Add files from ibiblio as of 2025-03-08 23:12:43HEADmain

1 files changed, 7464 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/40368-0.txt b/40368-0.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fb1006d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/40368-0.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,7464 @@
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 40368 ***
+
+[Illustration: cover]
+
+[Illustration: _HE GLANCED AT THE WRITTEN ORDER_]
+
+
+
+
+  AN
+  ANNAPOLIS
+  FIRST CLASSMAN
+
+  _by_
+
+  LT. COM. EDWARD L. BEACH
+
+  U.S. NAVY
+
+  Author of
+
+  "AN ANNAPOLIS PLEBE"
+  "AN ANNAPOLIS YOUNGSTER"
+  "AN ANNAPOLIS SECOND CLASSMAN"
+
+  Illustrated by Frank T. Merrill
+
+  THE PENN PUBLISHING
+  COMPANY PHILADELPHIA
+
+  MCMX
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+Introduction
+
+
+This is the fourth and last book of the "Annapolis Series." It has been
+the purpose of the author faithfully to portray the conditions in which
+our midshipmen live at the Naval Academy. The training given at
+Annapolis is regulated by the needs of the Fleet, and the Naval Academy
+in all of its departments is entirely directed and controlled by
+seagoing naval officers. After the Fleet's world-encircling cruise, many
+of the officers attached to it were sent to the Naval Academy to
+instruct midshipmen in navigation and electricity and gunnery and
+seamanship.
+
+In the navy it is believed that the officer who is fresh from drilling a
+twelve-inch turret or a battery of broadside guns at record and battle
+target practice, should be well qualified to initiate midshipmen in the
+beginnings of naval gunnery. It is for this reason that the training at
+Annapolis reflects the needs of the Fleet, and every officer on duty
+there has either seen recent sea service or is looking forward to an
+early sea assignment.
+
+Stonewell and Robert Drake by name never existed, but the same thoughts
+and ambitions that animate them have animated many hundreds of
+midshipmen; and incidents similar to those described have happened
+countless times. From this point of view these stories are true stories.
+The names of their chief characters may be found in no navy list, but
+the truth of the Annapolis books does not depend upon that. Stonewell
+and Robert Drake have actually lived many times, and to-day are living
+at Annapolis.
+
+The author hopes he has presented in this book and its three
+predecessors, "An Annapolis Plebe," "An Annapolis Youngster," and "An
+Annapolis Second Classman," a fair picture of the life of American
+midshipmen; and not only of the naval atmosphere which surrounds them,
+but of that inner life which for the time dominates their relations to
+each other and to the institution made famous as the alma mater of many
+names illustrious in naval history.
+
+EDWARD L. BEACH,
+_Lieutenant-Commander, U.S. Navy_.
+
+
+
+
+Contents
+
+
+         I. GLASSFELL, DRAKE AND STONEWELL             9
+        II. THE COMMANDANT OF MIDSHIPMEN              22
+       III. A HAPPY SURPRISE                          36
+        IV. ACADEMY LIFE BEGINS                       46
+         V. A MYSTERIOUS CRY                          61
+        VI. THE GATES FORWARD PASS                    77
+       VII. THE WEST POINT GAME                       88
+      VIII. "THE MAN WORE A SLOUCH HAT"              101
+        IX. ROBERT GETS BAD NEWS                     111
+         X. ROBERT GETS GOOD NEWS                    124
+        XI. "THREE GROANS FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT"    133
+       XII. ROBERT MAKES A DISCOVERY                 142
+      XIII. HARRY BLUNT IS REBUFFED                  155
+       XIV. A MYSTERY SOLVED                         166
+        XV. STONEWELL RECEIVES A LETTER              181
+       XVI. BLIGH MAKES A FRIEND                     194
+      XVII. AN ILL-FAVORED, RED-BEARDED ROGUE        205
+     XVIII. AN OLD COLORED MAN IS IN TROUBLE         217
+       XIX. THE KIDNAPPERS                           227
+        XX. SIX-POUNDER TARGET PRACTICE              237
+       XXI. A GOOD SHOT WITH THE SIX-POUNDER         255
+      XXII. GRICE APPEARS AGAIN                      265
+     XXIII. ROBERT RESIGNS                           275
+      XXIV. IT WAS STONEWELL                         287
+       XXV. JOHN 15:13                               298
+      XXVI. COMMANDER DALTON BECOMES ANGRY           305
+     XXVII. ROBERT FINALLY ANSWERS                   320
+    XXVIII. "BLIGH, BLIGH, BLIGH!"                   334
+      XXIX. THE END OF A LONG DAY                    343
+       XXX. GRADUATION                               350
+
+
+
+
+Illustrations
+
+
+                                                PAGE
+    HE GLANCED AT THE WRITTEN ORDER   _Frontispiece_
+    AROUND THE END                                68
+    THE STRANGER THREW OFF HIS HAT               152
+    HE HALF AROSE FROM HIS SEAT                  200
+    HE SAW TWO DARK FIGURES                      272
+    "THAT WILL DO, GENTLEMEN"                    296
+    IT MUST HAVE BEEN A VERY PRETTY SPEECH       355
+
+
+
+
+An Annapolis First Classman
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+GLASSFELL, DRAKE AND STONEWELL
+
+
+"Hello, Stone! Hello, Bob! By George, but I'm glad to see you!"
+
+"Hello, Glass, you old sinner, I can just imagine you've led those dear
+old aunts of yours a lively life the last two weeks."
+
+"You'll win, Stone, but you ought to get them to tell you about it; ha,
+ha, ha! the dear old ladies never dropped once."
+
+Explosively enthusiastic greetings were exchanged between three stalwart
+young men in the Union Station, Chicago, on the twentieth of September,
+of the year nineteen hundred and something. Passers-by noticed them and
+smiled, and in approving accents said, "College boys!" All three were
+tall, broad-shouldered, bronzed in face, and possessed a lithesomeness
+of movement that betokened health and strength.
+
+Glassfell, Drake and Stonewell were midshipmen on leave from the United
+States Naval Academy. It was evident that they had met in the Union
+Station by appointment. Glassfell had just arrived from Wisconsin, and
+Drake and Stonewell were to leave in two hours for Annapolis.
+
+"You two chaps are martyrs!" exclaimed Glassfell; "here you are giving
+up ten days of glorious leave just to go and train for the football
+team. Now here I am, cheer leader, head yeller, or whatever you call me,
+far more important than either of you, you'll admit, and I'm not due at
+Annapolis until October first."
+
+"'Daily News,' last edition," droned a newsboy near by.
+
+"Don't bother me, boy; Chicago news doesn't interest me. Some new
+sandbagging on Wabash Avenue, I suppose, and nothing else. Get out."
+
+"A fine cruise, wasn't it, Glass?" remarked Robert Drake. "By George!
+I'd had some troubles on my previous cruises, but this went like
+clockwork; not a single thing happened to worry me, and I certainly had
+troubles enough on my plebe and youngster cruises."
+
+"You did indeed, Bob," remarked Stonewell, "but you'll have to admit you
+were fortunate in the wind up. Now Glass, here----"
+
+"'Daily News,' last edition," was shouted close to their ears.
+
+"Stuff that boy. Put a corn-cob down his throat," said Glassfell with an
+amused glance at the persistent newsboy. "Say, fellows, wasn't that a
+good one I worked on old 'I mean to say'? Ha, ha, ha!"
+
+"Which one, Glass?" asked Robert Drake.
+
+"Oh, the best one, the time I hoisted up two red balls to the masthead
+when he was on watch in charge of the deck, during drill period. And
+didn't the captain give him the mischief?"
+
+An outburst of wild hilarious laughter greeted this reminiscence, as
+evidently a very humorous episode was recalled. In seagoing language two
+red balls means that the ship carrying them is not under control; and at
+the time referred to by Glassfell the red balls had no business to be
+hoisted, and their presence brought down upon Lieutenant-Commander
+Gettem, nicknamed "I mean to say" by the midshipmen, a wrathful
+reprimand from his captain.
+
+"That was pretty good, Glass," laughed Stonewell, "but you had to own
+up, and got sanded well for it."
+
+"'Daily News,' last edition!" screamed a voice interrupting the
+midshipmen.
+
+"Look here, boy, how many papers have you to sell?" inquired Glassfell.
+
+"Twenty-five, boss; here's yours, and only one cent."
+
+"All right. I'll buy your twenty-five papers and give you twenty-five
+cents besides if you'll make a hundred yard dash for the outside. Give
+me your papers; here's fifty cents."
+
+"I'm your man, boss," cried the newsboy, handing over his papers,
+grabbing the fifty-cent piece and making a tremendous bolt toward the
+exit.
+
+"He's afraid of a recall," laughed Robert. "Say, Glass, are you going to
+start a wholesale newspaper business?"
+
+"Let's see what the news of the day is," replied Glassfell, unfolding
+one of the papers and laying the others down on a seat.
+
+"Here's an alderman up for graft; a bank cashier has gone wrong; hello!
+My heavens, here's a naval war-ship goes to the bottom with all on
+board."
+
+"What ship? what ship?" simultaneously cried out Stonewell and Robert,
+in affrighted tones.
+
+"The submarine boat 'Holland'! Ha, ha, ha, I got you both that time,
+didn't I? You chaps will nab any bait that comes along."
+
+All three laughed heartily. "You're an incorrigible wretch," smiled
+Robert; "I shudder at the idea of spending another year with you at the
+Academy." But the friendly hug that accompanied these words left no
+doubt of the affection Robert bore to the jovial Glassfell.
+
+"By George, fellows, here is an interesting item, 'New cadet officers at
+the Naval----'"
+
+"You don't sell me again to-day, Glass," grinned Robert. "You'll be
+giving yourself five stripes and Stone a second class buzzard."
+
+"Pick up a paper and read for yourself," cried out Glassfell excitedly.
+"Farnum gets five stripes!" Glassfell read no further, but with an
+expression of intense disgust threw the paper down and stamped on it.
+
+Stonewell and Robert were now eagerly reading the paper. "Cadet
+Commander, commanding the Brigade of Midshipmen, Farnum," read Robert.
+"Cadet Lieutenant-Commanders, commanding first and second battalions,
+respectively, Stonewell and Sewall; Cadet Lieutenant and Brigade
+Adjutant, Ryerson. Cadet Lieutenant, commanding first company,
+Blair----"
+
+A look of blank astonishment mingled with disdain was to be seen on
+Robert's face. "Well, Stone," he said, "the officers have done it again,
+and I guess they can be relied upon to make chumps of themselves as
+regularly as they assign the brigade officers. You should be our cadet
+commander, Stone, our five striper; you know it, every midshipman in the
+brigade knows it, the officers ought to know it! You are number one man
+in the class, the leader in Academy athletics, head and shoulders above
+us all. And here they've picked out a regular 'snide,' a sneak, and have
+given him the place that belongs to you." Robert spoke passionately; he
+was intensely disappointed.
+
+"You are entirely wrong about Farnum, Bob," remarked Stonewell quietly;
+"he's a far better man than you give him credit for. You don't
+understand Farnum; he'll do credit to his five stripes. I'm entirely
+satisfied with my four stripes; to be cadet lieutenant-commander is as
+much as I have any right to expect."
+
+"You know why you don't get five stripes, don't you?" asked Robert
+vehemently; "it's because you took French leave a year ago, and reported
+yourself for it! And didn't Farnum jump ship at the same time? Only he
+didn't get spotted for it. You reported yourself for the purpose of
+explaining my deliberate neglect of duty last year. You were reduced to
+ranks as a result and Farnum was then given your position as acting
+senior cadet officer of the summer detail. If he'd had any sense of
+fitness he would have reported himself rather than have accepted it;
+that was only a temporary affair, however, and didn't amount to much;
+but because of that same report it's outrageous that you should be
+shoved out of the five stripes you've earned by a man who was equally
+guilty, but didn't have the manhood to report himself when you did."
+
+"It's rotten," remarked Glassfell. "Well, Stone, old chap," he
+continued, "I'm sorry; everybody will be; we all thought you had a cinch
+on five stripes. But I wouldn't be in Farnum's shoes; everybody will
+know he is a fake. But as long as they didn't make Stonewell cadet
+commander I'm rather surprised they didn't give the job to me."
+
+"Look here, Bob," said Stonewell, "I have been hoping you would get
+three stripes--but I'm sorry not to see you down for anything."
+
+"That's too bad; isn't Bob down for anything?" inquired Glassfell.
+
+"Not even for a second class buzzard, the lowest thing in cadet rank at
+the Naval Academy," replied Stonewell.
+
+"I'm sorry to hear that," remarked Glassfell, much concerned. "Bob ought
+to have three stripes, anyway."
+
+"Don't you worry, fellows," said Robert, cheerily, "I haven't expected a
+thing and am not a bit disappointed. A midshipman cannot live down a
+'deliberate neglect of duty' report in one year."
+
+"Yes, Bob, I know, but I had hoped that your conduct at the fire a year
+ago and that remarkable trip of yours last June would----"
+
+"Now, Stone, please don't; you know that is not to be talked about."
+
+"Of course, but at the same time in spite of that report you ought to
+get three stripes."
+
+"That's right," commented Glassfell. "The officers only see one side of
+a midshipman's character; here I am, another martyr to their ignorance;
+I'm one of the best men in the class, the band master thinks so, and
+he's the grandest thing I've ever seen at Annapolis; and I'm a private
+in ranks for another year. But perhaps this report isn't authentic;
+let's see, the paper says that it is likely that these recommendations
+will be made to the superintendent by the commandant; the former is
+away, will not arrive at Annapolis for two days yet--hurrah, I may still
+get five stripes."
+
+"Stone, I still hope you may command the brigade of midshipmen our last
+year," said Robert thoughtfully. "This newspaper account does not
+pretend to be official; it says 'it has leaked out' that the commandant
+of midshipmen's recommendation of the assignment of cadet officers of
+the brigade will be so and so. Now the superintendent evidently has not
+seen these recommendations, so they are not as yet finally decided upon.
+Probably this newspaper list is correct in the main, but it is not
+final; the superintendent is away on leave and has not yet acted; he has
+not even seen the commandant's recommendations. If either the
+superintendent or the commandant were to know that Farnum had been
+guilty of the same offense which is now to deprive you of the five
+stripes you otherwise, by every count, had earned, you would never be
+set aside in favor of a man equally guilty but not so square. It's
+shameful, that's what it is."
+
+Robert boiled over with angry thoughts. Strong feelings dominated his
+expressive features, and it was with difficulty that he controlled
+himself. His classmate Stonewell was at once his joy and pride, and he
+loved him with brotherly affection. Stonewell in his studies towered
+above all of his classmates; he was the leader in athletics, captain of
+the football team, and captain of the Academy crew. He was class
+president and his own class and all midshipmen confidently expected he
+would be cadet commander in his last year at the Naval Academy.
+
+But Robert Drake more than wished for it. Until this moment he had not
+realized how he longed for it. In the preceding three years at Annapolis
+Robert had had perhaps more than his own share of troubles, and in them
+all Stonewell had been to him a mountain of strength and a deep well of
+affectionate wisdom.
+
+"Farnum for our five striper! Faugh! The thought of it makes me sick!
+I'll not stand for it," cried Robert.
+
+"How can you help it, Bob?" queried Glassfell, himself much
+disappointed, though not nearly so vehement as Robert.
+
+"I'll tell you what I'm going to do," almost shouted the latter; "Stone
+and I will be in Annapolis the day after to-morrow, and I'm going
+straight to the commandant and convince him that he's made a big bust.
+That's what I'm going to do!"
+
+"No, you're not, Bob," said Stonewell, quietly, yet determinedly;
+"you'll do nothing of the kind. The commandant isn't going to give me
+five stripes just because you want me to have them. You've had some
+troubles at the Academy, partly due perhaps to a sort of unrestrained
+impetuosity. Sometimes you are apt to mix up in matters that other
+people don't admit concern you. You'll do me more harm than good if
+you're not careful; and as a friend of mine I demand you do nothing
+whatever about this matter."
+
+Robert knew that Stonewell meant exactly what he said, yet he could not
+give in at once. "Look here, Stone," he doggedly maintained, "some one
+ought to do this, and I'm the man. Why don't you wish me to?"
+
+"I've given you one good reason, Bob, and I'll give you another. It
+wouldn't be fair to Farnum."
+
+"It wouldn't be fair to Farnum!" ejaculated Robert. "It wouldn't be fair
+to Farnum," he again repeated, in astonished accents. "Will you please
+tell me why it would be unfair to that sneak? How could it be unfair to
+him for me to make a plain statement of facts to the commandant, a
+statement that would prevent Farnum from being put into a high position
+which is utterly undeserved?"
+
+"I'll tell you, Bob; to begin with you've made a mistake about Farnum;
+he's not at all the poor character, the sneak, you think him to be. You
+don't know him. You've good reason to know how unfair it is to be
+misunderstood. Your action would be particularly unfair to Farnum
+because the first thing he will do when he gets to Annapolis will be to
+go to the commandant and tell him just what you have said you intended
+doing."
+
+"You've a better opinion of Farnum than I have, Stone," rejoined Robert,
+shortly. "If he does that I'll apologize to him. But if he
+doesn't--well, he'll have a mighty uncomfortable year, in spite of his
+five stripes, that's all I've got to say."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE COMMANDANT OF MIDSHIPMEN
+
+
+Drake and Stonewell reached Washington the next morning, and the
+following morning took a train bound for Annapolis. They were ahead of
+the yearly rush of midshipmen returning from September leave; members of
+the Naval Academy football team are expected to sacrifice part of their
+precious vacation in order to commence football practice early. Hardly
+were they aboard their train when a tall, fine-looking young man, of
+perhaps twenty-one or twenty-two years, approached them. In his hurried
+glance at Robert and Stonewell one might have seen an expression of
+pleasure combined with uncertainty, the pleasure when looking at
+Stonewell, the uncertainty when his gaze rested momentarily upon Robert.
+
+"How do you do, Stonewell?" he said, in a rather precise way, extending
+his hand to him. "I'm glad to see you and Drake; have you seen any
+others of the football squad?"
+
+"Hello, Farnum, how are you, old chap? I'm real glad to see you," said
+Stonewell, heartily. "No, I haven't seen any midshipmen but you yet."
+
+"How are you, Drake?" continued Farnum, rather pointedly, and stood with
+hand outstretched toward Drake. Apparently the latter did not see
+Farnum's hand; he made no effort to take it, but with his own right hand
+he touched his hat and said: "Hello, Farnum." Farnum's hand dropped to
+his side, and he said impulsively, "Why won't you shake hands with me,
+Drake? I would like to be friendly with you, and I don't know why we
+shouldn't be friends. Perhaps you are thinking of the time when most of
+us misjudged you, a matter that no one has more regretted than I have."
+
+"Farnum," said Robert, "you remember our second class summer, don't you,
+when I was reported for deliberate neglect of duty?"
+
+"Surely," answered Farnum.
+
+"And you remember why I neglected my duty? I was on as 'midshipman in
+charge of floor' when you and Stone and Pete and some others were
+Frenching, and I left my post so as not to have to report you all."
+
+"I remember that very well indeed," rejoined Farnum; "what of it?"
+
+"Stone and the rest of them, except you, reported themselves for the
+purpose of helping me out, as much as they could, of the trouble I was
+in. Stone was broken as acting senior cadet officer, and you, guilty of
+the same offense, were given his place. I hope you enjoyed it." Robert
+spoke warmly.
+
+"Look here, Drake, suppose you let me ask you a few questions. When you
+left your post that night was it to avoid reporting me? Would you have
+deliberately neglected your duty for me, or was it to benefit your own
+particular chums, Stone, Pete and Glass?"
+
+"I'd do more for them than for anybody else at the Academy."
+
+"Of course you would; I'd blame you if you wouldn't. But you wouldn't
+have done it for me alone, would you?"
+
+"I don't know--I'd got sick of reporting classmates. I hope I won't have
+to face that question again."
+
+"Drake, I wouldn't either have asked or expected you to do that for me.
+I didn't report myself because you didn't do it for me; I took my chance
+and was not reported. It was all right for Stone to report himself if he
+wanted to. As for being shoved into his position as acting senior cadet
+officer, that didn't amount to a hill of beans, and you know it. It was
+a very temporary matter, and it didn't make any difference to Stone or
+me or you or anybody else. At the same time I don't mind saying that I
+was sorry at the time I supplanted Stone. I'm also sorry you have seen
+fit to brood over this matter. I suppose I can get along without your
+friendship, though I was perfectly sincere in offering you mine."
+
+"Do you know who's going to have five stripes?" asked Robert sharply.
+
+"Why Stone, of course--I haven't seen the stripe list yet, but I don't
+imagine anybody else will be considered for that job."
+
+Without saying anything more, Robert took a newspaper clipping from his
+pocket and handed it to Farnum. Stonewell, who had been silent during
+the talk between his two classmates, now said, offering his hand to the
+latter, "I congratulate you, Farnum; I'm sure you'll have a good
+brigade; you may depend on my helping you to the best of my ability."
+
+Though Farnum was ordinarily a very self-contained young man, his eyes
+bulged when he saw himself gazetted as cadet commander. He hesitated for
+a moment, seemingly lost in perturbed thought; then turning to
+Stonewell, he took his hand and said, "Stone, this is very kind of you,"
+and without another word passed out of the car.
+
+"Bob," said Stonewell rather sharply, "I have a request to make of you,
+and if you are the friend I take you to be you'll heed it. I want you to
+drop this matter of five stripes. You'll make a nuisance of yourself and
+will make me ridiculous. I want you to promise me you will not go around
+and tell people Farnum shouldn't have five stripes and that I should."
+
+"Stone, I boil over every time I think about it; I can't help it. It
+just makes me mad to see Farnum smirking and grinning, and usurping the
+place that belongs to you. But I don't think he'll enjoy his job,
+feeling in his heart that everybody knows he's an impostor. The idea of
+his saying to you 'this is very kind of you.' I'm disgusted!"
+
+"Well, Bob, don't think about him, and as you feel so strongly try to
+avoid talking about the matter. Let's talk of something else. The entire
+squad should arrive by to-morrow, and we ought to get in some good
+practice----"
+
+Here Stonewell received a violent interruption. A sudden lurch of the
+train threw a passing youth right on top of the two midshipmen. The
+young man immediately recovered himself and then broke out into a hearty
+peal of laughter. "I beg your pardon, I'd no idea I was so clumsy. You
+chaps are going to Annapolis, aren't you? So am I. I'm a midshipman."
+The speaker seemed to take it for granted that he was both important and
+interesting. He was full of apparent good nature and friendliness and
+wanted to talk; he was about nineteen years old, and was tall and
+strongly built. A great shock of tawny yellow hair surmounted a rather
+handsome, freckled, healthy face. He had a thick neck and his shoulders
+were heavy. His appearance betokened great good nature, and there were
+health, strength and quickness in every movement.
+
+"You don't look like a midshipman," said Robert shortly.
+
+"Oh," said the young man with a laugh, "I've only been one for twenty
+days; I was sworn in September first, and then got leave, a grandmother
+died and the estate had to be settled--ha, ha, ha,--any excuse would
+have done--but I'm going to go back to-day for football. I know
+something about the game, and expect to make the team from the start. My
+name is Henry Bligh. What are yours?"
+
+"Young man," said Stonewell, in forbidding tones, "after you've been a
+midshipman for a while you will notice that other midshipmen are a bit
+slow in proclaiming who they are to strangers in public places. You are
+excused."
+
+A blank expression spread itself over Mr. Bligh's face. He looked from
+Stonewell to Robert. Neither took any further notice of him, and in a
+hesitating way he walked to the rear of the car.
+
+"A bit fresh, isn't he, Stone?" smiled Robert.
+
+"Yes, Bob; like you and I were when we first came here, and like most
+midshipmen are at first. He's a well-built plebe, and looks like good
+football material. Well, here's old Annapolis once more--what a pleasure
+it is to get back to the old town."
+
+The train slowed down and stopped and the passengers impatiently crowded
+to the door, anxious to be off.
+
+"Hello," exclaimed Robert, "Farnum must be in a hurry; he's taken a
+carriage; I'm glad I'm not in a hurry, for I'm busted, as usual."
+
+Farnum had jumped into a carriage and gave directions to be driven to
+Bancroft Hall; on his arrival there he went immediately to the
+commandant.
+
+"I'm glad to see you, Mr. Farnum," said the commandant, greeting him
+warmly. "I suppose you've come back early for football practice?"
+
+"Yes, sir." Farnum paused for a moment and then began abruptly,
+"Captain, I have here a list of midshipmen which it is said you are to
+recommend as cadet officers. I am slated, according to this list, to be
+cadet commander. I wish permission to speak to you frankly about this."
+
+"Go ahead, Mr. Farnum. Those are the recommendations I shall submit to
+the superintendent within an hour. The list was not made public by me;
+it leaked out somehow; but I guess no harm has been done. But it will
+not be final until the superintendent approves it. He has just returned
+from leave, and so has not acted upon it."
+
+"Will you please tell me frankly why I am recommended to be cadet
+commander, and Mr. Stonewell is not?"
+
+"This is unusual, Mr. Farnum, but as you are recommended for the highest
+cadet rank I don't mind being perfectly frank. Mr. Stonewell is number
+one in your class, and in pretty nearly everything at the Academy. The
+summer cruise officers and the ordnance and seamanship and discipline
+officers have recommended that he be made cadet commander; and you were
+recommended pretty nearly unanimously to be the senior cadet
+lieutenant-commander. But last summer Mr. Stonewell committed a most
+serious breach of Academy regulations. He took French leave one night."
+
+"Is that the only reason he doesn't get five stripes, sir?"
+
+"Frankly, yes."
+
+"Then, sir, I must report I was also guilty, at the same time, of the
+same offense. Mr. Stonewell and all the others of the party, except
+myself, reported themselves for being absent, for the purpose of helping
+Mr. Drake. I didn't at the time feel called upon to do so, though I have
+since keenly wished I had. You can see, sir, it will be impossible for
+me to hold five stripes with any degree of self-respect. My classmates
+know all the circumstances. I would feel that I was an impostor and my
+classmates would have contempt for me. I could never have the respect
+nor exert the moral authority that should go with five stripes."
+
+"Mr. Farnum, I'm entirely surprised. You should have reported yourself
+last summer."
+
+"Yes, sir, but as I didn't do so then I must now."
+
+"Of course; however questionable your notions of last summer were your
+present action is commendable. Well, Mr. Farnum, you will hardly get
+five stripes, but, I assure you, you have my entire respect.
+Good-morning, sir," and Farnum was bowed out.
+
+"By George," reflected the commandant, "that young man has a sense of
+duty; he's pointed right. I shouldn't wonder but what it would be a good
+thing to call in the leading midshipmen of a class before cadet officers
+are assigned and talk it over with them. Well, I think the best thing I
+can do about this list is to recommend Stonewell for the brigade
+commander and Farnum for command of the first battalion. They will
+simply shift places and the other recommendations will not be
+disturbed."
+
+After making this change in the list the commandant left his office and
+was soon with the superintendent, Rear-Admiral Wentworth. After a
+cordial greeting and some preliminary talk the commandant, Commander
+Dalton, said: "Admiral, the most pressing thing I have is to get your
+approval for the assignment of the cadet officers. I have the
+recommendations here; I am entirely satisfied we'll have the brigade of
+midshipmen well officered this year."
+
+"Let me have your list," said the superintendent, reaching out for it.
+"I see you have recommended Mr. Stonewell for cadet commander. Hum. I
+had almost decided to put another young man in that position, but I
+think I'll let that stand. Farnum and Sewall are to be the cadet
+lieutenant-commanders. Well, let that go. Ryerson, senior cadet
+lieutenant; he'll make an ideal brigade adjutant. Pass him; but where
+does my young friend come in?"
+
+"Who is he, admiral? What's his name?" queried Commander Dalton.
+
+The superintendent did not reply, but read the list over hurriedly, and
+then said, impatiently, "Why, Dalton, his name doesn't figure here at
+all, but I can fix that easily; he goes in right after Ryerson, and will
+be cadet lieutenant, commanding the first company of midshipmen."
+
+The admiral seized a pen, interpolated a name between Ryerson and Blair,
+and then signed the roster of cadet officers. He handed this to the
+commandant, saying, "Dalton, Mr. Drake will command the first company;
+shove everybody after him on your list down a peg."
+
+"Why, admiral," remonstrated the commandant, "Mr. Drake isn't entitled
+to this; it is true he was unanimously recommended by all but the
+discipline officers to be cadet lieutenant, but he most deliberately
+neglected his duty when he was a second classman when on a special
+detail. He is a very attractive young man, but we cannot forget such a
+serious blot as that."
+
+The superintendent smiled. "Dalton," he said, "I was here on duty
+twenty-five years ago, when I was a lieutenant, in the department of
+seamanship."
+
+"Yes, sir, I well remember your being here, for I was at that time here
+also, as a midshipman."
+
+"Well, one year I was among those detailed to make the recommendation
+for new cadet officers. There was one midshipman, high in his class, a
+splendid fellow, that would have had high cadet office except he was
+constantly kicking over the regulations. He was the leader of every mad
+excursion that occurred within these walls; his exuberance of spirits
+brought him continual trouble. So when we came to make our
+recommendations we pursed our lips and passed over the midshipman I'm
+speaking of. We made a mistake I've regretted ever since. Well, that
+midshipman became an officer that the whole navy ever since has been
+proud of, and when I was ordered here as superintendent I asked the Navy
+Department to send him here as commandant. By the way, his name is
+Dalton."
+
+Commander Dalton became very red in the face, and then in a husky voice
+much affected said, "Admiral, I'd no idea you had this opinion of me--I
+can't express my feelings; you have touched them deeply. I am glad Mr.
+Drake is to be cadet lieutenant. I'll have the list copied and published
+this afternoon."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+A HAPPY SURPRISE
+
+
+Robert and Stonewell spent the first day of their return in getting
+settled and in seeing the football coaches and talking about the
+football material of the new fourth class. A number of the regular
+players had already returned, and the afternoon train brought in about
+twenty midshipmen who had been in the squad the previous year, all of
+whom were now eager to commence practice.
+
+"We'll start in to-morrow, fellows, good and hard," said Stonewell; "be
+on the field at eight in the morning; we'll get the whole fourth class
+out later, after they've finished their morning drill, and we'll size up
+and pick out the likely ones and give them a tryout. Come on, Bob, let's
+go to quarters. Come along with us, Farnum, if you're walking that way."
+
+The three walked toward Bancroft Hall together. "What do you think of
+the fourth class, Stone?" asked Farnum. "Are there any good men in it?"
+
+"There are indeed, I should say, from just looking at them, but we will
+know better to-morrow, after we've given them a try on the field.
+There's a plebe named Bligh who has told me he expects to make the
+team."
+
+Farnum laughed. "He told me the same thing. I hope he'll make good; if
+he does we'll pardon his freshness. What do you hear of West Point? No
+midshipman now at Annapolis has ever seen the Academy beat West Point at
+football. George! I do hope we'll win; we ought to, we have twice as
+many men here as there are at West Point."
+
+"It would seem so. And yet when we had many less midshipmen than there
+were cadets at West Point we used to beat them right along, and since we
+have had more West Point has beaten us. You can depend on one thing,
+both academies will have strong teams this year and both will make
+strenuous efforts in the great battle to be fought in Philadelphia next
+fall. I hope you'll make the team this year, Farnum; you tried hard
+enough last year," added Stonewell kindly.
+
+"I'll get it if desperate work on my part will bring it to me."
+
+Neither Farnum nor Robert addressed remarks directly to one another, and
+after a while the three midshipmen had reached the steps leading to
+Bancroft Hall.
+
+"Let's see if there are any new orders posted," suggested Robert, and
+the three young men directed their steps toward the bulletin-board. In
+an instant Robert set up a great shout. "Hooray," he cried, "Stonewell
+has five stripes." Robert had looked no further than the head of the
+list and was wild with unexpected happiness. Then he suddenly grabbed
+Farnum by the arm and said: "Stone told me that I wasn't fair to you;
+that you were a better man than I took you to be; that the first thing
+you would do when you got to Annapolis would be to go to the commandant
+and report yourself for that affair of last summer. Did you do that?"
+
+Farnum looked pleased. "Yes, Drake, I did, but it makes me feel mighty
+good that Stone thought well enough of me to predict that I would. I'd
+rather have that confidence on his part than five stripes, any day of
+the week."
+
+"Farnum, I'm not as wise as old Stone; I apologize to you for my unkind
+judgment and for not taking your hand in the train. I hope you will
+forgive me and accept my friendship," and a warm handclasp and a happy
+reconciliation followed.
+
+"Why don't you chaps read the rest of this list, and see who the
+remaining cadet officers are?" asked Stonewell.
+
+"They're just the same as in the list we saw published, aren't they?"
+queried Robert.
+
+"Well, Farnum gets the first battalion----"
+
+"Good, I'm delighted," burst out Robert.
+
+"They've a good man commanding the first company, haven't they?"
+continued Stonewell.
+
+"Yes, Blair is one of the best men in the class; he'll make a splendid
+three striper; he----"
+
+"Oh, it isn't Blair; take a look for yourself, Bob."
+
+Robert glanced at the written order assigning the brigade officers.
+
+"Drake, cadet lieutenant, commanding first company."
+
+Robert's heart commenced to thump, the blood rushed to his head and he
+felt a surging of happiness within that seemed almost overwhelming. He
+was like a thirsty man in a desert unexpectedly finding water. Until
+this moment he had never known how much cadet rank meant to him.
+
+"Oh, Stonewell," he cried, "I can't believe it; isn't it likely to be a
+mistake?"
+
+"Not a bit of it. The superintendent's name is signed to it. This is
+better news to me than the five stripes, even," rejoined Stonewell.
+"Bob, I'm pleased beyond expression."
+
+"I'm delighted, Bob," cried Farnum.
+
+It was indeed a happy trio that congratulated each other and tried to
+realize their good fortune.
+
+"Come on, Bob," said the practical Stonewell at last, "let's go to our
+room and straighten it up a bit. Will you come along, Farnum?"
+
+"No, I've my own room to fix up. Bob, old chap, you're my senior three
+striper, and I'm ever so glad of it," and Farnum's expressive eyes
+confirmed this feeling.
+
+Once in their room Robert was in no hurry to do anything but talk.
+Boisterous jubilance exuded from his every movement and every
+expression. "Stone, the first company is going to win the flag this
+year," he suddenly exclaimed. "We're going to have the best drilled, the
+best all around company of the brigade. Just keep your eye on the first
+company this year, old fellow."
+
+"Bully for you, Bob, I believe you'll win it," replied Stonewell. "Now I
+wonder," he continued with a laugh, "if you have already decided which
+pretty girl you will ask to present the flag to your company after you
+have won it."
+
+Robert's face reddened, and then he said, smiling happily, "We'll talk
+about that later."
+
+The young men now busied themselves in unpacking their trunks and
+stowing their clothes in their wardrobes, placing aside their civilian
+clothing to be sent to the basement. After this was finished they
+commenced to talk. "This is a fine room, Stone," commented Robert.
+"Here, out of this window, is Chesapeake Bay, and from the other we can
+look over at the Armory across the lawns, and into the city of
+Annapolis. I tell you, it's worth while to room with the five striper.
+And it's worth while to be a five striper, too. You can visit during
+study hours, you can come and go as you please; no officer would ever
+think of questioning the cadet commander. You'll have a good brigade,
+Stone; discipline here depends pretty much on the cadet officers, and
+every one of us will do his level best that your brigade shall be the
+best of our time."
+
+"That's right, Bob, we'll all do our best. We'll try to make every man
+feel that what he does is important. If all the units are earnest the
+grand result is bound to be satisfactory."
+
+"Stone, you and I are the best of friends, aren't we?"
+
+"That's been my idea, Bob, for several years."
+
+"Well, I've been thinking it's surprising that in spite of our intimate
+friendship I should know so little of your family; you know all about
+mine."
+
+"Why, Bob, what's put that into your head. You've been to my home in
+Chicago and have met my people--and they think everything of you."
+
+"Well, it just came over me that you never speak of them. Do you
+remember three years ago, at about this time, how you Frenched from the
+'Santee' and how I followed you out into Annapolis, and how Captain
+Blunt caught us and reported us?"
+
+"I do indeed; pretty hard luck, wasn't it? Say, Captain Blunt is a fine
+fellow, isn't he? I've just read that his ship, the 'New Orleans,' now
+on the Asiatic station, is to come home in a few months. I trust his
+hopeful son will not be bilged by that time; that young man is in
+constant danger of getting into trouble." Stonewell picked up his cap
+and continued, "I'm going down the corridor; I'll be back in a little
+while."
+
+"Hold on, Stone, I want to talk about that time we Frenched. Now I've
+never asked you any particulars; you told me you had to go out to see a
+brother who was in some terrible trouble, and you've never said a word
+about him since--and I've never asked you. Now can't you tell me
+something about him, Stone? It isn't mere idle curiosity, but you are
+so much in my thoughts that I can't help but be interested in your
+brother. Is he like you?"
+
+Stonewell sat down, saying: "Bob, you were very good to me at that time
+and were most considerate then and have been ever since in not asking
+questions. I went out that night to see my brother Frank. Frank is
+entirely unlike me in character, though people say we resemble one
+another very much in appearance; from his earliest boyhood he has
+constantly been getting into scrapes, and some of these have been
+serious. He is wild and impulsive. Frank wouldn't intentionally do a low
+or a wrong thing, but has done some crazy acts which have resulted
+badly.
+
+"Now, the day I Frenched, when you followed me, I had received word that
+Frank had passed a forged check, and the same day I learned he was
+hiding in Annapolis; I was beside myself. You see I didn't know but what
+if it was true. Well, it came out all right. Frank hadn't passed a bad
+check, but an older man with whom he spent much time had, and Frank's
+name was brought in. He was badly scared; he was only sixteen at the
+time, and he came here to me. You see there was no real occasion for his
+being scared and coming here or for my being so upset. But I didn't know
+how bad it was and I was nearly crazy until the next morning, when I
+received word that everything was all right. Still, it isn't a very
+pleasant recollection, and I have never felt inclined to talk about it.
+Now, Bob, I think I've answered your question. Do you want to know
+anything more about Frank?"
+
+"Yes, where is he now?"
+
+"He's a sophomore at Princeton," returned Stonewell.
+
+"Well, you are the greatest fellow, Stone; if I had a brother at
+Princeton I couldn't help but talk about it; all my friends here would
+know it."
+
+Stonewell smiled. "Come on, Bob," he said, picking up his cap again.
+"Let's go out and see what fellows have come back. The entire squad
+should be here by this time."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+ACADEMY LIFE BEGINS
+
+
+The next morning the returned football squad were all out on the
+athletic field, and everybody was busy with preliminary practice in
+passing, kicking, tackling the dummy and running with the ball. At
+eleven o'clock the entire fourth class were assembled on the field. Each
+one of these three hundred young men was looked at and questioned as to
+previous football experience, and about forty of them were advised to
+come out for practice. Of these forty, ten appeared to be likely
+candidates and were told to find football uniforms, and to practice for
+the time being with the squad. The most promising of these ten was
+Bligh, and this promise did not suffer from excessive modesty on the
+part of Mr. Bligh.
+
+"Oh, yes, I can play football--a little," he said, with a smile that
+intended to convey the idea that "the little" was in reality a great
+deal.
+
+"Where have you played?" asked Stonewell.
+
+"Oh, two years on the University of Minnesota's team, and before that at
+St. Paul High School," drawled Mr. Bligh.
+
+"What have you played?"
+
+"Quarter, half and end. Look up the 'St. Paul Pioneer Press's' All
+Northwestern team for last year; I guess you'll find they know who I am
+out there, mister."
+
+"We'll give you a chance to show what you can do, Mr. Henry Bligh. Now
+take a ball and punt for a while."
+
+It wasn't long before Stonewell said: "That fellow knows football; he's
+a find. We need a good quarter and will try him for it. You can see by
+the way he handles the ball that he's an old hand at it. But I don't
+like his manners, though we'll forget that if he plays good football.
+He's a good deal of a brag."
+
+"Good-morning, Mr. Drake," said a pleasant voice behind Robert. The
+latter turned around and then enthusiastically cried:
+
+"Hello, Sexton, I'm glad to see you back. I hope you'll make it a go
+this time. Why have you those togs on?"
+
+"I'm going to try for the squad," replied Sexton.
+
+"Look here, Sexton, take my advice and don't go into football; math
+comes hard to you, and football takes up a lot of time on one hand and
+tires you out; makes it hard to study, on the other. Now you don't want
+to bilge again, and you don't want to take up anything that will
+interfere with your studies." Sexton had failed in his studies and had
+been dropped from the Academy in consequence the previous year.
+
+"I want to play," replied Sexton, "and if I get low in my studies and it
+is known I play football the instructors will help me out; will give me
+easy subjects and high marks."
+
+"Not unless you're a star player. You'd better give it up, Sexton.
+Hello, Blunt," Robert continued to another young man who just came up,
+"so you're out for football, too, are you?"
+
+"You bet, and I'm going to make quarter on the first team, too. Last
+year's quarter graduated in June, and I'm the boy to take his place."
+
+"Do you see that plebe over there, kicking the ball?" interrupted
+Stonewell, who, while watching different players, had half listened to
+the talk going on about him.
+
+"That fellow with a thick bunch of hair, that one who has just kicked?"
+
+"Yes, watch him a bit. He knows the game; he has played quarter on
+Minnesota's team. You'll have to get up and dust to beat that fellow out
+of quarter-back."
+
+"Do you think I'm going to let a plebe beat me?" cried out Third
+Classman Blunt, indignantly. "I'll stand him on his head. I'll----"
+
+"Blunt, leave the football field immediately and turn in your clothes,"
+interposed Stonewell, sharply. "I'll be in my room at half-past seven
+to-night if you care to discuss with me your future conduct on the
+football field."
+
+"Mr. Stonewell, I'm not going off the field. I didn't mean
+anything--I--I----" stammered the dismayed Blunt.
+
+"Is your delay in obeying my order due to ignorance or insubordination?"
+demanded Stonewell severely. Blunt had been somewhat insolent in his
+manner to Stonewell, and was being disciplined on the spot.
+
+Without another word Harry Blunt turned and slowly left the field.
+
+"Stone, aren't you a little hard on him?" asked Robert.
+
+"Purposely so, Bob; it's the only kind of treatment he understands. He's
+an irrepressible youngster, well meaning, but it's best in dealing with
+him to temper justice with cruelty. He'll be around to-night in a
+contrite spirit with sincere promises to be good, and to-morrow he'll be
+on the field again and he'll play for all that's in him. He'll be wild
+to beat that plebe, and this lesson will be good for him."
+
+Blunt did as Stonewell predicted he would, and was out on the field next
+day. Two teams were formed and at the end of each day's practice these
+were lined up against each other and a fierce scrimmage occurred. Robert
+Drake was put at right end of the first team; opposing him was Farnum.
+Stonewell played left tackle; Bligh was quarter-back of the first team,
+Blunt quarter of the second. These positions were subject to constant
+change, and many midshipmen were tried in different positions. A common
+spirit animated them. First a winning team must be developed, and a
+winning team meant but one thing; it meant West Point's defeat. After
+that each player was anxious either to hold his own place on the first
+team or by superior playing on the second team to earn a place on the
+first. Bligh sprang into immediate popularity because he played well
+from the start. Harry Blunt did not have Bligh's previous experience,
+but gave promise of developing into a good quarter-back.
+
+Robert Drake found Farnum a formidable opponent. The latter played with
+an impetuosity and spirit that took no heed of possible injury, and
+before October first he was regularly playing on the first team, much to
+his satisfaction. The midshipmen of the football squad by October first
+had had much exercise and were pretty well hardened; most of them were
+old players, and in the first real game, against Lehigh, the Naval
+Academy team played with a dash and spirit that delighted the hearts of
+hundreds of midshipmen on the bleachers as well as scores of officers.
+
+By this time everybody, midshipmen and officers, had returned from
+leave, and in a day Academy life had settled down to its regular
+routine. One day was allowed the midshipmen to get ready for the year's
+work, and the next day midshipmen were marching to recitations and
+drills with monotonous regularity.
+
+The first formation of the brigade was a thrilling moment to Robert
+Drake. The warning bugle blew and eight hundred midshipmen scampered to
+their places in ranks, laughing and talking, some in desperate efforts
+to "beat the bugle." With the last blast of that unmusical instrument
+came complete quiet; then in front of each of the twelve companies into
+which the midshipmen were divided was to be seen a young man rapidly
+calling his company roll; and as names were called vociferous "heres"
+were to be heard coming from all parts of the long line of midshipmen;
+when the midshipman in front of the first company on the extreme right
+had finished calling his roll, he came to an about face, and saluted an
+impassive midshipman, his company commander, Cadet Lieutenant Drake.
+
+"First company, three absent, sir," reported First Petty Officer Peters.
+
+"Take your post, sir," ordered his captain, Cadet Lieutenant Drake.
+First Petty Officer Peters smartly stepped off to the right of the
+company, Cadet Lieutenant Drake at the same time going to the company's
+left. Down the line could be heard shouts of different company officers,
+aligning their companies. And then the midshipmen of the first company
+heard a ringing order, not too loud, but in a tone that before the end
+of the year became entirely familiar to them and in which each man
+learned to have entire trust.
+
+"First company, left step, march. Company halt. Left dress. Back in the
+centre, up on the right, carry it along, back extreme right. Steady.
+Front." Each of the twelve companies had been similarly aligned by its
+cadet lieutenant, and the brigade, stretching along the terrace for over
+five hundred feet, was now as straight as a taut string.
+
+In front of the brigade, facing it, all alone, stood a tall, erect,
+manly-looking midshipman, entirely self-possessed, apparently not
+carried away by the distinguished position he occupied. Triumphant
+feeling must have had a place in his heart, but of this there was no
+external evidence.
+
+Such formations as these occur innumerable times in the midshipmen's
+career; they are held before every meal, before every drill, and on many
+other occasions; and each time every midshipman at the Academy is
+accounted for.
+
+Six hundred and sixty-five permanent regulations, besides special
+orders, control the lives and actions of each of the eight hundred
+midshipmen at our national Naval School. There are many officers on duty
+there for instruction purposes, and a few have special disciplinary
+duties concerned with the inspection and regulation of the conduct of
+the midshipmen. But it is only by the effective coöperation of the cadet
+officers that discipline is maintained. The commandant inspects the
+midshipmen and their quarters Sunday morning; the lieutenant-commander
+on duty for the day as "officer-in-charge" makes several inspections
+during his twenty-four hours' time; but the cadet officers have
+multifarious disciplinary duties over midshipmen in their control, and
+as stated, it is the efficient execution of these duties by the cadet
+officers and the carrying out by them of the commandant's and
+officer-in-charge's orders, that largely controls the actions and
+conduct of individual midshipmen.
+
+Robert Drake realized all this; what midshipman does not who has been at
+the Naval Academy for three years? And now came to him, as comes to all
+cadet officers, a determination to do his part with all the ability he
+possessed. He was indeed happy to be cadet lieutenant, and was proud of
+the three stripes on each sleeve that indicated that rank. As cadet
+lieutenant he had many daily routine inspections and reports to make and
+was assisted in these by two cadet officers, a cadet junior lieutenant
+and a cadet ensign, and by eight petty officers, a number of the latter
+being second classmen.
+
+"Well, Stone," Robert remarked as they commenced their studies, "I
+certainly have a busy eight months cut out for me. Just look at these
+formidable lessons assigned us for to-morrow. Here are twenty pages in
+seamanship, and about the same amount in gunnery and in electricity.
+We've got an awful lot to do this year in steam engineering, and look at
+those five hundred pages in navigation. Whew! I don't see how we're
+going to do it well. Then I'm sure to be constantly busy with my company
+duties; this ought to be enough, but on top of this is an hour and a
+half's drill each day, and after that, football till it is too dark to
+see. Jimmini! If we get more than a smattering out of those books I'll
+be surprised. And you'll be busy too; you're editor of the 'Lucky
+Bag'[1] and chairman of the hop committee!"
+
+[Footnote 1: Each year the senior class publishes a book called "The
+Lucky Bag," which is illustrative of midshipman life.]
+
+"Yes, we'll have no spare minutes," replied Stonewell. "Let's get to
+work."
+
+The next morning, as the gunnery recitation commenced, the instructor,
+Lieutenant Clement, said: "Gentlemen, your theoretical book work has
+been all planned, and by looking through your ordnance and gunnery books
+you can see just what it will be. For practical work during winter drill
+periods we will take torpedo mechanisms apart and put them together, and
+we'll go aboard the monitor 'Nevada' and study her turret and her guns.
+In the last of May a crew of first classmen from each company will go
+out into the bay and will fire at a regulation target with the
+'Nevada's' six-pounder guns under the regular target practice
+conditions. Each company six-pounder crew may practice as much as it can
+find time to with the six-pounder gun in the armory gun shed. The head
+of the department instructs me to tell you that you are encouraged to
+make any devices or innovations so long as the gun is in no way
+disabled, though any suggested change must be submitted to him before
+firing the gun. The record made in gun-firing is entirely competitive.
+The crew making the best record will do a good deal toward winning the
+flag for the company it belongs to; a poor record will certainly defeat
+any such chance. Now we will proceed to our day's lesson in ballistics.
+Mr. Drake, take the first problem."
+
+The drill assigned to the first company that afternoon was infantry. The
+drill call sounded after the last study period was over, and by four
+o'clock Robert was marching his company across lawns to the drill
+grounds. He marched them in columns of squads, changing to company
+front, and felt very important indeed in his position as company
+commander. Upon arrival at the drill grounds he ordered:
+
+"Company--halt! Unfix bayonets. Stand at ease." Then, sheathing his
+sword he said: "Fellows, since I've been at the Academy the first
+company has always been among the best companies of the brigade. I want
+it to keep its reputation as such this year, and I'm sure you'll all
+have the same desire. The company had the honor of carrying the brigade
+colors a year ago, but it lost it last June by a narrow margin. You all
+know the company that has the best record for the year wins the flag,
+and carries it for the next year. The record is made up of many things,
+excellence in the various drills, excellence in the different forms of
+athletics, target practice, boat sailing, sharp-shooting, etc. Any man
+that does well individually in anything adds to his company's multiple
+and helps just that much. I'm going to do the very best I can to help
+win the flag for the first company. I take it for granted every one of
+you is with me and each will do his best for the same purpose. And we
+may be certain that each of the other eleven companies will do its
+utmost to win the colors." Bob paused.
+
+"Company attention! Shoulder arms! Rear rank, fourth file, last squad,
+step to the front."
+
+A diminutive midshipman, seemingly hardly five feet tall, but fat, happy
+and careless looking, assisted by some vehement whispered advice of the
+left guide, shambled awkwardly to the front of the company, with his
+rifle on his right shoulder.
+
+"That chap over there said you meant me, mister," said the small
+midshipman, in an engaging manner.
+
+"Salute," ordered Cadet Lieutenant Drake, severely.
+
+"Certainly, mister," replied the young man, eagerly taking off his cap
+and bowing.
+
+"Put on that cap. Don't you know the rifle salute? Have you had any
+drill? What's your name?"
+
+"Reginald Mumma. These chaps call me Mama's Darling, mister; I wish
+you'd have it stopped."
+
+"When did you enter the Academy?"
+
+"A month ago, but I've been sick in the hospital; just got out
+yesterday."
+
+"Third petty officer, fall out of line of file closers. Drill Mr. Mumma
+as a recruit every day this week, and whenever the company has infantry,
+till he can take his place in ranks. Squads right, full step, march."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+A MYSTERIOUS CRY
+
+
+The football season opened auspiciously for Annapolis. About fifty
+midshipmen were members of the football squad; these were excused from
+drills except on two afternoons of the week. Of those selected to play
+in regular games all were seasoned players, and except Bligh, all had
+played on the Naval Academy team the previous year. And so Stonewell and
+Robert and others were quite hopeful.
+
+The head coach was Professor Danton, the field coach Gates, a famous old
+Yale player.
+
+After several hard games on successive Wednesdays and Saturdays
+Stonewell was called into special consultation by Danton and Gates.
+
+"Stonewell," began Gates, "I've been watching our team, and I'm
+convinced we have a fine lot of men here; not only good football
+players but real trustworthy chaps, men who will keep their promise,
+whose word can be depended upon."
+
+"We don't want any other kind," replied Stonewell, thinking by Gates'
+manner that there was something in the wind.
+
+"I've been trying to size up each man's character," continued Gates,
+"and I've decided to put personal trust in every one of them. But I will
+exact an individual promise of secrecy from every member of the squad
+for something I'm going to give them. The matter is this: I have devised
+a forward pass which if it isn't expected and is properly executed is
+practically certain to bring a touch-down to the team that works it.
+I've sent it to Yale, where it has been tried out in secret practice,
+and the people there are wild over it. I've told them I wanted to give
+it to the midshipmen. They don't like that idea, but it's my own play,
+and I can do so if I wish to. They've asked me, if I give it to the
+midshipmen, to take every precaution for secrecy and not to use it until
+after Yale plays Harvard. Annapolis plays West Point the same day that
+Yale meets Harvard, and you could work the trick against the soldiers.
+It's a beauty. Now what do you say, Stonewell?"
+
+"We will most certainly agree to secrecy," replied Stonewell, much
+impressed. "I will get the individual promise you require from every
+member of the squad to observe entire secrecy about this play, and we'll
+never practice it except in secret practice and will never play it in a
+game until we meet West Point. Is that what you require?"
+
+"Yes; I'll give it to you. We'll suppose our men have come down the
+field and are within an easy place-kick of the goal; we'll then make all
+preparations apparently for a goal from the field, and turn the play
+into a forward pass. We'll station our men as follows----" and a lot of
+technical football talk followed.
+
+Stonewell was delighted. "By George," he said, "that's great! We'll work
+that on Franklin Field, and we'll certainly make the 'Army blue.' We'll
+try it to-morrow afternoon. I'll let only the first team know of it and
+get your required promise from them, and we'll work it on the
+unsuspecting second team; we'll have everybody, officers and all, kept
+away."
+
+"Secret practice" for the football squad was ordered for the next day;
+at the beginning of the practice the first and second teams were ordered
+at first to keep in different parts of the field.
+
+"What's up?" queried Harry Blunt, the ambitious quarter-back of the
+second team, to a group of players about him. "One would think the Only
+Stonewell had something up his sleeve. Come along, fellows; if we keep
+up our work of yesterday this team will be the first team before long."
+
+After half an hour's practice the two teams were called together for a
+scrimmage. Bucking the line, running around the ends and punting were
+employed until the ball was fifteen yards from the second team's goal
+and in the possession of the first team. Then quarter-back Bligh gave
+the regular signal for a goal from the field. The second team knew, of
+course, the first team's signals, but it did not know that an apparent
+stumbling in the numbers he called out was a signal that the Gates
+forward pass was now to be played.
+
+The first team players took their places for a goal from the field,
+Stonewell, as usual, dropping back, and before the second team players
+knew what had happened Robert Drake was sitting on the ball between the
+goal posts.
+
+Everybody was crazy with delight. One would have imagined West Point had
+been scored upon. The play had worked perfectly. The squad was now all
+gathered together and was talked to by Gates and Stonewell; it was
+evident that Gates was well satisfied that his confidence in the
+midshipmen was not misplaced.
+
+In the next few weeks this play was repeatedly practiced, and Gates was
+satisfied that if the midshipmen had the opportunity they would play it
+successfully on the day of the great West Point game.
+
+It was Stonewell's purpose to develop the team as a whole, not
+individual star players. As right end Robert became famous among
+midshipmen for getting down the field promptly under kicks, and for
+tackling and downing in his tracks the opposing player who caught the
+ball. The two finds of the season were Bligh and Farnum. The former
+knew the game and played with intelligent skill. As quarter-back his
+position was most important and at different critical moments he ran the
+team with unerring judgment.
+
+Farnum played with desperate valor. His tackling was fierce, and in
+running with the ball and interfering when one of his own side had it he
+took every chance. His impetuosity brought him into prominence as a sure
+ground gainer. In close places the ball was generally given to
+Stonewell. There was something peculiarly invigorating in Stonewell's
+personality. When his signal was made there was a penetrating intensity
+that affected every Annapolis player. The danger was in working him too
+much.
+
+One Saturday early in November, Annapolis was matched against Bucknell.
+Bucknell had always been a formidable antagonist of the midshipmen; the
+year previous it had defeated them. Up to now Annapolis had not lost a
+game, and the midshipmen were particularly anxious to defeat Bucknell,
+which on this occasion had brought a stalwart lot of players. They were
+strong, heavy, and confident. Before the game Stonewell called Farnum
+aside and said: "Now, old chap, be a little careful of yourself. You are
+bound to get badly hurt at the rate you are going, and we want you to
+save yourself for the West Point game. You're going to be given the ball
+a good deal to-day; Bob Drake is a bit stale, and my knee is bothering
+me. Now look out for yourself."
+
+"I'll try to remember, Stone," was the reply; "but when I get started
+I'm not apt to think of anything but the game. But I'll try to be
+careful."
+
+Bucknell kicked off and Drake caught the ball. He was down the field
+with a tremendous start, dodging one player, smashing by another, making
+twenty-five yards before he was downed.
+
+Bligh believed in quick action. The Annapolis team was lined up
+immediately and in a second the ball was in play. Farnum banged through
+the line between guard and tackle, making over fifteen yards for
+Annapolis.
+
+"Take it easy, Farnum," cautioned Stonewell. In an instant Farnum had
+the ball again and was around the end and speeding for Bucknell's goal.
+Ten yards before he got there he was brought to earth with terrific
+violence, and he lay there still and limp.
+
+On the side lines, leading the cheering, Glassfell was executing all
+kinds of crazy antics; the midshipmen on the bleachers, full of joy,
+shouted themselves hoarse. But poor Farnum lay there unheeded, entirely
+unconscious. And in vain did the appreciative midshipmen shout: "Farnum!
+Farnum! Farnum!" for that young man was carried off the field on a
+stretcher without regaining consciousness.
+
+Two more plays, Stonewell carrying the ball, brought a touch-down to
+Annapolis and Stonewell kicked a goal. This was the only scoring done
+during the game. In vain did each team hurl itself against the other;
+all for nothing did prodigies of violence occur. When time was finally
+called the score stood Annapolis 6, Bucknell 0.
+
+And then thoughts turned to Farnum, now in the Academy sick quarters.
+When questioned Surgeon Pickron looked grave and said, "Mr. Farnum has
+had a terrible blow on the head--he has had many recurring spasms
+ever since--I regard his condition as very serious."
+
+[Illustration: _AROUND THE END_]
+
+Such news travels fast, and on Saturday night the whole Academy,
+officers and midshipmen, were much perturbed. Sunday brought no change
+for the better and Surgeon Pickron advised an operation. Farnum had not
+regained consciousness. Surgeon Welton, who was in command of the
+hospital, insisted on delaying, against Dr. Pickron's advice, and on
+Monday morning everybody was much cheered up by hearing that Farnum's
+spasms had ceased and that he had come to himself. It was decided not to
+perform the operation, though Dr. Pickron believed that a clot of blood
+had formed and that Farnum's skull should be trephined.
+
+From now on Farnum continued to improve and in two weeks he was
+discharged from sick quarters and sent back to Bancroft Hall, though it
+was ordered that he was to play no more football. But it was not the
+same Farnum. In place of the cheery, wideawake youth who had battled so
+valiantly against Bucknell, was a slow-moving, hesitating young man. He
+seemed afraid. The slightest unexpected noise or untoward incident
+seemed to startle him, sometimes to frighten him badly. "I can't help
+it, Bob," he said one time, with half a laugh and half a sob; "it's my
+nerves, I suppose; I'm sure there's something wrong with me; I know I'm
+acting like a baby, and I guess it will pass after a while; but I can't
+help it, I can't help it," and then Farnum broke down.
+
+Stonewell, Robert and some of the others had long talks with him. They
+were all drawn to him and were much concerned. One of Farnum's
+peculiarities was that he didn't dare to go out at night. The entire
+first class were now devoted to him. His popularity had come late in his
+midshipman career, but it was now strong and abiding. And his sufferings
+were so acute and so constant that he had the warm sympathy of all.
+
+And Academy life went on apace, and Academy life at this period of the
+year is mostly concerned with football. True, there are study hours and
+recitations; long hard lessons must be read over and officers must hear
+recitations; formations must be attended, drills undergone, and
+examinations prepared for. This football spirit infected the officers as
+it did midshipmen. Football was the one topic of conversation, the one
+purpose in life during this epoch, and those that didn't play shouted
+vociferous advice, admonition and encouragement from the bleachers.
+
+One Friday night in the middle of November, at five minutes before ten,
+the bugles in Bancroft Hall rang out their customary discordant warnings
+that all midshipmen were to repair to their rooms immediately. In five
+minutes the midshipmen were to be in bed and all lights out. And
+instantly hundreds of midshipmen rushed through the corridors to get to
+their own rooms; for they are given the time from nine-thirty, the end
+of their study period, to ten for visiting.
+
+On this Friday night the midshipmen ran to their rooms as usual at the
+warning signal. Until the last minute of the allowed time there was to
+be heard the scurrying of hurried feet resounding through the corridors
+and a babble of shouting and laughter. Eight hundred midshipmen seemed
+to have something to say that couldn't keep till the morrow.
+
+Ten o'clock came, and with it complete silence save for the measured
+tread of cadet officers going from room to room to see the occupants
+thereof were all in bed. And now sounded forth the clock, with its
+ominous tick-tock, as though it had been silent all day, and there came
+the oppressive silence which reigns each night after ten o'clock. So it
+was this Friday night. Four bells, indicating ten o'clock, were struck,
+the lights were put out and a solemn hush was upon the eight hundred
+occupants of Bancroft Hall.
+
+And then, in the stillness of the night, there arose an awful
+heart-terrifying shriek. It was plainly in the armory wing and evidently
+from one of the upper floors. Startled, affrighted midshipmen jumped
+from their beds and stood in listening attitudes. Again came a cry that
+permeated every nook and corner of the armory wing, and hundreds of
+midshipmen listening with painful intensity plainly heard the words:
+
+"Help, help, Stonewell, help; I'm going down, going down, down." The
+tones were those of one in fearful agony. The midshipmen jumped to the
+doors of their rooms and into the corridors, all with unspeakable dread
+in their hearts, waiting for a leader to direct their actions.
+
+Stonewell, rooming on the first floor, dashed into the corridor,
+followed by Drake.
+
+"Where's that cry?" he demanded in strident tones.
+
+"The top floor, sir," cried little Mr. Mumma, with trembling voice. Up
+the stairway bounded Stonewell and Robert.
+
+Hardly had this occurred when the cry was again heard. It seemed now to
+be in the corridor of the third floor, which by this time Stonewell had
+reached. Stonewell stood perplexed and worried; in a second the fearful
+scream was again heard, but now evidently from the floor below, the
+second floor. Stonewell ran to the stairway at one end of the corridor,
+followed by the other midshipman. "Where is that cry?" he again demanded
+of the startled midshipmen standing about, much bewildered.
+
+"It was here a minute ago, right here, right here," replied Harry Blunt.
+"But what's the matter? what's happened?" he asked. Again they were
+silenced by the awful cry: "Help, help, Stonewell, save me!" which
+arose from the floor below. It was twice repeated, each time seeming
+farther away, and then it ceased entirely. By this time Stonewell and
+Robert had run down two flights to the ground floor. Midshipmen here had
+heard the frightful shrieks and many scared faces were to be seen.
+
+"Turn out, everybody; get into ranks. Company officers, muster your
+companies," shouted Stonewell. "Pass the word to the upper floors, Bob,"
+he called out. "Muster on the first and ground floors," and Robert was
+off in a flash.
+
+"You have anticipated my orders, Mr. Stonewell," remarked the
+officer-in-charge. "Make a careful muster; we'll investigate; what do
+you think it was?"
+
+"I can't imagine, sir; I'm entirely bewildered; the cry was undoubtedly
+heard at the top of the building, and it was heard later on each floor.
+I followed it down from the third floor. But nobody came down on the
+stairways, I'm certain of that, and the cry seemed near the centre of
+each floor, where no stairway leads down. If it wasn't that I believe
+everything on earth is explainable I would say it is uncanny."
+
+While Stonewell and the officer-in-charge were talking Bancroft Hall had
+burst into life. The cries had ceased.
+
+In going along the ground floor Stonewell came across Bligh, half
+supporting Farnum. The latter was shivering with unconcealed fright.
+
+"What is it, Stonewell?" he half whispered. "Oh, what has happened?
+Hasn't something dreadful occurred?"
+
+Farnum had the appearance of a sick man. He was agitated in manner, and
+seemed weak and trembled; without Bligh's assistance he would have
+fallen.
+
+"Just a joke, old chap," replied Stonewell kindly; "nothing to worry
+about; but you're sick, I can see that. Man, you have a raging fever!"
+
+"Get to your company, Bligh; I'll take care of Farnum."
+
+Stonewell reported Farnum as being sick, and received permission to take
+him to sick quarters, at some distance from Bancroft Hall.
+
+The result of the muster was that Bligh and Farnum were reported as not
+being present but the absence of both was explained, Farnum being sick
+and Bligh being with him when the latter's company was mustered.
+
+The midshipmen, tremendously interested and impressed, were now waiting
+to be dismissed. All sorts of conjectures were ventured to explain the
+mystery, and some had superstitious fears in their hearts. Mr. Henry
+Bligh listened with a queer expression to a great many theories of this
+remarkable episode, but offered none himself. But after he was dismissed
+he chuckled and laughed, being apparently much pleased with something.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+THE GATES FORWARD PASS
+
+
+The commandant was inclined to make little of the incident of that
+Friday night. "Just a midshipman's joke," he said next morning to the
+officer-in-charge.
+
+"I don't feel that way at all," replied that officer. "I don't believe
+anybody could have simulated the horror of those tones. I confess I have
+no theory about the matter and I'm at an utter loss in attempting to
+account for the way the cry descended from the upper to the lower floor,
+for it certainly did do that. It couldn't have been anybody running
+downstairs, for the midshipmen in charge of floors were at their desks
+at the foot of the stairways, and they say that nobody except Mr.
+Stonewell and Mr. Drake came down, and it wasn't either of them."
+
+"Oh, I'll tell you how it was done," said Commander Dalton. "Some jokers
+got some rubber hose in some way and fixed up a plant to bewilder the
+officer-in-charge. I can imagine sections of hose were led to the
+different floors and were triced up overhead and acted as speaking
+tubes. You didn't think to look overhead, did you?"
+
+"No, I didn't, but I don't think that could be the explanation."
+
+"Perhaps not, but some joking midshipman was at the bottom of it. If it
+happens again just look overhead."
+
+For several days following Stonewell appeared much preoccupied and was
+to be seen wandering about the corridors in the central part of the
+armory wing. Facing the corridors were long lines of midshipmen's rooms;
+the only communication between the floors were the stairways, two to
+each floor. Finally Stonewell went to the top floor and after looking
+about, disappeared into a small doorway leading to the tower, where the
+ventilating blower was in operation. This was on Wednesday afternoon
+just after study hours were over. At this time Robert Drake was standing
+by the stairway of the ground floor, leading to the basement. Harry
+Blunt came by and said: "Hello, Drake, come along, if you're going to
+football practice to-day; Stonewell said he wanted us on the field as
+early as we could get there."
+
+"I'm just waiting for Stone; he's gone up to the fourth floor, and said
+he would be down directly."
+
+Then to Robert's great surprise, Stonewell came up the stairway from the
+basement.
+
+"How in the world did you get into the basement?" he exclaimed. "I saw
+you start for the top of the building and you came out of the bottom.
+How did you do it?"
+
+"I'll let you know later, Bob," Stonewell said quietly, and Robert knew
+he didn't care to talk before Blunt. "Come along, fellows."
+
+They started off at a brisk pace; near sick quarters, Stonewell said:
+"I'm going to drop in to see Farnum; an operation was performed on him
+Saturday afternoon, and Dr. Pickron said I might see him to-day. He is
+getting along finely."
+
+"That's splendid news," exclaimed Robert; "just tell him how sorry we
+all are that he has been sick."
+
+"May I see Mr. Farnum for a few minutes?" asked Stonewell of Dr.
+Pickron, in sick quarters.
+
+"Yes, top floor back on the right. Don't stay too long with him."
+
+"Thank you, doctor, I'll only be with him a moment."
+
+Stonewell found Farnum lying in bed with his head bandaged. "Hello,
+Stone," cried the latter happily, as Stonewell came in, in a different
+tone of voice than Farnum had had for some weeks. "By George, Stone, I'm
+feeling a lot better; I've got rid of that miserable feeling I had for
+such a long time. Dr. Pickron is all right; he cut my head open and I'm
+going to be well and out in ten days or two weeks. I knew there was
+something wrong with me, but Dr. Pickron has fixed it all right. I'd
+been in bad shape ever since that Bucknell game."
+
+"I'm delighted, old fellow," replied Stonewell enthusiastically; "that
+was a hard bump you got that day, but you're looking ever so much
+better. Everybody will be awfully glad to hear you are getting along so
+nicely; the squad, particularly."
+
+"I'm afraid I'll play no more football this year."
+
+"Don't worry about that, Farnum. You played a slashing game, and had
+much to do in getting that six against Bucknell; but you played too
+hard, as I was afraid you would. Say, old chap, you were pretty sick the
+night I brought you over here, weren't you? Do you remember much about
+it?"
+
+"I've been worrying about that, Stone; I remember coming over with you,
+but I'm a good deal bewildered as to what happened before I saw you. I'd
+been feeling sick all day and turned in early. I went to sleep and had a
+horrible nightmare; I hate to think about it."
+
+"Where were you when you woke up?"
+
+"That's what has been bothering me. Stone, I found myself in the
+basement. How in the world I got there, what I was doing, I have no
+idea. I woke up with the most awful feeling of terror a man ever had,
+and I didn't know where I was. If it hadn't been that young Bligh was
+down there I'd have lost my grip; I didn't have much of one as it was.
+Bligh saw I was in bad shape, and grabbed me and half carried me to the
+floor above."
+
+"What was Bligh doing there at that time?"
+
+"I don't like to say, Stone; you must remember he did me a good turn."
+
+"Well, I know what he was doing, he was breaking training; I suspected
+that; I detected the odor of tobacco on him that night, and I've had
+this same notion before. If I learn that he's breaking training I'll
+fire him off the team. Do you know, Farnum, I've heard you were seen
+going up on the fourth floor a little before ten that night. Have you
+any recollection at all of that, any dream even?"
+
+"None except a most horrible dream; I shudder to think about it. Say,
+Stone, I hope you won't talk about this; I'd hate to have the notion get
+among the fellows that I had been crazy."
+
+"I won't speak of it, old chap, to anybody; but I can tell by your very
+appearance you're going to have no more trouble. Say, our next game is
+with the University of Virginia, and after that we play Harvard; by
+George, I hope we make a good showing. Good-bye, old chap; I'll drop in
+to see you every day or so until you're back with us."
+
+On his way out Stonewell stopped in to see Dr. Pickron. "Doctor," he
+said, "Farnum is doing well. What was the operation you performed?"
+
+"We trephined his skull. He received a hard blow on the right side of
+his head in the Bucknell game; this caused a rupture and resulted in a
+hemorrhage or blood clot, which was formed between the membranes of the
+brain and the skull; and there was a slight depression of the skull over
+this area. I wanted to operate at the time he was first hurt, but the
+blood clot was mostly absorbed, and apparently Mr. Farnum regained his
+normal condition. But actually there remained a thickening of the
+membrane over this area, and this, with the slight depression of the
+skull, caused a constant pressure. This resulted in a certain form of
+epilepsy, which was his condition when you brought him over last Friday
+night."
+
+"Doctor, while in this condition could Mr. Farnum have walked about,
+unaware of what he was doing, as if he were asleep, and later know
+nothing about what had happened?"
+
+"Yes, indeed; it's quite likely that very thing happened to Mr.
+Farnum."
+
+"Thank you very much, doctor," and Stonewell left and went to the
+athletic field, where football practice had already commenced.
+
+"Bligh," called out Stonewell sharply, "I believe you've been breaking
+training. I give you fair warning that if you are caught at it you'll be
+kicked off the team without ceremony."
+
+Bligh looked uncomfortable and commenced to bluster. "Who says I've
+broken training; just let me know who it is! Don't I play quarter well
+enough for you, Mister Stonewell?" he continued sneeringly.
+
+"Blunt can take your place any time," replied Stonewell shortly. "He's
+playing better every day, and your playing is at a standstill. Now get
+busy."
+
+"Oh, you're one of the mighty Stonewell's pets," muttered Bligh to Harry
+Blunt. "Your bootlicking begins to draw interest."
+
+This uncalled for and unexpected insult was too much for Harry Blunt's
+uncertain temper; full of rage he jumped at Bligh and struck him heavily
+in the face. The two lads clinched, but were immediately separated,
+Harry's face aflame with angry indignation, and Bligh furious with
+mortification. Stonewell called them sternly to time, threatening
+summarily to dismiss both from the team if they didn't bury their
+personal differences: nor would he listen to any explanation from
+either.
+
+"Shut up, both of you, and get to work," he ordered peremptorily.
+
+After this the rivalry between Bligh and Blunt became bitter. Blunt
+secretly was tremendously encouraged by Stonewell's remark that he could
+take Bligh's place any time. In the next game, against the University of
+Virginia, Blunt was put in at quarter, and won golden opinions. Virginia
+was beaten 10 to 0, and there were many that now openly said: "Blunt is
+every bit as good as Bligh, and with another season's experience he will
+be better."
+
+Bligh was aware of this sentiment, and it exasperated his already bitter
+feeling against his rival; he had much enjoyed the reputation of being
+the Naval Academy's best quarter-back. He showed this bitterness by a
+sullen behavior that was evident to everybody and which brought down
+upon him severe criticism and reprimand. But he did not change.
+
+On the next Wednesday, Annapolis was matched against Harvard. The
+wearers of the crimson came to the field smiling and confident, but it
+wasn't long before they commenced to look worried. Annapolis immediately
+commenced to tear great holes for steady gains through the Harvard line.
+To the enthusiastic midshipmen on the bleachers it seemed like a regular
+walk down the field. When ten yards from Harvard's goal, Lumsden, a
+second classman, took the ball. No one knew just how it happened, but
+the ball slipped from Lumsden's grasp, and quick as a flash the Harvard
+captain emerged from the scuffle with the ball under his arm and an
+apparently clear field before him. Robert Drake downed him on the
+Annapolis fifteen yard line.
+
+Harvard now tried rushing tactics, but to her dismay could make no
+headway, and on the third down kicked a goal from the field. From now on
+Annapolis played with wild desperation. Chances looked bright for them,
+but without realizing it the team was exhausting itself. Toward the
+close of the second half Annapolis had the ball seventeen yards from the
+Harvard goal line, and now Stonewell realized, too late, that his men
+were exhausted, that Harvard had better staying powers. Twice Stonewell
+threw the entire strength of his team against Harvard, but the latter
+stood the shock easily. The midshipmen were worn out. And then on the
+third down, Stonewell whispered to Bligh, the quarter-back, to try a
+goal from the field. "Our best and only hope is to tie the score," he
+said.
+
+Once more the two teams were lined up, Annapolis bracing itself for a
+final effort, Harvard doggedly determined. And then Bligh gave the
+signal.
+
+"Thirteen, twenty-one, ninety-seven, forty-six."
+
+"Time, time," called Stonewell, suddenly, running out and holding up his
+hand. "Blunt, oh, Blunt!" he shouted to the side lines.
+
+"Get off the field, you hound," Stonewell said in tones of contempt to
+Bligh.
+
+The latter had given the signal for the Gates forward pass.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+THE WEST POINT GAME
+
+
+In another moment, but for Stonewell's quick action, the ball might have
+been put in play.
+
+All the Naval Academy players instantly realized what Bligh had
+intended, and every one was intensely angry.
+
+Gates, who had heard the signal, came running out on the field from the
+side lines; the Harvard players were tremendously surprised and did not
+know what to make of the commotion among the midshipmen, and the umpire
+was angrily ordering the midshipmen to play and Gates to get off the
+field. Short shrift was given to Bligh; the latter's attempted
+expostulation was cut short, and Stonewell passionately ordered him
+away. Blunt took his place as quarter. A place-kick was attempted, but
+was blocked, and time was soon called. The game ended with the score
+Harvard 3, Annapolis 0.
+
+The midshipmen players ran to their dressing rooms, and much hot and
+angry talk followed. Some were for reporting Bligh and having him
+dismissed. Others were for giving him a physical beating; others
+proposed that he be put into complete "coventry."
+
+"None of this will do, fellows," said Stonewell, after listening to a
+lot of angry proposals for Mr. Bligh's discomfiture. "Not one of us here
+will ever speak to the man; that goes as a matter of course; but we must
+be very careful to avoid doing anything that will tend to create
+discussion. Bligh's leaving the field was not understood by anybody but
+our own players. If he be put in 'coventry' or thrashed or reported or
+disciplined for what he did to-day the matter might leak out. West Point
+scouts were present watching our play, and Harvard plays Yale soon. The
+only thing to do is to keep absolutely mum; in this case the ends of
+justice and of discipline must give way to football necessities. We must
+keep faith with our friends of Yale."
+
+"But is such a hound to be permitted to remain a midshipman?" burst out
+Harry Blunt. "I've been brought up to believe a midshipman could not do
+a dishonorable thing and remain a midshipman; is Bligh to do a
+scoundrelly act and not only go unpunished but also to have the secret
+of it kept by us who would have been disgraced if he had succeeded in
+his purpose?"
+
+"Just so, Blunt," replied Stonewell. "There's nothing else to do. Should
+we report Bligh it is quite possible the whole thing would come out, and
+Gates' forward pass from a fake kick formation would become a matter of
+common knowledge. We may win the West Point game through it. Yale plays
+Harvard the same day we play West Point. Each of us must avoid doing a
+thing in regard to Bligh that will cause comment or discussion. His
+leaving the field at that time and his being put off the squad is bound
+to cause talk in the brigade. If anybody asks why, just say he didn't
+suit, and change the subject."
+
+"That's right," broke in Professor Danton, who had been an interested
+listener, "but I just want to add one thing; in the many years I've been
+here, there have been at different times bad characters entered as
+midshipmen; but they're invariably found out and dismissed. Mark my
+words, Mr. Bligh will be no exception--he's undoubtedly a dishonorable
+character--don't worry about him; he'll not last a year here."
+
+Much discontented grumbling followed, but all realized there was nothing
+to do except follow Stonewell's directions. As a natural result impotent
+rage was felt by the midshipmen players against Bligh. In spite of
+Bligh's dastardly act they were to be powerless to show their contempt
+for him or their resentment of his conduct, nor could the midshipmen of
+the brigade be told until after the football season had ended.
+
+"And just think of the brigade giving Bligh the 'four N yell,' fellows,
+as he left the field," grumbled Harry Blunt.
+
+The members of the team talked of Bligh's conduct rather than of the
+game in which they had just been defeated. Before the game they had
+hardly dared to hope for victory against Harvard, and all had now a
+satisfactory feeling that a good battle had been fought, and that no
+apology was necessary.
+
+Amongst the midshipmen of Bancroft Hall much enthusiasm was felt for
+their team, but great surprise was exhibited when at supper Bligh was
+seen to go to his regular seat in the mess hall instead of going to the
+training table. It became instantly known that Bligh was off the
+football squad, and "Why?" was the question asked everywhere.
+
+Bligh was very quiet, and in reply to numerous questions said he could
+not talk about the matter. Then all knew that he had been dismissed from
+the squad.
+
+"Pass the word, Pete," said Glassfell to Peters, "that Stone says that
+no questions are to be asked, and Bligh's leaving the football squad is
+not to be talked about." It was wonderful how loyally this mandate was
+observed. It soon got to every midshipman of the brigade and in spite of
+the intense curiosity that existed every midshipman felt it a duty to
+the team to carry out Stonewell's wishes.
+
+That same Wednesday night, shortly before half-past nine, Bligh appeared
+in the room occupied by Stonewell and Robert Drake.
+
+"By what authority are you visiting my room in study hours?" demanded
+Stonewell in coldly official tones.
+
+"From the officer-in-charge, sir; I told him it was most important."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+Bligh's reply came in halting, jerky sentences.
+
+"I wish to explain that signal to-day, sir. I was wild for our team to
+win; we could have won by the play; I gave the signal without thought,
+sir. It just sprang from my lips--I never once thought about the
+promise--and besides, it would be a greater honor to win from Harvard
+than from West Point--and probably we would have won by it from West
+Point, too--we have never yet won from Harvard. Don't you see, sir, I
+was working for the Academy? I was carried away at the time; it was a
+tremendous minute and the desire to use a play that would win crowded
+all other thoughts out of my mind; it's well enough to think of promises
+when you have time to do so; it's easy when you're sitting in a chair
+doing nothing, but too much outside matter should not be expected of the
+quarter-back in the middle of a fierce game. I want to go back on the
+squad."
+
+"Mr. Bligh, from the very best possible construction of your act, even
+if it were agreed that your character is high, that with you a promise
+intentionally broken is impossible, your conduct has shown you to be
+irresponsible, a person in whom trust cannot be reposed. But from your
+words I judge you regard a promise lightly--to be broken easily. Your
+action was particularly bad because it might have caused other men, who
+have higher regard for their word than you have, to be faithless to a
+promise. But I'm going to make you one promise, and that is as long as
+you are at the Naval Academy you will never play football here again.
+You may leave my room, sir."
+
+"Do you think I'm going to stand this?" cried Bligh, in passionate
+tones. "Do you expect me to sit idle while you are ruining my
+reputation? I'm not powerless, perhaps I know of some way I may injure
+you--and some others," and Bligh's eyes glared with savage intelligence.
+
+"I know what you're thinking of, you miserable plebe. You're thinking
+you will write to both West Point and Harvard about the fake kick."
+
+Bligh gave a violent start.
+
+"But let me tell you," continued Stonewell, "those people would spurn a
+correspondence with you. If you attempt such a thing as that I will
+learn of it, and then I'll make you another promise; if you should do it
+you'll be drummed out of this place to the tune of the Rogue's March.
+Return to the officer-in-charge, sir, and report you have concluded your
+important matter."
+
+Bligh turned and left the room. Angry feelings dominated him. In his
+statements to Stonewell he had unconsciously expressed his sentiments;
+honor and truth were in fact not salient characteristics of this young
+man, and when giving the signal for the Gates forward pass he had not
+given much thought to the promise he and all of the team were bound by.
+So he left Stonewell with a sense of injury and resentment, not of
+remorse.
+
+Stonewell and Robert lived in the corner room of the ground floor,
+armory wing. Bligh roomed with Sexton in the main corridor, next door to
+the room used as an office by the lieutenant-commander in charge of the
+first division of midshipmen, that officer occupying the room only
+during the day.
+
+When Bligh returned he found his roommate, who had been off on some
+unauthorized visiting since supper time, leaving the room again with his
+arms full of clothes.
+
+"What's up? Where are you taking those things, Sexton?" inquired Bligh.
+
+"I have permission to change my room; I'm not going to room with you any
+more."
+
+Sexton was on the football squad, and so knew of what Bligh had done.
+"So you're against me too, are you?" shouted Bligh, now beside himself
+with anger; he then left the room and started down the corridor, and in
+a moment saw Harry Blunt coming toward him. He did not notice that
+Blunt, on seeing him, suddenly clenched his hands and seemed to breathe
+hard. In fact Harry's anger was yet intensely alive, and the sight of
+Bligh set his nerves on edge.
+
+Bligh's overwrought feelings now left his control; he wanted somebody to
+hate, and because of his previous troubles with Blunt it was very easy
+for him to vent his passion on that young man. So as he passed Harry he
+suddenly stopped and said:
+
+"So the Great Stonewell's pet chicken has bootlicked himself into
+quarter, has he?"
+
+And then an avalanche struck Mr. Henry Bligh. Before he thought of
+defending himself a steam hammer blow slammed him against the corridor
+wall and in the space of three or four seconds blow after blow was
+rained upon him; blows sent by Harry Blunt, animated by intense personal
+animosity and utter detestation. And then Bligh dropped to the floor,
+covered his face with his hands, acknowledging defeat, and groaning in
+utter despair. To that overwrought fourth classman it seemed as if the
+entire world had combined against him.
+
+Stonewell came running down the corridor. "What does this mean?" he
+demanded savagely of Blunt.
+
+"He said I was your pet chicken, and had bootlicked myself into quarter.
+I hit him; I had to, I couldn't help it. I hadn't said a word to him
+when he insulted me."
+
+"Go to your room and keep away from him. Get up, Bligh, and go to your
+room."
+
+After this episode Bligh was very quiet, and kept much to himself. But
+whenever he passed Harry Blunt or Stonewell a peculiar expression
+crossed his face. One would have said that though he never spoke of them
+yet he thought much about them, and these thoughts evidently were not
+pleasant ones.
+
+The football season now drew to a close, and finally those ancient
+friends but football rivals, Annapolis and West Point, once more faced
+each other on Franklin Field, in Philadelphia. It is not the purpose
+here to depict that glorious struggle; that is a matter of too recent
+history and has been told many times.
+
+The teams seemed about equally matched. In the mighty rushing of one
+team against the other neither side could make much, and but few first
+downs were recorded; end runs were nipped in the bud. All in vain would
+one team hurl itself upon the other, and many tremendous efforts
+accomplished nothing. And so before the end of the first half kicking
+tactics were adopted by both sides. Twice when Annapolis had recovered
+the ball from a punt down the field a place-kick was tried, but each
+time it was blocked by West Point.
+
+Once more, while there was yet ten minutes to play, the midshipmen were
+within striking distance of West Point's goal, and once more Blunt gave
+the same signal for an attempt for a goal from the field; a signal the
+West Pointers now knew perfectly well. But they did not appreciate a
+difference in Blunt's manner of giving the signal, something well
+understood by every midshipman player. Stonewell fell back in his place,
+the midshipmen braced themselves as usual, and the West Pointers
+prepared to block the kick.
+
+On the bleachers the mighty host who had been yelling themselves hoarse
+were momentarily silent. Harry Blunt now grabbed the snapped ball and
+then, with terrific force, West Point plunged into the Annapolis line.
+The shock was backed by all the strength and pluck and spirit that the
+West Pointers possessed. But bewilderment overtook them, for something
+out of the usual had happened, and in awful dismay they were like men
+groping in the dark.
+
+Blunt grabbed the ball when it was snapped back and ran seven or eight
+yards to the right; and at the same instant, with the speed of a deer
+Robert Drake sped far over to the right. He then turned and caught the
+ball which with unerring skill Blunt had thrown to the point where
+Robert was to catch it.
+
+In but a few seconds Robert was lying flat on the ground between the
+goal posts. Annapolis had made a touch-down. And now from the Navy side
+there broke out prolonged roars and shouts from fifteen thousand
+enthusiastic Navy friends, while over on the West Point side there was
+nothing but silent dismay.
+
+There was no more scoring, but all Annapolis was wild with delight; for
+the first time in four years she had defeated West Point.
+
+But on the midshipman stand, surrounded by excited midshipmen in blue,
+there was one young man who did not participate in the general delight;
+for with brooding face and troubled eyes Midshipman Henry Bligh sat
+silent.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+"THE MAN WORE A SLOUCH HAT"
+
+
+"Bang," went the reveille gun at six in the morning, rattling every
+window in Bancroft Hall; and out of bed jumped Robert Drake in a hurry.
+He first took his customary cold shower-bath, and then quickly threw on
+his clothes. "Turn out, Stone," he called to his roommate, who was in
+his own sleeping room across the study. A suite for two midshipmen
+consists of two sleeping rooms separated by a longer room used in common
+by both, a large clothes closet, and a shower-bath.
+
+Hardly had the reverberating roar of the morning gun died away than
+Bancroft Hall was filled with the harsh, sleep-blasting notes of
+discordant bugles.
+
+"Turn out on this floor, turn out, turn out," called out Robert in the
+corridor just outside of his own room.
+
+Then he entered the room next to his own, in which Peters and Glassfell
+roomed.
+
+"All right, Bob," came from each sleeping room which opened into the
+study room where Robert had entered, and Robert left and rushed into the
+next room. It must be confessed that Robert was hardly out of the room
+when Glassfell was once more sound asleep. And further it is admitted
+that Robert did not give the same stern inspection to first classmen's
+rooms that he gave to those of the lower classes. He was satisfied with
+the report from his own classmates of "all right," but saw with his own
+eyes that all others were actually turned out. On this particular
+morning Mr. Harry Blunt, midshipman third class, was strangely very
+tired after what should have been eight hours of sleep, so tired, in
+fact, that neither gun-firing nor bugle detonation awakened him.
+
+"Turn out, Blunt, turn out," called out Robert, standing over him. "Get
+up; you're on the report for not being turned out at reveille
+inspection."
+
+Harry slowly turned out, and Robert rushed away to continue his
+inspection.
+
+Breakfast formation came half an hour later. Most midshipmen were in
+ranks before roll call, but at the last note of the bugle swarms of
+midshipmen rushed madly from Bancroft Hall; midshipmen who had taken a
+few winks after reveille inspection, hoping to get to the formation
+without being marked late. This was Glassfell's habit, and he had
+developed remarkable skill in dressing himself while running at full
+speed. He would leave his room half dressed and at the end of a dead run
+he would appear in ranks ready for inspection.
+
+"By George, Stone," said Robert later, "can you imagine there is anybody
+in the world who does more mad rushing than midshipmen do? We are jumped
+out of our sleep by a cannon going off right under us, and we run about
+in a feverish hurry all day long, always having to be present at some
+formation or other, always fearful of punishment if we are late at
+anything. And one day is just like another; we were jumped about all day
+long when we were plebes, and we are still at it."
+
+Every minute of Robert's life was interesting and never had it been so
+full of zest as in this, his last year at Annapolis. He enjoyed his rank
+with its duties and authority as cadet lieutenant, also his studies and
+drills were engrossing. These days, though so crowded with detail, were
+much the same; several hours daily were spent in preparing lessons;
+recitations followed, and then at four o'clock came the afternoon
+drills. The practical drills supplemented the theoretical work in class
+rooms, and all was based upon what was to be required of the midshipmen
+after graduation. And as an important duty of graduated midshipmen is to
+teach and train enlisted men, Robert, in common with the rest of his
+classmates, was drilled at many different things. He commanded his own
+company at infantry and artillery manoeuvres and felt proud and
+important in this position, but at other times he was to be found at a
+forge, dirty with grime and sweat, or taking the place of a fireman at a
+boiler. He could now turn out a fair piece of work at the lathe, shaper,
+or drill-press; and he was quite at home in sailing a boat, running an
+engine or manipulating a twelve-inch gun turret. For at Annapolis drills
+are many and varied, and the mind, eye and hand are all trained
+together.
+
+December passed and with it football was forgotten. In the last of
+January came the semi-annual examinations; of the first class there now
+remained but one-half of those who had originally entered.
+
+In February occurred an incident of much interest to Robert. At a
+Saturday night dance he saw his first commander, Captain Blunt, and with
+the latter was Miss Helen, his daughter, and Harry Blunt's sister. It
+would be hard to decide who was most pleased at this meeting. Captain
+Blunt evinced real pleasure in meeting Robert again, and Helen's welcome
+was a genuinely glad one.
+
+"Come and see us, Mr. Drake," said Captain Blunt to Robert; "I've given
+up my command and am on leave; I've brought Mrs. Blunt and Helen to
+Annapolis. We've opened our house here, as I'm going to be here for
+several months and then go to the Light House Board. Come and see us,
+and bring Mr. Stonewell with you."
+
+Meanwhile Midshipman Henry Bligh lived a very quiet life. After the
+football game the reason for his dismissal from the squad became noised
+about, and Bligh felt he was ignored by upper classmen and shunned by
+his own class. He probably thought more of this than did anybody else
+and his thoughts were not happy. Besides, he was low in his studies and
+in danger of "bilging." He was barely satisfactory at the semi-annual
+examinations.
+
+One night early in February, after taps inspection, and after the
+midshipmen in charge of floors had been sent to their rooms, the door of
+Bligh's room opened and that young man's head cautiously appeared.
+Looking up and down the corridor, and seeing the midshipmen in charge
+were not at their desks, Bligh left his room and walked to the end of
+the corridor for a glass of water. This act was inoffensive in itself,
+except that midshipmen are required to attend to such matters before ten
+o'clock or wait until after eleven; it was not yet eleven and naturally
+Bligh did not wish to be seen.
+
+While drinking the water Bligh heard some steps on the stairway leading
+to the next upper floor, and fearing it might be the officer-in-charge
+he quickly slipped into a dark corner at the side of the stairway,
+hoping he would not be noticed; in a moment a figure passed a few feet
+from him, and to his surprise he saw it was Third Classman Blunt.
+
+"Now, what's that fellow up to?" reflected Bligh, his mind full of the
+injuries he imagined he had received from Harry Blunt. Bligh peered
+around the corner and in the dim light he saw Harry quickly and quietly
+walk down the corridor and then stop for a moment in front of the door
+of the room that Bligh knew was the office of Lieutenant-Commander
+Brooks, one of the discipline officers. The next instant Harry had
+opened the door of this room and entered it. Bligh was astounded. He
+walked softly to the room, paused an instant, and then gently, without
+making any noise, turned the knob of the door.
+
+The door was locked. Bligh was filled with wonder. It was evident that
+Blunt had a key to the door, had entered the room, and was now inside.
+
+Bligh could not imagine why any midshipman should want to enter a
+discipline officer's room; it was certain no midshipman had a right to
+be in that office except to see Lieutenant-Commander Brooks on duty.
+Blunt was committing a serious offense in being in the room. This did
+not worry Bligh at all, but he was completely puzzled.
+
+"What can Blunt be doing in there?" he asked himself again and again. He
+listened intently and heard Blunt moving about; and then he heard a
+noise as if a chair were being moved and had knocked against something.
+Looking up through the transom he saw it was all dark within; Blunt had
+not turned on any light.
+
+Bligh now entered his own room, which was next to the one that Blunt had
+entered, and where Bligh now lived alone without a roommate. With a
+puzzled mind he drew a chair to his window, and thought and wondered.
+His imagination could not help him. He had been in the office next door
+and knew it contained nothing but a desk, a table, two chairs and a
+midshipman wardrobe where Lieutenant-Commander Brooks could hang a coat
+if he were so disposed.
+
+Bligh sat by his window, his mind full of Harry Blunt. The soft
+moonlight streamed into his room. And then Bligh was startled by hearing
+a noise in the room next door, as if a window were being raised.
+Straining his eyes he looked out from his window, and in the next
+instant he saw the dark figure of a man creep out on the passageway
+leading from the window of the office to the terrace.
+
+The man turned to his left, and with the bright moonlight full on his
+face Bligh got a good look at him, but did not recognize him. The man
+wore a slouch hat, sack coat, and had a moustache and full beard.
+
+The dark figure stole over to the terrace and soon disappeared.
+
+"Now I understand," cried Bligh to himself. "Blunt had an appointment
+with some 'cit' and they met in the room next door. He's up to
+something, and I'll see that he gets reported for this, and I hope it
+will bilge him."
+
+Bligh now opened the door of his room and looked out, expecting every
+moment to see Harry Blunt emerge from the office. Bligh was thoughtful
+for a while, then he took a spool of black linen thread from a drawer in
+his wardrobe. He tied one end of the thread to the door-knob of the
+office and carried the thread overhead through the open transom of his
+room. He then sat in the chair by the window holding the thread hauled
+taut; and Bligh sat there for the next two hours, thread in hand.
+
+At one o'clock his watchfulness was rewarded. He saw the figure of a man
+steal up over the terrace and across the passageway. And in the
+moonlight he recognized the same hat, moustache, beard and sack coat.
+
+Bligh sat perfectly still, and it was not long before the thread in his
+hand suddenly pulled and snapped. Bligh quickly stepped to the doorway
+of his room and looked out, and there going down the corridor was Harry
+Blunt in his service uniform.
+
+Then Mr. Henry Bligh, midshipman, fourth class, gave a pleased laugh and
+went to bed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+ROBERT GETS BAD NEWS
+
+
+"Stone," said Robert Drake one Saturday in March, "let's call on the
+Blunts this afternoon. Captain Blunt is home on leave; his ship, the
+'New Orleans,' arrived in New York last month. He's a splendid man."
+
+Stonewell laughed. "Come along," he replied, "and perhaps I'll have a
+chance to see Mrs. Blunt; she's such a pleasant woman; and then there's
+that scamp of a son of hers; perhaps he may be at home. I haven't seen
+much of him since the football season ended. I never see him nowadays if
+he sees me first. Mark my words, Bob, Harry Blunt is up to some
+mischief, and he'll be getting into a lot of trouble before long. Every
+time I pass him he looks conscious. By the way, Bob, whom have you asked
+to present the flag to your company? You expect to win it, of course."
+
+"Come along, Stone, and quit your fooling. You know I'll be glad to see
+Captain Blunt, and nowadays I don't need an excuse to call on Helen.
+She is always pleasant and cordial. I hope her brother won't get into
+any trouble, but I've an idea he's taking lots of liberties with the
+regulations. I imagine there are not many of the six hundred and
+sixty-five that he's not broken. I hope it won't come my way to have to
+report him for anything; I wish he were in some other company than the
+first."
+
+Half an hour later they were admitted into the Blunt home, and were
+received as old friends.
+
+"How are you, Mr. Drake?" exclaimed Captain Blunt, shaking Robert's hand
+heartily. "And here is Mr. Stonewell, glad to see you; I can't believe
+it's nearly four years ago since I took you out on the 'Constellation.'
+Then you were subdued plebes, and now what a transformation! Here Mr.
+Stonewell is cadet commander, and I'm not surprised. And, Drake, here
+you are a cadet lieutenant, and I'm told my son Harry is in your
+company. How is he doing?"
+
+"Very well, captain. He stands fairly well in his class and is very
+well liked. He did wonders in football."
+
+"So I've heard, but I want to know whether he runs against the
+regulations or not, that is, if he has been reported for any serious
+offenses; for instance, to-day is Saturday and he can't come out to
+Annapolis on liberty, which means he is not on the first conduct grade.
+Now what's he been doing? That's what I want to know, and you can tell
+me because you're his company commander."
+
+"Nothing at all that I can recollect now, sir, or for you to be
+concerned about. He has probably been reported for not being turned out
+at reveille inspection, or late at formation. A few such reports would
+deprive him of Saturday liberty in Annapolis. I'm sure no serious
+reports have been made against Harry. Had there been I should have
+remembered them."
+
+"And then of course you would speak of them to his family."
+
+"No, sir, I should not wish to."
+
+"Come, Robert," interposed Helen Blunt, "let father talk with Mr.
+Stonewell. Mr. Stonewell is so solemn and he knows so much that he will
+just suit father. Come into the dining-room."
+
+As they walked away Helen said: "Robert, I'm bothered to death about
+Harry and I want you to help me. That brother of mine is going to get
+into trouble, trouble bad enough to get him dismissed, and that would be
+a terrible misfortune for us."
+
+"I don't think there's any danger of that, Helen. Harry is all right;
+he's just a little careless, that's all."
+
+"Well, Mr. Robert," retorted Helen scornfully, "would you think Harry
+was only a little careless if you knew he was up-stairs this instant? He
+comes out in town regularly when he has no right to, and some time he
+will be caught. And he will be reported for something much worse than
+taking French leave--he will be reported for something that will dismiss
+him." And pretty Helen was indignant and much concerned over her
+brother's recklessness.
+
+"Now, Robert Drake," she continued, "you've just got to help me."
+
+"I wish I could, Helen; I might intimidate Harry, that's about all I
+could do. I couldn't appeal to him with any success, I've tried that;
+he would tell me to mind my own business. Harry doesn't take preaching
+patiently. Now another thing, Helen; he is in my company. If you hear I
+ever report him for anything I want you to believe I had to do it and
+that I hated to."
+
+"I'll know that beforehand, Robert," replied Helen gently. "But Harry is
+very good about such things; he never talks at home about troubles with
+other midshipmen. But now he is up-stairs, and he dare not come down,
+for father would surely see him. Now can't you and Mr. Stonewell start
+to go soon and ask father to walk to the Academy grounds with you? If
+Harry doesn't leave the house soon he will be absent from supper
+formation, and then he'll have to tell why, and his being out in town
+would be found out."
+
+"I can't treat your father that way, Helen; it wouldn't be right at all;
+but I must go myself now."
+
+As Robert went into the next room to take his leave, he was in a state
+of great discomfort. Helen Blunt had thoughtlessly put him into a very
+uncomfortable position. From her point of view she felt justified in
+using any means to get her father from the house. But Robert felt he
+could not be a party to a deception practised upon Captain Blunt, and he
+was particularly uneasy as to how Helen would take his refusal. He
+feared that to her his attitude would appear priggish. But his mind was
+soon eased in that respect, for Helen said in a low voice: "I shouldn't
+have asked you to do that, Robert; that wasn't nice of me. I didn't
+think, but I'm so worried about Harry."
+
+"I'm going to walk to the yard with you," suddenly said Captain Blunt.
+"I'm going to see the commandant for a few minutes, and if you don't
+mind walking with an old fellow like me we'll go together."
+
+Robert was much relieved, and all three soon left the house.
+
+Half an hour later supper formation occurred, and Robert was relieved to
+see Third Classman Blunt in his customary place in ranks. Toward that
+young man he now experienced a sentiment of irritation, even of
+indignation. He knew that Harry had been taking unauthorized leave, or
+"Frenching," as it is called, one of the most serious offenses a
+midshipman can commit, and evidently had been jeopardizing his place as
+a midshipman. To do this regularly in the face of his family's
+protestations seemed to Robert to be utterly callous.
+
+After supper he accosted Harry and said: "Blunt, you've been Frenching,
+and you've got to stop it. If you keep it up you will surely be caught
+and will stand a good chance of being dismissed. You ought to have some
+regard for your family, and personally I don't mind saying I'd hate to
+be placed in a position where I'd have to report you."
+
+"Drake," replied Harry, "are you advising me as a friend or speaking to
+me officially as my company commander?"
+
+"As a friend, I hope."
+
+"Well, then," rejoined Harry in a short, snappy way, "as a friend will
+you kindly mind your own business?" and the young man started away,
+whistling as he went, but was instantly stopped by a sharp military
+order of "Halt." Robert stood before him with flashing eyes, and in
+menacing tones said: "I'll not address you again as a friend, Mr.
+Blunt; you will please to realize that when I speak to you hereafter it
+will be your company commander who is talking. And you'll do no more
+whistling in my face. That will do, sir. About face, march off."
+
+Harry Blunt had a new sensation; he was actually intimidated. He really
+liked Robert as much as a third classman ever likes a cadet officer, and
+in his heart was sorry he had provoked Robert's displeasure. "But Drake
+is a good chap," he later said to himself; "he'll come around all
+right."
+
+From here Robert went to his room. "Hello, Bob," greeted Stonewell;
+"there's a letter for you." Stonewell was busy writing and after a few
+moments he looked up, and suddenly cried out: "Why, Bob, what's the
+matter; no bad news from home, I hope?"
+
+Robert, with the letter clutched in his hand, and with a quivering chin,
+looked the picture of woe. He had evidently received some news that made
+him very unhappy.
+
+"What's the matter, old chap?" inquired Stonewell anxiously; "something
+has happened; what is it?" and the comforting kindness of his tone went
+straight to Robert's heart.
+
+"Stone," he said, "this is a letter from father; a month ago the railway
+company that employed him was reorganized and he lost his position. He
+has been half sick ever since, and it's impossible for him to get
+employment. He hadn't intended to tell me, but he felt he ought to. You
+know mother has been an invalid for years. Stone, I've got to resign,
+there's no other way out of it. Mother and father are sick, and no money
+is coming in. I've got to go home to take care of them."
+
+Stonewell regarded him with his eyes full of sympathy. "I'm dreadfully
+sorry, Bob," he said; "I'm sure your father will get employment. But
+don't talk of resigning; you might find it very difficult to secure
+employment for yourself; you're too near graduation to resign, and after
+you graduate you will be in a position to help your father financially,
+if he needs it. It would distress him terribly if he thought for a
+moment you contemplated leaving the naval service. I'm going out for a
+while, Bob; now don't you feel so badly; I'm sure matters will right
+themselves."
+
+Stonewell left and Robert paced up and down the room with blurred eyes
+and a sad heart. The condition of his father and mother, ill and without
+resources, filled him with agony. He longed to relieve them from their
+troubles and anxieties; he dreaded the unfriendliness and coldness dealt
+to people without means, and thinking of the mental torture his father
+was in overwhelmed him with grief.
+
+Stonewell went out into the city of Annapolis, direct to where the
+Blunts lived. Here he asked to see Captain Blunt and was soon closeted
+with that gentleman.
+
+"Captain," he commenced, "you knew my roommate's father, didn't you, Mr.
+Drake? I believe he was graduated from Annapolis shortly after you
+were."
+
+"Yes, indeed, he was a fine fellow, too; he had a splendid record in the
+navy, and it was a great pity he resigned. What about him, Mr.
+Stonewell?"
+
+"Well, sir, Bob, my roommate, is in great trouble about his father and
+mother, and as you and Mrs. Blunt are real friends of his I thought I'd
+talk to you about it. Of course Bob doesn't know I'm with you. His
+father has lost his position and has no income, and Bob thinks he ought
+to resign to go to Chicago. He feels his duty is to be with his father
+and mother. It would be such a pity for him to resign so near his
+graduation. I thought perhaps you might send for him and influence him
+more than I could. I'm sure he'll listen to you."
+
+"By jingo, Stonewell," exploded Captain Blunt, "I'm detached from my
+ship and ordered to duty as secretary of the Light House Board, and only
+to-day received a letter asking me to recommend somebody, preferably one
+familiar with marine matters, to be chief clerk to the board. Drake's
+father would be just the man. He will get living pay and it's a life
+position. Let me have Mr. Drake's address; I'll write to him to-night."
+
+Upon his return to Bancroft Hall Stonewell found Robert quiet and
+composed, but determined. "I've got to do it, Stone," said Robert
+handing his roommate an ominously official-looking paper. In it he had
+formally tendered his resignation as a midshipman. "It's a lifetime
+disappointment," he continued, "but I've got to go home to my people.
+They need me. Now I feel you're going to argue with me and I beg you not
+to attempt to dissuade me; nothing you or anybody could say would change
+my determination. I feel terribly about it and you would only make me
+feel the worse. Please don't, Stone. I must do my duty to my father and
+mother."
+
+"I shall not attempt to dissuade you, Bob; I know exactly how you feel.
+But I'm going to ask you to do something for me. I feel as if it would
+break my heart if you were to resign. Now I'm going to ask you to let me
+lend you fifty dollars. You can send this to your father, and if he is
+in immediate need of money this will help out for a few days. And I want
+you to promise me you will delay your resignation for one week. Surely
+you can do this for me, and I have strong hopes that in a week's time
+you will feel there is no need in Chicago that would compel your
+resignation."
+
+"That's awfully good of you, Stone, but can you spare the fifty dollars?
+I feel I ought to leave immediately, but if I could send father some
+money I might wait a week. The idea of resigning is like death to my
+hopes."
+
+"Of course I can; you know I've plenty of money," replied Stonewell,
+jumping up enthusiastically. "I know something good is going to happen,
+Bob, and don't you worry; you're not going to resign."
+
+Stonewell's happiness was infectious and Robert's heart seemed lightened
+from a heavy load. Stonewell had gained his point and he did not choose
+that Robert should learn from him what Captain Blunt had in his mind for
+Robert's father.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+ROBERT GETS GOOD NEWS
+
+
+The days following dragged slowly by for the apprehensive Robert. His
+mind was full of the needs of his father and mother and it took real
+effort on his part to attend to his duties and prepare his studies. He
+anxiously awaited each mail delivery, but not until Saturday morning
+after drill did any letters come from him. He and Stonewell entered
+their rooms together and Robert fairly pounced on the two letters that
+were awaiting him. Eagerly he tore open the letter in his father's
+well-known handwriting, and rapidly read it. Then he gave a shout of
+joy.
+
+"What do you think, Stone?" he cried. "Here's the happiest news in the
+world. Father writes me that Captain Blunt has secured a splendid
+position for him, chief clerk of the Light House Board. Isn't that just
+splendid? All of my worries are over; and father returns the fifty
+dollars I sent him. I'm so happy, it seems as if a ton had been lifted
+from me. I do hope I'll be able to convince Captain Blunt of my
+gratitude to him. What a wonderful thing to have such a friend, Stone.
+But how did he come to do it?" Robert paused a moment and then added:
+"Stone, did you tell him of the trouble I was in?"
+
+"Bob, I told him you felt it was your duty to resign, and I told him
+why. I wanted an older friend than myself to advise you. It was a
+liberty; but, by George, I can't feel it's a case for an apology. I am
+just as happy as you are, Bob. Jingo! but Captain Blunt is a fine man."
+
+"I do wish I could do something to show him how much I appreciate what
+he has done for me!" exclaimed Robert.
+
+"You can," rejoined Stonewell. "There's his son Harry. You can try to
+help him out of trouble; he's pointed for a lot of it. There are rocks
+and shoals ahead of him, and he's pretty certain to get bumped hard."
+
+"I can't do anything for that youngster, Stone," replied Robert.
+"Positively he never loses an opportunity of cheeking me."
+
+"You may have the chance, Bob; but why don't you read your other
+letter?"
+
+"I forgot I had another letter. Hello, this is from Stanton; let's see
+what he says."
+
+"What! Stanton!" queried Stonewell. "Do you mean last year's five
+striper?"
+
+"Yes; what a splendid fellow he is. He says he is having a fine time
+aboard the 'Paul Jones,' a torpedo boat destroyer, and he's learning a
+lot. He says his ship made a good record at the last target practice but
+it will do much better next time. His captain is devising a new sight
+for the six-pounder gun; the one now attached to that style of gun is
+very poor. Stanton says that anybody can get up a better sight, and now
+the Navy Department is allowing officers to make improvements on the
+guns they are going to fire at target practice. That's what our
+instructor in gunnery said last October, don't you remember?"
+
+"Yes, and by the way, Bob, now that your mind is easy about everything
+you had better get busy if you expect your company to win the flag this
+year. You've got a good company, but so has Blair, and he's red hot
+after the flag. He'll wipe your eye, Bob, if you don't hustle. And it's
+getting late in the year."
+
+"That's right. I'll get busy next week. Let's see, now my company does
+well in infantry and artillery; I ought to beat Blair in those
+subjects."
+
+"Yes, but Blair's company is pretty sure to get first place in
+seamanship, and on the whole his company is better, more numerously
+represented in the different forms of athletics than yours is. As an
+offhand guess I would say the second company has a better show for the
+flag than yours has. You see the total possible multiple for the entire
+brigade is 3,000. Blair will probably get fifty points in fencing, and
+he has a lot of fellows on the track and field teams; he'll probably get
+100 points there; and the best gymnasts of the Academy belong to his
+company; besides, the second company is certainly as well represented as
+the first company in the football and baseball squads and in the crew.
+You may make it, Bob, but you won't if you don't get your company
+stirred up."
+
+"By George, Stone," cried Robert, "I'd rather win that flag than have
+five stripes. My company is all right; we will average just as well in
+drills and in athletics as the second company. We haven't done much
+talking of what we're going to do, but don't imagine we've forgotten
+about the flag. We are after it, hard and strong."
+
+"If you do win it, I'll wager a hundred dollars to an onion that you'll
+deserve to win. Blair is not to be easily beaten," replied Stonewell.
+
+"Let's go out and call on the Blunts," suddenly proposed Robert. "I want
+to thank the captain."
+
+"Don't say another word, Mr. Drake," Captain Blunt was saying to Robert
+later the same day; "your feeling for your father is natural and does
+you credit. I was really glad to be of service to him and to you; but
+aside from all that, the Light House Board is glad to get your father
+for its chief clerk; he is just the man we need. So we are all pleased.
+How is my boy Harry coming along? By George! I could have sworn I saw
+him ahead of me on Maryland Avenue to-day; you don't think Harry is
+Frenching, do you?"
+
+"I hope he isn't, captain. I should be inexpressibly sorry if he were
+and I had to report him for it. You know he is in my company."
+
+"If you find him Frenching I want you to report him," savagely rejoined
+Captain Blunt. "Don't have any false notions on that subject, Mr.
+Drake."
+
+"That is a matter of great concern to me, captain," replied Robert in
+tones of anxiety. "I'd almost prefer to bilge than to report your son
+for a serious matter. He is a splendid fellow; everybody likes him and
+admires him. But he is undoubtedly reckless and careless. The great
+trouble to me is that he won't let me speak to him except officially. He
+is impatient of advice and won't listen to any from me."
+
+"Mr. Drake, I desire and expect you to report him when you ought to do
+so. Don't worry about that."
+
+Helen, growing impatient at this long conversation, said suddenly,
+"Robert, I made some fudge this morning; won't you come back in the
+pantry with me and help me bring it out?"
+
+As soon as they were out of hearing, she said in a low voice: "Harry is
+up-stairs again, and he can't come down to get away without father
+seeing him. What shall I do? Harry is terribly afraid of his father."
+
+"The only advice I can give you, Helen, is to tell your father he is
+there. You can't cover up his tracks, and I don't know anybody except
+his father who can influence him."
+
+This advice to Helen seemed too explosive, and she felt she could devise
+some way herself to protect Harry, and she must make him feel that he
+must never, never do it again. So she remained silent.
+
+When they returned to the drawing-room Robert felt ill at ease. Mrs.
+Blunt, always sympathetically friendly to him, engaged him in talk; but
+after a few minutes Robert got up to take his leave, accompanied by
+Stonewell.
+
+"Weren't you in a bit of a rush, Bob?" inquired Stonewell, glancing
+keenly at his roommate.
+
+"Perhaps," replied Robert uncomfortably.
+
+"Perhaps you found young Blunt eating pie in the pantry," remarked
+Stonewell.
+
+"Not that close, Stone, but I guess he was in the house. Now what am I
+to do? I can just see that before long I'll be in a fix where I'll have
+to report young Blunt for a bilging offense, the son of the man that has
+every claim to my gratitude--or else I'll have to go back on the
+strongest principles I possess. What am I to do, Stone?"
+
+"That's a hard problem; we'll think about it, and perhaps we may be able
+to intimidate Blunt. Perhaps I may find a means to influence him. By the
+way, did you know that the first class has late liberty to-night?
+Penfield is going to play Richard the Third at the Colonial Theatre.
+It's a great opportunity. I went to the commandant, and our class is
+going to have eleven-thirty liberty. It's Penfield's best play; and I
+already have our tickets. Aren't you pleased, Bob?"
+
+Robert looked at his roommate in sheer astonishment. "Well, of all
+things!" he said. "To think of your knowing that for hours and never
+mentioning it. Why, I was talking with Mrs. Blunt and Helen about the
+play and wishing I could go. I'm immensely pleased. But why didn't you
+speak of it before, Stone?"
+
+"Oh, I just didn't. In fact I haven't told anybody. The news will be
+announced at supper formation, so you know it sooner than anybody else
+does. And we'll have a glorious time."
+
+"I'm delighted," cried Robert. "Stone, this is just fine. Bully for old
+Dalton. He's a daisy commandant."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+"THREE GROANS FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT"
+
+
+Great was the delight of first classmen at the privilege of theatre
+liberty, a rare privilege for midshipmen; and loud and deep were the
+indignant murmurs of midshipmen other than first classmen to whom this
+privilege was not accorded.
+
+"There's no reason, no reasonable reason why the second and third
+classmen should not go," protested Third Classman Blunt at supper. "I'm
+in favor of the whole third class going in a body; we'll show the
+authorities what we think of the commandant's ridiculous treatment----"
+
+"Mr. Blunt, you are called to order," rang out the sharp, dictatorial
+voice of Cadet Lieutenant Drake, sitting at the head of the table. "You
+are inciting mutiny and speaking disrespectfully of your superior
+officers."
+
+Harry Blunt was plainly cowed and subsided for a time; but later said in
+a low tone to a classmate sitting on his right: "I'm going out anyway;
+it won't be the first time I have gone over the wall."
+
+"You'd be recognized at the theatre and spotted, and you'd be missed at
+taps inspection; you had better not try it," was the reply.
+
+"I guess you're right," grumbled Harry, "but I've a pretty good trick up
+my sleeve, and I may work it."
+
+Later, when the first classmen were all gone and the corridors were
+deserted, Third Classman Blunt might have been seen to slip into room
+number 23, the divisional officers' room. And in a few minutes he came
+out looking perplexed and worried.
+
+The Colonial Theatre was a gay sight that Saturday night. All of society
+Annapolis was present, the ladies beautifully gowned, and the men in
+correct evening dress. Annapolis prides itself on being as strict in
+such matters as Newport. Interspersed throughout the audience were to be
+seen many navy uniforms; and well toward the front and centre, in seats
+reserved for them, were seated as fine a body of young men as had ever
+been brought together, the senior class of midshipmen.
+
+It seemed more like a friendly party than an ordinary audience, for
+everybody knew everybody else, and before the curtain rose there were
+innumerable greetings and much pleasant talk.
+
+But to the "costume de rigeur" so faithfully observed by the
+Annapolitans, there was one exception. In a back seat of a box, on the
+right of the stage (a public box where seats were sold separately) sat a
+man dressed in defiance of social custom. He was simply clothed in a
+sack coat, and trousers of dark material. He wore a heavy moustache and
+full pointed beard. However, he didn't seem to know anybody and none
+appeared to notice him or worry over his unconventional attire.
+
+Penfield had an appreciative audience that night. Never had anything so
+fine been given at Annapolis, and enthusiastic delight was repeatedly
+expressed.
+
+At twenty minutes before ten the bearded man in the box suddenly left
+and once outside of the theatre he started at a dead run toward the
+Academy grounds. A convenient negro made twenty-five cents by boosting
+him over the wall. The bearded man rushed on the Chesapeake Bay side of
+the Armory and Bancroft Hall, ran over the terrace, and bolted into the
+open window of room 23. The five minutes' warning bugle was soon heard,
+to be followed by the call for taps. And in Bancroft Hall was to be
+heard the measured tread of the midshipmen on duty making the ten
+o'clock inspection of rooms.
+
+Hardly had this ceased when the bearded man emerged from Bancroft Hall
+by the same way he had entered it. He was off on a bound and ran through
+the grounds unobserved. The wall presented no difficulty to him, and he
+was soon back in his seat in the theatre box.
+
+"What luck," he said to himself, with great satisfaction. "I got out in
+the first place, got back again, was in my bed at taps inspection, and
+now I'm back here and have missed only a little of the play. And nobody
+saw me or knows anything about it."
+
+The play proceeded. At a little before eleven, near the end, while some
+scenery was being changed, the manager of the theatre stepped out on the
+stage and called:
+
+"Is Midshipman Stonewell present?"
+
+"I am he," replied Stonewell, rising in his seat.
+
+"I'm sorry, but the superintendent of the Naval Academy has just
+telephoned me to have Midshipman Stonewell send in all midshipmen on the
+run." Before Stonewell had a chance to reply or give an order, and
+before the look of dismay and disappointment had disappeared from his
+classmates' faces, everybody in the theatre was startled by a loud cry
+in harsh, strident tones of:
+
+"Midshipmen and everybody else, attention!"
+
+An intense breathless stillness followed. Everybody looked to the
+direction from where the cry had come. There, in the front of the right
+hand box, stood a tall athletic looking man. Now a brown slouch hat was
+pulled down on his forehead; his face was covered with a dark beard. He
+wore a sack coat buttoned tightly over his chest.
+
+By this penetrating voice everybody's attention was attracted. An
+expectant hush fell upon the audience. Every eye was upon the bearded
+stranger.
+
+From the lips of the interrupter came a defiant call of:
+
+"Three groans for the superintendent of the Naval Academy and the
+commandant. Oh--oh--oh."
+
+Without a moment's hesitation came ringing orders from Stonewell:
+
+"First classmen, rise! March out on the double. Form in two ranks
+outside."
+
+There was no hesitation or delay in obeying Stonewell's order. Swiftly
+they ran out of the theatre and halted on the walk outside. And almost
+immediately they were put in motion by Stonewell's order of "First
+classmen, forward, double time-march," and away they sped. Soon
+fire-bells were heard ringing and the siren in the Academy grounds was
+emitting long, terrifying blasts.
+
+"Something's afire in the Naval Academy, Bob," cried Stonewell; "hurry."
+The first classmen dashed to the Maryland Avenue gate and here were met
+by streams of lower class midshipmen, starting to drag out the different
+hose reels. The first classmen immediately assumed charge of their
+various commands. The fire proved to be in the carpen-ter's shop, and
+in a very few minutes it was put out.
+
+After the midshipmen were back in their quarters the one topic of
+conversation was the startling event in the theatre.
+
+The next morning was Sunday. Shortly after ten o'clock, when the
+commandant had finished his inspection of rooms, Cadet Lieutenant Drake
+appeared at the door of Midshipman Blunt's room and said: "Blunt, report
+to the commandant's office immediately."
+
+Harry Blunt clutched the table as if for support, and with pallid face
+and in trembling tones he asked: "What does he want me for?"
+
+"You'll know when he tells you," and Robert walked out. It was not with
+his usual debonair manner that Harry Blunt entered the commandant's
+presence. In fact it was a very scared youth who confronted Commander
+Dalton. Fear and apprehension were plainly depicted in his face.
+
+"Mr. Blunt," commenced the commandant, "your father, mother and sister
+are to dine at my house to-day, and I want you to come too. Your father
+tells me he hasn't seen much of you of late; you are not on the first
+conduct grade, are you? If you are not I'll dispense with the regulation
+and grant you special permission to dine with an officer to-day."
+
+Harry Blunt suddenly sat down on a chair behind him. He was momentarily
+speechless.
+
+"Sit down, Mr. Blunt," smiled the commandant. Then Harry stood up.
+
+"Wa-wa-was that all you wanted to see me for?" he stammered.
+
+"Yes; we dine at half-past one."
+
+"Thank you, captain; I'll be delighted to dine with you and be with my
+father. This is awfully kind of you, captain. Oh, thank you; yes,
+indeed, I'll be there--I don't believe I've ever called on you, captain,
+but--"
+
+"Well, well, Mr. Blunt," interrupted the commandant, "what is the matter
+with you? At first when you came into my office you seemed to be bereft
+of speech, and all of a sudden you talk with such a rush that you can't
+stop yourself. Perhaps you thought I was going to talk about something
+else," and Commander Dalton glanced keenly at Harry.
+
+"Be at my house by half-past one," repeated the commandant, dismissing
+Harry, and the latter left. He took several deep breaths when out of the
+commandant's office.
+
+"By George," he said, almost aloud, in tones of great relief, "I feared
+I was up against it. I was never so scared in all my life."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+ROBERT MAKES A DISCOVERY
+
+
+"Pete," said Robert a few days later, "let's go to the gun shed."
+
+"All right," replied the amiable Peters, "come along; but what are we to
+do there? I don't know of any more uninteresting place in the whole
+Academy."
+
+"You know that our company is going to try hard to win the flag, don't
+you?"
+
+"Of course we are. And so is every other company. Don't think for a
+minute, Bob, that you're the only cadet lieutenant who has picked out
+the girl who's going to present it. But what has the gun shed to do with
+our company winning the flag?"
+
+"It all counts, Pete; you know part of the grand multiple each company
+makes is made up of its record at target practice with six-pounder guns,
+don't you?"
+
+"Of course."
+
+"Well, I received a letter from Stanton last week; he says the sights
+of this gun are very poor. Now in our gunnery sections we were all
+encouraged to make improvements. You see gunnery in the navy is now a
+matter of terrific competition; it is ship against ship and gun against
+gun. At each target practice the ship that does the best carries the
+gunnery trophy for a year, and big money prizes are won by the best gun
+crews. And officers in command of different guns are encouraged to make
+improvements. Why, just before the Spanish war the twelve-inch guns of
+the 'Texas' could only shoot once in five minutes, and then the shots
+didn't hit often. On her last target practice those same guns fired once
+a minute and hit the target almost every time. And the improvements were
+all made by officers aboard the ship."
+
+"Well, Bob, here is your six-pounder gun; just take a look at it. I
+don't imagine you will be allowed to do much tinkering with it. You
+don't know a great deal about the gun--not nearly so much as the men who
+designed and built it--and here you are talking about improving it. You
+would probably injure rather than improve it."
+
+"I know how to work it, anyway, and I have fired a six-pounder a number
+of times," replied Robert, rapidly throwing down a couple of clamps, and
+turning the gun on its pivot.
+
+"I have no notion of touching the mechanism of the gun; but Stanton says
+the gun sights are poor; that anybody could put better sights on the
+gun."
+
+Robert now put himself at the rear of the gun, assuming the prescribed
+position of the man who fired it, holding it securely by the shoulder
+and hand of his right arm, his left hand being at the trigger. He ran
+his eye over the gun sights, and moved the gun up and down, and from
+side to side.
+
+"Pete," he remarked, "look at this rear sight; it's an open sight--just
+a mere notch, a groove. And the forward sight is just a sharp point. If
+I screw my eye up or down, or from side to side, I might think there
+were many different places the gun would shoot to. When the gun is fired
+in this exact position the shot is going in only one direction, but I
+bet you if ten different fellows should aim along these sights as the
+gun is now and say where the shot was going to hit you would find there
+were ten different opinions."
+
+"Of course there would be," replied Peters in a superior tone; "there
+always are with open sights; professional marksmen always use
+peep-sights."
+
+"Pete, you're a treasure," cried Robert in enthusiastic approval; "we'll
+fit peep-sights to this gun, but we'll keep it a dead secret, and when
+we come to fire our string of shots we'll use our own peep-sights."
+
+"How are you going to fit peep-sights to this gun and not have everybody
+else know about it?" asked Peters dubiously. "And we only practice with
+this gun; we will actually fire one of the 'Nevada's' six-pounders,--and
+probably the sight you fitted to this gun wouldn't fit the 'Nevada's.'"
+
+"Let's go aboard the 'Nevada'; she's alongside the 'Santee' wharf, and
+we'll talk to the captain. I know him, and we'll ask him to let us fit
+up the six-pounder we're going to use. There's a gunner's mate named
+Lenn aboard that ship who is a great friend of mine; he's awfully handy
+with tools, and he'll help me."
+
+"But, Bob, a captain isn't going to let a midshipman monkey with the
+guns of his ship."
+
+"The 'Nevada' is in reserve with a crew of only thirty-five men on
+board; she's here for the instruction of midshipmen, and besides, we're
+not going to make any permanent change; we're going to invent a new
+six-pounder gun sight; we'll just take off the old sights and put in our
+own peep-sights; the captain can put the other ones back if he wants
+to."
+
+"You talk as if you had already invented your peep-sights and all you
+had to do was to put them on. Now let me tell you, Bob, it isn't so
+all-fired easy. This gun isn't fitted for peep-sights. Another thing,
+the rear sight is attached here to a graduated bar; it moves up and down
+according to the distance of the target you are firing at, and it also
+moves from side to side, to allow for the speed of the ship. Now you're
+going to have a good deal of trouble to arrange an entire new kind of
+sights for this gun."
+
+"Pete, those are problems that I'm sure can be solved. I don't pretend
+to say I know just how we can make the change, but I'm going to study
+the question, and I'm going to get expert help. Now let's go over to the
+'Nevada' and talk with Captain Brice; we've got to get his consent
+first; and then I'll get that smart gunner's mate, Lenn, to help me;
+he's a very inventive chap. Come along."
+
+Before long the two midshipmen were aboard the monitor "Nevada" and were
+talking with Captain Brice. At first the latter was utterly opposed to
+any "monkeying," as he expressed it, with one of his guns. Finally he
+became interested in Robert's earnestness, and relented to the extent of
+the following ultimatum:
+
+"Now, Mr. Drake, I'll allow you to remove the present sights of one of
+my six-pounders; the sights are kept out of the gun, anyway, for that
+matter; and in their places you may put in new sights. But you are not
+to alter the gun in any way; you must fix it so that any sights you put
+in can be immediately replaced by the regular sights. I'll send for the
+man you want, Lenn, and tell him to give you a hand."
+
+Chief Gunner's Mate Lenn soon appeared, and he and the two midshipmen
+repaired to the forward starboard six-pounder on the superstructure
+deck, where Robert explained what he wanted. Lenn grasped the idea with
+avidity.
+
+"Why, Mr. Drake," he said, "we can fix up what you want with no trouble
+at all. A sight is a simple thing--the principle is that the centre line
+of the gun's bore must be exactly parallel to the line of sight at
+point-blank range with no speed allowance. Now you want a peep-sight.
+We'll get a hollow cylinder, say an inch in diameter, and an inch or two
+long; we'll plug the end and drill a fine hole in the end of your plug.
+There's the peep. And the forward sight will be a ring with cross wires
+in it. Now your line from the peep-hole to the cross wires must be
+parallel to the axis of the gun. And while I think of it the rear and
+front sights should be as far apart as possible; I'll tell you what
+we'll do; we'll carry the sight at the end of a long piece of brass
+pipe; I've just the stuff in my storeroom. I'll fit a Y piece to where
+the present front sight is, pivot it there and hang the forward part of
+the pipe in its gimbals. I'll just run a quarter-inch pin through the
+pipe; and I'll drop the rear end of the brass pipe on this rear
+sight--I'll have to make a slight alteration in this rear sight----"
+
+"You can't change a thing, Lenn, you mustn't," interrupted Robert.
+"Captain Brice will not allow any changes of the gun----"
+
+"Oh, I've an old condemned rear sight below; I'll use that," smiled
+Lenn. "Now we'll fasten our new front cross wire and rear peep-sights to
+the ends of our brass pipe--why, anybody can see at a glance it will be
+a far better arrangement than the present poor system."
+
+When Robert and Peters left Lenn said: "Come aboard the 'Nevada' in two
+days from now and you'll find your new sights on this gun ready for
+business."
+
+On the following Saturday, after supper, Robert and Stonewell were
+enjoying a pleasant call at the Blunt household. Captain Blunt was
+telling Stonewell of the last target practice his ship had gone through.
+"Why, sir," he said, "if my six-pounders had not done so poorly I would
+surely have won the trophy; my six-inch guns averaged seven hits a
+minute, each of the best guns making ten hits. If we had had decent
+sights for our six-pounders the 'New Orleans' would have made the best
+record of any ship of her class in the navy."
+
+Robert was eagerly listening, and was much interested, but Helen Blunt
+wasn't.
+
+"Father," she interrupted, "you talk of nothing but guns, guns, guns and
+hits per minute. Now that isn't nearly so interesting to midshipmen as
+ice-cream and cake. Robert, come along to the pantry with me and help me
+get some."
+
+That young man was on the point of asking Captain Blunt a question about
+six-pounder gun sights, but Helen was already on her way toward the
+hall; so he thought his question could wait, and he started to join
+Helen. She had gone to the rear of the house, to the pantry next the
+kitchen. The passageway was dark, but Robert knew the way, and he
+hurried after Helen, and soon ran right into her.
+
+"You are a regular blunderer, aren't you, Robert?" she laughed. "I am
+trying to turn on the light but can't find the key. What a bother it is
+that in Annapolis all the servants go home at night--and there goes the
+doorbell. I'll have to go see who it is. Now try to find the switch;
+it's somewhere near on this wall. Just feel about and you'll find it. I
+hope you're not afraid to be left in the dark," was her parting shot,
+"but the kitchen door is locked, so that no burglars can get in." And
+Helen ran away.
+
+Robert groped about, but could not find the switch to the electric
+light, and while he was fumbling his ear caught the noise of a click in
+the kitchen, as if a door had been unlocked. A moment later he heard a
+door opened, and with it he felt the draft blow on him.
+
+"Some one has let himself into the kitchen," thought Robert. He kept
+quite still, wondering who it might be. Then he heard footsteps on the
+kitchen floor; they seemed quite close to him and he felt confident
+there was an intruder there. He peered through the open door of the
+pantry into the kitchen, but in the dark could see nothing; suddenly an
+electric light in the kitchen was turned on, and Robert, himself unseen,
+looked with fascination on the person he saw.
+
+There standing by a table was a man with a brown slouch hat drawn down
+over his eyes, a man with a heavy moustache and dark pointed beard; he
+was dressed in a dark sack coat, buttoned closely across his chest and
+wore trousers of a dark material.
+
+Robert felt his breath come quickly.
+
+"What can this man be doing here?" he wondered. "I know him; he's the
+scoundrel who called for three groans for the superintendent and
+commandant."
+
+Robert had a confused idea that the stranger might be a thief and he was
+wondering what he had best do, when suddenly a feeling of dismay and
+horror swept over him. The stranger threw off his hat, and with a quick
+movement of each hand unhooked from around his ears the support of what
+was evidently a false beard. And the merry face of Harry Blunt was
+revealed.
+
+It is difficult to analyze Robert's feelings, but chief among them was
+an utter detestation for Harry. That a midshipman, himself the son of a
+splendid officer, should be the miscreant who had so wantonly, so
+publicly, insulted the highest officers at the Naval Academy, filled
+Robert with disgust.
+
+[Illustration: _THE STRANGER THREW OFF HIS HAT_]
+
+For a midshipman to take unauthorized leave was a common offense, so
+also was it for a midshipman to have civilian clothing in his
+possession. Such offenses were committed at great personal risk and when
+detected brought down upon the offender's head severe punishment, and if
+repeated it meant dismissal. But reprehensible from a military
+view-point as it was, such an offense was not dishonorable.
+
+Since the event at the Colonial Theatre none at Annapolis had ever had
+the slightest notion that the perpetrator of the insult of that night
+could be a midshipman; such an idea never was suggested, never even
+entered any person's mind. And so to Robert, his recognition of Harry
+Blunt as the culprit was as astounding as it was painful. He loathed
+Harry as an utterly unfit, dishonorable person, who had done shameful
+wrong to the Naval Academy. And immediately there arose in Robert's mind
+the knowledge that it was his duty to report Harry to the commandant, to
+report the son of his benefactor.
+
+In agonized perplexity Robert turned and quietly walked through the
+dining-room to the hall.
+
+"Did you find the cakes and things in the pantry, Robert?" cried Helen
+seeing him, "or did you get tired waiting for me? Mr. Farnum called, and
+he comes so seldom I felt I couldn't run away from him. Why, Robert,
+what's the matter? You have such a strange look on your face. What is
+it?"
+
+"I--I couldn't find the light, Helen, I----"
+
+"Oh, come back and try it again. But what is the matter, Robert? I'm
+sure something's the matter."
+
+"I'm not feeling well, Helen. I--I--have to go--I can't stay,--please
+say good-night to your father and mother--I really must go," and with
+utter misery showing in every feature, Robert grabbed his hat and bolted
+out of the house.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+HARRY BLUNT IS REBUFFED
+
+
+Helen Blunt was grieved and hurt at Robert's strange action. It was
+incomprehensible to her. The others expressed much surprise at his
+sudden leaving. After a few minutes Helen got the refreshments, but she
+was much subdued for the rest of the evening, and it was only too
+evident that the pleasure of the day had gone for her.
+
+Robert hurried back to the Academy and was soon in his room.
+
+"I can't report him," he reflected. "I know I'm going back on my rank,
+on my duty, on my principles, on what I've preached ever since I've been
+at the Academy. The contemptible hound! He ought to be kicked out! It's
+a shame that such a despicable person should have such a fine father and
+mother--and--and sister. It's outrageous that he should remain here. But
+his father saved my father--I can't report him; it would utterly
+disgrace Captain Blunt--I'm full of gratitude to him--I suppose I have
+no right to let that gratitude interfere with my duty; but I can't help
+myself."
+
+For the next hour Robert indulged himself in many bitter reflections,
+but his conclusions were unchanged, and he deliberately determined to
+keep to himself what he had learned, neither to report Harry Blunt nor
+to tell even Stonewell what he had seen.
+
+Stonewell came in a little before ten o'clock. "What's the matter with
+you, Bob?" he asked almost roughly. "Do you think you treated the Blunts
+very politely? You spoiled Helen's evening, and I could see Captain and
+Mrs. Blunt were concerned; they must have thought you acted very
+queerly, to say the least."
+
+"I'm sorry, Stone--I couldn't help it. Please don't talk about it to
+me."
+
+Stonewell glanced keenly at his roommate's worried face. "Look here,
+Bob, when you went out to the pantry did you see young Blunt? Has that
+scamp been Frenching again?"
+
+"Stone, except once, you have practically never discussed your personal
+matters with me; I never insist on it, intimate as we are. Now this is a
+personal matter of a kind that I just can't talk about; please don't
+expect me to."
+
+"All right, Bob; but it's my opinion you feel you ought to report Blunt
+for Frenching and you feel you can't because you're under obligation of
+lasting gratitude to his father; and so you feel you're going back on
+your principles, and so forth. Now you were not on duty; no reasonable
+man would expect you to violate your own feelings to that extent. So
+cheer up, Bob; I'll tell you right now that if when I'm not on duty I
+find young Blunt Frenching in his father's house, I most certainly shall
+not report him."
+
+To this Robert made no comment, but in his heart thought that if his
+roommate knew what a scoundrel Blunt was, that Stonewell would be the
+very first to report him.
+
+Taps soon sounded, and before long Robert was in bed; but long hours
+passed before sleep came to him. "What a lot of terrible rogues I've
+been mixed up with," was one of the thoughts that came to his mind;
+"there was Hillman, Ramsay, Williams, and now this detestable Blunt.
+And of them all I fear Blunt is the worst."
+
+The next afternoon Stonewell went to Blunt's room and found that young
+man there alone. "Hello, Stone," greeted Blunt; "but now that football
+is over perhaps I should say Mister Stonewell to the five striper."
+
+"Never mind the 'Mister,' Blunt. I thought I'd drop around to tell you
+that I think you are an unintentional cad."
+
+"Your words are offensive, sir," cried Harry, getting angry immediately;
+"I'm not aware of any Naval Academy regulation that permits the cadet
+commander to insult a third classman."
+
+"I don't wish to insult you, Blunt, and I admit my words require
+explanation. The point is just this: Bob Drake, your company commander,
+is entirely upset about something. He will not talk about it to me, and
+has no idea of my seeing you about the matter. He was out at your
+father's house last night, and I've a notion you were Frenching out
+there and he saw you. You probably know he has very strict notions of
+duty. My idea is that he feels he should report you or else go back on
+every principle he ever had. And for a particular reason he cannot
+report you."
+
+"Oh," replied Harry disdainfully, "if the reason is that he is currying
+favor with Helen most people would say Drake is the cad."
+
+"It isn't your sister, Blunt. It's your father, whom he owes a debt of
+gratitude to."
+
+"Why should Drake be grateful to my father?" exclaimed Harry in evident
+surprise.
+
+"For personal reasons. I don't feel at liberty to talk about them,
+except to say that a couple of weeks ago a kind action on your father's
+part saved Drake from resigning. You see Drake cannot report your
+father's son; and come now, wouldn't a man be a cad to force a man like
+Drake to go back on his principles?"
+
+"Good old dad," cried Harry impulsively; "I was a cad, but I'm glad you
+said unintentionally so. I'd have had no use for Drake if it had been on
+Helen's account. But really I didn't know Drake saw me last night. Are
+you sure he did?"
+
+"I have just imagined so; you ought to know whether he did or not. He
+was at your house last night; at half-past eight he went out in the
+pantry to get something and all of a sudden bolted out of the house. He
+won't speak of the matter even to me, but he has been miserable ever
+since."
+
+"By Jove!" ejaculated Harry. "Perhaps he saw me in the cit's clothes;
+that would be a bilging spot,[2] wouldn't it?"
+
+[Footnote 2: A report involving dismissal.]
+
+"I shouldn't wonder," remarked Stonewell, drily.
+
+"Stonewell, I'm obliged to you, and I'll tell you right now I won't give
+Drake another chance to report me for Frenching; I'm awfully sorry the
+thing happened. I'll tell him I'll do the square thing hereafter."
+
+In the meantime Robert and Peters had gone aboard the "Nevada"; Lenn saw
+them coming. "Come up above," he said to them; "I've something to show
+you." When Robert saw what this something was he was delighted. Lenn had
+fitted up the forward starboard six-pounder gun with the gun sights they
+had talked about.
+
+"I've bore sighted the gun, Mr. Drake. Just train the gun on that white
+stone on the shore over there; look through your peep-sight and get the
+gun exactly on it. All right. Now shift your eye to the bore; the bore
+sights are in the gun. Now what do you say?"
+
+"It's wonderful," cried Robert; "are these bore sights in the exact
+centre of the gun?"
+
+"Within a hair's breadth."
+
+"Both the new gun sights and the bore sights are pointing at the white
+stone. The stone is over half a mile away. That means the line of the
+gun sights is parallel to the axis of the gun, doesn't it?"
+
+"It does, indeed," replied Lenn, much pleased with Robert's enthusiastic
+approval.
+
+"Let me see," insisted Peters, pushing Robert away from the breech of
+the gun. "Gee, but this is splendid," he called out a moment later.
+"Say, Bob, if you keep this quiet you'll make the gunnery record next
+June."
+
+"Lenn, can we prevent people from seeing these sights?"
+
+"Surely. I'll take them down when you leave; it only takes a minute to
+take them off the gun. I'll keep them in my storeroom when you're not
+using them; but, Mr. Drake, if you expect to make a good target record
+you'll have lots of work to do. You'll have to get your crew here day
+after day, for at least half an hour's drill. I'll be here to help you."
+
+"Good. And thank you, Lenn; I'll start to-morrow." And the two
+midshipmen left the ship.
+
+"Now, Pete," said Robert, "we must organize to win the flag. Our company
+is well represented in all forms of athletics; we have football and
+baseball stars in it; now you and I and Glassfell and a couple of others
+will quietly drill with this gun. And at target practice we'll spring a
+great surprise on everybody. Whom had we better put in the gun's crew
+with us?"
+
+"Well, let's see. There's young Blunt, he's a----"
+
+"Don't speak of that fellow to me," interrupted Robert savagely.
+
+"Why, Bob, what has he done; why are you so down on him?" inquired
+Peters, utterly surprised at Robert's vehemence.
+
+"I want nothing to do with him. I don't wish to talk about him."
+
+"All right, old man, I'll think of some one else. Will see you later."
+
+As soon as Robert saw his roommate later in the day, he began eagerly to
+tell him of his plans. "I'm going out to win the flag, Stone. My company
+stands as good a chance, better, I believe, than any other company to
+win it. But I'm going to make sure of it. Now you drill with my company,
+and what you individually do will count."
+
+"Of course. And I'll do all I can. I want you to come out for the crew,
+Bob; you've pulled in two winning races----"
+
+"I can't, Stone; now just listen to what I've done," and Robert told
+Stonewell of the new six-pounder gun sights and of what he expected to
+accomplish. "You see I'll not be able to come out for racing shell
+practice, and besides, you don't need me--my company is well represented
+in all athletics and if we win at target practice we'll get the flag."
+
+Here the door was thrown open and Harry Blunt entered. Robert jumped to
+his feet, and with flashing eyes and in angry tones asked: "What do you
+want, sir?"
+
+"Why, Drake," replied Harry, completely taken back by this hostile
+reception, "I just thought I would tell you that if any act of mine has
+disturbed you, if I have forced you in a false position, I extremely
+regret it; I hope you will have no further concern because of me."
+
+"Mr. Blunt, will you please leave my room? I despise you and I want
+nothing whatever to do with you."
+
+"This is decent of you, Blunt, and I thank you for coming in," suddenly
+interposed Stonewell. "I know your motive, and it's all right!"
+
+Harry Blunt stood in the doorway utterly chagrined. Tears came into his
+eyes and his chin quivered. Then without comment he left the room.
+Stonewell was extremely provoked. "He came in at my suggestion," he
+angrily said.
+
+"I believe you," replied Robert calmly.
+
+"I don't like the way you have acted. I don't understand you."
+
+"Stone, I despise Blunt. There is a reason. You think you know it, but
+you are mistaken. Now, old friend, I cannot talk this matter over with
+you; I can but ask you to trust me, also to avoid discussing that young
+man when I am around."
+
+Stonewell was not inclined at first to be satisfied with this, but he
+soon decided to drop the matter; and several months passed before
+Midshipman Harry Blunt was discussed between them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+A MYSTERY SOLVED
+
+
+The end of March brought with it to Annapolis a veritable blizzard; the
+ground everywhere was covered with snow. The soft snow, clinging to the
+tree branches, had commenced to melt, when promise of good weather
+suddenly changed to sharp cold, followed by another snow-storm. The
+intense cold had turned the trees into glistening skeletons, and the
+powdered white falling upon them made a beautiful picture, but the
+weight caused many branches to break, and Annapolis presented a most
+wintry spectacle. And then of a sudden out burst the sun, sending down
+hot rays that in a few days turned winter into spring. In but a short
+time all the trees were budding and spring, turning rapidly into summer,
+came with leaps and bounds and the bleak desolate days were soon
+forgotten.
+
+There remained to Robert Drake but two months more of Academy life--two
+months of deep contentment. He surveyed his previous four years and drew
+much satisfaction in contemplating them. He was sure to graduate high in
+his class, with probably only Stonewell, Farnum, Sewall and Ryerson
+ahead of him. He had had troubles, but everything now seemed clear
+sailing before him.
+
+Midshipmen enjoy these last months of the school year. Out of town
+friends by the hundreds come to Annapolis, and after drills and on
+Saturdays and Sundays, the Naval Academy grounds are thronged with
+pretty girls, each flanked by at least one midshipman, and some by ten.
+
+Every afternoon saw the midshipmen at their infantry or artillery
+drills, marching and executing military movements with precision that
+betokened much practice; or if not on the parade grounds the young men
+were to be seen in the steam launches, or else in the shops. After drill
+hours till seven o'clock four racing shells were out on the Severn
+River. The athletic field was sure to be crowded by baseball players;
+the tennis-courts always had a waiting list. And far off on the
+superstructure deck of the "Nevada," unknown and unseen by other
+midshipmen, were Robert Drake and four classmates, practicing loading
+and aiming with a six-pounder gun. Day after day this drill went on,
+always in recreation times.
+
+Robert took the shoulder-piece, finger on trigger, keeping his gun aimed
+at some boat moving in the Severn River. He was, according to the
+prescribed gun drill, "First Pointer."
+
+Peters was the "sight setter." He ran up the rear sight according to the
+distance away of the object aimed at, and also he would move the rear
+sight to the right or left, according to the speed the boat was moving.
+
+Glassfell was loader, and as such acting gun captain. Robert picked out
+two other classmates, Taylor and Warren, to act as shell-men.
+
+"All ready now, fellows," cried Glassfell, late one beautiful April day;
+"let's have one more drill to-night and then we'll knock off. We'll
+start with the gun empty and breech closed. Lenn, you throw down the
+breech as usual after each make-believe shot--you won't have to when we
+really fire the gun because the gun is semi-automatic and the discharge
+of one shot opens the breech, ready to load the next one."
+
+"I learned that years ago, Mr. Glassfell. But I'll open the breech for
+you. We're all ready, sir."
+
+"Load," rang out Glassfell's voice. Down went the breech, and instantly
+Glassfell threw in a dummy cartridge, and up slammed the breech, closing
+the gun with a click.
+
+Robert snapped the trigger, and instantly Lenn threw down the breech;
+the dummy was ejected and Glassfell threw in another cartridge. This was
+repeated again and again, until Lenn called out "time."
+
+"That was well done, sir; you loaded and fired twenty-nine times in a
+minute; I kept time; there wasn't a hitch. You have a well-trained crew,
+Mr. Drake."
+
+On the way back, Robert met Helen Blunt walking with her brother. There
+was no question but that Helen expected Robert to stop and speak with
+her. She slackened her pace a bit, bowing to Robert with a sort of mute
+reproach in her manner; Robert hesitated a moment, then turned and
+joined her, while Harry Blunt walked on ahead, neither he nor Robert
+giving any greeting.
+
+"What's the matter? Don't you and Harry speak?" asked Helen, in a
+surprised, hurt way.
+
+"Midshipmen never seem to have time for that sort of thing," said
+Robert, trying to speak lightly. "Men of different classes seldom speak
+unless they are particular friends. Let's go down to the sea-wall,
+Helen, and watch the shells; I do hope we'll win this year; we ought to,
+we've splendid men on the crew. What have you been doing lately? I
+haven't seen you for an age, and there's----"
+
+"Well, whose fault is that?" interrupted Helen with some spirit; "you
+bolted out of the house the other night as though you feared contagion,
+and I haven't seen you or heard from you since. I should think you would
+have something to tell me or explain."
+
+"Yes, yes, Helen, I have ever so many things I want to speak to you
+about," and then Robert dropped into silence as they walked along.
+
+"We've been such friends," said Helen quietly, "and had so many
+unforeseen things happen, that it seems as though we ought to get along
+without any more misunderstandings in the future; and yet we seem to be
+having one now. You have suddenly stopped coming to see me; surely there
+was a reason, Robert; what was it?"
+
+Robert felt supremely miserable and uncomfortable; he did not know what
+to say. There was a reason, and yet he could not tell it to this
+sympathetic and congenial girl whose friendship he was so anxious to
+keep; he could not tell this reason, nor could he pretend there was
+none. It would be no act of kindness to Captain Blunt to inform him of
+the unworthiness of his son. And so Robert did not wish Helen to know
+that Harry was in any way concerned with the matter Helen wished to talk
+about.
+
+"What's the reason, Robert?" repeated Helen with her eyes full of
+interest and concern.
+
+Just then, the far-away bell of the "Santee" was struck four times. "Six
+o'clock," exclaimed Robert; "we've a whole hour before supper; let's
+walk along the sea-wall to College Creek and back; we'll just have time
+to do it." Poor Robert then relapsed into silence; he was happy to be
+with his friend again and eager to tell her that he could not explain
+his peculiar conduct; but he could not talk.
+
+His mind was in confusion, yet seemed a blank; and the trivial things
+about him took a prominence that in milder moods would have remained
+unnoticed. He noted with the eye of a naturalist a squirrel that
+scampered across their path, and ran along the fence, disappearing up a
+maple tree; two robins were scolding and fussing in the tree top near
+their nest. And from the coxswain of the racing shell, out in the Severn
+River, came regularly, like the tick-tock of a clock, the monotonous
+words--"Stroke--Stroke--Stroke." Thump, thump, thump went his heart.
+"Stroke--Stroke--Stroke," called out the ruthless coxswain to his tired
+crew on the river a quarter of a mile away.
+
+Robert did not know what to say. His heart was so full he could not
+speak lightly. Helen looked straight ahead and said nothing, waiting no
+doubt for Robert to begin his explanation. Each was intensely
+uncomfortable. After Maryland Avenue was crossed, Helen turned to her
+companion and wistfully said: "I thought you had so much to talk with me
+about, Robert; but you haven't said a word. What is the matter; are we
+not good friends? Or is there some misunderstanding which prevents our
+talking to each other?"
+
+"Oh, Helen," cried he, "I'm awfully disturbed about something. It is of
+such a peculiar nature that I can't talk about it to any one. Can't you
+trust me and not ask me to explain myself? You see sometimes things
+occur that a midshipman can't talk about--it has nothing to do with any
+action of yours or mine,--I think so much of your friendship that it
+distresses me to appear as if I had any other feeling----"
+
+"Robert, if you really are so anxious for my friendship, what Naval
+Academy affair could happen that would send you running out of my house
+and that would prevent you coming to see me?"
+
+Then a great light broke upon her, and stopping suddenly, she confronted
+Robert and said excitedly:
+
+"Robert Drake, I understand at last. You saw Harry that night, after I
+left you in the pantry. It was your duty, I suppose, to report him and
+you didn't do so because of--of the rest of us. And you haven't called
+since because you are afraid you will see him again. I'm right, I know
+I'm right!"
+
+Robert looked helplessly at her, and then said: "Helen, you and I have
+been good friends, haven't we? And can't good friends expect favors of
+one another? Now I've a real favor to ask of you, and it's this. Don't
+think of this matter, and please, oh, please, don't talk about it. Don't
+talk about it to your father and mother; I beg of you don't refer to the
+matter in any way."
+
+"Robert, I really will do as you want me to, though I don't see why you
+have been so much upset. Harry isn't Frenching any more; he has promised
+me not to do that again. And even if he should you will not know of it
+or see him at my home; but I'm confident he won't, now that he has given
+me his word. Won't you come next Saturday and have supper with us? And
+bring Mr. Stonewell and Mr. Farnum with you."
+
+Robert returned to his room in a happy mood. He had worried much at how
+the Blunts would look upon his abrupt action, and of his sudden
+avoidance of their home. He had decided not to call so as to take no
+chance of seeing Harry Blunt there, and he knew he could never explain
+the reason of his action to any of the Blunts. But now he felt that
+Helen, in a way at least, understood; she would require no further
+explanation and would not gossip about his reasons. And also he believed
+that Helen would so arrange it that he would run no chance of seeing
+Harry Blunt at her home when that young man had no right to be outside
+of the Academy grounds.
+
+And so Robert felt more light-hearted than for many days, so much so
+that after supper, while preparing for the next day's recitation,
+Stonewell, who knew his roommate's every mood, looked up smiling and
+said:
+
+"Well, Bob, what is it; have you won the flag ahead of time, or have you
+made up with Helen Blunt? I've noticed you haven't been going to her
+house much of late; and for some time past you've been as glum as a
+Russian bear."
+
+"Never you mind, Stone, I'm just feeling pretty fit, that's all."
+
+Ten o'clock soon came, and with it out went the lights in Bancroft Hall
+and a perfect stillness broken only by the tread of midshipmen making
+taps inspection. Soon this measured tread ceased and complete silence
+reigned.
+
+And then out of this profound stillness came again that terrible cry,
+shrieked out in affright, startling every midshipman in the armory wing
+of Bancroft Hall. "Help! Help!" Far away it first seemed, and yet it was
+plainly heard.
+
+With lightning speed Stonewell leaped from his bed and jumped into his
+clothes.
+
+"Turn out, Bob," he cried. "I've a job to do, and won't be with you;
+turn out everybody in armory wing; tell Farnum to have everybody fall in
+by companies on the ground and first floors," and Stonewell dashed from
+the room.
+
+Again the weird shriek sounded, now heard much plainer. Robert had
+followed Stonewell out of the room, and ran down the corridor shouting:
+"Turn out, everybody! Company officers, get your companies together!"
+
+Midshipmen from all the rooms poured into the corridors.
+
+"Help, help, save me, save me!" in agonized fearful tones were
+resounding throughout the building. And these cries became clearer on
+the lower floors. They seemed to have started from above and to have
+come down gradually.
+
+"Help, help," rang out the cry, now apparently on the first floor; it
+seemed to come right from the midst of a throng of midshipmen falling
+into their places in company formation; these were entirely mystified.
+And then the cry descended and was heard on the floor below, the ground
+floor.
+
+"Where is Stone?" asked Robert of Farnum; "do you know where he went? He
+said he had a job to do."
+
+"I turned out when I heard that awful yell," replied Farnum, "and I saw
+Stone run down these stairs into the basement. I wonder why he went down
+there."
+
+Robert and Farnum were standing before the first division of midshipmen
+in the middle of the corridor, just in front of the stairway that led to
+the basement. "Where is Mr. Stonewell?" called the officer-in-charge,
+Lieutenant-Commander Brooks; "look overhead in each corridor--what's
+that going on on the stairway?" he suddenly exclaimed, interrupting
+himself.
+
+A midshipman was seen fairly running up the dark stairway, dragging by
+the collar of his coat another midshipman, who was vainly endeavoring to
+regain his balance and foothold.
+
+The first midshipman was Stonewell. In a moment he had reached the head
+of the stairway, and then, with a mighty effort, he hurled his heavy
+burden from him.
+
+"It's Bligh," cried out Robert.
+
+"What does this mean, Mr. Stonewell?" demanded Lieutenant-Commander
+Brooks, in wondering accents. Fourth Classman Bligh presented a rueful,
+crestfallen figure. Stonewell had handled him with no gentle force, and
+at the head of the stairway had thrown Bligh violently from him; and he
+now lay in a heap on the floor. But evidently he was not seriously
+injured, for he commenced to sob convulsively.
+
+Stonewell came up to Lieutenant-Commander Brooks and quietly said: "Sir,
+some time ago I thought I learned the source of the mysterious cries we
+heard then and which were repeated a few minutes ago. I went up into the
+tower and saw a boatswain's chair in the ventilating shaft which leads
+from the top of the building to the basement. This boatswain's chair was
+on a long rope which led through a pulley block overhead, and by it a
+man can lower himself from the top of the building to the basement in
+the ventilating shaft--I suppose it's there so that a person can lower
+himself to make any repairs that are needed in the shaft. When I heard
+the cry to-night I ran to the basement--to the opening of the
+ventilating shaft--and before long I could see somebody coming down. I
+didn't know who it was, but suspected it was Bligh, and it was. He gave
+his last yell when he was even with this floor. Then he lowered himself
+to the bottom and I collared him just as he got down."
+
+Mr. Bligh was a pitiable spectacle. "It was only a joke, sir," he gasped
+incoherently. "I meant to do no harm, sir; it was just a little fun. Mr.
+Stonewell had no occasion to use me so roughly--he hurt me, sir."
+
+"Go to my office immediately, sir," ordered Lieutenant-Commander
+Brooks. "I will attend to your case later. Mr. Stonewell, you have done
+well, as usual. Dismiss the battalion, turn everybody in, and have the
+usual inspection made," and the officer-in-charge left and returned to
+his office.
+
+Fourth Classman Henry Bligh got up slowly. He looked from face to face;
+not one friendly expression did he find.
+
+Full of pent-up feelings which he dared not express Bligh turned and
+left.
+
+"Dismiss the battalion, sir," ordered Cadet Commander Stonewell to Cadet
+Lieutenant-Commander Farnum.
+
+"Companies are dismissed," rang out through the corridor. "Go to your
+rooms immediately and turn in. Company officers make the usual taps
+inspection."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+STONEWELL RECEIVES A LETTER
+
+
+When Henry Bligh became a midshipman he was not at all a vicious young
+man. But he arrived at Annapolis with an unformed character. His
+predominating trait was a desire for applause, and early in his fourth
+class year his football ability had many times earned for him vociferous
+applause. It was his predominating desire, a passion to become
+personally famous, that had urged him to give the signal for the Gates
+forward pass when playing against Harvard--the dishonor attached to the
+act had not been clearly fixed in his mind. The immediate result, his
+dismissal from the football squad in disgrace, his execration by the
+entire brigade of midshipmen--the change of his position from one of
+bright fame to contemptuous disesteem, had immediate effect upon the
+unformed character of Mr. Henry Bligh. He was plunged in the blackest
+of gloom and he brooded day and night over his troubles.
+
+It was a pity he had no close friend to talk with, no older midshipman
+to be advised by. Amongst the midshipmen there had been a burst of anger
+against him and then he had been left entirely alone.
+
+No organized "coventry" was declared against him, but a most effective,
+far-reaching one existed. Its direct result was to make Bligh
+continually unhappy, and this engendered in him passionate anger. Anger
+must find an object, and Bligh's directed its full force upon Stonewell
+and Blunt. The former, so he believed, had been the cause of all of his
+troubles; the latter had supplanted him at football, had defeated him in
+a personal fight.
+
+On that first night when the midshipmen of Bancroft Hall had been so
+startled by the awful cry of "Save me," Bligh had been in the basement;
+he heard the cries and found Farnum, out of his head, seated in the
+boatswain's chair at the bottom of the ventilating shaft. Bligh of
+course immediately knew what had happened, but he kept this knowledge to
+himself.
+
+On the night spoken of in the last chapter, Bligh had been on the sick
+list, and therefore was excused from company muster. It occurred to him
+that he could perpetrate this act and scare the hundreds of midshipmen
+who had showered such contumelious treatment upon him.
+
+It really would have been a good joke had it succeeded, but
+unfortunately for Bligh his detection rendered his position almost
+unbearable. He had been roughly treated by Stonewell; and now whenever
+he passed a cadet officer he was halted and given directions.
+
+"Brace up, Mr. Bligh, put your heels together, little fingers on the
+seams of your trousers, chest out, belly in, head up, chin in."
+
+Had the joke been done by Glassfell or perhaps any upper classman it
+would have been laughed at. But to have been perpetrated by a plebe was
+an indignity to time-honored midshipman custom. And that the plebe
+should have been Mr. Bligh made the act worse than an indignity; it was
+an unbearable thought. And so for a while Plebe Bligh figured on every
+delinquency conduct report. Cadet officers suddenly discovered that
+Fourth Classman Bligh's hair was too long, his clothes not brushed, his
+shoes not shined. Bligh grew nearly frantic, morning after morning, at
+hearing such a report read out as:
+
+     "Bligh, Wearing torn trousers at morning inspection.
+
+     "Same, Soiled collar at same.
+
+     "Same, Not properly shaved at same."
+
+Bligh, much as he was to be blamed, really was to be pitied. No
+midshipman was ever more friendless, ever more in need of kindly
+direction. Under some circumstances he might have developed a useful
+character, a high standard of thought and action. But in his lonely life
+there was nothing but black, bitter hopelessness. Bligh was in a state
+of mind to yield to dark temptation if it presented itself. Had his
+mental state been known some one might have taken him in hand and
+befriended him and directed his thoughts to more wholesome subjects. But
+Bligh made no advances to any one and in sad silence unknown and
+unthought of, brooded tempestuously.
+
+Beautiful May once more held dominion over man and nature at Annapolis.
+For the midshipmen there were studies, to be sure, but the studies were
+all reviews of previous lessons and therefore were easy. And then there
+were drills, but these, this last month, were always in the presence of
+hundreds of visitors and therefore of particular interest to the
+midshipmen drilling. Cadet Lieutenant Drake, marching his company across
+the parade ground, and giving in stentorian tones such orders as:
+
+"Squads right, full step, march," "Company shoulder arms, double time
+march!" felt particularly important in so doing, and thought all eyes
+were on him; and little Fourth Classman Mumma, handling a rifle instead
+of a sword, and obeying instead of giving orders, knew in his own mind
+that the people were really looking at him, so he was filled with pride
+and martial ardor; and so with all of the rest of them.
+
+And after drills were over the Academy grounds were thronged with
+midshipmen and their friends, and the happiness ushered in at Annapolis
+by every May seemed to enter all hearts.
+
+Robert Drake now frequently called at the Blunt household and always
+found a warm greeting there. Harry Blunt gladdened his mother's heart by
+getting on the first conduct grade, and so at times was to be seen in
+his father's house on authorized liberty. Robert never spoke to him, and
+though Helen wondered why he should so cling to animosity against her
+brother, and thought him unreasonable, yet she contrived it that Robert
+and Harry were never at the same time together in the house.
+
+"Bob," remarked Stonewell the next Sunday morning, just after the
+commandant had finished room inspection, "this is a glorious day; what
+do you say to a ramble? Let's go across the river and strike into the
+woods; I know a trail through there, where the woods are wonderfully
+thick; it will be beautiful to-day."
+
+"Do you mean the path that leads by two old chestnut trees, trees of
+enormous size and now almost dead?" inquired Robert.
+
+"Yes, that's the place; those trees must be hundreds of years old. Then
+wild flowers and ferns will be out, all so fresh and lovely this time of
+year. Don't you just long for the woods when the spring-time comes?"
+
+"Indeed I do, Stone," cried Robert, "and this will be a fine day for a
+stroll."
+
+Soon the bugles rang out their call for brigade formation and hundreds
+of midshipmen rushed out on the terrace. Here the companies were rapidly
+formed and then Cadet Commander Stonewell came to an about face, saluted
+and reported:
+
+"Sir, the brigade is formed."
+
+Upon this the commandant, accompanied by a staff of officers and cadet
+officers, passed in front of the long line, scanning each midshipman
+closely, and corrected those who were careless in dress. The ranks were
+then closed and the brigade was marched to the chapel.
+
+After service was concluded the midshipmen were dismissed and Robert and
+Stonewell went back to their rooms together.
+
+In their absence mail had been distributed, and on the table in their
+room lay two letters, one for Robert, the other for his roommate.
+
+Robert's letter was from his father, and was full of cheering home news,
+and it was eagerly read by the young man.
+
+"By George, Stone, father enjoys his work with the Light House Board
+ever so much. He says----Why, Stone, old chap, what is the matter?"
+
+Stonewell was standing at the open window, looking blankly across the
+waters of the Chesapeake Bay. In his left hand, crushed, was the letter
+he had just received. His face was drawn, and in it Robert recognized an
+expression he had seen but once before. Intense apprehension and worry,
+perhaps fear, shone from Stonewell's eyes. Apparently he was oblivious
+to his roommate's question, for he took no notice of it.
+
+"What's the matter, Stone?" again cried Robert, rising from his chair,
+and going to his roommate.
+
+"Oh, Bob, excuse me for not answering your question--I was--I was
+thinking of something else."
+
+"But have you had bad news? You surely have, Stone. Can't you talk it
+over with me? Just think how much good you did me when I had bad news."
+
+Stonewell gave Robert a look of great affection and said: "Thank you,
+old friend, there is no one on earth I would talk with so quickly as I
+would with you. And it may be that I will want to talk something over
+with you later, but just at present, Bob, there is nothing I could
+say--you must excuse me." And with that Stonewell picked up his hat and
+strode from the room.
+
+Robert was full of surprise and worry. It was plainly evident that
+Stonewell was under deep emotion, and just like him, he could not or
+would not speak of the matter that so affected him.
+
+"I wish he would talk it over with me," thought Robert; "it always makes
+a fellow feel better if he tells his worries to a true friend. What a
+lot of times old Stone has helped me in my troubles--and some of them
+were big ones, too! When we take our walk this afternoon I'll try to get
+him to tell me."
+
+Robert now went out in the grounds, thinking he might meet his roommate,
+but he did not, and as they sat at different mess tables he had no
+chance to talk with Stonewell until after dinner.
+
+As soon as they were dismissed after dinner Robert found his roommate,
+and said:
+
+"Come along, Stone, let's start out right away; it's a beautiful day and
+we'll have a glorious ramble."
+
+"Bob, I can't go; I find I have some letters I must write; get somebody
+else to go with you, old fellow--I wish I could go, but I really can't."
+
+Robert looked blankly at Stonewell. His anticipations of a pleasant walk
+suddenly vanished and the day seemed dreary. He knew his roommate too
+well to try to expostulate or argue with him.
+
+"I'm awfully sorry, Bob," continued Stonewell, laying an affectionate
+arm on Robert's shoulder, and with real concern noticing Robert's
+evident disappointment. "I do wish I could go with you, but I really
+can't."
+
+"I think I'll write some letters too," remarked Robert in a dull,
+forlorn sort of way.
+
+"Oh, don't waste this beautiful afternoon that way!" said Stonewell;
+"why don't you get Helen to take a walk with you; she's probably
+thinking you may call to-day."
+
+"I'm going to write some letters," reiterated Robert stolidly.
+
+"Why, Bob, that's ridiculous; go out and enjoy the day," urged
+Stonewell; "it will be awfully tiresome remaining indoors all
+afternoon."
+
+But Robert was as immovable as he knew Stonewell to be; the latter
+seemed more anxious for Robert to go out than the circumstances called
+for.
+
+In a few minutes both were in their room, writing, and both ill at ease.
+As a matter of fact neither wanted to write letters.
+
+"Stone, I want you to tell me what has been bothering you," Robert
+finally blurted out. "You have helped me any number of times and I have
+never done a thing for you."
+
+"You are constantly helping me, every day," replied Stonewell; "you can
+have no idea of how your opinion and regard for me have kept me braced
+up. I know that my course here at Annapolis is considered a successful
+one; I know, Bob, you think I am superior to you. Now I know I'm not;
+you have qualities of steadfastness, of decision of character that I can
+never hope for. I have a certain faculty of quickly solving problems
+that has given me my class rank, but, Bob, I know you have qualities
+that will outlast mine; and it is your attitude of mind toward me that
+has kept me striving, and to you is largely due the success I have won
+here. So never again say you have not helped me. You have been my
+constant inspiration. Now, Bob, you think there is something on my mind.
+If there is, it does not concern myself, and I assure you I want to
+forget it; and I cannot talk about it even with you. But I promise you I
+will come immediately to you if the slightest thing should arise in
+which you could help me. So oblige me, Bob, by dismissing this matter
+from your mind."
+
+Robert listened like one astonished. That he could have been of such
+help to his roommate he had never imagined and the thought of it made
+him very happy.
+
+"Bob," continued Stonewell with his rare smile, "I'm sure Helen Blunt
+will be surprised if you don't drop around to see her this fine
+afternoon, and as that scamp of a brother of hers is on the first
+conduct grade it won't hurt if you see him at her home."
+
+"All right, Stone," rejoined Robert, cheerily. "I see you want to be
+alone and I won't bother you any more; but I'm sorry you're going to
+miss that stroll across the river. I'm much obliged, old chap, if you
+think I ever helped you; I never knew I had, and I'm very happy at the
+thought. I think I'll see if I can find Helen and persuade her to take a
+walk."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+BLIGH MAKES A FRIEND
+
+
+"Well, Robert Drake, I'm glad to see you; I was hoping you might come
+over this afternoon," exclaimed Helen Blunt as Robert appeared on the
+porch of her home; "suppose we go out for a walk. I want to do an errand
+for mother in Conduit Street; and then suppose we walk over the bridge
+and go through Eastport; there are some gorgeous woods beyond there.
+Come along."
+
+"That's just what I wanted to do," replied Robert as they started off.
+"But did you really expect me to-day? To tell you the truth, Stonewell
+and I first intended to spend the afternoon in the woods across the
+river, but he found he had to write some letters, so he decided not to
+go out to-day."
+
+"So I come next after Stonewell, do I, Robert?" queried Helen.
+
+"I'll tell you where you stand--as one of the best friends a fellow ever
+had," replied Robert earnestly. "It is not a question of standing next
+to Stonewell; he's just like a big brother to me; do you know, Helen, he
+is one of the most remarkable characters alive; why, if he had studied
+law I believe he would some day be President of the United States. He
+excels in everything, and besides all that he is just the best fellow
+imaginable."
+
+"He is indeed a splendid, a most superior man, Robert, but I believe Mr.
+Stonewell isn't really as ambitious as you are, that he is more
+influenced by your extravagant opinion of him than he is by the abstract
+desire to excel as a naval officer. You see it is so easy for him to
+excel if he only half tries. But, Robert, as much as I admire him, I do
+not feel that I really know him. And come now, after rooming with him
+for four years, do you feel you know his intimate thoughts? Are you
+really certain that you know Mr. Stonewell just as he knows you?"
+
+"Indeed I do," Robert stoutly maintained. "I know all about him. I know
+he's one of the finest fellows that ever lived."
+
+"And you know all about him, do you?"
+
+"Of course I do."
+
+"And he couldn't go walking with you to-day because he had some letters
+to write?"
+
+"That was the reason; but, Helen, it seems to me you are asking some
+very odd questions."
+
+"I know I am, but while we've been walking down here, you have been
+looking this way. Suppose you look around in the other direction and
+tell me who you see walking at such a rapid rate--I don't mean on Main
+Street, but down Conduit Street, where we will turn in a minute."
+
+Robert did so, and to his intense surprise saw Stonewell. The latter
+evidently had not seen Helen or her companion. He was swinging down
+Conduit Street with rapid strides, perhaps a hundred yards ahead of
+them. Robert was so amazed that he could say nothing. It was now evident
+to him that Stonewell had received news of some nature that caused him
+to break his engagement to go walking, news that brought him in this
+great hurry on Conduit Street, a part of Annapolis not much frequented
+by midshipmen; and news that he certainly did not care to discuss with
+his most intimate friend.
+
+"Now what do you think of that, Mr. Robert?" cried Helen triumphantly.
+"He broke his engagement to write some letters, and as soon as you leave
+he rushes out to Conduit Street. There, he's gone into that big yellow
+house. Now, do you think you know as much about Mr. Stonewell as he does
+about you?"
+
+Robert was silent. He too thought it was queer. He was too loyal in his
+friendship to Stonewell to tell Helen of the misgivings he had felt
+since he had seen his roommate so affected by that morning letter. And
+Stonewell's action now was decidedly mystifying. Robert instinctively
+knew his roommate was in deep trouble and he longed to know of the
+burden upon him and to share it with him.
+
+"Do forgive me, Robert," said Helen a little later, noticing how sober
+he had become. "I'm awfully sorry I called your attention to Mr.
+Stonewell; I know how devoted you are to your friends. Let's try and
+forget about it and be happy. We'll go into the woods and gather some
+violets and dogwood--the woods are so pretty now--full of moss and
+ferns--let's walk fast."
+
+Robert was cheered up a bit, and when they had finished their errand on
+Conduit Street they hastened to the woods. Leaving their troubles behind
+them, these young people were soon in a happy, merry mood. The woods
+were soon deep about them, and they drank deep breaths from the
+forest-perfumed air. Robert told Helen the great secret of his gun drill
+and the means he had taken to win the flag.
+
+"And, Helen, if my company wins it I am going to ask you to present it;
+if we win it that will be my privilege."
+
+Helen was enthusiastic, of course, for the greatest glory a girl ever
+wins at Annapolis is to be chosen to present the colors to the winning
+company.
+
+"You'll win it, I'm sure you will," she cried; and then, woman-like, she
+immediately became deeply pensive.
+
+"Why so quiet?" queried Robert.
+
+"Oh, I was thinking about what kind of a dress I shall wear, and I must
+have a new hat too,--I'm sure you'll win, Robert, just as sure as though
+it had really happened."
+
+Mr. Henry Bligh continued to lead, in a crowded community of
+light-hearted young men, a solitary life. He commenced to experience a
+certain kind of cruel pleasure in being the martyr he considered himself
+to be. Calm though he outwardly was his mind was in a continual ferment,
+with a direct result that he was never in a humor to study; naturally he
+did poorly in his daily recitations and worse in examinations. The time
+for the annual examinations was now near and Bligh knew he had but
+little hope of passing. Only by heroic effort could he hope to make a
+satisfactory mark for his final average and thus become a third
+classman. Bligh was in no mental state to make this required heroic
+effort. In fact it was practically certain that he would fail and be
+required to resign.
+
+One Saturday in the middle of May, Bligh went out in the city of
+Annapolis and walked around in an aimless way. He wandered in the State
+House grounds and finally sat down on an iron bench near the statue of
+Chief Justice Taney.
+
+After a few minutes he observed a young man approach on the walk that
+led by his bench. Bligh gave him a careless glance, and as the young
+man passed he happened to look at him again. And then a startling change
+came over Mr. Henry Bligh. His eyes seemed to bulge from their sockets;
+involuntarily he half arose from his seat; his breath came in quick
+gasps; he gave every evidence of complete amazement. Then he suddenly
+sank back, relaxed and gave himself over to uncontrolled merriment.
+
+"Oh, what a joke," he cried; "oh, my, oh, my!--who would believe it?"
+
+It had been long since Bligh had laughed so heartily. And it was strange
+indeed, because there was nothing particularly remarkable in the
+appearance of the young man who had so affected Bligh. He was dressed in
+a well made gray suit and wore a straw hat. His features were undeniably
+handsome. He had a broad forehead, and under heavy eyebrows there
+gleamed a pair of thoughtful gray eyes; he was tall and powerfully
+built, and walked with a swinging gait. Before the civilian had gone
+far, Bligh arose, in a hesitating way, and half-heartedly followed him.
+The stranger walked around State House Circle into Main Street, and
+turned down that street; Bligh followed. Soon he apparently gathered
+courage and drew nearer to the man ahead. The latter went into a drug
+store, stopped at the fountain and seemingly ordered a summer drink.
+Bligh had a good look at him through the open door, pausing there for a
+moment; then he went inside and stood by the counter and ordered an
+orange phosphate.
+
+[Illustration: _HE HALF AROSE FROM HIS SEAT_]
+
+"It's a good cooling drink for warm weather," he observed to the young
+man on his right, looking squarely at him.
+
+"Indeed it is," replied that person, looking at Bligh with friendly
+interest; "but try a lime phosphate some time; the West Indian lime is
+very cooling."
+
+"I will," replied Bligh heartily. "You're a stranger here, aren't you?"
+
+"Yes, and I see you are a midshipman. I've heard lots about the Naval
+Academy; it's a fine place, isn't it? I imagine midshipmen live a most
+interesting life."
+
+"Some do, I suppose; I know others who don't. Some fellows here make a
+false start, slip up on something, you know, and get in a bad light, and
+after that they have no chance; everybody gets down on them." Bligh
+spoke bitterly.
+
+"That's pretty hard luck," observed the stranger; "my sympathy always
+goes to a fellow in that fix. Even if he does slip up once there may be
+lots of good left in him, and a man should not be utterly condemned for
+one mistake. That isn't fair at all. If I had to choose a friend between
+two men, one of whom had been careless in some act and acknowledged it,
+and the other was of the I-am-better-than-thou-class, I'd take the first
+fellow for a friend every time. But my thoughts can hardly interest
+you,--I don't suppose they apply to you at all," and the speaker turned
+a thoughtful, penetrating glance upon Bligh.
+
+Tears suddenly gushed from Bligh's eyes, and in a broken voice he said:
+"See here, you are the first man that has spoken to me in a friendly way
+for months."
+
+Bligh showed genuine emotion and feeling when he spoke. He was totally
+friendless, and he suddenly felt great pity for himself.
+
+"Why, my dear fellow," exclaimed his newly-made acquaintance, "you will
+pardon me for my inadvertent remarks--but suppose we take a walk; come
+over to my rooms, and if you feel like it talk things over with me--I
+don't know you, but I want to know you. I don't believe I see anything
+bad in your face, though I imagine there is sadness there."
+
+These kind words were to Bligh like heaven-sent manna. Until this moment
+he had no conception of how he yearned for just one single friend, one
+person who believed there was good in him, one to whom he could open his
+heart and pour out its griefs. Instantly this newly-made friendship
+became precious, and he felt brighter and happier than he had for
+months. Sincerity and kindness were written in the features of this new
+friend.
+
+Bligh spent several hours with him in his rooms, and acquainted him with
+the troubles, mistakes and heartburnings that were his daily portion in
+his now unfortunate condition; in doing this he saw himself in a new
+light; and now when his new friend pointed out where he was blameworthy,
+where he had been wrong, he eagerly assented. For this grave friend,
+sympathetic though he was to the sad story that rushed from Bligh's
+lips, in a kindly spirit severely criticized Bligh for his wrong
+actions. He laughed heartily at Bligh's woeful story of how he had
+lowered himself in the ventilating shaft. "That was good, Mr. Bligh," he
+said; "but it's a great pity that you were caught."
+
+When Bligh returned to his quarters he was like a different man; more
+happiness to his wounded spirit had come to him this day than he had had
+for months.
+
+"If I had only had a friend like this when the year commenced," he
+reflected, "my life here would have been different. But now I'm afraid
+it's too late; I'm pretty sure to bilge."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+AN ILL-FAVORED, RED-BEARDED ROGUE
+
+
+"Bob, I think I've got the flag this year," remarked Cadet Lieutenant
+Blair, to his fellow three striper, Robert Drake; "everybody says my
+company is better than yours in artillery; I've an even chance with you
+at infantry--members of my company have had part in baseball and
+football games, fencing, rowing, tennis, gymnasium and all other
+contests. The second company, I think, will get the most points in
+seamanship, and I have more trained marksmen than you have. I've got you
+beaten, Bob, old boy."
+
+"Don't you be too sure of that, Sam; the first company has a notion it
+wants to carry the colors next year; and look here, Sam, I'll put you on
+to something if you'll agree to keep quiet about it."
+
+"What is it, Bob? I'll keep mum," replied Blair expectantly, impressed
+by Robert's earnest manner.
+
+"The first company is going to try to win the flag, and I'm going to
+spring a big surprise on you."
+
+"Pshaw! Is that your news? Perhaps I'll spring a surprise on you."
+
+"Go ahead if you can, Sam, but I warn you now that I have done something
+toward winning the flag that you don't know anything about. It's in line
+with advice that was given to all of us months ago, and what I've done
+is perfectly proper and legitimate. I'll tell you frankly that because
+of special preparation I have made, I expect the first company will have
+a higher final multiple than your company will have."
+
+"What was the advice you refer to, Bob? I don't recall any."
+
+"By the way, haven't you been doing some special stunts in seamanship?
+Haven't some old boatswain's mates been giving your men some extra drill
+in handling sail?"
+
+"Never mind about that, Bob; if I have done special work in seamanship
+I'm not bound to tell you what it is. But what was the advice you spoke
+of?"
+
+"Sam, we'll be on the square with each other. I learned accidentally
+that you were getting specially coached in seamanship; well, I'm doing
+special work in gunnery. It's a fair field and no favor, and may the
+best company win."
+
+"Good. Some of the fellows have been figuring up the points already
+known to be credited to the different companies; more than half of the
+points are already made, you know, and as it happens both the first and
+second companies are so far pretty close together; we're within ten
+points of each other to-day and no other company is within twenty points
+of either of us. Either you or I will win the flag, that is certain.
+And, Bob, if you win it I'm going to lead the cheering for the winning
+company."
+
+"I appreciate that sentiment, Sam, and if you win the flag I will lead
+the cheering."
+
+"Say, Bob, have you read about that kidnapping case in Baltimore? Some
+rascals have stolen a little boy named Georgie Thompson."
+
+"No, I hadn't. Jingo! I hope they catch the scoundrels and get the boy
+back."
+
+The two young men shook hands in the heartiest fashion and separated.
+There was intense personal rivalry between them, far more than their
+words expressed; it was a commendable rivalry; each was determined to
+make every effort to win the great prize, but each had a high personal
+regard for the other.
+
+This meeting was on one of the Saturdays in May. Robert was now highly
+elated with the efficiency of his six-pounder crew. It drilled every
+day. Dummy six-pounder shells were thrown into the gun with tremendous
+speed and remarkable precision. There were now no slips, no jams. While
+this was proceeding Robert would be at the shoulder-piece, his eye at
+the peep-sight, aiming at some boat in the river. This was the nearest
+approach possible to actually firing the gun. And every man of the gun's
+crew was enthusiastically confident.
+
+"Stone," said Robert, after dinner this Saturday, "I've permission to
+use a steamer this afternoon and I've got up a party to go up the Severn
+River."
+
+"I'll bet Helen is in the party," replied Stonewell, smiling at his
+roommate.
+
+"Of course she is; Mrs. Blunt is coming, and Glassfell and Farnum. Now
+we want you too."
+
+"I wish I could go, but I can't," replied Stonewell, decidedly. "I've an
+engagement I can't break."
+
+"Oh, rats, chuck your tailor for once--your measure will keep. But now
+I'll give you some information that will bring you along with us--Nellie
+Strong is with the Blunts; she arrived this morning and is going to stay
+over for graduation. Now will you come?"
+
+"I can't, Bob, but I'll be out to the Blunts' house to-night."
+
+"Pshaw, I counted on your going--what is your engagement; can't you put
+it off?"
+
+"I really wish I could, but it's imperative; there's nothing pleasant
+about it--I may tell you about it later--I can't now."
+
+"It seems to me you've been getting an extra lot of letters lately,
+Stone."
+
+"Yes, more than I wish for," rejoined Stone rather bitterly.
+
+"Helen and I went walking that Sunday afternoon, the Sunday you and I
+had intended going across the river. First Helen had an errand to do on
+Conduit Street and right ahead of us you were walking along. You went
+into a big yellow house."
+
+Stonewell gave a start. "Well," he said, "what of it?"
+
+"Look here, Stone, old chap, you have something on your mind that's
+bothering you terribly. Is there no way I can help you; will it do you
+no good to talk things over with me?"
+
+"Bob, I can't talk; I don't pretend I'm not worried, but I just can't
+unburden my mind, not even to the best friend a man ever had," replied
+Stonewell huskily, with almost a break in his voice. He walked away from
+his roommate with agitated face, and gloomily looked out upon the waters
+of Chesapeake Bay.
+
+Loud were the expressions of disappointment from Robert's friends when
+he told them Stonewell could not join them on their trip. They all got
+aboard the steam launch, which immediately started up the Severn River;
+the day was pleasant and all were in high spirits. The Severn River is
+most picturesque in its scenery. High, densely-wooded banks, irregular
+in outline, line its shores, and there are many indentations of little
+bays that lead into the river. Three miles above its mouth the Severn
+widens into Round Bay, a sheet of water several miles in diameter. And
+above this and emptying into it is a narrow stream, which is still
+called Severn River.
+
+The launch steamed through Round Bay, and then entered this narrow
+stream. "Isn't this beautiful?" cried Robert. "Just look at this winding
+little river; I wonder how far up we can go. Say, coxswain, how far up
+this river can we steam?"
+
+"If I knew the channel I could take you up to Indian Landing, sir,"
+answered the coxswain; "some of our steamers have been up that far; but
+I don't know the channel, sir; I'm afraid we'll go aground at any
+minute."
+
+"Well, can't you follow that gasoline launch ahead of us? The fellow in
+it probably knows the channel."
+
+"Yes, sir, I can do that."
+
+A covered gasoline launch was a quarter of a mile ahead. "Give me all
+the speed you can," called out the coxswain to the engineer; "I want to
+catch that boat ahead; this river has so many little turns that I'll
+have to keep close to that chap ahead." The engineer of the launch
+turned on a steam jet in the smokestack to force the draft and the
+little boat instantly responded and made a great fuss in increasing the
+speed of the engine.
+
+"Why don't we catch up?" asked Robert, in a few minutes; "we are surely
+going much faster than we were."
+
+"Because he has nearly doubled his speed, Mr. Drake," replied the
+coxswain.
+
+"Hurrah, it's a race!" shouted the midshipman; "now let's see who will
+win."
+
+The steam launch commenced to gain on the gasoline boat. The coxswain
+had been looking at the latter through a pair of binoculars; after a
+time he quietly remarked to Robert, "This isn't a race, sir; those men
+in the boat ahead of us think we are chasing them, and if I ever saw a
+pair of precious rogues in my life I'm looking at them now. Take a look
+at them, Mr. Drake."
+
+"Well, no one would ever say they were pretty," remarked Robert after a
+good look at them through the glasses. "We are catching up with them
+now. Hello, they've stopped."
+
+In a short time the steam launch was abreast of the gasoline boat. In
+the latter but one man was to be seen, and an ill-favored man he was.
+
+"My! What a brutal-looking fellow," remarked Nellie Strong with a
+shudder.
+
+"What do you want?" demanded the man, in a surly, sullen way.
+
+"We were stealing pilotage from you, that's all," replied Robert. "We're
+going up this river and don't know the channel and are afraid of going
+ashore. Is there danger of that if we keep in the middle of the stream?"
+
+"I hope you'll strike a shoal and stay there till the crack of doom.
+You've no business to go running after another boat that way."
+
+"What's the matter with you?" called out Robert; "and why don't your two
+friends show themselves? It looks to me as if you're afraid of the
+police."
+
+The man made an angry exclamation and the steamer passed ahead. "What an
+ill-tempered man," said Helen Blunt to Robert; "I wish he'd cut off
+that red beard of his; he wouldn't look so much like a pirate then."
+
+"We won't worry about that fellow. Now I'm going up in the bow with a
+boat-hook to take soundings; we'll run slow and keep right in the middle
+of the river. But isn't it beautiful around here. Just look how the
+little river twists and winds about and how irregular the shore is; and
+there are lots of little creeks running into the river and little bays
+stretching out from it."
+
+"And isn't it lonely?" rejoined Helen. "There is hardly a house or a
+clearing to be seen; it's a regular wilderness."
+
+Robert went to the bow of the steamer, and taking a boat-hook thrust it
+in the water; it was quite deep enough, so he felt reassured about the
+boat's not going ashore.
+
+"There's Indian Landing ahead of us," called out the coxswain. "I don't
+think we had better go much further; we've got eleven miles to run
+before we get back, and I'm afraid of getting low in coal."
+
+"All right, put aback and return." And soon the steamer was headed down
+the river.
+
+"Where's that gasoline boat; can you see her anywhere?" asked Robert, a
+few moments later.
+
+"No, sir, we would have met her by this time if she had followed
+straight up the river. And that's odd, too. Indian Landing is the only
+place boats ever come to up here--she must be hidden in one of those
+lonely creeks."
+
+"That's it, I imagine. There's something queer about that boat; it
+certainly had three ugly-looking men in it, and two of them didn't want
+to be seen. That bearded chap was a fierce-looking specimen."
+
+"Say, Bob," called out Glassfell from aft, "mess gear is spread and
+we're waiting for you to pipe us to dinner, but we won't wait
+long--you'd better get here in a hurry."
+
+Robert lost no time and immediately joined the others. An attractive
+lunch had been spread and was now attacked with energy; in the launch
+was a party of good friends, all in gay spirits. The day was delightful
+and when they finally reached the "Santee" wharf and left the launch it
+was unanimously agreed that a most enjoyable afternoon had been spent.
+
+Early this afternoon Stonewell left his room, and unaccompanied went out
+in the city of Annapolis. He walked rapidly and before long was in
+Conduit Street, and without stopping to wait for admittance, entered a
+large yellow house. Two hours later he left and hastened to a telegraph
+office.
+
+But Stonewell was not the only visitor that day who entered this large
+yellow house on Conduit Street. For at about eight o'clock that evening
+a man in civilian garb, wearing a moustache and heavy pointed beard,
+with a brown slouch hat drawn low over his forehead, and in closely
+buttoned sack coat, went to the same house, and without hesitation,
+opened the door by a pass key and passed inside.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+AN OLD COLORED MAN IS IN TROUBLE
+
+
+A hop was given that Saturday night at the Armory. There was nothing
+particularly noteworthy about this hop; it was just like hundreds of its
+predecessors. As usual, near graduation time, there were many out of
+town visitors, and it is likely that brass buttons proved attractive to
+them. Many glad faces were to be seen whirling around, and judging by
+the happy laughs that were heard everyone was having a jolly time.
+
+Robert Drake had escorted an old friend that night, Miss Nellie Strong.
+He had seen her card filled up, had presented her partners, and had
+taken three numbers himself.
+
+"Something is always happening to you, Robert," remarked Nellie as they
+walked around the room after the second dance. "Now tell me what
+misadventure you have had this year."
+
+"Not one, Nellie; my bad luck is all over; not one single unpleasant
+thing has happened to me since I became a first classman."
+
+"What was the occasion of that remarkable disappearance of yours a year
+ago? Surely you can tell me now; I've never been so curious over
+anything in my life."
+
+"I've never told anybody about that, neither my father nor Stonewell nor
+Helen nor anybody else."
+
+"Well, I declare! I don't suppose it amounted to much, anyway. And
+perhaps you think you're more interesting if you're mysterious. Now, Mr.
+Robert, tell me something else; why wasn't Harry Blunt with us this
+afternoon? I asked him and he said you hadn't invited him. Don't you
+like him, Robert? I think Harry is a nice boy."
+
+"Don't talk to me about Harry Blunt. Let's talk about his sister. Helen
+is a very good friend of mine, and her father is one of the finest----"
+
+"Robert," suddenly interrupted Nellie, "something is going to happen to
+you again--that colored man in the doorway motioned to you; just look at
+him, he's motioning to you now; he wants to speak to you,--oh, I just
+knew something would happen to you."
+
+"Nonsense. That's old Grice. He's a great old chap. He just wants to see
+me about something--I'll take you to where Mrs. Blunt is and then go see
+what he wants."
+
+"What is it, Grice?" asked Robert to the old man at the door, a moment
+later.
+
+"Sompin' powerful bad, Mistah Drake; I'se feared to talk heah. Can yo'
+come outside, suh? I'se somef'n mighty bad to tell yo', suh!"
+
+The old darkey shook his head and rolled his eyes, making a grotesque
+effort to express the worried feelings evidently in his mind.
+
+"Come outside, but hurry. I'm here with some young ladies, and I haven't
+much time to talk with you."
+
+"No, suh, co'se not. And dem young ladies am pow'ful nice, suh."
+
+"Well, Grice, what is it that you want with me?"
+
+"Well, suh, I doan' know how to tell it. Yo' knows I'se messenger for
+department of mathmax, doan' yo', Mistah Drake?"
+
+"Of course; what of it?"
+
+"Mistah Drake, suh, will yo' gibe me yor promise as a naval officer an'
+gemman that yo' won' tell anybody what I'se gwine to say?"
+
+"No, of course I won't."
+
+"Well, suh, a big crime is goin' to be cormitted. An' a pore ole niggah
+man knows about it an' goes to a young gemman frend of hizn and asks fo'
+help and can't get none. And the pore ole niggah will be accused an' go
+to jail. Won' yo' help me, Mistah Drake? Won' yo' help a pore ole niggah
+what's in trouble?"
+
+"Of course I will, Grice, but I'm not going to promise you to keep
+secret what you tell me."
+
+"Ef yo' goes roun' talking 'bout what I tells yo' no one will believe
+me. I'll be bounced, suh, after thirty years heah, an' ef yo' doan' help
+me a crime will be cormitted and folks will say ole Grice done it. Ain't
+yo' gwine to help me, Mistah Drake?"
+
+Robert thought for a moment, looking intently at the old negro. The
+latter talked with great effort. Beads of perspiration burst out on his
+face. It was evident that Grice was in terror of losing his all and knew
+not what to do. "Grice, I'll help you if I can," said Robert. "If what
+you tell me is important I will talk about it to the commandant and to
+no one else. Now what is it? Be quick."
+
+"Thank yo', suh. Two midshipmen is a-gwine to steal the mathmax
+zamnation. I wuz sleepin' in the mathmax room last night. My ole woman
+an' I done hav' a disregard 'bout religion yesterday; she's Zion Baptis'
+an' I'se Asbury Methodis'. We disregarded so hard that I didn't go home
+las' night,--co'se 'tain't allowed to sleep in mathmax room, but I done
+it las' night; well, suh, Mistah Drake, suh, suah as yo' is bawn, suh,
+it woke me up. Two men came in the mathmax room. The doors wuz all
+locked; I done that myself; they mus' have had a key made. They come to
+the desk were the zamnation questions is kep'. They had a light--turned
+it on, and put somfin' in the key bob of the desk, I seen 'em do it,
+suh. This morning I fin' wax in keyhole. Zamnations ain't made out yet,
+but these gemmen will come back with the keys and steal the
+zamnation--den ole Grice will be 'cused and dismissed--zamnations have
+been stolen befoah, Mistah Drake, yo' knows it, suh, an' money stolen,
+an' gen'ally some pore niggah gets dismissed an' half de time it's some
+pore white trash in midshipman close what does it. Yes, suh, an' ----"
+
+"Did you see the faces of these midshipmen, Grice?" interrupted Robert.
+
+"Yes, suh. I done had a good luk at 'em."
+
+"Who were they?"
+
+"Foah de Lawd sake, Mistah Drake, doan' yo' ask me no such
+questionings," cried out Grice in affrighted tones.
+
+"Do you know the names of those two midshipmen?"
+
+"Yes, suh, Mistah Drake, suh, but I ain't a-gwine to say who they is; ef
+I tole yo' who they is they would tole yo' Grice prevaricated and Grice
+would be dismissed. No, suh, I ain't a-gwine to tole yo' who they is,
+Mistah Drake, suh; yo' done got to catch 'em, suh."
+
+"Grice, I shall tell the commandant what you have told me and he will
+make you tell him who they are."
+
+"I disremember their names, suh," suddenly replied Grice. "I forgets
+their names, but I knows 'em; they is midshipmen. Now, Mistah Drake,
+suh, they will come back, suah they will, suh, an' yo' an' me will be
+in the mathmax room and catch 'em."
+
+"All right, Grice, I'll help you; but I've got to go now. Call on me if
+anything new turns up," and Robert returned to the ballroom and soon was
+with Helen Blunt.
+
+"Robert," she said after a few minutes, "we're awfully worried about
+Harry; he's been dropping in mathematics and is officially warned that
+he is in danger of failing at the annual examination. Do you think he
+will fail?"
+
+"There's but little danger of that, Helen; don't worry; lots of his
+classmates have been warned and your brother is really bright. He would
+have high class rank if he studied, and he always does fairly well in
+examinations. I saw his name posted at the beginning of this month, but
+you needn't worry; he probably has been boning and no doubt will pass."
+
+"Won't you help him, Robert?" asked Helen in wistful tones; "you know
+what a terribly sad thing it is to a naval family to have a son fail at
+Annapolis."
+
+"Wherever and whenever I can. Just bet on that; but your brother and I
+are not friendly and I'm quite sure he would disdain any help from me."
+
+"Oh, Robert, what did that old colored man want?" cried Nellie Strong,
+running up.
+
+"Oh," laughed Robert, "he wanted to know who that powerfully pretty girl
+was that I was with. He said she was the nicest girl on the floor. And
+then he wanted to know who made that crepe de chine gown you are wearing
+and----"
+
+"Robert Drake, stop your nonsense, and tell me what that old man
+wanted," cried Nellie, consumed with curiosity; "are you in some more
+trouble; are you going to disappear again?"
+
+"What is it, Robert; has anything happened?" inquired Helen, much
+concerned.
+
+"Nothing much; an old colored man, Grice, who is the sweeper and cleaner
+of the mathematical department, is in trouble and wanted my advice and
+help. You see his wife is a Zion Baptist and he's an Asbury Methodist,
+something like that, and they have 'disregards,' so Grice tells me----"
+
+"Oh, I know old Harriet Grice," interrupted Helen. "She used to cook
+for us when father was commandant, and every night when she went home
+she carried with her everything left in the pantry and ice-box. Once
+when I caught her in the act she said she was taking the stuff to the
+Zion Church; that it wasn't stealing because she was giving it to the
+Lord. She and old Grice have terrible rows, in spite of their both being
+so religious."
+
+Everybody laughed and Nellie Strong was satisfied. Then the music
+started. "This is ours, Nellie," remarked Robert, and in a moment the
+two were lost in the crowd.
+
+The next morning after chapel service, Robert spent half an hour with
+the commandant and related what Grice had told him.
+
+"I'll send for Grice to-morrow," said that officer, "but I doubt if he
+will disclose the names of the midshipmen, even if he really does know
+them. These darkeys are remarkably stubborn when they once get a notion
+in their woolly heads. If Grice is telling a true story we must
+certainly catch the offenders in the act." The commandant thought for a
+moment and then continued: "I could post some watchmen about the place,
+but then the guilty persons might take alarm. If Grice's story is true
+there is surely a bad pair of midshipmen here, and we must get them and
+dismiss them."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+THE KIDNAPPERS
+
+
+Annapolis was full of excitement. It always is at this time of year, and
+though the town is old, and though graduation scenes have been rehearsed
+for more than sixty years, still the play is always fresh; young lives
+are about to go out and do their battle in the world, and friends come
+to applaud them and to spend a few days with them, and to wish them
+Godspeed. And so visitors by thousands poured into the ancient city; and
+the young men of Robert Drake's class had a sense of great importance
+because it was all to do honor to their graduation, now but a few weeks
+off.
+
+But it wasn't only at the Naval Academy that important matters were
+happening at this time; for near Annapolis, events were occurring of
+tremendous import to a few people, and particularly so to a small,
+white-faced whimpering boy, seven years old.
+
+Up the Severn River, some little distance before it reaches Round Bay,
+was an offshoot from the river. This offshoot, a small creek, by devious
+windings led through a desolate, untenanted, uncultivated, roadless
+region. Once, in the heyday of slavery, prosperous tobacco fields
+existed where now there was a dense second growth of trees crowded by a
+tangled underbrush impenetrable to man unless armed with a hatchet.
+Here, through an absolute wilderness, inhabited only by coons, squirrels
+and hares, the little offshoot to the Severn took its unmolested way. No
+Man's Creek it was called, and well named it was. Not even isolated
+negroes' cabins were to be seen on its banks, and wild duck in their
+season, unmolested by the gun, here found a secure place.
+
+But, completely hidden in this creek, disturbing visitors had recently
+appeared. In one of the sharp turns of No Man's Creek, and completely
+hidden from view, was a covered gasoline launch. In it were three men
+and a small, weeping boy.
+
+"We'll start to-night at eleven; it will be dark then, the moon sets at
+nine; and I'll be glad to have the thing over with. Jingo! I wish we
+had never done this thing," said one of them, a red-bearded man of
+uncertain age. "I'm sure no one followed us to Indian Landing; we landed
+there at a time when nobody was awake. But it was a hard trip from there
+across lots to this place. I never would have found this spot if I
+weren't so well acquainted about here. But I wish we could have got out
+last night--confound that leaky gasoline tank--it dished us at the last
+moment. But we'll be out to-night sure--it will take us an hour to run
+by the Naval Academy, and two hours later we'll be across the bay and in
+Kent Island--once there I'll be easy in my mind; we'll be absolutely
+safe. And then we'll get ten thousand for our trouble. Stop your crying,
+Georgie, we're taking you to your father. Hello, Jim, what's that noise?
+I hear a man shouting!"
+
+The red-bearded man jumped up and out of the boat; he ran up a bank and
+returned in a moment. "We're caught," he cried hoarsely; "somebody has
+seen us and has given us away. We'll have to leave instantly--cut the
+painter! Hurry, start the engine--shove off the boat; we haven't a
+moment to lose!"
+
+With zeal born of fear and desperation, the three men worked
+frantically, and very soon the gasoline boat was chugging down the
+stream. And none too soon, for two men now standing near where the
+gasoline boat had been secured were shouting for them to return. With
+pallid faces the three men confronted one another.
+
+"What is to be done?" asked one.
+
+"Let's land somewhere on Round Bay shore, turn the kid adrift and run,"
+ventured a second one. "We'll be caught in this boat; our only hope is
+to separate and each of us try to get away by himself."
+
+"We'll do nothing of the kind," retorted the red-bearded man; "we will
+stick to this boat; we'll follow the original programme. What chance
+would I have? That chap saw me plainly and everybody in six counties
+would look for a man with red whiskers. No, sir! Those two men are left
+on the shore; they are miles from a telephone; we'll be halfway across
+Chesapeake Bay before they can communicate with anybody, and there are
+so many launches in the Severn River that we won't be noticed. That's
+the only thing to do, fellows."
+
+"It's twenty years in prison if we're caught," remarked one with a gasp.
+
+"Stop your sniveling! Cheer up! We'll be on the Eastern Shore to-night,
+and once there I defy anybody to find us."
+
+These three men were the kidnappers of little Georgie Thompson.
+Seemingly their plans had been perfectly laid. Two of them had driven
+from Baltimore in a roundabout way to a place near Indian Landing,
+arriving there at night. One of these, with Georgie, had stolen that
+same night to where the gasoline launch had been brought by the third
+man. The other had gone further on and turned adrift the horse and buggy
+they had driven from Baltimore and joined the launch later. Had it not
+been for the loss of the gasoline the boat would already have been on
+the other side of Chesapeake Bay. More gasoline had been secured, and
+this cowardly trio had determined to wait until dark before leaving
+their hiding-place.
+
+The gasoline launch shot out of No Man's Creek and swung into the
+Severn River. Soon Round Bay was reached and the launch struck across
+the centre of it and, keeping at equal distance from either shore, ran
+down the river at full speed. They attracted no notice on their way and
+soon the railroad bridge was passed, then the county bridge and they
+were abreast of the Naval Academy grounds. No passing boats seemed at
+all interested in their movements, and the men felt easier. In but a
+short time they would be out of the river and on their way across
+Chesapeake Bay. Hardly a word had been spoken on this fast trip down the
+river, but desperate fear gripped each man's heart. Little Georgie was
+now crying softly; he did not realize what was happening, did not
+comprehend what these strange men were doing beyond their statement that
+they were taking him to his father, but they were a long time about it
+and he was hungry and uncomfortable. There was something terrifying in
+it all to the little boy and now and again he would sob bitterly.
+
+When opposite the lower part of the Naval Academy grounds the gasoline
+engine suddenly stopped. With a fierce exclamation of fear and rage the
+red-bearded man jumped to the engine and tried to start it again, but
+with no success.
+
+"Everything seems to be all right here," he said in a low, intense way;
+"the spark is all right,"--then in a voice of fright he said, "This cock
+doesn't show there is any gasoline in the feed pipe; see if there is any
+in the tank."
+
+"Not a drop," exclaimed the other in a terrified voice; "this rotten
+tank has sprung another leak."
+
+"Get out an oar and make for that sloop," cried the red-bearded man.
+
+Fifty feet away was a sloop yacht anchored; her sail was all spread,
+though the sheets were not belayed. A fresh breeze was blowing down the
+Severn; this helped the gasoline boat, and with the aid of the oars it
+was soon alongside the sloop. "Jump aboard, quick with you," cried the
+leader; "come along, Georgie; run forward, Jim, and heave up the anchor;
+never mind our boat--we've no time to lose--I'll look out for the sheets
+and helm."
+
+With a practiced hand the man with the red beard grabbed the tiller.
+They found nobody aboard--but the sails being loosed and no small boat
+being alongside it was likely that a party to go sailing would soon be
+pulled off from the shore to the yacht.
+
+The anchor was hove up to the bows in a moment, the head of the yacht
+swung round, the sails filled, and she was off with a bound.
+
+With a critical eye the man at the helm trimmed the different sails, set
+the trysail and then heaved a sigh of profound relief.
+
+"I think we're safe," he said; "hello, there's a navy ship on the port
+bow, and another one several miles away on the starboard bow. I'll steer
+between--they don't know anything about us--they won't bother us."
+
+While the superintendent of the Naval Academy was sitting at his desk
+this same afternoon, his telephone bell rang.
+
+"Hello, what is it?" he asked.
+
+"Is this the superintendent?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"This is Halstead, aboard the 'Santee.'"
+
+"What is it, Halstead?"
+
+"Sir, the quartermaster has reported that a gasoline launch went
+alongside the 'Robert Centre' a few minutes ago and several people got
+out of the launch and went aboard the yacht; the gasoline launch is now
+drifting down the river and the 'Robert Centre' is tearing out into the
+bay."
+
+"Who were the people that got out of the launch?"
+
+"The quartermaster says they were strangers. One was a man with a red
+beard, and a little boy was along."
+
+"Had anybody intended to take the 'Robert Centre' out to-day?"
+
+"Yes, sir, Mr. Brooks and some friends of his. They are now being pulled
+out in the river in the 'Centre's' boat. What shall I do, sir?"
+
+"Hoist the 'Robert Centre's' recall. Secure the gasoline launch and keep
+it awaiting my orders. Have the quartermaster keep a good lookout on the
+'Robert Centre' to see where she goes. Have you any steamer you could
+send for her?"
+
+"No, sir, the 'Standish' is out with the 'Nevada.'"
+
+"I think you'll find that the matter will be explained; it was probably
+a party of young officers out for a lark and a sail. Or it may have been
+some friends of officers; it will no doubt come out all right."
+
+Half an hour later the superintendent was again called up by the
+telephone.
+
+"This is the superintendent. What is it?" he asked.
+
+"I am Detective Cross, a Pinkerton detective. I traced the kidnappers of
+the Thompson boy to No Man's Creek, near the Severn, below Indian
+Landing. They saw me and shoved their boat off in a hurry, and went down
+river. The boy is with them. I've had a time finding a telephone in this
+forsaken country; keep a lookout for a green gasoline launch; it has a
+cabin in it--three kidnappers and Georgie Thompson were in the----" But
+the superintendent had heard enough and, ringing off the speaker, he
+commenced to do some rapid telephoning on his own account.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+SIX-POUNDER TARGET PRACTICE
+
+
+Graduation day drew near, bringing exultant happiness to Robert Drake.
+Not many more things could occur to him--the annual examinations were
+soon to be held, but these brought no terrors to Robert's mind. Most of
+the drills had been finished, and the first and second companies were
+now neck and neck in competition for the first place, with Blair's
+company slightly in the lead. The final standing now depended upon the
+records these respective companies made at target practice.
+
+Annapolis was now in ribboned and brass-buttoned glory. Proudly the
+brigade of midshipmen marched each afternoon for dress parade, and on
+the walks viewing them was much fluttering loveliness. Then, after
+dismissal, came pleasant, even if short, strolls through the grounds, in
+and about the shady walks.
+
+Robert was happy because of four years of hard work well done and well
+appreciated. He loved the place. Every tree on the grounds was an old
+friend, and every spot near and about old Annapolis called up pleasant
+memories.
+
+The important things yet to occur were target practice, the first class
+german, graduation, and the great June ball.
+
+Among the midshipmen there were a few, however, who were not happy at
+this time. Among them was Harry Blunt; in danger of failing in
+mathematics, disturbed by reproachful looks from his mother and sister
+and worried by severe letters from his father, he commenced to have an
+anxious appearance, and actually abandoned the gaieties that were now
+thrust into midshipman life in favor of much neglected books; the
+dreaded annual examinations were almost upon him.
+
+Midshipman Bligh, though also in the same precarious position, seemed to
+lose some of the gloom he had been carrying about him and become more
+normal. He went into the city of Annapolis at every opportunity and
+always came back with a grateful heart; for Bligh had found a friend
+who believed in him, and this friend had rescued Bligh from the pit of
+despondency and terrible sadness into which he had descended.
+
+"Say, Bob," remarked Stonewell one day, "have you noticed that fellow
+Bligh of late?"
+
+"I never happen to think of him. What about him?"
+
+"Nothing much, except that I am constantly meeting him. He never seems
+to look at me, but whenever I go out in town nowadays he's pretty sure
+to be standing at the Maryland Avenue gate; and then later, half the
+time I go out I meet him somewhere. This has happened so often of late
+that I can't help but feel he's interested in where I go."
+
+"Lots of people are interested in where you go, Stone; every day
+somebody asks me why you go out so much alone. For years we have gone
+out together, but now you never want me."
+
+"It's not that," replied Stonewell hurriedly,--"I've had some personal
+matters come up that require my attention. Look here, that Bligh is
+going to bilge, isn't he?"
+
+"He is practically certain to. He is low in every study--he'll have to
+make bigger marks in each of them than he ever yet has made to get
+satisfactory in the final average. But he may do it; people have pulled
+out of worse holes than he is in."
+
+"What are you reading, Bob? You seem to be giving that newspaper a good
+deal of your attention to-day."
+
+"I'm reading about the boy who was kidnapped in Baltimore several days
+ago. First it was thought the boy was lost, but now the police believe
+he was kidnapped; it says here that Mr. Thompson has received word his
+boy will be restored to him on payment of ten thousand dollars. By
+George! I hope they catch the kidnappers and send them to prison for
+life. That's an awful crime!"
+
+"It is indeed; and just think, Baltimore is only thirty miles away. I've
+been reading about that Thompson boy and I do hope he will be sent back
+home. Well, Bob, are you all ready for your target practice? Do you
+really put faith in this new sight you have invented?"
+
+"More so every day, Stone, particularly since I've learned that
+practically the same sight as I have aboard the 'Nevada' has been put on
+many different guns throughout the navy. Anybody who sees it and works
+with it a little is bound to believe it is far better than the old
+sights. Those were simply miserable. I'm now fifteen or twenty points
+behind Blair, with only target practice yet to be heard from, and I'm
+sure to beat him. I'd beat him even if we should use the old sights. You
+see I have a really very well-drilled crew; they load rapidly. I'm wild
+to get into the practice; I've a flag at stake, you know. It will be
+settled before night. Hello, the bugle has busted. Let's get to
+formation."
+
+On board the monitor "Nevada" they joined the other midshipmen, and soon
+she was under way and steaming through the buoyed channel to the free
+waters of Chesapeake Bay. The "Nevada" had on board the officers
+belonging to the Department of Ordnance and Gunnery and a number of
+midshipmen; there were also on board a six-pounder crew of five men from
+each of the twelve companies of midshipmen. In addition many midshipmen
+who had no duties but who were interested in seeing the target practice
+were allowed to be present. Soon a cry from aloft was heard.
+
+"Sail ho!" cried the midshipman lookout on the "Nevada's" mast.
+
+"Where away, can you make her out?" returned the midshipman
+officer-of-the-deck, hailing the lookout.
+
+"Right ahead, sir, but I don't know what it is. It looks like a funny
+kind of a ship with six sails on it."
+
+"Who made that ridiculous report?" inquired Commander Brice in great
+disgust. "If it were an ordinary seaman I'd disrate him to an afterguard
+sweeper. But I imagine it's a future admiral. The sail he's reported are
+the targets--there are six of them. Anybody but a midshipman would know
+it. They've been in sight ever since we left the Severn River."
+
+The target was now seen by everybody and the "Nevada" steered for it. It
+was at the apex of an equilateral triangle each side of which was one
+thousand yards long. The word targets, rather than target, should have
+been used, because in this apex, for the purpose of expediting this
+practice, of finishing it in one afternoon, six targets on rafts had
+been placed. The tug "Standish" was anchored near by. She had brought a
+party of enlisted men, who had been working all morning, and had erected
+the marks.
+
+Commander Shaw, the head of the Department of Ordnance and Gunnery,
+remained on the bridge with Commander Brice until the "Nevada" had
+cleared the channel. Then, as he descended the ladder leading from the
+bridge to the superstructure deck, he was met by an eager-faced
+midshipman, who cried to him:
+
+"Captain Shaw, do you remember we were all encouraged by your
+instructors to make any improvements we could in the guns we were to
+drill with?"
+
+"I do indeed, Mr. Drake," replied Commander Shaw, smiling with interest
+at Robert's eagerness. "What have you been doing?"
+
+"I will show you, sir. Will you please come over to the starboard
+six-pounder gun?"
+
+Robert stepped quickly to the starboard side, followed by the commander.
+He then quickly unscrewed the regular gun sights, drew them out of the
+sockets, and threw them over to Chief Gunner's Mate Lenn. The latter
+handed Robert a long parcel wrapped in paper.
+
+"Hello, Bob, what have you there, a new gun?" laughed Blair. "Say,
+fellows, let's see what Bob is up to." Everybody became interested and
+crowded about, and many were the laughing remarks made to Robert. But
+the latter, paying no attention to these, quickly stripped the paper
+from the parcel, and a long brass pipe was exposed to the curious eyes
+about him. On one end of the pipe was clamped a piece of metal which
+carried a circular ring, across which were attached, at right angles,
+thin silvery-white wires. At the other end of the pipe was attached a
+small brass cylinder, closed except for a minute hole through its
+centre. Near the cross wire end, hanging from the pipe, was a solid
+plug, cylindrical in section.
+
+Robert worked rapidly. He slipped this plug into the recess left by the
+front sight, putting in several thin washers; at the rear end of the
+brass pipe was attached a condemned rear sight, one furnished by Lenn,
+and this naturally slipped into its place.
+
+"By George, Mr. Drake," cried out Commander Shaw, "this is splendid.
+It's the Paul Jones' bar sight! She won this year's six-pounder record
+by that sight--I only yesterday received a drawing of it--how in the
+world did you get this up?"
+
+"Several helped, sir, and Chief Gunner's Mate Lenn did all the work
+about it. May I use these sights, sir, on my target practice to-day?"
+
+"Indeed you may, and all of the rest of the gun crews will. We've known
+for some time the old sights were very poor. I'm delighted, Mr. Drake."
+
+Robert's face was radiant with happiness. His classmates crowded about
+him; everybody saw at a glance that Robert's sight was a decided
+improvement.
+
+"I congratulate you, Bob," said Blair to him. "I guess you've got the
+flag and you deserve to have it; this is just fine. Captain Shaw,"
+continued Blair, "I request permission to fire my shots with the old
+sights."
+
+"Not granted, sir."
+
+"But, captain, there is a special reason why I should, a big reason. You
+see, sir, Drake and I are fighting for the flag; this target practice
+will decide things; one of us is bound to win it; now he has got up this
+sight and it would certainly be unfair to him if I were to get the
+benefit of his good ideas and----"
+
+"Captain Shaw," cried Robert, interrupting Blair, "if you think it's a
+good sight let's all fire with it, and give the Naval Academy a better
+record in target practice than last year; and if Blair can beat me
+out--then all the more credit to him, for I've had a lot of practice in
+aiming and loading. And, captain, I'd like to have each crew practice as
+much as they can find time for; I've had hours of it. It's very easy to
+go from the old sights to this; you just keep the gun pointed with your
+shoulder and arm so that the line through the peep-hole and intersection
+of cross wires prolonged will meet the object you want to hit. Here,
+Sam, you take the gun and get used to it."
+
+"Bob, this is awfully white of you, and it's not fair to you."
+
+"Gentlemen, you'll all fire with this new sight of Mr. Drake's,"
+announced Commander Shaw, decisively.
+
+"Bob, I'm going to do my best, of course, but you ought to win; if I
+should happen to get credited for the most hits I couldn't feel I
+deserved to beat you."
+
+"Don't you worry, Sam," chuckled Robert; "I've been practicing with that
+sight for some months. If you can win you've a right to."
+
+Robert was radiantly happy; this public recognition of his having done
+something worth while filled him with joy. And at the same time he was
+completely confident that he would make the best record during the day.
+He was really desirous of having everybody who fired use the sight he
+had installed, because he expected to win anyway. He knew in his heart
+that with all the special drill he had had he was practically certain to
+make the highest score in target practice, no matter which sight was
+used, and he felt he would really have more credit if all who fired used
+the same sights.
+
+"Now, gentlemen, each pointer will have a chance to practice with Mr.
+Drake's bar sight before he fires," announced Commander Shaw. "Mr.
+Drake, you will fire first. Are you bore sighted?"
+
+"Yes, sir, everything is ready, but I'd like to fire a trial shot."
+
+"Very well. We'll steam to the range and give you a trial shot, and then
+Mr. Blair may practice aiming. Then we'll go on the range and you will
+commence, and when you finish the second company's gun crew will
+commence; as soon as they finish, and while turning the ship around for
+the return run, the pointers of the third and fourth crews will practice
+with the sight. We'll fire two pointers on a run and practice two on the
+return, so after six double runs we will have fired at the six targets;
+then a boat from the 'Standish' will patch up the targets, and after
+that we'll fire the other six gun crews; we ought to finish before five
+o'clock. Have you your range cards ready, and a stop-watch?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"All right." Then to Commander Brice on the bridge: "Are you making ten
+knots, captain?"
+
+"Yes, sir, just exactly ten knots."
+
+"Take your trial shot just after we pass the first buoy, Mr Drake."
+
+"Yes, sir; I'm ready, sir."
+
+The "Nevada" was now rapidly approaching the range, which was marked by
+three buoys in line, this line forming the base of the triangle, of
+which the targets were in the apex. The "Nevada" was to travel just
+outside of the line while the six-pounder was being fired.
+
+"What yacht is that?" asked Commander Shaw of Commander Brice,
+indicating a yacht that had evidently just come from Annapolis.
+
+"That's the 'Robert Centre,'" replied Commander Brice, after looking at
+her through his glasses.
+
+"I think she has come out to see the target practice, and I'll wager a
+ship's biscuit that a party of midshipmen with some girl friends are on
+board," he continued, with a laugh.
+
+"Just look at the way sail is crowded on her. Jerusalem! the fellow who
+is running that yacht has a lot of nerve; he's got every rag stretched
+that's aboard."
+
+The "Robert Centre" was a yacht that some years previous had been
+presented to the Naval Academy, and in leisure hours midshipmen were
+allowed to sail her in Chesapeake Bay. She was coming out under a great
+press of canvas with a fresh, spanking breeze on her port quarter.
+
+"I'll blow the ship's steam whistle when the first buoy is abeam of the
+mast," called out Commander Shaw. "Mr. Drake, take your trial shot as
+soon after as you please."
+
+"Aye, aye, sir."
+
+In a moment there was a strident blast from the steam whistle and
+immediately after: "Bang!" went the six-pounder.
+
+Many midshipmen, not prepared for the deafening report, jumped
+violently.
+
+"A bull's-eye," cried out Commander Shaw in delight. "Mr. Drake, your
+sight is all right, and the powder is all right. Captain Brice, I'd like
+to go back and commence over again. Mr. Drake, let Mr. Blair practice
+sighting the gun. You'll find, Mr. Blair, that the new sights are easier
+to shoot with. Mr. Drake, I'm delighted; that was a bully good shot."
+
+Again the "Nevada" steamed toward the range.
+
+"Now, fellows," said Robert, "put cotton in your ears and don't mind
+about the noise; get the gun loaded as soon as I fire; and, Glass, be
+sure you throw the shell in home; the only chance of a poor score is a
+jammed cartridge."
+
+The "Nevada" rapidly approached the first buoy. An intense, breathless
+silence, an air of solemnity, pervaded the ship. Standing like statues
+grouped about the six-pounder gun that was about to fire, were Robert
+and his crew, with grim determination written on every face.
+
+"After the whistle blows commence firing immediately," ordered Commander
+Shaw. "I'll time you with a stop-watch; you will fire for just a minute;
+jump back the instant I tap you on the arm like this. Mr. Blair, have
+your crew ready to jump to the gun just when I signal to Mr. Drake to
+cease."
+
+"Aye, aye, sir," came the replies in unison from both Robert and Blair.
+
+When the whistle blew, there came a novel sensation to those on board
+who had never before seen a navy target practice.
+
+A sheet of white flame burst from the muzzle of the six-pounder, a
+thunderous, reverberating report assaulted the ears of everybody, and
+hardly had this been experienced when the same thing was repeated, over
+and over again. The grim statues at the gun had burst into reckless
+life. At the first shot, the recoil of the gun had thrown down the
+breech-block and so had opened the gun, ejecting the used cartridge
+case. The gun was ready for loading, and Glassfell lost no time. Hardly
+had the empty cartridge case been ejected than into the chamber he threw
+a fresh shell. A spring was automatically released, throwing the
+breech-block into place, and the gun was ready for firing. Almost
+instantly it was discharged, for Robert never allowed the sights to
+leave the target.
+
+And so a thunderous bang! bang! bang! was kept up from the gun.
+
+Commander Brice, on top of the pilot house, with his glasses leveled on
+the target, was in an ecstasy of delight.
+
+"A bull's-eye," he cried, "another bull's-eye, a beautiful shot,
+wonderful shooting."
+
+While this was going on, a wild-eyed enlisted man, scantily clad in
+working trousers and undershirt, and evidently under intense
+excitement, came tumbling up on the superstructure deck, screaming,
+"Captain, captain."
+
+He ran into half a dozen midshipmen, fell down twice, reached the ladder
+leading to the pilot house top, still continuing his wild cry of
+"Captain." He bumped into Captain Brice, and when the latter turned
+angrily around to him, he thrust a paper into the captain's hands.
+
+Commander Brice read the paper, and then in a stentorian voice cried
+out: "Cease firing."
+
+At the same instant Commander Shaw touched Robert on the shoulder and
+called "time."
+
+"Cease firing," repeated Commander Brice. "Keep Mr. Drake and his crew
+at the gun! Hard a starboard the helm! Call away the life-boat. Gunner's
+mate, get up twelve rifles and rifle ammunition, double time! Captain
+Shaw, detail Lieutenant Joynes to take charge of the life-boat; have two
+midshipmen crews, armed with rifles, prepared to go in the life-boat
+when it is lowered. Ease the helm, amidships with it--steady so."
+
+Many pairs of surprised eyes were upon Commander Brice. With glasses up
+to his eyes, he was now looking at a yacht on the starboard bow,
+recognized by everybody to be the "Robert Centre" which, some distance
+away, was careening far to one side and was bowling along at a furious
+speed.
+
+"Mr. Drake!" called out Commander Brice.
+
+"Sir?"
+
+"Do you see the 'Robert Centre'?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Drop a shell under her bows. Don't hit her. The range is about fifteen
+hundred yards."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+A GOOD SHOT WITH THE SIX-POUNDER
+
+
+"Bang," went the six-pounder, and four seconds later a heavy column of
+water rose up under the bow of the "Robert Centre," three quarters of a
+mile away.
+
+"Well placed," called out Commander Brice, as he saw the shot fall.
+"What," he exclaimed a moment later, "the rascal won't heave to! Split
+the mast, Mr. Drake, six feet above the deck."
+
+Hardly had he given the order when Robert again fired.
+
+"Five feet to the right; aim a little to the left of the mast."
+
+Again a sheet of flame leaped from the six-pounder's mouth, again the
+thunderous reverberating report, dying out in far-away echoes, rolled
+from the gun.
+
+Except for Commander Brice's orders, the noise of the gun, and the now
+painfully loud throbbing of the engines, an intense stillness prevailed
+on the "Nevada's" deck. Thoroughly accustomed to navy ways, not a soul
+on board thought of questioning the captain's reason for injuring the
+graceful yacht, which had seen many pleasant sailing parties of
+midshipmen and their friends. All eyes were on the yacht; a few seconds
+after Robert's last shot the tall raking mast was seen suddenly to snap
+off close to the deck. Down went the mast over the side into the water,
+carrying with it every sail; and the yacht a minute before so full of
+life and spirit, so swiftly plunging through the water, now rolled
+helplessly, inert and lifeless.
+
+"A beautiful shot, Mr. Drake," cried Commander Brice, delightedly. "Mr.
+Joynes, as soon as we are near that yacht I'll slow down and stop and
+you lower the life-boat; get your armed crew aboard, and row over to the
+'Robert Centre'! Take three men and a small boy from her--and let go the
+yacht's anchor; we'll let the 'Standish' tow her in after target
+practice."
+
+"What is it, Brice?" asked Commander Shaw, who had gone up on top of the
+pilot house.
+
+"Read this wireless message from the superintendent. It's evident that
+the kidnappers of Georgie Thompson stole the 'Robert Centre' and now are
+on board with the boy. By Jingo! Mr. Drake did some fine shooting.
+Between wireless telegraphy and good shooting villainy isn't profitable
+these days."
+
+Before long three silent, gloomy men and a small boy were brought on
+board. Two of the men were on the verge of collapse; new life had come
+to little Georgie, who wondered what it was all about.
+
+"Master-at-arms, put these men in a cell and place a guard over them.
+Where is the wireless operator? Oh--send this message immediately. Look
+here, my little man, is your name Georgie Thompson?"
+
+"Yes, sir. Where is my papa? Is he here? What were those awful noises,
+Mister? May I have a piece of bread and butter? I'm awfully hungry.
+Where is my papa?"
+
+"Steward, take Georgie to my cabin and keep him there, and get him
+something to eat, right away. Full speed, both engines, hard aport the
+helm. Now we'll run back by the buoys again. Take charge, Shaw, and
+fire as you will."
+
+Before long Blair's crew fired at its target, and in quick succession
+the remaining four targets were fired at, and then the "Nevada" ran up
+to the targets to count the shot holes in them and the "Standish" went
+up to repair them.
+
+Never did Robert Drake have a more exultant feeling than when he saw the
+holes his shots had torn through the canvas. He had fired twenty-two
+times in his minute, and there were nineteen gaping holes in his target.
+Blair had fired sixteen times and had made thirteen hits. Robert now
+knew the flag was his and he was glad indeed. Six more crews were to
+fire, but he knew in his heart that none could hope to equal his record,
+because none had had the practice his crew had had.
+
+Nothing could have exceeded the cordial congratulations of his closest
+rival, Blair.
+
+"You've beaten me out, Bob, but, by George, you deserve to. I'm not
+ashamed of my score; thirteen hits is not a bad record--but what luck
+you have had--what a wonderful bull's-eye you made when you knocked
+down the 'Robert Centre's' mast; you deserve the flag, Bob! There's no
+doubt of that fact; you've won it, and by no fluke."
+
+The targets were soon patched up, and the remaining six gun crews fired
+their shots. On the whole the target practice was very good and the
+midshipmen and the ordnance officers present were jubilant.
+
+The "Nevada" returned to her wharf at six o'clock, and found a great
+crowd waiting for her. Present was a middle-aged gentleman, Mr.
+Thompson, who had come down from Baltimore on a special train; he was
+full of emotion and feeling, and wild with eagerness to see once more
+the dear little boy who had been so rudely torn from him.
+
+Among the crowd were police officers, sailormen, and a company of
+marines. The transfer of the three miscreants to the police did not take
+long. Outside of the Naval Academy gate a howling, derisive mob of
+whites and blacks had gathered and they jeered the miserable criminals
+as they were taken through the streets to the railroad station.
+
+Language was not powerful enough for Mr. Thompson to express his
+gratitude. "What can I do for you, sir?" he asked of Commander Brice. "I
+had determined to give the kidnappers the ten thousand dollars they
+demanded; could I--may I----"
+
+"Your train doesn't leave for a couple of hours, Mr. Thompson; suppose
+you take dinner with me--and of course you know how glad we all are your
+boy is restored to you. But I'm going to introduce to you the midshipman
+who knocked the mast out of the yacht, the bulliest shot I've ever seen.
+Come here, Mr. Drake; this is Georgie's father."
+
+"What can I do for you, Mr. Drake?" eagerly asked the happy man. "Please
+say something--do let me do something for you."
+
+Robert thought a moment, and then said: "Why, sir, I'm going to graduate
+in less than three weeks; won't you come to my graduation, sir? I'd be
+so glad if you would."
+
+Mr. Thompson looked reproachfully at them both. "Well, all I can say is,
+you are all gentlemen, every one of you!" Tears stood in his eyes as he
+said this, and he couldn't have said anything that would have touched
+and pleased officers and midshipmen more deeply.
+
+This affair redounded to the credit of the Naval Academy. The
+superintendent had acted quickly, Captain Brice had acted with judgment,
+and midshipmen could hit when they shot. This was the boiled-down
+newspaper comment.
+
+"How did you feel, Bob, when you shot at the 'Robert Centre's' mast?"
+asked Stonewell later.
+
+"Feel? Why, I didn't feel at all, beyond an intention to hit the mast."
+
+"But wasn't there an idea in your mind that you might hurt somebody?"
+
+"You see, Stone," said Robert, "at that moment Captain Brice's will
+dominated my action; I was a machine, an automaton. I was completely
+controlled by him. Now when we talk this over in cold blood it seems
+terrible, but I suppose that in a case like that a man loses all
+personal feeling--he is under a peculiar power. I imagine this is human
+nature and accounts for a lot of things. In our case it results no doubt
+from the military training we have received here these last four years.
+Now when we get an order from the commandant or officer-in-charge we
+just naturally obey it."
+
+"I think you're right, Bob. Well, old chap, you are graduating with
+flying colors. I'd rather have aimed the shot that took down the 'Robert
+Centre's' mast than have done any other thing that has happened since I
+became a midshipman. You've won the flag, that was your great ambition;
+and you are graduating number five or six. But everybody here isn't as
+happy as you and I are, Bob. I'm quite concerned over Harry Blunt; he
+stands in some danger of bilging; not a great deal, but it is possible."
+
+Robert stiffened immediately. "Since when have you taken up with that
+rascal, Stone?"
+
+"Look here, you've no right to call him a rascal. You've Frenched
+yourself; so have I, so have Blair and Farnum."
+
+"Since when have you taken up with him, Stone?" persisted Robert.
+
+"I haven't taken up with him; I hardly ever have occasion to speak with
+him. But I think a lot of Helen and his father and mother. You do too;
+you don't want to see him bilge, do you?"
+
+"For the sake of his father and mother and sister, no. Let's talk of
+something else. This is Friday; the annual examinations commence on
+Monday. They will soon be over and we graduate in two weeks. I'll hate
+to leave this place, Stone; I've had such a happy year."
+
+"It has been fine, indeed. Well, Bob, we'll be back here as instructors
+some day. Perhaps one of us may be officer-in-charge. By the way, I'm
+going to say good-bye to you for a couple of days. I've leave to go to
+Washington. I'm going to take the five o'clock train to-night and I'll
+be back Sunday morning at about ten o'clock."
+
+Robert looked at his roommate with unconcealed amazement.
+
+"Well, Stone, you'll excuse my being astonished. But for an intimate
+chum you are the most remarkably secretive, non-communicative,
+open-hearted fellow that ever lived. Why, to go to Washington is an
+event for a midshipman. Were I going to Washington, everybody in my
+class would know of it. But it's just in line with your lonely trips
+out to Conduit Street. Now, Stone, I'm intensely interested, you know
+that; and I'm not going to ask any questions; but if you can tell me why
+you are going, what you are going to do, I do wish you would."
+
+"Bob, I've had a family matter on my mind for some time and I just
+cannot talk about it. But I think everything is coming out all right. I
+expect to be back here with a free mind Sunday morning and I hope to
+talk openly with you then. Good-bye; I'm going to start now."
+
+"I'll go to the train with you; there's plenty of time."
+
+"Bob," said Stonewell, awkwardly, "I've got an errand to do before I go,
+and--and----"
+
+"All right, Stone, I understand. Good-bye, old chap, and good luck.
+Conduit Street again," muttered Robert to himself, after Stonewell had
+left.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+GRICE APPEARS AGAIN
+
+
+Robert Drake's character was singularly generous and ingenuous. He had
+taken the greatest of interest in his various studies and drills. At no
+time did he ever have desire or ambition of standing first in his class.
+Without being brilliant he had a good, clear mind with excellent
+reasoning ability, and by hard work and diligent application he had
+finally taken high class rank, and now he was certain to be graduated.
+So much had come to him this last year in the way of friendship and
+honors that it had proved one of heartfelt satisfaction to him, and
+Robert realized that he would always look back upon this year as
+probably the happiest period of his life.
+
+Stonewell had left on Friday, and the next night Robert went to a hop
+given at the Armory. These occur many times during the year, and serve
+to bring desired relaxation and pleasure into the crowded, hard-working
+life of the midshipman.
+
+"Helen, is your gown all ready?" asked Robert with glad triumph in his
+face.
+
+"Oh, Robert," exclaimed Helen with enthusiasm, "I knew you would win the
+flag. I'm so happy about it, and so is father and mother. You see we are
+really proud of our friend who has done so well. Really, Robert, I am
+truly glad to be distinguished among your friends by your asking me to
+present the flag. I wanted you to win it for yourself, not for the brief
+distinction that comes to me; and actually I don't present it to you;
+it's already yours. I've had these thoughts all day, Robert; I can only
+say I'm proud to be the one to present the flag to you, just because I'm
+proud of my friend."
+
+"Don't analyze too much, Helen; take the day as it comes and enjoy the
+honey of the hour. You see, the friendship of you and your father and
+mother is something I will always remember, and little as the flag
+presentation may be, neither you nor yours will forget it."
+
+"Little!" exclaimed Helen, the real girl coming out, her philosophizing
+over; "well! I guess it won't be little. I'm to be out in front of
+seven hundred midshipmen, all by myself, and there will be ten thousand
+other people looking at me. I will have on a new gown made at the
+Convent at Baltimore and a new hat and a gorgeous bouquet of American
+beauties. I imagine you won't think it's little when it happens, Robert
+Drake."
+
+Robert laughed. "That's right, Helen; that's the way to feel. By the
+way, do you remember that Sunday long ago, when we took our first walk?
+It was soon after I first met you."
+
+"Oh, yes. And you helped me jump over a mud-puddle."
+
+"Do you remember the invitation I gave you then to our class graduation
+german and ball?"
+
+"Yes, Robert, I remember all that and you have spoken of it since.
+Indeed I shall be glad to go with you."
+
+"I was just thinking how pleasant our friendship has been, Helen, and
+how all of these things have come to pass. I was so blue and unhappy the
+day I first went to your father's house--you see there weren't many
+people who had a friendly word for me then. Your father has always been
+a true friend of mine."
+
+"Indeed he is. He is here to-night; hunt him up later; he always speaks
+of you when he comes to Annapolis; he will talk to you of your father;
+he sees him every day now. But, Robert, I can't help but be surprised
+that though you are so friendly to father and mother and me, you are
+always so hostile to Harry. Harry wants to be friendly; he said only
+yesterday that he liked you, but that you cut him every time you met
+him."
+
+"I wish your brother every good luck, Helen, and I hope he'll be worthy
+of his father. Some time----"
+
+"Robert, there's that old colored man in the doorway again, old
+Grice--he is surely beckoning to you--I wonder if he has 'disregarded'
+with his wife again about religion. Go and see what he wants and come
+back and tell me about it."
+
+It was now nearing eleven o'clock. In their talk Robert and Helen had
+walked several times around the room, so engrossed with each other that
+they paid but little attention to the beautiful music and none to the
+happy throng of young people gliding over the floor. Robert looked with
+annoyance at Grice. The latter was now gesticulating frantically at him
+through the open doorway.
+
+"What do you want, Grice?" he asked almost roughly.
+
+"Come 'long, Mistah Drake," the old colored man cried; "come 'long or
+yo'll be too late."
+
+"Come along where?"
+
+"To the department of mathmax. The two midshipmen gwine ter steal the
+zamnation at 'leven 'clock ter-night."
+
+"How do you know?"
+
+"They come las' night. I was there. I heared dem talk; they had keys an'
+opened the doors and desk where the zamnations are kept. I heared one
+say the zamnations were not there; he says, 'We'll come back 'leven
+Saturday night; the zamnations are sure to be here Saturday night.' And
+they wuz right. I knowed the zamnation wusn't there den, but dey is
+there now. So, come 'long, hurry up."
+
+"Have you told anybody?"
+
+"No, suh," and a look of cunning came over the face of the old darkey.
+"'Deed I haven't, Mistah Drake. Ef I tole anybody he would say ole Grice
+lied and I would be dismissed. No, suh, I haven't tole no one. Come
+'long, Mistah Drake, or the zamnation will be stole."
+
+"You idiot," exclaimed Robert, intensely angry. He looked about hoping
+to see some officer he could consult, but none were near him; he had a
+notion of getting some midshipman to go with him, but at this instant
+"Home Sweet Home" was started by the band, indicating the close of the
+dance, and now it would be impossible to get any advice or anybody to
+come with him. "Fletcher," he said to the midshipmen's head waiter, who
+was at the lemonade stand, "find Captain Blunt; tell him I'm
+unexpectedly called away; ask him to tell his daughter."
+
+"Come 'long, Mistah Drake, or the zamnation will be stole, an' ef it is
+I'll tell the commandant ter-morrer that I tole yo' an' yo' wouldn't
+come. Come 'long, suh," urged the old man, his face glowing with an
+eager, frightened look.
+
+Robert groaned in extreme disgust. The matter was unutterably
+distasteful to him, but he felt helpless. He wished that the examination
+had been stolen and he had known nothing about it. But there was no help
+for him; he knew he had to go, so with an impatient angry exclamation he
+quickly went to the hat room on his right, and a moment later joined
+Grice. Without further talk the two then ran across the grounds and soon
+were in the Academic building. Here all was dark, but Grice had keys
+with him and led the way.
+
+"They'll be heah soon, suh," whispered Grice; "now ef you go behind that
+table, an' kneel down, you'll be near the zamnation papers; I'll go over
+heah, an' after they get to the desk I'll turn on the 'lectric light."
+
+Robert took the old man's suggestion and crouched down by a long table.
+The moonlight streaming through the window threw weird, ghostlike
+shadows over the floor and gave Robert a creepy sensation. He felt
+intensely annoyed and irritated to be there, but realized it was a duty
+he could not avoid. At the other end of the room was old Grice; outside
+was heard the rumble of carriages coming from the Armory; the bell in
+the yard struck six, and was followed like an echo by the bells from the
+ships and tugs at anchor in the harbor. A marine sentinel not far away
+called out in tones long drawn out the words, "Post number three--and
+all's well."
+
+And then came a slight noise. Some one was surely fumbling at the door.
+In the stillness Robert could hear his heart beat. It seemed as though
+seconds were prolonged into hours. Soon Robert was conscious that the
+door leading out into the hall was being slowly opened and softly
+closed. And then in the dim moonlight, he saw two dark figures like
+phantoms, making no sound, approach the desk where he knew the
+examination questions of the coming week were kept. With painful
+intensity of mind, and with a suffocating feeling, he saw them pause
+before the desk and heard a faint jingle, as of keys on a ring.
+
+Then the room was suddenly flooded with light.
+
+Robert never afterward liked to think, far less to speak, of the
+feelings he experienced in the next few seconds. They brought him
+more agony, more desolate grief, than he had ever felt before, or, it
+is hoped, will ever come again to him.
+
+[Illustration: _HE SAW TWO DARK FIGURES_]
+
+With startled, frightened glances the two jumped up. One was in civilian
+garb, a brown slouch hat was down over his forehead, a heavy dark
+moustache and beard covered his face; he wore a tightly buttoned up
+coat. The other was in midshipman uniform, and five golden stripes
+adorned each sleeve.
+
+"Oh!" gasped Robert, in anguish; "oh, Stonewell." Robert himself, unseen
+under the table, was almost overcome with grief and dismay. The bearded
+man jumped as if he had been shot, and then his companion exclaimed in a
+low voice: "Run, Harry, we're caught."
+
+As he said this both bolted from the room, and the last Robert saw of
+them was the electric light flashing on the golden stripes, which for a
+year had been Robert's joy, and the pride of every midshipman, but were
+now so dishonored and disgraced.
+
+The shock was too unexpected, too sudden for Robert. So his beloved
+friend, his idol of manhood and honor, the ideal all-around midshipman
+of his time, had proved to be but a low, contemptible dastard--
+
+Robert's head sank on his knees and unrestrained convulsive sobs burst
+from his lips. He was suddenly robbed of that which was dearest to him;
+and blank hopeless desolation took possession of him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+ROBERT RESIGNS
+
+
+"Didn't I tole yo' so, suh? That other man was Mistah Harry Blunt, suh;
+didn't yo' hear Mistah Stonewell call him Harry, suh? An' suppose dis
+ole niggah had done tole the commandan' that Mistah Stonewell, the
+fines' gemman in the 'Cademy, and Mistah Harry Blunt, the son of Capt'in
+Blunt, were stealin' zamnations, what would have happened ter ole Grice?
+He'd been 'cused of lyin', yo' knows dat, Mistah Drake. I known fer
+seberal months dat Mistah Harry Blunt been goin' about town in
+cibilians' close, but I ben feared to tole any one. Ain't I right,
+Mistah Drake? We done catched 'em, suh, an' yo' is evidence that ole
+Grice done tole de truf."
+
+With horror in his heart, and almost unmanned by the situation which had
+so suddenly burst upon him, Robert was speechless. He was confused,
+entirely confounded. That one of these unprincipled midshipmen was
+Harry Blunt did not surprise Robert; he was quite ready to believe
+anything of that young man. But it brought him into an intensely
+disagreeable position. He knew he would be called upon for evidence, and
+to give testimony that would cover all of the Blunt family with
+ignominious disgrace--that family who had rescued his own father and
+mother from absolute want, which had put his father in a
+self-respecting, self-supporting position. "I had rather bilge than do
+it," thought our cadet lieutenant. Wild bitterness toward Harry Blunt
+filled his mind. And yet these feelings sank to small dimensions
+compared to those concerning Stonewell. Faith in everything seemed to be
+lost with faith and trust lost in this old friend. And combined with
+this was a feeling of inexpressible amazement, amazement made up of many
+different things.
+
+Robert was astonished that any reason could have existed which would
+have induced Stonewell to join Harry Blunt in such an enterprise. In a
+helpless, uncertain way, Robert imagined that Blunt had some hold over
+Stonewell, and even this was hard to believe. "But how else can I
+account for it?" he asked himself. "I never would have believed anybody,
+or any number of people had they told me they had seen Stone do
+this--but it was Stone--in his uniform with his five stripes on his
+sleeve."
+
+Had Robert known of a conversation between the two intruders after they
+had dashed out of the building, he would have been still more amazed.
+"It's too bad, Stonewell," said the one; "you did it all for me--no man
+ever did so much for me as you have. But I'm afraid you were recognized;
+I wish you hadn't had on that uniform and had some disguise. I'm awfully
+sorry I got you into this."
+
+"Don't feel that way, Harry; I suggested it," replied the other. "I hope
+I was not recognized. But if I were, I will have to stand for it. Did
+you see anybody in the room?"
+
+"No," answered Harry; "my one hope is that whoever it was didn't see
+you; nobody would have known me. Good-night; I'll be around to Conduit
+Street to-morrow afternoon and will tell you of any talk I may hear."
+
+Now that old Grice's mind was easy in regard to himself he was much
+concerned about Robert.
+
+"Doan yo' feel bad, Mistah Drake. The commerdan' will think yo' is a
+smart young gemman when yo' report this; he won' think yo' had nuffin'
+to do with it yo'self. I'ze gwine ter tell him I couldn't hev detected
+the gemmen ef it hadn't been fer yo', an' he'll give yo' Mistah
+Stonewell's five stripes, suah as yo' is bawn, he will, suh."
+
+Grice rolled his eyes in ecstasy. He imagined he too would receive
+praise and reward for what he had done, and now he was quite happy.
+
+"Shut up," cried Robert, annoyed beyond endurance at his rambling. And
+without another word, or so much as a glance at Grice, he slowly walked
+away and returned to his room. He feared yet hoped he might find
+Stonewell there. "If I could only see Stone," he thought, "I'd surely
+learn some excuse for him. But why did he do this? Why did he pretend to
+go to Washington? Why should he engage in such an affair with Harry
+Blunt?" Countless other questions crowded themselves into Robert's
+mind, but to not one could he find a suitable answer.
+
+He found his room empty, nor was there any evidence that Stonewell had
+been there. Robert paced restlessly up and down the room in troubled
+thought, and as the minutes dragged on he grew more and more hopeless.
+
+"Well, I'm done for, as well as Stone and Harry Blunt. I suppose Grice
+will report this matter, and I'll be called up; I'll have to give my
+evidence against Stone and Blunt or else be bilged myself. Well, I'll
+bilge. I can't help what Stone has done; I could never be happy if my
+evidence were to dismiss him. As for that Blunt, who got him into
+this--well, he's the son of Captain Blunt, and Helen's brother. I never
+could convince them I was not an ungrateful cur. No, Stone and I will
+both bilge together; but I wonder if Stone isn't now in Blunt's
+room----" and Robert stopped short.
+
+It was now after midnight, and all the midshipmen were back from having
+escorted their partners to their homes. Robert looked out in the
+corridor and saw that the midshipman in charge of the floor had left his
+desk.
+
+"The men on duty are turned in; I'll go to Blunt's room and see if Stone
+is there."
+
+Robert darted through the corridor. Turning a corner near where Harry
+Blunt's room was he saw that young man just entering it. Robert jumped
+in after him.
+
+"Where is Stonewell?" he savagely demanded.
+
+When Blunt saw who his midnight visitor was he was visibly startled.
+
+"Why--why--how should I know?" he stammered.
+
+"You hound, you----" cried Robert. "Tell me where Stonewell is! Do you
+hear me? Tell me where Stonewell is!" And Robert seized him by both
+arms.
+
+"I--I don't know--I haven't seen him for some time," faltered Harry
+Blunt, with a white face, in which fear was but too plainly depicted.
+
+From the overhead transom light from a corridor lamp streamed in, and on
+the table in the room were three burning candles.
+
+Robert looked suspiciously at Harry. In the latter's arms was a bundle
+of clothing. Robert suddenly grabbed this and opened it up. It was
+composed of a dark sack coat, out of which two articles fell to the
+floor. Robert picked them up and instantly recognized them. One was a
+brown slouch hat and the other a false beard. In an agony of bitterness
+and hate Robert completely lost control of himself. He grabbed Harry and
+shook him violently and then dashed him against the wall.
+
+"You contemptible cur," he cried. "For the last time, will you tell me
+where Stonewell is?"
+
+"I don't know," sullenly replied Harry.
+
+"Do you expect to see him again to-night?"
+
+"I do not."
+
+Robert looked at him utterly without belief.
+
+"Drake," implored Harry, "if you report me for this you will bilge me;
+you know how that will affect my people; I suppose it is your duty to
+report me, but if you do only one thing can happen to me. I will be
+dismissed; you know that as well as I do."
+
+Robert looked at him with contempt, and left the room.
+
+The long night passed slowly, but it brought no sleep or rest to the
+overwrought nerves of Robert. He went to bed and tossed about in an
+agony.
+
+"Oh, that Stonewell would only come," was Robert's thought, repeated
+countless times. But Stonewell did not come. The moonlight faded away;
+the silence was broken only by the striking of bells and the monotonous
+call of sentries. The first gleam of dawn found Robert still wide awake,
+hopeless and dejected. Mechanically he prepared his room and himself for
+Sunday inspection. Finally reveille was sounded, the gun thundered and
+Bancroft Hall burst into life. Later came breakfast formation and
+Robert, against his inclination, had to mix with the other midshipmen.
+
+"What's the matter, Bob?" inquired Peters, with friendly concern;
+"you're not looking well."
+
+"Oh, I'm all right," impatiently answered Robert. Then came breakfast,
+which seemed interminable. Robert sat at his table's head longing for
+the order "rise." Food would have choked him; he gulped down a cup of
+coffee, and sat idly drumming the table.
+
+After breakfast Glassfell came up to him. "Look here, Bob, what's
+bothering you?" he asked with real solicitude. "You're not yourself this
+morning, old chap. What's the trouble?"
+
+"Have you seen Stonewell?" abruptly asked Robert.
+
+"By jingo!" exclaimed Glassfell. "Last night I could have sworn I saw
+Stonewell pass me. I was on Main Street, and a midshipman with some
+stripes, and I thought a good many, passed me in a great hurry and
+turned into Conduit Street. It was dark and yet at the time I had no
+thought but that it was Stonewell. 'Hello, Stone!' I called out; 'I
+thought you were in Washington;' but the fellow paid no attention to me.
+He seemed to be in a hurry, almost running. Then I concluded I must have
+been mistaken, because I knew Stone was in Washington, and it was pretty
+dark. The thing bothered me a bit for the time, but I must have been
+mistaken. I had taken my partner home from the Armory and was on my way
+back. It was about half-past eleven, I think. But why do you ask me
+about Stone? He won't be back from Washington until ten this morning."
+
+"If you see him tell him I'm looking for him," and Robert turned away.
+He now wanted to be by himself. He went in one of the wing corridors and
+looked out of the window, hardly replying to different salutations of
+midshipmen who passed him. Outside it was raining, one of those
+tenacious rains that seem determined to last throughout the day.
+Overhead were spread heavy dark forbidding clouds; the day was gloomy
+and hopeless, but not nearly so much so as felt this midshipman.
+
+After a while one stroke of the bell told Robert it was half-past eight,
+and soon he saw the commandant's tall form, wrapped up in a great rubber
+coat, come down the walk. Some time later he saw two figures emerge from
+the trees that line the main walk; one he recognized as that of
+Commander Beckwith, the head of the Department of Mathematics, the
+other, of low figure and shambling walk, he instantly recognized as that
+of old Grice. With throbbing heart, Robert watched them until they
+disappeared into the commandant's office; then the cadet lieutenant
+went to his room.
+
+It was evident to him that Grice had told his story to Commander
+Beckwith and the latter was now talking with the commandant about it.
+Robert waited for the summons he knew was coming, to appear before the
+commandant. Thoughts came surging through his brain. Sooner than testify
+against Stonewell he would accept dismissal. And likewise, in spite of
+his bitter dislike toward Harry Blunt, before he would bring disgrace
+upon the dear friends who had done so much for him, he would accept
+dismissal. Robert, with a steady mind, without hesitation, determined on
+this stand. He now knew his last moment of inaction had arrived. Not
+that he had any hope or expectation of saving either Stonewell or Blunt,
+but that he should be the means of their disgrace and dismissal was an
+unbearable thought. It were far better to bilge.
+
+Steps were heard in the corridor and Farnum appeared at his door.
+
+"Hello, Bob," he said, "the commandant wants to see you right away. He's
+in his office."
+
+"All right, Farnum, I'll start in a moment." And then taking a sheet of
+official paper, and hurriedly heading it, he wrote:
+
+"I hereby tender my resignation as a midshipman in the naval service."
+
+This he signed, and with it in his hand he walked down the corridor, and
+was soon standing before the commandant.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+IT WAS STONEWELL
+
+
+"Good-morning, Mr. Drake," said the commandant, pleasantly enough. "I'm
+surprised that you haven't been to me with a report before now--that is,
+unless Grice has made some great mistake. He has told me that you and he
+caught two midshipmen last night attempting to steal an examination--he
+says he knows who they are, but seems afraid to give their names. Who
+are they, Mr. Drake?"
+
+Commander Dalton was grave and impassive. He spoke to Robert as one
+officer might to another on an official matter; his manner betokened an
+expectation on his part of receiving an absolutely frank report from the
+cadet lieutenant.
+
+Instead of making any reply Robert approached the desk at which the
+commandant was sitting and handed him a folded sheet of paper.
+
+"Who were the midshipmen, Mr. Drake? Or did you fail to recognize
+them?" And then after a pause, with a trace of annoyance in his voice
+due to Robert's backwardness in answering his questions, "Or is Grice's
+report incorrect?"
+
+He looked at Robert with surprise as the latter made no effort whatever
+to reply. He then opened the paper and cried out in amazement: "You
+tender your resignation as a midshipman? What does this mean, sir? I
+have asked you certain questions which you do not answer, and then you
+resign. Come, Mr. Drake, explain yourself, sir! First tell me if Grice's
+statement is correct. Do you refuse to answer, sir?"
+
+Still Robert was silent; he looked at the commandant with gloomy,
+troubled eyes.
+
+"Mr. Drake, are you aware of what you are doing? Don't you know that
+persistence in this course will cause your summary dismissal?"
+
+"Don't dismiss him, capting," cried out old Grice, now in great trouble
+about Robert. "He's a fine young gemman, 'deed he is, suh. I'll tell yo'
+who dese young gemmen wuz; he doan' want to tell yo', but I'll tell yo',
+capting, suh; dey wuz Mistah Stonewell and Mistah Harry Blunt, suh. I
+seed 'em, suh, and Mistah Drake seed 'em, and Mistah Drake doan' want
+ter tole yo', suh, becase----"
+
+The commandant jumped from his chair as if he had been shot. "What are
+you talking about? You're demented!" he roughly cried. "Do you know who
+you are talking about? Do you know that Mr. Stonewell is cadet
+commander? Grice, you must be crazy!"
+
+"Yes, suh, capting, suh; beggin' yo' pardin, suh, dat's why I didn't
+tole yo' befoah, suh. I knowed you'd say ole Grice wuz surely crazy; but
+de fax am, capting, that Mistah Stonewell, in his unerform--I counted de
+five gold stripes on his sleeve, suh, at de time--and Mistah Harry
+Blunt, the son of de ole commerdan', at 'bout 'leven 'clock las' night
+tried to steal a zamnation. I seed dem try, and Mistah Drake, he seen
+'em try ter steal it. An' ef yo' doan' believe me, capting, yo' ask
+Mistah Drake; he knows Mistah Stonewell tried to steal the zamnation
+'kase he seen him. Yo' ask Mistah Drake, capting."
+
+"Mr. Drake," cried Commander Dalton, "you have heard this monstrous
+charge; I'm waiting for your indignant denial! Why are you silent? Are
+you mute, when you hear the character of the first midshipman of his
+time so shamefully assailed? You shall answer me! Do you understand that
+this negro says that you and he together saw Mr. Stonewell and Mr. Blunt
+attempt to steal an examination last night? Do you hear that, and are
+you silent, sir?"
+
+Commander Dalton's manner was vehement and intimidating. "What have you
+to say, sir?" he thundered, slamming a clinched fist with a bang on his
+desk.
+
+With parched lips and in trembling accents Robert commenced to speak.
+Four years of the strictest training urged him to yield to the
+commandant's order; but Robert had expected this and had tried to
+prepare himself for it.
+
+"As I have handed in my resignation, sir," he faltered, "I respectfully
+request that I be not asked any questions. This is all I can say, sir."
+The commandant dropped into his chair; he looked sorrowfully at Robert,
+and then in an altered tone said:
+
+"Mr. Drake, you and Mr. Stonewell are close friends, are you not?"
+
+"He has been more to me than a brother could have been, sir," replied
+Robert, in a broken voice. And then in an effort to control his feelings
+he turned his back on the commandant and with blinding tears in his eyes
+looked through the window in front of him at the mournful, steady rain
+without.
+
+Captain Dalton picked up a telephone and said, "Central, give me number
+twenty-seven. Hello, is this Captain Blunt?"
+
+"Yes, the commandant of midshipmen."
+
+"Blunt, can you come to my office immediately? A most serious charge has
+been made against your son."
+
+Then he rang for his orderly and said: "Tell the officer-in-charge I
+won't inspect this morning, and tell him to send Midshipman Blunt to my
+office immediately."
+
+When Harry Blunt walked in the office, instead of his usual debonair
+manner, there was a look of worry and anxiety on his face.
+
+"Wait a few minutes, Mr. Blunt. Beckwith, excuse me while I write
+something."
+
+Harry Blunt glanced at Robert and at the others; several times he looked
+as if he were about to say something, but he did not.
+
+It was not long before Captain Blunt appeared; he jumped out of an
+automobile that had stopped before the Academy steps, and fairly ran up
+them and into the commandant's office. Commander Dalton rose to greet
+him with a worried expression.
+
+"Captain Blunt," he began, "a week ago Mr. Drake reported to me that
+Grice informed him two midshipmen were planning to steal an examination
+in mathematics; I told Mr. Drake to ascertain who these midshipmen were
+if he could. This morning Grice reported to his department head,
+Beckwith, that he and Mr. Drake had caught two midshipmen in the act of
+stealing this examination. Grice was afraid to tell who they were; he
+said Mr. Drake could. I sent for Mr. Drake and asked him who they were,
+and if Grice's statement was true. Instead of replying Mr. Drake hands
+me this paper. Read it. Then Grice made the most astounding statement I
+have ever heard. He says the midshipmen were Mr. Stonewell and Mr. Harry
+Blunt."
+
+"Impossible!" exclaimed Captain Blunt.
+
+"And when Grice made this statement Mr. Drake remained silent, and he
+still remains so."
+
+"Impossible!" again exclaimed Captain Blunt, in an agony of spirit.
+"Harry, my boy, say it is false."
+
+"He cain't, Capting Blunt, he cain't, becase I seed him; an' Mistah
+Drake, he seed him too, suh," broke in old Grice, feeling that he had to
+substantiate his charge. "Mr. Stonewell was in unerform, suh. Mr. Harry
+Blunt wuz in citerzens' close; he had on an ole brown hat and he wore
+whiskers, but I knowed him; I done seen Mr. Harry afore in dem same
+close."
+
+"When and where?" demanded Commander Dalton.
+
+"In Capting Blunt's kitchen, suh; I wuz er passin' by the house at night
+when all midshipmen is supposed to be studyin', and I seed a man in the
+kitchen. I seed him take off dem whiskers and de hat an' I seed it wuz
+Mr. Harry Blunt. Yo' ask him, suh. An' I seed him 'nother time, suh.
+Capting, yo' 'member that time at de theatre, heah, when a man stood up
+in a box an' says, 'Three groans for de superintendent an' commandan''?
+Dat wuz Mistah Harry Blunt too, suh; I wuz dar. I didn't know it at de
+time, but when I seen Mistah Harry in Capting Blunt's kitchen I knowed
+it then, 'cose he had on de same hat an' coat an' whiskers. Ef yo' doan'
+believe me yo' ask him, suh; an' las' night Mistah Stonewell calls him
+Harry. I heard him an' Mistah Drake heard him. An' ef yo' looks in
+Mistah Harry Blunt's room I spect yo'll find them whiskers an' coat."
+
+Beads of perspiration burst out on Captain Blunt's forehead. He tried to
+speak, but his voice choked in his throat. That this disgrace was to
+come upon him after a lifetime of honorable service in the navy was
+hard, but that the pride and hope of his life, his son Harry, could be
+guilty of so vile an act, was an unbearable thought; he looked at Harry.
+Frightened and appealing, the latter cried: "Father, I deny that----"
+
+"Keep still; don't say a word," called out Captain Blunt; then turning
+to the commandant he said: "My son is in a terrible position, Dalton; he
+might be tempted to falsehood. I want to save him from that, at least.
+Before we go any further I want to ask you to have his room searched--I
+would like to be present when it is."
+
+The commandant sent for the officer-in-charge, and directed him to take
+a cadet officer and search Harry Blunt's room. Captain Blunt left with
+the officer-in-charge. It was not long before they returned, and the
+cadet officer carried with him a bundle composed of a citizen's coat,
+hat and trousers, and a false beard.
+
+"Put them on," ordered Captain Blunt, harshly, to his son. The latter
+did so mechanically.
+
+"Will you please send for some midshipman who was at the theatre that
+night?"
+
+"All of the first class were there, and most of the officers. I'll send
+for Mr. Farnum and Mr. Blair."
+
+When these two midshipmen came in, Captain Blunt said: "Take a look at
+this man; have you ever seen him before?"
+
+Blair and Farnum recognized him immediately. The heavy dark pointed
+beard and moustache once seen were not likely to be forgotten,
+particularly when seen under such startling circumstances as they first
+had been at the theatre on the night Penfield played Richard the Third.
+
+"He's the man who gave three groans for the superintendent and
+commandant," cried Farnum, excitedly.
+
+"He's the man, sir; there is no doubt of it," said Blair.
+
+"That will do, gentlemen," returned the commandant; "you will not speak
+of this to any one."
+
+Captain Blunt sat up straight and rigid in his chair; his face had
+turned an ashen gray. The greatest sorrow of his life was upon him. "Mr.
+Drake," he said after a moment, "have you ever seen my son in this
+disguise? Did you detect him trying to steal an examination? I wish a
+direct answer." His voice sounded strange and harsh.
+
+"I have resigned, sir; I request to be excused from answering any
+questions," was Robert's reply.
+
+Commander Dalton looked sorrowfully at his brother officer, but made no
+comment, while Harry Blunt regarded Robert with intense surprise,
+stupefaction, fear and amazement.
+
+Robert, inert and dull, gazing idly out of the window, suddenly gave a
+start and looked up with interest and expectancy as the office door
+was opened, and a midshipman entered.
+
+[Illustration: _"THAT WILL DO, GENTLEMEN"_]
+
+"Good-morning, sir," said the newcomer; "I have to report my return from
+two days' leave."
+
+The midshipman was Stonewell.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+JOHN 15:13
+
+
+With Stonewell's entrance came a silence that was positively painful.
+The commandant looked at him with undisguised loathing. In Captain
+Blunt's face woe unutterable was clearly depicted. Harry Blunt, pale and
+uneasy, regarded him with frightened glance. Robert Drake looked at
+Stonewell with fascinated gaze; he felt that now the end of all things
+at the Naval Academy was to happen.
+
+Stonewell, clear-eyed and calm as usual, looked at Robert, and then
+slowly his eyes traveled and rested upon each person in the room. Never
+had Stonewell appeared better. In his dignified bearing there was not a
+single trace of fear or worry. No response was made to his salutation or
+report. Again he glanced about the room, and getting no response
+inquired, "What is the matter? Am I intruding?"
+
+"What's the matter?" cried the commandant. "Have you the effrontery to
+ask what the matter is?"
+
+"I beg to be so informed," replied Stonewell coolly, after a moment's
+hesitation.
+
+"Read this paper, sir. Do you not know why Mr. Drake has offered his
+resignation?"
+
+Stonewell read the paper; then looked keenly at Robert, then at Captain
+Blunt and Harry; things seemed to explain themselves and he merely said,
+"Ah," as if it were in response to some unspoken thought of his own.
+
+"Where were you last night at eleven o'clock, Mr. Stonewell?"
+
+"In Washington, sir; I spent the day in Princeton, New Jersey, and
+returned to Washington at seven o'clock."
+
+An angry exclamation left the commandant's lips. Again his closed fist
+banged the desk.
+
+"Mr. Stonewell!"
+
+"Sir?"
+
+"Last night, shortly after eleven o'clock, Mr. Drake and this man Grice
+caught two midshipmen in the act of stealing an examination. Mr. Drake
+knows who these midshipmen are, but resigns rather than give their
+names. But we know them. One of these midshipmen was disguised. Mr.
+Blunt, put on your false beard and your hat."
+
+Harry Blunt did so, shamefacedly enough.
+
+"Look at this man; have you ever seen him before?" thundered the
+commandant, in scornful tones, leaning over his desk.
+
+Stonewell looked at Harry, then at Robert, and then at Captain Blunt.
+Again Stonewell said "Ah," and further remarked, "Now I understand."
+
+"Answer my question, sir," fairly shouted Commander Dalton. "Did you
+ever before see a person who looked as Mr. Blunt does now?"
+
+"Yes, sir. The man who gave three groans for the superintendent and
+commandant that night in the Colonial Theatre was evidently Mr. Blunt in
+disguise. I didn't know it at the time, but evidently my roommate did.
+This accounts for his past inveterate hostility to Mr. Blunt. He never
+told me about it, and I have been puzzled at his strong dislike for Mr.
+Blunt. From what you have said I imagine that Mr. Blunt was one of the
+two midshipmen caught by Mr. Drake. I now see what the trouble is. Mr.
+Drake will not tell because of his gratitude to Captain Blunt."
+
+"Mr. Stonewell," burst out the commandant, "have you descended to the
+bottom of the pit of hypocrisy and infamy? Do you add lying to your
+other crimes, sir?"
+
+"Do I add lying to my other crimes?" repeated Stonewell. "These are
+strange questions, Captain Dalton; will you please tell me in what way I
+have been infamous and a hypocrite? What are those other crimes, and in
+what respect have I lied?" Indignation with ringing force was in
+Stonewell's voice as he looked steadily and unflinchingly at the
+commandant.
+
+"Grice," said Captain Dalton, turning to the negro, "did you and Mr.
+Drake see Mr. Blunt trying to steal an examination last night?"
+
+"Yes, sir," eagerly replied Grice; "we done catched him, suh, an' Mistah
+Stonewell was with him, suh; Mistah Drake wasn't six feet from Mistah
+Stonewell when I turned on de 'lectric light, suh; dere ain't no
+mistake, capting. Mistah Harry Blunt was dere disguised, but I knowed
+'im. An' Mistah Stonewell was dere; he wuz in his unerform, gold
+stripes an' all."
+
+"Mr. Drake," said the commandant turning to Robert, "I will once more
+order you either to deny that Mr. Stonewell was there last night or to
+admit it."
+
+Robert looked at his beloved friend. Never had Stonewell appeared more
+manly, more forceful. Character and greatness of soul seemed to radiate
+from him, and it almost seemed that midshipman though he was, the others
+present were dwarfed into insignificance.
+
+With unmoved expression and with a clear, straightforward gaze Stonewell
+returned Robert's look, and smiled; smiled as though to assure him that
+all was well; Robert felt pity mingle with his deep affection for his
+erring friend, and confused as he was and knowing that Stonewell was
+guilty, there was yet something so noble, so fearless in Stonewell's
+bearing that a hope leaped up in him that his friend was not without
+some justification for his act, impossible as it was to imagine what it
+could be.
+
+"Do you deny that you detected Mr. Stonewell last night trying to steal
+an examination?"
+
+"As I have resigned I respectfully request to be excused from answering
+questions," replied Robert in a breaking voice.
+
+"Mr. Stonewell, I shall recommend your immediate dismissal for
+scandalous conduct, and you too, Mr. Blunt. Mr. Drake will be dismissed
+for disobedience of orders. Mr. Stonewell, your crimes have found you
+out. You, the most esteemed midshipman of your time, have turned out to
+be but a sorry hypocrite, an impostor. You, a shameful, dishonorable man
+to wear a naval uniform, to represent your country? Never! Oh, that I
+had never come to this place! What is to be hoped for our navy when the
+midshipman we are most proud of turns out to be a hypocrite and a
+cheat?"
+
+The commandant spoke with, warm, intense feeling. He paused for a
+moment, and then contemptuously said: "You are as brazen as you are
+false. Your position was so high that I cannot imagine what could have
+induced you, even though you are devoid of honor, to have so acted. And
+now that you are found out I cannot help but wonder--I would like to
+know what excuse, what explanation you can offer, and what your
+thoughts are at this moment."
+
+While the commandant spoke, Stonewell stood proudly erect before him. He
+neither cringed nor for a moment took his eyes from the commandant's
+face. Over at one side stood Robert, now utterly collapsed.
+
+Stonewell fearlessly looked the commandant through and through, and then
+he looked at Robert. There was almost a break in his voice when in tones
+showing not a trace of resentment for the commandant's scathing,
+contemptuous words, but instead full of unutterable affection, he said
+softly to the commandant, but looking at Robert: "I cannot tell you what
+my thoughts at this moment are, sir, but I will tell Drake later."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+COMMANDER DALTON BECOMES ANGRY
+
+
+"This matter isn't settled yet, sir," continued Stonewell. "A man
+accused has a right to offer a defense: I insist on that right. First, I
+am not guilty. I shall have no trouble in proving my innocence. I shall
+leave your office for a few minutes and will return with the proof of
+that innocence. And as I have been charged with scandalous acts in the
+presence of everybody here in your office, I have to request that they
+all remain until I return and that no further action be taken until I am
+back."
+
+"Just a moment, Mr. Stonewell," called out the commandant, but the
+former, paying no attention to this order, hurriedly left the office.
+
+Commander Dalton looked undecided. "I don't understand this at all. Mr.
+Stonewell should not have left at this time."
+
+"I think you had better let him go, Dalton; he is entitled to present a
+defense if he has one," observed Captain Blunt.
+
+"Of course, but he had the opportunity right here; Blunt, do you wish to
+question your son?"
+
+"After Mr. Stonewell returns I would like a chance to talk privately
+with Harry and with Mr. Drake."
+
+"Father," started Harry Blunt, appealingly, "I will admit that----"
+
+"Keep quiet, will you?" interrupted his father fiercely. "Dalton, I
+don't want my boy to say a word. Look at him; he is entirely unstrung,
+and in his condition I fear he may be tempted to untruth. Bad as things
+are, I must save him from that if I can."
+
+"Father," pleaded Harry, imploringly, "let me speak--I deny that----"
+
+"Harry, don't say a word. There is no hurry about this; Dalton, have you
+any objection to my having a private talk now with my son?"
+
+"None at all, Captain Blunt. Take him into this rear office."
+
+When the captain passed Robert on his way to the rear office, he said to
+him sadly: "Mr. Drake, don't hesitate to tell the facts; you have
+proved you will not tell an untruth, that you will resign sooner than do
+so. But don't spoil your whole career by trying to defend one so
+unworthy as my son has proved to be. And if you have any notion, as
+implied by Mr. Stonewell's words, that you are under obligations to me,
+I assure you there is no such debt; and even if you feel that there is
+one, I freely absolve you from it. Come, Mr. Drake, have you seen Harry
+in that disguise? Was he the one guilty of that shameful insult to the
+superintendent and commandant? Did you detect a person in that disguise
+in the act of stealing an examination last night? These are now my
+questions, Mr. Drake, not the commandant's; I beg of you to answer them
+frankly."
+
+"Thank you, Captain Blunt," replied Robert, huskily; "but I have
+resigned, and I request to be excused from answering questions." Captain
+Blunt passed out of the room with his son. Commander Beckwith now
+excused himself for a few minutes, and there remained in the room only
+Robert, Grice and the commandant. The latter busied himself writing,
+with never a glance at Robert. Old Grice rolled his eyes, fearfully
+apprehending some disaster to himself.
+
+All the midshipmen were out of the building, and absolute stillness,
+save for the mournful tick-tock of the clock, reigned in Bancroft Hall.
+Outside the rain came down steadily, and Robert Drake felt burdened with
+a hopeless sadness. He now fully realized that his silence would in no
+way help or save Stonewell or Harry Blunt; that its only result would be
+his own dismissal; and yet there was not in his mind any tinge of regret
+that he had refused to disclose what he knew. Better to go out and
+commence over again than to stay in by taking part in the disgrace of
+Stonewell and Captain Blunt's son. In regard to Stonewell, Robert's mind
+was in a state of disordered confusion. Stonewell's manner and bearing
+were at utter variance with the idea of guilt; as much so as had been
+his previous character. And it was inconceivable that anything
+imaginable could have induced him to steal an examination. And so the
+long minutes passed with Robert's mind going through a bewildered maze.
+
+Commander Beckwith was the first to return, saying as he came in the
+door: "I have been with the officer-in-charge; but I see Mr. Stonewell
+is returning; he'll be here in a moment."
+
+"Come in the office, please," called out the commandant, to Captain
+Blunt, and when the latter returned accompanied by Harry, he looked
+about as bewildered and perplexed as he did before he left.
+
+When Stonewell left the commandant's office it was at a dead run.
+Outside of Bancroft Hall he gave no heed to the "Keep-off-the-grass"
+signs; he plunged over the lawn toward Maryland Avenue gate at more than
+football speed. Just outside the gate was a public automobile. He jumped
+into it crying: "Conduit Street. Rush for your life; I'll double your
+fare."
+
+When Stonewell returned to the commandant's office, he was followed by
+another young man in midshipman's uniform. And strange to say the young
+man's coat had five golden stripes on his sleeve--strange because there
+is but one cadet commander at a time at the Naval Academy.
+
+"Captain, this is my brother, Frank Stonewell," said Stonewell simply.
+
+"Your brother, Frank Stonewell!" ejaculated Commander Dalton, in tones
+of stupefied amazement, "Your brother, Frank Stonewell!" he repeated in
+the same manner. He looked at Stonewell and then at his brother Frank
+and was speechless.
+
+"Oh, Stone!" cried Robert Drake, with joy radiating his face. "Oh,
+Stone, how could I have doubted you?"
+
+"Mr. Drake, I don't blame you for mistaking Mr. Frank Stonewell for his
+brother; if that is what you did," finally said the commandant; for the
+likeness of the two brothers was marvelous, and the resemblance even
+extended to the tones of their voices. They were of the same height and
+build. Frank Stonewell had the same expression, the same features as had
+his brother. Seeing them together one could detect a difference, but
+apart one would certainly be taken for the other.
+
+"I was in Washington last night, sir. I spent the night at the house of
+my congressman, Mr. Blake. We were talking together between ten and
+eleven o'clock. You will have no trouble in ascertaining whether or not
+this statement is correct. My brother was in Annapolis at that time. He
+has been here for some weeks, living in Conduit Street. I have not told
+him why he was wanted here nor have we talked about what may have
+happened last night. Perhaps he may imagine. Whatever he may have done,
+I believe you may accept his statement as truthful."
+
+"Will you please tell me, sir, what you are doing in that uniform?"
+demanded the commandant in a stern tone.
+
+"I was sitting in my room when my brother John bolted in and pulled me
+out in a rush. He gave me no time to change."
+
+"Where did you get that uniform?"
+
+"Oh, it's John's. He has come out frequently to see me and brought it
+over one day. It's much more comfortable to sit about in than that
+bobtailed stiff jacket midshipmen wear."
+
+"Humph! Two midshipmen were seen stealing an examination last night. One
+was recognized to be your brother. What have you to say to that, sir?"
+
+"Do you believe that, sir?"
+
+"I believe it to such an extent that I told him he would be dismissed
+from the Naval Academy for scandalous crimes. I accused him also of
+lying and of being a shameless hypocrite."
+
+"I think you have an apology to make, captain, if that is your title,"
+remarked Frank Stonewell, in great good nature. "John was in Washington
+last night. And John isn't that kind of a fellow; evidently you don't
+know him."
+
+"Well, if your brother didn't do it, then you did."
+
+"You may find some trouble in proving that."
+
+"Mr. Drake, was this the man you saw last night?" shouted the commandant
+angrily to Robert.
+
+Before he had finished his question, Stonewell said quickly to his
+brother, in a low imperative tone: "Acknowledge it, Frank. Don't force
+Drake either to refuse to answer or to tell on you."
+
+"I was the man, I acknowledge it," quickly interposed Frank Stonewell.
+
+"You are a brother to be proud of, aren't you?" announced the commandant
+scornfully. "In your brother's absence, donning his uniform, you
+committed a despicable act, trusting if caught that his uniform and the
+marked resemblance you bear to him would throw the blame and shame on
+him."
+
+"Not at all, captain," replied Frank Stonewell, in an easy manner as one
+talking socially with a friend; and it was a sharp contrast to the
+deference and crisp military replies of the others. "Not at all; you
+mistake the purpose of my wearing his uniform. It was to permit me to be
+about the grounds and buildings at night; as a civilian the watchmen
+would have fired me out; but rigged up in this way I would never be
+questioned. And as for throwing blame or shame on him; before he came
+for me this morning I knew I might have been seen and mistaken for him.
+No blame could come to him because I have been ready to acknowledge the
+facts."
+
+"You are brazen, sir; you have done a shameful deed, you have disgraced
+your brother. But I am glad to know that the shame I thought was his
+belongs to you. I am indeed relieved to know he is guiltless. I pity
+him for the burden of disgrace in having such a brother."
+
+"Pardon me, captain. This is something of an academic question. What may
+be shameful for John or any other midshipman is not necessarily so to a
+civilian owing no allegiance to your Naval Academy. I have never lied or
+cheated, I have never broken a promise--I have never done a dishonorable
+act. I admit having engaged in some quiet larks at college, and other
+places--this is one of them, that's all."
+
+"You are a burglar; you could be sent to prison."
+
+"Oh, I think not, captain; I think you'd have hard work to convince any
+jury of that."
+
+The commandant was furious; Frank Stonewell was cool and entirely
+self-possessed and not at all intimidated. None of the others present
+attempted to say a word. Robert Drake listened with absorbing interest.
+A great load had been lifted from him, and in spite of his own
+unfortunate position great happiness had suddenly come to him in the
+knowledge that John Stonewell's character was as clean and true as he
+had always believed it to be.
+
+"If you have cleared your brother, Mr. Frank Stonewell, there is one
+person you cannot clear, and that is the contemptible midshipman who was
+with you," vehemently exclaimed the commandant.
+
+Frank Stonewell was silent.
+
+"Do you deny, sir, that a midshipman accompanied you last night?"
+
+"I will answer only such questions as concern myself," replied Frank
+decidedly.
+
+"I know your companion, sir, and I'll show him to you." And turning
+abruptly toward Harry Blunt he exclaimed, "Come over here, and let Mr.
+Frank Stonewell look at you."
+
+As Frank looked up into Harry Blunt's face, he said coolly enough, "Who
+are you?"
+
+"Who is he?" almost shouted Commander Dalton. "Do you mean to say you
+don't know who he is?"
+
+"I never saw him before in my life. What has he to do with this matter?"
+
+"He's Harry, the Harry you spoke to last night."
+
+"Harry? Harry who? I never spoke to him in my life."
+
+"He's the Harry of the false beard, the Harry who proposed three groans
+for the superintendent and commandant, the Harry who accompanied you
+last night, for whom you tried to steal an examination."
+
+"Oh, I think not. I don't know who this chap is; he was not with me last
+night; I never saw him before. Look here, captain, I hope you navigate
+better than you investigate," rejoined Frank Stonewell, in a disgusted
+tone; "if you don't I fear you will bump into every rock that is hanging
+about loose."
+
+"Mr. Stonewell," said Commander Dalton to the cadet commander, "you told
+me your brother would speak the truth. Now, Mr. Frank Stonewell," he
+continued, "your companion was a midshipman disguised in this beard and
+with this coat and hat on. He was recognized by this colored man who had
+seen Mr. Harry Blunt at one time remove this disguise. There is every
+reason to believe that Mr. Drake had previously seen Mr. Blunt in this
+disguise. Mr. Drake evidently believed he saw your brother last night,
+and also Mr. Blunt, but he has refused to answer about either, for
+which he will be dismissed. I will add that this disguise was found in
+Mr. Blunt's room. Now, what have you to say about this matter?"
+
+Frank, with all the appearance of keen interest, listened to the
+commandant. "I would say that Drake is a bully good chap," he burst out
+enthusiastically, "a fellow to tie to; this must be a queer place if you
+fire such a fellow for standing by a chum. John has told me that Drake
+was the very best fellow who ever lived," he ran on. "I guess he's all
+right," and Frank looked over at Robert and gave him a friendly nod.
+
+The commandant looked the rage he felt and no doubt would have liked to
+inflict the punishment of double irons upon this insolent, effervescent
+trifler. He darted an extinguishing glance upon him and turned toward
+Captain Blunt and said:
+
+"Captain Blunt, I can get nothing from this man. Do you wish to ask him
+any questions?"
+
+"I do indeed, Dalton. Mr. Stonewell, Mr. Blunt is my son. He stands
+accused of having attempted, while in your company, and while in this
+disguise, to steal an examination. My son admits that the disguise is
+his property, and has been for months; but he most solemnly assures me
+he was not with you last night, that he was not out of this building
+after seven o'clock. For this offense, of which you say he is guiltless,
+he stands recommended to be dismissed. Now I call upon you to state who
+was the man that was with you."
+
+"Your son was not with me; I shall make no further statement than that."
+
+"Do you mean that you would allow an innocent person to be punished?"
+
+"I mean I will tell the truth. I never saw your son to my knowledge till
+I entered this office. If after my statement the authorities dismiss him
+the fault is theirs, not mine. I should regret to see this done, but I
+shall not try to find somebody to take his place."
+
+"But how do you account for my son being recognized as the person with
+you?"
+
+Frank Stonewell seized the hat and beard and quickly hooked the latter
+over his ears. He then suddenly assumed a bent-over position and leaning
+over toward Grice said: "Did you ever see me before?"
+
+"Fer goodness' sake, suh, I does berlieve yo' wuz de young gemman in
+dose whiskers."
+
+Tossing the hat and beard to one side Frank Stonewell laughed and said:
+"It was the beard and hat that were recognized, not your son, sir."
+Hardly had he spoken when the door of the commandant's office opened,
+and a midshipman entered unannounced.
+
+"What is it, sir? Why do you enter my office without permission?"
+inquired the commandant.
+
+"I think I'm needed in this investigation, sir," replied the midshipman,
+a tall, broad-shouldered young man, athletic of build, of rather
+pleasant features, and with stern resolution written in his face.
+
+"I am Midshipman Bligh of the fourth class."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+ROBERT FINALLY ANSWERS
+
+
+"What is it, sir?" demanded the commandant, sternly, of Midshipman
+Bligh.
+
+The latter hesitated for a moment, as if uncertain how best to express
+himself.
+
+"I--I--have heard that some--that some civilian clothing and a false
+beard were found in Mr. Blunt's room this morning--I learned Mr. Blunt
+was in your office--and a little while ago I saw Mr. Frank Stonewell
+come into the building with his brother. I have thought that perhaps Mr.
+Blunt is charged with having used that disguise last night; is that so,
+sir?"
+
+"It is; what do you know about the affair, sir?" returned the
+commandant, looking fixedly at Bligh, while Frank Stonewell regarded him
+with friendly approval in his expressive face.
+
+"Mr. Blunt is not guilty, sir. I was in possession last night of the
+things found this morning in his room."
+
+"And did you accompany Mr. Frank Stonewell in an attempt to steal the
+examination last night, sir?"
+
+"I am guilty of having made that attempt, sir."
+
+"Mr. Blunt is also charged with being the person who proposed the three
+groans for the superintendent and commandant. Were you guilty of that,
+too, sir?"
+
+"I was, sir."
+
+When Bligh said this Captain Blunt was undoubtedly the happiest person
+in the room; he seemed to relax from the strain and tension he had been
+on for the past hour; and it is likely that a more crestfallen young man
+than Robert Drake would have been hard to find. Relieved as the latter
+was, he felt abjectly foolish. He had made a most needless sacrifice; he
+had jumped to conclusions and had been entirely wrong.
+
+The commandant was silent for a few moments, apparently lost in thought.
+He finally remarked: "Mr. Bligh, do you know that this confession of
+yours will cause your dismissal from the Naval Academy?"
+
+"Yes, sir," replied Bligh, simply.
+
+"I suppose that you do this to save Mr. Blunt; was this your reason?"
+
+"That was only an incidental cause, sir; the real reason was I wanted to
+do one decent thing at the Naval Academy. I have done so many things
+that I am not proud of; and I want to justify Frank Stonewell's belief
+that there is some good in me. I have had a hard time here, sir. I
+commenced wrong, and I have been punished severely--for months not one
+single midshipman at the Academy has spoken a friendly word to me. Then
+some weeks ago I met Frank Stonewell, and somehow I opened up my heart
+to him--I was in a bad way at that time; but he made me feel I was not
+hopelessly bad; it is hard lines, sir, to be made an outcast, a pariah,
+by one's classmates."
+
+"I see," remarked the commandant, a bit unbelieving and skeptical;
+"apparently Mr. Frank Stonewell stirred up the good that was in you and
+the direct stirring up resulted in your shameful act of last night. I
+sincerely hope Mr. Frank Stonewell will not try to stir up any more good
+at the Naval Academy. But, Mr. Bligh, you at least seem disposed to
+tell the truth. I wish to get to the bottom of this whole affair. Tell
+me how you got hold of Mr. Blunt's disguise. Did he know of it?"
+
+"No, sir. My room is next to the divisional officer's office, on the
+ground floor. Late one night, months ago, while I was getting a glass of
+water, I observed Mr. Blunt enter that office. Two hours later I saw Mr.
+Blunt, in disguise, come over the terrace and soon I saw him leave the
+office. I didn't understand it at first, but suddenly it flashed over me
+that Mr. Blunt kept civilian clothes somewhere in his divisional
+officer's office. Then I knew it was Mr. Blunt in disguise, and not a
+civilian, who had left and entered that office by the window. So later I
+took a wax impression and had a key made for the door of that office; I
+went in one night and found on top of the wardrobe (it is a regular
+midshipman's wardrobe) the coat, hat and false beard,--well, that's
+about all, sir. I used them several times besides the twice you know
+of."
+
+"That's enough, quite enough to dismiss you from the Naval Academy. I am
+glad indeed finally to have arrived at the facts. The one thing I cannot
+understand is that after these shameful acts you should talk such
+twaddle about wanting to prove there is some good in you. Faugh! There's
+no good in a cheat, and your attempt to steal that examination was
+caused by a desire to cheat. You can't convince me there's anything
+particularly good in you by what you have done in the last twenty-four
+hours."
+
+"I have no hope of convincing you of anything, sir, except that I and
+not Midshipman Blunt am guilty of the offenses charged to him. If I have
+done that, sir, I am entirely satisfied. I admit that my intention was
+to cheat, but the purpose was to pass the examination, not to pass
+higher than some rival. It was pretty bad, but not so bad as for a
+midshipman who is satisfactory to cheat for the purpose of getting
+higher rank. Now as for my purpose in coming before you--I don't know of
+any way you could have proved, without my own voluntary confession, that
+I and not Mr. Blunt was guilty. Cadet Commander Stonewell has spurned
+me. Mr. Blunt has repeatedly treated me with contempt. This resulted
+from my own unfortunate start here; I don't say it wasn't my fault, but
+I do say that I have been given no chance to retrieve myself. Every one
+here seemed to be against me--this was a new experience to me, sir.
+Every day was full of bitterness and unhappiness. I could not feel I was
+so entirely worthless! The groans I proposed were a bubbling over of
+this bitterness; it was not personal to either the superintendent or
+yourself. At a time when I was ready to do anything vile Mr. Frank
+Stonewell got hold of me and he has made a different man of me, at least
+in my own feelings. I have a self-respect now that I had been without
+for months. In spite of last night's act, I submit, sir, that this
+voluntary statement should show you I am not entirely bad; and what is
+more important to me, I believe it will prove to Mr. Frank Stonewell
+that I am on the square."
+
+"What is your purpose in telling me all of this stuff, Mr. Bligh?"
+
+"Sir, I want to get a fresh grip on myself; I hope to live a
+self-respecting life, to make an honorable place for myself in civil
+life. Can't you see, sir, that I don't want the stigma, the disgrace of
+dishonorable expulsion from here just as I commence civil life? Sir, I
+request to be allowed to resign instead of being dismissed. I want a
+chance, sir; I've done mean things here, but even if it is the last
+moment, I've repented; I've done what I could to clear Mr. Blunt."
+
+"There's something in what you say, Mr. Bligh. I deprecate your wrong
+actions, but I acknowledge you have shown the proper spirit this
+morning. Now write out a statement of just what your actions have been,
+and append to it your resignation. I will endorse this, giving you
+credit for your proper act of this morning. Whether you will be allowed
+to resign or be dismissed will be decided by the superintendent. I
+regret you have had such a hard time here; I should be pleased to learn
+that from now on you will live a good life. That will do, sir."
+
+Bligh left the room.
+
+"Not altogether bad, is he, captain?" remarked Frank Stonewell, nodding
+approvingly at the captain. "I knew he would come up like a man when the
+time came."
+
+"I'll have nothing to say to you, sir; I consider your ideas of right
+and wrong have but a shadowy boundary between them. I'll not detain you
+in my office any longer," snapped Commander Dalton.
+
+"Good-day, sir," and with an easy, friendly smile for all Frank
+Stonewell left.
+
+The commandant drew a long breath. "Now, Mr. Blunt," he said, "you are
+cleared of the worst charges that have been made against you; I desire
+you to make a frank statement of your connection with that disguise."
+
+"Captain, I owned it; the disguise is mine. You know, sir, that
+midshipmen do lots of things that are not discovered; if a fellow would
+cheat or do anything dishonorable, none of his classmates would speak to
+him; but if he were to 'French' as I have done, he would not lose caste.
+There are many offenses here of a military nature that a midshipman
+might commit which would be severely punished by the authorities if he
+were detected, and yet at which most midshipmen would smile. Well, sir,
+I have never cheated nor done anything dishonorable; but I did have this
+disguise and 'Frenched' out in Annapolis several times with it on. I did
+not propose the three groans that night at the theatre and I was not
+out of this building last night after seven o'clock."
+
+"Captain Blunt," resumed the commandant, "I don't mind saying that I am
+more relieved than it is possible to express. Now, Mr. Blunt, did you
+never fear detection? I am rather interested in this matter."
+
+"Yes, sir. Captain, do you remember the Sunday morning you invited me to
+dine with you?"
+
+"I do, indeed. I recall that at first you were tongue-tied and acted
+queerly; then you gushed out words that didn't have much sense. That was
+the next day after the three groans were proposed at the theatre. I
+remember it well."
+
+"The night before, sir, Saturday night, I went after my disguise
+intending to use it, and it was missing. When you called me up I was
+scared; I thought I was found out. Evidently Mr. Bligh had taken it, but
+I didn't know or imagine he had."
+
+"Who did you imagine had taken the things?"
+
+"I just couldn't imagine, except that some servant might have stolen the
+disguise, and then thought better of it and put it back. But no trouble
+came to me about it, so I didn't worry."
+
+"When you heard about the man in the theatre proposing the three groans,
+didn't you recognize from his description that it was somebody with your
+disguise on?"
+
+"Why, no, sir. People said it was some cit. I never gave particular
+thought to that affair."
+
+"Mr. Blunt, you as a third classman have already received one hundred
+and forty-seven demerits--I have looked up your record. As a third
+classman you may receive in the year two hundred and fifty demerits
+without being unsatisfactory in conduct. For having civilian clothes in
+possession you will receive fifty demerits, and for having been absent
+from academic limits, fifty more. That leaves you only three to run on,
+but the end of the year is at hand and you should be able to do it.
+Further, I shall recommend that you be deprived of your September leave.
+I am sorry, Captain Blunt," he continued, "to punish your son so
+severely, but if this had occurred while you were commandant I don't
+believe you would have been more lenient."
+
+"His actions merit dismissal, Dalton; you have been more than merciful,"
+replied Captain Blunt grimly. "But at the same time I am glad that my
+son is not guilty of dishonorable acts, and also that he is not to be
+dismissed. But, Harry, clear up one more thing. How did those things
+happen to be found in your room?"
+
+"Last night, father, I got to worrying about that disguise and at about
+midnight I went to the office and got them. I intended to take them out
+in town to-day. Just as I got into my room Mr. Drake came in and asked
+where Mr. Stonewell was, and saw the coat, hat and beard. Drake looked
+wild; I guess he didn't have much sleep last----"
+
+"That's enough, Harry; you're getting a bit too loquacious," interrupted
+the young man's father.
+
+During all of this talk Stonewell and Robert were both silent and yet
+rapt listeners. Not one word had they exchanged, but at times Stonewell
+regarded Robert with an expression of deep affection, full of concern.
+And Robert was so full of self-disgust and shame that he dared not look
+either his roommate or Captain Blunt in the face. He felt that his own
+action had been simply ridiculous; that instead of heroism he had been
+guilty of foolishness.
+
+"Now, Dalton," remarked Captain Blunt, and his face assumed a look of
+intense earnestness and feeling, "everything has come out well for Mr.
+Stonewell and for my son. I hope you will pardon me for speaking for Mr.
+Drake. I realize, of course, his offense; and I know that for this
+offense you will be justified in inflicting any punishment up to
+dismissal. I am of course aware of your duties as commandant, of the
+imperative necessity that discipline must be maintained. And I agree
+that he has committed a most serious offense. But, Dalton," and here
+Captain Blunt's voice, rugged veteran though he was, broke with emotion,
+and in husky tones he continued, "Dalton, Mr. Drake's offense arose from
+sentiments that do credit to his heart--his idea was to spare me from
+sorrow--and he could not force himself to testify against his roommate.
+Dalton, is this not a case for mercy? He not only tried to save my boy
+for my sake, but three years ago he saved my own life. Dalton--I make a
+personal plea for mercy."
+
+Commander Dalton's eyes were shining very bright. He looked at Robert
+with an expression that caused him to feel that at least his judge was
+sympathetic.
+
+"Mr. Drake," he began, "if a midshipman persists in disobedience to the
+commandant's orders, if he persists in refusing to answer the
+commandant's questions, he must be dismissed; no other action is
+possible. You have been asked certain questions which you have not yet
+answered; and by now you have had plenty of time to decide your answers.
+I will repeat my questions. Did you last night detect Cadet Commander
+Stonewell in an attempt to steal an examination?"
+
+"Sir?" gasped Robert, a flood of joy surging through him.
+
+"Did you, Mr. Drake?"
+
+"I thought I did, sir, but I was mistaken; I know now it was his
+brother, Frank Stonewell," stammered Robert, realizing the purport of
+the commandant's question, yet hardly able to answer through sheer
+happiness.
+
+"Did you, Mr. Drake, detect Mr. Harry Blunt in an attempt to steal an
+examination last night?"
+
+"I thought I did, sir, but I was mistaken. I know now it was Midshipman
+Bligh whom I saw."
+
+Commander Dalton smiled happily. "I think this disposes of Mr. Drake's
+case," he remarked. "Now, Mr. Blunt, my advice to you is to walk a chalk
+mark the rest of your time here. Mr. Stonewell, I am sure you will
+forgive my words. I was mistaken, of course, and was under great
+feeling. You can hardly be happier over the final outcome than I am. I
+will turn your brother's case over to you to handle; he is beyond me. I
+can but say I envy you the friend you possess. Evidently Mr. Drake would
+sacrifice his career rather than contribute to his friend's disgrace.
+And yet he could not lie, even to save that friend. Gentlemen, we've had
+a hard morning, and deep feelings have been stirred. I think this is
+all. Captain Blunt, are you ready to leave?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+"BLIGH, BLIGH, BLIGH!"
+
+
+That Sunday afternoon the Naval Academy was in an uproar, for the
+complete history of Harry Blunt's disguise had become known to all
+midshipmen, and every one of them was fascinated and intensely amused at
+his daring.
+
+It was not the commandant's intention that the facts should become
+generally known. But Harry Blunt never yet had been very amenable to
+orders. First he told two or three intimates under strict injunctions of
+secrecy, and each of these told three or four of their close friends in
+confidence; and in this strictly confidential way the history of Harry
+Blunt's disguise became known before dinner was over to every midshipman
+of the brigade.
+
+Now the stern officers who inculcate discipline and a few other things
+on the minds and character of midshipmen know that these young
+gentlemen should have been pained and grieved to learn that one of their
+number had left a disguise in the office of the dreaded
+officer-in-charge of the first division of midshipmen; in that office
+where demerits were assigned and daily preachments were solemnly made to
+erring midshipmen. And we know they should have been dismayed that yet
+another one had proposed three groans for the highest authorities at the
+Naval Academy. But to be candid one is compelled to admit that the
+midshipmen's sentiments on these matters were far otherwise.
+
+Indeed, the fact is Bligh's audacity thrilled and fascinated every
+midshipman of the brigade. It came as a violent shock; and after the
+thrill came amazement, and then uproarious laughter.
+
+That a midshipman should have kept civilian clothes for months right
+under the nose of an austere lieutenant-commander touched the brigade's
+"funny bone."
+
+It was felt that Harry Blunt had a good joke on that
+lieutenant-commander. Toward Bligh there suddenly developed great
+admiration. His proposing groans for the superintendent and the
+commandant was the most audacious thing that had happened in the memory
+of any midshipman then at Annapolis. And his frank assumption of the
+guilt of the acts charged against Third Classman Blunt, a man with whom
+he had been on the worst of terms, suddenly awoke all midshipmen to a
+belief that the despised Bligh had not merited the obloquy so
+universally cast upon him.
+
+"Poor beggar," remarked Glassfell to Farnum, "he was only a plebe, and
+hadn't yet been educated up to the niceties of honor. He was only trying
+to save himself from bilging; and he hasn't been treated decently here,
+that's a fact. But what unparalleled nerve! Goodness! The idea of his
+standing up and shouting out those groans! Well, I think a good many of
+us have groaned more than once at the superintendent and commandant!"
+and Glassfell chuckled.
+
+When Harry Blunt left the commandant's office that Sunday morning he
+went straight to Bligh's room.
+
+"Bligh," he cried, "you are white, and by jingo! everybody in this
+Academy is going to know it before night. I've treated you badly, Bligh,
+right from the start; and when I think of what you did this
+morning--well, I'm ashamed of myself, that's how I feel. Look here,
+Bligh, would you shake hands?"
+
+"Do you mean that, Blunt?" exclaimed Bligh, joyfully, his face aglow
+with happiness.
+
+"Mean it? I'm proud to be your friend if you will only let me!" and
+these two young men who had so long cherished bitter feelings against
+each other jumped into a warm, generous friendship.
+
+With the tale of Bligh's audacity went everywhere the story of how he
+had saved Blunt. And midshipmen were touched deeply in suddenly
+realizing the sad, lonely, ostracized life Bligh had led; of the
+generosity of conduct by one so universally despised. And thus there was
+a reaction by leaps and bounds of generous feeling toward that once
+unhappiest of young men.
+
+Bligh's character was hardly changed in these few days; the strongest
+thing in it was still a desire for applause, and he fairly drank in the
+kindly words that were now profusely showered upon him. The direct
+effect was to make him tremendously happy; Bligh really had never been
+hopelessly vicious, unwarrantable as had been some of his acts. And no
+midshipman had ever lived a sadder life at the Naval Academy. And the
+sudden change from ostracism to popularity overwhelmed him with
+happiness and filled him with ambition to merit the kindly feelings that
+went with him in his final days at Annapolis.
+
+On the following Wednesday Bligh received an official letter from the
+Secretary of the Navy with the curt information that his resignation as
+midshipman had been accepted, and so the fear of disgraceful dismissal
+vanished. He was to reënter civil life without the stigma of expulsion
+from the naval service. He was all packed up and left on the afternoon
+train.
+
+Beside him in the car sat Frank Stonewell.
+
+"Stonewell," remarked Bligh, "you will never know the good you've done
+me; you came to me with your friendship when I had no friend and when I
+needed one badly. I was going to the dogs and hated everybody; you
+helped to restore my self-respect and gave me a hope I might be of some
+account after all. I'm going to try to live right from now on, to make a
+point of deserving friends."
+
+"You're all right, Harry," replied Frank Stonewell; "you just needed to
+get a good grip on yourself; you had the academic regulations and
+standards on the brain when I first met you; you were actually morbid
+about them. Perhaps I pushed my defiance of them a little too far when I
+played the last trick, but I love to dare. However, it's all a phase of
+life. But, I say, Bligh, look out there! What are all those midshipmen
+running into the station for?"
+
+"Oh, that's Blunt and a lot of third and fourth classmen. I guess they
+had a late dress parade and are trying to get to this train to bid
+somebody good-bye. Probably some girl is aboard whom they all like."
+
+"All aboard!" shouted the conductor.
+
+Then came a sharp cry in staccato words, from the well-known voice of
+Harry Blunt. "Four N yell, fellows," he cried, just before the train
+started.
+
+And then from over a hundred throats came a well-known Naval Academy
+shout, as follows:
+
+       "N N N N
+        A A A A
+        V V V V
+        Y Y Y Y
+        Navy--
+        Bligh, Bligh, Bligh."
+
+It was in this way, and with this shout tingling in his ears, that Bligh
+left Annapolis. His eyes glistened. A mist swam before them. A moment
+later he turned to his companion and said: "Frank, I've heard that same
+call before--but I'd given up all hope of ever hearing it again--I can't
+tell you what it means to me--but it seems as if those good chaps have
+forgotten scores of mean things and have remembered the one decent thing
+I did at Annapolis."
+
+Three years later a recent Princeton graduate was speaking at Annapolis
+with Cadet Lieutenant Sexton.
+
+"Tell me about Bligh," inquired Sexton. "I've heard you chaps at
+Princeton liked him there. He was here for a while, in fact was my
+roommate--he had a hard time at first, but everybody here liked him
+when he left."
+
+"Liked him!" exclaimed the Princeton man. "I guess we did; we more than
+liked him. Harry Bligh was one of the squarest fellows that ever lived,
+and one of the kindest and best besides. We were proud of his football
+record, of course--he was probably the best half-back in the country
+last season. But he was lots more than that. He was a helpful friend to
+all of us. I remember he once pulled me out of a deep hole; and I wasn't
+the only one. Just let a fellow get into trouble and before long you'd
+find Bligh helping him out. Bligh could never be turned against any one.
+I remember one of our fellows did something off color; he offended our
+class feeling; well, we were going to do something--I don't know
+what--but Bligh sort of took charge of affairs and said: 'Let's not
+condemn that fellow; we may only succeed in shoving him deeper into the
+pit he is in; let's see if we can't find some good in him, or point him
+right, anyway.' Well, we did, and we were mighty glad of it afterward.
+He was always helping a fellow that needed a friend. I once said to
+him, 'Harry, what is your ambition?' He seemed to think quite a while
+and then said: 'I want to be square, and I want people to believe I am
+square.' And you just bet, Sexton, that a bullier, squarer chap than
+Harry Bligh never lived."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+THE END OF A LONG DAY
+
+
+"Stone, will you ever forgive me?" asked Robert shamefacedly, as soon as
+they had left the commandant's office.
+
+"Forgive you, Bob? Never speak of such a thing! Forgive you for
+sacrificing yourself for me? Bob, I can hardly talk about it," and
+Stonewell felt such a rush of feeling come over him at the memory of
+what Robert was willing to do for him, and of his own affection for his
+friend, that it was necessary for him to control himself before he could
+continue. "Bob," he finally said, "the whole thing was my fault. I
+should have told you about Frank. You are not a bit to blame for
+thinking you saw me last night. Well, Bob, there's no use in my thanking
+you for your attitude toward me--such actions are away beyond thanks.
+It's hard to talk these things over, but I want you to believe one
+thing. I'll never forget what you've done for me--never. Bob, I don't
+suppose the time will ever come when I will have occasion to show my
+appreciation--I don't want it to come, for that would mean
+misfortune--and I don't imagine I could possibly show the greatness of
+soul you have. But don't you ever look up to me again. I may work out
+probs a bit faster than you do, but for greatness of character, for
+everything that goes to make up leadership, you are the man of the
+class, not I. Why, when I think of you I positively feel small."
+
+Robert laughed happily. "Oh, Stone," he said, "don't talk foolishness.
+The whole thing seems like a dream to me now. I was in the most mixed up
+state imaginable. I just saw you do it; that's the way I felt. I knew it
+was you, and yet I could not realize how it could be you. I thought that
+for some unexplainable reason you had determined to help Blunt. But why
+should you help Blunt? The whole thing was wholly beyond my
+comprehension; and yet I thought I saw you do it. Well, it's all right
+now, thank goodness. But what a remarkable resemblance your brother has
+to you; not only in features but also in voice."
+
+"Yes, I suppose so; still, such resemblances frequently exist. There is
+a rear admiral in our navy that had a son here and another at West Point
+at the same time. On one occasion when these two chaps were at home
+together, they exchanged uniforms and even the old gentleman himself was
+completely fooled. But I'm going to tell you about Frank. He has been at
+several schools and colleges and has repeatedly been dismissed. Some
+time ago he was expelled from Princeton and came down here. You see he's
+afraid of my father and leans somewhat on me. I was intensely disgusted.
+He was mixed up in a scrape in which some unpopular professor was left
+over night tied up in a room. Now as a matter of fact Frank for once had
+no part in this outrage. But he was suspected and accused--it's a long
+story; I won't go into that, Bob. He denied it, but was not believed,
+and was dismissed; if he were not guilty it was evident he knew who the
+guilty parties were, and he refused to divulge their names. So he came
+to Annapolis, and for this thing to occur just before our graduation was
+extremely unpleasant to me. I just couldn't talk about him, but I used
+to go out to see him. A short time ago the whole truth came out, and
+Frank was exonerated, and then to my surprise he refused to return to
+Princeton. He had no good reason, but now I can see that he had become
+interested in Bligh. He was stubborn about not going back, and this
+surprised me. He never spoke of Bligh; probably the latter had asked him
+not to. Finally he demanded an apology from somebody in Princeton who
+had accused him of falsehood, and I went up to see what could be done.
+But the whole thing, including Frank's stubbornness, was so distasteful
+to me that I never spoke of it even to you."
+
+"Gracious, if you'd only told me, Stone;--I hope he'll have no more
+trouble. But did you fix matters at Princeton for him?"
+
+"Yes, but his skirts were not entirely clean and he'll have to repeat
+his year. I imagine he'll take Bligh back with him--those two have
+struck up a great friendship."
+
+"Stone, I'm going to see young Blunt, and apologize to him."
+
+"What for? You've never said a word about him to anybody."
+
+"No, but I've thought a lot. Come along."
+
+"Blunt," said Robert later in the latter's room, "I apologize to you for
+imagining you did things which you didn't do."
+
+"Oh, bother your apology, Drake. But, by George, I want to tell you you
+are a regular brick. You've a pile of nerve and are all sorts of a good
+fellow. And isn't that chap Bligh a trump? Just to think of his using my
+cit suit, and his groaning for the supe. Say, that's the best thing that
+has ever happened at the Naval Academy," and Blunt burst into a peal of
+infectious laughter.
+
+After they left Harry, Stonewell said: "Now, Bob, we are going to call
+on Captain Blunt."
+
+"I can't, Stone--you have no notion how awkward I feel."
+
+"Of course you do, but you've got to get over that feeling, and it will
+only last a moment."
+
+But Robert didn't feel awkward at all; he had no chance to. He was
+received by Mrs. Blunt with a loving cordiality that put him entirely at
+his ease. And Helen's manner was as bright and natural as usual.
+Captain Blunt said but little, but that little seemed to say, in
+addition to the words he spoke: "I approve of this young man; he will be
+an honor to the cloth." The fact that Robert had acted under a
+misapprehension was not considered. The intent that animated him was
+what influenced their feelings.
+
+Nellie Strong, who was visiting with the Blunts, as usual was
+tremendously interested in all that happened. "I just knew something was
+to occur to you, Robert Drake," she exclaimed. "I never feel safe when
+you are around. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if a terrible Turk were to
+burst in upon us this minute and carry you off. You're positively
+dangerous to have around."
+
+"Nellie, I hear you are to lead our class german with Stonewell," was
+Robert's smiling reply.
+
+"Yes, and I'm just delighted over it. Helen Blunt thinks she's the most
+important girl in town because she's going to present the flag to your
+company; and I'm awfully glad she is, Robert; it's just fine. But I'd
+much rather lead the german with Mr. Stonewell. Helen's glory will last
+only five minutes--and mine will last for hours. What in the world are
+you yawning for, Robert Drake? Don't you find my conversation
+interesting enough to keep you awake? One would imagine you hadn't had
+many winks of sleep last night."
+
+"I beg your pardon, Nellie," he said. "To tell you the truth now that I
+come to think of it, I don't think I had even one wink last night."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+GRADUATION
+
+
+The annual examinations commenced the next morning and lasted throughout
+the week. It was a time of apprehension to some, of exultation to
+others, and of tremendous interest to all; for these examinations,
+averaged in with the previous records made in daily recitations and
+monthly examinations, were to determine the class rank of each
+midshipman. The examinations were written; they began at eight o'clock
+each morning and lasted till one. In the afternoons hundreds of
+midshipmen were to be seen streaming through the pleasant grounds of the
+Naval Academy, many of them accompanied by pretty girls who seemed to
+think that the institution's chief purpose was to provide them with
+pleasant times. For though the examinations took all of the mornings, in
+the afternoons were teas, launch parties and impromptu dances. And happy
+were the midshipmen who were without fear of failure, and so could
+afford these social pleasures. There were other midshipmen who, not so
+fortunate, with puckered brows and worried faces, feverishly worked at
+their books, and among these was Harry Blunt.
+
+The week passed quickly, and at its close Robert Drake knew he would
+graduate fifth in his class. That Stonewell would graduate first had
+long been a foregone conclusion. The Blunt family were now out of
+suspense and knew that Harry had passed, his application to his studies
+in these last days being well rewarded.
+
+Graduation week came, and with it the Annual Board of Visitors, who are
+supposed to make a serious investigation of the Naval Academy in all of
+its parts. And for one week the midshipmen are required to show off
+their various accomplishments.
+
+On Monday morning, the midshipmen as a brigade of infantry passed in
+review before the Board of Visitors, and Robert Drake, commanding the
+first company, felt proud indeed as he snapped out the order, just
+before he reached the reviewing stand, of:
+
+"First company--eyes right!"
+
+After dismissal the midshipmen rushed into their working clothes and
+dispersed into different shops, and great was the hammering in the
+blacksmith and boiler shops as the Board marched through. In this week
+of each year the Naval Academy is on official exhibition for this wise
+Board. And for its benefit sham battles are fought, young men scramble
+aloft on antiquated sailing ships and feverishly loose and make sail,
+haul on buntlines, clewlines, sheets and braces. They are mustered in
+the different class rooms and the Board sees them at the blackboard,
+pointer in hand, in the act of explaining an intricate valve motion to
+an earnest lieutenant. What the Board does not see is the alacrity with
+which pointer, blackboard and room are abandoned as soon as the Board
+has passed on.
+
+So this week there were, as there always is at graduation time, sample
+machine shop drills, gunnery drills, electrical drills, steam engine
+drills--and many others. And the tired, earnest, hard-working Board was
+marched through it all at a lively pace. This Board was composed of
+statesmen, professional men, and business men of established
+reputation; but it is not certain that any of them knew the difference
+between a Stephenson link of an engine and the club link of an anchor
+chain. However, they worked hard and wrote a voluminous report of fifty
+printed pages, which, covered with dust, is lying with fifty other
+similar reports in a pigeonhole at the Navy Department.
+
+On Wednesday occurred the great day for Helen Blunt. At ten in the
+morning she was in the receiving stand gowned beautifully in simple
+white, and carrying a huge bunch of American Beauty roses.
+
+Soon martial music was heard, and then the brigade of midshipmen was to
+be seen across the parade ground, marching with its precise military
+stride. Then loud vibrating orders were carried to the ears of ten
+thousand spectators and bugles rang out their harsh notes. In exact
+unison the seven hundred midshipmen, who had been in column of squads,
+wheeled into line, and marched steadily to the front until they were
+within a hundred paces of the reviewing stand, where they halted. In the
+centre of the long line were the colors, unfolded and waving to the
+breeze.
+
+"Color guard to the front," was the vibrant order from Cadet Commander
+Stonewell.
+
+"First company to the front and centre," followed immediately.
+
+The old color guard with the colors marched slowly to the front, and on
+the right of the line some quick, jerky orders were heard, and the first
+company broke from the line and came marching toward the centre of the
+brigade.
+
+Thousands of spectators now saw a pretty ceremony. A young girl stepped
+from the receiving stand and advanced toward the waiting color guard;
+the Academy colors were handed to her, and the ex-color guard was then
+marched off.
+
+Helen did not remain alone for many moments, but for an instant a pretty
+picture was presented on the drill grounds. A beautiful girl, carrying
+in one arm a huge bunch of red roses, and in the other steadying the
+glorious colors of the Naval Academy, standing alone, facing seven
+hundred blue-coated statues. But in a moment another color guard
+approached, the color guard of the company judged to have won the
+flag. And with it marched the captain of the company, Cadet Lieutenant
+Drake.
+
+[Illustration: _IT MUST HAVE BEEN A VERY PRETTY SPEECH_]
+
+The new color guard halted a few feet in front of Helen, and then Robert
+stepped forward.
+
+The air was very still save for the robins chirping to their young. An
+absolute hush fell over the many thousand spectators. It was evident
+that the young lady was presenting the flag, and was making a speech to
+the captain of the winning company. But so far away she was, and so
+softly she spoke, that none heard her words; that is, none save Robert
+Drake and the new color guard. But people said it must have been a very
+pretty speech. After apparently saying a few words, Helen seemed
+suddenly to pick up the colors and fairly throw them into the hands of
+Cadet Lieutenant Drake.
+
+"Wasn't that pretty?" was an exclamation made by many of the onlookers.
+
+"You have done very well, Mr. Drake," faltered Helen; "your company has
+done splendidly. Oh--I had a good speech made up, but I've forgotten
+all about it! Father wants you to come to dinner to-night--he has a
+surprise for you--oh, dear, what am I talking about? Won't this do?
+Haven't I said enough?--Oh, take the flag!" and Helen threw it at
+Robert.
+
+The next day the papers said that Miss Helen Blunt had made an eloquent
+little speech of well chosen words when presenting the colors to Cadet
+Lieutenant Drake, but of that one may judge for himself.
+
+"Thank you," said Robert, simply and gravely, taking the colors and
+handing them to his color sergeant; "the first company is honored."
+
+And then Stonewell, in clear ringing tones shouted:
+
+"Three cheers for the girl who has presented the colors."
+
+"Hurrah--hurrah--hurrah!" rang out in perfect unison from over seven
+hundred young throats.
+
+Then Cadet Lieutenant Sam Blair stepped to the front and proposed,
+"Three cheers for the winning company, and its cadet lieutenant," which
+were heartily given.
+
+"What's the surprise, Helen?" asked Robert that evening at seven o'clock
+as he entered the Blunt house.
+
+"I won't tell you; you must find out for yourself," replied Helen
+happily; "come into the drawing-room."
+
+"Mother--father--oh, what a happy surprise," cried Robert a moment
+later. "Captain Blunt, you have had my mother and father come to my
+graduation!" Indeed Robert could hardly speak for sheer joy.
+
+"Yes, Robert," said Mr. Drake, "Captain Blunt has asked us to visit him
+for your last days, and here we are; we thought to give you a happy
+surprise."
+
+It had been many years since Mr. Drake had visited Annapolis. He vividly
+recalled his own midshipman days, the joyful strife and the friendly
+rivalry. These had long passed, but he found classmates and many old
+navy friends with whom to renew old scenes and almost forgotten times.
+
+The first class german took place that night in the Armory, and only
+first classmen and their chosen partners went on the floor. These
+midshipmen had donned for the occasion their new white officer
+uniforms, and the young ladies all wore pure white dresses with ribbons
+of old gold. Stonewell led, and with him, radiant with happiness, was
+Nellie Strong. The first classmen, seventy in number, were all present.
+
+On the balcony overhead were thousands of visitors enjoying the pretty,
+novel figures made by the handsome couples on the floor below.
+
+The next night the evening promenade concert occurred. The grounds were
+made bright with numbers of lighted Japanese lanterns hung among the
+trees. The Naval Academy band played beautifully, and Robert, walking
+between his father and mother, followed the crowd of happy promenaders,
+talking of his four years within the Academy walls, of the difficulties
+he had had, and of the friends and good fortune that had come to him.
+
+And the following day was Robert's graduation.
+
+The brigade was formed with the band on the right; next came the first
+classmen about to be graduated, without arms. Then came the brigade,
+with rifles, the temporarily appointed cadet officers of the second
+class wearing swords. Soon the brigade marched off with slow measured
+tread to the chapel, the band playing all the way that tune, full of joy
+to midshipmen's ears, of: "Ain't I glad to get out of the wilderness?"
+It finally had a special meaning to the young men about to receive their
+diplomas. In the chapel the chaplain, dear to generations of midshipmen,
+made an eloquent, heartfelt prayer, and then the superintendent
+delivered a short address.
+
+"Young gentlemen," he began, "your lives in the navy are now to begin in
+earnest. You have been here for four years, surrounded by a naval
+atmosphere, and drilled in those things required of our naval officers.
+From now on your work will be on familiar lines, but yet there will be a
+great difference. Here, at the Naval Academy, if you make a mistake in
+your navigation work, you will receive a low mark. Aboard ship you will
+do the same exact kind of navigation, but if you make a mistake you may
+cause a ship and hundreds of lives to be lost. The great difference is
+that in the outside naval service you are at all times under great
+responsibilities; here your responsibilities have been but slight.
+Here, if you drill well, your company may win the Academy colors, and
+that is what many of you have worked for. Aboard ship, if the enlisted
+men under you do not drill well, it will be your fault, and it will mean
+your men do not shoot accurately, that your engines are inefficient,
+that your ship is neither an honor to the flag, nor could an admiral
+depend upon it in battle when the interests of your country were at
+stake.
+
+"Here you have been under instruction. You have for long years been
+drilled in the duties of the private in the ranks, of the fireman at the
+furnace, of the machinist at the lathe, of the electrician at the
+switchboard, of the gun pointer in the turret, of the helmsman at the
+wheel--there is no duty that an enlisted man can be called upon to do
+aboard ship that you have not been drilled in at this institution. But,
+besides this, you have designed steam and electric engines, and built
+them with your own hands in the shops; you have gone deeply into the
+mathematics of natural law and can not only operate a machine, but you
+can design it and build it.
+
+"Gentlemen, you have been under a most expensive instruction here, for
+which, as yet, you have rendered no return.
+
+"You are now splendidly equipped for your life-work in the navy. You
+will find that aboard ship your principal duties will be the instruction
+of enlisted men. You were gathered here, not only that you personally
+might become accomplished officers, but that you might receive
+instruction for the purpose of imparting it to others. You must prove
+that the earnest efforts spent upon you have not been wasted. You must
+apply full benefit of the training you have here received to the
+enlisted men who will soon be in your charge, or else the purpose of
+this institution has failed.
+
+"We expect to hear good reports of you; we are proud of you, but we will
+know our confidence in you is not misplaced when we hear that your guns
+shoot straight, your engines steam well, and that the enlisted men under
+you are contented and believe in you. When we hear that we will be
+content, for we will know our work here has produced results.
+
+"For a last word, never forget the glorious record made by our navy in
+every war; and may it enter your hearts that you all have a special duty
+to do your utmost to keep bright our naval history."
+
+As the superintendent sat down the choir sang:
+
+"God be with you till we meet again."
+
+The midshipmen were now marched out and formed a line near the band
+stand, the graduating class in front of the brigade, who stood at "Order
+arms." The superintendent and other officials proceeded to the band
+stand; the superintendent studied his watch anxiously. "He should be
+here now," he remarked. "Ah, there is the carriage." The carriage he
+looked for stopped on the walk in front of the band stand, and Robert
+Drake's heart thumped when he saw who got out of it.
+
+A rather thick-set, not overtall, fair complexioned gentleman jumped out
+of the carriage. Everybody about glanced with much interest at him, and
+all hats came off.
+
+"I couldn't help being late; I had much to do this morning," remarked
+the gentleman; "did you receive my telegram, admiral?"
+
+"Yes, Mr. President, and we went right ahead," replied the
+superintendent; "but you are in time to give out the diplomas."
+
+"Good."
+
+Stonewell's name was the first called out to come up for his diploma. A
+storm of applause broke forth from his classmates and friends as this
+erect, manly young officer approached the President. Cheer after cheer
+greeted him, for by this time Stonewell was appreciated outside as well
+as inside of the Academy.
+
+The President shook Stonewell's hand warmly and handed him his diploma
+with a smile, saying, "We all know you, Mr. Stonewell; I feel like
+joining in that cheer myself."
+
+Farnum came up next, then Sewall, then Ryerson, and all received
+generous cheers. Then the name Drake was called. Tumultuous shouts and
+applause now broke loose. Robert was liked and respected by the entire
+brigade, but as the captain of the winning company in the flag
+competition he had sixty devoted champions in ranks who were not willing
+that any graduating midshipman should receive more applause than their
+own popular cadet lieutenant.
+
+Robert's father and mother in front seats were filled with happy pride
+that their son should graduate so high in his class, and with such
+vociferous evidence of warm regard. And then a strange thing happened, a
+little incident that overwhelmed not only Mr. and Mrs. Drake with
+amazement, but also thousands of spectators.
+
+When the name Drake was called, the most famous man in the world of his
+day left the platform where he had been standing, and rapidly approached
+Robert, meeting him half way. He greeted him warmly, and said: "Mr.
+Drake, one of the reasons that induced me to come to Annapolis to-day
+was to have the pleasure of personally handing you your diploma. The
+superintendent has told me your father and mother are present. Are they
+close at hand?"
+
+"Just in front, sir."
+
+"Present me, please."
+
+The President said to them, "Mr. and Mrs. Drake, I am delighted to meet
+you. I congratulate you on your son. I am proud of him. A year ago at
+this time he rendered signal service to his country."
+
+In this way the President of the United States showed that his formerly
+expressed appreciation had not been lightly forgotten, and thus he
+publicly performed an act of kindly recognition.
+
+That their son should be so wonderfully honored filled Robert's father
+and mother with a deep happiness that outweighed all other thoughts, and
+they were much affected by the President's attention.
+
+One by one the remaining members of the graduating class received their
+diplomas and a hearty handshake from the President; and soon the
+graduation was over.
+
+But one more scene occurred in Robert's life as a midshipman at
+Annapolis. That night the much talked of graduating ball, given to his
+class, was held. The great Armory was beautifully decorated with flowers
+and plants, and in between and overhead were flags and bunting
+tastefully arranged. And on the floor were beautiful girls and manly
+young men.
+
+"It has been a wonderful life to me, Helen," said Robert to his partner;
+"as I look back it seems that I never lived until I entered Annapolis.
+I've had glorious times; my life has been full of hard work, but the
+results give me intense satisfaction. And besides the work, there has
+been almost complete contentment; it is so satisfactory to work hard and
+work successfully. And in addition to all this are the friendships that
+have come to me, that of you, and your family, Stonewell and others."
+
+"Yes, Robert," replied Helen wistfully, with half a sigh; "all this is
+so, but to-morrow you are to leave us for those dreadful Philippine
+Islands, and how we shall all miss you! That is the sad thing about
+naval friendships; we enjoy them daily and deeply for a short time and
+then suddenly our dear friends are torn from us and we do not see them
+for years. And then--oh, then things are changed and nothing ever seems
+so happy and bright as it once was," and Helen's voice trembled and her
+eyes filled as she thought these happy days could not continue.
+
+"Helen, you will let me write to you, won't you? And you will answer my
+letters?"
+
+"Oh, yes," replied Helen sadly.
+
+"And, Helen, I am coming back to you, just as I am now; nothing can
+change the thoughts that are part of me."
+
+Helen suddenly looked at Robert and a glorified beauty shone from her
+eyes. They walked slowly around the Armory satisfied just to be with
+each other. And a beautiful content rested upon them.
+
+
+
+
+Other Books in this Series are
+
+AN ANNAPOLIS PLEBE
+AN ANNAPOLIS YOUNGSTER
+AN ANNAPOLIS SECOND CLASSMAN
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of An Annapolis First Classman, by 
+Lt.Com Edward L. Beach
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 40368 ***