed wholly on the defensive now, though he struck as
+heavily as ever. Toward the end of the round Treadwell, having gotten
+over the worst of the stinging from his eye, once more tried to rush
+matters.</p>
+
+<p>Whenever the big fellow's undamaged eye caught sight of the cool,
+hostile smile on Darrin's face, Treadwell muttered savage words.</p>
+
+<p>Some hard body blows were parried and others exchanged.</p>
+
+<p>Both men were panting somewhat when the call of time closed the first
+round.</p>
+
+<p>"Darry, you nervy little rascal, waltz in and put that other eye up in
+black clothes!" begged Page ecstatically, as he and Farley worked over
+their principal.</p>
+
+<p>Dave was ready quite twenty seconds before the call of time for the
+second round.</p>
+
+<p>Treadwell, however, took his full time in responding. At the last moment
+he took another dab with the wet sponge against his swollen left eye.</p>
+
+<p>"Time!"</p>
+
+<p>With a suppressed yell Treadwell rushed at his opponent. Dave had to
+sidestep to his own right, out of range of Treadwell, to save himself.</p>
+
+<p>Then at it they went, all around the ring. Darrin had determined to keep
+himself out of the way of those sledge-hammer fists until he saw his own
+clear opening.</p>
+
+<p>Four or five times Treadwell landed heavily on Darrin's ribs. The
+younger, smaller midshipman was getting seriously winded, but all the
+time he fought to save himself and to get that one opening.</p>
+
+<p>It came.</p>
+
+<p>Pound!</p>
+
+<p>Darrin's hard-clenched left fist dropped in on Treadwell's right eye.</p>
+
+<p>This time there was no exclamation from the bruised one.</p>
+
+<p>Alert Dave was careful to give him no chance. Within a second after that
+eye-closer landed Darrin struck with his right, landing on the jaw bone
+under Treadwell's ear.</p>
+
+<p>Down in a heap sank the top classman. He was unconscious before his body
+struck the ground.</p>
+
+<p>Wheeler counted off the seconds.</p>
+
+<p>"&mdash;ten!"</p>
+
+<p>Still Mr. Treadwell lay motionless.</p>
+
+<p>"Do your best for him, gentlemen," begged Referee Edgerton, turning to
+the first classman's seconds. "Mr. Darrin wins the second fight."</p>
+
+<p>Dave, a satisfied look on his face, stepped back to his seconds.</p>
+
+<p>This time he did not require as much attention. Within five minutes he
+was dressed.</p>
+
+<p>By this time Mr. Treadwell, under the ministrations of his seconds and
+of the late officials, was just coming back to consciousness.</p>
+
+<p>"Something happened, eh?" asked the top classman drowsily.</p>
+
+<p>"Rather!" murmured Mr. Edgerton dryly.</p>
+
+<p>"Did I&mdash;did I&mdash;lose the fight?"</p>
+
+<p>"You did," Edgerton assented. "But don't let that disturb you. You went
+down before the best man in the Naval Academy."</p>
+
+<p>Treadwell sighed gloomily. It was a hard blow to his pride&mdash;much harder
+than any that Dave had landed on his head.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Treadwell," inquired Dave, stepping over, "we are comrades, even if
+we had a slight disagreement. Do you care to shake hands?"</p>
+
+<p>"Help me to my feet," urged the first classman, who was sitting up.</p>
+
+<p>His seconds complied. Then Midshipman Treadwell held out his hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Here's my hand," he said rather thickly. "And I apologize, too, Mr.
+Darrin."</p>
+
+<p>"Then say no more about it, please," begged Dave, as their hands met in
+a strong clasp.</p>
+
+<p>None of the others present had the least idea of the provocation of this
+strange, spirited double fight. All, however, were glad to see the
+difficulty mended.</p>
+
+<p>Then Dave and his seconds, leaving the field first, made their way back
+to Bancroft Hall. Farley and Page went straight to their own room.</p>
+
+<p>"How did it come out?" demanded Dan Dalzell eagerly, as soon as his chum
+entered their quarters.</p>
+
+<p>Dropping into a chair, Dave told the story of the double fight briefly.
+He told it modestly, too, but Dan could imagine what his chum omitted.</p>
+
+<p>"David, little giant," exclaimed Dalzell, leaping about him, "that fight
+will become historic here! Oh, how I regret having missed it. Don't you
+ever dare to leave me out again!"</p>
+
+<p>"It wasn't such a much," smiled Dave rather wearily, as he went over to
+his study desk.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps it's indiscreet, even of a chum," rambled on Dalzell, "but
+what&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"What was the fight all about?" laughed Dave softly. "Yes; I suppose you
+have a right to know that, Danny boy. But you must never repeat it to
+any one. Treadwell wanted to dance with Belle at the hop, but she had
+already noticed him, and declared she didn't want to dance with him. Of
+course that settled it. But Treadwell accused me of not having asked
+Belle."</p>
+
+<p>"The nerve!" ejaculated Dan in disgust.</p>
+
+<p>"And then he accused me of lying when I declared I had done my best for
+him," continued Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"I feel that I'd like to fight the fellow myself!" declared Dan Dalzell
+hotly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no, you don't; for Treadwell apologized to-night, and we have
+shaken hands. We're all comrades, you know, Danny boy."</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>Unknown to any of the parties to the fight, there had been spectators of
+the spirited double battle.</p>
+
+<p>Two men, a sailor and a marine, noting groups of midshipmen going toward
+the historic battle ground of midshipmen, had hidden themselves near-by
+in order "to see the fun."</p>
+
+<p>These two enlisted men of the Navy had been spectators and auditors of
+all that had taken place.</p>
+
+<p>Not until the last midshipman had left the ground did the sailor and
+marine emerge from their hiding place.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, of all the game fights!" muttered the marine.</p>
+
+<p>"Me? I'm hoping that some day I fight under that gallant middy," cried
+the sailor.</p>
+
+<p>"Who is this Mr. Darrin?" asked the marine, as the pair strolled away.</p>
+
+<p>"He's a youngster&mdash;third classman. But he's one of the chaps who, on the
+cruise, last summer, went over into a gale after another middy&mdash;Darrin
+and his chum did it."</p>
+
+<p>"There must be fine stuff in Mr. Darrin," murmured the marine.</p>
+
+<p>"Couldn't you see that much just now?" demanded the sailor, who took the
+remark as almost a personal affront, "My hat's off to Mr. Darrin. He's
+one of our future admirals. If I round out my days in the service it
+will be the height of my ambition to have him for my admiral. And a
+mighty sea-going officer he'll be, at that!"</p>
+
+<p>In their enthusiasm over the spectacle they had seen, the sailor and the
+marine talked rather too much.</p>
+
+<p>They were still talking over the battle as they strolled slowly past one
+of the great, darkened buildings.</p>
+
+<p>In the shadow of this building, not far away, stood an officer whom
+neither of the enlisted men of the Navy saw; else they would have
+saluted him.</p>
+
+<p>That officer, Lieutenant Willow, U.S. Navy, listened with a good deal of
+interest.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Willow was one of those officers who are known as duty-mad. He
+gathered that there had been a fight, so he deemed it his duty to report
+the fact at once to the discipline officer in charge over at Bancroft
+Hall.</p>
+
+<p>Regretting the necessity, yet full of the idea of doing his duty,
+Lieutenant Willow wended his way promptly towards the office of the
+officer in charge.</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX<br /><br />
+THE OFFICER IN CHARGE IS SHOCKED</h3>
+
+<p>Through the main entrance of Bancroft Hall, into the stately corridor,
+Lieutenant Willow picked his way.</p>
+
+<p>He looked solemn&mdash;unusually so, even for Lieutenant Willow, U.S.N. He
+had the air of a man who hates to do his duty, but who is convinced that
+the heavens would fall if he didn't.</p>
+
+<p>To his left he turned, acknowledging smartly the crisp salute given him
+by the midshipman assistant officer of the day.</p>
+
+<p>Into the outer office of the officer in charge stepped Mr. Willow, and
+thence on into the smaller room where Lieutenant-Commander Stearns sat
+reading.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, good evening, Willow," hailed Lieut. Stearns heartily.</p>
+
+<p>"Good evening, Stearns," was the almost moody reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Sit down and let's have a chat. I'm glad to see you," urged
+Lieutenant-Commander Stearns.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Stearns, he of the round, jovial face, gazed at his junior with
+twinkling eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Willow," he muttered, "I'm half inclined to believe that you've come to
+me to make an official report."</p>
+
+<p>"I guess I have," nodded Lieutenant Willow.</p>
+
+<p>"And against some unfortunate midshipman, at that!"</p>
+
+<p>"Against two, at least," sighed Mr. Willow, "and there were others
+involved in the affair."</p>
+
+<p>"It must be something fearful," said Mr. Stearns, who knew the junior
+officer's inclination to be duty-mad. "But, see here, if you make an
+official report you'll force me to take action, even though it's
+something that I'd secretly slap a midshipman on the shoulder for doing.
+No&mdash;don't begin to talk yet, Willow. Try a cigar and then tell me,
+personally, what's worrying you. Then perhaps it won't be altogether
+needful to make an official report."</p>
+
+<p>"I never was able to take you&mdash;er&mdash;somewhat jovial views of an officer's
+duty, Stearns," sighed Lieutenant Willow.</p>
+
+<p>Nevertheless, he selected a cigar, bit off the end, lighted it and took
+a few whiffs, Lieutenant-Commander Stearns all the while regarding his
+comrade in arms with twinkling eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, fire ahead, Willow," urged the officer in charge, "but please
+don't make your communication an official one&mdash;not at first. Fire ahead,
+now, Willow."</p>
+
+<p>"Well&mdash;er&mdash;just between ourselves," continued Lieutenant Willow slowly,
+"there has been a fight to-night between two midshipmen."</p>
+
+<p>"No!"</p>
+
+<p>Lieutenant-Commander Stearns struck his fist rather heavily against the
+desk.</p>
+
+<p>"A fight&mdash;a real fight&mdash;with fists?" continued the officer in charge, in
+a tone of mock incredulity. "No, no, no, Willow, you don't mean it&mdash;you
+can't mean it!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I do," rejoined the junior officer rather stiffly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, dear, what is the service coming to?" gasped Stearns ironically.
+"Why, Willow, we never heard of such things when we were midshipmen
+here. Now, did we?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm afraid we did&mdash;sometimes," admitted the junior officer. "But duty
+is duty, you know, my dear Stearns. And this was an unusual fight, too.
+The man who was whipped insisted on another fight right then and there,
+and&mdash;he won the second fight."</p>
+
+<p>"Bully!" chuckled the officer in charge. "Whew, but I wish I had been
+there!"</p>
+
+<p>"Stearns, you surely don't mean that?" gasped duty-mad Mr. Willow.</p>
+
+<p>"You're quite right, Willow. No; I certainly don't want to be a
+spoilsport, and I'm glad I wasn't there&mdash;in my official capacity. But
+I'd like to have been divested of my rank for just an hour so that I
+could have taken in such a scene as that."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm&mdash;I'm just a bit astonished at your saying it, Stearns," rejoined
+Lieutenant Willow. "But then, you're always joking."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps I am joking," assented the officer in charge dryly, "but I
+never lose sight of the fact that our Navy has been built up, at huge
+expense, as a great fighting machine. Now, Willow, it takes fighting men
+to run a fighting machine. Of course, I'm terribly shocked to know that
+two midshipmen really had the grit to fight&mdash;but who were they! Mind
+you, I'm not asking you in an official way. This question is purely
+personal&mdash;just between ourselves. Who were the men? And, especially, who
+was the fellow who lost the decision, and then had the utter effrontery
+to demand a second chance at once, only to win the second fight?"</p>
+
+<p>"Darrin was the man who lost the first fight and won the second,"
+replied Lieutenant Willow.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Darrin? One of our youngsters? Yes; I think I know him. And what
+man of his class did he whip, the second time he tried!"</p>
+
+<p>"It wasn't a man of his own class. It was Mr. Treadwell, of the first
+class," rejoined Lieutenant Willow.</p>
+
+<p>"What?" almost exploded the officer in charge. "Did you say that Mr.
+Darrin fought with Mr. Treadwell, that husky top classman, and, losing
+the decision on the count, insisted on fighting again the same evening?
+Oh, say, what a fellow misses by being cooped up in an office like
+this!"</p>
+
+<p>"But&mdash;but the breach of regulations!" stammered the duty-mad lieutenant.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear fellow, neither you nor I know anything about this
+fight&mdash;officially. The Navy, after all, is a fighting machine. Do you
+feel that the Navy can afford to lose a fighting man like that
+youngster?"</p>
+
+<p>So Lieutenant Willow left Lieutenant-Commander Stearns' presence, not
+quite convinced he was performing his whole duty, but glad to bow to the
+decision of a ranking officer.</p>
+
+<p>Two days later Dave and Dan were surprised at being halted by
+Lieutenant-Commander Stearns.</p>
+
+<p>"Good afternoon, Mr. Darrin," came the pleasant greeting. "Good
+afternoon, Mr. Dalzell. Mrs. Stearns and I would be greatly pleased if
+you could take dinner with us. Couldn't you come next Sunday?"</p>
+
+<p>The two midshipmen were astonished and delighted at this invitation.
+While it was not uncommon for officers to invite midshipmen to their
+homes, where there were so many midshipmen, it was as a rule only the
+young men who made themselves prominent socially who captured these
+coveted invitations. Darrin and Dalzell concealed their surprise, but
+expressed their pleasure in accepting the gracious invitation.</p>
+
+<p>On entering Mrs. Stearns' drawing room the next Sunday Mr. Darrin and
+Mr. Dalzell were introduced to two pretty girls. Miss Flora Gentle was a
+cousin of their hostess. She had visited Annapolis before, and, being
+pretty and vivacious, at the same time kind and considerate, she had
+many friends among the midshipmen. Marian Stevens, who had accompanied
+her on this visit, was a direct contrast. Flora was blonde. Marian was
+the dark, flashing type. She was spoiled and imperious, yet she had a
+dashing, open way about her that made her a favorite among young people.</p>
+
+<p>The two girls had heard of the double fight. Marian, therefore, was
+pleased when she found that Dave was to be her dinner partner.</p>
+
+<p>"He's handsome," thought the girl, "and he's brave and dashing. He'll
+make his mark in the Navy. He doesn't know it yet, but he'll become
+mine, and mine alone."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Stevens was a calculating young person, and had already decided
+that Navy life was the life for her and that she would marry into it. At
+seventeen, she looked upon the officers as old men, even the youngest of
+them, so was giving her time and her smiles to the midshipmen. That the
+Navy pay is small did not trouble Maid Marian, as she liked to be
+called, as on her twenty-first birthday she would come into a
+considerable fortune of her own.</p>
+
+<p>She exerted herself all through the Stearns' dinner to captivate Dave
+Darrin. He, without diminution of love and loyalty to Belle Mead, was
+glad to be on friendly terms with this dashing and sprightly girl.</p>
+
+<p>Coffee was served in the drawing room. Several officers dropped in.
+Marian, who wished no one to come between her and Dave for a while,
+turned to her host.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Stearns, do the regulations make it improper for Flora and me to
+ask Mr. Darrin and Mr. Dalzell to take us for a stroll about the yard?"
+she asked with a pretty air of deference. The "yard" includes all the
+grounds belonging to the Naval Academy.</p>
+
+<p>"They do not, Miss Marian," was the smiling response.</p>
+
+<p>"With our hostess's approval we shall be charmed to grant any request
+the young ladies make," ventured Dave, as Marian smiled into his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>But Marian, the wily and experienced, found herself baffled during this
+walk. Using all her cajoleries, she could bring him to a certain point
+beyond which he would not go. As a matter of fact, Dave Darrin, secure
+in his loyalty to Belle, did not perceive what Maid Marian was striving
+to lead up to, but saw in her only a lively and interesting girl.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll get you yet, Midshipman Darrin," she vowed to herself after they
+had parted.</p>
+
+<p>The gossip of a sweetheart in his home town which in time reached her
+ears only made the girl more determined to get her way. Looking in the
+mirror with satisfaction, she murmured:</p>
+
+<p>"There'll be the added zest of making Midshipman Darrin forget the
+distant face of that home girl."</p>
+
+<p>Not on that visit did Maid Marian succeed in leading Dave beyond the
+point of simple but sincere friendship. However, Miss Stevens could be
+charming to whomsoever she wished, and before she left Annapolis she had
+secured invitations to visit the wife of more than one of the officers.</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX<br /><br />
+CONCLUSION</h3>
+
+<p>Christmas came and went, and soon after this the semi-annual
+examinations were on in earnest. Some of the midshipmen failed and sadly
+turned their faces homeward to make a place for themselves in some other
+lane of life. Dan Dalzell, however, made good his promise, and by a
+better margin than he had dared hope. Dave came through the examination
+somewhat better than his chum. Both felt assured now that they would
+round out the year with fair credit to themselves.</p>
+
+<p>Marian Stevens came to Annapolis several times during the latter half of
+the year, and as it is expected that the future officer shall have
+social as well as Naval training, Dave Darrin met her often.</p>
+
+<p>Exasperation that she could draw the young midshipman on only so far
+soon changed in Miss Stevens to anger and chagrin. Still Dave, giving
+prolonged thought to no girl except Belle Meade, saw in her only a
+lively companion. Sometimes he was her dinner partner. Always at a dance
+he danced with her more than once.</p>
+
+<p>It was at one such dance that she looked up as they circled the room to
+say:</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if you know, Mr. Darrin, how much I enjoy dancing with you."</p>
+
+<p>"Not as much as I enjoy dancing with you," he replied smilingly. Just
+then the music stopped suddenly and an officer called in a voice that
+carried over the great floor of the gymnasium and over all the chatter:</p>
+
+<p>"Ladies and gentlemen, one moment's attention, please!"</p>
+
+<p>In an instant all was still.</p>
+
+<p>"Ladies and gentlemen," continued the officer, "official permission has
+been granted for taking a flashlight photograph of the scene to-night.
+Will everybody please remain where he is until after the exposure has
+been made?"</p>
+
+<p>Dave and Marian had paused directly in front of the lens of the camera.
+Maid Marian looked up and made a light, jesting remark, gazing straight
+into the midshipman's eyes. Dave, smiling, bent forward to hear what she
+said.</p>
+
+<p>Just then came the flash, and the photographer, his work finished for
+the time, gathered his paraphernalia together and left. The music
+recommenced and the dancing proceeded.</p>
+
+<p>Three weeks later that photograph was reproduced as a double-page
+illustration in one of the prominent pictorial weeklies.</p>
+
+<p>The day the magazine was on the newsstands Dan Dalzell bought a copy.
+Entering their quarters with it in his hand he opened it at the
+illustration and handed it to Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"You and Miss Stevens show up better than any one else, Dave," remarked
+Dan.</p>
+
+<p>"The photograph is a good piece of work," was Dave's only comment. He
+did not wish to express the annoyance he felt when he noted the
+appearance of intimacy between him and Marian, whose beauty showed, even
+in this reproduction. "I'd a bit rather Belle shouldn't see this paper,"
+he admitted to himself.</p>
+
+<p>"David, old boy, this picture would make a good exhibit in a
+breach-of-promise suit."</p>
+
+<p>"That's an unkind remark to make about a fine girl like Miss Stevens,"
+said Dave coldly.</p>
+
+<p>Dan stared, then went off, pondering.</p>
+
+<p>Belle Meade, in her Gridley home, received one day a large, square, thin
+package. She saw the mark of the Annapolis express office, and hastily
+snatched up scissors to cut the string. Out came a huge photograph.</p>
+
+<p>"A picture of an Annapolis dance! How thoughtful of Dave to send it to
+me!" Then her eyes fell on two figures around which a ring had been
+drawn in ink. They were Dave Darrin and a pretty girl. On the margin of
+the card had been scrawled in bold letters:</p>
+
+<p>"Your affair of the heart will bear close watching if you still
+cherish!"</p>
+
+<p>This was signed, contemptibly and untruthfully, "A Friend."</p>
+
+<p>"Uh!" murmured Belle in hurt pride and loyalty. Then she said resolutely
+to herself: "I will pay no attention to this. An anonymous communication
+is always meant to hurt and to give a false impression."</p>
+
+<p>But there was the picture before her eyes of Dave and the pretty girl in
+seemingly great intimacy. So though she continued to write to the
+midshipman and tried hard to make her letters sound as usual, in spite
+of herself a coldness crept into them that Dave felt.</p>
+
+<p>"She must have seen that pictorial weekly," thought the boy miserably.
+But as Belle said nothing of this, he could not write of it.</p>
+
+<p>The season was well along. Dave and Dan sent Belle Meade and Laura
+Bentley invitations to one of the later spring dances.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if she'll come or if she's tiring of me," thought Dave Darrin
+bitterly.</p>
+
+<p>But Belle answered, accepting the invitation for Laura and herself.</p>
+
+<p>When Saturday afternoon came both midshipmen hurried to the hotel in the
+town and sent up their cards. Mrs. Meade soon appeared, saying the girls
+would be down shortly.</p>
+
+<p>"Are they both well?" asked Dave. His tone was as one giving a
+meaningless greeting, but in his heart he waited anxiously to hear what
+her mother should say of Belle.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, yes. But Belle has been moping around the house a great deal,
+Dave, rather unlike her usual self," replied Mrs. Meade slowly.</p>
+
+<p>If Mrs. Meade deplored this, Dave Darrin did not. It showed him at least
+that the girl's apparent coldness was not caused by her interest in some
+other young man.</p>
+
+<p>But when the girls came in and Belle greeted him cordially, to be sure,
+but with something of restraint, his heart sank again.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter, Belle? Has something gone wrong?" asked Dave when
+Dan was engaging the attention of Mrs. Meade and Laura.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing. Is all right with you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Surely!"</p>
+
+<p>"Dave, when we're alone I have something to show you. I fear you have an
+enemy here."</p>
+
+<p>"An enemy! Oh, no. But I shall be glad to see what you have to show me."</p>
+
+<p>It was not long before, at a word from Dave, Dan took Mrs. Meade and
+Laura out for a walk. It was then that Belle got the large photograph
+with the two figures ringed in ink and showed it to Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, what does this mean? Some one must have taken a good deal of
+trouble to secure this photograph. The picture was taken for a pictorial
+weekly. One can get a photograph from which the cut is made, but it is
+troublesome and possibly expensive!"</p>
+
+<p>"You have an enemy, then; some one bent on hurting you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know who it could be. My, how angry Miss Stevens would be if
+she knew of this!"</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Stevens? Is that the girl?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. She's visited here often this year. She knows a number of the
+officers' wives. She's vivacious and always has a good time, but she's
+nothing to me, Belle. You know that, don't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have never doubted you, Dave. Let us tear this up. I thought at first
+I'd not show it to you; then decided it was best not to begin concealing
+things from you. But let us not think of the thing again."</p>
+
+<p>"Belle, you're a thoroughbred!" and here the matter dropped as far as it
+was between Dave Darrin and Belle Meade.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Stevens was at the dance that evening. Though she tried hard to
+make that impossible, Dave did not dance with her, nor did he introduce
+her to Belle, though there again Marian tried to force this.</p>
+
+<p>It would have been well for Marian if Dan Dalzell had been equally
+circumspect.</p>
+
+<p>This time it was Belle who contrived and got the introduction to the
+other girl, but Marian was by no means reluctant, so it was that they
+managed to get a few moments alone together when they had sent their
+dance partners to get something for them.</p>
+
+<p>"You are a friend of Dave's, aren't you?" asked Marian.</p>
+
+<p>"Of Mr. Darrin's? Oh, yes, we've always known each other."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you've been here to many of these dances?"</p>
+
+<p>"Only two."</p>
+
+<p>"Too bad you could not have been here oftener. This has been an
+unusually brilliant season. Really, many of the young people have lost
+their heads&mdash;or their hearts. I often wonder if these midshipmen have
+sweethearts at home." This daring&mdash;and impertinent&mdash;remark was made
+musingly but smilingly.</p>
+
+<p>"These Annapolis affairs are never very serious, I imagine," Belle
+observed calmly.</p>
+
+<p>"On the contrary, most of the Navy marriages date back to an Annapolis
+first meeting."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you think it well to come often?"</p>
+
+<p>"Unless one has other ways of keeping in touch," was the brazen reply.</p>
+
+<p>"I have," said Belle sweetly. "I receive a good many souvenirs in the
+course of a year. One last winter was a photograph." With the words
+Belle gazed intently into Miss Stevens' eyes. Then she went on: "There
+was an anonymous message written on it. It was a lying message, of
+course, as anonymous messages always are, written in a coarse hand. Did
+you ever study handwriting, Miss Stevens?"</p>
+
+<p>Marian gasped, realizing she was out-maneuvered.</p>
+
+<p>"This writing had all the characteristics of a woman whose instincts are
+coarse, that of a treacherous though not dangerous person&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Here's Mr. Sanderson back. Will you excuse me, Miss Meade?" and Marian
+fairly fled.</p>
+
+<p>Belle told Dave she had found out who had sent the photograph, but
+added:</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you wouldn't ask me who it was, Dave. I can assure you that the
+person who did it will never trouble us again," and as Dave did not like
+to think evil of any one, he consented, and continued to think of Marian
+Stevens, when he thought of her at all, as a jolly girl.</p>
+
+<p>The annual examinations were approaching. Dan Dalzell was buried deep in
+gloom. Dave Darrin kept cheerful outwardly, but doubts crept into his
+heart.</p>
+
+<p>The examinations over, Dave felt reasonably safe. But Dan's gloom
+deepened, for he was sure he had failed in "skinny," as the boys termed
+chemistry and physics. So it was that when the grades were posted Dave
+scanned the D's in the list of third classmen who had passed. Dan, on
+the other hand, turned instantly to what he termed the "bust list."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, why, I'm not there!" he muttered.</p>
+
+<p>"Look at the passing list, Danny," laughed Dave.</p>
+
+<p>Unbelieving, Dan turned his eyes on the list and to his utter
+astonishment found his name posted. True, in "skinny" he had a bare
+passing mark. But in other subjects he was somewhat above the minimum.</p>
+
+<p>"So you see, old man, we'll both be here next year as second classmen,"
+said Dave jubilantly.</p>
+
+<p>This was as Dave Darrin said, and what happened during this time may be
+learned in a volume entitled, "DAVE DARRIN'S THIRD YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS;
+or, Leaders of the Second Class Midshipmen."</p>
+
+<p class="c">THE END</p>
+
+<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10045 ***</div>
+</body>
+</html>
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+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Dave Darrin's Second Year at Annapolis, by 
+H. Irving Hancock
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Dave Darrin's Second Year at Annapolis
+
+Author: H. Irving Hancock
+
+Posting Date: April 13, 2011 [EBook #10045]
+
+Release Date: November 11, 2003
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVE DARRIN'S SECOND YEAR AT ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Dave Morgan and PG
+Distributed Proofreaders
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+
+<p class="c">[Illustration: Darrin's Blow Knocked the Midshipman Down]</p>
+
+
+<h1>DAVE DARRIN'S SECOND YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS</h1>
+
+<p class="cb">or<br /><br />
+Two Midshipmen as Naval Academy "Youngsters"</p>
+
+<p class="cb">By<br /><br />
+H. IRVING HANCOCK Illustrated</p>
+
+<p class="cb">MCMXI</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS</h3>
+
+<table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align="left"><small>CHAPTER</small></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">I</a>.</td><td align="left">A QUESTION OF MIDSHIPMAN HONOR</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">II</a>.</td><td align="left">DAVE'S PAP-SHEET ADVICE</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">III</a>.</td><td align="left">MIDSHIPMAN PENNINGTON GOES TOO FAR</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">IV</a>.</td><td align="left">A LITTLE MEETING ASHORE</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">V</a>.</td><td align="left">WHEN THE SECONDS WONDERED</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">VI</a>.</td><td align="left">IN TROUBLE ON FOREIGN SOIL</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">VII</a>.</td><td align="left">PENNINGTON GETS HIS WISH</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">VIII</a>.</td><td align="left">THE TRAGEDY OF THE GALE</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">IX</a>.</td><td align="left">THE DESPAIR OF THE "RECALL"</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">X</a>.</td><td align="left">THE GRIM WATCH FROM THE WAVES</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">XI</a>.</td><td align="left">MIDSHIPMAN PENNINGTON'S ACCIDENT</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">XII</a>.</td><td align="left">BACK IN THE HOME TOWN</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">XIII</a>.</td><td align="left">DAN RECEIVES A FEARFUL FACER</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">XIV</a>.</td><td align="left">THE FIRST HOP WITH THE HOME GIRLS</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">XV</a>.</td><td align="left">A DISAGREEABLE FIRST CLASSMAN</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">XVI</a>.</td><td align="left">HOW DAN FACED THE BOARD</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">XVII</a>.</td><td align="left">LOSING THE TIME-KEEPER'S COUNT</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">XVIII</a>.</td><td align="left">FIGHTING THE FAMOUS DOUBLE BATTLE</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">XIX</a>.</td><td align="left">THE OFFICER IN CHARGE IS SHOCKED</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">XX</a>.</td><td align="left">CONCLUSION</td></tr>
+</table>
+
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I<br /><br />
+A QUESTION OF MIDSHIPMAN HONOR</h3>
+
+<p>"How can a midshipman and gentleman act in that way?"</p>
+
+<p>The voice of Midshipman David Darrin, United States Navy, vibrated
+uneasily as he turned to his comrades.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a shame&mdash;that's what it is," quivered Mr. Farley, also of the
+third class at the United States Naval Academy.</p>
+
+<p>"But the question is," propounded Midshipman Dan Dalzell, "what are we
+going to do about it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Is it any part of our business to bother with the fellow?" demanded
+Farley half savagely.</p>
+
+<p>Now Farley was rather hot-tempered, though he was "all there" in points
+that involved the honor of the brigade of midshipmen.</p>
+
+<p>Five midshipmen stood in the squalid, ill-odored back room of a Chinese
+laundry in the town of Annapolis.</p>
+
+<p>There was a sixth midshipman present in the handsome blue uniform of the
+brigade; and it was upon this sixth one that the anger and disgust of
+the other five had centered.</p>
+
+<p>He lay in a sleep too deep for stirring. On the still, foul air floated
+fumes that were new to those of his comrades who now gazed down on him.</p>
+
+<p>"To think that one of our class could make such a beast of himself!"
+sighed Dave Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>"And on the morning of the very day we're to ship for the summer
+cruise," uttered Farley angrily.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, well" growled Hallam, "why not let this animal of lower grade sleep
+just where he is? Let him take what he has fairly brought upon himself!"</p>
+
+<p>"That's the very question that is agitating me," declared Dave Darrin,
+to whom these other members of the third class looked as a leader when
+there was a point involving class honor.</p>
+
+<p>Dave had became a leader through suffering.</p>
+
+<p>Readers of the preceding volume in this series, "DAVE DARRIN'S FIRST
+YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS," will need no introduction to this fine specimen of
+spirited and honorable young American.</p>
+
+<p>Readers of that preceding volume will recall how Dave Darrin and Dan
+Dalzell entered the United States Naval Academy, one appointed by a
+Congressman and the other by a United States Senator. Such readers will
+remember the difficult time that Dave and Dan had in getting through the
+work of the first hard, grinding year. They will also recall how Dave
+Darrin, when accused of treachery to his classmates, patiently bided his
+time until he, with the aid of some close friends, was able to
+demonstrate his innocence. Our readers will also remember how two
+evil-minded members of the then fourth class plotted to increase Damn's
+disgrace and to drive him out of the brigade; also how these two
+plotters, Midshipmen Henkel and Brimmer, were caught in their plotting
+and were themselves forced out of the brigade. Our readers know that
+before the end of the first year at the Naval Academy, Dave had fully
+reinstated himself in the esteem of his manly classmates, and how he
+quickly became the most popular and respected member of his class.</p>
+
+<p>It was now only the day after the events whose narration closed the
+preceding volume.</p>
+
+<p>Dave Darrin and Dalzell were first of all brought to notice in "THE HIGH
+SCHOOL BOYS' SERIES." In their High School days, back in Gridley, these
+two had been famous members of Dick &amp; Co., a sextette of youngsters who
+had made a name for themselves in school athletics.</p>
+
+<p>Dick Prescott and Greg Holmes, two other members of the sextette, had
+been appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point,
+where they were serving in the corps of cadets and learning how to
+become Army officers in the not far distant future. All of the
+adventures of Dick and Greg are set forth in "THE WEST POINT SERIES."</p>
+
+<p>The two remaining members of famous old Dick &amp; Co., Tom Reade and Harry
+Hazelton, became civil engineers, and went West for their first taste of
+engineering work. Tom and Harry had some wonderful and startling
+adventures, as fully set forth in "THE YOUNG ENGINEERS' SERIES."</p>
+
+<p>On this early June day when we again encounter Dave Darrin and Dan
+Dalzell in their handsome Naval uniforms, all members of the first,
+second and third classes were due to be aboard one of the three great
+battleships that lay off the Yard at Annapolis at four p.m.</p>
+
+<p>These three great battleships were the "Massachusetts," the "Iowa" and
+the "Indiana." These three huge, turreted fighting craft had their full
+crews aboard. Not one of the battleship commanders would allow a
+"jackie" ashore, except on business, through fear that many of the
+"wilder" ones might find the attractions on shore too alluring, and fail
+to return in time.</p>
+
+<p>With the young midshipmen it was different. These young men were
+officially and actually gentlemen, and could be trusted.</p>
+
+<p>Yet here, in the back room of this laundry, was one who was apparently
+not dependable.</p>
+
+<p>This young midshipman's name was Pennington, and the fact was that he
+lay in deep stupor from the effects of smoking opium!</p>
+
+<p>It had been a storekeeper, with a shop across the street, who had called
+the attention of Dave and his four comrades to the probable fate of
+another of their class.</p>
+
+<p>"Chow Hop runs a laundry, but I have heard evil stories about a lot of
+young fools who flock to his back room and get a chance to 'hit' the
+opium pipe," the storekeeper had stated to Dave. "One of your men, or at
+least, one in a midshipman's uniform, went in there at eleven o'clock
+this forenoon, and he hasn't been out since. It is now nearly two
+o'clock and, I've been looking for some midshipmen to inform."</p>
+
+<p>Such had been the storekeeper's careful statement. The merchants of
+Annapolis always have a kindly feeling toward these fine young
+midshipmen. The storekeeper's purpose was to enable them to help their
+comrade out.</p>
+
+<p>So the five had entered the laundry. The proprietor, Chow Hop, had
+attempted to bar their way to the rear room.</p>
+
+<p>But Dave had seized the yellow man and had flung him aside.</p>
+
+<p>The reader already knows what they discovered, and how it affected these
+young men.</p>
+
+<p>"Bring that copper-colored chink in here, if you'll be so good,"
+directed Dave.</p>
+
+<p>Dan and Hallam departed on the quest.</p>
+
+<p>"You're wanted in there," proclaimed Dalzell, jerking a thumb over his
+shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>"Me no sabby," replied Chow Hop, looking up briefly from his ironing
+board.</p>
+
+<p>"Get in there&mdash;do you hear?" commanded Hallam, gripping the other's arm
+with all his force.</p>
+
+<p>"You lemme go chop-chop (quickly), or you get alle samee hurt&mdash;you
+sabby?" scowled Chow Hop, using his free hand to raise a heavy flat-iron
+menacingly.</p>
+
+<p>But Dan Dalzell jumped in, giving the Chinaman's wrist a wrench that
+caused him to drop the iron.</p>
+
+<p>Then, without a bit of ceremony, Dan grasped the Oriental by the
+shoulders, wheeled him about, while he protested in guttural tones, and
+bluntly kicked the yellow-faced one through the door into the inner
+room.</p>
+
+<p>At this summary proceeding both the Chinese helpers gripped their
+flat-irons firmly; and leaped forward to fight.</p>
+
+<p>In an ugly temper the Chinaman is a bad man to oppose. But now this pair
+were faced by a pair of quietly smiling midshipmen who were also
+dangerous when angry.</p>
+
+<p>"You two, get back," ordered Dalzell, advancing fearlessly upon the
+pair. "If you don't, we'll drag you out into the street and turn you
+over to the policemen. You 'sabby' that? You heathen are pretty likely
+to get into prison for this day's work!"</p>
+
+<p>Scowling for a moment, then muttering savagely, the two helpers slunk
+back to their ironing boards.</p>
+
+<p>Yet, while Dan turned to go into the rear room, Hallam stood just where
+he was, to keep an eye on two possible sources of swift trouble.</p>
+
+<p>"Chow Hop," began Dave Damn sternly, as the proprietor made his flying
+appearance, "You've done a pretty mean piece of work here"&mdash;pointing to
+the unconscious midshipman in the berth. "Do you understand that you're
+pretty likely to go to prison for this?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that no maller," replied Chow, with a sullen grin. "Him plenty
+'shipmen come here and smoke."</p>
+
+<p>"You lie!" hissed Dave, grasping the heathen by the collar and shaking
+him until the latter's teeth rattled.</p>
+
+<p>Then Dave gave him a brief rest, though he still retained his hold on
+the Chinaman's collar. But the yellow man began struggling again, and
+Dave repeated the shaking.</p>
+
+<p>Chow Hop had kept his hands up inside his wide sleeves. Now Farley
+leaped forward as he shouted:</p>
+
+<p>"Look out, Darry! He has a knife!"</p>
+
+<p>Farley attempted to seize the Chinaman's wrist, for the purpose of
+disarming the yellow man, but Dave swiftly threw the Chinaman around out
+of Farley's reach. Then, with a lightning-like move, Dave knocked the
+knife from Chow Hop's hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Pick that up and keep it for a curio, Farley," directed Dave coolly.</p>
+
+<p>In another twinkling Darrin had run the Chinaman up against the wall.</p>
+
+<p>Smack! biff! thump!</p>
+
+<p>With increasing force Dave's hard fist struck the heathen in the face.</p>
+
+<p>"Now stand there and behave yourself," admonished Midshipman Dave,
+dropping his hold on the yellow man's collar, "or we'll stop playing
+with you and hurt you some."</p>
+
+<p>The scowl on Chow Hop's face was ominous, but he stood still, glaring at
+Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"Chow, what can we do to bring this man out of his sleep!" asked Dave
+coolly, and almost in a friendly tone.</p>
+
+<p>"Me no sabby," sulked the Chinaman.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, you do," retorted Dave warningly. "Now, what can we do to get our
+friend out of this!"</p>
+
+<p>"You allee same cally (carry) him out," retorted Chow, with a suspicion
+of a sulky grin.</p>
+
+<p>"None of that, now, you yellow-face!" glared Dave. "How shall we get our
+comrade out of this opium sleep!"</p>
+
+<p>"Me no sabby no way," insisted Chow.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, you do!" snapped Dave. "But you won't tell. All right; we'll
+find the way, and we'll punish you into the bargain. Dan, get a piece of
+paper from the other room."</p>
+
+<p>Dalzell was quickly back with the desired item. On the paper Dave wrote
+a name and a telephone number.</p>
+
+<p>"It's near the end of the doctor's office hours," murmured Dave. "Go to
+a telephone and ask the doctor to meet you at the corner above. Tell him
+it's vastly important, and ask him to meet you on the jump."</p>
+
+<p>"Shall I tell him what's up!" asked Dan cautiously.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; you'd better. Then he'll be sure to bring the necessary remedies
+with him."</p>
+
+<p>Dan Dalzell was off like a shot.</p>
+
+<p>Chow tried to edge around toward the door.</p>
+
+<p>"Here, you get back there," cried Dave, seizing the Chinaman and
+slamming him back against the wall. "Don't you move again, until we tell
+you that you may&mdash;or it will be the worse for you."</p>
+
+<p>Ten minutes passed ere Dan returned with Dr. Lawrence.</p>
+
+<p>"You see the job that's cut out for you," said Darrin, pointing to the
+unconscious figure in the bunk. "Can you do it, Doctor?"</p>
+
+<p>The medical man made a hasty examination of the unconscious midshipman
+before he answered briefly:</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"Will it be a long job, Doctor?"</p>
+
+<p>"Fifteen minutes, probably."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, good, if you can do it in that time!"</p>
+
+<p>"Me go now?" asked Chow, with sullen curiosity, as the medical man
+opened his medicine-case.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; if you don't try to leave the joint," agreed Dave. "And I'm going
+outside with you."</p>
+
+<p>Chow looked very much as though he did not care for company, but
+Midshipman Darrin kept at his side.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, see here, Chow," warned Dave, "this is the last day you sell opium
+for white men to smoke!"</p>
+
+<p>"You heap too flesh (fresh)" growled the Chinaman.</p>
+
+<p>"It's the last day you'll sell opium to white men," insisted Dave, "for,
+as soon as I'm through here I'm going to the police station to inform
+against you. They'll go through here like a twelve-inch shot."</p>
+
+<p>"You alle same tell cop?" grinned Chow, green hatred showing through his
+skin. "Then I tell evelybody about you fliend in there."</p>
+
+<p>"Do just as you please about that," retorted Dave with pretended
+carelessness. "For one thing, you don't know his name."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, I do," swaggered Chow impudently. "Know heap 'bout him. His
+name alle same Pen'ton."</p>
+
+<p>Seizing a marking brush and a piece of paper, Chow Hop quickly wrote out
+Pennington's name, correctly spelled. His ability to write English with
+a good hand was one of Chow's great vanities, anyway.</p>
+
+<p>"You go back to your ironing board, yellow-face," warned Darrin, and
+something in the young third classman's face showed Chow that it would
+be wise to obey.</p>
+
+<p>Then Hallam drew Darrin to one side, to whisper earnestly in his ear:</p>
+
+<p>"Look out, old man, or you will get Pen into an awful scrape!"</p>
+
+<p>"I shan't do it," maintained Darrin. "If it happens it will have been
+Pen's own work."</p>
+
+<p>"You'd better let the chink go, just to save one of our class."</p>
+
+<p>"Is a fellow who has turned opium fiend worth saving to the class!"
+demanded Dave, looking straight into Hallam's eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, er&mdash;er&mdash;" stammered the other man.</p>
+
+<p>"You see," smiled Dave, "the doubt hits you just as hard as it does me!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, of course, a fellow who has turned opium fiend is no fellow ever to
+be allowed to reach the bridge and the quarter-deck," admitted Hallam.
+"But see here, are you going to report this affair to the commandant of
+midshipmen, or to anyone else in authority?"</p>
+
+<p>"I've no occasion to report," replied Dave dryly. "I am not in any way
+in command over Pennington. But I mean to persuade him to report himself
+for what he has done!"</p>
+
+<p>"But that would ruin him!" protested Hallam, aghast. "He wouldn't even
+be allowed to start on the cruise. He'd be railroaded home without loss
+of a moment."</p>
+
+<p>"Yet you've just said that an opium-user isn't fit to go on in the
+brigade," retorted Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>"Hang it, it's hard to know what to do," rejoined Hallam, wrinkling his
+forehead. "Of course we want to be just to Pen."</p>
+
+<p>"It doesn't strike me as being just exactly a question of justice to
+Pennington," Darrin went on earnestly. "If this is anything it's a
+question of midshipman honor. We fellows are bound to see that all the
+unworthy ones are dropped from the service. Now, a fellow who has
+fastened the opium habit on himself isn't fit to go on, is he?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, say, but this is a hard one to settle!" groaned Hallam.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I'll take all the responsibility upon myself," said Dave promptly.
+"I don't want to make any mistake, and I don't believe I'm going to.
+Wait just a moment."</p>
+
+<p>Going to the rear room, Dave faced his three comrades there with the
+question:</p>
+
+<p>"You three are enough to take care of everything here for a few minutes,
+aren't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," nodded Dan. "What's up?"</p>
+
+<p>"Hallam and I are going for a brief walk."</p>
+
+<p>Then, stepping back into the front room, Darrin nodded to his classmate,
+who followed him outside.</p>
+
+<p>"Just come along, and say nothing about the matter on the street,"
+requested Dave. "It might be overheard."</p>
+
+<p>"Where are you going?" questioned Hallam wonderingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Wait and see, please."</p>
+
+<p>From Chow Hop's wretched establishment it was not far to the other
+building that Dave had in mind as a destination.</p>
+
+<p>But when they arrived, and stood at the foot of the steps, Hallam
+clutched Darrin's arm, holding him back.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, see here, this is the police station!"</p>
+
+<p>"I know it," Dave replied calmly.</p>
+
+<p>"But see here, you're not&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not going to drag you into anything that you'd object to," Darrin
+continued. "Come along; all I want you for is as a witness to what I am
+going to say."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't do it, old fel&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I've thought that over, and I feel that I must," replied Dave firmly.
+"Come along. Don't attract attention by standing here arguing."</p>
+
+<p>In another instant the two midshipmen were going swiftly up the steps.</p>
+
+<p>The chief of police received his two callers courteously. Dave told the
+official how their attention had been called to the fact that one of
+their number was in an opium joint. Dave named the place, but requested
+the chief to wait a full hour before taking any action.</p>
+
+<p>"That will give us a chance to get out a comrade who may have committed
+only his first offense," Dave continued.</p>
+
+<p>"If there's any opium being smoked in that place I'll surely close the
+joint out!" replied the chief, bringing his fist down upon his desk.
+"But I understand your reasons, Mr.&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Darrin is my name, sir," replied Dave quietly.</p>
+
+<p>"So, Mr. Darrin, I give you my word that I won't even start my
+investigations before this evening. And I'll keep all quiet about the
+midshipman end of it."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you very much, sir," said Dave gratefully.</p>
+
+<p>As the two midshipmen strolled slowly back in the direction of Chow
+Hop's, Dave murmured:</p>
+
+<p>"Now, you see why I took this step?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm afraid not very clearly," replied Midshipman Hallam.</p>
+
+<p>"That scoundrelly Chow made his boast that other midshipmen patronized
+his place. I don't believe it. Such a vice wouldn't appeal to you, and
+it doesn't to me. But there are more than two hundred new plebes coming
+in just now, and many of these boys have never been away from home
+before. Some of them might foolishly seek the lure of a new vice, and
+might find the habit fastened on them before they were aware of it.
+Chow's vile den might spoil some good material for the quarter-deck,
+and, as a matter of midshipman honor, we're bound to see that the place
+is cleaned out right away."</p>
+
+<p>"I guess, Darry, you come pretty near being right," assented Hallam,
+after thinking for a few moments.</p>
+
+<p>By the time they reached Chow Hop's again they found that Dr. Lawrence
+had brought the unfortunate Pennington to. And a very scared and
+humiliated midshipman it was who now stood up, a bit unsteadily, and
+tried to smooth down his uniform.</p>
+
+<p>"How do you feel now?" asked Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"Awful!" shuddered Pennington. "And now see here, what are you fellows
+going to do? Blab, and see me driven out of the Navy?"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't do any talking in here," advised Dave, with a meaning look over
+his shoulder at the yellow men in the outer room. "Doctor, is our friend
+in shape to walk along with us now?"</p>
+
+<p>"He will be, in two or three minutes, after he drinks something I'm
+going to give him," replied the medical man, shaking a few drops from
+each of three vials into a glass of water. "Here, young man, drink this
+slowly."</p>
+
+<p>Three minutes later the midshipmen left the place, Dave walking beside
+Pennington and holding his arm lightly for the purpose of steadying him.</p>
+
+<p>"How did this happen, Pen?" queried Dave, when the six men of the third
+class at last found themselves walking down Maryland Avenue. "How long
+have you been at this 'hop' trick?"</p>
+
+<p>"Never before to-day," replied Midshipman Pennington quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"Pen, will you tell me that on your honor?" asked Dave gravely.</p>
+
+<p>The other midshipman flared up.</p>
+
+<p>"Why must I give you my word of honor?" he demanded defiantly. "Isn't my
+plain word good enough?"</p>
+
+<p>"Your word of honor that you had never smoked opium before to-day would
+help to ease my mind a whole lot," replied Darrin. "Come, unburden
+yourself, won't you, Pen?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell you, Darry, just how it happened. To-day <i>was</i> the first
+time, on my word of honor, I came out into Annapolis with a raging
+toothache. Now, you know how a fellow gets to hate to go before the
+medical officers of the Academy with a tale about his teeth."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I do," nodded Darrin. "If a fellow is too much on the medical
+report for trouble with his teeth, then it makes the surgeons look his
+mouth over with all the more caution, and in the end a fellow may get
+dropped from the brigade just because he has invited over zeal from the
+dentist. But what has all this to do with opium smoking?"</p>
+
+<p>"Just this," replied Pennington, hanging his head. "I went into a drug
+store and asked a clerk that I know what was the best thing for
+toothache. He told me the best he knew was to smoke a pipe of opium, and
+told me where to find Chow Hop, and what to say to the chink. And it's
+all a lie about opium helping a sore tooth," cried the wretched
+midshipman, clapping a hand to his jaw, "for there goes that fiendish
+tooth again! But say! You fellows are not going to leak about my little
+mishap?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," replied Darrin with great promptness. "You're going to do that
+yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"What?" gasped Midshipman Pennington in intense astonishment. "What are
+you talking about?"</p>
+
+<p>"You'll be wise to turn in a report, on what happened," pursued Dave,
+"for it's likely to reach official ears, anyway, and you'll be better
+off if you make the first report on the subject."</p>
+
+<p>"Why is it likely to reach official ears, if you fellows keep your
+mouths shut?"</p>
+
+<p>"You see," Darrin went on very quietly, "I reported the joint at the
+police station, and Chow Hop threatened that, if I did, he'd tell all he
+knew about everybody. So you'd better be first&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"You broke the game out to the police!" gasped Pennington, staring
+dumfoundedly at his comrade. "What on earth&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I did it because I had more than one satisfactory reason for
+considering it my duty," interposed Dave, speaking quietly though
+firmly.</p>
+
+<p>"You&mdash;you&mdash;bag of wind!" exploded Midshipman Pennington.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll accept your apology when you've had time to think it all over,"
+replied Dave, with a smile, though there was a brief flash in his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll make no apology to you&mdash;at any time, you&mdash;you&mdash;greaser!"</p>
+
+<p>Marks for efficiency or good conduct, which increase a midshipman's
+standing, are called "grease-marks" or "grease" in midshipman slang.
+Hence a midshipman who is accused of currying favor with his officers in
+order to win "grease" is contemptuously termed a "greaser."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't want to talk with you any more, Mr. Darrin," Pennington went on
+bitterly, "or walk with you, either. When I get over this toothache I'll
+call you out&mdash;you greaser!"</p>
+
+<p>Burning with indignation, Midshipman Pennington fell back to walk with
+Hallam.</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II<br /><br />
+DAVE'S PAP-SHEET ADVICE</h3>
+
+<p>When our party reached the landing a lively scene lay before them.</p>
+
+<p>Fully a hundred midshipmen, belonging to the first, second and third
+classes, were waiting to be transported out to one or another of the
+great, gray battleships.</p>
+
+<p>Several launches were darting back and forth over the water. The baggage
+of the midshipmen had already been taken aboard the battleships. Only
+the young men themselves were now awaited.</p>
+
+<p>Near-by stood a lieutenant of the Navy, who was directing the
+embarkation of the midshipmen of the different classes.</p>
+
+<p>Five minutes after our party arrived a launch from the "Massachusetts"
+lay in alongside the landing.</p>
+
+<p>"Third classmen, this way!" shouted the lieutenant. "How many of you?"</p>
+
+<p>Turning his eyes over the squad that had moved forward, the officer
+continued:</p>
+
+<p>"Twenty-two. You can all crowd into this launch. Move quickly, young
+gentlemen!"</p>
+
+<p>In another couple of minutes the puffing launch was steaming away to the
+massive battleship that lay out in the stream.</p>
+
+<p>Dave stood well up in the bow. Once he barely overheard Pennington
+mutter to a comrade:</p>
+
+<p>"The rascally greaser!"</p>
+
+<p>"That means me," Dave muttered under his breath. "I won't take it up
+now, or in any hurry. I'll wait until Pen has had time to see things
+straight."</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the launch lay alongside, the young midshipmen clambered
+nimbly up the side gangway, each raising his cap to the flag at the
+stern as he passed through the opening in the rail.</p>
+
+<p>Here stood an officer with an open book in his hand. To him each
+midshipman reported, saluting, stated his name, and received his
+berthing.</p>
+
+<p>"Hurry away to find your berthings, and get acquainted with the
+location," ordered this officer. "Every midshipman will report on the
+quarter-deck promptly at five p.m. In the meantime, after locating your
+berthings, you are at liberty to range over the ship, avoiding the ward
+room and the staterooms of officers."</p>
+
+<p>The latest arrivals saluted. Then, under the guidance of messengers
+chosen from among the apprentice members of the crew, the young men
+located their berthings.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm going to get mine changed, if I can," growled Pennington, wheeling
+upon Dave Darrin. "I'm much too close to a greaser. I'm afraid I may get
+my uniforms spotted, as well as my character."</p>
+
+<p>"Stop that, Pen!" warned Dave, stationing himself squarely before the
+angry Pennington. "I don't know just how far you're responsible for what
+you're saying now. To-morrow, if you make any such remarks to me, you'll
+have to pay a mighty big penalty for them."</p>
+
+<p>"You'll make me pay by going to the commandant and telling him all you
+know, I suppose?" sneered Pennington.</p>
+
+<p>"You know better, Pen! Now, begin to practise keeping a civil tongue
+behind your teeth!"</p>
+
+<p>With that, Darrin turned on his heel, seeking the deck.</p>
+
+<p>This left "Pen" to conjecture as to whether he should report his
+misadventure, and, if so, how best to go about it.</p>
+
+<p>"See here, Hallam," began the worried midshipman, "I begin to feel that
+it will be safer to turn in some kind of report on myself."</p>
+
+<p>"Much safer," agreed Hallam. "It will show good faith on your part if
+you report yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"And get me broken from the service, too, I suppose," growled the
+unhappy one.</p>
+
+<p>"I hardly think it will, if you report yourself first," urged Hallam.
+"But you'll be about certain to get your walking papers if you wait for
+the first information to come from other sources."</p>
+
+<p>"Hang it," groaned Pennington, "I wish I could think, but my head aches
+as though it would split and my tooth is putting up more trouble than I
+ever knew there was in the world. And, in this racked condition, I'm to
+go and put myself on the pap-sheet. In what way shall I do it, Hallam?
+Can't you suggest something?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," retorted Hallam with great energy. "Go to the medical officer and
+tell him how your tooth troubles you. Tell him what you tried on shore.
+I'll go with you, if you want."</p>
+
+<p>"Will you, old man? I'll be a thousand times obliged!"</p>
+
+<p>So the pair went off in search of the sick-bay, as the hospital part of
+a battleship is called. The surgeon was not in his office adjoining, but
+the hospital steward called him over one of the ship telephones,
+informing him that a midshipman was suffering with an ulcerated tooth.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Mackenzie came at once, turned on a reflector light, and gazed into
+Midshipman Pennington's mouth.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you tried to treat this tooth yourself, in any way?" queried the
+ship's surgeon.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; I was so crazy with the pain, while in Annapolis, that I am
+afraid I did something that will get me into trouble," replied
+Pennington, with a quiver in his voice.</p>
+
+<p>"What was that?" asked Dr. Mackenzie, glancing at him sharply. "Did you
+try the aid of liquor?"</p>
+
+<p>"Worse, I'm afraid, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Worse?"</p>
+
+<p>Pennington told of his experience with the opium pipe.</p>
+
+<p>"That's no good whatever for a toothache, sir," growled Dr. Mackenzie.
+"Besides, it's a serious breach of discipline. I shall have to report
+you, Mr. Pennington."</p>
+
+<p>"I expected it, sir," replied Pennington meekly.</p>
+
+<p>"However, the report won't cure your toothache," continued Dr. Mackenzie
+in a milder tone. "We'll attend to that first."</p>
+
+<p>The surgeon busied himself with dissolving a drug in a small quantity of
+water. This he took up in a hypodermic needle and injected into the
+lower jaw.</p>
+
+<p>"The ache ought to stop in ten minutes, sir," continued the surgeon,
+turning to enter some memoranda in his record book.</p>
+
+<p>After that the surgeon called up the ship's commander over the 'phone,
+and made known Pennington's report.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Pennington, Captain Scott directs that you report at his office
+immediately," said the surgeon, as he turned away from the telephone.</p>
+
+<p>"Very good, sir. Thank you, sir."</p>
+
+<p>Both midshipmen saluted, then left the sick-bay.</p>
+
+<p>"This is where you have to go up alone, I guess," hinted Midshipman
+Hallam.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm afraid so," sighed Pennington.</p>
+
+<p>"However, I'll be on the quarter-deck, and, if I'm wanted, you can send
+there for me."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, old man. You're worth a brigade of Darrins&mdash;confound the
+greasing meddler!"</p>
+
+<p>"Darrin acted according to his best lights on the subject of duty,"
+remonstrated Mr. Hallam mildly.</p>
+
+<p>"His best lights&mdash;bah!" snarled Pennington. "I'll take this all out of
+him before I'm through with him!"</p>
+
+<p>Pennington reported to the battleship's commander. After some ten
+minutes a marine orderly found Hallam and directed him to go to Captain
+Scott's office. Here Hallam repeated as much as was asked of him
+concerning the doings of the afternoon. Incidentally, the fact of
+Midshipman Darrin's report to the police was brought out.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Pennington, I shall send you at once, in a launch, over to the
+commandant of cadets to report this matter in person to him," said
+Captain Scott gravely. "Mr. Hallam, you will go with Mr. Pennington."</p>
+
+<p>Then, after the two had departed, an apprentice messenger went through
+the ship calling Dave's name. That young man was summoned to Captain
+Scott's office.</p>
+
+<p>"I am in possession of all the facts relating to the unfortunate affair
+of Midshipman Pennington, Mr. Darrin," began Captain Scott, after the
+interchange of salutes. "Will you tell me why you reported the affair to
+the police?"</p>
+
+<p>"I went to the police, sir," Dave replied, "because I was aware that
+many members of the new fourth class are away from home for the first
+time in their lives. I was afraid, sir, that possibly some of the new
+midshipmen might, during one of their town-leaves, be tempted to try for
+a new experience."</p>
+
+<p>"A very excellent reason, Mr. Darrin, and I commend you heartily for it.
+I shall also report your exemplary conduct to the commandant of
+midshipmen. You have, in my opinion, Mr. Darrin, displayed very good
+judgment, and you acted upon that judgment with promptness and decision.
+But I am afraid," continued the Navy captain dryly, "that you have done
+something that will make you highly unpopular, for a while, with some of
+the members of your class."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope not, sir," replied Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"So do I," smiled Captain Scott "I am willing to find myself a poor
+prophet. That is all, Mr. Darrin."</p>
+
+<p>Once more saluting, Dave left the commanding officer's presence. Almost
+the first classmate into whom he stumbled was Dan Dalzell.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, from what quarter does the wind blow!" murmured Dan.</p>
+
+<p>Darrin repeated the interview that he had just had.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm afraid, Dave, little giant, that you've planted something of a mine
+under yourself," murmured Dalzell.</p>
+
+<p>"I feel as much convinced as ever, Danny boy, that I did just what I
+should have done," replied Darrin seriously.</p>
+
+<p>"And so does Captain Scott, and so will the commandant," replied Dan.
+"But winning the commendation of your superior officers doesn't always
+imply that you'll get much praise from your classmates."</p>
+
+<p>"Unfortunately, you are quite right," smiled Dave. "Still, I'd do the
+same thing over again."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, of course you would," assented Dan. "That's because you're Dave
+Darrin."</p>
+
+<p>Here a voice like a bass horn was heard.</p>
+
+<p>"All third classmen report to the quarter-deck immediately!"</p>
+
+<p>This order was repeated in other parts of the ship. Midshipmen gathered
+with a rush, Pennington and Hallam being the only members absent. As
+soon as the third classmen, or "youngsters," as they are called in
+midshipman parlance, had formed, the orders were read off dividing them
+into sections for practical instruction aboard ship during the cruise.</p>
+
+<p>Dave's name was one of the first read off. He was assigned to duty as
+section leader for the first section in electrical instruction. Dalzell,
+Farley, Hallam, Pennington and others were detailed as members of that
+section.</p>
+
+<p>The same section was also designated for steam instruction, Dalzell
+being made leader of the section in this branch.</p>
+
+<p>The class was then dismissed. Somewhat later Pennington and Hallam
+returned from their interview with the commandant.</p>
+
+<p>Hallam at once sought out Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"Darry, old man," murmured Hallam, "Pen is as crazy as a hornet against
+you. As he had taken the first step by sticking himself on the pap-sheet
+(placing himself on report), the commandant said he would make the
+punishment a lighter one."</p>
+
+<p>"What did Pen get?" queried Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"Fifty demerits, with all the loss of privileges that fifty carry."</p>
+
+<p>"He's lucky," declared Dave promptly. "Had the report come from other
+sources, he would have been dismissed from the service."</p>
+
+<p>"If Pen's lucky," rejoined Hallam, "he doesn't seem to realize the fact.
+He's calling you about everything."</p>
+
+<p>"He can keep that up," flashed Dave, "until his toothache leaves him.
+Then, if he tries to carry it any further, Pen will collide with one of
+my fists!"</p>
+
+<p>Not much later a call sounded summoning the youngsters to the
+midshipmen's mess. Dave was glad to note that Pennington sat at some
+distance from him at table.</p>
+
+<p>While the meal was in progress the "Massachusetts" and the other
+battleships got under way. The midshipmen were on deck, an hour later,
+when the fleet came to anchor for the night, some miles down Chesapeake
+Bay.</p>
+
+<p>Before the youngsters were ordered to their berths that night Third
+Classman Pennington had found opportunity to do a good deal of talking
+to a few comrades who would listen to him.</p>
+
+<p>Pennington was determined to stir up a hornet's nest for Dave Darrin.</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III<br /><br />
+MIDSHIPMAN PENNINGTON GOES TOO FAR</h3>
+
+<p>At eight o'clock the following morning the various sections were formed
+and marched to the deck.</p>
+
+<p>Dave reported:</p>
+
+<p>"All present, sir."</p>
+
+<p>The chief electrician was now summoned, and to him the section was
+turned over. This young man, Whittam, by name, was an enlisted man, but
+a bright young sample of what the Navy can do for the boy who enlists as
+an apprentice.</p>
+
+<p>"You will take your orders from Mr. Whittam as though he were an
+officer," directed the officer, his words intended for all members of
+the section, though he looked only at Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>Dave saluted, then, as Chief Electrician Whittam turned to lead the way,
+Dave called quietly:</p>
+
+<p>"Section, left wheel&mdash;march!"</p>
+
+<p>They followed Whittam down into the dynamo room, an interesting spot for
+a machinist.</p>
+
+<p>"It's fine," muttered Dan, as he stared about him at the bright metal
+work, the switch-board and the revolving machines. "But I'm afraid I
+couldn't learn the use and sense of all this in five years."</p>
+
+<p>"Silence in the section," commanded Dave, turning around upon his chum.</p>
+
+<p>Whittam now began a short, preliminary talk upon the subjects in which
+the midshipmen would be required to qualify.</p>
+
+<p>"One of the first and most important requests I have to make," said
+Whittam presently, "is that none of you touch the switches, except by
+direction. None of you can guess the harm that might follow the careless
+and ignorant handling of a switch."</p>
+
+<p>"It's pretty cheeky for an enlisted man to talk to midshipmen about
+ignorance," whispered Pennington to Farley.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I don't know&mdash;" Farley started to reply, but Darrin's quiet voice
+broke in with authority:</p>
+
+<p>"Cease talking in section."</p>
+
+<p>Farley knew this to be a merited rebuke, and accepted it as such, but
+Pennington's face went violently red.</p>
+
+<p>"Confound that grease-spot-chaser," growled Pen. "He'll be bound to take
+it out of me as long as the cruise lasts. But I'll get even with him. No
+cheap greaser is going to ride over me!"</p>
+
+<p>That morning none of the midshipmen were called upon to handle any of
+the fascinating-looking machinery. Nearly the whole of this tour of
+practical instruction was taken up by the remarks of the chief
+electrician. As he spoke, Whittam moved over to one piece or another of
+mechanism and explained its uses. Finally, he began to question the
+attentive young men, to see how much of his instruction they had
+absorbed.</p>
+
+<p>"This is a shame, to set an enlisted man up over us as quiz-master, just
+to see how little we know," growled Pennington; but this time he had the
+good sense not to address his remark to anyone.</p>
+
+<p>Pennington was not yet in good shape, after his harrowing experiences of
+the day before.</p>
+
+<p>Ere the tour of instruction was over, he began to shift somewhat
+uneasily.</p>
+
+<p>Then his attention began to wander.</p>
+
+<p>A brilliantly shining brass rod near him caught his eye. Something about
+the glossy metal fascinated him.</p>
+
+<p>Once or twice Pen put out his hand to touch the rod, but as quickly
+reconsidered and drew back his hand.</p>
+
+<p>At last, however, the temptation proved too strong. He slid one hand
+along the rail.</p>
+
+<p>"Here, sir, don't handle that!" rasped in the voice of Whittam.</p>
+
+<p>Pennington drew back his hand, a flush mounting to his face.</p>
+
+<p>"The fellow has no right to talk to a midshipman in that fashion!"
+quivered Pennington to himself. "But it was the fault of that low-minded
+greaser Darrin, anyway. Darrin saw me, and he glanced swiftly at the
+chief electrician to draw attention to me."</p>
+
+<p>It is only just to Pennington to state that he actually believed he had
+seen Dave do this. Darrin, however, was not guilty of the act. He had in
+no way sought to direct attention at Pennington.</p>
+
+<p>Towards the close of the tour the officer in whose department this
+instruction fell passed through the dynamo room.</p>
+
+<p>"Are there any breaches of conduct to be reported, Whittam?" inquired
+the officer, halting.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing worth mentioning, sir," replied the chief electrician.</p>
+
+<p>"I asked you, Whittam, whether there had been any breaches of conduct,"
+retorted the officer with some asperity.</p>
+
+<p>"One midshipman, sir, after having been instructed to touch nothing,
+rested his hand on one of the brass rods."</p>
+
+<p>"His name?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know the names of many of the young gentlemen yet, sir, so I
+don't know the particular midshipman's name, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Then point him out to me," insisted the officer.</p>
+
+<p>There was hardly any need to do so. Pennington's face, flushed with
+mortification, was sufficient identification. But the chief electrician
+stepped over, halting in front of the hapless one, and said:</p>
+
+<p>"This is the young gentleman, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Your name, sir?" demanded the officer.</p>
+
+<p>"Pennington, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Pennington, you will place yourself on the report, sir, for
+disobedience of orders," commanded the officer. "Is this the only case,
+Whittam?"</p>
+
+<p>"The only case, sir."</p>
+
+<p>The officer passed out of the dynamo room, leaving the unlucky one more
+than ever angry with Darrin, whom he incorrectly charged with his
+present trouble.</p>
+
+<p>The recall sounding, Dave turned to Whittam, saying crisply but
+pleasantly:</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you for our instruction."</p>
+
+<p>"He's thanking the fellow for my new scrape," growled Pennington
+inwardly.</p>
+
+<p>Dave marched his section back to deck and dismissed it. Dan Dalzell, as
+section leader in steam instruction, immediately re-formed it.</p>
+
+<p>"You will report in the engine-room, Mr. Dalzell, to
+Lieutenant-Commander Forman, who is chief engineer of this ship. He will
+assign you to an instructor."</p>
+
+<p>"Aye, aye, sir," Dan replied, saluting. "Section, right wheel&mdash;march!"</p>
+
+<p>Dan already knew where, down in the bowels of the great battleship, to
+find the engine room.</p>
+
+<p>Reaching that department, Dan halted his section.</p>
+
+<p>"Section all present, sir," reported Dan, saluting a strange officer,
+who, however, wore the insignia of a lieutenant-commander.</p>
+
+<p>"Your name, sir?" inquired the officer.</p>
+
+<p>"Dalzell, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Let your section break ranks. Then you may all follow me, and keep your
+eyes open, for you will go through one or two dark places."</p>
+
+<p>"Aye, aye, sir. Section break ranks."</p>
+
+<p>Lieutenant-Commander Forman led the way, with all the members of the
+section wondering what was to be the nature of their first day's work in
+the engineer department.</p>
+
+<p>Descending lower into the ship, the chief engineer led the young middies
+over a grating, and paused at the head of an iron ladder.</p>
+
+<p>"Pass down in orderly fashion, single file," directed the chief
+engineer, halting. "When at the foot of this ladder, cross a grating to
+port side, and then descend a second ladder, which you will find."</p>
+
+<p>All the midshipmen went down the first ladder in silence. Dan, who had
+preceded the others, crossed the grating and found the second ladder.</p>
+
+<p>Once more these youngsters descended. Pennington, as though by mere
+accident, succeeded in following Dave Darrin down the ladder.</p>
+
+<p>Just as they were near the bottom Dave felt a foot descend upon his
+shoulder, almost with a kick, and then rest there with a crushing
+pressure.</p>
+
+<p>It hurt keenly until Darrin was able to dodge out from under and
+hurriedly reach the bottom.</p>
+
+<p>"Pardon, whoever you are," came a gruff voice.</p>
+
+<p>Dave, with his shoulder crippled a good deal, and paining keenly, halted
+as soon as his foot had touched bottom. It was dark down there, though
+some reflected light came from an incandescent light at a distance.</p>
+
+<p>Dave waited, to peer into the face of the man who had stepped on his
+shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>It was Pennington, of course!</p>
+
+<p>"I'll take pains not to go down ahead of you again, or to follow you up
+a ladder," grunted Darrin suspiciously.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, are you the man on whose shoulder my foot rested?" asked
+Pennington, with apparent curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>"Didn't you know it!" questioned Darrin, looking straight into the
+other's eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Instead of answering intelligibly, Pennington turned and walked away a
+few feet.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps that fellow thinks he's going to vent his spite on me in a lot
+of petty ways," murmured Dave. "If that is the idea he has in his head,
+he's going to wake up one of these days!"</p>
+
+<p>Following the last midshipman came Lieutenant-Commander Forman.</p>
+
+<p>"After me, gentlemen," directed the chief engineer. He turned down a
+narrow passage, only a few feet long, and came out in the furnace room.</p>
+
+<p>Here huge fires glowed through the furnace doors. Four of the Navy's
+firemen stood resting on their shovels. Instantly, on perceiving the
+chief engineer, however, the men stood at attention.</p>
+
+<p>"Pass the word for the chief water tender," ordered the engineer,
+turning to one of the firemen.</p>
+
+<p>The messenger soon came back with a pleasant-faced, stalwart man of
+forty.</p>
+
+<p>"Heistand," ordered the chief engineer, "give these members of the first
+section, third: class, steam instruction, a thorough drill in firing."</p>
+
+<p>"Aye, aye, sir," replied the chief water tender, saluting.</p>
+
+<p>"Heistand's orders are mine, Mr. Dalzell," continued the
+lieutenant-commander, facing Dan. "Preserve order in your section."</p>
+
+<p>"Aye, aye, sir," replied Dan, saluting. Acknowledging this courtesy in
+kind, the chief engineer turned and left the furnace room.</p>
+
+<p>Heistand was presumably of German parentage, though he had no accent. He
+struck the midshipmen as being a pleasant, wholesome fellow, though the
+water tenders and firemen of the "Massachusetts" knew that he could be
+extremely strict and grim at need.</p>
+
+<p>"You will now, young gentlemen," began Heistand, "proceed to learn all
+about priming a furnace, lighting, building, cleaning and generally
+taking care of a fire. Two furnaces have been left idle for this
+instruction."</p>
+
+<p>But two of the regular firemen now remained in the room. These were
+ordered to hustle out coal before boilers B and D. Then Heistand taught
+the members of the section how to swing a shovel to the best advantage
+so as to get in a maximum of coal with the least effort. He also
+illustrated two or three incorrect ways of shoveling coal.</p>
+
+<p>"The idea of making coal heavers out of us!" growled a much-disgusted
+voice.</p>
+
+<p>Dan did not see who the speaker was, but his eyes flashed as he turned
+and rasped out:</p>
+
+<p>"Silence in the section! Speak only to ask for information, and then at
+the proper time."</p>
+
+<p>"Another young autocrat!" muttered a voice.</p>
+
+<p>"Wait one moment, please, Heistand," begged Dan. Then, wheeling squarely
+about, and facing all the members of the section, he declared with
+emphasis:</p>
+
+<p>"If there's any more unauthorized talking I shall feel obliged to pass
+the word above that discipline is in a bad way in this section."</p>
+
+<p>Then he wheeled about once more, facing the chief water tender.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, young gentlemen," resumed the chief water tender, "take your
+shovels and fill in lively under boilers B and D."</p>
+
+<p>Three or four times Heistand checked one or another of the midshipmen,
+to show him a more correct way of handling the shovel. Yet, in good
+time, both furnaces were primed.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Mr. Dalzell, please detail four members of the section to follow
+me with their shovels and bring red coals from under another boiler."</p>
+
+<p>Dan appointed himself, Darrin, Farley and Pennington.</p>
+
+<p>Burning coals were brought and thrown into each furnace, and in a little
+while roaring fires were going. These, though not needed for the
+handling of the battleship, were permitted to burn for a while, Heistand
+explaining to the section practically the uses of the water gauges and
+the test cocks. By this time the midshipmen's white working clothes were
+liberally sprinkled with coal dust and somewhat smeared with oils.</p>
+
+<p>"And now, young gentlemen, as we have no further use for these fires,
+you will next learn how to haul them," announced Heistand.</p>
+
+<p>This was interesting work, but hot and fast. The implements with which
+the middies worked soon became red-hot at the end. Yet, as all entered
+into this novel work with zest, the fires had soon been hauled out on to
+the floor plates.</p>
+
+<p>Just as the last of this work was being done Pennington, as an apparent
+accident due to excess of zeal, dropped the red-hot end of his implement
+across the toe of Darrin's left shoe.</p>
+
+<p>In an instant the leather began to blaze. With swift presence of mind
+Dave stepped his right foot on the flame, smothering it at once.</p>
+
+<p>But he was "mad clean through."</p>
+
+<p>"See here, Pen," he muttered, in a low voice, his eyes blazing fiercely
+into the other midshipman's, "that is the last piece of impudence that
+will be tolerated from you."</p>
+
+<p>Midshipman Pennington's lip curled disdainfully.</p>
+
+<p>Dan had not seen the "accident," but he was near enough to hear the
+talking, and he caught Dave at it. So Dan ordered, impartially:</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Darrin, you will place yourself on report for unauthorized talking
+in section!"</p>
+
+<p>Dave flushed still more hotly, but said nothing.</p>
+
+<p>Midshipman Dalzell now marched the section from the furnace room, and
+dismissed it. It was near noon, and would soon be time for the middies
+to eat.</p>
+
+<p>Dave hurried away, washed, changed his uniform, and then stepped away
+swiftly to place himself on the report.</p>
+
+<p>"I was sorry to do that, old chum," murmured Dan, as he met Dave
+returning. "But of course I couldn't play favorites. What made you so
+far forget yourself?"</p>
+
+<p>"A something that would have had the same effect on you," retorted Dave
+grimly. Thereupon he described Pennington's two underhanded assaults
+that morning.</p>
+
+<p>"Humph!" muttered Dalzell. "That fellow Pen is bound to go the whole
+limit with you."</p>
+
+<p>"He won't go much further," declared Dave, his eyes flashing.</p>
+
+<p>"And the chump ought to know it, too," mused Dan. "The class history of
+the last year should have taught him that. But see here, Dave, I don't
+believe Pen will do anything openly. He will construct a series of
+plausible accidents."</p>
+
+<p>"There will be one thing about him that will be open, if he goes any
+further," retorted Dave, "and that will be his face when he collides
+with my fist."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope I see that when it happens," grinned Dalzell. "It's bound to be
+entertaining!"</p>
+
+<p>"Wait a second, then. Here comes Pennington now," murmured Dave Darrin
+in an undertone.</p>
+
+<p>Pennington, in his immaculate blue uniform, like the chums, came
+strolling along the passageway between decks.</p>
+
+<p>He affected not to see the chums, and would have passed by. But Dave,
+eyeing him closely, waited until Pen was barely three feet away. Then
+Darrin said tersely:</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Pennington, I wish an understanding with you."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't want any with you," replied Pennington insolently, as he stared
+at Dave from under much-raised eyebrows. He would have gone by, but Dave
+sprang squarely in front of him.</p>
+
+<p>"Just wait a moment!" warned Dave rather imperiously, for he was aglow
+with justifiable indignation.</p>
+
+<p>"Well?" demanded Pennington halting. "Out with it, whatever you may
+think you have to say."</p>
+
+<p>"I have two things to speak about," replied Dave, trying to control his
+voice. "In the first place, while going down the ladders to the furnaces
+this morning, you stepped on my shoulder."</p>
+
+<p>"Well!" insisted Pennington coldly.</p>
+
+<p>"The second thing you did was, when hauling the fires, to drop red-hot
+metal across one of my shoes, setting it on fire."</p>
+
+<p>"Well?" insisted Pennington more coldly.</p>
+
+<p>"If you mean to contend that either one was an accident," resumed Dave,
+"then&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>But he found himself obliged to pause for a moment in order to steady
+his voice.</p>
+
+<p>"Well?" asked Pennington with more insolence than ever.</p>
+
+<p>"If you make such pretense in either case," tittered Dave Darrin, "then
+you're a liar!"</p>
+
+<p>"Fellow!" sputtered Pennington, turning white with anger.</p>
+
+<p>"I mean what I say, and I can back it up," muttered Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I'll make you eat your words!" roared Pennington.</p>
+
+<p>Clenching his fists and with the boxer's attitude, Pen aimed two swift
+blows at Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>Neither blow reached, however, for Dave dodged out of the way. Then
+Darrin struck back, a straight, true, forceful blow that landed on the
+other midshipman's nose, knocking him down.</p>
+
+<p>Pennington staggered somewhat when he rose, but he was quickly up, none
+the less, and ready for anything that might happen.</p>
+
+<p>All of a sudden Dan Dalzell felt his own heart going down into his
+shoes. One of the ship's officers had just entered the passageway, in
+time to see what was going on.</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV<br /><br />
+A LITTLE MEETING ASHORE</h3>
+
+<p>"Stop it, both of you," whispered Dan.</p>
+
+<p>"Stand at attention, ready to salute the officer."</p>
+
+<p>Pennington, with the blood flowing from his damaged nose, would have
+made a most ludicrous figure saluting!</p>
+
+<p>The instant that he saw such evidence as Pen's nose presented the
+officer would be bound to make inquiries.</p>
+
+<p>Then, just as surely, his next step must be to Border the three before
+the commandant of midshipmen.</p>
+
+<p>Fighting carries with it a severe penalty. Even Dan was certain to be
+reported, through the mere fact of his presence there, as aiding in a
+fight. And those who aid are punished as severely as the principals
+themselves.</p>
+
+<p>It was a tense, fearsome instant, for midshipmen have been dismissed
+from the Naval Academy for this very offense.</p>
+
+<p>The passage was not brilliantly lighted.</p>
+
+<p>The on-coming officer, a lieutenant, junior grade, was looking at the
+floor as he came along.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly he paused, seemed lost in thought, then wheeled and walked back
+whence he had come.</p>
+
+<p>Dan breathed more easily. Dave heaved a sigh of relief.</p>
+
+<p>As for Pennington, that midshipman had wheeled and was stealing rapidly
+down the passageway, intent only on escape.</p>
+
+<p>"That was the closest squeak we'll ever have without being ragged cold,"
+murmured Dalzell tremulously.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is Pennington?" demanded Dave, wheeling about after he had
+watched the Naval lieutenant out of sight.</p>
+
+<p>"Ducked out of sight, like a submarine," chuckled Dan.</p>
+
+<p>At that moment the call for midshipmen's dinner formation sounded. Dave
+and Dan were ready.</p>
+
+<p>Pennington showed up just after the line had started to march into the
+midshipmen's mess tables.</p>
+
+<p>To the inquiry of the officer in charge, Pen lamely explained that he
+had bumped his nose into something hard in a poorly lighted passageway.</p>
+
+<p>Though the officer accepted the excuse, he smiled within himself.</p>
+
+<p>"It wasn't iron or steel that bumped that young man's nose," thought the
+officer.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, the middies haven't changed a lot since I boned at Annapolis!"</p>
+
+<p>Pennington's nose was no very lovely member of his face at that moment.
+It had been struck hard, mashed rather flat, and now looked like a red
+bulb.</p>
+
+<p>"Meet with an accident, Pen?" asked Hallam curiously at table.</p>
+
+<p>"Quit your kidding, please," requested Pennington sulkily.</p>
+
+<p>That directed the curious glances of other middies at Pennington's new
+bulbous nose.</p>
+
+<p>The young man was so brusque about it, however, that other table mates
+ceased quizzing him.</p>
+
+<p>Yet, as soon as the meal was over, many a youngster asked others of his
+class for news regarding Pen. But none possessed it.</p>
+
+<p>During the brief rest that followed the meal, however, Midshipman
+Pennington made it his business to try to meet Dave Darrin alone. He
+succeeded, finding Dave staring off across the water at the port rail.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course, Mr. Darrin," began the other midshipman, in a voice
+suggestive of ice, "you are aware that the incident of an hour ago
+cannot be allowed to pass unnoticed."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe there's any danger of that," retorted Darrin, with an
+ironical glance at Pennington's damaged-looking nose.</p>
+
+<p>"Confound you, sir," hissed the other midshipman, "don't you dare to be
+insolent with me."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I had thought," observed Dave, "that, of your own choice, the
+period of courtesies between us had passed."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall call you out, Mr. Darrin!"</p>
+
+<p>"You'll find my hearing excellent," smiled Dave. "I shall make but one
+stipulation."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll do you the favor of asking what that stipulation is," sneered
+Pennington.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, after the narrow escape we had from being caught and reported, an
+hour or so ago, I shall ask that the fight be held where we are not so
+likely to be caught at it. I don't care about being dropped from the
+Naval Academy, nor do I believe you do."</p>
+
+<p>"It would be a good thing for the service, if one of us were to be
+dropped," sneered Pennington.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes! Oh, well, you can easily procure writing materials from the
+captain's clerk," volunteered Dave generously. "On a cruise, I believe,
+a resignation is sent direct to the commandant of midshipmen."</p>
+
+<p>This ridicule served only to fan the flame of Pennington's wrath.</p>
+
+<p>"Darrin," he hissed, "the Academy isn't big enough to hold us both!"</p>
+
+<p>"But I've already told you how to get out," protested Dave coolly.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't intend to get out!"</p>
+
+<p>"No more do I," rejoined Dave. "I won't even toss pennies with you to
+find out who quits the service."</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Darrin, you are merely seeking to divert my mind from what I have
+said."</p>
+
+<p>"What did you say&mdash;particularly?"</p>
+
+<p>"That you would have to fight me."</p>
+
+<p>"I have already signified my entire willingness, Mr. Pennington. To that
+I really can add nothing."</p>
+
+<p>Fourth classmen are always addressed as "mister," and they must use the
+same "handle to the name" when addressing upper classmen. But members of
+the three upper classes resort to the use of "mister," in addressing
+classmates, only when they wish to be offensive or nearly so.</p>
+
+<p>"I will send a friend to meet you," Pennington continued.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I thought," bantered Darrin ironically, "that you were going to
+fight me yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"So I am&mdash;be sure of it. I will amend my statement by saying that I will
+send a second to see you."</p>
+
+<p>"Save time by sending him to Dalzell."</p>
+
+<p>"Very good, Mr. Darrin."</p>
+
+<p>"Is that all you wished to say to me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"Very good, Mr. Pennington."</p>
+
+<p>With two very stiff nods the midshipmen parted.</p>
+
+<p>Pennington hastened at once in search of Hallam.</p>
+
+<p>"Will you serve me, old man?" queried Pennington.</p>
+
+<p>"Sorry, but&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you see, Pen, not knowing all the facts of the case, I must admit
+that all my sympathies are with Darrin."</p>
+
+<p>"All your sympathies?" echoed Pen, frowning.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, nearly all, anyway. You see, I've known and observed Darrin for a
+full year now, and I don't believe patient old Darry is the one to start
+any trouble."</p>
+
+<p>"He called me a liar," protested Pennington.</p>
+
+<p>"Did he?" gasped Hallam.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, he qualified the statement, but his way of saying it was as
+offensive as the direct lie could have been."</p>
+
+<p>"So you're bent on fighting Darry?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am."</p>
+
+<p>"Too bad!" muttered Hallam, shaking his head.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you anxious for your idol?" asked Pen in a disagreeable tone.</p>
+
+<p>"No, Penny; it's you that I'm concerned about in my own mind. You're
+going next to a very hard proposition. Darry is patient&mdash;almost as
+patient as the proverbial camel&mdash;but when he fights he fights! You'll be
+hammered to a pulp, Pen."</p>
+
+<p>"Pooh!"</p>
+
+<p>"No one has yet beaten Darrin at a fist fight."</p>
+
+<p>"There always has to be a first time, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"And you think you're It?"</p>
+
+<p>"As far as Darrin is concerned&mdash;yes."</p>
+
+<p>"Too bad&mdash;too bad!" sighed Hallam. "I'm afraid, Penny, that the heat in
+the furnace room was too much for you this morning."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you won't serve as one of my seconds?"</p>
+
+<p>"The honor is most regretfully declined," replied Hallam in a tone of
+mock sadness.</p>
+
+<p>"You want to see Darrin win?"</p>
+
+<p>"If there has to be a fight, I do," replied Midshipman Hallam.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't bet your money on him, anyway."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not a gambler, Penny, and I don't bet," replied Hallam, with a
+dignity that, somehow, ended the conversation.</p>
+
+<p>Pennington had considerable difficulty, at first, in finding a second.
+At last, however, he induced Decker and Briggs to represent him.</p>
+
+<p>These two midshipmen went to see Dan Dalzell.</p>
+
+<p>"Wait until I send for Mr. Farley," proposed Dalzell. He soon had that
+midshipman, who was wholly willing to serve Darrin in any capacity.</p>
+
+<p>"We're ready to have the fight this evening," proposed Midshipman
+Decker.</p>
+
+<p>"We're not," retorted Dan, with vigor.</p>
+
+<p>"Why not?"</p>
+
+<p>"This forenoon Pennington deliberately stepped on Darrin's shoulder,
+with such force as to lame it a good deal," replied Dan. "Our man
+insists that he has a right to rest his shoulder, and to wait until
+to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>"But to-morrow we have a short shore liberty at Hampton Roads,"
+remonstrated Briggs.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; and during that shore liberty we can have the fight more safely
+than on board ship," insisted Dalzell.</p>
+
+<p>"But we intended to devote our shore leave to pleasure," objected
+Decker.</p>
+
+<p>"You'll find plenty of pleasure, if you accept our proposition," urged
+Dan dryly. "At any rate, we won't hear of Darrin fighting before
+to-morrow. He must have to-night to rest that shoulder."</p>
+
+<p>"All right; so be it," growled Decker, after a side glance at Briggs.</p>
+
+<p>"On shore, at some point to be selected by the seconds?" asked Dan
+Dalzell.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; that's agreed."</p>
+
+<p>Details as to whom to invite as referee and time-keeper were also
+arranged.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose we'll have to use up our shore leave that way, then," grunted
+Pennington, when told of the arrangement.</p>
+
+<p>"There's one way you can save the day," grinned Decker.</p>
+
+<p>"How?"</p>
+
+<p>"Put Darrin to sleep in the first round, then hurriedly dress and leave,
+and enjoy your time on shore."</p>
+
+<p>"But Darrin is a very able man with his fists," observed Pennington.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; but you're a mile bigger and heavier, and you're spry, too. You
+ought to handle him with all the ease in the world."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know," muttered Pennington, who didn't intend to make the
+mistake of bragging in advance. "I'll do my best, of course."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you'll win out, if you're awake," predicted Midshipman Briggs
+confidently.</p>
+
+<p>When the cadets were called, the following morning, they found the
+battleship fleet at anchor in Hampton Roads.</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V<br /><br />
+WHEN THE SECONDS WONDERED</h3>
+
+<p>One after another the launches sped ashore, carrying their swarms of
+distinguished looking young midshipmen.</p>
+
+<p>The fight party managed to get off all in the same boat, and on one of
+the earliest trips.</p>
+
+<p>Pennington was to have ordinary shore leave on the cruise, his fifty
+demerits to be paid for by loss of privileges on his return to the Naval
+Academy.</p>
+
+<p>"Decker," proposed Dan, "you and I can skip away and find a good place
+in no time. Then we can come back after the others."</p>
+
+<p>"That's agreeable to me," nodded Midshipman Decker.</p>
+
+<p>In twenty minutes the two seconds were back.</p>
+
+<p>"We've found just the place," announced Decker. "And it isn't more than
+three minutes' walk from here. Will you all hurry along?"</p>
+
+<p>"The place" turned out to be a barn that had not been used for a year or
+more. The floor was almost immaculately clean. In consideration of two
+dollars handed him, the owner had agreed to display no curiosity, and
+not to mention the affair to any one.</p>
+
+<p>"How do you like it, Darry?" asked Dan anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"It will suit me as well as any other place," responded Dave, slipping
+off his blouse, folding it neatly and putting it aside, his uniform cap
+following.</p>
+
+<p>"And you?" asked Decker of his man.</p>
+
+<p>"The floor's hard, but I don't expect to be the man to hit it," replied
+Pennington.</p>
+
+<p>In five minutes both midshipmen were attired for their "affair." Between
+them the different members of the party had smuggled ashore shoes, old
+trousers and belts for the fighters.</p>
+
+<p>It being a class affair, Remington, of the third class, had come along
+as referee, while Dawley; was to be the time-keeper.</p>
+
+<p>"If the principals are ready, let them step forward," ordered Midshipman
+Remington, going to the middle of the floor. "Now, I understand that
+this is to be a finish fight; rounds, two minutes; rests, two minutes. I
+also understand that the principals do not care to shake hands before
+the call to mix up."</p>
+
+<p>Darrin and Pennington nodded their assent.</p>
+
+<p>"Take your places, gentlemen," ordered the referee quickly. "Are you
+ready, gentlemen?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," came from both principals.</p>
+
+<p>"Time!"</p>
+
+<p>Both men had their guards up. As the word left the referee's lips each
+tried two or three passes which the other blocked. Midshipman Pennington
+was trying to take his opponent's "measure."</p>
+
+<p>Then Dave ducked, darted, dodged and wheeled about. Pennington had to
+follow him, and it made the latter angry.</p>
+
+<p>"Stand up and fight, can't you," hissed Pen.</p>
+
+<p>"Silence during the rounds, Mr. Pennington," admonished the referee
+quietly. "Let the officials do all the talking that may be necessary."</p>
+
+<p>Dave, as he dodged again, and came up unscathed, grinned broadly over
+this rebuke. That grin made Pen angrier than anything else could have
+done.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll wipe that grin off his face!" muttered Pennington angrily.</p>
+
+<p>And this very thing Pennington tried hard to do. He was quick on his own
+feet, and for a few seconds he followed the dodging Darrin about,
+raining in blows that required all of Dave's adroitness to escape.</p>
+
+<p>Dave's very success, however, made his opponent all the angrier. From
+annoyance, followed by excessive irritation, Pennington went into almost
+blind rage&mdash;and the man who does that, anywhere in life, must always pay
+for it.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly Dave swung his right in on the point of Pen's chin with a force
+that jolted the larger midshipman. As part of the same movement,
+Darrin's left crashed against Pennington's nose.</p>
+
+<p>Then, out of chivalry, Dave dropped back, to give Pen a few moments, in
+case he needed them, to get his wits back.</p>
+
+<p>"Time!" roared Dawley, and Pennington's seconds pounced upon him and
+bore him away to his corner.</p>
+
+<p>"Now I know how that fellow Darrin wins his fights," growled Pennington
+in an undertone. "He keeps on running away until he has the other man
+gasping for breath. Then Darrin jumps in and wins."</p>
+
+<p>"The method doesn't much matter," commented Briggs dryly, as he and
+Decker worked over their man. "It's the result that counts. Rush Darry
+into a tight corner, Pen, and then slam him hard and sufficiently."</p>
+
+<p>"Thanks, fellows; now I'm all right for the second round." muttered
+Midshipman Pennington.</p>
+
+<p>In a few seconds more Dave and his opponent were hard at work.</p>
+
+<p>Dave still used his footwork, and most cleverly. Yet, wherever he went,
+Pen followed him nimbly. It didn't look so one sided now.</p>
+
+<p>Then Pennington, at last, managed to deliver one blow on Darrin's right
+short ribs. It took a lot of Dave's spare wind; he raced about, seeking
+to regain his wind before allowing close quarters. But at last
+Pennington closed in again, and, after a swift feint, tried to land the
+same short-rib blow.</p>
+
+<p>Darrin was watching, and blocked. Then, his temples reddening with
+anger, Dave swung in a huge one that crashed in under Pennington's right
+ear.</p>
+
+<p>"Time!" shouted Dawley, just as Pen went to the floor in a heap. That
+saved the larger midshipman from having to take the count. His seconds
+had him ready at the call for the third round.</p>
+
+<p>Now, suddenly, Darrin seemed to change not only his tactics, but his
+whole personality. To his opponent Dave seemed suddenly transformed into
+a dancing demon.</p>
+
+<p>It was about the same old footwork, but it was aggressive now, instead
+of being defensive.</p>
+
+<p>First, Dave landed a light tap on the already suffering nose. A few
+seconds later he landed on the point of Pen's chin, though not hard
+enough to send his man down. Then a rather light blow on the jaw, just
+under Pen's right ear again. The larger midshipman was now thoroughly
+alarmed. He feared that Darrin could do whatever he willed, and shivered
+with wonder as to when the knockout blow would come.</p>
+
+<p>The truth was, Pennington was still putting up a better battle than he
+himself realized, and Darrin was not disposed to take any foolish
+chances through rushing the affair. Thus, the third round ended.</p>
+
+<p>By the time that they came up for the fourth round, after both men had
+undergone some vigorous handling by their respective seconds, Pennington
+was a good deal revived and far more confident.</p>
+
+<p>Dave's tactics were the same in the fourth round. Pennington didn't find
+time to develop much in the way of tactics for himself, save to defend
+himself.</p>
+
+<p>During the first minute no important blows were landed on either side.
+Then, suddenly, Dave darted in and under, and brought a right-arm hook
+against Pen's nose in a way that started that member to bleeding again,
+and with a steady flow.</p>
+
+<p>That jarred the larger midshipman. He plunged in, heavily and blindly,
+blocking one of Darrin's blows by wrapping both arms around him.</p>
+
+<p>"None of that, Mr. Pennington! Break away fast!" ordered Midshipman
+Remington quickly.</p>
+
+<p>Dave took a fair get away, not attempting to strike as the clinch was
+broken. But an instant later Dave came back, dancing all around his
+dazed opponent, landing on the short ribs, on the breast bone, under
+either ear and finally on the tip of the chin.</p>
+
+<p>Pen was sure that none of these blows had been delivered with the force
+that Darrin could have sent in.</p>
+
+<p>"Time!" shouted Midshipman Dawley.</p>
+
+<p>The principals retired to their corners, Pennington almost wholly afraid
+from the conviction that his antagonist was now merely playing with him
+to keep the interest going.</p>
+
+<p>So Pennington was still rather badly scared when the two came together
+for the fifth round.</p>
+
+<p>"Get lively, now, gentlemen, if you can," begged Referee Remington.
+"Finish this one way or the other, and let us get some of the benefits
+of our shore leave."</p>
+
+<p>Pen started by putting more steam behind every blow. Dave, who had used
+up so much of his wind by his brilliant footwork, began to find it
+harder to keep the upper hand.</p>
+
+<p>Twice, however, he managed to land body blows. He was trying to drive in
+a third when Pennington blocked, following this with a left-arm jab on
+Darrin's left jaw that sent the lighter man to the floor.</p>
+
+<p>Instantly Dawley began to count off the seconds.</p>
+
+<p>"&mdash;seven, eight, nine, te&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Dave was up on his feet. Pen tried to make a quick rush, but Darrin
+dodged cleverly, them wheeled and faced his opponent as the latter
+wheeled about.</p>
+
+<p>After that there was less footwork. Both men stood up to it, as keenly
+alert as they could be, each trying to drive home heavy blows. While
+they were still at it the call of time sounded.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't let him put it over you, David, little giant!" warned Dan, as the
+latter and Farley vigorously massaged Darrin's muscles. "He all but had
+you, and there isn't any need of making Pen a present of the meeting."</p>
+
+<p>"I tried to get him," muttered Dave in an undertone, "and I shall go on
+trying to the last. But Pennington is pretty nearly superior to anyone
+in my class."</p>
+
+<p>"Just waltz in and show him," whispered Dalzell, as the call sounded.</p>
+
+<p>Pennington entered the sixth round with more confidence. He began, at
+the outset, to drive in heavy blows, nor did Dave do much dodging.</p>
+
+<p>Bump! Twenty-five seconds only of this round had gone when Darrin landed
+his right fist with fearful force upon the high point of Pennington's
+jaw.</p>
+
+<p>Down went the larger midshipman again. This time he moaned. His eyes
+were open, though they had a somewhat glassy look in them.</p>
+
+<p>Dawley was counting off the seconds in measured tones.</p>
+
+<p>"&mdash;seven, eight, nine&mdash;ten!"</p>
+
+<p>Pen had struggled to rise to his feet, but sank back with a gasp of
+despair and rage.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Pennington loses the count and the fight," announced Referee
+Remington coolly. "I don't believe we're needed here, Dawley. The
+seconds can handle the wreck. Come along."</p>
+
+<p>As the two officials of the meeting hustled out of the barn, Dalzell
+gave his attention to helping his chum, while Farley went over to offer
+his services in getting the vanquished midshipman into shape.</p>
+
+<p>"There were times when I could have closed both of Pennington's eyes,"
+murmured Dave to Dan. "But I didn't want to give him any disfiguring
+marks that would start questions on board ship."</p>
+
+<p>"You had him whipped from the start," murmured Dan confidently, as he
+sprayed, then rubbed Dave's chest and arms.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe, but I'm not so sure of that," rejoined Darrin. "That fellow
+isn't so easy a prize for any one in my class. There were times when I
+was all but convinced that he had me."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, fairy tales!" grunted Dan.</p>
+
+<p>"Have it your own way, then, Danny boy!"</p>
+
+<p>When Darrin and his seconds left the barn they went off to enjoy what
+remained of the shore leave. Pennington's seconds finally, at his own
+request, left him at an ice cream parlor, where he proposed to remain
+until he could return to the big, steel "Massachusetts" without exciting
+any wonder over the little time he had remained ashore. Pennington had
+strength to walk about, but he was far from being in really good shape,
+and preferred to keep quiet.</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI<br /><br />
+IN TROUBLE ON FOREIGN SOIL</h3>
+
+<p>From Hampton Roads the Battleship Squadron, with the midshipmen on
+board, sailed directly for Plymouth, England.</p>
+
+<p>During most of the voyage over slow cruising speed was used. By the time
+that England's coast was sighted the third-class middies found they knew
+much more about a battleship than they had believed to be possible at
+the start of the voyage.</p>
+
+<p>They had served as firemen; they had mastered many of the electrical
+details of a battleship; they had received instruction and had "stood
+trick" by the engines; there had been some drill with the smaller,
+rapid-fire guns, and finally, they had learned at least the rudiments of
+"wig-wagging," as signaling by means of signal flags is termed.</p>
+
+<p>It was just before the call to supper formation when England's coast
+loomed up. Most of the midshipmen stood at the rail, watching eagerly
+for a better glimpse at the coast.</p>
+
+<p>Some of the midshipmen, especially those who came from wealthier
+families, had been in England before entering the Naval Academy. These
+fortunate ones were questioned eagerly by their comrades.</p>
+
+<p>The battleships were well in sight of Eastern King Point when the
+midshipmen's call for supper formation sounded. Feeling that they would
+much have preferred to wait for their supper, the young men hastened
+below.</p>
+
+<p>After the line was formed it seemed to the impatient young men as though
+it had never taken so long to read the orders.</p>
+
+<p>Yet there came one welcome order, to the effect that, immediately after
+the morning meal, all midshipmen might go to the pay officer and draw
+ten dollars, to be charged against their pay accounts.</p>
+
+<p>"That ten dollars apiece looms up large David, little giant," murmured
+Dan Dalzell, while the evening meal was in progress.</p>
+
+<p>"We ought to have a lot of fun on it," replied Darrin, who was looking
+forward with greatest eagerness to his first visit to any foreign soil.
+"But how much shore leave are we to have?"</p>
+
+<p>"Two days, the word is. We'll get it straight in the morning, at
+breakfast formation."</p>
+
+<p>In defiance of regulations, Midshipman Pennington, whose father was
+wealthy, had several hundred dollars concealed in his baggage. He had
+already invited Hallam, Mossworth and Dickey to keep in his wake on
+shore, and these young men had gladly enough agreed.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, but we're slackening speed!" quivered Dalzell, when the meal was
+nearly finished.</p>
+
+<p>"Headway has stopped," declared Darrin a few moments later.</p>
+
+<p>"Listen, everyone!" called Farley. "Don't you hear the rattle of the
+anchor chains?"</p>
+
+<p>"Gentlemen, as we're forbidden to make too much racket," proposed
+irrepressible Dan, "let us give three silent cheers for Old England!"</p>
+
+<p>Rising in his place, Dan raised his hand aloft, and brought it down, as
+his lips silently formed a "hurrah!"</p>
+
+<p>Three times this was done, each time the lips of the midshipmen forming
+a silent cheer.</p>
+
+<p>Then Dan, with a mighty swoop of his right arm, let his lips form the
+word that everyone knew to be "tiger!"</p>
+
+<p>"Ugh-h-h!" groaned Midshipman Reilly.</p>
+
+<p>"Throw that irresponsible Fenian out!" directed Dan, grinning.</p>
+
+<p>Then the midshipmen turned their attention to the remnants of the meal.</p>
+
+<p>Boom! sounded sharply overhead.</p>
+
+<p>"There goes the twenty-one-gunner," announced Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>When a foreign battleship enters a fortified port the visiting fleet, or
+rather, its flagship, fires a national salute of twenty-one guns. After
+a short interval following the discharge of the last gun, one of the
+forts on shore answers with twenty-one guns. This is one of the methods
+of observing the courtesies between nations by their respective fleets.</p>
+
+<p>Ere all the guns had been fired from the flagship, the third classmen
+received the rising signal; the class marched out and was dismissed.
+Instantly a break was made for deck.</p>
+
+<p>The midshipmen were in good time to see the smoke and hear the roar of
+guns from one of the forts on shore.</p>
+
+<p>In the morning the commandant of cadets, as commanding officer of the
+squadron, would go ashore with his aide and pay a formal call to the
+senior military officer. Later in the day that English officer and one
+or two of his staff officers would return the call by coming out to the
+flagship. That accomplished, all the required courtesies would have been
+observed.</p>
+
+<p>It was still broad daylight, for in summer the English twilight is a
+long one, and darkness does not settle down until late.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, if we were only going ashore to-night!" murmured Hallam. There were
+many others to echo the thought, but all knew that it could not be done.</p>
+
+<p>"Couldn't we find a trick for slipping ashore after lights out?" eagerly
+queried Dickey, who was not noted as a "greaser."</p>
+
+<p>"Could we?" quivered Hallam, who, with few demerits against him, felt
+inclined to take a chance.</p>
+
+<p>But Pennington, to whom he appealed, shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>"Too big a risk, Hally," replied Pen. "And trebly dangerous, with that
+greaser, Darrin, in the class."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, stow that," growled Hallam. "Darrin is no greaser. You've got him
+on your black books&mdash;that's all."</p>
+
+<p>"He is a greaser, I tell you," cried Pennington fiercely.</p>
+
+<p>There were a score of midshipmen in this group, and many of them nodded
+approvingly at Pennington's statement. Though still a class leader, Dave
+had lost some of his popularity since his report to the police of
+Annapolis.</p>
+
+<p>So the middies turned in, that night, with unsatisfied dreams of shore
+life in England.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after breakfast the next morning, however, every midshipman had
+drawn his ten dollars, even to Pennington, who had no use for such a
+trifling amount.</p>
+
+<p>As fast as possible the launches ranged alongside at the side gangway,
+taking off groups of midshipmen, everyone of whom had been cautioned to
+be at dock in time to board a launch in season for supper formation.</p>
+
+<p>Pennington and his party were among the first to land. They hurried
+away.</p>
+
+<p>It was on the second trip of one of the launches that Dave, Dan and
+Farley made their get away. These three chums had agreed to stick
+together during the day. They landed at the Great Western Docks, to find
+themselves surrounded by eager British cabbies.</p>
+
+<p>"Are we going to take a cab and get more quickly and intelligently to
+the best part of the town to see?" asked Farley.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't vote for it," replied Darrin. "We have only five dollars apiece
+for each of the two days we're to be ashore. I move that we put in the
+forenoon, anyway, in prowling about the town for ourselves. We'll learn
+more than we would by riding."</p>
+
+<p>"Come on, then," approved Dan.</p>
+
+<p>Plymouth is an old-fashioned English seaport that has been rather famous
+ever since the thirteenth century. Many parts of the town, including
+whole streets, look as though the houses had been built since that time.
+This is especially true of many of the streets near the water front.</p>
+
+<p>For two hours the three middies roamed through the streets, often
+meeting fellow classmen. Wherever the young midshipmen went many of the
+English workmen and shopkeepers raised their hats in friendly salute of
+the American uniform.</p>
+
+<p>"We don't seem to run across Pen's gang anywhere," remarked Farley at
+last.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no," smiled Dave. "That's a capitalistic crowd. They'll hit only
+the high spots."</p>
+
+<p>Nevertheless, these three poor-in-purse midshipmen enjoyed themselves
+hugely in seeing the quaint old town. At noon they found a real old
+English chop house, where they enjoyed a famous meal.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish we could slip some of these little mutton pies back with us!"
+sighed Dan wistfully.</p>
+
+<p>In the afternoon the three chums saw the newer market place, where all
+three bought small souvenirs for their mothers at home. Darrin also
+secured a little remembrance present for his sweetheart, Belle Meade.</p>
+
+<p>The guild hall and some of the other famous buildings were visited.</p>
+
+<p>Later in the afternoon Dave began to inspect his watch every two or
+three minutes.</p>
+
+<p>"No need for us to worry, with Dave's eye glued to his watch," laughed
+Dan.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on, fellows," summoned Darrin finally. "We haven't more than time
+now to make the dock and get back to supper formation."</p>
+
+<p>"Take a cab?" asked Farley. "You know, we've found that they're vastly
+cheaper than American cabs."</p>
+
+<p>"No-o-o, not for me," decided Dave. "We'll need the rest of our shore
+money to-morrow, and our legs are good and sturdy."</p>
+
+<p>Yet even careful Dave, as it turned out, had allowed no more than time.
+The chums reached the dock in time to see the launches half way between
+the fleet and shore. Some forty other midshipmen stood waiting on the
+dock.</p>
+
+<p>Among these were Pennington and his party, all looking highly satisfied
+with their day's sport, as indeed they were.</p>
+
+<p>Pennington's eyes gleamed when he caught sight of Darrin, Dalzell and
+Farley&mdash;for Pen had a scheme of his own in mind.</p>
+
+<p>Not far from Pennington stood a little Englishman with keen eyes and a
+jovial face. Pen stepped over to him.</p>
+
+<p>"There are the three midshipmen I was telling you about," whispered
+Pennington, slipping a half sovereign into the Englishman's hand. "You
+thoroughly understand your part in the joke, don't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't h'I, though&mdash;just, sir!" laughed the undersized Englishman, and
+strolled away.</p>
+
+<p>Darrin and his friends were soon informed by classmates that the
+launches now making shore-ward were coming in on their last trip for
+midshipmen.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we're here in plenty of time," sighed Dave contentedly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I knew we'd be, with you holding the watch," laughed Dan in his
+satisfied way.</p>
+
+<p>As the three stood apart they were joined by the undersized Englishman,
+who touched his hat to them with a show of great respect.</p>
+
+<p>"Young gentlemen," he inquired, "h'I suppose, h'of course, you've 'ad a
+look h'at the anchor h'of Sir Francis Drake's flagship, the time 'e went
+h'out h'and sank the great Spanish h'Armada?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, no, my friend," replied Dave, looking at the man with interest.
+"Is that here at Plymouth?"</p>
+
+<p>"H'assuredly, sir. H'and h'only a minute's walk h'over to that shed
+yonder, sir. H'if you'll come with me, young gentlemen, h'I'll show h'it
+to you. H'it's one of h'our biggest sights, h'and it's in me own
+custody, at present. Come this way, young gentlemen."</p>
+
+<p>"That sounds like something worth seeing," declared Dave to his
+comrades. "Come along. It'll take the launches at least six minutes to
+get in, and then they'll stay tied up here for another five minutes."</p>
+
+<p>With only a single backward glance at the young midshipmen, the
+undersized Englishman was already leading the way.</p>
+
+<p>At quickened pace the young midshipmen reached the shed that had been
+indicated. Their guide had already drawn a key from a pocket, and had
+unsnapped the heavy padlock.</p>
+
+<p>"Step right in, young gentlemen, h'and h'I'll follow h'and show h'it to
+you."</p>
+
+<p>Unsuspecting, the three middies stepped inside the darkened shed.
+Suddenly the door banged, and a padlock clicked outside.</p>
+
+<p>"Here, stop that, you rascally joker!" roared Dalzell, wheeling about.
+"What does this mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"Big trouble!" spoke Dave Darrin seriously and with a face from which
+the color was fast receding.</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII<br /><br />
+PENNINGTON GETS HIS WISH</h3>
+
+<p>"The scoundrel!" gasped Farley, his face whiter than any of the others.</p>
+
+<p>Dave was already at the door, trying to force it open. But he might
+almost as well have tried to lift one of the twelve-inch guns of the
+battleship "Massachusetts."</p>
+
+<p>"We're locked in&mdash;that's sure!" gasped Dalzell, almost dazed by the
+catastrophe.</p>
+
+<p>"And what's more, we won't get out in a hurry, unless we can make some
+of our classmates hear," declared Dave.</p>
+
+<p>For the next half minute they yelled themselves nearly hoarse, but no
+response came.</p>
+
+<p>"What could have been that little cockney's purpose in playing this
+shabby trick on us?" demanded Farley.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps the cockney thinks we're admirals, with our pockets lined with
+gold. Perhaps he and some of his pals intend to rob us, later in the
+evening," proposed Dan, with a ghastly grin.</p>
+
+<p>"Any gang would find something of a fight on their hands, then,"
+muttered Dave Darrin grimly.</p>
+
+<p>All three were equally at a loss to think of any explanation for such a
+"joke" as this. Equally improbable did it seem that any thugs of the
+town would expect to reap any harvest from robbing three midshipmen.</p>
+
+<p>Desperately they turned to survey their surroundings. The shed was an
+old one, yet strongly built. There were no windows, no other door save
+that at which the three middies now stood baffled.</p>
+
+<p>"Another good old yell," proposed Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>It was given with a lusty will, but proved as fruitless as the former
+one.</p>
+
+<p>"We don't take the last launch back to ship," declared Farley, wild with
+rage.</p>
+
+<p>"Which means a long string of demerits," said Dan.</p>
+
+<p>"No shore leave to-morrow, either," groaned Darrin. "Fellows, this
+mishap will affect our shore leave throughout all the cruise."</p>
+
+<p>"We can explain it," suggested Farley with a hopefulness that he did not
+feel at all.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course we can," jeered Dave Darrin. "But what officer is fool enough
+to believe such a cock-and-bull story as this one will seem? At the very
+least, the commandant would believe that we had been playing some pretty
+stiff prank ourselves, in order to get treated in this fashion. No, no,
+fellows! We may just as well undeceive ourselves, and prepare to take
+the full soaking of discipline that we're bound to get. If we attempted
+this sort of explanation, we'd be lucky indeed to get through the affair
+without being tried by general court-martial for lying."</p>
+
+<p>"Drake's anchor, indeed!" exclaimed Dan in deep self disgust.</p>
+
+<p>"We ought to have known better," grunted Farley, equally enraged with
+himself. "What on earth made us so absent-minded as to believe that a
+priceless relic would be kept in an old shed like this?"</p>
+
+<p>"We're sure enough idiots!" groaned Dan.</p>
+
+<p>"Hold on there, fellows," interrupted Dave Darrin. "Vent all your anger
+right on me. I'm the great and only cause of this misfortune. It was I
+who proposed that we take up that cockney's invitation. I'm the real and
+only offender against decent good sense, and yet you both have to suffer
+with me."</p>
+
+<p>"Let's give another yell, bigger than before," suggested Dan weakly.</p>
+
+<p>They did, but with no better result than before.</p>
+
+<p>"The launches are away now, anyway, I guess," groaned Farley, after
+consulting his watch.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and we're up the tree with the commandant," grunted Dalzell
+bitterly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yell again?" asked Farley.</p>
+
+<p>"No," retorted Dave, shaking his head. "We've seen the uselessness of
+asking help from outside. Let's supply our own help. Now,
+then&mdash;altogether! Shoulder the door!"</p>
+
+<p>A savage assault they hurled upon the door. But they merely caused it to
+vibrate.</p>
+
+<p>"We can't do it," gasped Dan, after the third trial.</p>
+
+<p>Considerable daylight filtered in through the cracks at top, bottom and
+one side of the door. Further back in the shed there was less light.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's explore this old place in search of hope," begged Dave.</p>
+
+<p>Together they started back, looking about keenly in what appeared to be
+an empty room.</p>
+
+<p>"Say! Look at that!" cried Dave suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>He pointed to a solid looking, not very heavy ship's spar.</p>
+
+<p>"What good will that thing do us?" asked Farley rather dubiously.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's see if we can raise it to our shoulders," proposed Dave Darrin
+radiantly. "Then well find out!"</p>
+
+<p>"Hurrah!" quivered Dan Dalzell, bending over the spar at the middle.</p>
+
+<p>"Up with it!" commanded Darrin, placing himself at the head of the spar.
+Farley took hold at the further end.</p>
+
+<p>"Up with it!" heaved Midshipman Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>Right up the spar went. It would have been a heavy job for three young
+men of their size in civil life, but midshipmen are constantly
+undergoing the best sort of physical training.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, then&mdash;a fast run and a hard bump!" called Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>At the door they rushed, bearing the spar as a battering ram.</p>
+
+<p>Bump! The door shook and shivered.</p>
+
+<p>"Once more may do it!" cheered Darrin. "Back."</p>
+
+<p>Again they dashed the head of their battering ram against the door. It
+gave way, and, climbing through, they raced back to the pier.</p>
+
+<p>But Dan, who had secured the lead, stopped with a groan, pointing out
+over the water.</p>
+
+<p>"Not a bit of good, fellows! There go the launches, and we're the only
+fellows left! It's all up with our summer's fun!"</p>
+
+<p>"Is it, though?" shouted Dave, spurting ahead. "Come on and find out!"</p>
+
+<p>As they reached the front of the piers, down at the edge of a landing
+stage they espied a little steam tender.</p>
+
+<p>"That boat has to take us out to the 'Massachusetts'!" cried Darrin
+desperately, as he plunged down the steps to the landing stage, followed
+by his two chums.</p>
+
+<p>[Illustration: The Three Midshipmen Raced Toward the Pier.]</p>
+
+<p>"Who's the captain here?" called Dave, racing across the landing stage
+to the tender's gangplank.</p>
+
+<p>"I am, sir," replied a portly, red-faced Englishman, leaning out of the
+wheel-house window.</p>
+
+<p>"What'll you charge to land us in haste aboard the American battleship
+'Massachusetts'?" asked Darrin eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Half a sov. will be about right, sir," replied the tender's skipper,
+touching his cap at sight of the American Naval uniform.</p>
+
+<p>"Good enough," glowed Dave, leaping aboard. "Cast off as quickly as you
+can, captain, or we'll be in a heap of trouble with our discipline
+officers."</p>
+
+<p>The English skipper was quick to act. He routed out two deckhands, who
+quickly cast off. Almost while the deckhands were doing this the skipper
+rang the engineer's bell.</p>
+
+<p>"Come into the wheel-'ouse with me," invited the skipper pleasantly,
+which invitation the three middies accepted. "Now, then, young
+gentlemen, 'ow did it 'appen that you missed your own launches."</p>
+
+<p>"It was a mean trick&mdash;a scoundrelly one!" cried Darrin resentfully. Then
+he described just what had happened.</p>
+
+<p>The skipper's own bronzed cheeks burned to a deeper color.</p>
+
+<p>"I can 'ardly believe that an Englishman would play such a trick on
+young h'officers of a friendly power," he declared. "But I told you,
+sir, the fare out to your ship would be half a sov. I lied. If a nasty
+little cockney played such a trick on you, it's my place, as a decent
+Englishman, to take you out for nothing&mdash;and that's the fare."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we'll gladly pay the half sov." protested Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>"Not on this craft you can't, sir," replied the skipper firmly.</p>
+
+<p>Looking eagerly ahead, the three middies saw two of the launches go
+along side of the "Massachusetts" and discharge passengers. As the
+second left the side gangway the Briton, who had been crowding on steam
+well, ranged in along side.</p>
+
+<p>"What craft is that, and what do you want?" hailed the officer of the
+deck, from above.</p>
+
+<p>"The tender 'Lurline,' sir, with three of your gentlemen to put h'aboard
+of you, sir," the Briton bellowed through a window of the wheel-house.</p>
+
+<p>"Very good, then. Come alongside," directed the officer of the deck.</p>
+
+<p>In his most seamanlike style the Briton ranged alongside. Dave tried to
+press the fare upon the skipper, but he would have none of that. So the
+three shook hands swiftly but heartily with him, then sprang across to
+the side gangway, where they paused long enough to lift their caps to
+this stranger and friend. The Briton lifted his own cap, waving it
+heartily, ere he fell off and turned about.</p>
+
+<p>"You didn't get aboard any too soon, gentlemen," remarked the officer of
+the deck, eyeing the three middies keenly as they came up over the side,
+doffing their uniform caps to the colors. "Hustle for the formation."</p>
+
+<p>Midshipman Pennington was chuckling deeply over the supposed fact that
+he had at last succeeded in bringing Darrin in for as many demerits as
+Darrin had helped heap upon him.</p>
+
+<p>"That'll break his heart as an avowed greaser," Pen told himself. "With
+all the demerits Darrin will get, he'll have no heart for greasing the
+rest of this year. It's rough on Farley, but I'm not quite as sorry for
+Dalzell, who, in his way, is almost as bad as Darrin. He's Darrin's
+cuckoo and shadow, anyway. Oh, I wish I could see Darrin's face now!"</p>
+
+<p>This last was uttered just as Midshipman Pennington stepped into line at
+the supper formation.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish I could see Darrin's face now!" Pen repeated to himself.</p>
+
+<p>Seldom has a wish been more quickly gratified. For, just in the nick of
+time to avoid being reported, Midshipmen Darrin, Dalzell and Farley came
+into sight, falling into their respective places.</p>
+
+<p>At that instant it was Midshipman Pennington's face, not Dave Darrin's,
+that was really worth studying.</p>
+
+<p>"Now how did the shameless greaser work this!" Pennington pondered
+uneasily.</p>
+
+<p>But, of course, he couldn't ask. He could only hope that, presently, he
+would hear the whole story from some other man in the class.</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII<br /><br />
+THE TRAGEDY OF THE GALE</h3>
+
+<p>There is altogether too much to the summer practice cruise for it to be
+related in detail.</p>
+
+<p>Nor would the telling of it prove interesting to the reader. When at
+sea, save on Sundays, the midshipman's day is one of hard toil.</p>
+
+<p>It is no life for the indolent young man. He is routed out early in the
+morning and put at hard work.</p>
+
+<p>On a midshipman's first summer cruise what he learns is largely the work
+that is done by the seamen, stokers, water tenders, electricians, the
+signal men and others.</p>
+
+<p>Yet he must learn every phase of all this work thoroughly, for some day,
+before he becomes an officer, he must be examined as to his knowledge of
+all this great mass of detail.</p>
+
+<p>It is only when in port that some relaxation comes into the midshipman's
+life. He has shore leave, and a large measure of liberty. Yet he must,
+at all times, show all possible respect for the uniform that he wears
+and the great nation that he represents. If a midshipman permits himself
+to be led into scrapes that many college boys regard as merely "larks,"
+he is considered a disgrace to the Naval service.</p>
+
+<p>Always, at home and abroad, the "middy" must maintain his own dignity
+and that of his country and service. Should he fail seriously, he is
+regarded by his superiors and by the Navy Department as being unfit to
+defend the honor of his flag.</p>
+
+<p>The wildest group from the summer practice fleet was that made up of
+Pennington and his friends. Pen received more money in France from his
+fond but foolish father. Wherever Pennington's group went, they cut a
+wide swath of "sport," though they did nothing actually dishonorable.
+Yet they were guilty of many pranks which, had the midshipmen been
+caught, would have resulted in demerits.</p>
+
+<p>Ports in France, Spain, Portugal and Italy were touched briefly. At some
+of these ports the midshipmen received much attention.</p>
+
+<p>But at last the fleet turned back past Gibraltar, and stood on for the
+Azores, the last landing point before reaching home.</p>
+
+<p>When two nights out from Gibraltar a sharp summer gale overtook the
+fleet. Even the huge battleships labored heavily in the seas, the
+"Massachusetts" bringing up the rear.</p>
+
+<p>She was in the same position when the morning broke. The midshipmen,
+after breakfast, enjoyed a few minutes on the deck before going below
+for duty in the engine rooms, the dynamo room, the "stoke hole" and
+other stations.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly, from the stern rail, there went up the startled cry:</p>
+
+<p>"Man overboard!"</p>
+
+<p>In an instant the marine sentry had tumbled two life-preservers over
+into the water.</p>
+
+<p>With almost the swiftness of telegraphy the cry had reached the bridge.
+Without stopping to back the engine the big battleship's helm was thrown
+hard over, and the great steel fighting craft endeavored to find her own
+wake in the angry waters with a view to going back over it.</p>
+
+<p>Signal men broke out the news to the flagship. The other two great
+battleships turned and headed back in the interests of humanity.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed almost as though the entire fleet had been swung out of its
+course by pressure on an electric button.</p>
+
+<p>Officers who were not on duty poured out. The captain was the first to
+reach the quarter-deck. He strode into the midst of a group of
+stricken-looking midshipmen.</p>
+
+<p>"Who's overboard!" demanded the commanding officer.</p>
+
+<p>"Hallam, sir&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"And Darrin, sir&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"And Dalzell, sir&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"How many?" demanded the captain sharply.</p>
+
+<p>"Three, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"How did so many fall overboard?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Hallam was frolicking, sir," reported Midshipman Farley, "and lost
+his footing."</p>
+
+<p>"But Mr. Darrin and Mr. Dalzell?" inquired the captain sharply.</p>
+
+<p>"As soon as they realized it, sir, Darrin and Dalzell leaped overboard
+to go to Hallam's rescue, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"It's a wonder," muttered the captain, glancing shrewdly at the bronzed,
+fine young fellows around him, "that not more of you went overboard as
+well."</p>
+
+<p>"Many of them would, sir," replied Farley, "but an officer forward
+shouted: 'No more midshipmen go overboard,' So we stopped, sir."</p>
+
+<p>Modest Mr. Farley did not mention the fact that he was running toward
+the stern, intent on following his chums into the rough sea at the very
+instant when the order reached him.</p>
+
+<p>The captain, however, paused for no more information. He was now running
+forward to take the bridge beside the watch officer.</p>
+
+<p>The midshipmen, too, hurried forward, mingling with the crew, as the big
+battleship swung around and tried to find her wake.</p>
+
+<p>The flagship had crowded on extra steam, and was fast coming over the
+seas.</p>
+
+<p>With such a sea running, it was well nigh impossible to make out so
+small a thing as a head or a life-preserver, unless it could be observed
+at the instant when it crested a wave.</p>
+
+<p>Marine glasses were in use by every officer who had brought his pair to
+the deck. Others rushed back to their cabins to get them.</p>
+
+<p>A lieutenant of the marine corps stood forward, close to a big group of
+sorrowing midshipmen.</p>
+
+<p>"There are certain to be three vacancies in the Naval Academy," remarked
+the lieutenant.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't say that, sir," begged Farley, in a choking voice. "The three
+overboard are among the finest fellows in the brigade!"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't want to discourage any of you young gentlemen," continued the
+marine corps lieutenant. "But there's just about one chance in a
+thousand that we shall be able to sight and pick up any one of the
+unlucky three. In the first place, it would take a wonderful swimmer to
+live long in such a furious sea. In the second place, if all three are
+still swimming, it will be almost out of the question to make out their
+heads among the huge waves. You've none of you seen a man overboard
+before in a big sea?"</p>
+
+<p>Several of the mute, anxious midshipmen shook their heads.</p>
+
+<p>"You'll realize the difficulties of the situation within the next few
+minutes," remarked the lieutenant. "I am sorry to crush your hopes for
+your classmates, but this is all a part of the day's work in the Navy."</p>
+
+<p>The largest steam launches from all three of the battleships were being
+swiftly lowered. Officers and men were lowered with the launches. As the
+launch shoved off from each battleship tremendous cheers followed them.</p>
+
+<p>"Stop all unnecessary noise!" bellowed the watch officer from the bridge
+of the "Massachusetts." "You may drown out calls for help with your
+racket."</p>
+
+<p>While the three battleships went back over their courses in more stately
+fashion, the launches darted here and there, until it seemed as though
+they must cover every foot within a square mile.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see how they can help finding the three," Farley declared
+hopefully.</p>
+
+<p>"That is," put in another third classman, "if any of the three are still
+afloat."</p>
+
+<p>"Stow all talk of that sort," ordered Farley angrily.</p>
+
+<p>Other midshipmen joined in with their protests. When a man is overboard
+in an angry sea all hands left behind try to be optimists.</p>
+
+<p>When fifteen minutes had been spent in the search the onlooking but
+helpless middies began to look worried.</p>
+
+<p>At the end of half an hour some of them looked haggard. Farley's face
+was pitiable to see.</p>
+
+<p>At the end of an hour of constant but fruitless searching hardly any one
+felt any hope of a rescue now.</p>
+
+<p>All three midshipmen, the "man overboard" and his two willing, would-be
+rescuers, were silently conceded to be drowned.</p>
+
+<p>Yet the hardest blow of all came when, at the end of an hour and a
+quarter, the flagship signaled the recall of the small boats.</p>
+
+<p>Then, indeed, all hope was given up. In an utter human silence, save for
+the husky voicing of the necessary orders, the launches were hoisted on
+board. Then the flagship flew the signal for resuming the voyage.</p>
+
+<p>There were few dry eyes among the third class midshipmen when the
+battleships fell in formation again and proceeded on their way.</p>
+
+<p>As a result of more signals flown from the flagship, all unnecessary
+duties of midshipmen for the day were ordered suspended.</p>
+
+<p>In the afternoon the chaplain on each battleship held funeral services
+over the three lost midshipmen. Officers, middies and crew attended on
+board each vessel.</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX<br /><br />
+THE DESPAIR OF THE "RECALL"</h3>
+
+<p>Dave Darrin stood within ten feet of Hallam when that latter midshipman
+had lost his balance and fallen into the boiling sea.</p>
+
+<p>Dave's spring to the stern rail was all but instantaneous. He was
+overboard, after his classmate, ere the marine had had time to leap to
+the life buoys.</p>
+
+<p>Out of the corner of one eye Dan Dalzell saw the marine start on the
+jump, but Dan was overboard, also, too soon to see exactly what the
+marine sentry was doing.</p>
+
+<p>Both daring midshipmen sank beneath the surface as they struck.</p>
+
+<p>As Dan came up, however, his hand struck something solid and he clutched
+at it. It was one of the life buoys.</p>
+
+<p>As he grasped it, and drew his head up a trifle, Dan saw another
+floating within thirty feet of him. Swimming hard, and pushing, Dan
+succeeded in reaching the other buoy. He now rested, holding on to both
+buoys.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, where's David, that little giant?" muttered Dalzell, striving hard
+to see through the seething waters and over the tops of foam-crested
+waves.</p>
+
+<p>After a few minutes Dan began to feel decidedly nervous.</p>
+
+<p>"Yet Dave can't have gone down, for he's a better swimmer than I am,"
+was Dan's consoling thought.</p>
+
+<p>At last Dalzell caught sight of another head. He could have cheered, but
+he expended his breath on something more sensible.</p>
+
+<p>"Dave!" he shouted. "Old Darry! This way! I have the life buoys."</p>
+
+<p>At the same time, holding to both of them, but kicking frantically with
+his feet, Dalzell managed slowly to push the buoys toward Dave.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after he had started, Dan did utter a cheer, even though it was
+checked by an inrush of salt water that nearly strangled him.</p>
+
+<p>He saw two heads. Dave Darrin was coming toward him, helping Hallam.</p>
+
+<p>The wind carried the cheer faintly to Dave. He raised his head a little
+in the water, and caught sight of Dan and the buoys.</p>
+
+<p>Some three minutes it took the two chums to meet. Dave Darrin was all
+but exhausted, for Hallam was now unconscious.</p>
+
+<p>As Darrin clutched at the buoy he tried to shout, though the voice came
+weakly:</p>
+
+<p>"Catch hold of Hallam. I'm down and&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>But Dan understood, even before he heard. While Dave clutched at one of
+the life buoys Dalzell shot out an arm, dragging Hallam in to safety.</p>
+
+<p>Now, it was Darrin who, with both arms, contrived to link the buoys
+together.</p>
+
+<p>At last the youngsters had a chance to observe the fact that the
+battleships had put about and were coming back.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll soon be all right," sighed Dave contentedly, as soon as he could
+speak. "There are thirty-five hundred officers, middies and sailors of
+the American Navy to look after our safety."</p>
+
+<p>From where they lay as they hung to the buoys the chums could even see
+the launches lowered.</p>
+
+<p>Dan, with some of the emergency lashing about the buoy, succeeded, after
+a good deal of effort, and with some aid from Dave, in passing a cord
+about Hallam and under the latter's armpits that secured that midshipman
+to one of the buoys. The next move of the chums was to lash the buoys
+together.</p>
+
+<p>"Now," declared Dave, "we can't lose. We can hang on and be safe here
+for hours, if need be."</p>
+
+<p>"But what a thundering long time it takes them to bring the battleships
+around to get to us!" murmured Midshipman Dalzell in wonder.</p>
+
+<p>"Be sure not an unnecessary second has been lost," rejoined Dave. "We're
+learning something practical now about the handling of big craft."</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if Hally's a goner?" murmured Dan in an awe-struck voice.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe it," Dave answered promptly. "Once we get him back
+aboard ship the medicos will do a little work over him and he'll sit up
+and want to know if dinner's ready."</p>
+
+<p>Then they fell silent, for, with the roar of wind and waters, it was
+necessary for them to shout when they talked.</p>
+
+<p>As the minutes went by slowly, the two conscious midshipmen found
+themselves filled with amazement.</p>
+
+<p>A dozen times the launches darted by, not far away. It seemed impossible
+that the keen, restless eyes of the seekers should not discover the
+imperiled ones.</p>
+
+<p>At such times Dave and Dan shouted with all the power of their lusty
+young lungs.</p>
+
+<p>Alternately Dan and Dave tried the effect of rising as far as they could
+and frantically waving an arm. There was not a cap to wave among the
+three of them.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm beginning to feel discouraged," grunted Dave in disgust at last.
+"They must have spent a full half day already looking for us."</p>
+
+<p>"Merciful powers!" gasped Dan at last, as they rode half way up the
+slope of a big wave. "I just caught sight of the 'recall of boats'
+flying from the flagship!"</p>
+
+<p>"No!" gasped Dave incredulously.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I did!"</p>
+
+<p>"But&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"They've failed and have given up the search," spoke Dan rather
+despairingly.</p>
+
+<p>"But&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"We may as well face it," muttered Dan brokenly. "They don't believe
+that any of us has survived, and we've been abandoned."</p>
+
+<p>"Then," spoke Dave Darrin very coolly, "there's nothing left for us but
+to die like men of the American Navy."</p>
+
+<p>"It seems heartless, needless," protested Dan.</p>
+
+<p>"No," broke in Darrin. "They've done their best. They're convinced that
+we're lost. And I should think they would be, after all the time they've
+searched for us&mdash;half a day, at least."</p>
+
+<p>Dan said nothing, but tugged until he succeeded in bringing his watch up
+to the light.</p>
+
+<p>"The blamed thing is water-logged," he uttered disgustedly.</p>
+
+<p>"Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"The hands point to less than half past nine!"</p>
+
+<p>Darrin managed to get at his own watch.</p>
+
+<p>"My timepiece doesn't call for half past nine, either," he announced.</p>
+
+<p>"Can it be possible&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; the time has only seemed longer, I reckon," observed Dalzell.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we'll face it like men," proposed Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course," nodded Dan. "At least, we're going down in the ocean, and
+we wear the American Naval uniform. If there's any choice in deaths, I
+guess that's as good and manly a one as we could choose."</p>
+
+<p>"Poor old Hally won't know much about it, anyway, I guess," remarked
+Darrin, who seemed unnaturally cool. Possibly he was a bit dazed by the
+stunning nature of the fate that seemed about to overtake them.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe the ships will go by us in their final get-away," proposed Dan
+Dalzell very soberly.</p>
+
+<p>"Not if I'm seaman enough to read the compass by what's visible of the
+sun," returned Midshipman Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>"Then there's no help for it," answered Dan, choking slightly. "I wonder
+if we could do anything for Hallam?"</p>
+
+<p>"We won't do anything to bring him to, anyway," muttered Darrin. "Under
+these circumstances I wouldn't do anything as mean as that to a dog!"</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe he's dead already, anyway," proposed Dan, now hopefully.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope so," came from Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>Now they saw the not very distant battleships alter their courses and
+steam slowly away.</p>
+
+<p>All was now desolation over the angry sea, as the battleships gradually
+vanished. The two conscious midshipmen were now resolved to face the end
+bravely. That was all they could do for themselves and their flag.</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X<br /><br />
+THE GRIM WATCH FROM THE WAVES</h3>
+
+<p>By the time that little more than the mastheads of the departing
+battleships were visible, Hallam opened his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>It would have seemed a vastly kinder fate had he been allowed to remain
+unconscious to the last.</p>
+
+<p>Hallam had not been strangled by the inrush of water. In going
+overboard, this midshipman had struck the water with the back of his
+head and had been stunned. In the absence of attention he had remained a
+long time unconscious.</p>
+
+<p>Even now the hapless midshipman whose frollicking had been the cause of
+the disaster, did not immediately regain his full senses.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, we're all in the water," he remarked after a while.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," assented Darrin, trying to speak cheerfully.</p>
+
+<p>Midshipman Hallam remained silent for some moments before he next asked:</p>
+
+<p>"How did it happen?"</p>
+
+<p>"Fell overboard," replied Dan laconically, failing to mention who it was
+who had fallen over the stern.</p>
+
+<p>Again a rather long silence on Hallam's part. Then, at last, he
+observed:</p>
+
+<p>"Funny how we all fell over at the same time."</p>
+
+<p>To this neither of his classmates made any rejoinder.</p>
+
+<p>"See here," shouted Hallam, after a considerable period of silent
+wondering, "I remember it all now. I was fooling at the stern rail and I
+toppled overboard."</p>
+
+<p>Dan nodded without words.</p>
+
+<p>"And you fellows jumped in after me," roared Hallam, both his mental and
+bodily powers now beginning to return. "Didn't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course," assented Darrin rather reluctantly.</p>
+
+<p>"And what became of the fleet!"</p>
+
+<p>Dave and Dan looked at each other before the former replied:</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, well, Hally, brace up! The ships searched for us a long time, and
+some launches were put out after us. But they couldn't see our little
+heads above the big waves, and so&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"They've gone away and left us?" queried Hallam, guessing at once. "Now,
+fellows, I don't mind so much for myself, but it's fearful to think that
+I've dragged you into the same fate. It's awful! Why couldn't you have
+left me to my fate?"</p>
+
+<p>"Would you have done a thing like that?" demanded Dave dryly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, well, I suppose not, but&mdash;but&mdash;well, I wish I had been left to pay
+the price of my tomfoolery all alone. It would have served me right. But
+to drag you two into it&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Hallam could go no further. He was choking up with honest emotion.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't bother about it, Hally," urged Dave. "It's all in the day's work
+for a sailor. We'll just take it as it comes, old fellow."</p>
+
+<p>To not one of the trio did it occur to let go of the life buoys and sink
+as a means of ending misery. In the first place, human instinct holds to
+hope. In the second place, suicide is the resort of cowards.</p>
+
+<p>"None of you happened to hide any food in his pockets at breakfast, I
+take it?" asked Dan grimly, at last.</p>
+
+<p>Of course they hadn't.</p>
+
+<p>"Too bad," sighed Dan. "I'm growing terribly hungry."</p>
+
+<p>"Catch a fish," smiled back Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>"And eat it raw?" gasped Dalzell. "Darry, you know my tastes better than
+that."</p>
+
+<p>"Then wait a few hours longer," proposed Dave, "until even raw fish will
+be a delicacy."</p>
+
+<p>Hallam took no part in the chaffing. He was miserably conscious, all the
+while, that his own folly had been solely responsible for the present
+plight of these noble messmates.</p>
+
+<p>Thus the time passed on. None kept any track of it; they realized only
+that it was still daylight.</p>
+
+<p>Then suddenly Dave gave a gasp and raised one hand to point.</p>
+
+<p>His two classmates turned and were able to make out the mastheads of a
+craft in the distance.</p>
+
+<p>How they strained their eyes! All three stared and stared, until they
+felt tolerably certain that the craft was headed their way.</p>
+
+<p>"They may see us!" cried Hallam eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Three battleships and as many launches failed to find us," retorted
+Dan. "And they were looking for us, too."</p>
+
+<p>As the vessel came nearer and the hull became visible, it took on the
+appearance of a liner.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, it looks as though she'd run right over us when she gets nearer,"
+cried Dave, his eyes kindling with hope.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't get too excited over it," urged Dan. "For my part, I'm growing
+almost accustomed to disappointments."</p>
+
+<p>As the minutes passed and the liner came on and on, it looked still more
+as though she would run down the three middies.</p>
+
+<p>[Illustration: "Look! They See Us!"]</p>
+
+<p>At last, however, the craft was passing, showing her port side, not very
+far distant, to be sure.</p>
+
+<p>Uniting their voices, the three midshipmen yelled with all their power,
+even though they knew that their desperate call for help could not carry
+the distance over the subsiding gale.</p>
+
+<p>Boom! That shot came from the liner, and now her port rail was black
+with people.</p>
+
+<p>"They see us!" cried Hallam joyously. "Look! That craft is slowing up!"</p>
+
+<p>Once more came the cheers of encouragement, as the liner, now some
+distance ahead, put off a heavy launch. A masthead lookout, who had
+first seen the midshipmen, was now signaling the way to the officer in
+command of the launch.</p>
+
+<p>Unable to see for himself, the officer in the launch depended wholly on
+those masthead signals. So the launch steamed a somewhat zig-zag course
+over the waves. Yet, at last, it bore down straight upon the midshipmen.</p>
+
+<p>Darrin, Dalzell and Hallam now came very near to closing their eyes, to
+lessen the suspense.</p>
+
+<p>A short time more and all three were dragged in over the sides of the
+launch.</p>
+
+<p>"Get those life buoys in, if you can," begged Dave, as he sank in the
+bottom of the launch. "They are United States property entrusted to our
+care."</p>
+
+<p>From officer and seamen alike a laugh went up at this request, but the
+life buoys were caught with a boathook and drawn aboard.</p>
+
+<p>What rousing cheers greeted the returning launch, from the decks of the
+liner, "Princess Irene"! When the three midshipmen reached deck and it
+was learned that they were midshipmen of the United States Navy, the
+cheering and interest were redoubled.</p>
+
+<p>But the captain and the ship's doctor cut short any attempt at lionizing
+by rushing the midshipmen to a stateroom containing three berths. Here,
+under the doctor's orders, the trio were stripped and rubbed down. Then
+they were rolled into blankets, and hot coffee brought to them in their
+berths, while their wet clothing was sent below to one of the furnace
+rooms for hurried drying.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the medical man had examined them, the steamship's captain
+began to question them.</p>
+
+<p>"Headed for the Azores, eh?" demanded the ship's master. "We ought to be
+able to sight your squadron before long."</p>
+
+<p>He hastened out, to give orders to the deck officer.</p>
+
+<p>By the time that the young midshipmen had been satisfactorily warmed,
+and their clothing had been dried, the ship's surgeon consented to their
+dressing. After this they were led to a private cabin where a satisfying
+meal was served them.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I don't know," murmured Dan, leaning back, with a contented sigh,
+after the meal was over; "there are worse things than what happened to
+us to-day!"</p>
+
+<p>The greater speed of the liner enabled her to sight the battleship
+squadron something more than two hours afterward. Then the nearest
+vessel of the fleet was steered for directly.</p>
+
+<p>The deck officers of the liner sent their heavy overcoats for the use of
+the midshipmen, who, enveloped in these roomy garments, went out on deck
+to watch the pursuit of their own comrades.</p>
+
+<p>Within another hour it was possible to signal, and from the "Princess
+Irene's" masthead the signal flags were broken out.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, watch for excitement on board your own craft," smiled the liner's
+commander, an Englishman.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the liner's signal had been read by the vessels of the
+squadron a wild display of signal bunting swiftly broke out.</p>
+
+<p>"Heaven be thanked!" read one set of signal flags.</p>
+
+<p>"We have officially buried the young men, but ask them to go on living,"
+read another.</p>
+
+<p>While the most practical signal of all was:</p>
+
+<p>"The 'Massachusetts' will fall astern of the squadron. Kindly stand by
+to receive her launch."</p>
+
+<p>In a few minutes more the two vessels were close enough. Both stopped
+headway. One of the big battleship's launches put off and steamed over,
+rolling and pitching on the waves.</p>
+
+<p>Most carefully indeed the three midshipmen climbed down a rope ladder
+and were received by an ensign from the "Massachusetts," who next gave
+the American Navy's profound thanks to the rescuers of the middies.</p>
+
+<p>"Kindly lower that United States property that was in our care, sir!"
+Dave Darrin called up.</p>
+
+<p>There was good-humored laughter above, and a look of amazement on Ensign
+White's face until the two buoys, attached to lines, were thrown down
+over the side.</p>
+
+<p>"When your time comes you will make a very capable officer, I believe,
+Mr. Darrin, judging by your care of government property," remarked
+Ensign White, working hard to keep down the laughter.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope to do so, sir," Dave replied, saluting.</p>
+
+<p>Then away to the "Massachusetts" the launch bore, while the whole
+battleship squadron cheered itself hoarse over the happy outcome of the
+day.</p>
+
+<p>Dave, Dan and Hallam all had to do a tremendous amount of handshaking
+among their classmates when they had reached deck. Pennington was the
+only one who did not come forward to hold his hand out to Darrin&mdash;a fact
+that was noted at the time by many of the youngsters.</p>
+
+<p>To the captain the trio recounted what had befallen them, as matter for
+official record.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Darrin and Mr. Dalzell," announced the battleship's captain, "I
+must commend you both for wholly heroic conduct in going to the aid of
+your classmate. And, Mr. Darrin, I am particularly interested in your
+incidental determination to preserve government property&mdash;the life buoys
+that you brought back with you."</p>
+
+<p>"It's possible I may need them again, sir," returned Dave, with a smile,
+though he had no notion of prophetic utterance.</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI<br /><br />
+MIDSHIPMAN PENNINGTON'S ACCIDENT</h3>
+
+<p>The stop at the Azores was uneventful. It remained in the minds of the
+midshipmen only as a pleasant recollection of a quaint and pretty place.</p>
+
+<p>Once more the squadron set sail, and now the homeward-bound pennant was
+flying. The course lay straight across the Atlantic to the entrance of
+Chesapeake Bay.</p>
+
+<p>On the second night out the wind was blowing a little less than half a
+gale.</p>
+
+<p>Darkness had fallen when Dave, Dan, Farley and several other midshipmen
+gathered to talk in low tones at the stern rail.</p>
+
+<p>Presently all of them wandered away but Dave. He stood close to the
+rail, enjoying the bumping motion every time the descending stern hit
+one of the rolling waves.</p>
+
+<p>Presently, thinking he saw a light astern, he raised himself, peering
+astern.</p>
+
+<p>Another group of restless middies had sauntered up. Pennington, after a
+swift look at the pacing officer in charge here, and discovering that
+the officer's back was turned, executed a series of swift cartwheels.</p>
+
+<p>"Look out, Pen!" called Midshipman Dwight, in a low, though sharp voice.</p>
+
+<p>Just too late the warning came.</p>
+
+<p>As Pen leaped to his feet after the last turn, one of his hands struck
+Darrin forcefully.</p>
+
+<p>Dave swayed, tried to clutch at something, then&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"O-o-o-oh!" rang the first startled chorus.</p>
+
+<p>Then, instantly, on top of it, came the rousing hail:</p>
+
+<p>"Man overboard&mdash;astern!"</p>
+
+<p>Farley and Hallam were the first to reach the rail. But Lieutenant
+Burton was there almost as quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"Haul back!" commanded the lieutenant sternly. "No one go overboard!"</p>
+
+<p>That held the middies in check, for in no place, more than in the Navy,
+are orders orders.</p>
+
+<p>Clack! was the sound that followed the first cry. Like a flash the
+marine sentry had thrown his rifle to the deck. A single bound carried
+him to one of the night life buoys. This he released, and hurled far
+astern.</p>
+
+<p>As the night buoy struck the water a long-burning red light was fused by
+contact. The glow shone out over the waters.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime, the "Massachusetts's" speed was being slowed rapidly,
+and a boat's crew stood at quarters.</p>
+
+<p>The boat put off quickly, guided by the glow of the red signal light on
+the buoy. Ere the boat reached the buoy the coxswain made out the head
+and shoulders of a young man above the rim of the floating buoy.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after the boat lay alongside. Dave, with the coxswain's aid, pulled
+himself into the small craft.</p>
+
+<p>Recovering the buoy, the coxswain flashed the red light three times.
+From the deck of the battleship came a cheering yell sent up from
+hundreds of throats.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime, however, while the boat was on its way to the buoy, a
+pulsing scene had been enacted on board.</p>
+
+<p>Farley went straight up to Midshipman Pennington.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," demanded Farley hotly, "why did you push Mr. Darrin over the
+rail."</p>
+
+<p>Pennington looked at his questioner as one stunned.</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;I did push Darrin over," admitted Pennington, "but it was an
+accident."</p>
+
+<p>"An easily contrived one, wasn't it?" demanded Midshipman Farley, rather
+cynically.</p>
+
+<p>"It was pure accident," contended Pennington, paling. "Until it happened
+I hadn't the least idea in the world that I was going to send Mr. Darrin
+or anyone else overboard."</p>
+
+<p>"Huh!" returned Farley dubiously.</p>
+
+<p>"Huh!" quoth Hallam.</p>
+
+<p>Dan Dalzell uttered not a word, but the gaze of his eyes was fixed
+angrily on Pennington.</p>
+
+<p>That latter midshipman turned as white as a sheet. His hands worked as
+though he were attempting to clutch at something to hold himself up.</p>
+
+<p>"Surely, you fellows don't believe, do you&mdash;" he stammered weakly, then
+paused.</p>
+
+<p>"One thing we did notice, the other day," continued Farley briskly, "was
+that, when Darrin was rescued from the sea and returned to us, you were
+about the only member of the class who didn't go up to him and
+congratulate him on his marvelous escape."</p>
+
+<p>"How could&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Pennington, I haven't the patience to talk with you now," rejoined
+Farley, turning on his heel.</p>
+
+<p>At that moment the yell started among the midshipmen nearer the rail.
+Farley, Dan, Hallam and others joined in the yell and rushed to better
+points of vantage.</p>
+
+<p>Pennington tried to join in the cheer, but his tongue seemed fixed to
+the roof of his mouth. He stood clenching and unclenching his hands, his
+face an ashen gray in his deep humiliation.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care what one or two fellows may say," groaned Pennington. "But
+I don't want the class to think such things of me."</p>
+
+<p>He was the most miserable man on board as the small boat came alongside.
+The boat, occupants and all, was hoisted up to the davits and swung
+in-board. To the officer of the deck, who stood near-by, Dave turned,
+with a brisk salute.</p>
+
+<p>"I beg to report that I've come aboard, sir," Darrin uttered.</p>
+
+<p>"And very glad we are of it, Mr. Darrin," replied the officer. "You will
+go to your locker, change your clothing and then report to the captain,
+sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Aye, aye, sir."</p>
+
+<p>With another salute, Dave hastened below, followed by Dan Dalzell, who
+was intent on attending him.</p>
+
+<p>Ten minutes later Dave appeared at the door of the captain's cabin. Just
+a few minutes after that he came out on deck.</p>
+
+<p>A crowd gathered about him, expressing their congratulations.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you all," laughed Dave, "but don't make so much over a middy
+getting a bath outside of the schedule."</p>
+
+<p>To the rear hung Pennington, waiting his chance. At last, as the crowd
+thinned, Pennington made his way up to Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Darrin, I have to apologize for my nonsense, which was the means of
+pushing you overboard. It was purely accidental, on my honor. I did not
+even know it was you at the stern, nor did I realize that my antics
+would result in pushing any one overboard. I trust you will do me the
+honor of believing my statement."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I believe it, Mr. Pennington," answered Darrin, opening his
+eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"There are some," continued Pennington, "who have intimated to me their
+belief that I did it on purpose. There may be others who half believe or
+suspect that I might, or would, do such a thing."</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense!" retorted Dave promptly. "There may be differences,
+sometimes, between classmates, but there isn't a midshipman in the Navy
+who would deliberately try to drown a comrade. It's a preposterous
+insult against midshipman honor. If I hear any one make a charge like
+that, I'll call him out promptly."</p>
+
+<p>"Some of your friends&mdash;I won't name them&mdash;insisted, or at least let me
+feel the force of their suspicions."</p>
+
+<p>"If any of my friends hinted at such a thing, it was done in the heat of
+the moment," replied Dave heartily. "Why, Mr. Pennington, such an act of
+dishonor is impossible to a man bred at Annapolis."</p>
+
+<p>Darrin fully believed what he said. On the spur of the moment he held
+out his hand to his enemy.</p>
+
+<p>Pennington flushed deeply, for a moment, then put out his own hand,
+giving Dave's a hearty, straightforward grasp.</p>
+
+<p>"I was the first to imply the charge," broke in Farley quickly. "I
+withdraw it, and apologize to both of you."</p>
+
+<p>There was more handshaking.</p>
+
+<p>During the next few days, while Darry and Pen did not become by any
+means intimate, they no longer made any effort to avoid each other, but
+spoke frankly when they met.</p>
+
+<p>The remaining days of the voyage passed uneventfully enough, except for
+a great amount of hard work that the middies performed as usual.</p>
+
+<p>On the twenty-second of August they entered Chesapeake Bay. Once well
+inside, they came to anchor. There was considerable practice with the
+sub-caliber and other smaller guns. On the twenty-ninth of August the
+battleship fleet returned to the familiar waters around Annapolis. The
+day after that the young men disembarked.</p>
+
+<p>Then came a hurried skeltering, for the first, second and third classmen
+were entitled to leave during the month of September.</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII<br /><br />
+BACK IN THE HOME TOWN</h3>
+
+<p>Back in the old, well-known streets of their home town, Gridley!</p>
+
+<p>Dave and Dan, enjoying every minute of their month's leave, had already
+greeted their parents, and had told them much of their life as
+midshipmen.</p>
+
+<p>What hurt was the fact that the skipper of the "Princess Irene" had
+already told the marine reporters in New York the thrilling story of how
+Dave and Dan had nearly come to their own deaths rescuing Midshipman
+Hallam.</p>
+
+<p>Everyone in Gridley, it seemed, had read that newspaper story. Darrin
+and Dalzell, before they had been home twelve hours, were weary of
+hearing their praises sung.</p>
+
+<p>"There go two of the smartest, finest boys that old Gridley ever turned
+out," citizens would say, pointing after Dave and Dan. "They're
+midshipmen at Annapolis; going to be officers of the Navy one of these
+days."</p>
+
+<p>"But what's the matter with Dick Prescott and Greg Holmes? They're at
+West Point."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, they're all right, too, of course. But Darrin and Dalzell&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>It was the old circumstance of being "the lions of the minute" and of
+being on the spot.</p>
+
+<p>On the first morning of his arrival home Dave Darrin went frankly and
+openly to call on his old schoolgirl sweetheart, Belle Meade.</p>
+
+<p>Dan, having no particular associations with the gentler sex, took a
+stroll around town to meet any old friends who might care to see him
+again.</p>
+
+<p>Dave was shown into the parlor at the Meade home. Soon after Belle came
+swiftly in, her face beaming with delight.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, but you're not in uniform!" was her first disappointed comment.</p>
+
+<p>"No," smiled Dave. "I'm allowed every possible chance, for one month, to
+forget every detail of the big grind which for a short time I've left
+behind."</p>
+
+<p>"But you're the same old Dave," cried Belle, "only bigger and manlier.
+And that magnificent work you and Dan did in jumping over-bo&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Stop!" begged Dave. "You're a friend of mine, aren't you! Then don't
+add to the pain that has been already inflicted on me. If I had had the
+newspapers in mind I wouldn't have the nerve to&mdash;&mdash; But please let's not
+talk about it anymore."</p>
+
+<p>Then the two young people seated themselves and spent a delightful hour
+in talking over all that had befallen them both since they had last met.</p>
+
+<p>Belle, too, through Laura Bentley, had some much later news of the old
+chums, Dick and Greg, now cadets at West Point.</p>
+
+<p>This news, however, will be found in full in "DICK PRESCOTT'S SECOND
+YEAR AT WEST POINT."</p>
+
+<p>"What are your plans for this afternoon?" Belle asked at last.</p>
+
+<p>"That's what I want your help in making," Dave answered.</p>
+
+<p>"Can you get hold of Dan?"</p>
+
+<p>"No trouble about that. But keeping hold of him may be more difficult,"
+laughed Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"I was going to propose that you get Dan, call here and then we'll all
+go over to Laura Bentley's. I know she'll be anxious to see us."</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing could be better in the way of a plan," assented Dave. "I'll pin
+Danny boy down to that. It would really seem like a slight on good old
+Dick if we didn't make Laura an early call."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll go to the telephone, now, and tell her that we're coming," cried
+Belle, rising quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"Laura is delighted," she reported, on her return to the room. "But
+Dave, didn't you at least bring along a uniform, so that we could see
+what it looks like?"</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't," replied Dave, soberly, then added, quizzically:</p>
+
+<p>"You've seen the district messenger boys on the street, haven't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, of course; but what&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Our uniforms look very much like theirs," declared Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm afraid I can't undertake to believe you," Belle pouted.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, anyway, you girls will soon have a chance to see our uniforms.
+Just as soon as our hops start, this fall, you and Laura will come down
+and gladden our hearts by letting us drag you, won't you!"</p>
+
+<p>"Drag us?" repeated Belle, much mystified.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that's middies' slang for escorting a pretty girl to a midshipman
+hop."</p>
+
+<p>"You have a lot of slang, then, I suppose."</p>
+
+<p>"Considerable," admitted Dave readily.</p>
+
+<p>"What, then, is your slang for a pretty girl?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we call her a queen."</p>
+
+<p>"And a girl who is&mdash;who isn't&mdash;pretty?"</p>
+
+<p>"A gold brick," answered Dave unblushingly.</p>
+
+<p>"A gold brick?" gasped Belle. "Dear me! 'Dragging a gold brick' to a hop
+doesn't sound romantic, does it?"</p>
+
+<p>"It isn't," Darrin admitted.</p>
+
+<p>"Yet you have invited me&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Our class hasn't started in with its course of social compliments yet,"
+laughed Dave. "Please go look in the glass. Or, if you won't believe the
+glass, then just wait and see how proud Dan and I are if we can lead you
+and Laura out on the dancing floor."</p>
+
+<p>"But what horrid slang!" protested Belle. "The idea of calling a homely
+girl a gold brick! And I thought you young men received more or less
+training in being gracious to the weaker sex."</p>
+
+<p>"We do," Dave answered, "as soon as we can find any use for the
+accomplishment. Fourth classmen, you know, are considered too young to
+associate with girls. It's only now, when we've made a start in the
+third class, that we're to be allowed to attend the hops at all."</p>
+
+<p>"But why must you have to have such horrid names for girls who have not
+been greatly favored in the way of looks? It doesn't sound exactly
+gallant."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, well, you know," laughed Dave, "we poor, despised, no-account
+middies must have some sort of sincere language to talk after we get our
+masks off for the day. I suppose we like the privilege, for a few
+minutes in each day, of being fresh, like other young folks."</p>
+
+<p>"What is your name for 'fresh' down at Annapolis!" Belle wanted to know.</p>
+
+<p>"Touge."</p>
+
+<p>"And for being a bit worse than touge?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ratey."</p>
+
+<p>"Which did they call you?" demanded Belle.</p>
+
+<p>Dave started, then sat up straight, staring at Miss Meade.</p>
+
+<p>"I see that your tongue hasn't lost its old incisiveness," he laughed.</p>
+
+<p>"Not among my friends," Belle replied lightly. "But I can't get my mind
+off that uniform of yours that you didn't bring home. What would have
+happened to you if you had been bold enough to do it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I guess I'd have 'frapped the pap,'" hazarded Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"And what on earth is 'frapping the pap'?" gasped Belle.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that's a brief way of telling about it when a midshipman gets stuck
+on the conduct report."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm going to buy a notebook," asserted Belle, "and write down and
+classify some of this jargon. I'd hate to visit a strange country, like
+Annapolis, and find I didn't know the language. And, Dave, what sort of
+place is Annapolis, anyway?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, it's a suburb of the Naval Academy," Dave answered.</p>
+
+<p>"Is it dreadfully hard to keep one's place in his class there?" asked
+Belle.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, the average fellow is satisfied if he doesn't 'bust cold,'" Dave
+informed her.</p>
+
+<p>"Gracious! What sort of explosion is 'busting cold'?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, that means getting down pretty close to absolute zero in all
+studies. When a fellow has the hard luck to bust cold the superintendent
+allows him all his time, thereafter, to go home and look up a more
+suitable job than one in the Navy. And when a fellow bilges&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Stop!" begged Belle. "Wait!"</p>
+
+<p>She fled from the room, to return presently bearing the prettiest hat
+that Dave ever remembered having seen on her shapely young head. In one
+hand she carried a dainty parasol that she turned over to him.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the cruise?" asked Darrin, rising.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm going out to get that notebook, now. Please don't talk any more
+'midshipman' to me until I get a chance to set the jargon down."</p>
+
+<p>As she stood there, such a pretty and wholesome picture, David Darrin
+thought he never before had seen such a pretty girl, nor one dressed in
+such exquisite taste. Being a boy, it did not occur to him that Belle
+Meade had been engaged for weeks in designing this gown and others that
+she meant to wear during his brief stay at home.</p>
+
+<p>"What are you thinking of?" asked Belle.</p>
+
+<p>"What a pity it is that I am doomed to a short life," sighed Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>"A short life? What do you mean?" Belle asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I'm going to be assassinated, the first hop that you attend at the
+Naval Academy."</p>
+
+<p>"So I'm a gold brick, am I?" frowned Belle.</p>
+
+<p>"You&mdash;a&mdash;gold brick?" stammered Dave. "Why, you&mdash;oh, go look in the
+glass!"</p>
+
+<p>"Who will assassinate you?"</p>
+
+<p>"A committee made up from among the fellows whose names I don't write
+down on your dance card. And there are hundreds of them at Annapolis.
+You can't dance with them all."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't intend to," replied Belle, with a toss of her head. "I'll
+accept, as partners, only those who appear to me the handsomest and most
+distinguished looking of the midshipmen. No one else can write his name
+on my card."</p>
+
+<p>"Dear girl, I'm afraid you don't understand our way of making up dance
+cards at Crabtown."</p>
+
+<p>"Where?"</p>
+
+<p>"Crabtown. That's our local name for Annapolis."</p>
+
+<p>"Gracious! Let me get out quickly and get that notebook!"</p>
+
+<p>"At midshipmen's hops the fellow who drags the&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Gold brick," supplied Belle, resignedly.</p>
+
+<p>"No&mdash;not for worlds! You're no gold brick, Belle, and you know it, even
+though you do refuse to go to the mirror. But the fellow who drags any
+femme&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Please&mdash;?"</p>
+
+<p>"'Femme' stands for girl. The fellow who drags any femme makes up her
+dance card for her."</p>
+
+<p>"And she hasn't a word to say about it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not as a rule."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh!" cried Belle, dramatically.</p>
+
+<p>She moved toward the door. Dave, who could not take his eyes from her
+pretty face, managed, somehow, to delay her.</p>
+
+<p>"Belle, there's something&mdash;" he began.</p>
+
+<p>"Good gracious! Where? What?" she cried, looking about her keenly.</p>
+
+<p>"It's something I want to say&mdash;must say," Dave went on with more of an
+effort than anyone but himself could guess.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me, as we're going down the street," invited Belle.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Wha-a-at?</i>" choked Dave. "Well, I guess not!"</p>
+
+<p>He faced her, resting both hands lightly on her shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>"Belle, we were pretty near sweethearts in the High School, I think," he
+went on, huskily, but looking her straight in the eyes. "At least, that
+was my hope, and I hope, most earnestly, that it's going to continue.
+Belle, I am a long way from my real career, yet. It will be five years,
+yet, before I have any right to marry. But I want to look forward, all
+the time, to the sweet belief that my schoolgirl sweetheart is going to
+become my wife one of these days. I want that as a goal to work for,
+along with my commission in the Navy. But to this much I agree: if you
+say 'yes' now, and find later that you have made a mistake, you will
+tell me so frankly."</p>
+
+<p>"Poor boy!" murmured Belle, looking at him fully. "You've been a plebe
+until lately, and you haven't been allowed to see any girls. I'm not
+going to take advantage of you as heartlessly as that."</p>
+
+<p>Yet something in her eyes gave the midshipman hope.</p>
+
+<p>"Belle," he continued eagerly, "don't trifle with me. Tell me&mdash;will you
+marry me some day?"</p>
+
+<p>Then there was a little more talk and&mdash;well, it's no one's business.</p>
+
+<p>"But we're not so formally engaged," Belle warned him, "that you can't
+write me and draw out of the snare if you wish when you're older. And
+I'm not going to wear any ring until you've graduated from the Naval
+Academy. Do you understand that, Mr. David Darrin?"</p>
+
+<p>"It shall be as you say, either way," Dave replied happily.</p>
+
+<p>"And now, let us get started, or we shan't get out on the street
+to-day," urged Belle.</p>
+
+<p>Then they passed out on the street, and no ordinarily observant person
+would have suspected them of being anything more than school friends.</p>
+
+<p>Being very matter-of-fact in some respects, Belle's first move was to go
+to a stationer's, where she bought a little notebook bound in red
+leather.</p>
+
+<p>Dave tried to pay for that purchase, but Belle forestalled him.</p>
+
+<p>"Why didn't you allow me to make you that little gift?" he asked in a
+low tone, when they had reached the street.</p>
+
+<p>"Wait," replied Belle archly. "Some day you may find your hands full in
+that line."</p>
+
+<p>"One of my instructors at Annapolis complimented me on having very
+capable hands," Dave told her dryly.</p>
+
+<p>"The instructor in boxing?" asked Belle.</p>
+
+<p>It was a wonderfully delightful stroll that the middy and his sweetheart
+enjoyed that September forenoon.</p>
+
+<p>Once Dave sighed, so pronouncedly that Belle shot a quick look of
+questioning at him.</p>
+
+<p>"Tired of our understanding already?" she demanded.</p>
+
+<p>"No; I was thinking how sorry I am for Danny boy! He doesn't know the
+happiness of having a real sweetheart."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you know he doesn't?" asked Belle quickly. "Does he tell you
+everything?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; but I know Danny's sea-going lines pretty well. I'd suspect, at
+least, if he had a sweetheart."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you sure that you would?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes! By gracious! There's Danny going around the corner above at
+this very moment."</p>
+
+<p>Belle had looked in the same instant.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; and a skirt swished around the corner with him," declared Belle
+impressively. "It would be funny, wouldn't it, if you didn't happen to
+know all about Dan Dalzell?"</p>
+
+<p>In the early afternoon, however, the mystery was cleared up.</p>
+
+<p>On the street Dalzell had encountered Laura Bentley. Both were full of
+talk and questions concerning Dick Prescott and Greg Holmes, at West
+Point, for which reason Dan had strolled home with Miss Bentley without
+any other thought, on the midshipman's part, than playing substitute
+gallant for his chum, Cadet Richard Prescott, U.S. Military Academy.</p>
+
+<p>A most delightful afternoon the four young people spent together at the
+Bentley home.</p>
+
+<p>These were the forerunners of other afternoons.</p>
+
+<p>Belle and Laura, however, were not able to keep their midshipmen to
+themselves.</p>
+
+<p>Other girls, former students at the High School, arranged a series of
+affairs to which the four young people were invited.</p>
+
+<p>Dave's happiest moments were when he had Belle to himself, for a stroll
+or chat.</p>
+
+<p>Dan's happiest moments, on the other hand, were when he was engaged in
+hunting the old High School fellows, or such of them as were now at
+home. For many of them had entered colleges or technical schools. Tom
+Reade and Harry Hazelton, of the famous old Dick &amp; Co., of High School
+days, were now in the far southwest, under circumstances fully narrated
+in "THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN ARIZONA," the second volume of "THE YOUNG
+ENGINEERS' SERIES.'"</p>
+
+<p>Day by day Belle jotted down in her notebook more specimens of
+midshipman slang.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall soon feel that I can reel off the language like a native of
+Crabtown," she confided laughingly to Dare.</p>
+
+<p>"It won't be very long before you have an opportunity to try," Dave
+declared, "if you and Laura embrace your first opportunity to come to a
+middy hop."</p>
+
+<p>Dan had a happy enough time of it, even though Dave's suspicion was true
+in that Dan had no sweetheart. That, however, was Dan's fault entirely,
+as several of the former High School girls would have been willing to
+assure him.</p>
+
+<p>Since even the happiest times must all end so the latter part of
+September drew near.</p>
+
+<p>Then came the day when Dave and Dan met at the railway station. A host
+of others were there to see them off, for the midshipmen still had
+crowds of friends in the good old home town.</p>
+
+<p>A ringing of bells, signaling brakesmen, a rolling of steel wheels and
+the two young midshipmen swung aboard the train, to wave their hats from
+the platform.</p>
+
+<p>Gridley was gone&mdash;lost to sight for another year. Dan was exuberant
+during the first hour of the journey, Dave unusually silent.</p>
+
+<p>"You need a vast amount of cheering up, David, little giant!" exclaimed
+Dalzell.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I guess not," smiled Dave Darrin quietly, adding to himself, under
+his breath:</p>
+
+<p>"I carry my own good cheer with me, now."</p>
+
+<p>Lightly his hand touched a breast pocket that carried the latest,
+sweetest likeness of Miss Belle Meade.</p>
+
+<p>One journey by rail is much like another to the traveler who pays little
+heed to the scenery.</p>
+
+<p>At the journey's end two well-rested midshipmen joined the throng of
+others at Crabtown.</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII<br /><br />
+DAN RECEIVES A FEARFUL FACER</h3>
+
+<p>"Oh, you heap!" sighed Dan Dalzell dismally.</p>
+
+<p>He sat in his chair, in their new quarters in Bancroft Hall, United
+States Naval Academy, gazing in mock despair at the pile of new books
+that he had just drawn.</p>
+
+<p>These text-books contained the subjects in which a midshipman is
+required to qualify in his second academic year.</p>
+
+<p>"Been through the books for a first look?" called Dave from behind his
+own study table.</p>
+
+<p>"Some of 'em," admitted Dalzell. "I'm afraid to glance into the others."</p>
+
+<p>"I've looked in all of my books," continued Darrin, "and I've just come
+to a startling conclusion."</p>
+
+<p>"What?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm inclined to believe that I have received a complete set of
+text-books for the first and second classes."</p>
+
+<p>"No such luck!" grunted Dan, getting up and going over to his chum. "Let
+me see if you got all the books I did."</p>
+
+<p>Before Dave could prevent it, Dan started a determined over-tossing of
+the book pile. As he did so, Dan suddenly uncovered a photograph from
+which a fair, sweet, laughing face gazed up at him.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I beg a million pardons, Dave, old boy!" cried Dalzell.</p>
+
+<p>"You needn't," came Dave's frank answer. "I'm proud of that treasure and
+of all it means to me."</p>
+
+<p>"And I'm glad for you, David, little giant."</p>
+
+<p>Their hands met in hearty clasp, and that was all that was said on that
+subject at the time.</p>
+
+<p>"But, seriously," Dan grumbled on, after a while, "I'm aghast at what an
+exacting government expects and demands that we shall know. Just look
+over the list&mdash;mechanical drawing and mechanical processes, analytical
+geometry, calculus, physics, chemistry, English literature, French and
+Spanish, integral calculus, spherical trigonometry, stereographic
+projection and United States Naval history! David, my boy, by the end of
+this year we'll know more than college professors do."</p>
+
+<p>"Aren't you getting a big head, Danny?" queried Darrin, looking up with
+a smile.</p>
+
+<p>"I am," assented Dalzell, "and I admit it. Why, man alive, one has to
+have a big head here. No small head would contain all that the Academic
+Board insists on crowding into it."</p>
+
+<p>By the time that the chums had attended the first section recitations on
+the following day, their despair was increased.</p>
+
+<p>"Davy, I don't see how we are ever going to make it, this year," Dalzell
+gasped, while they were making ready for supper formation. "We'll bilge
+this year without a doubt."</p>
+
+<p>"There's only one reason I see for hoping that we can get through the
+year with fair credit," murmured Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>"And what's that?"</p>
+
+<p>"Others have done it, before us, and many more are going to do it this
+year," replied Dave slowly, as he laid comb and brush away and drew on
+his uniform blouse.</p>
+
+<p>"I know men have gotten through the Naval Academy in years gone by,"
+Dalzell agreed. "But, the first chance that I have, I'm going to look
+the matter up and see whether the middies of old had any such fearful
+grind as we have our noses held to."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we'll do it," declared Darrin confidently. "I shall, anyway&mdash;for
+I've got to!"</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke he was thinking of Belle Meade, and of her prospects in life
+as well as his own.</p>
+
+<p>As the days went by, however, Dave and Dan became more and more dull of
+spirits. The grind was a fearful one. A few very bright youngsters went
+along all right, but to most of the third classmen graduation began to
+look a thousand years away.</p>
+
+<p>The football squad was out now and training in deadly earnest. There
+were many big games to be played, but most of all the middies longed to
+tow West Point's Army eleven into the port of defeat.</p>
+
+<p>In their first year Dave and Dan had looked forward longingly to joining
+the gridiron squad. They had even practised somewhat. But now they
+realized that playing football in the second year at Annapolis must be,
+for them, merely a foolish dream.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm thankful enough if I can study day and night and keep myself up to
+2.5," confessed Darrin, as he and Dan chatted over their gridiron
+longings.</p>
+
+<p>Two-and-five tenths is the lowest marking, on a scale of four, that will
+suffice to keep a midshipman in the Naval Academy.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not going to reach 2.5 in some studies this month," groaned Dan. "I
+know that much by way of advance information. The fates be thanked that
+we're allowed until the semi-ans to pick up. But the question is, are we
+ever going to pick up? As I look through my books it seems to me that
+every succeeding lesson is twice as hard as the one before it."</p>
+
+<p>"Other men have gone through, every year."</p>
+
+<p>"And still other men have been dropped every year," Dalzell dolefully
+reminded him.</p>
+
+<p>"We're among those who are going to stay," Dave contended stubbornly.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I'm afraid we'll be among those who are dropped after Christmas
+and come back, next year, as bilgers," Dalzell groaned.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, drop that!" commanded Darrin, almost roughly. "Remember one thing,
+Daniel little lion slayer! My congressman and your senator won't appoint
+us again, if we fail now. No talk of that kind, remember. We've got to
+make our standing secure within the next few weeks."</p>
+
+<p>Before the month was over the football games began in earnest on the
+athletic field. Darrin and Dalzell, however, missed every game. They
+were too busy poring over their text-books. Fortunately for them their
+drills, parades and gym. work furnished them enough exercise.</p>
+
+<p>The end of October found Darrin at or above 2.5 in only three studies.
+Dan was above 2.5 in two studies&mdash;below that mark in all others.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a pity my father never taught me to swear," grumbled Dalzell, in
+the privacy of their room.</p>
+
+<p>"Stow that talk," ordered Darrin, "and shove off into the deeper waters
+of greater effort."</p>
+
+<p>"Greater effort?" demanded Dan, in a rage. "Why I study, now, every
+possible moment of the time allowed for such foolishness. And we can't
+run a light. Right after taps the electric light is turned off at the
+master switch."</p>
+
+<p>"We're wasting ninety seconds of precious time, now, in grumbling,"
+uttered Dave, seating himself doggedly at his study table.</p>
+
+<p>"Got any money, Darry?" asked Dalzell suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; are you broke?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am, and the next time I go into Annapolis I mean to buy some
+candles."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't try that, Danny. Running a light is dangerous, and doubly so with
+candles. The grease is bound to drip, and to be found in some little
+corner by one of the discipline officers. It would be no use to study if
+you are going to get frapped on the pap continuously."</p>
+
+<p>Immediately after supper both midshipmen forfeited their few minutes of
+recreation, going at once back to their study tables. There they
+remained, boning hard until the brief release sounded before taps was
+due.</p>
+
+<p>Almost at the sound of the release there came a knock at the door.
+Farley and his roommate, Page, came bounding in.</p>
+
+<p>"I've got to say something, or I'll go daffy," cried Farley, rubbing his
+eyes. "Fellows, did you ever hear of such downright abuse as the second
+year course of studies means?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is tough," agreed Dave. "But what can we do about it, except fight
+it out?"</p>
+
+<p>"Can you make head or tail out of calculus?" demanded Farley.</p>
+
+<p>"No," admitted Darrin, "but I hope to, one of these days."</p>
+
+<p>Just then Freeman, of the first class, poked his head in, after a soft
+knock.</p>
+
+<p>"What is this&mdash;a despair meeting?" he called cheerily.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," groaned Page. "We're in a blue funk over the way recitations are
+going."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, buck up, kiddies!" called Freeman cheerily, as he crossed the
+floor. "Youngsters always get in the doldrums at the beginning of the
+year."</p>
+
+<p>"You're a first classman. When you were in the third class did you have
+all the studies that we have now?"</p>
+
+<p>"Every one of them, sir," affirmed Midshipman Freeman gravely, though
+there was a twinkle in his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"And did you come through the course easily?" asked Page.</p>
+
+<p>"Not easily," admitted the first classman. "There isn't anything at
+Annapolis that is easy, except the dancing. In fact, during the first
+two months very few of our class came along like anything at all. After
+that, we began to do better. By the time that semi-ans came around
+nearly all of us managed to pull through. But what seems to be the worst
+grind of all&mdash;the real blue paint?"</p>
+
+<p>"Calculus!" cried the four youngsters in unison.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, once you begin to see daylight in calculus it's just as easy as
+taking a nap," declared the first classman.</p>
+
+<p>"At present it seems more like suffering from delirium," sighed Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the hard one for to-morrow?" asked Freeman.</p>
+
+<p>"Here it is, right here," continued Dave, opening his text-book. "Here's
+the very proposition."</p>
+
+<p>The others crowded about, nodding.</p>
+
+<p>"I remember that one," laughed Freeman lightly. "Our class named it
+'sticky fly paper.'"</p>
+
+<p>"It was rightly named," grumbled Farley.</p>
+
+<p>"None of you four youngsters see through it?" demanded Midshipman
+Freeman.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean to claim, sir, that you ever did?" insisted Dan Dalzell.</p>
+
+<p>"Not only once, but now," grinned Mr. Freeman. "You haven't been looking
+at this torturing proposition from the right angle&mdash;that's all. Now,
+listen, while I read it."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we all know how it runs, Mr. Freeman," protested Page.</p>
+
+<p>"Nevertheless, listen, while I read it."</p>
+
+<p>As the first classman read through the proposition that was torturing
+them he threw an emphasis upon certain words that opened their eyes
+better as to the meaning.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, it works out this way," continued the first classman, bending over
+the disk and drawing paper and pencil toward him. "In the first place."</p>
+
+<p>Freeman seemed to these youngsters like a born demonstrator. Within five
+minutes he had made the "sticky fly paper" problem so plain to them all
+that they glanced from one to another in astonishment.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, it does seem easy," confessed Farley.</p>
+
+<p>"It sounds foolish, now," grinned Darrin. "I'm beginning to feel ashamed
+of myself."</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Freeman," protested Page, "you've saved us from suicide, or some
+other gruesome fate."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I'll drop in once in a while again," promised the first classman.</p>
+
+<p>"But that will take time from your own studies," remonstrated Darrin
+generously.</p>
+
+<p>"Not in the least. I won't come around before release. By the time a
+fellow reaches the first class, if he's going to graduate anyway, he
+doesn't have to study as hard as a youngster does. The man who reaches
+the first class has had all the habits of true study ground into him."</p>
+
+<p>Darrin, Dalzell, Farley and Page were all in different sections in
+mathematics. When they recited, next day, it so happened that each was
+the man to have the "sticky fly paper" problem assigned to him by the
+instructor. Each of the quartette received a full "4" for the day's
+marking.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you have any assistance with this problem, Mr. Darrin?" asked
+Dave's instructor.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; a member of the first class tried to make it plain to me last
+night."</p>
+
+<p>"He appears to have succeeded," remarked the instructor dryly.</p>
+
+<p>There was, however, no discredit attached to having received proper
+assistance before coming into section.</p>
+
+<p>True to his promise Freeman dropped in every fourth or fifth evening, to
+see if he could be of any help to the four youngsters. Always he found
+that he could be.</p>
+
+<p>Even when Thanksgiving came, Dave Darrin did not go to Philadelphia, but
+remained at the Academy, devoting his time to study.</p>
+
+<p>Dan, in sheer desperation, took in the trip to Philadelphia. He hoped to
+meet Dick Prescott and Greg Holmes, but they did not come down from West
+Point.</p>
+
+<p>On the first day of December, Dan Dalzell's name was formally reported
+by the Academic Board in a report to the superintendent which
+recommended that Midshipman Dalzell be dropped from the rolls for
+"inaptitude in his studies."</p>
+
+<p>Poor Dan. It was a staggering blow. Yet it struck Dave Darrin just about
+as hard.</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV<br /><br />
+THE FIRST HOP WITH THE HOME GIRLS</h3>
+
+<p>That report was allowed to reach Dan's ears on a Friday.</p>
+
+<p>On the evening of the day following there was to be a midshipman hop on
+the floor of the great gym.</p>
+
+<p>Moreover, it was the very hop that Belle Meade and Laura Bentley had
+finally selected to attend. Mrs. Meade was coming with the girls as
+chaperon.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, but I shall feel fine and light hearted for going to the dance!"
+muttered Dan miserably. "Facing the kick-off from the Academy, and doing
+the light hearted and the fantastic toe with the girls."</p>
+
+<p>"I shan't feel a whole lot more merry myself," sighed Dave, as he gazed
+affectionately, wistfully at his chum. "Danny, this has hit me about as
+hard as it has you. And it warns me, too, that my turn will probably
+come next. I don't stand an awful lot higher in my markings than you
+do."</p>
+
+<p>"Doesn't it feel fine to be a bilger?" gulped Dalzell, staring at the
+floor.</p>
+
+<p>A "bilger," as has been already explained, is a midshipman who has
+failed and has been dropped.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, but you're not a bilger, yet!" cried Darrin, leaping up and resting
+both hands on his chum's shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the odds?" demanded Dan grimly. "I shall be, after I've been
+before the Board next Monday forenoon at ten o'clock."</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense! Not if you make a good fight!"</p>
+
+<p>"Fight&mdash;nothing!" sighed Dan wearily. "In a fight there's some one else
+that you can hit back at. But I won't have a blessed soul to fight. I'm
+up against a gang who are all referees, and all down on me at the
+outset."</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense," combatted Dave. "You&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that's all right, David, little giant," returned Dalzell with an
+attempt at cheeriness. "You mean well, but a fellow isn't reported
+deficient unless he's so far behind that the Board has his case settled
+in advance. From all I can hear it isn't once in a camel's age that a
+fellow so reported, and ordered before the Board, gets off with anything
+less than a hard, wet bilge. What I'm thinking of now is, what am I
+going to pick up as a career when I go home from here as a failure."</p>
+
+<p>If it hadn't been for the pride he felt in still having the uniform on,
+Dalzell might not have been able to check the tears that tried to flow.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on," commanded Dave, leaping up, "we'll run up to the deck above,
+and see if we can't find Mr. Freeman in."</p>
+
+<p>"What good will that do?" demanded Dan. "Freeman is a first classman,
+but he hasn't any particular drag with the Board."</p>
+
+<p>"It won't do any harm, anyway, for us to have a talk with an older
+classman," argued Dave. "Button your blouse, straighten your hair and
+come along."</p>
+
+<p>"So it's as bad as that, is it!" asked Freeman sympathetically, after
+his cheery "come in" had admitted the unhappy youngsters.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," replied Dave incisively. "Now, the question is, what can be done
+about it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you had asked me an easier one," sighed the first classman.
+"You're mighty well liked, all through the Academy, Dalzell, and every
+one of us will hate to see you go."</p>
+
+<p>"But what can be done to ward off that fate?" insisted Darrin as
+impatiently as a third classman might speak to a venerable first
+classman.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, now, I want to think over that," confessed Freeman frankly. "Of
+course, Dalzell's record, this term, is in black and white, and can't be
+gainsaid. It's just possible our young friend can put up some line of
+talk that will extend his time here, and perhaps enable him to pull
+through. It's a mighty important question, so I'll tell you what we'll
+do. Of course, the hop comes on for to-morrow night. Let me have until
+Sunday evening. Meanwhile I'll talk with some of the other fellows of my
+class. You both come in here Sunday evening, and I'll have the answer
+for you&mdash;if there's any possible way of finding one."</p>
+
+<p>With that the chums had to be content. Expressing their gratitude to
+this friendly first classman, they withdrew.</p>
+
+<p>That Saturday forenoon Dan did considerably better with the two
+recitations that he had in hand.</p>
+
+<p>"I got easier questions than usual, I guess," he said to Dave, with a
+mournful smile.</p>
+
+<p>After Saturday dinner, Dave and Dan, having secured permission to visit
+in Annapolis, steered their course through the gate, straight up
+Maryland Avenue, through State Circle and around into Main Street, to
+the Maryland House.</p>
+
+<p>At the desk they sent up their cards to Mrs. Meade, then stepped into
+the parlor.</p>
+
+<p>Barely two minutes had passed when Belle and Laura flew downstairs.</p>
+
+<p>"Mother says she'll be down as soon as she fancies you'll care about
+seeing her," laughed Belle.</p>
+
+<p>"And how are you getting on in your classes?" asked Laura Bentley,
+glancing straight at unhappy Dan.</p>
+
+<p>Both midshipmen had agreed not to mention a word of Dan's heartache to
+either of the girls.</p>
+
+<p>Dan gulped hard, though he managed to conceal the fact.</p>
+
+<p>Darrin, however, was ready with the answer:</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we're having pretty rough sailing, but we're both still in our
+class."</p>
+
+<p>Which statement was wholly truthful.</p>
+
+<p>"Up at West Point," Laura continued, "Dick told us that the first two
+years were the hardest for a man to keep his place. I fancy it's just
+about the same here, isn't it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Just about," Dave nodded. "The first two years are hardest because it
+takes all that time for a fellow to get himself keyed up to the gait of
+study that is required in the government academies. But won't you let us
+talk about something that's really pleasant, girls?" Dave asked, with
+his charming smile. "Suppose we talk about yourselves. My, but you girls
+are good to look at!"</p>
+
+<p>After that, the conversation was shifted to lighter subjects.</p>
+
+<p>Even Dan, in the joy of meeting two girl friends from home, began to be
+less conscious of his load of misery.</p>
+
+<p>Presently Mrs. Meade came down. She chatted with the two fine-looking
+young midshipmen for a few moments. Then Dave proposed:</p>
+
+<p>"Wouldn't you like us to escort you through the Academy grounds, so that
+you can get a good idea of the place in daylight?"</p>
+
+<p>"We've been waiting only for you to invite us," rejoined Belle.</p>
+
+<p>For the next two hours the time was passed pleasantly.</p>
+
+<p>But Belle, behind all her light chatter, was unusually keen and
+observing.</p>
+
+<p>"Is anything wrong with either of you?" she asked Dave suddenly, when
+this pair were out of easy hearing of the others.</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you ask that?" inquired Dave, looking at her in his direct
+fashion.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I may be unnecessarily sensitive, but I can't help feeling that
+some sort of disaster is hanging over either you or Dan."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope not," replied Darrin evasively.</p>
+
+<p>"Dave, that isn't a direct answer," warned Belle, raising her eyebrows.
+"Do you consider me entitled to one?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. What's the question?"</p>
+
+<p>"Are you in any trouble here?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I'm thankful to say."</p>
+
+<p>"Then is Dan?"</p>
+
+<p>"Belle, I'd rather not answer that."</p>
+
+<p>"Why&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, because, if he is, I'd rather not discuss it."</p>
+
+<p>"Has Dan been caught in any scrape?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. His conduct record is fine."</p>
+
+<p>"Then it must be failure in his studies."</p>
+
+<p>Dave did not answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Why don't you tell me?" insisted Belle.</p>
+
+<p>"If anything were in the wind, Belle, we'd rather not tell you and spoil
+your visit. And don't ask Dan anything about it."</p>
+
+<p>"I think I know enough," went on Belle thoughtfully and sympathetically.
+"Poor Dan! He's one of the finest of fellows."</p>
+
+<p>"There are no better made," retorted Dave promptly.</p>
+
+<p>"If anything happens to Dan here, dear, I know you will feel just as
+unhappy about it as if it happened to yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"Mighty close to it," nodded Darrin. "But it would be a double
+heartbreak for me, if I had to leave."</p>
+
+<p>"Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"On account of the future I've planned for you, Belle."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you silly boy, then!" Belle answered, smiling into his eyes. "I
+believe I have half committed myself to the idea of marrying you when
+you've made your place in life. But it was Dave Darrin to whom I gave
+that half promise&mdash;not a uniform of any sort. Dave, if anything ever
+happens that you have to quit here, don't imagine that it's going to
+make a particle of difference in our understanding."</p>
+
+<p>"You're the real kind of sweetheart, Belle!" murmured Dave, gazing
+admiringly at her flushed face.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you ever suspect that I wasn't?" asked Miss Meade demurely.</p>
+
+<p>"Never!" declared Midshipman Darrin devoutly. "Nevertheless, it's fine
+to be reassured once in a while."</p>
+
+<p>"What a great fellow Dan is!" exclaimed Belle a few minutes later. "See
+how gayly he is chatting with Laura. I don't believe Laura guesses for a
+moment that Dan Dalzell is just as game a fellow as the Spartan boy of
+olden times."</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV<br /><br />
+A DISAGREEABLE FIRST CLASSMAN</h3>
+
+<p>The hop that night was one of the happiest occasions Dave had ever
+known, yet it was destined to result in trouble for him.</p>
+
+<p>Midshipman Treadwell, of the first class, caught sight of Belle as she
+entered the gym at Dave Darrin's side.</p>
+
+<p>With Treadwell it happened to be one of those violent though unusually
+silly affairs known as "love at first sight."</p>
+
+<p>As for Belle, she was not likely to have eyes for anyone in particular,
+save Dave.</p>
+
+<p>Treadwell, who had come alone, and who was not to be overburdened with
+dances, went after Dave as soon as that youngster left Belle for the
+first time.</p>
+
+<p>"Mighty sweet looking girl you have with you, Darry," observed the first
+classman, though he took pains not to betray too much enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p>"Right!" nodded Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"You'll present me, won't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Assuredly, as soon as I come back. I have a little commission to attend
+to."</p>
+
+<p>"And you might be extremely kind, Darry, and write me down for a couple
+of numbers on Miss&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Meade is the young lady's name."</p>
+
+<p>"Then delight me by writing down a couple of reservations for me on Miss
+Meade's card."</p>
+
+<p>Darrin's face clouded slightly.</p>
+
+<p>"I'd like to, Treadwell, but the card is pretty crowded, and some other
+fellows&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"One dance, anyway, then."</p>
+
+<p>"I will, then, if there's a space to be left, and if Miss Meade is
+agreeable," promised Dave, as he hurried away.</p>
+
+<p>Two minutes later, when he returned, looking very handsome, indeed, in
+his short-waisted, gold-laced dress coat, Dave felt his arm touched.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm waiting for you to keep your engagement with me," Midshipman
+Treadwell murmured.</p>
+
+<p>"Come along; I shall be delighted to present you to Miss Meade."</p>
+
+<p>Since every midshipman is granted to be a gentleman, midshipman
+etiquette does not require that the lady be consulted about the
+introduction.</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Meade," began Dave, bowing before his sweetheart, "I wish to
+present Mr. Treadwell"</p>
+
+<p>Belle's greeting was easy. Treadwell, gazing intensely into her eyes,
+exchanged a few commonplaces. Belle, entirely at her ease, did not
+appear to be affected by the battery of Mr. Treadwell's gaze. Then good
+breeding required that the first classman make another bow and stroll
+away.</p>
+
+<p>As he left, Treadwell murmured in Dave's ear:</p>
+
+<p>"Don't forget that dance, Darry! Two if there is any show."</p>
+
+<p>Midshipman Darrin nodded slightly. As he turned to Belle, that young
+lady demanded lightly:</p>
+
+<p>"Is that pirate one of your friends, Dave?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not more so than any other comrades in the brigade," Darrin answered.
+"Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing, only I saw you two speaking together a little while ago&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"That was when he was asking me to present him."</p>
+
+<p>"Then, after you left him," continued Belle, in a low voice, "Mr.
+Treadwell scowled after you as though he could have demolished you."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I've no doubt Mr. Treadwell is very jealous of me," laughed Damn
+happily. "Why shouldn't he be? By the way, will you let me see your
+dance card? Mr. Treadwell asked me to write his name down for one or two
+dances."</p>
+
+<p>"Please don't," begged Belle suddenly, gripping her dance card tightly.
+"I hope you don't mind, Dave," she added in a whisper, "but I've taken
+just a shadow of a dislike to Mr. Treadwell, after the way that he
+scowled after you. I&mdash;I really don't want to dance with him."</p>
+
+<p>Dave could only bow, which he did. Then other midshipmen were presented.
+Belle's card was quickly filled, without the appearance of Midshipman
+Treadwell's name on it.</p>
+
+<p>The orchestra struck up. Dave danced the first two numbers with Belle,
+moving through a dream of happiness as he felt her waist against his
+arm, one of her hands resting on his shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>The second dance was a repetition of Dave's pleasure. Then Dave and Dan
+exchanged partners for two more dances.</p>
+
+<p>After their first dance, a waltz, Dave led Laura to a seat.</p>
+
+<p>"Will you get me a glass of water, Dave?" Laura asked, fanning herself.</p>
+
+<p>As Dave hastened away he felt, once more, a light, detaining touch.</p>
+
+<p>"Darry, did you save those two dances for me with Miss Meade?" asked
+Treadwell.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I'm sorry," Dave replied. "But there had been many other
+applicants. By the time that Miss Meade's card was filled there were
+many disappointed ones."</p>
+
+<p>"And I'm one of them?" demanded Mr. Treadwell.</p>
+
+<p>"Very sorry," replied Darrin regretfully, "but you were one of the
+left-over ones."</p>
+
+<p>"Very good, sir," replied Treadwell coldly, and moved away.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, I'll wager anything that Treadwell is sore with me," murmured Dave
+to himself. "However, Belle is the one to be pleased."</p>
+
+<p>It was a particularly gay and pleasant hop. When it was over Dave and
+Dan escorted the girls and Mrs. Meade back to the hotel. The little room
+in Bancroft Hall seemed especially small and dingy to the returning
+midshipmen.</p>
+
+<p>Especially was Dan Dalzell in the blues. Though he had been outwardly
+gay with the girls, he now suffered a re-action. Dave, too, shivered for
+his friend.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Meade and the girls returned by an early morning train, so the two
+chums did not see the girls again during that visit.</p>
+
+<p>On Sunday, Dave went at his books with a dogged air, after morning
+chapel and dinner.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose this is the last day of study for me here," grimaced Dan, "so
+I mean to make the most of the pleasure."</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense," retorted Darrin heartily; "you'll finish out this year, and
+then have two more solid years of study here ahead of you."</p>
+
+<p>"Cut it!" begged Dan dolefully. "Don't try to jolly me along like that."</p>
+
+<p>"You're down in the dumps, just now, Danny boy," smiled Darrin
+wistfully. "Just bombard the Board with rapid-fire talk to-morrow, and
+you'll pull through all right."</p>
+
+<p>Dan sighed, then went on with his half-hearted study.</p>
+
+<p>Later in the afternoon Dave, feeling the need of fresh air, closed his
+books.</p>
+
+<p>"Come for a walk, Danny boy?"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't dare to," replied Dalzell morosely.</p>
+
+<p>So, though Darrin went out, he resolved not to remain long away from his
+moody chum.</p>
+
+<p>Outside, on one of the cement walks, Dave turned toward Flirtation Walk.
+It seemed the best surrounding in which to think of Belle.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Darrin!" called a voice.</p>
+
+<p>Dave turned, to behold Mr. Treadwell coming at a fast stride with a
+scowl on his face.</p>
+
+<p>"That was a dirty trick you played me last night, Mr. Darrin!" cried the
+first classman angrily.</p>
+
+<p>"What?" gasped Dave, astonished, for this was not in line with the usual
+conversation of midshipmen.</p>
+
+<p>"You know well enough what I mean," cried Treadwell angrily. "You spiked
+my only chance to dance with Miss Meade."</p>
+
+<p>"You're wrong there," retorted Dave coldly and truthfully "I didn't."</p>
+
+<p>"Then how did it happen?"</p>
+
+<p>"I can't discuss that with you," Darrin rejoined. "I didn't make any
+effort, though, to spoil your chance of a dance with the young lady."</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Darrin, I don't choose to believe you, sir!"</p>
+
+<p>Dave's face went crimson, then pale.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you realize what you're saying, Mr. Treadwell?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course"&mdash;sneeringly.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you trying to pick trouble with me?" demanded Dave, his eyes
+flashing with spirit.</p>
+
+<p>"I repeat that I don't choose to believe your explanation, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you pass me the lie?"</p>
+
+<p>"As you prefer to consider it," jeered the first classman.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, very good, then, Mr. Treadwell," retorted Dave, eyeing the first
+classman and sizing him up.</p>
+
+<p>Treadwell was one of the biggest men, physically, in the brigade. He was
+also one of the noted fighters of his class. Beside Treadwell,
+Midshipman Darrin did not size up at all advantageously.</p>
+
+<p>"If you do not retract what you just said," pursued Dave Darrin, growing
+cooler now that he realized the deliberate nature of the affront that
+had been put upon him, "I shall have no choice but to send my friends to
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"Delighted to see them, at any time," replied the first classman,
+turning disdainfully upon his heel and strolling away.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, why on earth does that fellow deliberately pick a fight with me?"
+wondered Darrin, as he strolled along by himself. "Treadwell can thump
+me. He can knock me clean down the Bay and into the Atlantic Ocean, but
+what credit is there in it for a first classman to thrash a youngster?"</p>
+
+<p>It was too big a puzzle. After thinking it over for some time Dave
+turned and strolled back to Bancroft Hall.</p>
+
+<p>"You didn't stay out long!" remarked Dan, looking up with a weary smile
+as his chum re-entered their room.</p>
+
+<p>"No," admitted Dave. "There wasn't much fun in being out alone."</p>
+
+<p>With a sigh, Dan turned back to his book, while Dave seated himself at
+his own study table, in a brown daze.</p>
+
+<p>Things were happening fast&mdash;Dan's impending "bilge" from the Naval
+Academy, and his own coming fight with the first classman who would be
+sure to make it a "blood fight"!</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI<br /><br />
+HOW DAN FACED THE BOARD</h3>
+
+<p>"We trust, Mr. Dalzell, that you can make some statement or explanation
+that will show that we shall be justified in retaining you as a
+midshipman in the Naval Academy."</p>
+
+<p>It was the superintendent of the United States Naval Academy who was
+speaking.</p>
+
+<p>Dan's hour of great ordeal had come upon him. That young midshipman
+found himself in the Board Room, facing the entire Academic Board,
+trying to remember what Freeman had told him the night before.</p>
+
+<p>The time was 10.30 a.m. on that fateful Monday.</p>
+
+<p>Midshipman Dalzell appeared to be collected, but he was also very
+certainly white-faced.</p>
+
+<p>Many a young man, doomed to be sent forth from a Naval career, back into
+the busy, unheeding world, had faced this Board in times past. So it was
+hardly to be expected that Dan would inspire any unusual interest in the
+members of the Board.</p>
+
+<p>Dan swallowed at something hard in his throat, then opened his lips to
+speak.</p>
+
+<p>"I am aware, sir, and gentlemen, that I am at present sufficiently
+deficient in my studies to warrant my being dropped," Dan began rather
+slowly. "Yet I would call attention to the fact that I was nearly as
+badly off, in the matter of markings, at this time last year. It is also
+a matter of record that I pulled myself together, later on, and
+contrived to get through the first year with a considerable margin of
+credits to spare. If I am permitted to finish the present term here I
+believe I can almost positively promise that I will round out this year
+with as good a showing as I did last year."</p>
+
+<p>"You have thought the matter carefully out in making this statement,
+have you, Mr. Dalzell?" asked the superintendent.</p>
+
+<p>"I have, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you any explanation to offer for falling below the standards so
+far this year, Mr. Dalzell?"</p>
+
+<p>"I believe, sir, that I make a much slower start, with new studies, than
+most of my classmates," Dan continued, speaking more rapidly now, but in
+a most respectful manner. "Once I begin to catch the full drift of new
+studies I believe that I will overtake some of my classmates who showed
+a keener comprehension at the first. I think, sir, and gentlemen, that
+my record, as contrasted with the records of some of my classmates who
+achieved about the same standing I did for last year will bear my
+statement out."</p>
+
+<p>[Illustration: "Have You Any Explanation to Offer, Mr. Dalzell?"]</p>
+
+<p>The superintendent turned to a printed pamphlet in which were set forth
+the records of the midshipmen for the year before.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Dalzell," asked another member of the Board, "do you feel that you
+are really suited for the life of the Navy? Is it your highest ambition
+to become an officer of the Navy?"</p>
+
+<p>"It's my only ambition, sir, in the way of a career," Dan answered
+solemnly. "As to my being suited for the Navy, sir, I can't make a good
+answer to that. But I most earnestly hope that I shall have an
+opportunity, for the present, to try to keep myself in the service."</p>
+
+<p>"And you feel convinced that you need only to be carried for the balance
+of the term to enable you to make good, and to justify any action that
+we may take looking to that end?" asked another member of the Board.</p>
+
+<p>"That is my firm conviction, sir."</p>
+
+<p>The superintendent, who had been silently examining and marking some
+statements in the pamphlet, now passed it to the nearest member of the
+Board, who, after a glance or two, passed the pamphlet on to another
+member.</p>
+
+<p>Silence fell upon the room while Dan's printed record was being read.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you anything else that you wish to say, Mr. Dalzell?" asked the
+superintendent at last.</p>
+
+<p>"Only this, sir and gentlemen," replied Dan promptly. "If I am permitted
+to go on with the brigade, I promise, as far as any human being may
+promise, that I will not only be found to have passed at the end of this
+term, but that I will also have a higher marking after the annual
+examinations than after the semi-annuals."</p>
+
+<p>These last few words Dan spoke with his whole soul thrown into the
+words. How he longed to remain in the Navy, now that he stood at the
+threshold of the life, uncertain whether he was about to be kicked
+across it into the outer world!</p>
+
+<p>After glancing around the table, the superintendent turned once more to
+the young man.</p>
+
+<p>"That will be all, at present, Mr. Dalzell."</p>
+
+<p>Saluting briskly, crisply, Dan wheeled about, marching from the room.</p>
+
+<p>He was in time to make a section recitation before dinner.</p>
+
+<p>"How did you come out, Danny boy?" anxiously inquired Dave Darrin as the
+two, in their room, hastily prepared to answer the coming call for
+dinner formation.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish I knew," replied Dalzell wistfully. "I said all that I could say
+without being everlastingly fresh."</p>
+
+<p>After the brigade had been formed for dinner, and the brigade adjutant
+had reported the fact, the command was given:</p>
+
+<p>"Publish the orders!"</p>
+
+<p>This the brigade adjutant did rapidly, and in perfunctory tones.</p>
+
+<p>Dalzell jumped, however, when he heard his own name pronounced. He
+strained his ears as the brigade adjutant read:</p>
+
+<p>"In the matter of Daniel Dalzell, summoned before the Academic Board to
+determine his fitness and aptitude for continuing in the brigade, the
+Board has granted Midshipman Dalzell's urgent request that he be
+continued as a midshipman for the present."</p>
+
+<p>There was a great lump, instantly, in Dan's throat. It was a reprieve, a
+chance for official life&mdash;but that was all.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll make good&mdash;I'll make good!" he told himself, with a violent gulp.</p>
+
+<p>The orders were ringing out sharply now. The midshipmen were being
+marched in to dinner.</p>
+
+<p>Hardly a word did Dalzell speak as he ate. As for Dave Darrin, he was
+too happy over his chum's respite to want to talk.</p>
+
+<p>Yet, when they strolled together in the open air during the brief
+recreation period following the meal, Dalzell suddenly asked:</p>
+
+<p>"Dave when do you fight with Treadwell?"</p>
+
+<p>"To-night, I hope," replied Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, then I must get busy!"</p>
+
+<p>"Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I'm to represent you, Darry. Who are Treadwell's&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Danny boy, don't make a fuss about it," replied Dave quietly, "but just
+for this once you are not to be my second."</p>
+
+<p>"Why&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Danny boy, you have just gotten by the Board by a hair's breadth. What
+kind of an act of gratitude would it be for you to make your first act a
+breach of discipline? For a fight, though often necessary here, is in
+defiance of the regulations."</p>
+
+<p>"But Dave, I've never been out of your fights!"</p>
+
+<p>"You will be this time, Danny. Don't worry about it, either. Farley and
+Page are going to stand by me. In fact, I think that even now they are
+talking with Treadwell's friends."</p>
+
+<p>"You're wrong," murmured Dalzell, looking very solemn. "Here come Farley
+and Page right now."</p>
+
+<p>In another moment the seconds had reached Darrin and his chum.</p>
+
+<p>"To-night?" asked Dave quietly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," nodded Page.</p>
+
+<p>"Time?"</p>
+
+<p>"Just after recall."</p>
+
+<p>"Good," murmured Darrin. "You two come for me, and I'll be ready. And I
+thank both of you fellows for taking up the matter for me."</p>
+
+<p>"We'll be mighty glad to be there, Darry," grinned Farley, "for we look
+to see you finish off that first classman."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe," smiled Dave quietly. "I'll do all I can, anyway."</p>
+
+<p>"And to think," almost moaned Dan Dalzell, "that you're to be in a
+scrap, David, little giant, and I'm not to be there to see!"</p>
+
+<p>"There'll be other fights, I'm afraid," sighed Darry. "I seem destined
+to displease quite a few of the fellows here at Annapolis."</p>
+
+<p>Dan tried to study, that night, after Darrin had left the room in the
+company of his seconds. Certainly Dan, in the light of his promise made
+to the Board that morning, had need to study. Yet he found it woefully
+hard to settle his mind on mathematics while Dave was fighting the fight
+of his Naval Academy career.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, well," muttered Dan, picking up a pencil for the third time, "Dave
+and I each have our own styles of fights, just now. Here goes for a
+knockout blow at math!"</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII<br /><br />
+LOSING THE TIME-KEEPER'S COUNT</h3>
+
+<p>Conners and Brayton were Treadwell's seconds.</p>
+
+<p>Since it is not considered fair to have the referee or time-keeper from
+either class represented in a fight, Edgerton and Wheeler, of the second
+class, were referee and time-keeper respectively.</p>
+
+<p>All of the young men were early at the usual fighting ground. The fall
+air was cool and crisp, but it was not yet considered cold enough to
+justify the extra risk of holding a fight in-doors.</p>
+
+<p>Dave was quickly stripped and made ready by his seconds. His
+well-developed chest bespoke fine powers in the way of "wind" and
+endurance. His smooth, hard, trim muscles stood out distinctly.</p>
+
+<p>Treadwell took more time in getting himself ready for the ring. When at
+last, however, the first classman stood bared to the waist, he looked
+like a giant beside Dave Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>"It looks like a shame to take the money, Tread," murmured referee
+Edgerton.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't want to pound the youngster hard," explained Midshipman
+Treadwell, in an undertone. "Yet I've got to teach him both to respect
+my class and myself."</p>
+
+<p>On this point, as an official of the fight, Referee Edgerton did not
+feel called upon to express an opinion.</p>
+
+<p>Farley, at his first glimpse of the waiting first classman, felt a chill
+of coming disaster.</p>
+
+<p>"Page," he growled, "that huge top-classman makes our Darry look like a
+creeping infant."</p>
+
+<p>"Darry will take care of himself," retorted Midshipman Page in an
+undertone.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you believe it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I surely do."</p>
+
+<p>"But Treadwell looks a whole lot more vast now that he's stripped."</p>
+
+<p>"Darry is much smaller, I know; But Darrin is one of those rare fellows
+who don't know what it means to be whipped. He can't be put out of
+business by anything smaller than a twelve-inch gun!"</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you're right," sighed Farley.</p>
+
+<p>Dave, in the meantime, to keep himself from being chilled by the frosty
+air, was running lightly about, swinging his arms.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you both ready, gentlemen?" inquired Midshipman Edgerton, while
+Time-keeper Wheeler drew out his stop watch.</p>
+
+<p>Both stepped to toe the scratch.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes." nodded Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"Ready!" rumbled Treadwell.</p>
+
+<p>The referee briefly made the usual announcement about it being a fight
+to the finish, with two-minute rounds and two minutes between rounds.</p>
+
+<p>"Time!"</p>
+
+<p>As Treadwell leaped forward, both fists in battery, Dave took a swift,
+nimble sidestep. He felt that he had to study this big fellow carefully
+before doing more than keep on the defensive.</p>
+
+<p>Now footwork was one of the fighting tricks for which Darry was famous.
+Yet he had too much courage to rely wholly upon it.</p>
+
+<p>Five times Treadwell swung at his smaller opponent, but each time Dave
+was somewhere else.</p>
+
+<p>Despite his greater size, Treadwell was himself nimble and an adept at
+footwork.</p>
+
+<p>Finding it hard, however, to get about as quickly as his smaller
+opponent, the first classman soon went in for close, in-body fighting,
+following Dave, half-cornering him, and forcing him to stand and take
+it.</p>
+
+<p>Two or three body blows Dave succeeded in parrying so that they glanced,
+doing him little harm.</p>
+
+<p>Then there came an almost crunching sound. Treadwell's right fist had
+landed, almost dazing the youngster with its weight against his nose.</p>
+
+<p>There was a swift, free rush of the red. Darrin had yielded up "first
+blood" in the fight.</p>
+
+<p>"I've got to dodge more, and not let myself be cornered," Darrin told
+himself, keeping his fists busy in warding off blows.</p>
+
+<p>Then, of a sudden, Dave turned on the aggressive. He struck fast and
+furiously, but Treadwell, with a grin, beat down his attack, then soon
+landed a swinging hook on Dave's neck that sent him spinning briefly.</p>
+
+<p>"He expects to finish this fight for his own amusement," flashed angrily
+through Darrin's mind. "I'll get in something that hurts before I toss
+the sponge."</p>
+
+<p>"Time!"</p>
+
+<p>Two minutes were up. To Dave it seemed more like half an hour.</p>
+
+<p>"Steady, now!" murmured Page, in his principal's ear, as the two seconds
+leaped at the task of rubbing down their men. "Unless you let yourself
+get rattled, Darry, that big fellow isn't going to get you. Whenever
+you're on the defensive, and being crowded hard, change like lightning
+and drive in for the top classer's solar plexus."</p>
+
+<p>"I tried that three times in this last round," murmured Dave. "But the
+fellow is too big and powerful for me. He simply pounds me down when I
+go for him."</p>
+
+<p>"Work for more strategy," whispered Page, as he held a sponge to Dave's
+battered nose, while Farley rubbed the muscles of his right arm.</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't given up the fight," muttered Dave, "But, of course, I've
+known from the start that Treadwell is a pretty big fighter for one of
+my weight."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you'll get him yet," spoke Page confidently.</p>
+
+<p>The fighters were being called for the second round.</p>
+
+<p>In this Dave received considerable punishment, though he landed three or
+four times on Treadwell's body.</p>
+
+<p>Then twice in succession the champion of the third class was knocked
+down.</p>
+
+<p>Neither, however, was a knockout blow.</p>
+
+<p>Dave took plenty of time, within his rights, about leaping to his feet,
+and in each instance got away from Treadwell's leaping assault.</p>
+
+<p>Just after the second knock-down, time was called for the end of the
+round.</p>
+
+<p>"You'll get him yet, Darry," was Page's prediction, but he did not speak
+as hopefully as before.</p>
+
+<p>Farley, too, was full of loyalty for his friend and fellow-classman, but
+he did not allow this to blind his judgment. Farley's opinion was that
+Dave was done for, unless he could land some lucky fluke in a knockout
+blow.</p>
+
+<p>"Go right in and land that youngster," Treadwell's own seconds were
+advising him. "Don't let him have the satisfaction of standing up to you
+for three whole rounds or more."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think that little teaser is as easy as he looks?" growled
+Treadwell.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Darrin is all right at his own weight," admitted Midshipman
+Conners. "But he has no business with you, Tread. You're quick enough,
+too, when you exert yourself. So jump right in and finish it before this
+round is over."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll try it, then," nodded Treadwell.</p>
+
+<p>Though he had not the slightest notion that he was to be defeated, this
+big top classman was learning a new respect for Darrin's prowess. He
+could thrash Dave, of course, but Treadwell did not expect to do it
+easily.</p>
+
+<p>For the first twenty seconds of the third round the two men sparred
+cautiously. Dave had no relish for standing the full force of those
+sledge-hammer blows, while Treadwell knew that he must look out for the
+unexpected from his still nimble opponent.</p>
+
+<p>"Lie down when you've had enough," jeered Treadwell, as he landed a jolt
+on one of the youngster's shoulders and sent him reeling slightly.</p>
+
+<p>Dave, however, used his feet well enough to get away from the follow-up.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you getting tired?" Darrin shot back at his opponent.</p>
+
+<p>"Silence, both of you," commanded Referee Edgerton. "Do all your talking
+with your fists!"</p>
+
+<p>Just then Treadwell saw an opening, and followed the referee's advice by
+aiming a blow at Dave's left jaw. It landed just back of the ear,
+instead, yet with such force that Dave sank dizzily to the ground, while
+Treadwell drew back from the intended follow-up.</p>
+
+<p>Farley and Page looked on anxiously from their corner. Midshipman
+Wheeler, scanning his watch, was counting off the seconds.</p>
+
+<p>"&mdash;five, six, seven, eight, nine&mdash;ten!"</p>
+
+<p>At the sound of eight Dave Darrin had made a strenuous effort to rise.</p>
+
+<p>Yet he had swayed, fallen back slightly, then forced himself with a rush
+to his feet.</p>
+
+<p>But Midshipman Treadwell drew back, both fists hanging at his sides, for
+the "ten" had been spoken, and Dave Darrin had lost the count.</p>
+
+<p>While Dave stood there, looking half-dizzily at his opponent, Referee
+Edgerton's voice broke in crisply:</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Darrin required more than the full count to come back. The fight is
+therefore awarded to Mr. Treadwell."</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII<br /><br />
+FIGHTING THE FAMOUS DOUBLE BATTLE</h3>
+
+<p>"It wasn't fair," hissed Midshipman Page hotly.</p>
+
+<p>"It was by a mighty small margin, anyway," quivered Farley.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't feel whipped yet," remarked Dave quietly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, well, Darry," urged Farley, "don't feel humiliated over being
+thrashed by such a human mountain of a top classer."</p>
+
+<p>Dave, whose chest had been heaving, and whose lungs had been taking in
+great gulps of air, suddenly pushed his second gently away.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Treadwell, sir, will you come over here a moment?" he called. "And
+also the officials of the fight?"</p>
+
+<p>Treadwell, with a self-satisfied leer on his face, stepped away from his
+seconds coming jauntily over.</p>
+
+<p>Midshipman Edgerton and Wheeler followed in some wonder.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Treadwell," began Dave, looking full into the eyes of his late
+antagonist, "I have no fault, sir, to find with your style of fighting.
+You behaved fairly at every point."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, sir," interjected the big midshipman grimly.</p>
+
+<p>"The verdict was also fair enough," Dave continued, "for I am aware that
+I took a hair's-breadth more than the count. Still, I do not feel, Mr.
+Treadwell, that the result was decisive. Therefore I have to ask of you
+the favor of another early meeting, for a more definite try-out."</p>
+
+<p>Treadwell gasped. So did his recent seconds and the late officials of
+the fight. Even Farley's jaw dropped just a trifle, but Page's face
+flushed with new-found pleasure.</p>
+
+<p>"Another fight, sir?" demanded Midshipman Treadwell.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," replied Darrin quietly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, very well," agreed Treadwell, nonchalantly. "At any time that you
+wish, Mr. Darrin&mdash;any time."</p>
+
+<p>"How would fifteen minutes from now do?" demanded Dave, smiling coolly.</p>
+
+<p>Treadwell fairly gasped, though only from sheer astonishment.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, if your seconds and the officials think that fair to you, Mr.
+Darrin," replied Treadwell in another moment, "I am sure that I have no
+objection to remaining around here a little longer."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you insist on calling for the second fight within fifteen minutes,
+Mr. Darrin?" asked Second Classman Edgerton.</p>
+
+<p>"For my own part, I do," replied Dave quietly; "I leave the decision to
+Mr. Treadwell's courtesy."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, of all the freaks!" muttered Mr. Wheeler, as the two fight
+officials walked aside to discuss the matter.</p>
+
+<p>"Darry," demanded the agitated Farley, "are you plumb, clean crazy?"</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know what we're fighting about, Farley, old man?" asked Dave
+very quietly.</p>
+
+<p>"No; of course not."</p>
+
+<p>"It's a personal matter."</p>
+
+<p>"O-oh!"</p>
+
+<p>"It's a matter in which I can't accept an imitation whipping."</p>
+
+<p>"But surely you don't expect to whip Treadwell in your present
+condition?"</p>
+
+<p>"I very likely shall get a thorough trouncing," smiled Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>"It's madness," broke in Page worriedly.</p>
+
+<p>"I told you it was a personal matter," laughed Dave softly. "I shan't
+mind getting whacked if it is done up in good shape. It's only this
+near-whipping to which I object."</p>
+
+<p>"Well&mdash;great Scott!" gasped Page.</p>
+
+<p>"Hush!" warned Farley. "Here comes Edgerton."</p>
+
+<p>Midshipman Edgerton, looking very much puzzled, stepped over to Dave
+Darrin's corner.</p>
+
+<p>"Darrin," began the referee in a friendly tone, "Tread doesn't like the
+idea of fighting you again to-night."</p>
+
+<p>"Didn't he say he would?" demanded Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; but of course, but&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I hold him to his word, Mr. Edgerton."</p>
+
+<p>"But of all the crazy&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I have my own reasons, sir," Darrin interposed quietly. "I think it
+very likely, too, that Mr. Treadwell will comprehend my reasons."</p>
+
+<p>"But he doesn't like the idea of fighting an already half-whipped man."</p>
+
+<p>"Will it get on his nerves and unsteady him?" asked Dave ironically.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you bound to fight to-night, Mr. Darrin?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I suppose it goes&mdash;it has to," assented Midshipman Edgerton
+moodily. "But of all the irrational&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Just what I said, sir," nodded Page.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall be ready, sir, when the fifteen minutes are up," continued
+Dave. "But I am certain that I shall need all the time until then for
+getting myself into first-class condition."</p>
+
+<p>"Darry is a fool&mdash;and a wonder!" ejaculated Edgerton under his breath,
+as he walked away.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sorry, Darry," murmured Farley mournfully, "but&mdash;well, beat your
+way to it!"</p>
+
+<p>"I intend to," retorted Dave doggedly.</p>
+
+<p>Rubbed down by his seconds, Dave drew on his blouse, without a shirt.</p>
+
+<p>Quitting the others, Dave walked briskly back and forth. At last he
+broke into a jog-trot.</p>
+
+<p>At last he halted, inflating and emptying his lungs with vigorous
+breathing.</p>
+
+<p>"I feel just about as good as ever," he declared, nodding cheerily to
+his seconds.</p>
+
+<p>"Get off that blouse, then," ordered Midshipman Farley, after a glance
+at his watch. "We've two minutes left out of the fifteen."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll go forward at the scratch, then," nodded Dave.</p>
+
+<p>Treadwell, in the meantime, had pulled on his outer clothing and had
+stood moodily by, watching Dave's more workmanlike preparations with a
+disdainful smile.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll get the fellow going quickly this time," Mr. Treadwell told
+Conners. "As soon as I get him going I'll dive in with a punch that will
+wind up the matter in short order. I've planned to do considerable
+reviewing of navigation to-night."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you have your wish," murmured Conners.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"Just what I said."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think I'm going to have any trouble whatever about finishing up
+that touge youngster!" demanded Tread well sarcastically.</p>
+
+<p>"No; I don't imagine you will. But at the same time, Tread, I tell you I
+don't care about having enemies among fellows who come back as swiftly,
+strongly and as much like a bulldog as Darry does."</p>
+
+<p>Seeing Dave pull off his blouse, Treadwell slowly removed his own
+clothing above the waist.</p>
+
+<p>"Rub me down along the arms a bit," said Midshipman Treadwell, after he
+had exercised his arms a moment.</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon we'd better," nodded Conners. "You must have got stiff from
+standing still after the late mix-up."</p>
+
+<p>"No kinks but what will iron out at once," chuckled Treadwell. "I'll
+show you as soon as I get in action."</p>
+
+<p>His two seconds rubbed him down loyally.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you ready, gentlemen?" called Midshipman Edgerton.</p>
+
+<p>Both men stepped quickly forward, but all of the onlookers thought they
+saw rather more spring in Dave Darrin than in his more bulky opponent.</p>
+
+<p>The preliminaries were announced in a few words.</p>
+
+<p>Of course, there was no handshaking.</p>
+
+<p>"Time!" sounded the call.</p>
+
+<p>Dave Darrin quickly proved to be so full of vigor that Treadwell lay
+back on the defensive after the first two or three passes. Dave followed
+him right up with vim.</p>
+
+<p>Yet, for the first forty seconds of the round no real damage was done on
+either side. Then:</p>
+
+<p>Bump!</p>
+
+<p>"O-o-oh!"</p>
+
+<p>That cry came simultaneously from Treadwell and from all the spectators.</p>
+
+<p>Dave's right fist had landed crushingly on the top classman's left eye,
+almost instantly closing that organ.</p>
+
+<p>Darrin leaped nimbly back, both from a chivalrous impulse to give
+Treadwell a chance to recover his steadiness and to save himself from
+any sudden rush and clinch by his big opponent.</p>
+
+<p>But Treadwell, standing with his guard up, showed no inclination to
+follow the one who had just given him such punishment.</p>
+
+<p>"Mix it up, gentlemen&mdash;mix it!" called Midshipman Edgerton impatiently.</p>
+
+<p>At that command from the referee Dave Darrin sprang forward.</p>
+
+<p>Treadwell seemed wholly on the defensive now, though he struck as
+heavily as ever. Toward the end of the round Treadwell, having gotten
+over the worst of the stinging from his eye, once more tried to rush
+matters.</p>
+
+<p>Whenever the big fellow's undamaged eye caught sight of the cool,
+hostile smile on Darrin's face, Treadwell muttered savage words.</p>
+
+<p>Some hard body blows were parried and others exchanged.</p>
+
+<p>Both men were panting somewhat when the call of time closed the first
+round.</p>
+
+<p>"Darry, you nervy little rascal, waltz in and put that other eye up in
+black clothes!" begged Page ecstatically, as he and Farley worked over
+their principal.</p>
+
+<p>Dave was ready quite twenty seconds before the call of time for the
+second round.</p>
+
+<p>Treadwell, however, took his full time in responding. At the last moment
+he took another dab with the wet sponge against his swollen left eye.</p>
+
+<p>"Time!"</p>
+
+<p>With a suppressed yell Treadwell rushed at his opponent. Dave had to
+sidestep to his own right, out of range of Treadwell, to save himself.</p>
+
+<p>Then at it they went, all around the ring. Darrin had determined to keep
+himself out of the way of those sledge-hammer fists until he saw his own
+clear opening.</p>
+
+<p>Four or five times Treadwell landed heavily on Darrin's ribs. The
+younger, smaller midshipman was getting seriously winded, but all the
+time he fought to save himself and to get that one opening.</p>
+
+<p>It came.</p>
+
+<p>Pound!</p>
+
+<p>Darrin's hard-clenched left fist dropped in on Treadwell's right eye.</p>
+
+<p>This time there was no exclamation from the bruised one.</p>
+
+<p>Alert Dave was careful to give him no chance. Within a second after that
+eye-closer landed Darrin struck with his right, landing on the jaw bone
+under Treadwell's ear.</p>
+
+<p>Down in a heap sank the top classman. He was unconscious before his body
+struck the ground.</p>
+
+<p>Wheeler counted off the seconds.</p>
+
+<p>"&mdash;ten!"</p>
+
+<p>Still Mr. Treadwell lay motionless.</p>
+
+<p>"Do your best for him, gentlemen," begged Referee Edgerton, turning to
+the first classman's seconds. "Mr. Darrin wins the second fight."</p>
+
+<p>Dave, a satisfied look on his face, stepped back to his seconds.</p>
+
+<p>This time he did not require as much attention. Within five minutes he
+was dressed.</p>
+
+<p>By this time Mr. Treadwell, under the ministrations of his seconds and
+of the late officials, was just coming back to consciousness.</p>
+
+<p>"Something happened, eh?" asked the top classman drowsily.</p>
+
+<p>"Rather!" murmured Mr. Edgerton dryly.</p>
+
+<p>"Did I&mdash;did I&mdash;lose the fight?"</p>
+
+<p>"You did," Edgerton assented. "But don't let that disturb you. You went
+down before the best man in the Naval Academy."</p>
+
+<p>Treadwell sighed gloomily. It was a hard blow to his pride&mdash;much harder
+than any that Dave had landed on his head.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Treadwell," inquired Dave, stepping over, "we are comrades, even if
+we had a slight disagreement. Do you care to shake hands?"</p>
+
+<p>"Help me to my feet," urged the first classman, who was sitting up.</p>
+
+<p>His seconds complied. Then Midshipman Treadwell held out his hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Here's my hand," he said rather thickly. "And I apologize, too, Mr.
+Darrin."</p>
+
+<p>"Then say no more about it, please," begged Dave, as their hands met in
+a strong clasp.</p>
+
+<p>None of the others present had the least idea of the provocation of this
+strange, spirited double fight. All, however, were glad to see the
+difficulty mended.</p>
+
+<p>Then Dave and his seconds, leaving the field first, made their way back
+to Bancroft Hall. Farley and Page went straight to their own room.</p>
+
+<p>"How did it come out?" demanded Dan Dalzell eagerly, as soon as his chum
+entered their quarters.</p>
+
+<p>Dropping into a chair, Dave told the story of the double fight briefly.
+He told it modestly, too, but Dan could imagine what his chum omitted.</p>
+
+<p>"David, little giant," exclaimed Dalzell, leaping about him, "that fight
+will become historic here! Oh, how I regret having missed it. Don't you
+ever dare to leave me out again!"</p>
+
+<p>"It wasn't such a much," smiled Dave rather wearily, as he went over to
+his study desk.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps it's indiscreet, even of a chum," rambled on Dalzell, "but
+what&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"What was the fight all about?" laughed Dave softly. "Yes; I suppose you
+have a right to know that, Danny boy. But you must never repeat it to
+any one. Treadwell wanted to dance with Belle at the hop, but she had
+already noticed him, and declared she didn't want to dance with him. Of
+course that settled it. But Treadwell accused me of not having asked
+Belle."</p>
+
+<p>"The nerve!" ejaculated Dan in disgust.</p>
+
+<p>"And then he accused me of lying when I declared I had done my best for
+him," continued Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"I feel that I'd like to fight the fellow myself!" declared Dan Dalzell
+hotly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no, you don't; for Treadwell apologized to-night, and we have
+shaken hands. We're all comrades, you know, Danny boy."</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>Unknown to any of the parties to the fight, there had been spectators of
+the spirited double battle.</p>
+
+<p>Two men, a sailor and a marine, noting groups of midshipmen going toward
+the historic battle ground of midshipmen, had hidden themselves near-by
+in order "to see the fun."</p>
+
+<p>These two enlisted men of the Navy had been spectators and auditors of
+all that had taken place.</p>
+
+<p>Not until the last midshipman had left the ground did the sailor and
+marine emerge from their hiding place.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, of all the game fights!" muttered the marine.</p>
+
+<p>"Me? I'm hoping that some day I fight under that gallant middy," cried
+the sailor.</p>
+
+<p>"Who is this Mr. Darrin?" asked the marine, as the pair strolled away.</p>
+
+<p>"He's a youngster&mdash;third classman. But he's one of the chaps who, on the
+cruise, last summer, went over into a gale after another middy&mdash;Darrin
+and his chum did it."</p>
+
+<p>"There must be fine stuff in Mr. Darrin," murmured the marine.</p>
+
+<p>"Couldn't you see that much just now?" demanded the sailor, who took the
+remark as almost a personal affront, "My hat's off to Mr. Darrin. He's
+one of our future admirals. If I round out my days in the service it
+will be the height of my ambition to have him for my admiral. And a
+mighty sea-going officer he'll be, at that!"</p>
+
+<p>In their enthusiasm over the spectacle they had seen, the sailor and the
+marine talked rather too much.</p>
+
+<p>They were still talking over the battle as they strolled slowly past one
+of the great, darkened buildings.</p>
+
+<p>In the shadow of this building, not far away, stood an officer whom
+neither of the enlisted men of the Navy saw; else they would have
+saluted him.</p>
+
+<p>That officer, Lieutenant Willow, U.S. Navy, listened with a good deal of
+interest.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Willow was one of those officers who are known as duty-mad. He
+gathered that there had been a fight, so he deemed it his duty to report
+the fact at once to the discipline officer in charge over at Bancroft
+Hall.</p>
+
+<p>Regretting the necessity, yet full of the idea of doing his duty,
+Lieutenant Willow wended his way promptly towards the office of the
+officer in charge.</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX<br /><br />
+THE OFFICER IN CHARGE IS SHOCKED</h3>
+
+<p>Through the main entrance of Bancroft Hall, into the stately corridor,
+Lieutenant Willow picked his way.</p>
+
+<p>He looked solemn&mdash;unusually so, even for Lieutenant Willow, U.S.N. He
+had the air of a man who hates to do his duty, but who is convinced that
+the heavens would fall if he didn't.</p>
+
+<p>To his left he turned, acknowledging smartly the crisp salute given him
+by the midshipman assistant officer of the day.</p>
+
+<p>Into the outer office of the officer in charge stepped Mr. Willow, and
+thence on into the smaller room where Lieutenant-Commander Stearns sat
+reading.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, good evening, Willow," hailed Lieut. Stearns heartily.</p>
+
+<p>"Good evening, Stearns," was the almost moody reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Sit down and let's have a chat. I'm glad to see you," urged
+Lieutenant-Commander Stearns.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Stearns, he of the round, jovial face, gazed at his junior with
+twinkling eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Willow," he muttered, "I'm half inclined to believe that you've come to
+me to make an official report."</p>
+
+<p>"I guess I have," nodded Lieutenant Willow.</p>
+
+<p>"And against some unfortunate midshipman, at that!"</p>
+
+<p>"Against two, at least," sighed Mr. Willow, "and there were others
+involved in the affair."</p>
+
+<p>"It must be something fearful," said Mr. Stearns, who knew the junior
+officer's inclination to be duty-mad. "But, see here, if you make an
+official report you'll force me to take action, even though it's
+something that I'd secretly slap a midshipman on the shoulder for doing.
+No&mdash;don't begin to talk yet, Willow. Try a cigar and then tell me,
+personally, what's worrying you. Then perhaps it won't be altogether
+needful to make an official report."</p>
+
+<p>"I never was able to take you&mdash;er&mdash;somewhat jovial views of an officer's
+duty, Stearns," sighed Lieutenant Willow.</p>
+
+<p>Nevertheless, he selected a cigar, bit off the end, lighted it and took
+a few whiffs, Lieutenant-Commander Stearns all the while regarding his
+comrade in arms with twinkling eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, fire ahead, Willow," urged the officer in charge, "but please
+don't make your communication an official one&mdash;not at first. Fire ahead,
+now, Willow."</p>
+
+<p>"Well&mdash;er&mdash;just between ourselves," continued Lieutenant Willow slowly,
+"there has been a fight to-night between two midshipmen."</p>
+
+<p>"No!"</p>
+
+<p>Lieutenant-Commander Stearns struck his fist rather heavily against the
+desk.</p>
+
+<p>"A fight&mdash;a real fight&mdash;with fists?" continued the officer in charge, in
+a tone of mock incredulity. "No, no, no, Willow, you don't mean it&mdash;you
+can't mean it!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I do," rejoined the junior officer rather stiffly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, dear, what is the service coming to?" gasped Stearns ironically.
+"Why, Willow, we never heard of such things when we were midshipmen
+here. Now, did we?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm afraid we did&mdash;sometimes," admitted the junior officer. "But duty
+is duty, you know, my dear Stearns. And this was an unusual fight, too.
+The man who was whipped insisted on another fight right then and there,
+and&mdash;he won the second fight."</p>
+
+<p>"Bully!" chuckled the officer in charge. "Whew, but I wish I had been
+there!"</p>
+
+<p>"Stearns, you surely don't mean that?" gasped duty-mad Mr. Willow.</p>
+
+<p>"You're quite right, Willow. No; I certainly don't want to be a
+spoilsport, and I'm glad I wasn't there&mdash;in my official capacity. But
+I'd like to have been divested of my rank for just an hour so that I
+could have taken in such a scene as that."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm&mdash;I'm just a bit astonished at your saying it, Stearns," rejoined
+Lieutenant Willow. "But then, you're always joking."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps I am joking," assented the officer in charge dryly, "but I
+never lose sight of the fact that our Navy has been built up, at huge
+expense, as a great fighting machine. Now, Willow, it takes fighting men
+to run a fighting machine. Of course, I'm terribly shocked to know that
+two midshipmen really had the grit to fight&mdash;but who were they! Mind
+you, I'm not asking you in an official way. This question is purely
+personal&mdash;just between ourselves. Who were the men? And, especially, who
+was the fellow who lost the decision, and then had the utter effrontery
+to demand a second chance at once, only to win the second fight?"</p>
+
+<p>"Darrin was the man who lost the first fight and won the second,"
+replied Lieutenant Willow.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Darrin? One of our youngsters? Yes; I think I know him. And what
+man of his class did he whip, the second time he tried!"</p>
+
+<p>"It wasn't a man of his own class. It was Mr. Treadwell, of the first
+class," rejoined Lieutenant Willow.</p>
+
+<p>"What?" almost exploded the officer in charge. "Did you say that Mr.
+Darrin fought with Mr. Treadwell, that husky top classman, and, losing
+the decision on the count, insisted on fighting again the same evening?
+Oh, say, what a fellow misses by being cooped up in an office like
+this!"</p>
+
+<p>"But&mdash;but the breach of regulations!" stammered the duty-mad lieutenant.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear fellow, neither you nor I know anything about this
+fight&mdash;officially. The Navy, after all, is a fighting machine. Do you
+feel that the Navy can afford to lose a fighting man like that
+youngster?"</p>
+
+<p>So Lieutenant Willow left Lieutenant-Commander Stearns' presence, not
+quite convinced he was performing his whole duty, but glad to bow to the
+decision of a ranking officer.</p>
+
+<p>Two days later Dave and Dan were surprised at being halted by
+Lieutenant-Commander Stearns.</p>
+
+<p>"Good afternoon, Mr. Darrin," came the pleasant greeting. "Good
+afternoon, Mr. Dalzell. Mrs. Stearns and I would be greatly pleased if
+you could take dinner with us. Couldn't you come next Sunday?"</p>
+
+<p>The two midshipmen were astonished and delighted at this invitation.
+While it was not uncommon for officers to invite midshipmen to their
+homes, where there were so many midshipmen, it was as a rule only the
+young men who made themselves prominent socially who captured these
+coveted invitations. Darrin and Dalzell concealed their surprise, but
+expressed their pleasure in accepting the gracious invitation.</p>
+
+<p>On entering Mrs. Stearns' drawing room the next Sunday Mr. Darrin and
+Mr. Dalzell were introduced to two pretty girls. Miss Flora Gentle was a
+cousin of their hostess. She had visited Annapolis before, and, being
+pretty and vivacious, at the same time kind and considerate, she had
+many friends among the midshipmen. Marian Stevens, who had accompanied
+her on this visit, was a direct contrast. Flora was blonde. Marian was
+the dark, flashing type. She was spoiled and imperious, yet she had a
+dashing, open way about her that made her a favorite among young people.</p>
+
+<p>The two girls had heard of the double fight. Marian, therefore, was
+pleased when she found that Dave was to be her dinner partner.</p>
+
+<p>"He's handsome," thought the girl, "and he's brave and dashing. He'll
+make his mark in the Navy. He doesn't know it yet, but he'll become
+mine, and mine alone."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Stevens was a calculating young person, and had already decided
+that Navy life was the life for her and that she would marry into it. At
+seventeen, she looked upon the officers as old men, even the youngest of
+them, so was giving her time and her smiles to the midshipmen. That the
+Navy pay is small did not trouble Maid Marian, as she liked to be
+called, as on her twenty-first birthday she would come into a
+considerable fortune of her own.</p>
+
+<p>She exerted herself all through the Stearns' dinner to captivate Dave
+Darrin. He, without diminution of love and loyalty to Belle Mead, was
+glad to be on friendly terms with this dashing and sprightly girl.</p>
+
+<p>Coffee was served in the drawing room. Several officers dropped in.
+Marian, who wished no one to come between her and Dave for a while,
+turned to her host.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Stearns, do the regulations make it improper for Flora and me to
+ask Mr. Darrin and Mr. Dalzell to take us for a stroll about the yard?"
+she asked with a pretty air of deference. The "yard" includes all the
+grounds belonging to the Naval Academy.</p>
+
+<p>"They do not, Miss Marian," was the smiling response.</p>
+
+<p>"With our hostess's approval we shall be charmed to grant any request
+the young ladies make," ventured Dave, as Marian smiled into his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>But Marian, the wily and experienced, found herself baffled during this
+walk. Using all her cajoleries, she could bring him to a certain point
+beyond which he would not go. As a matter of fact, Dave Darrin, secure
+in his loyalty to Belle, did not perceive what Maid Marian was striving
+to lead up to, but saw in her only a lively and interesting girl.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll get you yet, Midshipman Darrin," she vowed to herself after they
+had parted.</p>
+
+<p>The gossip of a sweetheart in his home town which in time reached her
+ears only made the girl more determined to get her way. Looking in the
+mirror with satisfaction, she murmured:</p>
+
+<p>"There'll be the added zest of making Midshipman Darrin forget the
+distant face of that home girl."</p>
+
+<p>Not on that visit did Maid Marian succeed in leading Dave beyond the
+point of simple but sincere friendship. However, Miss Stevens could be
+charming to whomsoever she wished, and before she left Annapolis she had
+secured invitations to visit the wife of more than one of the officers.</p>
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX<br /><br />
+CONCLUSION</h3>
+
+<p>Christmas came and went, and soon after this the semi-annual
+examinations were on in earnest. Some of the midshipmen failed and sadly
+turned their faces homeward to make a place for themselves in some other
+lane of life. Dan Dalzell, however, made good his promise, and by a
+better margin than he had dared hope. Dave came through the examination
+somewhat better than his chum. Both felt assured now that they would
+round out the year with fair credit to themselves.</p>
+
+<p>Marian Stevens came to Annapolis several times during the latter half of
+the year, and as it is expected that the future officer shall have
+social as well as Naval training, Dave Darrin met her often.</p>
+
+<p>Exasperation that she could draw the young midshipman on only so far
+soon changed in Miss Stevens to anger and chagrin. Still Dave, giving
+prolonged thought to no girl except Belle Meade, saw in her only a
+lively companion. Sometimes he was her dinner partner. Always at a dance
+he danced with her more than once.</p>
+
+<p>It was at one such dance that she looked up as they circled the room to
+say:</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if you know, Mr. Darrin, how much I enjoy dancing with you."</p>
+
+<p>"Not as much as I enjoy dancing with you," he replied smilingly. Just
+then the music stopped suddenly and an officer called in a voice that
+carried over the great floor of the gymnasium and over all the chatter:</p>
+
+<p>"Ladies and gentlemen, one moment's attention, please!"</p>
+
+<p>In an instant all was still.</p>
+
+<p>"Ladies and gentlemen," continued the officer, "official permission has
+been granted for taking a flashlight photograph of the scene to-night.
+Will everybody please remain where he is until after the exposure has
+been made?"</p>
+
+<p>Dave and Marian had paused directly in front of the lens of the camera.
+Maid Marian looked up and made a light, jesting remark, gazing straight
+into the midshipman's eyes. Dave, smiling, bent forward to hear what she
+said.</p>
+
+<p>Just then came the flash, and the photographer, his work finished for
+the time, gathered his paraphernalia together and left. The music
+recommenced and the dancing proceeded.</p>
+
+<p>Three weeks later that photograph was reproduced as a double-page
+illustration in one of the prominent pictorial weeklies.</p>
+
+<p>The day the magazine was on the newsstands Dan Dalzell bought a copy.
+Entering their quarters with it in his hand he opened it at the
+illustration and handed it to Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"You and Miss Stevens show up better than any one else, Dave," remarked
+Dan.</p>
+
+<p>"The photograph is a good piece of work," was Dave's only comment. He
+did not wish to express the annoyance he felt when he noted the
+appearance of intimacy between him and Marian, whose beauty showed, even
+in this reproduction. "I'd a bit rather Belle shouldn't see this paper,"
+he admitted to himself.</p>
+
+<p>"David, old boy, this picture would make a good exhibit in a
+breach-of-promise suit."</p>
+
+<p>"That's an unkind remark to make about a fine girl like Miss Stevens,"
+said Dave coldly.</p>
+
+<p>Dan stared, then went off, pondering.</p>
+
+<p>Belle Meade, in her Gridley home, received one day a large, square, thin
+package. She saw the mark of the Annapolis express office, and hastily
+snatched up scissors to cut the string. Out came a huge photograph.</p>
+
+<p>"A picture of an Annapolis dance! How thoughtful of Dave to send it to
+me!" Then her eyes fell on two figures around which a ring had been
+drawn in ink. They were Dave Darrin and a pretty girl. On the margin of
+the card had been scrawled in bold letters:</p>
+
+<p>"Your affair of the heart will bear close watching if you still
+cherish!"</p>
+
+<p>This was signed, contemptibly and untruthfully, "A Friend."</p>
+
+<p>"Uh!" murmured Belle in hurt pride and loyalty. Then she said resolutely
+to herself: "I will pay no attention to this. An anonymous communication
+is always meant to hurt and to give a false impression."</p>
+
+<p>But there was the picture before her eyes of Dave and the pretty girl in
+seemingly great intimacy. So though she continued to write to the
+midshipman and tried hard to make her letters sound as usual, in spite
+of herself a coldness crept into them that Dave felt.</p>
+
+<p>"She must have seen that pictorial weekly," thought the boy miserably.
+But as Belle said nothing of this, he could not write of it.</p>
+
+<p>The season was well along. Dave and Dan sent Belle Meade and Laura
+Bentley invitations to one of the later spring dances.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if she'll come or if she's tiring of me," thought Dave Darrin
+bitterly.</p>
+
+<p>But Belle answered, accepting the invitation for Laura and herself.</p>
+
+<p>When Saturday afternoon came both midshipmen hurried to the hotel in the
+town and sent up their cards. Mrs. Meade soon appeared, saying the girls
+would be down shortly.</p>
+
+<p>"Are they both well?" asked Dave. His tone was as one giving a
+meaningless greeting, but in his heart he waited anxiously to hear what
+her mother should say of Belle.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, yes. But Belle has been moping around the house a great deal,
+Dave, rather unlike her usual self," replied Mrs. Meade slowly.</p>
+
+<p>If Mrs. Meade deplored this, Dave Darrin did not. It showed him at least
+that the girl's apparent coldness was not caused by her interest in some
+other young man.</p>
+
+<p>But when the girls came in and Belle greeted him cordially, to be sure,
+but with something of restraint, his heart sank again.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter, Belle? Has something gone wrong?" asked Dave when
+Dan was engaging the attention of Mrs. Meade and Laura.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing. Is all right with you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Surely!"</p>
+
+<p>"Dave, when we're alone I have something to show you. I fear you have an
+enemy here."</p>
+
+<p>"An enemy! Oh, no. But I shall be glad to see what you have to show me."</p>
+
+<p>It was not long before, at a word from Dave, Dan took Mrs. Meade and
+Laura out for a walk. It was then that Belle got the large photograph
+with the two figures ringed in ink and showed it to Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, what does this mean? Some one must have taken a good deal of
+trouble to secure this photograph. The picture was taken for a pictorial
+weekly. One can get a photograph from which the cut is made, but it is
+troublesome and possibly expensive!"</p>
+
+<p>"You have an enemy, then; some one bent on hurting you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know who it could be. My, how angry Miss Stevens would be if
+she knew of this!"</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Stevens? Is that the girl?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. She's visited here often this year. She knows a number of the
+officers' wives. She's vivacious and always has a good time, but she's
+nothing to me, Belle. You know that, don't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have never doubted you, Dave. Let us tear this up. I thought at first
+I'd not show it to you; then decided it was best not to begin concealing
+things from you. But let us not think of the thing again."</p>
+
+<p>"Belle, you're a thoroughbred!" and here the matter dropped as far as it
+was between Dave Darrin and Belle Meade.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Stevens was at the dance that evening. Though she tried hard to
+make that impossible, Dave did not dance with her, nor did he introduce
+her to Belle, though there again Marian tried to force this.</p>
+
+<p>It would have been well for Marian if Dan Dalzell had been equally
+circumspect.</p>
+
+<p>This time it was Belle who contrived and got the introduction to the
+other girl, but Marian was by no means reluctant, so it was that they
+managed to get a few moments alone together when they had sent their
+dance partners to get something for them.</p>
+
+<p>"You are a friend of Dave's, aren't you?" asked Marian.</p>
+
+<p>"Of Mr. Darrin's? Oh, yes, we've always known each other."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you've been here to many of these dances?"</p>
+
+<p>"Only two."</p>
+
+<p>"Too bad you could not have been here oftener. This has been an
+unusually brilliant season. Really, many of the young people have lost
+their heads&mdash;or their hearts. I often wonder if these midshipmen have
+sweethearts at home." This daring&mdash;and impertinent&mdash;remark was made
+musingly but smilingly.</p>
+
+<p>"These Annapolis affairs are never very serious, I imagine," Belle
+observed calmly.</p>
+
+<p>"On the contrary, most of the Navy marriages date back to an Annapolis
+first meeting."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you think it well to come often?"</p>
+
+<p>"Unless one has other ways of keeping in touch," was the brazen reply.</p>
+
+<p>"I have," said Belle sweetly. "I receive a good many souvenirs in the
+course of a year. One last winter was a photograph." With the words
+Belle gazed intently into Miss Stevens' eyes. Then she went on: "There
+was an anonymous message written on it. It was a lying message, of
+course, as anonymous messages always are, written in a coarse hand. Did
+you ever study handwriting, Miss Stevens?"</p>
+
+<p>Marian gasped, realizing she was out-maneuvered.</p>
+
+<p>"This writing had all the characteristics of a woman whose instincts are
+coarse, that of a treacherous though not dangerous person&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Here's Mr. Sanderson back. Will you excuse me, Miss Meade?" and Marian
+fairly fled.</p>
+
+<p>Belle told Dave she had found out who had sent the photograph, but
+added:</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you wouldn't ask me who it was, Dave. I can assure you that the
+person who did it will never trouble us again," and as Dave did not like
+to think evil of any one, he consented, and continued to think of Marian
+Stevens, when he thought of her at all, as a jolly girl.</p>
+
+<p>The annual examinations were approaching. Dan Dalzell was buried deep in
+gloom. Dave Darrin kept cheerful outwardly, but doubts crept into his
+heart.</p>
+
+<p>The examinations over, Dave felt reasonably safe. But Dan's gloom
+deepened, for he was sure he had failed in "skinny," as the boys termed
+chemistry and physics. So it was that when the grades were posted Dave
+scanned the D's in the list of third classmen who had passed. Dan, on
+the other hand, turned instantly to what he termed the "bust list."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, why, I'm not there!" he muttered.</p>
+
+<p>"Look at the passing list, Danny," laughed Dave.</p>
+
+<p>Unbelieving, Dan turned his eyes on the list and to his utter
+astonishment found his name posted. True, in "skinny" he had a bare
+passing mark. But in other subjects he was somewhat above the minimum.</p>
+
+<p>"So you see, old man, we'll both be here next year as second classmen,"
+said Dave jubilantly.</p>
+
+<p>This was as Dave Darrin said, and what happened during this time may be
+learned in a volume entitled, "DAVE DARRIN'S THIRD YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS;
+or, Leaders of the Second Class Midshipmen."</p>
+
+<p class="c">THE END</p>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Dave Darrin's Second Year at Annapolis, by 
+H. Irving Hancock
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+</body>
+</html>
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Dave Darrin's Second Year at Annapolis
+by H. Irving Hancock
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Dave Darrin's Second Year at Annapolis
+       Or, Two Midshipmen as Naval Academy "Youngsters"
+
+Author: H. Irving Hancock
+
+Release Date: November 11, 2003 [EBook #10045]
+[Last updated: April 13, 2011]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SECOND YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Dave Morgan and PG Distributed Proofreaders
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Darrin's Blow Knocked the Midshipman Down]
+
+
+
+
+DAVE DARRIN'S SECOND YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS
+
+or
+
+Two Midshipmen as Naval Academy "Youngsters"
+
+By
+
+H. IRVING HANCOCK Illustrated
+
+MCMXI
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+CHAPTER
+
+I. A QUESTION OF MIDSHIPMAN HONOR
+
+II. DAVE'S PAP-SHEET ADVICE
+
+III. MIDSHIPMAN PENNINGTON GOES TOO FAR
+
+IV. A LITTLE MEETING ASHORE
+
+V. WHEN THE SECONDS WONDERED
+
+VI. IN TROUBLE ON FOREIGN SOIL
+
+VII. PENNINGTON GETS HIS WISH
+
+VIII. THE TRAGEDY OF THE GALE
+
+IX. THE DESPAIR OF THE "RECALL"
+
+X. THE GRIM WATCH FROM THE WAVES
+
+XI. MIDSHIPMAN PENNINGTON'S ACCIDENT
+
+XII. BACK IN THE HOME TOWN
+
+XIII. DAN RECEIVES A FEARFUL FACER
+
+XIV. THE FIRST HOP WITH THE HOME GIRLS
+
+XV. A DISAGREEABLE FIRST CLASSMAN
+
+XVI. HOW DAN FACED THE BOARD
+
+XVII. LOSING THE TIME-KEEPER'S COUNT
+
+XVIII. FIGHTING THE FAMOUS DOUBLE BATTLE
+
+XIX. THE OFFICER IN CHARGE IS SHOCKED
+
+XX. CONCLUSION
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+
+A QUESTION OF MIDSHIPMAN HONOR
+
+"How can a midshipman and gentleman act in that way?"
+
+The voice of Midshipman David Darrin, United States Navy, vibrated
+uneasily as he turned to his comrades.
+
+"It's a shame--that's what it is," quivered Mr. Farley, also of the
+third class at the United States Naval Academy.
+
+"But the question is," propounded Midshipman Dan Dalzell, "what are we
+going to do about it?"
+
+"Is it any part of our business to bother with the fellow?" demanded
+Farley half savagely.
+
+Now Farley was rather hot-tempered, though he was "all there" in points
+that involved the honor of the brigade of midshipmen.
+
+Five midshipmen stood in the squalid, ill-odored back room of a Chinese
+laundry in the town of Annapolis.
+
+There was a sixth midshipman present in the handsome blue uniform of the
+brigade; and it was upon this sixth one that the anger and disgust of
+the other five had centered.
+
+He lay in a sleep too deep for stirring. On the still, foul air floated
+fumes that were new to those of his comrades who now gazed down on him.
+
+"To think that one of our class could make such a beast of himself!"
+sighed Dave Darrin.
+
+"And on the morning of the very day we're to ship for the summer
+cruise," uttered Farley angrily.
+
+"Oh, well" growled Hallam, "why not let this animal of lower grade sleep
+just where he is? Let him take what he has fairly brought upon himself!"
+
+"That's the very question that is agitating me," declared Dave Darrin,
+to whom these other members of the third class looked as a leader when
+there was a point involving class honor.
+
+Dave had became a leader through suffering.
+
+Readers of the preceding volume in this series, "DAVE DARRIN'S FIRST
+YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS," will need no introduction to this fine specimen of
+spirited and honorable young American.
+
+Readers of that preceding volume will recall how Dave Darrin and Dan
+Dalzell entered the United States Naval Academy, one appointed by a
+Congressman and the other by a United States Senator. Such readers will
+remember the difficult time that Dave and Dan had in getting through the
+work of the first hard, grinding year. They will also recall how Dave
+Darrin, when accused of treachery to his classmates, patiently bided his
+time until he, with the aid of some close friends, was able to
+demonstrate his innocence. Our readers will also remember how two
+evil-minded members of the then fourth class plotted to increase Damn's
+disgrace and to drive him out of the brigade; also how these two
+plotters, Midshipmen Henkel and Brimmer, were caught in their plotting
+and were themselves forced out of the brigade. Our readers know that
+before the end of the first year at the Naval Academy, Dave had fully
+reinstated himself in the esteem of his manly classmates, and how he
+quickly became the most popular and respected member of his class.
+
+It was now only the day after the events whose narration closed the
+preceding volume.
+
+Dave Darrin and Dalzell were first of all brought to notice in "THE HIGH
+SCHOOL BOYS' SERIES." In their High School days, back in Gridley, these
+two had been famous members of Dick & Co., a sextette of youngsters who
+had made a name for themselves in school athletics.
+
+Dick Prescott and Greg Holmes, two other members of the sextette, had
+been appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point,
+where they were serving in the corps of cadets and learning how to
+become Army officers in the not far distant future. All of the
+adventures of Dick and Greg are set forth in "THE WEST POINT SERIES."
+
+The two remaining members of famous old Dick & Co., Tom Reade and Harry
+Hazelton, became civil engineers, and went West for their first taste of
+engineering work. Tom and Harry had some wonderful and startling
+adventures, as fully set forth in "THE YOUNG ENGINEERS' SERIES."
+
+On this early June day when we again encounter Dave Darrin and Dan
+Dalzell in their handsome Naval uniforms, all members of the first,
+second and third classes were due to be aboard one of the three great
+battleships that lay off the Yard at Annapolis at four p.m.
+
+These three great battleships were the "Massachusetts," the "Iowa" and
+the "Indiana." These three huge, turreted fighting craft had their full
+crews aboard. Not one of the battleship commanders would allow a
+"jackie" ashore, except on business, through fear that many of the
+"wilder" ones might find the attractions on shore too alluring, and fail
+to return in time.
+
+With the young midshipmen it was different. These young men were
+officially and actually gentlemen, and could be trusted.
+
+Yet here, in the back room of this laundry, was one who was apparently
+not dependable.
+
+This young midshipman's name was Pennington, and the fact was that he
+lay in deep stupor from the effects of smoking opium!
+
+It had been a storekeeper, with a shop across the street, who had called
+the attention of Dave and his four comrades to the probable fate of
+another of their class.
+
+"Chow Hop runs a laundry, but I have heard evil stories about a lot of
+young fools who flock to his back room and get a chance to 'hit' the
+opium pipe," the storekeeper had stated to Dave. "One of your men, or at
+least, one in a midshipman's uniform, went in there at eleven o'clock
+this forenoon, and he hasn't been out since. It is now nearly two
+o'clock and, I've been looking for some midshipmen to inform."
+
+Such had been the storekeeper's careful statement. The merchants of
+Annapolis always have a kindly feeling toward these fine young
+midshipmen. The storekeeper's purpose was to enable them to help their
+comrade out.
+
+So the five had entered the laundry. The proprietor, Chow Hop, had
+attempted to bar their way to the rear room.
+
+But Dave had seized the yellow man and had flung him aside.
+
+The reader already knows what they discovered, and how it affected these
+young men.
+
+"Bring that copper-colored chink in here, if you'll be so good,"
+directed Dave.
+
+Dan and Hallam departed on the quest.
+
+"You're wanted in there," proclaimed Dalzell, jerking a thumb over his
+shoulder.
+
+"Me no sabby," replied Chow Hop, looking up briefly from his ironing
+board.
+
+"Get in there--do you hear?" commanded Hallam, gripping the other's arm
+with all his force.
+
+"You lemme go chop-chop (quickly), or you get alle samee hurt--you
+sabby?" scowled Chow Hop, using his free hand to raise a heavy flat-iron
+menacingly.
+
+But Dan Dalzell jumped in, giving the Chinaman's wrist a wrench that
+caused him to drop the iron.
+
+Then, without a bit of ceremony, Dan grasped the Oriental by the
+shoulders, wheeled him about, while he protested in guttural tones, and
+bluntly kicked the yellow-faced one through the door into the inner
+room.
+
+At this summary proceeding both the Chinese helpers gripped their
+flat-irons firmly; and leaped forward to fight.
+
+In an ugly temper the Chinaman is a bad man to oppose. But now this pair
+were faced by a pair of quietly smiling midshipmen who were also
+dangerous when angry.
+
+"You two, get back," ordered Dalzell, advancing fearlessly upon the
+pair. "If you don't, we'll drag you out into the street and turn you
+over to the policemen. You 'sabby' that? You heathen are pretty likely
+to get into prison for this day's work!"
+
+Scowling for a moment, then muttering savagely, the two helpers slunk
+back to their ironing boards.
+
+Yet, while Dan turned to go into the rear room, Hallam stood just where
+he was, to keep an eye on two possible sources of swift trouble.
+
+"Chow Hop," began Dave Damn sternly, as the proprietor made his flying
+appearance, "You've done a pretty mean piece of work here"--pointing to
+the unconscious midshipman in the berth. "Do you understand that you're
+pretty likely to go to prison for this?"
+
+"Oh, that no maller," replied Chow, with a sullen grin. "Him plenty
+'shipmen come here and smoke."
+
+"You lie!" hissed Dave, grasping the heathen by the collar and shaking
+him until the latter's teeth rattled.
+
+Then Dave gave him a brief rest, though he still retained his hold on
+the Chinaman's collar. But the yellow man began struggling again, and
+Dave repeated the shaking.
+
+Chow Hop had kept his hands up inside his wide sleeves. Now Farley
+leaped forward as he shouted:
+
+"Look out, Darry! He has a knife!"
+
+Farley attempted to seize the Chinaman's wrist, for the purpose of
+disarming the yellow man, but Dave swiftly threw the Chinaman around out
+of Farley's reach. Then, with a lightning-like move, Dave knocked the
+knife from Chow Hop's hand.
+
+"Pick that up and keep it for a curio, Farley," directed Dave coolly.
+
+In another twinkling Darrin had run the Chinaman up against the wall.
+
+Smack! biff! thump!
+
+With increasing force Dave's hard fist struck the heathen in the face.
+
+"Now stand there and behave yourself," admonished Midshipman Dave,
+dropping his hold on the yellow man's collar, "or we'll stop playing
+with you and hurt you some."
+
+The scowl on Chow Hop's face was ominous, but he stood still, glaring at
+Dave.
+
+"Chow, what can we do to bring this man out of his sleep!" asked Dave
+coolly, and almost in a friendly tone.
+
+"Me no sabby," sulked the Chinaman.
+
+"Yes, you do," retorted Dave warningly. "Now, what can we do to get our
+friend out of this!"
+
+"You allee same cally (carry) him out," retorted Chow, with a suspicion
+of a sulky grin.
+
+"None of that, now, you yellow-face!" glared Dave. "How shall we get our
+comrade out of this opium sleep!"
+
+"Me no sabby no way," insisted Chow.
+
+"Oh, yes, you do!" snapped Dave. "But you won't tell. All right; we'll
+find the way, and we'll punish you into the bargain. Dan, get a piece of
+paper from the other room."
+
+Dalzell was quickly back with the desired item. On the paper Dave wrote
+a name and a telephone number.
+
+"It's near the end of the doctor's office hours," murmured Dave. "Go to
+a telephone and ask the doctor to meet you at the corner above. Tell him
+it's vastly important, and ask him to meet you on the jump."
+
+"Shall I tell him what's up!" asked Dan cautiously.
+
+"Yes; you'd better. Then he'll be sure to bring the necessary remedies
+with him."
+
+Dan Dalzell was off like a shot.
+
+Chow tried to edge around toward the door.
+
+"Here, you get back there," cried Dave, seizing the Chinaman and
+slamming him back against the wall. "Don't you move again, until we tell
+you that you may--or it will be the worse for you."
+
+Ten minutes passed ere Dan returned with Dr. Lawrence.
+
+"You see the job that's cut out for you," said Darrin, pointing to the
+unconscious figure in the bunk. "Can you do it, Doctor?"
+
+The medical man made a hasty examination of the unconscious midshipman
+before he answered briefly:
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Will it be a long job, Doctor?"
+
+"Fifteen minutes, probably."
+
+"Oh, good, if you can do it in that time!"
+
+"Me go now?" asked Chow, with sullen curiosity, as the medical man
+opened his medicine-case.
+
+"Yes; if you don't try to leave the joint," agreed Dave. "And I'm going
+outside with you."
+
+Chow looked very much as though he did not care for company, but
+Midshipman Darrin kept at his side.
+
+"Now, see here, Chow," warned Dave, "this is the last day you sell opium
+for white men to smoke!"
+
+"You heap too flesh (fresh)" growled the Chinaman.
+
+"It's the last day you'll sell opium to white men," insisted Dave, "for,
+as soon as I'm through here I'm going to the police station to inform
+against you. They'll go through here like a twelve-inch shot."
+
+"You alle same tell cop?" grinned Chow, green hatred showing through his
+skin. "Then I tell evelybody about you fliend in there."
+
+"Do just as you please about that," retorted Dave with pretended
+carelessness. "For one thing, you don't know his name."
+
+"Oh, yes, I do," swaggered Chow impudently. "Know heap 'bout him. His
+name alle same Pen'ton."
+
+Seizing a marking brush and a piece of paper, Chow Hop quickly wrote out
+Pennington's name, correctly spelled. His ability to write English with
+a good hand was one of Chow's great vanities, anyway.
+
+"You go back to your ironing board, yellow-face," warned Darrin, and
+something in the young third classman's face showed Chow that it would
+be wise to obey.
+
+Then Hallam drew Darrin to one side, to whisper earnestly in his ear:
+
+"Look out, old man, or you will get Pen into an awful scrape!"
+
+"I shan't do it," maintained Darrin. "If it happens it will have been
+Pen's own work."
+
+"You'd better let the chink go, just to save one of our class."
+
+"Is a fellow who has turned opium fiend worth saving to the class!"
+demanded Dave, looking straight into Hallam's eyes.
+
+"Well, er--er--" stammered the other man.
+
+"You see," smiled Dave, "the doubt hits you just as hard as it does me!"
+
+"Oh, of course, a fellow who has turned opium fiend is no fellow ever to
+be allowed to reach the bridge and the quarter-deck," admitted Hallam.
+"But see here, are you going to report this affair to the commandant of
+midshipmen, or to anyone else in authority?"
+
+"I've no occasion to report," replied Dave dryly. "I am not in any way
+in command over Pennington. But I mean to persuade him to report himself
+for what he has done!"
+
+"But that would ruin him!" protested Hallam, aghast. "He wouldn't even
+be allowed to start on the cruise. He'd be railroaded home without loss
+of a moment."
+
+"Yet you've just said that an opium-user isn't fit to go on in the
+brigade," retorted Darrin.
+
+"Hang it, it's hard to know what to do," rejoined Hallam, wrinkling his
+forehead. "Of course we want to be just to Pen."
+
+"It doesn't strike me as being just exactly a question of justice to
+Pennington," Darrin went on earnestly. "If this is anything it's a
+question of midshipman honor. We fellows are bound to see that all the
+unworthy ones are dropped from the service. Now, a fellow who has
+fastened the opium habit on himself isn't fit to go on, is he?"
+
+"Oh, say, but this is a hard one to settle!" groaned Hallam.
+
+"Then I'll take all the responsibility upon myself," said Dave promptly.
+"I don't want to make any mistake, and I don't believe I'm going to.
+Wait just a moment."
+
+Going to the rear room, Dave faced his three comrades there with the
+question:
+
+"You three are enough to take care of everything here for a few minutes,
+aren't you?"
+
+"Yes," nodded Dan. "What's up?"
+
+"Hallam and I are going for a brief walk."
+
+Then, stepping back into the front room, Darrin nodded to his classmate,
+who followed him outside.
+
+"Just come along, and say nothing about the matter on the street,"
+requested Dave. "It might be overheard."
+
+"Where are you going?" questioned Hallam wonderingly.
+
+"Wait and see, please."
+
+From Chow Hop's wretched establishment it was not far to the other
+building that Dave had in mind as a destination.
+
+But when they arrived, and stood at the foot of the steps, Hallam
+clutched Darrin's arm, holding him back.
+
+"Why, see here, this is the police station!"
+
+"I know it," Dave replied calmly.
+
+"But see here, you're not--"
+
+"I'm not going to drag you into anything that you'd object to," Darrin
+continued. "Come along; all I want you for is as a witness to what I am
+going to say."
+
+"Don't do it, old fel--"
+
+"I've thought that over, and I feel that I must," replied Dave firmly.
+"Come along. Don't attract attention by standing here arguing."
+
+In another instant the two midshipmen were going swiftly up the steps.
+
+The chief of police received his two callers courteously. Dave told the
+official how their attention had been called to the fact that one of
+their number was in an opium joint. Dave named the place, but requested
+the chief to wait a full hour before taking any action.
+
+"That will give us a chance to get out a comrade who may have committed
+only his first offense," Dave continued.
+
+"If there's any opium being smoked in that place I'll surely close the
+joint out!" replied the chief, bringing his fist down upon his desk.
+"But I understand your reasons, Mr.--"
+
+"Darrin is my name, sir," replied Dave quietly.
+
+"So, Mr. Darrin, I give you my word that I won't even start my
+investigations before this evening. And I'll keep all quiet about the
+midshipman end of it."
+
+"Thank you very much, sir," said Dave gratefully.
+
+As the two midshipmen strolled slowly back in the direction of Chow
+Hop's, Dave murmured:
+
+"Now, you see why I took this step?"
+
+"I'm afraid not very clearly," replied Midshipman Hallam.
+
+"That scoundrelly Chow made his boast that other midshipmen patronized
+his place. I don't believe it. Such a vice wouldn't appeal to you, and
+it doesn't to me. But there are more than two hundred new plebes coming
+in just now, and many of these boys have never been away from home
+before. Some of them might foolishly seek the lure of a new vice, and
+might find the habit fastened on them before they were aware of it.
+Chow's vile den might spoil some good material for the quarter-deck,
+and, as a matter of midshipman honor, we're bound to see that the place
+is cleaned out right away."
+
+"I guess, Darry, you come pretty near being right," assented Hallam,
+after thinking for a few moments.
+
+By the time they reached Chow Hop's again they found that Dr. Lawrence
+had brought the unfortunate Pennington to. And a very scared and
+humiliated midshipman it was who now stood up, a bit unsteadily, and
+tried to smooth down his uniform.
+
+"How do you feel now?" asked Dave.
+
+"Awful!" shuddered Pennington. "And now see here, what are you fellows
+going to do? Blab, and see me driven out of the Navy?"
+
+"Don't do any talking in here," advised Dave, with a meaning look over
+his shoulder at the yellow men in the outer room. "Doctor, is our friend
+in shape to walk along with us now?"
+
+"He will be, in two or three minutes, after he drinks something I'm
+going to give him," replied the medical man, shaking a few drops from
+each of three vials into a glass of water. "Here, young man, drink this
+slowly."
+
+Three minutes later the midshipmen left the place, Dave walking beside
+Pennington and holding his arm lightly for the purpose of steadying him.
+
+"How did this happen, Pen?" queried Dave, when the six men of the third
+class at last found themselves walking down Maryland Avenue. "How long
+have you been at this 'hop' trick?"
+
+"Never before to-day," replied Midshipman Pennington quickly.
+
+"Pen, will you tell me that on your honor?" asked Dave gravely.
+
+The other midshipman flared up.
+
+"Why must I give you my word of honor?" he demanded defiantly. "Isn't my
+plain word good enough?"
+
+"Your word of honor that you had never smoked opium before to-day would
+help to ease my mind a whole lot," replied Darrin. "Come, unburden
+yourself, won't you, Pen?"
+
+"I'll tell you, Darry, just how it happened. To-day _was_ the first
+time, on my word of honor, I came out into Annapolis with a raging
+toothache. Now, you know how a fellow gets to hate to go before the
+medical officers of the Academy with a tale about his teeth."
+
+"Yes, I do," nodded Darrin. "If a fellow is too much on the medical
+report for trouble with his teeth, then it makes the surgeons look his
+mouth over with all the more caution, and in the end a fellow may get
+dropped from the brigade just because he has invited over zeal from the
+dentist. But what has all this to do with opium smoking?"
+
+"Just this," replied Pennington, hanging his head. "I went into a drug
+store and asked a clerk that I know what was the best thing for
+toothache. He told me the best he knew was to smoke a pipe of opium, and
+told me where to find Chow Hop, and what to say to the chink. And it's
+all a lie about opium helping a sore tooth," cried the wretched
+midshipman, clapping a hand to his jaw, "for there goes that fiendish
+tooth again! But say! You fellows are not going to leak about my little
+mishap?"
+
+"No," replied Darrin with great promptness. "You're going to do that
+yourself."
+
+"What?" gasped Midshipman Pennington in intense astonishment. "What are
+you talking about?"
+
+"You'll be wise to turn in a report, on what happened," pursued Dave,
+"for it's likely to reach official ears, anyway, and you'll be better
+off if you make the first report on the subject."
+
+"Why is it likely to reach official ears, if you fellows keep your
+mouths shut?"
+
+"You see," Darrin went on very quietly, "I reported the joint at the
+police station, and Chow Hop threatened that, if I did, he'd tell all he
+knew about everybody. So you'd better be first----"
+
+"You broke the game out to the police!" gasped Pennington, staring
+dumfoundedly at his comrade. "What on earth----"
+
+"I did it because I had more than one satisfactory reason for
+considering it my duty," interposed Dave, speaking quietly though
+firmly.
+
+"You--you--bag of wind!" exploded Midshipman Pennington.
+
+"I'll accept your apology when you've had time to think it all over,"
+replied Dave, with a smile, though there was a brief flash in his eyes.
+
+"I'll make no apology to you--at any time, you--you--greaser!"
+
+Marks for efficiency or good conduct, which increase a midshipman's
+standing, are called "grease-marks" or "grease" in midshipman slang.
+Hence a midshipman who is accused of currying favor with his officers in
+order to win "grease" is contemptuously termed a "greaser."
+
+"I don't want to talk with you any more, Mr. Darrin," Pennington went on
+bitterly, "or walk with you, either. When I get over this toothache I'll
+call you out--you greaser!"
+
+Burning with indignation, Midshipman Pennington fell back to walk with
+Hallam.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+
+DAVE'S PAP-SHEET ADVICE
+
+When our party reached the landing a lively scene lay before them.
+
+Fully a hundred midshipmen, belonging to the first, second and third
+classes, were waiting to be transported out to one or another of the
+great, gray battleships.
+
+Several launches were darting back and forth over the water. The baggage
+of the midshipmen had already been taken aboard the battleships. Only
+the young men themselves were now awaited.
+
+Near-by stood a lieutenant of the Navy, who was directing the
+embarkation of the midshipmen of the different classes.
+
+Five minutes after our party arrived a launch from the "Massachusetts"
+lay in alongside the landing.
+
+"Third classmen, this way!" shouted the lieutenant. "How many of you?"
+
+Turning his eyes over the squad that had moved forward, the officer
+continued:
+
+"Twenty-two. You can all crowd into this launch. Move quickly, young
+gentlemen!"
+
+In another couple of minutes the puffing launch was steaming away to the
+massive battleship that lay out in the stream.
+
+Dave stood well up in the bow. Once he barely overheard Pennington
+mutter to a comrade:
+
+"The rascally greaser!"
+
+"That means me," Dave muttered under his breath. "I won't take it up
+now, or in any hurry. I'll wait until Pen has had time to see things
+straight."
+
+As soon as the launch lay alongside, the young midshipmen clambered
+nimbly up the side gangway, each raising his cap to the flag at the
+stern as he passed through the opening in the rail.
+
+Here stood an officer with an open book in his hand. To him each
+midshipman reported, saluting, stated his name, and received his
+berthing.
+
+"Hurry away to find your berthings, and get acquainted with the
+location," ordered this officer. "Every midshipman will report on the
+quarter-deck promptly at five p.m. In the meantime, after locating your
+berthings, you are at liberty to range over the ship, avoiding the ward
+room and the staterooms of officers."
+
+The latest arrivals saluted. Then, under the guidance of messengers
+chosen from among the apprentice members of the crew, the young men
+located their berthings.
+
+"I'm going to get mine changed, if I can," growled Pennington, wheeling
+upon Dave Darrin. "I'm much too close to a greaser. I'm afraid I may get
+my uniforms spotted, as well as my character."
+
+"Stop that, Pen!" warned Dave, stationing himself squarely before the
+angry Pennington. "I don't know just how far you're responsible for what
+you're saying now. To-morrow, if you make any such remarks to me, you'll
+have to pay a mighty big penalty for them."
+
+"You'll make me pay by going to the commandant and telling him all you
+know, I suppose?" sneered Pennington.
+
+"You know better, Pen! Now, begin to practise keeping a civil tongue
+behind your teeth!"
+
+With that, Darrin turned on his heel, seeking the deck.
+
+This left "Pen" to conjecture as to whether he should report his
+misadventure, and, if so, how best to go about it.
+
+"See here, Hallam," began the worried midshipman, "I begin to feel that
+it will be safer to turn in some kind of report on myself."
+
+"Much safer," agreed Hallam. "It will show good faith on your part if
+you report yourself."
+
+"And get me broken from the service, too, I suppose," growled the
+unhappy one.
+
+"I hardly think it will, if you report yourself first," urged Hallam.
+"But you'll be about certain to get your walking papers if you wait for
+the first information to come from other sources."
+
+"Hang it," groaned Pennington, "I wish I could think, but my head aches
+as though it would split and my tooth is putting up more trouble than I
+ever knew there was in the world. And, in this racked condition, I'm to
+go and put myself on the pap-sheet. In what way shall I do it, Hallam?
+Can't you suggest something?"
+
+"Yes," retorted Hallam with great energy. "Go to the medical officer and
+tell him how your tooth troubles you. Tell him what you tried on shore.
+I'll go with you, if you want."
+
+"Will you, old man? I'll be a thousand times obliged!"
+
+So the pair went off in search of the sick-bay, as the hospital part of
+a battleship is called. The surgeon was not in his office adjoining, but
+the hospital steward called him over one of the ship telephones,
+informing him that a midshipman was suffering with an ulcerated tooth.
+
+Dr. Mackenzie came at once, turned on a reflector light, and gazed into
+Midshipman Pennington's mouth.
+
+"Have you tried to treat this tooth yourself, in any way?" queried the
+ship's surgeon.
+
+"Yes, sir; I was so crazy with the pain, while in Annapolis, that I am
+afraid I did something that will get me into trouble," replied
+Pennington, with a quiver in his voice.
+
+"What was that?" asked Dr. Mackenzie, glancing at him sharply. "Did you
+try the aid of liquor?"
+
+"Worse, I'm afraid, sir."
+
+"Worse?"
+
+Pennington told of his experience with the opium pipe.
+
+"That's no good whatever for a toothache, sir," growled Dr. Mackenzie.
+"Besides, it's a serious breach of discipline. I shall have to report
+you, Mr. Pennington."
+
+"I expected it, sir," replied Pennington meekly.
+
+"However, the report won't cure your toothache," continued Dr. Mackenzie
+in a milder tone. "We'll attend to that first."
+
+The surgeon busied himself with dissolving a drug in a small quantity of
+water. This he took up in a hypodermic needle and injected into the
+lower jaw.
+
+"The ache ought to stop in ten minutes, sir," continued the surgeon,
+turning to enter some memoranda in his record book.
+
+After that the surgeon called up the ship's commander over the 'phone,
+and made known Pennington's report.
+
+"Mr. Pennington, Captain Scott directs that you report at his office
+immediately," said the surgeon, as he turned away from the telephone.
+
+"Very good, sir. Thank you, sir."
+
+Both midshipmen saluted, then left the sick-bay.
+
+"This is where you have to go up alone, I guess," hinted Midshipman
+Hallam.
+
+"I'm afraid so," sighed Pennington.
+
+"However, I'll be on the quarter-deck, and, if I'm wanted, you can send
+there for me."
+
+"Thank you, old man. You're worth a brigade of Darrins--confound the
+greasing meddler!"
+
+"Darrin acted according to his best lights on the subject of duty,"
+remonstrated Mr. Hallam mildly.
+
+"His best lights--bah!" snarled Pennington. "I'll take this all out of
+him before I'm through with him!"
+
+Pennington reported to the battleship's commander. After some ten
+minutes a marine orderly found Hallam and directed him to go to Captain
+Scott's office. Here Hallam repeated as much as was asked of him
+concerning the doings of the afternoon. Incidentally, the fact of
+Midshipman Darrin's report to the police was brought out.
+
+"Mr. Pennington, I shall send you at once, in a launch, over to the
+commandant of cadets to report this matter in person to him," said
+Captain Scott gravely. "Mr. Hallam, you will go with Mr. Pennington."
+
+Then, after the two had departed, an apprentice messenger went through
+the ship calling Dave's name. That young man was summoned to Captain
+Scott's office.
+
+"I am in possession of all the facts relating to the unfortunate affair
+of Midshipman Pennington, Mr. Darrin," began Captain Scott, after the
+interchange of salutes. "Will you tell me why you reported the affair to
+the police?"
+
+"I went to the police, sir," Dave replied, "because I was aware that
+many members of the new fourth class are away from home for the first
+time in their lives. I was afraid, sir, that possibly some of the new
+midshipmen might, during one of their town-leaves, be tempted to try for
+a new experience."
+
+"A very excellent reason, Mr. Darrin, and I commend you heartily for it.
+I shall also report your exemplary conduct to the commandant of
+midshipmen. You have, in my opinion, Mr. Darrin, displayed very good
+judgment, and you acted upon that judgment with promptness and decision.
+But I am afraid," continued the Navy captain dryly, "that you have done
+something that will make you highly unpopular, for a while, with some of
+the members of your class."
+
+"I hope not, sir," replied Dave.
+
+"So do I," smiled Captain Scott "I am willing to find myself a poor
+prophet. That is all, Mr. Darrin."
+
+Once more saluting, Dave left the commanding officer's presence. Almost
+the first classmate into whom he stumbled was Dan Dalzell.
+
+"Well, from what quarter does the wind blow!" murmured Dan.
+
+Darrin repeated the interview that he had just had.
+
+"I'm afraid, Dave, little giant, that you've planted something of a mine
+under yourself," murmured Dalzell.
+
+"I feel as much convinced as ever, Danny boy, that I did just what I
+should have done," replied Darrin seriously.
+
+"And so does Captain Scott, and so will the commandant," replied Dan.
+"But winning the commendation of your superior officers doesn't always
+imply that you'll get much praise from your classmates."
+
+"Unfortunately, you are quite right," smiled Dave. "Still, I'd do the
+same thing over again."
+
+"Oh, of course you would," assented Dan. "That's because you're Dave
+Darrin."
+
+Here a voice like a bass horn was heard.
+
+"All third classmen report to the quarter-deck immediately!"
+
+This order was repeated in other parts of the ship. Midshipmen gathered
+with a rush, Pennington and Hallam being the only members absent. As
+soon as the third classmen, or "youngsters," as they are called in
+midshipman parlance, had formed, the orders were read off dividing them
+into sections for practical instruction aboard ship during the cruise.
+
+Dave's name was one of the first read off. He was assigned to duty as
+section leader for the first section in electrical instruction. Dalzell,
+Farley, Hallam, Pennington and others were detailed as members of that
+section.
+
+The same section was also designated for steam instruction, Dalzell
+being made leader of the section in this branch.
+
+The class was then dismissed. Somewhat later Pennington and Hallam
+returned from their interview with the commandant.
+
+Hallam at once sought out Dave.
+
+"Darry, old man," murmured Hallam, "Pen is as crazy as a hornet against
+you. As he had taken the first step by sticking himself on the pap-sheet
+(placing himself on report), the commandant said he would make the
+punishment a lighter one."
+
+"What did Pen get?" queried Dave.
+
+"Fifty demerits, with all the loss of privileges that fifty carry."
+
+"He's lucky," declared Dave promptly. "Had the report come from other
+sources, he would have been dismissed from the service."
+
+"If Pen's lucky," rejoined Hallam, "he doesn't seem to realize the fact.
+He's calling you about everything."
+
+"He can keep that up," flashed Dave, "until his toothache leaves him.
+Then, if he tries to carry it any further, Pen will collide with one of
+my fists!"
+
+Not much later a call sounded summoning the youngsters to the
+midshipmen's mess. Dave was glad to note that Pennington sat at some
+distance from him at table.
+
+While the meal was in progress the "Massachusetts" and the other
+battleships got under way. The midshipmen were on deck, an hour later,
+when the fleet came to anchor for the night, some miles down Chesapeake
+Bay.
+
+Before the youngsters were ordered to their berths that night Third
+Classman Pennington had found opportunity to do a good deal of talking
+to a few comrades who would listen to him.
+
+Pennington was determined to stir up a hornet's nest for Dave Darrin.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+
+MIDSHIPMAN PENNINGTON GOES TOO FAR
+
+At eight o'clock the following morning the various sections were formed
+and marched to the deck.
+
+Dave reported:
+
+"All present, sir."
+
+The chief electrician was now summoned, and to him the section was
+turned over. This young man, Whittam, by name, was an enlisted man, but
+a bright young sample of what the Navy can do for the boy who enlists as
+an apprentice.
+
+"You will take your orders from Mr. Whittam as though he were an
+officer," directed the officer, his words intended for all members of
+the section, though he looked only at Darrin.
+
+Dave saluted, then, as Chief Electrician Whittam turned to lead the way,
+Dave called quietly:
+
+"Section, left wheel--march!"
+
+They followed Whittam down into the dynamo room, an interesting spot for
+a machinist.
+
+"It's fine," muttered Dan, as he stared about him at the bright metal
+work, the switch-board and the revolving machines. "But I'm afraid I
+couldn't learn the use and sense of all this in five years."
+
+"Silence in the section," commanded Dave, turning around upon his chum.
+
+Whittam now began a short, preliminary talk upon the subjects in which
+the midshipmen would be required to qualify.
+
+"One of the first and most important requests I have to make," said
+Whittam presently, "is that none of you touch the switches, except by
+direction. None of you can guess the harm that might follow the careless
+and ignorant handling of a switch."
+
+"It's pretty cheeky for an enlisted man to talk to midshipmen about
+ignorance," whispered Pennington to Farley.
+
+"Oh, I don't know--" Farley started to reply, but Darrin's quiet voice
+broke in with authority:
+
+"Cease talking in section."
+
+Farley knew this to be a merited rebuke, and accepted it as such, but
+Pennington's face went violently red.
+
+"Confound that grease-spot-chaser," growled Pen. "He'll be bound to take
+it out of me as long as the cruise lasts. But I'll get even with him. No
+cheap greaser is going to ride over me!"
+
+That morning none of the midshipmen were called upon to handle any of
+the fascinating-looking machinery. Nearly the whole of this tour of
+practical instruction was taken up by the remarks of the chief
+electrician. As he spoke, Whittam moved over to one piece or another of
+mechanism and explained its uses. Finally, he began to question the
+attentive young men, to see how much of his instruction they had
+absorbed.
+
+"This is a shame, to set an enlisted man up over us as quiz-master, just
+to see how little we know," growled Pennington; but this time he had the
+good sense not to address his remark to anyone.
+
+Pennington was not yet in good shape, after his harrowing experiences of
+the day before.
+
+Ere the tour of instruction was over, he began to shift somewhat
+uneasily.
+
+Then his attention began to wander.
+
+A brilliantly shining brass rod near him caught his eye. Something about
+the glossy metal fascinated him.
+
+Once or twice Pen put out his hand to touch the rod, but as quickly
+reconsidered and drew back his hand.
+
+At last, however, the temptation proved too strong. He slid one hand
+along the rail.
+
+"Here, sir, don't handle that!" rasped in the voice of Whittam.
+
+Pennington drew back his hand, a flush mounting to his face.
+
+"The fellow has no right to talk to a midshipman in that fashion!"
+quivered Pennington to himself. "But it was the fault of that low-minded
+greaser Darrin, anyway. Darrin saw me, and he glanced swiftly at the
+chief electrician to draw attention to me."
+
+It is only just to Pennington to state that he actually believed he had
+seen Dave do this. Darrin, however, was not guilty of the act. He had in
+no way sought to direct attention at Pennington.
+
+Towards the close of the tour the officer in whose department this
+instruction fell passed through the dynamo room.
+
+"Are there any breaches of conduct to be reported, Whittam?" inquired
+the officer, halting.
+
+"Nothing worth mentioning, sir," replied the chief electrician.
+
+"I asked you, Whittam, whether there had been any breaches of conduct,"
+retorted the officer with some asperity.
+
+"One midshipman, sir, after having been instructed to touch nothing,
+rested his hand on one of the brass rods."
+
+"His name?"
+
+"I don't know the names of many of the young gentlemen yet, sir, so I
+don't know the particular midshipman's name, sir."
+
+"Then point him out to me," insisted the officer.
+
+There was hardly any need to do so. Pennington's face, flushed with
+mortification, was sufficient identification. But the chief electrician
+stepped over, halting in front of the hapless one, and said:
+
+"This is the young gentleman, sir."
+
+"Your name, sir?" demanded the officer.
+
+"Pennington, sir."
+
+"Mr. Pennington, you will place yourself on the report, sir, for
+disobedience of orders," commanded the officer. "Is this the only case,
+Whittam?"
+
+"The only case, sir."
+
+The officer passed out of the dynamo room, leaving the unlucky one more
+than ever angry with Darrin, whom he incorrectly charged with his
+present trouble.
+
+The recall sounding, Dave turned to Whittam, saying crisply but
+pleasantly:
+
+"Thank you for our instruction."
+
+"He's thanking the fellow for my new scrape," growled Pennington
+inwardly.
+
+Dave marched his section back to deck and dismissed it. Dan Dalzell, as
+section leader in steam instruction, immediately re-formed it.
+
+"You will report in the engine-room, Mr. Dalzell, to
+Lieutenant-Commander Forman, who is chief engineer of this ship. He will
+assign you to an instructor."
+
+"Aye, aye, sir," Dan replied, saluting. "Section, right wheel--march!"
+
+Dan already knew where, down in the bowels of the great battleship, to
+find the engine room.
+
+Reaching that department, Dan halted his section.
+
+"Section all present, sir," reported Dan, saluting a strange officer,
+who, however, wore the insignia of a lieutenant-commander.
+
+"Your name, sir?" inquired the officer.
+
+"Dalzell, sir."
+
+"Let your section break ranks. Then you may all follow me, and keep your
+eyes open, for you will go through one or two dark places."
+
+"Aye, aye, sir. Section break ranks."
+
+Lieutenant-Commander Forman led the way, with all the members of the
+section wondering what was to be the nature of their first day's work in
+the engineer department.
+
+Descending lower into the ship, the chief engineer led the young middies
+over a grating, and paused at the head of an iron ladder.
+
+"Pass down in orderly fashion, single file," directed the chief
+engineer, halting. "When at the foot of this ladder, cross a grating to
+port side, and then descend a second ladder, which you will find."
+
+All the midshipmen went down the first ladder in silence. Dan, who had
+preceded the others, crossed the grating and found the second ladder.
+
+Once more these youngsters descended. Pennington, as though by mere
+accident, succeeded in following Dave Darrin down the ladder.
+
+Just as they were near the bottom Dave felt a foot descend upon his
+shoulder, almost with a kick, and then rest there with a crushing
+pressure.
+
+It hurt keenly until Darrin was able to dodge out from under and
+hurriedly reach the bottom.
+
+"Pardon, whoever you are," came a gruff voice.
+
+Dave, with his shoulder crippled a good deal, and paining keenly, halted
+as soon as his foot had touched bottom. It was dark down there, though
+some reflected light came from an incandescent light at a distance.
+
+Dave waited, to peer into the face of the man who had stepped on his
+shoulder.
+
+It was Pennington, of course!
+
+"I'll take pains not to go down ahead of you again, or to follow you up
+a ladder," grunted Darrin suspiciously.
+
+"Oh, are you the man on whose shoulder my foot rested?" asked
+Pennington, with apparent curiosity.
+
+"Didn't you know it!" questioned Darrin, looking straight into the
+other's eyes.
+
+Instead of answering intelligibly, Pennington turned and walked away a
+few feet.
+
+"Perhaps that fellow thinks he's going to vent his spite on me in a lot
+of petty ways," murmured Dave. "If that is the idea he has in his head,
+he's going to wake up one of these days!"
+
+Following the last midshipman came Lieutenant-Commander Forman.
+
+"After me, gentlemen," directed the chief engineer. He turned down a
+narrow passage, only a few feet long, and came out in the furnace room.
+
+Here huge fires glowed through the furnace doors. Four of the Navy's
+firemen stood resting on their shovels. Instantly, on perceiving the
+chief engineer, however, the men stood at attention.
+
+"Pass the word for the chief water tender," ordered the engineer,
+turning to one of the firemen.
+
+The messenger soon came back with a pleasant-faced, stalwart man of
+forty.
+
+"Heistand," ordered the chief engineer, "give these members of the first
+section, third: class, steam instruction, a thorough drill in firing."
+
+"Aye, aye, sir," replied the chief water tender, saluting.
+
+"Heistand's orders are mine, Mr. Dalzell," continued the
+lieutenant-commander, facing Dan. "Preserve order in your section."
+
+"Aye, aye, sir," replied Dan, saluting. Acknowledging this courtesy in
+kind, the chief engineer turned and left the furnace room.
+
+Heistand was presumably of German parentage, though he had no accent. He
+struck the midshipmen as being a pleasant, wholesome fellow, though the
+water tenders and firemen of the "Massachusetts" knew that he could be
+extremely strict and grim at need.
+
+"You will now, young gentlemen," began Heistand, "proceed to learn all
+about priming a furnace, lighting, building, cleaning and generally
+taking care of a fire. Two furnaces have been left idle for this
+instruction."
+
+But two of the regular firemen now remained in the room. These were
+ordered to hustle out coal before boilers B and D. Then Heistand taught
+the members of the section how to swing a shovel to the best advantage
+so as to get in a maximum of coal with the least effort. He also
+illustrated two or three incorrect ways of shoveling coal.
+
+"The idea of making coal heavers out of us!" growled a much-disgusted
+voice.
+
+Dan did not see who the speaker was, but his eyes flashed as he turned
+and rasped out:
+
+"Silence in the section! Speak only to ask for information, and then at
+the proper time."
+
+"Another young autocrat!" muttered a voice.
+
+"Wait one moment, please, Heistand," begged Dan. Then, wheeling squarely
+about, and facing all the members of the section, he declared with
+emphasis:
+
+"If there's any more unauthorized talking I shall feel obliged to pass
+the word above that discipline is in a bad way in this section."
+
+Then he wheeled about once more, facing the chief water tender.
+
+"Now, young gentlemen," resumed the chief water tender, "take your
+shovels and fill in lively under boilers B and D."
+
+Three or four times Heistand checked one or another of the midshipmen,
+to show him a more correct way of handling the shovel. Yet, in good
+time, both furnaces were primed.
+
+"Now, Mr. Dalzell, please detail four members of the section to follow
+me with their shovels and bring red coals from under another boiler."
+
+Dan appointed himself, Darrin, Farley and Pennington.
+
+Burning coals were brought and thrown into each furnace, and in a little
+while roaring fires were going. These, though not needed for the
+handling of the battleship, were permitted to burn for a while, Heistand
+explaining to the section practically the uses of the water gauges and
+the test cocks. By this time the midshipmen's white working clothes were
+liberally sprinkled with coal dust and somewhat smeared with oils.
+
+"And now, young gentlemen, as we have no further use for these fires,
+you will next learn how to haul them," announced Heistand.
+
+This was interesting work, but hot and fast. The implements with which
+the middies worked soon became red-hot at the end. Yet, as all entered
+into this novel work with zest, the fires had soon been hauled out on to
+the floor plates.
+
+Just as the last of this work was being done Pennington, as an apparent
+accident due to excess of zeal, dropped the red-hot end of his implement
+across the toe of Darrin's left shoe.
+
+In an instant the leather began to blaze. With swift presence of mind
+Dave stepped his right foot on the flame, smothering it at once.
+
+But he was "mad clean through."
+
+"See here, Pen," he muttered, in a low voice, his eyes blazing fiercely
+into the other midshipman's, "that is the last piece of impudence that
+will be tolerated from you."
+
+Midshipman Pennington's lip curled disdainfully.
+
+Dan had not seen the "accident," but he was near enough to hear the
+talking, and he caught Dave at it. So Dan ordered, impartially:
+
+"Mr. Darrin, you will place yourself on report for unauthorized talking
+in section!"
+
+Dave flushed still more hotly, but said nothing.
+
+Midshipman Dalzell now marched the section from the furnace room, and
+dismissed it. It was near noon, and would soon be time for the middies
+to eat.
+
+Dave hurried away, washed, changed his uniform, and then stepped away
+swiftly to place himself on the report.
+
+"I was sorry to do that, old chum," murmured Dan, as he met Dave
+returning. "But of course I couldn't play favorites. What made you so
+far forget yourself?"
+
+"A something that would have had the same effect on you," retorted Dave
+grimly. Thereupon he described Pennington's two underhanded assaults
+that morning.
+
+"Humph!" muttered Dalzell. "That fellow Pen is bound to go the whole
+limit with you."
+
+"He won't go much further," declared Dave, his eyes flashing.
+
+"And the chump ought to know it, too," mused Dan. "The class history of
+the last year should have taught him that. But see here, Dave, I don't
+believe Pen will do anything openly. He will construct a series of
+plausible accidents."
+
+"There will be one thing about him that will be open, if he goes any
+further," retorted Dave, "and that will be his face when he collides
+with my fist."
+
+"I hope I see that when it happens," grinned Dalzell. "It's bound to be
+entertaining!"
+
+"Wait a second, then. Here comes Pennington now," murmured Dave Darrin
+in an undertone.
+
+Pennington, in his immaculate blue uniform, like the chums, came
+strolling along the passageway between decks.
+
+He affected not to see the chums, and would have passed by. But Dave,
+eyeing him closely, waited until Pen was barely three feet away. Then
+Darrin said tersely:
+
+"Mr. Pennington, I wish an understanding with you."
+
+"I don't want any with you," replied Pennington insolently, as he stared
+at Dave from under much-raised eyebrows. He would have gone by, but Dave
+sprang squarely in front of him.
+
+"Just wait a moment!" warned Dave rather imperiously, for he was aglow
+with justifiable indignation.
+
+"Well?" demanded Pennington halting. "Out with it, whatever you may
+think you have to say."
+
+"I have two things to speak about," replied Dave, trying to control his
+voice. "In the first place, while going down the ladders to the furnaces
+this morning, you stepped on my shoulder."
+
+"Well!" insisted Pennington coldly.
+
+"The second thing you did was, when hauling the fires, to drop red-hot
+metal across one of my shoes, setting it on fire."
+
+"Well?" insisted Pennington more coldly.
+
+"If you mean to contend that either one was an accident," resumed Dave,
+"then--"
+
+But he found himself obliged to pause for a moment in order to steady
+his voice.
+
+"Well?" asked Pennington with more insolence than ever.
+
+"If you make such pretense in either case," tittered Dave Darrin, "then
+you're a liar!"
+
+"Fellow!" sputtered Pennington, turning white with anger.
+
+"I mean what I say, and I can back it up," muttered Darrin.
+
+"Then I'll make you eat your words!" roared Pennington.
+
+Clenching his fists and with the boxer's attitude, Pen aimed two swift
+blows at Darrin.
+
+Neither blow reached, however, for Dave dodged out of the way. Then
+Darrin struck back, a straight, true, forceful blow that landed on the
+other midshipman's nose, knocking him down.
+
+Pennington staggered somewhat when he rose, but he was quickly up, none
+the less, and ready for anything that might happen.
+
+All of a sudden Dan Dalzell felt his own heart going down into his
+shoes. One of the ship's officers had just entered the passageway, in
+time to see what was going on.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+
+A LITTLE MEETING ASHORE
+
+"Stop it, both of you," whispered Dan.
+
+"Stand at attention, ready to salute the officer."
+
+Pennington, with the blood flowing from his damaged nose, would have
+made a most ludicrous figure saluting!
+
+The instant that he saw such evidence as Pen's nose presented the
+officer would be bound to make inquiries.
+
+Then, just as surely, his next step must be to Border the three before
+the commandant of midshipmen.
+
+Fighting carries with it a severe penalty. Even Dan was certain to be
+reported, through the mere fact of his presence there, as aiding in a
+fight. And those who aid are punished as severely as the principals
+themselves.
+
+It was a tense, fearsome instant, for midshipmen have been dismissed
+from the Naval Academy for this very offense.
+
+The passage was not brilliantly lighted.
+
+The on-coming officer, a lieutenant, junior grade, was looking at the
+floor as he came along.
+
+Suddenly he paused, seemed lost in thought, then wheeled and walked back
+whence he had come.
+
+Dan breathed more easily. Dave heaved a sigh of relief.
+
+As for Pennington, that midshipman had wheeled and was stealing rapidly
+down the passageway, intent only on escape.
+
+"That was the closest squeak we'll ever have without being ragged cold,"
+murmured Dalzell tremulously.
+
+"Where is Pennington?" demanded Dave, wheeling about after he had
+watched the Naval lieutenant out of sight.
+
+"Ducked out of sight, like a submarine," chuckled Dan.
+
+At that moment the call for midshipmen's dinner formation sounded. Dave
+and Dan were ready.
+
+Pennington showed up just after the line had started to march into the
+midshipmen's mess tables.
+
+To the inquiry of the officer in charge, Pen lamely explained that he
+had bumped his nose into something hard in a poorly lighted passageway.
+
+Though the officer accepted the excuse, he smiled within himself.
+
+"It wasn't iron or steel that bumped that young man's nose," thought the
+officer.
+
+"Oh, the middies haven't changed a lot since I boned at Annapolis!"
+
+Pennington's nose was no very lovely member of his face at that moment.
+It had been struck hard, mashed rather flat, and now looked like a red
+bulb.
+
+"Meet with an accident, Pen?" asked Hallam curiously at table.
+
+"Quit your kidding, please," requested Pennington sulkily.
+
+That directed the curious glances of other middies at Pennington's new
+bulbous nose.
+
+The young man was so brusque about it, however, that other table mates
+ceased quizzing him.
+
+Yet, as soon as the meal was over, many a youngster asked others of his
+class for news regarding Pen. But none possessed it.
+
+During the brief rest that followed the meal, however, Midshipman
+Pennington made it his business to try to meet Dave Darrin alone. He
+succeeded, finding Dave staring off across the water at the port rail.
+
+"Of course, Mr. Darrin," began the other midshipman, in a voice
+suggestive of ice, "you are aware that the incident of an hour ago
+cannot be allowed to pass unnoticed."
+
+"I don't believe there's any danger of that," retorted Darrin, with an
+ironical glance at Pennington's damaged-looking nose.
+
+"Confound you, sir," hissed the other midshipman, "don't you dare to be
+insolent with me."
+
+"Why, I had thought," observed Dave, "that, of your own choice, the
+period of courtesies between us had passed."
+
+"I shall call you out, Mr. Darrin!"
+
+"You'll find my hearing excellent," smiled Dave. "I shall make but one
+stipulation."
+
+"I'll do you the favor of asking what that stipulation is," sneered
+Pennington.
+
+"Why, after the narrow escape we had from being caught and reported, an
+hour or so ago, I shall ask that the fight be held where we are not so
+likely to be caught at it. I don't care about being dropped from the
+Naval Academy, nor do I believe you do."
+
+"It would be a good thing for the service, if one of us were to be
+dropped," sneered Pennington.
+
+"Yes! Oh, well, you can easily procure writing materials from the
+captain's clerk," volunteered Dave generously. "On a cruise, I believe,
+a resignation is sent direct to the commandant of midshipmen."
+
+This ridicule served only to fan the flame of Pennington's wrath.
+
+"Darrin," he hissed, "the Academy isn't big enough to hold us both!"
+
+"But I've already told you how to get out," protested Dave coolly.
+
+"I don't intend to get out!"
+
+"No more do I," rejoined Dave. "I won't even toss pennies with you to
+find out who quits the service."
+
+"Mr. Darrin, you are merely seeking to divert my mind from what I have
+said."
+
+"What did you say--particularly?"
+
+"That you would have to fight me."
+
+"I have already signified my entire willingness, Mr. Pennington. To that
+I really can add nothing."
+
+Fourth classmen are always addressed as "mister," and they must use the
+same "handle to the name" when addressing upper classmen. But members of
+the three upper classes resort to the use of "mister," in addressing
+classmates, only when they wish to be offensive or nearly so.
+
+"I will send a friend to meet you," Pennington continued.
+
+"Why, I thought," bantered Darrin ironically, "that you were going to
+fight me yourself."
+
+"So I am--be sure of it. I will amend my statement by saying that I will
+send a second to see you."
+
+"Save time by sending him to Dalzell."
+
+"Very good, Mr. Darrin."
+
+"Is that all you wished to say to me?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Very good, Mr. Pennington."
+
+With two very stiff nods the midshipmen parted.
+
+Pennington hastened at once in search of Hallam.
+
+"Will you serve me, old man?" queried Pennington.
+
+"Sorry, but----"
+
+"Well, you see, Pen, not knowing all the facts of the case, I must admit
+that all my sympathies are with Darrin."
+
+"All your sympathies?" echoed Pen, frowning.
+
+"Well, nearly all, anyway. You see, I've known and observed Darrin for a
+full year now, and I don't believe patient old Darry is the one to start
+any trouble."
+
+"He called me a liar," protested Pennington.
+
+"Did he?" gasped Hallam.
+
+"Well, he qualified the statement, but his way of saying it was as
+offensive as the direct lie could have been."
+
+"So you're bent on fighting Darry?"
+
+"I am."
+
+"Too bad!" muttered Hallam, shaking his head.
+
+"Are you anxious for your idol?" asked Pen in a disagreeable tone.
+
+"No, Penny; it's you that I'm concerned about in my own mind. You're
+going next to a very hard proposition. Darry is patient--almost as
+patient as the proverbial camel--but when he fights he fights! You'll be
+hammered to a pulp, Pen."
+
+"Pooh!"
+
+"No one has yet beaten Darrin at a fist fight."
+
+"There always has to be a first time, you know."
+
+"And you think you're It?"
+
+"As far as Darrin is concerned--yes."
+
+"Too bad--too bad!" sighed Hallam. "I'm afraid, Penny, that the heat in
+the furnace room was too much for you this morning."
+
+"Then you won't serve as one of my seconds?"
+
+"The honor is most regretfully declined," replied Hallam in a tone of
+mock sadness.
+
+"You want to see Darrin win?"
+
+"If there has to be a fight, I do," replied Midshipman Hallam.
+
+"Don't bet your money on him, anyway."
+
+"I'm not a gambler, Penny, and I don't bet," replied Hallam, with a
+dignity that, somehow, ended the conversation.
+
+Pennington had considerable difficulty, at first, in finding a second.
+At last, however, he induced Decker and Briggs to represent him.
+
+These two midshipmen went to see Dan Dalzell.
+
+"Wait until I send for Mr. Farley," proposed Dalzell. He soon had that
+midshipman, who was wholly willing to serve Darrin in any capacity.
+
+"We're ready to have the fight this evening," proposed Midshipman
+Decker.
+
+"We're not," retorted Dan, with vigor.
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"This forenoon Pennington deliberately stepped on Darrin's shoulder,
+with such force as to lame it a good deal," replied Dan. "Our man
+insists that he has a right to rest his shoulder, and to wait until
+to-morrow."
+
+"But to-morrow we have a short shore liberty at Hampton Roads,"
+remonstrated Briggs.
+
+"Yes; and during that shore liberty we can have the fight more safely
+than on board ship," insisted Dalzell.
+
+"But we intended to devote our shore leave to pleasure," objected
+Decker.
+
+"You'll find plenty of pleasure, if you accept our proposition," urged
+Dan dryly. "At any rate, we won't hear of Darrin fighting before
+to-morrow. He must have to-night to rest that shoulder."
+
+"All right; so be it," growled Decker, after a side glance at Briggs.
+
+"On shore, at some point to be selected by the seconds?" asked Dan
+Dalzell.
+
+"Yes; that's agreed."
+
+Details as to whom to invite as referee and time-keeper were also
+arranged.
+
+"I suppose we'll have to use up our shore leave that way, then," grunted
+Pennington, when told of the arrangement.
+
+"There's one way you can save the day," grinned Decker.
+
+"How?"
+
+"Put Darrin to sleep in the first round, then hurriedly dress and leave,
+and enjoy your time on shore."
+
+"But Darrin is a very able man with his fists," observed Pennington.
+
+"Yes; but you're a mile bigger and heavier, and you're spry, too. You
+ought to handle him with all the ease in the world."
+
+"I don't know," muttered Pennington, who didn't intend to make the
+mistake of bragging in advance. "I'll do my best, of course."
+
+"Oh, you'll win out, if you're awake," predicted Midshipman Briggs
+confidently.
+
+When the cadets were called, the following morning, they found the
+battleship fleet at anchor in Hampton Roads.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+
+WHEN THE SECONDS WONDERED
+
+One after another the launches sped ashore, carrying their swarms of
+distinguished looking young midshipmen.
+
+The fight party managed to get off all in the same boat, and on one of
+the earliest trips.
+
+Pennington was to have ordinary shore leave on the cruise, his fifty
+demerits to be paid for by loss of privileges on his return to the Naval
+Academy.
+
+"Decker," proposed Dan, "you and I can skip away and find a good place
+in no time. Then we can come back after the others."
+
+"That's agreeable to me," nodded Midshipman Decker.
+
+In twenty minutes the two seconds were back.
+
+"We've found just the place," announced Decker. "And it isn't more than
+three minutes' walk from here. Will you all hurry along?"
+
+"The place" turned out to be a barn that had not been used for a year or
+more. The floor was almost immaculately clean. In consideration of two
+dollars handed him, the owner had agreed to display no curiosity, and
+not to mention the affair to any one.
+
+"How do you like it, Darry?" asked Dan anxiously.
+
+"It will suit me as well as any other place," responded Dave, slipping
+off his blouse, folding it neatly and putting it aside, his uniform cap
+following.
+
+"And you?" asked Decker of his man.
+
+"The floor's hard, but I don't expect to be the man to hit it," replied
+Pennington.
+
+In five minutes both midshipmen were attired for their "affair." Between
+them the different members of the party had smuggled ashore shoes, old
+trousers and belts for the fighters.
+
+It being a class affair, Remington, of the third class, had come along
+as referee, while Dawley; was to be the time-keeper.
+
+"If the principals are ready, let them step forward," ordered Midshipman
+Remington, going to the middle of the floor. "Now, I understand that
+this is to be a finish fight; rounds, two minutes; rests, two minutes. I
+also understand that the principals do not care to shake hands before
+the call to mix up."
+
+Darrin and Pennington nodded their assent.
+
+"Take your places, gentlemen," ordered the referee quickly. "Are you
+ready, gentlemen?"
+
+"Yes," came from both principals.
+
+"Time!"
+
+Both men had their guards up. As the word left the referee's lips each
+tried two or three passes which the other blocked. Midshipman Pennington
+was trying to take his opponent's "measure."
+
+Then Dave ducked, darted, dodged and wheeled about. Pennington had to
+follow him, and it made the latter angry.
+
+"Stand up and fight, can't you," hissed Pen.
+
+"Silence during the rounds, Mr. Pennington," admonished the referee
+quietly. "Let the officials do all the talking that may be necessary."
+
+Dave, as he dodged again, and came up unscathed, grinned broadly over
+this rebuke. That grin made Pen angrier than anything else could have
+done.
+
+"I'll wipe that grin off his face!" muttered Pennington angrily.
+
+And this very thing Pennington tried hard to do. He was quick on his own
+feet, and for a few seconds he followed the dodging Darrin about,
+raining in blows that required all of Dave's adroitness to escape.
+
+Dave's very success, however, made his opponent all the angrier. From
+annoyance, followed by excessive irritation, Pennington went into almost
+blind rage--and the man who does that, anywhere in life, must always pay
+for it.
+
+Suddenly Dave swung his right in on the point of Pen's chin with a force
+that jolted the larger midshipman. As part of the same movement,
+Darrin's left crashed against Pennington's nose.
+
+Then, out of chivalry, Dave dropped back, to give Pen a few moments, in
+case he needed them, to get his wits back.
+
+"Time!" roared Dawley, and Pennington's seconds pounced upon him and
+bore him away to his corner.
+
+"Now I know how that fellow Darrin wins his fights," growled Pennington
+in an undertone. "He keeps on running away until he has the other man
+gasping for breath. Then Darrin jumps in and wins."
+
+"The method doesn't much matter," commented Briggs dryly, as he and
+Decker worked over their man. "It's the result that counts. Rush Darry
+into a tight corner, Pen, and then slam him hard and sufficiently."
+
+"Thanks, fellows; now I'm all right for the second round." muttered
+Midshipman Pennington.
+
+In a few seconds more Dave and his opponent were hard at work.
+
+Dave still used his footwork, and most cleverly. Yet, wherever he went,
+Pen followed him nimbly. It didn't look so one sided now.
+
+Then Pennington, at last, managed to deliver one blow on Darrin's right
+short ribs. It took a lot of Dave's spare wind; he raced about, seeking
+to regain his wind before allowing close quarters. But at last
+Pennington closed in again, and, after a swift feint, tried to land the
+same short-rib blow.
+
+Darrin was watching, and blocked. Then, his temples reddening with
+anger, Dave swung in a huge one that crashed in under Pennington's right
+ear.
+
+"Time!" shouted Dawley, just as Pen went to the floor in a heap. That
+saved the larger midshipman from having to take the count. His seconds
+had him ready at the call for the third round.
+
+Now, suddenly, Darrin seemed to change not only his tactics, but his
+whole personality. To his opponent Dave seemed suddenly transformed into
+a dancing demon.
+
+It was about the same old footwork, but it was aggressive now, instead
+of being defensive.
+
+First, Dave landed a light tap on the already suffering nose. A few
+seconds later he landed on the point of Pen's chin, though not hard
+enough to send his man down. Then a rather light blow on the jaw, just
+under Pen's right ear again. The larger midshipman was now thoroughly
+alarmed. He feared that Darrin could do whatever he willed, and shivered
+with wonder as to when the knockout blow would come.
+
+The truth was, Pennington was still putting up a better battle than he
+himself realized, and Darrin was not disposed to take any foolish
+chances through rushing the affair. Thus, the third round ended.
+
+By the time that they came up for the fourth round, after both men had
+undergone some vigorous handling by their respective seconds, Pennington
+was a good deal revived and far more confident.
+
+Dave's tactics were the same in the fourth round. Pennington didn't find
+time to develop much in the way of tactics for himself, save to defend
+himself.
+
+During the first minute no important blows were landed on either side.
+Then, suddenly, Dave darted in and under, and brought a right-arm hook
+against Pen's nose in a way that started that member to bleeding again,
+and with a steady flow.
+
+That jarred the larger midshipman. He plunged in, heavily and blindly,
+blocking one of Darrin's blows by wrapping both arms around him.
+
+"None of that, Mr. Pennington! Break away fast!" ordered Midshipman
+Remington quickly.
+
+Dave took a fair get away, not attempting to strike as the clinch was
+broken. But an instant later Dave came back, dancing all around his
+dazed opponent, landing on the short ribs, on the breast bone, under
+either ear and finally on the tip of the chin.
+
+Pen was sure that none of these blows had been delivered with the force
+that Darrin could have sent in.
+
+"Time!" shouted Midshipman Dawley.
+
+The principals retired to their corners, Pennington almost wholly afraid
+from the conviction that his antagonist was now merely playing with him
+to keep the interest going.
+
+So Pennington was still rather badly scared when the two came together
+for the fifth round.
+
+"Get lively, now, gentlemen, if you can," begged Referee Remington.
+"Finish this one way or the other, and let us get some of the benefits
+of our shore leave."
+
+Pen started by putting more steam behind every blow. Dave, who had used
+up so much of his wind by his brilliant footwork, began to find it
+harder to keep the upper hand.
+
+Twice, however, he managed to land body blows. He was trying to drive in
+a third when Pennington blocked, following this with a left-arm jab on
+Darrin's left jaw that sent the lighter man to the floor.
+
+Instantly Dawley began to count off the seconds.
+
+"--seven, eight, nine, te----"
+
+Dave was up on his feet. Pen tried to make a quick rush, but Darrin
+dodged cleverly, them wheeled and faced his opponent as the latter
+wheeled about.
+
+After that there was less footwork. Both men stood up to it, as keenly
+alert as they could be, each trying to drive home heavy blows. While
+they were still at it the call of time sounded.
+
+"Don't let him put it over you, David, little giant!" warned Dan, as the
+latter and Farley vigorously massaged Darrin's muscles. "He all but had
+you, and there isn't any need of making Pen a present of the meeting."
+
+"I tried to get him," muttered Dave in an undertone, "and I shall go on
+trying to the last. But Pennington is pretty nearly superior to anyone
+in my class."
+
+"Just waltz in and show him," whispered Dalzell, as the call sounded.
+
+Pennington entered the sixth round with more confidence. He began, at
+the outset, to drive in heavy blows, nor did Dave do much dodging.
+
+Bump! Twenty-five seconds only of this round had gone when Darrin landed
+his right fist with fearful force upon the high point of Pennington's
+jaw.
+
+Down went the larger midshipman again. This time he moaned. His eyes
+were open, though they had a somewhat glassy look in them.
+
+Dawley was counting off the seconds in measured tones.
+
+"--seven, eight, nine--ten!"
+
+Pen had struggled to rise to his feet, but sank back with a gasp of
+despair and rage.
+
+"Mr. Pennington loses the count and the fight," announced Referee
+Remington coolly. "I don't believe we're needed here, Dawley. The
+seconds can handle the wreck. Come along."
+
+As the two officials of the meeting hustled out of the barn, Dalzell
+gave his attention to helping his chum, while Farley went over to offer
+his services in getting the vanquished midshipman into shape.
+
+"There were times when I could have closed both of Pennington's eyes,"
+murmured Dave to Dan. "But I didn't want to give him any disfiguring
+marks that would start questions on board ship."
+
+"You had him whipped from the start," murmured Dan confidently, as he
+sprayed, then rubbed Dave's chest and arms.
+
+"Maybe, but I'm not so sure of that," rejoined Darrin. "That fellow
+isn't so easy a prize for any one in my class. There were times when I
+was all but convinced that he had me."
+
+"Oh, fairy tales!" grunted Dan.
+
+"Have it your own way, then, Danny boy!"
+
+When Darrin and his seconds left the barn they went off to enjoy what
+remained of the shore leave. Pennington's seconds finally, at his own
+request, left him at an ice cream parlor, where he proposed to remain
+until he could return to the big, steel "Massachusetts" without exciting
+any wonder over the little time he had remained ashore. Pennington had
+strength to walk about, but he was far from being in really good shape,
+and preferred to keep quiet.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+
+IN TROUBLE ON FOREIGN SOIL
+
+From Hampton Roads the Battleship Squadron, with the midshipmen on
+board, sailed directly for Plymouth, England.
+
+During most of the voyage over slow cruising speed was used. By the time
+that England's coast was sighted the third-class middies found they knew
+much more about a battleship than they had believed to be possible at
+the start of the voyage.
+
+They had served as firemen; they had mastered many of the electrical
+details of a battleship; they had received instruction and had "stood
+trick" by the engines; there had been some drill with the smaller,
+rapid-fire guns, and finally, they had learned at least the rudiments of
+"wig-wagging," as signaling by means of signal flags is termed.
+
+It was just before the call to supper formation when England's coast
+loomed up. Most of the midshipmen stood at the rail, watching eagerly
+for a better glimpse at the coast.
+
+Some of the midshipmen, especially those who came from wealthier
+families, had been in England before entering the Naval Academy. These
+fortunate ones were questioned eagerly by their comrades.
+
+The battleships were well in sight of Eastern King Point when the
+midshipmen's call for supper formation sounded. Feeling that they would
+much have preferred to wait for their supper, the young men hastened
+below.
+
+After the line was formed it seemed to the impatient young men as though
+it had never taken so long to read the orders.
+
+Yet there came one welcome order, to the effect that, immediately after
+the morning meal, all midshipmen might go to the pay officer and draw
+ten dollars, to be charged against their pay accounts.
+
+"That ten dollars apiece looms up large David, little giant," murmured
+Dan Dalzell, while the evening meal was in progress.
+
+"We ought to have a lot of fun on it," replied Darrin, who was looking
+forward with greatest eagerness to his first visit to any foreign soil.
+"But how much shore leave are we to have?"
+
+"Two days, the word is. We'll get it straight in the morning, at
+breakfast formation."
+
+In defiance of regulations, Midshipman Pennington, whose father was
+wealthy, had several hundred dollars concealed in his baggage. He had
+already invited Hallam, Mossworth and Dickey to keep in his wake on
+shore, and these young men had gladly enough agreed.
+
+"Say, but we're slackening speed!" quivered Dalzell, when the meal was
+nearly finished.
+
+"Headway has stopped," declared Darrin a few moments later.
+
+"Listen, everyone!" called Farley. "Don't you hear the rattle of the
+anchor chains?"
+
+"Gentlemen, as we're forbidden to make too much racket," proposed
+irrepressible Dan, "let us give three silent cheers for Old England!"
+
+Rising in his place, Dan raised his hand aloft, and brought it down, as
+his lips silently formed a "hurrah!"
+
+Three times this was done, each time the lips of the midshipmen forming
+a silent cheer.
+
+Then Dan, with a mighty swoop of his right arm, let his lips form the
+word that everyone knew to be "tiger!"
+
+"Ugh-h-h!" groaned Midshipman Reilly.
+
+"Throw that irresponsible Fenian out!" directed Dan, grinning.
+
+Then the midshipmen turned their attention to the remnants of the meal.
+
+Boom! sounded sharply overhead.
+
+"There goes the twenty-one-gunner," announced Darrin.
+
+When a foreign battleship enters a fortified port the visiting fleet, or
+rather, its flagship, fires a national salute of twenty-one guns. After
+a short interval following the discharge of the last gun, one of the
+forts on shore answers with twenty-one guns. This is one of the methods
+of observing the courtesies between nations by their respective fleets.
+
+Ere all the guns had been fired from the flagship, the third classmen
+received the rising signal; the class marched out and was dismissed.
+Instantly a break was made for deck.
+
+The midshipmen were in good time to see the smoke and hear the roar of
+guns from one of the forts on shore.
+
+In the morning the commandant of cadets, as commanding officer of the
+squadron, would go ashore with his aide and pay a formal call to the
+senior military officer. Later in the day that English officer and one
+or two of his staff officers would return the call by coming out to the
+flagship. That accomplished, all the required courtesies would have been
+observed.
+
+It was still broad daylight, for in summer the English twilight is a
+long one, and darkness does not settle down until late.
+
+"Oh, if we were only going ashore to-night!" murmured Hallam. There were
+many others to echo the thought, but all knew that it could not be done.
+
+"Couldn't we find a trick for slipping ashore after lights out?" eagerly
+queried Dickey, who was not noted as a "greaser."
+
+"Could we?" quivered Hallam, who, with few demerits against him, felt
+inclined to take a chance.
+
+But Pennington, to whom he appealed, shook his head.
+
+"Too big a risk, Hally," replied Pen. "And trebly dangerous, with that
+greaser, Darrin, in the class."
+
+"Oh, stow that," growled Hallam. "Darrin is no greaser. You've got him
+on your black books--that's all."
+
+"He is a greaser, I tell you," cried Pennington fiercely.
+
+There were a score of midshipmen in this group, and many of them nodded
+approvingly at Pennington's statement. Though still a class leader, Dave
+had lost some of his popularity since his report to the police of
+Annapolis.
+
+So the middies turned in, that night, with unsatisfied dreams of shore
+life in England.
+
+Soon after breakfast the next morning, however, every midshipman had
+drawn his ten dollars, even to Pennington, who had no use for such a
+trifling amount.
+
+As fast as possible the launches ranged alongside at the side gangway,
+taking off groups of midshipmen, everyone of whom had been cautioned to
+be at dock in time to board a launch in season for supper formation.
+
+Pennington and his party were among the first to land. They hurried
+away.
+
+It was on the second trip of one of the launches that Dave, Dan and
+Farley made their get away. These three chums had agreed to stick
+together during the day. They landed at the Great Western Docks, to find
+themselves surrounded by eager British cabbies.
+
+"Are we going to take a cab and get more quickly and intelligently to
+the best part of the town to see?" asked Farley.
+
+"I don't vote for it," replied Darrin. "We have only five dollars apiece
+for each of the two days we're to be ashore. I move that we put in the
+forenoon, anyway, in prowling about the town for ourselves. We'll learn
+more than we would by riding."
+
+"Come on, then," approved Dan.
+
+Plymouth is an old-fashioned English seaport that has been rather famous
+ever since the thirteenth century. Many parts of the town, including
+whole streets, look as though the houses had been built since that time.
+This is especially true of many of the streets near the water front.
+
+For two hours the three middies roamed through the streets, often
+meeting fellow classmen. Wherever the young midshipmen went many of the
+English workmen and shopkeepers raised their hats in friendly salute of
+the American uniform.
+
+"We don't seem to run across Pen's gang anywhere," remarked Farley at
+last.
+
+"Oh, no," smiled Dave. "That's a capitalistic crowd. They'll hit only
+the high spots."
+
+Nevertheless, these three poor-in-purse midshipmen enjoyed themselves
+hugely in seeing the quaint old town. At noon they found a real old
+English chop house, where they enjoyed a famous meal.
+
+"I wish we could slip some of these little mutton pies back with us!"
+sighed Dan wistfully.
+
+In the afternoon the three chums saw the newer market place, where all
+three bought small souvenirs for their mothers at home. Darrin also
+secured a little remembrance present for his sweetheart, Belle Meade.
+
+The guild hall and some of the other famous buildings were visited.
+
+Later in the afternoon Dave began to inspect his watch every two or
+three minutes.
+
+"No need for us to worry, with Dave's eye glued to his watch," laughed
+Dan.
+
+"Come on, fellows," summoned Darrin finally. "We haven't more than time
+now to make the dock and get back to supper formation."
+
+"Take a cab?" asked Farley. "You know, we've found that they're vastly
+cheaper than American cabs."
+
+"No-o-o, not for me," decided Dave. "We'll need the rest of our shore
+money to-morrow, and our legs are good and sturdy."
+
+Yet even careful Dave, as it turned out, had allowed no more than time.
+The chums reached the dock in time to see the launches half way between
+the fleet and shore. Some forty other midshipmen stood waiting on the
+dock.
+
+Among these were Pennington and his party, all looking highly satisfied
+with their day's sport, as indeed they were.
+
+Pennington's eyes gleamed when he caught sight of Darrin, Dalzell and
+Farley--for Pen had a scheme of his own in mind.
+
+Not far from Pennington stood a little Englishman with keen eyes and a
+jovial face. Pen stepped over to him.
+
+"There are the three midshipmen I was telling you about," whispered
+Pennington, slipping a half sovereign into the Englishman's hand. "You
+thoroughly understand your part in the joke, don't you?"
+
+"Don't h'I, though--just, sir!" laughed the undersized Englishman, and
+strolled away.
+
+Darrin and his friends were soon informed by classmates that the
+launches now making shore-ward were coming in on their last trip for
+midshipmen.
+
+"Well, we're here in plenty of time," sighed Dave contentedly.
+
+"Oh, I knew we'd be, with you holding the watch," laughed Dan in his
+satisfied way.
+
+As the three stood apart they were joined by the undersized Englishman,
+who touched his hat to them with a show of great respect.
+
+"Young gentlemen," he inquired, "h'I suppose, h'of course, you've 'ad a
+look h'at the anchor h'of Sir Francis Drake's flagship, the time 'e went
+h'out h'and sank the great Spanish h'Armada?"
+
+"Why, no, my friend," replied Dave, looking at the man with interest.
+"Is that here at Plymouth?"
+
+"H'assuredly, sir. H'and h'only a minute's walk h'over to that shed
+yonder, sir. H'if you'll come with me, young gentlemen, h'I'll show h'it
+to you. H'it's one of h'our biggest sights, h'and it's in me own
+custody, at present. Come this way, young gentlemen."
+
+"That sounds like something worth seeing," declared Dave to his
+comrades. "Come along. It'll take the launches at least six minutes to
+get in, and then they'll stay tied up here for another five minutes."
+
+With only a single backward glance at the young midshipmen, the
+undersized Englishman was already leading the way.
+
+At quickened pace the young midshipmen reached the shed that had been
+indicated. Their guide had already drawn a key from a pocket, and had
+unsnapped the heavy padlock.
+
+"Step right in, young gentlemen, h'and h'I'll follow h'and show h'it to
+you."
+
+Unsuspecting, the three middies stepped inside the darkened shed.
+Suddenly the door banged, and a padlock clicked outside.
+
+"Here, stop that, you rascally joker!" roared Dalzell, wheeling about.
+"What does this mean?"
+
+"Big trouble!" spoke Dave Darrin seriously and with a face from which
+the color was fast receding.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+
+PENNINGTON GETS HIS WISH
+
+"The scoundrel!" gasped Farley, his face whiter than any of the others.
+
+Dave was already at the door, trying to force it open. But he might
+almost as well have tried to lift one of the twelve-inch guns of the
+battleship "Massachusetts."
+
+"We're locked in--that's sure!" gasped Dalzell, almost dazed by the
+catastrophe.
+
+"And what's more, we won't get out in a hurry, unless we can make some
+of our classmates hear," declared Dave.
+
+For the next half minute they yelled themselves nearly hoarse, but no
+response came.
+
+"What could have been that little cockney's purpose in playing this
+shabby trick on us?" demanded Farley.
+
+"Perhaps the cockney thinks we're admirals, with our pockets lined with
+gold. Perhaps he and some of his pals intend to rob us, later in the
+evening," proposed Dan, with a ghastly grin.
+
+"Any gang would find something of a fight on their hands, then,"
+muttered Dave Darrin grimly.
+
+All three were equally at a loss to think of any explanation for such a
+"joke" as this. Equally improbable did it seem that any thugs of the
+town would expect to reap any harvest from robbing three midshipmen.
+
+Desperately they turned to survey their surroundings. The shed was an
+old one, yet strongly built. There were no windows, no other door save
+that at which the three middies now stood baffled.
+
+"Another good old yell," proposed Darrin.
+
+It was given with a lusty will, but proved as fruitless as the former
+one.
+
+"We don't take the last launch back to ship," declared Farley, wild with
+rage.
+
+"Which means a long string of demerits," said Dan.
+
+"No shore leave to-morrow, either," groaned Darrin. "Fellows, this
+mishap will affect our shore leave throughout all the cruise."
+
+"We can explain it," suggested Farley with a hopefulness that he did not
+feel at all.
+
+"Of course we can," jeered Dave Darrin. "But what officer is fool enough
+to believe such a cock-and-bull story as this one will seem? At the very
+least, the commandant would believe that we had been playing some pretty
+stiff prank ourselves, in order to get treated in this fashion. No, no,
+fellows! We may just as well undeceive ourselves, and prepare to take
+the full soaking of discipline that we're bound to get. If we attempted
+this sort of explanation, we'd be lucky indeed to get through the affair
+without being tried by general court-martial for lying."
+
+"Drake's anchor, indeed!" exclaimed Dan in deep self disgust.
+
+"We ought to have known better," grunted Farley, equally enraged with
+himself. "What on earth made us so absent-minded as to believe that a
+priceless relic would be kept in an old shed like this?"
+
+"We're sure enough idiots!" groaned Dan.
+
+"Hold on there, fellows," interrupted Dave Darrin. "Vent all your anger
+right on me. I'm the great and only cause of this misfortune. It was I
+who proposed that we take up that cockney's invitation. I'm the real and
+only offender against decent good sense, and yet you both have to suffer
+with me."
+
+"Let's give another yell, bigger than before," suggested Dan weakly.
+
+They did, but with no better result than before.
+
+"The launches are away now, anyway, I guess," groaned Farley, after
+consulting his watch.
+
+"Yes, and we're up the tree with the commandant," grunted Dalzell
+bitterly.
+
+"Yell again?" asked Farley.
+
+"No," retorted Dave, shaking his head. "We've seen the uselessness of
+asking help from outside. Let's supply our own help. Now,
+then--altogether! Shoulder the door!"
+
+A savage assault they hurled upon the door. But they merely caused it to
+vibrate.
+
+"We can't do it," gasped Dan, after the third trial.
+
+Considerable daylight filtered in through the cracks at top, bottom and
+one side of the door. Further back in the shed there was less light.
+
+"Let's explore this old place in search of hope," begged Dave.
+
+Together they started back, looking about keenly in what appeared to be
+an empty room.
+
+"Say! Look at that!" cried Dave suddenly.
+
+He pointed to a solid looking, not very heavy ship's spar.
+
+"What good will that thing do us?" asked Farley rather dubiously.
+
+"Let's see if we can raise it to our shoulders," proposed Dave Darrin
+radiantly. "Then well find out!"
+
+"Hurrah!" quivered Dan Dalzell, bending over the spar at the middle.
+
+"Up with it!" commanded Darrin, placing himself at the head of the spar.
+Farley took hold at the further end.
+
+"Up with it!" heaved Midshipman Darrin.
+
+Right up the spar went. It would have been a heavy job for three young
+men of their size in civil life, but midshipmen are constantly
+undergoing the best sort of physical training.
+
+"Now, then--a fast run and a hard bump!" called Darrin.
+
+At the door they rushed, bearing the spar as a battering ram.
+
+Bump! The door shook and shivered.
+
+"Once more may do it!" cheered Darrin. "Back."
+
+Again they dashed the head of their battering ram against the door. It
+gave way, and, climbing through, they raced back to the pier.
+
+But Dan, who had secured the lead, stopped with a groan, pointing out
+over the water.
+
+"Not a bit of good, fellows! There go the launches, and we're the only
+fellows left! It's all up with our summer's fun!"
+
+"Is it, though?" shouted Dave, spurting ahead. "Come on and find out!"
+
+As they reached the front of the piers, down at the edge of a landing
+stage they espied a little steam tender.
+
+"That boat has to take us out to the 'Massachusetts'!" cried Darrin
+desperately, as he plunged down the steps to the landing stage, followed
+by his two chums.
+
+[Illustration: The Three Midshipmen Raced Toward the Pier.]
+
+"Who's the captain here?" called Dave, racing across the landing stage
+to the tender's gangplank.
+
+"I am, sir," replied a portly, red-faced Englishman, leaning out of the
+wheel-house window.
+
+"What'll you charge to land us in haste aboard the American battleship
+'Massachusetts'?" asked Darrin eagerly.
+
+"Half a sov. will be about right, sir," replied the tender's skipper,
+touching his cap at sight of the American Naval uniform.
+
+"Good enough," glowed Dave, leaping aboard. "Cast off as quickly as you
+can, captain, or we'll be in a heap of trouble with our discipline
+officers."
+
+The English skipper was quick to act. He routed out two deckhands, who
+quickly cast off. Almost while the deckhands were doing this the skipper
+rang the engineer's bell.
+
+"Come into the wheel-'ouse with me," invited the skipper pleasantly,
+which invitation the three middies accepted. "Now, then, young
+gentlemen, 'ow did it 'appen that you missed your own launches."
+
+"It was a mean trick--a scoundrelly one!" cried Darrin resentfully. Then
+he described just what had happened.
+
+The skipper's own bronzed cheeks burned to a deeper color.
+
+"I can 'ardly believe that an Englishman would play such a trick on
+young h'officers of a friendly power," he declared. "But I told you,
+sir, the fare out to your ship would be half a sov. I lied. If a nasty
+little cockney played such a trick on you, it's my place, as a decent
+Englishman, to take you out for nothing--and that's the fare."
+
+"Oh, we'll gladly pay the half sov." protested Darrin.
+
+"Not on this craft you can't, sir," replied the skipper firmly.
+
+Looking eagerly ahead, the three middies saw two of the launches go
+along side of the "Massachusetts" and discharge passengers. As the
+second left the side gangway the Briton, who had been crowding on steam
+well, ranged in along side.
+
+"What craft is that, and what do you want?" hailed the officer of the
+deck, from above.
+
+"The tender 'Lurline,' sir, with three of your gentlemen to put h'aboard
+of you, sir," the Briton bellowed through a window of the wheel-house.
+
+"Very good, then. Come alongside," directed the officer of the deck.
+
+In his most seamanlike style the Briton ranged alongside. Dave tried to
+press the fare upon the skipper, but he would have none of that. So the
+three shook hands swiftly but heartily with him, then sprang across to
+the side gangway, where they paused long enough to lift their caps to
+this stranger and friend. The Briton lifted his own cap, waving it
+heartily, ere he fell off and turned about.
+
+"You didn't get aboard any too soon, gentlemen," remarked the officer of
+the deck, eyeing the three middies keenly as they came up over the side,
+doffing their uniform caps to the colors. "Hustle for the formation."
+
+Midshipman Pennington was chuckling deeply over the supposed fact that
+he had at last succeeded in bringing Darrin in for as many demerits as
+Darrin had helped heap upon him.
+
+"That'll break his heart as an avowed greaser," Pen told himself. "With
+all the demerits Darrin will get, he'll have no heart for greasing the
+rest of this year. It's rough on Farley, but I'm not quite as sorry for
+Dalzell, who, in his way, is almost as bad as Darrin. He's Darrin's
+cuckoo and shadow, anyway. Oh, I wish I could see Darrin's face now!"
+
+This last was uttered just as Midshipman Pennington stepped into line at
+the supper formation.
+
+"I wish I could see Darrin's face now!" Pen repeated to himself.
+
+Seldom has a wish been more quickly gratified. For, just in the nick of
+time to avoid being reported, Midshipmen Darrin, Dalzell and Farley came
+into sight, falling into their respective places.
+
+At that instant it was Midshipman Pennington's face, not Dave Darrin's,
+that was really worth studying.
+
+"Now how did the shameless greaser work this!" Pennington pondered
+uneasily.
+
+But, of course, he couldn't ask. He could only hope that, presently, he
+would hear the whole story from some other man in the class.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+
+THE TRAGEDY OF THE GALE
+
+There is altogether too much to the summer practice cruise for it to be
+related in detail.
+
+Nor would the telling of it prove interesting to the reader. When at
+sea, save on Sundays, the midshipman's day is one of hard toil.
+
+It is no life for the indolent young man. He is routed out early in the
+morning and put at hard work.
+
+On a midshipman's first summer cruise what he learns is largely the work
+that is done by the seamen, stokers, water tenders, electricians, the
+signal men and others.
+
+Yet he must learn every phase of all this work thoroughly, for some day,
+before he becomes an officer, he must be examined as to his knowledge of
+all this great mass of detail.
+
+It is only when in port that some relaxation comes into the midshipman's
+life. He has shore leave, and a large measure of liberty. Yet he must,
+at all times, show all possible respect for the uniform that he wears
+and the great nation that he represents. If a midshipman permits himself
+to be led into scrapes that many college boys regard as merely "larks,"
+he is considered a disgrace to the Naval service.
+
+Always, at home and abroad, the "middy" must maintain his own dignity
+and that of his country and service. Should he fail seriously, he is
+regarded by his superiors and by the Navy Department as being unfit to
+defend the honor of his flag.
+
+The wildest group from the summer practice fleet was that made up of
+Pennington and his friends. Pen received more money in France from his
+fond but foolish father. Wherever Pennington's group went, they cut a
+wide swath of "sport," though they did nothing actually dishonorable.
+Yet they were guilty of many pranks which, had the midshipmen been
+caught, would have resulted in demerits.
+
+Ports in France, Spain, Portugal and Italy were touched briefly. At some
+of these ports the midshipmen received much attention.
+
+But at last the fleet turned back past Gibraltar, and stood on for the
+Azores, the last landing point before reaching home.
+
+When two nights out from Gibraltar a sharp summer gale overtook the
+fleet. Even the huge battleships labored heavily in the seas, the
+"Massachusetts" bringing up the rear.
+
+She was in the same position when the morning broke. The midshipmen,
+after breakfast, enjoyed a few minutes on the deck before going below
+for duty in the engine rooms, the dynamo room, the "stoke hole" and
+other stations.
+
+Suddenly, from the stern rail, there went up the startled cry:
+
+"Man overboard!"
+
+In an instant the marine sentry had tumbled two life-preservers over
+into the water.
+
+With almost the swiftness of telegraphy the cry had reached the bridge.
+Without stopping to back the engine the big battleship's helm was thrown
+hard over, and the great steel fighting craft endeavored to find her own
+wake in the angry waters with a view to going back over it.
+
+Signal men broke out the news to the flagship. The other two great
+battleships turned and headed back in the interests of humanity.
+
+It seemed almost as though the entire fleet had been swung out of its
+course by pressure on an electric button.
+
+Officers who were not on duty poured out. The captain was the first to
+reach the quarter-deck. He strode into the midst of a group of
+stricken-looking midshipmen.
+
+"Who's overboard!" demanded the commanding officer.
+
+"Hallam, sir----"
+
+"And Darrin, sir----"
+
+"And Dalzell, sir----"
+
+"How many?" demanded the captain sharply.
+
+"Three, sir."
+
+"How did so many fall overboard?"
+
+"Mr. Hallam was frolicking, sir," reported Midshipman Farley, "and lost
+his footing."
+
+"But Mr. Darrin and Mr. Dalzell?" inquired the captain sharply.
+
+"As soon as they realized it, sir, Darrin and Dalzell leaped overboard
+to go to Hallam's rescue, sir."
+
+"It's a wonder," muttered the captain, glancing shrewdly at the bronzed,
+fine young fellows around him, "that not more of you went overboard as
+well."
+
+"Many of them would, sir," replied Farley, "but an officer forward
+shouted: 'No more midshipmen go overboard,' So we stopped, sir."
+
+Modest Mr. Farley did not mention the fact that he was running toward
+the stern, intent on following his chums into the rough sea at the very
+instant when the order reached him.
+
+The captain, however, paused for no more information. He was now running
+forward to take the bridge beside the watch officer.
+
+The midshipmen, too, hurried forward, mingling with the crew, as the big
+battleship swung around and tried to find her wake.
+
+The flagship had crowded on extra steam, and was fast coming over the
+seas.
+
+With such a sea running, it was well nigh impossible to make out so
+small a thing as a head or a life-preserver, unless it could be observed
+at the instant when it crested a wave.
+
+Marine glasses were in use by every officer who had brought his pair to
+the deck. Others rushed back to their cabins to get them.
+
+A lieutenant of the marine corps stood forward, close to a big group of
+sorrowing midshipmen.
+
+"There are certain to be three vacancies in the Naval Academy," remarked
+the lieutenant.
+
+"Don't say that, sir," begged Farley, in a choking voice. "The three
+overboard are among the finest fellows in the brigade!"
+
+"I don't want to discourage any of you young gentlemen," continued the
+marine corps lieutenant. "But there's just about one chance in a
+thousand that we shall be able to sight and pick up any one of the
+unlucky three. In the first place, it would take a wonderful swimmer to
+live long in such a furious sea. In the second place, if all three are
+still swimming, it will be almost out of the question to make out their
+heads among the huge waves. You've none of you seen a man overboard
+before in a big sea?"
+
+Several of the mute, anxious midshipmen shook their heads.
+
+"You'll realize the difficulties of the situation within the next few
+minutes," remarked the lieutenant. "I am sorry to crush your hopes for
+your classmates, but this is all a part of the day's work in the Navy."
+
+The largest steam launches from all three of the battleships were being
+swiftly lowered. Officers and men were lowered with the launches. As the
+launch shoved off from each battleship tremendous cheers followed them.
+
+"Stop all unnecessary noise!" bellowed the watch officer from the bridge
+of the "Massachusetts." "You may drown out calls for help with your
+racket."
+
+While the three battleships went back over their courses in more stately
+fashion, the launches darted here and there, until it seemed as though
+they must cover every foot within a square mile.
+
+"I don't see how they can help finding the three," Farley declared
+hopefully.
+
+"That is," put in another third classman, "if any of the three are still
+afloat."
+
+"Stow all talk of that sort," ordered Farley angrily.
+
+Other midshipmen joined in with their protests. When a man is overboard
+in an angry sea all hands left behind try to be optimists.
+
+When fifteen minutes had been spent in the search the onlooking but
+helpless middies began to look worried.
+
+At the end of half an hour some of them looked haggard. Farley's face
+was pitiable to see.
+
+At the end of an hour of constant but fruitless searching hardly any one
+felt any hope of a rescue now.
+
+All three midshipmen, the "man overboard" and his two willing, would-be
+rescuers, were silently conceded to be drowned.
+
+Yet the hardest blow of all came when, at the end of an hour and a
+quarter, the flagship signaled the recall of the small boats.
+
+Then, indeed, all hope was given up. In an utter human silence, save for
+the husky voicing of the necessary orders, the launches were hoisted on
+board. Then the flagship flew the signal for resuming the voyage.
+
+There were few dry eyes among the third class midshipmen when the
+battleships fell in formation again and proceeded on their way.
+
+As a result of more signals flown from the flagship, all unnecessary
+duties of midshipmen for the day were ordered suspended.
+
+In the afternoon the chaplain on each battleship held funeral services
+over the three lost midshipmen. Officers, middies and crew attended on
+board each vessel.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+
+THE DESPAIR OF THE "RECALL"
+
+Dave Darrin stood within ten feet of Hallam when that latter midshipman
+had lost his balance and fallen into the boiling sea.
+
+Dave's spring to the stern rail was all but instantaneous. He was
+overboard, after his classmate, ere the marine had had time to leap to
+the life buoys.
+
+Out of the corner of one eye Dan Dalzell saw the marine start on the
+jump, but Dan was overboard, also, too soon to see exactly what the
+marine sentry was doing.
+
+Both daring midshipmen sank beneath the surface as they struck.
+
+As Dan came up, however, his hand struck something solid and he clutched
+at it. It was one of the life buoys.
+
+As he grasped it, and drew his head up a trifle, Dan saw another
+floating within thirty feet of him. Swimming hard, and pushing, Dan
+succeeded in reaching the other buoy. He now rested, holding on to both
+buoys.
+
+"Now, where's David, that little giant?" muttered Dalzell, striving hard
+to see through the seething waters and over the tops of foam-crested
+waves.
+
+After a few minutes Dan began to feel decidedly nervous.
+
+"Yet Dave can't have gone down, for he's a better swimmer than I am,"
+was Dan's consoling thought.
+
+At last Dalzell caught sight of another head. He could have cheered, but
+he expended his breath on something more sensible.
+
+"Dave!" he shouted. "Old Darry! This way! I have the life buoys."
+
+At the same time, holding to both of them, but kicking frantically with
+his feet, Dalzell managed slowly to push the buoys toward Dave.
+
+Soon after he had started, Dan did utter a cheer, even though it was
+checked by an inrush of salt water that nearly strangled him.
+
+He saw two heads. Dave Darrin was coming toward him, helping Hallam.
+
+The wind carried the cheer faintly to Dave. He raised his head a little
+in the water, and caught sight of Dan and the buoys.
+
+Some three minutes it took the two chums to meet. Dave Darrin was all
+but exhausted, for Hallam was now unconscious.
+
+As Darrin clutched at the buoy he tried to shout, though the voice came
+weakly:
+
+"Catch hold of Hallam. I'm down and----"
+
+But Dan understood, even before he heard. While Dave clutched at one of
+the life buoys Dalzell shot out an arm, dragging Hallam in to safety.
+
+Now, it was Darrin who, with both arms, contrived to link the buoys
+together.
+
+At last the youngsters had a chance to observe the fact that the
+battleships had put about and were coming back.
+
+"We'll soon be all right," sighed Dave contentedly, as soon as he could
+speak. "There are thirty-five hundred officers, middies and sailors of
+the American Navy to look after our safety."
+
+From where they lay as they hung to the buoys the chums could even see
+the launches lowered.
+
+Dan, with some of the emergency lashing about the buoy, succeeded, after
+a good deal of effort, and with some aid from Dave, in passing a cord
+about Hallam and under the latter's armpits that secured that midshipman
+to one of the buoys. The next move of the chums was to lash the buoys
+together.
+
+"Now," declared Dave, "we can't lose. We can hang on and be safe here
+for hours, if need be."
+
+"But what a thundering long time it takes them to bring the battleships
+around to get to us!" murmured Midshipman Dalzell in wonder.
+
+"Be sure not an unnecessary second has been lost," rejoined Dave. "We're
+learning something practical now about the handling of big craft."
+
+"I wonder if Hally's a goner?" murmured Dan in an awe-struck voice.
+
+"I don't believe it," Dave answered promptly. "Once we get him back
+aboard ship the medicos will do a little work over him and he'll sit up
+and want to know if dinner's ready."
+
+Then they fell silent, for, with the roar of wind and waters, it was
+necessary for them to shout when they talked.
+
+As the minutes went by slowly, the two conscious midshipmen found
+themselves filled with amazement.
+
+A dozen times the launches darted by, not far away. It seemed impossible
+that the keen, restless eyes of the seekers should not discover the
+imperiled ones.
+
+At such times Dave and Dan shouted with all the power of their lusty
+young lungs.
+
+Alternately Dan and Dave tried the effect of rising as far as they could
+and frantically waving an arm. There was not a cap to wave among the
+three of them.
+
+"I'm beginning to feel discouraged," grunted Dave in disgust at last.
+"They must have spent a full half day already looking for us."
+
+"Merciful powers!" gasped Dan at last, as they rode half way up the
+slope of a big wave. "I just caught sight of the 'recall of boats'
+flying from the flagship!"
+
+"No!" gasped Dave incredulously.
+
+"Yes, I did!"
+
+"But--"
+
+"They've failed and have given up the search," spoke Dan rather
+despairingly.
+
+"But--"
+
+"We may as well face it," muttered Dan brokenly. "They don't believe
+that any of us has survived, and we've been abandoned."
+
+"Then," spoke Dave Darrin very coolly, "there's nothing left for us but
+to die like men of the American Navy."
+
+"It seems heartless, needless," protested Dan.
+
+"No," broke in Darrin. "They've done their best. They're convinced that
+we're lost. And I should think they would be, after all the time they've
+searched for us--half a day, at least."
+
+Dan said nothing, but tugged until he succeeded in bringing his watch up
+to the light.
+
+"The blamed thing is water-logged," he uttered disgustedly.
+
+"Why?"
+
+"The hands point to less than half past nine!"
+
+Darrin managed to get at his own watch.
+
+"My timepiece doesn't call for half past nine, either," he announced.
+
+"Can it be possible--"
+
+"Yes; the time has only seemed longer, I reckon," observed Dalzell.
+
+"Well, we'll face it like men," proposed Dave.
+
+"Of course," nodded Dan. "At least, we're going down in the ocean, and
+we wear the American Naval uniform. If there's any choice in deaths, I
+guess that's as good and manly a one as we could choose."
+
+"Poor old Hally won't know much about it, anyway, I guess," remarked
+Darrin, who seemed unnaturally cool. Possibly he was a bit dazed by the
+stunning nature of the fate that seemed about to overtake them.
+
+"Maybe the ships will go by us in their final get-away," proposed Dan
+Dalzell very soberly.
+
+"Not if I'm seaman enough to read the compass by what's visible of the
+sun," returned Midshipman Darrin.
+
+"Then there's no help for it," answered Dan, choking slightly. "I wonder
+if we could do anything for Hallam?"
+
+"We won't do anything to bring him to, anyway," muttered Darrin. "Under
+these circumstances I wouldn't do anything as mean as that to a dog!"
+
+"Maybe he's dead already, anyway," proposed Dan, now hopefully.
+
+"I hope so," came from Darrin.
+
+Now they saw the not very distant battleships alter their courses and
+steam slowly away.
+
+All was now desolation over the angry sea, as the battleships gradually
+vanished. The two conscious midshipmen were now resolved to face the end
+bravely. That was all they could do for themselves and their flag.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+
+THE GRIM WATCH FROM THE WAVES
+
+By the time that little more than the mastheads of the departing
+battleships were visible, Hallam opened his eyes.
+
+It would have seemed a vastly kinder fate had he been allowed to remain
+unconscious to the last.
+
+Hallam had not been strangled by the inrush of water. In going
+overboard, this midshipman had struck the water with the back of his
+head and had been stunned. In the absence of attention he had remained a
+long time unconscious.
+
+Even now the hapless midshipman whose frollicking had been the cause of
+the disaster, did not immediately regain his full senses.
+
+"Why, we're all in the water," he remarked after a while.
+
+"Yes," assented Darrin, trying to speak cheerfully.
+
+Midshipman Hallam remained silent for some moments before he next asked:
+
+"How did it happen?"
+
+"Fell overboard," replied Dan laconically, failing to mention who it was
+who had fallen over the stern.
+
+Again a rather long silence on Hallam's part. Then, at last, he
+observed:
+
+"Funny how we all fell over at the same time."
+
+To this neither of his classmates made any rejoinder.
+
+"See here," shouted Hallam, after a considerable period of silent
+wondering, "I remember it all now. I was fooling at the stern rail and I
+toppled overboard."
+
+Dan nodded without words.
+
+"And you fellows jumped in after me," roared Hallam, both his mental and
+bodily powers now beginning to return. "Didn't you?"
+
+"Of course," assented Darrin rather reluctantly.
+
+"And what became of the fleet!"
+
+Dave and Dan looked at each other before the former replied:
+
+"Oh, well, Hally, brace up! The ships searched for us a long time, and
+some launches were put out after us. But they couldn't see our little
+heads above the big waves, and so----"
+
+"They've gone away and left us?" queried Hallam, guessing at once. "Now,
+fellows, I don't mind so much for myself, but it's fearful to think that
+I've dragged you into the same fate. It's awful! Why couldn't you have
+left me to my fate?"
+
+"Would you have done a thing like that?" demanded Dave dryly.
+
+"Oh, well, I suppose not, but--but--well, I wish I had been left to pay
+the price of my tomfoolery all alone. It would have served me right. But
+to drag you two into it--"
+
+Hallam could go no further. He was choking up with honest emotion.
+
+"Don't bother about it, Hally," urged Dave. "It's all in the day's work
+for a sailor. We'll just take it as it comes, old fellow."
+
+To not one of the trio did it occur to let go of the life buoys and sink
+as a means of ending misery. In the first place, human instinct holds to
+hope. In the second place, suicide is the resort of cowards.
+
+"None of you happened to hide any food in his pockets at breakfast, I
+take it?" asked Dan grimly, at last.
+
+Of course they hadn't.
+
+"Too bad," sighed Dan. "I'm growing terribly hungry."
+
+"Catch a fish," smiled back Darrin.
+
+"And eat it raw?" gasped Dalzell. "Darry, you know my tastes better than
+that."
+
+"Then wait a few hours longer," proposed Dave, "until even raw fish will
+be a delicacy."
+
+Hallam took no part in the chaffing. He was miserably conscious, all the
+while, that his own folly had been solely responsible for the present
+plight of these noble messmates.
+
+Thus the time passed on. None kept any track of it; they realized only
+that it was still daylight.
+
+Then suddenly Dave gave a gasp and raised one hand to point.
+
+His two classmates turned and were able to make out the mastheads of a
+craft in the distance.
+
+How they strained their eyes! All three stared and stared, until they
+felt tolerably certain that the craft was headed their way.
+
+"They may see us!" cried Hallam eagerly.
+
+"Three battleships and as many launches failed to find us," retorted
+Dan. "And they were looking for us, too."
+
+As the vessel came nearer and the hull became visible, it took on the
+appearance of a liner.
+
+"Why, it looks as though she'd run right over us when she gets nearer,"
+cried Dave, his eyes kindling with hope.
+
+"Don't get too excited over it," urged Dan. "For my part, I'm growing
+almost accustomed to disappointments."
+
+As the minutes passed and the liner came on and on, it looked still more
+as though she would run down the three middies.
+
+[Illustration: "Look! They See Us!"]
+
+At last, however, the craft was passing, showing her port side, not very
+far distant, to be sure.
+
+Uniting their voices, the three midshipmen yelled with all their power,
+even though they knew that their desperate call for help could not carry
+the distance over the subsiding gale.
+
+Boom! That shot came from the liner, and now her port rail was black
+with people.
+
+"They see us!" cried Hallam joyously. "Look! That craft is slowing up!"
+
+Once more came the cheers of encouragement, as the liner, now some
+distance ahead, put off a heavy launch. A masthead lookout, who had
+first seen the midshipmen, was now signaling the way to the officer in
+command of the launch.
+
+Unable to see for himself, the officer in the launch depended wholly on
+those masthead signals. So the launch steamed a somewhat zig-zag course
+over the waves. Yet, at last, it bore down straight upon the midshipmen.
+
+Darrin, Dalzell and Hallam now came very near to closing their eyes, to
+lessen the suspense.
+
+A short time more and all three were dragged in over the sides of the
+launch.
+
+"Get those life buoys in, if you can," begged Dave, as he sank in the
+bottom of the launch. "They are United States property entrusted to our
+care."
+
+From officer and seamen alike a laugh went up at this request, but the
+life buoys were caught with a boathook and drawn aboard.
+
+What rousing cheers greeted the returning launch, from the decks of the
+liner, "Princess Irene"! When the three midshipmen reached deck and it
+was learned that they were midshipmen of the United States Navy, the
+cheering and interest were redoubled.
+
+But the captain and the ship's doctor cut short any attempt at lionizing
+by rushing the midshipmen to a stateroom containing three berths. Here,
+under the doctor's orders, the trio were stripped and rubbed down. Then
+they were rolled into blankets, and hot coffee brought to them in their
+berths, while their wet clothing was sent below to one of the furnace
+rooms for hurried drying.
+
+As soon as the medical man had examined them, the steamship's captain
+began to question them.
+
+"Headed for the Azores, eh?" demanded the ship's master. "We ought to be
+able to sight your squadron before long."
+
+He hastened out, to give orders to the deck officer.
+
+By the time that the young midshipmen had been satisfactorily warmed,
+and their clothing had been dried, the ship's surgeon consented to their
+dressing. After this they were led to a private cabin where a satisfying
+meal was served them.
+
+"Oh, I don't know," murmured Dan, leaning back, with a contented sigh,
+after the meal was over; "there are worse things than what happened to
+us to-day!"
+
+The greater speed of the liner enabled her to sight the battleship
+squadron something more than two hours afterward. Then the nearest
+vessel of the fleet was steered for directly.
+
+The deck officers of the liner sent their heavy overcoats for the use of
+the midshipmen, who, enveloped in these roomy garments, went out on deck
+to watch the pursuit of their own comrades.
+
+Within another hour it was possible to signal, and from the "Princess
+Irene's" masthead the signal flags were broken out.
+
+"Now, watch for excitement on board your own craft," smiled the liner's
+commander, an Englishman.
+
+As soon as the liner's signal had been read by the vessels of the
+squadron a wild display of signal bunting swiftly broke out.
+
+"Heaven be thanked!" read one set of signal flags.
+
+"We have officially buried the young men, but ask them to go on living,"
+read another.
+
+While the most practical signal of all was:
+
+"The 'Massachusetts' will fall astern of the squadron. Kindly stand by
+to receive her launch."
+
+In a few minutes more the two vessels were close enough. Both stopped
+headway. One of the big battleship's launches put off and steamed over,
+rolling and pitching on the waves.
+
+Most carefully indeed the three midshipmen climbed down a rope ladder
+and were received by an ensign from the "Massachusetts," who next gave
+the American Navy's profound thanks to the rescuers of the middies.
+
+"Kindly lower that United States property that was in our care, sir!"
+Dave Darrin called up.
+
+There was good-humored laughter above, and a look of amazement on Ensign
+White's face until the two buoys, attached to lines, were thrown down
+over the side.
+
+"When your time comes you will make a very capable officer, I believe,
+Mr. Darrin, judging by your care of government property," remarked
+Ensign White, working hard to keep down the laughter.
+
+"I hope to do so, sir," Dave replied, saluting.
+
+Then away to the "Massachusetts" the launch bore, while the whole
+battleship squadron cheered itself hoarse over the happy outcome of the
+day.
+
+Dave, Dan and Hallam all had to do a tremendous amount of handshaking
+among their classmates when they had reached deck. Pennington was the
+only one who did not come forward to hold his hand out to Darrin--a fact
+that was noted at the time by many of the youngsters.
+
+To the captain the trio recounted what had befallen them, as matter for
+official record.
+
+"Mr. Darrin and Mr. Dalzell," announced the battleship's captain, "I
+must commend you both for wholly heroic conduct in going to the aid of
+your classmate. And, Mr. Darrin, I am particularly interested in your
+incidental determination to preserve government property--the life buoys
+that you brought back with you."
+
+"It's possible I may need them again, sir," returned Dave, with a smile,
+though he had no notion of prophetic utterance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+
+MIDSHIPMAN PENNINGTON'S ACCIDENT
+
+The stop at the Azores was uneventful. It remained in the minds of the
+midshipmen only as a pleasant recollection of a quaint and pretty place.
+
+Once more the squadron set sail, and now the homeward-bound pennant was
+flying. The course lay straight across the Atlantic to the entrance of
+Chesapeake Bay.
+
+On the second night out the wind was blowing a little less than half a
+gale.
+
+Darkness had fallen when Dave, Dan, Farley and several other midshipmen
+gathered to talk in low tones at the stern rail.
+
+Presently all of them wandered away but Dave. He stood close to the
+rail, enjoying the bumping motion every time the descending stern hit
+one of the rolling waves.
+
+Presently, thinking he saw a light astern, he raised himself, peering
+astern.
+
+Another group of restless middies had sauntered up. Pennington, after a
+swift look at the pacing officer in charge here, and discovering that
+the officer's back was turned, executed a series of swift cartwheels.
+
+"Look out, Pen!" called Midshipman Dwight, in a low, though sharp voice.
+
+Just too late the warning came.
+
+As Pen leaped to his feet after the last turn, one of his hands struck
+Darrin forcefully.
+
+Dave swayed, tried to clutch at something, then--
+
+"O-o-o-oh!" rang the first startled chorus.
+
+Then, instantly, on top of it, came the rousing hail:
+
+"Man overboard--astern!"
+
+Farley and Hallam were the first to reach the rail. But Lieutenant
+Burton was there almost as quickly.
+
+"Haul back!" commanded the lieutenant sternly. "No one go overboard!"
+
+That held the middies in check, for in no place, more than in the Navy,
+are orders orders.
+
+Clack! was the sound that followed the first cry. Like a flash the
+marine sentry had thrown his rifle to the deck. A single bound carried
+him to one of the night life buoys. This he released, and hurled far
+astern.
+
+As the night buoy struck the water a long-burning red light was fused by
+contact. The glow shone out over the waters.
+
+In the meantime, the "Massachusetts's" speed was being slowed rapidly,
+and a boat's crew stood at quarters.
+
+The boat put off quickly, guided by the glow of the red signal light on
+the buoy. Ere the boat reached the buoy the coxswain made out the head
+and shoulders of a young man above the rim of the floating buoy.
+
+Soon after the boat lay alongside. Dave, with the coxswain's aid, pulled
+himself into the small craft.
+
+Recovering the buoy, the coxswain flashed the red light three times.
+From the deck of the battleship came a cheering yell sent up from
+hundreds of throats.
+
+In the meantime, however, while the boat was on its way to the buoy, a
+pulsing scene had been enacted on board.
+
+Farley went straight up to Midshipman Pennington.
+
+"Sir," demanded Farley hotly, "why did you push Mr. Darrin over the
+rail."
+
+Pennington looked at his questioner as one stunned.
+
+"I--I did push Darrin over," admitted Pennington, "but it was an
+accident."
+
+"An easily contrived one, wasn't it?" demanded Midshipman Farley, rather
+cynically.
+
+"It was pure accident," contended Pennington, paling. "Until it happened
+I hadn't the least idea in the world that I was going to send Mr. Darrin
+or anyone else overboard."
+
+"Huh!" returned Farley dubiously.
+
+"Huh!" quoth Hallam.
+
+Dan Dalzell uttered not a word, but the gaze of his eyes was fixed
+angrily on Pennington.
+
+That latter midshipman turned as white as a sheet. His hands worked as
+though he were attempting to clutch at something to hold himself up.
+
+"Surely, you fellows don't believe, do you--" he stammered weakly, then
+paused.
+
+"One thing we did notice, the other day," continued Farley briskly, "was
+that, when Darrin was rescued from the sea and returned to us, you were
+about the only member of the class who didn't go up to him and
+congratulate him on his marvelous escape."
+
+"How could--"
+
+"Mr. Pennington, I haven't the patience to talk with you now," rejoined
+Farley, turning on his heel.
+
+At that moment the yell started among the midshipmen nearer the rail.
+Farley, Dan, Hallam and others joined in the yell and rushed to better
+points of vantage.
+
+Pennington tried to join in the cheer, but his tongue seemed fixed to
+the roof of his mouth. He stood clenching and unclenching his hands, his
+face an ashen gray in his deep humiliation.
+
+"I don't care what one or two fellows may say," groaned Pennington. "But
+I don't want the class to think such things of me."
+
+He was the most miserable man on board as the small boat came alongside.
+The boat, occupants and all, was hoisted up to the davits and swung
+in-board. To the officer of the deck, who stood near-by, Dave turned,
+with a brisk salute.
+
+"I beg to report that I've come aboard, sir," Darrin uttered.
+
+"And very glad we are of it, Mr. Darrin," replied the officer. "You will
+go to your locker, change your clothing and then report to the captain,
+sir."
+
+"Aye, aye, sir."
+
+With another salute, Dave hastened below, followed by Dan Dalzell, who
+was intent on attending him.
+
+Ten minutes later Dave appeared at the door of the captain's cabin. Just
+a few minutes after that he came out on deck.
+
+A crowd gathered about him, expressing their congratulations.
+
+"Thank you all," laughed Dave, "but don't make so much over a middy
+getting a bath outside of the schedule."
+
+To the rear hung Pennington, waiting his chance. At last, as the crowd
+thinned, Pennington made his way up to Dave.
+
+"Mr. Darrin, I have to apologize for my nonsense, which was the means of
+pushing you overboard. It was purely accidental, on my honor. I did not
+even know it was you at the stern, nor did I realize that my antics
+would result in pushing any one overboard. I trust you will do me the
+honor of believing my statement."
+
+"Of course I believe it, Mr. Pennington," answered Darrin, opening his
+eyes.
+
+"There are some," continued Pennington, "who have intimated to me their
+belief that I did it on purpose. There may be others who half believe or
+suspect that I might, or would, do such a thing."
+
+"Nonsense!" retorted Dave promptly. "There may be differences,
+sometimes, between classmates, but there isn't a midshipman in the Navy
+who would deliberately try to drown a comrade. It's a preposterous
+insult against midshipman honor. If I hear any one make a charge like
+that, I'll call him out promptly."
+
+"Some of your friends--I won't name them--insisted, or at least let me
+feel the force of their suspicions."
+
+"If any of my friends hinted at such a thing, it was done in the heat of
+the moment," replied Dave heartily. "Why, Mr. Pennington, such an act of
+dishonor is impossible to a man bred at Annapolis."
+
+Darrin fully believed what he said. On the spur of the moment he held
+out his hand to his enemy.
+
+Pennington flushed deeply, for a moment, then put out his own hand,
+giving Dave's a hearty, straightforward grasp.
+
+"I was the first to imply the charge," broke in Farley quickly. "I
+withdraw it, and apologize to both of you."
+
+There was more handshaking.
+
+During the next few days, while Darry and Pen did not become by any
+means intimate, they no longer made any effort to avoid each other, but
+spoke frankly when they met.
+
+The remaining days of the voyage passed uneventfully enough, except for
+a great amount of hard work that the middies performed as usual.
+
+On the twenty-second of August they entered Chesapeake Bay. Once well
+inside, they came to anchor. There was considerable practice with the
+sub-caliber and other smaller guns. On the twenty-ninth of August the
+battleship fleet returned to the familiar waters around Annapolis. The
+day after that the young men disembarked.
+
+Then came a hurried skeltering, for the first, second and third classmen
+were entitled to leave during the month of September.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+
+BACK IN THE HOME TOWN
+
+Back in the old, well-known streets of their home town, Gridley!
+
+Dave and Dan, enjoying every minute of their month's leave, had already
+greeted their parents, and had told them much of their life as
+midshipmen.
+
+What hurt was the fact that the skipper of the "Princess Irene" had
+already told the marine reporters in New York the thrilling story of how
+Dave and Dan had nearly come to their own deaths rescuing Midshipman
+Hallam.
+
+Everyone in Gridley, it seemed, had read that newspaper story. Darrin
+and Dalzell, before they had been home twelve hours, were weary of
+hearing their praises sung.
+
+"There go two of the smartest, finest boys that old Gridley ever turned
+out," citizens would say, pointing after Dave and Dan. "They're
+midshipmen at Annapolis; going to be officers of the Navy one of these
+days."
+
+"But what's the matter with Dick Prescott and Greg Holmes? They're at
+West Point."
+
+"Oh, they're all right, too, of course. But Darrin and Dalzell----"
+
+It was the old circumstance of being "the lions of the minute" and of
+being on the spot.
+
+On the first morning of his arrival home Dave Darrin went frankly and
+openly to call on his old schoolgirl sweetheart, Belle Meade.
+
+Dan, having no particular associations with the gentler sex, took a
+stroll around town to meet any old friends who might care to see him
+again.
+
+Dave was shown into the parlor at the Meade home. Soon after Belle came
+swiftly in, her face beaming with delight.
+
+"Oh, but you're not in uniform!" was her first disappointed comment.
+
+"No," smiled Dave. "I'm allowed every possible chance, for one month, to
+forget every detail of the big grind which for a short time I've left
+behind."
+
+"But you're the same old Dave," cried Belle, "only bigger and manlier.
+And that magnificent work you and Dan did in jumping over-bo----"
+
+"Stop!" begged Dave. "You're a friend of mine, aren't you! Then don't
+add to the pain that has been already inflicted on me. If I had had the
+newspapers in mind I wouldn't have the nerve to---- But please let's not
+talk about it anymore."
+
+Then the two young people seated themselves and spent a delightful hour
+in talking over all that had befallen them both since they had last met.
+
+Belle, too, through Laura Bentley, had some much later news of the old
+chums, Dick and Greg, now cadets at West Point.
+
+This news, however, will be found in full in "DICK PRESCOTT'S SECOND
+YEAR AT WEST POINT."
+
+"What are your plans for this afternoon?" Belle asked at last.
+
+"That's what I want your help in making," Dave answered.
+
+"Can you get hold of Dan?"
+
+"No trouble about that. But keeping hold of him may be more difficult,"
+laughed Dave.
+
+"I was going to propose that you get Dan, call here and then we'll all
+go over to Laura Bentley's. I know she'll be anxious to see us."
+
+"Nothing could be better in the way of a plan," assented Dave. "I'll pin
+Danny boy down to that. It would really seem like a slight on good old
+Dick if we didn't make Laura an early call."
+
+"I'll go to the telephone, now, and tell her that we're coming," cried
+Belle, rising quickly.
+
+"Laura is delighted," she reported, on her return to the room. "But
+Dave, didn't you at least bring along a uniform, so that we could see
+what it looks like?"
+
+"I didn't," replied Dave, soberly, then added, quizzically:
+
+"You've seen the district messenger boys on the street, haven't you?"
+
+"Yes, of course; but what--"
+
+"Our uniforms look very much like theirs," declared Dave.
+
+"I'm afraid I can't undertake to believe you," Belle pouted.
+
+"Well, anyway, you girls will soon have a chance to see our uniforms.
+Just as soon as our hops start, this fall, you and Laura will come down
+and gladden our hearts by letting us drag you, won't you!"
+
+"Drag us?" repeated Belle, much mystified.
+
+"Oh, that's middies' slang for escorting a pretty girl to a midshipman
+hop."
+
+"You have a lot of slang, then, I suppose."
+
+"Considerable," admitted Dave readily.
+
+"What, then, is your slang for a pretty girl?"
+
+"Oh, we call her a queen."
+
+"And a girl who is--who isn't--pretty?"
+
+"A gold brick," answered Dave unblushingly.
+
+"A gold brick?" gasped Belle. "Dear me! 'Dragging a gold brick' to a hop
+doesn't sound romantic, does it?"
+
+"It isn't," Darrin admitted.
+
+"Yet you have invited me--"
+
+"Our class hasn't started in with its course of social compliments yet,"
+laughed Dave. "Please go look in the glass. Or, if you won't believe the
+glass, then just wait and see how proud Dan and I are if we can lead you
+and Laura out on the dancing floor."
+
+"But what horrid slang!" protested Belle. "The idea of calling a homely
+girl a gold brick! And I thought you young men received more or less
+training in being gracious to the weaker sex."
+
+"We do," Dave answered, "as soon as we can find any use for the
+accomplishment. Fourth classmen, you know, are considered too young to
+associate with girls. It's only now, when we've made a start in the
+third class, that we're to be allowed to attend the hops at all."
+
+"But why must you have to have such horrid names for girls who have not
+been greatly favored in the way of looks? It doesn't sound exactly
+gallant."
+
+"Oh, well, you know," laughed Dave, "we poor, despised, no-account
+middies must have some sort of sincere language to talk after we get our
+masks off for the day. I suppose we like the privilege, for a few
+minutes in each day, of being fresh, like other young folks."
+
+"What is your name for 'fresh' down at Annapolis!" Belle wanted to know.
+
+"Touge."
+
+"And for being a bit worse than touge?"
+
+"Ratey."
+
+"Which did they call you?" demanded Belle.
+
+Dave started, then sat up straight, staring at Miss Meade.
+
+"I see that your tongue hasn't lost its old incisiveness," he laughed.
+
+"Not among my friends," Belle replied lightly. "But I can't get my mind
+off that uniform of yours that you didn't bring home. What would have
+happened to you if you had been bold enough to do it?"
+
+"I guess I'd have 'frapped the pap,'" hazarded Dave.
+
+"And what on earth is 'frapping the pap'?" gasped Belle.
+
+"Oh, that's a brief way of telling about it when a midshipman gets stuck
+on the conduct report."
+
+"I'm going to buy a notebook," asserted Belle, "and write down and
+classify some of this jargon. I'd hate to visit a strange country, like
+Annapolis, and find I didn't know the language. And, Dave, what sort of
+place is Annapolis, anyway?"
+
+"Oh, it's a suburb of the Naval Academy," Dave answered.
+
+"Is it dreadfully hard to keep one's place in his class there?" asked
+Belle.
+
+"Well, the average fellow is satisfied if he doesn't 'bust cold,'" Dave
+informed her.
+
+"Gracious! What sort of explosion is 'busting cold'?"
+
+"Why, that means getting down pretty close to absolute zero in all
+studies. When a fellow has the hard luck to bust cold the superintendent
+allows him all his time, thereafter, to go home and look up a more
+suitable job than one in the Navy. And when a fellow bilges----"
+
+"Stop!" begged Belle. "Wait!"
+
+She fled from the room, to return presently bearing the prettiest hat
+that Dave ever remembered having seen on her shapely young head. In one
+hand she carried a dainty parasol that she turned over to him.
+
+"What's the cruise?" asked Darrin, rising.
+
+"I'm going out to get that notebook, now. Please don't talk any more
+'midshipman' to me until I get a chance to set the jargon down."
+
+As she stood there, such a pretty and wholesome picture, David Darrin
+thought he never before had seen such a pretty girl, nor one dressed in
+such exquisite taste. Being a boy, it did not occur to him that Belle
+Meade had been engaged for weeks in designing this gown and others that
+she meant to wear during his brief stay at home.
+
+"What are you thinking of?" asked Belle.
+
+"What a pity it is that I am doomed to a short life," sighed Darrin.
+
+"A short life? What do you mean?" Belle asked.
+
+"Why, I'm going to be assassinated, the first hop that you attend at the
+Naval Academy."
+
+"So I'm a gold brick, am I?" frowned Belle.
+
+"You--a--gold brick?" stammered Dave. "Why, you--oh, go look in the
+glass!"
+
+"Who will assassinate you?"
+
+"A committee made up from among the fellows whose names I don't write
+down on your dance card. And there are hundreds of them at Annapolis.
+You can't dance with them all."
+
+"I don't intend to," replied Belle, with a toss of her head. "I'll
+accept, as partners, only those who appear to me the handsomest and most
+distinguished looking of the midshipmen. No one else can write his name
+on my card."
+
+"Dear girl, I'm afraid you don't understand our way of making up dance
+cards at Crabtown."
+
+"Where?"
+
+"Crabtown. That's our local name for Annapolis."
+
+"Gracious! Let me get out quickly and get that notebook!"
+
+"At midshipmen's hops the fellow who drags the----"
+
+"Gold brick," supplied Belle, resignedly.
+
+"No--not for worlds! You're no gold brick, Belle, and you know it, even
+though you do refuse to go to the mirror. But the fellow who drags any
+femme--"
+
+"Please--?"
+
+"'Femme' stands for girl. The fellow who drags any femme makes up her
+dance card for her."
+
+"And she hasn't a word to say about it?"
+
+"Not as a rule."
+
+"Oh!" cried Belle, dramatically.
+
+She moved toward the door. Dave, who could not take his eyes from her
+pretty face, managed, somehow, to delay her.
+
+"Belle, there's something--" he began.
+
+"Good gracious! Where? What?" she cried, looking about her keenly.
+
+"It's something I want to say--must say," Dave went on with more of an
+effort than anyone but himself could guess.
+
+"Tell me, as we're going down the street," invited Belle.
+
+"_Wha-a-at?_" choked Dave. "Well, I guess not!"
+
+He faced her, resting both hands lightly on her shoulders.
+
+"Belle, we were pretty near sweethearts in the High School, I think," he
+went on, huskily, but looking her straight in the eyes. "At least, that
+was my hope, and I hope, most earnestly, that it's going to continue.
+Belle, I am a long way from my real career, yet. It will be five years,
+yet, before I have any right to marry. But I want to look forward, all
+the time, to the sweet belief that my schoolgirl sweetheart is going to
+become my wife one of these days. I want that as a goal to work for,
+along with my commission in the Navy. But to this much I agree: if you
+say 'yes' now, and find later that you have made a mistake, you will
+tell me so frankly."
+
+"Poor boy!" murmured Belle, looking at him fully. "You've been a plebe
+until lately, and you haven't been allowed to see any girls. I'm not
+going to take advantage of you as heartlessly as that."
+
+Yet something in her eyes gave the midshipman hope.
+
+"Belle," he continued eagerly, "don't trifle with me. Tell me--will you
+marry me some day?"
+
+Then there was a little more talk and--well, it's no one's business.
+
+"But we're not so formally engaged," Belle warned him, "that you can't
+write me and draw out of the snare if you wish when you're older. And
+I'm not going to wear any ring until you've graduated from the Naval
+Academy. Do you understand that, Mr. David Darrin?"
+
+"It shall be as you say, either way," Dave replied happily.
+
+"And now, let us get started, or we shan't get out on the street
+to-day," urged Belle.
+
+Then they passed out on the street, and no ordinarily observant person
+would have suspected them of being anything more than school friends.
+
+Being very matter-of-fact in some respects, Belle's first move was to go
+to a stationer's, where she bought a little notebook bound in red
+leather.
+
+Dave tried to pay for that purchase, but Belle forestalled him.
+
+"Why didn't you allow me to make you that little gift?" he asked in a
+low tone, when they had reached the street.
+
+"Wait," replied Belle archly. "Some day you may find your hands full in
+that line."
+
+"One of my instructors at Annapolis complimented me on having very
+capable hands," Dave told her dryly.
+
+"The instructor in boxing?" asked Belle.
+
+It was a wonderfully delightful stroll that the middy and his sweetheart
+enjoyed that September forenoon.
+
+Once Dave sighed, so pronouncedly that Belle shot a quick look of
+questioning at him.
+
+"Tired of our understanding already?" she demanded.
+
+"No; I was thinking how sorry I am for Danny boy! He doesn't know the
+happiness of having a real sweetheart."
+
+"How do you know he doesn't?" asked Belle quickly. "Does he tell you
+everything?"
+
+"No; but I know Danny's sea-going lines pretty well. I'd suspect, at
+least, if he had a sweetheart."
+
+"Are you sure that you would?"
+
+"Oh, yes! By gracious! There's Danny going around the corner above at
+this very moment."
+
+Belle had looked in the same instant.
+
+"Yes; and a skirt swished around the corner with him," declared Belle
+impressively. "It would be funny, wouldn't it, if you didn't happen to
+know all about Dan Dalzell?"
+
+In the early afternoon, however, the mystery was cleared up.
+
+On the street Dalzell had encountered Laura Bentley. Both were full of
+talk and questions concerning Dick Prescott and Greg Holmes, at West
+Point, for which reason Dan had strolled home with Miss Bentley without
+any other thought, on the midshipman's part, than playing substitute
+gallant for his chum, Cadet Richard Prescott, U.S. Military Academy.
+
+A most delightful afternoon the four young people spent together at the
+Bentley home.
+
+These were the forerunners of other afternoons.
+
+Belle and Laura, however, were not able to keep their midshipmen to
+themselves.
+
+Other girls, former students at the High School, arranged a series of
+affairs to which the four young people were invited.
+
+Dave's happiest moments were when he had Belle to himself, for a stroll
+or chat.
+
+Dan's happiest moments, on the other hand, were when he was engaged in
+hunting the old High School fellows, or such of them as were now at
+home. For many of them had entered colleges or technical schools. Tom
+Reade and Harry Hazelton, of the famous old Dick & Co., of High School
+days, were now in the far southwest, under circumstances fully narrated
+in "THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN ARIZONA," the second volume of "THE YOUNG
+ENGINEERS' SERIES.'"
+
+Day by day Belle jotted down in her notebook more specimens of
+midshipman slang.
+
+"I shall soon feel that I can reel off the language like a native of
+Crabtown," she confided laughingly to Dare.
+
+"It won't be very long before you have an opportunity to try," Dave
+declared, "if you and Laura embrace your first opportunity to come to a
+middy hop."
+
+Dan had a happy enough time of it, even though Dave's suspicion was true
+in that Dan had no sweetheart. That, however, was Dan's fault entirely,
+as several of the former High School girls would have been willing to
+assure him.
+
+Since even the happiest times must all end so the latter part of
+September drew near.
+
+Then came the day when Dave and Dan met at the railway station. A host
+of others were there to see them off, for the midshipmen still had
+crowds of friends in the good old home town.
+
+A ringing of bells, signaling brakesmen, a rolling of steel wheels and
+the two young midshipmen swung aboard the train, to wave their hats from
+the platform.
+
+Gridley was gone--lost to sight for another year. Dan was exuberant
+during the first hour of the journey, Dave unusually silent.
+
+"You need a vast amount of cheering up, David, little giant!" exclaimed
+Dalzell.
+
+"Oh, I guess not," smiled Dave Darrin quietly, adding to himself, under
+his breath:
+
+"I carry my own good cheer with me, now."
+
+Lightly his hand touched a breast pocket that carried the latest,
+sweetest likeness of Miss Belle Meade.
+
+One journey by rail is much like another to the traveler who pays little
+heed to the scenery.
+
+At the journey's end two well-rested midshipmen joined the throng of
+others at Crabtown.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+
+DAN RECEIVES A FEARFUL FACER
+
+"Oh, you heap!" sighed Dan Dalzell dismally.
+
+He sat in his chair, in their new quarters in Bancroft Hall, United
+States Naval Academy, gazing in mock despair at the pile of new books
+that he had just drawn.
+
+These text-books contained the subjects in which a midshipman is
+required to qualify in his second academic year.
+
+"Been through the books for a first look?" called Dave from behind his
+own study table.
+
+"Some of 'em," admitted Dalzell. "I'm afraid to glance into the others."
+
+"I've looked in all of my books," continued Darrin, "and I've just come
+to a startling conclusion."
+
+"What?"
+
+"I'm inclined to believe that I have received a complete set of
+text-books for the first and second classes."
+
+"No such luck!" grunted Dan, getting up and going over to his chum. "Let
+me see if you got all the books I did."
+
+Before Dave could prevent it, Dan started a determined over-tossing of
+the book pile. As he did so, Dan suddenly uncovered a photograph from
+which a fair, sweet, laughing face gazed up at him.
+
+"Oh, I beg a million pardons, Dave, old boy!" cried Dalzell.
+
+"You needn't," came Dave's frank answer. "I'm proud of that treasure and
+of all it means to me."
+
+"And I'm glad for you, David, little giant."
+
+Their hands met in hearty clasp, and that was all that was said on that
+subject at the time.
+
+"But, seriously," Dan grumbled on, after a while, "I'm aghast at what an
+exacting government expects and demands that we shall know. Just look
+over the list--mechanical drawing and mechanical processes, analytical
+geometry, calculus, physics, chemistry, English literature, French and
+Spanish, integral calculus, spherical trigonometry, stereographic
+projection and United States Naval history! David, my boy, by the end of
+this year we'll know more than college professors do."
+
+"Aren't you getting a big head, Danny?" queried Darrin, looking up with
+a smile.
+
+"I am," assented Dalzell, "and I admit it. Why, man alive, one has to
+have a big head here. No small head would contain all that the Academic
+Board insists on crowding into it."
+
+By the time that the chums had attended the first section recitations on
+the following day, their despair was increased.
+
+"Davy, I don't see how we are ever going to make it, this year," Dalzell
+gasped, while they were making ready for supper formation. "We'll bilge
+this year without a doubt."
+
+"There's only one reason I see for hoping that we can get through the
+year with fair credit," murmured Darrin.
+
+"And what's that?"
+
+"Others have done it, before us, and many more are going to do it this
+year," replied Dave slowly, as he laid comb and brush away and drew on
+his uniform blouse.
+
+"I know men have gotten through the Naval Academy in years gone by,"
+Dalzell agreed. "But, the first chance that I have, I'm going to look
+the matter up and see whether the middies of old had any such fearful
+grind as we have our noses held to."
+
+"Oh, we'll do it," declared Darrin confidently. "I shall, anyway--for
+I've got to!"
+
+As he spoke he was thinking of Belle Meade, and of her prospects in life
+as well as his own.
+
+As the days went by, however, Dave and Dan became more and more dull of
+spirits. The grind was a fearful one. A few very bright youngsters went
+along all right, but to most of the third classmen graduation began to
+look a thousand years away.
+
+The football squad was out now and training in deadly earnest. There
+were many big games to be played, but most of all the middies longed to
+tow West Point's Army eleven into the port of defeat.
+
+In their first year Dave and Dan had looked forward longingly to joining
+the gridiron squad. They had even practised somewhat. But now they
+realized that playing football in the second year at Annapolis must be,
+for them, merely a foolish dream.
+
+"I'm thankful enough if I can study day and night and keep myself up to
+2.5," confessed Darrin, as he and Dan chatted over their gridiron
+longings.
+
+Two-and-five tenths is the lowest marking, on a scale of four, that will
+suffice to keep a midshipman in the Naval Academy.
+
+"I'm not going to reach 2.5 in some studies this month," groaned Dan. "I
+know that much by way of advance information. The fates be thanked that
+we're allowed until the semi-ans to pick up. But the question is, are we
+ever going to pick up? As I look through my books it seems to me that
+every succeeding lesson is twice as hard as the one before it."
+
+"Other men have gone through, every year."
+
+"And still other men have been dropped every year," Dalzell dolefully
+reminded him.
+
+"We're among those who are going to stay," Dave contended stubbornly.
+
+"Then I'm afraid we'll be among those who are dropped after Christmas
+and come back, next year, as bilgers," Dalzell groaned.
+
+"Now, drop that!" commanded Darrin, almost roughly. "Remember one thing,
+Daniel little lion slayer! My congressman and your senator won't appoint
+us again, if we fail now. No talk of that kind, remember. We've got to
+make our standing secure within the next few weeks."
+
+Before the month was over the football games began in earnest on the
+athletic field. Darrin and Dalzell, however, missed every game. They
+were too busy poring over their text-books. Fortunately for them their
+drills, parades and gym. work furnished them enough exercise.
+
+The end of October found Darrin at or above 2.5 in only three studies.
+Dan was above 2.5 in two studies--below that mark in all others.
+
+"It's a pity my father never taught me to swear," grumbled Dalzell, in
+the privacy of their room.
+
+"Stow that talk," ordered Darrin, "and shove off into the deeper waters
+of greater effort."
+
+"Greater effort?" demanded Dan, in a rage. "Why I study, now, every
+possible moment of the time allowed for such foolishness. And we can't
+run a light. Right after taps the electric light is turned off at the
+master switch."
+
+"We're wasting ninety seconds of precious time, now, in grumbling,"
+uttered Dave, seating himself doggedly at his study table.
+
+"Got any money, Darry?" asked Dalzell suddenly.
+
+"Yes; are you broke?"
+
+"I am, and the next time I go into Annapolis I mean to buy some
+candles."
+
+"Don't try that, Danny. Running a light is dangerous, and doubly so with
+candles. The grease is bound to drip, and to be found in some little
+corner by one of the discipline officers. It would be no use to study if
+you are going to get frapped on the pap continuously."
+
+Immediately after supper both midshipmen forfeited their few minutes of
+recreation, going at once back to their study tables. There they
+remained, boning hard until the brief release sounded before taps was
+due.
+
+Almost at the sound of the release there came a knock at the door.
+Farley and his roommate, Page, came bounding in.
+
+"I've got to say something, or I'll go daffy," cried Farley, rubbing his
+eyes. "Fellows, did you ever hear of such downright abuse as the second
+year course of studies means?"
+
+"It is tough," agreed Dave. "But what can we do about it, except fight
+it out?"
+
+"Can you make head or tail out of calculus?" demanded Farley.
+
+"No," admitted Darrin, "but I hope to, one of these days."
+
+Just then Freeman, of the first class, poked his head in, after a soft
+knock.
+
+"What is this--a despair meeting?" he called cheerily.
+
+"Yes," groaned Page. "We're in a blue funk over the way recitations are
+going."
+
+"Oh, buck up, kiddies!" called Freeman cheerily, as he crossed the
+floor. "Youngsters always get in the doldrums at the beginning of the
+year."
+
+"You're a first classman. When you were in the third class did you have
+all the studies that we have now?"
+
+"Every one of them, sir," affirmed Midshipman Freeman gravely, though
+there was a twinkle in his eyes.
+
+"And did you come through the course easily?" asked Page.
+
+"Not easily," admitted the first classman. "There isn't anything at
+Annapolis that is easy, except the dancing. In fact, during the first
+two months very few of our class came along like anything at all. After
+that, we began to do better. By the time that semi-ans came around
+nearly all of us managed to pull through. But what seems to be the worst
+grind of all--the real blue paint?"
+
+"Calculus!" cried the four youngsters in unison.
+
+"Why, once you begin to see daylight in calculus it's just as easy as
+taking a nap," declared the first classman.
+
+"At present it seems more like suffering from delirium," sighed Dave.
+
+"What's the hard one for to-morrow?" asked Freeman.
+
+"Here it is, right here," continued Dave, opening his text-book. "Here's
+the very proposition."
+
+The others crowded about, nodding.
+
+"I remember that one," laughed Freeman lightly. "Our class named it
+'sticky fly paper.'"
+
+"It was rightly named," grumbled Farley.
+
+"None of you four youngsters see through it?" demanded Midshipman
+Freeman.
+
+"Do you mean to claim, sir, that you ever did?" insisted Dan Dalzell.
+
+"Not only once, but now," grinned Mr. Freeman. "You haven't been looking
+at this torturing proposition from the right angle--that's all. Now,
+listen, while I read it."
+
+"Oh, we all know how it runs, Mr. Freeman," protested Page.
+
+"Nevertheless, listen, while I read it."
+
+As the first classman read through the proposition that was torturing
+them he threw an emphasis upon certain words that opened their eyes
+better as to the meaning.
+
+"Now, it works out this way," continued the first classman, bending over
+the disk and drawing paper and pencil toward him. "In the first place."
+
+Freeman seemed to these youngsters like a born demonstrator. Within five
+minutes he had made the "sticky fly paper" problem so plain to them all
+that they glanced from one to another in astonishment.
+
+"Why, it does seem easy," confessed Farley.
+
+"It sounds foolish, now," grinned Darrin. "I'm beginning to feel ashamed
+of myself."
+
+"Mr. Freeman," protested Page, "you've saved us from suicide, or some
+other gruesome fate."
+
+"Then I'll drop in once in a while again," promised the first classman.
+
+"But that will take time from your own studies," remonstrated Darrin
+generously.
+
+"Not in the least. I won't come around before release. By the time a
+fellow reaches the first class, if he's going to graduate anyway, he
+doesn't have to study as hard as a youngster does. The man who reaches
+the first class has had all the habits of true study ground into him."
+
+Darrin, Dalzell, Farley and Page were all in different sections in
+mathematics. When they recited, next day, it so happened that each was
+the man to have the "sticky fly paper" problem assigned to him by the
+instructor. Each of the quartette received a full "4" for the day's
+marking.
+
+"Did you have any assistance with this problem, Mr. Darrin?" asked
+Dave's instructor.
+
+"Yes, sir; a member of the first class tried to make it plain to me last
+night."
+
+"He appears to have succeeded," remarked the instructor dryly.
+
+There was, however, no discredit attached to having received proper
+assistance before coming into section.
+
+True to his promise Freeman dropped in every fourth or fifth evening, to
+see if he could be of any help to the four youngsters. Always he found
+that he could be.
+
+Even when Thanksgiving came, Dave Darrin did not go to Philadelphia, but
+remained at the Academy, devoting his time to study.
+
+Dan, in sheer desperation, took in the trip to Philadelphia. He hoped to
+meet Dick Prescott and Greg Holmes, but they did not come down from West
+Point.
+
+On the first day of December, Dan Dalzell's name was formally reported
+by the Academic Board in a report to the superintendent which
+recommended that Midshipman Dalzell be dropped from the rolls for
+"inaptitude in his studies."
+
+Poor Dan. It was a staggering blow. Yet it struck Dave Darrin just about
+as hard.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+
+THE FIRST HOP WITH THE HOME GIRLS
+
+That report was allowed to reach Dan's ears on a Friday.
+
+On the evening of the day following there was to be a midshipman hop on
+the floor of the great gym.
+
+Moreover, it was the very hop that Belle Meade and Laura Bentley had
+finally selected to attend. Mrs. Meade was coming with the girls as
+chaperon.
+
+"Oh, but I shall feel fine and light hearted for going to the dance!"
+muttered Dan miserably. "Facing the kick-off from the Academy, and doing
+the light hearted and the fantastic toe with the girls."
+
+"I shan't feel a whole lot more merry myself," sighed Dave, as he gazed
+affectionately, wistfully at his chum. "Danny, this has hit me about as
+hard as it has you. And it warns me, too, that my turn will probably
+come next. I don't stand an awful lot higher in my markings than you
+do."
+
+"Doesn't it feel fine to be a bilger?" gulped Dalzell, staring at the
+floor.
+
+A "bilger," as has been already explained, is a midshipman who has
+failed and has been dropped.
+
+"Oh, but you're not a bilger, yet!" cried Darrin, leaping up and resting
+both hands on his chum's shoulder.
+
+"What's the odds?" demanded Dan grimly. "I shall be, after I've been
+before the Board next Monday forenoon at ten o'clock."
+
+"Nonsense! Not if you make a good fight!"
+
+"Fight--nothing!" sighed Dan wearily. "In a fight there's some one else
+that you can hit back at. But I won't have a blessed soul to fight. I'm
+up against a gang who are all referees, and all down on me at the
+outset."
+
+"Nonsense," combatted Dave. "You----"
+
+"Oh, that's all right, David, little giant," returned Dalzell with an
+attempt at cheeriness. "You mean well, but a fellow isn't reported
+deficient unless he's so far behind that the Board has his case settled
+in advance. From all I can hear it isn't once in a camel's age that a
+fellow so reported, and ordered before the Board, gets off with anything
+less than a hard, wet bilge. What I'm thinking of now is, what am I
+going to pick up as a career when I go home from here as a failure."
+
+If it hadn't been for the pride he felt in still having the uniform on,
+Dalzell might not have been able to check the tears that tried to flow.
+
+"Come on," commanded Dave, leaping up, "we'll run up to the deck above,
+and see if we can't find Mr. Freeman in."
+
+"What good will that do?" demanded Dan. "Freeman is a first classman,
+but he hasn't any particular drag with the Board."
+
+"It won't do any harm, anyway, for us to have a talk with an older
+classman," argued Dave. "Button your blouse, straighten your hair and
+come along."
+
+"So it's as bad as that, is it!" asked Freeman sympathetically, after
+his cheery "come in" had admitted the unhappy youngsters.
+
+"Yes," replied Dave incisively. "Now, the question is, what can be done
+about it?"
+
+"I wish you had asked me an easier one," sighed the first classman.
+"You're mighty well liked, all through the Academy, Dalzell, and every
+one of us will hate to see you go."
+
+"But what can be done to ward off that fate?" insisted Darrin as
+impatiently as a third classman might speak to a venerable first
+classman.
+
+"Well, now, I want to think over that," confessed Freeman frankly. "Of
+course, Dalzell's record, this term, is in black and white, and can't be
+gainsaid. It's just possible our young friend can put up some line of
+talk that will extend his time here, and perhaps enable him to pull
+through. It's a mighty important question, so I'll tell you what we'll
+do. Of course, the hop comes on for to-morrow night. Let me have until
+Sunday evening. Meanwhile I'll talk with some of the other fellows of my
+class. You both come in here Sunday evening, and I'll have the answer
+for you--if there's any possible way of finding one."
+
+With that the chums had to be content. Expressing their gratitude to
+this friendly first classman, they withdrew.
+
+That Saturday forenoon Dan did considerably better with the two
+recitations that he had in hand.
+
+"I got easier questions than usual, I guess," he said to Dave, with a
+mournful smile.
+
+After Saturday dinner, Dave and Dan, having secured permission to visit
+in Annapolis, steered their course through the gate, straight up
+Maryland Avenue, through State Circle and around into Main Street, to
+the Maryland House.
+
+At the desk they sent up their cards to Mrs. Meade, then stepped into
+the parlor.
+
+Barely two minutes had passed when Belle and Laura flew downstairs.
+
+"Mother says she'll be down as soon as she fancies you'll care about
+seeing her," laughed Belle.
+
+"And how are you getting on in your classes?" asked Laura Bentley,
+glancing straight at unhappy Dan.
+
+Both midshipmen had agreed not to mention a word of Dan's heartache to
+either of the girls.
+
+Dan gulped hard, though he managed to conceal the fact.
+
+Darrin, however, was ready with the answer:
+
+"Oh, we're having pretty rough sailing, but we're both still in our
+class."
+
+Which statement was wholly truthful.
+
+"Up at West Point," Laura continued, "Dick told us that the first two
+years were the hardest for a man to keep his place. I fancy it's just
+about the same here, isn't it?"
+
+"Just about," Dave nodded. "The first two years are hardest because it
+takes all that time for a fellow to get himself keyed up to the gait of
+study that is required in the government academies. But won't you let us
+talk about something that's really pleasant, girls?" Dave asked, with
+his charming smile. "Suppose we talk about yourselves. My, but you girls
+are good to look at!"
+
+After that, the conversation was shifted to lighter subjects.
+
+Even Dan, in the joy of meeting two girl friends from home, began to be
+less conscious of his load of misery.
+
+Presently Mrs. Meade came down. She chatted with the two fine-looking
+young midshipmen for a few moments. Then Dave proposed:
+
+"Wouldn't you like us to escort you through the Academy grounds, so that
+you can get a good idea of the place in daylight?"
+
+"We've been waiting only for you to invite us," rejoined Belle.
+
+For the next two hours the time was passed pleasantly.
+
+But Belle, behind all her light chatter, was unusually keen and
+observing.
+
+"Is anything wrong with either of you?" she asked Dave suddenly, when
+this pair were out of easy hearing of the others.
+
+"Why do you ask that?" inquired Dave, looking at her in his direct
+fashion.
+
+"Why, I may be unnecessarily sensitive, but I can't help feeling that
+some sort of disaster is hanging over either you or Dan."
+
+"I hope not," replied Darrin evasively.
+
+"Dave, that isn't a direct answer," warned Belle, raising her eyebrows.
+"Do you consider me entitled to one?"
+
+"Yes. What's the question?"
+
+"Are you in any trouble here?"
+
+"No, I'm thankful to say."
+
+"Then is Dan?"
+
+"Belle, I'd rather not answer that."
+
+"Why----"
+
+"Well, because, if he is, I'd rather not discuss it."
+
+"Has Dan been caught in any scrape?"
+
+"No. His conduct record is fine."
+
+"Then it must be failure in his studies."
+
+Dave did not answer.
+
+"Why don't you tell me?" insisted Belle.
+
+"If anything were in the wind, Belle, we'd rather not tell you and spoil
+your visit. And don't ask Dan anything about it."
+
+"I think I know enough," went on Belle thoughtfully and sympathetically.
+"Poor Dan! He's one of the finest of fellows."
+
+"There are no better made," retorted Dave promptly.
+
+"If anything happens to Dan here, dear, I know you will feel just as
+unhappy about it as if it happened to yourself."
+
+"Mighty close to it," nodded Darrin. "But it would be a double
+heartbreak for me, if I had to leave."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"On account of the future I've planned for you, Belle."
+
+"Oh, you silly boy, then!" Belle answered, smiling into his eyes. "I
+believe I have half committed myself to the idea of marrying you when
+you've made your place in life. But it was Dave Darrin to whom I gave
+that half promise--not a uniform of any sort. Dave, if anything ever
+happens that you have to quit here, don't imagine that it's going to
+make a particle of difference in our understanding."
+
+"You're the real kind of sweetheart, Belle!" murmured Dave, gazing
+admiringly at her flushed face.
+
+"Did you ever suspect that I wasn't?" asked Miss Meade demurely.
+
+"Never!" declared Midshipman Darrin devoutly. "Nevertheless, it's fine
+to be reassured once in a while."
+
+"What a great fellow Dan is!" exclaimed Belle a few minutes later. "See
+how gayly he is chatting with Laura. I don't believe Laura guesses for a
+moment that Dan Dalzell is just as game a fellow as the Spartan boy of
+olden times."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+
+A DISAGREEABLE FIRST CLASSMAN
+
+The hop that night was one of the happiest occasions Dave had ever
+known, yet it was destined to result in trouble for him.
+
+Midshipman Treadwell, of the first class, caught sight of Belle as she
+entered the gym at Dave Darrin's side.
+
+With Treadwell it happened to be one of those violent though unusually
+silly affairs known as "love at first sight."
+
+As for Belle, she was not likely to have eyes for anyone in particular,
+save Dave.
+
+Treadwell, who had come alone, and who was not to be overburdened with
+dances, went after Dave as soon as that youngster left Belle for the
+first time.
+
+"Mighty sweet looking girl you have with you, Darry," observed the first
+classman, though he took pains not to betray too much enthusiasm.
+
+"Right!" nodded Dave.
+
+"You'll present me, won't you?"
+
+"Assuredly, as soon as I come back. I have a little commission to attend
+to."
+
+"And you might be extremely kind, Darry, and write me down for a couple
+of numbers on Miss----"
+
+"Miss Meade is the young lady's name."
+
+"Then delight me by writing down a couple of reservations for me on Miss
+Meade's card."
+
+Darrin's face clouded slightly.
+
+"I'd like to, Treadwell, but the card is pretty crowded, and some other
+fellows--"
+
+"One dance, anyway, then."
+
+"I will, then, if there's a space to be left, and if Miss Meade is
+agreeable," promised Dave, as he hurried away.
+
+Two minutes later, when he returned, looking very handsome, indeed, in
+his short-waisted, gold-laced dress coat, Dave felt his arm touched.
+
+"I'm waiting for you to keep your engagement with me," Midshipman
+Treadwell murmured.
+
+"Come along; I shall be delighted to present you to Miss Meade."
+
+Since every midshipman is granted to be a gentleman, midshipman
+etiquette does not require that the lady be consulted about the
+introduction.
+
+"Miss Meade," began Dave, bowing before his sweetheart, "I wish to
+present Mr. Treadwell"
+
+Belle's greeting was easy. Treadwell, gazing intensely into her eyes,
+exchanged a few commonplaces. Belle, entirely at her ease, did not
+appear to be affected by the battery of Mr. Treadwell's gaze. Then good
+breeding required that the first classman make another bow and stroll
+away.
+
+As he left, Treadwell murmured in Dave's ear:
+
+"Don't forget that dance, Darry! Two if there is any show."
+
+Midshipman Darrin nodded slightly. As he turned to Belle, that young
+lady demanded lightly:
+
+"Is that pirate one of your friends, Dave?"
+
+"Not more so than any other comrades in the brigade," Darrin answered.
+"Why?"
+
+"Nothing, only I saw you two speaking together a little while ago----"
+
+"That was when he was asking me to present him."
+
+"Then, after you left him," continued Belle, in a low voice, "Mr.
+Treadwell scowled after you as though he could have demolished you."
+
+"Why, I've no doubt Mr. Treadwell is very jealous of me," laughed Damn
+happily. "Why shouldn't he be? By the way, will you let me see your
+dance card? Mr. Treadwell asked me to write his name down for one or two
+dances."
+
+"Please don't," begged Belle suddenly, gripping her dance card tightly.
+"I hope you don't mind, Dave," she added in a whisper, "but I've taken
+just a shadow of a dislike to Mr. Treadwell, after the way that he
+scowled after you. I--I really don't want to dance with him."
+
+Dave could only bow, which he did. Then other midshipmen were presented.
+Belle's card was quickly filled, without the appearance of Midshipman
+Treadwell's name on it.
+
+The orchestra struck up. Dave danced the first two numbers with Belle,
+moving through a dream of happiness as he felt her waist against his
+arm, one of her hands resting on his shoulder.
+
+The second dance was a repetition of Dave's pleasure. Then Dave and Dan
+exchanged partners for two more dances.
+
+After their first dance, a waltz, Dave led Laura to a seat.
+
+"Will you get me a glass of water, Dave?" Laura asked, fanning herself.
+
+As Dave hastened away he felt, once more, a light, detaining touch.
+
+"Darry, did you save those two dances for me with Miss Meade?" asked
+Treadwell.
+
+"Oh, I'm sorry," Dave replied. "But there had been many other
+applicants. By the time that Miss Meade's card was filled there were
+many disappointed ones."
+
+"And I'm one of them?" demanded Mr. Treadwell.
+
+"Very sorry," replied Darrin regretfully, "but you were one of the
+left-over ones."
+
+"Very good, sir," replied Treadwell coldly, and moved away.
+
+"Now, I'll wager anything that Treadwell is sore with me," murmured Dave
+to himself. "However, Belle is the one to be pleased."
+
+It was a particularly gay and pleasant hop. When it was over Dave and
+Dan escorted the girls and Mrs. Meade back to the hotel. The little room
+in Bancroft Hall seemed especially small and dingy to the returning
+midshipmen.
+
+Especially was Dan Dalzell in the blues. Though he had been outwardly
+gay with the girls, he now suffered a re-action. Dave, too, shivered for
+his friend.
+
+Mrs. Meade and the girls returned by an early morning train, so the two
+chums did not see the girls again during that visit.
+
+On Sunday, Dave went at his books with a dogged air, after morning
+chapel and dinner.
+
+"I suppose this is the last day of study for me here," grimaced Dan, "so
+I mean to make the most of the pleasure."
+
+"Nonsense," retorted Darrin heartily; "you'll finish out this year, and
+then have two more solid years of study here ahead of you."
+
+"Cut it!" begged Dan dolefully. "Don't try to jolly me along like that."
+
+"You're down in the dumps, just now, Danny boy," smiled Darrin
+wistfully. "Just bombard the Board with rapid-fire talk to-morrow, and
+you'll pull through all right."
+
+Dan sighed, then went on with his half-hearted study.
+
+Later in the afternoon Dave, feeling the need of fresh air, closed his
+books.
+
+"Come for a walk, Danny boy?"
+
+"Don't dare to," replied Dalzell morosely.
+
+So, though Darrin went out, he resolved not to remain long away from his
+moody chum.
+
+Outside, on one of the cement walks, Dave turned toward Flirtation Walk.
+It seemed the best surrounding in which to think of Belle.
+
+"Mr. Darrin!" called a voice.
+
+Dave turned, to behold Mr. Treadwell coming at a fast stride with a
+scowl on his face.
+
+"That was a dirty trick you played me last night, Mr. Darrin!" cried the
+first classman angrily.
+
+"What?" gasped Dave, astonished, for this was not in line with the usual
+conversation of midshipmen.
+
+"You know well enough what I mean," cried Treadwell angrily. "You spiked
+my only chance to dance with Miss Meade."
+
+"You're wrong there," retorted Dave coldly and truthfully "I didn't."
+
+"Then how did it happen?"
+
+"I can't discuss that with you," Darrin rejoined. "I didn't make any
+effort, though, to spoil your chance of a dance with the young lady."
+
+"Mr. Darrin, I don't choose to believe you, sir!"
+
+Dave's face went crimson, then pale.
+
+"Do you realize what you're saying, Mr. Treadwell?"
+
+"Of course"--sneeringly.
+
+"Are you trying to pick trouble with me?" demanded Dave, his eyes
+flashing with spirit.
+
+"I repeat that I don't choose to believe your explanation, sir."
+
+"Then you pass me the lie?"
+
+"As you prefer to consider it," jeered the first classman.
+
+"Oh, very good, then, Mr. Treadwell," retorted Dave, eyeing the first
+classman and sizing him up.
+
+Treadwell was one of the biggest men, physically, in the brigade. He was
+also one of the noted fighters of his class. Beside Treadwell,
+Midshipman Darrin did not size up at all advantageously.
+
+"If you do not retract what you just said," pursued Dave Darrin, growing
+cooler now that he realized the deliberate nature of the affront that
+had been put upon him, "I shall have no choice but to send my friends to
+you."
+
+"Delighted to see them, at any time," replied the first classman,
+turning disdainfully upon his heel and strolling away.
+
+"Now, why on earth does that fellow deliberately pick a fight with me?"
+wondered Darrin, as he strolled along by himself. "Treadwell can thump
+me. He can knock me clean down the Bay and into the Atlantic Ocean, but
+what credit is there in it for a first classman to thrash a youngster?"
+
+It was too big a puzzle. After thinking it over for some time Dave
+turned and strolled back to Bancroft Hall.
+
+"You didn't stay out long!" remarked Dan, looking up with a weary smile
+as his chum re-entered their room.
+
+"No," admitted Dave. "There wasn't much fun in being out alone."
+
+With a sigh, Dan turned back to his book, while Dave seated himself at
+his own study table, in a brown daze.
+
+Things were happening fast--Dan's impending "bilge" from the Naval
+Academy, and his own coming fight with the first classman who would be
+sure to make it a "blood fight"!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+
+HOW DAN FACED THE BOARD
+
+"We trust, Mr. Dalzell, that you can make some statement or explanation
+that will show that we shall be justified in retaining you as a
+midshipman in the Naval Academy."
+
+It was the superintendent of the United States Naval Academy who was
+speaking.
+
+Dan's hour of great ordeal had come upon him. That young midshipman
+found himself in the Board Room, facing the entire Academic Board,
+trying to remember what Freeman had told him the night before.
+
+The time was 10.30 a.m. on that fateful Monday.
+
+Midshipman Dalzell appeared to be collected, but he was also very
+certainly white-faced.
+
+Many a young man, doomed to be sent forth from a Naval career, back into
+the busy, unheeding world, had faced this Board in times past. So it was
+hardly to be expected that Dan would inspire any unusual interest in the
+members of the Board.
+
+Dan swallowed at something hard in his throat, then opened his lips to
+speak.
+
+"I am aware, sir, and gentlemen, that I am at present sufficiently
+deficient in my studies to warrant my being dropped," Dan began rather
+slowly. "Yet I would call attention to the fact that I was nearly as
+badly off, in the matter of markings, at this time last year. It is also
+a matter of record that I pulled myself together, later on, and
+contrived to get through the first year with a considerable margin of
+credits to spare. If I am permitted to finish the present term here I
+believe I can almost positively promise that I will round out this year
+with as good a showing as I did last year."
+
+"You have thought the matter carefully out in making this statement,
+have you, Mr. Dalzell?" asked the superintendent.
+
+"I have, sir."
+
+"Have you any explanation to offer for falling below the standards so
+far this year, Mr. Dalzell?"
+
+"I believe, sir, that I make a much slower start, with new studies, than
+most of my classmates," Dan continued, speaking more rapidly now, but in
+a most respectful manner. "Once I begin to catch the full drift of new
+studies I believe that I will overtake some of my classmates who showed
+a keener comprehension at the first. I think, sir, and gentlemen, that
+my record, as contrasted with the records of some of my classmates who
+achieved about the same standing I did for last year will bear my
+statement out."
+
+[Illustration: "Have You Any Explanation to Offer, Mr. Dalzell?"]
+
+The superintendent turned to a printed pamphlet in which were set forth
+the records of the midshipmen for the year before.
+
+"Mr. Dalzell," asked another member of the Board, "do you feel that you
+are really suited for the life of the Navy? Is it your highest ambition
+to become an officer of the Navy?"
+
+"It's my only ambition, sir, in the way of a career," Dan answered
+solemnly. "As to my being suited for the Navy, sir, I can't make a good
+answer to that. But I most earnestly hope that I shall have an
+opportunity, for the present, to try to keep myself in the service."
+
+"And you feel convinced that you need only to be carried for the balance
+of the term to enable you to make good, and to justify any action that
+we may take looking to that end?" asked another member of the Board.
+
+"That is my firm conviction, sir."
+
+The superintendent, who had been silently examining and marking some
+statements in the pamphlet, now passed it to the nearest member of the
+Board, who, after a glance or two, passed the pamphlet on to another
+member.
+
+Silence fell upon the room while Dan's printed record was being read.
+
+"Have you anything else that you wish to say, Mr. Dalzell?" asked the
+superintendent at last.
+
+"Only this, sir and gentlemen," replied Dan promptly. "If I am permitted
+to go on with the brigade, I promise, as far as any human being may
+promise, that I will not only be found to have passed at the end of this
+term, but that I will also have a higher marking after the annual
+examinations than after the semi-annuals."
+
+These last few words Dan spoke with his whole soul thrown into the
+words. How he longed to remain in the Navy, now that he stood at the
+threshold of the life, uncertain whether he was about to be kicked
+across it into the outer world!
+
+After glancing around the table, the superintendent turned once more to
+the young man.
+
+"That will be all, at present, Mr. Dalzell."
+
+Saluting briskly, crisply, Dan wheeled about, marching from the room.
+
+He was in time to make a section recitation before dinner.
+
+"How did you come out, Danny boy?" anxiously inquired Dave Darrin as the
+two, in their room, hastily prepared to answer the coming call for
+dinner formation.
+
+"I wish I knew," replied Dalzell wistfully. "I said all that I could say
+without being everlastingly fresh."
+
+After the brigade had been formed for dinner, and the brigade adjutant
+had reported the fact, the command was given:
+
+"Publish the orders!"
+
+This the brigade adjutant did rapidly, and in perfunctory tones.
+
+Dalzell jumped, however, when he heard his own name pronounced. He
+strained his ears as the brigade adjutant read:
+
+"In the matter of Daniel Dalzell, summoned before the Academic Board to
+determine his fitness and aptitude for continuing in the brigade, the
+Board has granted Midshipman Dalzell's urgent request that he be
+continued as a midshipman for the present."
+
+There was a great lump, instantly, in Dan's throat. It was a reprieve, a
+chance for official life--but that was all.
+
+"I'll make good--I'll make good!" he told himself, with a violent gulp.
+
+The orders were ringing out sharply now. The midshipmen were being
+marched in to dinner.
+
+Hardly a word did Dalzell speak as he ate. As for Dave Darrin, he was
+too happy over his chum's respite to want to talk.
+
+Yet, when they strolled together in the open air during the brief
+recreation period following the meal, Dalzell suddenly asked:
+
+"Dave when do you fight with Treadwell?"
+
+"To-night, I hope," replied Darrin.
+
+"Oh, then I must get busy!"
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Why, I'm to represent you, Darry. Who are Treadwell's--"
+
+"Danny boy, don't make a fuss about it," replied Dave quietly, "but just
+for this once you are not to be my second."
+
+"Why--"
+
+"Danny boy, you have just gotten by the Board by a hair's breadth. What
+kind of an act of gratitude would it be for you to make your first act a
+breach of discipline? For a fight, though often necessary here, is in
+defiance of the regulations."
+
+"But Dave, I've never been out of your fights!"
+
+"You will be this time, Danny. Don't worry about it, either. Farley and
+Page are going to stand by me. In fact, I think that even now they are
+talking with Treadwell's friends."
+
+"You're wrong," murmured Dalzell, looking very solemn. "Here come Farley
+and Page right now."
+
+In another moment the seconds had reached Darrin and his chum.
+
+"To-night?" asked Dave quietly.
+
+"Yes," nodded Page.
+
+"Time?"
+
+"Just after recall."
+
+"Good," murmured Darrin. "You two come for me, and I'll be ready. And I
+thank both of you fellows for taking up the matter for me."
+
+"We'll be mighty glad to be there, Darry," grinned Farley, "for we look
+to see you finish off that first classman."
+
+"Maybe," smiled Dave quietly. "I'll do all I can, anyway."
+
+"And to think," almost moaned Dan Dalzell, "that you're to be in a
+scrap, David, little giant, and I'm not to be there to see!"
+
+"There'll be other fights, I'm afraid," sighed Darry. "I seem destined
+to displease quite a few of the fellows here at Annapolis."
+
+Dan tried to study, that night, after Darrin had left the room in the
+company of his seconds. Certainly Dan, in the light of his promise made
+to the Board that morning, had need to study. Yet he found it woefully
+hard to settle his mind on mathematics while Dave was fighting the fight
+of his Naval Academy career.
+
+"Oh, well," muttered Dan, picking up a pencil for the third time, "Dave
+and I each have our own styles of fights, just now. Here goes for a
+knockout blow at math!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+
+LOSING THE TIME-KEEPER'S COUNT
+
+Conners and Brayton were Treadwell's seconds.
+
+Since it is not considered fair to have the referee or time-keeper from
+either class represented in a fight, Edgerton and Wheeler, of the second
+class, were referee and time-keeper respectively.
+
+All of the young men were early at the usual fighting ground. The fall
+air was cool and crisp, but it was not yet considered cold enough to
+justify the extra risk of holding a fight in-doors.
+
+Dave was quickly stripped and made ready by his seconds. His
+well-developed chest bespoke fine powers in the way of "wind" and
+endurance. His smooth, hard, trim muscles stood out distinctly.
+
+Treadwell took more time in getting himself ready for the ring. When at
+last, however, the first classman stood bared to the waist, he looked
+like a giant beside Dave Darrin.
+
+"It looks like a shame to take the money, Tread," murmured referee
+Edgerton.
+
+"I don't want to pound the youngster hard," explained Midshipman
+Treadwell, in an undertone. "Yet I've got to teach him both to respect
+my class and myself."
+
+On this point, as an official of the fight, Referee Edgerton did not
+feel called upon to express an opinion.
+
+Farley, at his first glimpse of the waiting first classman, felt a chill
+of coming disaster.
+
+"Page," he growled, "that huge top-classman makes our Darry look like a
+creeping infant."
+
+"Darry will take care of himself," retorted Midshipman Page in an
+undertone.
+
+"Do you believe it?"
+
+"I surely do."
+
+"But Treadwell looks a whole lot more vast now that he's stripped."
+
+"Darry is much smaller, I know; But Darrin is one of those rare fellows
+who don't know what it means to be whipped. He can't be put out of
+business by anything smaller than a twelve-inch gun!"
+
+"I hope you're right," sighed Farley.
+
+Dave, in the meantime, to keep himself from being chilled by the frosty
+air, was running lightly about, swinging his arms.
+
+"Are you both ready, gentlemen?" inquired Midshipman Edgerton, while
+Time-keeper Wheeler drew out his stop watch.
+
+Both stepped to toe the scratch.
+
+"Yes." nodded Dave.
+
+"Ready!" rumbled Treadwell.
+
+The referee briefly made the usual announcement about it being a fight
+to the finish, with two-minute rounds and two minutes between rounds.
+
+"Time!"
+
+As Treadwell leaped forward, both fists in battery, Dave took a swift,
+nimble sidestep. He felt that he had to study this big fellow carefully
+before doing more than keep on the defensive.
+
+Now footwork was one of the fighting tricks for which Darry was famous.
+Yet he had too much courage to rely wholly upon it.
+
+Five times Treadwell swung at his smaller opponent, but each time Dave
+was somewhere else.
+
+Despite his greater size, Treadwell was himself nimble and an adept at
+footwork.
+
+Finding it hard, however, to get about as quickly as his smaller
+opponent, the first classman soon went in for close, in-body fighting,
+following Dave, half-cornering him, and forcing him to stand and take
+it.
+
+Two or three body blows Dave succeeded in parrying so that they glanced,
+doing him little harm.
+
+Then there came an almost crunching sound. Treadwell's right fist had
+landed, almost dazing the youngster with its weight against his nose.
+
+There was a swift, free rush of the red. Darrin had yielded up "first
+blood" in the fight.
+
+"I've got to dodge more, and not let myself be cornered," Darrin told
+himself, keeping his fists busy in warding off blows.
+
+Then, of a sudden, Dave turned on the aggressive. He struck fast and
+furiously, but Treadwell, with a grin, beat down his attack, then soon
+landed a swinging hook on Dave's neck that sent him spinning briefly.
+
+"He expects to finish this fight for his own amusement," flashed angrily
+through Darrin's mind. "I'll get in something that hurts before I toss
+the sponge."
+
+"Time!"
+
+Two minutes were up. To Dave it seemed more like half an hour.
+
+"Steady, now!" murmured Page, in his principal's ear, as the two seconds
+leaped at the task of rubbing down their men. "Unless you let yourself
+get rattled, Darry, that big fellow isn't going to get you. Whenever
+you're on the defensive, and being crowded hard, change like lightning
+and drive in for the top classer's solar plexus."
+
+"I tried that three times in this last round," murmured Dave. "But the
+fellow is too big and powerful for me. He simply pounds me down when I
+go for him."
+
+"Work for more strategy," whispered Page, as he held a sponge to Dave's
+battered nose, while Farley rubbed the muscles of his right arm.
+
+"I haven't given up the fight," muttered Dave, "But, of course, I've
+known from the start that Treadwell is a pretty big fighter for one of
+my weight."
+
+"Oh, you'll get him yet," spoke Page confidently.
+
+The fighters were being called for the second round.
+
+In this Dave received considerable punishment, though he landed three or
+four times on Treadwell's body.
+
+Then twice in succession the champion of the third class was knocked
+down.
+
+Neither, however, was a knockout blow.
+
+Dave took plenty of time, within his rights, about leaping to his feet,
+and in each instance got away from Treadwell's leaping assault.
+
+Just after the second knock-down, time was called for the end of the
+round.
+
+"You'll get him yet, Darry," was Page's prediction, but he did not speak
+as hopefully as before.
+
+Farley, too, was full of loyalty for his friend and fellow-classman, but
+he did not allow this to blind his judgment. Farley's opinion was that
+Dave was done for, unless he could land some lucky fluke in a knockout
+blow.
+
+"Go right in and land that youngster," Treadwell's own seconds were
+advising him. "Don't let him have the satisfaction of standing up to you
+for three whole rounds or more."
+
+"Do you think that little teaser is as easy as he looks?" growled
+Treadwell.
+
+"Oh, Darrin is all right at his own weight," admitted Midshipman
+Conners. "But he has no business with you, Tread. You're quick enough,
+too, when you exert yourself. So jump right in and finish it before this
+round is over."
+
+"I'll try it, then," nodded Treadwell.
+
+Though he had not the slightest notion that he was to be defeated, this
+big top classman was learning a new respect for Darrin's prowess. He
+could thrash Dave, of course, but Treadwell did not expect to do it
+easily.
+
+For the first twenty seconds of the third round the two men sparred
+cautiously. Dave had no relish for standing the full force of those
+sledge-hammer blows, while Treadwell knew that he must look out for the
+unexpected from his still nimble opponent.
+
+"Lie down when you've had enough," jeered Treadwell, as he landed a jolt
+on one of the youngster's shoulders and sent him reeling slightly.
+
+Dave, however, used his feet well enough to get away from the follow-up.
+
+"Are you getting tired?" Darrin shot back at his opponent.
+
+"Silence, both of you," commanded Referee Edgerton. "Do all your talking
+with your fists!"
+
+Just then Treadwell saw an opening, and followed the referee's advice by
+aiming a blow at Dave's left jaw. It landed just back of the ear,
+instead, yet with such force that Dave sank dizzily to the ground, while
+Treadwell drew back from the intended follow-up.
+
+Farley and Page looked on anxiously from their corner. Midshipman
+Wheeler, scanning his watch, was counting off the seconds.
+
+"--five, six, seven, eight, nine--ten!"
+
+At the sound of eight Dave Darrin had made a strenuous effort to rise.
+
+Yet he had swayed, fallen back slightly, then forced himself with a rush
+to his feet.
+
+But Midshipman Treadwell drew back, both fists hanging at his sides, for
+the "ten" had been spoken, and Dave Darrin had lost the count.
+
+While Dave stood there, looking half-dizzily at his opponent, Referee
+Edgerton's voice broke in crisply:
+
+"Mr. Darrin required more than the full count to come back. The fight is
+therefore awarded to Mr. Treadwell."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+
+FIGHTING THE FAMOUS DOUBLE BATTLE
+
+"It wasn't fair," hissed Midshipman Page hotly.
+
+"It was by a mighty small margin, anyway," quivered Farley.
+
+"I don't feel whipped yet," remarked Dave quietly.
+
+"Oh, well, Darry," urged Farley, "don't feel humiliated over being
+thrashed by such a human mountain of a top classer."
+
+Dave, whose chest had been heaving, and whose lungs had been taking in
+great gulps of air, suddenly pushed his second gently away.
+
+"Mr. Treadwell, sir, will you come over here a moment?" he called. "And
+also the officials of the fight?"
+
+Treadwell, with a self-satisfied leer on his face, stepped away from his
+seconds coming jauntily over.
+
+Midshipman Edgerton and Wheeler followed in some wonder.
+
+"Mr. Treadwell," began Dave, looking full into the eyes of his late
+antagonist, "I have no fault, sir, to find with your style of fighting.
+You behaved fairly at every point."
+
+"Thank you, sir," interjected the big midshipman grimly.
+
+"The verdict was also fair enough," Dave continued, "for I am aware that
+I took a hair's-breadth more than the count. Still, I do not feel, Mr.
+Treadwell, that the result was decisive. Therefore I have to ask of you
+the favor of another early meeting, for a more definite try-out."
+
+Treadwell gasped. So did his recent seconds and the late officials of
+the fight. Even Farley's jaw dropped just a trifle, but Page's face
+flushed with new-found pleasure.
+
+"Another fight, sir?" demanded Midshipman Treadwell.
+
+"Yes, sir," replied Darrin quietly.
+
+"Oh, very well," agreed Treadwell, nonchalantly. "At any time that you
+wish, Mr. Darrin--any time."
+
+"How would fifteen minutes from now do?" demanded Dave, smiling coolly.
+
+Treadwell fairly gasped, though only from sheer astonishment.
+
+"Why, if your seconds and the officials think that fair to you, Mr.
+Darrin," replied Treadwell in another moment, "I am sure that I have no
+objection to remaining around here a little longer."
+
+"Do you insist on calling for the second fight within fifteen minutes,
+Mr. Darrin?" asked Second Classman Edgerton.
+
+"For my own part, I do," replied Dave quietly; "I leave the decision to
+Mr. Treadwell's courtesy."
+
+"Well, of all the freaks!" muttered Mr. Wheeler, as the two fight
+officials walked aside to discuss the matter.
+
+"Darry," demanded the agitated Farley, "are you plumb, clean crazy?"
+
+"Do you know what we're fighting about, Farley, old man?" asked Dave
+very quietly.
+
+"No; of course not."
+
+"It's a personal matter."
+
+"O-oh!"
+
+"It's a matter in which I can't accept an imitation whipping."
+
+"But surely you don't expect to whip Treadwell in your present
+condition?"
+
+"I very likely shall get a thorough trouncing," smiled Darrin.
+
+"It's madness," broke in Page worriedly.
+
+"I told you it was a personal matter," laughed Dave softly. "I shan't
+mind getting whacked if it is done up in good shape. It's only this
+near-whipping to which I object."
+
+"Well--great Scott!" gasped Page.
+
+"Hush!" warned Farley. "Here comes Edgerton."
+
+Midshipman Edgerton, looking very much puzzled, stepped over to Dave
+Darrin's corner.
+
+"Darrin," began the referee in a friendly tone, "Tread doesn't like the
+idea of fighting you again to-night."
+
+"Didn't he say he would?" demanded Darrin.
+
+"Yes; but of course, but--"
+
+"I hold him to his word, Mr. Edgerton."
+
+"But of all the crazy--"
+
+"I have my own reasons, sir," Darrin interposed quietly. "I think it
+very likely, too, that Mr. Treadwell will comprehend my reasons."
+
+"But he doesn't like the idea of fighting an already half-whipped man."
+
+"Will it get on his nerves and unsteady him?" asked Dave ironically.
+
+"Are you bound to fight to-night, Mr. Darrin?"
+
+"I am, sir."
+
+"Then I suppose it goes--it has to," assented Midshipman Edgerton
+moodily. "But of all the irrational--"
+
+"Just what I said, sir," nodded Page.
+
+"I shall be ready, sir, when the fifteen minutes are up," continued
+Dave. "But I am certain that I shall need all the time until then for
+getting myself into first-class condition."
+
+"Darry is a fool--and a wonder!" ejaculated Edgerton under his breath,
+as he walked away.
+
+"I'm sorry, Darry," murmured Farley mournfully, "but--well, beat your
+way to it!"
+
+"I intend to," retorted Dave doggedly.
+
+Rubbed down by his seconds, Dave drew on his blouse, without a shirt.
+
+Quitting the others, Dave walked briskly back and forth. At last he
+broke into a jog-trot.
+
+At last he halted, inflating and emptying his lungs with vigorous
+breathing.
+
+"I feel just about as good as ever," he declared, nodding cheerily to
+his seconds.
+
+"Get off that blouse, then," ordered Midshipman Farley, after a glance
+at his watch. "We've two minutes left out of the fifteen."
+
+"I'll go forward at the scratch, then," nodded Dave.
+
+Treadwell, in the meantime, had pulled on his outer clothing and had
+stood moodily by, watching Dave's more workmanlike preparations with a
+disdainful smile.
+
+"I'll get the fellow going quickly this time," Mr. Treadwell told
+Conners. "As soon as I get him going I'll dive in with a punch that will
+wind up the matter in short order. I've planned to do considerable
+reviewing of navigation to-night."
+
+"I hope you have your wish," murmured Conners.
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"Just what I said."
+
+"Do you think I'm going to have any trouble whatever about finishing up
+that touge youngster!" demanded Tread well sarcastically.
+
+"No; I don't imagine you will. But at the same time, Tread, I tell you I
+don't care about having enemies among fellows who come back as swiftly,
+strongly and as much like a bulldog as Darry does."
+
+Seeing Dave pull off his blouse, Treadwell slowly removed his own
+clothing above the waist.
+
+"Rub me down along the arms a bit," said Midshipman Treadwell, after he
+had exercised his arms a moment.
+
+"I reckon we'd better," nodded Conners. "You must have got stiff from
+standing still after the late mix-up."
+
+"No kinks but what will iron out at once," chuckled Treadwell. "I'll
+show you as soon as I get in action."
+
+His two seconds rubbed him down loyally.
+
+"Are you ready, gentlemen?" called Midshipman Edgerton.
+
+Both men stepped quickly forward, but all of the onlookers thought they
+saw rather more spring in Dave Darrin than in his more bulky opponent.
+
+The preliminaries were announced in a few words.
+
+Of course, there was no handshaking.
+
+"Time!" sounded the call.
+
+Dave Darrin quickly proved to be so full of vigor that Treadwell lay
+back on the defensive after the first two or three passes. Dave followed
+him right up with vim.
+
+Yet, for the first forty seconds of the round no real damage was done on
+either side. Then:
+
+Bump!
+
+"O-o-oh!"
+
+That cry came simultaneously from Treadwell and from all the spectators.
+
+Dave's right fist had landed crushingly on the top classman's left eye,
+almost instantly closing that organ.
+
+Darrin leaped nimbly back, both from a chivalrous impulse to give
+Treadwell a chance to recover his steadiness and to save himself from
+any sudden rush and clinch by his big opponent.
+
+But Treadwell, standing with his guard up, showed no inclination to
+follow the one who had just given him such punishment.
+
+"Mix it up, gentlemen--mix it!" called Midshipman Edgerton impatiently.
+
+At that command from the referee Dave Darrin sprang forward.
+
+Treadwell seemed wholly on the defensive now, though he struck as
+heavily as ever. Toward the end of the round Treadwell, having gotten
+over the worst of the stinging from his eye, once more tried to rush
+matters.
+
+Whenever the big fellow's undamaged eye caught sight of the cool,
+hostile smile on Darrin's face, Treadwell muttered savage words.
+
+Some hard body blows were parried and others exchanged.
+
+Both men were panting somewhat when the call of time closed the first
+round.
+
+"Darry, you nervy little rascal, waltz in and put that other eye up in
+black clothes!" begged Page ecstatically, as he and Farley worked over
+their principal.
+
+Dave was ready quite twenty seconds before the call of time for the
+second round.
+
+Treadwell, however, took his full time in responding. At the last moment
+he took another dab with the wet sponge against his swollen left eye.
+
+"Time!"
+
+With a suppressed yell Treadwell rushed at his opponent. Dave had to
+sidestep to his own right, out of range of Treadwell, to save himself.
+
+Then at it they went, all around the ring. Darrin had determined to keep
+himself out of the way of those sledge-hammer fists until he saw his own
+clear opening.
+
+Four or five times Treadwell landed heavily on Darrin's ribs. The
+younger, smaller midshipman was getting seriously winded, but all the
+time he fought to save himself and to get that one opening.
+
+It came.
+
+Pound!
+
+Darrin's hard-clenched left fist dropped in on Treadwell's right eye.
+
+This time there was no exclamation from the bruised one.
+
+Alert Dave was careful to give him no chance. Within a second after that
+eye-closer landed Darrin struck with his right, landing on the jaw bone
+under Treadwell's ear.
+
+Down in a heap sank the top classman. He was unconscious before his body
+struck the ground.
+
+Wheeler counted off the seconds.
+
+"--ten!"
+
+Still Mr. Treadwell lay motionless.
+
+"Do your best for him, gentlemen," begged Referee Edgerton, turning to
+the first classman's seconds. "Mr. Darrin wins the second fight."
+
+Dave, a satisfied look on his face, stepped back to his seconds.
+
+This time he did not require as much attention. Within five minutes he
+was dressed.
+
+By this time Mr. Treadwell, under the ministrations of his seconds and
+of the late officials, was just coming back to consciousness.
+
+"Something happened, eh?" asked the top classman drowsily.
+
+"Rather!" murmured Mr. Edgerton dryly.
+
+"Did I--did I--lose the fight?"
+
+"You did," Edgerton assented. "But don't let that disturb you. You went
+down before the best man in the Naval Academy."
+
+Treadwell sighed gloomily. It was a hard blow to his pride--much harder
+than any that Dave had landed on his head.
+
+"Mr. Treadwell," inquired Dave, stepping over, "we are comrades, even if
+we had a slight disagreement. Do you care to shake hands?"
+
+"Help me to my feet," urged the first classman, who was sitting up.
+
+His seconds complied. Then Midshipman Treadwell held out his hand.
+
+"Here's my hand," he said rather thickly. "And I apologize, too, Mr.
+Darrin."
+
+"Then say no more about it, please," begged Dave, as their hands met in
+a strong clasp.
+
+None of the others present had the least idea of the provocation of this
+strange, spirited double fight. All, however, were glad to see the
+difficulty mended.
+
+Then Dave and his seconds, leaving the field first, made their way back
+to Bancroft Hall. Farley and Page went straight to their own room.
+
+"How did it come out?" demanded Dan Dalzell eagerly, as soon as his chum
+entered their quarters.
+
+Dropping into a chair, Dave told the story of the double fight briefly.
+He told it modestly, too, but Dan could imagine what his chum omitted.
+
+"David, little giant," exclaimed Dalzell, leaping about him, "that fight
+will become historic here! Oh, how I regret having missed it. Don't you
+ever dare to leave me out again!"
+
+"It wasn't such a much," smiled Dave rather wearily, as he went over to
+his study desk.
+
+"Perhaps it's indiscreet, even of a chum," rambled on Dalzell, "but
+what--"
+
+"What was the fight all about?" laughed Dave softly. "Yes; I suppose you
+have a right to know that, Danny boy. But you must never repeat it to
+any one. Treadwell wanted to dance with Belle at the hop, but she had
+already noticed him, and declared she didn't want to dance with him. Of
+course that settled it. But Treadwell accused me of not having asked
+Belle."
+
+"The nerve!" ejaculated Dan in disgust.
+
+"And then he accused me of lying when I declared I had done my best for
+him," continued Dave.
+
+"I feel that I'd like to fight the fellow myself!" declared Dan Dalzell
+hotly.
+
+"Oh, no, you don't; for Treadwell apologized to-night, and we have
+shaken hands. We're all comrades, you know, Danny boy."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Unknown to any of the parties to the fight, there had been spectators of
+the spirited double battle.
+
+Two men, a sailor and a marine, noting groups of midshipmen going toward
+the historic battle ground of midshipmen, had hidden themselves near-by
+in order "to see the fun."
+
+These two enlisted men of the Navy had been spectators and auditors of
+all that had taken place.
+
+Not until the last midshipman had left the ground did the sailor and
+marine emerge from their hiding place.
+
+"Well, of all the game fights!" muttered the marine.
+
+"Me? I'm hoping that some day I fight under that gallant middy," cried
+the sailor.
+
+"Who is this Mr. Darrin?" asked the marine, as the pair strolled away.
+
+"He's a youngster--third classman. But he's one of the chaps who, on the
+cruise, last summer, went over into a gale after another middy--Darrin
+and his chum did it."
+
+"There must be fine stuff in Mr. Darrin," murmured the marine.
+
+"Couldn't you see that much just now?" demanded the sailor, who took the
+remark as almost a personal affront, "My hat's off to Mr. Darrin. He's
+one of our future admirals. If I round out my days in the service it
+will be the height of my ambition to have him for my admiral. And a
+mighty sea-going officer he'll be, at that!"
+
+In their enthusiasm over the spectacle they had seen, the sailor and the
+marine talked rather too much.
+
+They were still talking over the battle as they strolled slowly past one
+of the great, darkened buildings.
+
+In the shadow of this building, not far away, stood an officer whom
+neither of the enlisted men of the Navy saw; else they would have
+saluted him.
+
+That officer, Lieutenant Willow, U.S. Navy, listened with a good deal of
+interest.
+
+Mr. Willow was one of those officers who are known as duty-mad. He
+gathered that there had been a fight, so he deemed it his duty to report
+the fact at once to the discipline officer in charge over at Bancroft
+Hall.
+
+Regretting the necessity, yet full of the idea of doing his duty,
+Lieutenant Willow wended his way promptly towards the office of the
+officer in charge.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+
+THE OFFICER IN CHARGE IS SHOCKED
+
+Through the main entrance of Bancroft Hall, into the stately corridor,
+Lieutenant Willow picked his way.
+
+He looked solemn--unusually so, even for Lieutenant Willow, U.S.N. He
+had the air of a man who hates to do his duty, but who is convinced that
+the heavens would fall if he didn't.
+
+To his left he turned, acknowledging smartly the crisp salute given him
+by the midshipman assistant officer of the day.
+
+Into the outer office of the officer in charge stepped Mr. Willow, and
+thence on into the smaller room where Lieutenant-Commander Stearns sat
+reading.
+
+"Oh, good evening, Willow," hailed Lieut. Stearns heartily.
+
+"Good evening, Stearns," was the almost moody reply.
+
+"Sit down and let's have a chat. I'm glad to see you," urged
+Lieutenant-Commander Stearns.
+
+Mr. Stearns, he of the round, jovial face, gazed at his junior with
+twinkling eyes.
+
+"Willow," he muttered, "I'm half inclined to believe that you've come to
+me to make an official report."
+
+"I guess I have," nodded Lieutenant Willow.
+
+"And against some unfortunate midshipman, at that!"
+
+"Against two, at least," sighed Mr. Willow, "and there were others
+involved in the affair."
+
+"It must be something fearful," said Mr. Stearns, who knew the junior
+officer's inclination to be duty-mad. "But, see here, if you make an
+official report you'll force me to take action, even though it's
+something that I'd secretly slap a midshipman on the shoulder for doing.
+No--don't begin to talk yet, Willow. Try a cigar and then tell me,
+personally, what's worrying you. Then perhaps it won't be altogether
+needful to make an official report."
+
+"I never was able to take you--er--somewhat jovial views of an officer's
+duty, Stearns," sighed Lieutenant Willow.
+
+Nevertheless, he selected a cigar, bit off the end, lighted it and took
+a few whiffs, Lieutenant-Commander Stearns all the while regarding his
+comrade in arms with twinkling eyes.
+
+"Now, fire ahead, Willow," urged the officer in charge, "but please
+don't make your communication an official one--not at first. Fire ahead,
+now, Willow."
+
+"Well--er--just between ourselves," continued Lieutenant Willow slowly,
+"there has been a fight to-night between two midshipmen."
+
+"No!"
+
+Lieutenant-Commander Stearns struck his fist rather heavily against the
+desk.
+
+"A fight--a real fight--with fists?" continued the officer in charge, in
+a tone of mock incredulity. "No, no, no, Willow, you don't mean it--you
+can't mean it!"
+
+"Yes, I do," rejoined the junior officer rather stiffly.
+
+"Oh, dear, what is the service coming to?" gasped Stearns ironically.
+"Why, Willow, we never heard of such things when we were midshipmen
+here. Now, did we?"
+
+"I'm afraid we did--sometimes," admitted the junior officer. "But duty
+is duty, you know, my dear Stearns. And this was an unusual fight, too.
+The man who was whipped insisted on another fight right then and there,
+and--he won the second fight."
+
+"Bully!" chuckled the officer in charge. "Whew, but I wish I had been
+there!"
+
+"Stearns, you surely don't mean that?" gasped duty-mad Mr. Willow.
+
+"You're quite right, Willow. No; I certainly don't want to be a
+spoilsport, and I'm glad I wasn't there--in my official capacity. But
+I'd like to have been divested of my rank for just an hour so that I
+could have taken in such a scene as that."
+
+"I'm--I'm just a bit astonished at your saying it, Stearns," rejoined
+Lieutenant Willow. "But then, you're always joking."
+
+"Perhaps I am joking," assented the officer in charge dryly, "but I
+never lose sight of the fact that our Navy has been built up, at huge
+expense, as a great fighting machine. Now, Willow, it takes fighting men
+to run a fighting machine. Of course, I'm terribly shocked to know that
+two midshipmen really had the grit to fight--but who were they! Mind
+you, I'm not asking you in an official way. This question is purely
+personal--just between ourselves. Who were the men? And, especially, who
+was the fellow who lost the decision, and then had the utter effrontery
+to demand a second chance at once, only to win the second fight?"
+
+"Darrin was the man who lost the first fight and won the second,"
+replied Lieutenant Willow.
+
+"Mr. Darrin? One of our youngsters? Yes; I think I know him. And what
+man of his class did he whip, the second time he tried!"
+
+"It wasn't a man of his own class. It was Mr. Treadwell, of the first
+class," rejoined Lieutenant Willow.
+
+"What?" almost exploded the officer in charge. "Did you say that Mr.
+Darrin fought with Mr. Treadwell, that husky top classman, and, losing
+the decision on the count, insisted on fighting again the same evening?
+Oh, say, what a fellow misses by being cooped up in an office like
+this!"
+
+"But--but the breach of regulations!" stammered the duty-mad lieutenant.
+
+"My dear fellow, neither you nor I know anything about this
+fight--officially. The Navy, after all, is a fighting machine. Do you
+feel that the Navy can afford to lose a fighting man like that
+youngster?"
+
+So Lieutenant Willow left Lieutenant-Commander Stearns' presence, not
+quite convinced he was performing his whole duty, but glad to bow to the
+decision of a ranking officer.
+
+Two days later Dave and Dan were surprised at being halted by
+Lieutenant-Commander Stearns.
+
+"Good afternoon, Mr. Darrin," came the pleasant greeting. "Good
+afternoon, Mr. Dalzell. Mrs. Stearns and I would be greatly pleased if
+you could take dinner with us. Couldn't you come next Sunday?"
+
+The two midshipmen were astonished and delighted at this invitation.
+While it was not uncommon for officers to invite midshipmen to their
+homes, where there were so many midshipmen, it was as a rule only the
+young men who made themselves prominent socially who captured these
+coveted invitations. Darrin and Dalzell concealed their surprise, but
+expressed their pleasure in accepting the gracious invitation.
+
+On entering Mrs. Stearns' drawing room the next Sunday Mr. Darrin and
+Mr. Dalzell were introduced to two pretty girls. Miss Flora Gentle was a
+cousin of their hostess. She had visited Annapolis before, and, being
+pretty and vivacious, at the same time kind and considerate, she had
+many friends among the midshipmen. Marian Stevens, who had accompanied
+her on this visit, was a direct contrast. Flora was blonde. Marian was
+the dark, flashing type. She was spoiled and imperious, yet she had a
+dashing, open way about her that made her a favorite among young people.
+
+The two girls had heard of the double fight. Marian, therefore, was
+pleased when she found that Dave was to be her dinner partner.
+
+"He's handsome," thought the girl, "and he's brave and dashing. He'll
+make his mark in the Navy. He doesn't know it yet, but he'll become
+mine, and mine alone."
+
+Miss Stevens was a calculating young person, and had already decided
+that Navy life was the life for her and that she would marry into it. At
+seventeen, she looked upon the officers as old men, even the youngest of
+them, so was giving her time and her smiles to the midshipmen. That the
+Navy pay is small did not trouble Maid Marian, as she liked to be
+called, as on her twenty-first birthday she would come into a
+considerable fortune of her own.
+
+She exerted herself all through the Stearns' dinner to captivate Dave
+Darrin. He, without diminution of love and loyalty to Belle Mead, was
+glad to be on friendly terms with this dashing and sprightly girl.
+
+Coffee was served in the drawing room. Several officers dropped in.
+Marian, who wished no one to come between her and Dave for a while,
+turned to her host.
+
+"Mr. Stearns, do the regulations make it improper for Flora and me to
+ask Mr. Darrin and Mr. Dalzell to take us for a stroll about the yard?"
+she asked with a pretty air of deference. The "yard" includes all the
+grounds belonging to the Naval Academy.
+
+"They do not, Miss Marian," was the smiling response.
+
+"With our hostess's approval we shall be charmed to grant any request
+the young ladies make," ventured Dave, as Marian smiled into his eyes.
+
+But Marian, the wily and experienced, found herself baffled during this
+walk. Using all her cajoleries, she could bring him to a certain point
+beyond which he would not go. As a matter of fact, Dave Darrin, secure
+in his loyalty to Belle, did not perceive what Maid Marian was striving
+to lead up to, but saw in her only a lively and interesting girl.
+
+"I'll get you yet, Midshipman Darrin," she vowed to herself after they
+had parted.
+
+The gossip of a sweetheart in his home town which in time reached her
+ears only made the girl more determined to get her way. Looking in the
+mirror with satisfaction, she murmured:
+
+"There'll be the added zest of making Midshipman Darrin forget the
+distant face of that home girl."
+
+Not on that visit did Maid Marian succeed in leading Dave beyond the
+point of simple but sincere friendship. However, Miss Stevens could be
+charming to whomsoever she wished, and before she left Annapolis she had
+secured invitations to visit the wife of more than one of the officers.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+
+CONCLUSION
+
+Christmas came and went, and soon after this the semi-annual
+examinations were on in earnest. Some of the midshipmen failed and sadly
+turned their faces homeward to make a place for themselves in some other
+lane of life. Dan Dalzell, however, made good his promise, and by a
+better margin than he had dared hope. Dave came through the examination
+somewhat better than his chum. Both felt assured now that they would
+round out the year with fair credit to themselves.
+
+Marian Stevens came to Annapolis several times during the latter half of
+the year, and as it is expected that the future officer shall have
+social as well as Naval training, Dave Darrin met her often.
+
+Exasperation that she could draw the young midshipman on only so far
+soon changed in Miss Stevens to anger and chagrin. Still Dave, giving
+prolonged thought to no girl except Belle Meade, saw in her only a
+lively companion. Sometimes he was her dinner partner. Always at a dance
+he danced with her more than once.
+
+It was at one such dance that she looked up as they circled the room to
+say:
+
+"I wonder if you know, Mr. Darrin, how much I enjoy dancing with you."
+
+"Not as much as I enjoy dancing with you," he replied smilingly. Just
+then the music stopped suddenly and an officer called in a voice that
+carried over the great floor of the gymnasium and over all the chatter:
+
+"Ladies and gentlemen, one moment's attention, please!"
+
+In an instant all was still.
+
+"Ladies and gentlemen," continued the officer, "official permission has
+been granted for taking a flashlight photograph of the scene to-night.
+Will everybody please remain where he is until after the exposure has
+been made?"
+
+Dave and Marian had paused directly in front of the lens of the camera.
+Maid Marian looked up and made a light, jesting remark, gazing straight
+into the midshipman's eyes. Dave, smiling, bent forward to hear what she
+said.
+
+Just then came the flash, and the photographer, his work finished for
+the time, gathered his paraphernalia together and left. The music
+recommenced and the dancing proceeded.
+
+Three weeks later that photograph was reproduced as a double-page
+illustration in one of the prominent pictorial weeklies.
+
+The day the magazine was on the newsstands Dan Dalzell bought a copy.
+Entering their quarters with it in his hand he opened it at the
+illustration and handed it to Dave.
+
+"You and Miss Stevens show up better than any one else, Dave," remarked
+Dan.
+
+"The photograph is a good piece of work," was Dave's only comment. He
+did not wish to express the annoyance he felt when he noted the
+appearance of intimacy between him and Marian, whose beauty showed, even
+in this reproduction. "I'd a bit rather Belle shouldn't see this paper,"
+he admitted to himself.
+
+"David, old boy, this picture would make a good exhibit in a
+breach-of-promise suit."
+
+"That's an unkind remark to make about a fine girl like Miss Stevens,"
+said Dave coldly.
+
+Dan stared, then went off, pondering.
+
+Belle Meade, in her Gridley home, received one day a large, square, thin
+package. She saw the mark of the Annapolis express office, and hastily
+snatched up scissors to cut the string. Out came a huge photograph.
+
+"A picture of an Annapolis dance! How thoughtful of Dave to send it to
+me!" Then her eyes fell on two figures around which a ring had been
+drawn in ink. They were Dave Darrin and a pretty girl. On the margin of
+the card had been scrawled in bold letters:
+
+"Your affair of the heart will bear close watching if you still
+cherish!"
+
+This was signed, contemptibly and untruthfully, "A Friend."
+
+"Uh!" murmured Belle in hurt pride and loyalty. Then she said resolutely
+to herself: "I will pay no attention to this. An anonymous communication
+is always meant to hurt and to give a false impression."
+
+But there was the picture before her eyes of Dave and the pretty girl in
+seemingly great intimacy. So though she continued to write to the
+midshipman and tried hard to make her letters sound as usual, in spite
+of herself a coldness crept into them that Dave felt.
+
+"She must have seen that pictorial weekly," thought the boy miserably.
+But as Belle said nothing of this, he could not write of it.
+
+The season was well along. Dave and Dan sent Belle Meade and Laura
+Bentley invitations to one of the later spring dances.
+
+"I wonder if she'll come or if she's tiring of me," thought Dave Darrin
+bitterly.
+
+But Belle answered, accepting the invitation for Laura and herself.
+
+When Saturday afternoon came both midshipmen hurried to the hotel in the
+town and sent up their cards. Mrs. Meade soon appeared, saying the girls
+would be down shortly.
+
+"Are they both well?" asked Dave. His tone was as one giving a
+meaningless greeting, but in his heart he waited anxiously to hear what
+her mother should say of Belle.
+
+"Well, yes. But Belle has been moping around the house a great deal,
+Dave, rather unlike her usual self," replied Mrs. Meade slowly.
+
+If Mrs. Meade deplored this, Dave Darrin did not. It showed him at least
+that the girl's apparent coldness was not caused by her interest in some
+other young man.
+
+But when the girls came in and Belle greeted him cordially, to be sure,
+but with something of restraint, his heart sank again.
+
+"What's the matter, Belle? Has something gone wrong?" asked Dave when
+Dan was engaging the attention of Mrs. Meade and Laura.
+
+"Nothing. Is all right with you?"
+
+"Surely!"
+
+"Dave, when we're alone I have something to show you. I fear you have an
+enemy here."
+
+"An enemy! Oh, no. But I shall be glad to see what you have to show me."
+
+It was not long before, at a word from Dave, Dan took Mrs. Meade and
+Laura out for a walk. It was then that Belle got the large photograph
+with the two figures ringed in ink and showed it to Dave.
+
+"Why, what does this mean? Some one must have taken a good deal of
+trouble to secure this photograph. The picture was taken for a pictorial
+weekly. One can get a photograph from which the cut is made, but it is
+troublesome and possibly expensive!"
+
+"You have an enemy, then; some one bent on hurting you?"
+
+"I don't know who it could be. My, how angry Miss Stevens would be if
+she knew of this!"
+
+"Miss Stevens? Is that the girl?"
+
+"Yes. She's visited here often this year. She knows a number of the
+officers' wives. She's vivacious and always has a good time, but she's
+nothing to me, Belle. You know that, don't you?"
+
+"I have never doubted you, Dave. Let us tear this up. I thought at first
+I'd not show it to you; then decided it was best not to begin concealing
+things from you. But let us not think of the thing again."
+
+"Belle, you're a thoroughbred!" and here the matter dropped as far as it
+was between Dave Darrin and Belle Meade.
+
+Miss Stevens was at the dance that evening. Though she tried hard to
+make that impossible, Dave did not dance with her, nor did he introduce
+her to Belle, though there again Marian tried to force this.
+
+It would have been well for Marian if Dan Dalzell had been equally
+circumspect.
+
+This time it was Belle who contrived and got the introduction to the
+other girl, but Marian was by no means reluctant, so it was that they
+managed to get a few moments alone together when they had sent their
+dance partners to get something for them.
+
+"You are a friend of Dave's, aren't you?" asked Marian.
+
+"Of Mr. Darrin's? Oh, yes, we've always known each other."
+
+"Then you've been here to many of these dances?"
+
+"Only two."
+
+"Too bad you could not have been here oftener. This has been an
+unusually brilliant season. Really, many of the young people have lost
+their heads--or their hearts. I often wonder if these midshipmen have
+sweethearts at home." This daring--and impertinent--remark was made
+musingly but smilingly.
+
+"These Annapolis affairs are never very serious, I imagine," Belle
+observed calmly.
+
+"On the contrary, most of the Navy marriages date back to an Annapolis
+first meeting."
+
+"Then you think it well to come often?"
+
+"Unless one has other ways of keeping in touch," was the brazen reply.
+
+"I have," said Belle sweetly. "I receive a good many souvenirs in the
+course of a year. One last winter was a photograph." With the words
+Belle gazed intently into Miss Stevens' eyes. Then she went on: "There
+was an anonymous message written on it. It was a lying message, of
+course, as anonymous messages always are, written in a coarse hand. Did
+you ever study handwriting, Miss Stevens?"
+
+Marian gasped, realizing she was out-maneuvered.
+
+"This writing had all the characteristics of a woman whose instincts are
+coarse, that of a treacherous though not dangerous person--"
+
+"Here's Mr. Sanderson back. Will you excuse me, Miss Meade?" and Marian
+fairly fled.
+
+Belle told Dave she had found out who had sent the photograph, but
+added:
+
+"I wish you wouldn't ask me who it was, Dave. I can assure you that the
+person who did it will never trouble us again," and as Dave did not like
+to think evil of any one, he consented, and continued to think of Marian
+Stevens, when he thought of her at all, as a jolly girl.
+
+The annual examinations were approaching. Dan Dalzell was buried deep in
+gloom. Dave Darrin kept cheerful outwardly, but doubts crept into his
+heart.
+
+The examinations over, Dave felt reasonably safe. But Dan's gloom
+deepened, for he was sure he had failed in "skinny," as the boys termed
+chemistry and physics. So it was that when the grades were posted Dave
+scanned the D's in the list of third classmen who had passed. Dan, on
+the other hand, turned instantly to what he termed the "bust list."
+
+"Why, why, I'm not there!" he muttered.
+
+"Look at the passing list, Danny," laughed Dave.
+
+Unbelieving, Dan turned his eyes on the list and to his utter
+astonishment found his name posted. True, in "skinny" he had a bare
+passing mark. But in other subjects he was somewhat above the minimum.
+
+"So you see, old man, we'll both be here next year as second classmen,"
+said Dave jubilantly.
+
+This was as Dave Darrin said, and what happened during this time may be
+learned in a volume entitled, "DAVE DARRIN'S THIRD YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS;
+or, Leaders of the Second Class Midshipmen."
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Dave Darrin's Second Year at Annapolis
+by H. Irving Hancock
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+are filed in directories based on their release date.  If you want to
+download any of these eBooks directly, rather than using the regular
+search system you may utilize the following addresses and just
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+
+     http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/etext06
+
+    (Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99,
+     98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90)
+
+EBooks posted since November 2003, with etext numbers OVER #10000, are
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+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/2/3/10234
+
+or filename 24689 would be found at:
+     https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/6/8/24689
+
+An alternative method of locating eBooks:
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+
+
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