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diff --git a/40368-8.txt b/40368-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 0d6fb6a..0000000 --- a/40368-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7860 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's An Annapolis First Classman, by Lt.Com Edward L. Beach - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: An Annapolis First Classman - -Author: Lt.Com Edward L. Beach - -Illustrator: Frank T. Merrill - -Release Date: July 29, 2012 [EBook #40368] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ANNAPOLIS FIRST CLASSMAN *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, Katie Hernandez and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - -[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. 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