E-text prepared by Jim Ludwig
Two Plebe Midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy
by
CHAPTERS
I. Two Admirals in the Bud
II. The First Day at the Naval Academy
III. A Taste of Hazing
IV. The "Youngsters" Who Became "Spoons On"
V. Invited to Join the "Frenchers"
VI. Dave Passes the Lie
VII. On the Field of the Code
VIII. The Man Who Won
IX. Dan Just Can't Help Being "Touge"
X. "Just For Exercise!"
XI. Midshipman Henkel Does Some Thinking
XII. A Chronic Pap Frapper
XIII. Midshipman Farley's About-Face
XIV. The Trap in Midshipman's Quarters
XV. Air "The Rogue's March"
XVI. Brimmer Makes a New Friend
XVII. Tony Baits the Hook
XVIII. In the Days of "Old Two-Five"
XIX. The Collision of the Chesapeake
XX. In the Line of Duty
XXI. Official and Other Report
XXII. The "Bazoo" makes Trouble
XXIII. The Spectre at the Fight Party
XXIV. Conclusion
"Dave, I'm getting nervous!"
"Is that the best way you can find to enjoy yourself?" demandedthe taller boy.
"But I am, Dave—dreadfully nervous!" insisted Dan Dalzell positively.
"Well, you'll have to conceal it, then. The doctors at the United
States Naval Academy won't pass any nervous wrecks," laughed Dave
Darrin.
"Don't you understand?" demanded Dan, in a hurt voice. "The nearerwe get to Annapolis the more nervous I'm getting."
"You'd better drop off, then," hinted Dave ironically, "and takethe next car back to Odenton and Baltimore. What earthly goodwould a Naval officer be who was going to get nervous as soonas he came in sight of an enemy?"
"But I wouldn't get nervous in the sight the enemy," flared up
Dan Dalzell.
"Then why get nervous about the folks down at the Naval Academy?
They all intend to be your friends!"
"I guess that is true," Dan went on. "Of course, back in April,we went before the Civil Service Commission and took our academicexaminations. We passed, and haven't got that to go up againstagain."
"We passed the home medical examiner, too," retorted Dave. "Infact, you might say that we passed the sawbones with honors.
"But that medical chap put in a long time listening at my chest,"complained Dan Dalzell, who was undeniably fidgeting in his seat."Then, too, the civil service sawbones told me that, while hepassed me, as far as he was concerned, I'd have to stand the ordealagain before the Naval surgeons at Annapolis."
"Well, he did just the same thing with me," rejoined Darrin."You just keep your eye on me, Dan! Do you see me shaking? Doyou hear my voice falter? See me burning any blue lights?
"Perhaps, Dave, you don't take the whole business as much to heartas I do," continued Dan Dalzell almost tremulously. "Why, GreatScott, if they drop me at the Naval Academy, I'll be the bluestfellow you ever saw! But maybe you won't care, Dave, whetheryou are dropped or not."
"Won't I?" grumbled Darrin. "The Navy is the only thing in lifethat I care about!"
"Then aren't you nervous, just now?" demanded Dan.
"If