A week went by without another class meeting.
For that reason Midshipman Jetson was still nominally in good fellowship.
The delay in action was by no means due to lack of class interest. The class seethed with interest in the affair, but with many of the midshipmen there was a belief that here was a case where slow and thoughtful consideration would be best for all concerned.
Darry was too good a fellow, and far too popular to be forced out of fellowship if it didn't have to be done to preserve the present feeling of ruffled class dignity.
Knowing that the matter hadn't been dropped, the first and third classes waited—in curiosity. The fourth class really had no standing in such weighty matters of the internal discipline of the brigade.
Every time that Dave Darrin passed Jetson he spoke pleasantly to the latter. The sulky one, however, did not respond.
"Some day, Darry, you'll tumble that you've been played for a fool," grumbled Farley.
"Then I'll have the satisfaction, won't I, of knowing that it's all my own fault?" smiled Dave Darrin.
"Yes; but I hate to see you go to pieces for a fellow like Jetson."
The following Saturday afternoon Darrin came in from a brisk walk, to find Dan poring over his books at the study desk.
"Letter there for you," said Dan, without looking up, as Dave, after glancing into the room, had turned with the intention of calling on Farley and Page.
"Thank you." Darrin crossed the room, picking up the letter. "From Belle," he remarked. "The second from her this week, and I haven't written her. Answering letters should be part of a man's honor, so instead of cruising about on the deck, I reckon I'd better sit down and write Belle."
"What are you going to tell her?" asked Dan quietly, without looking up.
"Hang it all!" grumbled Dave. "This is where the situation begins to be tough. Of course you understand how things are, Danny boy, and you are aware that I have asked Belle to take upon herself the right to be equally interested with me in my career."
"It is tough," assented Dan, with ready sympathy, and laying aside his book for the moment. "If my memory serves, Belle asked particularly, when she was here, that you let her know how the Jetson row turned out."
"Yes; she did."
"And now you've got to tell her—what?"
"Have I got to tell her?" wondered Darrin aloud. "Yes; any other course would be unfair. But another question is, have I a right to tell her just what took place in a class meeting?"
"I think so," spoke up Dalzell. "Of course, you needn't attempt to report the speeches, or anything like that, but it's rather clear to me that you have a right to tell Belle the exact news so far as it affects you—and therefore her."
"Thank you." Dave drew out stationery, picked up a pen and began to write. Dalzell returned to his text-book. When Dave had written the letter, he read to Dan the portion that related to a description of the Jetson matter before the class.
"I think it's all right to send that much of a statement," nodded Dan.
"Then I'm going to mail the letter at once, and it will go out to-night. Belle tells me that she is extremely anxious to know the outcome of the matter. Poor girl, I'm afraid my letter may be even worse than no news."
"Belle didn't betroth herself to the uniform or the Navy, if I know her," returned Dan quietly.
Dave went out and mailed the letter. It would not reach Belle until Monday morning. Wednesday afternoon, on returning from the last recitation, Dave found her answer on his study table.
"Want to hear a part of it, Dan?" questioned Midshipman Darrin.
"Of course I do," admitted that young man.
"Listen, then," and Dave read from Belle's letter as follows:
"'I won't attempt to say that I am not in the least worried or bothered over the turn the Jetson matter has taken,'" ran Belle's letter. "'I can't help feeling vitally interested in anything that concerns you. But you tell me that you have followed your own sense of honor and your own conscience in the matter. The best man that ever lived couldn't do better than that. I hope—oh, Idohope—that the whole affair will turn out in some way that will not be disagreeable to you. But remember, Dave, that the lightheaded little High School girl who plighted her faith to you is interested in you—not particularly in a future Naval officer, necessarily. If the affair should go to the worst ending, and you find it advisable to resign from the Naval Academy on account of any class feeling, there are plenty of bright prospects in life for an honorable and capable man. Don't ever imagine that I shall be disappointed over anything that you do, as long as you remain true to yourself and your manhood. And I will add, if you care to know it, that I approve of what you have done and am proud of you for your grit to do the right thing,'"
"A great girl!" cried Dan admiringly. "Just the kind of girl, too, that I was sure she is."
"Just the same," commented Dave musingly, "I know quite well that Belle has set her heart on seeing me serve in the Navy with credit."
"She wanted that because she knew you wanted it," Dan assured him.
Darrin was in the middle of his week's studies, where every minute's work counted, but he took the time to write an intense, if short, answer to Belle's letter. That finished, and dropped in the mail-box, he went back to his room and began to study.
Rap-tap! Farley slipped into the room.
"Thought I'd better come right away, Darry," explained the caller. "The news won't keep. A class meeting is called for Friday night right after supper. You know what that means, don't you?"
"Yes," Dave answered steadily.
"Old fellow, we all hope to see you come back to yourself at the meeting," went on Farley earnestly, resting a hand on Dave's blue sleeve.
"Meaning that I should desert my convictions and bow to the class?"
"Yes; if you put it that way. Darry, old friend, don't feel that you know more than the entire brigade."
"I don't," Dave answered.
"Then you'll drop the line of talk you started the other night?"
"No."
"Darry, old friend!"
"I haven't changed my mind. Then, if I changed my attitude, wouldn't I be acting a false part?"
"Don't be, a prig, Darry!"
"Be a knave instead, eh?"
"Darry, you ought to have been born a Puritan!"
"I'm glad I wasn't," Dave smiled.
"And are you enjoying yourself?"
"No," Dave answered seriously. "I'm not. Neither is Jetson. It is likely that the class may do a great injustice to us both."
"Why are you so struck on a fellow like Jetson?" pursued the other midshipman.
"I'm not," Dave rejoined. "But I think, if he could be awakened, he has qualities that would make us all like him."
"And you're going to throw yourself away on such thankless missionary work, Darry?"
"Not at all. I'm acting on my best lights, as I see them for myself."
"I'm sorry," sighed Farley honestly.
"And so am I. Don't believe that I enjoy the situation that has been created."
"That you've created for yourself, you mean!"
"I see that you can't or you won't, understand it, Farley."
"I wish I could understand it!" quivered Farley, who felt far more unhappy than he was willing that Dave should see. In the end, Farley returned to his own room, pondering deeply and trying to think out some plan of speech or of action that would save Midshipman Dave Darrin from the class anger that seemed certain to come.
After supper and just before study time was due, Dave went to Jetson's door and knocked. As he entered he found Warner, the other midshipman quartered there, as well as Jetson.
"Good evening, gentlemen," began Dave, after he had stepped into the room and closed the door.
"Good evening, Darrin," responded Warner, while Jetson merely scowled and picked up a book.
"Warner," went on Dave, "I came here to have a brief talk with Mr.Jetson. Would it be asking too much to ask you to step outside—unlessMr. Jetson feels that he would prefer that you remain?"
"Mr. Jetson prefers that Mr. Warner remain, and that Mr. Darrin take himself away with great expedition," broke in Jetson decisively.
But Warner thought differently, and, with a murmured "certainly, Darrin," he left the room.
"I won't ask you to take a seat, Mr. Darrin," said Jetson, "because I'll be candid enough to say that I hope you won't remain long."
"I don't need a seat," laughed Dave easily, "for I've heard that the best Americans transact their business on their feet. Mr. Jetson, I've come on a somewhat embarrassing mission."
"Yes?"—sneeringly.
"You know quite well the snarl that is to be untied before the class meeting Friday evening."
"Quite well," replied Jetson sulkily. "It is a situation that I owe to the fact of having been acquainted with yourself, Mr. Darrin."
"Jetson," resumed Dave, dropping the formal "Mr.", "the situation is one that menaces you and your standing here. It menaces me equally. I could get myself out of the scrape quite easily by withdrawing from the stand that I took the other night."
"I either fail or refuse to understand why you went to the risk that you did the other night, Mr. Darrin."
"If I were to retract what I said," Darrin added, "it would cause me to violate whatever respect I may have for right and justice. On the other hand, Jetson, surely you do not consider yourself right in refusing an apology for a remark in which you thoughtlessly cast an unjust reflection upon the whole body of midshipmen."
"To what is this leading, Mr. Darrin?"
"Jetson, your own sense of honor and justice surely tells you that you owe it to yourself to go before the meeting Friday evening—"
"I shall not attend, Mr. Darrin. The class may take whatever action it chooses in my absence."
"Jetson, you owe it to yourself, as well as to the class, to offer your apology for a remark that reflected upon the whole brigade. You can violate no feeling of honor or proper pride by such an apology. In fact, I do not see how you can justify yourself in withholding such apology for having expressed a sentiment which you know you did not mean in the way that the brigade has taken it."
"My feelings on questions of honor cannot possibly concern you,Mr. Darrin."
"On the contrary, your conduct does vitally concern me, Jetson. If you do not make your apology the class will—well, you know what will happen."
"Yes, I know," Jetson assented, his brow darkening.
"And possibly you know what it means to me. By my own statement—and I cannot, in honor retract it, I shall be compelled to share Coventry with you."
"No, you won't sir!" retorted Jetson, rising, his face ablaze with sulky anger. "You may go to Coventry, Mr. Darrin, and welcome, but you shall not share mine with me. You shall not share anything whatever with me—not even the air of this room if I can prevail upon you to take yourself out of a room where you are not wanted. Mr. Darrin, I indulge myself in the honor of wishing you—good evening!"
Jetson crossed the room, threw open the door and bowed low. Flushing, breathing quickly, Dave Darrin stepped out into the corridor and the door closed smartly behind him.
It was Friday afternoon, and the last sections had been dismissed in front of Bancroft Hall. The balance of the afternoon belonged to the midshipmen, though most of them found it necessary to give the time to study.
Jetson was not one of the latter. Always well up in his studies, he had no occasion to worry about daily markings or semi-annual examinations.
He had not grown less sulky, but he found himself a victim of unusual restlessness. So he decided upon remaining out in the open air for the present.
Though actuated by a very different class of feelings, Darrin, also, felt disinclined for books. He tried to study, for a few minutes, but gave it up and caught up his cap. The winter day being mild, he did not trouble himself to don his uniform overcoat.
"Going to slip your cable?" inquired Dan, who was moored fast to a text-book.
"Yes; I feel the need of fresh air."
"Shove off, then!"
Dave went out quietly, Dan gazing curiously after his friend until the door had closed behind him.
"Poor chap," muttered Dan. "I reckon he has need enough of something to stop that restless feeling. The class meets to-night!"
Jetson, after some fifteen minutes of aimless wandering, felt himself attracted to the gymnasium. Going inside, he went to his locker, where, with feverish energy, he changed to gym costume.
For a few minutes the sulky one performed on the flying rings. He was an adept at this work, and something in the rapid motion soothed his troubled mind.
Tiring of the rings at last, Jetson stood with folded arms, looking about him, until his eyes lighted with interest on the trapezes. One was up higher than the rest. Drawn toward this one, Jetson took hold of the climbing rope and drew himself up, hand over hand. Seating himself on the bar, he sat looking about at the few other midshipmen who were exercising at that hour.
"There comes that Darrin fellow," thought Jetson, with a sudden burst of rage. "Wonder if he's going to work this afternoon? If he does, I'll put it all over him, even if I break my neck in the trying."
Back and forth swung Jetson, getting up speed on the trapeze. Then, suddenly, he threw his head downward, hanging on by his knees. An intentional slip, and he hung fully downward his ankles holding at the ends of the crossbar.
Folding his arms, Jetson again began to swing as he hung head downward. Among the midshipmen there were not so very many who were skillful at this form of exercise. Jetson was, and he was secretly proud of it.
"This will put the fellow Darrin to the bad if he came in with any notion of showing off," thought the sulky one exultantly.
Now the other midshipmen turned to leave the gym. In a moment more the only two left were Darrin and the man on the trapeze. In addition to the midshipmen there were two gym. attendants at some little distance.
"Who's doing that fine work?" wondered Dave, stepping closer. "Why, it'sJetson! Well, he has one accomplishment that I really envy him!"
Midshipman Jetson was now going through some rapid evolutions, first hanging head downward, and then, after developing speed, raising himself and turning over the crossbar. It was really work of which any athlete might have been proud.
"Say, Jim," muttered one attendant to the other, "that middie has me nervous for fair."
"Forget it," advised the other attendant, "It's the middie's neck, not yours."
"But we took the net down that goes with that bar. Suppose the young man should fall. He'd break his neck, and what could we say with the net gone?"
"He's no business up there at this late hour in the afternoon," grumbled the other man.
"That talk won't save us, either, if anything happens."
Jetson, filled with the desire to show off before the comrade he hated, had increased the speed of his brilliant flying movements.
But suddenly he slipped. There was no regaining his grip. With a howl of fright he felt himself plunging head downward more than thirty feet to the hard floor of the gym. He was in a fair way of landing on his head, cracking his skull and breaking his neck. Worse, in his sudden dread, he seemed to have lost control of his muscles.
"Turn! Land on your feet!" called Dave.
It all happened in a second. Dave, brief as the instant was, realized that the other midshipman was not going to land on his feet. In the same fleeting moment that Darrin called he hurled himself into position.
Straight down shot Jetson. Dave waited, with outstretched arms, ready to risk his own neck in the effort to save his sulky comrade.
From their end of the gym. the two startled attendants had watched the impending disaster, but there was no time for them to do anything.
From the way that Jetson fell it looked as though he had made a straight dive for Dave Darrin's head. At all events, their heads met in sharp collision.
Down went Dave, as though shot, and Jetson went with him, but Darrin's outstretched arms had grasped the other's body, and Jetson was saved the worst of his fall.
Now the two midshipmen lay where they had fallen, Jetson lying somewhat across Dave's motionless body.
"They're killed!" yelled the attendant Jim hoarsely.
"We'll look 'em over first, before we give up," retorted the other attendant, stooping and gently rolling Jetson over on his back.
"Sure they're killed, Bob," protested Jim huskily. "They met head on.You'll find that both middies have their skulls broken."
"Bring two pails of water, you chump," ordered Bob. "I tell you, we won't raise a row until we've done the best we can for 'em."
[Illustration: Straight Down Shot Jetson.]
The water was brought. Under liberal dashes of it over his face and neckJetson soon opened his eyes.
"I—I had a bad fall, didn't I?" he asked of the man nearest him.
"You'd have broken your neck, sir, if Mr. Darrin hadn't jumped forward and broken the force of your fall."
"I'd rather any other man had saved me," muttered the sullen one, slowly aiding himself to sit up. "How did Mr. Darrin do it?"
"Well, sir," responded Bob, "he stopped you partly with his head, and it would have been broken, only he had his hands out and gripped you at the shoulders or trunk. It may be that his head was split as it was, but I hardly think so."
Two more liberal douses of water, and Dave, too, opened his eyes.
"Is Jetson all right?" was Darrin's first question.
"Yes," muttered Midshipman Jetson, "and thanks to you, as I understand it."
"Oh, if you're all right, then I'm glad," responded Dave. "Bob, have you time to help me to stand up?"
"How do you feel, sir?" asked Bob, after he had complied and stood supporting Midshipman Darrin on his feet.
"Just a bit dizzy, Bob; but that'll pass off in a moment. Jetson, I'm glad to see you alive. Not badly jolted, I hope?"
Jim was now aiding Jetson to his feet.
"Do you want a surgeon, either of you?" asked Bob.
Both midshipmen shook their heads.
"I think I'll go over to one of the side seats," remarked Darrin, and Bob piloted him there, while Jim aided Jetson out to the shower room and locker.
Dave Darrin soon conquered the dizzy feeling enough to stand up and walk without assistance.
"I think I'll go, now," he told Bob. "I don't believe there is anything that I can do for Mr. Jetson."
"There is, sir, if you don't mind," interposed Jim, striding up. "Mr.Jetson has just asked if you mind waiting for him."
"My compliments to Mr. Jetson, and I shall be glad to wait for him."
The sulky midshipman soon hove in sight, having donned his uniform. He came up to Dave looking decidedly embarrassed.
"Mr. Darrin, I fear I must thank you for having stopped my course to the floor," admitted Jetson, with a sheepish grin.
"I won't make it too hard to thank me," replied Dave, with a smile."I'll just say that you're wholly welcome."
"But if you hadn't caught me in just the way that you did, your skull would have been smashed by the impact with my head. You risked your life for me, Mr. Darrin."
"I didn't stop to think of that, at the time. At any rate, risking one's life goes with the Naval service, doesn't it?"
"It was a splendid thing for you to do, Mr. Darrin! May I walk along with you?"
Dave nodded. It was dark, now, and that portion of the yard appeared clear of any moving beings but themselves.
"Darrin," continued Jetson, "when you risked Coventry in the effort to save me from it, I thought you were posing, though for the life of me I couldn't fathom your motive. But the risk that you took this afternoon wasn't in the line of posing. Do you mind telling me why you did it?"
"I'd have done as much for any man in the brigade," Dave answered frankly.
"Just the same it has touched me—touched me deeply."
"I'm glad of that, Jetson," Dave answered heartily. "And now I hope that we can bury the hatchet and be friends, as men in the brigade should always be."
"But why do you want to be friends with a fellow like me?"
"Because I want to know the real Jetson—not the one that you present outside of a sulky exterior. Jetson, I know there's gold in you, and I want to see it brought to the surface. I want your friendship because—well, it may be a selfish reason, but I think it's worth having."
"That's a funny notion to take," laughed Midshipman Jetson uneasily. "I have never been conceited enough to fancy that my friendship was worth having."
"Let yourself out and be natural, man!"
"How?"
Then indeed did Dave Darrin plunge into his subject. There was a lot to be said, but Dave said it briefly, tersely, candidly. Jetson listened with a flushing face, it is true, but at last he stopped and held out his hand.
"Will you take it, Darrin?"
"With all my heart!"
There was chance for but little more talk, as now the slowly moving midshipmen were close to the entrance to Bancroft Hall.
"You'll be at the class meeting this evening, won't you?" askedDave Darrin.
"You may be very sure that I shall!"
Then they entered the lobby of Bancroft Hall, parting and going their different ways.
In Darrin's eyes there was a strange flash as he turned down the "deck" on which he lived. But Dan, still absorbed in study, did not pay especial heed to his roommate.
Immediately after supper in the mess-hall, Dalzell caught his chum's arm.
"Let's get in early at the meeting, David, little giant. I'm afraid there's big trouble brewing, and we must both be on hand early. We may have some chance to talk a bit before the meeting is called to order."
"I don't believe I shall care to talk any, Danny boy, before the president raps."
"Don't be too stubborn, Davy! Your future will very likely be at stake to-night. Your most dependable friends will be on hand and under arms for you. Back 'em up!"
At least half of the class was gathered when the chums entered. Darrin looked about him, then took a seat. He watched the door until he saw Midshipman Jetson enter.
Rap, rap, rap! went the gavel at last.
"Gentlemen," announced the president, "there is some unfinished business before the meeting. At the last class meeting a motion was made and seconded that Midshipman Jetson be sent to Coventry. Any remarks that may be offered on that resolution will be in order now."
Dave Darrin was on his feet in an instant. Three or four men hissed, butDave appeared not to notice.
"Mr. President," Dave began in a slow, steady voice, "this motion more closely affects Mr. Jetson than it does any other member of the class. I understand that Mr. Jetson has a few remarks to make."
There was a murmur that ran around the room as Jetson rose to his feet, claiming the chair's recognition.
"Mr. President and gentlemen," began Jetson, his face pale and his words coming with effort, "I am not going to discuss the question of whether the class will or will not be justified in sending me to Coventry. I have a duty to perform to-night, and I assure you that it comes hard, for my temper and pride have been beyond my control for a long time. I wish to make a most earnest apology for remarks of mine that were construed as being insulting to the members of the brigade. I further desire to make any statement, or any admission that will most quickly banish any sense of wrong coming from me. In doing so, I am moved to this proper course by my friend, Mr. Darrin!"
It wasn't a real bombshell that hit the class, of course, but the effect was almost as startling. First, there were murmurs, then a hubbub of voices, last of all a rousing cheer.
In the midst of the excitement Midshipman Farley leaped to his feet.
"Mr. President!" he bellowed.
But his voice did not carry ten feet from where he stood.
"Mr. President!" he yelled, louder than ever before.
Still the hubbub continued. Farley leaped to the seat of his chair, turning and waving both arms frantically. Any midshipman who had glanced toward the chair would have discovered that the occupant of the class chair was rapping hard with his gavel, though no sound of it was heard above the tumult.
Presently, however, Farley's antics produced their effect. The noise gradually lessened.
"Mr. President!" essayed Farley once more.
"Mr. Farley has the floor!" shouted the class president hoarsely.
"Mr. President," went on Farley, at the top of his voice, "class honor and that of the brigade have been satisfied by the direct, manly statement of Mr. Jetson. I move you, sir, that the motion now before this body be tabled, all further action dropped and the class meeting adjourned subject to call."
"Second the motion!" yelled Page.
"The motion to adjourn must follow the disposal of the first part of the motion," ruled the chair.
"I accept the amendment," called Farley.
"I, also," assented Page.
"Question! question!"
"Before putting the motion," continued the chair, "I desire to ask Mr. Jetson if he has fully considered his statement and the revised position that he has taken? Since the matter affects the entire brigade, and not this single class, I feel that there should be no doubt, or any question to be raised later."
"Mr. President," announced Jetson, when he had secured recognition, "I have retracted any offensive words that I may have uttered. I have attempted no justification of any of my words, but have made flat apology."
"Three cheers for Jet!" shouted one impulsive midshipman.
"Any remarks?" questioned the chair.
"Mr. President!"
"Mr. Darrin."
"I do not see how Mr. Jetson's retraction or apology could be made any more explicit. I trust to see Mr. Farley's motion, seconded by Mr. Page, put to the vote and carried at once. I am wholly aware that I have incurred the class's displeasure (cries of 'no! no!') but I urge that whatever action may be taken regarding myself be deferred until after Mr. Jetson has been restored to the fullest measure of class and brigade fellowship."
"Any further remarks?" questioned the class president, when Darrin had seated himself. "If not, I will state the motion."
A few "nays" succeeded the great chorus of "ayes," and the motion ofCoventry for Jetson was declared tabled.
"Any further action?" demanded the chair.
"Move we adjourn!" called Farley.
"Second the motion!" seconded Page.
The motion was put and carried without dissent Then, amid the greatest jollity, the meeting was declared adjourned.
There was a rush of at least twenty men to shake hands with Jetson, who, with flushed but pleased face, bore his honors as modestly as he could.
"What on earth came over you, Jet?" demanded Joyce bluntly.
"It would be a long story about Darrin," replied Midshipman Jetson. "He had the grace to show me that I was a constitutional ass, with perhaps some slight chance of being reborn. To make it short, Darrin persuaded me to come before the class, eat humble pie and set myself right with myself, even if I couldn't with the class."
"It was beautifully done, Jet," murmured Page, who was tremendously grateful at seeing Dave Darrin rescued from sacrificing himself to a principle.
"If any of you fellows catch me in the sulks hereafter," spoke up Jetson, though he winced as he said it, "I hope the man who catches me will do me the very great favor of passing me a few sound kicks before others have a chance to catch me to the bad."
"Bully for you—you're all right, Jet!" called several warmly.
Fully half of the class members had left the room by this time. Dan Dalzell, who had been thunderstruck, and who was now full of questions, was being urged out of the room by Dave.
"So Darry converted you, did he?" laughed Joyce. "Bully for Darry. Why, that great and good fellow dared the class to send him to Coventry after it got through with you. He accused the class of kicking a man without giving that man a chance to get up on his feet."
"It's a good deal like Darrin," remarked Jetson, his eyes a trifle misty, "though it took me a thundering long time to realize that Darrin was really of that kind."
"How did it happen, any way?" insisted Farley.
"You've heard nothing about it?"
"Not a word—not a hint," protested Page eagerly.
There were less than twenty of the midshipmen now remaining in the room, so Jetson did not feel as embarrassed as he might have done had he been called upon to give the recital before a class meeting. He told his listeners the story of Dave's splendid conduct in the gym. that afternoon, and of the talk that had followed the reconciliation of the enemies.
"That was like good old Darry again," remarked Farley proudly. "No fellow has a warmer temper than Darry when he's aroused to righteous anger, but no fellow has a more generous temper at all times."
"Let's go down and jump in on Darry, all hands!" proposed Joyce.
"Listen!" warned Farley.
Study call! That took the young men hastily to their regular academic duties.
"One thing this business has done," remarked Midshipman Farley, looking up from his books.
"I'll be the goat," murmured Page.
"Darry has always been somewhat the leader of the class, ever since the fellows began to find him out, back in the first year here. But this last business has boosted Dave Darrin unmistakably and solidly now into the post of leader of the class."
"We're safe, then!" retorted Page. "Darry won't lead us into any trouble!"
The realization that Midshipman Dave Darrin was assured leader of the second class was not long in coming to most of the other men of the class.
Yet Dave did not seek the post, nor did he attempt to do any actual leading. He still considered himself as possessing one voice, and one only, in the class councils.
If Dave was leader, Dan Dalzell, both by reflected glory and by virtue of his own sterling merits as well, shared the leadership with Dave to a great extent. Dan's power might have gone further than it did had it not been for the fact that he was so full of mischief as to leave his comrades often in doubt as to whether he were really serious in what he said and did.
"Plebes Flint and Austin are having a good many callers," remarked DaveDarrin, halting by the door of quarters before he and Dan entered.
"Sure! Aren't you wise?" inquired Dan, with a wink.
"I think so," murmured Dave. "The callers all seem to be third classmen."
"Of course; they're putting the rookies through their paces."
"Surest thing!" murmured Dalzell without excitement.
"But this is March. Isn't it a rather late time in the year to be still hounding the poor new men?"
"I don't know," mused Dalzell. "It may be that Mr. Flint and Mr. Austin are unusually touge."
"Touge" is Annapolis slang for "fresh." It corresponds closely to the "b j" of West Point.
A sound as of protest came from behind a closed door at the further end of the deck.
"I hope our youngsters aren't going too far," Dave remarked, "youngster" being the accepted term for the third classmen, and the same as "yearling" at West Point.
"Well, it's none of our business," replied Dan, with a shrug of his shoulders. "Study call will be along in fifteen minutes. Going to get an early start with the books to-night?"
"I guess that will be wise," Darrin nodded.
"It surely will."
The rest of the winter had gone along rather uneventfully, save for the inevitable, overpowering amount of grind through which a midshipman must pass. It was now spring, and midshipmen thoughts were divided between two topics—annual exams, and summer cruise.
Dan had started into the room, and Dave was about to follow, when he heard an unusually loud thud at the further end of the deck.
"Danny boy, the plebes must be getting it hard to-night."
"I'd like to see the fun," muttered Dalzell, his eyes snapping with mischief. "But it doesn't seem to be any of our business. Hazing work is left in charge of the youngster crowd."
"Yes; a second classman shouldn't interfere," assented Dave. "Well, study for ours."
"I'm afraid I'm not as studious as I was a minute ago," contended Dan, with a grin.
Dave looked almost startled as he seized his chum by the arm.
"Inside with you, Danny boy!"
"Not under compulsion," laughed Midshipman Dalzell.
"I'll condescend to coaxing, then. But don't anger the youngsters by butting in."
"And why not? An upper classman has a right to step in, if he wishes."
"It is, at least, against the rules of good taste to interfere," argued Darrin.
"Well, hang you, I don't want to interfere. All I want to do is to look on. Can't an upper classman do that?"
"I won't," returned Dave.
Yet almost immediately he changed his mind, for two hard bumps and a gust of laughter swept up the deck.
"They're making so much racket," murmured Dave, lingering by his own door, "that, the first thing we know, a duty officer will swoop down and rag the bunch."
"Let's go in, then, as grave and dignified second classmen, and warn the youngsters like daddies," proposed Dan, but his eyes were twinkling with the spirit of mischief.
A good deal against his own inclination Darrin allowed himself to be coaxed into the thing.
Nine youngsters were found in Midshipmen Flint and Austin's room whenDave and Dan entered after rapping.
"We're not intruding, I hope?" inquired Dalzell, with his most inviting grin.
"Not at all, gentlemen," responded Midshipman Eaton, of the third class.
"These fourth classmen seemed unwontedly popular to-night," insinuated Dan.
"They've been most uncommonly touge all through the year, sir," repliedEaton, tacking on the "sir" in order to impress Midshipmen Flint andAustin with the tremendous dignity or all upper classmen.
"What form does their tougeness take?" Dan wanted to know.
"They have not yet learned the respect that is due to upper classmen, sir."
"And especially to third classmen?" inquired Dan, now without the flicker of a smile.
"They are especially touge, sir, with third classmen."
"And you are showing them the error of their ways?"
"We are trying to do so, sir."
"I thought so, from the noise we heard," pursued Dalzell.
"If you have any better ways, Mr. Dalzell, we shall be glad to profit from your riper experience, sir," suggested Midshipman Eaton.
"No; I've forgotten almost everything that I ever knew in that line," remarked Dan.
"Mr. Darrin, sir?" suggested Eaton, turning to the other second classman present.
"I have nothing to suggest," replied Dave slowly, "unless—" Then he paused.
"Unless—sir?" followed up Midshipman Eaton.
"No; I won't say it. It might give offense," Darrin responded.
"Have no fear of that, Mr. Darrin," urged Eaton.
"All I was going to suggest, Eaton, was that this is the month of March."
"Yes, sir?" inquired Eaton wonderingly.
"When Dalzell and I were fourth classmen we weren't troubled at all by the youngsters after Christmas. Last year, Eaton, our class didn't bother yours at any later date, either."
Some of the youngsters present began to look embarrassed, though Dave's tone had been quiet and free from rebuke.
"But, sir, don't imagine that we're doing anything to the plebes for our own amusement," protested Eaton. "This is the only pair of the fourth class left that need any attention from our class. These two young misters are the tougest lot we've had to deal with. In fact, sir, they're ratey!"
"Still," rejoined Dan Dalzell, "I think you are keeping it up pretty late in the year, even if they are ratey."
A midshipman who is "ratey," as has been explained in an earlier volume, is a much greater offender than a midshipman who is merely touge. For a ratey fourth classman makes the foolish blunder of considering himself as good as an upper classman.
"Of course," suggested Dan, making haste to smooth over any astonishment that his own and his chum's remarks might have caused, "we don't propose to instruct the members of the third class in the way they shall perform their duties toward the members of the fourth. Don't let us interfere with you, Mr. Eaton."
"By no means," murmured Dave Darrin, smiling. "We don't wish to intrude."
"But wait just one moment gentlemen," begged Eaton. "We want you to see for yourselves how effectively we are smoothing the touge creases out of these baby midshipmen."
During the discussion Flint and Austin had been standing at one side of the room, looking decidedly sheepish. Both had their blouses off, though neither had been required to take off his collar. The trousers of the two fourth classmen were rather liberally overlaid with dust, showing that they must have been performing some rough stunts on the floor.
"Step over to that, basin, mister," ordered Youngster Eaton, eyeingFlint, who promptly obeyed.
"Now, mister, stand on your head in that bowl," commandedMidshipman Eaton.
Looking doubly red and uncomfortable, with these two grave-looking second classmen present, Flint bent down, attempting to stand on his head in the bowl of water, while he tried, at the same time to push his feet up the wall, thus standing on his head. Twice Flint essayed the feat and failed, splashing a good deal of water over the floor. Then, for the third time, Flint tried the performance. This time he succeeded, but his two previous failures had provoked such a storm of laughter that no man present heard a cautious rap on the door. The next instant that door was flung open and Lieutenant Preston stepped into the room.
With the entrance of that discipline officer half of the midshipmen present wheeled about, then, startled as they were, did not forget to come to attention.
"Hm!" said Lieutenant Preston, at which the other half heard and came to attention. Flint, whether too scared, or perhaps enjoying the discomfiture of his tormentors, made no effort to return to normal position.
"What's your name, sir?" thundered the discipline officer, glaring fiercely at Midshipman Flint.
"Flint, sir," replied the fourth classman in a gasp.
"Bring your feet down and come to attention, sir!"
Flint obeyed.
During this time Lieutenant Preston had stood so that no midshipman in the room could slip by him into the corridor.
"I will now take the names of the gentlemen present," went on the discipline officer, drawing a notebook and pencil from an inner pocket and commencing to write.
"All except the fourth classmen present will at once fall in by twos outside," commanded Lieutenant Preston, closing the notebook and slipping it away. "Midshipmen Flint and Austin will mend their appearances as speedily as possible and then form the last file outside."
"Wow!" whispered Dan in his chum's ear outside. "Talk about the fifty-seven varieties! We're in all the pickles!"
"Yes," murmured Dave.
"What are you going to do about it, Davy?"
"Take my medicine," Dave replied.
"But we weren't really in the thing."
"Danny boy, never get out of a thing, or try to, by playing cry baby!"
"No danger," retorted Dalzell. "David, little giant, we'll just console ourselves with the realization that we're in the worst scrape we ever struck yet."
"Yes," nodded Dave.
Fourth classmen Flint and Austin were not long in making themselves presentable. Then they fell in at the rear of the line.
"Squad, forward march!" commanded the discipline officer dryly.
Through the corridor and off that deck the little squad of thirteen midshipmen marched. Never had thirteen been more unlucky, for the present superintendent was known to be a man determined to stamp out hazing.
Nor did the affair remain a secret for more than a moment Midshipmen returning to their own decks stepped to the wall to let the squad pass. Nor was more than a look at the two rear fourth classmen needed to enable any wondering midshipmen to guess the nature of the offense with which the remaining eleven upper classmen were to be charged.
"Our Darry in that!" gasped Farley, as the squad went by. "Did you see him?"
"Yes," Page mournfully admitted.
"Then my eyes didn't play me any trick, as I had hoped. Darry andDalzell! What evil spirit tempted them to be in that scrape?"
In the meantime Lieutenant Preston was arraigning the captured delinquents before the officer in charge, and the commandant of midshipmen had already been telephoned for and was on the way.
Study call cut short a good deal of excited discussion on the different decks. The commandant of midshipmen arrived, heard the evidence of the discipline officer, looked over the offenders, entered their names on his own record, and then spoke briefly, but in the voice of fate itself:
"The accused midshipmen will go to their rooms. They will, until further orders, remain in their quarters, except for recitations and meal formation. They will forego all privileges until the superintendent or higher authority has acted finally in this matter. That is all, young gentlemen. Go to your rooms, except Midshipmen Flint and Austin, who will remain."
As soon as the upper classmen had departed, the commandant took Flint and Austin in hand, questioning them keenly and making notes of the more important answers.
Back in their own rooms, Midshipman Dan Dalzell was at first overwhelmed with horror.
"We're dished, Davy! We walk the plank! The super won't forgive a single man who is caught at the royal pastime of hazing! I'm going to write, now, for the money to get home with. You know, in the last two affairs, the hazers have been dismissed from the Naval Academy."
"Yes," Dave nodded. "It looks black for us. But keep a stiff tipper lip,Danny boy."
"It's all my own miserable fault!" uttered Dalzell, clenching his fists, while tears tried to get into his eyes. "You've got me to blame for this, Davy! It was all my doing. I insisted on dragging you down to that room, and now you've got to walk the plank, all because of my foolishness! Oh, I'm a hoodoo!"
"Stop that, Danny!" warned Dave, resting a hand on his chum's arm. "I didn't have to go, and you couldn't have made me do it. I wouldn't have gone if I hadn't wanted to. I'm not going to let even you rest the blame for my conduct on your shoulders."
Finally the chums went to study table.
"What's the use!" demanded Dan, closing a book after he had opened it. "We don't need to study. We've got to walk the plank, at any rate, and all the study we do here for the next day or two is so much time wasted!"
"We may walk the plank," retorted Dave. "In fact, I feel rather certain that we shall. But it hasn't happened yet Danny boy, open that book again, and open it at the right page. Study until recall, and work harder than you ever did before. You know all about that old-time Navy man who said, 'Don't give up the ship!'"
They studied, or manfully pretended to, until release sounded. How much they learned from their books that night may have been a different matter.
By the next day it was generally conceded among the midshipmen that the ranks of the brigade were about to be thinned as a result of the last hazing episode. Nor did the third class generally uphold Eaton and his youngster associates in the affair of the night before.
"They were out for trouble, and they got it," declared one third classman. "The rest of us let up on all hazing before Christmas."
In some underground way Farley and Page heard the straight story concerning Dave and Dan; how the two upper classmen had gone to the room and Darrin had entered a mild protest against the hazing.
Though it was against regulations to visit them confined to their quarters, Farley took the chance and got a few words with Dave.
"Darry, don't let anyone trim you for what you didn't do," begged Midshipman Farley. "Go straight to the com.; tell him that you and Dan had just entered the room to see what was going on, and that you had just made a protest against the hazing."
"Nothing doing there, Farl," Dave gently assured his friend. "We were present and we really had no business to be. We wouldn't make ourselves look any more manly by crying when the medicine is held out to us."
"But you did protest," urged Farley anxiously. "Stand up for your own rights, Darry. Remember, I'm not counseling you to lie, or to make any stretched claims. That would be unworthy of you. But tell the full truth in your own defense."
"Dan and I will truthfully answer all questions put to us by competent officers," Dave replied gravely. "Farl, that is about all we can do and keep our self-respect. For, you understand, we were there, and we knew just about what we were going to look in on before we crossed the threshold of that room."
"But we can't lose you from the brigade, Darry," pleaded Farley hoarsely. "Nor can the people of this country spare you from the Navy of the future. Stick up for all your rights. That's all your friends ask of you. Remember, man, you're nearly three fourths of the way through to graduation! Don't let your fine chances be sacrificed."
Dave, however, still maintained that he was not going to play baby. In dismay some forty members of the second class held an unofficial outdoor meeting at which ways and means were suggested. In the end Joyce, Farley and Page were appointed a committee of three to think the matter over solemnly, and then to go to the commandant of midshipmen with whatever statement they felt justified in making.
At the earliest possible moment the three waited outside the door of the commandant's office, after having sent in their cards and a message as to why they desired to see the commandant.
"Well, gentlemen," began the commandant briskly, "I understand that you want to see me in reference to the last hazing outrage. What have you to say?"
"We come in behalf of two members of our own class, sir," spoke upFarley.
"Hm! What do you expect to be able to say for Midshipmen Darrin andDalzell? They do not attempt to deny the fact that they were present atthe hazing, and that they were at least looking on when LieutenantPreston entered the room."
"May I inquire, sir," replied Farley very respectfully, "whether either Mr. Darrin or Mr. Dalzell have stated that Mr. Darrin had just entered a protest against the hazing, and that they had made the protest just before Lieutenant Preston went into the room?"
"No; such a statement has not been made by either Mr. Darrin orMr. Dalzell," admitted the commandant. "Are you sure that Mr.Darrin did protest?"
"I can only say, sir," replied Farley, "that I have been so informed. I also know, from Mr. Darrin's own lips, that he has refused to inform you that he made such a protest."
"Why?" shot out the commandant, eyeing Mr. Farley keenly.
"Because, sir, Mr. Darrin feels that he would be doing the baby act to enter such a defense."
"And so has commissioned you to appear for him?"
"No, sir," returned Farley almost hotly. "In fact, sir, I believe Mr. Darrin would be very angry if he knew what I am doing and saying at this moment. This committee, sir, was appointed by some forty members of the second class, sir, who are familiar with the facts. We have been sent to you, sir, by our classmates, who are frantic at the thought of losing the finest fellow in the class."
"I thank you, gentlemen," said the commandant, in a tone which signified the polite dismissal of the committee. "I will keep in mind what you have told me."
The investigation was being carried on daily. All of the third class offenders were put on carpet more than once. At the next session with the youngsters the commandant questioned them as to the truth of the statement that Darrin had tried to protest against the hazing.
"Why, yes, sir," Eaton admitted, "Mr. Darrin did say something against what we were doing."
"As an upper classman, did Mr. Darrin order you to stop?"
"No, sir," Eaton admitted; "he didn't command us to stop."
"What did Mr. Darrin say?"
"I can't state with accuracy, now, sir, just what Mr. Darrin did say to us."
"Did he disapprove of your acts?"
"Yes, sir. I am very certain that he made every third classman present feel uncomfortable."
"Then whatever Mr. Darrin's words were, they had the effect, if not the exact form, of a rebuke against your conduct?" pressed the commandant.
"Yes, sir," replied Midshipman Eaton with great positiveness.
Eaton's companions in the hazing all bore him out in the statement. The commandant of midshipmen then took up the matter of their testimony with the superintendent of the Naval Academy.
After six days of confinement to quarters, Darrin and Dalzell were ordered to report before the commandant. With that officer they found the superintendent also. It was the latter officer who spoke.
"Mr. Darrin and Mr. Dalzell, on the testimony of others, not of yourselves, we have learned that Mr. Darrin had just entered a rebuke against the hazing before Lieutenant Preston entered the room in which the hazing was taking place. We have this on such general assurance that both the commandant and myself feel warranted in restoring you to full duty and privileges. At the same time, Mr. Darrin, I desire to thank you for your manliness and attention to duty in entering a protest against the hazing."
"I thank you very much, sir," Dave Darrin answered. "However, much as I long to remain in the Navy, I do not want to hide behind a misunderstanding. While I spoke against the hazing, candor compels me to admit that I did not protest so vigorously but that more hazing went on immediately."
"That I can quite understand," nodded the superintendent. "I am aware of the disinclination of the members of one upper class to interfere with the members of another upper class. The fact that you made a protest at all is what has convinced me that yourself and Mr. Dalzell were in the room at the time with a worthy instead of an unworthy motive. Worthy motives are not punished at the Naval Academy, Mr. Darrin. For that reason yourself and Mr. Dalzell are restored to full duty and privileges. That is all, gentlemen."
Thus dismissed, Dave and Dan could not, without impertinence, remain longer in the room.
There was wild joy in the second class when it was found that the class leaders, Darrin and Dalzell, had escaped from the worst scrape they had been in at Annapolis.
Eaton, Hough and Paulson, of the third class, proved to have been the ringleaders in the hazing. They were summarily dismissed from the Naval Academy, while the other six youngsters implicated in the affair all came in for severe punishments that fell short of dismissal.
After that matters went on smoothly enough for the balance of the term. Dave, Dan, Joyce, Farley, Page, Jetson and all their closest intimates in the class succeeded in passing their annual examinations. Jetson, in addition, had made good in his new role of amiable fellow.
As these young men, now new first classmen, stood on the deck of a battleship, watching the Naval Academy fade astern, at the beginning of the summer cruise, Dave Darrin turned to his friends, remarking wistfully:
"Fellows, if we get through one more year of it without falling down, we shall then be putting to sea once more, and then as graduated midshipmen, afloat in our effort to win our ensign's commissions!"
How did they come out?
The answer must be deferred to the next and last volume of this series, which is published under the title, "DAVE DARRIN'S FOURTH YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Headed for Graduation and the Big Cruise."