E-text prepared by Jim Ludwig
Headed for Graduation and the Big Cruise
CHAPTERS
I. Wanted—-A Doughface!
II. Some One Pushes the Tungsten
III. Bad News from West Point
IV. Dave's Work Goes Stale
V. Dan Hands Himself Bad Money
VI. The "Forgot" Path to Trouble
VII. Dan's Eyes Jolt His Wits
VIII. The Prize Trip on the "Dodger"
IX. The Treachery of Morton
X. "We Belong to the Navy, Too!"
XI. A Quarter's Worth of Hope
XII. Ready to Trim West Point
XIII. When "Brace Up, Army!" was the Word
XIV. The Navy Goat Grins
XV. Dan Feels as "Sold" as He Looks
XVI. The Day of Many Doubts
XVII. Mr. Clairy Deals in Outrages
XVIII. The Whole Class Takes a Hand
XIX. Midshipman Darrin Has the Floor
XX. Dan Steers on the Rocks Again
XXI. In the Thick of Disaster
XXII. The Search at the Bottom of the Bay
XXIII. Graduation Day—-At Last
XXIV. Conclusion
"Now, then, Danny boy, we——-"
First Classman Dave Darrin, midshipman at the United States Naval
Academy, did not finish what he was about to say.
While speaking he had closed the door behind him and had steppedinto the quarters occupied jointly by himself and by MidshipmanDaniel Dalzell, also of the first or upper class.
"Danny boy isn't here. Visiting, probably," mused Dave Darrin,after having glanced into the alcove bedroom at his right hand.
It was a Saturday night, early in October. The new academic yearat the Naval Academy was but a week old. There being no "hop"that night the members of the brigade had their time to spendas they pleased. Some of the young men would need the time sadlyto put in at their new studies. Dave, fortunately, did not feelunder any necessity to spend his leisure in grinding over text-books.
Dave glanced at his study desk, though he barely saw the pile oftext-books neatly piled up there.
"No letters to write tonight," he thought "I was going to loanDanny boy one of my two new novels. No matter; if he'd rather visitlet him do so."
In the short interval of recreation that had followed the eveningmeal Dave had missed his home chum and roommate, but had thoughtnothing of it. Nor was Dave now really disappointed over thepresent prospect of having an hour or two by himself. He wentto a one-shelf book rack high overhead and pulled down one ofhis two recent novels.
"If I want Danny boy at any time I fancy I have only to step asfar as Page's room," mused Dave, as he seated himself by his desk.
An hour slipped by without interruption. An occasional burstof laughter floated down the corridor. At some distance away,on the same deck of barracks in Bancroft Hall, a midshipman wasindustriously twanging away on a banjo. Darrin, however, absorbedin his novel, paid no heed to any of the signs of Saturday-nightjollity. He was a third of the way through an exciting tale whenthere came a knock on the door—-a moment later a head was thrust in.
Midshipman Farley's head was thrust inside.
"All alone, Darry?" called Mr. Farley.
"Yes," Dave answered, laying his novel aside after having thrustan envelope between pages to hold the place. "Come