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diff --git a/old/63590-0.txt b/old/63590-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index a829f8b..0000000 --- a/old/63590-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7667 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Midshipman Merrill, by Henry Harrison Lewis - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this ebook. - -Title: Midshipman Merrill - -Author: Henry Harrison Lewis - -Release Date: November 01, 2020 [EBook #63590] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: Demian Katz, Craig Kirkwood, and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (Images courtesy of - the Digital Library@Villanova University - (http://digital.library.villanova.edu/)) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MIDSHIPMAN MERRILL *** - -Transcriber’s Notes: - -Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). - -Additional Transcriber’s Notes are at the end. - - * * * * * - -MIDSHIPMAN MERRILL - - * * * * * - -[Illustration: “The passengers and crew gave the young hero a rousing -cheer as he sped away.” (See page 45)] - - * * * * * - - - - -Midshipman Merrill - - - BY - HENRY HARRISON LEWIS - - AUTHOR OF - “Centre-Board Jim,” “Ensign Merrill,” etc. - - [Illustration] - - PHILADELPHIA - DAVID MCKAY, PUBLISHER - 610 SOUTH WASHINGTON SQUARE - - * * * * * - -Copyright, 1899, By STREET & SMITH - - * * * * * - -MIDSHIPMAN MERRILL. - - - - -CHAPTER I. THE WRECK OF THE TOY. - - -“There comes that sea cub of Beacon Cliff, mates, so let us clip his -claws.” - -“So say I, mates, for he’s too blue blooded to associate with us, if he -is only a fisher lad.” - -“It’s the living in that old rookery, Cliff Castle, that has turned his -head and made him so conceited.” - -“No, he’s been high-toned ever since he saved that schooner from being -wrecked in Hopeless Haven; but I say let us take him down a peg or two, -mates.” - -“I’m with you.” - -“So am I.” - -“Me, too;” and all of a group of five lads joined in with their leader -to set upon a youth who was just running for the shore in a trim little -surf-skiff with a leg-of-mutton sail. - -The scene was at a small seaport upon the rugged, though beautiful -coast of Maine, and the lads, a wild lot of reckless spirits, -half-sailors, half-landsmen, stood in front of an old-fashioned tavern -fronting the water, and from whence they had sighted the surf-skiff -running swiftly in toward the wharf, and had recognized its occupant, a -lad of sixteen. - -He was neatly dressed in duck pants and a sailor shirt with wide -collar, in each corner of which was embroidered an anchor in blue silk. - -A blue tarpaulin sat jauntily upon his head, giving him something of a -rakish look, and a sash encircled his slender waist. - -But in spite of his rather picturesque attire, he had a face of rare -manliness for one so young, a face that was bronzed by exposure, strong -in character and stamped with resolution and daring beyond his years. - -He ran his little skiff in cleverly alongside the wharf, lowered sail, -and carefully taking up a toy ship, stepped ashore and started toward -the tavern. - -The toy was a miniature ship, fully rigged and under sail, an exquisite -specimen of workmanship, for from keel to truck there was nothing -missing, and every rope and sail, even to a tiny flag, the Stars and -Stripes, was in place. - -He had nearly reached the group of youths, who had threatened to lower -his pride a peg or two, when a seaman met him and called out: - -“Ho, lad, who built that craft you have there?” - -“I did, sir,” was the modest reply. - -“Well, if you did you are a born sailor, that is all, for I never saw -a cleaner built craft, or a better rigged one. Are you a deep water -sailor, my lad?” - -“I have been to sea, sir; but I am only a coaster now.” - -“And what are you going to do with that pretty toy?” - -“I am going to ask landlord Rich of the tavern to buy it of me, sir.” - -“Why do you sell it?” - -The lad’s face flushed, and after a moment he said: - -“Well, sir, my mother is ill, and I wish to have the doctor go and see -her, and sell the ship to get the money to pay him and buy medicines -with.” - -“Well, lad, in spite of your fancy rig, your heart lies in the right -place, I see; but what do you want for the craft?” - -“It ought to be worth fifteen dollars, sir.” - -“It is worth more, and I wish I had the money to buy it; but if the -landlord don’t buy it, I’ll see what I can do.” - -“I thank you, sir,” and the lad was going on, when the group of youths, -who had heard all that had passed, laughed rudely, while one said: “Let -me see your boat, sea cub?” - -The lad’s face flushed, but he knew that the speaker was the son of a -rich shipping merchant of the town, and was a spendthrift, who might -pay him a fancy price for his toy, if he wished to do so, and he, -therefore, handed the ship to him without reply. - -It was the same youth who had suggested to the others to tease the lad, -and looking critically at the ship, he said: - -“It looks fairly well to a landsman, but whoever saw such a rig on a -ship?” - -“And the hull has no shape to it,” said another. - -“Just look at the rake of the masts.” - -“And the cut of her bow.” - -“Whoever saw such a stern on anything but a mudscow.” - -“If you do not wish to purchase the boat, Scott Clemmons, give it back -to me,” said Mark Merrill, suppressing his anger. - -“I’ll buy her, if she can stand a cyclone, sea cub,” said Scott -Clemmons insolently. - -“Let’s see if she can, Scott,” another said. - -“All right, Birney, hold out your arm.” - -The youth addressed held his arms out firmly on a level, and whirling -suddenly around, with the boat grasped in both hands, he brought it -with full force close to the deck against the outstretched arms of Ben -Birney. - -The result was the wreck of the toy ship, for the masts were broken, -the decks swept clean. - -But quickly as the act had been done, the movements of the young sailor -were quicker, for once, twice, his blows fell full in the faces of the -two destroyers, and they dropped their length upon the pavement. - - - - -CHAPTER II. THE ARREST. - - -The three youths of the group who had not taken a hand in the -destruction of the toy ship had seemed at first to regret their -inability to also fret the young sailor; but the moment that the two -ringleaders, Scott Clemmons and Ben Birney, had measured their length -upon the ground, falling with a force that seemed to knock the breath -out of them for a moment, the trio appeared delighted that they had no -hand in the breaking of the little miniature ship, and stepped quickly -backward out of reach of the dangerous arm of Mark Merrill. - -But Scott Clemmons was not one to submit tamely to a blow, and with his -face bruised by a severe contact with the fist of the sailor lad, he -arose to his feet, and whipping out his knife rushed upon his foe with -a bitter oath, and the threat: - -“I’ll have your life for that blow, sea cub!” - -Mark Merrill had boldly stood his ground, but seeing his danger he -quickly stooped, seized the hull of his broken boat, and with a -lightning-like movement brought it down upon the head of his assailant -with a force that appeared to kill him, so motionless he lay where he -fell. - -“Come, mates, he has killed Scott Clemmons, so seize him!” shouted Ben -Birney, and he sprung toward the lad, followed by the other three who -were made bold by their numbers. - -The sailor lad stood at bay now, his face pale, but stern and -determined, his eyes ablaze, while in his hands he grasped the hull of -his now badly-wrecked ship, making it serve as a weapon of defense. - -But ere Ben Birney had reached within arm’s length a form suddenly -sprung forward, and a ringing voice cried: - -“Back, you young cutthroats, for I’ll take a hand in this unequal game.” - -The four youths shrank back as though they had run against a stone -wall, for the sailor who had addressed Mark Merrill upon landing now -confronted them, and more, he held a revolver in his hand, the muzzle -covering the group, his finger upon the trigger. - -A crowd had now gathered, and among them the village constable, to whom -Ben Birney cried: - -“Officer Roe, that fisher boy has killed Scott Clemmons--we saw him do -it.” - -“It isn’t so, officer, for the fellow is not dead, only stunned; and, -besides, he attacked this brave lad with a knife, after the young -scamps had smashed his boat to pieces. Arrest them, I say,” said the -sailor. - -Constable Roe was a politician, and owed his place to the influence of -the fathers of Scott Clemmons and Ben Birney, so, of course, he saw the -situation through the spectacles of self-interest. - -The sailor was a stranger in town, and Mark Merrill was but a poor -fisher lad, so he said: - -“He meant to kill young Master Scott, if he didn’t do it, so I’ll -arrest him, and I’ll take you in, too, as I saw you level a loaded -pistol at these young men.” - -The sailor laughed, and answered: - -“You old fool, the weapon was just bought uptown, and there’s no load -in it; but trot me off to the lockup if you wish, only let this poor -lad go, as he has come for a doctor to see his sick mother.” - -“No, I’ll lock you both up, I guess, if the judge has left his -court--oh! Master Scott, you have come round, I see,” and the constable -turned to Scott Clemmons, who just then arose to his feet, but with his -face bleeding, and a dazed look in his eyes. - -“He tried to murder me, Roe,” he said deliberately. - -“The young scamp lies like a marine, for he tried to do the murdering; -but take us to the judge, officer, who, I guess, has got more sense -than you have,” and the sailor laughed. - -The angry constable grasped an arm of the sailor and the lad, and with -a crowd at their heels led them away toward the court, in the rear of -which was the jail. - -The judge had just finished his last case for the day, but took his -seat, willing to hear the case, for he heard several remark that it was -nothing but persecution. - -The constable made his report, and the sailor told his story just as he -had witnessed it, Mark Merrill remaining silent and calm until called -upon to testify. - -Then he told his version of the affair in an unmoved, dignified manner -that impressed all, adding: - -“If I am to be punished, your honor, I beg of you to accept my pledge -to return, after I have sent a physician to my mother.” - -Paying no attention to this remark the judge asked: - -“Are there any witnesses in court who are willing to testify in favor -of these two prisoners?” - -“I am, Judge Miller, if you will accept me as a witness, for I saw and -heard all.” - -All started as a clear, sweet voice came from the rear of the crowd, -and there appeared a young girl of fourteen, her beautiful face -crimsoned from the glances turned upon her, but her manner firm and -half-defiant. - -“Ah! Miss Virgene, it is you, is it? Yes, indeed, I’ll accept your -testimony with pleasure,” was the pleasant response of the judge, and -the crowd fell aside to allow the pretty maiden to go to the front. - - - - -CHAPTER III. THE GIRL WITNESS. - - -Virgene Rich was the beauty of the little seaport town of B----, -notwithstanding that she had only been a couple of years across the -threshold of her “teens.” - -She was the daughter of landlord Rich, of the “Anchorage Tavern,” and -every one in B---- loved her, especially the lads. - -Her most persistent admirer was Scott Clemmons, though he could not -boast of having been more favored by her than others. - -Now, as he saw her advance as a witness, his face paled and flushed by -turns, for what would she, a girl, have to say of a quarrel among men, -he wondered. - -“Well, Miss Virgene, do you voluntarily appear in this case?” asked the -judge, with a kindly smile. - -“I do, Judge Miller, because I deem it my duty to do so, for if not -I would not make myself appear so forward,” was the low yet distinct -response. - -“Kiss the Book then, Miss Virgene, and let me hear what you have to -say.” - -The girl obeyed, and then said in a voice that not one failed to hear: - -“I was seated in my room, sir, over the tavern parlor when I saw a -surf-skiff running for shore, and noticed it particularly on account of -its being so well handled. - -“Right beneath stood five young men, whom I see here now. Scott -Clemmons recognized the occupant of the skiff, that youth there, whose -name I believe is Mark Merrill. - -“A plan was at once formed, as they expressed it, to ‘clip the sea -cub’s claws,’ and as Master Merrill landed they went toward him. - -“He had a toy ship in his hand, and I heard him tell a sailor, this -gentleman here, who met him, that he intended to sell it to my father, -as he had to get money to send the doctor to his mother, who was very -ill. - -“Then these five young gentlemen,” and Virgene’s sarcastic reference to -them made the five youths wince, “met Master Mark Merrill, and at once -began to sneer at his boat, and Scott Clemmons took it from him, asking -if it could stand a cyclone. - -“Then Scott Clemmons bade Ben Birney hold out his arms, which he did, -and turning quickly with the boat at a level, he crushed it into a -wreck.” - -A murmur ran through the crowd at this, and the accused did not like -the look upon the face of the judge as he said: - -“Well, Miss Virgene, what else?” - -“Why, Master Merrill at once knocked both Scott Clemmons and Ben Birney -down, as he ought to have done, Judge Miller,” was the spirited reply -of the young girl. - -“I agree with you, Miss Virgene--ahem! ahem!” and the judge cut off his -own decided unjudicial expression of his private opinion with a loud -cough. - -Resuming her testimony, Virgene Rich said: - -“Scott Clemmons rose quickly, sir, and drawing a knife, rushed upon -Master Merrill with a threat to kill him, when he was struck a blow -with the hull of the wrecked boat that stunned him.” - -“The prisoner, Mark Merrill, struck the blow?” - -“Yes, Judge Miller, in self-defense; and the others then, led by Ben -Birney, were about to spring upon him, when this gentleman frightened -them off with what seems was an unloaded weapon,” and Virgene’s musical -laughter was contagious, for many joined in until the judge, checking -the broad grin upon his own face, commanded sternly: - -“Silence in court!” - -The judge was a terror to evil-doers, and was obeyed with alacrity, -while Virgene went on to tell the story of the constable’s arrest of -the wrong parties. - -“Constable Roe, you should not allow self-interest to lead you into -error, sir, for the real culprits before me are Scott Clemmons, Ben -Birney, _et al._ - -“Miss Virgene, I thank you for your clear testimony of the facts, and -discharge the accused, while I order the arrest of these young men, and -shall bind them over to keep the peace, while you, Clemmons, must at -once pay this youth for his boat, or I shall send you to jail.” - -Then, turning to Mark Merrill, Judge Miller asked: - -“Are you the lad who saved a schooner from being wrecked in Hopeless -Haven some months ago?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“I am glad to know you, my lad, for you took desperate chances for your -own life to save others from death. Ah, Mr. Clemmons, you are here, I -suppose, to pay your son’s just debt to this brave youth, and to offer -bail for your boy, who can congratulate himself upon his escaping so -lightly,” and Judge Miller turned to a fine-looking old gentleman who -had entered court, hearing his son had been arrested. - -“I am here, your honor, to do what is right,” was the cold response of -merchant Clemmons. - -“He ought to have fifty dollars for the boat, for it was worth it,” -said the sailor bluntly. - -“No, my price was only fifteen dollars, and I would not take that from -him were it not for my mother’s being ill,” said Mark Merrill. - -The amount was paid by merchant Clemmons, and Mark Merrill hastened -from the court room, accompanied by his newly-made friend, Jack Judson, -sailor. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. THE DWELLERS IN “SPOOK HALL.” - - -The youth, accompanied by Jack Judson, the sailor, walked hastily up -the main street of the little town, until he came to a fine residence, -before which hung a sign bearing the legend: - - “DR. STONE’S OFFICE.” - -The physician had just returned home, and coming by the court room had -heard the story of the affray, and from one who had sided with the -sailor lad in the affair. - -He heard Mark’s story of his mother’s illness, and at once said he -would drive down that evening, and received his fee in advance, which -he made exceedingly modest. - -With a happy heart the lad then went to a store and made a few -purchases, after which he said: - -“Now, sir, I must take time to go and thank that pretty young girl for -her kindness.” - -“Well, I just think so, lad, for she’s one among a thousand,” answered -Jack Judson, and the two went to “The Anchorage” and asked to see Miss -Virgene Rich. - -But that young lady saw them coming, suspected their errand, and ran -off to the garret and hid, so they were told that she must have gone -out. - -“That’s too bad, lad; but you’ll find her in port some time; but, see -here, it’s blowing a gale, and you cannot start home now.” - -“Oh, yes, sir; for it would worry my mother more for me not to go.” - -“Go by land?” - -“It’s a walk of fifteen miles, and only a sail of twelve, while the -wind is fair for me.” - -“If my craft was not going out in the morning I’d go with you, for you -are going to have it rough, lad.” - -“I don’t mind that, sir, for my craft is a surf-skiff, and I know how -to handle her.” - -“I saw that as you came in, my boy; but if you must go I won’t detain -you, so good-by, and don’t you forget that Jack Judson is your friend.” - -“I’ll remember you, sir, you may be sure,” was the reply, and five -minutes after the surf-skiff cast off and started upon her really -perilous voyage. - -The sailor watched her departure, as many others did, and shook his -head ominously, while Virgene Rich, having returned to her room, stood -in the window, and her innocent young face wore an anxious look as -she saw the little craft driving swiftly into the heavy seas on her -dangerous run. - -In half an hour the surf-skiff was out of sight to the watchers, and -soon after rounded a point of land where it felt the full force of the -winds and waves. - -But Mark Merrill showed his claim to the title he had won as the boy -pilot of the coast, and though the shadows of night fell upon the -waters, seemed to instinctively know his way over the tempestuous sea. - -At length a light gleamed from a cliff far ahead, and the young sailor -said aloud: - -“Bless my dear, good mother! she has set the lamp in the south window, -sick as she is, to guide me home, and it shows me that I was a trifle -off my course.” - -On sped the little craft, held firmly to her work until she ran in -under the shelter of a lofty overhanging cliff. - -The sail was quickly lowered, the painter made fast, and springing -ashore, his arms full of the purchases he had made, Mark Merrill -hastened to climb a steep path leading to the cliff above. - -Here stood a large stone mansion, dark and gloomy, except in one end, -where there was a light, the one which had flashed over the waters as a -beacon to guide the brave boy to a haven of safety. - -Entering the wing the lad passed into a large room where a woman lay -upon a large old-fashioned bed. - -Her face was a sad one, and her eyes were sunk with suffering, but she -smiled as she beheld her son, who advanced and, bending over, kissed -her forehead. - -“The doctor will be down to-night, mother, for he knows the way well, -having attended the Vanloo family when they lived here.” - -“Heaven bless you, my noble boy; but what a rough night it is, and my -anxiety for you has made me feel better, for I forgot myself.” - -“Oh! you’ll soon come round all right, mother,” was the hopeful reply. - -“But Mark, how can you pay the doctor, for my illness has kept you from -making any money of late.” - -“I sold my little model, mother, for I was tired of it, you know.” - -“No, I don’t know anything of the kind, Mark, for you prized it most -highly, and it took you a long time to make it.” - -“Why, mother, it was no use, and I got a good price for it, so paid the -doctor and bought some things we needed, and old Peggy will be back -to-morrow, so that I can take a cruise and make some money.” - -“I hope so, my son, and Peggy never overstays her time; but I hear -wheels without.” - -“It is the doctor,” joyously said the lad. - -It was the doctor, and he found the patient suffering from a general -breaking down. - -He prescribed what he deemed best, left the medicines, and as the youth -followed him to his carriage, said: - -“Your mother has some sorrow to bear, my young friend, and she must -have perfect rest, the best of care, and good food.” - -“My old nurse, sir, Peggy, will return to-morrow, for she has been -absent for a few weeks on a yearly visit to her son, and my mother has -overworked herself, I fear.” - -“Well, I will see her again, and I understand your situation -exactly--nay, do not get angry, for I will have my way, and all your -mother needs she shall have, and when you make money you can repay me, -for I shall keep an account of expenditures. - -“But your mother has some heartache, and you must brighten her life all -you can. - -“I visited the Vanloo’s when they dwelt here--where is the heir to this -property?” - -“I do not know, sir; but the agent gave us permission to occupy one -wing of it to care for the place.” - -“He might well do so, for money would buy no one else to live here -after the tragedies this old mansion has seen. - -“You and your mother are brave, indeed, to dwell here; but good-night,” -and the good physician entered his carriage and drove rapidly away -from the old mansion, which had become known as “Spook Hall,” for the -superstitious country folk and the coast dwellers vowed that the place -was haunted--and certainly it was by cruel memories of red deeds done -there one stormy night years before. - - - - -CHAPTER V. A BOLD RESOLVE. - - -It was several weeks after the attack on Mark Merrill, on his visit to -the town of B---- after the doctor, and Mrs. Merrill had regained her -health, old Peggy had returned to her duties, and the young sailor lad -was thus able to resume his fishing and carrying the mail each week to -and from several little hamlets on the coast. - -By the sale of his fish and the mail carrying, both most dangerous work -in rough weather, the lad made a fair living for his mother, old Peggy, -and himself, the only three dwellers in the once grand old mansion -of Cliff Castle, then the wonder and admiration of the country folk, -but for years left deserted and crumbling to decay, its hundreds of -surrounding acres allowed to grow up with weeds and undergrowth. - -The furniture all had been left after the fateful tragedy beneath its -roof, which had gained for it the name of Spook Hall, and the place had -been shunned as a pestilence, until the moving into one wing of the -Merrills, who had set at defiance the weird stories of the old mansion. - -There was an unsolved mystery hanging over the Merrills, for no one -seemed to know who they were, or from whence they had come. - -The lad had visited B---- as one of a schooner’s crew, and not long -after had come with his mother and Peggy, and sought a home in a cabin -on the shore. - -After a run to Boston, where he had seen the agent of Cliff Castle, he -had permission to move into the mansion, and for over a year they had -dwelt there, and that was all that was known of them. - -At the risk of his life the brave boy had gone out in a storm one night -and acted as pilot to a schooner that was in a dangerous anchorage, and -this had won him fame along the coast, and the name of the boy pilot. - -Again, he had sailed out in his surf-skiff to a vessel adrift, and -found it utterly deserted, so had gotten up sail, as well as he could, -and run the craft to a safe anchorage. - -He had given notice of the fact, but no one had come to claim the -pretty craft, which was a small schooner yacht, and Mark had begun to -regard her as his own property. - -One afternoon he was standing upon the cliff watching the coming up of -what threatened to be a terrible storm. - -The whole heavens to seaward were one mass of inky clouds, which were -rising higher and higher, and ominous rumblings of thunder and vivid -flashes of lightning grew louder and brighter as the tempest came -sweeping on. - -From his position on the cliff he could look down into two basins, or -bays. - -In one lay the little schooner at anchor, and all ship-shape to meet -the coming tempest, and there, too, was his surf-skiff with a couple of -boats drawn up on the beach. - -The entrance to this bay was winding and dangerous in the extreme, but -these very dangers of running in and out made it more sheltered and -secure as a harbor. - -The bay upon the other side of the cliff was larger and by no means -well sheltered from a wild sea, though to an ordinary observer it -appeared to be a safe anchorage for a vessel. - -The lad stood upon a rock overhanging the sea, and commanding a grand -view, seemingly unconscious that a false step would hurl him into the -waters eighty feet below. - -Suddenly he started, for around a point of land heavily wooded a vessel -came in sight, driving along under reefed sails before the breeze which -was the forerunner of the storm. - -“It is one of those beautiful yachts out of Boston; but there can be no -pilot on board, or he would have run into Rover’s Roost. - -“Why does she not stand out to sea for good room?” said the lad -anxiously. - -Then he watched the vessel attentively, a large schooner yacht of some -two hundred tons burden, painted white, which was driving along like a -huge thing of life seeking a place of refuge from the storm. - -“Great Cæsar’s ghost! she is running into Hopeless Haven in the very -teeth of this storm. She will be wrecked!” and the boy’s voice now rang -out in dire alarm for the safety of the beautiful vessel. - -He saw her run, to what her skipper evidently believed a safe -anchorage; the anchors were let fall and the sails furled. - -Then Mark Merrill waited no longer, for from his lips came the words: - -“She is doomed unless I can save her! I have no time to get my boat and -run around the point, for the storm would catch me halfway--yes, I must -take the chances and swim out to her!” - -He paused for a few seconds, as though taking in the whole situation, -and then quickly ran around the edge of the cliff to where there was a -small arbor, in the top of which had been a beacon in the early days -of the mansion. - -Quickly divesting himself of his jacket, shoes, stockings and hat, he -began to descend the steep side of the cliff with the agility of a cat. - -He reached within twenty feet of the water’s edge, and turning, gazed -first out at the yacht, half a mile distant, and then down into the -surf, dashing with thunderous roar against the base of the cliff. - -“Now for it!” and as the words left his lips Mark Merrill made the -fateful spring into the surging breakers on his daring swim out to the -yacht in the face of the coming storm. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. THE BOY PILOT. - - -The schooner yacht Midshipman was on a pleasure cruise of several weeks -with a distinguished party on board. - -She was a large, roomy and stanch craft, as well as carrying the -champion colors as a racer, won in showing a clean pair of heels to the -fleet pleasure boats when a cup or purse was at stake. - -Her distinguished owner, a millionaire Bostonian, had invited a -congenial party to become his guests for a cruise from Fortress Monroe -along the coast to the St. Lawrence and back to Newport, and among the -guests were several who had won fame in the history of their country in -civil and military life. - -The Honorable Secretary of the United States Navy, gallant Commodore -Lucien, and several others of lesser note, accompanied by half a dozen -ladies, comprised the guests of General Peyton on the Midshipman. - -The cruise had been greatly enjoyed, and the prow of the yacht had been -turned homeward, when suddenly came up from out of the very sea, it -seemed, the black and ugly storm. - -The ladies implored the skipper to head for the shore, to seek refuge -in some harbor, though he urged, as he knew little of the coast just -there, the open sea was the safer. - -“We will find some harbor, captain, so run in, where you deem best,” -General Peyton had said, for he did not like the looks of the heavens, -and night not far off. - -Around a point swept the yacht, and a cry of joy came from many lips at -what appeared to be a safe anchorage before them. - -Into the bay ran the Midshipman, and quickly her anchors were let go, -her sails furled, and all made ship-shape to meet the rising tempest, -which was growing appalling in its magnitude and blackness. - -“I don’t like this place, sir, and we had better fire a gun to bring a -pilot off in case we have to stand out,” said the skipper to General -Peyton. - -“Do so, if you deem best, captain; but see, yonder stands some one upon -that cliff.” - -All eyes were turned upon the cliff, and they wondered to see the form -of a man running at full speed along the edge of the towering rocks. - -He darted into an arbor, and in a short while reappeared, and then his -actions caused still greater surprise, for he was seen to come boldly -down the rocky face of the cliff toward the sea. - -All watched with deepest interest, momentarily forgetting the storm in -their wonderment at the actions of the one on the cliff. - -Suddenly a cry broke from every lip, for the form was seen to suddenly -spring into the foaming waters. - -The ladies turned their faces away in awe, the men watched the waters -where the form had disappeared, for it seemed that the fate of the -stranger was ominous of their own. - -Suddenly from the inky clouds, trailing over the sea to break upon the -stone-bound coast, came a blinding sheet of livid flame, followed by a -crash of thunder that vibrated through the yacht from stem to stern. - -In the lull that followed came a voice out upon the waters: - -“Ahoy! ahoy, the yacht!” - -It was faint, but distinct, and all heard it. - -“Ahoy! ahoy! the yacht, ahoy!” came the hail louder than before. - -Brave men looked at each other with something like awe in their faces, -until General Peyton cried: - -“It is the man who sprang from the cliff!” - -“He is swimming out to us, brave fellow that he is.” - -Seizing his trumpet he shouted back: - -“Ay! ay! my man, I’ll send a boat for you!” - -“No! no! I am all right, but your vessel is not. Get up your anchors, -and set sail!” - -There was no mistaking these cool words, and a voice cried: - -“I see him!” - -There, out upon the waters, swimming with powerful, rapid strokes -toward the yacht could be seen, every moment as he rose on the crest of -a wave, our bold young swimmer. - -A cheer broke from the crew forward, and was echoed by the guests aft. - -But again came from the daring young swimmer: - -“You have no time to lose; get sail on your yacht and your anchors up, -for this bay is a death-trap!” - -The skipper was a man of quick action, and the warning from the swimmer -but carried out his own ideas, and he sent his crew flying to their -posts, while General Peyton stood by to throw a line to the one who was -now but a few yards away. - -A minute more, and amid a ringing cheer the bold swimmer stood upon the -deck, a handsome, fearless-faced youth, bareheaded, barefooted, and -clad only in duck pants and sailor shirt. - -“Well, young man, who are you who so bravely boards my craft almost in -mid-ocean?” cried General Peyton, as all gazed with admiration upon the -lad. - -The response came bluntly: - -“I am not here, sir, to speak of myself, but to pilot your vessel to a -safe harbor, for you are in Hopeless Haven, and yonder storm will wreck -you here.” - -“Hopeless Haven is it, my lad? Then are you a hundred times welcome, -and to one who has your nerve I gladly yield the craft,” said Captain -Saunders hastily, and Mark Merrill stepped to the wheel just as the -anchors left the bottom, and the reefed sails went to leeward with a -jerk under a sudden squall. - -But the boy pilot was unmoved, and, declining a glass of liquor brought -to him by the steward, at General Peyton’s order, bent his every energy -upon his work, for now the rushing, furious storm was coming down in -an avalanche of winds and waves, and a roaring and flaming like unto a -mighty battle. - -As though wild with fear the yacht drove furiously on, heading to round -the rocky reef off the cliff, her crew at their posts, the guests -crouched in the companionway and cock-pit, and all eyes alternately -turned upon the young pilot, calm and fearless, and the storm so near -upon them. - -It seemed like a mad race for life, for the boy pilot had said: - -“Anchors will not hold on this bottom, and we must round that reef to -reach safety.” - -At last the order came in the boy’s clear voice: - -“Slack off the sheets! steady now! hold hard all!” - -And with the orders the howling storm was upon them, and the gallant -yacht went driving ahead with furious speed, with all about her now -darkness and chaos. - -How he knew his way, all asked, none knew, but his orders came steadily -to haul taunt, or slack off sheets, until suddenly the giant waves -ceased to follow, the wind was broken by the lofty cliff, and the -anchors were let go in the secure haven of Beacon Cliff. - -The first one to grasp the hand of the brave lad was the Secretary of -the Navy, and his voice had a tremor in it as he said: - -“My young friend, your courage this day has won your right to -serve your country in a position of honor, and I pledge for you an -appointment-at-large from the President of the berth of a cadet -midshipman.” - - - - -CHAPTER VII. THE CADET MIDSHIPMAN. - - -The day of work was at hand at the United States Naval Academy, -situated in that quaint, sleepy old town of Annapolis, whose greatest -attractions are its antiquity and its sea school. - -The time had come when the “future admirals,” the “heroes in embryo” -were to cease their flirting and “bone” with all their hearts and heads -in latitudes, longitudes, parallelograms, tonnage, displacement, and -all the other studies necessary to make the greenhorn a perfect sailor. - -The middies had returned from their summer cruise, the “academy” had -awakened from its lazy slumber of weeks, and all were looking forward -to the year before them with varied feelings of hopes and fears. - -Those who had already served one or more terms at the academy felt -their superiority unquestioned to the unfortunate “Plebe,” who was -standing upon the threshold in fear and trembling of what was before -him. - -Standing on the sea-wall of the academy grounds one afternoon a -month or more after the bold act of Mark Merrill in saving the yacht -Midshipman from destruction in Hopeless Haven, on the coast of Maine, -were a number of middies, unmindful of the beauties of the scene about -them, the old training ship with its history of the past, waters of -the Severn lashed into foam under a gale that was blowing up the -Chesapeake, visible over a league away, tossing in angry billows, -a vessel of war anchored off in midstream, and the ancient town of -Annapolis to the right, with its fleet of oyster boats fretting -their cables as they plunged and reeled on the incoming waves--I say -unmindful of the scene about them, the group of young sailors had -their eyes riveted upon a small schooner which had shot around Bay -Ridge Point at a tremendous speed, jibed her sails to starboard most -skillfully, though she reeled low under the shock, and came tearing up -to the town in gallant style. - -“There’s a bold skipper at the helm of that craft,” said Cadet Captain -Byrd Bascomb, of the first class, with the air of one whose superior -knowledge no one could contradict. - -“He is too bold, for he carries too much sail for safety,” Midshipman -Herbert Nazro responded, for he observed that the little schooner was -carrying only a single-reefed mainsail. - -“She’s one of those deep-keeled yachts that can stand her canvas,” -Cadet Lieutenant Frank Latrobe added. - -“Yes, and her foolhardy skipper will carry the sticks out of her yet -before she reaches port,” put in Midshipman Winslow Dillingham. - -“I guess he knows his craft; if he does not, he’s a fool,” was the -decided opinion of Midshipman Harbor Driggs. - -“Ha! what did I tell you?” cried Captain Byrd Bascomb, as a terrific -squall struck the little vessel, causing her to lay over until her keel -was visible. - -“Aha! well done that!” - -“Wasn’t it beautiful!” - -“That skipper knows himself and his ship, too!” - -Such were the admiring expressions that went up from the crowd of young -sailors as the yacht was splendidly rescued from her danger and sent -along, as before, in the same rushing style by her bold helmsman. - -“Ah! he is heading for an anchorage off here!” said Cadet Captain Byrd -Bascomb, as the schooner’s sheets were eased off and her prow headed -away before the wind. - -On she flew, at the same mad speed, reeling, staggering, rolling, until -her boom ends dipped, but held on unswervingly straight toward the -vessel-of-war anchored off the grounds in the Levern River. - -“By Neptune’s beard, men, but that is a youngster at the helm of that -craft,” cried Byrd Bascomb, as he put his glass to his eye. - -It was not long before all could discover the truth of this, and that -three men were all else to be seen upon the deck of the schooner, one -of these forward, another at the foresheet halyards, the third at the -main sheet. - -Like a rocket she sped under the stern of the vessel-of-war, and then -there came an order from the helmsman, the sheets were hauled in and -made fast, and luffing up sharp, the anchor was let fall, the sails -came down on a run, and ten minutes after a boat left her side and -pulled for the shore. - -The cadets lounged up to meet the single occupant of the little boat, -which was a surf-skiff, and though tossed about upon the waves, was -handled with a skill which caused the middies to set the rower down as -a master of the oars. - -The oarsman sprang ashore, touched his hat politely, and asked nobody -in particular: - -“May I ask where I will find the commandant of the Naval School?” - -Then the innate deviltry of the juvenile tar asserted itself, and a -look of mischief flashed from eye to eye, a sort of telegraphy, which -said: - -“Here’s fun for us.” - -They saw before them a bronze-faced youth of seventeen, perhaps, with a -splendidly knit frame, clad in spotless duck trousers, a sailor shirt, -beneath the wide collar of which a black silk scarf was knotted, and a -tarpaulin cocked on the side of his head in a kind of devil-I-care way. - -“Have you the oysters the commandant ordered?” asked Midshipman -Dillingham, with a look of intense innocence. - -The dark face of the young sailor flushed, but he responded with -dignity: - -“My name is Mark Merrill, and I have orders to report here to be -examined for the berth of midshipman in the United States Navy.” - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. A RUMOR AFLOAT. - - -There was quite a stir at the naval school, for a strange rumor was -afloat. - -“Some one” had said that one of the officers had said that there was to -be a new cadet at the academy, appointed under peculiar circumstances; -that is, he had no political status environing him. - -He was to come bearing no congressman’s brand, and no partisan -motive had prompted the President to appoint him as a “cadet -midshipman-at-large.” The reason of his appointment was what had leaked -out through this mysterious “some one.” - -The rumor afloat had it that the newcomer had done some meritorious act -which deserved recognition from the government, and he had received his -orders to report at the naval academy. - -What this gallant service was no one seemed to know, but, of course, -all would discover as soon as the honored youth arrived at the academy, -as he would be only too anxious to tell of his deeds of heroism. - -The rumor also had it that the youth was a specimen of the _genus homo_ -from the coast of Maine, and a fisher lad from the State which in the -past has so justly won the title of “Nursery of the Navy.” - -Of course the blue bloods among the cadet midshipmen had their opinions -as to what a fisher lad from the coast of Maine would be like. - -Hardly setting him down as being like the earlier Florida coasters, -half-horse, half-alligator, they still supposed that he must be a -long-pointed, two-headed, web-footed, uncouth specimen of a youth who, -if he passed the surgeon for height, chest measure and perfect health, -would do so through a hope that he could in time be built up into a -man, while, when the examining committee ran afoul of him with what the -old farmer called the Three R’s--“Reading, ’Riting and ’Rithmetic”--the -youth from Maine would haul down his colors at the first fire. - -Human nature is said to be the same the world over, and certainly -boy nature is. The only safety-valve a boy has for his extra flow of -spirits is mischief, and young tars and soldier lads are certainly no -exception to the rule, but, on the contrary, more given to pranks than -other youths, on account of their severe training, for their fun must -break forth when discipline unbends for hours of leisure. - -With this homily upon my young friends, gleaned from having been “one -of the same,” I will state that there were great expectations among -the boy tars at the naval academy as to the newcomers in their midst, -especially regarding the lad from Maine. - -They longed to have him pass the doctors and the examining committee, -for that would give them a chance, and several regretted that they did -not know where to find him, that they might post him a little, “get the -moss off his back,” as one mildly expressed it. - -There were other appointees to arrive, of course, but the interest of -these ancient mariners who had already served one or more years at the -academy centered in the youth who was to come under circumstances out -of the usual routine, a simple appointment by the congressman of his -district. - -The men of the third class were more particularly interested in the -newcomers, as they had so lately been in the same predicament, while -the older cadets of the second and first classes looked down with -supreme contempt upon the “cubs,” only worthy of their attention if any -fun could be gotten out of them. - -So a detail was made to keep an eye upon the entrance gate to the -academy grounds, where a marine and his musket constantly paced, for -the arrival of the cubs, especially the lad from Maine. - -The new appointees began to arrive on time, pale, nervous, and with -forebodings of the future, some of them having read or heard that young -gulls were plucked of their feathers by those who had risen to the -height of sea eagles. - -There was legendary lore on tap that new boys who ran the gauntlet of -the sawbones and examiners were then taken in hand for instruction by -the cadets by a process called hazing. - -Now, the new men held somewhat of a hazy view of what hazing was -exactly, as, though it was fun for the hazers, it might be death to the -hazed, and they stood more in awe of their learned companions-to-be -than they did of the commandant and his whole crew of professors. - -And they were right, as many a man can testify to-day. - -One by one the new men arrived at Annapolis, and turned their uneasy -footsteps in the direction of the mecca of their hopes and fears. - -They passed by the grim sentinel at the gate, and he knew them at a -glance, try as they might to disguise their identity as appointees. - -They went, according to orders, to report to the commandant, passed -that ordeal, and faced another in the surgeon, who was all business, -and as merciless as a guillotine. - -Then they had reason to regret that they had not studied harder at -school and played less, that they had not realized that spelling, -reading, and a few other things were necessary to education. - -Their handwriting was a scrawl which horrified them, and their pride -took a tumble under the inquisition of an examination that shattered -their vanity to atoms. - -Some of them were undoubtedly greenhorns, others were city boys, with -an air of assurance which the first broadside of their judges laid low, -and others were quiet, diffident fellows, with the look about them to -go in and win. - -And while the cadets were watching and waiting for the coming of the -lad appointed for meritorious services, they became interested in the -splendid handling of a schooner rushing into port in a gale, and to -their amazement the one at the helm landed and announced himself as: - -“Mark Merrill, the man from Maine.” - - - - -CHAPTER IX. GOING ASHORE. - - -Leaving Mark Merrill facing the crowd of midshipmen who met him as he -landed, I will ask my reader to return with me until I explain the fact -of his arrival as helmsman of a schooner yacht, and his appointment to -a cadetship in the naval school. - -It will be remembered that he had saved the yacht, by a strange -coincidence bearing the name of Midshipman, and this every one on board -realized. - -He had driven her through a dangerous channel, with reefs on every -hand, in the darkness and storm, standing coolly at his post and -issuing his orders in a voice that was firm and commanding, until he -had brought her into a basin as quiet as a mill pond, and said: - -“Let go the anchor!” - -The storm still raged outside, the waves thundered against the rocky -shore, and the winds howled among the pines that crowned the hilltops. - -But the yacht rocked gently upon the swell that was driven in through -the narrow channel; there was plenty of water beneath her keel, and -though lofty, vine-clad cliffs were above them upon all sides, the crew -knew that their vessel was safe. - -Realizing this, all the guests had gone into the large and brilliantly -lighted cabin, and thither General Peyton had followed with the young -pilot. - -The youth had urged against it, saying that he was wet, barefooted, -and hardly more than half-dressed, but General Peyton had said: - -“The Secretary of the Navy wishes to see you.” - -Standing in his wet clothing before that august group gathered there, -Mark Merrill was modest of mien, yet not abashed. - -“You wished to see me, sir?” he said, bowing to the Secretary. - -“Yes, my lad, sit down.” - -“Ah, sir, I am not fit to be here, looking as I do; and I am anxious to -return home, as my mother will be expecting me.” - -“You live near here, then?” - -“Yes, sir, upon the cliff.” - -“And you have a mother living?” - -“Yes, sir, she is all I have, except old Peggy, for my father was lost -at sea.” - -“And what is your calling, my lad?” - -“I fish for the market boats, and then I carry the mail once each week -along the coast.” - -“In a boat, of course?” - -“Yes, sir, in my surf-skiff.” - -“Do you get liberal pay for this work, may I ask?” - -“Not very, sir, for with the mail carrying and my fish-selling I -average about fifty dollars a month.” - -“But your mother has other means of support?” - -“No, sir; we pay no rent, as we live in Cliff Castle free for keeping -it, and I have a good garden, and there is plenty of game and fish for -the shooting and catching.” - -“What do you do when it storms too hard to carry the mail?” - -“I always go, sir, for my skiff is a lifeboat, and stands any weather.” - -“How did you manage to come out to our aid?” - -“I was on the cliff, sir, watching the storm, and saw you round the -point and run for an anchorage. I know that anchors will not hold on -the bottom of Hopeless Haven, and the currents in the bay make the sea -very wild, so I determined to go out and pilot you into Cliff Castle -harbor.” - -“And swam out to us in the face of that storm?” - -“Well, sir, I had not time to go to the bay and run out in my skiff, -so I slipped down the bluff and jumped in, for it was not a very long -swim, sir.” - -“Well, I should call it a very remarkable swim, my lad, and I regard -you as a phenomenal young sailor. We all owe you our lives, I feel -assured, and I shall beg of the President a naval cadetship for you. We -have raised a purse, which we ask you to accept, with our best wishes -for your future success.” - -The dark face of Mark Merrill flushed as with shame, while he said, -quickly: - -“Oh, sir, I cannot accept money from you, though I thank you all. I -would not touch a dollar of money for what I did if I was starving, but -I will appreciate your kind promise to make me a midshipman, and it -seems too much to hope for, sir.” - -“I will not urge the acceptance of the purse, my brave boy, if you do -not wish it, and I pledge you the appointment, and to-morrow morning we -will call upon your mother, and tell her she must be content to give -you up, as you will make a name she will be proud of.” - -“I thank you, sir, and good-night, for I must go, as mother is not -well, and my long stay will worry her.” - -He bowed low, seeming not to see that all wished to shake hands with -him, and left the cabin, General Peyton following, and calling out: - -“Captain, lower away a boat, and land our young pilot.” - -“Oh, sir, there’s no need of that, for I am all wet anyhow, and it’s a -short swim ashore.” And before a hand could stay him the young pilot -sprang upon the rail of the yacht and leaped head first into the dark -waters of the little bay. - -The startled cry of General Peyton at the youth’s bold act brought -Commodore Lucien, the Secretary, and others upon the deck in some alarm. - -“That fearless lad has leaped overboard and is swimming ashore, Mr. -Secretary,” he explained. - -“Ahoy! ahoy! my lad!” shouted Commodore Lucien. - -“Ay, ay, sir!” came back in the clear voice of the young pilot. - -“Hail us when you reach shore, so we may know that you are all right!” -called the commodore. - -“Ay, ay, sir.” - -“That boy is all right, Peyton, so there is no need of sending a boat -after him,” the commodore said. - -“He’s half fish,” growled the captain of the yacht. - -Then all waited breathlessly, and soon came a faint hail: - -“Ahoy! the yacht!” - -“Ay, ay!” answered Commodore Lucien. - -“I’ve landed,” and the words were greeted with a cheer from all on the -deck of the Midshipman. - - - - -CHAPTER X. UNFATHOMED. - - -“My God! can my son have gone out in the face of this terrible storm? -It is the worst I have known upon the coast for years,” and Mrs. -Merrill pressed her face against the window-glass, striving in vain to -pierce the blackness without. - -No longer confined to her bed by illness, it could now be seen that -she was a handsome woman, hardly more than thirty-five, and with the -indelible stamp of refinement upon her. - -Her face wore a sad look, and no flush warmed the marble-like -complexion. - -Her eyes were large and dreamy, seeming to be looking backward into a -past clouded with bitter memory rather than lighted with hope for the -future. - -She was dressed in a close-fitting robe of mourning, and a miniature -breastpin, and band of gold upon her wedding-finger were the only -things that relieved the severe plainness of her appearance. - -Old Peggy, a woman who had lived here fifty years, but was strong and -active, sat in a chair before a blazing pine knot, and in answer to the -remark of Mrs. Merrill, chimed in, like Job’s comforter, with: - -“Well, it would be just like him; but never you fear for him, miss, for -he’s not born to be drowned, that boy isn’t, and sometimes I almost -fear he’s born to be hanged, he does escape the dangers of the sea so -constant.” - -“Oh, Peggy, don’t speak so, for you fairly frighten me,” and the -slender, graceful form thrilled at the thought. - -“Well, Miss Gladys, he’s not one to be hanged, either. He’s a boy who -can take care of himself, come what may, for you remember what the -doctor told you, how he went for rich Merchant Clemmons’ son and Ben -Birney?” - -“Yes, Mark will not be imposed on, gentle as is his nature; but I only -wish I knew where he was.” - -“So do I, miss, for the supper is getting cold waiting for him.” - -“Well, I’m hungry enough to eat it, if it’s cold as ice,” said a cheery -voice from the next room, and in came Mark, dripping wet. - -“Oh, Mark, where have you been? I----” - -“Don’t touch me, mother, for I am as wet as a drowned rat, for I’ve -been overboard.” - -“Ah! you were capsized?” - -“Not a bit of it, mother, I’ve been swimming.” - -“Where are your shoes and hat, Mark?” - -“I’ll tell you all about it, mother, as soon as I have slipped into -some dry togs,” and the lad hastened away to his own room. - -But he was back again by the time Peggy had supper upon the table, and -the three sat down to eat, for, though a servant, the old woman was a -tried and trusted friend, one who had been Mark’s nurse in babyhood. - -His adventure had given the youth an appetite, and his mother knew -there was no hope of hearing what he had to tell until he had eaten off -the edge of his hunger, so she wisely heaped his plate with edibles, -and enjoyed seeing them disappear. - -At last he said: - -“Mother, there’s a yacht in our bay.” - -“A yacht, Mark?” - -“Yes, and a beauty. She’s the largest pleasure craft I ever saw.” - -“But how did she get there, my son?” - -“I played pilot, mother, and ran her in, and just in time, too.” - -“Those on board were indeed fortunate in finding so good a pilot near -at hand, Mark; but tell me of it, for this is an ugly night for such -work.” - -Mark told his story in his modest way, taking no credit to himself, and -then added: - -“Now they wanted to make a hero of me, mother, and pay me for my -services, offering me a purse, and it was a well-filled one, too.” - -“Which you, of course, refused?” quickly said the mother. - -“Oh, of course he did, for he’d refuse money if he hadn’t two coppers -to jingle together in his pocket,” growled Peggy. - -“I refused it, mother, but I am to get a reward.” - -“Ah, Mark, what have you done?” - -“Well, you see the yacht belonged to General Peyton, a millionaire -merchant of Boston, and he had as guests on board some ladies, the -Secretary of the Navy, and Commodore Lucien, of whom I have often read, -you know.” - -“Distinguished company, indeed!” said Mrs. Merrill. - -“And rich enough to spare a few thousands and not miss ’em,” Peggy -ventured, with an eye to the fact that the laborer was worthy of his -hire. - -“I got, or will get, what to me, Peggy, is worth far more than -thousands, for the Secretary promises me a cadetship in the navy,” -and Mark’s eyes flashed with pride, while his mother kissed him, and -murmured - -“My brave, noble boy! at last! at last the clouds have a silver lining.” - -The next evening, true to their promise, the guests of the yacht landed -and strolled up to the mansion. - -They gazed about them with interest, and Commodore Lucien remembered -having heard something of the tragic history of “Spook Hall,” and told -it to those with him. - -Mark joined them, and this time each one grasped his hand. - -He was dressed in his best sailor suit, for he wore nothing else at any -time, and looked very handsome. - -The grand parlor of the old mansion had been thrown open, and they were -received there by Mrs. Merrill in a dignified manner. - -But there was that about her face which prevented obtrusive -questioning, and after half an hour all arose to go, impressed with -the idea that some mystery hung about the Merrills which they were not -willing to attempt to fathom. - -The Secretary renewed his promise to Mark, and the lad volunteered his -services to pilot the yacht out to sea, which he did, returning in his -surf-skiff, which had been tossing astern. - -The skipper of the Midshipman dipped his colors to the lad as he sped -away, while the crew gave him a send-off in three rousing cheers. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. THE PROMISE KEPT. - - -It seemed news too good to be true to Mrs. Merrill to feel that her son -was going to have the advantages of a naval education. - -He had enjoyed several years of schooling before they had moved to -their coast home, and all else he knew she had taught him. - -Fortunately for the lonely woman, who possessed a superior education, -the library at Cliff Castle was well stocked with books, and from these -had Mark been taught by her. - -There were maps, histories and all that he could wish, while the -postmasters to whom he delivered mails were wont to give him each -week papers which they had read and finished with, for though late in -coming, it was all news to the lad, his mother, and old Peggy. - -In fact, for the latter’s benefit, Mark had to read even the -advertisements in the papers. - -Some weeks after the departure of the yacht, Mark sailed up to B---- on -business he had in view. - -He had an idea of selling the vessel he had picked up, abandoned at -sea, and fitting himself out for the naval school with part, leaving -the balance for his mother’s use. - -He decided to place the matter before good Judge Miller, as to his -claim to the craft, and, perhaps, to consult Dr. Stone, who had seemed -most friendly disposed to him. - -He was skimming swiftly along in his surf-skiff when he beheld a small -sailboat coming toward him. - -There were two persons in it, and it did not take Mark long to -recognize in one of them pretty Virgene Rich, and she held the tiller. - -The other was a half-witted youth who hung about the dock, making odd -pennies as best he could, and whom Mark had once rescued from a crowd -of boys who were persecuting him, thus winning the undying friendship -of poor Silly Sam, as he was called. - -As a proof that they wished to speak to him, instead of standing away -upon a tack when discovering his boat, Virgene brought her boat to and -lay in the course of the surf-skiff. - -“Ahoy, Master Mark, and come alongside, for Miss Virgie wishes to speak -to you,” called out Silly Sam. - -Mark obeyed promptly, doffing his tarpaulin respectfully with one -hand, while with the other he jammed his tiller down and brought the -surf-skiff alongside so easily that the blow would not have crushed an -egg. - -“I am glad to see you, Miss Virgene, for I intended stopping at the -tavern to thank you for your great kindness to me the other day when I -got into trouble. Hello, Sam, how are you?” - -“I’m O. K., Master Mark, and I only wish I’d a been ’round ’tother day -to punish them fellers for you,” answered Sam. - -“Master Mark seemed fully capable of taking care of himself, Sam,” -answered Virgene with a smile, and then she continued: - -“Are you not expecting a letter of importance, Master Mark?” - -“No, miss, no one writes to me.” - -“Strange, for I have two for you--for, you know, father is postmaster -at B----, and I help him with the mails, and these arrived some days -ago, so I determined to take them to you, as Sam offered to sail me -there.’ - -“I’m sorry I started from home, miss, for my mother would like to thank -you for your kindness to me; but I am obliged for the letters--ah! I -know what they are now,” and the lad’s face flushed as he beheld a -large official envelope bearing the stamp upon it: - -“Navy Department.” - -The other was a smaller letter, and had a flag in one corner. - -“I gave B---- as my address, Miss Virgene, and I’ll tell you a secret, -if you and Sam will keep it.” - -“A girl never tells a secret,” said Virgene archly, while Sam responded: - -“Ef I telled what I know’d there would be a hundred fights up in town; -but I keeps my mouth shet, I does.” - -“Well, I’ll tell you that this is an order for me to report for -examination at the United States Naval Academy, to be examined for an -appointment to a cadetship in the navy,” said Mark, with pardonable -pride, as he handed over his orders to Virgene. - -There was a note enclosed, which read: - - “MY YOUNG FRIEND: I hereby redeem my promise and forward the - necessary papers for your cadetship. I shall regard you as my - _protégé_, and watch your career with the greatest of interest, for I - have no doubt of your ability to go through. - - “If you need aid--a loan, consider it, for you are self-confessedly - poor--do not hesitate to call upon me, as I shall be more than - pleased to respond. You can repay it at your leisure. - - “Yours faithfully, - THE SECRETARY.” - -The other letter bore the flag of Commodore Lucien upon envelope and -paper head, and was as follows: - - “MY DEAR YOUNG FRIEND: I saw the Secretary to-day, and he told me the - President was pleased to appoint you to a cadetship-at-large, and - that your papers would be forwarded immediately. - - “I congratulate you with all my heart, and as there will be some - necessary expenses falling upon you, I send herewith my check for - one hundred dollars, which please consider a loan until convenient - for you to repay it. I also take the liberty of ordering your - kit, containing your outfit complete, for I have no idea of your - failing to pass, and the amount I expend you can also return at your - convenience. Present my compliments to your good mother, and regard - me ever as - - “Your friend, - DAVID LUCIEN.” - -“Will you let me sail back in your boat, Miss Virgene, and tow my own?” -asked Mark, when he had read the letters; and promptly came the answer: - -“Yes, indeed, and I’m glad to have you.” - -So the prow of the sailboat was pointed back for B----. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. A PLOT THAT FAILED. - - -Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one -knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after -arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said: - -“Well, my young friend, I suppose I am to congratulate you upon -receiving an appointment to the naval school, and I am glad of it.” - -Mark stood aghast, and the judge continued: - -“Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and -that a like official looking document had come through the mails for -you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our -navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what -he had found no easy task to secure for his son.” - -“Yes, sir, I have orders to report for examination, but I wished to -keep it secret, for I may fail, you know, sir.” - -“Not you; but I suppose you won yours from having saved a schooner from -being wrecked some half a year ago, and which made quite a hero of you, -I remember.” - -Mark saw that the judge was on the wrong track, so he did not correct -him as to how he had gotten his appointment. - -“Well, Mark, you came to see me for some purpose, so out with it,” said -the judge. - -Mark told of his seeing the little schooner adrift at sea, and going -out in his boat had found her abandoned, so sailed her into port. - -He had taken from his meager savings enough to advertise her in Boston, -Portland and New York, but no claimant had come, and so he wished to -know if the vessel belonged to him. - -“You have a claim upon her, Mark, and can get salvage, should her owner -turn up; but there is just such a craft needed, or will be within a -couple of months, for running around the islands with parties, and -my advice to you is to secure a skipper and a couple of men and let -them run the trips for you, for it will bring in a snug income to your -mother, while, should her owner appear, you have the vessel to give -up to him upon the payment of salvage. Now, what do you think of my -advice, Mark?” - -“I thank you for it, sir, and shall take it.” - -“And your skipper can report to me, if you wish, while you must tell -your mother to come to me, if I can in any way serve her, for I suppose -she will move up to B---- when you go?” - -“No, sir, my mother will remain at Cliff Castle.” - -“What, alone?” - -“No, sir, she has old Peggy.” - -“It is a dreary, weird place to dwell, Mark.” - -“She likes it, and she prefers to remain, for we have talked it over,” -answered Mark. - -Soon after making a few purchases for home, he went on his way to his -boat just as the sun was setting. - -As he passed the tavern, Virgene Rich called to him, and said: - -“Mark, I have just learned that Scott Clemmons has also an appointment -to the naval academy. You must beware of him, Mark, for he is your -bitter foe now, and mine, too, since I testified against him.” - -“He is not dangerous, Miss Virgene,” replied Mark indifferently. - -“You mistake; for all snakes are dangerous, as they strike from cover. -I will see you before you go, will I not?” - -“Yes, miss, and I hope you will ride down to see my mother, as you -promised.” - -“I certainly shall,” was the answer, as Mark walked on. - -At his boat stood Silly Sam, who said: - -“See here, Mister Mark, I hain’t no bullfrog to croak, but I seen a -gang o’ fellers sail downstream an hour ago who hain’t no friends o’ -your’n.” - -“Thank you, Sam, but it’s catching before hanging, you know.” And with -a light laugh Mark sprung into his skiff and sped away just as twilight -fell. - -He had to beat down the inlet, and as he stood over toward a point of -land in the darkness, running on the port tack with the wind blowing -fresh, his little craft suddenly gave a lurch and the next instant went -over, throwing him into the water. - -As he rose he heard the sound of oars, and in the darkness saw a large -boat rowing toward him, while he heard voices say: - -“That rope settled him, as you said it would.” - -“Yes, and we laid it just right; but do you see his boat?” - -“Yes, there she lies upset, and she’ll drive out to sea with him on -her, so that ends him.” - -“But he is not on the boat.” - -“Then he has drowned, for Silly Sam said he could not swim a stroke.” - -“Let us take up the net.” - -“Oh, no, leave it down, for his boat seems caught in it, and that will -tell the whole story.” - -The boat, a large fishing yawl with sails down, was rowed up to the -capsized skiff, and every eye was turned over the dark waters, while -several hailed to see if a swimmer was near. - -The surf-skiff was caught in the net, which had been stretched to -accomplish just what it had done, and, confident that their victim had -perished, sail was set on the fishing yawl and it sailed away toward -the town. - -Then from out of the shadows swam Mark Merrill, and going to his -upturned boat he removed the slender mast, righted the skiff, clambered -in, and with his hat threw the water out. - -Then the mast was stepped once more, the wet sail spread, and the -surf-skiff held on her way homeward, while Mark mused aloud: - -“I know two of the three who were in that boat; but I’ll not tell on -them--oh, no! I’ll just keep my secret for future reference.” - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. STUMBLING BLOCKS. - - -From a hint given him by Commodore Lucien, Mark had devoted himself to -certain studies, so that there should be no chance of his failure to -enter the academy through ignorance. - -His mother had helped him greatly, and in her mind there was no doubt -of his passing the examinations, both physical and mental, severe -though they might be. - -As he had told Judge Miller, his mother had decided to remain at Castle -Cliff with old Peggy. - -They had talked it all over, and as, for some reason, Mrs. Merrill -wished to shun the world, to live the life almost of a recluse, they -had all agreed that it was best for her to remain where she was, and -Peggy was equally as content with the arrangement. - -When Mark returned from his visit to B----, which, but for his being -a splendid swimmer, would have been fatal to him, he did not tell his -mother of the plot he knew had been concocted to put an end to his life. - -He simply told her that he had run upon a fishing net where he had -never expected to find one, and going very rapidly, with a fresh breeze -blowing, the surf-skiff had capsized, throwing him and his purchases -out. His papers were all wet, but Peggy quickly dried them. - -“But about this check, Mark, which Commodore Lucien so kindly sent -you?” asked his mother. - -“I answered the letter at once, mother, returning the check, and -accepting the outfit, for which I shall pay him at some future day.” - -“That was right, my son.” - -“Mother, I went to see Judge Miller about the schooner, and he made a -suggestion which I think it would be well to follow. You know Jasper -Crane has no smack now, and is in hard luck, while he and his two sons -are the best seamen on the coast, so we can put them on the schooner, -as a crew, the old gentleman being skipper. As it will also cost -considerable for me to reach the Naval School, I can make a cargo of -the raft that came ashore and run it to Norfolk, thence going up the -Chesapeake to the Naval Academy, while Captain Jasper Crane brings the -schooner back and follows the advice of Judge Miller about putting her -on as a packet among the islands. - -“He is very kind, my son, and I believe the plan is a good one, as well -as yours to run the lumber to Norfolk, only you must give yourself -ample time, so we will begin preparations to-morrow.” - -This was done, for Mark sailed down the coast to the home of Captain -Jasper Crane, who dwelt near where the Merrills had first lived when -coming to the coast, and the old sailor and his sons were delighted -with a prospect of getting work to their liking. - -Two weeks after the Venture, for such was the name of the derelict -schooner, set sail for Norfolk, Captain Crane declaring that he would -serve as first mate while Mark was on board. - -The run south was made in good time, and the lumber brought sufficient -to pay the crew liberally and return to Mrs. Merrill several hundred -dollars, while Mark took sufficient for his own needs, and enough to -pay his debt to Commodore Lucien. - -The rush of the Venture up the Severn River in a gale, with Mark at the -helm, whose masterly work won the admiration of the middies, and we -will now follow the young sailor into the new world he had entered. - -Mark had politely given his name to the cadets, and asked the question -as to how he would find the commandant, expecting a civil response. - -But here was a novelty for the fun-loving cadets. - -Against all custom a new man had arrived in his own craft by sea. - -He had given them ocular demonstration that he was not a greenhorn on -the deck of a vessel, whatever he might be in other things. - -He came dressed as gorgeously as Ralph Rackstraw of H. M. S. Pinafore, -and he had not been abashed in the presence of their marine highnesses. - -This was all wrong, very wrong, in their eyes. - -What right had a new man to know the stem from the stern, the -forecastle from the quarter-deck of a vessel, when entering the academy? - -He came there to find out, to be taught, and he must start on even -terms with all other verdant youths. - -He attacked the academy from the sea, boarded, as it were, the sacred -grounds over their marine stone bulwarks, giving the sentry at the -gate the go-by, ignoring the existence of the officer of the day, and, -confronting them with a natty tarpaulin set upon the side of his head, -with spotless duck trousers, a sailor shirt with embroidered collar, -and a sash about his slender waist, had coolly said that his name was -Mark Merrill, and he wished to be directed to the quarters of the -commandant. - -This was too much for Winslow Dillingham, who took it upon himself to -play the part of “Smart Aleck,” and he looked the stranger over with a -cool, insolent stare, and said, in a drawling way: - -“Beg pardon, but you said your name was Jack Hayseed, I believe?” - -“I said that my name was Mark Merrill, and asked to be directed to the -quarters of the commandant,” and Mark kept his temper admirably. - -“Well, Mr. Pork Barrell, for such, I believe you said your name was, I -will answer for the commandant that he wants no fish to-day.” - -“Ah! then you are the commandant’s cook, so should know; but as I never -argue with servants, I’ll seek your master.” - -And Mark Merrill started on his way, when with a bound Winslow -Dillingham confronted him, his face livid with rage. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. FACING THE MUSIC. - - -The quick retort made by Mark Merrill to Winslow Dillingham’s insulting -words brought a general laugh, for the cadets were quick to appreciate -wit and sarcasm, even if directed at one of their number. - -Cadet Dillingham had offered the insult gratuitously, and he had gotten -a reply that offended him deeply. - -The laugh of his comrades angered him the more, and stung by the -words of the stranger and their enjoying them, he lost all control of -himself, and sprang before Mark Merrill in a threatening attitude. - -Mark had not advanced a step since landing. - -He stood upon the wall where he had stopped upon ascending from his -boat, and he simply paused to ask a polite question, and received an -insulting response. - -The first insult he had accepted in silence, but the second one he had -been stung to reply to. - -He saw at once that he would have to fight his way--that whatever the -“future admirals” might be considered by outsiders, they were merciless -to a stranger who came into their midst. - -Quickly over the crowd he had run his eyes, and he discerned with -intuition that his retort had put him in favor with some of those who -were lovers of fair play. - -He had turned the laugh upon Midshipman Dillingham, and he was -satisfied and content to drop all ill-feeling. - -But not so with the irate cadet. - -His own attempt at smartness had gotten him worsted thus far, and he -must turn the laugh to protect himself from his own comrades. - -He knew well the position he held, that many stood in awe of him on -account of his brute strength and admitted courage. - -Now he was angry, and he intended to resent physically what he felt he -could not do in a war of words. - -So he squared himself before Mark Merrill, and hissed forth, while his -eyes blazed with anger: - -“Retract your insulting words, sir, or I shall chastise you right here!” - -“Do you mean it, mate?” Mark asked, in an innocent way. - -The crowd smiled audibly at this, and Winslow Dillingham grew whiter -with fury, while he savagely said: - -“Yes, I do mean it. Ask my pardon, or take the consequences, sir!” - -“What are the consequences?” - -“A thrashing.” - -“Well, I don’t wish to be whipped, so if you retract your insult to me, -I’ll ask pardon for what I said.” - -“I retract nothing.” - -“And you will insist upon thrashing me?” - -“Yes.” - -“What with?” - -This was too much for Cadet Dillingham, and he aimed a savage blow at -Mark’s face. - -It was cleverly caught, and quicker than a flash Mark Merrill had -seized the cadet in his arms and hurled him into the water with the -words: - -“You are too hot to argue with, so cool off!” - -With a splash Cadet Dillingham went beneath the surface, when the cry -arose: - -“He cannot swim a stroke,” and the laughter on every lip was checked. - -“Is that so that he cannot swim? Then I’ll haul him out as I threw him -in.” And with a bound Mark Merrill went over the sea-wall and seized -the drowning youth in his strong arms, while he struck out for a -landing, with the words: - -“All right, mate, the ducking has cooled off the temper of both of us.” - -Winslow Dillingham made no reply then; but as he was hauled out by -Herbert Nazro, a dark-faced, handsome fellow of the first class, he -said, as he turned to Mark Merrill: - -“I humbly ask your pardon, my friend, and will escort you to the -commandant and report my own rude behavior and its just punishment.” - -“I thought there was manhood in you, mate, but there is no need of -reporting anything. I have a dry suit aboard my craft, and will soon -rig up and return ashore, when maybe some of these gentlemen will show -me my course.” - -“We’ll march you there in force, sir, for somehow you’ve caught on in -great shape with us baby tars,” said a cadet, stepping forward and -offering his hand, while he added: - -“My name is Herbert Nazro, a first-class man.” - -“And here’s my hand, sir, as a friend,” said Cadet Captain Byrd Bascomb. - -“Don’t overlook my extended grip,” cried Cadet Sergeant Neil Carrol. - -And so it went on until Cadet Lieutenant Frank Latrobe seemed to be -suddenly inspired with a thought for he asked, eagerly: - -“I say, my friend, are you not the youth who was appointed by the -President?” - -“I was appointed at large, sir, yes.” - -“And it was for services rendered, was it not?” - -“It was from the kindness of the Secretary of the Navy and Commodore -Lucien, rather.” - -“You are the man we have been told of. Go aboard your flagship, put on -your dry togs, and we’ll march you to the commandant at a quick step.” - -The cadets showed that this advice chimed in with their humor, and -springing into his boat, Mark sent it flying back toward the schooner, -while the dripping Dillingham was surrounded by a squad of friends, -to hide his condition, and marched off to his room to also get on dry -clothes. - -“Keep him there, Nazro, until I can get ready, for I wish to be in -the procession,” said Winslow Dillingham, as he dove into his room to -change his clothes, glad to escape the argus-eyed officers about the -buildings and grounds. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. BOARDING THE VENTURE. - - -To Mark Merrill his salt-water bath with his clothes on was nothing to -speak of. He had lived so much in his skiff, been overboard so often -that he thought nothing of it, though he did regret losing his temper -with Winslow Dillingham, who had shown himself such a good fellow after -all. - -Of course he did not suppose that he would have drowned, for there were -too many manly fellows upon the wall who could swim to allow that. - -But, having placed his life in jeopardy himself, he was the one to -prevent any fatality therefrom. - -The idea that the youth could not swim had never entered his mind, for -swimming like a fish himself and never remembering when he could not do -so, he supposed it was the most ordinary accomplishment, and, as he had -said, he merely wished to cool the temper of the one who had set upon -him as a butt to be made fun of. - -“What’s the trouble ashore, my lad?” asked Captain Jasper Crane, who -was about to launch the schooner’s yawl to come to the shore when he -saw Mark returning. - -“Oh! nothing to speak of, sir, only I had to stop some funny business -one of the boys played on me, and finding he could not swim I leaped in -after him.” - -“Just like you, Master Mark, just like you,” said Captain Crane, -following the youth into the cabin. - -“And I tells yer, lad, you’ll find more hard knocks to put up with -among them brass-buttoned gentry ashore than you’d get as a foremast -hand on a merchant craft. - -“My advice to yer would have been to stick to your little craft here -and make money; but then you is high-minded and I knows it’s in yer to -make a name for yerself, if yer sets about it, only the course are a -rough one to sail. Maybe me and one o’ the boys better go ashore with -yer next time, for we is some handy with our flukes when we is run -afoul of.” - -Mark laughed heartily, for it came into his mind how he had seen the -skipper and his sons run afoul of, as he expressed it, one day in -Portland, by a gang of roughs, and had a fair demonstration of how -“handy they were with their flukes.” - -To see him go ashore under an escort amused him greatly, as he pictured -the cadet-midshipman being knocked about by the trio of salts from the -Kennebec. - -But he thanked the captain for his offer, and went on with his toilet. -Meanwhile the skipper was called upon deck. - -A boat had come alongside with a middy in command, sent from the -man-of-war, to have the skipper of the strange schooner give an account -of his seeking an anchorage where he had. - -Having heard of the trouble Mark had met with ashore, Captain Crane -gazed upon the spry young middy with no friendly eye. - -“Are you the sailing-master of this craft?” asked the midshipman -pompously. - -“I am the mate, very much at your service, young officer.” - -“Where is the master?” - -“The capting is down in his cabing; but if you wish to see him I’ll -send yer keerd, and maybe he’ll see yer, maybe he won’t.” - -The face of the youth flushed at this, and he asked sternly: - -“Is this a yacht on a pleasure cruise, my man?” - -“Now, see here, my boy, I hain’t your man. I’m my old woman’s man, and -nobody else has a claim on me, for I am o’ age.” - -“Answer my question, sir.” - -“Yes, it are a yacht on a cruise, but leetle pleasure I’m thinking it -will bring her capting by coming into this port.” - -“I wish the name of your vessel, her owner, and why she is here.” - -“I suppose ef I don’t tell yer, you’ll tarn yer big guns on the craft; -but as I said, I am only the mate, and the captain will be on deck in a -minute, for he is down below changing his clothes, having just thrown a -young admiral in the drink, and then had to jump in and pull him out to -keep him from drowning, so you better be uncommonly polite to him, as -the water are handy and real wet, too.” - -The midshipman felt that he was being made fun of. - -He saw the smiles on the lee side of the faces of his boat’s crew, and -he knew that they saw that he was getting worsted. - -His orders were simply to board the schooner and ascertain her name and -business in the anchorage she had chosen. - -That was all. - -Much breath had been consumed thus far in conversation, and he had -discovered nothing. - -He was getting angry, and yet it came to him that disciplining himself -was one of the first things taught at the Naval School. - -If he could not command himself, he certainly could not expect to -command men. - -He saw that he had struck a rough old hulk, one that could be towed, -but not rowed, and he decided to change his manner of attack by -demanding to see the owner or captain of the vessel. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. UNDER CONVOY. - - -Just then out of the cabin came Mark Merrill, dressed as before, in a -very natty sailor costume. - -He had heard all that had passed, and suppressing a smile, politely -saluted the midshipman, for he certainly wished no more trouble upon -his _début_ as one of Uncle Sam’s middies. - -“There’s the capting now, Officer Buttons,” growled Skipper Jasper -Crane to the midshipman, pointing toward Mark Merrill, as he stepped on -deck. - -“That!” exclaimed the middy, as he beheld a lad not as old as himself, -rigged up in a dandy style. - -“Yes, that, and he’s more of a sailor to-day than half your men-o’-war -trained jim-cranks,” and turning to Mark, the old skipper continued: - -“Capting Merrill, this is a young gent from the big gun craft yonder -who sprung his catechism on me until I got weary, so I tarns him over -to you.” - -“How can I serve you, sir?” asked Mark, with extreme politeness. - -“Do you own this schooner, sir?” asked the middy, somewhat amazed at -finding so youthful a skipper. - -“I may say that I do, sir.” - -“You are her captain?” - -“At present, yes, sir, Mark Merrill, at your service; but I expect to -relinquish my vessel to good Captain Crane here within an hour or so.” - -“May I ask why you sought an anchorage here in the Naval Academy -harborage?” - -“I am a stranger, sir, in this port, but came under orders to report -as a cadet midshipman, so ran my vessel here to anchor. I trust I have -broken no law, sir?” - -The polite manner of Mark, his pleasant smile, quite disarmed the young -officer, while he was surprised at his words that told he had come -under orders as an appointee to the academy. - -“No, sir, you have broken no set law, only it is uncommon for other -than government vessels to run in here. But I shall report who you are -and the reason of your coming.” - -“Permit me also to say, sir, that my schooner will put to sea to-night, -so that she will remain here but a couple of hours at the farthest.” - -The midshipman bowed, then did the manly thing, for he extended his -hand and said: - -“Allow me to welcome you to the academy, Mr. Merrill, and hope that you -will pass the ordeal of entrance with flying colors. My name is Ernest -Rich.” - -The name recalled the sweet face of Virgene Rich to Mark, and he -grasped the extended hand with real warmth, while he said: - -“I thank you for your kind wishes, Mr. Rich.” - -Then he escorted the midshipman to his boat, told him he was just going -ashore to report, and soon after the gig of the vessel of war pulled -away he went over the side into his surf-skiff. - -“Don’t yer think we’d better go ashore with yer, Master Mark?” asked -Captain Crane dubiously. - -“No, indeed, thank you.” - -“These young fellers all seems practicing to scare ordinary folks; but, -Lord love ’em, they is a clever lot o’ young sea cubs arter all, and -in war times they can outfight a shark.” - -Leaving good skipper Crane moralizing upon cadet midshipmen in general, -Mark let fall his oars and sent his skiff shoreward. - -It was an off-duty time at the academy, and the cadets were there whom -he had left, with more who had been summoned to swell the procession. -It had leaked out just who Mark Merrill was, for Commodore Lucien had -been on a visit to the commandant, and had told of the pluck of the boy -pilot of Hopeless Haven. - -Then, too, the Secretary of the Navy had written a personal letter to -the commandant, so of course it went the rounds that the “new man from -Maine was a hero.” - -Having made the discovery, Cadet Captain Byrd Bascomb and his clique -meant to give the sailor lad a welcome, especially as they had found in -him one who was a square good fellow. - -When Mark landed he was somewhat nonplussed at the intention of the -cadets to honor him. - -They welcomed him with a hurrah, and Winslow Dillingham was on hand, as -he expressed it: - -“As dry as a ship on the ways.” - -He offered his hand cordially, and said: - -“We are quits now, aren’t we?” - -“Do not speak of it,” was the ready reply, and as he could not help -himself Mark’s arm was locked in that of Cadet Captain Byrd Bascomb, -who gave the command as he took the head of the column: - -“Column forward! march!” - -Up to the commandant’s quarters they marched, a line was formed, and -the “great mogul,” as the lads facetiously called their chief, supposed -when he saw them that they had some grievance to complain of. - -When the commandant appeared the cadets saluted, and waited for him to -speak, Mark meanwhile, his face flushed with embarrassment, standing -by the side of Byrd Bascomb and inwardly regretting that he had ever -decided to come to the Naval Academy. - -“Don’t skedaddle at the first sight of the enemy,” whispered Cadet -Captain Byrd Bascomb, realizing how Mark Merrill felt at such an -introduction to the commandant of the academy. - -Under this advice Mark braced up, while the commandant asked in his -pleasant way: - -“Well, Cadet Captain Bascomb, may I ask why I am honored with this -visit?” - -This appealed to the young cadet officer, who prided himself upon his -speech-making, and was always glad to get a chance to display his -oratory, saluted, and responded: - -“We are here, most respected commander, to present to you one who -boarded the academy grounds by way of the harbor and over the sea wall. - -“He asked the way to your quarters, and discovering in him the young -hero who won his appointment to the service, which is more than any of -us were guilty of, we came as a convoy to conduct him to your presence, -and I beg to introduce Mr. Mark Merrill.” - -[Illustration: “‘We come as a convoy to conduct him to your presence, -and I beg to introduce him as Mr. Mark Merrill.’” (See page 69.)] - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. JACK JUDSON’S MEMORY. - - -When the little schooner Venture was seen driving up the bay and -into the Severn River, the cadet midshipmen ashore were not the only -interested watchers of her progress. - -She had swept around the bluff, where now stands the popular resort -known as Bay Ridge, in a manner that at once attracted every sailor’s -eye who saw her. - -The little fleet of stanch craft that found a safe harbor in Annapolis, -were anchored snugly in a sheltered nook, all ship-shape to ride out -the gale. - -Each vessel had its crew on board in case there should be dragging of -anchors, and they were compelled to get up sail, which all devoutly -hoped would not be the case. - -Then ashore there was an interested crowd on the oyster docks gazing -with admiration upon the beautiful craft driven along like the very -wind, carrying an amount of canvas which appeared foolhardy in the -extreme. - -Over at the fort, on the opposite side of the river, were groups of -soldiers also observing the schooner’s rush up the harbor, and officers -were braving the fierce wind to have a look at her. - -The reviewing ship, and training ship for the middies, also had their -quota of observers, while upon the stately vessel of war anchored in -the stream the large crew were riveting their gaze upon the Venture, -while the tars were commenting upon the manner in which she was being -handled in a manner most complimentary to the helmsman, though with -a belief that they would see him come to grief before he reached an -anchorage. - -Upon the quarter-deck of the vessel-of-war her officers were chatting -over the flying craft, and various criticisms were made as to the skill -and recklessness of the helmsman. - -They, of course, had their own ideas as to what was good seamanship, -and expressed them accordingly. - -But it is forward, among the men, the bone and sinew, the human -machinery of the navy, that I will ask my reader to accompany me. - -Among a group of over a score of sailors leaning over the port bulwarks -forward was one who was gazing with more than usual interest upon the -schooner. - -“Mates, I have seen that craft before,” he said decidedly, making a -glass of his two hands to look through. - -“When, coxswain, and whar?” asked an old salt, with gray hair and a -complexion like the hide of an elephant. - -“It was when I was on leave some months ago and took a run in my -brother’s schooner that trades on the coast of Maine. - -“I saw that craft, I am dead certain, come into the port of B----, and -she came then in a living gale, and had only two men and a boy on board -of her. - -“The boy was at the helm, and ran her up to the dock in great shape. - -“I was told that he carried the mail between some of the ports on the -coast, and generally went in a surf-skiff in any kind of weather, but -sometimes came up to the town with a load of fish, which he had that -day. - -“Several days after he came up to town in his surf-skiff and I made -his acquaintance, and if that’s his craft then he’s the one as has the -tiller. - -“I’ll get my glass and take an observation,” and Coxswain Jack Judson -went below, but immediately returned with a very handsome glass, which -had been presented to him by his brother of the trading schooner. - -He took a steady look, and said decidedly: - -“Mates, that’s the craft, for a month’s pay it is, and it’s the boy at -the helm for another!” - -“Waal, what is he doin’ in these waters, coxswain?” asked a seaman. - -“I don’t know, but did you ever see a craft better handled?” All -admitted that they never had, while an old sailor growled forth: - -“He’s trying to show off, and he’ll carry his sticks out of the craft -yet before he can drop anchor. These young sailors is allus fools.” - -“No, he won’t hurt her, and he isn’t any fool, either, for he knows the -craft and what she’ll do when he puts her to it. - -“I don’t think he’s trying to show off, for that isn’t like him, only -he’s running under what sail he had up when the gale struck him. - -“You see now there are four men aboard, counting the boy as a man. - -“Every rope is where it belongs, the crew are at their posts and they -are not at all uneasy, from their looks, while there is a gray-head -among ’em. - -“They all seem to be enjoying the run, looking at the scenery and -unmindful that they have got everybody watching them. - -“Mates, I’ll tell you a story of that lad, for I know him now without -looking through my glass. - -“His name is Mark Merrill, and I saw him stand to fight a gang of -five young roughs who set upon him,” and Jack Judson told the story of -how Scott Clemmons and Ben Birney had smashed the toy ship which Mark -Merrill had taken up to sell in B----, to get money to pay the doctor -for going to see his mother. - -As he was talking the schooner swept by in splendid style, winning a -murmur of admiration from all on board the vessel of war, and when she -came to an anchorage Jack Judson said with enthusiasm: - -“He’s let go his mudhooks, and didn’t carry a stick or inch of canvas -away, either. - -“Yes, he’s my lad, and I’m going to ask leave to go and see him, too.” - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. STRANGELY MET. - - -When Mark Merrill was presented to the commandant of the Naval Academy -he felt deeply embarrassed at the publicity which had been given to his -arrival. - -He had sailed up to the academy from Norfolk to save money on the -railroads, and then he saw that Shipper Crane and his sons had a -lurking desire to see where he was going to anchor for the next few -years, while cramming his head with all the cargo of learning necessary -to make a skilled naval officer. - -And Mark had been anxious to have the skipper tell his mother when he -returned that he had left him at his destination, and what he thought -of his future home. - -He certainly had not intended to attract attention by his arrival, but -greatness had been forced upon him by a combination of circumstances -which he could not avoid. - -Although when the commandant had entered the navy, back in the -“Forties,” there had been no naval school, except aboard ship, he had -been a middy, and was well aware that they had not changed much since -those days. - -He understood that Cadet Captain Bascomb and his mates had in some -way gotten wind of the coming of Mark Merrill, and had at once seized -upon him as a hero, the fact of his saving the yacht Midshipman having -leaked out. - -There were a number of officers at headquarters, and they, as well -as the commandant, looked on with interest at the introduction of the -newly appointed lad. - -Mark, though his face was flushed with embarrassment, had doffed his -tarpaulin and stepped forward toward the commandant, and said: - -“I am ordered to report to you, sir, but did not know that I was -breaking any rule in coming as I did by water.” - -“I am glad to meet you, Mr. Merrill, and to welcome you to the Naval -Academy, while I do not know of any law against a cadet coming by -water.” And the commandant smiled, while, turning to the cadets, he -continued: - -“You may leave Mr. Merrill in my charge now, Captain Bascomb, and I am -glad that you gave him the welcome you did, as, from all accounts, he -is deserving of it.” - -The cadets saluted, and were marched off by their captain, while the -commandant, in a kindly way, invited Mark into his quarters. - -To his surprise Mark beheld in the room, standing by the window where -he had seen all, no less a personage than Scott Clemmons. - -The latter had just arrived, and reported to the commandant. - -He was most fashionably attired, wore a spotless white silk tie around -his standing collar, and held in his hand a high hat, presenting a -perfect specimen of the youthful genus dude. - -His face was pale, and his eyes had an angry look as he turned them -furtively upon Mark. - -“Here is also a young gentleman from your State; in fact, I believe you -are neighbors, as you both hail from B----. Mr. Merrill, Mr. Clemmons,” -said the commandant, introducing them. - -Scott Clemmons, in a nervous way, half-stepped forward with extended -hand, but Mark simply bowed, ignoring the hand, a fact which the keen -eyes of the commandant took in, and rather set down against Mark, who -said: - -“Yes, sir, I have met Mr. Clemmons before.” - -There was something in the tone and manner in which it was said that -convinced the commandant that their meeting had not been a pleasant -one, and Scott Clemmons remarked in a supercilious way: - -“Yes, commandant, but this young man does not move in my circle at -home, being only a fisher lad.” - -The commandant almost gave a start, and his kindly face changed so -suddenly to a look of sternness that even Scott Clemmons saw that he -had made a mistake. - -Had he not seen it, he was instantly made cognizant of the fact, for -the commandant turned directly toward him, and said in a distinct way: - -“Mr. Clemmons, I believe your father is a man of great wealth and -comes of an aristocratic family, but you must distinctly learn at once -that here, in this Naval School, neither politics, riches, nor family -connections hold the slightest influence. - -“There are no cliques; all who come here come as young gentlemen, and -though many are from the lowest walks of life they must be gentlemen -here. - -“Mr. Merrill may have been a fisher lad, but I have it from the best -of authority that he made an honest living and supported his mother, -and he was appointed here for having nobly risked his life to save the -lives of others.” - -“I never heard of that, sir, and wondered how he got appointed,” -blustered out the confused Clemmons. - -“You never heard how he saved the yacht Midshipman from being wrecked, -with the Secretary of the Navy and other distinguished gentlemen on -board?” asked the commandant, with some surprise. - -“No, sir, it was not known in our town.” - -“Then, sir,” was the very decided answer, “Mr. Mark Merrill is as -modest as he is brave, not to have told of his daring deed,” and he -glanced at Mark, who replied with a quiet dig at Scott Clemmons: - -“I move in no social circle, sir, so had no one to tell it to.” - -The commandant turned his head away to hide a satisfied smile, while -Scott Clemmons felt that he had made a sad mistake in his slur at Mark -for being only a fisher lad. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. A THREAT. - - -Scott Clemmons was a remarkably politic young man for one of his years. - -He had seen the gathering of the cadets, and recognized Mark Merrill in -their midst, and it had made him envious and hateful. - -One whom he hated was coming under flying colors, it seemed. - -Wondering how Mark had gotten his appointment, and angry because he had -done so, he saw that he was made a hero of from the start, or else why -this popular demonstration in his favor. - -“Of course he will never pass the examinations, for he is too ignorant -for that,” he said to himself. - -Then had the commandant re-entered with Mark Merrill, and the vain -youth had sneered at the sailor-boy appearance of the lad, and thought -what a far greater impression he would make in his fine clothes and -polished manner. - -It was in a pitying way he had referred to Mark’s being a fisher lad, -and he meant to condescend to shake hands with him when introduced, but -got the cut in this from the one he intended to patronize. - -Seeing that he had made a mistake, from the commandant’s severe -reproof, the cunning youth meant to atone from policy, to give his -actions an air of manliness, so he quickly said: - -“I really intended no slight, commandant, but something occurred once -of an unpleasant nature between Merrill and myself, in which I am free -to admit I was at fault, so I frankly offer my hand now in friendship, -if he will accept it.” - -The commandant seemed pleased at this, and glanced at Mark. - -He was a splendid reader of human nature, could from his great -experience tell the inner workings of the heart, which the face was -striving to hide, and he saw that Mark Merrill had some bitter cause -of quarrel against Scott Clemmons, deeper by far than the latter cared -to admit or had implied. But the good nature of the young sailor -triumphed, and he said: - -“I will accept Mr. Clemmons’ hand in friendship, sir, if he means it in -good faith.” - -There was a world of meaning in the words: “If he means it in good -faith.” - -The eyes of Mark Merrill looked unflinchingly upon the face of Scott -Clemmons, but he did not meet the gaze, and his face flushed painfully. - -This that keen observer, the commandant, saw, and he read who had been -the transgressor in the past. - -“Now, Mr. Merrill, as Mr. Clemmons had just reported when you were -convoyed into port, as Cadet Bascomb expressed it, I will hear what he -was about to say to me and then give my attention to you.” - -Mark bowed, while the commandant read a letter from Merchant Clemmons, -whom he had once met, and he took the liberty of inclosing a liberal -check for the use of his son--the same as he might have done had he -been sending him to boarding-school. - -“I shall return this check to your father, Clemmons, and explain the -situation of a cadet here, after I have heard whether you pass the -examinations or not, which are before you,” and the commandant seemed -not over-pleased with Merchant Clemmons’ letter. - -Then he turned to Mark, and continued: - -“Mr. Merrill, I am glad to welcome one to the academy who comes as you -do, and I only hope that you, as well as Mr. Clemmons here, may not -find the physical and mental examination too great a stumbling-block -for you to surmount. - -“Commodore Lucien has spoken of you to me, and of what a devoted son -you have been to your mother, and it is just such boys that make the -greatest men. - -“The surgeon and examining committee are now ready for you, and my -orderly will conduct you to their quarters. - -“I wish you success, young gentlemen,” and the commandant bowed the two -youthful seekers after fame out, placing them under the guidance of an -orderly. - -Surgeon Du Bose received the appointees pleasantly, there being one -other youth in his quarters just drawing on his coat after having -learned the sad tidings that his chest expansion was below the average, -and his general physical condition not such as to warrant his being -accepted as a cadet. - -The poor fellow cast an envious look at the fine forms of Mark Merrill -and Scott Clemmons, and the latter gave him a pitying look of almost -contempt, as though to wonder how he had dared anticipate being -accepted. Then the usual formula was gone through with, Scott Clemmons -being first examined, and his confident smile showed that he knew that -he, at least, had “passed.” - -Then came Mark’s turn, and as he stripped for the ordeal the surgeon -gave a low whistle, a decided expression of admiration of the lad’s -physique. - -His name, age, height, weight, chest measure and expansion were all -taken, his muscular developments noted, and the questions asked -regarding having had any broken bones and other injuries of a harmful -character. His bones were as straight as arrows, his eyesight was put -to a crucial test and marked as “phenomenal,” and his health put down -as perfect. - -His pendulum of life, the heart, swung with the regularity of -clockwork, and not a flaw was found in his teeth, which were white, -even and firm. - -A frown passed over the brow of Scott Clemmons as he noted the fact -that Mark Merrill had stood the test better than he had, proud as he -was of his fine form and handsome face. - -“It is seldom, if ever, I meet a youth of your perfection of physique, -Mr. Merrill,” said Surgeon Du Bose, in a complimentary way, and Scott -Clemmons turned his head away to hide his plainly visible chagrin at -the praise bestowed upon the young sailor. - -Assured that they had passed the physical ordeal the two youths went to -face the examining committee, who were to decide as to what they did or -did not know. - -“Here he will fail,” muttered Scott Clemmons, with malign hope that -such would be the case. - -Quickly they were put to the test, and when the hours of alternate hope -and despair were over each knew that the other had passed, and Scott -Clemmons fairly ground his teeth with rage, as he heard Lieutenant -Briggs, one of the examiners, say in reference to Mark Merrill’s very -fine penmanship: - -“I saw you run your schooner in, Mr. Merrill, and you handle a pen as -well as you do the tiller. I congratulate you that no barrier is now -between you and your cadetship.” - -“Curse him!” muttered Scott Clemmons. “He passed better than I did; but -he shall yet be dismissed in disgrace--I swear it!” - - - - -CHAPTER XX. THE MIDSHIPMAN. - - -Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover -how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy -at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his -cadetship. - -He had been asked by one of the committee where he had attended school, -for he was well up in all questions asked, wrote an excellent hand, and -answered with a knowledge evidently not acquired for the occasion. - -His reply had been a simple one, and truthful: - -“My mother taught me all I know of books, sir, for I never went to -school.” - -Reporting to the quartermaster of the post, Mark found there the kit -which Commodore Lucien had gotten for him, and he discovered that it -left no needs to be filled. - -His room was a pleasant one, and by a rare stroke of good fortune he -was given a first-rate fellow to be his companion to share it. He had -dreaded that, as Scott Clemmons was also from Maine and known to be an -acquaintance, the two might be roomed together. - -In such a case he hoped Clemmons would object, but if he did not then -he certainly should, for he could not bring himself to like the youth -who had shown such an ugly humor toward him in the past. - -The moment that he could get away Mark started to go aboard his little -schooner and bid farewell to Captain Crane and his two sons, and also -bring ashore the few things he had brought with him from home. - -As an act of duty he had sought Scott Clemmons and said: - -“Mr. Clemmons, my little schooner returns home under Captain Jasper -Crane, whom you must know, and I will be glad to give him a letter for -your people, if you wish.” - -Scott Clemmons was in his room, getting his things to rights, and at -the remark of Mark Merrill he laughed rudely. - -He was no longer under the piercing eye of the commandant, and need not -act for effect, as he had done when at headquarters. - -He had stood the ordeal put upon him, but little less acceptably than -had Mark Merrill. - -He was a well-formed fellow, bright in his lessons and all that, but -did not take into consideration that, with all his advantages, he had -not done as well as the “fisher lad” he had sneered at. - -“Send a letter by a sailing ship, Merrill? Not I, and you must live -away back in the Dark Ages to think of such a thing in these days of -telegraphs and railroads; but I forget that you know nothing of the -world, living as secluded as you have. No, thank you, I have already -telegraphed my father that I went through with flying colors, and I -congratulate you upon having passed, even if it was by the skin of your -teeth, for, of course, they would not refuse you, Merrill. Wait until -the first year’s examination, which you cannot hope to get through.” - -Mark Merrill’s eyes flashed, but he controlled his temper, and -responded: - -“I shall try hard to pass, Mr. Clemmons, for I came here to fight hard -to win my way against all odds that I know are before me. Pardon me for -disturbing you. I did not know but that you might wish to see Captain -Crane and his boys, and send some word by them.” - -“No, I do not associate with them at home, you know, and the telegraph -and mails will answer my wants.” - -Mark turned away, for he felt that he could not much longer listen to -Scott Clemmons’ insulting words and patronizing manner. - -“So he offered his friendship simply to blind the commandant, did he? -I wondered how he could be guilty of such an act of manliness as he -professed; but it was for a purpose, not meant. Well, I know what to -expect from him now, and will govern myself accordingly; but I have not -forgotten a voice I heard one night before I left home, when a net was -set to drown me. I think I shall send Silly Sam a letter by Captain -Crane, for the poor fellow is to be trusted, and is keen enough in mind -when he has an object in view.” - -So Mark went on board his schooner to write his letters and give the -joyful news to his mother that she could address his letters to: - - “CADET MIDSHIPMAN MARK MERRILL, - U. S. NAVAL ACADEMY - ANNAPOLIS, M. D.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. SHAKING HANDS WITH THE PAST. - - -“Well, Master Mark, I congratulate you with all my heart,” said Captain -Jasper Crane, when the youth told him that he had stood the first test, -and crossed the rubicon of his hopes and fears. - -The two sons of the skipper also offered their congratulations in their -honest way, and the skipper added: - -“Well, it means we must sail back alone, and that we’ll not see you for -many a long day, Master Mark?” - -“Not until my graduation leave, Captain Crane, unless business may call -you to this port or Baltimore some time, when you must surely give me a -call.” - -“You won’t be too proud to wish to see an old coast skipper, then, -after you get your brass buttons on?” said the skipper slyly. - -“If I thought becoming an officer of the navy would change my nature -so as to make me forget old friends, captain, I’d go back with you now -and stick to the life I have been always leading at home. No, my nature -won’t change, I assure you; but I hope the schooner will earn a fair -livelihood for you and mother, for I hope to have her run on here with -old Peggy some day to see me, as I know she will wish to do.” - -“I know she will, and I’ll make the schooner pay every dollar she can; -but there was a sailor here to see you, Master Mark, and yonder comes a -boat, and I guess he’s coming back, for he said he would, as he wished -to see you.” - -Mark turned to the gangway as the boat ran alongside, and called out -heartily: - -“Jack Judson, my sailor friend of B----, how are you?” - -The sailor grasped the extended hand, and said, warmly: - -“Well, Master Mark Merrill, and glad to see you again. I recognized -you at the helm of the schooner as she ran in, and I never saw a craft -better handled. Going to stay in port long, young mate?” - -“I hope to remain some years, Mr. Judson, for I am launched now as a -cadet midshipman,” was the smiling reply. - -Jack drew himself up quickly and saluted, while he said: - -“Pardon me, sir, but I did not know that, or I would no have made so -bold; but I am a coxswain on the cruiser yonder, and thought I’d come -over to remind you that I had not forgotten you and your plucky fight -in B----.” - -“And I am glad to see you, Coxswain Jack, and I have not forgotten your -great kindness that day in B----, either. But let me tell you that -Scott Clemmons is also a cadet.” - -“Then look out for him, for he’s your foe,” blurted out Jack Judson. - -“I do not believe he is over friendly,” responded Mark, while Jack said: - -“I must be off, sir, for there’s a difference between us now; but I -wish you success, Master Mark, and if you don’t win, I’ll be mistaken -in my calculations.” - -The coxswain saluted, when Mark again put out his hand and said: - -“Good-by, coxswain, I guess we’ll often meet now.” - -The boat pulled away, the coxswain very thoughtful now, for he -remembered how he had once neglected his advantages and thrown away the -chance of an appointment to the navy. - -“I’d have been a lieutenant now, if I had gone in; but I didn’t have -the grit to study, and to-day I am only a coxswain. But that youth has -it in him to work his way upward, and he will; but he must keep his eye -on Scott Clemmons, or he’ll foul him if he can.” - -After the coxswain’s departure Mark went into the cabin, wrote his -letters, one to his mother and another to Silly Sam, and he asked -Captain Crane to hand the letter to the youth in person. - -“I do not know if he can read or not, Captain Crane, but if he cannot, -you please read it to him, and he’ll understand it. The letter to my -mother I know you will deliver first, as you will run straight for -Cliff Castle harbor?” - -“Yes, Master Mark, and if you get time some day drop me a line to let -me know how you are getting along,” said the honest skipper. - -“You shall hear from me, captain, and I’ll expect you to see my mother -as often as you can, for you know her home is not a cheerful one, and -she has only old Peggy.” - -“Yes, and more pluck than any man I know of, to dwell in that old Spook -Hall.” - -Then Mark bade good-by to the captain and his boys, sprang into the -boat he had rowed out, and rested on his oars while the crew got up -anchor and hoisted sail. - -He waved his hat as they went down the Severn, Captain Crane dipping -his colors to the farewell of the youth. - -For a long while the young sailor watched the retreating vessel, then -rowed ashore, and returned the boat to where he had gotten it. - -He sighed as he cast another lingering glance after the little Venture, -returning to the weird old home and scenes he had loved so well, and -murmured to himself: - -“There goes the last link to bind me with my life of the past few -years. Now my career is to be so different! The struggle begins--my -hard fight for fame. But I will win. I cannot afford not to do so, for -Scott Clemmons shall never rejoice over my failure.” - -“Ah, Merrill, all broken up, I see, at parting with your fisher -friends--strange that you did not stick to the low life that suited you -so well.” - -It was Scott Clemmons, and Mark felt as though he would like to have -struck him to the earth. - -But instead he said, calmly: - -“I have shaken hands with the past life, Clemmons, and when I leave -this academy you will be behind me!” - -“Never! mark my words, never!” and Scott Clemmons uttered an oath at -Mark’s threat to leave him behind in the race for honors. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. DISCIPLINING A “CAPTAIN.” - - -Mark Merrill entered upon his duties like one who had gone in to win. - -His modest nature recoiled at having been discovered as a hero, for he -had hoped to gain success without there being one thing in his favor. - -He had as a room mate a youth from South Carolina by the name of Bemis -Perry, a quiet, unassuming youth, about Mark’s age, and who made a -pleasant companion. - -“You knew Clemmons before you came here?” said Bemis Perry, the day -after the two had become mates. - -“Yes, I had met him.” - -“They say his father is awfully rich, and the king bee of his part of -the country.” - -“Yes, Mr. Clemmons is said to be a very rich and influential man.” - -“And Scott is his only heir, I hear.” - -“He has a sister, I have heard, who is younger than he is.” - -“What has Clemmons got against you?” - -“I really do not know,” and Mark did not, for he did not recall having -ever done aught to cause Scott Clemmons to dislike him. - -“Well, I’ll tell you that he is not your friend, Merrill.” - -“So I am aware, but it is a matter of utter indifference to me.” - -Entering upon his duties, Mark was naturally put in the same “awkward -squad” as Scott Clemmons. - -The latter had been to a military school for a couple of terms, and was -thus priding himself upon his being well up in drill. - -He had, in fact, mentioned that he had been captain of his company at -the military school which he had attended, and in various ways he had -thrown out the hint that his father was enormously rich, and a man of -great influence with the government authorities. - -He had also taken occasion to say that Mark Merrill was the son of a -poor widow who, from the charity of the agent in charge of a fine old -house, was allowed to live in one wing of it, while her son had been a -mail-carrier and fisher lad. - -Now Herbert Nazro was the cadet midshipman who had the drilling of the -new men, and he had with rare judgment taken in the characters of those -under his command. - -He realized that they were all green, some exceedingly modest and -willing to admit their know-nothingness, while others were determined -to “cheek it through.” - -Mark reported for duty, and when the cadet officer said: “Well, sir, -what do you know?” he answered, with extreme candor: - -“Nothing whatever, sir.” - -“Then you can be taught easily,” was the frank reply. - -“And you, sir?” he turned to Scott Clemmons. - -“I do not understand you,” and Scott Clemmons meant to overawe the -cadet officer. - -He made a mistake, and he soon realized it. - -“Why were you not paying attention, so that you should know?” was the -stern question. - -“You were not addressing me, sir.” - -“I am now, and I ask you, what do you know?” - -“About drilling?” - -“Yes.” - -“I am pretty well drilled, though perhaps a trifle rusty from lack of -practice.” - -“I’ll get the rust off of you, never fear.” - -“I was captain of my company.” - -“In the army?” - -“No.” - -“When you address your superior always use the expression ‘sir.’” - -Scott Clemmons flushed at the rebuke, and Cadet Officer Nazro asked: - -“Where were you a captain?” - -“At the military school which I attended.” - -“What did I tell you about addressing your superior? Be careful not to -err again. Then you have been to a military school?” - -“Yes.” - -“Yes what?” - -“Yes, sir. Am I compelled to speak thus to you?” - -“Go ask the commandant.” - -“No, sir.” - -“If you were a captain, you should have known as much. I see I shall -have a hard time with you, for it is no easy task to teach an old dog -new tricks. Fall in line, sir, and take the position of a soldier.” - -Mark Merrill really felt sorry for Clemmons, and the little advice -given the youth he decided to take to heart. - -He had seen several military companies parading, and that was all, but -he meant to do his best. - -He fell in line, and when shown the “position of a soldier” by the -splendid young drill-master, he determined to keep his mind upon the -duty before him. - -In spite of his having been a “captain,” Scott Clemmons was found more -fault with than all the others of the awkward squad. - -“You are wrong, sir,” shouted Cadet Nazro. “Just see how you stand. -Your drill master must have been a veteran of 1812. Now these men -can learn, for they know nothing; but you know it all, and like most -know-alls, you give no demonstration of your knowledge. See Merrill -there, how well he stands, and I have not had to correct him a second -time, nor Perry either. Look to it, _Captain_ Clemmons, that I don’t -have to correct you again.” - -There were others of the greenhorns who got rebuffs, also, but for some -reason Officer Herbert Nazro seemed to have picked upon Scott Clemmons -for his especial target of ill-natured flings. - -“He has only himself to blame for it,” said Bemis Perry to Mark, when -the squad was dismissed, after the hardest work the new men had ever -known. - -“Yes, he should have kept quiet about having been captain of his -company,” Mark returned. - -“As I did; for I was three years at the military school in Charleston, -but to-day convinced me that the drill there is nothing in comparison -to this naval school. We shall see stars here, Merrill.” - -“I have become convinced of that,” was Mark’s laughing response. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. A SECRET FOE. - - -Of course Scott Clemmons became a mortal enemy of Herbert Nazro after -his first drill in the awkward squad, under the command of that most -efficient young officer. - -He dared not come out in open rebellion, as he well knew what that -would mean to him; but he treasured up for Nazro a bitter feeling and a -hope of revenge in the future when the chance should come in his way. - -To be rebuked before Mark Merrill cut him deeper than if it had been -before the entire corps, for he had tried to impress Mark with his -importance. - -He had watched Mark’s face for some sign of rejoicing, but even his -ill-nature had failed to detect there any expression of triumph. - -Fisher lad though Mark Merrill had been, the spoiled and petted child -of fortune, Scott Clemmons, was intensely jealous of him. - -He feared the reserve power of the youth who had gotten an appointment -to the naval school by his own acts, when, with all his father’s -influence, he had found it no easy task to accomplish it. - -Then, too, Mark had entered with a kind of hurrah, and more, he had -passed the surgeon and examining committee under flying colors, while -his first drill had been marked by no grave error upon his part. - -There were lads at the academy to toady to the riches and influence of -Scott Clemmons, and so that youth at once found a following among them. - -To his willing “satellites” Scott Clemmons, from a knowledge of his own -nature, judged Mark, believing that the young sailor would inform his -friends of the affair of the toy ship and what followed. He had told -his version of the affair, and soon through the corps went the story of -enmity between the two “men from Maine,” as they were called. - -Had Scott Clemmons been less arrogant, Herbert Nazro would not have -been so severe upon him as he was. - -But all new cadets must expect hard times the first year they enter -into Uncle Sam’s service as baby tars. - -In his studies Mark went to work with the determination to win, and a -feeling began to creep over the class in which he was that he meant to -be a dangerous man in the race for honors. - -Scott Clemmons understood this more keenly than any one else, and he -began to feel his inferiority in spite of his vanity, so he decided -that the only way to beat Mark Merrill was to get him out of the -academy. - -He sized up the others of the class, and felt that, with a struggle, he -could lead for honors, but Mark Merrill was dangerous, and intended to -see to it that his threat to leave him behind was carried out. - -Demerits against a cadet would upset all standing for good lessons, -perfect drill and attention to duties, and that these ugly little -demerit marks could be readily gotten from the slightest causes Scott -Clemmons soon discovered. He accordingly induced his roommate to enter -into a plot against the unsuspecting young sailor. - -When rigged out in his uniform Mark Merrill was certainly a very -handsome and striking-looking lad. - -The corps tailor had complimented him by saying he had never measured a -finer formed lad for his clothes, and seldom one his equal. - -Fortunately for the new men, there had recently been several dismissals -from the academy of “hazers,” so that no great indignities were heaped -upon Mark and the others. - -Still they came in for their share of petty jokes played upon them, all -of which Mark submitted to as really a part of the discipline of the -institution. - -He was universally good-natured, dignified, yet courteous to all, and -on duty and in study hours nothing could move him from what he deemed -right. - -He was a favorite with the officers, popular with his comrades, and yet -for all that there seemed to be some mysterious undercurrent working -against him. - -Once his cap was missing, and he was absent at roll call, so a demerit -went against him; but he did not report that his cap had been cleverly -taken from his room by some one. - -Another time he could not find his shoes for parade, and again a -demerit went down against his name. - -A third time his handsome uniform was disfigured by enormous ink -stains, and he knew that he was no more responsible for that than he -had been for his missing hat and shoes. - -His books, too, became disfigured in some mysterious way, and one -morning he was reported as having been caught out of his room at night -when he had been fast asleep in bed. - -So Mark Merrill, without a word in his own defense, had been put on the -list for a reprimand and punishment. - -These constant demerits were counting up sadly against Mark, until he -knew that by the end of his first year they would be so formidable as -to mean dismissal. Yet what could he do to save himself? - -He was innocent of wrong-doing, and though he suspected his persecutor, -he had no proof of it that he was right in his suspicions, while, if he -was, he had too manly a nature to go and report him. - -So he determined to suffer in silence, and trust to some good fortune -to make all things even in the end. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. A SECRET FRIEND. - - -The petty persecutions of Mark Merrill became so persistent, so -annoying, and so frequent that those who knew how matters were going -became confident that, as they all counted against the young sailor and -not against unknown persecutors, he would not be able to stay his year -out at the academy. - -It had leaked out that Mark Merrill had been a tough citizen at home, -and was nothing more than a coast fisherman, until brought into a -position above his station by an appointment to the naval school. - -In truth there were a number of rumors about the academy detrimental -to our young hero, and though they reached his ears, often most -unpleasantly from hearing them himself, oftener from having them told -him by his devoted chum, Bemis Perry, he suffered in silence, making no -denials. - -At length some who had been his friends grew cold in their greetings of -him, and his popularity began to waver. - -“You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear,” said Scott Clemmons, -one day, in speaking of Mark in a crowd, who had been referring to his -many demerits. - -“No, and you can’t ward off the attack of a secret assassin,” remarked -Bemis Perry quietly. - -All eyes turned upon the speaker, for he seldom attracted attention by -any outspoken words, and Scott Clemmons, with angry face, asked: - -“Do you mean that for me, sir?” - -“I shot at random, Clemmons; and if you got in the way it is your -lookout, not mine.” - -“I wish you to explain your ambiguous words,” said Clemmons hotly. - -“Permit me to do so,” was the response. “You were pleased to apply an -insulting application to my roommate and friend, Mark Merrill, and as -he has suffered much secret persecution from one who would stab him -in the back, I say that one can no more protect oneself from a secret -assassin than you can make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. Now, if the -shoe fits you, put it on and wear it.” - -“As it does not, there is no cause of quarrel between us,” Scott -Clemmons said, retreating through the exit open to him. - -“You are wise,” and with this Bemis Perry walked away, and as he did so -he muttered to himself: - -“I will do it.” - -An hour after found him in the presence of the commandant, waiting to -be heard by that august personage. - -“Well, Mr. Perry, what is it?” said the commandant, somewhat abruptly. - -“I have no complaint to make, commandant, for myself, but I have an -explanation to offer in behalf of another.” - -“Well, Mr. Perry, I will hear you.” - -The commandant had taken a fancy to the quiet, reserved but brilliant -youth who had become Mark Merrill’s roommate, and he now saw that he -had something more than a favor to ask. - -“I wish to make a statement, sir, and hope that you will take what I -have to say as though uttered under oath.” - -“So serious as that, is it, Mr. Perry?” - -“Yes, sir; but as I said, it is not of myself that I will speak.” - -“Who, then?” - -“Of my roommate, sir.” - -“Ah! Has Merrill gotten out with you, too?” - -“On the contrary, I wish to say that Merrill is the noblest fellow I -ever met. I have watched him closely, when he little dreamed I was -paying the slightest attention to his acts, or the actions of others, -and I wish to say, commandant, that the day he missed roll call on -account of not finding his cap, some one had taken it to cause him a -demerit. The ink stains on his uniform were put there by others, and -the night that he was reported as absent without leave from his room -I lay awake, unable to sleep, and he never got out of his cot; but, -whoever it was, gave the name of Merrill instead of his own, and this -I’ll take oath to, sir. In a number of other cases, commandant, Merrill -has been accused and silently submitted, when I know he was innocent, -and thus the demerits roll up against him. Against these demerits, -sir, he stands perfect in lessons, thorough in drill, and no complaint -against the performance of any duty he is put upon, which, I think, -sir, if you will pardon the expression of my opinion, go to prove that -where he has a chance to get perfect marks he gets them, while others -get the demerits against him as one dangerous to have as a rival for -honors.” - -“Ah! I see your reasoning, Mr. Perry; but may I ask if Merrill knows of -your coming to me?” - -“No, sir, he has not a suspicion of it, for I come on my own -responsibility, knowing the facts.” - -“It does you credit, let me say, Perry, and your reasoning is so good -that I shall look into the matter myself.” - -“Thank you, sir.” - -“But what does Merrill say of the demerits he receives?” - -“I have only heard him express himself once, sir, and then he said that -it was not the plain sailing he had hoped to have here, for in spite of -his every effort to win success he seemed to make a dead failure of it.” - -“I see; but do not speak of this visit to Merrill or any one else, and -I’ll see what explanation can be arrived at of his many demerits.” - -“Simply, sir, that he has a secret foe,” was the almost blunt assertion -of Bemis Perry. - -“Then he is fortunate in having also a secret friend in you, Mr. -Perry,” was the commandant’s smiling response; and Bemis Perry saluted -and retired, satisfied that he had acted as he should have done to save -Mark Merrill from an underhand foe, who meant his dismissal from the -academy. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. A CLOUDED RECORD. - - -Weeks passed away and the strange fact presented itself that the -cadet midshipman, who was devotedly studious, thorough in every duty -devolving upon him, perfect in drill and courteous to all, yet kept his -list of demerit marks steadily increasing against him, a circumstance -that could only end in one way. - -Pranks were played, and time and again the guilty one was said to be -Mark Merrill, for he was the one who seemed to be leading two lives, as -it were, secretly a wild one, openly a perfect one. - -Half-smoked cigars were found by the officer of inspection in his room, -and when he asserted he never smoked them, as proof against him was a -box of perfectos nearly empty. - -Upon another occasion the inspector found a bottle that had contained -whisky in Merrill’s room, and there was enough left in it to prove that -it had contained the real old beverage of the Kentucky colonels. - -In many other ways had seeming proof been brought against Mark Merrill -that he was not all that he professed to be, and many predicted that he -would take his departure from the United States Naval Academy before -very long. - -But one afternoon the corps were assembled, and, to the surprise of -all, the demerits against the cadets were read out openly. - -Here and there a name was called which held no demerit mark against -it, but when the adjutant came to the name of Mark Merrill he paused, -and a moment of suspense followed. - -Then came the reading of the number which was known as the “Fatal -Figures.” - -Beyond that number no cadet could go, and Mark Merrill’s face became -deadly pale as he heard the calling out of the fatal figures. Other -names followed, until the whole roll of the corps had been called, and -no one else came within startling distance of the fatal figures. - -“Cadet Mark Merrill to the front!” came the adjutant’s command, for -that officer already had his orders. - -Mark advanced promptly until halted. - -White-faced but cool, with every eye upon him, he stood awaiting what -was to come as though he were to hear his death warrant read. - -To him it was worse, for he expected ignominious dismissal from the -corps. - -“Cadet Merrill, the number of demerits against your name has reached -the limit, the fatal figures which mean dismissal. The commandant -desires to know what you have to say in your defense?” - -“Nothing, sir, for the demerits stand against me, and I submit to the -laws of the academy in silence.” - -Every one heard the distinctly uttered reply of the young cadet. - -Then the commandant’s voice was heard: - -“Adjutant, you are to cancel every demerit that stands against the name -of Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill.” - -In spite of stern discipline a murmur ran down the line, for such a -command could not be understood. - -But the explanation was not long delayed, for again the stern voice of -the commandant was heard: - -“Cadet Merrill, I have reason to know that when you failed to appear -at roll call, from having lost your cap, that it was taken from your -room to bring about just such trouble for you. I have reason to know -that ink stains were placed upon your uniform to get you into trouble, -and that the night when you were reported absent from your room without -leave, the one who answered the officer of the guard was not you, but -used your name. The bottle found in your room, also the cigars, were -put there by those who meant to get you into trouble. Against such -acts, which are explained away, you stand perfect in your lessons, -in drill and all duties devolving upon you. Hence I cancel these -demerits with the warning to your secret enemies that, were they known, -dismissal should at once follow the discovery, and if like underhand -acts against you, or others, are perpetrated the guilty ones shall be -hunted down and the severest penalty shall be visited upon them. Return -to the ranks, Cadet Merrill, with your record clear.” - -There are no more manly youths in the world, taken as a whole, than our -baby tars of Annapolis and boy soldiers of West Point, and none more -ready to do justice to one of their number wronged, and so it was that -the cadet midshipmen felt assured that the commandant was doing only -justice to Mark Merrill and letting his persecutors down lightly. - -So they gave three rousing cheers for Mark’s “clear record,” and a -groan for his secret foes. - -If there were several in the corps who joined in the cheers and groans -it was to hide their own confusion worse confounded. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. THE TELLTALE COIN. - - -Barney Breslin was not a popular youth in the Naval School. - -His nature was somewhat morose; it seemed to go against him to salute -his superiors, and he had never won golden opinions for his studious -habits and strict attention to duty. - -He had but one intimate in the corps of cadets, and that one was Scott -Clemmons, his roommate. - -Many wondered how it was that Scott Clemmons had gotten in with Barney -Breslin, for, where the one was an aristocrat, the other had just -escaped being born in the Emerald Isle, for his parents had set foot -upon the “land of the brave and the free” only a week when Barney made -his _début_ in life. - -The father of the youth had played his cards so well in the metropolis -that he had gotten to be a man of wealth and a politician of influence, -and it had been the dream of the mother’s life to see her boy an -admiral before she died. - -An only son, Barney had gone it a trifle rapid for a youngster, and was -sent to the Naval School for training. As he passed his examinations he -had the courage, when a full-fledged cadet, to write to his father of -certain unpaid debts left behind in New York, and they were promptly -settled by the parent, but with an admonition that not a dollar -more should be received from the Breslin bank account until he had -graduated, and if he failed to do this he had better ship before the -mast, and not show up again under the parental roof tree. - -Now, Barney was fond of a game of chance, and when he could find a -congenial spirit to play with, he often indulged in gambling, generally -to his sorrow, for he soon had several I. O. U.’s for various amounts. - -It was supposed that Scott Clemmons helped Barney Breslin in his -studies, for the former was bright and stood splendidly in his classes. - -In return it was hinted that Barney did many little favors for -Clemmons, mostly of a menial nature, however. - -The inspector always found Clemmons’ wardrobe and half of the room neat -as a pin, while Barney was often “spotted” for disorder. - -Cadets generally “size up” a man very correctly, and they decided -that when examination day came and Barney’s displacement was taken, -his tonnage in knowledge would fall short, even though aided by Scott -Clemmons. - -In other words, Barney could never “bone” hard enough to step across -the threshold into the third class. - -“He’ll bilge, certain,” was the general way of putting Barney’s -prospects by his fellow cadets. - -It may, therefore, be inferred that Barney Breslin was as unpopular as -his roommate, Scott Clemmons, was popular, for the latter was looked -upon as a “good fellow all round,” though a trifle too haughty, perhaps. - -From the first Barney had not liked Mark Merrill, and he made no effort -to disguise it. - -A tall, heavily formed fellow, he possessed great brute strength, and -was brave from this very reason, feeling his power over weaker mortals, -and inclined to be a bully from nature. - -One afternoon the cadets assembled in considerable force in the -gymnasium, and many were giving exhibitions of their prowess as -athletes, and no mean exhibition it was, either, for the training that -they received made iron physiques of the youths. - -For some reason an unpleasant feeling rested upon many, which soon -became general when it was known that Scott Clemmons had lost a -valuable coin that morning. - -It was a rare coin, what is known as a fifty-dollar gold piece, -octagonal in shape, and always quoted at a large premium on account of -the scarcity of such issues of money. - -All who had seen Scott Clemmons with it knew that he called it his -“luck coin,” and that he prized it most highly. - -He had changed his clothes that morning, leaving the coin in the pants -he had taken off, and, going for it an hour after, he found it gone. - -Barney Breslin had expressed himself boldly about one whom he believed -had taken the coin, as he had said that he met a cadet coming out of -the room of Scott Clemmons and himself, and unless the gold piece was -returned that night, he would make his accusation public. - -He would not give a hint as to whom he suspected, but said: - -“Wait until night, and then I shall accuse the one I deem the thief,” -and he turned away to perform an act which he had won quite a -reputation for, which was to walk around the pedestrian track of the -gymnasium on his hands. - -“Can you do that, Merrill?” asked Scott Clemmons, who stood near him, -and there was a sneer in his tone and manner. - -“I think so,” was the quiet response, and Mark Merrill threw himself -upon his hands and began to go around the track, when suddenly, with a -loud ring, the missing gold-piece rolled from his pocket amid almost a -roar of amazement from his brother cadets. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII. A DOUBLE ACCUSATION. - - -Barney Breslin had just completed his walk on his hands around the -track of the gymnasium, and the applause with which he had been -greeted had ceased, when Scott Clemmons asked Mark Merrill if he could -accomplish a like feat. - -When the gold coin fell from Mark’s pocket and the loud murmur of -amazement was heard, Barney Breslin had sprang forward, and seizing the -piece of gold cried: - -“It is your luck coin, Clemmons, as I live!” - -“It certainly is, but surely there must be some mistake, for Merrill -could not be guilty of----” - -“I tell you now that he is the man I saw leaving our room,” said -Breslin, interrupting Clemmons. - -And all this time, unheeding the dropping of the coin from his -pocket, Mark Merrill had continued his hand-walk around the track, -accomplishing the feat with an ease far greater than Barney Breslin had -done. - -As he approached the group now, his face flushed from his peculiar -exercise, every eye was upon him, and a death-like silence was upon all. - -“You must speak, Clemmons, for this cannot be allowed to go by,” said -Breslin, breaking the silence. - -“Merrill, it seems that you accomplished Breslin’s feat, but you have -also done something that he could not and would not do,” said Scott -Clemmons. - -“What is that, may I ask, Mr. Clemmons?” - -“You dropped something from your pocket awhile since?” - -“Yes, I heard it drop, but as I had no claim to it I paid no attention -to it.” - -“You know what it was?” - -“Ah! yes; an octagonal coin which Breslin stole from you and placed in -my pocket, hoping to prove me the thief,” was the cool response. - -“Ha! you dare accuse me of being a thief?” and, like a mad bull, Barney -Breslin rushed upon Mark Merrill. - -Some would have interfered had they had time, and all expected to see -Barney Breslin seize and crush Mark Merrill in his iron grasp. - -But instead, they saw the huge bully fly backward with terrific force -and measure his length upon the track of the gymnasium. - -He had been dealt a blow by Mark that half-stunned him, and amazed all, -for the young sailor had never before shown what he could do with his -fists, and his latent strength was never once suspected, unless it was -by Scott Clemmons. - -With a howl of rage Barney Breslin arose and rushed again upon Mark, -who cried out: - -“Back, Breslin, or you will regret it!” - -A cry of defiance was Breslin’s only answer, and as the cadet struck up -Mark’s guard, he was enabled to seize him in his long, powerful arms. - -But only for a moment did he retain his hold, for he was raised bodily -from his feet and dashed to the floor with a force that shook the -building, and he lay limp and dazed from the fall. - -Though astonished at Mark’s grand exhibition of strength, and glad as -many were to see Barney Breslin punished, the cadets could not let the -charge about the gold coin go by, and several called out: - -“Prove that you know nothing about that coin, Merrill, or it will go -hard with you.” - -Mark was not in the least disturbed, as he faced those who demanded an -inquiry into the cruel charge against him, and said in his quiet way, -as he stood over the fallen Breslin: - -“I have nothing to say for myself, but shall ask Mr. Dillingham to -speak for me, after which Mr. Nazro can speak.” - -“Out with it, Dillingham, if you can say anything to clear Merrill of -this very nasty charge,” said Cadet Captain Byrd Bascomb. - -“I will only say that since we came into the gymnasium here Merrill -came up to me and said that he had seen Clemmons’ lost gold piece in -Breslin’s hand, and that he appeared to be trying to slip it into his, -Merrill’s pocket, and asked me to watch him. I did so, and I did see -Breslin pass very near Merrill and appear to drop something into his -pocket, but what it was I could not see.” - -This testimony from Winslow Dillingham created a sensation, which was -added to when Herbert Nazro said: - -“And Merrill whispered to me: - -“‘Watch Breslin and see what he is up to, for he has haunted me ever -since I came in.’ - -“I did watch him, and I distinctly saw him slip something yellow into -Merrill’s pocket, which now I will swear was the gold piece which -Clemmons lost. Now, Clemmons, who is the one you accuse?” and Herbert -Nazro turned upon Scott Clemmons, who responded: - -“I make no accusation, and yet I cannot doubt the evidence of yourself -and Dillingham.” - -“And I ask you, Breslin, do you dare accuse me?” - -The words were uttered in a low tone, yet all heard them, and Mark -Merrill faced Barney Breslin, who now stood before him, his face white -and bruised from the blow he had received. - -“Speak, sir!” - -There was a very dangerous light in the eyes of Mark Merrill now, and -there followed his command a chorus of voices, saying: - -“Yes, speak!” - -But Barney Breslin uttered no word, and his face grew livid as his eyes -roved over to where Scott Clemmons stood. - -He met only a cold stare from the man who had been his friend, and -placing his hand to his head in a dazed sort of way, he walked slowly -out of the gymnasium. - -“He shall speak!” cried Mark, starting after him, but a dozen hands -held him back, while Byrd Bascomb said: - -“No need of it, Merrill; for he is the thief.” - -“And worse, he well-nigh ruined you, Merrill,” added Herbert Nazro. - -“Forgive me, Merrill, but he accused you to me, and it was his plot -to have you walk on your hands that the money might roll out of your -pocket,” and Scott Clemmons held out his hand. - -But sharp and decisive came the response: - -“No, Clemmons, I will not take your hand, for you are no more my friend -than Breslin has been--I pity him, but despise you,” and Mark walked -away with Dillingham, Nazro and Byrd Bascomb. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. THE STORY TOLD. - - -Mark Merrill’s first act was to go at once to the officer of the day -and report the occurrence at the gymnasium. - -Accompanied by Cadet Captain Byrd Bascomb, Herbert Nazro and Winslow -Dillingham, who were there to vouch for the affair as stated, the -officer of the day suggested that the young cadet go immediately to the -commandant, and he would give no order of arrest against Barney Breslin -until he heard from headquarters. - -It was decided then that Mark should go alone to the commandant and -tell his story, while the three cadets whom he had as witnesses would -hold themselves in readiness to be called upon for their version of the -affair. - -“There will be plenty more of us, Merrill, never fear, to report the -affair as it occurred,” said Byrd Bascomb. - -“Yes, all there knew that you were attacked by Breslin, which was -reversing the old saying and adding injury to insult, to attempt to -annihilate you after he had accused you of stealing; but, great Scott! -what a knock-down you gave him,” said Nazro, while Dillingham responded: - -“Oh, yes, Merrill can do it, as I have cause to remember--he tumbled me -into the drink,” and all three laughed at the remembrance. - -“It will go hard with Breslin even if he escapes arrest for stealing, -for Clemmons gave him an awful ugly look when he saw that he was the -thief--that it was his room mate who had robbed him,” said Dillingham. - -So Mark wended his way to headquarters, and the commandant granting him -an interview, he made a clean breast of the whole occurrence. - -The commandant listened with an attention that revealed the deepest -interest, for it was something so thoroughly out of the usual run for -one who was to become an officer in the navy to be accused of theft. - -Mischief untold, hazing, and even insubordination, might be charged -against the jolly young tars, but anything against their honor was a -stigma too serious to be lightly thought of. - -At last the commandant spoke, and in a low, earnest tone: - -“You requested Cadets Nazro and Dillingham to watch Breslin’s -movements?” - -“I did, sir, as his actions toward me were curious, and I caught him -trying to slip something in my pocket. It was done so slyly that had I -not been on the watch I would not have known it, but both Cadets Nazro -and Dillingham saw him do it, and, of course, when I was challenged to -do his feat I accepted and the coin rolled out.” - -“Did he challenge you?” - -“No, sir, Clemmons did.” - -“And who accused you?” - -“I continued my hand-walk around the track, sir, and Cadet Clemmons -asked me to explain how it was I had his luck coin.” - -“And your answer?” - -“I told him that I had no claim to it, as Breslin had stolen it from -him and slipped it into my pocket, a fact corroborated by Cadets -Dillingham and Nazro.” - -“And he attacked you?” - -“Yes, sir, and I knocked him down.” - -“And then?” - -“He arose and rushed upon me again.” - -“No one interfered?” - -“Yes, sir; but his movements were very quick, and----” - -“Contrary to his usual manner,” dryly said the commandant. - -“As he rushed upon me a second time, sir, some one struck my hand -upward, and he grasped me, so I had to throw him, and I did so with a -force which I intended should prevent a continuance of the fracas.” - -“Then you acted only in self-defense?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“How many cadets were in the gymnasium at the time?” - -“About one-third of the corps, I should say, sir.” - -“Name others who were there?” - -Mark did so, while the commandant jotted down the names, until he had -fully a score on the list, men from the various classes, and some of -them cadet officers, who had witnessed the affair. - -Then, after a few moments of silence, the commandant said: - -“Merrill, in what way have you ever offended Breslin?” - -“I was not aware that I had done so, sir.” - -“Yet he has never been friendly toward you?” - -“No, sir.” - -“You have done nothing to anger him?” - -“I have seldom spoken to him, sir.” - -“Did it ever strike you that he was one of your persecutors when the -demerits rolled up against you in the earlier part of the year?” - -“I have no evidence that he was.” - -“And in what way have you wronged Clemmons?” - -“I prefer not to speak of what occurred prior to my coming to the -academy, sir.” - -“You admit that there was trouble between you?” - -“Yes, sir, we had some trouble one day.” - -“I desire to hear your statement of it.” - -“It was of little moment, sir; but one day I went up from my home to -B---- to sell a toy ship I had made, to get money needed for my mother, -who was ill. Clemmons and a few of his mates, in a spirit of amusement, -set upon me, and my ship was broken. This angered me, and I used my -fists, and we were arrested.” - -“With what result?” - -“A seaman had taken my part, and he was also arrested by the constable; -but the judge made the lads pay me for my toy ship, and released the -sailor and myself.” - -“I am glad to see, Merrill, that you have told a very modest and -uncompromising story of the affair, for I have here a letter from a -witness, and he is not as lenient toward the lads who assailed you,” -and in a quick glance at a letter which the commandant turned back over -a file to find, Mark saw the name of “Jack Judson.” - -Then the commandant continued: - -“I have received several other letters from your old home, all of -them compromising, but as they were anonymous I simply retain them -for reference, as only a coward will refuse to put his name to an -accusation against one he maligns. You can go to your quarters now, to -await further orders.” - -Mark saluted and departed from headquarters, when the commandant -summoned an orderly and gave him the list of the cadets whose names he -had taken down, ordering their presence before him. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX. THE ALTERNATIVE. - - -So high is the standard of honor among Uncle Sam’s cadets that one’s -word is as good as his bond in all things, and a man who would go wrong -and do a despicable thing is despised and ostracised by his comrades at -once. - -Instances are very rare in naval and military life where an officer -goes wrong, though now and then one does hear that a paymaster, -quartermaster, or commissary has gotten his accounts in a tangle, or -that some officer has been guilty of a “shady transaction” to get out -of debt; but, as I have said, the instances are so rare that when they -do occur they come as a shock upon the whole service, afloat and ashore. - -In the little world, then, at the Naval School, the going wrong of -Barney Breslin was a blow to the cadets which all keenly felt. - -It was like a disgrace upon them all to have one not only be guilty of -theft, but to try and place the dishonor of his act upon a fellow cadet. - -The young sailors gathered about in knots and discussed the affair. - -Not the shadow of a cloud rested upon Mark Merrill, but sympathy was -felt for him that he should have been the victim of the thief. - -Breslin had sent out an explanation of his act after going to his room. - -He had often borrowed the lucky coin and carried it for days, and that -day he had found it on the floor, where Clemmons must have dropped it, -and so had put it in his pocket, intending later to return it. - -Not seeing Clemmons until they had met in the gymnasium, and then -learning about his supposed loss, he had said nothing about having it, -and in a spirit of fun had put it in Merrill’s pocket, intending to -explain the joke, as he called it, after it had been discovered who had -it. - -But Merrill had accused him, Breslin, of being the thief, and so in his -anger he had resented it. - -Such was Barney Breslin’s explanation, as written by him, and read to -the cadets by Scott Clemmons, who was inclined to accept it as the -truth. - -But the cadets were not so lenient as was Scott Clemmons. - -They knew that Breslin had certainly allowed the belief that Mark -Merrill was the thief, and he had offered no explanation then and there -of his conduct. - -They received his lame explanation as that of a man who was drowning -“catching at a straw.” - -They knew that Mark Merrill had reported himself as having struck a -fellow cadet a blow, and that he had doubtless given his reason for so -doing, which they adjudged a good one. - -What the commandant would think remained to be seen. - -The commandant’s orderly had been “seen in the land,” as they, the -cadets, expressed it, and, as a result, certain uniformed gentlemen -from the different classes were seen wending their way toward -headquarters. - -Byrd Bascomb gave his version of the affair in the presence of several -officers of the academy, but with no cadet present other than himself. - -The commandant’s secretary jotted down his testimony. - -Then followed Herbert Nazro’s statement, Dillingham’s, and so on until -all had been heard, and no comment was made in the presence of the -cadets, but the officers were left to discuss the case among themselves. - -In the meanwhile the door of Breslin’s room was closed against all -admission, except the well-known knock of Scott Clemmons. - -That youth returned from making known his roommate’s “explanation” to -find him seated at his study table, writing. - -Breslin was very pale and nervous, and Scott Clemmons wore a painfully -anxious look, too. - -“Well?” said Breslin, as Clemmons entered. - -The latter threw himself into his chair and said: - -“It won’t go.” - -“You read it?” - -“Yes.” - -“What did they say?” - -“Nothing.” - -“That’s good.” - -“That’s bad, for their silence is worse than their chin music.” - -“Have you seen Merrill?” - -“He is in his room under orders.” - -“Well, what am I to do?” - -“Resign, I should say, and at once.” - -“I half thought of it, and, in fact, had written a letter to the -commandant; but then----” - -“What?” - -“My father will not let me come home.” - -“Try your mother.” - -“It will do no good, for the old man runs the house.” - -“There is one thing certain.” - -“What is that?” - -“If you don’t resign, you’ll be dismissed.” - -“Oh, Lord!” - -“If you were not, the cadets would cut you dead, never speak to you -except officially, for they have got a standard of honor here which -only an angel could hope to attain to.” - -“You had better resign, then, too.” - -“Why?” - -“You are no angel.” - -“That’s rather good of you, Breslin; your trouble seems to have -sharpened your wit.” - -“Well, if I resign you ought to do so too, or----” - -“Or what?” - -“I cannot go home.” - -“Try it.” - -“I will, but I know the old man.” - -“Well, if you do not, get work and redeem yourself in his opinion.” - -“I have no money, as you know, so if I go you must go, too, or----” - -“Or what, Breslin?” - -“Or support me,” and there was an ugly look came over the face of the -disgraced cadet. - -“I do not understand,” faltered Scott Clemmons. - -“Then I will make it so clear that you can grasp it. I said that if -I resign you must do the same, or you must support me until I get a -good position, when I can take care of myself. Do you understand now, -Clemmons?” - -It seemed that Scott Clemmons did, for his face turned deadly pale at -the alternative given him by the cadet who now stood at bay. - - - - -CHAPTER XXX. NOT ACCEPTED. - - -Barney Breslin seemed to have turned at bay, for he was no longer the -obsequious toady of Scott Clemmons that he had been. - -What he had said, the alternative he had offered, seemed to have deeply -moved Clemmons, for he now appeared more anxious-faced than did Breslin. - -Thrice he essayed to speak, and each time the words failed him. - -He at last sat almost helpless before the other, wishing him to break -the silence. - -Breslin paced up and down the room now with a calmer mien. - -The man had suddenly become the master. - -What hold he had upon Clemmons he gave no utterance to, but certainly -he had a secret power to thus move the other as he did. - -“Yes, I shall resign. I shall take my resignation over now to the -commandant, for, after all I am tired of study, and I hardly think I -am cut out to be a naval officer. The standard of excellence and honor -are a trifle too high for me to reach--you see I confess it, Clemmons. -So I’ll take a vacation, and as I have only a few dollars, I’ll call -on you for a loan, you know. If you have not a large amount about you, -give me an order upon your father, for I must have money, Clemmons, -yes, I must have money, or----” - -He paused as though hoping that Scott Clemmons would ask: - -“Or what?” - -But Clemmons remained silent, and with a determined look in his face, -Breslin finished his sentence with the words: - -“Or--you go with me, Clemmons.” - -Half an hour after Barney Breslin left his room, and went to the -commandant’s quarters. - -He met an orderly at the door, who said politely: - -“I was just going to seek you, sir, for the commandant wishes to see -you.” - -The next moment Breslin crossed the threshold with a look upon his face -that expressed plainly his thought: “He who enters here leaves Hope -behind.” - -The commandant was there, and so were a number of officers, all wearing -a serious look upon their faces. - -Breslin saluted promptly and awaited the commandant’s pleasure. - -“Mr. Breslin, I sent for you, as an occurrence in the gymnasium to-day -demands a full inquiry,” said the commandant sternly. - -“I was on my way here, sir, when I met your orderly. I am here now, -sir, to make the statement that I was wrong, that what I meant as a -joke proved serious; so serious, in fact, sir, that I hereby tender you -my resignation as a cadet midshipman.” - -All heard the words distinctly, and they were uttered without a tremor, -though the face of the young man was very pale. - -“Mr. Breslin, you will please sit down at that table and write and sign -your explanation of this unfortunate affair.” - -The youth obeyed, writing the same explanation he had sent through -Scott Clemmons to the cadets. - -The commandant read it aloud, and then said: - -“This wholly exonerates Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill, as you intended -it should?” - -“From the charge of taking the luck coin. Yes, sir.” - -“From what else do you infer that he is not exonerated, sir?” sternly -asked the commandant. - -“From the blow he gave me,” almost fiercely answered the youth, whose -revengeful nature was now revealed in his face and words. - -The commandant smiled, while he said: - -“From all accounts, Mr. Breslin, you had better let well enough alone, -and certainly your charge was a just provocation.” - -“I never forget nor forgive an injury, sir,” said the youth in a -pompous manner. - -“Then my decision was a wise one, just arrived at, that you leave the -Naval Academy at once.” - -“And this is an acceptance of my resignation, sir?” - -“On the contrary, Mr. Breslin, I decline to accept your resignation.” - -“I do not quite comprehend you, sir,” faltered the young man. - -“I decline your resignation, Mr. Breslin, to reserve to myself the -right to dismiss you, as you richly deserved. Not only did you pilfer -from the pockets of your room mate, but to hide your theft, your -ignominious crime, you tried to fasten the guilt upon another, a fellow -cadet. Your explanation is an awkward one, a lame one in the extreme, -but it serves to exonerate Mr. Merrill, and to stamp you, under your -own signature, as what you are. I shall at once send my decision to the -Secretary of the Navy for his approval, and for the honor of this Naval -Academy I trust that the affair will not be blazoned abroad over the -land. For your own sake, you had best depart quietly from the academy, -for the charge against you is a most serious one.” - -The stern, indignant manner of the commandant completely cowed the -disgraced youth, and he departed from the presence of his judges with a -crestfallen air. - -Returning to his room he found Scott Clemmons there anxiously pacing -the floor. - -His look questioned Breslin, who dropped into a chair with the words: - -“He refused my resignation.” - -“What?” - -“He dismissed me.” - -“And--and----” - -“That is all,” said Breslin, with a reckless laugh, and Scott Clemmons -gave a deep sigh of relief. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI. A SWIMMING MATCH. - - -Scott Clemmons was not the only one who gave a sigh of relief when it -was known that Barney Breslin had to leave the academy. - -Perhaps, however, the sigh of relief of the other cadets was from a -different motive than that which came from the bosom of Scott Clemmons. - -The decision of the commandant, forwarded by special carrier to -Washington, was promptly approved by the Secretary of the Navy, and -Barney Breslin, awaiting at the hotel in Annapolis, found himself no -longer a cadet. - -Not even Scott Clemmons dared call openly upon him to wish him _bon -voyage_ upon the stormy sea of life upon which he had embarked. - -He left the town under cover of the darkness, and the corps breathed -more freely to know that the black sheep of their flock was gone. - -As though to atone for his unfortunate connection with the accusation -against Mark Merrill, Scott Clemmons had sought out the wronged youth, -and frankly said: - -“I say, Merrill, I’m deuced sorry for all that has happened, I am, ’pon -honor. Breslin was such an awkward lad I felt sorry for him, but I had -no idea that he was crooked, and he deserved even worse than you gave -him. But say, old shipmate, let us bury the hatchet between us and be -friends. We are rivals, I know, for first honors in our class, but -that should not make us foes, and here’s my hand in real friendship.” - -This speech was delivered, for Clemmons was nothing, if not rhetorical, -oratorical and dramatic, in the presence of a dozen fellow cadets. - -He would have considered it as seed sown in barren places, if he had -made his little speech to Mark Merrill alone. - -The cadets present set it down as “very neat,” “deuced clever,” and -“quite the correct thing, you know.” - -But Mark Merrill did not seem in the least impressed. - -He heard Clemmons with a patience and silence that was almost -embarrassing. - -Then, without seeming to see the extended hand, he responded in his -quiet way: - -“Clemmons, what Breslin did he has suffered for, and your seemingly -frank offer of friendship under other circumstances I might appreciate; -but I am no hypocrite, and I will not profess a friendship I do not -feel. I shall treat you with respect, yes, and shall exact the same -treatment from you, but friendship between us is not to be thought of, -as in your heart, you know as well as I do, that it is not sincere.” - -Clemmons felt sorry that he had not gone to Merrill in private, for the -rejection of his proffered friendship cut him to the quick. - -His face flushed, then paled, and he said in a tone of suppressed -feeling: - -“So be it, sir, if you desire it,” and he wheeled on his heel and -walked away. - -The cadets present felt that there was an undercurrent between the -two, a feeling that they were not in touch with, and somehow they -decided that Mark Merrill’s response left him master of the situation, -notwithstanding the very manly _amende honorable_ of Scott Clemmons, -as it had at first seemed to them. - -That Mark was jealous of Clemmons as a rival for honors they did not -for a moment believe. - -He had some secret cause of bitterness against Clemmons, and he was of -too manly a nature to play the hypocrite, they decided. - -Of course the story of the friendly offer by Scott Clemmons and its -rejection by Mark Merrill became known to the whole corps, and finally -reached the ear of the commandant. - -A cadet who happened to be present when the commandant heard the story, -engaged in some work at a table near, told what he had overheard. - -The commandant had said: - -“Merrill was wise; yes, and right, too.” - -The manner in which Mark Merrill had shown himself both a “slugger” -and a wrestler in knocking out and giving a fall to Barney Breslin, -convinced the corps that there was a latent power in the youth that -should not be allowed to lie dormant. - -He had shown himself a most clever gymnast, but always in a modest -way, and when special attention was attracted to him, cadets came to -understand that he was as thorough an athlete as he was a student. - -This became an undisputed fact when the young sailor quietly carried -off the prizes from his class one day for feats of strength, and -captured the gold badge as the “best-drilled man in his company.” - -When the warm days of spring came, a swimming match was arranged among -a score of “champions,” and Mark entered the contest, while, to the -surprise of all, Scott Clemmons went around among his fellows quietly -taking wagers in favor of the sailor lad from Maine. - -The result proved his wisdom, or that he had heard the stories told of -the “boy fish,” as the lad had been called at home, for as far as Mark -was concerned, it was no race, as he swam nearly half the time under -water, rounded the turning stake and came back home at an easy stroke, -distancing all the others. - -Scott Clemmons smiled blandly, and said to his chum, Harbor Driggs: - -“I told you to go on Merrill.” - -“Yes, but Ferd Randall was in the race, and----” - -“He was not in the race with Merrill, as you now know. I tell you the -fellow is a wonder in the water, and the surgeon said he must have a -double pair of lungs.” - -“He certainly played with Ferd Randall.” - -“He did not show what he could do. Why, at home they called him the -‘boy fish.’” - -“Say, Clemmons,” said Ferd Randall suddenly. - -“Well?” - -“I wonder if he’s going to do the same way in his class at examination?” - -“No, for I am in the class, you know,” was the conceited response. - -“That’s so, I hadn’t thought of that,” replied Randall, and Clemmons -wondered if he was in earnest or sarcastic. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII. THE “WATER WIZARD.” - - -Following the swimming races came rowing and sailing matches and -the fourth class pair of sculls, and four and eight barges, had the -temerity to offer a challenge, open to all. - -They promptly found acceptances, in other classes, and it was found -that Mark Merrill was one of a pair of scullers, and held a seat in the -four and eight-oared barges, while he was also matched for an open to -all in single sculls. - -“No need of betting against Merrill in single sculls, for he is a -fisherman, you know, and rowed in the surf from boyhood,” said Scott -Clemmons with a sneer. - -“You intend to bet on him, then, Clemmons?” asked Byrd Bascomb. - -“Of course I do, for I know what the fellow could do in a swimming -match, and he is just as good with oars.” - -The day of the races for the championship came round and the -eight-oared barge was ahead, but crowded by its nearest rival, when -Mark’s oar snapped, and they were passed. - -But he seized the oar of one of the men who had weakened, and they came -in second amid tremendous cheers. - -All had to admit, but for the breaking of Merrill’s oar, his boat would -have led to the finish. - -In the double-scull race Bemis Perry, his roommate, was his partner, -and, coached by Mark, the youth had become a strong and skillful -oarsman. - -They dropped astern at the start, but pushed their three rivals hard -apace, which began to tell in the end, and nearing the finish they -slipped by, first one, then the other, and at last left the first-class -men astern, winning by a strong and steady stroke. - -The following day the race came off for single sculls, and it was a -foregone conclusion that Mark Merrill would win. - -When the word was given to go, Mark seemed not to hear it, but the -others started off like arrows. - -Bemis Perry, Nazro, Dillingham, Clemmons, Ferd Randall, and half a -dozen more were in the race, and they all started in a bunch, all -except Mark. - -At last he started, crossing the line just in the nick of time to -prevent being ruled out, and then seeming as though willing to give up -as the others had such a long lead. - -“I’ll bet my hat he’s jockeying,” cried Bascomb, and as he spoke Mark’s -oars went down with a mighty sweep, and his boat clove the waters like -a knife. - -Randall was soon picked up, then came Neil Carroll, Harbor Driggs, -Frank Latrobe, and the rear contingent were dropped astern. - -A second squadron was just ahead, and in it were Nazro, Dillingham, -Swamsey, and Denton. - -They were at the turning-stake and Mark Merrill swept out beyond them, -giving them ample room. - -But when they settled for the pull home it was seen that he had them -astern, and he was rowing well, with long, tremendous strokes that did -not seem to distress him. Ahead of him were three scullers, McNulty, -the champion of the year before, with Bemis Perry and Scott Clemmons -leading him by a length. - -Clemmons was gradually drawing ahead of Perry, but so slowly as to -be almost imperceptible, and all had their eyes upon the tremendous -strokes of the racer coming on astern. - -The excitement now grew intense ashore as Mark was seen to draw up even -with McNulty. - -“He can never catch the leaders,” yelled Bascomb. - -“That boy is a wizard with the oars,” said a professor. - -Then all saw Mark deliberately rest his oars a second, raise his -skull-cap to McNulty, and then shoot on toward the leaders. - -Such a yell as went up ashore made the buildings ring. - -Ahead Perry and Clemmons were struggling manfully, the latter bending -every energy to defeat Merrill, whom he now had come to fear, for that -raising of his cap to McNulty showed that he had confidence in his -power to win. - -On they swept, Clemmons leading Perry half a length and Merrill three -lengths behind the latter. - -The finish was yet a third of a mile away, and the pace was terrific, -for all realized that Mark Merrill had taken tremendous chances for -losing by his play at the start, for every one now knew that he had -been purposely playing. - -Nearer came the goal, and Perry still held his place on Clemmons’ -quarter. - -But Mark had lessened the daylight between them until he was but a -length astern. - -“He is dropping back!” yelled Bascomb. - -But no, he was only drawing off to one side to get good passing room, -for he did not like to pass too near Scott Clemmons. He did lose half a -length by this, but he had a clear reach ahead of him. - -Ashore the excitement was dreadful, the suspense painful. - -“Can mortal man do it?” was the question on every lip. - -The rear scullers had stopped rowing, and were watching the race. - -There were three prizes, and the three men ahead, Clemmons, Perry and -Merrill, in the order named, could never be overhauled. - -The others were not in the race, even McNulty knew this. - -The fourth class was winning the day, no matter who held first at the -finish of that superb trio. - -With a grand spurt Mark Merrill leveled himself with Perry, and a yell -burst from every lip, as that same performance was repeated--Mark -raised his cap to Perry. - -Only a couple of hundred yards away was the finish. Could he win it? - -Clemmons was pulling forty strokes to the minute, long, telling strokes -they were, too, and the goal was near. - -Merrill was upon his quarter, then abreast, then his sharp prow shot -ahead amid the wildest enthusiasm, while suddenly as though to show he -knew his strength and speed far better than all others he got daylight -between his rival so well that he sped like an arrow across his bows, -and with a quick turn again fairly threw himself over the line, while -the fact that Bemis Perry had suddenly forged a quarter of a length -ahead of Clemmons and came in second, was hardly noticed in the -pandemonium that followed the triumph of the “water wizard.” - -[Illustration: “Mark Merrill crossed the line a winner.” (See page -132)] - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII. “HONORS EASY.” - - -The wild applause which greeted Mark Merrill as the boat race ended -with his shooting across the finish a length in advance of Bemis Perry, -who was a quarter of his boat ahead of Scott Clemmons, lasted for some -time. - -At last the cadets got the victor upon their shoulders and carried him -around in spite of his great desire to hide himself from the furore his -wonderful endurance and phenomenal speed had created. - -“Every record broken!” cried one. - -“He is a marvel!” - -“Why, he played with Clemmons!” - -“He rows as he swims!” - -“The fourth class has bagged the prizes this time.” - -“Look out now that Merrill does not have honors easy in the classrooms.” - -Such were the expressions heard upon every side as the enthusiastic -cadets roamed about, talking over the race. - -As for Bemis Perry, he accepted the congratulations in his quiet way, -and remarked: - -“I knew that Merrill would win, for you know I have rowed often with -him; but I feared he was playing too much after we got started. - -“He said to me that I would beat Clemmons, and I did, I am glad to say; -but Merrill is a wonder.” - -“He is, indeed,” chimed in McNulty. - -“He said as he passed me: - -“‘Pardon me, McNulty, but I wish to catch up with the procession.’” - -“And he did,” said Bascomb. - -“The trouble was the procession did not keep up with the music Merrill -played; the time was too rapid,” Herbert Nazro said. - -“How it cuts Clemmons.” - -“Yes, he feels his defeat more keenly than Merrill enjoys his -victory--here comes Clemmons now.” - -And Clemmons walked up, his face flushed from exercise, and a look in -his sunken eyes as of an overworked man. - -“Well, Clemmons, you got one of the prizes,” said Byrd Bascomb. - -“Give it to McNulty, for I take only first prize or none,” was the -ill-tempered response. - -Bascomb’s face flushed, and he said: - -“You would have won if it had not been for one thing, Clemmons.” - -“What was that?” eagerly asked Scott Clemmons, catching at a straw of -hope. - -“You did not row fast enough.” - -A laugh followed this, and Clemmons responded: - -“Merrill crossed my bow and kept me back.” - -“He did nothing of the kind.” - -“He did not cross my bow?” - -“Yes, he did that, and he gave you plenty of water, as every man here -will testify. The act was against him, not you, for it retarded him; -yet he recovered his speed and landed ahead of you. He crossed Perry’s -bow also, and yet he makes no such claim as a foul.” - -“I’ll admit he is a wonderful oarsman, and I said so before the race; -but still I hoped to beat him.” - -“You are also a superb oarsman, Clemmons, as is Perry, McNulty, and -others, but Merrill is a wonder, for he came in the freshest man of the -lot.” - -“He ought to row fast and long, for he is a fisherman,” growled -Clemmons. - -“Was, my friend, not is; for he is now a cadet and a gentleman, as all -are supposed to be, though now and then we catch a black sheep in the -fold, like your roommate, Breslin,” and Byrd Bascomb walked away after -delivering this shot, for all knew how sensitive Clemmons was about his -former friend, Barney Breslin. - -Seeing that his ill-natured remarks about Mark’s splendid victory would -meet only with rebuke, Scott Clemmons said: - -“Well, I must give in that he is physically my superior; but there are -three things I will have a chance to get even with him on.” - -“What are they?” asked Herbert Nazro, in an interested manner. - -“Swordsmanship, pistol practice and the mental examinations.” - -“Well, we will see,” was the reply of Nazro, and as he walked away with -Dillingham he said: - -“I would not be surprised if Clemmons did carry off the honors of his -class at examination, and he has the name of being a dead shot and -splendid hand with the sword.” - -The boat race was the talk of the cadets for some days, and then the -shadows of the final struggle for mental supremacy occupied every mind. - -The time was near at hand when the classes were to face the dread -ordeal of examination, and the cadets were busy “boning” at every -chance they got. - -There was a certain reserve force in Mark Merrill which caused his -rivals to fear him. - -He had never been boastful about his strength and powers as an athlete, -yet when put to the test he easily took first place. - -He had told no tales of the superb power he possessed as a swimmer, and -yet when matched in a race showed what he could do. - -It was the same in a boat race, for though he had a fine, strong -stroke, he only drew upon his hidden powers when victory demanded it. - -In his class he stood well in his studies, always knew his lessons, no -more; but would he not surprise all when it came to the tug of war? - -At last the time came round for this much mooted question to be -answered, and when the honor man of the fourth class was called upon to -come to the front, his name was Mark Merrill. - -“I told you so! it was honors easy for Merrill,” Byrd Bascomb had -muttered to Nazro, who whispered: - -“Look at Clemmons.” - -Opposite the name of Scott Clemmons stood “Number Two;” but the look -upon his face was such as a man might wear who had dropped from hope to -despair. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIV. A LETTER FROM HOME. - - -Mark Merrill had passed his first year in his fight for fame, and he -had won against every obstacle placed in his path. - -The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services -rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery -of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had -cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers. - -It had held firm, and he had been landed as the master mind of his -class. - -Thanks to a splendid physique he had passed the surgeon, and his -gratitude went out whole-souled to his noble mother, because her -teachings had enabled him to know sufficient of books to enter upon his -career as a cadet. - -Thanks to his splendid training as a sailor, a fisher lad, and -mail-carrier in the roughest weather, he had the constitution, training -and endurance to face every hardship, and thus had won victory in -sports as well as in the study hall. - -He possessed a soul too proud to fail after what the Honorable -Secretary of the Navy had done for him, and the encouragement given him -by Commodore Lucien. - -To that officer he had written, returning the money he had paid for -his “outfit,” and received a kind, encouraging letter in return. - -Though confident that the commandant, and other officers of the -academy, were his firm friends, he had been most cautious never to -abuse that friendship. - -He had fought his way unaided, and he believed that he had won the -respect and friendship of his comrades, or most of them, against every -slur cast upon him, every innuendo, every prophecy of failure. - -Warmly came the congratulations of the cadets upon his success, and -going to his room with a happy heart, he found there Bemis Perry, who -said warmly as he entered: - -“Old man, you knocked Clemmons clean over the ropes, and the Lord bless -you for it. I just heard him say that next year would tell a different -story, so you know what is before you. He is a bad man on even terms.” - -“Yes, he’s a dangerous rival, I admit; but being forewarned is -forearmed. Perry and I thank you for the hint. Clemmons did splendidly, -and I congratulate you upon your standing number three--make it number -two next time, for I intend to be number one.” - -“Well, Merrill, that is the first boast I ever heard from your lips; -but I’ll keep it dark and book it for future reference.” - -“Do so,” said Mark with a laugh. - -“Ah! I nearly forgot to tell you that I receipted for three express -packages for you and put them in your wardrobe.” - -“Three express packages for me?” asked Mark, with surprise. - -“Yes, you will find them here,” and Bemis Perry opened the wardrobe. - -One was a box, a foot square, and marked: - - “VALUABLE. - - “CADET MIDSHIPMAN MARK MERRILL.” - -The second was a small package also, bearing a value mark, while the -third was a money envelope addressed in a graceful feminine hand which -caused Mark to exclaim: - -“This is from my dear, good mother.” - -He broke the seal, and within found a letter and one hundred dollars. - -The letter he hastily read. It was as follows: - - “CLIFF CASTLE, Thursday. - - “MY OWN DEAR SON: I have had you in my mind ever since your last - letter informing me of your triumphs in the sports allowed at the - academy, and your determination to win the first honors of your - class, though, as you state, young Clemmons, of B----, may be a - dangerous rival. - - “I fear that you will study too hard and make yourself ill, for well - I know your determined nature to stop at no obstacle. My anxiety is - such that I wish you to telegraph me of your health the moment you - receive this, for I express my letter from B----, and have arranged - to have your message sent to me as soon as it arrives. I shall be in - suspense until I hear from you. I send herewith one hundred dollars, - knowing that you will have use for money, now that your first year is - about ending, and I can readily spare it, as your venture with your - schooner has turned out most substantially, as I hinted in a former - letter. - - “Captain Crane is as honest as the day is long, and has paid me from - the earnings of the schooner during the past year twelve hundred - dollars as my share, and as the expenses of Peggy and myself are so - modest, one-third the sum supplies our wants. Then, too, I have not - had to touch the amount in bank, which you sent to me from the cruise - to Norfolk, so, you see you can afford to use the money I send you. - I have subscribed for a New York daily and anxiously read in it - all naval news, so you see you are ever in my mind, my dear son. I - suppose you will go upon a cruise for the summer, and I hope it will - greatly benefit you after your year of hard study, also giving you a - chance to see something of the world. - - “Next year I shall try and pay you a visit. My health is excellent - and Peggy is positively getting fat. Captain Crane and his boys - always ask about you. I had no idea how many warm friends you had - in B---- until I came here to-day. I am writing this letter at the - hotel, and Miss Virgene, who is a lovely girl, asks me to send her - best wishes and regards.” - -There was a little more about home affairs and then Mark sprang to his -feet. - -“Perry, I must go and telegraph to my mother, as she fears I am ill, so -open those other two packages for me, please.” - -Then Mark hastened out of the room, obtained leave, and sent the -following dispatch: - - “Letter received with money. Many thanks for your kindness. Am in - perfect health. Stood Number One in my class. Regards to Peggy. With - love. - - “MARK.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXXV. THE MIDSHIPMAN’S REVERIE. - - -Having telegraphed his mother as requested, Mark Merrill made his way -back to the academy. - -If he had sought for an opportunity to show his popularity it could not -have come to him any better, for at the telegraph office the operator -who read his message said, pleasantly: - -“Permit me to congratulate you, Mr. Merrill, upon your success.” - -The sergeant, at the entrance to the academy grounds also had a polite -and pleasant congratulation for him, as did several of the officer’s -wives whom he met, while a group of cadets, as he went by, gave him a -salute and a hurrah. - -Returning to his room he was greeted with a shout of delight from Bemis -Perry. - -“Old man, you are a lucky dog! Behold!” - -Upon the table before him lay a handsome watch and chain. - -Upon one side of the watch was engraved a yacht scudding along in a -storm, and at her helm a bareheaded, barefooted boy. - -The engraving was certainly most artistically done, while beneath were -the words: - - “A BOY PILOT OUR ONLY HOPE.” - -Upon the other side of the watch was engraved the following: - - “PRESENTED TO - CADET MIDSHIPMAN MARK MERRILL, - as a souvenir of his heroism in risking his own life to - save others from death.” - -Below was the date of the saving of the yacht Midshipman, and the name -of the Secretary of the Navy. - -“There’s something for your grandchildren to be proud of, Merrill,” -cried Bemis Perry. - -“Yes, I am proud of it myself; but it is more than I deserve, Perry, -as I did not risk my life, you know, for I could have swam back to -the shore if I found I could not have reached the yacht, and I got my -reward in my appointment here; but here is a card,” and Mark read aloud: - -“Since your entrance to the Naval Academy my eye has been upon you, my -young friend, and I congratulate you upon your success, and beg your -acceptance of the accompanying as a token of my appreciation of the -debt of gratitude I owe you.” - -“Most neatly expressed, Merrill; but now look here,” and Perry took -from the box a superb, gold-mounted sea-glass. - -“How beautiful!” exclaimed Mark, as he had just put his watch and chain -in place. - -“The commodore has got his eye on you, too, Merrill,” said Perry, with -a laugh, as he pointed to what was engraved on the glasses: - - “PRESENTED AS A TRIBUTE TO TRUE COURAGE - TO - CADET MIDSHIPMAN MARK MERRILL, - FROM - DAVID LUCIEN, COMMODORE U. S. NAVY.” - -Mark Merrill was deeply moved by these expressions of gratitude and -good will from such men as were the donors of the magnificent gifts to -him. - -He walked to the window of his room, glass in hand, and stood gazing -listlessly out upon the scene before him. - -It was no dream, as he had often feared, for before him was the ocular -demonstration of the fact that he was a naval cadet in the service of -his country. - -His thoughts went back to little more than a year, when in his little -surf-skiff he was carrying the mail through sunshine and storm along -the rugged coast. - -Just then Scott Clemmons passed before him, and he recalled the change -since that meeting at B----, when his toy ship had been broken. - -Then Clemmons, the son of a rich man, coming of a family of -aristocrats, had seemed to tower far above him. - -But to-day how different, for Clemmons was his vanquished rival. - -Then he was, as his rival had so often said, a poor fisher lad, unknown -to all except the few who admired his pluck as a young sailor. - -Now he stood here a victor, honored by his commanders and comrades, the -recipient of costly gifts from the head of the navy, and one high in -rank. - -Then, little over a year before he was poor, his mother with scarcely -the money to buy medicine, and now she had sent him money and had -plenty remaining--what seemed a small fortune to her and to him, for -he was economical, though not mean, and not a dollar of his pay had he -squandered. - -The past was behind him, the future opened brightly before him. - -Three more years[1] and he would win his fight for fame, if all went -well. - -He had vowed to win, and that vow must be kept, come what might, -against all odds. - -“Only death shall conquer me!” broke sternly from his lips, as the -midshipman finished his reverie and turned again toward his roommate, -whose very presence he had forgotten. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[1] Before the making of the term six years at the Naval Academy. The -AUTHOR. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVI. THE FIRST CRUISE. - - -At last the active days of preparation had passed, the stormy scenes of -hope and despair for the graduates and those striving to stand at the -head of their classes had gone, and a calm had fallen upon the Naval -School. - -A restful lull was upon all. - -The graduates, those who had become full-fledged officers, had gone off -on their short leave to their homes, to receive the congratulations of -kindred and friends, to enjoy a rest before returning to report for -stern duty afloat. - -They had stepped from light-hearted boyhood with all its joys, across -the threshold of manhood with all its cares and ambitions. - -The first class and the third were busy preparing for the annual -cruise, the remainder of the cadets were to stay behind and while the -time away as best they could between duty and the freedom allowed them. - -Not as toy sailors were the cadets to go to sea, but in the capacity of -ordinary seamen. - -Theirs was to be the duty of sailors before the mast, and they were to -be drilled and disciplined in all their duties as such. - -If they were to command men they must learn the duties of those they -were to order aloft, and, learning to obey to perfection, they could -the better learn to thoroughly command. - -Of course, having stepped up a grade and entered upon a higher plane of -study and work, Mark Merrill was to go on the sea cruise. - -Then, too, Scott Clemmons, Bemis Perry, and the others of his grade -were to go with him, along with the men who had stepped into the places -of those who had emerged from the embryo state of the cadet into the -reality of the officer. - -An old vessel of war of full rig, without steam, and sail only as a -propelling power, a ship with a record away back two generations, was -the craft that was to become the sea school of the young sailors. - -They sailed in joyous spirits, all anxious to rove the deep blue sea. - - “With a wet sheet, - And a flowing sea, - And a wind that follows fast.” - -Mark Merrill was now like one in his true element. - -He had been literally born upon the ocean, and from his earliest -remembrance had known how to row and sail a boat, to swim and face the -ocean in sunshine and tempest. - -All his companions could see that Mark’s learning aboard ship had -come from stern experience rather than teaching, and here, too, -Scott Clemmons felt his inferiority, and it but added another cup of -bitterness to the draught he was forced daily to swallow, for still did -the “poor fisher lad” prove his right to be his master. - -The voyage had been mapped out for the cadet cruiser, and after a run -down the beautiful Chesapeake she rounded the capes, and began to roll -upon the blue waters of the Atlantic. - -Her first port was to be New York, and thither all letters had been -ordered to meet her, while many of the relatives and friends of the -young sea-rovers were there assembled to meet them and wish them a _bon -voyage_ upon their cruise across the seas. - -Hardly had the anchor been let fall in the North River when a boat with -one oarsman came off bearing a visitor. - -“Merrill, take an observation of that fellow and see if it is not -Barney Breslin,” said Bemis Perry, pointing to the occupant of the boat. - -“It certainly is; but can he be coming aboard here?” asked Mark in -surprise. - -“He is; but if there’s a man aboard who speaks to him he ought to be -given the cut direct.” - -Mark said nothing, and soon after the boat was hailed by the officer of -the deck. - -“I have letters for Cadet Scott Clemmons, and it is important for him -to receive them at once,” was the answer to the hail. - -“Ay, ay, come alongside,” was the response of the officer of the deck, -as the boat ran up to the gangway. - -The next moment Barney Breslin stepped on board, and was in the -presence of those who had been his companions at the Naval School, face -to face with those who had known him as a thief. - -His face was flushed, but it seemed rather from the effects of drink -than from shame, for his whole appearance indicated that he led a -dissipated life. - -His dress was of the shabby genteel, and those who knew something of -his antecedents felt convinced that his father had not taken him back -into the bosom of the family, or else, as the son of a rich man, why -was he looking so very seedy? - -Scott Clemmons was below aiding the commander in some work at the time -he was sent for, and he was excused to go on deck and meet his visitor. - -Who that visitor was he had not the remotest idea, and it flashed -through his mind that it might be his paternal ancestor. - -Bemis Perry was not one to let him off without a shot, so said: - -“Clemmons, your old friend Barney Breslin has called upon you, and from -his looks I guess he wants a loan.” - -The face of Scott Clemmons flushed scarlet, and the blood, as quickly -retreating, left it as white as a corpse. - -There stood Breslin, calmly gazing about the vessel, with no show of -emotion at the awkward predicament he had placed himself in. - -He had spoken to two cadets near him, calling them by name, and -addressing them in the free and easy manner of an old friendship. - -One of them was Bemis Perry, and he looked him squarely in the face as -he said: - -“By what right, sir, do you dare to address a gentleman?” - -With this he walked away and met Clemmons as he came on deck. - -Decatur Knowles, the other cadet to whom Breslin had spoken, simply cut -him dead in silence, and walked away. - -Just then, as Breslin, not in the least abashed, for he gave a low, -defiant laugh, turned and glanced over the ship, Scott Clemmons came on -deck and started toward him, but all saw with no joy at beholding him. - -Breslin said as he saw him: - -“Ah, Clemmons, old boy, how are you?” - -He held out his hand, but without taking it, Clemmons responded in a -low voice, quivering with anger, but which several overheard: - -“Why have you dared come here and ask for me?” - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVII. THE DEMAND. - - -In answer to the hail of the officer of the deck Barney Breslin had -asserted that he had important letters for Scott Clemmons, and so had -come on board. - -His speaking to Bemis Perry and his rebuff, his cut by Decatur Knowles, -and the fact that a score of middies took it into their heads to pass -near him and make no acknowledgment of his existence, did not appear to -distress him in the least. - -“He has the gall of a book agent,” muttered a cadet, in reference to -him. - -“The cheek of a Chinese idol,” another remarked. - -“I pity him that he has fallen so low,” Mark Merrill commented, for it -did distress him to see one who had once had the same opportunity they -all had of making a name for himself throw it away as he had done. - -“Your heart is softer than your fist, Merrill,” Dillingham returned -with a smile. - -“Hard as you can hit, Merrill, I do not believe you could bruise that -fellow’s cheek,” said Nazro. - -Though not wishing to appear to watch his meeting with Clemmons, all -eyes turned surreptitiously upon the two, and several who were nearest -heard the very decidedly uttered words of the cadet midshipman as to -why the disgraced youth had dared visit him aboard ship. - -But Breslin did not seem in the least disconcerted, nor did he make -an effort to hand over the “important letters,” which he had said he -brought with him. - -He simply dropped his outstretched hand, which Clemmons failed to take, -and while his eyes flashed with anger, replied: - -“Ah! you, too, do not care to recognize me, Clemmons; but I guess that -you will have to do so, for I came to see you and am not to be snubbed.” - -“I was told I had a visitor, but had I known that it was you, Breslin, -I would not have seen you.” - -“Indeed! but suppose I had insisted?” - -“Come, say why you have come here, where not a man will recognize you.” - -“True; but what do I care for the recognition of my foes so long as my -dear friend Clemmons recognizes me.” - -“Will you tell me why you are here, for I am busy in the captain’s -cabin?” - -“If you cannot find time to see me here, appoint an hour ashore, for it -is important.” - -“It will be impossible for me to see you, Breslin.” - -“See here, Clemmons, I wish to see you upon a matter of importance, I -tell you.” - -“I cannot tell when I will come ashore.” - -“Then I will appoint to-night at eight o’clock, at the Astor House.” - -“I cannot be there.” - -“Very well, I shall take a trip to Maine to-morrow, if you do not come.” - -“What do I care where you go?” - -“I believe you live in Maine.” - -“I am a sailor, sir, my home being aboard ship.” - -“Ah! grandiloquently said, my sea cub, my baby tar, who is not yet out -of Uncle Sam’s nursery for middies. You do not live in Maine now?” - -“No, sir.” - -“Your father does.” - -“Well?” - -“I shall go there to see him.” - -Scott Clemmons started, and asked quickly: - -“And why?” - -“Because I can get no satisfaction from you.” - -“What do you wish from my father?” - -“What I desire is from his son. I am poor, very poor, and in distress, -as I wrote you, and which letter, with several others, you did not -favor with a response. But I know you got the last, for I sent it to -your town in Maine to be registered, and I got the return card with -your name on it as having received it. You thought it was a money -package from home, and found it was a letter from your old chum whom -you have treated so badly. I told you that my parents had refused to -receive me at first, but relented, and I was given a chance; but I lost -heavily in gambling one night, so got money to pay the debt by using -my father’s name, which is the same as my own, you know, only I forgot -to mention on the check that I was my paternal’s junior, you know, and -this little discrepancy got me fired out of the home circle. Luck is -against me now, I’m down at the heels, and must have money, so I came -to my rich friend and bygone chum, Scott Clemmons. I’ll be at the Astor -House at eight o’clock, and if you are not there I’ll be there again -at the same hour in the morning. Then if I miss you I’ll start for -Maine, and have a talk with Clemmons, senior--ta-ta, Scotty--tra la-la, -dear boy,” and Barney Breslin made a mock salute and turned toward the -gangway. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVIII. KEEPING AN APPOINTMENT. - - -Scott Clemmons did not even walk to the gangway with his visitor. - -He saw him depart, and then walked aft to where a group of cadets stood. - -He knew he would have to face the music, so he decided to meet the -onslaught at once. - -“I say, Clemmons, who was your seedy friend?” asked one. - -“What a loud suit he wears.” - -“Yes, he is as striped as a zebra.” - -“But the stripes run up and down.” - -“True, and it makes a heap of difference to a man which way he wears -his stripes.” - -“If I recognized the gentleman aright his home should be an institution -where the stripes should run round him,” said Perry. - -“You are right, Perry; for, as you all know, doubtless, the fellow was -my old chum, Barney Breslin,” remarked Clemmons. - -“Why did he not give you the letters he had for you?” - -“What letters?” - -“He answered the hail of the officer of the deck with the remark that -he had most important letters for you.” - -“Indeed! he said nothing to me about them. In truth, that was a mere -excuse to get aboard, for he came to borrow money.” - -“Ah! he had cheek to come here, and to get any money was worse.” - -“You don’t owe him any money, do you, Clemmons?” innocently said one of -the cadets. - -“Owe him? I only wish I had what he owes me; but he came and asked me -for a loan, and I guess he has gone to the bad utterly, for his father -has cast him off, he told me.” - -“I didn’t see you lend him any.” - -“No, and I told him never to cross my path again,” and with this -Clemmons returned to his work in the captain’s cabin. - -Later a number of midshipmen were given leave ashore, and Scott -Clemmons was among them. So, too, were Mark Merrill and Bemis Perry. - -The latter two went off for a sight-seeing expedition alone, and a -group of cadets also started on a “voyage of discovery” together. - -But Scott Clemmons separated from all the others, saying that he had -friends to visit, and punctually at eight o’clock he entered the Astor -House, the place of his appointment with Barney Breslin. - -New York is a large city, but yet people who are friends will run upon -each other there in a most unaccountable manner. Two cadets were seated -in the gentlemen’s parlor and saw Clemmons when he came along the hall. - -A moment after they saw him joined by Barney Breslin, and the two, -after some parley, entered the dining room together. - -“Well, that looks friendly, Merrill.” - -“It certainly does, Perry,” was the answer. - -The appointment had been as faithfully kept by Barney Breslin as by -Scott Clemmons. - -“Well, I have come,” said the latter. - -“You are wise,” was the reply. - -“What is it, now that I am here?” - -“I am hungry, and cannot talk upon an empty stomach. Come, let us have -some dinner, and over it we can come to some understanding.” - -Clemmons frowned, but replied: - -“Do I understand that this is an invitation for me to dine with you?” - -“On the contrary, I am to dine with you, for I have not a dollar to my -name.” - -“Well, as this is to be our last meeting, Breslin, I will honor you.” - -They entered the dining room together, and a good dinner with wine was -ordered. - -“Now, what do you wish to say, Breslin?” asked Scott Clemmons, an hour -after the dinner had been dispatched, Breslin eating with a degree -of relish that showed he was, indeed, hungry, while Clemmons ate -sparingly, seeming nervous and ill at ease. - -“I wish to go West and grow up with the country, or go to South America -and get a berth there, and I need just one thousand dollars to go -with,” said Breslin, rendered bolder by the wine he had drank. - -“Won’t your father give it to you?” - -“Not a dollar.” - -“Then I cannot see how you’ll get there.” - -“I can.” - -“How?” - -“You will give it to me,” was the almost threatening response. - -“You were never more mistaken in your life.” - -“Am I?” - -“You are.” - -“Then there is no need of further talk, for I can work my way to B----, -and hold an interview with your father, who I believe will think it a -small sum to stand between his son and----” - -“He will not give you a cent.” - -“Then I shall work my way back to Baltimore, tramp it, or beat the -railroad, to Annapolis and see the commandant of the Naval Academy, and -when I have had my interview with him somebody will find that they have -made a mistake--that is all,” and Breslin arose to go. - -“Hold, Breslin, and be reasonable. Now I know you can make charges -which you could not sustain; but I wish to avoid a suspicion, and I’ll -give you all the money I have, but I cannot raise a thousand dollars.” - -“How much have you?” - -“Well, both of my parents have been liberal, as I was going upon a -foreign cruise, and I have some six hundred dollars.” - -“I’ll take it, so hand it over.” - -“You are to give me a written pledge never to cross my path again.” - -“Of course.” - -Pen, ink and paper were sent for, the written pledge was given, the -money handed over, and paying the shot for the dinner, the two left -the hotel to come face to face upon Mark Merrill and Bemis Perry, who -were just about to enter and have dinner together, having taken another -stroll after seeing Clemmons and his companion enter the dining room, -as they did not wish to be seen by them. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIX. THE TELL TALE PAPER. - - -With six hundred dollars in his pocket, and made so easily, and a -bottle of wine beneath his vest, Barney Breslin was feeling in a mood -to be reckless. - -He stopped short upon seeing Mark Merrill, stepping directly in front -of him, and in a very determined way. - -As for Scott Clemmons his face flushed with shame at being seen with -Breslin, after what he had said aboard ship, and he would have passed -on. - -So also would Merrill and Perry, but Breslin was not thus inclined. - -He had been in so many scrapes since the one that disgraced him from -the Naval Academy that he had forgotten his affair with Mark, more than -to recall that he had some cause of hatred against him. - -“I say, Merrill, do you intend to cut me, or do you fail to recognize -me?” he asked, in an insolent manner. - -“I recognize you, yes, Breslin, and I desire to cut you utterly,” was -the cool response. - -“Then take that.” - -A vicious blow was aimed, but it was cleverly turned, while the fist of -Mark Merrill caught Breslin squarely between the eyes, and sent him to -the floor. - -[Illustration: “Mark cleverly avoided Breslin’s attack, and with a -well-directed blow sent him to the floor.” (See page 156)] - -A crowd sprang toward the spot, and when Breslin arose he shouted: - -“Arrest that fellow for assault!” - -Mark Merrill was not to be seen. He had been quickly drawn aside by -Bemis Perry. - -A policeman, hearing that “a cadet had knocked the gentleman down,” at -once seized Scott Clemmons against his earnest protests. - -But from this predicament Breslin released him, by coming to his rescue -with the words: - -“You are wrong, officer, that is not the man. But I will show you the -man.” - -“No, I’d not arrest any one on your charge, Breslin, for I know you -now, and you doubtless insulted the one who knocked you down,” and, -turning to Clemmons, he continued: - -“You, sir, doubtless do not know this man, so I warn you against him as -a barroom loafer and dead beat generally, who fleeces all strangers he -can pick up.” - -With this the officer walked off, while Scott Clemmons felt as though -he would like to sink into the floor to hide himself, especially as he -caught sight of a cadet uniform vanishing from the crowd. - -So he skulked away, as under the words of the officer Breslin had -quickly vanished. - -In the meantime Mark and Perry had gone into the dining room, and by a -strange coincidence took a seat at the same table where Clemmons and -Breslin had had dinner together. - -“I beg pardon, sir, but are you from the cruising ship now in port?” -asked the waiter. - -“We are, and we wish the best dinner you can give two fresh young -salts,” said Perry. - -“I’ll give you a good dinner, sir; but the two gentlemen who were here -awhile since, one of them wearing a uniform like yours, left this -paper. I just picked it up as you came in.” - -Perry took the paper and said, after glancing at it: - -“I will deliver it to the gentleman whose name is here, for he is on -our ship. Now, my man, we are hungry, so do your best,” and a liberal -fee was slipped into the hand of the waiter. - -“Oh, thank you, sir; but what wines will you drink?” - -“We will not take wine, my man.” - -The waiter disappeared with a look of surprise upon his face that any -one in uniform ate dinner and drank no wine. - -“See here, Merrill, I am going to do perhaps a mean thing, but I am -curious to know a few things, and I shall question that waiter.” - -“What do you wish to know, Perry?” - -“What he can tell me about Clemmons and Breslin, for he took an -inkstand, paper and pen off this table as we came up, and here is the -paper which the waiter picked up--see!” - -He held the piece of paper up, and Mark said: - -“If it is Clemmons’, give it to him.” - -“It does belong to Clemmons.” - -“Then neither of us have a right to read it.” - -“Pardon me, but I read it at a glance, and as it is but a few lines I -will read it to you, as I am sure it concerns you.” - -“Concerns me?” - -Without reply Bemis Perry read aloud: - -“In consideration of the sum of six hundred dollars, received from -Scott Clemmons, I hereby pledge myself to never cross his path again, -and to make no further demand upon him for money.” - -“Well, what do you think of that, Merrill?” - -“It would seem that Breslin holds some claim upon Clemmons; but it is -none of our affair.” - -“I think it is.” - -“How do you mean?” - -“I believe that the wrong man was dismissed from the academy, that -Breslin was simply the tool of Scott Clemmons,” was the startling reply -of the young South Carolinian. - -Mark fairly started at this, and yet made no response, while Perry -continued: - -“Now I shall return this paper to Clemmons, and I shall question this -waiter to please myself, and then I shall keep my eye upon that young -man from Maine, see if I do not, and if he means mischief toward you I -will play the same game.” - -Mark still remained silent. - -Whatever he might think of Scott Clemmons’ conduct toward him he did -not wish others to suspect him of treachery, and he was really sorry -that the paper had been found. - -But he knew that Bemis Perry was circumspect, and would not act without -discretion. - -When the waiter returned Perry gave him another fee, praised the -dinner, and questioned him closely about the two others who had dined -at the table before them. - -Mark listened in silence to all that was said, and as they walked away -Bemis Perry remarked: - -“I am right, Merrill. Breslin was simply the tool of Scott Clemmons.” - - - - -CHAPTER XL. THREE REPORTS. - - -Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, -was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet -Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once -granted by the genial commander. - -“Well, Mr. Merrill, did you enjoy your run ashore?” - -“Yes, sir, with the exception of an unfortunate meeting with Barney -Breslin, which I desire to report to you.” - -“Ah! have you had trouble with him?” - -“Yes, sir, I regret to say, too, that it was in a public place. Another -cadet and myself went to the Astor House for dinner, and met Breslin -and a friend coming out. The former stepped in front of me, and asked -if I recognized him and meant to cut his acquaintance. I responded -that I certainly did, when he aimed a blow at me, which I parried, and -at the same time knocked him down. My cadet friend drew me out of the -quickly gathering crowd, and we had our dinner, sir; but I deemed it -best to report the affair to you.” - -“You did right, Mr. Merrill, but who was your comrade?” - -“Must I make known his name, sir?” - -“He was not involved in the affair?” - -“No, sir.” - -“Then tell me his name.” - -“It was Mr. Perry.” - -“That will do, Mr. Merrill,” and Mark saluted and retired from the -cabin. - -The captain still continued his cigar, until a second interruption came -in a request from another cadet to see him. - -It was Scott Clemmons, his face flushed from the wine he had been -drinking. - -“Well, Mr. Clemmons, you have just come off from shore leave, I -believe?” - -“Yes, sir, and I desire to report to you, sir, an occurrence ashore -which may not reach your ears otherwise, but which, for the good of the -ship’s name, I deem it my duty to make known.” - -“I am ready to hear you, Mr. Clemmons,” said the captain blandly. - -“I went to dine at the Astor House, sir, and met there Barney Breslin, -who begged me for a loan, for he has gone utterly to the bad, I fear. -As I was talking to him two cadet midshipmen came in and one of them -jostled up against Breslin, who had been drinking, and a disgraceful -knock-down followed, in which I was seized by a policeman as the one -who made the assault. Of course Breslin cleared me of the charge, and I -make this report, sir, in case, should it reach your ear, that you may -understand my position in the affair.” - -“Who were these cadets, Mr. Clemmons?” - -“Do you command me to answer, sir?” - -“I do.” - -“Cadet Midshipmen Perry and Merrill, sir.” - -“Which one of the two struck the blow?” - -“Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill, sir.” - -“That will do, Mr. Clemmons.” - -The next morning Bemis Perry was ordered to report in the captain’s -cabin. - -He did so, and Captain De Long said: - -“You were ashore yesterday, Mr. Perry?” - -“Until six bells, yes, sir.” - -“Who was your companion?” - -“Mr. Merrill, sir.” - -“You dined ashore?” - -“Yes, sir, with Mr. Merrill at the Astor House.” - -“Did you see any cadets there?” - -“Mr. Clemmons, sir.” - -“Who was he with?” - -“Some friend, sir; not a cadet, however.” - -“Did you know him?” - -“Yes, sir,” said Perry hesitatingly, for he, like Mark Merrill, did not -care to say aught against Clemmons. - -“It was the youth who was dismissed from the academy, was it not?” - -“Yes, sir; Breslin.” - -“What did Merrill pick a quarrel with him for?” - -“Merrill pick a quarrel with Breslin, sir?” asked Perry, in amazement. - -“Yes.” - -“It was the opposite way, sir, for Merrill sought to avoid him; but -Breslin stepped directly in his path, and demanded to know if he knew -him and meant to cut his acquaintance. Mr. Merrill responded in the -affirmative, and Breslin struck at him, but missed, and went down with -a suddenness and force that made his teeth rattle. I drew Mr. Merrill -quickly away, and that ended it, sir.” - -Captain De Long was silent for fully a minute. - -He seemed to be arguing in his own mind the pros and cons of the case. - -At last he said: - -“That is all I wished to know, Mr. Perry.” - -The young sailor bowed, and was disappearing up the companionway when -Captain De Long called out: - -“Send Mr. Clemmons to me, Mr. Perry.” - -“Ay, ay, sir,” and with another salute Bemis Perry departed from the -cabin. - -He at once went in search of Scott Clemmons, and found him pacing to -and fro amidships, looking a little the worse for his dissipation -ashore the day before. - -“Mr. Clemmons, Captain De Long wishes to see you.” - -Scott Clemmons started. - -“The captain wishes to see me?” - -“So he informed me, sir, a minute ago.” - -“I say, Perry, do I look as though I had been going it rather deep?” - -“You look a trifle bilged, Clemmons.” - -“You do not know what he wants with me?” - -“No.” - -“Has he gotten hold of that row of Merrill’s ashore, I wonder?” - -“What row of Merrill’s ashore?” - -“When he ran afoul of that beat Breslin.” - -“Ah, your friend Breslin, whom he knocked down, as he should have done; -but then Breslin was well tanked up after his dinner with you, and lost -his reckoning so far as to run across Merrill’s course, and foundered -under the blow; but when you have seen Captain De Long, Mr. Clemmons, I -desire a word with you,” and Bemis Perry went on his way, while Scott -Clemmons sought the cabin of Captain De Long. - - - - -CHAPTER XLI. A LIFE ON THE OCEAN WAVE. - - -It was with considerable nervousness that Scott Clemmons went into the -cabin of his captain. - -It may have been from the effects of his too liberal “treats” of -himself the night before, and, perhaps, from a knowledge of the fact -that he had yawed wide of his course in telling his story about the -affair ashore in which Mark Merrill had been mixed up. - -He, however, without a chance to “splice the main-brace” to steady -his nerves, braced up as best he could, and reported himself to his -commander. - -“Mr. Clemmons, may I ask you if you actually saw the occurrence ashore -last evening in which Cadet Midshipman Merrill and Breslin had a -set-to?” - -“Yes, sir, I was, as I said, talking to Breslin at the time, for he was -importuning me to give him some money.” - -“Then I beg to say, Mr. Clemmons, that for sixty days you are allowed -no leaves ashore, in ports we may visit, as your condition at the time -of the affair was such that you could not see straight, or viewed it -with purposely biased eyes.” - -“But Captain De Long, may I ask, sir, if this censure of me is from -having heard the report of others?” - -“It is, sir; I have the facts from witnesses of the affair. I have no -more to say, Mr. Clemmons.” - -Scott Clemmons felt crushed at the rebuke, but mustered up courage to -say: - -“I beg, Captain De Long, that you will remember that Merrill is not -friendly toward me, sir, and his statement----” - -“Silence, sir! Mr. Merrill reported his act at once to me, and did not -even mention your name as having been the friend of Breslin at the -time, while you, on the contrary, never friendly toward Mr. Merrill, -saw his actions only in a prejudiced way. I have no more to say, Mr. -Clemmons.” - -Scott Clemmons dared say no more, so departed from the cabin with the -knowledge that he had made a mistake in reporting an affair in which he -had no concern. - -Then, too, he recalled a disagreeable meeting before him, as Bemis -Perry had said that he desired to see him. - -That young sailor was awaiting his coming, aware, seemingly, that the -captain would not detain him long. - -“You desired to see me, Perry?” he said, his face flushed and angry. - -“Yes, as I told you,” was the quiet response. - -“May I ask if you reported to Captain De Long that I was present -yesterday in that disgraceful scene at the Astor House?” - -“See here, Clemmons,” and the words of the cadet were spoken very -quickly: “I am not a tattler, nor am I an informer. Captain De Long -sent for me, and asked for my version of the affair.” - -“Who first told him?” - -“Merrill, like the man he is, reported his action ashore, but never -referred to you, and Captain De Long asked who was Breslin’s companion, -and I told him that you were, for, as a fellow cadet, you certainly -would be willing to prove, as a witness, that Breslin was the -aggressor, and was justly punished. Since I came aboard ship I learn -that others saw the affair.” - -“Ah!” and Clemmons started, and quickly asked: - -“Do you know who they are?” - -“I do not, for I overheard the affair being talked about, and as -neither Merrill nor myself referred to it, and you doubtless did not, -some of our fellows must have seen it, though unseen by us. If the -affair is called up we will doubtless know who they are.” - -Scott Clemmons looked uneasy, for he felt that his version would differ -from what all others had, or might tell of the occurrence. - -But he hoped that as he was already under punishment he would hear no -more of it, so he said coldly: - -“You wished to see me, I believe?” - -“Yes, I wished to return to you a paper which you left on the dining -table at the Astor House yesterday--the waiter gave it to me.” - -He handed over the telltale paper as he spoke, and after a glance at it -the face of Scott Clemmons crimsoned to a painful extent, and then so -suddenly grew white that he seemed as though about to faint. - -But he rallied quickly, and with a reckless laugh said: - -“Oh, yes, I had not missed it. It is the pledged word of that scamp -Breslin never to come near me again, as I suppose you know?” - -“Yes, I read it, I frankly confess, for it was handed to me open; but -you pay high for the loss of Breslin’s society, Clemmons, and one -would almost think he blackmailed you. That was all I wished to see -you about,” and Perry walked away, leaving Scott Clemmons in a very -unenviable humor. - -After a few days passed in the harbor of the metropolis the good ship -set sail and headed across the seas for a run to English, French, -Spanish, Italian, and Egyptian ports, that the young sailors might have -a glance at other lands and also enjoy to its full extent - - “A life on the ocean wave, - A home on the rolling deep.” - - - - -CHAPTER XLII. “MAN OVERBOARD!” - - -The cruiser is in midocean, bowling merrily along over a dark sea, -growing darker and rougher under the approach of a storm and increasing -wind. - -As the breeze freshens a strong swell causes the ship to roll heavily, -and the barometer steadily going down, causes the officer of the deck -to keep his weather eye to windward alow and aloft. - -“Knowing ones,” old salts who have sailed the seas over for a -generation or more, also cock an eye to windward now and then, but of -course, feel only confidence in their officers and the man who happens -just at that time to hold the ship’s destiny in his keeping. - -The ship has been kept well crowded with sail, and the wind being fair -the run across promises to be a phenomenal one, a promise that pleases -all hands. - -The middies have had their chance to work the ship in fair weather and -foul, but just now the falling barometer promises a night of it that -will blow great guns, for the cloud-bank is steadily rising and the -wind comes in stronger and stronger squalls. - -The ship is sticking her nose deep into huge white billows, but surging -ahead the while in splendid manner. - -Suddenly a cadet comes aft and reports to the captain: - -“The wind is freshening, sir.” - -A few seconds after comes the ringing cry of the first lieutenant: - -“All hands ahoy to reef topsails.” - -In an instant all is seemingly wild excitement on board the good ship, -and yet perfect order reigns, for every man knows his duty. - -The “executive” takes command, great coats are donned, cap peaks pulled -hard down over their eyes, and the middies, acting as sailors, rush for -their posts of duty. - -Then comes in trumpet tones the orders, issued in the commanding tones -the sailors love so well to hear, and which fill their hearts with -confidence in their commander: - -“Reef topsails! Man the topsail clew lines and buntlines--weather -topsail braces! Stand by the lee braces, bowlines and halyards!” - -The young reefers obey with alacrity and seeming recklessness, the -orders being taken up and repeated, the boatswain’s whistle piping -merrily the while. - -Soon comes another order in hoarse, manly tones from the executive, -and it is given to a mass of youthful humanity huddled together at the -foot of the shrouds, and awaiting their turn with all the eagerness of -champions about to spring away upon a race of life or death. - -Loud came the orders: - -“Haul out the reef tackles! Haul up the buntlines! Aloft, topmen! Lay -out!” - -Away they go up the shrouds like a stampede of monkeys, and out upon -the slender yards and “lay out.” - -With strong hands they gather in the flapping, heavy folds of canvas -and reef close, while just as the order is upon the lips of the -officer: “Lay in, top men!” one of the reefers, by a violent lurch of -the ship, is torn from his hold and goes downward, striking with a -dull thud the yard below in his fall, and thence downward into the sea. - -The command of the officer is heard and obeyed: - -“Lay down from aloft!” - -While a score of voices utter the thrilling cry: - -“Man overboard!” - -But all are startled by seeing a form run out on the yard and spring -into the sea. What does it mean? - -The executive officer did not lose his head for an instant, for his -command came sharply, and with promptness to lay the ship to and man -the lifeboat. At the order: - -“Lay down from aloft!” came the young sailors at a run, some of them -fairly flying down the shrouds, others sliding down the backstays, and -getting to the deck as best they can. - -The good ship is “laying to,” and the life boat is lowered and pulls -back over her wake to pick up the two men who have gone overboard, -while the question goes the rounds: - -“Who are they?” - -At last one answers who knows: - -“It was Clemmons who was thrown from aloft, and Merrill who sprang -after him.” - -The speaker was Bemis Perry, and he was at once ordered before his -captain, who asked: - -“Do you know the men, Mr. Perry?” - -“Yes, sir, the one who fell was Clemmons, and as he struck the yard -Merrill called out to me: - -“‘He struck hard, so must be hurt. I will go after him.’ And then he -ran out on the yard and made the leap, sir.” - -For once discipline was cast to the winds, and such a yell as rose -from the midshipmen at this news had never been heard on the good ship -before. - -But every eye now was upon the life boat, as it went leaping over the -seas, and again came a ringing cheer as the executive called out: - -“The boat is returning, sir.” - -But had those on the boat given up the search in the face of that -terrible storm, threatening to break every instant? - -Had they found one? - -Had they found both? - -These questions could not be answered until the boat returned. - -The clouds grew blacker, the sea ran higher, and the wind whistled more -viciously. - -Over the black waters, dimly seen, the bounding light carried on board -the lifeboat was seen to draw nearer and nearer. - -The ship’s lights were burning brightly to guide the daring rescuers -back to safety. - -“They are pulling for their lives,” said the executive officer, -somewhat anxiously, and then came the low response of Captain De Long: - -“They have need to.” - -Nearer and nearer came the leaping light in the boat, and the storm was -keeping pace with it, perhaps outracing it, for so many believed. - -Once it struck the ship before the lifeboat reached it, and the -rescuers would share the fate of those they had risked their lives to -rescue. - - - - -CHAPTER XLIII. A DEBT OF GRATITUDE. - - -The suspense on board of the cruiser was terrible, the more so because -perfect discipline kept it under, and it could find no vent in words. - -Men spoke in muffled tones, cadets hoped and feared, and all awaited -the result--life or death to the bold rescuers. - -No one yet knew whether the safety of his crew had caused the gallant -cadet officer at the helm of the lifeboat to put back for the ship -before the storm struck them, or he had returned because he had -accomplished his perilous errand. - -The ship plunged and keeled as she lay to, and the eyes of all were -alternately turned toward the inky-black tempest roaring down upon -them, and the lifeboat struggling so manfully to reach the lee of the -vessel and safety. - -“Ahoy, my brave fellows! pull for your lives!” - -It was the voice of the gallant De Long thus sent over the black, -tempestuous waters. - -The brave commander could stand the strain of suspense no longer--he -must speak. - -Then came a faint cheer from the struggling oarsmen, and a roar like -mighty winds went up from the ship’s deck in response. - -“Pull! Pull for your lives, brave lads!” shouted Captain De Long. - -And back over the waters came the answer: - -“Ay, ay, sir, we’ll make it!” - -But would they? - -Hushed were all for a moment more, and then the leaping light shot up -under the lee of the cruiser, the men aboard cheered wildly, while -those in the boat were drawn on board by ready and willing hands. - -The next instant the lifeboat was hung to its davits and firmly lashed, -while from it was taken a limp form and carried below to the care of -the ship’s surgeon. - -The storm was upon them now, and the men sprang to their stations, yet -loud and ringing were the cheers in honor of the gallant rescuers, for -the lifeboat had picked up those for whom they had risked their lives. - -“Mr. Merrill, the captain wishes to see you aft, sir.” - -It was an hour after the breaking of the storm, and the good ship was -driving along before the gale, and directly on her course. - -Stars were seen now in the black cloud-rifts, and all knew that the -hardest work was over. - -Mark Merrill had not gone below to change his clothes. - -“What’s the use in this sea?” he had said, and he reported at his -station. - -Now he was sent for to come aft, and he promptly reported, saluting, -though capless. - -“Mr. Merrill, accept my congratulations upon as plucky a deed as I ever -beheld,” and Captain De Long grasped the hand of the young midshipman. - -“Thank you, sir; but I saw that he was hurt and could not swim,” said -Mark modestly. - -“You found him readily, it seems?” - -“Yes, sir, and he was unconscious, so I had no trouble in keeping him -up until the lifeboat took us in.” - -“May I ask if you knew who it was when you made your leap to the -rescue?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -Just then a cadet came up and said: - -“Pardon, sir, but the surgeon asks to see Mr. Merrill.” - -“Go below, Mr. Merrill, and then you had better turn in for the night. -To-morrow morning report to me at eight bells.” - -Mark departed from the quarter-deck and sought the surgeon’s quarters. - -There he found Scott Clemmons, who had returned to consciousness, with -a gash upon his head, skillfully dressed, and his left arm bound close -to his side, for his collar-bone was broken. - -“Ah, Merrill, I wish to say that your plucky act saved Clemmons, for he -was stunned by the blow on the head, and his collar-bone is fractured. -He wishes to see you.” - -Mark’s hand had been warmly grasped by the ship’s surgeon as he spoke, -and now he stepped toward Scott Clemmons. - -“Say, old fellow, you did a manly thing, they tell me, and I owe you my -life. We haven’t been exactly chummy in the past, but, of course, now -you’ll believe in my friendship for you?” - -Mark Merrill would have given much could he have escaped the thanks of -Scott Clemmons. - -He could understand how much it cost him of pain and humiliation to say -what he did. - -But he said: - -“Oh, we are good enough friends, Mr. Clemmons, and what I did for you I -would have done for any one else, and you know I don’t mind a ducking -and a swim even in the sea.” - -“I don’t recall any of it except that I lost my hold and felt the dull -thud as I struck the yard; but they say you leaped from aloft and kept -me afloat until the lifeboat picked us up. Now I’m laid up in ordinary -for a few weeks, so come in and see me often.” - -“You’ll be all right soon, Clemmons, and now you need sleep, as the -doctor will tell you,” and Mark Merrill turned away and went to swing -his hammock, get on a dry rig, and turn in, for his struggle with the -sea even his iron frame could not help but feel. - -The next morning all hands were mustered on deck, and Captain De Long, -in a few well-spoken words, complimented Mark Merrill upon his noble -act, and praised the crew of the lifeboat for their gallant service. - -Mark blushed like a girl under the words of the captain, and to his -brother midshipmen made light of his act; but he got full credit for -the deed all the same, for all understood that there had been no love -lost between Scott Clemmons and himself. - -And so on its way held the cruiser until the shores of England hove in -view, and the anchor was soon after let fall in the Mersey. - -Among the first to land were three midshipmen who seemed to have some -special mission ashore. - -They were Herbert Nazro, Winslow Dillingham and Bemis Perry, and they -made their way directly to a fashionable jewelry establishment, where -an order was left for some special work, with directions to forward it -by express to Lisbon by a certain time, when the ship would touch there. - -After a few days in port the cruiser again set sail, and Scott Clemmons -was again on duty, though there was a red scar still visible upon his -forehead. - -But all noticed that, in spite of owing his life to Mark Merrill, Scott -Clemmons seemed rather to shun the one to whom he owed his life than to -seek his company. - - - - -CHAPTER XLIV. THE PILOT MIDSHIPMAN. - - -From port to port went the cadet’s cruiser, saluting the flags, forts, -and ships of other nations and receiving salutes in turn, while the -young sailors were given a run ashore to see something of the countries -they were visiting. - -At length one night came the cry from aloft: - -“Light ho!” - -It was Cape Rosa Light, and on the vessel sails in the coming dawn -until all the cadets gather on deck to behold the land of Portugal. - -Lateen-rigged craft pass out, and other vessels are met, one large bark -flying the Stars and Stripes, which brings a cheer of greeting from the -young sailors. - -The high crags of Cintra, with its castle and surrounding fields, are -passed, the old fort of St. Julian, next frowning Fort Bugio, and -thence onward into the waters of the Tagus. - -The tower of Beleur next looms up, with fortress-clad cliffs, and the -cadets soon after are called to their stations as Lisbon, seated upon -her many hills, rises in terraces before them, telling them that the -haven is reached, for with a plunge the anchor is let fall. - -Then up aloft is run a ball of bunting, which, when shaken out, reveals -the standard of Portugal, and gun after gun thunders a salute from the -cruiser to the old city of Lisbon. - -As the health officer has reported all safe on board, a boat soon -after goes ashore, and in it are the three cadets who landed first at -Liverpool, and visited the jewelry establishment. - -They now seek the offices of the Continental Express Company, and there -awaiting them is a small package. - -The jeweler has kept his promise. - -After a few days spent in Lisbon the cruiser sets sail for the blue -waters of the Mediterranean Sea, and once the shores of Portugal are -left astern a muster of all hands on deck is called, and Captain De -Long orders: - -“Cadet Midshipman Merrill to the front!” - -Mark Merrill promptly obeys, and then as the captain takes from a -morocco case a beautiful gold badge, he, for the first time, realizes -that he is to be the recipient of a token as an appreciation of his -services when he leaped from the yardarm to save the life of Scott -Clemmons. - -In a few well-chosen words the captain made the presentation, in which -occurred the following: - -“This souvenir, Midshipman Merrill, is a unanimous expression of -the appreciation of your daring deed by this ship’s crew, for from -quarter-deck to forecastle every one has insisted upon being a -subscriber, with the one exception of Mr. Clemmons, from whom the -intention was kept a secret as well as from yourself. I pin it upon -your breast for you to wear as a badge which you may well feel proud -of.” - -As the captain spoke he pinned upon the jacket of the young hero a -beautiful emblem of his courage, which was a massive anchor of solid -gold, to which was suspended a shield with bars of pearls, turquoises -and rubies to represent the colors red, white and blue, while below was -engraved: - - “PRESENTED - BY THE OFFICERS AND MEN - OF - _The U. S. Cadet Cruising Ship Constellation_ - TO - CADET MIDSHIPMAN MARK MERRILL - _As an Appreciation of His Splendid Courage - in Leaping Overboard at Night - in a Storm to Save the Life of - a Shipmate_.” - -In what was certainly a very neat speech, though taken unawares, Mark -Merrill thanked Captain De Long and all for their great kindness, and -raised his cap as three cheers were given for him. - -A number of eyes were turned upon Scott Clemmons during this scene, -and it could be easily discovered that he seemed ill at ease, though -he stepped forward and told his rescuer how glad he was of the honor -bestowed upon him, adding, with some feeling: - -“Had I chipped in, Merrill, it would have spoiled all, or had I -suggested it, for my debt to you can never be cancelled.” - -Had Scott Clemmons overheard the criticism which Bemis Perry made of -his speech he would have been overwhelmed with confusion, for though -the young South Carolinian said but one word, and used slang, it was to -the point, for he simply said: - -“Rats!” - -There was another criticism offered also, and by Herbert Nazro, who -said with a wicked little laugh: - -“Go tell that to the marines, Clemmons.” - -After this episode Clemmons seemed more constrained than ever in -his conduct toward Mark Merrill. He seemed positively uneasy in his -presence. - -At last, after a visit to several ports in the Mediterranean the prow -of the cruiser was turned homeward, for a stop was to be made upon the -New England coast. - -It was a stormy passage home, keeping the young tars constantly busy -reefing, pulling, and setting more sail, and giving them a thorough -experience in the life of a sailor. - -In the last storm not far off the coast, the cruiser had sprung her -mainmast, but fortunately the gale blew itself out, and a calm fell -upon the sea. The next morning the shores of New England were in view. - -The weather was hazy and sultry, the barometer was steadily falling, -and Captain De Long and his lieutenants viewed the weather with anxiety. - -There was a huge black mass gathering to seaward, and as the day passed -it began to rise slowly, though the deadest of calms still rested upon -the sea. - -The shore was a little over a league distant, and with a breeze the -good ship could readily work off, but in the teeth of a storm, and with -the mainmast sprung, there were too many odds against her. - -The afternoon passed, all eagerly watching for a cap full of air, to -bear the vessel into a haven of safety, the Kennebec River. - -But no ripple stirred the glass-like waters, and to landward a wild and -forbidding coast only was seen. - -The charts were examined closely, but no harbor was noted just there, -and all wondered what was to be done, for the sprung mast would never -stand to beat out to sea against such a tempest as was rising. - -At last Captain De Long turned to Cadet Midshipman Clemmons, and asked: - -“Do you not live somewhere in this vicinity, Mr. Clemmons?” - -“Some leagues from here, sir.” - -“And you know of no haven into which we could tow with our boats!” - -“I have heard of several harbors for fishing boats, sir, but I do not -know of them,” replied Scott Clemmons, who would not say: - -“But Merrill might know.” - -He did not care to put another feather in the cap of his rival--his -rescuer though he had been. - -“Pardon me, Captain De Long, but Mr. Merrill pointed out to me a while -ago with his glass his own home, and he may know,” said Herbert Nazro, -who had heard the captain questioning Clemmons. - -“Ah, yes, he is the very man! Send Mr. Merrill here at once,” said the -captain, with considerable eagerness. - -Mark Merrill reported promptly. - -“Mr. Merrill, your home is near here, I am told?” - -“My mother dwells in the large mansion, sir, you see on the cliff -yonder, a league and a half away, but it is not our own home, sir.” - -“Do you know of any harborage in here which we can tow into with our -boats, for yonder seems like a good anchorage ground?” - -“That, sir, is a death trap with a storm from seaward, for the coasters -call it Hopeless Haven. Yonder, where you see the cliff, is a harbor, -and a safe one, though small, and the entrance is dangerous.” - -“Do you know these waters well?” - -“Perfectly, sir,” was the response, and there was no boasting in the -reply. - -“There is depth for this ship in the harbor you refer to?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“And you can pilot her in with the boats ahead, if we can get there -before the storm breaks?” - -“It was there, sir, I took General Peyton’s yacht, the Midshipman, sir, -when the Secretary of the Navy and Commodore Lucien were on board.” - -“Ah, indeed! I have been told of that bold piloting by the commodore -himself; and it got you your appointment?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Then I will order the boats out ahead, and----” - -“Pardon me, Captain De Long, but as the gale is coming from seaward, I -can run in, sir, if you will order topmasts housed and set only lower -sails, to save the sprung mainmast,” said Mark modestly. - -“Mr. Merrill, you are a born sailor, sir, and I give the ship over to -you as pilot,” said Captain De Long, with frank acknowledgment of the -youth’s skill and nerve. - - - - -CHAPTER XLV. UNEXPECTED VISITORS. - - -Standing upon Beacon Cliff were three persons, watching with interest -and deep anxiety the cadets’ cruiser as she lay off the coast a league -or more. - -They were Mrs. Merrill, the mother of the gallant middy, old Peggy, and -a beautiful young girl whom the reader will recall as Virgene Rich, the -fair witness who had testified so well in behalf of the young sailor in -his affray with Scott Clemmons, Ben Birney, and others of like ilk at -B----. - -Mrs. Merrill read at a glance the danger of the vessel, when she saw -that she was becalmed and a storm rising from seaward; but her anxiety -would have been far greater had she known that the craft was crippled -and might not be able to beat off the coast. - -What her feelings would have been had she known that her only son was -on board the vessel can well be imagined. - -But though she saw that it was a vessel of war she did not connect Mark -with her, as she supposed that his cruiser was in foreign seas, not -having received his last letter from Lisbon, in which he had told her -what the remainder of the voyage would be. - -Mrs. Merrill looked several years younger than when Mark had gone to -the Naval School. - -Her really beautiful face had almost lost its expression of sadness and -her form was still youthful and graceful. - -Virgene Rich, true to her promise, had often ridden down to see Mrs. -Merrill, and so attached had she become to her that Landlord Rich had -asked her to become his daughter’s governess, and thus we find the -young girl also an inmate of “Spook Hall.” - -Mrs. Merrill had kept up the flower garden, made the wing in which she -dwelt more comfortable, and, with a horse and phaeton, which she had -purchased, did not seem near so far away from civilization as before. - -Then, too, Skipper Jasper Crane, with the Venture, was making a very -snug living for her, and her bank account steadily increased, while -Mark was winning his way in the world, as she well knew. - -So the three stood watching the cruiser, the rising storm, and the -coming of night. - -“It will be a terrible night, I fear,” Mrs. Merrill said, with -increased anxiety for the cruiser. - -At length the deep rumbling of thunder was heard, the lightning flashes -rent the black clouds, and the roar of the still distant tempest -reached their ears. - -Then there came a ripple upon the waters, and instantly sail was set -upon the cruiser, which, under its influence, began to move ahead. - -“She heads down the coast,” said Mrs. Merrill. - -But the wind came in gusts, followed by calms, and each squall was more -severe. - -Sail was shortened upon the cruiser at last, as the storm was coming -near, lights were set, and night, black, threatening and dangerous, -came upon land and sea. But the three watchers upon the cliff had -secured wraps, and kept their places to watch the lights that marked -the position of the cruiser. - -Louder burst the thunder crashes, more vivid flashed the lightning, and -wilder roared the winds as they bore down upon the devoted ship. - -“See, see! she heads in toward our harbor!” - -“She is lost!” cried Mrs. Merrill, wringing her hands in distress. - -“Perhaps she has a pilot on board,” suggested Virgene. - -“No! no! for the coasters shun this harbor, and only Captain Crane and -one of his boys know the channel in.” - -“Mark knows,” said old Peggy, in a very decided way. - -“Yes, but he is not here--see! the lights advance steadily, -and--Virgene, there is a pilot on board yonder craft, for she has -rounded Whaleback Rock and passed between The Sentinels, and that was -not chance, surely.” - -“And the storm is upon her now,” cried Virgene, as the lurid glare upon -the sea showed now the advance of the tempest directly down upon the -ship. - -“Yes, but Whaleback Rock and The Sentinels will break its force, while -she has now gotten under the lee of Castle Rock, and heads into the -harbor.” - -As Mrs. Merrill spoke the storm was seen to catch the ship and hide the -lights from view in an instant; but the rocky islands she had spoken of -broke its force, and, though the cruiser was driven onward with a rush, -she was held firmly on her course, and a few minutes after glided in -under the lee of Beacon Cliff. - -“She is safe!” cried Mrs. Merrill, as she saw the lights reappear in -the harbor, and the three were almost blown by the wind to the mansion. - -The storm howled savagely about the old mansion, but all was comfort -within, and old Peggy set about getting supper, when all were startled -by a loud knock. - -“It must be some one from the ship,” said Mrs. Merrill, and she and -Virgene went to the door. - -“Mother!” and a form clad in a greatcoat steps forward, while other -cloaked forms are behind him. - -“My son!” cried Mrs. Merrill, as she was enfolded in her son’s arms, -but quickly released as the others stepped in out of the storm, and -Mark said: - -“Mother, I wish to present my commander, Captain De Long, Lieutenant -Briggs, and my chum, Cadet Midshipman Bemis Perry.” - -Other introductions followed to Virgene, and Captain De Long said: - -“We found ourselves on your coast, Mrs. Merrill, in distress, for we -had a crippled mast, and your brave son became our pilot, and ran -us into a safe harborage. Then I gave him leave to come ashore on -condition that he brought us with him.” - -It was a pleasant evening that was passed there in old “Spook Hall,” -and old Peggy sat down to them one of her most tempting suppers. - -It was midnight before Captain De Long started upon his return to his -ship, but he gave Mark permission to remain till after breakfast the -following morning, when, if the weather was not severe, the cruiser -would sail on her course once more, as, with his crippled mast, the -commander wished to reach Annapolis as soon as possible, knowing that -he would have to run from port to port in good weather. - -It was noon the next day when the cruiser sailed, Mark again acting as -pilot out to sea, and fair weather and a stiff breeze held her on her -way, until once again she dropped anchor off the Naval School, and the -young sailors went ashore to “bone it” hard for another long year, and -to struggle for honors. - - - - -CHAPTER XLVI. A FORCED RESIGNATION. - - -The second year began with Mark Merrill in the lead for honors. - -He had not only won a badge for a gallant act at sea, but he had -received “honorable mention” for his services as pilot under -circumstances where only skill and nerve alone could have saved the -cruiser from a very dangerous position. - -Then, too, he held the honors of his class for the first year, and that -was in his favor. - -He had enemies, of course--what really good fellow has not?--yet he was -generally popular, and the officers all liked him. - -Scott Clemmons was still distantly polite, and his clique of toadies -imbibed his manner toward Mark Merrill. - -But of their treatment Mark was severely indifferent. - -Scott Clemmons had given out that he meant to win the honors of his -second year. - -He had thrown this challenge, or rather defiance, in the face of -Merrill, and at once he set about his task to win. - -But those who made the situation a study were convinced that Scott -Clemmons would never stand number one, though he had a strong chance -for position number two. - -There were more who said it was very bad form for him to attempt to -take first honors away from a man to whom he owed his life, but Mark -Merrill seemed not to regard it in that light. - -One afternoon Mark received a letter which seemed to give him a great -deal of worry. - -At last he sought Bemis Perry, and said: - -“See here, Perry, you have got a very level head, and I wish to ask -your advice.” - -“Fire away, old man, for I am at your service from truck to keelson.” - -“I have a letter here from Miss Virgene Rich, whom you met at my -mother’s.” - -“Ah! I see; but you are over-young to marry yet, Mark. Flirt all -you wish to, have a sweetheart in every port, which is a sailor’s -prerogative, but don’t let any girl get her grappling irons on you too -securely to shake off.” - -“My dear Perry, you generally speak with the wisdom of Solomon, but -just now you are on the wrong tack, so go about and know your course -before you set full sail.” - -“My anchor’s down, Merrill, and hatches closed,” and Perry dropped into -his chair and placed his finger upon his lips. - -“It concerns Clemmons, and places me in an awkward position.” - -“Ah! more of his deviltry, eh?” - -“I’ll read you Miss Virgene’s letter.” And taking it from his pocket, -Mark read aloud as follows: - - “MY DEAR MARK: A letter from me will doubtless surprise you, but - I write for Silly Sam, who is not gifted with a superior style of - penmanship. - - “Let me first tell you that all at Spook Hall jogs on in the same - easy way, and I am still under your sweet mother’s kind charge, - though I am spending Sunday, to-day, at home with father, so I can - send no message from your mother, and, in fact, my letter to you is a - secret known only to the writer, Silly Sam, and the recipient. - - “Now to Sam’s letter. He begs me to say to you that he is in the - employ of Merchant Clemmons, and that the other day, when asleep - in the little room adjoining the office, Mr. Clemmons came in, - accompanied by a young man whom he had met at his door. - - “Sam did not make his presence known, and through the door, he being - back in the dark, he saw that the young man presented a very seedy, - dissipated look, but had a very defiant air. - - “Then, as near as I could get it from Sam, the young man demanded - money from the merchant, and was refused. - - “Then he told him that he would go to the Naval Academy, where he had - been a cadet, and make a clean breast of it to the commandant that - his son, Scott Clemmons, had led him into a plot against _you_. - - “Scott had paid him well for his services, said services being to - persecute you in any way in his power, to cause you demerit marks, - and that Scott Clemmons had arranged a plan by which you should - be found with a gold fifty-dollar coin, which he, Clemmons, had - pretended was stolen from him. - - “The plot did not turn out a success, as you had thwarted him in some - way, and he had been dismissed from the academy. - - “To keep him quiet and accept his dismissal, Scott Clemmons had paid - him well, and he had all the proofs of what he said, and knew that - it was the intention of Scott Clemmons to get you dismissed from the - academy by some foul means, notwithstanding that you had saved his - life, for he treated you with the bitterest venom. - - “Then, Sam says, the visitor, who gave his name as Barney Breslin, - boldly demanded two thousand dollars from Merchant Clemmons, or he - would go to the commandant and give proof of Scott’s villainy and - have him dismissed in disgrace. - - “Sam says that Mr. Clemmons was deeply moved, when convinced that - the young man told the truth, and told him that he would give him the - money, and more, on condition that he should give into his hands all - proofs and then leave the country. - - “This the young man promised to do, and when Mr. Clemmons sent to - the bank for the money, he handed over to him a bundle of papers, - letters, which Scott Clemmons had written, and other documents, which - the merchant seemed glad to get. - - “Such is Sam’s story, and you now know what a foe you have in Scott - Clemmons, and can govern yourself accordingly, Mark.” - -Such was the letter, and Bemis Perry listened to every word of it with -the deepest attention. - -“Now, Perry, you have the facts.” - -“Yes, and you asked my advice?” - -“I did, and I wish it, for, though I do not fear Clemmons’ open -hostility, I do not care to be on guard constantly against his blow in -the dark, nor do I wish a scandal, for of that there has been enough -with Breslin.” - -“So I think; but my idea is to save a scandal, and to keep the secret -between ourselves, while I force Clemmons to resign, for it will come -better from me than from you. If you will trust me with that letter I -will act.” - -Mark handed it over without a word, and, rising, Bemis Perry went to -his desk and took out a paper he had locked therein. - -“I will soon return,” he said, and he left the room. - -He went straight to the quarters of Scott Clemmons, whom he found alone. - -Scott Clemmons looked up with some surprise as he entered, for they -were upon barely speaking terms; but Perry gave him no time to -consider, but said: - -“I have come to see you, Clemmons, upon a matter of vital importance to -you, and we must be alone.” - -“Well, sir, we are not likely to be disturbed.” - -“Mr. Clemmons, I have come to ask you to do yourself a favor.” - -“In what way?” - -“To resign.” - -“What do you mean, sir?” angrily asked Clemmons. - -“Be patient, extremely patient, and you shall know. I am here to do you -a favor, if you will so consider it; to do my duty by the service, the -academy, and my brother cadets, if you do not obey my wishes.” - -“Your words are inexplicable to me, sir!” - -“Well, I’ll be more explicit than you can wish, sir. You had as a -friend here one Barney Breslin, a cadet who became your tool, for you -paid him well to persecute Mark Merrill in every manner possible--hold! -I have here Breslin’s confession, and more, I hold other papers to -criminate you in that gold coin affair, which you professed to have had -stolen from you for the purpose of disgracing Merrill. Now the paper -I handed to you, which you left upon the table in the Astor House, I -allowed three cadets to read, and I took a copy of it. That shows that -Breslin blackmailed you out of six hundred dollars. He did not leave -the country, but on the contrary has forced money from your father, who -has feared to have you disgraced by his coming to the commandant.” - -“My father?” gasped Clemmons. - -“Yes, your father paid him over two thousand dollars to prevent his -coming here, and so, as I hold all proofs of your villainy----” - -“Sir!” - -“I repeat it, of your criminal scoundrelism toward Merrill, I tell you, -that if you do not this day send in your resignation to the commandant -I shall place the whole matter before him, and the result will be your -utter disgrace. See, I am blackmailing you now, threatening, forcing -you to resign, for if you do not, I shall do as I say; if you do, I -shall keep your secret, upon my honor. What will you do?” - -“Resign,” and the word was hardly audible. - -“When?” - -“To-day.” - -“You are wise.” - -“You will keep my secret?” - -“Yes; write your resignation now.” - -It was done, and Bemis Perry said: - -“Now, good-by, Clemmons; but permit me to say that I pity one of your -splendid attainments who was not man enough to fight a rival openly.” - -And Bemis Perry left the room, while soon after Scott Clemmons went -over to the quarters of the commandant and handed in his resignation. - -It was a surprise to the commandant, a wonder to all, the resignation -of Scott Clemmons, but all questioning as to the cause went unanswered, -for Bemis Perry kept his word and the secret. - - - - -CHAPTER XLVII. A MIDNIGHT EXPEDITION. - - -Mark Merrill continued on in the even tenor of his way through his -second year, and once more stood at the head of his class. - -As for honors won the third year was but a repetition of the other two, -and he entered upon the last year of his Naval School life with the -goal of his ambition in sight, the chance of becoming the “first honor -man.” - -When the last day rolled around, the one that was to make or mar his -hopes of winning or losing, he was pale but calm. - -He had held his popularity with all, and they all wished him success. - -He had held his place so well in his studies, his deportment, and -through every duty and drill, that only a slip could send him to the -rear. - -There, among the visitors, was the Honorable Secretary of the Navy, and -there, too, was the gallant old sailor who had been his friend, and who -had been honored by promotion, and now appeared as Rear-Admiral Lucien. - -“I dare not fail in their presence,” Mark Merrill had muttered to -himself, and his face flushed as he suddenly beheld two others there -with their eyes upon him. - -Those two were his mother and Virgene Rich, the latter now grown into a -beautiful young lady of twenty. - -Dare he fail now? No, and he did not, for his name stood at the head of -the list as number one. - -And more, he was praised in no measured terms, and cheered in a manner -that showed that his fellows were glad in their inmost hearts. - -And that night when he appeared at the Naval Ball he was the cynosure -of all eyes, and justly so, for a splendid, handsome fellow was this -daring young sailor who had made such a brave fight for fame. - -When Mrs. Merrill and Virgene returned homeward they had as an escort -the young naval officer, who was on his “graduation leave” before being -ordered away on a three years’ cruise. - -Arriving at Spook Hall, and mingling among those who had known him in -the past, the verdict of all was that he was not in the least spoiled -by the honors he had won. - -Asking about Scott Clemmons, Mark learned that he had gone away from -home upon an expedition to Cuba, to fight with the Cuban patriots -struggling to free the “ever faithful isle” from the tyrannical yoke of -Spain. - -After a happy visit at home, where Herbert Nazro came and visited him -the last month of his leave, and fell desperately in love with Virgene -Rich, Mark reported for duty, and was ordered on board the United -States steamer Frolic, which was to sail for the West Indies. - -Three months after, one dark and rainy night, the Frolic lay at anchor -in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba. - -In the steerage a number of young officers were gathered around a -table, before which was spread a map of the harbor and the town. - -One was talking in low, earnest tone, and others were listening with -rapt attention. - -The speaker was saying: “Now, gentlemen, these prisoners have been -placed in this prison--here it is upon this map, and to-morrow they -will be taken to the fortress, where they will remain until Sunday, -when, with the others now condemned and captured on the Commandatario, -they will be shot by the Spaniards, for Spain is merciless to her foes. -If they are removed to the fortress, then all hope for them is gone, -so we must act to-night. I have bribed a Spaniard to aid us, and he -is to secure the uniform of an aide to General Buriel, and meet us at -this point--here on this map. He will have uniforms awaiting us, and -we will march to the outpost for the prisoners, while he states that -he has been sent to conduct them to the fortress, fearing an attempt -at rescue by the Cubans. The commandant of the outpost prison is a new -man, and his men have just come from Havana, so that Buriel’s aides -are not known to them, and herein is our strength. Now I saw these -prisoners to-day, and every one of the seven are Americans, whom, as -our cruiser will not protect, we must aid to escape. Nay, more, one -of these prisoners is the gallant Bascomb, who resigned after leaving -the academy, and accepted a position as commander of a Cuban blockade -runner. Another is Scott Clemmons, also once a cadet, who was Bascomb’s -lieutenant, and the others are also brave American boys who must not be -shot to satiate Governor Buriel’s thirst for blood. Are you with me?” - -“To a man,” said Bemis Perry, and the others, eight in number, held -forth their hands and grasped that of Mark Merrill, who continued: - -“It is not law; I know, it is against naval discipline; but it is -justice, it is humanity, for if we do not save those poor lads they are -dead men within thirty-six hours. Now we have leave to go on a special -invitation to our fellows of the Powhattan, so we’ll instead pull -ashore and meet my Spaniard.” - -“We are ready,” said Perry, and soon after, muffled in their great -coats, the young officers entered a cutter and were rowed away through -the darkness and rain. - -They landed at a certain point on the shore where there was a hut in -which shone a light. - -Here a Spaniard met them, and Spanish uniforms were put on over their -own, muskets were taken, and they marched off. - -The Spaniard was in the uniform of a captain, and wore a cloak. - -He led the way, and after a march of half a mile they came to the -outpost _carcel_, or prison. - -The pretended Spanish officer gave the countersign, and going into the -_carcel_ told what his orders were. - -It seemed a long time for the waiting officers in their disguise, but -at last the clanking of chains was heard and out marched the prisoners, -seven in number, and heavily ironed. - -The pretended captain placed them in single file between his men, and -off they marched in the darkness and storm. They did not return to the -cabin, but continued along the shore, until they came to a boat, and -dimly seen offshore was a small sailing craft. - -“Now, señor, unlock these irons, and let the men go aboard as quickly -as possible, for their craft must be well off the coast before dawn, -and with this gale they can be, for it blows straight out of the -harbor. Then see us back to the cabin, and your work is done,” said -Mark Merrill. - -“I should know that voice among a thousand--by heaven! you are Mark -Merrill.” - -“Yes, Bascomb, but breathe it not, for we are Spanish soldiers this -night of our Lord.” - -“Ever the same noble, gallant fellow, Merrill, and God knows I’ll never -forget you for this, will we----” - -“Come, you must be off, or you will undo all that has been done. There -is your craft and two men on board, chartered for the cruise--please -go.” And thus urged the rescued men hastened into the boat, which at -once shoved off, while brave Bascomb cried: - -“We’ll meet again, Merrill; God bless you and your brave crew, whoever -they be.” - -“Now we must get out of this,” said Mark, and the Spaniard led the way -rapidly back to the hut. - -When the uniforms were discarded Mark handed the Spaniard the amount -promised him, and getting into their boat, it was headed back to the -Frolic. - -“Merrill,” said Bemis Perry, in a low tone. - -“Yes?” - -“You engineered the bravest act of your life to-night, one which, dared -it be known, would win you a name that would never die. I am proud to -have been with you; but did you see that Clemmons skulked away when -Bascomb recognized you, that he uttered no word?” - -“Yes, he’s the same old Clemmons, Perry,” was the reply. - -The ship was reached, and when the next morning came the news of the -daring rescue of the prisoners became known, but no one placed the -daring deed where it belonged, and that the call of the captured men -was a close one was proven by the deliberate and cruel execution, as -the murder was called, of scores of gallant men who had volunteered to -aid the patriot cause of Cuba, and were doomed to death by the butcher, -Buriel. - -Soon after the Frolic steamed away from the shores of the ever faithful -isle, and no one ever dreamed the real truth of that midnight rescue of -Americans led by Mark Merrill. - - - - -CHAPTER XLVIII. CONCLUSION. - - -After her West Indian cruise the Frolic dropped anchor in New York -harbor, and, to his surprise, Mark Merrill found a leave of absence -granted him from active duty. - -A letter from his mother partly explained the situation. She had begged -the leniency of a leave for him. - -Upon his arrival in B---- his mother met him, and upon the drive home -he learned the story, which I will now let the reader know. - -Mark’s father had been a wild, but not wicked, lad, and his mother had -married a second time. - -The stepfather, Vance Vanloo, had treated the youth so cruelly, wishing -to get rid of him so that his own son could get possession of his -wife’s valuable estates, that the lad had run away to sea. - -He had the proper spirit in him, and had worked his way up from the -forecastle to the command of a fine vessel, when he had fallen in love -with a young girl who was crossing the ocean with her invalid father. - -The father had died, and was buried at sea, and the daughter, falling -in love also with the handsome young captain, had married him. - -And she it was who afterward became Mark Merrill’s mother. - -But soon after little Mark reached his twelfth year the father was lost -at sea, and his wife was left destitute, for, as sorrows never come -singly, what they had saved up in bank was wiped out by the failure of -the bank. - -So it was that Mark, born upon the sea and reared upon his father’s -vessel, turned his attention to the water to earn a living for himself -and mother. - -They had sought the coast of Maine, near B----, and afterward became -dwellers, by the kindness of the agent, in the grand old mansion known -as Spook Hall. But, better still, an inquiring attorney had sought out -the heirs of the estate, and of other large property coming to them, -and found them in Mrs. Merrill and her son. - -So the Vanloo mansion, old Spook Hall, was in reality the home of Mrs. -Merrill, who suddenly found herself a very rich woman. - -Such was the mystery hanging over the Merrills, and hovering about -Beacon Castle, and such was the story told to the young naval officer -during his drive to the place so long dreaded as Spook Hall, but which -had been fitted up and refurnished by Mrs. Merrill to welcome home its -master. - -A pleasant month did Mark spend at home, and while there he gave away -in marriage, for her father had died the year before, pretty Virgene -Rich to Herbert Nazro, of the United States Navy, and a handsome couple -they were, too. - -And Mark Merrill? - -But if I say more I fear I will be pointing too directly at the -officer who has been my hero, and whom, perhaps, too many already have -recognized; so I will let fall the curtain upon the gallant young -sailor who won the victory in his fight for fame. - -THE END. - - * * * * * - -THE CREAM OF JUVENILE FICTION - -THE BOYS’ OWN LIBRARY - -A Selection of the Best Books for Boys by the Most Popular Authors - -The titles in this splendid juvenile series have been selected with -care, and as a result all the stories can be relied upon for their -excellence. They are bright and sparkling; not over-burdened with -lengthy descriptions, but brimful of adventure from the first page to -the last--in fact they are just the kind of yarns that appeal strongly -to the healthy boy who is fond of thrilling exploits and deeds of -heroism. Among the authors whose names are included in the Boys’ Own -Library are Horatio Alger, Jr., Edward S. Ellis, James Otis, Capt. -Ralph Bonehill, Burt L. Standish, Gilbert Patten and Frank H. Converse. - -SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE BOYS’ OWN LIBRARY - -All the books in this series are copyrighted, printed on good paper, -large type, illustrated, printed wrappers, handsome cloth covers -stamped in inks and gold--fifteen special cover designs. - -140 Titles--Price, per Volume, 75 cents - -For sale by all booksellers, or sent, postpaid, on receipt of price by -the publisher, - -DAVID McKAY, 610 SO. WASHINGTON SQUARE, PHILADELPHIA, PA. - -HORATIO ALGER, Jr. - -One of the best known and most popular writers. Good, clean, healthy -stories for the American Boy. - - Adventures of a Telegraph Boy - Dean Dunham - Erie Train Boy, The - Five Hundred Dollar Check - From Canal Boy to President - From Farm Boy to Senator - Mark Stanton - Ned Newton - New York Boy - Tom Brace - Tom Tracy - Walter Griffith - Young Acrobat - -C. B. ASHLEY. - -One of the best stories ever written on hunting, trapping and adventure -in the West, after the Custer Massacre. - - Gilbert, the Boy Trapper - -ANNIE ASHMORE. - -A splendid story, recording the adventures of a boy with smugglers. - - Smuggler’s Cave, The - -CAPT. RALPH BONEHILL. - -Capt. Bonehill is in the very front rank as an author of boys’ stories. -He writes also under the name of Stratemeyer and Winfield. These are -two of his best works. - - Neka, the Boy Conjurer - Tour of the Zero Club - -WALTER F. BRUNS. - -An excellent story of adventure in the celebrated Sunk Lands of -Missouri and Kansas. - - In the Sunk Lands - -FRANK H. CONVERSE. - -This writer has established a splendid reputation as a boys’ author, -and although his books usually command $1.25 per volume, we offer the -following at a more popular price. - - Gold of Flat Top Mountain - Happy-Go-Lucky Jack - Heir to a Million - In Search of An Unknown Race - In Southern Seas - Mystery of a Diamond - That Treasure - Voyage to the Gold Coast - -HARRY COLLINGWOOD. - -One of England’s most successful writers of stories for boys. His best -story is - - Pirate Island - -GEORGE H. COOMER. - -Two books we highly recommend. One is a splendid story of adventure at -sea, when American ships were in every port in the world, and the other -tells of adventures while the first railway in the Andes Mountains was -being built. - - Boys in the Forecastle - Old Man of the Mountain - -WILLIAM DALTON. - -Three stories by one of the very greatest writers for boys. The stories -deal with boys’ adventures in India, China and Abyssinia. These books -are strongly recommended for boys’ reading, as they contain a large -amount of historical information. - - Tiger Prince - War Tiger - White Elephant - -EDWARD S. ELLIS. - -These books are considered the best works this well-known writer ever -produced. No better reading for bright young Americans. - - Arthur Helmuth - Check No. 2134 - From Tent to White House - Perils of the Jungle - On the Trail of Geronimo - White Mustang - -GEORGE MANVILLE FENN. - -For the past fifty years Mr. Fenn has been writing books for boys -and popular fiction. His books are justly popular throughout the -English-speaking world. We publish the following select list of his -boys’ books, which we consider the best he ever wrote. - - Commodore Junk - Dingo Boys - Golden Magnet - Grand Chaco - Weathercock - -ENSIGN CLARKE FITCH, U. S. N. - -A graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, and thoroughly -familiar with all naval matters. Mr. Fitch has devoted himself to -literature, and has written a series of books for boys that every -young American should read. His stories are full of very interesting -information about the navy, training ships, etc. - - Bound for Annapolis - Clif, the Naval Cadet - Cruise of the Training Ship - From Port to Port - Strange Cruise, A - -WILLIAM MURRAY GRAYDON. - -An author of world-wide popularity. Mr. Graydon is essentially a friend -of young people, and we offer herewith ten of his best works, wherein -he relates a great diversity of interesting adventures in various parts -of the world, combined with accurate historical data. - - Butcher of Cawnpore, The - Camp in the Snow, The - Campaigning with Braddock - Cryptogram, The - From Lake to Wilderness - In Barracks and Wigwam - In Fort and Prison - Jungles and Traitors - Rajah’s Fortress, The - White King of Africa, The - -LIEUT. FREDERICK GARRISON, U. S. A. - -Every American boy takes a keen interest in the affairs of West Point. -No more capable writer on this popular subject could be found than -Lieut. Garrison, who vividly describes the life, adventures and unique -incidents that have occurred in that great institution--in these famous -West Point stories. - - Off for West Point - Cadet’s Honor, A - On Guard - West Point Treasure, The - West Point Rivals, The - -HEADON HILL. - -The hunt for gold has always been a popular subject for consideration, -and Mr. Hill has added a splendid story on the subject in this romance -of the Klondyke. - - Spectre Gold - -HENRY HARRISON LEWIS. - -Mr. Lewis is a graduate of the Naval Academy at Annapolis, and has -written a great many books for boys. Among his best works are the -following titles--the subjects include a vast series of adventures in -all parts of the world. The historical data is correct, and they should -be read by all boys, for the excellent information they contain. - - Centreboard Jim - King of the Island - Midshipman Merrill - Ensign Merrill - Sword and Pen - Valley of Mystery, The - Yankee Boys in Japan - -LIEUT. LIONEL LOUNSBERRY. - -A series of books embracing many adventures under our famous naval -commanders, and with our army during the War of 1812 and the Civil War. -Founded on sound history, these books are written for boys, with the -idea of combining pleasure with profit; to cultivate a fondness for -study--especially of what has been accomplished by our army and navy. - - Cadet Kit Carey - Captain Carey - Kit Carey’s Protegé - Lieut. Carey’s Luck - Out With Commodore Decatur - Randy, the Pilot - Tom Truxton’s School Days - Tom Truxton’s Ocean Trip - Treasure of the Golden Crater - Won at West Point - -BROOKS McCORMICK. - -Four splendid books of adventure on sea and land, by this well-known -writer for boys. - - Giant Islanders, The - How He Won - Nature’s Young Nobleman - Rival Battalions - -WALTER MORRIS. - -This charming story contains thirty-two chapters of just the sort of -school life that charms the boy readers. - - Bob Porter at Lakeview Academy - -STANLEY NORRIS. - -Mr. Norris is without a rival as a writer of “Circus Stories” for boys. -These four books are full of thrilling adventures, but good, wholesome -reading for young Americans. - - Phil, the Showman - Young Showman’s Rivals, The - Young Showman’s Pluck, The - Young Showman’s Triumph - -LIEUT. JAMES K. ORTON. - -When a boy has read one of Lieut. Orton’s books, it requires no urging -to induce him to read the others. Not a dull page in any of them. - - Beach Boy Joe - Last Chance Mine - Secret Chart, The - Tom Havens with the White Squadron - -JAMES OTIS. - -Mr. Otis is known by nearly every American boy, and needs no -introduction here. The following copyrights are among his best: - - Chased Through Norway - Inland Waterways - Unprovoked Mutiny - Wheeling for Fortune - Reuben Green’s Adventures at Yale - -GILBERT PATTEN. - -Mr. Patten has had the distinction of having his books adopted by the -U. S. Government for all naval libraries on board our war ships. While -aiming to avoid the extravagant and sensational, the stories contain -enough thrilling incidents to please the lad who loves action and -adventure. In the Rockspur stories the description of their Baseball -and Football Games and other contests with rival clubs and teams make -very exciting and absorbing reading; and few boys with warm blood in -their veins, having once begun the perusal of one of these books, will -willingly lay it down till it is finished. - - Boy Boomers - Boy Cattle King - Boy from the West - Don Kirke’s Mine - Jud and Joe - Rockspur Nine, The - Rockspur Eleven, The - Rockspur Rivals, The - -ST. GEORGE RATHBORNE. - -Mr. Rathborne’s stories for boys have the peculiar charm of dealing -with localities and conditions with which he is thoroughly familiar. -The scenes of these excellent stories are along the Florida coast and -on the western prairies. - - Canoe and Camp Fire - Paddling Under Palmettos - Rival Canoe Boys - Sunset Ranch - Chums of the Prairie - Young Range Riders - Gulf Cruisers - Shifting Winds - -ARTHUR SEWELL. - -An American story by an American author. It relates how a Yankee boy -overcame many obstacles in school and out. Thoroughly interesting from -start to finish. - - Gay Dashleigh’s Academy Days - -CAPT. DAVID SOUTHWICK. - -An exceptionally good story of frontier life among the Indians in the -far West, during the early settlement period. - - Jack Wheeler - -The Famous Frank Merriwell Stories. - -BURT L. STANDISH. - -No modern series of tales for boys and youths has met with anything -like the cordial reception and popularity accorded to the Frank -Merriwell Stories. There must be a reason for this and there is. Frank -Merriwell, as portrayed by the author, is a jolly whole-souled, honest, -courageous American lad, who appeals to the hearts of the boys. He -has no bad habits, and his manliness inculcates the idea that it is -not necessary for a boy to indulge in petty vices to be a hero. Frank -Merriwell’s example is a shining light for every ambitious lad to -follow. Six volumes now ready: - - Frank Merriwell’s School Days - Frank Merriwell’s Chums - Frank Merriwell’s Foes - Frank Merriwell’s Trip West - Frank Merriwell Down South - Frank Merriwell’s Bravery - -VICTOR ST. CLAIR. - -These books are full of good, clean adventure, thrilling enough to -please the full-blooded wide-awake boy, yet containing nothing to which -there can be any objection from those who are careful as to the kind of -books they put into the hands of the young. - - Cast Away in the Jungle - For Home and Honor - From Switch to Lever - Little Snap, the Post Boy - Zig-Zag, the Boy Conjurer - Zip, the Acrobat - -MATTHEW WHITE, JR. - -Good, healthy, strong books for the American lad. No more interesting -books for the young appear on our lists. - - Adventures of a Young Athlete - Eric Dane - Guy Hammersley - My Mysterious Fortune - Tour of a Private Car - Young Editor, The - -ARTHUR M. WINFIELD. - -One of the most popular authors of boys’ books. He writes also under -the name of Bonehill and Stratemeyer. Here are three of his best. - - Mark Dale’s Stage Venture - Young Bank Clerk, The - Young Bridge Tender, The - -GAYLE WINTERTON. - -This very interesting story relates the trials and triumphs of a Young -American Actor, including the solution of a very puzzling mystery. - - Young Actor, The - -ERNEST A. YOUNG. - -This book is not a treatise on sports, as the title would indicate, but -relates a series of thrilling adventures among boy campers in the woods -of Maine. - - Boats, Bats and Bicycles - -DAVID McKAY, Publisher, Philadelphia. - - * * * * * - -Transcriber’s Notes: - -Illustrations have been moved to paragraph breaks near where they are -mentioned. - -Punctuation has been made consistent. - -Variations in spelling and hyphenation were retained as they appear in -the original publication, except that obvious typographical errors have -been corrected. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MIDSHIPMAN MERRILL *** - -***** This file should be named 63590-0.txt or 63590-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/3/5/9/63590/ - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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