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During that time they had an average of four sections a day of cadet midshipmen to instruct in the workings of the Pollard type of submarine torpedo boat. During the last few days short cruises were taken on the Severn River, in order that the middies might practise at running the motors and handling the craft.
It was now the turn of the fine Naval Academy band to play the Brigade of Midshipmen on to the field. Again the air vibrated with the intensity of the loyal cheers that greeted the middies. Over in quarters, after the middies of the team had togged, a few anxious minutes of waiting followed. What was to be the fate of the day?
Now, as though by instinct, the midshipmen seemed aware that the O.C., who to-day happened to be Lieutenant Cotton, U.S.N., was standing in front of the doorway gazing in. Instantly the middies came to the position of attention, looking straight ahead of them. "Good evening, gentlemen," greeted the O.C. "Is anything unusual going on?"
The Winnebagos and Sandwiches had been in swimming and were lying lazily about in the warm sand. Slim sat in the shade of Hinpoha's rock and fanned himself. Even a dip in the cool water made him warm and breathless. Gladys and Migwan were out in a rowboat, washing middies in the lake. "It is peaceful," drawled Katherine, tracing designs in the sand with her forefinger.
In a gale of wind, when all hands are called and the deck swarms with men, the little "middies" running about distracted and having nothing particular to do, make it up in vociferous swearing; exploding all about under foot like torpedoes. Some of them are terrible little boys, cocking their cups at alarming angles, and looking fierce as young roosters.
I have always loved the sea myself, from the hour I first set foot on board a man-of-war and skylarked with the middies, to that sad and memorable day when, under the strong I might almost say irresistible influence of my strong-minded wife, I bade adieu to the royal navy for ever, and retired into private life. Alas! But what is the use of sighing?
"I withdraw it, and apologize to both of you." There was more handshaking. During the next few days, while Darry and Pen did not become by any means intimate, they no longer made any effort to avoid each other, but spoke frankly when they met. The remaining days of the voyage passed uneventfully enough, except for a great amount of hard work that the middies performed as usual.
"Your Excellency must excuse me for bringing one of my midshipmen with me," he said to the governor of Barbados, who had invited him to dine. "I make it a rule to introduce them to all the good company I can, as they have few to look up to besides myself during the time they are at sea." Was it any wonder that his "middies" almost worshiped him?
"I thought, sir," spoke up one of the middies, "that you controlled the diving apparatus from the conning tower." "It can be done there, when the officer in charge of the boat is up there," Jack answered. "The diving, and the rising, may be controlled at this point in the cabin. Mr. Hastings, give us eight miles ahead from the electric motors." "Yes, sir," came the word from Hal.
"Why, we think we're in sight of the very time of our lives! Annapolis! And to teach the middies how to run a 'Pollard' submarine." "How soon are we likely to have to start, sir!" asked Hal Hastings, after a silence that lasted a few moments. "Whenever the 'Hudson' shows up along this coast, and the officer in command of her gives the word. That may be any hour, now."
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